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2019 IDW continuity

2021-11-07T08:18:21Z

Shockwitwicky86: Correcting title of issue 36's story.

{{nav-G1|logo=IDW_Transformers_Jan_2019_logo.png}}
[[File:TF2019 04 cvrA clean.jpg|thumb|right|200px]]

The '''2019 IDW continuity''' is [[IDW Publishing]]'s first reboot of its ongoing ''Transformers'' series as a whole after the [[2005 IDW continuity]] concluded in November 2018 with the ''[[Transformers: Unicron|Unicron]]'' miniseries. This new iteration of IDW's ''Transformers'' mythos follows its predecessor by taking place within the [[Generation 1 continuity family]], and features the return of multiple of IDW-original concepts and characters mined from the prior universe and tweaked to fit into this new universe.

Unusually for a ''Transformers'' story, which generally begin ''in medias res'' with the Autobot-Decepticon conflict well underway, this continuity opens just before the outbreak of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]]—the first story to do so since 2010's ''[[Transformers: Exodus|Exodus]]'' novel.

{{TOCclear}}

==Main titles==
[[File:TFGalaxies 2 cvrB clean.jpg|thumb|right|200px]]
===''Transformers''===
{{main|Transformers (2019 comic)}}

The primary ongoing comic written by [[Brian Ruckley]], ''Transformers'' opens on a peaceful, egalitarian Cybertron rocked by the first murder in living memory—a murder with far-reaching repercussions for both Senator [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Orion Pax]], his allies, and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], the conflicted leader of the self-styled [[Decepticon|Ascenticon]]s.

===''Transformers: Galaxies''===
{{main|Transformers: Galaxies}}

''Transformers: Galaxies'' is a spiritual successor of sorts to the ''[[The Transformers: Spotlight|Spotlight]]'' issues that helped to flesh out the original IDW continuity. An anthology of side stories, each arc features a new creative team telling stories set far away from [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]].

===''Transformers: Escape''===
{{main|Transformers: Escape}}

The ''Transformers: Escape'' miniseries details [[Nautica (G1)|Nautica]], [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]], and [[Hound (G1)|Hound]]'s race to evacuate Cybertron's civilian population amidst civil war.

===''Wreckers: Tread & Circuits''===
{{main|Wreckers: Tread & Circuits}}

''Tread & Circuits'' introduces the fan-favorite [[Wrecker]]s into the continuity, and re-imagines the team as an Autobot black ops unit who disguise themselves as thrill-seeking daredevils.

===Other releases===
''[[Transformers Valentine's Day Special]]''—a romance-themed one-shot released in February 2020. 
''[[I Have No Mouth And I Must Starscream|Transformers Halloween Special]]''— a horror-themed one-shot released in October 2021.

{{-}}

==Collected editions==
Eschewing the standard trade paperback format, this continuity is primarily being collected in larger hardbacks, each containing twelve issues for the MSRP of 50 USD. From the second volume onwards, these collections mix together issues of both ongoing titles, collecting the entire continuity in both under a single banner and in publication order from the very start.

{{chapters|title=''Volume 1: The World In Your Eyes'':|align=left|content=
<div class="list-header">''Transformers''</div>
*[[The World In Your Eyes Part One|#1]]
*[[The World In Your Eyes Part Two|#2]]
*[[The World In Your Eyes Part Three|#3]]
*[[The World In Your Eyes Part Four|#4]]
*[[The World In Your Eyes Part Five|#5]]
*[[Orion Pax: Free Fall|#6]]
*[[The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part One|#7]]
*[[The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Two|#8]]
*[[The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Three|#9]]
*[[The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Four|#10]]
*[[The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Five|#11]]
*[[Nautica: Home|#12]]
}}

{{chapters|title=''Volume 2: The Change In Their Nature'':|align=left|content=
<div class="list-header">''Transformers''</div>
*[[The Change In Your Nature Part One|#13]]
*[[The Change In Your Nature Part Two|#14]]
*[[The Change In Your Nature Part Three|#15]]
*[[The Change In Your Nature Part Four|#16]]
*[[The Change In Your Nature Part Five|#17]]
*[[Arcee/Greenlight: Run|#18]]
 <div class="list-header">''Galaxies''</div>
*[[Constructicons Rising, Part 1|#1]]
*[[Constructicons Rising, Part 2|#2]]
*[[Constructicons Rising, Part 3|#3]]
*[[Constructicons Rising, Part 4|#4]]
*[[Wannabee, Part 1|#5]]
*[[Wannabee, Part 2|#6]]
}}

{{chapters|title=''Volume 3: All Fall Down'':|align=left|content=
<div class="list-header">''Transformers''</div>
*[[Rise of the Decepticons: All Fall Down|#19]]
*[[Rise of the Decepticons: Swindle's|#20]]
*[[Rise of the Decepticons: Tremors|#21]]
*[[Rise of the Decepticons: Prisoners|#22]]
*[[Rise of the Decepticons: We Have Deceived You|#23]]
*[[Wheeljack: Orbital Decay|#24]]
 <div class="list-header">''Galaxies''</div>
*[[Gauging the Truth: Part One|#7]]
*[[Gauging the Truth, Part Two: A Truth for a Truth|#8]]
*[[Gauging the Truth, Part Three: Moment of Truth|#9]]
*[[Storm Horizon Part 1|#10]]
*[[Storm Horizon Part 2|#11]]
*[[Storm Horizon Part 3|#12]]
}}

{{chapters|title=''Volume 4: Declaration of War'':|align=left|content=
<div class="list-header">''Transformers''</div>
*[[War World: Prime |#25]]
*[[War World: Awakenings|#26]]
*[[War World: Moon|#27]]
*[[War World: Hunt|#28]]
*[[War World: Titans|#29]]
*[[War World: We Are Not Meant To Be Darkness|#30]]
 <div class="list-header">''Escape''</div>
*[[Escape Part One|#1]]
*[[Escape Part Two|#2]]
*[[Escape Part Three|#3]]
*[[Escape Part Four|#4]]
*[[Escape Part Five|#5]]
 <div class="list-header">''Other''</div>
*[[Transformers Valentine's Day Special|Valentine's Day Special]]

}}

{{chapters|title=''Volume 5: Horrors Near and Far'':|align=left|content=
<div class="list-header">''Transformers''</div>
*[[Lord of Misrule: Test Flight I|#31]]
*[[Lord of Misrule: Test Flight II|#32]]
*[[Lord of Misrule: Swindle's II|#33]]
*[[Lord of Misrule: Sea of Rust I|#34]]
*[[Lord of Misrule: Sea of Rust II|#35]]
*[[Lord of Misrule: Enigmatic|#36]]
 <div class="list-header">''Wreckers: Tread & Circuits''</div>
*[[Tread & Circuits Part 1|#1]]
*[[Tread & Circuits Part 2|#2]]
*[[Tread & Circuits Part 3|#3]]
*[[Tread & Circuits Part 4|#4]]
 <div class="list-header">''Other''</div>
*[[Light/Star|2021 Annual]]
*[[I Have No Mouth And I Must Starscream|Halloween Special]]
}}

<center>
<gallery>
TF-IDW-2019v1.jpg|'''Volume 1'''; cover art by [[Cryssy Cheung]]
TF-IDW-2019v2.jpg|'''Volume 2'''; cover art by Cryssy Cheung
TF-IDW-2019v3.jpg|'''Volume 3'''; cover art by Cryssy Cheung
TF-IDW-2019v4.jpg|'''Volume 4'''; cover art by Cryssy Cheung
TF-IDW-2019v5.jpg|'''Volume 5'''; cover art by Cryssy Cheung
</gallery></center>

==Notes==
*2019 IDW media features a staggering level of [[Show-accuracy|toy accuracy]], as a result of general agreement among artists to use contemporary toy designs as a consistent and accessible source of reference material.
*Thus far, every character based on a [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmaster]], [[Micromaster]], [[Titan Master]], or [[Battle Master]] toy exists as a regular-sized Transformer in this universe.

[[Category:Continuities]]
[[Category:IDW (2019)]]

Transformers vs. G.I. Joe: The Movie Adaptation

2021-04-25T11:14:16Z

Shockwitwicky86: /* Reprints */

{{Comicstory|seriesissue=[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe]]: The Movie Adaptation
|prev=The War Never Ends
|next=
|image=TFJoemovie_regcvr.jpg
|title=
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[March 22]], [[2017]]
|coverdate=March 2017
|written by=[[Tom Scioli]]
|art by=Tom Scioli
|colors by=Tom Scioli
|letters by=Tom Scioli
|production by=[[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[Carlos Guzman]]
|continuity=[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe]]
}}

'''From comic to movie to comic again, it's the story of the greatest film never made!'''

==Synopsis==

Long ago, in the ancient past, the [[Autobot]]s and [[Decepticon]]s came to [[Earth]] and were worshiped as gods. Viking warrior [[Aberneth the Hawk-Helmed]] fought alongside the Autobots in their war, armed with a warhammer made using their technology, but he was eventually slain by the man who would become [[Destro]], an evil warlord who "sold his soul" to the Decepticons in return for technology that made him immortal.

In the present day, Aberneth's warhammer rests in the hands of his descendant [[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]], one of the generals in charge of America's daring, highly-trained special mission force, [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]. Soon after the team welcomes new member [[Scarlett]] aboard, the metal planet of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] appears in the [[Solar System]], on a trajectory that takes it dangerously close to Earth. The Joes are deployed to the alien world to investigate, where they learn of the war between the two Cybertronian factions, and ally themselves with the Autobots. Unfortunately, the Decepticons gain human allies of their own in the Joes' enemies, the ruthless terrorist organization [[Cobra]].

Scarlett finds herself growing close to Autobot leader [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], but both are wounded in an enemy attack that sees Prime decapitated, his [[Matrix of Leadership]] stolen by Decepticon god-emperor [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]. Scarlett is captured and taken with Prime's severed head to the Decepticon city of [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], where brainwashing sessions carried out by [[Doctor Venom]] attempt to convince her that the existence of G.I. Joe and the Transformers is a delusion. Scarlett sees through the mind games, however, and manages to escape, rejoining the other Joes and Autobots. She undergoes [[binary bonding]] to link with Optimus's body and replace his lost head, and in this new form, leads the united heroes' charge against their enemies.

During the final battle, [[Snake-Eyes|Snake Eyes]] boards [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] and attempts to stab his pilot, [[Cobra Commander]], but is stopped by the Decepticon's arms, which emerge from his jet mode to grab the ninja's blade. Hawk claims vengeance for his ancestor by shattering the techno-gem medallion that sustains Destro, ending his life. The Scarlett-controlled Optimus then defeats Megatron in battle, resulting in a tense standoff between the now-leaderless two factions. Representatives from both sides recover Optimus Prime's head and reattach it to his body, restoring him to life and bringing the war to an end.

Cobra Commander almost slips away during the heroes' celebrations, but his parachute is snatched out of the air by [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]], and each of the Joes take a turn punching him as he dangles in front of them. [[Roadblock (G.I. Joe)|Roadblock]] socks the Commander so hard that his mask shatters, revealing a face that Snake Eyes is shocked to recognize... the face of his ''father!''

==Featured characters==
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] (1)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (2)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (15)
*[[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (16)
*[[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] (17)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (18)
*[[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] (32)
*[[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (43)
*[[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] (53)
*[[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] (56)

|c2=
*[[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (13)
*[[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] (14)
*[[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] (28)
*[[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (40)
*[[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (41)
*[[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] (42)
*[[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] (44)
*[[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (45)
*[[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] (46)
*[[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] (47)

|h3=[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]|c3=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Scarlett]] (5)
*[[Battle Android Trooper|B.A.T.s]] (6)
*[[Roadblock (G.I. Joe)|Roadblock]] (7)
*[[General Flagg]] (8)
*[[Snake-Eyes|Snake Eyes]] (9)
*[[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]] (10)
*[[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]] (11)
*[[Stalker (G.I. Joe)|Stalker]] (12)
*[[Bazooka (G.I. Joe)|Bazooka]] (29)
*[[Shipwreck]] (30)
*[[Flash (G.I. Joe)|Flash]] (31)
*[[Breaker]]? (33) 
*[[Snow Job]] (34)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Blowtorch]] (35)
*[[Deep Six]] (36)
*[[Clutch (G.I. Joe)|Clutch]]? (37) 
*[[Lady Jaye]] (38)
*[[Mutt]]? (39)
*? (48)
*? (49)
*[[Mainframe (G.I. Joe)|Mainframe]] (50)
*? (51)
*[[Falcon (G.I. Joe)|Falcon]] (52)
*[[Low Light]] (54)
*[[Beachhead]] (55)
{{!}}}

|h4=[[Cobra]]|c4=
*[[Destro]] (4)
*[[Doctor Venom]] (19)
*[[Baroness]] (20)
*[[Serpentor]] (21)
*[[Dreadnok|Torch]] (22)
*[[Cobra Commander]] (23)
*[[Zartan]] (24)
*[[Firefly]] (25)
*[[Major Bludd]] (26)
*[[Storm Shadow]] (27)

|h5=Others|c5=
*[[Aberneth the Hawk-Helmed]] (3)
*[[O. Ryan Paxton]] (56)
*[[Megatron (AI)|Megatron]] (57)
|}}

==Quotes==
'''Flagg:''' "A planet of giant killer robots. And you've all got a ticket to ride." 
'''Scarlett:''' "First class?" 
'''Duke:''' "Not this trip, princess. Joes are lucky to fly coach. Usually they stow us in boxes with the rest of the war toys."

"But is there a Cybertronian word for... love?"
:—'''Scarlett''' and Optimus Prime grow close

"As it was foretold... 'Autobot and Decepticon together will crown the king of the universe.' All are one."
:—'''Alpha Trion''' pops in to add some gravitas to the restoration of Optimus Prime

==Notes==
===The "adaptation"===
The high concept at work on this one-shot issue is: what if the preceding thirteen-issue series was adapted into a feature film, and then, that feature film received a comic book adaptation of its own? The answer is, you'd get the illustrated version of a [[Wikipedia]] summary, a breakneck highlight-reel style reinterpretation of the series storyline in which coherent narrative takes a back seat to unfiltered artistic id. Scioli conceived of this one-shot in 2014, not long after the series began, so it ends up offering a "sideways" look at the saga, based on early story concepts, many of which would wind up going in very different directions in the finished series, or abandoned outright. The end result is something that replicates the traditional feel of a movie adaptation—refiltered and reimagined as one might expect a film version to be, but cranked up to eleven by being ''massively'' compressed to fit into a single issue—while being pulled off in reverse. Geez, Tom.

In terms of the broad strokes of the plot, Cybertron arriving in Earth's solar system and the Joes to travelling to the planet is about all that remains from the series, with other large major plot-turns (such as Cobra Commander having his own, third [[Koh-Buru-Lah]] faction of reptiloids, Optimus Prime being lost between dimensions leaving [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] and [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] to fight over leadership, and the complex intertwined history of Earth, Cybertron, and the [[Quintesson]]s, including Cybertron transforming to consume the sun, only to be stopped by a [[Atlas (G1)|transformed Earth]]) all being absent. Notable points of "adaptation" include:

*In the series, it was Duke's ancestor, [[Thor FalkenHauser]], who owned the warhammer and fought alongside the gods, and it was merely kept safe by the bloodline of FalkenHasuer's ally Aberneth after FalkenHasuer's death. It was Duke who used the warhammer to kill Destro in the same way that Hawk does here.
*It is implied that, in contrast to the series, where he plundered their technology years after the war, Destro actively allied with the Decepticons in the war and fought Aberneth during it. Destro dies as in the series, his immortality ended by the destruction of his gemstone pendant, but in the series, that didn't quite seem to jibe with what the rest of the comic had shown, which indicated his longevity was a result of his being a partially-Cybertronian cyborg.
*The Joes use B.A.T.s for training. ''Joe'' lore normally depicts these robots as Cobra creations, but in the series, Doctor Venom was shown building some for Joe while he was in their custody.
*The Baroness has been scarred, leaving her face bandaged. The circumstances of her disfigurement are unrevealed, however; in the series, she is wounded in the plane crash that Snake Eyes causes when he stabs Cobra Commander, but that scene is reworked for this one-shot to occur later in the story, with Starscream taking the place of the jet and ''stopping'' Snake Eyes from stabbing the Commander. As such, she never becomes the "Serpentress," and Serpentor is shown to exist alongside the rest of Cobra, in contrast to the series, which presented him as being the Baroness and Cobra Commander's future child.
*Scarlett is still taken to Scorponok, the "city of madness," where Cobra attempts to convince her that her life has been a cartoon-inspired delusion, but it is Doctor Venom, rather than [[Doctor Mindbender]], who oversees her conditioning.
*Optimus Prime is not absent from Cybertron when the story begins as he was in the series, but is defeated by Megatron and has the Matrix stolen in the same attack that leads to Scarlett's capture.
*Optimus is the one to have his head severed and used as a prop as part of the Scorponok story, while in the series, it was Bumblebee.
*Scarlett still becomes a Headmaster, but where the series had her binary bond to Scorponok, here, she bonds with Optimus, taking the place of his lost head.
*Rather than a reptilian, Cobra Commander is simply depicted as being extremely scarred beneath his helmet in a manner that emulates the scaly skin seen in the series. His being Snake Eye's father is an entirely new plot point for this issue, intended as a movie-ending "cliffhanger" that sets up a sequel.

===G.I. Joe references===
*The "narration captions" for the scene of the Joes arriving on Cybertron take the form of a letter Snake Eyes writes. This was a narrative conceit occasionally employed in the classic ''Joe'' Marvel comic book, first seen in issue #4, and later used in issue-long format to bring the series to a close with #155. Scioli notes in the commentary how he emulated the "exquisite handwriting and sensitive writing style" Snake displayed in those stories.
*Major Bludd remarks that the Decepticons have given him the "gift of might" while gesturing with his right arm, alluding to said limb's occasional depiction as a cybernetic prosthesis in various pieces of ''Joe'' media.

===Real-life references===
*"I'll form the head!" declares Scarlett as she bonds with Optimus, quoting the famous catchphrase from ''{{w|Voltron}}''.
*The image of O. Ryan Paxton in costume mirrors a [[wikia:starwars:File:AnthonyDanielsisastandupguy.jpg|famous image]] of Anthony Daniels as [[C-3PO]] between scenes on the set of ''[[Star Wars (film)|Star Wars]]''.

===Credits references===
The last page of the story is the "credits" of the film, listing the cast and the "actors" who played them. The names of the "Joe" actors are the ''real'' names of the characters (for example, "Scarlett" is played by "Shana O'Hara," while "Snake Eyes" is played by "Francis Witwicky," which was the real name the final issue of the series gave to Snake), but there's a few other references hidden in there:
*Optimus Prime was played by "[[O. Ryan Paxton]]," a reference to "Orion Pax," Optimus's pre-Prime name as originated by the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]] episode "[[War Dawn (episode)|War Dawn]]."
*Wheeljack was played by "Al Italia," a reference to Italian airline {{w|Alitalia}}, whose sponsorship logo appears on the original Wheeljack toy (rendered as "Alitalla").
*Starscream was played by "McDonnell Douglas," which is the name of the {{w|McDonnell Douglas|aerospace company}} that manufactured the F-15 Eagle jet, Starscream's classic alternate mode.
*Cobra Commander was played by "William Witwicky." The Commander has never had a known real name in traditional ''Joe'' media, so there's nothing to draw upon here; "William Witwicky" is, in fact, the real name of [[Sparkplug Witwicky]] (the [[The Last Stand|first]] of several he would be given over time), as both an allusion to his being Snake Eyes's father, and to voice actor [[Chris Latta]], who performed both the Commander and Sparkplug in the classic ''Joe'' and ''Transformers'' cartoons.
*And lastly, Bumblebee was played by "B.B. Goldbug," alluding to 'Bee's upgraded [[Throttlebot]] form.

===Backmatter===
In the style of classic 1970s and 80s comic book adaptations of films, the issue contains several pieces of backmatter that take the form of "articles" about the making of the fictitious movie. These include:
*"Interview with: Scarlett/Shana O'Hara," in which rumors of the actress's on-set fling with Conrad Hauser (the actor playing Duke), and the potential Oscar nomination Francis Witwicky may receive for his portrayal of Snake Eyes, are discussed.
*"More Than Real: The Special Effects of Transformers vs. G.I. Joe," in which director Tom Scioli talks about how the majority of the effects in the film have been produced with as little digital imagery as possible, instead using practical sets and actors in robot costumes.
*"The Man Who Would Be Autobot King: Interview With Actor O. Ryan Paxton," in which the actor recounts his familiarity with Optimus from watching [[Transformers: Rescue Bots (cartoon)|''Rescue Bots'']] with his grandchildren, calls the role the "most challenging of his career," and reveals that Megatron is credited as "himself" in the film because the "actor" is actually a real, working artificial intelligence.

The fourth wall is finally broken for the remaining features, which include the traditional issue-long commentary from Scioli, and his complete thumbnail layouts for all twenty pages. A small gallery of Scioli art rounds out the extras, including a pin-up of Cobra Commander riding [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]], the original sketch for the cover of [[The Golden Boys|issue #0]], and some early promotional art for the series.

==="Errors"===
As usual, it's hard to tell whether what seem to be errors in the artwork are genuine mistakes, or done deliberately as part of the retro-styling. Such instances include:
*Megatron's cannon is on his right arm, as is traditional, on page 13, but on his left in the rest of the story.
*On page 16, Ratchet is colored all-red, making him look like his mold-mate [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]].

===Actual errors===
The interviews in the backmatter feature a few typographical errors:
*Director Scioli misspells "possible" as "posible".
*Scioli's interviewer asks, "Is this a return to rubber-suited, bug-eyed monsters." with a period instead of a question mark.
*O. Ryan Paxton misspells "artificial" as "arttificial".

===Other notes===
*Though not referred to as such in any promotional material, on the regular cover, or in the indicia, the variant covers for this issue all identify it as an "Annual," though it's only half-as-long as, and several dollars cheaper than, the other Hasbroverse Annuals released by IDW in early 2017.
*While previous issues were predominantly lettered digitally, this issue is lettered by hand by Scioli.

===Covers (4)===
*'''Standard cover:''' The movie poster, by Tom Scioli.
*'''Subscription cover:''' Heroes and villains, by [[Robb Waters]].
*'''AOD Collectables exclusive cover:''' Jazz by [[Hal Laren]]. Available exclusively from [http://www.ebay.ca/usr/aod_collectables AOD Collectables].
*'''IDW Convention exclusive cover:''' Optimus Prime and Snake Eyes, by Tom Scioli. Available exclusively from the IDW booth at various 2017 conventions.
<gallery>
File:TFJoemovie_regcvr.jpg
File:TFJoemovie_subcvr.jpg
File:TFJoemovie_AODcvr.jpg
File:TFJoemovie_concvr.jpg
</gallery>

===Advertisments===
*''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe: The Quintessential Edition'' hardback collection of the entire series
*IDW at the NC Comicon

==Reprints==
* '''''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe Quintessential Collection''''' Hardcover

<gallery>
File:IDW-TFvsJoeQC.jpg|'''''Quintessential Collection'''''; cover art by [[Tom Scioli]]
</gallery>

==External links==
*[http://www.newsarama.com/33629-the-greatest-movie-never-made-premieres-in-transformers-vs-g-i-joe-the-movie-adaptation.html Preview]

[[Category:Transformers vs. G.I. Joe issues]]

The Golden Boys

2021-04-25T11:10:49Z

Shockwitwicky86: /* Reprints */

{{Comicstory|series=tfvsjoe
|issueno=0
|prev=
|next=I Saw Three Ships
|image=TFvsJoe0.jpg
|title="The Golden Boys"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[May 3]], [[2014]]
|coverdate=May 2014
|written by=[[Tom Scioli]] and [[John Barber]]
|art by=Tom Scioli
|colors by=Tom Scioli
|letters by=Tom Scioli
|editor=[[Carlos Guzman]]
|continuity=[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe]]
}}

'''When a pair of mysterious alien robots stumble into the middle of a US special mission force's strike against the headquarters of their ruthless terrorist enemies, the stage is set for bombastic action in the mighty <s>Marvel</s> IDW manner!'''

==Synopsis==
==="The Flight of Bumblebee"===
Out in the void of space, tiny [[Autobot]] [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] flees aboard his [[Autobot Resistance Karrier]] from the wrath of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], who is determined to capture him so that he can be used as bait to draw [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] out of hiding. Starscream mounts the craft and rips its cockpit open, but Bumblebee is able to steer the ship toward an asteroid, which knocks his pursuer off. The furious Starscream continues to give chase as Bumblebee puts his damaged ship down on a nearby planet, and heads off towards a ruined, [[Koh-Buru-Lah|temple-like structure]] in the distance, seeking somewhere to hide...

==="Operation: Doomsday Seed"===

That temple structure is, in fact, the headquarters of the ruthless terrorist organization [[Cobra]], and is under attack by America's highly-trained special mission force, [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]. As they descend upon the ruins on "[[J.U.M.P.]]" jetpacks, new team member [[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]] asks [[Scarlett]] out on a date, but she is far more focused on their mission: the apprehension of [[Cobra Commander]], killer of both her sister, and the parents of Duke's rival for her affections, [[Snake-Eyes|Snake Eyes]], though she jokingly promises to marry the Joe who brings her the commander's helmet. The team is faced with Cobra's "[[G.I.Rocket|Project Creeper]]", killer vines that threaten to engulf them, but the Joes are able to use the flames from the engines of their J.U.M.P.s to fend the vicious vegetables off. They blast through the Cobra troopers standing against them—costing Cobra poet [[Major Bludd]] an arm and an eye in the process—and capture the vines' creator [[Doctor Venom]], though he smugly professes that Cobra forced him to do so, and suggests the Joes focus more on stopping the villains from dropping creeper payloads all across America.

As the Joes split up to search the base, Snake Eyes finds his way into Cobra Commander's garage, where the materialistic terrorist leader has gathered hundreds of cars—but what Snake Eyes does not expect to find is Starscream, searching through the vehicles. Assuming the giant robot is a Cobra automaton, Snake Eyes hurls a grenade at it, but Starscream merely slaps the projectile out the air and sends it spinning back toward the Joe. A car's door suddenly opens, and Snake Eyes dives inside to escape the blast, unknowingly winding up behind Bumblebee's wheel!

At the same time, another group of Joes locate Cobra Commander, who cuts down several soldiers before fleeing aboard a [[Rattler]] piloted by the [[Baroness]]. Duke and Scarlett board another Rattler to follow them, narrowly avoiding the creeper bomb that Cobra Commander drops into the temple to cover their escape. Hawk orders the pair to stay back and leave the aerial warfare up to [[Wild Bill]] and [[Ace]], but just then, Bumblebee comes roaring out of the ruins with Snake Eyes aboard and Starscream on his tail. Leaving the 'bots to their battle (with the other Joes sharing his assumption that they are Cobra robots), Snake-Eyes uses his J.U.M.P. to close on Cobra Commander's Rattler. Scarlett uses her crossbow to nail the jet with a creeper grenade, and as the vines begin wrapping around it, Snake Eyes lands on its fuselage and raises his sword high. Just as he sinks his blade into Cobra Commander's chest, however, the villain discharges his sidearm directly into Snake Eyes's face. Snake Eyes topples from the Rattler, but is snatched out of the air by Duke and Scarlett and flown to safety as the other Joes blow Cobra Commander's jet out of the sky. The Rattler's creeper payload detonates in the blast, blanketing the surrounding area in vines, but while the Joes are able to get to safety, the same cannot be said for Starscream, who loses a wing escaping their grip, or Bumblebee, whose body disappears into the vegetable mass.

==="Battle Damage"===
Some time later, back at the Joes' headquarters, [[T.H.E. P.I.T.]], Scarlett visits the injured Snake Eyes as he recovers. The blast from Cobra Commander's weapon has ruined his face, but this matters not to her: while Cobra Commander's body has not been recovered, his helmet has been found, and as she sets it on the silent Snake Eyes's beside table, she takes his hand and asks if he has picked a date for their wedding.

===Epilogue===
Across the galaxy, on the metal world of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Starscream returns to his master [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] with a terrible prize—while Bumblebee's ''body'' may have been lost to the vines, Starscream was able to tear off his ''head'', which [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] now scans for information. Megatron congratulates Starscream on a job well done, sure that the intelligence the little 'bot's mind contains will ensure Optimus Prime's end.

==Featured characters==
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (2)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (hologram, 28)

|c2=
*[[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (1)
*[[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (25)
*[[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]] (26)
*[[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (27)

|h3=[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]|c3=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]] (3)
*[[Wild Bill]] (4)
*[[Bazooka (G.I. Joe)|Bazooka]] (5)
*[[Roadblock (G.I. Joe)|Roadblock]] (6)
*[[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]] (7)
*[[Snake-Eyes|Snake Eyes]] (8)
*[[Scarlett]] (9)
*[[Rock 'n Roll]] (11)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Doc (G.I. Joe)|Doc]] (12)
*[[Breaker]] (13)
*[[Stalker (G.I. Joe)|Stalker]] (14)
*[[Cover Girl]] (15)
*[[Zap (G.I. Joe)|Zap]] (20)
*[[Short-Fuze]] (22)
*[[Shooter]] (23)
*[[Ace]] (24)
{{!}}}
|h4=[[Cobra]]|c4=
*[[Cobra]] troopers (10)
*[[Doctor Venom]] (16)
*[[Major Bludd]] (17)
*[[Baroness]] (18)
*[[Cobra Commander]] (19)
*[[Crimson Guard|Crimson Guardsmen]] (21)
}}

==Quotes==

"Snake Eyes isn't the kind of man who asks for help. He relies on the brains his mother gave him, the training his master gave him, and the tools G.I. Joe gave him--but today unexpected aid comes from a golden guardian, born light years away. In our infinite cosmos, life takes many forms. '''TODAY... <big>SALVATION</big> IS A <big>GOLD BUG!"'''</big>
:—The narrator is excited!

"'''Megatron'''--is a '''kind'''--and '''generous''' god."
:—'''Starscream''' accepts his lord's praise

==Notes==
===Transformers references===
*The opening page is based off the scene of the two factions' flagships attacking each other in "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]", with Bumblebee taking the place of the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], and Starscream that of the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]''. Bumblebee has a little spaceship based off the Ark, while Starscream just turns into a spaceship resembling the Nemesis.
*The narration piece stating "TODAY... SALVATION is a GOLD BUG" pays direct homage to the name of Bumblebee's classic Generation 1 upgraded form, Goldbug.
*In a cameo that is unexpected on the face of it, but in-keeping with the tone of a book where it feels like any crazy thing could happen, Straxus appears on the last page as part of the Decepticon elite. He even has his trademark pickaxe!

===G.I. Joe references===
*Scarlett's affections are competed for by Duke and Snake Eyes, referring to how other ''Joe'' media paired her off: the original 1980s cartoon had her with Duke, but the Marvel comics, and most subsequent media, saw her in a long-term relationship with Snake Eyes.
*The title of the middle chapter of the book, "Operation: Doomsday Seed", is a reference to the title of the first issue of the original Marvel ''G.I. Joe'' comic, "Operation: Lady Doomsday".
*Duke was the leader of the G.I. Joe for the first couple of years in the cartoon, and tends to occupy the position in the pop culture hive-mind. This comic depicts him as a ''new'' member of the Joe team, in a nod to the fact that in the Marvel comics, he actually didn't appear until nearly two years after the book began.
*General Hawk is introduced on his filecard as "General "Tomahawk" Abernathy", a combination of the various alternate names Hasbro used for the character's toys in the early 2000's: "General Abernathy" (his real name) and the "General Tomahawk", which is here given some actual meaning that it previously lacked, as Hawk wields a tomahawk in battle (a family heirloom and good-luck charm, the after-story bonus section reveals; see "other trivia" below).
*The creeper vines in this story are based on the strangler vines from the early ''G.I. Joe'' cartoon episode, "The Vines of Evil". The Joes used the heat from jet engines to combat them in that story too. The creeper bombs also appeared in issue #44 of the Marvel comic series, where they were invented by Dr. Venom's successor, [[Doctor Mindbender|Dr. Mindbender]].
*"Operation: Doomsday Seed" features a one-page sequence labelled "Silent Interlude" featuring Snake-Eyes, in homage to issue #21 of the Marvel ''G.I. Joe'' series, which went by the same name, famous for being an entirely silent issue devoid of dialogue. The joke here, of course, is that while not one word of dialogue is spoken, the florid Kirby-esque narration continues throughout the page, meaning it probably has the ''most'' text on it out of any page of the comic!
*Narration identifies Cobra's headquarters as "Koh-Buru-Lah", a take-off on [[Cobra-La]].
*Of the four "Greenshirt" Joes that Cobra Commander mows down, the name of the one on the far right is deliberately cut-off on panel; it's "Shooter", an "extra" fourteenth member added to the roster of the original thirteen Joes in the first issue of the Marvel comic to fill up some extra panel space, named in reference to [[Jim Shooter]]. Shooter actually got translated into being a real character during [[Devil's Due Press]]'s ''G.I. Joe'' comics, in a one-shot story that also included her death.

===Real-world references===
* Rock'n'Roll's identifying caption labels him as "{{w|Jimmy Page}} on a Machine Gun", referring to the lead guitarist of English rock band {{w|Led Zeppelin}}. However, see "Errors" below.
* As Cobra Commander drops the creeper bomb as they make their escape, he mentions "the world that's coming," referencing the caption on issue #1 of {{w|Jack Kirby}}'s DC comic, ''{{w|OMAC (Buddy Blank)|OMAC}}''.

===Errors===
*While delivering a poem, Major Bludd uses the phrases "apples and pears", Cockney rhyming slang for "stairs", which Scioli notes in the commentary he learned from the ''Austin Powers'' movies, and included for some regional authenticity. The error, however, is that Major Bludd ''isn't Cockney''—he's Australian, but [[Michael Bell]]'s dodgy fake accent in the original ''G.I. Joe'' cartoon sounded fairly Cockney; a common American ailment of the mouth and ear.
*Jimmy Page's name is misspelled as "Jimmie Paige".

===Other notes===
*This issue was released as part of [[Free Comic Book Day]] 2014.
*All the Transformers speak entirely in electronic signals, represented in their speech bubbles as modulated sine waves, which are translated into English in footnotes.
*The story is followed by a bonus section that includes: a "Battlefield Report" that provides fact-files on Scarlett's crossbow, Snake Eyes's sword and Hawk's tomahawk; an afterword from John Barber welcoming readers to the series; a "wanted" poster for Optimus Prime; and a full page-by-page commentary on the story by Barber and Scioli.

===Covers (1)===
*'''Standard cover:''' Starscream and Bumblebee struggle as Scarlet, Stalker, Snake Eyes, and Roadblock tackle the creeper vines, by [[Tom Scioli]] and [[Josh Burcham]]

<gallery>
File:TFvsJoe0.jpg
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''[[Dawn of the Autobots]]''
*''[[The Transformers Classics]]'' and ''[[The Transformers Classics UK]]''
*''[[G.I. Joe (comic)|G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero]]''
*IDW ''[[My Little Pony]]'' comics
*''G.I. Joe: The Complete Collections'' and ''[[G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers]]'' trades
*IDW: Getting Into Your Head for 15 Years (back cover)

==Reprints==
* '''''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe Quintessential Collection''''' Hardcover
* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 73: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Part 1'''''

<gallery>
File:IDW-TFvsJoeQC.jpg|'''''Quintessential Collection'''''; cover art by [[Tom Scioli]]
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v73.jpg|'''''Definitive G1 Collection: Vol. 73: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Pt. 1'''''; cover art by [[Don Figueroa]] and Scioli
</gallery>

==External links==
*[http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=preview&id=21382 Preview]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Golden Boys}}

The War Never Ends

2021-04-25T11:10:24Z

Shockwitwicky86: /* Reprints */

{{Comicstory|series=tfvsjoe
|issueno=13
|prev=Transformers vs. G.I. Joe issue 12
|next=Transformers vs. G.I. Joe: The Movie Adaptation
|image=TFvsJoe13_regcvr.jpg
|title="The War Never Ends"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[June 29]], [[2016]]
|coverdate=June 2016
|written by=[[Tom Scioli]] and [[John Barber]]
|art by=Tom Scioli
|colors by=Tom Scioli
|letters by=Tom Scioli
|production by=[[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[Carlos Guzman]]
|continuity=[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe]]
}}

'''There's only one 'bot who can stop Megatron's mad plan to have Primus consume the Sun. It all ends here... but will anyone be left standing when it's all over?'''

==Synopsis==
As battle rages around him, [[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]] hitches a ride on [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]'s jet mode in order to reach the top of [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s head, where [[Destro]] stands with [[Doctor Venom]]. As Destro and Hawk trade blows, the arms dealer is shocked to recognize the Joe's lucky tomahawk as the warhammer of the Viking [[Thor FalkenHauser]], who Destro slew in his youth. Suddenly, both combatants are simultaneously felled—Destro by a javelin hurled by [[Lady Jaye]], Hawk by the [[Baroness|Serpentress]]'s snake-staff. Doctor Venom wrenches the javelin from Destro's wound, and the masked man reaches for the tomahawk to finish the injured general off, only to be stymied when [[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]] swoops down on his jetpack and snatches the weapon away. What neither man realizes is that the tomahawk is actually [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertronian]] technology given to Duke's Viking ancestor in ages past... and now that it is back in the hands of the FalkenHauser bloodline, its true power is unleashed! Duke brings the weapon crashing down on the gem that hangs around Destro's neck, and as the gem shatters, Destro perishes, his body reduced to a smoking corpse. The gun in Destro's hand—a gift given to him by Megatron—reveals itself to be a [[Mini-Megatron|tiny Decepticon]] when it transforms and attacks Duke, but the Joe sergeant ends it threat by simply crushing it beneath his booted heel. Duke rushes to Hawk's aid, but finds the general is beyond saving; the fresh wound has agitated the injury he took on the day the [[Decepticon]]s arrived on [[Earth]]. Duke blames [[Snake-Eyes]] for originally wounding Hawk, but Hawk now reveals that [[Storm Shadow]] was the one responsible—the shot Snake-Eyes fired had been to throw off his ninja brother's aim, preventing his attack from being a fatal one and saving Hawk's life. Ever since then, Snake-Eyes has been acting as Hawk's deep-cover agent within [[Cobra]]. Hawk dies in Duke's arms, much to Doctor Venom's amusement; the furious Duke shoves a live grenade in the doctor's mouth, killing him.

Super-charged by the energy of the [[Sun]] that [[Primus]] is in the process of draining, Megatron combines the energies of his [[black hole]] heart with the [[Matrix of Leadership]], seizing control of all the [[Autobot]]s' bodies and drawing them in, combining them with his own and turning himself into "Mega-Megatron." The Joes are unwilling to hurt their friends by pressing their attack, and things seem to go from bad to worse when the Decepticon flagship ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'' appears in the sky. However, the vessel is revealed to have been captured by [[Shipwreck]] and [[Polly]], who crash it into Megatron, scattering the Autobots free! Further, the fact that Shipwreck—last seen on Earth—still lives portends a joyous revelation: through clouds of space dust that have obscured it until now, the Earth comes into view! Though a new continent has been gouged into the planet's surface by its collision with Cybertron, the Joes' homeworld is still in one piece, and a radio transmission from the Joes on Earth soon informs them that the "Atlas Protocol" has been initiated...

''Having lost contact with Cybertron, the remaining Joes on Earth open the ancient, sealed envelope kept on file "in case of Armageddon." Within, they find a set of co-ordinates, which [[Flint (G.I. Joe)|Flint]] follows to a hidden bunker in the South American jungle, where he finds the body of G.I. Joe founder [[Joe Colton]] preserved in suspended animation. Once awakened from his cold sleep, Colton instructs Flint to take him back to [[T.H.E. P.I.T.]], where he reveals the existence of a second secret facility hidden even ''further'' below the already-underground base. Instructing the Joes to don ceremonial helmets cast in the shape of the Autobot symbol, Colton leads them down into the depths... where an impossibly huge cybernetic eyeball watches their arrival...''

When [[Cobra Commander]]'s cowl is snatched away by one of the [[U.S.7]] animals, he calls for someone to bring him a replacement. Snake-Eyes takes this as his cue to appear, bowing before the commander and offering him his original helmet and faceplate, which the ninja has kept since their last encounter. The moment is interrupted by the arrival of [[Billy (G.I. Joe)|Billy]]—his lost human limbs replaced with reptilian equivalents courtesy of [[Koh-Buru-Lah (creature)|Koh-Buru-Lah]]—and Storm Shadow, who is determined to settle his score with Snake Eyes. As Billy and his father duel, the two ninjas engage in a short battle of their own, which ends when Snake-Eyes stabs Storm Shadow in the chest. The white-clad ninja congratulates Snake-Eyes on his victory, then passes away in peace. Billy is distracted by his teacher's death and finds himself surrounded by Cobra Commander and his retinue... but just then, Snake-Eyes reveals his final trick, remotely triggering the anti-tamper mechanism built into the commander's helmet. The commander shrieks and tries to pull the helmet off, but too late: the plastic explosive lining his headgear detonates, killing the commander and all those around him.

The frenzied pace of the battle does not slow down, as suddenly, the legendary Autobot "god of death" [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] comes crashing through Primus's eye, and challenges Megatron to face him in a one-on-one confrontation on the Sun. Megatron, eager to slay all old gods that he might take their place in his new age, accepts, and the pair relocate to the mechanical surface of the Dyson sphere that Primus has surrounded the star with to drain its energy. There, Magnus snatches the Matrix from Megatron's chest, but when Megatron mockingly inquires if Magnus thinks that reclaiming the talisman will make him king, Magnus replies that he is no king, but rather a placeholder for the ''true'' ruler. At that point, Magnus's armor opens, and from within his body... his physical form restored, and his spirit recovered from the afterlife by [[Scarlett]] using the [[Brainwave Scanner]]... [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] emerges! With one mighty punch, the reborn Optimus sends Megatron hurtling over the edge of an aperture in the sphere, tumbling into the heart of the sun, the Matrix falling with him. Starscream appears to reach out to save his leader... but in actuality, the treacherous air commander is reaching for the ''Matrix'' instead, grabbing it as Megatron disappears into the solar inferno.

A giant game of "hot potato" ensues, as [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] snatches the Matrix from Starscream's grasp, and the Joes, Autobots, Cobras, and Decepticons all engage in a mad scramble to recover it. Finally, it is snagged by [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], who returns it to Optimus Prime... but this is not the victory it appears to be, as Prime soon discovers that even with the Matrix, he cannot stop the hunger-maddened Primus's consumption of the Sun. Fortunately, [[General Flagg]] has the answer, and sends word to Colton on Earth to put the final step of the Atlas Protocol into action. As all assembled watch in awe, the Earth itself ''transforms'' into the giant robot [[Atlas (G1)|Atlas]], lost sibling of Primus, and punches its brother-planet square in the face, shattering the Dyson sphere and saving the Sun. With the danger over, Snake-Eyes makes one final request of Optimus Prime, petitioning the Autobot leader to heal his scarred features. At the touch of Optimus's thumb, Snake-Eyes's face is repaired, and he and Scarlett embrace, ready to move on to the next stage of their lives together.

The Joes return to Earth to celebrate their victory in "Space War I," where Hawk is buried with honors, and Flagg is given the death sentence for his war crimes, only to be spared by Presidential pardon at the last minute. Scarlett and Snake-Eyes retire to live on Earth's new continent, which becomes home to [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] and all those who live within him. [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] and [[Cover Girl]] get married and use a combination of techno-organic technologies to conceive a child. Billy—representing the perfect fusion of man, machine, reptile, Joe, Cobra, and Arashikage—takes up the mantle of both Snake-Eyes ''and'' Cobra Commander, assuming control of his father's organization as a force for good and using it to colonize and terraform [[Mars (planet)|Mars]]. The pregnant Serpentress—now the Baroness once more—retreats to the planet [[Venus (planet)|Venus]] to await the birth of her and the deceased commander's prophesied [[Serpentor|child]]. Megatron, trapped in the burning core of the sun, tries to use his black hole heart to teleport himself into another universe; his charred remains are deposited in a world of magic and rainbows, where they are found by a group of [[My Little Pony|little ponies]]. Under Optimus Prime's direction, Primus/Cybertron is set on course to return to its original orbit, and once it has left Earth's [[Solar System]], Prime departs on the ''[[Ark II|Ark 2]]'' with a hand-picked crew of Joes and Autobots on a mission to track down the [[Quintesson|Makers]], creators of all life in the universe. Appointed king once more and now ready to face the role, [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]] is left to rule Cybertron in Optimus's stead.

Some time later, as the Joes get back to normal life, Duke and [[Roadblock (G.I. Joe)|Roadblock]] see Roadblock's two daughters off on their first day of school. Just before the school bus drives away, however, Roadblock notices something odd about the driver... it's [[Dreadnok|Buzzer]]! Snatching his girls to safety just before the bus reveals itself to be [[Bus Decepticon|a Decepticon]], Roadblock and Duke open fire on the Dreadnok and his robotic ally, realizing that the war never truly ends, and that they must ''always'' be vigilant for robots in disguise!

[['Til all are one]]!

==Featured characters==
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (14)
*[[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] (16)
*[[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] (23)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]] (24)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (25)
*[[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (26)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (31)
*[[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] (32)
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (56)
*[[Springer (G1)|Springer]] (57)
*[[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (58)
*[[Kup (G1)|Kup]] (63)
*[[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] (64)
*[[Primon]] (73)
*[[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] (74)
*[[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] (75)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (87)
*[[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] (90)
*[[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] (91)

|c2=
*[[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (1)
*[[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (5)
*[[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (11)
*[[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (12)
*[[Mini-Megatron]] (19)
*''[[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]]'' (20)
*''[[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]]'' (21)
*[[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] (33)
*[[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (65)
*[[Bus Decepticon]] (92)

|h3=[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]|c3=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]] (2)
*[[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]] (3)
*[[Snake-Eyes]] (4)
*[[Jinx]] (6)
*[[Alpine]] (7)
*[[Wild Bill]] (8)
*[[Lady Jaye]] (15)
*[[Flash (G.I. Joe)|Flash]] (17)
*? (27)
*[[Blowtorch]] (28)
*[[Stalker (G.I. Joe)|Stalker]] (29)
*[[Scarlett|Scarlett/Zkarlett]] (30)
*[[Shipwreck]] (34)
*[[Polly|Polly/Seasick]] (35)
*[[Footloose]] (36)
*[[Dial-Tone]] (37)
*[[Flint (G.I. Joe)|Flint]] (38)
*[[Spirit]] (39)
*[[Ghostrider]] (40)
*[[Joe Colton]] (41)
*[[Law]] (42)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Order]] (43)
*[[Ripcord]] (44)
*[[Bazooka (G.I. Joe)|Bazooka]] (48)
*[[Gung-Ho]] (59)
*[[Roadblock (G.I. Joe)|Roadblock]] (60)
*[[Mutt (G.I. Joe)|Mutt]] (61)
*[[Junkyard (G.I. Joe)|Junkyard]] (62)
*[[Rock 'n Roll]] (66)
*[[Snow Job]] (67)
*[[Freedom]] (68)
*[[Deep Six]] (71)
*[[General Flagg]] (72)
*[[Falcon (G.I. Joe)|Falcon]] (76)
*[[Tripwire (G.I. Joe)|Tripwire]] (78)
*[[Mainframe (G.I. Joe)|Mainframe]]? (79)
*[[Sandstorm (G.I. Joe)|Sandstorm]] (84)
*[[Clyde (G.I. Joe)|Clyde]] (85)
*[[Max (G.I. Joe)|Max]] (86)
*[[Cover Girl]] (88)
*[[Quick Kick]] (89)
{{!}}}

|h4=[[Cobra]]|c4=
*[[Destro]] (9)
*[[Doctor Venom]] (10)
*[[Baroness|Serpentress/Baroness]] (13)
*[[Storm Shadow]] (22)
*[[Cobra Commander]] (45)
*[[Tomax and Xamot]] (46, 54)
*[[Firefly]] (47)
*[[Major Bludd]] (53)
*[[Nemesis Enforcer]] (69)
*[[Raptor (Cobra)|Raptor]] (70)
*[[Dreadnok|Buzzer]] (93)

|h5=Others|c5=
*''[[Thor FalkenHauser]]'' (18)
*[[Billy (G.I. Joe)|Billy]] (49)
*[[Blind Master]] (50)
*[[Soft Master]] (51)
*[[Hard Master]] (52)
*[[Primus]] (55)
*[[Atlas (G1)|Atlas]] (77)
*Roadblock's daughters (94-95)
*[[Moondancer]] (80)
*[[Rarity]] (81)
*[[Twilight Sparkle]] (82)
*[[Lyra Heartstrings]] (83)

|}}

==Quotes==
"I've lived through '''many''' cataclysms, but as long as someone needs a '''gun''', there will always be a place for '''Destro'''."
:—'''Destro'''

"That was a '''beautiful''' stroke. Fighting you was an honor. All these years we were better served as '''enemies''' than as '''friends.''' Steel sharpens steel, as the Hard Master taught us. You made me better, as I hope I did the same for you. If the karmic cycle demands that I die four thousand times, I hope all of those deaths shall be at your hand."
:—'''Storm Shadow's''' dying words to Snake-Eyes

"Don't you realize, Billy? Daddy '''always''' wins. The secret of my success is simple. It's all in my '''manifesto.''' My secret is that I '''cheat.''' If you '''break''' the rules, you '''make''' the rules."
:—'''Cobra Commander'''

"'''Starscream''' is here for you! I've '''got''' you!" 
"Loyal Starscream... I '''knew''' I could count on you. You've served me well." 
"I was talking to the Matrix." 
''KICK!''
:—'''Starscream''' and '''Megatron'''

'''Falcon:''' "If GoBot Jesus can't do it, how can '''we''' stop Primus?" 
'''Bazooka:''' "Got any '''ideas''', General?" 
'''Flagg:''' "Don't worry. Joe's got this one covered." 
''(beat)'' 
'''Flagg:''' "Right, Joe?" 
'''Colton:''' "'''Right,''' Larry."

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*Wild Bill's skin and clothes are all a bleached-white color following his return from the dead last issue. On the surface this creates a kind of spectral, "ghostly" look to go along with his resurrected status, plus he's clearly displaying inhuman powers, able to project a lasso and shoot six-gun style from his index fingers. Tom Sciloi notes in the issue's commentary that he's been transformed into a "superhuman man-machine hybrid," in-keeping with the overarching themes of this series.
*Destro recognizes Hawk's "tomahawk" as the warhammer of Thor FalkenHauser, Viking ancestor of Duke, who he encountered when he was still a youth back in [[Stick To Your Guns|issue #9]]. The hammer has been in the care of Hawk's bloodline since Destro killed FalkenHauser and [[Aberneth the Hawk-Helmed|Hawk's ancestor]] picked it up. The tomahawk is revealed to actually be Cybertronian technology, explaining how it so easily cleaved Ravage's head open all the way back in [[I Saw Three Ships|issue #1]].
*The narration tells us that FalkenHauser was given his warhammer "for his role in a long-forgotten war of the worlds," which—taken together with the revelation about Earth's true nature from this issue—shows that Destro was ''far'' from the first human to gain access to Cybertronians and their technology. As indicated by the presence of the warhammer's symbol on the walls of the secret passage below the Pit, the Vikings were an earlier (the earliest?) incarnation of a secret society entrusted with guarding the secret of the planet, which G.I. Joe is just the newest incarnation of. The Vikings were previously shown to have a connection to Cybertron in a flashback in [[Everybody Hates Metroplex|issue #5]] (set after issue #9), in which Aberneth was shown captaining a longboat with Autobot symbols on the sails, rowed by men wearing Autobot masks. These masks appear again this issue, when Joe Colton has the Joes don them to awaken Atlas, indicating they are the society's "ceremonial garb" of sorts.
*Duke mentions that "the scum who killed [his] daddy used a Destro gun;" we learned about his father's death by gunshot in [[Escape from Primus|issue #11]].
*Megatron gave Destro "a gift" in [[Funeral for a Friend|issue #3]], which turned out to be a Cybertronian gun in issue #5. This issue, we find out the gun was a Transformer itself, "Mini-Megatron," explained by his "filecard" to be an Autobot-created anti-Megatron propaganda tool that Megatron co-opted.
*Hawk dies when the Serpentress agitates the wound he took in issue #1. We saw Storm Shadow try to finish his failed assassination attempt by attacking Hawk up close and personal in issue #5.
*Scarlett was previously subjected to the Brainwave Scanner in [[Headmasters (issue)|issue #7]]. Among the many haunting experiences she subsequently endured in that issue was hearing the ghostly voices of the many dead [[Nebulan]]s on whose back [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] was built; she subjects herself to the scanner again so that she can once more make contact with "the other side," as it were, and thus lead Optimus's spirit home.
*Scarlett mentions that Optimus helped her when she was "at her lowest." This must refer to events that occurred off-panel between issues #7 and [[Pax Megatronus|#8]], as Scarlett shed the rage that drove her and took control of Scorponok.
*Scarlett gave Snake-Eyes Cobra Commander's old helmet, recovered from the wreckage of the plane he went down in, in [[The Golden Boys|issue #0]].
*Billy's remaining organic arm and leg were torn off by Koh-Buru-Lah in issue #8, but he was revealed to still be alive, held within the creature's body, in [[Earth: R.I.P.|issue #10]]. We see this issue that the beast regenerated his limbs as reptilian counterparts.
*Ultra Magnus was last seen taking possession of Optimus Prime's dead body in issue #10. With this issue, we learn he is not some mythical ferryman of the dead; rather, he was taking the body to repair it (see "Transformers references," below).
*It was suggested that Earth, like Cybertron, might also have been a creation of the legendary [[Daiakuron]] in issue #10, and with this issue, we get our answer: yep!!
*Cobra Commander was granted dominion over Mars by Megatron last issue, which Billy now inherits.
*The Baroness is pregnant with the child who will grow up to become Serpentor, following her passionate encounter with Cobra Commander last issue.
*Brawn and Cover Girl's child is conceived using "a combination of [[binary bonding]], [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] and [[technoactive cube|technoactive core]] technology." In this series, binary-bonding was previously featured as the means by which Doctor Venom turned himself into Soundwave's head, and was also used to describe [[Zarak (G1)|Zarak]] and Scarlett's Headmaster bond to Scorponok, so why those would be listed as different things, eh, who knows. Technoactive technology, meanwhile, was the means used by Perceptor to bring Wild Bill back from the dead, apparently an outgrowth of the Decepticons' "[[Pretender|people-growing]]" experiments.
*General Flagg's war crimes include murdering the [[Jugglers]] in [[Expelled from the Garden|issue #6]].
*Buzzer appeared in die in issue #3, shot through the head by Doctor Venom; the way he is shown to reconfigure his arms into a gun and his signature chainsaw here indicate his resurrection owes something to Cybertronian technology. His unnamed bus Decepticon partner, meanwhile, appeared before in issue #6.

===Transformers references===
*Megatron's "Mega-Megatron" form is styled after the jagged, many-faceted look of [[Megatron (Movie)|the live-action movie Megatron]], and his pose in his introductory panel is based on one of the promotional CGI renders of Megatron released for the [[Transformers (film)|first film]]. John Barber notes in the commentary the similarity of his combining all the Autobots with the [[Deceptigod]] from IDW's [[The Transformers (IDW)|2009-2011 ongoing comic book]], but it's just coincidence.
*The ''Nemesis'' is drawn just as it appeared in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]].
*The montage of Megatron artwork from the original [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel comic]] on page 18 includes: Megatron standing against the army's firepower from [[The Last Stand|issue #4]]; Megatron issuing orders to the Decepticons from [[Power Play!|issue #2]]; splintered reflections of Megatron's face from the cover of [[A Savage Circle|issue #78]], and Megatron turning on Galvatron with "raw, naked aggression" from the issue's interior, Megatron under attack from the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]] from the cover of [[Gone but Not Forgotten!|issue #25]], and swearing Optimus Prime will die by his hand from the issue's interior; and Megatron being blasted by Cobra from [[Realignments|''G.I. Joe'' #139]].
*Ultra Magnus crashes through Primus's eye in homage to the way the Autobots burst through [[Unicron]]'s eye in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''. On the same page, Springer, Arcee, Ultra Magnus, and Kup recreate the poster for the movie, with Wreck-Gar standing in for Blurr.
*Magnus has repaired Optimus Prime's body by taking it into himself, in homage to the original Ultra Magnus toy, which featured a white Optimus Prime redeco as a cab and "inner robot." As the reborn Prime (now bleached white, of course, like Wild Bill!) emerges, a caption declares "THE RETURN OF OPTIMUS PRIME," re-using the name of the [[The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 1|Generation 1 cartoon episode]] in which Prime was resurrected from his death in the movie, and in which he is also colored white (or light gray, at least) after being coated with an experimental alloy.
*The narration promises that Megatron will eventually return as [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], though as it turns out, it's not [[Unicron|Uni''cron'']] he is found by, but some uni''corns''...
*The plaque on General Hawk's statue reads "[[Pax Cybertronia]]," a reference to the peace accord from the [[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|''Beast Wars'' cartoon]].
*Snake-Eyes is given a real name for the first time in ''Joe'' history: Francis [[Witwicky]].
*The Ark 2's destination is [[Quadrant X]], a region space featured in the Generation 1 cartoon episode "[[The Face of the Nijika]]." In the cartoon, the Quintessons were known to be active in the area, hence its use here as the crew's first port of call in search of answers about the Makers.
*The post-war era is referred to as "Transformers ♡ G.I. Joe: [[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]]".

===G.I. Joe references===
*The standard cover for this final issue appears to reference the cover to the final Marvel issue of ''[[G.I. Joe (comic)|G.I. Joe]]'' (#155) in which Stalker and Duke are folding the American flag.
*As Hawk and Destro battle, the first panel on page 4 is an homage to the pair's first meeting from issue #26 of the original Marvel ''G.I. Joe'' comic, and the classic panel is included as a background image.
*Hawk dies when the Serpentress impales him with her snake-staff, an homage to Duke's (would-be) death from ''G.I. Joe: The Movie'', in which [[Serpentor]] stabbed him with one of his snakes.
*As he dies, Hawk tells Duke to let Flagg know: "I win. I'm the Joe general who died a hero's death. I'm the one who gets a statue."—a grim riff on General Flagg's own martyr complex and eagerness for glory in death from the Marvel ''Joe'' series, in which he perished. Two full, silent pages from issue #22 of the Marvel series, depicting Flagg's funeral at Arlington, are re-used wholesale for this issue to represent Hawk's funeral, with Scioli noting in the commentary that he re-used them because he knew he couldn't top them.
*Doctor Venom's death hearkens back to his time in the Marvel ''Joe'' comic, in which the Inuit mercenary Kwinn threatened to shove a grenade in his mouth. Duke follows through!
*The country in which Colton's bunker is buried is not specified, but the appearance of a tribe who lead Flint there suggest an answer: these are the Tucaro Indians, native people of [[Sierra Gordo]], one of numerous fictional countries invented for the Marvel comic book.
*The concept of a secret Pit beneath the Pit, containing a gigantic alien eyeball, is lifted not from any classic ''Joe'' media, but from IDW's own continuation of the Marvel series!
*The "stairway to heaven" that Storm Shadow ascends as he dies is the repeating Arashikage hexagram, the tattoo of their ninja clan that both he and Snake-Eyes wear. Three silhouettes are seen waiting for him at the top, the [[Hard Master]], [[Soft Master]], and [[Blind Master]].
*Cobra Commander's helmet being lined with plastic explosive as a sacrificial anti-tamper precaution originates with issues #24 of the Marvel comic, a panel from which is re-used by way of explanation.
*When General Flagg finally takes off his aviator sunglasses and hat, he is revealed to look like [[Larry Hama]], principal creator of the ''G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero'' comic and characters. Colton even says that "Larry" is Flagg's real name!
*Like the Pit-under-the-Pit idea, the notion of someone else taking on the identity of Snake-Eyes also originates from IDW's continuation of the Marvel series, though in that book, it was a different ''Joe'' character named Throwdown.
*Roadblock having two daughters is taken from the live-action movie, ''{{w|G.I. Joe: Retaliation}}'', as is his close civilian friendship with Duke.
*The final page of the issue includes a panel of Duke and Roadblock's side-by-side introduction from issue #22 of the Marvel comic.

===Jack Kirby references===
*The visual of Megatron and Ultra Magnus battling on the surface of the Dyson sphere that surrounds the Sun is deliberately evocative of the planet {{w|Apokolips}} from Jack Kirby's DC Comics ''{{w|Fourth World (comics)|Fourth World}}'' series, complete with gouts of flame shooting up through apertures in the sphere like the planet's famous flame pits. Completing the reference, Megatron rages about becoming the {{w|New Gods|new god}} of the universe.
*When Optimus heals Snake-Eyes's face, it at first looks as if he is refusing when he offers a "thumbs-down" gesture in response to Snake-Eyes's request, only to then touch Snake's face with said thumb, emblazoned with a glowing tech-pattern. This is a reference to Arishem of the Celestials, from Kirby's Marvel series ''The Eternals'', the godlike alien being charged with deciding if the Earth was worthy of survival. If he decided it was not, he would offer a thumbs-down gesture, releasing the formula inscribed on his thumb that would end the world.
*Of all of Jupiter's 63 moons, the fact that Metroplex settles on Europa is almost certainly a reference to ''{{w|2001: A Space Odyssey}}'', which featured the moon as a key element of its story, and which Kirby produced a comic book adaptation of for Marvel.

===Real-life references===
*On Scioli's subscription cover, Snake-Eyes recreates the famous pose struck by [[Spider-Man]] on the cover of 1964's ''Amazing Spider-Man'' #19.
*Atlas is named for obvious reasons. Optimus Prime notes he is also known as "Terra," the Latin name for Earth, and in a Cybertronian document called the "[[Laser Scrolls]]," he is named "Pangaiden," a dual reference to {{w|Pangea}} (the ancient supercontinent that once encompassed all the land mass of Earth), and the Japanese word "{{w|gaiden}} (外伝) meaning "side story" or "tale."
*Megatron, of course, winds up in the world of ''[[My Little Pony]]'', described as a realm in which "magic is science, and friendship is magic," in reference to the subtitle of the 2010 reinvention of the brand. All four ponies who find his body are recognizable as "real" characters, from right to left: [[Moondancer]], who licks his charred remains; [[Rarity]] from ''My Little Pony''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> third generation; ''Friendship Is Magic'' protagonist [[Twilight Sparkle]]; and ''Friendship Is Magic'' background character [[Lyra Heartstrings]]. All four are "unicorn" ponies, playing into the narration's pun mentioned above. Given this hodgepodge of eras, the ponies have G1-style character designs.
*Page 38, in which Scarlett and Snake-Eyes receive their invitation to Brawn and Cover Girl's wedding, is modelled after the final page of 1982's ''Wolverine'' #4, in which the [[X-Men]] receive their invitation to [[Wolverine (Marvel)|Wolverine]]'s wedding. Cover Girl and Wolverine have both hand-written the same note on the invites: "Don't forget the beers!"

===Errors===
*A ''lot'' of loose ends get tied up this issue, but one glaring omission is what becomes of [[Koh-Buru-Lah (creature)|Koh-Buru-Lah]]. Last seen floating right next to Megatron in the last few pages of the previous issue, the eldritch beast does not appear in this issue.
*Megatron's diminutive counterpart's name is spelled "MINIMEGATRON" on his file card, but "Mini-Megatron" all through the commentary. We've opted to side with the commentary for the parallel with the spelling of "Mega-Megatron."
*Law is seen with his dog, Order, on Earth, but Order last appeared active as part of U.S.7 on Cybertron.
*When Ultra Magnus appears, Arcee says that she thought he was a myth, but back in [[Everybody Hates Metroplex|issue five]] she claimed she once watched Magnus kill [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]].
*The sizes of the various landmasses adorning Atlas are... ''farcically'' out of proportion to their real-life counterparts.

===Other notes===
*This final issue is an extra-sized 48-page "prestige" perfect-bound special with a cardstock cover, containing 43 pages of story, the usual commentary from Scioli and Barber, a farewell message from Scioli, and no ads.
*Just poking her pink-haired head out from behind [[Zartan]] on Scioli's subscription cover is the Dreanok leader's sister [[Zarana]], a major ''G.I. Joe'' character who has been head-scratchingly notable by her otherwise complete absence from this series. Everyone else on the cover has appeared in the series at least once (or ''just'' once, in the case of [[Croc Master]]).
*A joking footnote claims that the story of how Shipwreck captured the ''Nemesis'' will be told in "Shipwreck: Space Pirate," released in July 2025.
*A lot of info about the state of the solar system post-war is given that doesn't fit easily into our synopsis above, including:
**[[Mercury (planet)|Mercury]] becomes a vacation spot for Transformers.
**The wreckage of the Dyson sphere becomes a new planet named [[Sunshadow]].
**The planetary matter gouged out of Earth by its collision with Cybertron becomes a [[Luna Secundus|second moon]], home to a sect of Megatron loyalists.
**Shipwreck polices interplanetary trade in the [[asteroid belt]], fending off attacks from [[Zanzibar]] and his space pirates.
**Former Decepticons and newly-airborn Autobots live in the "floating aviaries" of [[Jupiter]]. [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] takes up residence on [[Europa]].
**Cobra accountant [[Raptor (Cobra)|Raptor]] establishes an interplanetary tax haven on [[Saturn]]'s moon [[Mundilfari]].
**Uranus becomes home to [[Maximal]]s and [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]]. Rodimus and Wreck-Gar like to meditate there.
**A colony named [[New Atlantis]] is settled on [[Neptune]], with residents including [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] and [[Deep Six]]. A proliferation of [[Seacon (G1)|Seacons]] and [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]] causes the colony to relocate to the moon of [[Triton (moon)|Triton]].
**The [[Oktober Guard]] claim [[Pluto]] for [[Transylvania]]. The world becomes home to the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]], and to all those humans and Transformers who have returned from the dead. Some choose to worship [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]].
*In a dual reference we can't place under just one of our headings above, the bus Decepticon has "6484" written on its side, referencing 1964 and 1984, the inaugural years of the ''G.I. Joe'' and ''Transformers'' brands, respectively.

===Covers (3)===
*'''Standard cover:''' Optimus Prime and Bumblebee fold up the United States flag, by Tom Scioli. The cover is a wraparound, but the back cover is blank.
*'''Subscription cover:''' Wraparound cover of our heroes and villains facing off, by Tom Scioli.
*'''Roll Out Roll Call Exclusive cover:''' Wraparound cover of the 'Bots, 'Cons, Joes, and Cobras at war, by [[Robert Atkins]] and [[Joana Lafuente]]. Produced exclusively for the [[unofficial conventions|unofficial convention]] Roll Out Roll Call 2016, the cover features includes numerous characters voiced by [[Neil Ross]] and [[Morgan Lofting]], the convention's guests of honor, including [[Shipwreck]], [[Springer (G1)|Springer]], [[Dreadnok|Buzzer]], [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]], [[Dusty]], [[Slag (G1)|Slag]], Thunder, [[Crosshairs (G1)|Crosshairs]], [[Baroness]], and [[Moonracer (G1)|Moonracer]]. Limited to 500 copies; 250 sold at the convention, and a further 250 sold through [https://www.dcbservice.com/ Discount Comic Book Service].
<gallery>
File:TFvsJoe13_regcvr.jpg
File:TFvsJoe13_subcvr.jpg
File:TFvsJoe13_cvrRE.jpg
</gallery>

==Reprints==
* '''''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''''' Volume 3
* '''''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe Quintessential Collection''''' Hardcover
* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 74: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Part 2'''''

<gallery>
File:IDW-TFvsJoeV3.jpg|'''Volume 3'''; cover art by [[Tom Scioli]]
File:IDW-TFvsJoeQC.jpg|'''''Quintessential Collection'''''; cover art by Scioli
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v74.jpg|'''''Definitive G1 Collection: Vol. 74: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Pt. 2'''''; cover art by [[Don Figueroa]] and Scioli
</gallery>

==External links==
*[http://comicsalliance.com/transformers-vs-gi-joe-13-final-issue-preview/ Preview]

The War Never Ends

2021-04-25T11:09:42Z

Shockwitwicky86: And that takes care of acknowledging the trade paperbacks that were distributed in the US.

{{Comicstory|series=tfvsjoe
|issueno=13
|prev=Transformers vs. G.I. Joe issue 12
|next=Transformers vs. G.I. Joe: The Movie Adaptation
|image=TFvsJoe13_regcvr.jpg
|title="The War Never Ends"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[June 29]], [[2016]]
|coverdate=June 2016
|written by=[[Tom Scioli]] and [[John Barber]]
|art by=Tom Scioli
|colors by=Tom Scioli
|letters by=Tom Scioli
|production by=[[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[Carlos Guzman]]
|continuity=[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe]]
}}

'''There's only one 'bot who can stop Megatron's mad plan to have Primus consume the Sun. It all ends here... but will anyone be left standing when it's all over?'''

==Synopsis==
As battle rages around him, [[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]] hitches a ride on [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]'s jet mode in order to reach the top of [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s head, where [[Destro]] stands with [[Doctor Venom]]. As Destro and Hawk trade blows, the arms dealer is shocked to recognize the Joe's lucky tomahawk as the warhammer of the Viking [[Thor FalkenHauser]], who Destro slew in his youth. Suddenly, both combatants are simultaneously felled—Destro by a javelin hurled by [[Lady Jaye]], Hawk by the [[Baroness|Serpentress]]'s snake-staff. Doctor Venom wrenches the javelin from Destro's wound, and the masked man reaches for the tomahawk to finish the injured general off, only to be stymied when [[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]] swoops down on his jetpack and snatches the weapon away. What neither man realizes is that the tomahawk is actually [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertronian]] technology given to Duke's Viking ancestor in ages past... and now that it is back in the hands of the FalkenHauser bloodline, its true power is unleashed! Duke brings the weapon crashing down on the gem that hangs around Destro's neck, and as the gem shatters, Destro perishes, his body reduced to a smoking corpse. The gun in Destro's hand—a gift given to him by Megatron—reveals itself to be a [[Mini-Megatron|tiny Decepticon]] when it transforms and attacks Duke, but the Joe sergeant ends it threat by simply crushing it beneath his booted heel. Duke rushes to Hawk's aid, but finds the general is beyond saving; the fresh wound has agitated the injury he took on the day the [[Decepticon]]s arrived on [[Earth]]. Duke blames [[Snake-Eyes]] for originally wounding Hawk, but Hawk now reveals that [[Storm Shadow]] was the one responsible—the shot Snake-Eyes fired had been to throw off his ninja brother's aim, preventing his attack from being a fatal one and saving Hawk's life. Ever since then, Snake-Eyes has been acting as Hawk's deep-cover agent within [[Cobra]]. Hawk dies in Duke's arms, much to Doctor Venom's amusement; the furious Duke shoves a live grenade in the doctor's mouth, killing him.

Super-charged by the energy of the [[Sun]] that [[Primus]] is in the process of draining, Megatron combines the energies of his [[black hole]] heart with the [[Matrix of Leadership]], seizing control of all the [[Autobot]]s' bodies and drawing them in, combining them with his own and turning himself into "Mega-Megatron." The Joes are unwilling to hurt their friends by pressing their attack, and things seem to go from bad to worse when the Decepticon flagship ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'' appears in the sky. However, the vessel is revealed to have been captured by [[Shipwreck]] and [[Polly]], who crash it into Megatron, scattering the Autobots free! Further, the fact that Shipwreck—last seen on Earth—still lives portends a joyous revelation: through clouds of space dust that have obscured it until now, the Earth comes into view! Though a new continent has been gouged into the planet's surface by its collision with Cybertron, the Joes' homeworld is still in one piece, and a radio transmission from the Joes on Earth soon informs them that the "Atlas Protocol" has been initiated...

''Having lost contact with Cybertron, the remaining Joes on Earth open the ancient, sealed envelope kept on file "in case of Armageddon." Within, they find a set of co-ordinates, which [[Flint (G.I. Joe)|Flint]] follows to a hidden bunker in the South American jungle, where he finds the body of G.I. Joe founder [[Joe Colton]] preserved in suspended animation. Once awakened from his cold sleep, Colton instructs Flint to take him back to [[T.H.E. P.I.T.]], where he reveals the existence of a second secret facility hidden even ''further'' below the already-underground base. Instructing the Joes to don ceremonial helmets cast in the shape of the Autobot symbol, Colton leads them down into the depths... where an impossibly huge cybernetic eyeball watches their arrival...''

When [[Cobra Commander]]'s cowl is snatched away by one of the [[U.S.7]] animals, he calls for someone to bring him a replacement. Snake-Eyes takes this as his cue to appear, bowing before the commander and offering him his original helmet and faceplate, which the ninja has kept since their last encounter. The moment is interrupted by the arrival of [[Billy (G.I. Joe)|Billy]]—his lost human limbs replaced with reptilian equivalents courtesy of [[Koh-Buru-Lah (creature)|Koh-Buru-Lah]]—and Storm Shadow, who is determined to settle his score with Snake Eyes. As Billy and his father duel, the two ninjas engage in a short battle of their own, which ends when Snake-Eyes stabs Storm Shadow in the chest. The white-clad ninja congratulates Snake-Eyes on his victory, then passes away in peace. Billy is distracted by his teacher's death and finds himself surrounded by Cobra Commander and his retinue... but just then, Snake-Eyes reveals his final trick, remotely triggering the anti-tamper mechanism built into the commander's helmet. The commander shrieks and tries to pull the helmet off, but too late: the plastic explosive lining his headgear detonates, killing the commander and all those around him.

The frenzied pace of the battle does not slow down, as suddenly, the legendary Autobot "god of death" [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] comes crashing through Primus's eye, and challenges Megatron to face him in a one-on-one confrontation on the Sun. Megatron, eager to slay all old gods that he might take their place in his new age, accepts, and the pair relocate to the mechanical surface of the Dyson sphere that Primus has surrounded the star with to drain its energy. There, Magnus snatches the Matrix from Megatron's chest, but when Megatron mockingly inquires if Magnus thinks that reclaiming the talisman will make him king, Magnus replies that he is no king, but rather a placeholder for the ''true'' ruler. At that point, Magnus's armor opens, and from within his body... his physical form restored, and his spirit recovered from the afterlife by [[Scarlett]] using the [[Brainwave Scanner]]... [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] emerges! With one mighty punch, the reborn Optimus sends Megatron hurtling over the edge of an aperture in the sphere, tumbling into the heart of the sun, the Matrix falling with him. Starscream appears to reach out to save his leader... but in actuality, the treacherous air commander is reaching for the ''Matrix'' instead, grabbing it as Megatron disappears into the solar inferno.

A giant game of "hot potato" ensues, as [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] snatches the Matrix from Starscream's grasp, and the Joes, Autobots, Cobras, and Decepticons all engage in a mad scramble to recover it. Finally, it is snagged by [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], who returns it to Optimus Prime... but this is not the victory it appears to be, as Prime soon discovers that even with the Matrix, he cannot stop the hunger-maddened Primus's consumption of the Sun. Fortunately, [[General Flagg]] has the answer, and sends word to Colton on Earth to put the final step of the Atlas Protocol into action. As all assembled watch in awe, the Earth itself ''transforms'' into the giant robot [[Atlas (G1)|Atlas]], lost sibling of Primus, and punches its brother-planet square in the face, shattering the Dyson sphere and saving the Sun. With the danger over, Snake-Eyes makes one final request of Optimus Prime, petitioning the Autobot leader to heal his scarred features. At the touch of Optimus's thumb, Snake-Eyes's face is repaired, and he and Scarlett embrace, ready to move on to the next stage of their lives together.

The Joes return to Earth to celebrate their victory in "Space War I," where Hawk is buried with honors, and Flagg is given the death sentence for his war crimes, only to be spared by Presidential pardon at the last minute. Scarlett and Snake-Eyes retire to live on Earth's new continent, which becomes home to [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] and all those who live within him. [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] and [[Cover Girl]] get married and use a combination of techno-organic technologies to conceive a child. Billy—representing the perfect fusion of man, machine, reptile, Joe, Cobra, and Arashikage—takes up the mantle of both Snake-Eyes ''and'' Cobra Commander, assuming control of his father's organization as a force for good and using it to colonize and terraform [[Mars (planet)|Mars]]. The pregnant Serpentress—now the Baroness once more—retreats to the planet [[Venus (planet)|Venus]] to await the birth of her and the deceased commander's prophesied [[Serpentor|child]]. Megatron, trapped in the burning core of the sun, tries to use his black hole heart to teleport himself into another universe; his charred remains are deposited in a world of magic and rainbows, where they are found by a group of [[My Little Pony|little ponies]]. Under Optimus Prime's direction, Primus/Cybertron is set on course to return to its original orbit, and once it has left Earth's [[Solar System]], Prime departs on the ''[[Ark II|Ark 2]]'' with a hand-picked crew of Joes and Autobots on a mission to track down the [[Quintesson|Makers]], creators of all life in the universe. Appointed king once more and now ready to face the role, [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]] is left to rule Cybertron in Optimus's stead.

Some time later, as the Joes get back to normal life, Duke and [[Roadblock (G.I. Joe)|Roadblock]] see Roadblock's two daughters off on their first day of school. Just before the school bus drives away, however, Roadblock notices something odd about the driver... it's [[Dreadnok|Buzzer]]! Snatching his girls to safety just before the bus reveals itself to be [[Bus Decepticon|a Decepticon]], Roadblock and Duke open fire on the Dreadnok and his robotic ally, realizing that the war never truly ends, and that they must ''always'' be vigilant for robots in disguise!

[['Til all are one]]!

==Featured characters==
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (14)
*[[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] (16)
*[[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] (23)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]] (24)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (25)
*[[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (26)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (31)
*[[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] (32)
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (56)
*[[Springer (G1)|Springer]] (57)
*[[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (58)
*[[Kup (G1)|Kup]] (63)
*[[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] (64)
*[[Primon]] (73)
*[[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] (74)
*[[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] (75)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (87)
*[[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] (90)
*[[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] (91)

|c2=
*[[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (1)
*[[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (5)
*[[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (11)
*[[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (12)
*[[Mini-Megatron]] (19)
*''[[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]]'' (20)
*''[[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]]'' (21)
*[[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] (33)
*[[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (65)
*[[Bus Decepticon]] (92)

|h3=[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]|c3=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]] (2)
*[[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]] (3)
*[[Snake-Eyes]] (4)
*[[Jinx]] (6)
*[[Alpine]] (7)
*[[Wild Bill]] (8)
*[[Lady Jaye]] (15)
*[[Flash (G.I. Joe)|Flash]] (17)
*? (27)
*[[Blowtorch]] (28)
*[[Stalker (G.I. Joe)|Stalker]] (29)
*[[Scarlett|Scarlett/Zkarlett]] (30)
*[[Shipwreck]] (34)
*[[Polly|Polly/Seasick]] (35)
*[[Footloose]] (36)
*[[Dial-Tone]] (37)
*[[Flint (G.I. Joe)|Flint]] (38)
*[[Spirit]] (39)
*[[Ghostrider]] (40)
*[[Joe Colton]] (41)
*[[Law]] (42)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Order]] (43)
*[[Ripcord]] (44)
*[[Bazooka (G.I. Joe)|Bazooka]] (48)
*[[Gung-Ho]] (59)
*[[Roadblock (G.I. Joe)|Roadblock]] (60)
*[[Mutt (G.I. Joe)|Mutt]] (61)
*[[Junkyard (G.I. Joe)|Junkyard]] (62)
*[[Rock 'n Roll]] (66)
*[[Snow Job]] (67)
*[[Freedom]] (68)
*[[Deep Six]] (71)
*[[General Flagg]] (72)
*[[Falcon (G.I. Joe)|Falcon]] (76)
*[[Tripwire (G.I. Joe)|Tripwire]] (78)
*[[Mainframe (G.I. Joe)|Mainframe]]? (79)
*[[Sandstorm (G.I. Joe)|Sandstorm]] (84)
*[[Clyde (G.I. Joe)|Clyde]] (85)
*[[Max (G.I. Joe)|Max]] (86)
*[[Cover Girl]] (88)
*[[Quick Kick]] (89)
{{!}}}

|h4=[[Cobra]]|c4=
*[[Destro]] (9)
*[[Doctor Venom]] (10)
*[[Baroness|Serpentress/Baroness]] (13)
*[[Storm Shadow]] (22)
*[[Cobra Commander]] (45)
*[[Tomax and Xamot]] (46, 54)
*[[Firefly]] (47)
*[[Major Bludd]] (53)
*[[Nemesis Enforcer]] (69)
*[[Raptor (Cobra)|Raptor]] (70)
*[[Dreadnok|Buzzer]] (93)

|h5=Others|c5=
*''[[Thor FalkenHauser]]'' (18)
*[[Billy (G.I. Joe)|Billy]] (49)
*[[Blind Master]] (50)
*[[Soft Master]] (51)
*[[Hard Master]] (52)
*[[Primus]] (55)
*[[Atlas (G1)|Atlas]] (77)
*Roadblock's daughters (94-95)
*[[Moondancer]] (80)
*[[Rarity]] (81)
*[[Twilight Sparkle]] (82)
*[[Lyra Heartstrings]] (83)

|}}

==Quotes==
"I've lived through '''many''' cataclysms, but as long as someone needs a '''gun''', there will always be a place for '''Destro'''."
:—'''Destro'''

"That was a '''beautiful''' stroke. Fighting you was an honor. All these years we were better served as '''enemies''' than as '''friends.''' Steel sharpens steel, as the Hard Master taught us. You made me better, as I hope I did the same for you. If the karmic cycle demands that I die four thousand times, I hope all of those deaths shall be at your hand."
:—'''Storm Shadow's''' dying words to Snake-Eyes

"Don't you realize, Billy? Daddy '''always''' wins. The secret of my success is simple. It's all in my '''manifesto.''' My secret is that I '''cheat.''' If you '''break''' the rules, you '''make''' the rules."
:—'''Cobra Commander'''

"'''Starscream''' is here for you! I've '''got''' you!" 
"Loyal Starscream... I '''knew''' I could count on you. You've served me well." 
"I was talking to the Matrix." 
''KICK!''
:—'''Starscream''' and '''Megatron'''

'''Falcon:''' "If GoBot Jesus can't do it, how can '''we''' stop Primus?" 
'''Bazooka:''' "Got any '''ideas''', General?" 
'''Flagg:''' "Don't worry. Joe's got this one covered." 
''(beat)'' 
'''Flagg:''' "Right, Joe?" 
'''Colton:''' "'''Right,''' Larry."

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*Wild Bill's skin and clothes are all a bleached-white color following his return from the dead last issue. On the surface this creates a kind of spectral, "ghostly" look to go along with his resurrected status, plus he's clearly displaying inhuman powers, able to project a lasso and shoot six-gun style from his index fingers. Tom Sciloi notes in the issue's commentary that he's been transformed into a "superhuman man-machine hybrid," in-keeping with the overarching themes of this series.
*Destro recognizes Hawk's "tomahawk" as the warhammer of Thor FalkenHauser, Viking ancestor of Duke, who he encountered when he was still a youth back in [[Stick To Your Guns|issue #9]]. The hammer has been in the care of Hawk's bloodline since Destro killed FalkenHauser and [[Aberneth the Hawk-Helmed|Hawk's ancestor]] picked it up. The tomahawk is revealed to actually be Cybertronian technology, explaining how it so easily cleaved Ravage's head open all the way back in [[I Saw Three Ships|issue #1]].
*The narration tells us that FalkenHauser was given his warhammer "for his role in a long-forgotten war of the worlds," which—taken together with the revelation about Earth's true nature from this issue—shows that Destro was ''far'' from the first human to gain access to Cybertronians and their technology. As indicated by the presence of the warhammer's symbol on the walls of the secret passage below the Pit, the Vikings were an earlier (the earliest?) incarnation of a secret society entrusted with guarding the secret of the planet, which G.I. Joe is just the newest incarnation of. The Vikings were previously shown to have a connection to Cybertron in a flashback in [[Everybody Hates Metroplex|issue #5]] (set after issue #9), in which Aberneth was shown captaining a longboat with Autobot symbols on the sails, rowed by men wearing Autobot masks. These masks appear again this issue, when Joe Colton has the Joes don them to awaken Atlas, indicating they are the society's "ceremonial garb" of sorts.
*Duke mentions that "the scum who killed [his] daddy used a Destro gun;" we learned about his father's death by gunshot in [[Escape from Primus|issue #11]].
*Megatron gave Destro "a gift" in [[Funeral for a Friend|issue #3]], which turned out to be a Cybertronian gun in issue #5. This issue, we find out the gun was a Transformer itself, "Mini-Megatron," explained by his "filecard" to be an Autobot-created anti-Megatron propaganda tool that Megatron co-opted.
*Hawk dies when the Serpentress agitates the wound he took in issue #1. We saw Storm Shadow try to finish his failed assassination attempt by attacking Hawk up close and personal in issue #5.
*Scarlett was previously subjected to the Brainwave Scanner in [[Headmasters (issue)|issue #7]]. Among the many haunting experiences she subsequently endured in that issue was hearing the ghostly voices of the many dead [[Nebulan]]s on whose back [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] was built; she subjects herself to the scanner again so that she can once more make contact with "the other side," as it were, and thus lead Optimus's spirit home.
*Scarlett mentions that Optimus helped her when she was "at her lowest." This must refer to events that occurred off-panel between issues #7 and [[Pax Megatronus|#8]], as Scarlett shed the rage that drove her and took control of Scorponok.
*Scarlett gave Snake-Eyes Cobra Commander's old helmet, recovered from the wreckage of the plane he went down in, in [[The Golden Boys|issue #0]].
*Billy's remaining organic arm and leg were torn off by Koh-Buru-Lah in issue #8, but he was revealed to still be alive, held within the creature's body, in [[Earth: R.I.P.|issue #10]]. We see this issue that the beast regenerated his limbs as reptilian counterparts.
*Ultra Magnus was last seen taking possession of Optimus Prime's dead body in issue #10. With this issue, we learn he is not some mythical ferryman of the dead; rather, he was taking the body to repair it (see "Transformers references," below).
*It was suggested that Earth, like Cybertron, might also have been a creation of the legendary [[Daiakuron]] in issue #10, and with this issue, we get our answer: yep!!
*Cobra Commander was granted dominion over Mars by Megatron last issue, which Billy now inherits.
*The Baroness is pregnant with the child who will grow up to become Serpentor, following her passionate encounter with Cobra Commander last issue.
*Brawn and Cover Girl's child is conceived using "a combination of [[binary bonding]], [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] and [[technoactive cube|technoactive core]] technology." In this series, binary-bonding was previously featured as the means by which Doctor Venom turned himself into Soundwave's head, and was also used to describe [[Zarak (G1)|Zarak]] and Scarlett's Headmaster bond to Scorponok, so why those would be listed as different things, eh, who knows. Technoactive technology, meanwhile, was the means used by Perceptor to bring Wild Bill back from the dead, apparently an outgrowth of the Decepticons' "[[Pretender|people-growing]]" experiments.
*General Flagg's war crimes include murdering the [[Jugglers]] in [[Expelled from the Garden|issue #6]].
*Buzzer appeared in die in issue #3, shot through the head by Doctor Venom; the way he is shown to reconfigure his arms into a gun and his signature chainsaw here indicate his resurrection owes something to Cybertronian technology. His unnamed bus Decepticon partner, meanwhile, appeared before in issue #6.

===Transformers references===
*Megatron's "Mega-Megatron" form is styled after the jagged, many-faceted look of [[Megatron (Movie)|the live-action movie Megatron]], and his pose in his introductory panel is based on one of the promotional CGI renders of Megatron released for the [[Transformers (film)|first film]]. John Barber notes in the commentary the similarity of his combining all the Autobots with the [[Deceptigod]] from IDW's [[The Transformers (IDW)|2009-2011 ongoing comic book]], but it's just coincidence.
*The ''Nemesis'' is drawn just as it appeared in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]].
*The montage of Megatron artwork from the original [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel comic]] on page 18 includes: Megatron standing against the army's firepower from [[The Last Stand|issue #4]]; Megatron issuing orders to the Decepticons from [[Power Play!|issue #2]]; splintered reflections of Megatron's face from the cover of [[A Savage Circle|issue #78]], and Megatron turning on Galvatron with "raw, naked aggression" from the issue's interior, Megatron under attack from the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]] from the cover of [[Gone but Not Forgotten!|issue #25]], and swearing Optimus Prime will die by his hand from the issue's interior; and Megatron being blasted by Cobra from [[Realignments|''G.I. Joe'' #139]].
*Ultra Magnus crashes through Primus's eye in homage to the way the Autobots burst through [[Unicron]]'s eye in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''. On the same page, Springer, Arcee, Ultra Magnus, and Kup recreate the poster for the movie, with Wreck-Gar standing in for Blurr.
*Magnus has repaired Optimus Prime's body by taking it into himself, in homage to the original Ultra Magnus toy, which featured a white Optimus Prime redeco as a cab and "inner robot." As the reborn Prime (now bleached white, of course, like Wild Bill!) emerges, a caption declares "THE RETURN OF OPTIMUS PRIME," re-using the name of the [[The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 1|Generation 1 cartoon episode]] in which Prime was resurrected from his death in the movie, and in which he is also colored white (or light gray, at least) after being coated with an experimental alloy.
*The narration promises that Megatron will eventually return as [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], though as it turns out, it's not [[Unicron|Uni''cron'']] he is found by, but some uni''corns''...
*The plaque on General Hawk's statue reads "[[Pax Cybertronia]]," a reference to the peace accord from the [[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|''Beast Wars'' cartoon]].
*Snake-Eyes is given a real name for the first time in ''Joe'' history: Francis [[Witwicky]].
*The Ark 2's destination is [[Quadrant X]], a region space featured in the Generation 1 cartoon episode "[[The Face of the Nijika]]." In the cartoon, the Quintessons were known to be active in the area, hence its use here as the crew's first port of call in search of answers about the Makers.
*The post-war era is referred to as "Transformers ♡ G.I. Joe: [[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]]".

===G.I. Joe references===
*The standard cover for this final issue appears to reference the cover to the final Marvel issue of ''[[G.I. Joe (comic)|G.I. Joe]]'' (#155) in which Stalker and Duke are folding the American flag.
*As Hawk and Destro battle, the first panel on page 4 is an homage to the pair's first meeting from issue #26 of the original Marvel ''G.I. Joe'' comic, and the classic panel is included as a background image.
*Hawk dies when the Serpentress impales him with her snake-staff, an homage to Duke's (would-be) death from ''G.I. Joe: The Movie'', in which [[Serpentor]] stabbed him with one of his snakes.
*As he dies, Hawk tells Duke to let Flagg know: "I win. I'm the Joe general who died a hero's death. I'm the one who gets a statue."—a grim riff on General Flagg's own martyr complex and eagerness for glory in death from the Marvel ''Joe'' series, in which he perished. Two full, silent pages from issue #22 of the Marvel series, depicting Flagg's funeral at Arlington, are re-used wholesale for this issue to represent Hawk's funeral, with Scioli noting in the commentary that he re-used them because he knew he couldn't top them.
*Doctor Venom's death hearkens back to his time in the Marvel ''Joe'' comic, in which the Inuit mercenary Kwinn threatened to shove a grenade in his mouth. Duke follows through!
*The country in which Colton's bunker is buried is not specified, but the appearance of a tribe who lead Flint there suggest an answer: these are the Tucaro Indians, native people of [[Sierra Gordo]], one of numerous fictional countries invented for the Marvel comic book.
*The concept of a secret Pit beneath the Pit, containing a gigantic alien eyeball, is lifted not from any classic ''Joe'' media, but from IDW's own continuation of the Marvel series!
*The "stairway to heaven" that Storm Shadow ascends as he dies is the repeating Arashikage hexagram, the tattoo of their ninja clan that both he and Snake-Eyes wear. Three silhouettes are seen waiting for him at the top, the [[Hard Master]], [[Soft Master]], and [[Blind Master]].
*Cobra Commander's helmet being lined with plastic explosive as a sacrificial anti-tamper precaution originates with issues #24 of the Marvel comic, a panel from which is re-used by way of explanation.
*When General Flagg finally takes off his aviator sunglasses and hat, he is revealed to look like [[Larry Hama]], principal creator of the ''G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero'' comic and characters. Colton even says that "Larry" is Flagg's real name!
*Like the Pit-under-the-Pit idea, the notion of someone else taking on the identity of Snake-Eyes also originates from IDW's continuation of the Marvel series, though in that book, it was a different ''Joe'' character named Throwdown.
*Roadblock having two daughters is taken from the live-action movie, ''{{w|G.I. Joe: Retaliation}}'', as is his close civilian friendship with Duke.
*The final page of the issue includes a panel of Duke and Roadblock's side-by-side introduction from issue #22 of the Marvel comic.

===Jack Kirby references===
*The visual of Megatron and Ultra Magnus battling on the surface of the Dyson sphere that surrounds the Sun is deliberately evocative of the planet {{w|Apokolips}} from Jack Kirby's DC Comics ''{{w|Fourth World (comics)|Fourth World}}'' series, complete with gouts of flame shooting up through apertures in the sphere like the planet's famous flame pits. Completing the reference, Megatron rages about becoming the {{w|New Gods|new god}} of the universe.
*When Optimus heals Snake-Eyes's face, it at first looks as if he is refusing when he offers a "thumbs-down" gesture in response to Snake-Eyes's request, only to then touch Snake's face with said thumb, emblazoned with a glowing tech-pattern. This is a reference to Arishem of the Celestials, from Kirby's Marvel series ''The Eternals'', the godlike alien being charged with deciding if the Earth was worthy of survival. If he decided it was not, he would offer a thumbs-down gesture, releasing the formula inscribed on his thumb that would end the world.
*Of all of Jupiter's 63 moons, the fact that Metroplex settles on Europa is almost certainly a reference to ''{{w|2001: A Space Odyssey}}'', which featured the moon as a key element of its story, and which Kirby produced a comic book adaptation of for Marvel.

===Real-life references===
*On Scioli's subscription cover, Snake-Eyes recreates the famous pose struck by [[Spider-Man]] on the cover of 1964's ''Amazing Spider-Man'' #19.
*Atlas is named for obvious reasons. Optimus Prime notes he is also known as "Terra," the Latin name for Earth, and in a Cybertronian document called the "[[Laser Scrolls]]," he is named "Pangaiden," a dual reference to {{w|Pangea}} (the ancient supercontinent that once encompassed all the land mass of Earth), and the Japanese word "{{w|gaiden}} (外伝) meaning "side story" or "tale."
*Megatron, of course, winds up in the world of ''[[My Little Pony]]'', described as a realm in which "magic is science, and friendship is magic," in reference to the subtitle of the 2010 reinvention of the brand. All four ponies who find his body are recognizable as "real" characters, from right to left: [[Moondancer]], who licks his charred remains; [[Rarity]] from ''My Little Pony''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> third generation; ''Friendship Is Magic'' protagonist [[Twilight Sparkle]]; and ''Friendship Is Magic'' background character [[Lyra Heartstrings]]. All four are "unicorn" ponies, playing into the narration's pun mentioned above. Given this hodgepodge of eras, the ponies have G1-style character designs.
*Page 38, in which Scarlett and Snake-Eyes receive their invitation to Brawn and Cover Girl's wedding, is modelled after the final page of 1982's ''Wolverine'' #4, in which the [[X-Men]] receive their invitation to [[Wolverine (Marvel)|Wolverine]]'s wedding. Cover Girl and Wolverine have both hand-written the same note on the invites: "Don't forget the beers!"

===Errors===
*A ''lot'' of loose ends get tied up this issue, but one glaring omission is what becomes of [[Koh-Buru-Lah (creature)|Koh-Buru-Lah]]. Last seen floating right next to Megatron in the last few pages of the previous issue, the eldritch beast does not appear in this issue.
*Megatron's diminutive counterpart's name is spelled "MINIMEGATRON" on his file card, but "Mini-Megatron" all through the commentary. We've opted to side with the commentary for the parallel with the spelling of "Mega-Megatron."
*Law is seen with his dog, Order, on Earth, but Order last appeared active as part of U.S.7 on Cybertron.
*When Ultra Magnus appears, Arcee says that she thought he was a myth, but back in [[Everybody Hates Metroplex|issue five]] she claimed she once watched Magnus kill [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]].
*The sizes of the various landmasses adorning Atlas are... ''farcically'' out of proportion to their real-life counterparts.

===Other notes===
*This final issue is an extra-sized 48-page "prestige" perfect-bound special with a cardstock cover, containing 43 pages of story, the usual commentary from Scioli and Barber, a farewell message from Scioli, and no ads.
*Just poking her pink-haired head out from behind [[Zartan]] on Scioli's subscription cover is the Dreanok leader's sister [[Zarana]], a major ''G.I. Joe'' character who has been head-scratchingly notable by her otherwise complete absence from this series. Everyone else on the cover has appeared in the series at least once (or ''just'' once, in the case of [[Croc Master]]).
*A joking footnote claims that the story of how Shipwreck captured the ''Nemesis'' will be told in "Shipwreck: Space Pirate," released in July 2025.
*A lot of info about the state of the solar system post-war is given that doesn't fit easily into our synopsis above, including:
**[[Mercury (planet)|Mercury]] becomes a vacation spot for Transformers.
**The wreckage of the Dyson sphere becomes a new planet named [[Sunshadow]].
**The planetary matter gouged out of Earth by its collision with Cybertron becomes a [[Luna Secundus|second moon]], home to a sect of Megatron loyalists.
**Shipwreck polices interplanetary trade in the [[asteroid belt]], fending off attacks from [[Zanzibar]] and his space pirates.
**Former Decepticons and newly-airborn Autobots live in the "floating aviaries" of [[Jupiter]]. [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] takes up residence on [[Europa]].
**Cobra accountant [[Raptor (Cobra)|Raptor]] establishes an interplanetary tax haven on [[Saturn]]'s moon [[Mundilfari]].
**Uranus becomes home to [[Maximal]]s and [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]]. Rodimus and Wreck-Gar like to meditate there.
**A colony named [[New Atlantis]] is settled on [[Neptune]], with residents including [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] and [[Deep Six]]. A proliferation of [[Seacon (G1)|Seacons]] and [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]] causes the colony to relocate to the moon of [[Triton (moon)|Triton]].
**The [[Oktober Guard]] claim [[Pluto]] for [[Transylvania]]. The world becomes home to the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]], and to all those humans and Transformers who have returned from the dead. Some choose to worship [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]].
*In a dual reference we can't place under just one of our headings above, the bus Decepticon has "6484" written on its side, referencing 1964 and 1984, the inaugural years of the ''G.I. Joe'' and ''Transformers'' brands, respectively.

===Covers (3)===
*'''Standard cover:''' Optimus Prime and Bumblebee fold up the United States flag, by Tom Scioli. The cover is a wraparound, but the back cover is blank.
*'''Subscription cover:''' Wraparound cover of our heroes and villains facing off, by Tom Scioli.
*'''Roll Out Roll Call Exclusive cover:''' Wraparound cover of the 'Bots, 'Cons, Joes, and Cobras at war, by [[Robert Atkins]] and [[Joana Lafuente]]. Produced exclusively for the [[unofficial conventions|unofficial convention]] Roll Out Roll Call 2016, the cover features includes numerous characters voiced by [[Neil Ross]] and [[Morgan Lofting]], the convention's guests of honor, including [[Shipwreck]], [[Springer (G1)|Springer]], [[Dreadnok|Buzzer]], [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]], [[Dusty]], [[Slag (G1)|Slag]], Thunder, [[Crosshairs (G1)|Crosshairs]], [[Baroness]], and [[Moonracer (G1)|Moonracer]]. Limited to 500 copies; 250 sold at the convention, and a further 250 sold through [https://www.dcbservice.com/ Discount Comic Book Service].
<gallery>
File:TFvsJoe13_regcvr.jpg
File:TFvsJoe13_subcvr.jpg
File:TFvsJoe13_cvrRE.jpg
</gallery>

==Reprints==
* '''''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''''' Volume 3
* '''''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe Quintessential Collection''''' Hardcover
* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 74: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Part 2'''''

<gallery>
File:IDW-TFvsJoeV3.jpg|'''Volume 3'''; cover art by Scioli
File:IDW-TFvsJoeQC.jpg|'''''Quintessential Collection'''''; cover art by Scioli
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v74.jpg|'''''Definitive G1 Collection: Vol. 74: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Pt. 2'''''; cover art by [[Don Figueroa]] and Scioli
</gallery>

==External links==
*[http://comicsalliance.com/transformers-vs-gi-joe-13-final-issue-preview/ Preview]

Transformers vs. G.I. Joe issue 12

2021-04-25T11:08:32Z

Shockwitwicky86:

{{Comicstory|series=tfvsjoe
|issueno=12
|prev=Escape from Primus
|next=The War Never Ends
|image=TFvsJoe12_regcvr.jpg
|title=
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[April 20]], [[2016]]
|coverdate=April 2016
|written by=[[Tom Scioli]] and [[John Barber]]
|art by=Tom Scioli
|colors by=Tom Scioli
|letters by=Tom Scioli
|production by=[[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[Carlos Guzman]]
|continuity=[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe]]
}}

'''Cobra Commander returns to retake Cobra from the Serpentress, while the Autobots and G.I. Joe rally their forces for the epic final battle.'''

==Synopsis==

The [[Autobot]]s and [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joes]] ready themselves for the final assault on [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]. The [[Rescuebot]]s seal their oath to protect the humans by forging a "combination lock", merging into [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]], while [[Doc (G.I. Joe)|Doc]] autopsies [[Wild Bill]], whose body has been brought back to [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] by [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]]. As he studies his old friend's body, Doc locates a "[[technoactive cube]]" that Perceptor implanted in Bill while his body was in his custody; it seems the cube has failed to perform whatever function Perceptor intended... until Bill's hand suddenly reaches up and grab's Doc's shirt!

Meanwhile, [[Cobra Commander]] and his retinue are travelling across [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], going from [[Terrordrome]] to Terrordome and retaking each one in order to reunite [[Cobra]] under his command again. After regaining the service of the [[Crimson Guard]] (by killing the member of their group who had taken up his title), the Commander confronts the [[Baroness|Serpentress]]; she believes he abandoned Cobra and that she has expanded his empire, while he in turn believes she has sacrificed the heart of the organization in allying with the Decepticons. Desiring that she return to his side as the Baroness once more, Cobra Commander urges the Serpentress to remove her mask, offering to remove his own cowl to convince her. They both unmask, but the blotches and scars that mark the Baroness's face pale in comparison to Cobra Commander's inhuman visage, as he stands revealed as one of [[Koh-Buru-Lah (creature)|Koh-Buru-Lah]]'s reptile-man spawn. The two look one another in the eye... then passionately embrace!

On another plane of existence, the spirit of the deceased [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] is led along the path to the [[Transformer afterlife|Matrix]] by the voice of [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]]. On the road to eternity, he comes upon [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]], whose own path to the afterlife has been slowed by the heavy sword he drags behind him. The pair are stalked by the demonic [[Kremzeek]], eater of souls, but Prime saves Grimlock from the ravenous spirit, and together, they arrive at the gateway to the realm beyond. Their way is blocked by [[Bludgeon (G1)|the angel of death]], who announces that only those who carry the "[[Key to Vector Sigma|key]] to [[Vector Sigma|Vector Stigmata]]" may pass through. Prime realizes that the wounds on his body form the key, but the angel insists that this will only grant Prime passage, not Grimlock. Ever one for self-sacrifice, Prime takes Grimlock's sword and bestows the key upon him, allowing the former Autobot King to ascend into the Matrix while Prime remains behind.

Back on Cybertron, two old enemies, [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] and [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], meet once more. But these two city-bots now have different controllers: [[Scarlett]] has slain [[Zarak (G1)|Zarak]] and taken control of Scorponok, while Fortress Maximus is now under the control of [[Snake-Eyes]] thanks to the [[Master Sword]], containing the souls of the ninja commando's three teachers. The two old lovers reunite atop the cities; the meeting is tense at first, and Snake-Eyes turns to leave, but is stopped when Scarlett asks him to show her his face. He complies, and she is visibly taken aback, before softening and embracing the ninja.

Within [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]], [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] finds himself assailed by visions of past Autobot leaders, transmitted through the [[Matrix of Leadership]] he now carries in his chest. He hurls abuse at the incorporeal Primes, demanding that the ghost of Optimus show itself... but receives an unexpected surprise when Grimlock, rather than Optimus, takes form before his eyes. Grimlock laughs and threatens to haunt Megatron forever, taking control of his old dinosaur head—still worn by Megatron on his arm—and forcing it to bite and snap at the Decepticon leader.

With Fortress Maximus and Scorponok now added to their ranks, the Autobots and Joes convince Metroplex to finally transform out of his city mode and join the fight. The united "Jotobot" army marches on Trypticon, where they are met by the collective forces of the Decepticons and their remaining Cobra allies (led by [[Destro]]), all protected by the saurian city's forcefield, just as Megatron (having divested himself of Grimlock's head) directs [[Primus]] to begin consuming [[Earth]]'s [[sun]]. [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] steps forward with [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] in hand, holding the Autobot communicator aloft so he can unleash a sonic assault; programmed using the information gathered by [[Roadblock (G.I. Joe)|Roadblock]], [[Tunnel Rat]], and Perceptor, the sonic signal shatters Trypticon's forcefield, and the Jotobots unleash a barrage of [[G.I.Rocket|green bombs]] that immediately entwine the Decepticon city, and Megatron, in their creeping vines. With one mighty punch, Metroplex breaches Trypticon's walls and deploys a squad of Jotobots to fight DeceptiCobra inside their own headquarters, while down below, Blaster releases his [[Autobot Mini-Cassette|Recordobots]], who are ridden into battle with [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]] by a team of Joes led by the resurrected Wild Bill!

Presently, Cobra Commander and his army arrive, and the Commander offers Megatron a deal: he will exterminate the creeper vines if Megatron spares the planet [[Mars (planet)|Mars]] and gives it to him to control. Megatron agrees, and Cobra Commander has [[Doctor Venom]], creator of the creeper vines, broadcast a secret kill-switch signal that causes them to wither and die on the spot. Freed, Trypticon turns on Defensor, who has collapsed during the battle, but [[Steeler]] is eager to repay the combiner for his vow to protect humanity, and quickly drives the [[Bridge Layer]] in between the two. Using the vehicle's articulated, moveable bridge, Steeler elevates Defensor's gun into positon, and the combiner pulls the trigger, delivering a blast that consumes Trypticon in a fireball.

Elsewhere, the Serpentress consults the Cobra soothsayer [[Crystal Ball]], who shares with her a vision of the future... a vision that foretells the coming of the [[Serpentor|true Cobra Emperor]], the Serpentress and Cobra Commander's reptilian child!

==Featured characters==
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Blades (G1)|Blades]] (1)
*[[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] (2)
*[[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (3)
*[[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (4)
*[[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] (5)
*[[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (6)
*[[Peacemaker]] (7)
*[[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] (8)
*[[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]] (18)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (31)
*[[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] (32)
*[[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] (39)
*[[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]] (44)
*[[Zeta Prime (G1)|Zeta Prime]] (45)
*[[Primon]] (46)
*[[Prima]] (47)
*[[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] (48)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (51)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (52)
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (53)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]] (54)
*[[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] (57)
*[[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] (58)
*[[Topspin (G1)|Topspin]] (59)
*Red guy (60)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Slag (G1)|Slag]] (61)
*[[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] (62)
*[[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] (63)
*[[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] (64)
*[[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] (65)
*[[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] (66)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (68)
*[[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (69)
*[[Kup (G1)|Kup]] (70)
*[[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (71)
*[[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] (72)
*Generic Datsun? (93)
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (94)
*[[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (95)
*[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] (96)
*[[Steeljaw (G1)|Steeljaw]] (98)
*[[Ramhorn (G1)|Ramhorn]] (99)
*[[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] (102)
*[[Gears (G1)|Gears]] (103)
*[[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] (104)
{{!}}}
|c2=
*[[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] (35)
*[[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] (41)
*[[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (43)
*[[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] (80)
*Generic [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] and [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] (81)
*[[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]] (82)
*[[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] (83)
*[[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]] (84)
*[[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] (85)
*[[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] (86)
*[[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] (87)
*[[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (88)
*[[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] (89)
*[[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (90)
*[[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] (91)
*[[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] (92)
*[[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]] (100)
*[[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] (101)

|h3=[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]|c3=
*[[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]] (9)
*[[Stalker (G.I. Joe)|Stalker]] (10)
*[[Tunnel Rat]] (11)
*[[General Flagg]] (12)
*[[Gung-Ho]] (13)
*[[Quick Kick]] (14)
*[[Rock 'n Roll]] (15)
*[[Roadblock (G.I. Joe)|Roadblock]] (16)
*[[Bazooka (G.I. Joe)|Bazooka]] (17)
*[[Wild Bill]] (19)
*[[Doc (G.I. Joe)|Doc]] (20)
*[[Snake-Eyes]] (40)
*[[Scarlett|Zkarlett]] (42)
*[[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]] (55)
*[[Jinx]] (56)
*[[Cover Girl]] (67)
*[[Big Lob]] (73)
*[[Mutt (G.I. Joe)|Mutt]] (74)
*[[Junkyard (G.I. Joe)|Junkyard]] (75)
*[[Beachhead]] (76)
*[[Falcon (G.I. Joe)|Falcon]] (77)
*[[Snow Job]] (78)
*[[Lady Jaye]] (79)
*[[Dusty]] (97)
*[[Steeler]] (106)

|h4=[[Cobra]]|c4=
*[[Crimson Guard]]smen (22)
*[[Cobra Commander]] (23)
*[[Raptor (Cobra)|Raptor]] (24)
*[[Nemesis Enforcer]] (25)
*[[Crimson Guard|Interim Cobra Commander]] (26)
*[[Tomax and Xamot|Xamot]] (27)
*[[Tomax and Xamot|Tomax]] (28)
*[[Major Bludd]] (29)
*[[Golobulus]] (30)
*[[Baroness|Serpentress]] (34)
*[[Destro]] (49)
*Cobra troopers (50)
*[[Doctor Venom]] (105)
*[[Crystal Ball]] (107)
*[[Serpentor]] (108)

|h5=Others|c5=
*[[Koh-Buru-Lah (creature)|Koh-Buru-Lah]] (21)
*[[Kremzeek]] (33)
*[[Blind Master]] (36)
*[[Soft Master]] (37)
*[[Hard Master]] (38)
|}}
==Quotes==
"You never really understood how '''truly''' dangerous I was." 
"Of course I did. It's why I used every '''dirty trick''' and '''mind game''' I could with you... and none of it worked."
:—'''Serpentress''' and '''Cobra Commander'''

"Am I a monster?"
:—'''Snake-Eyes''' speaks his first words since receiving his scars, as he reveals his face to Scarlett

"I killed you! I sent you to your grave and made a trophy of your '''bones'''!" 
"Me haunt you in your '''dreams'''! You go to corners of the cosmos, but you can't escape me '''Grimlock!'''"
:—'''Megatron''' and '''Grimlock'''

"'''YOTO JOTOBOTO!'''"
:—An unidentified Joe coins their new battle cry

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*Wild Bill died in back in [[Targetmasters (issue)|issue #2]], though we didn't find out that fact until [[Everybody Hates Metroplex|issue #5]]. His dead body was seen being worked upon by Perceptor in [[Expelled from the Garden|issue #6]].
*Megatron killed Grimlock and took his tail and "Rex Tyrannus Crown" (his dino-head) in issue #5.
*Cobra Commander remarks that the Serpentress has "revised the [[Cobranomicon]]" as part of Cobra's alliance with the Decepticons. This would suggest that, at least, the Cybertronian figures in the portion of the book we saw in issue #6 were among her retroactive additions.
*Cobra Commander reveals himself to be a hideous snake-man underneath his hood! The seeds for his reveal have been planted throughout the series, as we have slowly learned that the modern Cobra is a descendant of the original reptiloid race that was spawned by the god the cult of Cobra worships, Koh-Buru-Lah. The druids that were an earlier iteration of the cult seen in [[Stick To Your Guns|issue #9]] had blue skin, like Cobra Commander did in ''G.I. Joe: The Movie'', a cross-media allusion to the Commander's genetic connection to his eldritch master. That said... does this mean he romanced [[Billy (G.I. Joe)|Billy]]'s mum while looking like that, and sired the apparently-entirely-human Billy, or is his scaly countenance a transformation only recently visited upon him?
*Woah, dude, what's Snake-Eyes been up to? Last we saw him, he was on his way to the action, but detoured into [[Kalis]] for the prose story "[[Black Cybertron]]" in [[Earth: R.I.P.|issue #10]]. Where'd he get the Master Sword from? Wasn't the [[Soft Master]] alive as recently as [[I Saw Three Ships|issue #1]]? Scioli notes in the commentary that some of what we see here was originally intended for a second prose story that would have appeared in issue #11; presumably, some context has been lost in its transition to full comic page in this already-packed issue.
*[[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] was last seen in issue #5, in which he was separated from his binary-bonded partner [[Galen]]. We haven't seen ''him'' since issue #6, but since Snake Eyes has taken control of Fort Max, it doesn't look like Galen's time on the [[Polyhex]] Killway ended well.
*Scarlett took control of Scorponok from [[Zarak (G1)|Zarak]] in [[Headmasters (issue)|issue #7]]. Reflecting her new role, her name is now given on her file card as "Zkarlett."
*It was just back in issue #10 that the Constructicons were complaining about their inability to form Devastator, but the big guy is back in action this issue. He has a grey midriff, indicating that something (or some''one'') has been used as a replacement for the deceased [[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]], who got 'sploded back in issue #2.

===Transformers references===
*Normally formed from the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]], here, Defensor is the combined form of the new, delightfully random subgroup, the [[Rescuebot]]s. The team is 50% 1984-85 Autobots with "emergency services" alternate modes and functions: [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] the police car, [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] and [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] the fire department vehicles, and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] the ambulance. The other members are [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]], [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], and traditional Protectobot member [[Blades (G1)|Blades]], who is a double-reference wrapped in an homage: based on the original toy version of [[Blades (RB)|''Rescue Bots'' Blades]], but colored like the Generation 1 character. Finally, the team is completed by [[Peacemaker]]—normally [[Pointblank]]'s [[Nebulan]] [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmaster]] partner, here, he's a much larger Cybertronian who forms a huge gun for Defensor to hold. Phew!
*Kremzeek originally appeared in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]] episode that [[Kremzeek!|shared his name]]. He has persisted as a figure of mischief who often appears as an easter egg in modern Transformers media; this is certainly the most fearsome take on the character yet!
*Though unnamed in dialogue, any Transformers fan is likely to recognize that the angel of death is skeletal samurai [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]].
*The entrance to the afterlife is shaped like the Matrix of Leadership, but with a featureless central globe that, through the "wireframe" effect the whole landscape is depicted with, is presumably intentionally supposed to resemble the mega-computer [[Vector Sigma]], for which the "Vector Stigmata" is named. The computer was originally introduced in the Generation 1 cartoon episode "[[The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1|The Key to Vector Sigma]]," and has been depicted as a means of accessing the [[Transformer afterlife]] in several subsequent stories. The key, of course, is an interpretation of the computer's own [[key to Vector Sigma|activation key]] that gave its introductory episode its name.
**Because the whole thing is ''purple'', though, it also looks an awful lot like [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]'s head, but that's probably ''not'' intentional.
*Fortress Maximus's [[Master Sword]] was a blade wielded by the character in the Japanese animated series ''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|The Headmasters]]''. The Japanese version of the Fort Max toy came with the weapon, but it wasn't included with the American release. In this take on the story, it derives its name from the fact it contains the souls of Snake-Eyes's three "masters", the Hard Master, Soft Master, and Blind Master, who have all appeared in previous issues.
*In addition to the more well-known Autobot elder Alpha Trion, the crowd of floating ancient Autobot heads that haunt Megatron from within the Matrix include four of the Matrix guides from the Generation 1 cartoon episode "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4]]", who would later be given the names [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]], [[Zeta Prime (G1)|Zeta Prime]], [[Primon]], and [[Prima]]. Megatron refers to Trion and Sentinel by name, but also mentions two brand-new Primes, [[Regulus Prime]] and [[Amazon Prime]].
*Sentinel Prime refers to Megatron's past as a gladiator, a plot element not mentioned in this series before, but which originated with the Marvel UK story "[[State Games]]," and which achieved great prominence as part of the backstory of the [[Megatron (WFC)|Aligned continuity version of the character]].
*There's a third Recordabot in addition to Steeljaw and Ramhorn, a red four-legged creature. Doesn't seem deliberately intended to be a pre-existing character, but hey, maybe it's an off-color [[Stripes]]?

===G.I. Joe references===
*Upon arrival at the Crimson Guard's Terrordrome, Cobra Commander kills a figure identified by his file card as the "Interim Cobra Commander." This is a reference to the character known as "Fred VII" in the Marvel ''G.I. Joe'' series, a member of the Crimson Guard who temporarily posed as the Commander when the genuine article was believed dead. In both that comic and this, he's based on the 1987 Cobra Commander figure, with its fully-body battle-armor.
*Speakin' of the Terrordrome, it's shown to serve as a launch base for a [[Firebat]], and to be one of many. The "launch base" aspect was part of the original toy, while the Marvel comics depicted Terrordromes as a series of installations. The original ''Joe'' cartoon, meanwhile, repurposed the concept and used the Terrordrome as a new headquarters for Cobra in the 1986 season.
*Cobra Commander was previously depicted as a snake-man in ''G.I. Joe: The Movie,'' when exposure to genetically-modifying spores slowly devolved him into a snake. In the cartoon story that followed the movie, "Operation: Dragonfire," he was partially evolved back to a similar humanoid reptile-man appearance.
*The blotches that scar the Baroness's face are based on a printing error from issue #44 of the Marvel ''G.I. Joe'' comic, which spattered magenta ink over the character's face.
*For years, the original Marvel series depicted Snake-Eyes's unseen injuries as being ''so gruesome'' that the sight of them could make hardened men throw up, but when he was eventually unmasked on-panel in issue #93, he was no oil painting, but he wasn't ''that'' hideous. As such, Tom Scioli notes in this issue's commentary that for his take on the unmasking, he really tried to make the reveal live up to that old promise. Snake's injuries are truly stomach-churning, with half his face torn off to expose the muscle, eye socket, and teeth beneath. As we noted back in our annotations for [[I Saw Three Ships|issue #1]], there's a visual similarity between Snake-Eyes's wounds and those he inflicted on [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] in that issue; if Starscream's were a worse version of the original Marvel Snake-Eyes's injuries, then this Snake's are an even ''worse'' version of Starscream's.
*Doctor Venom is wearing [[S.N.A.K.E.]] armor, sans the helmet piece.
*As Crystal Ball looks into the future, a panel snipped from issue #14 of the Marvel ''Joe'' series is used as a "vision," featuring the Baroness turning on Destro, with art by Mike Vosburg, Jon D'Agnostino and [[Joe Rosen]], and letters by Christie Scheele. In this panel, the Baroness says "I'm late..."—in the original context, she was merely stating she was late to a meeting, but here it's repurposed to refer to a late period in the near future, preceding her pregnancy.
*Though unnamed, the figure Crystal Ball sees is [[Serpentor]], the Cobra Emperor. Usually a genetically-engineered super-warrior, Serpentor is here depicted as a Koh-Buru-Lah reptiloid, hearkening back to ''G.I. Joe: The Movie'' and its revelation that his creation was orchestrated by [[Cobra-La]], so that he could serve as the true leader of Cobra. Baroness's "Serpentress" guise has always been inspired by Serpentor's garb, and Cobra Commander even calls her by a feminized version of Serpentor's title, "Cobra Empress," this issue.

===Real-life references===
*Peacemaker's file card reads "And I'll form the gun!", referring to the famous ''{{w|Voltron}}'' quote, "And I'll form the head!"
*In addition to conceptually merging the Master Sword with the three Arashikage Masters, Scioli remarks in the commentary that he was also inspired by the [http://zeldawiki.org/Master_Sword Master Sword] from [[Nintendo]]'s ''{{w|The Legend of Zelda}}'' video game series, a sword that contains [http://zeldawiki.org/Fi a spirit] within it.
*Defensor paraphrases ''{{w|Jaws (film)|Jaws}}'' when he prepares to deliver the final shot to Trypticon: "Smile, you son of a gun!"
*As Crystal Ball studies the image of the multi-eyed Serpentor, he quotes ''{{w|Rosemary's Baby}}'': "He has his father's eyes."
*"Amazon Prime" is the name of a paid service on [[Amazon (website)|Amazon.com]].

===Errors===
*On the inside front cover, subscription cover artist [[Giannis Milonogiannis]]'s surname is misspelled "Milogiannis."

===Other notes===
*There are ''so many'' generic Seekers and Insecticons, you guys. Some of the Seekers in particular have color schemes that make them look kinda like [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] and [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], but the wing coloration, placement, and/or shape is wrong on both (and "Starscream" is missing his face-mask), so we've bundled them all under "generics" in the list above. Similarly, for numbering purposes, we're assuming the Kickback, Bombshell, and Shrapnel standing on the ground with the main force are the "real" ones, and the ones flying are the generics, but that's just an organizational thing.

===Covers (2)===
*'''Standard cover:''' Cobra Commander and the Serpentress, by [[Tom Scioli]]
*'''Subscription cover:''' [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] and the Baroness, by [[Giannis Milonogiannis]]
<gallery>
File:TFvsJoe12_regcvr.jpg
File:TFvsJoe12_subcvr.jpg
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe'' #13
*''Aliens: Defiance''
*''Xena: Warrior Princess'' #1
*IDW ''Micronauts'' comic

==Reprints==
* '''''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''''' Volume 3
* '''''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe Quintessential Collection''''' Hardcover
* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 74: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Part 2'''''

<gallery>
File:IDW-TFvsJoeV3.jpg|'''Volume 3'''; cover art by [[Tom Scioli]]
File:IDW-TFvsJoeQC.jpg|'''''Quintessential Collection'''''; cover art by Scioli
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v74.jpg|'''''Definitive G1 Collection: Vol. 74: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Pt. 2'''''; cover art by [[Don Figueroa]] and Scioli
</gallery>

==External links==
*[http://comicsalliance.com/transformers-vs-gi-joe-12-preview/ Preview]

Escape from Primus

2021-04-25T11:07:33Z

Shockwitwicky86:

{{Comicstory|series=tfvsjoe
|issueno=11
|prev=Black Cybertron
|next=Transformers vs. G.I. Joe issue 12
|image=TFvsJoe11_regcvr.jpg
|title="Escape from Primus"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[February 24]], [[2016]]
|coverdate=February 2016
|written by=[[Tom Scioli]] and [[John Barber]]
|art by=Tom Scioli
|colors by=Tom Scioli
|letters by=Tom Scioli
|production by=[[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[Carlos Guzman]]
|continuity=[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe]]
}}

'''We flashback to G.I. Joe boot camp as the family history of Duke and Falcon is revealed.'''

==Synopsis==

Far below the surface of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], sudden tremors shake the cavernous chamber of [[Primus]], and the visiting [[Autobot]]s and [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joes]] realize they must make a quick escape before they are buried alive. During the escape run, [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] is pinned beneath a boulder, and [[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]] refuses to leave him behind; the others, meanwhile, make it back to the waiting [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] above, and [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]] sends [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] and a unit of Joes after their fallen comrades. Springer lifts Mirage to safety, but Duke's grappling hook "wirepoon" jams, and it looks like he is going to be trapped in the cave-in... until one Joe wearing a tether takes a flying leap from Springer, grabs Duke, and hauls him to safety. That Joe is [[Falcon (G.I. Joe)|Falcon]]—Duke's half-brother!

''Some time beforehand, when the [[Earth]] had not yet been destroyed, Duke is training the newest team of Joe recruits to be the second wave of troops sent to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], on the heels of [[Scarlett]]'s advance team. Falcon is among them, and Duke—never having had much love for his kid brother—is especially hard on him, tricking him to cutting his much-loved hair into a crew-cut. Falcon strives to show up his older brother by excelling, even looking set to beat Duke's obstacle course record—until he throws it away to disobey orders and "save" a "fallen comrade" who had got stuck in the course mud pit.''

''When Falcon and [[Quarrel]] shirk their guard duty to fool around, Duke dons a [[Cobra]] uniform and attacks his brother to show him the folly of his ways. Falcon tires of his brother's attitude towards him, and Duke is fed up of Faclon's smart mouth, so Falcon is led by the ear to the barracks' gym, where Duke proposes a bare-knuckle boxing match so they can settle their issues once and for all. Duke leads in the fight, and their family issues come out for all the watching Joes to hear: Duke's father took a bullet for Falcon's, who then married Duke's mother and raised Duke with a closed fist. But he wouldn't do the same to Falcon when he was born, so Duke has always seen his little brother as "soft"—especially since his mother made him promise to always take care of Falcon before she died. Duke has spent his entire military career secretly looking out for Falcon; even the Purple Heart his brother earned was down to Duke keeping him safe on the battlefield. But still, Duke refuses to kick Falcon out of the Joes: he will have to quit on his own, and that is one thing Falcon refuses to do, as it will prove everything Duke has said to be true.''

''In time, Falcon, now a fully-fledged Joe, ships out for Cybertron with the rest of his fellow graduates. Before they depart, Duke appears to see them off; he salutes Falcon, and tells his brother to prove that he is wrong about him.''

Duke, Falcon, and Mirage are safely carried out of Cybertron's depths, but as they make it to the surface, the reason for the tremors becomes apparent. At the command of [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], Cybertron has transformed into the body of Primus, and as the clouds of debris left by the Earth part at last, the god-planet turns his attention to the [[Sun]]... and prepares to feed!

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks. 
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (3)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]] (5)
*[[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (8)
*[[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] (11)
*Goldbug? (12)
*[[Springer (G1)|Springer]] (13)

|c2=
*[[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (1)
*[[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] (23)
*[[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] (24)
*[[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] (25)

|h3=[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]|c3=
*[[Cover Girl]] (4)
*[[Tripwire (G.I. Joe)|Tripwire]] (6)
*[[Bazooka (G.I. Joe)|Bazooka]] (7)
*[[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]] (9)
*[[Falcon (G.I. Joe)|Falcon]] (14)
*''[[General Flagg]]'' (15)
*''[[Cutter (G.I. Joe)|Cutter]]'' (16)
*''[[Outback (G.I. Joe)|Outback]]'' (17)
*''[[Muskrat]]'' (18)
*''[[Big Lob]]'' (19)
*''[[Quarrel]]'' (20)
*''[[Budo]]'' (21)
*''Duke & Falcon's mother'' (22)

|c4=
*[[Primus]] (2)
*[[Keeper (Transformer)|Keeper]] (10)
|}}

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*This issue's flashback must occur concurrently with [[Targetmasters (issue)|issue #2]] of the series; it takes place following the battle seen in [[I Saw Three Ships|issue #1]], since the Joes have knowledge of [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]], [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]], and [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (they train using animatronics and cut-outs of them), but must end before [[Funeral for a Friend|issue #3]], in which Duke goes undercover in Cobra.
*Further, Falcon had made it to Cybertron by [[Form Follows Function|issue #4]], though there was no indication at the time that any kind of "second unit" was involved.
*[[Cutter (G.I. Joe)|Cutter]] must also have been part of that unit, as he appeared on Cybertron in [[Everybody Hates Metroplex|issue #5]], but is seen on Earth in this issue's flashback, cutting Falcon's hair (''Cutter'', y'geddit?).
*We previously got a hint toward Falcon and Duke's troubled home life in [[Everybody Hates Metroplex|issue #5]], in which the [[Quintesson]]s plucked an image from Duke's mind of himself as a child mouthing off to his stepfather and dismissing his new baby sibling as "no brother of mine." The same issue had earlier identified Falcon as Duke's little brother on his file card.

===Transformers references===
*As Primus transforms, swarms of [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] are brought skittering out of the planet's depths by the tremors. The concept of an Insecticon swarm goes all the way back to [[The Transformers (cartoon)|the original Generation 1 cartoon]] and its Insecticon clones, but the beasties were first depicted as a naturally-occurring sub-race that lived in the depths of Cybertron in the ''[[Transformers: Fall of Cybertron|Fall of Cybertron]]'' video game. They are, of course, all designed to look like innumerable duplicates of the classic G1 Insecticons [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]], [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]], and [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]], who previously appeared as individuals in this series in issue #2.
*Primus's robot mode design in this issue borrows from the original robot-mode Primus drawing created by [[Don Figueroa]] for [[Dreamwave Productions]]' ''[[Transformers: The War Within|The War Within]]'', later published in ''[[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide]]''. Specifically, it's got the double-barreled over-the-head cannon, and the same domed buildings/turrets on its shins.

===G.I. Joe references===
*In addition to the military movies mentioned below (see "Real-life references"), Scioli notes in this issue's commentary that the boot camp scenes were inspired by issues #4 and #82 of the Marvel ''[[G.I. Joe (comic)|G.I. Joe]]'' comic. The former featured a brutal paramilitary training camp, while the latter put Duke in the role of no-nonsense drill sergeant training new Joes. Elements of Duke's dialogue ("Don't look down! Don't look back! Don't stop to help your buddy if he slips and falls.") are taken straight from issue #4.
*Falcon was Duke's half-brother in ''G.I. Joe: The Movie'', but not in the Marvel comic. Falcon notes that he's going to be a Green Beret, like this father—factoids plucked from the character's original file card.
*And speaking of ''G.I. Joe: The Movie'', it was also responsible for the introduction of Big Lob, part of the same unit as Falcon in both the film and this issue. Big Lob is quite famous for being to ''Joe'' what [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] was to ''Transformers''; a major movie character who never had an action figure in the original toyline.
*Continuing with the ''Joe'' movie references, the scene of Falcon and Quarrel ignoring their guard duty to fool around is an homage to a similar scene in the film in which Falcon abandons his post to flirt with [[Jinx]].
*Never heard of Quarrel? That's 'cause she was actually an early original creation for ''[[Action Force (team)|Action Force]]'', the European version of the ''G.I. Joe'' toyline, who was only officially 'ported into the American version of the brand in 2013. Her file card humorously reads "Swiss Army Knife Expert"; she's not an expert in Swiss army knives, but rather a knife expert from the Swiss army, a reference to her original ''Action Force'' profile, which noted she was the daughter of a Swiss diplomat and an expert with Cantonese butterfly knives.
*The disguised Duke is able to get the drop on Falcon because he has removed the firing pins from his and Quarrel's weapons. Larry Hama, writer of the Marvel ''Joe'' comic, liked using this trick from time to time; it was originally pulled off by Inuit mercenary [[Kwinn]] in the second issue of the series.

===Real-life references===
*This whole issue is a tribute to military cinema, and specifically "boot camp" movies, include such staple scenes of the genre as the haircut, the obstacle course, the brawl between rivals, and the superior officer saluting the young hotshot when they make good.
**Duke gives a speech while in front of a huge American flag, homaging ''{{w|Patton}}''. In the issue's commentary, John Barber recalls how he did the same thing with [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] in [[Dinobot Hunt (IDW)|''Robots in Disguise'' #8]].
**Falcon asks Duke if he is afraid he's "gonna have to salute" him, stealing a line from Richard Gere to Robert Loggia in ''{{w|An Officer and a Gentleman}}''.
**After his luscious locks are shorn into a crew cut, Falcon is horrified to discover he wasn't required to get one because G.I. Joe has no dress code or hair length regulation, a scene Scioli describes as being inspired by scenes in ''{{w|Heartbreak Ridge}}'' and ''{{w|Stripes}}''.
**In addition to these movies, Scioli also cites ''{{w|Private Benjamin}}'' as an influence.
*When Falcon grabs Duke and gets him to safety, their firm arm-lock is an homage to that shared between [[Arnie|Arnold Schwarzenegger]] and Carl Weathers in ''{{w|Predator (film)|Predator}}''.
*The issue's commentary identifies the Joe recruit who Falcon gives up the record to save from the obstacle course mud pit as "Private Pyle," named after the luckless private from ''{{w|Full Metal Jacket}}'', who was in turned named for {{w|Gomer Pyle}}. Though, as that movie is such a classic of boot camp cinema, the term has evolved into slang for a screw-up in the military, so it might be a euphemistic use by Scioli and not literally his name.
*When Duke invites Falcon into the boxing ring with him, he calls him "Little Mac," after {{w|Little Mac (Punch-Out!!)|the player character}} from the ''{{w|Punch-Out!!}}'' video game series.
*As the cloud of radio-disrupting Earth debris finally parts and communications are restored, an unseen Joe is heard exclaiming "Good morning Cybertron!", after another military movie, ''{{w|Good Morning, Vietnam}}''.
*The final page (featuring Primus approaching the Sun) is captioned "There Goes the Sun", evoking the name of the song "{{w|Here Comes the Sun}}" by {{w|The Beatles}}.

===Other trivia===
*Scioli's first draft of this issue's cover featured Duke holding a smoking cigar, but this was changed to a snake for the published version. We'd gamble that [[Hasbro]] said no to the stogie.
*Even the inside-front cover is part of the story in this issue, featuring a drawing of Megatron ordering Cybertron to transform, transmitted via the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]].

===Covers (2)===
*'''Standard cover:''' Duke, by [[Tom Scioli]]
*'''Subscription cover:''' [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck Gar]] rides with the [[Dreadnok]]s, as [[Unicron]]'s head floats in the sky, by [[Tom Neely]] and [[Marc Palm]]
<gallery>
File:TFvsJoe11_regcvr.jpg
File:TFvsJoe11_subcvr.jpg
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe'' #12
*Preview for IDW's ''Wynona Earp'' comic book

==Reprints==
* '''''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''''' Volume 3
* '''''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe Quintessential Collection''''' Hardcover
* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 74: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Part 2'''''

<gallery>
File:IDW-TFvsJoeV3.jpg|'''Volume 3'''; cover art by [[Tom Scioli]]
File:IDW-TFvsJoeQC.jpg|'''''Quintessential Collection'''''; cover art by Scioli
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v74.jpg|'''''Definitive G1 Collection: Vol. 74: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Pt. 2'''''; cover art by [[Don Figueroa]] and Scioli
</gallery>

Black Cybertron

2021-04-25T11:06:41Z

Shockwitwicky86: /* Reprints */

{{Comicstory|series=tfvsjoe
|issueno=10
|prev=Earth: R.I.P.
|next=Escape from Primus
|image=BlackCybertron.jpg
|title="Black Cybertron"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|published in=[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe issue 10|''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe'' #10]]
|date=[[December 23]], [[2015]]
|coverdate=December 2015
|written by=[[Tom Scioli]] and [[John Barber]]
|art by=Tom Scioli
|editor=[[Carlos Guzman]]
|continuity=[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe]]
}}

'''To resurrect his fallen brother Soundwave, Shockwave must visit the land of the dead.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] is unaccustomed to experiencing emotion, but cannot help but feel... ''something'' over the death of his brother, [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]. True death is an uncommon thing on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], where metal bodies can be rebuilt and parts replaced, but thanks to the [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]'s [[Coltonbolt]], Soundwave's head has been shattered, an injury that cannot be easily repaired. The pieces of Soundwave's head have been collected by Shockwave's nephew [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]], who, along with [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]], now prepare to join him on his mission bring their father back to life by voyaging into the land of the dead: the Cybertronian city of [[Kalis]]. Shockwave despairs over the fate of [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]], the most intelligent and useful of Soundwave's cassettes, who was last seen in the custody of G.I. Joe...

Elsewhere on Cybertron, [[Snake-Eyes|Snake Eyes]] rides Ravage across the metal landscape toward [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]], having tamed the brainwashed cyber-cat with a combination of [[Arashikage]] mind-control techniques. Suddenly, Ravage bucks beneath the ninja and swerves off the path he is on into a cavern. Ravage has heard Soundwave's voice, he explains to his rider, calling him to Kalis; intrigued, Snake Eyes decides to see the detour through.

Shockwave and his nephews bring the remains of Soundwave's head to the citadel of the Autobot apostate [[Flame (Marvel)|Flame]] in Kalis, where his dark sciences pierce the veil of life and death and bring the spymaster back to life. But Soundwave returns... incomplete. His once melodious voice is replaced with an electronic monotone, and all trace of emotion has been drained from him, as he demands only to know what his next mission will be, and finds no meaning in the word "brother" any more.

Ravage and Snake Eyes arrive in the necropolis of Kalis, where they immediately come under attack from undead [[zombie]] Transformers, reanimated through the unholy miracles that Flame has worked upon the city. Snake Eyes reflects that these unliving hulks are far more like typical "robots" than the all-too-human Transformers, but as he thinks on this, he is almost struck by a missile. Evading the projectile, he spots his attacker, the restored Soundwave, and returns fire on him with a missile launcher of his own. The shots do little damage, but as Snake Eyes is readying for another barrage, Ravage lunges at his father. Soundwave is shocked at this betrayal and seizes Ravage, knocking Snake Eyes from his back, and then manually—gruesomely—transforming him back into cassette mode and inserting him into his chest compartment for reprogramming. Shockwave steps from the shadows, having observed the unnerving display. It will take some time, he thinks, before he becomes accustomed to being the "kind one" of the brothers.

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks. 
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Flame (Marvel)|Flame]] (7)

|c2=
*[[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] (1)
*[[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (2)
*[[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (3)
*[[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (4)
*[[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (6)

|h5=Others|c5=
*[[Snake-Eyes|Snake Eyes]] (5)

}}
==Quotes==

"You must've loved this Soundwave to have placed so much effort in the reclamation. Love has no place in my domain."
:—'''Flame'''

"WHAT ARE THE PARAMETERS OF THE MISSION?" 
"What?!" 
"WHAT IS MY TARGET? WHAT ARE THE PARAMETERS OF THE MISSION? ONLY THEN WILL I ABLE TO CHOOSE THE APPROPRIATE CASSETTE AGENT AND CALCULATE THEIR PRESCRIBED OPERATION." 
"Soundwave, don't you recognize me?" 
"AFFIRMATIVE. YOU ARE SHOCKWAVE, SERVANT OF MEGATRON." 
"I'm your brother." 
"THOSE ARE EMPTY WORDS. UNAPPLICABLE. WHAT IS A 'BROTHER' TO A BEING FORGED BY UNKNOWN HANDS? WHAT ARE THE PARAMETERS OF THE MISSION?" 
"Oh Soundwave, what's become of you?"
:—'''Soundwave''' and '''Shockwave'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*Soundwave's head was destroyed in [[I Saw Three Ships|issue #1]].
*Ravage appeared under the control of [[Doctor Venom]] in [[Expelled from the Garden|issue #6]]. The specifics of how he (or indeed, how Soundwave's body) got back to Cybertron are left vague, with the narration noting that Venom's brainwashing and reprogramming attempts have left his mind addled and open to control by Snake Eyes.
*Flame turned from the Autobot path when he discovered ancient, forgotten texts that spoke of "[[Metatron]]". This figure—an archangel from real-life Rabbinic literature—was previously mentioned in [[Expelled from the Garden|issue #6]], in which it was alleged that Megatron inspired the legend among humanity. Here, it turns out that Metatron is known as a holy being by Cybertronians too, and Megatron claims to actually be an incarnation of this "Angel of Light", a concept vaguely evocative of his relationship with [[The Fallen]] the [[Aligned continuity family]].
**Coincidentally a few months before, the Facebook edition of [[Ask Vector Prime]] established a character named Metatron as well. This Metatron, however, was apparently one of the [[multiverse]]'s great villains, opposed by another biblically-inspired character named [[Enoch]] during the "[[Age of Miracles]]".
*Ultra Magnus is referred to as Metatron's nemesis and the "Autobot god of death", casting some light on his enigmatic last-page appearance in the [[Earth: R.I.P.|main story]] from this issue.

===Transformers references===
*Flame originally appeared in the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel UK]] "[[City of Fear!]]" story arc. It was in that adventure that he was shown using Kalis as a base of operations, turning it into a "land of the dead" as he resurrected a zombie army, inspiring the concepts in this story.
*The resurrected Soundwave has the emotionless, robotic voice of his [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original cartoon]] counterpart. It may or may not be intentional, but his resurrection—involving his repaired head being attached to a newly forged body—is certainly evocative of his return to life as "Soundblaster" in ''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|The Headmasters]]'' anime. He's even colored in Soundblaster-black in the illustration that accompanies the story, even though the text says he's still blue!

===Real-life references===
*The prose refers to Ravage as a "ro-beast", a term lifted from ''{{w|Voltron|Voltron: Defender of the Universe}}''.
*In a world where ''Transformers'' and ''G.I. Joe'' are real, it turns out '80s lesser-light franchises ''[[GoBots]]'' and ''[[M.A.S.K. (franchise)|M.A.S.K.]]'' are the ones that wound up with a blockbuster movie series pitting them against one another: "Gobots vs. M.A.S.K." Remind you of anything?

===Other trivia===
*This four-page story (three pages of prose and a full-page illustration) appeared in ''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe'' #10 in place of the creator commentary that normally runs in each issue of the series.

==Reprints==
* '''''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''''' Volume 3 TPB
* '''''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe Quintessential Collection''''' Hardcover

<gallery>
File:IDW-TFvsJoeV3.jpg|'''Volume 3'''; cover art by [[Tom Scioli]]
File:IDW-TFvsJoeQC.jpg|'''''Quintessential Collection'''''; cover art by Scioli
</gallery>

Earth: R.I.P.

2021-04-25T11:05:34Z

Shockwitwicky86:

{{Comicstory|series=tfvsjoe
|issueno=10
|prev=Stick To Your Guns
|next=Black Cybertron
|image=TFvsJoe10_regcvr.jpg
|title="Earth: R.I.P."
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|published in=[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe issue 10|''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe'' #10]]
|date=[[December 23]], [[2015]]
|coverdate=December 2015
|written by=[[Tom Scioli]] and [[John Barber]]
|art by=Tom Scioli
|colors by=Tom Scioli
|letters by=Tom Scioli
|production by=[[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[Carlos Guzman]]
|continuity=[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe]]
}}

'''With Earth destroyed, G.I. Joe and the Autobots go underground on Cybertron to prepare for the fight back against DeceptiCobra.'''

==Synopsis==
The collision with [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] has resulted in the destruction of [[Earth]]. Now Cybertron is all that remains, with [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]], [[Cobra]], and the [[Oktober Guard]] all that survives of humanity, stranded on the metal world. The Oktober Guard tries to claim Cybertron as "New Transylvania"; [[Blowtorch]] is impressed by the idea, but all it serves to accomplish is to make the Guard targets for the allied "DeceptiCobra" forces, while the Joes take the opportunity to escape.

A great feast is held for the men and women of Cobra in [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s dining hall, where they are all served by their captive G.I. Joe chef, [[Roadblock (G.I. Joe)|Roadblock]]. Megatron, too, joins the banquet, where he partakes of a delicacy specially prepared by his own confectioners: the still-living Joe [[Skidmark (G.I. Joe)|Skidmark]], who Megatron then eats alive in gruesome commemoration of the day the Earth died. The [[Dreadnok]]s find their stomachs turned by the grisly display and quickly lose their appetites, save for [[Dreadnok|Torch]], who happily digs in to his meal... only to die a moment later, projectile-vomiting a fountain of blood! Realizing that Roadblock has poisoned their meal, the forces of Cobra charge towards the kitchen, where the burly G.I. Joe is able to hold them off long enough for [[Tunnel Rat]]—still scurrying around in the vents—to bring him an automatic rifle, with which he mows down his attackers. Tunnel Rat and Roadblock escape into [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]'s vents and meet up with [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]]—not the traitor he appeared to be, Tunnel Rat has discovered, but actually an [[Autobot]] double agent. Roadblock is still suspicious, and only becomes moreso when it turns out T-Rat and Perceptor's exfil plan involves the two Joes sealing themselves in body bags so Perceptor can carry them outside for "disposal", but the plan seems to be working until guards [[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] and [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] realize that Perceptor is not heading to his lab like he told them he was. His cover blown, Perceptor makes a break for it, and successfully manages to escape [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]. Though Earth is no longer visible in the sky, Perceptor tries to reassure the two Joes that is it unscientific to believe something does not exist just because you cannot see it; Roadblock and Tunnel Rat are less optimistic, taking the space debris raining down across Cybertron as proof that their home planet is gone for good.

Perceptor, Roadblock, and Tunnel Rat are met by a party of other Joes, who lead them to the new [[T.H.E. P.I.T.|Pit]] beneath Cybertron's surface where the rest of the Joe team has holed up. Perceptor has also brought the deceased [[Wild Bill]]'s body with him, confusing the Joes, who believe he is still alive, unaware that shapeshifting Cobra spy [[Zartan]] has taken his place. His cover blown, Zartan uses Wild Bill's [[Dragonfly]] helicopter to mow down Joe after Joe, but a well-placed sniper shot from [[Stalker (G.I. Joe)|Stalker]] permanently ends the threat of the Dreadnok leader. As Generals [[General Flagg|Flagg]] and [[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]] restore order, Roadblock, Tunnel Rat, and Perceptor reveal that, between the three of them, they have obtained the deactivation code for Trypticon's forcefield.

Atop one of Cybertron's horn-like mega-mountains, the last survivors of Earth do battle: [[Snake-Eyes|Snake Eyes]] managed to make it onto Cybertron before his homeworld was destroyed, but so did [[Koh-Buru-Lah (creature)|Koh-Buru-Lah]], carrying [[Cobra Commander]] and his followers within organic sacs on its hideous body. Now, even as one of Koh-Buru-Lah's tentacles tugs at Snake Eyes's ankle, the ninja commando duels with [[Storm Shadow|Stormshadow]], who Cobra Commander believes has come to join them. While Snake Eyes is occupied fending off the eldritch horror, however, Stormshadow reveals the true reason for his presence: he has come to rescue his pupil [[Billy (G.I. Joe)|Billy]]—his body ravaged, but still alive—from within the god of Cobra.

Far below the surface of Cybertron, [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]] and [[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]]'s team are guided through the mind of [[Primus]] by the [[Keeper (Transformer)|Keeper]], steward of the sleeping god's dreams. The Keeper regales them with the tale of Primus's creation: he is the offspring of [[Daiakuron]], a living world sculpted by a race of ancient gestalt beings known as the [[Quintesson|Makers]], who had in turn bestowed upon their creation the ability to create worlds of its own. The further and further they descend, the more the Transformers and Joes see, and the larger the question looms... what if not just Cybertronians, but also humankind, were creations of Daiakuron? The line between Earthling and Transformer is growing ever blurrier... much like the line between life and death, as, at the bottom of the staircase the heroes descend, they find [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], the Autobot God of Death, ferrying the corpse of [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] across the river to the underworld!

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks. 
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (26)
*[[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] (70)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]] (72)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (78)
*[[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (80)
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (81)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (82)

|c2=
*[[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (12)
*[[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (27)
*[[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] (28)
*[[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] (29)

|h3=[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]|c3=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Blowtorch]] (7)
*[[Steeler]] (8)
*[[Rock 'n Roll]] (9)
*[[Sandstorm (G.I. Joe)|Sandstorm]] (10)
*[[Dusty]] (11)
*[[Roadblock (G.I. Joe)|Roadblock]] (15)
*[[Skidmark (G.I. Joe)|Skidmark]] (23)
*[[Tunnel Rat]] (25)
*[[Airtight]] (30)
*[[Lightfoot (G.I. Joe)|Lightfoot]] (31)
*[[Deep Six]] (32)
*[[Ozone]] (33)
*[[Wetsuit]] (34)
*[[Repeater (G.I. Joe)|Repeater]] (35)
*[[Beachhead]] (36)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Leatherneck]] (37)
*[[Snow Job]] (38)
*[[Stretcher]] (39)
*[[Hit and Run]] (40)
*[[General Flagg]] (41)
*[[Freefall (G.I. Joe)|Freefall]] (42)
*[[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]] (43)
*[[Airwave (G.I. Joe)|Airwave]] (44)
*[[Scoop (G.I. Joe)|Scoop]] (45)
*[[Cold Front]] (46)
*[[Ambush (G.I. Joe)|Ambush]] (47)
*[[Quick Kick]] (48)
*[[Wild Bill]] (49)
*[[Lady Jaye]] (50)
*[[Recoil (G.I. Joe)|Recoil]] (52)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Cross Country]] (53)
*[[Red Spot]] (54)
*[[Gung-Ho]] (55)
*[[Torpedo]] (56)
*[[Wreckage (G.I. Joe)|Wreckage]] (57)
*[[Grunt]] (58)
*[[Stalker (G.I. Joe)|Stalker]] (59)
*[[Psych Out]] (60)
*[[Lifeline (G.I. Joe)|Lifeline]] (61)
*[[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]] (72)
*[[Bazooka (G.I. Joe)|Bazooka]] (74)
*[[Cover Girl]] (75)
*[[Tripwire (G.I. Joe)|Tripwire]] (78)
{{!}}}
|h4=[[Cobra]]|c4=
*[[Destro]] (13)
*[[Baroness|Serpentress]] (14)
*[[Raptor (Cobra)|Raptor]] (16)
*[[Road Pig (Dreadnok)|Road Pig]] (17)
*[[Dreadnok|Ripper]] (18)
*[[Dreadnok|Torch]] (19)
*[[Zandar]] (20)
*[[Zanzibar]] (21)
*[[Copperhead]] (22)
*[[Battle Android Trooper|B.A.T.]] (24)
*[[Zartan]] (51)
*[[Nemesis Enforcer]] (63)
*[[Storm Shadow|Stormshadow]] (65)
*[[Major Bludd]] (66)
*[[Cobra Commander]] (67)

|h5=Others|c5=
*[[S.H.R.I.E.K.]] (1)
*[[Horrorshow]] (2)
*[[Münchnik]] (3)
*[[Colonel Breakoff]] (4)
*[[Dragun]] (5)
*[[Daina|Denia]] (6)
*[[Koh-Buru-Lah (creature)|Koh-Buru-Lah]] (62)
*[[Snake-Eyes]] (64)
*[[Billy (G.I. Joe)|Billy]] (68)
*[[Keeper (Transformer)|Keeper]] (69)
*[[Primus]] (71)
*''[[Quintesson|The Makers]]'' (75)
*''[[Daiakuron]]'' (76)
*''[[Unicron]]'' (79)
}}

==Quotes==
"I fink I've gone and lost me bloomin' happytite."
:—'''Ripper''', after watching Skidmark meet his end

"I told you having a G.I. Joe chef was a bad idea." 
"Great cuisine is worth the risk."
:—'''Serpentress''' and '''Destro'''

"I can't let myself believe it—not for one second. Until I see it with my own eyes, Earth is just how I remember it. Can't do the job any other way." 
"Denial is half the battle."
:—'''Roadblock''' and '''Tunnel Rat'''

"In all this high-tech survival gear, it's getting harder to tell the orgs from the borgs. We're all Cybertronians now."
:—'''Ozone'''

"The makers sure would be disappointed in us. Instead of creating new life, we've created new ways of killing each other." 
"My makers didn't like how I turned out either, Rodimus."
:—'''Rodimus''' and '''Bazooka'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*Doctor Venom was shown building B.A.T.s for G.I. Joe back in [[Funeral for a Friend|issue #3]], but Cobra has one in this issue. What this means for the good doctor, last seen escaping Optimus Prime's custody in [[Headmasters (issue)|issue #7]], remains to be seen.
*Hook and Scavenger grouse about the loss of the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]]' [[Devastator (G1)|combined form]] following the death of [[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]], which took place in [[Targetmasters (issue)|issue #2]].
*Duke, Snake Eyes, and Optimus encountered the [[Quintesson]]s in [[Everybody Hates Metroplex|issue #5]], in which they claimed to be not just the creators of the Transformers, as in past media, but of ''all'' life. Here, the visuals tell us that the Quintessons are actually the "gestalt" forms of the Moai-like "Makers"—the reason for their multiple faces and tentacles, formed from the Makers' own faces and limbs—and that they created Daiakuron, who then created other planets, making their statement essentially true.
*Ultra Magnus was mentioned before in issue #5, but nothing about that issue implied he was anything more than the great Autobot warrior he is typically depicted as. The prose story "[[Black Cybertron]]" (see "Other trivia," below) explains his sinister appearance here by painting him as the Autobot God of Death.

===Transformers references===
*One of the Decepticon caterers who serves Megatron is based on [[Drag Strip (G1)#Generation 1|Drag Strip]]'s toy, colored in greys and blues.
*The Keeper of Primus, a character from the original Marvel series, appears to guide Duke and Rodimus's team through the depths of Cybertron.
*"Daiakuron" is, of course, named in reference to ''[[Diaclone]]'', the Japanese toyline from which the toys that would become the first Transformers were taken; the spelling is a direct phonetic rendering of the Japanese pronunciation of the word (ダイアクロン da-i-a-ku-ro-n).
*The twin horn-mountains Cybertron has grown over the course of this series have always been evocative of Unicron. This issues explains that both Cybertron and Unicron were created by the horned Daiakuron, and they both inherited the feature from their "father."
*The "ferry" Ultra Magnus uses to transport Prime's body is styled after his own trailer and his rown with a bone white version of the [[Magnus Hammer]]. This doesn't affect the appearance of Magnus himself, who is still drawn with his traditional appearance as if the trailer has formed his body, save for the fact he is missing his shoulder-launchers, visible on the ferry. While the ferry is colored with Magnus's usual red, blue, white, the sinister form of Magnus himself is black, magenta, and white.
*Surprisingly, this is not the first time that Megatron shown a taste for humans. In [[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: The Battlestars (manga)|''The Battlestars'' manga]], Super Megatron had plans to eat a bunch of oil rig workers as snacks (even licking one like a lollipop). Though the key difference here is that Super Megatron was stopped before he could do so while regular Megatron got to eat Skidmark.

===G.I. Joe references===
*Torch prefers a "Yank fizzy drink" at the feast rather than wine; the purple bottle marks it as grape soda, the favorite drink of the Dreadnoks in the original Marvel ''G.I. Joe'' comic book.
*"Denial is half the battle," quips Tunnel Rat, riffing on the classic ''Joe'' [[public service announcement]]s that ended with "Knowing is half the battle."
*Cold Front? Red Spot? Who ''are'' all these guys? Never small to begin with in this series, the Joe ranks swell even further with the first appearances of many lesser-known Joes, most of whom hail from the 1988, 1989, and 1990 product lines released in the gap between ''G.I. Joe'' animated series, and who consequently never gained the wider exposure and recognition that came with being in the one ''Joe'' cartoon anyone cares about. This being a ''Transformers'' wiki, we'd gamble you've not heard of most of them!

===Real-life references===
*Roadblock recalls his best Christmas as a child, when he received an {{w|Easy-Bake Oven}} and a {{w|Huffy}} bicycle.
*Cover Girl likens the discoveries the Joes and Autobots make about Cybertron's origins to ''{{w|Chariots of the Gods?}}''
*Ultra Magnus is playing the role of {{w|Charon (mythology)|Charon}}, the ferryman from Greek mythology who took the souls of the deceased across the river into Hades.

===Other trivia===
*This issue is dedicated to the memory of [[Herb Trimpe]], noted ''G.I. Joe'' comic book artist, who passed away in April 2015.
*Assuming he's not one of the two aforementioned caterers who presents Megatron with his grisly dish, a Decepticon chef named "[[Confektor]]" is mentioned.
*The usual creator commentary is absent from this issue, replaced with the prose story "[[Black Cybertron]]."

==Reprints==
* '''''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''''' Volume 3 TPB
* '''''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe Quintessential Collection''''' Hardcover
* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 74: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Part 2'''''

<gallery>
File:IDW-TFvsJoeV3.jpg|'''Volume 3'''; cover art by Scioli
File:IDW-TFvsJoeQC.jpg|'''''Quintessential Collection'''''; cover art by Scioli
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v74.jpg|'''''Definitive G1 Collection: Vol. 74: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Pt. 2'''''; cover art by [[Don Figueroa]] and Scioli
</gallery>

==External links==
*[http://www.comicbookresources.com/comic-previews/transformers-vs-gi-joe-10-idw-2015 Preview]

Stick To Your Guns

2021-04-25T11:04:12Z

Shockwitwicky86:

{{Comicstory|series=tfvsjoe
|issueno=9
|prev=Pax Megatronus
|next=Earth: R.I.P.
|image=TFvsJoe9_regcvr.jpg
|title="Stick To Your Guns" Spotlight: Destro
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[October 7]], [[2015]]
|coverdate=August 2015
|written by=[[Tom Scioli]]
|art by=Tom Scioli
|colors by=Tom Scioli
|letters by=Tom Scioli
|production by=[[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[Carlos Guzman]]
|continuity=[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe]]
}}

'''In a time long past... the origin of Destro revealed! '''

==Synopsis==
''At the dawn of man, an [[Ark (G1)|Autobot spaceship]] falls from the heavens...''

Hundreds of years ago, in medieval Scotland, [[Laird Mac Cullen]] embarks on a pilgrimage to the island of the gods, bringing with him his strongest warrior and right hand, and his mute younger brother. Met by the druid-priests who guard the cave of the gods, Mac Cullen professes his desire for wisdom from the gods, hoping to learn when the Viking raiders who have been terrorising neighboring islands may come to attack his valley. Permitted access to the cave—in truth, the ruined hulk of the Autobot spacecraft—the three warriors are warned not to touch anything they find within. The two older men stare in awe at the frozen forms of the robotic "gods" that stand around them, but the younger Mac Cullen brother finds himself mesmerized by a small [[energon cube|glowing cube]] on the ground. Heedless of the priests' warning, he picks it up and inserts it into a receptacle in the wall, bringing the ship's computer, [[Teletraan I|Teletran-One]] to life. The computer releases a [[Sky Spy]] that scans the mute Mac Cullen, "exchanging information" with the boy and using his form as a basis to revive one of the robots. The three Scotsmen panic as one of the Decepticons comes back to life, and they attack with their blades; Mac Cullen manages to cleave its metal face off, after which the tiny spark of energy infusing it and Teletran with life flickers out, and both robot and computer deactivate. Believing they have bested a god and are now worthy to claim a prize, Mac Cullen takes parts of the robot's body, but as they leave, his attempt to hide his trespass from the druids fails. The trio barely manage to escape the mystics' wrath, and return to their valley, where an incredible transformation soon evinces itself, as the young Mac Cullen speaks for the first time.

In time, the injuries sustained by Mac Cullen's right hand take their toll, and he passes away. His body is placed upon a funeral pyre, but when the pyre is lit, the flames illuminate the sails of a fleet of Viking longships bearing down on Mac Cullen's land. Armoring himself with the stolen pieces of the Decepticon's body and wearing the robot's severed metal face as a mask, Mac Cullen declares himself the "First Laird of Destro", and plunges into battle alongside his men. Mac Cullen fights hard, but eventually is slain by the Viking horde. Where the laird has merely mimicked the physical form of the gods, however, his younger brother has truly been touched by their wisdom: as the battle has raged, the new, alien thoughts racing through the boy's mind have led him to fashion a new weapon from powder and fire... the first gun, which he uses to slay the Viking leader [[Thor FalkenHauser]]. [[Aberneth the Hawk-Helmed]] takes the fallen Thor's tomahawk, and they flee back to their ships in the face of the boy's power.

Donning his fallen brother's metal mask, the young Mac Cullen returns to the island of the gods, realizing the druids sold out his people to the Vikings as punishment for their sacrilege. Using the weapon he has created, Mac Cullen drives the druids away from their land, and in the months that follow, he builds his own castle there, atop the spacecraft: [[Castle Destro]]. Travelling the world to expand his knowledge, while also listening to the murmured words of the sleeping "gods" beneath his castle, "[[Destro]]" enhances his body to ensure himself cybernetic immortality, while forging an empire built on the advanced weaponry their otherworldly science allows him to create.

In the closing days of the 20th century, having moved Castle Destro brick-by-brick to [[California]], Destro is approached by [[Cobra Commander]]. The Commander questions Destro's method of doing business, which commonly involves selling weapons to both side of any conflict; what use is having the biggest gun, the Commander wonders, if the enemy has it as well? To that end, he offers Destro a literal pyramid of cash to become a [[Cobra]]-exclusive contractor, providing weapons for them and them alone.

==Featured characters==
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
*Generic "Datsun" Autobot (6)

|c2=
*Generic [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] (5)
*Generic [[Decepticon Mini-Cassette|Mini-Cassette]] (8)
*Not-[[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] (11)

|c3=
*Mac Cullen's warrior (1)
*[[Laird Mac Cullen]] (2)
*[[Destro|Mac Cullen's brother/Destro]] (3)
*Cobra druids (4)
*[[Aberneth the Hawk-Helmed]] (9)
*[[Thor FalkenHauser]] (10)
*[[Cobra Commander]] (12)
*[[Cobra]] troopers (13)
*Bespectacled bikini-clad babes (14)

|c4=
*[[Teletraan I|Teletran-One]] (7)
}}

==Quotes==
"Clad in the flesh of the gods, I fear no man!"
:—'''Laird Mac Cullen'''

"What business has a blackguard such as ye here in this holy place?" 
"Ye betrayed my brother—sold us out to those outland marauders." 
"Ye sealed your own fate, stealing from the gods." 
"I've come to make good. I've come to return what I've taken. I've come to return fire stolen from the gods." 
''<click-BOOM>''
:—The '''druids''' and the young '''Mac Cullen'''

"After World War I Castle Destro was moved brick by brick, stone by stone to California after centuries in the gloom of the old world. It made sense in the dawning of a new age, Castle Destro stand in perpetual sunlight." 
"It wasn't to escape the ghostsss? They say Castle Destro is haunted by every soul that died on the wrong end of a Destro gun." 
"I '''ghost-proofed''' this new version of the ancestral home. Architectural tricks, stairs to nowhere, etc." 
"It's an expensive affectation, to move a whole castle." 
"When you're as rich as I am, no affectation is too expensive."
:—'''Destro''' and '''Cobra Commander'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*Per Scioli's notes at the end of the issue, the druids who guard the crashed Ark are "the ancestors of Cobra, or maybe an offshoot that shares a common ancestor"—the common ancestor would logically be the ancient spawn of [[Koh-Buru-Lah (creature)|Koh-Buru-Lah]].
*We previously saw Hawk's tomahawk in the hands of Vikings in [[Everybody Hates Metroplex|issue #5]]. We now know from this issue that the character holding the weapon was an elderly version of Aberneth the Hawk-Helmed, and that he and his Vikings had obviously learned a lot more about the Transformers between now and then, as they and their ships were adorned with assorted Transformers symbology.
*Destro revealed himself to be long-lived thanks to cybernetic enhancement in [[Funeral for a Friend|issue #3]], with this issue revealing just how old he really is.

===Transformers references===
*The ''Ark'' is, of course, drawn based on its animation model from the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]].
*Generic Transformers seen within the ''Ark'' include a [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]], and a "Datsun" Autobot (that is, one sharing the body-type of [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]], and [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]]). The Transformer awakened by Teletran-One is of the humanoid [[Decepticon Mini-Cassette]] design used by [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] and [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]], its small, nearly-human stature explained to be the result of Teletran reconfiguring it into a "human" form after scanning the young Destro—similar to the manner in which the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] were created in the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel comic]], based on scans on real dinosaurs. Later in the story, Destro is shown listening to the murmurs of a slumbering bat-Decepticon inspired by [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]]. We're not willing to definitively identify any of these characters as named, pre-existing Transformers.
*Teletran-One utters the line "Repair! Repair!", taken from the Generation 1 cartoon episode "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]". The computer also remarks "And now, on with the countdown!", the catchphrase of actor and radio disc jockey [[Casey Kasem]], who provided the computer's voice in the cartoon.
*The narration refers to the slumbering Transformers beneath Castle Destro as "dwellers in the depths", after the Generation 1 cartoon episode title, "[[The Dweller in the Depths]]".
*The issue's title "Spotlight: Destro" is named for the occasional sub-series of [[The Transformers: Spotlight|IDW Generation 1 comics]].
*The Transformers on the subscription cover are mostly familiar faces, but two more lesser-known characters are also present; 1988 Decepticon cassette [[Squawktalk (G1)|Squawktalk]], and the Autobot traffic light from ''Cybertron'', [[Signal Lancer]].

===G.I. Joe references===
*The druids all have blue skin, an allusion to ''G.I. Joe: The Movie'', which revealed that Cobra Commander was a blue-skinned [[Cobra-La]]vian beneath his mask.
*It's been staring us the in face all along, but Hawk's tomahawk—which shares its shape with the sigil of the Viking raiders, one obviously having inspired the other—is based on the 1970s ''G.I. Joe'' [[Adventure Team (G.I. Joe)|Adventure Team]] logo, a combined A and T atop one another.
*Though unnamed in the story, the leaders of the Viking raiders are identified in Scioli's commentary as "Aberneth the Hawk-Helmed", Hawk's ancestor (his real surname being "Abernathy"), and "Thor FalkenHauser", Duke's ancestor (his name a joint reference to Duke's real surname, "Hauser", and to his half-brother, [[Falcon (G.I. Joe)|Falcon]]).
*The women draped over the pile of money Cobra Commander offers Destro all look like the [[Baroness]], with their round glasses and raven hair. Destro and the Baroness have historically been romantically linked throughout the ''G.I. Joe'' franchise.

===Jack Kirby references===
*The sight of proto-humans staring up at the crashing ''Ark'' is, as Scioli notes in his commentary, highly evocative of the film ''{{w|2001: A Space Odyssey}}''. Kirby did both an adaptation and spin-off series of the film for Marvel Comics.
*Cullen's theft is revealed by the cobra-headed staffs of the druids, which emit a sound effect when they detect the metal beneath his cloak. This sound, "PING PING", is the sound effect of {{w|Mother Box}} from Jack Kirby's {{w|Fourth World (comics)|"Fourth World" comics}}.

===Real-life references===
*The druids use {{w|Greek fire}} on Mac Cullen's fleeing boat.
*The Vikings hail from "'''G'''iant '''I'''sland '''Jo'''tunheim", a cute allusion to "G.I. Joe", but also a reference to {{w|Jötunheimr|Jotunheim}}, land of the giants, from Norse mythology.
*Destro's 'ghost-proofing' of his castle is a parallel to the {{w|Winchester Mystery House}} which also was said to be haunted by the ghosts of those who were killed with the guns that the owner manufactured.

===Other trivia===
*The double-page spread of the crashing ''Ark'' is the first thing you see when you open the comic, printed across the inside-front cover and the first page of the issue. The credits, normally on the inside-cover, are moved to the second page of the comic. The second half of the spread is also reprinted on the inside-back cover, so that if you were to remove the cover from the comic, you'd have a "mini-poster" of the scene.
*As with last issue, this issue was inexplicably only available digitally a week after it came out in physical shops. Moreover, the digital version is missing both the first half of the above-mentioned spread and the final story page.

===Covers (3)===
*'''Standard cover:''' [[Serpentor]] and [[Unicron]] by [[Tom Scioli]]
*'''Subscription cover:''' They came from Cybertron - the Earth came for them! By [[David Lafuente]] and [[John Rauch]]
*'''Cover RI:''' Megatron holds aloft a handful of G.I. Joes, by [[Ben Marra]]

<gallery>
File:TFvsJoe9_regcvr.jpg
File:TFvsJoe9_subcvr.jpg
File:TFvsJoe9_cvrRI.jpg
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe'' #10
*''[[The Transformers: Sins of the Wreckers|Sins of the Wreckers]]'' [[Sins of the Wreckers issue 1|#1]]
*''G.I. Joe: Cobra World Order'' Prelude
*IDW ''Transformers'' graphic novel library
*''Danger Girl: Renegade'' (back cover)

==Reprints==
* '''''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''''' Volume 2
* '''''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe Quintessential Collection''''' Hardcover
* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 74: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Part 2'''''

<gallery>
File:IDW-TFvsJoeV2.jpg|'''Volume 2'''; cover art by [[Tom Scioli]]
File:IDW-TFvsJoeQC.jpg|'''''Quintessential Collection'''''; cover art by Scioli
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v74.jpg|'''''Definitive G1 Collection: Vol. 74: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Pt. 2'''''; cover art by [[Don Figueroa]] and Scioli
</gallery>

Pax Megatronus

2021-04-25T11:03:15Z

Shockwitwicky86:

{{Comicstory|series=tfvsjoe
|issueno=8
|prev=Headmasters (issue)
|next=Stick To Your Guns
|image=TFvsJoe8_regcvr.jpg
|title="Pax Megatronus"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[July 29]], [[2015]] (print) [[August 5]], 2015 (digital)
|coverdate=July 2015
|written by=[[Tom Scioli]] and [[John Barber]]
|art by=Tom Scioli
|colors by=Tom Scioli
|letters by=Tom Scioli
|production by=[[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[Carlos Guzman]]
|continuity=[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe]]
}}

'''General Flagg awakens Omega Supreme and travels to a Cybertron in chaos as Optimus Prime and Megatron finally face off.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Billy (G.I. Joe)|Billy]] has escaped [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and returned to [[Earth]] with a prize: the bloodied body of [[Snake-Eyes]], which he now lays before his very-much alive father, [[Cobra Commander]]! Though he is impressed by his son's accomplishment, the cybernetic limbs that are now a part of Billy raise the ire of the terrible [[Koh-Buru-Lah (creature)|Koh-Buru-Lah]], and the Commander concedes that it is better that Billy die than live with the "stink of the machine" on him. His prostheses transform to try and fight back, but the eldritch horror tears the boy limb from limb.

In [[Washington, D.C.]], [[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]], [[Lady Jaye]], and [[Flash (G.I. Joe)|Flash]] arrive at the [[White House]] to arrest [[General Flagg]], who has just overthrown the [[President of the United States|President]]. Flagg convinces them that he is the best man to lead the fight against the approaching Cybertron; after some arguing, Hawk's team agree, and together with Flagg, they set out to search for an Autobot sleeper agent who has been laying dormant on Earth for ages. While heading down Highway Omega, they come under attack from [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] and [[Viper]], but are saved when the Autobot they are looking for turns out to actually ''be'' the very highway they are driving on—the titanic [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], who awakens in time to dispatch their pursuers, then transforms into his rocket mode and carries them into space toward Cybertron. Omega is intercepted part-way by his old foe, [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]], and the pair engage in battle, but before long, Omega triumphs, bringing himself, Astrotrain, and Flagg's team down to Cybertron with meteoric force.

The group finds a Cybertron in chaos. Word of the return of [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], and his taming of [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] and restoration of [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]'s body, has spread like wildfire around the planet, inciting the cowed Autobot populace to rebellion. While the Autobot masses, led by [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] and [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]], follow Omega to Optimus, Flagg's team set out to search for the rest of the Joes on the planet, taking in the many strange sights: from the fully terraformed and now-overgrown [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], to a trio of "[[Pretender]]s", robots created by the Decepticons to emulate human form.

Back on Earth, Cobra Commander prepares to unmask Snake-Eyes for his minions, in order to show off the damage he did to the ninja's face. Just before his mask is removed, however, Snake-Eyes springs to life, his near-death state an apparent ruse. He is immediately surrounded by the Commander's troops, including Koh-Buru-Lah's reptilian spawn, but quickly evades them and escapes outside.

Simultaneously, on Cybertron, Optimus Prime and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] face off as their assembled troops watch in awe. Though Prime appears to turn the fight in his favour when a blade-strike cleaves Megatron's chest open, what the wound reveals is more emotionally crippling to Optimus than any physical injury incurred in the combat: the [[Matrix of Leadership]], stolen by Megatron so long ago, bonded to the Decepticon leader's [[black hole]]-heart to become the unholy tool with which he subjugated the will of [[Primus]] himself. Content that the most devastating blow possible has been stuck by this revelation, and concerned with far greater matters than a nostalgic bout with an old enemy, Megatron declares the duel over, and unperturbed by notions of "fairness," simply orders has his Decepticons to overrun the Autobots. Now, Megatron turns his attention toward his ultimate goal—for at last, the gap between Earth and Cybertron has closed, and the gigantic, horn-like mega-mountains that have grown from the metal world's surface now stab into Earth's crust with the force of uncountable atomic bombs! The Joes on Cybertron try to contact their homeworld, but there is no sign of response, and they can only watch as Optimus Prime is dragged to the edge of a pit and sent plunging to oblivion by a point-blank [[fusion cannon]] blast from Megatron, right through his chest!

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks. 
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (13)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (16)
*[[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] (23)
*[[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] (25)
*[[Kup (G1)|Kup]] (26)
*[[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] (28)

|c2=
*[[Army]] (11)
*[[Limbot]] (12)
*[[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] (14)
*[[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (21)
*[[Viper]] (22)
*[[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] (24)
*[[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] (29)
*[[Stranglehold]] (30)
*[[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (31)
*[[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] (33)
*[[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] (34)

|h3=[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]|c3=
*[[Scoop (G.I. Joe)|Scoop]] (addressed, 15)
*[[Lady Jaye]] (17)
*[[Flash (G.I. Joe)|Flash]] (18)
*[[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]] (19)
*[[General Flagg]] (20)
*[[Stalker (G.I. Joe)|Stalker]] (35)
*[[Sci-Fi]] (36)
*[[Gung-Ho]] (37)
*[[Rock 'n Roll]] (38)
*[[Beachhead]] (39)
*[[Quick Kick]] (40)

|h4=[[Cobra]]|c4=
*[[Pythona]] (3)
*[[Major Bludd]] (4)
*[[Firefly]] (5)
*[[Cobra Commander]] (6)
*[[Tomax and Xamot]] (8-9)
*[[Golobulus]] (10)
*[[Crimson Guard]]smen (27)
*[[Nemesis Enforcer]] (32)

|h5=Others|c5=
*[[Koh-Buru-Lah (creature)|Koh-Buru-Lah]] (1)
*[[Billy (G.I. Joe)|Billy]] (2)
*[[Snake-Eyes]] (7)
}}

==Quotes==

"I told the president he could take a well-earned vacation. Told him Joe's got it from here." 
"You've killed an entire special committee." 
"I dunno. They were reptilian shapeshifters or robots in disguise or something."
:—'''General Flagg''' is full of excuses that '''Hawk''' isn't buying

"How did it all start? I needed '''something''' to slow it all down. The speeding, pounding '''thoughts'''. The torture of a hungry mind on this world of monolithic sameness. Only room for one mind: Megatron, the cosmic '''bore'''. No debate, only obeisance. I'm just old enough to remember the last days of the Iaconian salons. That was the world I was meant for--built too late. Dark Energon--Nucleon Nails--I've done 'em all. Never know which is gonna be the last one--the one that sends me to the slag heap." 
"Optimus is back! He's tamed the Scorponok. Trypticon is next. Spread the word." 
"Optimus Prime. Optimus '''molten-feathered''' Prime. Something new on this grey world. Something--some '''one'''--to ride for."
:—'''Wreck-Gar''' the drug addict is brought news by '''Kup''' that gives him the strength to break his habit

"Gather 'round, my children. Admire your leader's artistry. See how much I prettied him up. Take a look at the exquisite horror behind the mask of Snake Eyesss."
:—'''Cobra Commander'''

"I'm not immune to the charms of nostalgia, but the old ways no longer apply. Scuffles are for lesser beings than I. My realm is the greater cosmos. Bear witness to the power of Megatron. Look up."
:—'''Megatron''' declares his superiority, moments before Earth and Cybertron collide

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*Surprising no-one, it turns out the "mystery villain" responsible for freeing Tomax and Xamot and raising Koh-Buru-Lah is Cobra Commander. Shock!
*Billy has evidently escaped from his imprisonment within Scorponok following the events of last issue. Snake-Eyes was doing fine last we saw him, in [[Maccadam's Old Oil House|Maccadam's Lubricarium]] in [[Expelled from the Garden|issue #6]], but it looks like his bloodied, incapacitated state was a ruse.
*Omega Supreme's absence was alluded to in [[Form Follows Function|issue #4]].
*The Pretenders are evidently the end result of the Decepticons' experiments with "making people", as we saw in issues #6 and [[Headmasters (issue)|#7]].
*Megatron is still wearing the slain [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]'s head over his hand in emulation of [[Megatron (BW)|''Beast Wars'' Megatron]].
*We learned that Megatron had somehow perverted [[Primus]] in issue #6; in this issue, we learn he used the captured and corrupted Matrix to do so.
* A pile of dead Autobot heads passed by the Joes includes Cliffjumper, Warpath, and Bluestreak.

===Transformers references===
*New ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' toy [[Viper]] gets to put in an appropriate cameo appearance, described on his "file card" as the "DeceptiCobra Alliance Incarnate". He transforms into a Cobra [[Rattler]], see.
*Wreck-Gar refers to having taken [[Dark Energon]] and [[Nucleon Nail]]s as part of a drug metaphor (cos he's a ''Junkie''-on, get it?).
*Lots of generic [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] going on this issue, but the one who tries to put down the Autobot uprising seems to take his color scheme cues from ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]].
*As Flagg's unit travel across Cybertron, one of the sights they see is [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] being snatched up by a [[harvester unit]], a more Kirby-fied version of the cruel devices seen in [[The Smelting Pool!|issue #17]] of the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|original Marvel series]].
*Two other generic Pretenders appear in addition to Stranglehold; an all-blue one based on Starscream's Pretender shell, and some naked dude with a ponytail.
*Megatron uses a version of his [[energon mace]], which here extrudes from his [[fusion cannon]].
*Megatron's "black hole heart" is a reference to his original Generation 1 profile, which noted he had the ability to trans-dimensionally link himself to a black hole that he could then draw on for power.
*Megatron declares his and Prime's fight at an end by saying "It's over, Prime", one of his famous lines from ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''.

===G.I. Joe references===
*Though unnamed, the two prominent reptilians who stand alongside Cobra Commander and his team on the first page are green-skinned versions of ''G.I. Joe: The Movie'' villains Pythona and Golobulus, further cementing the implied conceptual link between Koh-Buru-Lah and [[Cobra-La]] from past issues. Fellow Cobra-Lavian Nemesis Enforcer, also unnamed, appears later in the issue.
*The exterior shot of Cobra Commander's base as Snake Eyes escaped reveals it to be the [[Silent Castle]], Cobra's mountain hideaway from the Marvel ''G.I. Joe'' comic book.

===Real-life references===
*Though the poses don't match, Cobra Commander and his retinue certainly seem to be evoking {{w|The Last Supper}} with their "dinner party" on the first page. On the wall behind them is {{w|Benjamin Franklin}}'s political cartoon, "{{w|Join, or Die}}".
*When Megatron and Optimus battle, their combat begins like a beat-'em-up video game, starting with a display of the two franchises' Japanese logos, then the Japanese characters for "Fight!".

===Other trivia===
*Something a little weird went on with the release of this issue. Physical copies were released to comic book stores as normal, but no review copies or online previews were distributed, and it was not made digitally available until the following week.

===Covers (3)===
*'''Standard cover:''' [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] and Flash zoom through space from Earth to Cybertron, by [[Tom Scioli]]
*'''Subscription cover:''' [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] and [[Shipwreck]] by [[Andy Suriano]]
*'''Cover RI:''' Megatron and [[Destro]] by [[Artyom Trakhanov]]

<gallery>
File:TFvsJoe8_regcvr.jpg
File:TFvsJoe8_subcvr.jpg
File:TFvsJoe8_cvrRI.jpg
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe'' #9
*''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|The Transformers]]'' [[South of Heaven|#43]]
*''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' [[The One Where They Go to Earth|#43]]
*''[[The Transformers: Windblade|Windblade]]'' [[Race Against the Light|#5]]
*[[An Uneventful Night|''Combiner Hunters'' #1]]
*IDW EC Comics variant cover month checklist (back cover)

==Reprints==
* '''''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''''' Volume 2
* '''''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe Quintessential Collection''''' Hardcover
* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 74: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Part 2'''''

<gallery>
File:IDW-TFvsJoeV2.jpg|'''Volume 2'''; cover art by [[Tom Scioli]]
File:IDW-TFvsJoeQC.jpg|'''''Quintessential Collection'''''; cover art by Scioli
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v74.jpg|'''''Definitive G1 Collection: Vol. 74: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Pt. 2'''''; cover art by [[Don Figueroa]] and Scioli
</gallery>

Headmasters (issue)

2021-04-25T11:01:56Z

Shockwitwicky86: /* Reprints */

{{disambig3|Headmaster}}

{{Comicstory|series=tfvsjoe
|issueno=7
|prev=FCBD Funnies
|next=Pax Megatronus
|image=TFvsJoe7_regcvr.jpg
|title="Headmasters"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[June 3]], [[2015]]
|coverdate=March 2015
|written by=[[Tom Scioli]] and [[John Barber]]
|art by=Tom Scioli
|colors by=Tom Scioli
|letters by=Tom Scioli
|production by=[[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[Carlos Guzman]]
|continuity=''[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe]]''
}}

'''Scarlett is confronted with the reality that neither G.I. Joe nor the Transformers actually exist, and that she is a mentally unwell patient about to return to her life in the nice, normal town of Springfield...'''

==Synopsis==
To cure her of her delusion that "Transformers" and "G.I. Joe" are anything more than children's toys and cartoons, [[Scarlett|Shana O'Hara]] is strapped into the [[Brainwave Scanner]] by the kindly [[Doctor Mindbender|Doctor Mindelbinder]]. In the dreams the machine induces, Scarlett sees herself fighting strange reptile-creatures... a small [[Bumblebee (G1)|robot's head]] held between a human thumb and forefinger... a metal face and the words "[[Mindwipe (G1)|mind wipe]]"... and herself, praying before a shining [[Optimus Prime (G1)|robotic figure]], who tells her he will soon return.

Following her session, Mindelbinder takes Shana to see [[Doctor B]] and her current robotics project: "[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]", an artificial intelligence she has named after a character from the ''Transformers'' cartoon. As Shana is wheeled through the hospital, she observes a nursery full of babies, and a [[Billy (G.I. Joe)|young man]] with cybernetic limbs, who apparently communicates with her telepathically to tell her that "[[Snake-Eyes|her boyfriend]]" was responsible for his condition. The mental technique feels familiar to Shana... but nonetheless, in a subsequent office session with Mindelbinder, she appears to have been cured of her delusions, and now tells the doctor that she knows the robots and soldiers are only imaginary. Reunited with her husband Fred and her two children, she returns home to [[Springfield (G.I. Joe)|Springfield]]. But in truth, Shana has only told Mindelbinder what she knew he wanted to hear—dark visions of alien ghosts swarm in her mind as she tries to go about her daily life, their voices ringing in her ears, the world and everything in it seeming artificial... until eventually, unable to bear it any long, she shaves half her hair off, and discovers a fresh scar on her scalp. Picking the wound open, Shana finds an electronic implant within, which she jolts to life with a shock from a power cord. In her mind's eye, the image of [[General Flagg|a general]] appears, who urges her to get out as fast as she can.

At a welcome home party thrown for her by the neighborhood, Shana sees many familiar faces in the crowd—those her mind tells her are her old G.I. Joe teammates. She tries to jog [[Mutt]]'s memory, but he reacts only with confusion... until he leaves the party, and finds himself being followed by a [[Junkyard (G.I. Joe)|dog]]. He tries to shoo the animal away, but it pounces on him... and its fond licking of his face stirs a memory within him...

Pushed to the brink, Shana slits her husband's throat, and sets their house on fire with her children—whom she is convinced are not real—still inside. Leaving the inferno, Shana finds all her friends waiting for her... and a whispered "Yo Joe" from Mutt confirms that all she has believed is true. She is Scarlett of G.I. Joe—and she will have revenge.

The Joes, bar Scarlett, locate the bodies of the [[Autobot]]s who were captured alongside them, and although the 'bots are non-responsive and stuck in vehicle mode, they still make useful getaway cars. Before long, the Springfield police force are in hot pursuit, but the Joes outrun them and smash through her roadblocks to finally burst out of Springfield... which they discover is an artificial town constructed inside [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], the Decepticon "city of madness". Their minds finally clearing as they escape the boundaries of Scorponok, the Joes are amazed to see [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], back on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] once more, facing off against the huge scorpion-city. At a command from their leader, the mesmerized Autobots are suddenly themselves again, and transform to enter the fray.

Back in Springfield, Scarlett returns to the hospital to confront her tormentors. She first comes upon Doctor B, and hands her a sword: a means of defending herself as Scarlett attempts to kill her. The doctor refuses to take the blade, insisting that she is only there to obtain funding from [[Cobra]] to further her own research, and that Scarlett's grudge has nothing to do with her. Content with the woman's refusal to fight, Scarlett spares her life, and then heads for Mindelbinder's office. There, Mindelbinder—or rather, Cobra's [[Doctor Mindbender]]—chastizes her even as he opens fire on her, claiming that she would have suffered ''much'' worse had a more callous intellect than his been responsible for her treatment. Mindbender escapes when Scarlett is attacked by her "children"—revealed to be bio-mechanical constructs, now seared by flame down to the metal skeleton—but she quickly overpowers them, catches up to Mindbender, and forces him to spill the beans. Mindbender hastily explains that the entire facility has been set up by [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] to study the brains of both human and Transformer in order to deduce the commonalities between them, with the end goal of "decrypting" the living mind itself and attaining complete control of all sentient beings in the universe. Satisfied with his answers, Scarlett straps Mindbender into the Brainwave Scanner, and stabs him through the heart; in his final moments, the doctor sees a twisted vision of a DNA spiral, and the faces of his heroes—the greatest rulers, conquerors, and villains in history—laughing at him.

Scarlett moves to depart the hospital, but is confronted with a final unexpected opponent: a bio-mechanical duplicate of ''herself''. The pair turn out to be evenly matched in every way, meaning that neither can win over the other... so all Scarlett focuses on is ''not'' bleeding to death before her doppelganger. This gruesome tactic works, and Scarlett is guided to her final objective by the ethereal alien voices: [[Zarak (G1)|Zarak]], the [[binary bonding|binary bonded]] master of Scorponok, who betrayed his people the [[Nebulos|Neb'los]] to the Decepticons long ago. Springfield was built upon their remains, and the ghosts of the Neb'Los now cry out for Scarlett to enact their vengeance. Scarlett slays Zarak, severing his bond with the city of madness, then takes control of Scorponok herself. For her first action, she uses the city's massive claws to return Bumblebee's still-living head to the humbled Optimus Prime.

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks. 
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (4)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (5)
*[[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] (22)
*[[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (23)
*[[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] (24)

|c2=
*[[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] (3)
*[[Army]] (7)
*[[Limbot]] (8)
*[[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] (25)
*[[Zarak (G1)|Zarak]] (27)

|h3=[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]|c3=
*[[Scarlett]] (2)
*[[Junkyard (G.I. Joe)|Junkyard]] (13)
*[[General Flagg]] (14)
*[[Gung-Ho]] (15)
*[[Alpine]] (16)
*[[Beachhead]] (17)
*[[Steeler]] (18)
*[[Dusty]] (19)
*[[Quick Kick]] (20)
*[[Mutt]] (21)
*[[Doctor Venom]] (26)

|h4=[[Cobra]]|c4=
*[[Doctor Mindbender]] (1)
*[[Doctor B]] (6)
*[[Crimson Guard|Fred]] (10)
*Scarlett's children (11-12)

|h5=Others|c5=
*[[Billy (G.I. Joe)|Billy]] (7)
}}

==Quotes==
"Why are you here?" 
"Delusions of persecution. Anti-social behavior. Violence. To myself and others." 
"What is G.I. Joe?" 
"G.I. Joe is a cartoon for children." 
"And Cybertron?" 
"A nonsense word, invented to tie together several unrelated robot toys into a single advertising narrative. Created in a boardroom by three toy executives named Cy, Bert and Ron."
:—'''Doctor Mindelbinder''' and '''Shana'''

"You're a doll, Shana. You're a doll that nobody wanted and for that reason alone, you are rare and valuable."
:—'''Doctor Mindbender'''

"I refuse to take my medicine if the doctor himself has never tried it."
:—'''Scarlett''', as she straps Mindbender into the Brainwave Scanner

"Zarak. Butcher. Betrayer. I don't know you from Adam. The ghosts of long-buried Neb'los demand your head. Who am I to refuse them their due?"
:—'''Scarlett'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*One of the first images Scarlett sees after being plugged into the Brainwave Scanner is what looks like herself, fighting reptilian creatures. In the issue's commentary, Scioli describes this as "memory regression going back to an ancestor", so presumably, these snake-men are of the reptilian race we were introduced to last issue, the spawn of [[Koh-Buru-Lah (creature)|Koh-Buru-Lah]].
*Bumblebee yet lives! The little yellow 'bot's decapitated head was brought back to Cybertron in [[The Golden Boys|issue #0]], and has been worn on a chain around Megatron's neck ever since, up until last issue, when Megatron had stopped wearing it. Now we know why!
*If you didn't pick up [[Robots in Disguise issue 0|''Robots in Disguise'' #0]] on [[Free Comic Book Day]], then Billy's appearance here will be unexpected: his plight, including the loss of his limbs to Snake-Eyes and their replacement with cybernetic duplicates, was detailed in the issue's ''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe'' back-up strip, "[[FCBD Funnies]]".
*Scarlett mentions once being "almost married", perhaps a reference to the promise she made to marry Snake-Eyes in issue #0. The characters have gone through similar plots in other pieces of ''G.I. Joe'' fiction.
*Gung-Ho still has the Autobot symbol tattoo he got in issue #5.
*[[Tunnel Rat]] found a machine that he believed could possibly have been "making" people last issue; looks like the bio-mechanical beings we see in this issue are the answer to that mystery.

===Transformers references===
*For his appearance in Scarlett's Brainwave Scanner vision, Bumblebee is based directly on his original Generation 1 character model, rather than the revised look he normally has in this series.
*Also part of Scarlett's vision in one small panel is Decepticon hypnotist [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]], with an appearance largely based on the face of his original toy, rather than his character model. Given the deliberately psychedelic collection of images, which includes things Scarlett cannot rationally be aware of, it's hard to know what to make of his brief showing here, beyond perhaps the inference that his abilities have something to do with the Brainwave Scanner, or might be an additional "treatment" used on Scarlett.
*Though the bit about "Cy, Bert and Ron" is fictional, Scarlett alludes to the Transformers toyline's real-life origin as "several unrelated robot toys", namely ''[[Diaclone]]'' and ''[[Micro Change]]''.

===G.I. Joe references===
*This issue is largely inspired by the two-part ''G.I. Joe'' cartoon episode, "There's No Place Like Springfield," in which [[Shipwreck]] awakes in the town of Springfield with no memory of the last few years, surrounded by ever-so-slightly "off" versions of his friends, and slowly thinks he is going insane. The whole thing, naturally, is revealed to be a Cobra plot, with the other inhabitants of the town turning out to be [[Synthoid]]s. Scioli notes in the commentary that in early drafts of this issue, Shipwreck was the star of the story.
*Springfield itself was created for the original Marvel ''G.I. Joe'' comic, in which it was a real, functioning town cast in the image of wholesome 1950s midwestern Americana—but one which was a public front for Cobra, with all those who lived in it being members of the organization. We previously saw an incarnation of the Springfield of Earth in this continuity in [[I Saw Three Ships|issue #1]].
*Though not discussed in-story, Scarlett's fake husband being named "Fred" indicates he is a member of the [[Crimson Guard]]. In the Marvel series, elite members of the Guard's "Fred" series all had plastic surgery to look identical and operated undercover across America. One memorable "Fred" was the father in an all-American nuclear Springfield family, like Scarlett's in this story, and the character's connection to the image of Springfield was previously referenced in this series when he and his family appeared on a billboard in issue #1.
*The torturous Brainwave Scanner was a fixture of the Marvel series, where it was designed by Doctor Venom. We previously saw a version of the device in Venom's own lab aboard the USS ''Flagg'' in [[Form Follows Function|issue #4]].
*"Doctor B" is something of a composite of Doctor [[Adele Burkhart|Adele '''B'''urkhart]], a minor supporting character in the Marvel series memorable for being at the center of the very first issue's plot, and [[Sidney Biggles-Jones|Doctor Sidney '''B'''iggles-Jones]], from the [[G.I. Joe (comic)|''G.I. Joe/Transformers: Generation 2'' crossover]]. She combines Burkart's non-combatant aggressive-peacenik stance with Biggles-Jones's role as a scientist who signed up with Cobra to further her work.
*Fred calls Gung-Ho "Ettie"; that's short for his real name, Ettienne, if you were wondering.
*When Scarlett sneaks up on Doctor B, the doctor asks "Who's there?" and Bumblebee tells her: "The most dangerous thing in the world. Ninja holiday." "The Most Dangerous Thing in the World" and "Ninja Holiday" are the titles of two episodes from the second season of the original ''G.I. Joe'' cartoon.
*Doctor Mindbender's nightmarish Brain-Scanner-induced vision comes straight from the ''G.I. Joe'' cartoon mini-series, "Arise, Serpentor, Arise!" Inspired by the sight of the greatest conquerors and villains in history and the spiral of DNA, Mindbender will go onto genetically engineer the Cobra emperor, [[Serpentor]]. Dooooesn't look like he'll be around to do it in ''this'' story, though!
*The figures in Doctor Mindbender's dream include every genetic donor named in "Arise, Serpentor, Arise!", with the exception of {{w|Ivan the Terrible}} and {{w|Geronimo}}. All of them are real (see below), except for a fictional Egyptian general named Xanuth Amon-Toth.
*Doctor Mindbender's filecard lists his specialities as "mind control" and "interrogation" (his established primary roles within Cobra), "dentistry" (he was formerly a dentist before joining Cobra), and in an obscure reference, "wrestling", referring to an early, abandoned version of the character's profile, in which it was alleged he might have previously been a professional wrestler.

===Real-life references===
*When Junkyard follows Mutt, the page is titled "Mutt and Junkyard", after comic strip ''{{w|Mutt and Jeff}}'', in with suitably appropriate "Sunday Funnies"-style title font.
*As Mutt thumps on Inferno's dashboard to try and wake him up, he shouts "Robot roll call!", the famous lyric from the opening to ''[[Mystery Science Theater 3000]]''.
*Given the debt Scioli's work owes to the oeuvre of Jack Kirby, it's worth mentioning that Megatron's ambition to find the encryption key to the mind shares no small degree of similarity with {{w|Darkseid|one of Kirby's most famous villains'}} {{w|Anti-Life_Equation|ultimate quests}}.
*In addition to the aforementioned fictional Amon-Toth (presumably a reference to Conan villain {{w|Thoth-Amon}}), the figures in Doctor Mindbender's dream who are derived from Serpentor's origin story in the ''G.I. Joe'' cartoon are: [[Julius Caesar]], [[Sun Tzu]], [[Hannibal]], {{w|Philip II of Macedon}}, [[Alexander the Great]], {{w|Attila|Attila the Hun}}, {{w|Moctezuma I|Montezuma}}, {{w|Genghis Khan}}, {{w|Grigori Rasputin}}, [[Napoleon Bonaparte]], and [[Dracula]]. Mindbender is left incredulous by the presence of the king of vampires, but as stated, he ''was'' part of the cartoon's list of donors, although there, they made the point of identifying him as real-life figure {{w|Vlad the Impaler}} as well as Dracula. The comic adds: {{w|Osama bin Laden}}, {{w|Joseph Stalin}}, {{w|Kublai Khan}}, {{w|Mordred}}, villain of [[King Arthur|Arthur]]ian legend, [[Adolf Hitler]], {{w|Caligula}}, and someone named Toshiro.

===Other notes===
*This issue was originally solicited for release in March, but production delays meant it did not come out until early June. No further issues of were solicited for three months in order to for the series to catch up.
*An earlier version of the double-page sequence of the Autobots' and Joes' chase with police lacked two of the inset panels, bearing in their space the words "Grand Theft Autobot" done out in the style of the video game ''Grand Theft Auto''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s logo. It's unknown why it was ultimately altered, but IDW editor-in-chief Chris Ryall posted the earlier version of the sequence [http://ryallsfiles.tumblr.com/image/120624964113 online].

===Covers (3)===
*'''Standard cover:''' G.I. Joe and Cobra battle on an asteroid to which [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] is attached, by [[Tom Scioli]]
*'''Subscription cover:''' Optimus Prime battles Soundwave and Starscream while the Joes and Cobras battle in the air on flight packs that look like [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] wings, by [[Joe Quinones]]
*'''Cover RI:''' Starscream by [[Kody Chamberlain]]

<gallery>
File:TFvsJoe7_regcvr.jpg
File:TFvsJoe7_subcvr.jpg
File:TFvsJoe7_cvrRI.jpg
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe'' #8
*''[[Combiner Wars (comic)|Combiner Wars]]''
*[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' #42
*''Onyx''
*Tom Scioli's ''American Barbarian'' hardcover collection
*IDW "Artist's Edition" collections (back cover)

==Reprints==
* '''''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''''' Volume 2 TPB
* '''''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe Quintessential Collection''''' Hardcover
* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 73: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Part 1'''''

<gallery>
File:IDW-TFvsJoeV2.jpg|'''Volume 2'''; cover art by [[Tom Scioli]]
File:IDW-TFvsJoeQC.jpg|'''''Quintessential Collection'''''; cover art by Scioli
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v73.jpg|'''''Definitive G1 Collection: Vol. 73: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Pt. 1'''''; cover art by [[Don Figueroa]] and Scioli
</gallery>

==External links==
*[http://www.comicosity.com/preview-transformers-vs-g-i-joe-7/ Preview]

Headmasters (issue)

2021-04-25T11:01:31Z

Shockwitwicky86:

{{disambig3|Headmaster}}

{{Comicstory|series=tfvsjoe
|issueno=7
|prev=FCBD Funnies
|next=Pax Megatronus
|image=TFvsJoe7_regcvr.jpg
|title="Headmasters"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[June 3]], [[2015]]
|coverdate=March 2015
|written by=[[Tom Scioli]] and [[John Barber]]
|art by=Tom Scioli
|colors by=Tom Scioli
|letters by=Tom Scioli
|production by=[[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[Carlos Guzman]]
|continuity=''[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe]]''
}}

'''Scarlett is confronted with the reality that neither G.I. Joe nor the Transformers actually exist, and that she is a mentally unwell patient about to return to her life in the nice, normal town of Springfield...'''

==Synopsis==
To cure her of her delusion that "Transformers" and "G.I. Joe" are anything more than children's toys and cartoons, [[Scarlett|Shana O'Hara]] is strapped into the [[Brainwave Scanner]] by the kindly [[Doctor Mindbender|Doctor Mindelbinder]]. In the dreams the machine induces, Scarlett sees herself fighting strange reptile-creatures... a small [[Bumblebee (G1)|robot's head]] held between a human thumb and forefinger... a metal face and the words "[[Mindwipe (G1)|mind wipe]]"... and herself, praying before a shining [[Optimus Prime (G1)|robotic figure]], who tells her he will soon return.

Following her session, Mindelbinder takes Shana to see [[Doctor B]] and her current robotics project: "[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]", an artificial intelligence she has named after a character from the ''Transformers'' cartoon. As Shana is wheeled through the hospital, she observes a nursery full of babies, and a [[Billy (G.I. Joe)|young man]] with cybernetic limbs, who apparently communicates with her telepathically to tell her that "[[Snake-Eyes|her boyfriend]]" was responsible for his condition. The mental technique feels familiar to Shana... but nonetheless, in a subsequent office session with Mindelbinder, she appears to have been cured of her delusions, and now tells the doctor that she knows the robots and soldiers are only imaginary. Reunited with her husband Fred and her two children, she returns home to [[Springfield (G.I. Joe)|Springfield]]. But in truth, Shana has only told Mindelbinder what she knew he wanted to hear—dark visions of alien ghosts swarm in her mind as she tries to go about her daily life, their voices ringing in her ears, the world and everything in it seeming artificial... until eventually, unable to bear it any long, she shaves half her hair off, and discovers a fresh scar on her scalp. Picking the wound open, Shana finds an electronic implant within, which she jolts to life with a shock from a power cord. In her mind's eye, the image of [[General Flagg|a general]] appears, who urges her to get out as fast as she can.

At a welcome home party thrown for her by the neighborhood, Shana sees many familiar faces in the crowd—those her mind tells her are her old G.I. Joe teammates. She tries to jog [[Mutt]]'s memory, but he reacts only with confusion... until he leaves the party, and finds himself being followed by a [[Junkyard (G.I. Joe)|dog]]. He tries to shoo the animal away, but it pounces on him... and its fond licking of his face stirs a memory within him...

Pushed to the brink, Shana slits her husband's throat, and sets their house on fire with her children—whom she is convinced are not real—still inside. Leaving the inferno, Shana finds all her friends waiting for her... and a whispered "Yo Joe" from Mutt confirms that all she has believed is true. She is Scarlett of G.I. Joe—and she will have revenge.

The Joes, bar Scarlett, locate the bodies of the [[Autobot]]s who were captured alongside them, and although the 'bots are non-responsive and stuck in vehicle mode, they still make useful getaway cars. Before long, the Springfield police force are in hot pursuit, but the Joes outrun them and smash through her roadblocks to finally burst out of Springfield... which they discover is an artificial town constructed inside [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], the Decepticon "city of madness". Their minds finally clearing as they escape the boundaries of Scorponok, the Joes are amazed to see [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], back on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] once more, facing off against the huge scorpion-city. At a command from their leader, the mesmerized Autobots are suddenly themselves again, and transform to enter the fray.

Back in Springfield, Scarlett returns to the hospital to confront her tormentors. She first comes upon Doctor B, and hands her a sword: a means of defending herself as Scarlett attempts to kill her. The doctor refuses to take the blade, insisting that she is only there to obtain funding from [[Cobra]] to further her own research, and that Scarlett's grudge has nothing to do with her. Content with the woman's refusal to fight, Scarlett spares her life, and then heads for Mindelbinder's office. There, Mindelbinder—or rather, Cobra's [[Doctor Mindbender]]—chastizes her even as he opens fire on her, claiming that she would have suffered ''much'' worse had a more callous intellect than his been responsible for her treatment. Mindbender escapes when Scarlett is attacked by her "children"—revealed to be bio-mechanical constructs, now seared by flame down to the metal skeleton—but she quickly overpowers them, catches up to Mindbender, and forces him to spill the beans. Mindbender hastily explains that the entire facility has been set up by [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] to study the brains of both human and Transformer in order to deduce the commonalities between them, with the end goal of "decrypting" the living mind itself and attaining complete control of all sentient beings in the universe. Satisfied with his answers, Scarlett straps Mindbender into the Brainwave Scanner, and stabs him through the heart; in his final moments, the doctor sees a twisted vision of a DNA spiral, and the faces of his heroes—the greatest rulers, conquerors, and villains in history—laughing at him.

Scarlett moves to depart the hospital, but is confronted with a final unexpected opponent: a bio-mechanical duplicate of ''herself''. The pair turn out to be evenly matched in every way, meaning that neither can win over the other... so all Scarlett focuses on is ''not'' bleeding to death before her doppelganger. This gruesome tactic works, and Scarlett is guided to her final objective by the ethereal alien voices: [[Zarak (G1)|Zarak]], the [[binary bonding|binary bonded]] master of Scorponok, who betrayed his people the [[Nebulos|Neb'los]] to the Decepticons long ago. Springfield was built upon their remains, and the ghosts of the Neb'Los now cry out for Scarlett to enact their vengeance. Scarlett slays Zarak, severing his bond with the city of madness, then takes control of Scorponok herself. For her first action, she uses the city's massive claws to return Bumblebee's still-living head to the humbled Optimus Prime.

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks. 
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (4)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (5)
*[[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] (22)
*[[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (23)
*[[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] (24)

|c2=
*[[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] (3)
*[[Army]] (7)
*[[Limbot]] (8)
*[[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] (25)
*[[Zarak (G1)|Zarak]] (27)

|h3=[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]|c3=
*[[Scarlett]] (2)
*[[Junkyard (G.I. Joe)|Junkyard]] (13)
*[[General Flagg]] (14)
*[[Gung-Ho]] (15)
*[[Alpine]] (16)
*[[Beachhead]] (17)
*[[Steeler]] (18)
*[[Dusty]] (19)
*[[Quick Kick]] (20)
*[[Mutt]] (21)
*[[Doctor Venom]] (26)

|h4=[[Cobra]]|c4=
*[[Doctor Mindbender]] (1)
*[[Doctor B]] (6)
*[[Crimson Guard|Fred]] (10)
*Scarlett's children (11-12)

|h5=Others|c5=
*[[Billy (G.I. Joe)|Billy]] (7)
}}

==Quotes==
"Why are you here?" 
"Delusions of persecution. Anti-social behavior. Violence. To myself and others." 
"What is G.I. Joe?" 
"G.I. Joe is a cartoon for children." 
"And Cybertron?" 
"A nonsense word, invented to tie together several unrelated robot toys into a single advertising narrative. Created in a boardroom by three toy executives named Cy, Bert and Ron."
:—'''Doctor Mindelbinder''' and '''Shana'''

"You're a doll, Shana. You're a doll that nobody wanted and for that reason alone, you are rare and valuable."
:—'''Doctor Mindbender'''

"I refuse to take my medicine if the doctor himself has never tried it."
:—'''Scarlett''', as she straps Mindbender into the Brainwave Scanner

"Zarak. Butcher. Betrayer. I don't know you from Adam. The ghosts of long-buried Neb'los demand your head. Who am I to refuse them their due?"
:—'''Scarlett'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*One of the first images Scarlett sees after being plugged into the Brainwave Scanner is what looks like herself, fighting reptilian creatures. In the issue's commentary, Scioli describes this as "memory regression going back to an ancestor", so presumably, these snake-men are of the reptilian race we were introduced to last issue, the spawn of [[Koh-Buru-Lah (creature)|Koh-Buru-Lah]].
*Bumblebee yet lives! The little yellow 'bot's decapitated head was brought back to Cybertron in [[The Golden Boys|issue #0]], and has been worn on a chain around Megatron's neck ever since, up until last issue, when Megatron had stopped wearing it. Now we know why!
*If you didn't pick up [[Robots in Disguise issue 0|''Robots in Disguise'' #0]] on [[Free Comic Book Day]], then Billy's appearance here will be unexpected: his plight, including the loss of his limbs to Snake-Eyes and their replacement with cybernetic duplicates, was detailed in the issue's ''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe'' back-up strip, "[[FCBD Funnies]]".
*Scarlett mentions once being "almost married", perhaps a reference to the promise she made to marry Snake-Eyes in issue #0. The characters have gone through similar plots in other pieces of ''G.I. Joe'' fiction.
*Gung-Ho still has the Autobot symbol tattoo he got in issue #5.
*[[Tunnel Rat]] found a machine that he believed could possibly have been "making" people last issue; looks like the bio-mechanical beings we see in this issue are the answer to that mystery.

===Transformers references===
*For his appearance in Scarlett's Brainwave Scanner vision, Bumblebee is based directly on his original Generation 1 character model, rather than the revised look he normally has in this series.
*Also part of Scarlett's vision in one small panel is Decepticon hypnotist [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]], with an appearance largely based on the face of his original toy, rather than his character model. Given the deliberately psychedelic collection of images, which includes things Scarlett cannot rationally be aware of, it's hard to know what to make of his brief showing here, beyond perhaps the inference that his abilities have something to do with the Brainwave Scanner, or might be an additional "treatment" used on Scarlett.
*Though the bit about "Cy, Bert and Ron" is fictional, Scarlett alludes to the Transformers toyline's real-life origin as "several unrelated robot toys", namely ''[[Diaclone]]'' and ''[[Micro Change]]''.

===G.I. Joe references===
*This issue is largely inspired by the two-part ''G.I. Joe'' cartoon episode, "There's No Place Like Springfield," in which [[Shipwreck]] awakes in the town of Springfield with no memory of the last few years, surrounded by ever-so-slightly "off" versions of his friends, and slowly thinks he is going insane. The whole thing, naturally, is revealed to be a Cobra plot, with the other inhabitants of the town turning out to be [[Synthoid]]s. Scioli notes in the commentary that in early drafts of this issue, Shipwreck was the star of the story.
*Springfield itself was created for the original Marvel ''G.I. Joe'' comic, in which it was a real, functioning town cast in the image of wholesome 1950s midwestern Americana—but one which was a public front for Cobra, with all those who lived in it being members of the organization. We previously saw an incarnation of the Springfield of Earth in this continuity in [[I Saw Three Ships|issue #1]].
*Though not discussed in-story, Scarlett's fake husband being named "Fred" indicates he is a member of the [[Crimson Guard]]. In the Marvel series, elite members of the Guard's "Fred" series all had plastic surgery to look identical and operated undercover across America. One memorable "Fred" was the father in an all-American nuclear Springfield family, like Scarlett's in this story, and the character's connection to the image of Springfield was previously referenced in this series when he and his family appeared on a billboard in issue #1.
*The torturous Brainwave Scanner was a fixture of the Marvel series, where it was designed by Doctor Venom. We previously saw a version of the device in Venom's own lab aboard the USS ''Flagg'' in [[Form Follows Function|issue #4]].
*"Doctor B" is something of a composite of Doctor [[Adele Burkhart|Adele '''B'''urkhart]], a minor supporting character in the Marvel series memorable for being at the center of the very first issue's plot, and [[Sidney Biggles-Jones|Doctor Sidney '''B'''iggles-Jones]], from the [[G.I. Joe (comic)|''G.I. Joe/Transformers: Generation 2'' crossover]]. She combines Burkart's non-combatant aggressive-peacenik stance with Biggles-Jones's role as a scientist who signed up with Cobra to further her work.
*Fred calls Gung-Ho "Ettie"; that's short for his real name, Ettienne, if you were wondering.
*When Scarlett sneaks up on Doctor B, the doctor asks "Who's there?" and Bumblebee tells her: "The most dangerous thing in the world. Ninja holiday." "The Most Dangerous Thing in the World" and "Ninja Holiday" are the titles of two episodes from the second season of the original ''G.I. Joe'' cartoon.
*Doctor Mindbender's nightmarish Brain-Scanner-induced vision comes straight from the ''G.I. Joe'' cartoon mini-series, "Arise, Serpentor, Arise!" Inspired by the sight of the greatest conquerors and villains in history and the spiral of DNA, Mindbender will go onto genetically engineer the Cobra emperor, [[Serpentor]]. Dooooesn't look like he'll be around to do it in ''this'' story, though!
*The figures in Doctor Mindbender's dream include every genetic donor named in "Arise, Serpentor, Arise!", with the exception of {{w|Ivan the Terrible}} and {{w|Geronimo}}. All of them are real (see below), except for a fictional Egyptian general named Xanuth Amon-Toth.
*Doctor Mindbender's filecard lists his specialities as "mind control" and "interrogation" (his established primary roles within Cobra), "dentistry" (he was formerly a dentist before joining Cobra), and in an obscure reference, "wrestling", referring to an early, abandoned version of the character's profile, in which it was alleged he might have previously been a professional wrestler.

===Real-life references===
*When Junkyard follows Mutt, the page is titled "Mutt and Junkyard", after comic strip ''{{w|Mutt and Jeff}}'', in with suitably appropriate "Sunday Funnies"-style title font.
*As Mutt thumps on Inferno's dashboard to try and wake him up, he shouts "Robot roll call!", the famous lyric from the opening to ''[[Mystery Science Theater 3000]]''.
*Given the debt Scioli's work owes to the oeuvre of Jack Kirby, it's worth mentioning that Megatron's ambition to find the encryption key to the mind shares no small degree of similarity with {{w|Darkseid|one of Kirby's most famous villains'}} {{w|Anti-Life_Equation|ultimate quests}}.
*In addition to the aforementioned fictional Amon-Toth (presumably a reference to Conan villain {{w|Thoth-Amon}}), the figures in Doctor Mindbender's dream who are derived from Serpentor's origin story in the ''G.I. Joe'' cartoon are: [[Julius Caesar]], [[Sun Tzu]], [[Hannibal]], {{w|Philip II of Macedon}}, [[Alexander the Great]], {{w|Attila|Attila the Hun}}, {{w|Moctezuma I|Montezuma}}, {{w|Genghis Khan}}, {{w|Grigori Rasputin}}, [[Napoleon Bonaparte]], and [[Dracula]]. Mindbender is left incredulous by the presence of the king of vampires, but as stated, he ''was'' part of the cartoon's list of donors, although there, they made the point of identifying him as real-life figure {{w|Vlad the Impaler}} as well as Dracula. The comic adds: {{w|Osama bin Laden}}, {{w|Joseph Stalin}}, {{w|Kublai Khan}}, {{w|Mordred}}, villain of [[King Arthur|Arthur]]ian legend, [[Adolf Hitler]], {{w|Caligula}}, and someone named Toshiro.

===Other notes===
*This issue was originally solicited for release in March, but production delays meant it did not come out until early June. No further issues of were solicited for three months in order to for the series to catch up.
*An earlier version of the double-page sequence of the Autobots' and Joes' chase with police lacked two of the inset panels, bearing in their space the words "Grand Theft Autobot" done out in the style of the video game ''Grand Theft Auto''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s logo. It's unknown why it was ultimately altered, but IDW editor-in-chief Chris Ryall posted the earlier version of the sequence [http://ryallsfiles.tumblr.com/image/120624964113 online].

===Covers (3)===
*'''Standard cover:''' G.I. Joe and Cobra battle on an asteroid to which [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] is attached, by [[Tom Scioli]]
*'''Subscription cover:''' Optimus Prime battles Soundwave and Starscream while the Joes and Cobras battle in the air on flight packs that look like [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] wings, by [[Joe Quinones]]
*'''Cover RI:''' Starscream by [[Kody Chamberlain]]

<gallery>
File:TFvsJoe7_regcvr.jpg
File:TFvsJoe7_subcvr.jpg
File:TFvsJoe7_cvrRI.jpg
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe'' #8
*''[[Combiner Wars (comic)|Combiner Wars]]''
*[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' #42
*''Onyx''
*Tom Scioli's ''American Barbarian'' hardcover collection
*IDW "Artist's Edition" collections (back cover)

==Reprints==
* '''''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''''' Volume 2 TPB
* '''''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe Quintessential Collection''''' Hardcover
* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 73: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Part 1'''''

<gallery>
File:IDW-TFvsJoeV2.jpg|'''Volume 2'''; cover art by Scioli
File:IDW-TFvsJoeQC.jpg|'''''Quintessential Collection'''''; cover art by Scioli
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v73.jpg|'''''Definitive G1 Collection: Vol. 73: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Pt. 1'''''; cover art by [[Don Figueroa]] and Scioli
</gallery>

==External links==
*[http://www.comicosity.com/preview-transformers-vs-g-i-joe-7/ Preview]

Expelled from the Garden

2021-04-25T11:00:15Z

Shockwitwicky86:

{{Comicstory|series=tfvsjoe
|issueno=6
|prev=Everybody Hates Metroplex
|next=FCBD Funnies
|image=TFvsJoe6_regcvr.jpg
|title="Expelled from the Garden"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[April 8]], [[2015]]
|coverdate=January 2015
|written by=[[Tom Scioli]] and [[John Barber]]
|art by=Tom Scioli
|colors by=Tom Scioli
|letters by=Tom Scioli
|production by=[[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[Carlos Guzman]]
|continuity=[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe]]
}}

'''While the captive Joes and Autobots are at Decepticobra's mercy on Cybertron, on Earth, it's all-out war in the streets of New York as Optimus Prime invades T.H.E. P.I.T. just as the Serpentress leads an attack on the United Nations!'''

==Synopsis==

[[Roadblock (G.I. Joe)|Roadblock]] is left dumbfounded by the contents of the [[Decepticobranomicon]]—the holy scripture of the cult of [[Cobra]]—which tells a warped, Cobra-centric version of the Biblical Book of Genesis that claims Cybertronian involvement in mankind's history since the Garden of Eden, and that the infamous serpent in that garden was the father of a reptilian race sired through [[Eve]]. Roadblock does not have long to ponder the book, though, as he is soon put to work in Cobra's kitchens, while the rest of the captured [[G.I. Joe (team)|Joes]] and [[Autobot]]s are shuttled off to the [[Polyhex Killway]] on [[Astrotrain (G1)|the Astrotrain]]. An Autobot/Joe unit attacks Astrotrain en route, and although they are defeated, an insertion team led by [[Scarlett]] is able to stow away on Astrotrain as he takes off for [[Polyhex]] and [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok, the city of madness]].

Elsewhere on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], [[Snake-Eyes|Snake Eyes]] confidently strides into [[Maccadam's Old Oil House|Maccadam's Lubricarium]] and scales the bar. The sozzled patrons are amazed at the little human's bravado and even pour him a drink... which Snake Eyes then kicks into a boozehound's face, igniting a bar fight. During the brawl, Snake Eyes pins one of the 'bots to the floor with his swords; in agony, his victim offers information, fuel, guns, or ''whatever'' the ninja wants, but Snake Eyes remains as silent as ever...

On [[Earth]], the Inuit mercenary [[Kwinn]] leads [[Major Bludd]], [[Tomax and Xamot]], their unidentified liberator, and the masked mastermind behind their escape to a remote spot in the [[Arctic]]. There, the sibilant mystery man bemoans the depths to which Cobra has sunk, turned by its new leaders into "slaves of the machines", and resolves to put things to right... and from a chasm in the ice, he summons the monstrous, tentacled [[Koh-Buru-Lah (creature)|Koh-Buru-Lah]], demonic god of the cult of Cobra, and its reptilian army!

In [[New York City]], [[General Flagg]] appeals to the "[[Jugglers]]"—a secret cabal within the government—to nuke Cybertron, which has infected [[Saturn]] and [[Mars (planet)|Mars]] with its technological touch, and now floats above Earth itself, having made the [[Moon (moon)|moon]] its latest victim. Simultaneously, in the nearby [[United Nations]] building, the forces of Decepticobra attack, and the [[Baroness|Serpentress]] addresses the assembled delegates with the intention of convincing them all to submit to [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s rule. Her speech, however, is cut off by an explosion elsewhere in the city—[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] has arrived on Earth and tracked [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]'s life-pattern to Joe headquarters [[T.H.E. P.I.T.]], now revealed to be located beneath New York. As Prime tears into the secret base, [[Doctor Venom]] counterattacks with the fruit of his arcane experiments: he has transformed Bumblebee's body into armor for himself, and [[binary bonding|binary bonded]] himself to [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]'s corpse as its new head!

Back on Cybertron, Megatron and an audience of onlookers watch as [[Destro]] and [[Zartan]] pit the captive Autobots and Joes against one another in the Polyhex Killway arena, manipulating their movements remotely with mind-control technology. When [[Spearhead (G.I. Joe)|Spearhead]] splits [[Galen]]'s helmet with his weapon, all assembled are shocked as the helmet falls away to reveal that Galen is actually a [[human]]!

In [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], [[Bazooka (G.I. Joe)|Bazooka]] awakens to discover that he has drawn a strange map in his sleep, that points the way to "[[Primus]]", who the Autobots explain is their legendary creator. A Joe/Autobot team heads out to follow Bazooka's map, which leads them to a vast underground chamber containing Primus's continent-sized visage. But the cybergod's mind has been overtaken: the [[Decepticon]]s have erected a temple on his brow and infected him—and through him, the planet—with Megatron's will. As battle breaks out between the Joes and Autobots and the temple's guards, Bazooka finds himself sucked ''into'' Primus as the god takes an inward breath, and sees a vision of a Cybertron transformed, consuming other planets in the name of Megatron...

Grotesque surprises await [[Tunnel Rat]] in the core of [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]; having escaped his cell before the prisoners were sent to Polyhex, he now stumbles upon a machine containing numerous human beings in cubes... though he cannot tell if they are captives, or if the machine has ''grown'' them. Turning a corner, he gets one more unwelcome shock, as [[Wild Bill]]'s corpse is autopsied... by [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]], turned traitor and now wearing the Decepticon badge!

In New York, the Jugglers reject Flagg's suggestion, hoping to exploit Cybertron's resources for their own gain, and inform him that G.I. Joe is being decommissioned and their duties handed over to a "private contractor". Flagg does not take this lying down, and instead opens fire, announcing that the Joe team will be taking control of not just the Cybertronian situation, but the ''world''. His show of force is returned by the Jugglers' intended replacements for the Joes: an army of ninjas known as [[GIJONIN]]! The fight quickly spills into the streets outside, which are already awash with violence—Decepticobra has suspended their visit to the UN to get involved in Optimus Prime's continuing battle with Doctor Venom, and has met with Joe resistance, including the long-mothballed [[Battleforce 2000]]. Worse still, the Joes discover their own ranks have been infiltrated when five of their vehicles reveal themselves to be the disguised [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]], who combine into [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]]! And as if things were not chaotic enough, over the horizon, the floating, globular form of Koh-Buru-Lah soon comes into view! None of this fazes the stoic Optimus Prime, however, who focuses on his primary goal: he wrenches Bumblebee free from Soundwave's body and departs the still-ongoing battle to return to Cybertron with his small friend's remains... with Doctor Venom still inside!

And elsewhere... perhaps, else''when''... Scarlett awakens to find herself in a hospital, surrounded by Transformer and G.I. Joe action figures. A [[Doctor Mindbender|Doctor Mindelbinder]] addresses his colleagues, informing them has Scarlett is an ex-soldier coping with trauma by retreating into fantasy, and that she has dreamed the entire Joe/Cobra/Autobot/Decepticon conflict. But Scarlett refuses to believe this, and pounces on the doctor...!

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks. 
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] (15)
*[[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] (16)
*[[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (17)
*[[Galen]] (18)
*[[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] (22)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (42)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (48)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (54)
*[[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (55)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]] (56)

|c2=
*[[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] (23)
*[[Bus Decepticon]] (36)
*[[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] (38)
*[[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (39)
*[[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (49)
*[[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (50)
*[[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (51)
*[[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (53)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (62)
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (63)
*[[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]] (65)
*[[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]] (68)
*[[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]] (69)
*[[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] (70)
*[[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]] (73)
*[[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (74)
*[[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]] (75)

|h3=[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]|c3=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Tunnel Rat]] (3)
*[[Roadblock (G.I. Joe)|Roadblock]] (4)
*[[Spearhead (G.I. Joe)|Spearhead]] (6)
*[[General Flagg]] (8)
*[[Gung-Ho]] (13)
*[[Alpine]] (14)
*[[Mutt (G.I. Joe)|Mutt]] (19)
*[[Dusty]] (20)
*[[Freedom]] (21)
*[[Junkyard (G.I. Joe)|Junkyard]] (24)
*[[Scarlett]] (25)
*[[Quick Kick]] (26)
*[[Beachhead]] (27)
*[[Steeler]] (28)
*[[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]] (43)
*[[Spirit]] (44)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Flint (G.I. Joe)|Flint]] (45)
*[[Lady Jaye]] (46)
*[[Doctor Venom]] (47)
*[[Bazooka (G.I. Joe)|Bazooka]] (57)
*[[Cover Girl]] (58)
*[[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]] (59)
*[[Tripwire (G.I. Joe)|Tripwire]] (60)
*[[Wild Bill]] (corpse, 64)
*[[Footloose]] (67)
*[[Ghostrider]] (71)
*[[Law]] (72)
*[[Dodger (G.I. Joe)|Dodger]] (74)
*[[Blocker (G.I. Joe)|Blocker]] (75)
*[[Dee Jay]] (76)
*[[Knockdown (G.I. Joe)|Knockdown]] (77)
*[[Maverick (G.I. Joe)|Maverick]] (78)
{{!}}}
|h4=[[Cobra]]|c4=
*[[Raptor (Cobra)|Raptor]] (5)
*[[Cobra]] troopers (7)
*[[Snake-Eyes|Snake Eyes]] (10)
*[[Dreadnok|Torch]] (11)
*[[Dreadnok|Ripper]] (12)
*[[Major Bludd]] (30)
*[[Firefly]] (31)
*[[Cobra Commander]] (32)
*[[Tomax and Xamot]] (33-34)
*[[Crimson Guard]]smen (37)
*[[Destro]] (40)
*[[Baroness|Serpentress]] (41)
*[[Zartan]] (52)
*[[Croc Master]] (73)
*[[Doctor Mindbender|Doctor Mindelbinder]] (79)

|h5=Others|c5=
*''[[Eve]]'' (1)
*''[[Adam]]'' (2)
*[[Jugglers]] (9)
*[[Kwinn]] (29)
*[[Koh-Buru-Lah (creature)|Koh-Buru-Lah]] (35)
*[[Primus]] (61)
*[[GIJONIN]] ninjas (66)
}}

==Quotes==

"The prisoners get their assignments. Those with useful skills are put to work serving the needs of Megatron's elite. They get loaded on the Astrotrian and sent to their fates. To the Polyhex Killway or worse—to Scorponok. Dark things happen within the walls of Scorponok. Pray you catch the Astrotrain before he delivers you friends to that city of madness. And if you catch the 'train, make sure you kill the 'train, or he'll make you his passenger too."
:—Dramatic narration!

"This is bigger than any of you clowns! It's a war for the planet— it's Joe's war!" 
"You're talking about a coup—a military takeover of the nation!?" 
"No! I'm talking about a G.I. Joe takeover of the world! On behalf of the American people I want to thank this committee for its service. You are hereby relieved of duty. If the human race goes down the drain it's on me and mine. <big>'''JOE'S IN CHARGE!!"'''</big>
:—'''General Flagg''' takes on the '''Jugglers'''

"You're an impressive specimen, Optimus. Imagine what you could accomplish with my high I.Q."
:—'''Doctor Venom'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*In the image we see of Adam and Eve being cast out of the Garden of Eden, Adam is holding a wooden staff, identical in shape to Hawk's mysterious tomahawk, which was shown last issue to date back to the time of the Vikings. Looks like it's a ''lot'' older than that!
*Though the identity of the sibilant, blue-clad mastermind responsible for organizing Bludd, Xamot and Tomax's escape from prison last issue is not revealed this issue (with Scioli referring to him only as "the mystery villain" in the issue's commentary, and a large "?" appearing in place of his face during a series of talking-head shots), c'mon, it's friggin' [[Cobra Commander]]. He was revealed to not be dead after all last issue.
*"Koh-Buru-Lah" was previously suggested to be the name of Cobra's temple headquarters in [[The Golden Boys|issue #0]], where the narration referred to Starscream as the "Colossus of Koh-Buru-Lah". Here, we discover it is actually the name of the "god" the Cobra cult worships.
*Doctor Venom began his experiments on Bumblebee and Soundwave in [[Form Follows Function|issue #4]]. During the fight, we see several skeletons spill out of Soundwave's chest compartment—the unfortunate "Greenshirt" Joes that Venom sacrificed to his dark work.
*Bazooka saw the face of Primus in a hallucination back in issue #4.
*Wild Bill died in [[Targetmasters (issue)|issue #2]], but we didn't realize it until last issue.

===Transformers references===
*Ironhide's "file card" gives his function as "Royal Guard to the House of Primes", a rather grand re-interpretation of role as Optimus Prime's bodyguard, which was mentioned in his original [[bio]] but has never factored into fiction very much.
*Bruticus' file card simply reads "We Aim to Maim", a line uttered by Brawl in reference to the Combaticon unit in ''[[Spotlight: Arcee]]''.
*Though the word isn't used, Doctor Venom's bond with Bumblebee and Soundwave is obviously evocative of [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster technology]], further highlighted with the revelation that Galen is also a human (no word on whether he is an Earthling or not; in the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel ''Transformers'' series]], [[Nebulan]]s were often referred to as humans). Optimus Prime refers to the link as a [[Binary bonding|binary bond]]. Also, Doctor Venom's mention of his own "high IQ" is possibly a reference to Prime's traditional [[Powermaster]] partner [[Hi-Q]].
*Tripwire remarks on Rodimus's similarity to Primus, which originated with the first physical depiction of Primus in Marvel UK's "[[The Legacy of Unicron!]]".

===G.I. Joe references===
*The "Jugglers" were a secret committee of generals with whom the Joes often butted heads in the original Marvel ''[[G.I. Joe (comic)|G.I. Joe]]'' comic series.
*"Kwinn the Eskimo" {{sic}} (named after the {{w|Quinn the Eskimo (Mighty Quinn)|Bob Dylan song}}) was a memorable supporting character during the first two years of the Marvel ''Joe'' series.
*The idea of Cobra being the offshoot of some kind of ancient race that dwells beneath the ice seems to be inspired by [[Cobra-La]], from ''G.I. Joe: The Movie''. Where that story depicted said race as vaguely-serpent-themed human-like creatures living in a city beneath the Himalayas, here, "Koh-Buru-Lah" is an "[[Elder God]]"-style beast, and progenitor of a race of reptilian humanoids that began with the reptiloid foetus we see growing inside Eve on the first page. The ululating battle cry from the movie is adapted into the story just as the name is: "KOH-BURU-LA-LA-LA-LA-LAH!"
*The Polyhex Killway bears some resemblance to the Cobra Arena of Sport, seen in the original two ''G.I. Joe'' animated mini-series, "A Real American Hero" and "The Revenge of Cobra", in which unwilling combatants also had their bodies remotely manipulated through gladiatorial matches via "joystick"-style controllers.
*The [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] (though not individually referred to by name) mostly turn into recognizable G.I. Joe vehicles. Vortex is a Tomahawk helicopter; Brawl is a MOBAT, and Swindle is an APC, while Blast Off turns into a generic transport plane. These modes are generally evocative of their standard vehicle forms, but the odd 'bot out is Onslaught, who turns into a stealth bomber, so as to give Bruticus a nifty chestplate.
*The pilot of the stealth bomber that turns out to be Onslaught has his file card obscured by the action, so only "Ghost" is visible. He's [[Ghostrider]], and his name being obscured is a running joke in ''Joe'' lore. Although his toy could be sold under the name without difficulty, the existence of the far more visible [[Ghost Rider|Marvel superhero of the same name]] meant it posed a problem when it came time for the character to appear in the Marvel ''G.I. Joe'' comic. Rather than try to ignore it and hope for the best, writer Larry Hama made it a source of comedy instead, and had it that no characters could ever remember Ghostrider's name—a product of the character's skill at "not being noticed", which was what made him such a good stealth flier. He normally pilots the X-19 Stealth Fighter, but not here.
*Battleforce 2000 are a sub-group of G.I. Joe originally introduced in 1987. The whole team save Dodger were killed in the Marvel series in 1991, and since then, as Scioli and Barber note in this issue's commentary and as the characters themselves meta-textually allude to in the story, they haven't really appeared in anything until now.
*If the fantastic mustache and the positioning of his dislodged glasses to suggest a monocle aren't enough to tip you off, the alias on his nametag should do it: Doctor "Mindelbinder" is Cobra's shirtless wonder, mind-tampering former orthodontist [[Doctor Mindbender]].

===Real-life references===
*The Serpentress professes that Megatron was the inspiration for the human legend of the archangel {{w|Metatron}}.
*Destro notes that Decepticobra are mind-controlling the Joes and Autobots through processes devised by the {{w|Project MKUltra|MK-Ultra}} program, which was a real-life CIA mind-control project.
*The GIJONIN take their name from the real-life {{w|ninja}} ranking system, where "jonin" were the highest rank. It's okay to admit you only know it from ''Naruto'', so do we.

===Other notes===
*This issue was originally solicited for release in January, but production delays meant it did not come out until early April.
*Tom Scioli began this issue as part of a "24-Hour Comic" challenge held from [[December 6]]-[[December 7|7]], [[2014]] at Atomic City Comics in Philadelphia. He produced 19 rough pages as part of the challenge, but they were mostly discarded and re-worked for the finished issue; the complete set of thumbnail pages is included as a bonus feature this issue, in addition to the regular story commentary.
*Scioli suggests several possible names in the commentary for the memorable Decepticon bus who appears transporting Crimson Guardsmen to the United Nations: "Busicon", "Busicus", "Cerebus", "Bus-Top", and "Omnibus".

===Covers (5)===
*'''Standard cover:''' Optimus Prime by [[Tom Scioli]]
*'''Subscription cover:''' Optimus Prime, Alpine, Scarlett, and Shipwreck hold off an attack, by [[Dave Crosland]]
*'''Cover RI:''' Snake Eyes and [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] by [[Antonio Fuso]]
*'''Yesteryear Comics exclusive cover:''' Snake Eyes and [[Storm Shadow]] in the snow, by [[Jamie Tyndall]] and [[Ula Mos]]
*'''Ottawa Comiccon exclusive cover:''' Optimus Prime and Duke play ice hockey, by [[Derek Charm]]

<gallery>
File:TFvsJoe6_regcvr.jpg
File:TFvsJoe6_subcvr.jpg
File:TFvsJoe6_cvrRI.jpg
File:TFvsJoe6_yycvr.jpg
File:TFvsJoe6_concvr.jpg
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe'' #7
*IDW ''Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency'' comic (back cover)

==Reprints==
* '''''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''''' Volume 2 TPB
* '''''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe Quintessential Collection''''' Hardcover
* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 73: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Part 1'''''

<gallery>
File:IDW-TFvsJoeV2.jpg|'''Volume 2'''; cover art by Scioli
File:IDW-TFvsJoeQC.jpg|'''''Quintessential Collection'''''; cover art by Scioli
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v73.jpg|'''''Definitive G1 Collection: Vol. 73: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Pt. 1'''''; cover art by [[Don Figueroa]] and Scioli
</gallery>

==External links==
*[http://www.comicbookresources.com/comic-previews/transformers-vs-gi-joe-6-idw-2015 Preview]

Everybody Hates Metroplex

2021-04-25T10:58:59Z

Shockwitwicky86:

{{Comicstory|series=tfvsjoe
|issueno=5
|prev=Form Follows Function
|next=Expelled from the Garden
|image=TFvsJoe5_regcvr.jpg
|title="Everybody Hates Metroplex"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[February 11]], [[2015]]
|coverdate=December 2014
|written by=[[Tom Scioli]] and [[John Barber]]
|art by=Tom Scioli
|colors by=Tom Scioli
|letters by=Tom Scioli
|production by=[[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[Carlos Guzman]]
|continuity=[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe]]
}}

'''As the forces of DeceptiCobra lay siege to Metroplex, a team of Joes and Autobots ventures inside Fortress Maximus to save their trapped teammates. Meanwhile, in the space between dimensions, Duke, Snake Eyes, and Optimus Prime are put on trial by the Quintessons.'''

==Synopsis==
Adrift in the [[transwarp|space between dimensions]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], [[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]], and [[Snake-Eyes|Snake Eyes]] are captured by eldritch entities known as the [[Quintesson]]s, who claim to be the creators of all life and consider their autonomy an affront to their grand design. Duke and Snake Eyes agree to set their differences aside to combat this unknowable terror from beyond.

On [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], the situation has gone from bad to infinitely worse for the [[Autobot]]s and [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]. Outraged at the Autobots' alliance with the [[human]] invaders, [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] refuses to countenance their existence any further and launches a full-scale attack on [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] with [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]], while simultaneously, the stuporous, energy-starved [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] has also shambled onto the scene and is causing just as much destruction. As the 'bots and Joes prepare a counter-attack, a small insertion team headed by [[Tunnel Rat]] heads out to intercept Maximus and venture inside the "living prison" to rescue [[U.S.7]] who were swallowed by the giant earlier. In the midst of the chaos, the injured [[Wild Bill]] insists that [[Doc (G.I. Joe)|Doc]] and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] allow him to join the fight; when he is granted permission, he instead sneaks off and opens one of Metroplex's outer doors, allowing waiting [[Cobra]] troops to pour into the Autobot city! In truth, Wild Bill never returned to the Joe ranks after the crash of his 'copter... all along, it has been [[Zartan]], Cobra master of disguise, who has lurked among their ranks!

At the same time, strange scenes play out on [[Earth]]: [[Tomax and Xamot|Tomax, Xamot]], and [[Major Bludd]] are rescued from [[Blackwater Prison]] by parties unknown; [[Storm Shadow]] ambushes [[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|General Hawk]] in a failed attempt to steal his tomahawk, which has some strange connection to Cybertron and indicates a link between the two worlds stretching back to the time of the Vikings; and [[Destro]] and the [[Baroness|Serpentress]] consider using Megatron's gift to Destro—[[Mini-Megatron|an alien gun]]—to kill the comatose [[Cobra Commander]], only to discover when they lift his mask that he is merely a "Fred" body-double, meaning that the Commander is still alive and at large.

In the [[Quintessa (planet)|Quintessons' realm]], Optimus, Duke, and Snake Eyes are put on trial by the ancient horrors, who use their very minds as evidence against them, plucking memories from them for all to see. The group witnesses Snake Eyes's tutelage in the ninja arts from the [[Blind Master]], Duke's troubled relationship with his step-father, and Optimus inheritance of the [[Matrix of Leadership]] from his dying mentor [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]]. Found guilty by the Quintessons of "theft of their property"—their very bodies and souls—the trio flee the Quintesson hordes. As they escape, the two Joes tell Optimus how they witnessed the death of [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] on Earth.

As [[Scarlett]] fends off Cobras and Decepticons alike from the peak of Metroplex, disgraced Autobot [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]] arrives with the injured [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] and [[Psych Out]]'s Joe team. Leaving the wounded rebel fighter in Ratchet's hands, Rodimus takes command of the situation and attempts to get Metroplex to transform to [[robot mode]], but [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] is outraged to find the youth in the control room and challenges him for leadership. Though Rodimus has a greater will to fight than when they last met in battle, the outcome of the confrontation is unclear, as moments later, Grimlock clambers up one of Metroplex's starfish-arms, into Trypticon's mouth itself, where he meets the waiting Megatron in fierce battle.

Meanwhile, Tunnel Rat and the rest of his team navigate the dangers inside Fortress Maximus, which include the [[Oktober Guard]] and the booby-traps their Russian rivals have set. Finding [[Clyde (G.I. Joe)|Clyde]], the team the follow boar to Maximus's brain, where they discover that Maximus's zombified state is the work of [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]], a Decepticon thought to have been killed in ages past by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], who is poisoning the giant's mind. Worse still, she has also taken control of the minds of U.S.7, who attack their human comrades at her command! The battle is a challenge for the Joes, but they triumph and purge Maximus's mind of Blackarachnia's influence; back in his right mind, Maximus joins in the attack on Trypticon. Though the Decepticon city bites Maximus's head off, it simply transforms into [[Cerebros (G1)|Cerebros]] within Trypticon's mouth, after which Cerebros's head transformed into [[Galen]], and the Autobots, Joes and U.S.7 all come pouring out of Cerebros's body. A grim sight greets the warriors as they charge forward, though: Megatron, flanked by Cobra troops, has slain Grimlock and now wears his head as ornamentation.

Just as it appears that Scarlett will be overwhelmed by Cobras, Duke and Snake Eyes suddenly appear to aid her, deposited on Cybertron by Prime. Together, they triumph over the Cobra hordes, with Scarlett even ignoring a communication from [[General Flagg]] in favor of an emotional silent reunion with Snake Eyes. His allegiance remaining an enigma, his motives ever his own, Snake Eyes disappears into the Cybertronian night, but Duke does not pursue, their mind-sharing experience having granted him a greater understanding of the emotionless, isolated life the ninja has chosen for himself. But while this small battle has been won, the greater fight is lost: Maximus has fallen, and Metroplex slinks away, while Trypticon withdraws. Worse yet, though they have saved their animal friends, Tunnel Rat's team has been defeated and imprisoned. Cobra accountant [[Raptor (Cobra)|Raptor]] visits their cells to bring their food... and a mysterious tome known as the "[[DeceptiCobranomicon]]"...

In the skies above Earth, the [[Coltonbolt]] orbiting satellite array targets an approaching Transformer, who easily slices his way through both the satellites and the [[Skystriker (vehicle)|Skystriker]] observing him. Optimus Prime, back in the physical world and in robot form once more, has arrived on Earth—and is headed straight for [[T.H.E. P.I.T.]]!

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks. 
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (2)
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (14)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (15)
*[[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (17)
*[[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] (19)
*[[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] (25)
*[[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] (27)
*[[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] (28)
*[[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (31)
*[[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] (36)
*[[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] (37)
*[[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (38)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (44)
*''[[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]]'' (62)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]'s head (72)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]] (73)
*[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] (74)
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] (80)
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (81)
*[[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] (87)
*[[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] (88)
*[[Slag (G1)|Slag]] (89)
*[[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] (91)
*[[Cerebros (G1)|Cerebros]] (92)
*[[Galen]] (93)

|c2=
*[[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (7)
*[[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] (8)
*[[Spyglass]] (10)
*[[Spectro]] (11)
*[[Viewfinder]] (12)
*[[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (40)
*[[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] (41)
*[[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] (42)
*[[Octane]] (56)
*[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] (63)
*[[Flamefeather (G1)|Flamefeather]]? (69)
*[[Ruckus (G1)|Ruckus]] (70)
*[[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]] (97)

|h3=[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]|c3=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]] (3)
*[[Spirit]] (5)
*[[Shipwreck]] (6)
*[[Scarlett]] (9)
*[[Sci-Fi]] (13)
*[[Doc (G.I. Joe)|Doc]] (18)
*[[Gung-Ho]] (20)
*[[Cutter (G.I. Joe)|Cutter]] (21)
*[[Spearhead (G.I. Joe)|Spearhead]] (22)
*[[Stalker (G.I. Joe)|Stalker]] (23)
*[[Cover Girl]] (24)
*[[Beachhead]] (26)
*[[Roadblock (G.I. Joe)|Roadblock]] (29)
*[[Mutt]] (30)
*[[Dusty]] (32)
*[[Alpine]] (33)
*[[Lift-Ticket (G.I. Joe)|Lift-Ticket]] (34)
*[[Tunnel Rat]] (35)
*[[Jinx]] (39)
*[[Clutch (G.I. Joe)|Clutch]] (45)
*[[Breaker]] (46)
*[[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]] (51)
*[[Clyde (G.I. Joe)|Clyde]] (57)
*[[Falcon (G.I. Joe)|Falcon]]* (60)
*[[Sandstorm (G.I. Joe)|Sandstorm]] (64)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Polly|Seasick/Polly]] (65)
*[[Max (G.I. Joe)|Max]] (66)
*[[Freedom]] (67)
*[[Junkyard (G.I. Joe)|Junkyard]] (68)
*[[Mainframe (G.I. Joe)|Mainframe]] (75)
*[[Chuckles]] (76)
*[[Barbecue]] (77)
*[[Psych Out]] (78)
*[[Frostbite (G.I. Joe)|Frostbite]] (79)
*[[Steeler]] (82)
*[[Rock 'n Roll]] (83)
*[[Snow Job]] (90)
*[[Order]] (94)
*[[General Flagg]] (voice, 96)
*[[Ace]] (99)
{{!}}}
|h4=[[Cobra]]|c4=
*[[Snake-Eyes|Snake Eyes]] (4)
*[[Zartan]] (16)
*[[Cobra]] troopers (43)
*[[Firefly]] (47)
*[[Tomax and Xamot|Tomax]] (48)
*[[Tomax and Xamot|Xamot]] (49)
*[[Major Bludd]] (50)
*[[Storm Shadow]] (52)
*[[Destro]] (84)
*[[Baroness|Serpentress]] (85)
*"[[Cobra Commander]]"/Fred (deceased, 86)
*[[Crimson Guard]]smen (95)
*[[Raptor (Cobra)|Raptor]] (98)

|h5=Others|c5=
*[[Quintesson]]s (1)
*[[Colonel Breakoff]] (53)
*[[Dragun]] (54)
*[[Münchnik]] (55)
*''[[Blind Master]]'' (58)
*''Duke's mother'' (59)
*''Duke's step-father'' (61)
*[[Allicon]]s (71)
}}

<nowiki>*</nowiki>first appears as a baby in a flashback

==Quotes==

"'''Bumblebee!? You've seen Bumblebee?" 
"We thought he was a Cobra drone, but yeah, that '''sounds''' right. He saved Snake Eyes' life back on Earth." 
"Bumblebee on Earth!? Murdered?" 
"I wouldn't call it murder. We have a word on Earth... 'collateral damage'."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Duke'''

"Welcome ta Metroplex. Yinz guys are just in time, da stuff is hittin' da perverbial fan."
:—'''Steeler''', Pittsburgh native

"Who die and make you king? Me '''Grimlock''' king!"
:—'''Grimlock''', to Rodimus

"GRIMLOCK NO RUN! ME GRIMLOCK KING!" 
"Autobot king!? You are a sad, miserable, deluded creature. Megatron's hand around your throat will be a rare act of kindness."
:—'''Grimlock''' and '''Megatron'''

"Trypticon dines this night on the sweetbreads of a goliath!"
:—'''Trypticon''', as he bites Fortress Maximus's head off

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*The mystery of Hawk's tomahawk began in [[I Saw Three Ships|issue #1]], when it was mysteriously able to cleave [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]]'s skull. This issue offers a one-panel flashback that shows it in the hand of Hawk's Viking ancestor, who commands a crew and a fleet of ships all adorned with combined Autobot/Decepticon/Cobra iconography.
*The mysterious gun is the "gift" Megatron offered Destro back in [[Funeral for a Friend|issue #3]].
*Cobra Commander appeared to perish in [[The Golden Boys|issue #0]].
*A copy of the strange book Raptor brings the captive Joes was used by [[Doctor Venom]] in his experiments [[Form Follows Function|last issue]].

===Transformers references===
*The Quintessons were the creators of the Transformers in the original [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]]. It's nice to see the idea get some face time here, as the [[Primus]] mythology has long since eclipsed the Quints as the "accepted" Transformer origin for most other continuities. Their words, however, imply that they are claiming to be the creators of not just the Transformers, but ''all'' life!
*Arcee's "file card" gives her the function of guardian of the [[Plasma Energy Chamber]], which originally featured in the Generation 1 cartoon three-parter, "[[The Rebirth]]".
*Blackarachnia makes the jump from ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'' to this little continuity, though beyond name and spider-like appearance, there's little similarity—she's very monstrous in appearance, and her mind-control powers are a new twist.
*[[Galen]] was the [[Nebulan]] who was the smallest component of Fortress Maximus in the original Marvel ''Transformers'' series, before he died and was replaced with [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]]. This issue's commentary mentions the possibility of his Nebulan background, and Tom Scioli would later release preview art of the next issue describing Galen as "alien, even among his fellow Autobots."
*Megatron wears Grimlock's ''Tyrannosaurus'' head around his wrist and over his hand, as well as having Grimlock's tail sticking out of his fusion cannon barrel, homaging the similar look of [[Megatron (BW)|''Beast Wars'' Megatron]].
*Optimus' sword shows abilities similar to the [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]] while his jetpack recalls his [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|film counterpart]]'s trailer upgrades in ''Dark of the Moon''.

===G.I. Joe references===
*For his one-panel appearance here, as he shape-shifts into his normal form, Zartan appears with blue skin. Colour-changing skin was a feature of Zartan's original action figure, activated by heat, not unlike a Transformer [[rubsign]]; the ''Joe'' cartoon adapted it into the idea that Zartan would change colour when exposed to sunlight.
*Blackwater Prison originally appeared in the second ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'' animated mini-series, "The Revenge of Cobra". ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Transformers Animated]]'' paid homage to it in the episode "[[Black Friday (episode)|Black Friday]]".
*The identity of Xamot, Tomax and Bludd's rescuer goes unrevealed this issue but the grey camo-pattern gloves handling the bomb that blows their cell open identify their liberator as Cobra demolitions expert [[Firefly]].
*After appearances last issue by the [[Hard Master]] and [[Soft Master]], the third of Snake Eyes's teachers, the Blind Master, appears in the flashback the Quintessons pluck from his mind. Sciloi notes in the commentary that he based this version of the Blind Master on "a vet who taught Kung Fu down by the railroad tracks" he knew from his childhood.
*In Duke's flashback, as he argues with his step-father, he also denounces his baby half-brother. Though the issue goes into no more detail, Joe fans will realise that the baby is a young Lt. Falcon, who was Duke's half-brother in the ''G.I. Joe'' animated series continuity. Alluding to this, Scioli notes in the story commentary that Duke's step-father's surname is "Falcone".
*The face under Cobra Commander's hood is that of a "Fred", the shared face and identity used by many of the Crimson Guard, which we briefly glimpsed on a billboard back in issue #1. In the original Marvel ''G.I. Joe'' series, one of the Freds—"Fred VII", specifically—impersonated Cobra Commander for an extended period of time.

===Real-life references===
*The Quintessons as eldritch abominations that live outside of space and time for whom the mortal mind is a plaything is a clear homage to {{w|H. P. Lovecraft}}'s {{w|Cthulhu Mythos}}. The Transformers franchise has played in these waters before, with Lovecraft's [[Elder God]]s having received veiled mentions in various [[Fun Publications]] stories before showing up in IDW's ''[[Infestation 2]].''
*While their name was always a play on the word "{{w|quintessence}}", it never meant anything for the Quintessons beyond the fact they have five faces (from the Latin ''quintus'', meaning "five"). This higher-dimensional take on the aliens plays with multiple meanings of the word: the mythological definition, which described it as the fifth classical element and the substance the made up the realm of the gods, and the present dictionary definition, "the pure and concentrated essence" of something, which is reflected in the way they strip their captives down to their minds.
*Scarlett calls Trypticon {{w|Barney & Friends|Barney}}.
*You see, [[Brad Garrett]] voiced [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] in ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]''. He also played Ray's brother Robert in ''{{w|Everybody Loves Raymond}}''. So the title to this issue, "Everybody Hates Metroplex", is a reference to Trypticon's opposite, Metroplex, whom everybody normally loves, but you see, because everything is ''opposite'', they actually ''hate'' him instead, and... and... Aw jeez, is this really even a reference?
* Tunnel Rat called Trypticon "Mechagodzilla", a reference to the robotic counterpart of [[Godzilla]].

===Errors===
*Megatron's eyes are blue instead of red on page 14.
*The Firecon attacking Scarlett on page 10 appears to be Flamefeather (the chest details match up), but colored like [[Cindersaur (G1)|Cindersaur]].
*Last time we saw Mutt, he was back on Earth. Now, he's suddenly on Cybertron.
*But, y'know, in a book like this that strives to recreate a Silver Age visual experience, "errors" like these could be entirely deliberate, so...

===Other notes===
*This issue was originally solicited for release in December, but production delays meant it did not come out until mid-February.
*While every issue of ''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe'' is full of title-like declarations for small scenes and panels, this issue does not have an obvious "overall" title like past ones. We've gone with "Everybody Hates Metroplex", from the page 2-3 spread, as it seems to best encapsulate the events of the issue.
*According to the story commentary, the unusual form Prime appears in for most of this issue is called "Optimal Prime", as it's the "optimal" form for survival in transwarp space. Continuing the book's wacky adaptation of his classic G1 form, in this issue, when he assumes his recognisable [[robot mode]] on the final page, his trailer forms a large pair of wings.
*Seen briefly last issue, the "Russian" alphabet used for Colonel Breakoff's dialogue this issue is just a substitution cypher made up mostly of stylized English letters. His one speech balloon, directed at Dusty, reads "Your dog can take care of himself. We were bred for deep space survival. You G.I. Joke <Boxes?> were not. Give up! Go home! Leave Cybertron to the capable hands of the Oktober Guard."
*Generic Decepticons of note appearing in this issue include a yellow [[Conehead]] and a blue [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]].

===Covers (4)===
*'''Standard cover:''' "Tunnel Rat's Fantastic Journey to the Center of Fortress Maximus", by [[Tom Scioli]]
*'''Subscription cover:''' Joes clamber over Soundwave as he removes a [[Cold Slither (band)|Cold Slither]] cassette from his chest, by [[Nick Pitarra]] and [[Megan Wilson]]
*'''Cover RI:''' Snake Eyes, Roadblock, Bazooka and Shipwreck ride Rodimus's spoiler as he launches into action, by [[Derek Charm]]
*'''Yesteryear Comics exclusive cover:''' [[Zarana]] in front of a Wanted poster for [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], by [[Jamie Tyndall]] and [[Ula Mos]], available exclusively from Yesteryear Comics

<gallery>
File:TFvsJoe5_regcvr.jpg
File:TFvsJoe5_subcvr.jpg
File:TFvsJoe5_cvrRI.jpg
File:TFvsJoe5_yycvr.jpg
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe'' #6
*Two New Micro-Comic Fun Packs!
*''[[Angry Birds Transformers (comic)|Angry Birds Transformers]]''
*''Machi Koro'' (back cover)

==Reprints==
* '''''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''''' Volume 2 TPB
* '''''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe Quintessential Collection''''' Hardcover
* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 73: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Part 1'''''

<gallery>
File:IDW-TFvsJoeV2.jpg|'''Volume 2'''; cover art by [[Tom Scioli]]
File:IDW-TFvsJoeQC.jpg|'''''Quintessential Collection'''''; cover art by Scioli
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v73.jpg|'''''Definitive G1 Collection: Vol. 74: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Pt. 1'''''; cover art by [[Don Figueroa]] and Scioli
</gallery>

==External links==
*[http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=preview&id=26005 Preview]

Everybody Hates Metroplex

2021-04-25T10:57:02Z

Shockwitwicky86:

{{Comicstory|series=tfvsjoe
|issueno=5
|prev=Form Follows Function
|next=Expelled from the Garden
|image=TFvsJoe5_regcvr.jpg
|title="Everybody Hates Metroplex"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[February 11]], [[2015]]
|coverdate=December 2014
|written by=[[Tom Scioli]] and [[John Barber]]
|art by=Tom Scioli
|colors by=Tom Scioli
|letters by=Tom Scioli
|production by=[[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[Carlos Guzman]]
|continuity=[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe]]
}}

'''As the forces of DeceptiCobra lay siege to Metroplex, a team of Joes and Autobots ventures inside Fortress Maximus to save their trapped teammates. Meanwhile, in the space between dimensions, Duke, Snake Eyes, and Optimus Prime are put on trial by the Quintessons.'''

==Synopsis==
Adrift in the [[transwarp|space between dimensions]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], [[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]], and [[Snake-Eyes|Snake Eyes]] are captured by eldritch entities known as the [[Quintesson]]s, who claim to be the creators of all life and consider their autonomy an affront to their grand design. Duke and Snake Eyes agree to set their differences aside to combat this unknowable terror from beyond.

On [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], the situation has gone from bad to infinitely worse for the [[Autobot]]s and [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]. Outraged at the Autobots' alliance with the [[human]] invaders, [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] refuses to countenance their existence any further and launches a full-scale attack on [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] with [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]], while simultaneously, the stuporous, energy-starved [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] has also shambled onto the scene and is causing just as much destruction. As the 'bots and Joes prepare a counter-attack, a small insertion team headed by [[Tunnel Rat]] heads out to intercept Maximus and venture inside the "living prison" to rescue [[U.S.7]] who were swallowed by the giant earlier. In the midst of the chaos, the injured [[Wild Bill]] insists that [[Doc (G.I. Joe)|Doc]] and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] allow him to join the fight; when he is granted permission, he instead sneaks off and opens one of Metroplex's outer doors, allowing waiting [[Cobra]] troops to pour into the Autobot city! In truth, Wild Bill never returned to the Joe ranks after the crash of his 'copter... all along, it has been [[Zartan]], Cobra master of disguise, who has lurked among their ranks!

At the same time, strange scenes play out on [[Earth]]: [[Tomax and Xamot|Tomax, Xamot]], and [[Major Bludd]] are rescued from [[Blackwater Prison]] by parties unknown; [[Storm Shadow]] ambushes [[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|General Hawk]] in a failed attempt to steal his tomahawk, which has some strange connection to Cybertron and indicates a link between the two worlds stretching back to the time of the Vikings; and [[Destro]] and the [[Baroness|Serpentress]] consider using Megatron's gift to Destro—[[Mini-Megatron|an alien gun]]—to kill the comatose [[Cobra Commander]], only to discover when they lift his mask that he is merely a "Fred" body-double, meaning that the Commander is still alive and at large.

In the [[Quintessa (planet)|Quintessons' realm]], Optimus, Duke, and Snake Eyes are put on trial by the ancient horrors, who use their very minds as evidence against them, plucking memories from them for all to see. The group witnesses Snake Eyes's tutelage in the ninja arts from the [[Blind Master]], Duke's troubled relationship with his step-father, and Optimus inheritance of the [[Matrix of Leadership]] from his dying mentor [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]]. Found guilty by the Quintessons of "theft of their property"—their very bodies and souls—the trio flee the Quintesson hordes. As they escape, the two Joes tell Optimus how they witnessed the death of [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] on Earth.

As [[Scarlett]] fends off Cobras and Decepticons alike from the peak of Metroplex, disgraced Autobot [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]] arrives with the injured [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] and [[Psych Out]]'s Joe team. Leaving the wounded rebel fighter in Ratchet's hands, Rodimus takes command of the situation and attempts to get Metroplex to transform to [[robot mode]], but [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] is outraged to find the youth in the control room and challenges him for leadership. Though Rodimus has a greater will to fight than when they last met in battle, the outcome of the confrontation is unclear, as moments later, Grimlock clambers up one of Metroplex's starfish-arms, into Trypticon's mouth itself, where he meets the waiting Megatron in fierce battle.

Meanwhile, Tunnel Rat and the rest of his team navigate the dangers inside Fortress Maximus, which include the [[Oktober Guard]] and the booby-traps their Russian rivals have set. Finding [[Clyde (G.I. Joe)|Clyde]], the team the follow boar to Maximus's brain, where they discover that Maximus's zombified state is the work of [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]], a Decepticon thought to have been killed in ages past by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], who is poisoning the giant's mind. Worse still, she has also taken control of the minds of U.S.7, who attack their human comrades at her command! The battle is a challenge for the Joes, but they triumph and purge Maximus's mind of Blackarachnia's influence; back in his right mind, Maximus joins in the attack on Trypticon. Though the Decepticon city bites Maximus's head off, it simply transforms into [[Cerebros (G1)|Cerebros]] within Trypticon's mouth, after which Cerebros's head transformed into [[Galen]], and the Autobots, Joes and U.S.7 all come pouring out of Cerebros's body. A grim sight greets the warriors as they charge forward, though: Megatron, flanked by Cobra troops, has slain Grimlock and now wears his head as ornamentation.

Just as it appears that Scarlett will be overwhelmed by Cobras, Duke and Snake Eyes suddenly appear to aid her, deposited on Cybertron by Prime. Together, they triumph over the Cobra hordes, with Scarlett even ignoring a communication from [[General Flagg]] in favor of an emotional silent reunion with Snake Eyes. His allegiance remaining an enigma, his motives ever his own, Snake Eyes disappears into the Cybertronian night, but Duke does not pursue, their mind-sharing experience having granted him a greater understanding of the emotionless, isolated life the ninja has chosen for himself. But while this small battle has been won, the greater fight is lost: Maximus has fallen, and Metroplex slinks away, while Trypticon withdraws. Worse yet, though they have saved their animal friends, Tunnel Rat's team has been defeated and imprisoned. Cobra accountant [[Raptor (Cobra)|Raptor]] visits their cells to bring their food... and a mysterious tome known as the "[[DeceptiCobranomicon]]"...

In the skies above Earth, the [[Coltonbolt]] orbiting satellite array targets an approaching Transformer, who easily slices his way through both the satellites and the [[Skystriker (vehicle)|Skystriker]] observing him. Optimus Prime, back in the physical world and in robot form once more, has arrived on Earth—and is headed straight for [[T.H.E. P.I.T.]]!

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks. 
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (2)
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (14)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (15)
*[[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (17)
*[[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] (19)
*[[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] (25)
*[[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] (27)
*[[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] (28)
*[[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (31)
*[[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] (36)
*[[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] (37)
*[[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (38)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (44)
*''[[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]]'' (62)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]'s head (72)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]] (73)
*[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] (74)
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] (80)
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (81)
*[[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] (87)
*[[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] (88)
*[[Slag (G1)|Slag]] (89)
*[[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] (91)
*[[Cerebros (G1)|Cerebros]] (92)
*[[Galen]] (93)

|c2=
*[[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (7)
*[[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] (8)
*[[Spyglass]] (10)
*[[Spectro]] (11)
*[[Viewfinder]] (12)
*[[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (40)
*[[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] (41)
*[[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] (42)
*[[Octane]] (56)
*[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] (63)
*[[Flamefeather (G1)|Flamefeather]]? (69)
*[[Ruckus (G1)|Ruckus]] (70)
*[[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]] (97)

|h3=[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]|c3=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]] (3)
*[[Spirit]] (5)
*[[Shipwreck]] (6)
*[[Scarlett]] (9)
*[[Sci-Fi]] (13)
*[[Doc (G.I. Joe)|Doc]] (18)
*[[Gung-Ho]] (20)
*[[Cutter (G.I. Joe)|Cutter]] (21)
*[[Spearhead (G.I. Joe)|Spearhead]] (22)
*[[Stalker (G.I. Joe)|Stalker]] (23)
*[[Cover Girl]] (24)
*[[Beachhead]] (26)
*[[Roadblock (G.I. Joe)|Roadblock]] (29)
*[[Mutt]] (30)
*[[Dusty]] (32)
*[[Alpine]] (33)
*[[Lift-Ticket (G.I. Joe)|Lift-Ticket]] (34)
*[[Tunnel Rat]] (35)
*[[Jinx]] (39)
*[[Clutch (G.I. Joe)|Clutch]] (45)
*[[Breaker]] (46)
*[[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]] (51)
*[[Clyde (G.I. Joe)|Clyde]] (57)
*[[Falcon (G.I. Joe)|Falcon]]* (60)
*[[Sandstorm (G.I. Joe)|Sandstorm]] (64)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Polly|Seasick/Polly]] (65)
*[[Max (G.I. Joe)|Max]] (66)
*[[Freedom]] (67)
*[[Junkyard (G.I. Joe)|Junkyard]] (68)
*[[Mainframe (G.I. Joe)|Mainframe]] (75)
*[[Chuckles]] (76)
*[[Barbecue]] (77)
*[[Psych Out]] (78)
*[[Frostbite (G.I. Joe)|Frostbite]] (79)
*[[Steeler]] (82)
*[[Rock 'n Roll]] (83)
*[[Snow Job]] (90)
*[[Order]] (94)
*[[General Flagg]] (voice, 96)
*[[Ace]] (99)
{{!}}}
|h4=[[Cobra]]|c4=
*[[Snake-Eyes|Snake Eyes]] (4)
*[[Zartan]] (16)
*[[Cobra]] troopers (43)
*[[Firefly]] (47)
*[[Tomax and Xamot|Tomax]] (48)
*[[Tomax and Xamot|Xamot]] (49)
*[[Major Bludd]] (50)
*[[Storm Shadow]] (52)
*[[Destro]] (84)
*[[Baroness|Serpentress]] (85)
*"[[Cobra Commander]]"/Fred (deceased, 86)
*[[Crimson Guard]]smen (95)
*[[Raptor (Cobra)|Raptor]] (98)

|h5=Others|c5=
*[[Quintesson]]s (1)
*[[Colonel Breakoff]] (53)
*[[Dragun]] (54)
*[[Münchnik]] (55)
*''[[Blind Master]]'' (58)
*''Duke's mother'' (59)
*''Duke's step-father'' (61)
*[[Allicon]]s (71)
}}

<nowiki>*</nowiki>first appears as a baby in a flashback

==Quotes==

"'''Bumblebee!? You've seen Bumblebee?" 
"We thought he was a Cobra drone, but yeah, that '''sounds''' right. He saved Snake Eyes' life back on Earth." 
"Bumblebee on Earth!? Murdered?" 
"I wouldn't call it murder. We have a word on Earth... 'collateral damage'."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Duke'''

"Welcome ta Metroplex. Yinz guys are just in time, da stuff is hittin' da perverbial fan."
:—'''Steeler''', Pittsburgh native

"Who die and make you king? Me '''Grimlock''' king!"
:—'''Grimlock''', to Rodimus

"GRIMLOCK NO RUN! ME GRIMLOCK KING!" 
"Autobot king!? You are a sad, miserable, deluded creature. Megatron's hand around your throat will be a rare act of kindness."
:—'''Grimlock''' and '''Megatron'''

"Trypticon dines this night on the sweetbreads of a goliath!"
:—'''Trypticon''', as he bites Fortress Maximus's head off

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*The mystery of Hawk's tomahawk began in [[I Saw Three Ships|issue #1]], when it was mysteriously able to cleave [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]]'s skull. This issue offers a one-panel flashback that shows it in the hand of Hawk's Viking ancestor, who commands a crew and a fleet of ships all adorned with combined Autobot/Decepticon/Cobra iconography.
*The mysterious gun is the "gift" Megatron offered Destro back in [[Funeral for a Friend|issue #3]].
*Cobra Commander appeared to perish in [[The Golden Boys|issue #0]].
*A copy of the strange book Raptor brings the captive Joes was used by [[Doctor Venom]] in his experiments [[Form Follows Function|last issue]].

===Transformers references===
*The Quintessons were the creators of the Transformers in the original [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]]. It's nice to see the idea get some face time here, as the [[Primus]] mythology has long since eclipsed the Quints as the "accepted" Transformer origin for most other continuities. Their words, however, imply that they are claiming to be the creators of not just the Transformers, but ''all'' life!
*Arcee's "file card" gives her the function of guardian of the [[Plasma Energy Chamber]], which originally featured in the Generation 1 cartoon three-parter, "[[The Rebirth]]".
*Blackarachnia makes the jump from ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'' to this little continuity, though beyond name and spider-like appearance, there's little similarity—she's very monstrous in appearance, and her mind-control powers are a new twist.
*[[Galen]] was the [[Nebulan]] who was the smallest component of Fortress Maximus in the original Marvel ''Transformers'' series, before he died and was replaced with [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]]. This issue's commentary mentions the possibility of his Nebulan background, and Tom Scioli would later release preview art of the next issue describing Galen as "alien, even among his fellow Autobots."
*Megatron wears Grimlock's ''Tyrannosaurus'' head around his wrist and over his hand, as well as having Grimlock's tail sticking out of his fusion cannon barrel, homaging the similar look of [[Megatron (BW)|''Beast Wars'' Megatron]].
*Optimus' sword shows abilities similar to the [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]] while his jetpack recalls his [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|film counterpart]]'s trailer upgrades in ''Dark of the Moon''.

===G.I. Joe references===
*For his one-panel appearance here, as he shape-shifts into his normal form, Zartan appears with blue skin. Colour-changing skin was a feature of Zartan's original action figure, activated by heat, not unlike a Transformer [[rubsign]]; the ''Joe'' cartoon adapted it into the idea that Zartan would change colour when exposed to sunlight.
*Blackwater Prison originally appeared in the second ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'' animated mini-series, "The Revenge of Cobra". ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Transformers Animated]]'' paid homage to it in the episode "[[Black Friday (episode)|Black Friday]]".
*The identity of Xamot, Tomax and Bludd's rescuer goes unrevealed this issue but the grey camo-pattern gloves handling the bomb that blows their cell open identify their liberator as Cobra demolitions expert [[Firefly]].
*After appearances last issue by the [[Hard Master]] and [[Soft Master]], the third of Snake Eyes's teachers, the Blind Master, appears in the flashback the Quintessons pluck from his mind. Sciloi notes in the commentary that he based this version of the Blind Master on "a vet who taught Kung Fu down by the railroad tracks" he knew from his childhood.
*In Duke's flashback, as he argues with his step-father, he also denounces his baby half-brother. Though the issue goes into no more detail, Joe fans will realise that the baby is a young Lt. Falcon, who was Duke's half-brother in the ''G.I. Joe'' animated series continuity. Alluding to this, Scioli notes in the story commentary that Duke's step-father's surname is "Falcone".
*The face under Cobra Commander's hood is that of a "Fred", the shared face and identity used by many of the Crimson Guard, which we briefly glimpsed on a billboard back in issue #1. In the original Marvel ''G.I. Joe'' series, one of the Freds—"Fred VII", specifically—impersonated Cobra Commander for an extended period of time.

===Real-life references===
*The Quintessons as eldritch abominations that live outside of space and time for whom the mortal mind is a plaything is a clear homage to {{w|H. P. Lovecraft}}'s {{w|Cthulhu Mythos}}. The Transformers franchise has played in these waters before, with Lovecraft's [[Elder God]]s having received veiled mentions in various [[Fun Publications]] stories before showing up in IDW's ''[[Infestation 2]].''
*While their name was always a play on the word "{{w|quintessence}}", it never meant anything for the Quintessons beyond the fact they have five faces (from the Latin ''quintus'', meaning "five"). This higher-dimensional take on the aliens plays with multiple meanings of the word: the mythological definition, which described it as the fifth classical element and the substance the made up the realm of the gods, and the present dictionary definition, "the pure and concentrated essence" of something, which is reflected in the way they strip their captives down to their minds.
*Scarlett calls Trypticon {{w|Barney & Friends|Barney}}.
*You see, [[Brad Garrett]] voiced [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] in ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]''. He also played Ray's brother Robert in ''{{w|Everybody Loves Raymond}}''. So the title to this issue, "Everybody Hates Metroplex", is a reference to Trypticon's opposite, Metroplex, whom everybody normally loves, but you see, because everything is ''opposite'', they actually ''hate'' him instead, and... and... Aw jeez, is this really even a reference?
* Tunnel Rat called Trypticon "Mechagodzilla", a reference to the robotic counterpart of [[Godzilla]].

===Errors===
*Megatron's eyes are blue instead of red on page 14.
*The Firecon attacking Scarlett on page 10 appears to be Flamefeather (the chest details match up), but colored like [[Cindersaur (G1)|Cindersaur]].
*Last time we saw Mutt, he was back on Earth. Now, he's suddenly on Cybertron.
*But, y'know, in a book like this that strives to recreate a Silver Age visual experience, "errors" like these could be entirely deliberate, so...

===Other notes===
*This issue was originally solicited for release in December, but production delays meant it did not come out until mid-February.
*While every issue of ''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe'' is full of title-like declarations for small scenes and panels, this issue does not have an obvious "overall" title like past ones. We've gone with "Everybody Hates Metroplex", from the page 2-3 spread, as it seems to best encapsulate the events of the issue.
*According to the story commentary, the unusual form Prime appears in for most of this issue is called "Optimal Prime", as it's the "optimal" form for survival in transwarp space. Continuing the book's wacky adaptation of his classic G1 form, in this issue, when he assumes his recognisable [[robot mode]] on the final page, his trailer forms a large pair of wings.
*Seen briefly last issue, the "Russian" alphabet used for Colonel Breakoff's dialogue this issue is just a substitution cypher made up mostly of stylized English letters. His one speech balloon, directed at Dusty, reads "Your dog can take care of himself. We were bred for deep space survival. You G.I. Joke <Boxes?> were not. Give up! Go home! Leave Cybertron to the capable hands of the Oktober Guard."
*Generic Decepticons of note appearing in this issue include a yellow [[Conehead]] and a blue [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]].

===Covers (4)===
*'''Standard cover:''' "Tunnel Rat's Fantastic Journey to the Center of Fortress Maximus", by [[Tom Scioli]]
*'''Subscription cover:''' Joes clamber over Soundwave as he removes a [[Cold Slither (band)|Cold Slither]] cassette from his chest, by [[Nick Pitarra]] and [[Megan Wilson]]
*'''Cover RI:''' Snake Eyes, Roadblock, Bazooka and Shipwreck ride Rodimus's spoiler as he launches into action, by [[Derek Charm]]
*'''Yesteryear Comics exclusive cover:''' [[Zarana]] in front of a Wanted poster for [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], by [[Jamie Tyndall]] and [[Ula Mos]], available exclusively from Yesteryear Comics

<gallery>
File:TFvsJoe5_regcvr.jpg
File:TFvsJoe5_subcvr.jpg
File:TFvsJoe5_cvrRI.jpg
File:TFvsJoe5_yycvr.jpg
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe'' #6
*Two New Micro-Comic Fun Packs!
*''[[Angry Birds Transformers (comic)|Angry Birds Transformers]]''
*''Machi Koro'' (back cover)

==Reprints==
* '''''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe Quintessential Collection''''' Hardcover
* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 74: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Part 2'''''

<gallery>
File:IDW-TFvsJoeQC.jpg|'''''Quintessential Collection'''''; cover art by Scioli
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v73.jpg|'''''Definitive G1 Collection: Vol. 74: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Pt. 2'''''; cover art by [[Don Figueroa]] and Scioli
</gallery>

==External links==
*[http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=preview&id=26005 Preview]

Form Follows Function

2021-04-25T10:56:06Z

Shockwitwicky86: Adding reprint info pertaining to US trade paperbacks.

{{Comicstory|series=tfvsjoe
|issueno=4
|prev=Funeral for a Friend
|next=Everybody Hates Metroplex
|image=TFvsJoe4_regcvr.jpg
|title="Form Follows Function"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[November 26]], [[2014]]
|coverdate=October 2014
|written by=[[Tom Scioli]] and [[John Barber]]
|art by=Tom Scioli
|colors by=Tom Scioli
|letters by=Tom Scioli
|production by=[[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[Carlos Guzman]]
|continuity=[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe]]
}}

'''While Scarlett's Joes make peace with the Autobots, another group led by Psych Out gets caught between the deposed Autobot leader Hot Rod and revolutionary Blaster, and the Joes' non-human unit clashes with the Oktober Guard.'''

==Synopsis==

In [[Decepticobracropolis]] on [[Earth]], [[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]]'s undercover mission has gone wrong. Though his identity has been discovered, he doesn't take it lying down: after stuffing a grenade in [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]]'s mouth to free himself from the robot's grip, he fights his way through a team of [[Cobra]] troops, and takes down loquacious Cobra pugilist [[Big Boa]]. Out for a bit of personal revenge, he then hunts down the apparent turncoat [[Snake-Eyes|Snake Eyes]], who has just completed a meditation ritual and believes his mastery of body and mind will allow him to make the journey through the [[M.A.S.S. Device]] that has killed so many others. Duke tackles Snake Eyes through the M.A.S.S. Device portal, and the pair are sent tumbling through the [[transwarp|void between worlds]].

In [[T.H.E. P.I.T.]], [[Doctor Venom]] conducts an arcane experiment with [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]'s remains, [[General Flagg]]'s [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblecycle]] and some Joe greenshirts. As Venom reads in the native tongue of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] from some kind of grimoire, the Bumblecycle springs to life and begins coiling around his arm...

A fleet of G.I. Joe [[G.I.Rocket|green bombs]] hurtles through space towards Cybertron, led by a supply rocket manned—so to speak—by G.I. Joe's "non-human personnel" unit [[U.S.7]], made up of the team's animal sidekicks and captained by [[Polly]], aka "Seasick". As they draw near to the metal planet, U.S.7's ship is attacked and boarded by G.I. Joe's Russian counterpart, the creepy, kooky [[Oktober Guard]], but after only a few moments of fighting, their ship is snatched out of the air by the gigantic [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]. The energy-starved colossus pulls them down to Cybertron's surface, shakes animal and guardsman alike out of the ship, and tosses them down his gullet.

At Cybertron's north pole, a Joe team is marking the huge rocket-furnaces growing out of the planet's as targets for the approaching wave of green bombs. Team leader [[Psych Out]] is dismayed; he is fascinated by the constantly morphing geography of Cybertron, and would much rather be investigating the two curious mountains that have sprung up at the south pole. Though they successfully accomplish their task, misfortune strikes when the team are suddenly snagged in a [[turborat]] trap, laid around the furance to catch robotic vermin. The traps are collected by [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]], a fallen [[Autobot]] leader once known as "Imhotep Rodimus", now a maintenance worker for [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s empire. Loading up his traps and going on his weary way, trying to ignore the grisly sight of the [[smelting pool|smelting pits]] fueling the furnaces, Hot Rod finds his path barred by Autobot revolutionary [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]], who is appalled by the once-great young hero's defection and eager to take him out. As the two Autobots fire on each other, the Joes are blasted free from their trap, but at that point, the green bombs begin falling. One bomb-blast kicks up a chunk of rubble that knocks out Blaster; Decepticons [[Apeface]] and [[Demolisher]] arrive in time to see Hot Rod standing over his fallen body and, believing he has defeated Blaster, congratulate him on a job well done. Disgusted by words of praise from the lowest of the low, Hot Rod is galvanized into action: he hurls the two Decepticons into one of the furnaces, loads Blaster into his alternate mode, and heads off for [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]. This is good news for the Joes, who secretly use their grappling hooks to hitch a ride on Hot Rod, enabling them to outrun the green bomb blasts.

In the terraformed [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], [[Bazooka (G.I. Joe)|Bazooka]] is in a portable toilet that is thrown through the air when [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]]'s Autobot unit attacks. Emerging from the collapsed commode, he is horrified to see what appears to be a battlefield strewn with dead bodies... but as he cradles [[Scarlett]]'s fallen form, she and all the other combatants turn out to be alive. Before hostilities can break out again, though, the crawling form of Metroplex climbs appears and disgorges [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]'s Autobots and the small Joe team they had captured. Grimlock loudly announces that a truce has been brokered, and the Autobots and Joes all have a dance party to cement their new friendship. During the celebration, Bazooka tries chewing on some of the foliage that the terraforming process has created, but the bizarre [[technorganic|techno-organic]] leaves prove to be psychoactive, and induce a hallucination of some kind of composite intelligence known as "[[Primus]]".
[[File:FormFollowsFunction-OptimusPrime.jpg|thumb|left]]
The mesmerized Bazooka tries to explain what he is seeing, but Grimlock mistakenly believes he is asking about [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], and explains how the lost Autobot leader fled the planet after being defeated by Megatron; Rodimus was Optimus's appointed successor, but Grimlock overthrew him. The other Autobots grumble that Grimlock is twisting the facts, and that nobody knows why Optimus left or where he went...

Lost in the interdimensional gulf, Duke and Snake Eyes continues to struggle, both clinging onto the ninja's sword, which somehow seems to protect them from the ravages of the space between realities. Oblivion looms, but just then, the two are snatched to safety by the claws of a mysterious, misshappen robotic creature... which the two soldiers have no way of knowing is Optimus Prime himself, his body reconfigured into a form that can survive in the void!
 

==Featured characters==
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]'s body/Bumblecycle (11)
*[[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] (28)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] (35)
*[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] (36)
*[[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (44)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (45)
*[[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] (55)
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (56)
*[[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (57)
*[[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] (62)
*[[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] (63)
*[[Slag (G1)|Slag]] (64)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (67)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (72)
*[[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] (drawing, 74)

|c2=
*[[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] (1)
*[[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]'s body (9)
*[[Apeface]] (37)
*[[Demolisher]] (38)
*[[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (drawing, 73)

|h3=[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]|c3=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]] (2)
*[[Doctor Venom]] (10)
*[[Order]] (12)
*[[Junkyard (G.I. Joe)|Junkyard]] (13)
*[[Max (G.I. Joe)|Max]] (14)
*[[Clyde (G.I. Joe)|Clyde]] (15)
*[[Sandstorm (G.I. Joe)|Sandstorm]] (16)
*[[Freedom]] (17)
*[[Polly|Seasick/Polly]] (18)
*[[Airtight]]? (19)
*[[Shipwreck]] (20)
*[[Spirit]] (21)
*[[Psych Out]] (29)
*[[Frostbite (G.I. Joe)|Frostbite]] (30)
*[[Barbecue]] (31)
*[[Chuckles]] (32)
*[[Mainframe (G.I. Joe)|Mainframe]] (33)
*[[Falcon (G.I. Joe)|Lt. Falcon]] (34)
*[[Bazooka (G.I. Joe)|Bazooka]] (39)
*[[Snow Job]] (40)
*[[Tripwire (G.I. Joe)|Tripwire]] (41)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Stalker (G.I. Joe)|Stalker]] (42)
*[[Rock 'n Roll]] (43)
*? (46)
*? (47)
*[[Dusty]] (48)
*[[Scarlett]] (49)
*[[Recondo]] (50)
*[[Blowtorch]] (51)
*[[Beachhead]] (52)
*[[Quick Kick]] (53)
*[[Steeler]] (54)
*[[Breaker]] (58)
*[[Jinx]] (59)
*[[Cover Girl]] (60)
*[[Clutch (G.I. Joe)|Clutch]] (61)
*[[Gung-Ho]] (65)
*[[Roadblock (G.I. Joe)|Roadblock]] (66)
*[[Doc (G.I. Joe)|Doc]] (68)
*[[Lifeline (G.I. Joe)|Lifeline]] (69)
*[[Joe Colton]] (image, 71)
{{!}}}
|h4=[[Cobra]]|c4=
*[[Cobra]] troopers (3)
*[[Big Boa]] (4)
*[[Snake-Eyes|Snake Eyes]] (5)
*[[Crimson Guard]]smen (8)

|h5=Others|c5=
*[[Soft Master]] (memory, 6)
*[[Hard Master]] (memory, 7)
*[[S.H.R.I.E.K.]] (22)
*[[Colonel Breakoff]] (23)
*[[Horrorshow]] (24)
*[[Daina|Denia]] (25)
*[[Dragun]] (26)
*[[Münchnik]] (27)
*[[Primus]] (70)
}}

==Quotes==

"Trickings and Treatings, G.I Joes. Come and get your sweeties."
:—'''S.H.R.I.E.K.''' announces the October Guard's arrival

"'''Turncoat!''' The once-great polymath warrior prince '''Imhotep Rodimus''' spends his days cleaning turborat droppings and hauling energonic hot rods to fuel Megatronian death engines!? How '''far''' have the mighty '''fallen?''' Are there no heroes left on Cybertron?"
:—'''Blaster''', a mite peeved

"The party gets weird. The dancing simultaneously speeds up and slows to a crawl. I see each creature, man and cyberman, become the same centipede. It's life cycle, womb to tomb is arrayed before me. I see Earth growing ever larger, haloed by the sun just behind it. The bodies merge. The minds become one. Is there a name for this? I hear it spoken... two syllables... a name? A call to action? A plea? A command? A prayer? <big>'''PRIME US.'''</big>"
:—'''Bazooka''' has a vision

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*The street preacher from [[I Saw Three Ships|issue #1]] is revealed to have been one of Snake-Eyes's teachers, the [[Soft Master]] (see "G.I. Joe references", below).
*As the green bombs strike, an image of [[Joe Colton]]'s eyes appears over the scene, and the narration recalls his lifetime dream of remote warfare, as introduced back in issue #1 with his [[Coltonbolt]].
*Shipwreck and Polly have received cybernetic upgrades to replace the damaged portions of their body following the injuries they sustained last issue. The issue's commentary notes that Shipwreck's cybernetic eye can see through Polly's own.
*Though Grimlock's "cave-painting" style recap of Cybertronian history seems to imply that Optimus left Cybertron aboard [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], the Autobot leader's fate, reveal at the issue's end, seems to indicate their belief is incorrect. Indeed, back in [[Targetmasters (issue)|issue #2]], Megatron mentioned that he had "booted [Prime's] hide into the void", suggesting he is responsible for stranding him in interdimensional space.

===Transformers references===
*Classic Cybertronian locations the [[smelting pool|smelting pits]] and the [[Rust Sea|Sea of Rust]] put in appearances.
*It's not clear what it means yet, but the two "mega-mountains" that have emerged from Cybertron's surface certainly are reminiscent of [[Unicron]]'s famous horns.
*Blaster's grim, uncompromising depiction in this issue hearkens back to the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|original Marvel series]], which also debuted the character in [[The Smelting Pool!|a story revolving around the smelting pits]].
*A surprising face among the Decepticons is the [[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|''Armada'']] Decepticon [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]], but not unprecedented, as a [[Demolisher|Generation 1 version of the character also exists]].
*The Autobots and G.I. Joe boogie down to establish their truce, probably a reference to ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', when the Autobots and [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]] did the same.
*Optimus Prime's form is based around a mistransformation of his original toy, rather than a new body.

===G.I. Joe references===
*As Snake-Eyes meditates, he recalls the teachings of his masters. While unnamed in the issue, they are recognizable to ''G.I. Joe'' fans as the [[Soft Master]] and the [[Hard Master]], names reflected in the philosophies Snake-Eyes remembers them espousing.
*Doctor Venom's experiment with the Bumblecycle already looks pretty gruesome, but it becomes even more horrifying when you can recognize the device that one of the "greenshirt" Joes is strapped into as the [[Brainwave Scanner]], a particularly torturous mind-reading device of Venom's design that appeared frequently in the original Marvel ''G.I. Joe'' series.
*The Joes' animal team is made up of all real animal partner characters from ''G.I. Joe'' history. Franchise mainstays include [[Law]]'s German shepherd Order, [[Mutt]]'s Rottweiler Junkyard, Spirit's eagle Freedom, and of course, Shipwreck's parrot Polly, now granted a codename of her own, "Seasick". Less well-known are Spearhead's bobcat Max and Dusty's coyote Sandstorm; the odd-beast-out is warthog Clyde, who is not originally a Joe animal, but actually owned by the [[Dreadnok]] poacher Gnawgahyde. His file card here notes he was "liberated from a poacher" in reference to this.
*The Oktober Guard are the Russian counterpart to G.I. Joe, and have featured in much past Joe fiction. Originally named for the {{w|October Revolution}}, they are here completely reimagined as a Halloween-themed horror team. Only team bruiser Horrorshow gets to retain his original name, given its appropriateness; infantry trooper Schrage becomes torture robot "S.H.R.I.E.K."; team leader Colonel Brekhov is now "Colonel Breakoff" (as in, "breaking off your fingers"); flamethrower-wielding mechanic Dragonsky is reinvented as fire-breathing reptilian quadruped "Dragun"; paratrooper Stormavik is replaced by the diminutive Münchnik; and [[Daina]], the only member of the Guard to have appeared in Transformers fiction before, has become "Denia" (that is, she'll "deny ya" mercy).

===Real-life references===
*The title is derived from architect {{w|Louis Sullivan}}'s famous dictum that {{w|Form follows function|"form ever follows function"}}, often quoted by Modernist designers.
*The one-page scene of Doctor Venom working on the Bumblecycle is labelled "Tales from T.H.E. P.I.T.", a reference to the classic EC horror comic, ''{{w|Tales from the Crypt (comics)|Tales from the Crypt}}'', complete with a direct homage to the comic's logo. This comes on the heels of last issue's reference to Venom as the Crypt Keeper, the comic's host.
*The Joe's "non-human personnel" team is named "U.S.7" after the comic book ''{{w|We3}}'', about cybernetically-enhanced animals.
*U.S.7's ship is designed to resemble {{w|Snoopy}}.
*The Joes announce their intention to "Steranko" their way out of Hot Rod's cage, a reference to comic book artist {{w|Jim Steranko}}, who performed as an escapologist in his younger days. Steranko is particularly well known for the psychedelic spy/military stories he told on ''[[Nicholas Fury|Nick Fury]]'', a big influence on the look and tone of this series.
*As the Joes and Autobots party together, some words (not in a speech bubble, but probably intended to convey a chant or song) read "Yub Yub"—a reference to "[[wikia:starwars:Ewok Celebration|Yub Nub]]", the Ewok victory song that plays at the end of the original theatrical release of [[Star Wars (franchise)|''Return of the Jedi'']], as the Ewoks and [[Rebel Alliance|Rebels]] have a similar celebration.
*Barbecue quips that the planetary engines are hot enough to "turn [them] all into M.R.E's"; "M.R.E." stands for "{{w|Meal, Ready-to-Eat}}", a kind of military field ration. M.R.E.s replaced the unpopular "{{w|C-ration}}s", which the characters of the original Marvel ''G.I. Joe'' run would often comment on with relief.
*Hot Rod was once known as "Imhotep Rodimus". {{w|Imhotep}} was an ancient Egyptian polymath: an accomplished engineer, physician, and architect of pyramids. He was also chancellor to the pharaoh, perhaps mirroring Rodimus's high status as Optimus's choice of successor.

===Errors===
*As Bazooka has his vision, quoted above, "it's" is used instead of "its".

===Other notes===
*This issue was originally solicited for release in October, with the solicitation blurb specifically noting that the Oktober Guard were appearing "just in time for Halloween". Unfortunately, the issue didn't make it out until the end of November.

===Covers (4)===
*'''Standard cover:''' Megatron, Apeface and [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] fend off a G.I. Joe attack, by [[Tom Scioli]]
*'''Subscription cover:''' Soundwave versus a small group of Joes, by [[Riley Rossmo]]
*'''Cover RI:''' Optimus Prime, [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] and Scarlett by Tom Scioli; connects to the RI covers from issues #2 and #3 to form a larger image
*'''Yesteryear Comics exclusive cover:''' The [[Baroness]] and [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]], by [[Jamie Tyndall]] and [[Ula Mos]], available exclusively from Yesteryear Comics

<gallery>
File:TFvsJoe4_regcvr.jpg
File:TFvsJoe4_subcvr.jpg
File:TFvsJoe4_cvrRI.jpg
File:TFvsJoe4_yycvr.jpg
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe'' #5
*''[[The Transformers: Drift - Empire of Stone|Drift - Empire of Stone]]''
*''[[The Transformers: Windblade|Windblade]]'' graphic novel
*''[[Angry Birds Transformers (comic)|Angry Birds Transformers]]''
*''V-Wars'' graphic novel (back cover)

==Reprints==
* '''''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''''' Volume 1 TPB
* '''''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe Quintessential Collection''''' Hardcover
* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 73: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Part 1'''''

<gallery>
File:IDW-TFvsJoeV1.jpg|'''Volume 1'''; cover art by [[Tom Scioli]]
File:IDW-TFvsJoeQC.jpg|'''''Quintessential Collection'''''; cover art by Scioli
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v73.jpg|'''''Definitive G1 Collection: Vol. 73: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Pt. 1'''''; cover art by [[Don Figueroa]] and Scioli
</gallery>

==External links==
*[http://tformers.com/idw-comics-preview-the-transformers-vs-/25240/news.html Preview]

Funeral for a Friend

2021-04-25T10:54:47Z

Shockwitwicky86: Adding reprint info pertaining to US trade paperbacks.

{{disambig2|the IDW ''[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe]]'' issue|the Marvel Generation 1 issue|Funeral for a Friend!}}
{{Comicstory|series=tfvsjoe
|issueno=3
|prev=Targetmasters (issue)
|next=Form Follows Function
|image=TFvsJoe3_regcvr.jpg
|title="Funeral for a Friend"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[October 8]], [[2014]]
|coverdate=September 2014
|written by=[[Tom Scioli]] and [[John Barber]]
|art by=Tom Scioli
|colors by=Tom Scioli
|letters by=Tom Scioli
|production by=[[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[Carlos Guzman]]
|continuity=[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe]]
}}

'''While the Joes on Cybertron face Autobot justice, the Earthbound Joe forces stage a phoney funeral in order to draw out Cobra, only to find that their enemies have allied with the Decepticons.'''

==Synopsis==
Below decks on the aircraft carrier ''[[USS Flagg]]'', [[Doctor Venom]] is being guarded by [[Shipwreck]] and [[Dial-Tone]] as he works on a line of [[Battle Android Trooper|robotic troops]] for the Joes. Venom insists that the guard duty is not necessary, as he is on their side, but the two grunts don't buy it, already irritated to be missing the spectacle taking place on the deck of the ''Flagg'': a funeral for [[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]], who has apparently died from gangrene. Just as the 21-gun salute is fired, the ''Flagg'' comes under attack from [[Cobra]]—or rather, "Decepticobra", the allied forces of the terrorists and the [[Decepticon]]s the Joes previously battled! However, as [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]—his facial injuries awkwardly repaired by Cobra—and [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]—furious at the death of his brother [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]—try to rip the ''Flagg'' in two, the funeral is revealed to be a sham designed to draw Cobra out when Hawk emerges from his coffin with a pair of gatling guns blazing. Even [[General Flagg]] gets in on the action, piloting a "Bumblecycle" battle platform made from [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]'s body in combat against the [[Baroness|Serpentress]], riding on [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]]'s back.

On [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]], [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] and [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] return to [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], the animate, starfish-like city of the exiled [[Autobot]]s, which constantly crawls across the planet's surface. The three Autobots deposit their Joe prisoners at the feet of their tyrant-king [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]], then immediately depart to go to [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]'s aid. The Joes bravely try to threaten Grimlock into surrendering, but he sees through their bluff and in retribution for the bombing of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], he drops them into a pit of [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]]. [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] insists they be given a fighting chance, and tosses the Joes one of their satchels; they are able to use the explosives it contains to give the Sharkticons some severe indigestion, and manage to climb back out of the pit.

Back on the ''Flagg'', Starscream and Shockwave tear their way into the vessel's science deck, searching for Soundwave's remains. Shipwreck and Dial Tone try to evacuate Doctor Venom, but they are quickly chased down by the phalanx of Cobra troopers, led by [[Dreadnok|Buzzer]], that the Decepticons insert into the carrier. The two Joes are shot down, but the Cobras quickly discover that Soundwave's body is not ''on'' the ''Flagg'', and their forces begin to withdraw. Buzzer welcomes Venom back into the Cobra fold and hands him a gun so they can fight their way out... only for Venom to immediately shoot the Dreadnok in the head, point-blank! The blood-spattered Venom turns to his wounded Joe guards with a grin; he ''told'' them he was on their side.

Up top, the reason for the Joes' funeral façade is put into play as [[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]], disguised as a scarred Cobra trooper, infiltrates the fleeing terrorists' ranks and has himself transported back to their headquarters, the island temple of [[Decepticobracropolis]]. Upon arrival, Duke spots [[Snake-Eyes|Snake Eyes]] among the Cobras, apparent evidence that one the greatest Joes of all has changed sides, but this discovery pales in comparison to what follows: Cobra weaponsmaster [[Destro]] uses his [[M.A.S.S. Device]] to teleport himself and a squad of troops to Cybertron! Fortunately, Duke is not among their number, for as they arrive in [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s throneroom, all the Cobras save Destro are burnt to death by the M.A.S.S. transfer process. Megatron seeks a means to purge the organic contamination the Joes' [[G.I.Rocket|green bombs]] have brought to Cybertron, and Destro proposes that he be allowed to take charge of the mission alone. Destro reveals that his mastery of technology has allowed him to extend his own life with cybernetic implants, and to construct a "secret cybernetic army"; amazed that a human has mastered mechanical life, Megatron agrees, and offers Destro a gift.

In the terraformed Iacon, [[Scarlett]]'s Joes go about the grisly procedure of dissecting the still-functional [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]], refusing to consider the giant robot a living being. Wheeljack cycles through recordings of old [[Earth]] transmissions in hopes of finding something that will convince the Joes to stop; just as they open his brain casing, he strikes gold with a speech from the [[President of the United States]]. Concluding that [[More than Meets the Eye (disambiguation)|more than meets the eye]] is going on, Scarlett orders the Autobot reassembled. Just then, Brawn, Mirage and Perceptor storm Iacon, and a fierce firefight ensues. When the last shot is fired, all is still in Iacon, and both Joes and Autobots lie motionless...

Back on Earth, in [[T.H.E. P.I.T.]], General Flagg presents Doctor Venom with Soundwave's corpse, and instructs him to repair the alien and get him up and fighting on the side of America!

==Featured characters==
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] (21)
*[[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (22)
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (23)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (24)
*[[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] (29)
*[[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (30)
*[[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] (31)
*[[Slag (G1)|Slag]] (32)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (33)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]'s head (44)

|c2=
*[[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (16)
*[[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (18)
*[[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] (20)
*[[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]] (34)
*[[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] (39)
*[[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] (40)
*[[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] (41)
*[[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]] (42)
*[[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (43)
*[[Darkwing (G1)|Darkwing]] (45)
*A [[conehead]] (46)
*[[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (69)

|h3=[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]|c3=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Dial-Tone]] (1)
*[[Doctor Venom]] (2)
*[[Polly]] (3)
*[[Shipwreck]] (4)
*[[Battle Android Trooper|B.A.T.s]] (5)
*[[Sealegs]] (6)
*[[Spirit]] (7)
*[[Mutt]] (8)
*[[Flash (G.I. Joe)|Flash]] (9)
*[[Law]] (10)
*[[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]] (11)
*[[Lady Jaye]] (12)
*[[General Austin]] (13)
*[[General Flagg]] (14)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]] (19)
*[[Breaker]] (25)
*[[Jinx]] (26)
*[[Cover Girl]] (27)
*[[Clutch (G.I. Joe)|Clutch]] (28)
*[[Crazylegs]] (47)
*[[Alpine]] (48)
*[[Roadblock (G.I. Joe)|Roadblock]] (49)
*[[Gung-Ho]] (50)
*? (51)
*[[Rock 'n Roll]] (52)
*[[Blowtorch]] (53)
*[[Recondo]] (54)
*[[Dusty]] (55)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Deep Six]] (56)
*[[Scoop (G.I. Joe)|Scoop]] (57)
*[[Tripwire (G.I. Joe)|Tripwire]] (58)
*[[Snow Job]] (59)
*[[Beachhead]] (60)
*[[Scarlett]] (61)
*[[Stalker (G.I. Joe)|Stalker]] (62)
*[[Sci-Fi]] (63)
*[[Charbroil]] (64)
*[[Taurus]] (65)
*[[Quick Kick]] (66)
*[[Steeler]] (67)
*[[Torpedo]] (68)
{{!}}}
|h4=[[Cobra]]|c4=
*[[Baroness|Serpentress]] (15)
*[[Dreadnok|Buzzer]] (17)
*[[Cobra]] troopers (35)
*[[Destro]] (36)
*[[Snake-Eyes|Snake Eyes]] (37)
*[[Crimson Guard]]smen (38)
}}

==Quotes==

"No, Dial-Tone, not '''"Venom"'''--it's pronounced "'''Phe'''-nom" as in "'''phe'''-nomenon--" 
"We're in American waters. V is V, like victory. Like venomous snake. In '''my''' phonebook, your name is '''mud'''."
:—'''Doctor Venom''' and '''Dial-Tone'''

"Green ones destroy Grimlock holy place. Grimlock demand payback. Punishment is death." 
"You're big and loud, but you don't scare us for a second. If you think we're going to beg for mercy--" 
"Grimlock no have mercy. Grimlock have Sharkticons!"
:—'''Grimlock''' and '''Breaker''' (or is it '''Clutch'''?)

"Look at me now... Sergeant Conrad Hauser. Code name: '''Duke.''' Jack-booted goose-stepping para-fascist super-soldier. What would '''Bubbe''' and '''Zayde''' say?"
:—'''Duke''' goes undercover

"Gun Maker. Life Taker. Dream Breaker. Earth Shaker. Money Raker."
:—The narration sings the praises of '''Destro'''

"What I '''do''' have is a secret army--something my allies only barely understand. '''Cybernetic life''', like here." 
"'''Impossible!''' You, a lowly fleshbag, have mastered the secret of '''true life'''?" 
"I had great teachers, the metal gods themselves. By your reckoning, I am but a '''zygote'''. Compared to my people, I am very long-lived indeed. I mastered your technology and made it my '''own'''. I made it part of my '''biology'''. In a way, we are brothers, mighty Megatron. I am '''your future''', as you are '''mine'''. Both our races are headed toward the same endpoint, a fusion of man and machine. '''Each''' indistinguishable from the '''other'''." 
:—'''Destro''' and '''Megatron'''

<big>'''"NO MERCY FROM PERCY"'''</big>
:—The narration on '''Perceptor'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*Soundwave, Starscream and Shockwave were blasted by the Coltonbolt back in [[I Saw Three Ships|issue #1]]. Starscream and Shockwave are revealed to have survived—with Starscream now wearing a Cobra-created "mask" to hide the injuries inflicted on his face—while Soundwave's remains have been recovered by the Joes.
*Hawk's death is quickly revealed to be a farce, but is stated to be a result of gangrene, following on the from the injury he sustained in issue #1.
*G.I. Joe are revealed to have salvaged Bumblebee's body following his demise in [[The Golden Boys|issue #0]].

===Transformers references===
*This issue is named after [[Funeral for a Friend!|issue #26]] of the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|original Marvel series]].
*Grimlock appears as the tyrannical king of the Autobots, a role he also enjoyed for an extended period of time during the Marvel run.
*The [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] speak with their usual primitive "caveman" style of speech, which Arcee blames on them not having learned Earth language properly yet.
*Sharkticons are, of course, normally servants of the [[Quintesson]]s; while Grimlock has himself a pit of them here, a Decepticon insignia is visible on one of their fins.
*Decepticobracropolis is cast a shape similar to that of the [[Insignia#Unused concepts|combined Decepticon/Cobra insignia]] designed for the [[Devil's Due Press|Devil's Due]] ''[[G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers]]'' crossover.
*Wheeljack's method of communication through song and speech snippets is similar to how Bumblebee in the live-action films communicates.

===G.I. Joe references===
*The robots Doctor Venom constructs are [[Battle Android Trooper]]s, which are normally a Cobra venture in ''G.I. Joe'' continuity, but have here been reinterpreted as Joe constructs.
*A naval Joe named "Sealegs" appears here—he's actually a brand new character, but ''Joe'' has seen some use of the name before, as the Cobra amphibious assault craft, the "[[wikia:gijoe:S.E.A. Legs|S.E.A. Legs]]".
*The Cobra trooper disguise Duke dons includes an elaborate scar running down his face, over his right eye—highly reminiscent of "Scarface", a Cobra trooper from the early issues of the Marvel ''G.I. Joe'' series who featured two such scars. However, see "real-life references".
*The M.A.S.S. Device ("Molecular Assembler Scrambler Sender") and its three "catalytic elements" were the central macguffin of the original ''G.I. Joe'' cartoon mini-series.

===Real-life references===
*Clutch (or is it Breaker? They're friggin' identical!) holds a Sharkticon's jaws open with his legs by doing the splits, crying "Van Damme!", referring to actor {{w|Jean-Claude Van Damme}}, known for his ability to do impressive splits.
*In addition to referring to "Scarface", Duke's single-scarred disguise also references a disguise worn by [[Batman|Bruce Wayne]] in the graphic novel ''Batman: Year One''.
*Duke's undercover role incorporates overtones of Quentin Tarantino films ''{{w|Inglorious Basterds}}'' and ''{{w|Reservoir Dogs}}''. As a further reference, Lady Jaye wishes Duke luck by saying "Come home in a body bag" (rather than "Break a leg"); "Coming Home in a Body Bag" was the name of a fictional movie in the Tarantino-scripted film ''{{w|True Romance}}''.
*Among the sound-bytes Wheeljack rattles off are:
**The lyrics to the {{w|Bee Gees}} song, "{{w|How Can You Mend a Broken Heart}}", slightly misquoted as "How do you keep the sun from shining?", rather than the correct "How can you stop the sun from shining?"
**A cry of "{{w|Gary Dell'Abate|Baba Booey!}}"
**President [[Barack Obama]]'s {{w|Barack Obama election victory speech, 2008|2008 election victory speech}}
*As Doctor Venom thanks General Flagg in the most creepy way possible, Flagg orders him to "Stow the {{w|Tales from the Crypt (TV series)|Crypt Keeper}} patter".

===Covers (4)===
*'''Standard cover:''' Wheeljack is surrounded by the G.I. Joes, by [[Tom Scioli]]
*'''Subscription cover:''' Optimus Prime, Duke, Snake-Eyes, Roadblock and Scarlet in the middle of a firefight, by [[Jim Rugg]]
*'''Cover RI:''' The Joes rolls into battle with backup from [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]], by Tom Scioli; connects to cover RI from issue #2 to form a larger image
*'''Yesteryear Comics exclusive cover:''' Megatron on a throne, holding Optimus Prime's severed head, by [[Jamie Tyndall]] and [[Ula Mos]], available exclusively from Yesteryear Comics

<gallery>
File:TFvsJoe3_regcvr.jpg
File:TFvsJoe3_subcvr.jpg
File:TFvsJoe3_cvrRI.jpg
File:TFvsJoe3_yycvr.jpg
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''[[The Transformers: Windblade|Windblade]]'' graphic novel
*IDW Transformers graphic novel library
*IDW Micro Comic Fun Packs
*''[[My Little Pony]]'' Annual 2014

==Reprints==
* '''''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''''' Volume 1 TPB
* '''''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe Quintessential Collection''''' Hardcover
* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 73: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Part 1'''''

<gallery>
File:IDW-TFvsJoeV1.jpg|'''Volume 1'''; cover art by [[Tom Scioli]]
File:IDW-TFvsJoeQC.jpg|'''''Quintessential Collection'''''; cover art by Scioli
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v73.jpg|'''''Definitive G1 Collection: Vol. 73: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Pt. 1'''''; cover art by [[Don Figueroa]] and Scioli
</gallery>

==External links==
*[http://www.comicbookresources.com:8080/?page=preview&id=23959 Preview]

Targetmasters (issue)

2021-04-25T10:53:44Z

Shockwitwicky86: Adding reprint info pertaining to US trade paperbacks.

{{disambig3|Targetmaster}}

{{Comicstory|series=tfvsjoe
|issueno=2
|prev=I Saw Three Ships
|next=Funeral for a Friend
|image=TFvsJoe2_regcvr.jpg
|title="Targetmasters"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[August 27]], [[2014]]
|coverdate=August 2014
|written by=[[Tom Scioli]] and [[John Barber]]
|art by=Tom Scioli
|colors by=Tom Scioli
|letters by=Tom Scioli
|production by=[[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[Carlos Guzman]]
|continuity=[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe]]
}}

'''The Joes get an up-close look at life on Megatron's Cybertron when they are captured alongside a group of Autobots.'''

==Synopsis==
Flying above the surface of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] aboard the starship ''[[Defiant (G.I. Joe)|Defiant]]'', [[Scarlett]] and the [[Star Brigade]] drop a bombardment of [[Doctor Venom]]'s [[G.I.Rocket|creeper bomb]]s on the city of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], swamping it in rapidly-growing organic matter. The terraforming tactics are observed by [[Autobot]]s [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]], [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]], [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]], and [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], who deduce that the invading humans are unaware that Iacon is an abandoned ruin, and lament the absence of the long-missing [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]. Perceptor tries to examine some of the creeper material under his scope, but it suddenly begins to grow, forcing Brawn to blast it.

The [[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]] team spots a new target: [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]], a gigantic, animate city in the form of a dinosaur. Over the objections of [[Psych Out]], who is appalled at their contamination of an alien world with organic life from [[Earth]], they drop a load of creeper bombs on the saurian city, only to find that it is protected by a force field. A fleet of [[Decepticon]]s led by [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] and [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] erupt from Trypticon's mouth to pursue the Joes' ship; down below, the four Autobots believe ''they'' are the villains' targets since they are out past curfew, but they realize they haven't even been noticed when the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] appear on the road ahead and completely ignore them, merging into [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] and taking off into the skies. The ''Defiant'' splits into its two modules, but Devastator tears into one, sending it falling out of the sky in a blaze. As the Joes bail out, Scarlett lands her [[RAM]] on the barrel of Devastator's gun and rides it up his arm and off his shoulder, landing safely in the [[Tomahawk (G.I. Joe)|Tomahawk]] helicopter—all while delivering a status update to [[General Flagg]]. The shuttle section of the ''Defiant'' meets a similar fate, and goes up in flames under a barrage of Decepticon fire, but pilot [[Wild Bill]]—in defiance of Scarlett's order to abandon ship—steers the flaming craft into Devastator, blowing the [[combiner|gestalt]] into his components. Joes [[Breaker]], [[Clutch (G.I. Joe)|Clutch]], [[Cover Girl]] and [[Jinx]] land their vehicles safely on parachutes and try to "merge with local traffic", unaware that what they think are native vehicles are, in fact, the four Autobots that have been watching the proceedings. This brings the Autobots to the Decepticons' attention, and they activate a trap hidden within the roadway, which begins to close around the fleeing 'bots and Joes. Wheeljack, Mirage and the Joes are able to squeeze through before the rising walls close, but Brawn and Perceptor are captured. The Joes fail to make a getaway, however, as they are snatched up by the bounty-hunting [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]].

A short time later, in the throne room within Trypticon, Cyclonus and Scourge present the shackled Brawn and Perceptor to their god-king [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]... only for a furious Megatron to slay Scourge. Autobots, he angrily proclaims, are a race long defeated and far beneath his notice—it is the invading humans that he wants. As luck would have it, the Insecticons choose this moment to arrive, bringing the objects of Megatron's desire with them. When the Decepticon emperor unwraps Clutch from the bindings the Insecticons have placed him and the other Joes in, the human opens fire on him, prompting cacophonous laughter as the bullets ping off his armor. Suddenly, Optimus Prime himself appears in the middle of the throne room, but when Megatron hurls himself at his ancient enemy, he discovers that it is merely a hologram: Mirage has deceived him and freed the captured 'bots, who now beat a hasty retreat from Trypticon with the Joes in their custody.

Meanwhile, the rest of Scarlett's team sets up base camp in the terraformed Iacon, setting up perimeter traps and using a [[Weather Dominator]] to make the region's atmosphere more palatable. As night falls, Scarlett checks in with [[Snow Job]] for a status update; he has little to report until suddenly, a figure emerges from the darkness—Wild Bill has survived his kamikaze run on Devastator, but as he collapses in front of his allies, he warns that one of the Transformers has pursued him. Fortunately for the Joes, one of their snares succeeds in trapping their Cybertronian guest: Wheeljack!

==Featured characters==
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (2)
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (3)
*[[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (4)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (5)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]'s head (40)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] hologram (41)
|c2=
*[[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] (9)
*[[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (14)
*[[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] (15)
*[[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] (16)
*[[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] (17)
*[[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (18)
*[[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (19)
*[[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] (20)
*[[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] (21)
*[[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]] (22)
*[[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (23)
*[[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] (24)
*[[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] (34)
*[[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] (35)
*[[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] (36)
|h3=[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]|c3=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Low Light]] (1)
*[[Rock 'n Roll]] (6)
*[[Alpine]] (7)
*[[Psych Out]] (8)
*[[Scarlett]] (10)
*[[Roadblock (G.I. Joe)|Roadblock]] (11)
*[[Snow Job]] (12)
*[[Quick Kick]] (13)
*[[Payload (G.I. Joe)|Payload]] (25)
*[[Wild Bill]] (26)
*[[Steeler]] (27)
*[[Bazooka (G.I. Joe)|Bazooka]] (28)
*[[Jinx]] (29)
*[[Breaker]] (30)
*[[Clutch (G.I. Joe)|Clutch]] (31)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Cover Girl]] (32)
*[[General Flagg]] (33)
*[[Stalker (G.I. Joe)|Stalker]] (37)
*[[Gung-Ho]] (38)
*[[Tripwire (G.I. Joe)|Tripwire]] (39)
*[[Tunnel Rat]] (42)
*[[Blowtorch]] (43)
*[[Doc (G.I. Joe)|Doc]] (44)
*? (45)
*[[Crazylegs]] (46)
*[[Leatherneck]] (47)
*[[Charbroil]] (48)
*[[Sci-Fi]] (49)
{{!}}}
}}

==Quotes==

"Autobots are '''ancient history'''--beneath my notice--a cowed and conquered people '''born vanquished'''. The only Autobot that ever mattered left this world when I booted his hide into '''the void'''. Don't waste my precious '''chrono-cycles''' with petty Autobot sins."
:—'''Megatron'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*Megatron is wearing Bumblebee's decapitated head around his neck on a chain, acquired in [[The Golden Boys|issue #0]].

===Transformers references===
*The road on which the Joes and Autobots briefly drive together is patterned with a grid with a slight reddish gradient, that turns into a purplish gradient when it folds up to entrap them, an apparent reference to the classic gradient-grid pattern of the original [[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1 toyline packaging]].
*Before combining into Devastator, Hook tells the Constructicons to "Merge for the kill!", which is what Megatron ordered them to do in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''.
*Perceptor uses his unofficial "tank" mode (a leftover from the toy's Microman origins).

===G.I. Joe references===
*Wheeljack bets "Energon to O-Rings"; while the {{w|O-ring}} is a real mechanical gasket, meaning that his line can make sense in and of itself, they saw extensive use in the 1980s ''G.I. Joe'' toyline to connect the top half of the figures to the bottom.
*The Joes plan to use a [[Weather Dominator]] to make the local atmosphere more pleasant; the Weather Dominator was the central macguffin of the ''G.I. Joe'' cartoon's "Revenge of Cobra" mini-series.
*While nearly all of the Joe vehicles on Cybertron are easily recognizable, Jinx appears to be driving some sort of made-up treaded motorcycle. This is likely intended to be the [http://www.yojoe.com/vehicles/86/lcv/ LCV Recon Sled] since she's laying prone, a feature of the LCV design.

===Real-life references===
*The Joe's mission to use the Green Bombs on Cybertron is code-named "Paint It Green", a reference to the Rolling Stones song ''{{w|Paint It Black}}'' and further, to the song's use as the [[theme song|theme]] of the Vietnam War TV show, ''{{w|Tour of Duty (TV series)|Tour of Duty}}''.
*Charbroil calls Wheeljack a "[[GoBot]]"—historically, not the first time that a Joe character has made the reference, as Cobra Commander once calls the Transformers "glorified GoBots" in [[Devil's Due Press|Devil's Due]]'s [[The Art of War issue 5|''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers: The Art of War'' #5]].

===Other notes===
*Per standard, the story is followed by a complete page-by-page commentary from Barber and Scioli.

===Covers (5)===
*'''Standard cover:''' The G.I. Joes are confronted by Cyclonus, Scourge and Devastator, by [[Tom Scioli]]
*'''Subscription cover:''' [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] and [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] duke it out as some Joes and Cobras exchange menacing glances, by [[Ed Piskor]]
*'''Cover RI:''' The Joes on the run from Trypticon, Devastator and [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]], by Tom Scioli
*'''Yesteryear Comics exclusive cover:''' Scarlett by [[Jamie Tyndall]] and [[Ula Mos]], available exclusively from Yesteryear Comics
*'''Amazing Convention exclusive cover:''' Scarlett by [[Rob Liefeld]] and [[Tom Mason]], available exclusively at the Amazing! Comic Convention

<gallery>
File:TFvsJoe2_regcvr.jpg
File:TFvsJoe2_subcvr.jpg
File:TFvsJoe2_cvrRI.jpg
File:TFvsJoe2_yycvr.jpg
File:TFvsJoe2_amazingcvr.jpg
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''[[The Transformers: Primacy|Primacy]]''
*IDW Micro Comic Fun Packs
*IDW Transformers graphic novel library
*CGC
*''G.I. Joe'' #1
*''Little Nemo: Return to Slumberland''

==Reprints==
* '''''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''''' Volume 1 TPB
* '''''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe Quintessential Collection''''' Hardcover
* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 73: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Part 1'''''

<gallery>
File:IDW-TFvsJoeV1.jpg|'''Volume 1'''; cover art by [[Tom Scioli]]
File:IDW-TFvsJoeQC.jpg|'''''Quintessential Collection'''''; cover art by Scioli
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v73.jpg|'''''Definitive G1 Collection: Vol. 73: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Pt. 1'''''; cover art by [[Don Figueroa]] and Scioli
</gallery>

==External links==
*[http://www.newsarama.com/21969-transformers-previews-for-aug-26-mtmte-32-vs-g-i-joe-2.html Preview]

I Saw Three Ships

2021-04-25T10:52:13Z

Shockwitwicky86: Adding reprint info pertaining to US trade paperbacks.

{{Comicstory|series=tfvsjoe
|issueno=1
|prev=The Golden Boys
|next=Targetmasters (issue)
|image=TFvsJoe1_cvr.jpg
|title="I Saw Three Ships"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[July 23]], [[2014]] (1st printing), [[August 13]], 2014 (2nd printing)
|coverdate=July 2014
|written by=[[Tom Scioli]] and [[John Barber]]
|art by=Tom Scioli
|colors by=Tom Scioli
|letters by=Tom Scioli
|production by=[[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[Carlos Guzman]]
|continuity=''[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe]]''
}}

'''The G.I. Joes make first contact with the Transformers, but the alien robots they welcome to Earth turn out to be enemies.'''

==Synopsis==
While [[General Flagg]] attempts to coax the recalcitrant [[Snake-Eyes|Snake Eyes]] out of his self-imposed seclusion from civilization, the [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] team launches an attack on [[Springfield (Cobra)|Springfield]], an unassuming all-American little town that is, in fact, an undercover [[Cobra]] operations base. The mission is the first taste of action for several new Joes, including [[Gung-Ho]], who grapples with Cobra head officers [[Tomax and Xamot]] and is nearly overcome by their symbiotic, acrobatic skills until a copter-load of Joes come to the rescue. Watching from a hiding place nearby, Cobra munitions master [[Destro]] trains his wrist-rockets on the helicopter, but is stopped from firing by a shadow-shrouded figure—Cobra's ''true'' leader. This mysterious individual prefers to see Tomax and Xamot take the fall, leaving G.I. Joe to labor under the continued misconception that Cobra is still splintered and directionless following [[Cobra Commander]]'s death, unaware that the terrorist organization has greater goals in motion...

Some time later, in the classified city beneath which G.I. Joe's headquarters [[T.H.E. P.I.T.]] is located, [[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]] runs into [[Scarlett]] on the way to a briefing—though before they can attend, they have to shake off a street prophet handing out pamphlets about the "Face of Darkness", a large asteroid presently entering [[Earth]]'s [[Solar System]] that the prophet insists is actually a planet. This "asteroid" is actually the subject of the briefing: G.I. Joe has picked up transmissions emanating from the mysterious celestial body, which include the word "[[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]" and glyphs that the Joes recognize from their prior encounter with robotic lifeforms during the battle for Koh-Buru-Lah. Those robots had previously been misidentified as Cobra automatons, but now the Joes realize they were alien lifeforms! Mention of that mission and the disfiguring repercussions it had upon Snake Eyes appears to unnerve Scarlett, and she excuses herself, but not without some whispered words to General Flagg.

In response to the transmissions, the Joes lay out the welcome mat at the top secret [[Area Zero]] facility, where top brass and grunts alike watch as three alien craft descend from the sky. Three small robots disembark the lead craft, and [[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|General Hawk]] steps forward to address the [[Frenzy (G1)|most humanoid]] of their number, only to have the feline-form [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] respond; Hawk offers peace, and Ravage gladly accepts, but it soon becomes apparent that he has mistranslated the word peace as "surrender". Tensions are also growing in the skies above: unbeknownst to any present, Snake Eyes has arrived on a hang-glider, while Duke has recognized one of the other ships as [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], the same robot from their previous encounter, just as it changes shape to emulate a Joe [[Skystriker (vehicle)|Skystriker]]. Everything explodes when the unseen Snake Eyes shoots Hawk in the arm, triggering an outbreak of hostilities. The lead ship transforms, revealing itself to be [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]], who seizes Hawk, [[Lady Jaye]], and [[Flash (G.I. Joe)|Flash]] and imprisons them within his chest compartment, while all the other Joes fight their way past the aliens in order to clear the area for the activation of countermeasure protocol [[Coltonbolt]]—a blast from an orbital laser satellite array developed by G.I. Joe's founder, [[Joe Colton]]. Flash is able to slice a hole in Soundwave's chest with his laser rifle, allowing the three Joes to escape; confronted by Ravage on the ground, Hawk is surprised to find that his dull-edged tomahawk somehow manages to slice right through the cat-bot's skull. Duke swoops in aboard a [[Sky Hawk]] to airlift his companions to safety, but Soundwave gives chase, prompting Hawk to consider bailing and leading him back into Coltonbolt's kill zone. Before he can do so, however, Snake Eyes appears; though shocked to realize it was their old ally who shot at Hawk, the Joes don't complain when the ninja flies past them and, in an act of misguided revenge, hurls a bandoleer of grenades directly into Starscream's face, ravaging it as his was during his last encounter with the aliens. The Coltonbolt fires, and Soundwave, Ravage, Starscream, and [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] are caught in its blast radius as the Joes watch. Only [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] and [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] escape the ray, the latter airlifted to safety by the former, but the two small 'bots are soon swallowed up by a Cobra airship, and the new leader—the scarred [[Baroness]], having reinvented herself as the "Serpentress"—reveals herself and offers the aliens sanctuary.

Regrouping aboard the [[USS Flagg|USS ''Flagg'']], the Joes are acutely aware of the fact that the Cybertronians are likely to soon retaliate in greater numbers, and that the Coltonbolt trick will not work again. General Flagg sends a mesage to Scarlett, who has, in fact, departed with a team on a secret away mission aboard the Joe space shuttle ''[[Defiant (G.I. Joe)|Defiant]]'' to the mysterious approaching planetoid. They are no longer on a mission of exploration... now, their mission is the invasion of Cybertron!

==Featured characters==
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=

|c2=
*[[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (31)
*[[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] (32)
*[[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (33)
*[[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (36)
*[[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] (37)
*[[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (38)

|h3=[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]|c3=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Snake-Eyes|Snake Eyes]] (1)
*[[Timber]] (2)
*[[General Flagg]] (3)
*[[Gung-Ho]] (5)
*[[Stalker (G.I. Joe)|Stalker]] (9)
*[[Quick Kick]] (10)
*[[Dusty]] (11)
*[[Snow Job]] (12)
*[[Blowtorch]] (13)
*[[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]] (14)
*[[Flint (G.I. Joe)|Flint]] (15)
*[[Lady Jaye]] (16)
*[[Flash (G.I. Joe)|Flash]] (17)
*[[Beachhead|Beach Head]] (18)
*[[Roadblock (G.I. Joe)|Roadblock]] (19)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Bazooka (G.I. Joe)|Bazooka]] (20)
*[[Rock 'n Roll]] (21)
*[[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]] (22)
*[[Wild Bill]] (23)
*[[Jinx]] (24)
*[[Alpine]] (25)
*[[Scarlett]] (29)
*[[Spirit]] (30)
*[[Dial-Tone|Dial Tone]] (34)
*[[General Austin]] (35)
*[[Order]] (39)
*[[Law]] (40)
*[[Shipwreck]] (41)
*[[Mutt]] (42)
*[[Junkyard (G.I. Joe)|Junkyard]] (43)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Joe Colton]] (computer image, 44)
*? (45)
*[[Cover Girl]] (46)
*[[Steeler]] (47)
*[[Clutch (G.I. Joe)|Clutch]] (48)
*[[Breaker]]? (49)
*[[Deep Six]] (50)
*[[Recondo]] (51)
*[[Torpedo]] (52)
*[[Chuckles]] (53)
*[[Scoop (G.I. Joe)|Scoop]] (54)
*[[Barbecue]] (55)
*[[Hardtop (G.I. Joe)|Hardtop]] (56)
*[[Lift-Ticket (G.I. Joe)|Lift-Ticket]] (57)
{{!}}}
|h4=[[Cobra]]|c4=
*[[Tomax and Xamot|Tomax]] (4)
*[[Tomax and Xamot|Xamot]] (6)
*[[Crimson Guard]]smen (7)
*[[Cobra]] troopers (8)
*[[Destro]] (26)
*[[Baroness|Serpentress]] (27)
|h5=Others|c5=
*[[Soft Master|Street prophet]] (28)
}}

==Quotes==

"My mastery of '''your language''' is not quite perfect. There is 'peace' but there is another word--a better word--'surrender'. You offer us '''<nowiki>'</nowiki>surrender<nowiki>'</nowiki>'''." 
"'Surrender'? No. I said '''<nowiki>'</nowiki>peace<nowiki>'</nowiki>''' and I meant '''<nowiki>'</nowiki>peace<nowiki>'</nowiki>'''. G.I. Joe doesn't know the meaning of the word 'surrender'."
:—'''Ravage''' and '''Hawk'''

"Lady Jaye, every one of us, whether a general or a grunt, is a Joe... and G.I. Joe has always been a suicide mission. We die, so freedom can live."
:—'''Hawk'''

"I offered you peace, and you ran me over with your car."
:—'''Ravage'''

"Lin Chi said it best... 'If you meet Space Buddha, kill Space Buddha'."
:—'''General Flagg'''
==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*Though unnamed, it seems logical to conclude that Cobra's mysterious new bandaged leader, identified as the "Serpentress" in the post-story commentary, is the Baroness, who appeared to perish when the plane carrying her and Cobra Commander went down in issue #0. Later issues will present this as something to be taken at face value.

===Transformers references===
*The planet entering Earth's solar system is noted in a news ticker to be named "Face of Darkness", after the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]] multi-parter, "[[Five Faces of Darkness]]".
*Ravage is the first Transformer to speak in the series, in homage to his role as the first speaking Transformer in the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|original Marvel series]].

===G.I. Joe references===
*Cobra's manufactured town of Springfield was a fixture of the [[G.I. Joe (comic)|Marvel ''G.I. Joe'' series]]. The sign seen here includes the town's motto from the Marvel series ("A nice little town"), and the image of one of the Cobra's identical "Fred" Crimson Guardsmen, red pinstripe suit and all.
*Buildings seen in the classified city include the Arbco Tower ("Arbco" was one of Cobra's legitimate business façades in the Marvel series, its name being an anagram, of course), and one labelled "[[M.A.R.S.]]", Destro's Military Armaments Research Syndicate.
*Joe Colton also masterminded an orbital defense system in the original Marvel ''G.I. Joe'' series.
*The injuries Snake Eyes inflicts to Starscream's face, leaving him with a bulging "eye" and damage across mostly one half of his face seem to deliberately mirror Snake Eyes's own scars as they appeared in issue #93 of the original Marvel series.
*Colton is referred to as "a guy named Joe", a term used to describe him in issue #86 of the Marvel series, which was in turn a reference to the 1943 film ''{{w|A Guy Named Joe}}''.
*The Baroness's new alter ego is clearly inspired by [[Serpentor]].

===Jack Kirby references===
*Spirit here sports an uncharacteristic mohawk, in an apparent reference to the distinctive hairdo of Jack Kirby's {{w|OMAC (Buddy Blank)|OMAC}}.
*The image of a long-haired, heavily bearded Joe Colton in the flashback explaining the Colton Bolt is designed to look like Izaya the Highfather, a major character in Kirby's Fourth World mythos.

===Real-life references===
*The title of this issue comes from the English Christmas carol, "{{w|I Saw Three Ships}}". In-story, Dial-Tone likens the titular three ships (Starscream, Soundwave, and Shockwave) to the three ships of {{w|Christopher Columbus}}.
*General Flagg paraphrases {{w|Linji Yixuan|Lin Chi}}'s principle of iconoclasm, "If you meet a buddha, kill the buddha".

===Other notes===
*The regular cover of this issue is a composite homage to the cover of the [[The Transformers (issue)|first issue]] of the Marvel Transformers series (with Soundwave taking the place of Optimus Prime), and the first ''page'' of the first issue of the Marvel G.I. Joe series.
*As with issue #0, this issue's story is followed by a complete page-by-page commentary from Barber and Scioli.

===Covers (13)===
*'''Cover A:''' General Flagg tries to get a disinterested Snake Eyes into the fray as the Joes are assaulted by the Decepticons, by [[Tom Scioli]]
*'''Subscription cover:''' The Joes versus [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], by [[James Stokoe]]
*'''Cover RI:''' Snake Eyes, Duke, Scarlett, [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], by [[Rob Liefeld]] and [[Romulo Fajardo Jr.]]
*'''Convention exclusive cover:''' Black-and-white lineart version of Cover RI, available from IDW's booth at various conventions
*'''Special Order blank cover variant:''' A blank cover for sketches
<gallery>
File:TFvsJoe1_cvr.jpg
File:TFvsJoe1_subcvr.jpg
File:TFvsJoe1_cvrRI.jpg
File:TFvsJoe1_concvr.jpg
File:TFvsJoe1_blankcvr.jpg
</gallery>
*'''Yesteryear Comics exclusive cover 1:''' A rather stylized Optimus Prime by [[Jamie Tyndall]] and [[Ula Mos]], available exclusively from Yesteryear Comics
*'''Yesteryear Comics exclusive cover 2:''' A black-and-white lineart version of the regular Yesteryear exclusive
*'''Yesteryear Comics blanks variant cover:''' A blank wraparound cover for sketches
*'''Mile High Comics exclusive cover:''' Optimus Prime and Duke versus Megatron and Destro, by Tom Scioli, available exclusively from Mile High Comics
<gallery>
File:TFvsJoe1_cvrRE.jpg
File:TFvsJoe1_cvrRE2.jpg
File:TFvsJoe1_yyblankcvr.jpg
File:TFvsJoe1_milehighcvr.jpg
</gallery>
*'''Cover SDCC A:''' The Decepticons and the forces of Cobra outside the [[San Diego Comic-Con]] by Tom Scioli; available exclusively from Diamond's booth at SDDCC, connects to the second Diamond Previews exclusive cover
*'''Cover SDCC B:''' The Autobots and G.I. Joe outside the San Diego Comic Con by Tom Scioli; available exclusively from Diamond's booth at SDDCC, connects to the first Diamond Previews exclusive cover
*'''Cover SDCC RI:''' Wraparound cover combining Diamond's A and B covers, recolored with a blue backdrop; available exclusively from Diamond's booth at SDDCC
*'''Second printing cover:''' Wraparound cover of Megatron and Optimus Prime in battle using their [[energon mace]] and [[energon-axe|axe]] while Duke and Laserbeak fly around, and Snake Eyes accosts Cobra Commander's jet in the foreground, by Tom Sciloi
<gallery>
File:TFvsJoe1_sdccacvr.jpg
File:TFvsJoe1_sdccbcvr.jpg
File:TFvsJoe1_sdccRIcvr.jpg
File:TFvsJoe1_2ndptgcvr.jpg
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*IDW Micro Comic Fun Packs
*CGC
*IDW ''Transformers'' comics
*''[[G.I. Joe (comic)|G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero]]'' comics
*''[[Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark (console)|Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark]]''
*''Machi Koro'' (back cover)

==Reprints==
* '''''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''''' Volume 1 TPB
* '''''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe Quintessential Collection''''' Hardcover
* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 73: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Part 1'''''

<gallery>
File:IDW-TFvsJoeV1.jpg|'''Volume 1'''; cover art by [[Tom Scioli]]
File:IDW-TFvsJoeQC.jpg|'''''Quintessential Collection'''''; cover art by Scioli
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v73.jpg|'''''Definitive G1 Collection: Vol. 73: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Pt. 1'''''; cover art by [[Don Figueroa]] and Scioli
</gallery>

==External links==
*[http://www.newsarama.com/21621-idw-transformers-previews-july-23-vs-gi-joe-launches-windblade-s-first-mini-wraps-up.html Preview]

Transformers vs. G.I. Joe: The Movie Adaptation

2021-04-25T10:49:45Z

Shockwitwicky86: Adding reprint information.

{{Comicstory|seriesissue=[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe]]: The Movie Adaptation
|prev=The War Never Ends
|next=
|image=TFJoemovie_regcvr.jpg
|title=
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[March 22]], [[2017]]
|coverdate=March 2017
|written by=[[Tom Scioli]]
|art by=Tom Scioli
|colors by=Tom Scioli
|letters by=Tom Scioli
|production by=[[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[Carlos Guzman]]
|continuity=[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe]]
}}

'''From comic to movie to comic again, it's the story of the greatest film never made!'''

==Synopsis==

Long ago, in the ancient past, the [[Autobot]]s and [[Decepticon]]s came to [[Earth]] and were worshiped as gods. Viking warrior [[Aberneth the Hawk-Helmed]] fought alongside the Autobots in their war, armed with a warhammer made using their technology, but he was eventually slain by the man who would become [[Destro]], an evil warlord who "sold his soul" to the Decepticons in return for technology that made him immortal.

In the present day, Aberneth's warhammer rests in the hands of his descendant [[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]], one of the generals in charge of America's daring, highly-trained special mission force, [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]. Soon after the team welcomes new member [[Scarlett]] aboard, the metal planet of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] appears in the [[Solar System]], on a trajectory that takes it dangerously close to Earth. The Joes are deployed to the alien world to investigate, where they learn of the war between the two Cybertronian factions, and ally themselves with the Autobots. Unfortunately, the Decepticons gain human allies of their own in the Joes' enemies, the ruthless terrorist organization [[Cobra]].

Scarlett finds herself growing close to Autobot leader [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], but both are wounded in an enemy attack that sees Prime decapitated, his [[Matrix of Leadership]] stolen by Decepticon god-emperor [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]. Scarlett is captured and taken with Prime's severed head to the Decepticon city of [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], where brainwashing sessions carried out by [[Doctor Venom]] attempt to convince her that the existence of G.I. Joe and the Transformers is a delusion. Scarlett sees through the mind games, however, and manages to escape, rejoining the other Joes and Autobots. She undergoes [[binary bonding]] to link with Optimus's body and replace his lost head, and in this new form, leads the united heroes' charge against their enemies.

During the final battle, [[Snake-Eyes|Snake Eyes]] boards [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] and attempts to stab his pilot, [[Cobra Commander]], but is stopped by the Decepticon's arms, which emerge from his jet mode to grab the ninja's blade. Hawk claims vengeance for his ancestor by shattering the techno-gem medallion that sustains Destro, ending his life. The Scarlett-controlled Optimus then defeats Megatron in battle, resulting in a tense standoff between the now-leaderless two factions. Representatives from both sides recover Optimus Prime's head and reattach it to his body, restoring him to life and bringing the war to an end.

Cobra Commander almost slips away during the heroes' celebrations, but his parachute is snatched out of the air by [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]], and each of the Joes take a turn punching him as he dangles in front of them. [[Roadblock (G.I. Joe)|Roadblock]] socks the Commander so hard that his mask shatters, revealing a face that Snake Eyes is shocked to recognize... the face of his ''father!''

==Featured characters==
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] (1)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (2)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (15)
*[[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (16)
*[[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] (17)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (18)
*[[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] (32)
*[[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (43)
*[[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] (53)
*[[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] (56)

|c2=
*[[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (13)
*[[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] (14)
*[[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] (28)
*[[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (40)
*[[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (41)
*[[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] (42)
*[[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] (44)
*[[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (45)
*[[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] (46)
*[[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] (47)

|h3=[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]|c3=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Scarlett]] (5)
*[[Battle Android Trooper|B.A.T.s]] (6)
*[[Roadblock (G.I. Joe)|Roadblock]] (7)
*[[General Flagg]] (8)
*[[Snake-Eyes|Snake Eyes]] (9)
*[[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]] (10)
*[[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]] (11)
*[[Stalker (G.I. Joe)|Stalker]] (12)
*[[Bazooka (G.I. Joe)|Bazooka]] (29)
*[[Shipwreck]] (30)
*[[Flash (G.I. Joe)|Flash]] (31)
*[[Breaker]]? (33) 
*[[Snow Job]] (34)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Blowtorch]] (35)
*[[Deep Six]] (36)
*[[Clutch (G.I. Joe)|Clutch]]? (37) 
*[[Lady Jaye]] (38)
*[[Mutt]]? (39)
*? (48)
*? (49)
*[[Mainframe (G.I. Joe)|Mainframe]] (50)
*? (51)
*[[Falcon (G.I. Joe)|Falcon]] (52)
*[[Low Light]] (54)
*[[Beachhead]] (55)
{{!}}}

|h4=[[Cobra]]|c4=
*[[Destro]] (4)
*[[Doctor Venom]] (19)
*[[Baroness]] (20)
*[[Serpentor]] (21)
*[[Dreadnok|Torch]] (22)
*[[Cobra Commander]] (23)
*[[Zartan]] (24)
*[[Firefly]] (25)
*[[Major Bludd]] (26)
*[[Storm Shadow]] (27)

|h5=Others|c5=
*[[Aberneth the Hawk-Helmed]] (3)
*[[O. Ryan Paxton]] (56)
*[[Megatron (AI)|Megatron]] (57)
|}}

==Quotes==
'''Flagg:''' "A planet of giant killer robots. And you've all got a ticket to ride." 
'''Scarlett:''' "First class?" 
'''Duke:''' "Not this trip, princess. Joes are lucky to fly coach. Usually they stow us in boxes with the rest of the war toys."

"But is there a Cybertronian word for... love?"
:—'''Scarlett''' and Optimus Prime grow close

"As it was foretold... 'Autobot and Decepticon together will crown the king of the universe.' All are one."
:—'''Alpha Trion''' pops in to add some gravitas to the restoration of Optimus Prime

==Notes==
===The "adaptation"===
The high concept at work on this one-shot issue is: what if the preceding thirteen-issue series was adapted into a feature film, and then, that feature film received a comic book adaptation of its own? The answer is, you'd get the illustrated version of a [[Wikipedia]] summary, a breakneck highlight-reel style reinterpretation of the series storyline in which coherent narrative takes a back seat to unfiltered artistic id. Scioli conceived of this one-shot in 2014, not long after the series began, so it ends up offering a "sideways" look at the saga, based on early story concepts, many of which would wind up going in very different directions in the finished series, or abandoned outright. The end result is something that replicates the traditional feel of a movie adaptation—refiltered and reimagined as one might expect a film version to be, but cranked up to eleven by being ''massively'' compressed to fit into a single issue—while being pulled off in reverse. Geez, Tom.

In terms of the broad strokes of the plot, Cybertron arriving in Earth's solar system and the Joes to travelling to the planet is about all that remains from the series, with other large major plot-turns (such as Cobra Commander having his own, third [[Koh-Buru-Lah]] faction of reptiloids, Optimus Prime being lost between dimensions leaving [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] and [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] to fight over leadership, and the complex intertwined history of Earth, Cybertron, and the [[Quintesson]]s, including Cybertron transforming to consume the sun, only to be stopped by a [[Atlas (G1)|transformed Earth]]) all being absent. Notable points of "adaptation" include:

*In the series, it was Duke's ancestor, [[Thor FalkenHauser]], who owned the warhammer and fought alongside the gods, and it was merely kept safe by the bloodline of FalkenHasuer's ally Aberneth after FalkenHasuer's death. It was Duke who used the warhammer to kill Destro in the same way that Hawk does here.
*It is implied that, in contrast to the series, where he plundered their technology years after the war, Destro actively allied with the Decepticons in the war and fought Aberneth during it. Destro dies as in the series, his immortality ended by the destruction of his gemstone pendant, but in the series, that didn't quite seem to jibe with what the rest of the comic had shown, which indicated his longevity was a result of his being a partially-Cybertronian cyborg.
*The Joes use B.A.T.s for training. ''Joe'' lore normally depicts these robots as Cobra creations, but in the series, Doctor Venom was shown building some for Joe while he was in their custody.
*The Baroness has been scarred, leaving her face bandaged. The circumstances of her disfigurement are unrevealed, however; in the series, she is wounded in the plane crash that Snake Eyes causes when he stabs Cobra Commander, but that scene is reworked for this one-shot to occur later in the story, with Starscream taking the place of the jet and ''stopping'' Snake Eyes from stabbing the Commander. As such, she never becomes the "Serpentress," and Serpentor is shown to exist alongside the rest of Cobra, in contrast to the series, which presented him as being the Baroness and Cobra Commander's future child.
*Scarlett is still taken to Scorponok, the "city of madness," where Cobra attempts to convince her that her life has been a cartoon-inspired delusion, but it is Doctor Venom, rather than [[Doctor Mindbender]], who oversees her conditioning.
*Optimus Prime is not absent from Cybertron when the story begins as he was in the series, but is defeated by Megatron and has the Matrix stolen in the same attack that leads to Scarlett's capture.
*Optimus is the one to have his head severed and used as a prop as part of the Scorponok story, while in the series, it was Bumblebee.
*Scarlett still becomes a Headmaster, but where the series had her binary bond to Scorponok, here, she bonds with Optimus, taking the place of his lost head.
*Rather than a reptilian, Cobra Commander is simply depicted as being extremely scarred beneath his helmet in a manner that emulates the scaly skin seen in the series. His being Snake Eye's father is an entirely new plot point for this issue, intended as a movie-ending "cliffhanger" that sets up a sequel.

===G.I. Joe references===
*The "narration captions" for the scene of the Joes arriving on Cybertron take the form of a letter Snake Eyes writes. This was a narrative conceit occasionally employed in the classic ''Joe'' Marvel comic book, first seen in issue #4, and later used in issue-long format to bring the series to a close with #155. Scioli notes in the commentary how he emulated the "exquisite handwriting and sensitive writing style" Snake displayed in those stories.
*Major Bludd remarks that the Decepticons have given him the "gift of might" while gesturing with his right arm, alluding to said limb's occasional depiction as a cybernetic prosthesis in various pieces of ''Joe'' media.

===Real-life references===
*"I'll form the head!" declares Scarlett as she bonds with Optimus, quoting the famous catchphrase from ''{{w|Voltron}}''.
*The image of O. Ryan Paxton in costume mirrors a [[wikia:starwars:File:AnthonyDanielsisastandupguy.jpg|famous image]] of Anthony Daniels as [[C-3PO]] between scenes on the set of ''[[Star Wars (film)|Star Wars]]''.

===Credits references===
The last page of the story is the "credits" of the film, listing the cast and the "actors" who played them. The names of the "Joe" actors are the ''real'' names of the characters (for example, "Scarlett" is played by "Shana O'Hara," while "Snake Eyes" is played by "Francis Witwicky," which was the real name the final issue of the series gave to Snake), but there's a few other references hidden in there:
*Optimus Prime was played by "[[O. Ryan Paxton]]," a reference to "Orion Pax," Optimus's pre-Prime name as originated by the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]] episode "[[War Dawn (episode)|War Dawn]]."
*Wheeljack was played by "Al Italia," a reference to Italian airline {{w|Alitalia}}, whose sponsorship logo appears on the original Wheeljack toy (rendered as "Alitalla").
*Starscream was played by "McDonnell Douglas," which is the name of the {{w|McDonnell Douglas|aerospace company}} that manufactured the F-15 Eagle jet, Starscream's classic alternate mode.
*Cobra Commander was played by "William Witwicky." The Commander has never had a known real name in traditional ''Joe'' media, so there's nothing to draw upon here; "William Witwicky" is, in fact, the real name of [[Sparkplug Witwicky]] (the [[The Last Stand|first]] of several he would be given over time), as both an allusion to his being Snake Eyes's father, and to voice actor [[Chris Latta]], who performed both the Commander and Sparkplug in the classic ''Joe'' and ''Transformers'' cartoons.
*And lastly, Bumblebee was played by "B.B. Goldbug," alluding to 'Bee's upgraded [[Throttlebot]] form.

===Backmatter===
In the style of classic 1970s and 80s comic book adaptations of films, the issue contains several pieces of backmatter that take the form of "articles" about the making of the fictitious movie. These include:
*"Interview with: Scarlett/Shana O'Hara," in which rumors of the actress's on-set fling with Conrad Hauser (the actor playing Duke), and the potential Oscar nomination Francis Witwicky may receive for his portrayal of Snake Eyes, are discussed.
*"More Than Real: The Special Effects of Transformers vs. G.I. Joe," in which director Tom Scioli talks about how the majority of the effects in the film have been produced with as little digital imagery as possible, instead using practical sets and actors in robot costumes.
*"The Man Who Would Be Autobot King: Interview With Actor O. Ryan Paxton," in which the actor recounts his familiarity with Optimus from watching [[Transformers: Rescue Bots (cartoon)|''Rescue Bots'']] with his grandchildren, calls the role the "most challenging of his career," and reveals that Megatron is credited as "himself" in the film because the "actor" is actually a real, working artificial intelligence.

The fourth wall is finally broken for the remaining features, which include the traditional issue-long commentary from Scioli, and his complete thumbnail layouts for all twenty pages. A small gallery of Scioli art rounds out the extras, including a pin-up of Cobra Commander riding [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]], the original sketch for the cover of [[The Golden Boys|issue #0]], and some early promotional art for the series.

==="Errors"===
As usual, it's hard to tell whether what seem to be errors in the artwork are genuine mistakes, or done deliberately as part of the retro-styling. Such instances include:
*Megatron's cannon is on his right arm, as is traditional, on page 13, but on his left in the rest of the story.
*On page 16, Ratchet is colored all-red, making him look like his mold-mate [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]].

===Actual errors===
The interviews in the backmatter feature a few typographical errors:
*Director Scioli misspells "possible" as "posible".
*Scioli's interviewer asks, "Is this a return to rubber-suited, bug-eyed monsters." with a period instead of a question mark.
*O. Ryan Paxton misspells "artificial" as "arttificial".

===Other notes===
*Though not referred to as such in any promotional material, on the regular cover, or in the indicia, the variant covers for this issue all identify it as an "Annual," though it's only half-as-long as, and several dollars cheaper than, the other Hasbroverse Annuals released by IDW in early 2017.
*While previous issues were predominantly lettered digitally, this issue is lettered by hand by Scioli.

===Covers (4)===
*'''Standard cover:''' The movie poster, by Tom Scioli.
*'''Subscription cover:''' Heroes and villains, by [[Robb Waters]].
*'''AOD Collectables exclusive cover:''' Jazz by [[Hal Laren]]. Available exclusively from [http://www.ebay.ca/usr/aod_collectables AOD Collectables].
*'''IDW Convention exclusive cover:''' Optimus Prime and Snake Eyes, by Tom Scioli. Available exclusively from the IDW booth at various 2017 conventions.
<gallery>
File:TFJoemovie_regcvr.jpg
File:TFJoemovie_subcvr.jpg
File:TFJoemovie_AODcvr.jpg
File:TFJoemovie_concvr.jpg
</gallery>

===Advertisments===
*''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe: The Quintessential Edition'' hardback collection of the entire series
*IDW at the NC Comicon

==Reprints==
* '''''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe Quintessential Collection''''' Hardcover

<gallery>
File:IDW-TFvsJoeQC.jpg|'''''Quintessential Collection'''''; cover art by Scioli
</gallery>

==External links==
*[http://www.newsarama.com/33629-the-greatest-movie-never-made-premieres-in-transformers-vs-g-i-joe-the-movie-adaptation.html Preview]

[[Category:Transformers vs. G.I. Joe issues]]

The War Never Ends

2021-04-25T10:49:05Z

Shockwitwicky86: Adding reprint information.

{{Comicstory|series=tfvsjoe
|issueno=13
|prev=Transformers vs. G.I. Joe issue 12
|next=Transformers vs. G.I. Joe: The Movie Adaptation
|image=TFvsJoe13_regcvr.jpg
|title="The War Never Ends"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[June 29]], [[2016]]
|coverdate=June 2016
|written by=[[Tom Scioli]] and [[John Barber]]
|art by=Tom Scioli
|colors by=Tom Scioli
|letters by=Tom Scioli
|production by=[[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[Carlos Guzman]]
|continuity=[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe]]
}}

'''There's only one 'bot who can stop Megatron's mad plan to have Primus consume the Sun. It all ends here... but will anyone be left standing when it's all over?'''

==Synopsis==
As battle rages around him, [[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]] hitches a ride on [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]'s jet mode in order to reach the top of [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s head, where [[Destro]] stands with [[Doctor Venom]]. As Destro and Hawk trade blows, the arms dealer is shocked to recognize the Joe's lucky tomahawk as the warhammer of the Viking [[Thor FalkenHauser]], who Destro slew in his youth. Suddenly, both combatants are simultaneously felled—Destro by a javelin hurled by [[Lady Jaye]], Hawk by the [[Baroness|Serpentress]]'s snake-staff. Doctor Venom wrenches the javelin from Destro's wound, and the masked man reaches for the tomahawk to finish the injured general off, only to be stymied when [[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]] swoops down on his jetpack and snatches the weapon away. What neither man realizes is that the tomahawk is actually [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertronian]] technology given to Duke's Viking ancestor in ages past... and now that it is back in the hands of the FalkenHauser bloodline, its true power is unleashed! Duke brings the weapon crashing down on the gem that hangs around Destro's neck, and as the gem shatters, Destro perishes, his body reduced to a smoking corpse. The gun in Destro's hand—a gift given to him by Megatron—reveals itself to be a [[Mini-Megatron|tiny Decepticon]] when it transforms and attacks Duke, but the Joe sergeant ends it threat by simply crushing it beneath his booted heel. Duke rushes to Hawk's aid, but finds the general is beyond saving; the fresh wound has agitated the injury he took on the day the [[Decepticon]]s arrived on [[Earth]]. Duke blames [[Snake-Eyes]] for originally wounding Hawk, but Hawk now reveals that [[Storm Shadow]] was the one responsible—the shot Snake-Eyes fired had been to throw off his ninja brother's aim, preventing his attack from being a fatal one and saving Hawk's life. Ever since then, Snake-Eyes has been acting as Hawk's deep-cover agent within [[Cobra]]. Hawk dies in Duke's arms, much to Doctor Venom's amusement; the furious Duke shoves a live grenade in the doctor's mouth, killing him.

Super-charged by the energy of the [[Sun]] that [[Primus]] is in the process of draining, Megatron combines the energies of his [[black hole]] heart with the [[Matrix of Leadership]], seizing control of all the [[Autobot]]s' bodies and drawing them in, combining them with his own and turning himself into "Mega-Megatron." The Joes are unwilling to hurt their friends by pressing their attack, and things seem to go from bad to worse when the Decepticon flagship ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'' appears in the sky. However, the vessel is revealed to have been captured by [[Shipwreck]] and [[Polly]], who crash it into Megatron, scattering the Autobots free! Further, the fact that Shipwreck—last seen on Earth—still lives portends a joyous revelation: through clouds of space dust that have obscured it until now, the Earth comes into view! Though a new continent has been gouged into the planet's surface by its collision with Cybertron, the Joes' homeworld is still in one piece, and a radio transmission from the Joes on Earth soon informs them that the "Atlas Protocol" has been initiated...

''Having lost contact with Cybertron, the remaining Joes on Earth open the ancient, sealed envelope kept on file "in case of Armageddon." Within, they find a set of co-ordinates, which [[Flint (G.I. Joe)|Flint]] follows to a hidden bunker in the South American jungle, where he finds the body of G.I. Joe founder [[Joe Colton]] preserved in suspended animation. Once awakened from his cold sleep, Colton instructs Flint to take him back to [[T.H.E. P.I.T.]], where he reveals the existence of a second secret facility hidden even ''further'' below the already-underground base. Instructing the Joes to don ceremonial helmets cast in the shape of the Autobot symbol, Colton leads them down into the depths... where an impossibly huge cybernetic eyeball watches their arrival...''

When [[Cobra Commander]]'s cowl is snatched away by one of the [[U.S.7]] animals, he calls for someone to bring him a replacement. Snake-Eyes takes this as his cue to appear, bowing before the commander and offering him his original helmet and faceplate, which the ninja has kept since their last encounter. The moment is interrupted by the arrival of [[Billy (G.I. Joe)|Billy]]—his lost human limbs replaced with reptilian equivalents courtesy of [[Koh-Buru-Lah (creature)|Koh-Buru-Lah]]—and Storm Shadow, who is determined to settle his score with Snake Eyes. As Billy and his father duel, the two ninjas engage in a short battle of their own, which ends when Snake-Eyes stabs Storm Shadow in the chest. The white-clad ninja congratulates Snake-Eyes on his victory, then passes away in peace. Billy is distracted by his teacher's death and finds himself surrounded by Cobra Commander and his retinue... but just then, Snake-Eyes reveals his final trick, remotely triggering the anti-tamper mechanism built into the commander's helmet. The commander shrieks and tries to pull the helmet off, but too late: the plastic explosive lining his headgear detonates, killing the commander and all those around him.

The frenzied pace of the battle does not slow down, as suddenly, the legendary Autobot "god of death" [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] comes crashing through Primus's eye, and challenges Megatron to face him in a one-on-one confrontation on the Sun. Megatron, eager to slay all old gods that he might take their place in his new age, accepts, and the pair relocate to the mechanical surface of the Dyson sphere that Primus has surrounded the star with to drain its energy. There, Magnus snatches the Matrix from Megatron's chest, but when Megatron mockingly inquires if Magnus thinks that reclaiming the talisman will make him king, Magnus replies that he is no king, but rather a placeholder for the ''true'' ruler. At that point, Magnus's armor opens, and from within his body... his physical form restored, and his spirit recovered from the afterlife by [[Scarlett]] using the [[Brainwave Scanner]]... [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] emerges! With one mighty punch, the reborn Optimus sends Megatron hurtling over the edge of an aperture in the sphere, tumbling into the heart of the sun, the Matrix falling with him. Starscream appears to reach out to save his leader... but in actuality, the treacherous air commander is reaching for the ''Matrix'' instead, grabbing it as Megatron disappears into the solar inferno.

A giant game of "hot potato" ensues, as [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] snatches the Matrix from Starscream's grasp, and the Joes, Autobots, Cobras, and Decepticons all engage in a mad scramble to recover it. Finally, it is snagged by [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], who returns it to Optimus Prime... but this is not the victory it appears to be, as Prime soon discovers that even with the Matrix, he cannot stop the hunger-maddened Primus's consumption of the Sun. Fortunately, [[General Flagg]] has the answer, and sends word to Colton on Earth to put the final step of the Atlas Protocol into action. As all assembled watch in awe, the Earth itself ''transforms'' into the giant robot [[Atlas (G1)|Atlas]], lost sibling of Primus, and punches its brother-planet square in the face, shattering the Dyson sphere and saving the Sun. With the danger over, Snake-Eyes makes one final request of Optimus Prime, petitioning the Autobot leader to heal his scarred features. At the touch of Optimus's thumb, Snake-Eyes's face is repaired, and he and Scarlett embrace, ready to move on to the next stage of their lives together.

The Joes return to Earth to celebrate their victory in "Space War I," where Hawk is buried with honors, and Flagg is given the death sentence for his war crimes, only to be spared by Presidential pardon at the last minute. Scarlett and Snake-Eyes retire to live on Earth's new continent, which becomes home to [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] and all those who live within him. [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] and [[Cover Girl]] get married and use a combination of techno-organic technologies to conceive a child. Billy—representing the perfect fusion of man, machine, reptile, Joe, Cobra, and Arashikage—takes up the mantle of both Snake-Eyes ''and'' Cobra Commander, assuming control of his father's organization as a force for good and using it to colonize and terraform [[Mars (planet)|Mars]]. The pregnant Serpentress—now the Baroness once more—retreats to the planet [[Venus (planet)|Venus]] to await the birth of her and the deceased commander's prophesied [[Serpentor|child]]. Megatron, trapped in the burning core of the sun, tries to use his black hole heart to teleport himself into another universe; his charred remains are deposited in a world of magic and rainbows, where they are found by a group of [[My Little Pony|little ponies]]. Under Optimus Prime's direction, Primus/Cybertron is set on course to return to its original orbit, and once it has left Earth's [[Solar System]], Prime departs on the ''[[Ark II|Ark 2]]'' with a hand-picked crew of Joes and Autobots on a mission to track down the [[Quintesson|Makers]], creators of all life in the universe. Appointed king once more and now ready to face the role, [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]] is left to rule Cybertron in Optimus's stead.

Some time later, as the Joes get back to normal life, Duke and [[Roadblock (G.I. Joe)|Roadblock]] see Roadblock's two daughters off on their first day of school. Just before the school bus drives away, however, Roadblock notices something odd about the driver... it's [[Dreadnok|Buzzer]]! Snatching his girls to safety just before the bus reveals itself to be [[Bus Decepticon|a Decepticon]], Roadblock and Duke open fire on the Dreadnok and his robotic ally, realizing that the war never truly ends, and that they must ''always'' be vigilant for robots in disguise!

[['Til all are one]]!

==Featured characters==
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (14)
*[[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] (16)
*[[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] (23)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]] (24)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (25)
*[[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (26)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (31)
*[[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] (32)
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (56)
*[[Springer (G1)|Springer]] (57)
*[[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (58)
*[[Kup (G1)|Kup]] (63)
*[[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] (64)
*[[Primon]] (73)
*[[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] (74)
*[[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] (75)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (87)
*[[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] (90)
*[[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] (91)

|c2=
*[[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (1)
*[[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (5)
*[[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (11)
*[[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (12)
*[[Mini-Megatron]] (19)
*''[[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]]'' (20)
*''[[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]]'' (21)
*[[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] (33)
*[[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (65)
*[[Bus Decepticon]] (92)

|h3=[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]|c3=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]] (2)
*[[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]] (3)
*[[Snake-Eyes]] (4)
*[[Jinx]] (6)
*[[Alpine]] (7)
*[[Wild Bill]] (8)
*[[Lady Jaye]] (15)
*[[Flash (G.I. Joe)|Flash]] (17)
*? (27)
*[[Blowtorch]] (28)
*[[Stalker (G.I. Joe)|Stalker]] (29)
*[[Scarlett|Scarlett/Zkarlett]] (30)
*[[Shipwreck]] (34)
*[[Polly|Polly/Seasick]] (35)
*[[Footloose]] (36)
*[[Dial-Tone]] (37)
*[[Flint (G.I. Joe)|Flint]] (38)
*[[Spirit]] (39)
*[[Ghostrider]] (40)
*[[Joe Colton]] (41)
*[[Law]] (42)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Order]] (43)
*[[Ripcord]] (44)
*[[Bazooka (G.I. Joe)|Bazooka]] (48)
*[[Gung-Ho]] (59)
*[[Roadblock (G.I. Joe)|Roadblock]] (60)
*[[Mutt (G.I. Joe)|Mutt]] (61)
*[[Junkyard (G.I. Joe)|Junkyard]] (62)
*[[Rock 'n Roll]] (66)
*[[Snow Job]] (67)
*[[Freedom]] (68)
*[[Deep Six]] (71)
*[[General Flagg]] (72)
*[[Falcon (G.I. Joe)|Falcon]] (76)
*[[Tripwire (G.I. Joe)|Tripwire]] (78)
*[[Mainframe (G.I. Joe)|Mainframe]]? (79)
*[[Sandstorm (G.I. Joe)|Sandstorm]] (84)
*[[Clyde (G.I. Joe)|Clyde]] (85)
*[[Max (G.I. Joe)|Max]] (86)
*[[Cover Girl]] (88)
*[[Quick Kick]] (89)
{{!}}}

|h4=[[Cobra]]|c4=
*[[Destro]] (9)
*[[Doctor Venom]] (10)
*[[Baroness|Serpentress/Baroness]] (13)
*[[Storm Shadow]] (22)
*[[Cobra Commander]] (45)
*[[Tomax and Xamot]] (46, 54)
*[[Firefly]] (47)
*[[Major Bludd]] (53)
*[[Nemesis Enforcer]] (69)
*[[Raptor (Cobra)|Raptor]] (70)
*[[Dreadnok|Buzzer]] (93)

|h5=Others|c5=
*''[[Thor FalkenHauser]]'' (18)
*[[Billy (G.I. Joe)|Billy]] (49)
*[[Blind Master]] (50)
*[[Soft Master]] (51)
*[[Hard Master]] (52)
*[[Primus]] (55)
*[[Atlas (G1)|Atlas]] (77)
*Roadblock's daughters (94-95)
*[[Moondancer]] (80)
*[[Rarity]] (81)
*[[Twilight Sparkle]] (82)
*[[Lyra Heartstrings]] (83)

|}}

==Quotes==
"I've lived through '''many''' cataclysms, but as long as someone needs a '''gun''', there will always be a place for '''Destro'''."
:—'''Destro'''

"That was a '''beautiful''' stroke. Fighting you was an honor. All these years we were better served as '''enemies''' than as '''friends.''' Steel sharpens steel, as the Hard Master taught us. You made me better, as I hope I did the same for you. If the karmic cycle demands that I die four thousand times, I hope all of those deaths shall be at your hand."
:—'''Storm Shadow's''' dying words to Snake-Eyes

"Don't you realize, Billy? Daddy '''always''' wins. The secret of my success is simple. It's all in my '''manifesto.''' My secret is that I '''cheat.''' If you '''break''' the rules, you '''make''' the rules."
:—'''Cobra Commander'''

"'''Starscream''' is here for you! I've '''got''' you!" 
"Loyal Starscream... I '''knew''' I could count on you. You've served me well." 
"I was talking to the Matrix." 
''KICK!''
:—'''Starscream''' and '''Megatron'''

'''Falcon:''' "If GoBot Jesus can't do it, how can '''we''' stop Primus?" 
'''Bazooka:''' "Got any '''ideas''', General?" 
'''Flagg:''' "Don't worry. Joe's got this one covered." 
''(beat)'' 
'''Flagg:''' "Right, Joe?" 
'''Colton:''' "'''Right,''' Larry."

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*Wild Bill's skin and clothes are all a bleached-white color following his return from the dead last issue. On the surface this creates a kind of spectral, "ghostly" look to go along with his resurrected status, plus he's clearly displaying inhuman powers, able to project a lasso and shoot six-gun style from his index fingers. Tom Sciloi notes in the issue's commentary that he's been transformed into a "superhuman man-machine hybrid," in-keeping with the overarching themes of this series.
*Destro recognizes Hawk's "tomahawk" as the warhammer of Thor FalkenHauser, Viking ancestor of Duke, who he encountered when he was still a youth back in [[Stick To Your Guns|issue #9]]. The hammer has been in the care of Hawk's bloodline since Destro killed FalkenHauser and [[Aberneth the Hawk-Helmed|Hawk's ancestor]] picked it up. The tomahawk is revealed to actually be Cybertronian technology, explaining how it so easily cleaved Ravage's head open all the way back in [[I Saw Three Ships|issue #1]].
*The narration tells us that FalkenHauser was given his warhammer "for his role in a long-forgotten war of the worlds," which—taken together with the revelation about Earth's true nature from this issue—shows that Destro was ''far'' from the first human to gain access to Cybertronians and their technology. As indicated by the presence of the warhammer's symbol on the walls of the secret passage below the Pit, the Vikings were an earlier (the earliest?) incarnation of a secret society entrusted with guarding the secret of the planet, which G.I. Joe is just the newest incarnation of. The Vikings were previously shown to have a connection to Cybertron in a flashback in [[Everybody Hates Metroplex|issue #5]] (set after issue #9), in which Aberneth was shown captaining a longboat with Autobot symbols on the sails, rowed by men wearing Autobot masks. These masks appear again this issue, when Joe Colton has the Joes don them to awaken Atlas, indicating they are the society's "ceremonial garb" of sorts.
*Duke mentions that "the scum who killed [his] daddy used a Destro gun;" we learned about his father's death by gunshot in [[Escape from Primus|issue #11]].
*Megatron gave Destro "a gift" in [[Funeral for a Friend|issue #3]], which turned out to be a Cybertronian gun in issue #5. This issue, we find out the gun was a Transformer itself, "Mini-Megatron," explained by his "filecard" to be an Autobot-created anti-Megatron propaganda tool that Megatron co-opted.
*Hawk dies when the Serpentress agitates the wound he took in issue #1. We saw Storm Shadow try to finish his failed assassination attempt by attacking Hawk up close and personal in issue #5.
*Scarlett was previously subjected to the Brainwave Scanner in [[Headmasters (issue)|issue #7]]. Among the many haunting experiences she subsequently endured in that issue was hearing the ghostly voices of the many dead [[Nebulan]]s on whose back [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] was built; she subjects herself to the scanner again so that she can once more make contact with "the other side," as it were, and thus lead Optimus's spirit home.
*Scarlett mentions that Optimus helped her when she was "at her lowest." This must refer to events that occurred off-panel between issues #7 and [[Pax Megatronus|#8]], as Scarlett shed the rage that drove her and took control of Scorponok.
*Scarlett gave Snake-Eyes Cobra Commander's old helmet, recovered from the wreckage of the plane he went down in, in [[The Golden Boys|issue #0]].
*Billy's remaining organic arm and leg were torn off by Koh-Buru-Lah in issue #8, but he was revealed to still be alive, held within the creature's body, in [[Earth: R.I.P.|issue #10]]. We see this issue that the beast regenerated his limbs as reptilian counterparts.
*Ultra Magnus was last seen taking possession of Optimus Prime's dead body in issue #10. With this issue, we learn he is not some mythical ferryman of the dead; rather, he was taking the body to repair it (see "Transformers references," below).
*It was suggested that Earth, like Cybertron, might also have been a creation of the legendary [[Daiakuron]] in issue #10, and with this issue, we get our answer: yep!!
*Cobra Commander was granted dominion over Mars by Megatron last issue, which Billy now inherits.
*The Baroness is pregnant with the child who will grow up to become Serpentor, following her passionate encounter with Cobra Commander last issue.
*Brawn and Cover Girl's child is conceived using "a combination of [[binary bonding]], [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] and [[technoactive cube|technoactive core]] technology." In this series, binary-bonding was previously featured as the means by which Doctor Venom turned himself into Soundwave's head, and was also used to describe [[Zarak (G1)|Zarak]] and Scarlett's Headmaster bond to Scorponok, so why those would be listed as different things, eh, who knows. Technoactive technology, meanwhile, was the means used by Perceptor to bring Wild Bill back from the dead, apparently an outgrowth of the Decepticons' "[[Pretender|people-growing]]" experiments.
*General Flagg's war crimes include murdering the [[Jugglers]] in [[Expelled from the Garden|issue #6]].
*Buzzer appeared in die in issue #3, shot through the head by Doctor Venom; the way he is shown to reconfigure his arms into a gun and his signature chainsaw here indicate his resurrection owes something to Cybertronian technology. His unnamed bus Decepticon partner, meanwhile, appeared before in issue #6.

===Transformers references===
*Megatron's "Mega-Megatron" form is styled after the jagged, many-faceted look of [[Megatron (Movie)|the live-action movie Megatron]], and his pose in his introductory panel is based on one of the promotional CGI renders of Megatron released for the [[Transformers (film)|first film]]. John Barber notes in the commentary the similarity of his combining all the Autobots with the [[Deceptigod]] from IDW's [[The Transformers (IDW)|2009-2011 ongoing comic book]], but it's just coincidence.
*The ''Nemesis'' is drawn just as it appeared in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]].
*The montage of Megatron artwork from the original [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel comic]] on page 18 includes: Megatron standing against the army's firepower from [[The Last Stand|issue #4]]; Megatron issuing orders to the Decepticons from [[Power Play!|issue #2]]; splintered reflections of Megatron's face from the cover of [[A Savage Circle|issue #78]], and Megatron turning on Galvatron with "raw, naked aggression" from the issue's interior, Megatron under attack from the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]] from the cover of [[Gone but Not Forgotten!|issue #25]], and swearing Optimus Prime will die by his hand from the issue's interior; and Megatron being blasted by Cobra from [[Realignments|''G.I. Joe'' #139]].
*Ultra Magnus crashes through Primus's eye in homage to the way the Autobots burst through [[Unicron]]'s eye in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''. On the same page, Springer, Arcee, Ultra Magnus, and Kup recreate the poster for the movie, with Wreck-Gar standing in for Blurr.
*Magnus has repaired Optimus Prime's body by taking it into himself, in homage to the original Ultra Magnus toy, which featured a white Optimus Prime redeco as a cab and "inner robot." As the reborn Prime (now bleached white, of course, like Wild Bill!) emerges, a caption declares "THE RETURN OF OPTIMUS PRIME," re-using the name of the [[The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 1|Generation 1 cartoon episode]] in which Prime was resurrected from his death in the movie, and in which he is also colored white (or light gray, at least) after being coated with an experimental alloy.
*The narration promises that Megatron will eventually return as [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], though as it turns out, it's not [[Unicron|Uni''cron'']] he is found by, but some uni''corns''...
*The plaque on General Hawk's statue reads "[[Pax Cybertronia]]," a reference to the peace accord from the [[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|''Beast Wars'' cartoon]].
*Snake-Eyes is given a real name for the first time in ''Joe'' history: Francis [[Witwicky]].
*The Ark 2's destination is [[Quadrant X]], a region space featured in the Generation 1 cartoon episode "[[The Face of the Nijika]]." In the cartoon, the Quintessons were known to be active in the area, hence its use here as the crew's first port of call in search of answers about the Makers.
*The post-war era is referred to as "Transformers ♡ G.I. Joe: [[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]]".

===G.I. Joe references===
*The standard cover for this final issue appears to reference the cover to the final Marvel issue of ''[[G.I. Joe (comic)|G.I. Joe]]'' (#155) in which Stalker and Duke are folding the American flag.
*As Hawk and Destro battle, the first panel on page 4 is an homage to the pair's first meeting from issue #26 of the original Marvel ''G.I. Joe'' comic, and the classic panel is included as a background image.
*Hawk dies when the Serpentress impales him with her snake-staff, an homage to Duke's (would-be) death from ''G.I. Joe: The Movie'', in which [[Serpentor]] stabbed him with one of his snakes.
*As he dies, Hawk tells Duke to let Flagg know: "I win. I'm the Joe general who died a hero's death. I'm the one who gets a statue."—a grim riff on General Flagg's own martyr complex and eagerness for glory in death from the Marvel ''Joe'' series, in which he perished. Two full, silent pages from issue #22 of the Marvel series, depicting Flagg's funeral at Arlington, are re-used wholesale for this issue to represent Hawk's funeral, with Scioli noting in the commentary that he re-used them because he knew he couldn't top them.
*Doctor Venom's death hearkens back to his time in the Marvel ''Joe'' comic, in which the Inuit mercenary Kwinn threatened to shove a grenade in his mouth. Duke follows through!
*The country in which Colton's bunker is buried is not specified, but the appearance of a tribe who lead Flint there suggest an answer: these are the Tucaro Indians, native people of [[Sierra Gordo]], one of numerous fictional countries invented for the Marvel comic book.
*The concept of a secret Pit beneath the Pit, containing a gigantic alien eyeball, is lifted not from any classic ''Joe'' media, but from IDW's own continuation of the Marvel series!
*The "stairway to heaven" that Storm Shadow ascends as he dies is the repeating Arashikage hexagram, the tattoo of their ninja clan that both he and Snake-Eyes wear. Three silhouettes are seen waiting for him at the top, the [[Hard Master]], [[Soft Master]], and [[Blind Master]].
*Cobra Commander's helmet being lined with plastic explosive as a sacrificial anti-tamper precaution originates with issues #24 of the Marvel comic, a panel from which is re-used by way of explanation.
*When General Flagg finally takes off his aviator sunglasses and hat, he is revealed to look like [[Larry Hama]], principal creator of the ''G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero'' comic and characters. Colton even says that "Larry" is Flagg's real name!
*Like the Pit-under-the-Pit idea, the notion of someone else taking on the identity of Snake-Eyes also originates from IDW's continuation of the Marvel series, though in that book, it was a different ''Joe'' character named Throwdown.
*Roadblock having two daughters is taken from the live-action movie, ''{{w|G.I. Joe: Retaliation}}'', as is his close civilian friendship with Duke.
*The final page of the issue includes a panel of Duke and Roadblock's side-by-side introduction from issue #22 of the Marvel comic.

===Jack Kirby references===
*The visual of Megatron and Ultra Magnus battling on the surface of the Dyson sphere that surrounds the Sun is deliberately evocative of the planet {{w|Apokolips}} from Jack Kirby's DC Comics ''{{w|Fourth World (comics)|Fourth World}}'' series, complete with gouts of flame shooting up through apertures in the sphere like the planet's famous flame pits. Completing the reference, Megatron rages about becoming the {{w|New Gods|new god}} of the universe.
*When Optimus heals Snake-Eyes's face, it at first looks as if he is refusing when he offers a "thumbs-down" gesture in response to Snake-Eyes's request, only to then touch Snake's face with said thumb, emblazoned with a glowing tech-pattern. This is a reference to Arishem of the Celestials, from Kirby's Marvel series ''The Eternals'', the godlike alien being charged with deciding if the Earth was worthy of survival. If he decided it was not, he would offer a thumbs-down gesture, releasing the formula inscribed on his thumb that would end the world.
*Of all of Jupiter's 63 moons, the fact that Metroplex settles on Europa is almost certainly a reference to ''{{w|2001: A Space Odyssey}}'', which featured the moon as a key element of its story, and which Kirby produced a comic book adaptation of for Marvel.

===Real-life references===
*On Scioli's subscription cover, Snake-Eyes recreates the famous pose struck by [[Spider-Man]] on the cover of 1964's ''Amazing Spider-Man'' #19.
*Atlas is named for obvious reasons. Optimus Prime notes he is also known as "Terra," the Latin name for Earth, and in a Cybertronian document called the "[[Laser Scrolls]]," he is named "Pangaiden," a dual reference to {{w|Pangea}} (the ancient supercontinent that once encompassed all the land mass of Earth), and the Japanese word "{{w|gaiden}} (外伝) meaning "side story" or "tale."
*Megatron, of course, winds up in the world of ''[[My Little Pony]]'', described as a realm in which "magic is science, and friendship is magic," in reference to the subtitle of the 2010 reinvention of the brand. All four ponies who find his body are recognizable as "real" characters, from right to left: [[Moondancer]], who licks his charred remains; [[Rarity]] from ''My Little Pony''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> third generation; ''Friendship Is Magic'' protagonist [[Twilight Sparkle]]; and ''Friendship Is Magic'' background character [[Lyra Heartstrings]]. All four are "unicorn" ponies, playing into the narration's pun mentioned above. Given this hodgepodge of eras, the ponies have G1-style character designs.
*Page 38, in which Scarlett and Snake-Eyes receive their invitation to Brawn and Cover Girl's wedding, is modelled after the final page of 1982's ''Wolverine'' #4, in which the [[X-Men]] receive their invitation to [[Wolverine (Marvel)|Wolverine]]'s wedding. Cover Girl and Wolverine have both hand-written the same note on the invites: "Don't forget the beers!"

===Errors===
*A ''lot'' of loose ends get tied up this issue, but one glaring omission is what becomes of [[Koh-Buru-Lah (creature)|Koh-Buru-Lah]]. Last seen floating right next to Megatron in the last few pages of the previous issue, the eldritch beast does not appear in this issue.
*Megatron's diminutive counterpart's name is spelled "MINIMEGATRON" on his file card, but "Mini-Megatron" all through the commentary. We've opted to side with the commentary for the parallel with the spelling of "Mega-Megatron."
*Law is seen with his dog, Order, on Earth, but Order last appeared active as part of U.S.7 on Cybertron.
*When Ultra Magnus appears, Arcee says that she thought he was a myth, but back in [[Everybody Hates Metroplex|issue five]] she claimed she once watched Magnus kill [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]].
*The sizes of the various landmasses adorning Atlas are... ''farcically'' out of proportion to their real-life counterparts.

===Other notes===
*This final issue is an extra-sized 48-page "prestige" perfect-bound special with a cardstock cover, containing 43 pages of story, the usual commentary from Scioli and Barber, a farewell message from Scioli, and no ads.
*Just poking her pink-haired head out from behind [[Zartan]] on Scioli's subscription cover is the Dreanok leader's sister [[Zarana]], a major ''G.I. Joe'' character who has been head-scratchingly notable by her otherwise complete absence from this series. Everyone else on the cover has appeared in the series at least once (or ''just'' once, in the case of [[Croc Master]]).
*A joking footnote claims that the story of how Shipwreck captured the ''Nemesis'' will be told in "Shipwreck: Space Pirate," released in July 2025.
*A lot of info about the state of the solar system post-war is given that doesn't fit easily into our synopsis above, including:
**[[Mercury (planet)|Mercury]] becomes a vacation spot for Transformers.
**The wreckage of the Dyson sphere becomes a new planet named [[Sunshadow]].
**The planetary matter gouged out of Earth by its collision with Cybertron becomes a [[Luna Secundus|second moon]], home to a sect of Megatron loyalists.
**Shipwreck polices interplanetary trade in the [[asteroid belt]], fending off attacks from [[Zanzibar]] and his space pirates.
**Former Decepticons and newly-airborn Autobots live in the "floating aviaries" of [[Jupiter]]. [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] takes up residence on [[Europa]].
**Cobra accountant [[Raptor (Cobra)|Raptor]] establishes an interplanetary tax haven on [[Saturn]]'s moon [[Mundilfari]].
**Uranus becomes home to [[Maximal]]s and [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]]. Rodimus and Wreck-Gar like to meditate there.
**A colony named [[New Atlantis]] is settled on [[Neptune]], with residents including [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] and [[Deep Six]]. A proliferation of [[Seacon (G1)|Seacons]] and [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]] causes the colony to relocate to the moon of [[Triton (moon)|Triton]].
**The [[Oktober Guard]] claim [[Pluto]] for [[Transylvania]]. The world becomes home to the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]], and to all those humans and Transformers who have returned from the dead. Some choose to worship [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]].
*In a dual reference we can't place under just one of our headings above, the bus Decepticon has "6484" written on its side, referencing 1964 and 1984, the inaugural years of the ''G.I. Joe'' and ''Transformers'' brands, respectively.

===Covers (3)===
*'''Standard cover:''' Optimus Prime and Bumblebee fold up the United States flag, by Tom Scioli. The cover is a wraparound, but the back cover is blank.
*'''Subscription cover:''' Wraparound cover of our heroes and villains facing off, by Tom Scioli.
*'''Roll Out Roll Call Exclusive cover:''' Wraparound cover of the 'Bots, 'Cons, Joes, and Cobras at war, by [[Robert Atkins]] and [[Joana Lafuente]]. Produced exclusively for the [[unofficial conventions|unofficial convention]] Roll Out Roll Call 2016, the cover features includes numerous characters voiced by [[Neil Ross]] and [[Morgan Lofting]], the convention's guests of honor, including [[Shipwreck]], [[Springer (G1)|Springer]], [[Dreadnok|Buzzer]], [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]], [[Dusty]], [[Slag (G1)|Slag]], Thunder, [[Crosshairs (G1)|Crosshairs]], [[Baroness]], and [[Moonracer (G1)|Moonracer]]. Limited to 500 copies; 250 sold at the convention, and a further 250 sold through [https://www.dcbservice.com/ Discount Comic Book Service].
<gallery>
File:TFvsJoe13_regcvr.jpg
File:TFvsJoe13_subcvr.jpg
File:TFvsJoe13_cvrRE.jpg
</gallery>

==Reprints==
* '''''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe Quintessential Collection''''' Hardcover
* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 74: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Part 2'''''

<gallery>
File:IDW-TFvsJoeQC.jpg|'''''Quintessential Collection'''''; cover art by Scioli
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v74.jpg|'''''Definitive G1 Collection: Vol. 74: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Pt. 2'''''; cover art by [[Don Figueroa]] and Scioli
</gallery>

==External links==
*[http://comicsalliance.com/transformers-vs-gi-joe-13-final-issue-preview/ Preview]

Transformers vs. G.I. Joe issue 12

2021-04-25T10:48:23Z

Shockwitwicky86: Adding reprint information.

{{Comicstory|series=tfvsjoe
|issueno=12
|prev=Escape from Primus
|next=The War Never Ends
|image=TFvsJoe12_regcvr.jpg
|title=
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[April 20]], [[2016]]
|coverdate=April 2016
|written by=[[Tom Scioli]] and [[John Barber]]
|art by=Tom Scioli
|colors by=Tom Scioli
|letters by=Tom Scioli
|production by=[[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[Carlos Guzman]]
|continuity=[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe]]
}}

'''Cobra Commander returns to retake Cobra from the Serpentress, while the Autobots and G.I. Joe rally their forces for the epic final battle.'''

==Synopsis==

The [[Autobot]]s and [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joes]] ready themselves for the final assault on [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]. The [[Rescuebot]]s seal their oath to protect the humans by forging a "combination lock", merging into [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]], while [[Doc (G.I. Joe)|Doc]] autopsies [[Wild Bill]], whose body has been brought back to [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] by [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]]. As he studies his old friend's body, Doc locates a "[[technoactive cube]]" that Perceptor implanted in Bill while his body was in his custody; it seems the cube has failed to perform whatever function Perceptor intended... until Bill's hand suddenly reaches up and grab's Doc's shirt!

Meanwhile, [[Cobra Commander]] and his retinue are travelling across [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], going from [[Terrordrome]] to Terrordome and retaking each one in order to reunite [[Cobra]] under his command again. After regaining the service of the [[Crimson Guard]] (by killing the member of their group who had taken up his title), the Commander confronts the [[Baroness|Serpentress]]; she believes he abandoned Cobra and that she has expanded his empire, while he in turn believes she has sacrificed the heart of the organization in allying with the Decepticons. Desiring that she return to his side as the Baroness once more, Cobra Commander urges the Serpentress to remove her mask, offering to remove his own cowl to convince her. They both unmask, but the blotches and scars that mark the Baroness's face pale in comparison to Cobra Commander's inhuman visage, as he stands revealed as one of [[Koh-Buru-Lah (creature)|Koh-Buru-Lah]]'s reptile-man spawn. The two look one another in the eye... then passionately embrace!

On another plane of existence, the spirit of the deceased [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] is led along the path to the [[Transformer afterlife|Matrix]] by the voice of [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]]. On the road to eternity, he comes upon [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]], whose own path to the afterlife has been slowed by the heavy sword he drags behind him. The pair are stalked by the demonic [[Kremzeek]], eater of souls, but Prime saves Grimlock from the ravenous spirit, and together, they arrive at the gateway to the realm beyond. Their way is blocked by [[Bludgeon (G1)|the angel of death]], who announces that only those who carry the "[[Key to Vector Sigma|key]] to [[Vector Sigma|Vector Stigmata]]" may pass through. Prime realizes that the wounds on his body form the key, but the angel insists that this will only grant Prime passage, not Grimlock. Ever one for self-sacrifice, Prime takes Grimlock's sword and bestows the key upon him, allowing the former Autobot King to ascend into the Matrix while Prime remains behind.

Back on Cybertron, two old enemies, [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] and [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], meet once more. But these two city-bots now have different controllers: [[Scarlett]] has slain [[Zarak (G1)|Zarak]] and taken control of Scorponok, while Fortress Maximus is now under the control of [[Snake-Eyes]] thanks to the [[Master Sword]], containing the souls of the ninja commando's three teachers. The two old lovers reunite atop the cities; the meeting is tense at first, and Snake-Eyes turns to leave, but is stopped when Scarlett asks him to show her his face. He complies, and she is visibly taken aback, before softening and embracing the ninja.

Within [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]], [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] finds himself assailed by visions of past Autobot leaders, transmitted through the [[Matrix of Leadership]] he now carries in his chest. He hurls abuse at the incorporeal Primes, demanding that the ghost of Optimus show itself... but receives an unexpected surprise when Grimlock, rather than Optimus, takes form before his eyes. Grimlock laughs and threatens to haunt Megatron forever, taking control of his old dinosaur head—still worn by Megatron on his arm—and forcing it to bite and snap at the Decepticon leader.

With Fortress Maximus and Scorponok now added to their ranks, the Autobots and Joes convince Metroplex to finally transform out of his city mode and join the fight. The united "Jotobot" army marches on Trypticon, where they are met by the collective forces of the Decepticons and their remaining Cobra allies (led by [[Destro]]), all protected by the saurian city's forcefield, just as Megatron (having divested himself of Grimlock's head) directs [[Primus]] to begin consuming [[Earth]]'s [[sun]]. [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] steps forward with [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] in hand, holding the Autobot communicator aloft so he can unleash a sonic assault; programmed using the information gathered by [[Roadblock (G.I. Joe)|Roadblock]], [[Tunnel Rat]], and Perceptor, the sonic signal shatters Trypticon's forcefield, and the Jotobots unleash a barrage of [[G.I.Rocket|green bombs]] that immediately entwine the Decepticon city, and Megatron, in their creeping vines. With one mighty punch, Metroplex breaches Trypticon's walls and deploys a squad of Jotobots to fight DeceptiCobra inside their own headquarters, while down below, Blaster releases his [[Autobot Mini-Cassette|Recordobots]], who are ridden into battle with [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]] by a team of Joes led by the resurrected Wild Bill!

Presently, Cobra Commander and his army arrive, and the Commander offers Megatron a deal: he will exterminate the creeper vines if Megatron spares the planet [[Mars (planet)|Mars]] and gives it to him to control. Megatron agrees, and Cobra Commander has [[Doctor Venom]], creator of the creeper vines, broadcast a secret kill-switch signal that causes them to wither and die on the spot. Freed, Trypticon turns on Defensor, who has collapsed during the battle, but [[Steeler]] is eager to repay the combiner for his vow to protect humanity, and quickly drives the [[Bridge Layer]] in between the two. Using the vehicle's articulated, moveable bridge, Steeler elevates Defensor's gun into positon, and the combiner pulls the trigger, delivering a blast that consumes Trypticon in a fireball.

Elsewhere, the Serpentress consults the Cobra soothsayer [[Crystal Ball]], who shares with her a vision of the future... a vision that foretells the coming of the [[Serpentor|true Cobra Emperor]], the Serpentress and Cobra Commander's reptilian child!

==Featured characters==
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Blades (G1)|Blades]] (1)
*[[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] (2)
*[[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (3)
*[[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (4)
*[[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] (5)
*[[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (6)
*[[Peacemaker]] (7)
*[[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] (8)
*[[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]] (18)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (31)
*[[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] (32)
*[[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] (39)
*[[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]] (44)
*[[Zeta Prime (G1)|Zeta Prime]] (45)
*[[Primon]] (46)
*[[Prima]] (47)
*[[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] (48)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (51)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (52)
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (53)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]] (54)
*[[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] (57)
*[[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] (58)
*[[Topspin (G1)|Topspin]] (59)
*Red guy (60)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Slag (G1)|Slag]] (61)
*[[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] (62)
*[[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] (63)
*[[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] (64)
*[[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] (65)
*[[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] (66)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (68)
*[[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (69)
*[[Kup (G1)|Kup]] (70)
*[[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (71)
*[[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] (72)
*Generic Datsun? (93)
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (94)
*[[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (95)
*[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] (96)
*[[Steeljaw (G1)|Steeljaw]] (98)
*[[Ramhorn (G1)|Ramhorn]] (99)
*[[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] (102)
*[[Gears (G1)|Gears]] (103)
*[[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] (104)
{{!}}}
|c2=
*[[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] (35)
*[[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] (41)
*[[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (43)
*[[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] (80)
*Generic [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] and [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] (81)
*[[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]] (82)
*[[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] (83)
*[[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]] (84)
*[[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] (85)
*[[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] (86)
*[[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] (87)
*[[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (88)
*[[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] (89)
*[[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (90)
*[[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] (91)
*[[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] (92)
*[[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]] (100)
*[[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] (101)

|h3=[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]|c3=
*[[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]] (9)
*[[Stalker (G.I. Joe)|Stalker]] (10)
*[[Tunnel Rat]] (11)
*[[General Flagg]] (12)
*[[Gung-Ho]] (13)
*[[Quick Kick]] (14)
*[[Rock 'n Roll]] (15)
*[[Roadblock (G.I. Joe)|Roadblock]] (16)
*[[Bazooka (G.I. Joe)|Bazooka]] (17)
*[[Wild Bill]] (19)
*[[Doc (G.I. Joe)|Doc]] (20)
*[[Snake-Eyes]] (40)
*[[Scarlett|Zkarlett]] (42)
*[[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]] (55)
*[[Jinx]] (56)
*[[Cover Girl]] (67)
*[[Big Lob]] (73)
*[[Mutt (G.I. Joe)|Mutt]] (74)
*[[Junkyard (G.I. Joe)|Junkyard]] (75)
*[[Beachhead]] (76)
*[[Falcon (G.I. Joe)|Falcon]] (77)
*[[Snow Job]] (78)
*[[Lady Jaye]] (79)
*[[Dusty]] (97)
*[[Steeler]] (106)

|h4=[[Cobra]]|c4=
*[[Crimson Guard]]smen (22)
*[[Cobra Commander]] (23)
*[[Raptor (Cobra)|Raptor]] (24)
*[[Nemesis Enforcer]] (25)
*[[Crimson Guard|Interim Cobra Commander]] (26)
*[[Tomax and Xamot|Xamot]] (27)
*[[Tomax and Xamot|Tomax]] (28)
*[[Major Bludd]] (29)
*[[Golobulus]] (30)
*[[Baroness|Serpentress]] (34)
*[[Destro]] (49)
*Cobra troopers (50)
*[[Doctor Venom]] (105)
*[[Crystal Ball]] (107)
*[[Serpentor]] (108)

|h5=Others|c5=
*[[Koh-Buru-Lah (creature)|Koh-Buru-Lah]] (21)
*[[Kremzeek]] (33)
*[[Blind Master]] (36)
*[[Soft Master]] (37)
*[[Hard Master]] (38)
|}}
==Quotes==
"You never really understood how '''truly''' dangerous I was." 
"Of course I did. It's why I used every '''dirty trick''' and '''mind game''' I could with you... and none of it worked."
:—'''Serpentress''' and '''Cobra Commander'''

"Am I a monster?"
:—'''Snake-Eyes''' speaks his first words since receiving his scars, as he reveals his face to Scarlett

"I killed you! I sent you to your grave and made a trophy of your '''bones'''!" 
"Me haunt you in your '''dreams'''! You go to corners of the cosmos, but you can't escape me '''Grimlock!'''"
:—'''Megatron''' and '''Grimlock'''

"'''YOTO JOTOBOTO!'''"
:—An unidentified Joe coins their new battle cry

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*Wild Bill died in back in [[Targetmasters (issue)|issue #2]], though we didn't find out that fact until [[Everybody Hates Metroplex|issue #5]]. His dead body was seen being worked upon by Perceptor in [[Expelled from the Garden|issue #6]].
*Megatron killed Grimlock and took his tail and "Rex Tyrannus Crown" (his dino-head) in issue #5.
*Cobra Commander remarks that the Serpentress has "revised the [[Cobranomicon]]" as part of Cobra's alliance with the Decepticons. This would suggest that, at least, the Cybertronian figures in the portion of the book we saw in issue #6 were among her retroactive additions.
*Cobra Commander reveals himself to be a hideous snake-man underneath his hood! The seeds for his reveal have been planted throughout the series, as we have slowly learned that the modern Cobra is a descendant of the original reptiloid race that was spawned by the god the cult of Cobra worships, Koh-Buru-Lah. The druids that were an earlier iteration of the cult seen in [[Stick To Your Guns|issue #9]] had blue skin, like Cobra Commander did in ''G.I. Joe: The Movie'', a cross-media allusion to the Commander's genetic connection to his eldritch master. That said... does this mean he romanced [[Billy (G.I. Joe)|Billy]]'s mum while looking like that, and sired the apparently-entirely-human Billy, or is his scaly countenance a transformation only recently visited upon him?
*Woah, dude, what's Snake-Eyes been up to? Last we saw him, he was on his way to the action, but detoured into [[Kalis]] for the prose story "[[Black Cybertron]]" in [[Earth: R.I.P.|issue #10]]. Where'd he get the Master Sword from? Wasn't the [[Soft Master]] alive as recently as [[I Saw Three Ships|issue #1]]? Scioli notes in the commentary that some of what we see here was originally intended for a second prose story that would have appeared in issue #11; presumably, some context has been lost in its transition to full comic page in this already-packed issue.
*[[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] was last seen in issue #5, in which he was separated from his binary-bonded partner [[Galen]]. We haven't seen ''him'' since issue #6, but since Snake Eyes has taken control of Fort Max, it doesn't look like Galen's time on the [[Polyhex]] Killway ended well.
*Scarlett took control of Scorponok from [[Zarak (G1)|Zarak]] in [[Headmasters (issue)|issue #7]]. Reflecting her new role, her name is now given on her file card as "Zkarlett."
*It was just back in issue #10 that the Constructicons were complaining about their inability to form Devastator, but the big guy is back in action this issue. He has a grey midriff, indicating that something (or some''one'') has been used as a replacement for the deceased [[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]], who got 'sploded back in issue #2.

===Transformers references===
*Normally formed from the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]], here, Defensor is the combined form of the new, delightfully random subgroup, the [[Rescuebot]]s. The team is 50% 1984-85 Autobots with "emergency services" alternate modes and functions: [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] the police car, [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] and [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] the fire department vehicles, and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] the ambulance. The other members are [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]], [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], and traditional Protectobot member [[Blades (G1)|Blades]], who is a double-reference wrapped in an homage: based on the original toy version of [[Blades (RB)|''Rescue Bots'' Blades]], but colored like the Generation 1 character. Finally, the team is completed by [[Peacemaker]]—normally [[Pointblank]]'s [[Nebulan]] [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmaster]] partner, here, he's a much larger Cybertronian who forms a huge gun for Defensor to hold. Phew!
*Kremzeek originally appeared in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]] episode that [[Kremzeek!|shared his name]]. He has persisted as a figure of mischief who often appears as an easter egg in modern Transformers media; this is certainly the most fearsome take on the character yet!
*Though unnamed in dialogue, any Transformers fan is likely to recognize that the angel of death is skeletal samurai [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]].
*The entrance to the afterlife is shaped like the Matrix of Leadership, but with a featureless central globe that, through the "wireframe" effect the whole landscape is depicted with, is presumably intentionally supposed to resemble the mega-computer [[Vector Sigma]], for which the "Vector Stigmata" is named. The computer was originally introduced in the Generation 1 cartoon episode "[[The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1|The Key to Vector Sigma]]," and has been depicted as a means of accessing the [[Transformer afterlife]] in several subsequent stories. The key, of course, is an interpretation of the computer's own [[key to Vector Sigma|activation key]] that gave its introductory episode its name.
**Because the whole thing is ''purple'', though, it also looks an awful lot like [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]'s head, but that's probably ''not'' intentional.
*Fortress Maximus's [[Master Sword]] was a blade wielded by the character in the Japanese animated series ''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|The Headmasters]]''. The Japanese version of the Fort Max toy came with the weapon, but it wasn't included with the American release. In this take on the story, it derives its name from the fact it contains the souls of Snake-Eyes's three "masters", the Hard Master, Soft Master, and Blind Master, who have all appeared in previous issues.
*In addition to the more well-known Autobot elder Alpha Trion, the crowd of floating ancient Autobot heads that haunt Megatron from within the Matrix include four of the Matrix guides from the Generation 1 cartoon episode "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4]]", who would later be given the names [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]], [[Zeta Prime (G1)|Zeta Prime]], [[Primon]], and [[Prima]]. Megatron refers to Trion and Sentinel by name, but also mentions two brand-new Primes, [[Regulus Prime]] and [[Amazon Prime]].
*Sentinel Prime refers to Megatron's past as a gladiator, a plot element not mentioned in this series before, but which originated with the Marvel UK story "[[State Games]]," and which achieved great prominence as part of the backstory of the [[Megatron (WFC)|Aligned continuity version of the character]].
*There's a third Recordabot in addition to Steeljaw and Ramhorn, a red four-legged creature. Doesn't seem deliberately intended to be a pre-existing character, but hey, maybe it's an off-color [[Stripes]]?

===G.I. Joe references===
*Upon arrival at the Crimson Guard's Terrordrome, Cobra Commander kills a figure identified by his file card as the "Interim Cobra Commander." This is a reference to the character known as "Fred VII" in the Marvel ''G.I. Joe'' series, a member of the Crimson Guard who temporarily posed as the Commander when the genuine article was believed dead. In both that comic and this, he's based on the 1987 Cobra Commander figure, with its fully-body battle-armor.
*Speakin' of the Terrordrome, it's shown to serve as a launch base for a [[Firebat]], and to be one of many. The "launch base" aspect was part of the original toy, while the Marvel comics depicted Terrordromes as a series of installations. The original ''Joe'' cartoon, meanwhile, repurposed the concept and used the Terrordrome as a new headquarters for Cobra in the 1986 season.
*Cobra Commander was previously depicted as a snake-man in ''G.I. Joe: The Movie,'' when exposure to genetically-modifying spores slowly devolved him into a snake. In the cartoon story that followed the movie, "Operation: Dragonfire," he was partially evolved back to a similar humanoid reptile-man appearance.
*The blotches that scar the Baroness's face are based on a printing error from issue #44 of the Marvel ''G.I. Joe'' comic, which spattered magenta ink over the character's face.
*For years, the original Marvel series depicted Snake-Eyes's unseen injuries as being ''so gruesome'' that the sight of them could make hardened men throw up, but when he was eventually unmasked on-panel in issue #93, he was no oil painting, but he wasn't ''that'' hideous. As such, Tom Scioli notes in this issue's commentary that for his take on the unmasking, he really tried to make the reveal live up to that old promise. Snake's injuries are truly stomach-churning, with half his face torn off to expose the muscle, eye socket, and teeth beneath. As we noted back in our annotations for [[I Saw Three Ships|issue #1]], there's a visual similarity between Snake-Eyes's wounds and those he inflicted on [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] in that issue; if Starscream's were a worse version of the original Marvel Snake-Eyes's injuries, then this Snake's are an even ''worse'' version of Starscream's.
*Doctor Venom is wearing [[S.N.A.K.E.]] armor, sans the helmet piece.
*As Crystal Ball looks into the future, a panel snipped from issue #14 of the Marvel ''Joe'' series is used as a "vision," featuring the Baroness turning on Destro, with art by Mike Vosburg, Jon D'Agnostino and [[Joe Rosen]], and letters by Christie Scheele. In this panel, the Baroness says "I'm late..."—in the original context, she was merely stating she was late to a meeting, but here it's repurposed to refer to a late period in the near future, preceding her pregnancy.
*Though unnamed, the figure Crystal Ball sees is [[Serpentor]], the Cobra Emperor. Usually a genetically-engineered super-warrior, Serpentor is here depicted as a Koh-Buru-Lah reptiloid, hearkening back to ''G.I. Joe: The Movie'' and its revelation that his creation was orchestrated by [[Cobra-La]], so that he could serve as the true leader of Cobra. Baroness's "Serpentress" guise has always been inspired by Serpentor's garb, and Cobra Commander even calls her by a feminized version of Serpentor's title, "Cobra Empress," this issue.

===Real-life references===
*Peacemaker's file card reads "And I'll form the gun!", referring to the famous ''{{w|Voltron}}'' quote, "And I'll form the head!"
*In addition to conceptually merging the Master Sword with the three Arashikage Masters, Scioli remarks in the commentary that he was also inspired by the [http://zeldawiki.org/Master_Sword Master Sword] from [[Nintendo]]'s ''{{w|The Legend of Zelda}}'' video game series, a sword that contains [http://zeldawiki.org/Fi a spirit] within it.
*Defensor paraphrases ''{{w|Jaws (film)|Jaws}}'' when he prepares to deliver the final shot to Trypticon: "Smile, you son of a gun!"
*As Crystal Ball studies the image of the multi-eyed Serpentor, he quotes ''{{w|Rosemary's Baby}}'': "He has his father's eyes."
*"Amazon Prime" is the name of a paid service on [[Amazon (website)|Amazon.com]].

===Errors===
*On the inside front cover, subscription cover artist [[Giannis Milonogiannis]]'s surname is misspelled "Milogiannis."

===Other notes===
*There are ''so many'' generic Seekers and Insecticons, you guys. Some of the Seekers in particular have color schemes that make them look kinda like [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] and [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], but the wing coloration, placement, and/or shape is wrong on both (and "Starscream" is missing his face-mask), so we've bundled them all under "generics" in the list above. Similarly, for numbering purposes, we're assuming the Kickback, Bombshell, and Shrapnel standing on the ground with the main force are the "real" ones, and the ones flying are the generics, but that's just an organizational thing.

===Covers (2)===
*'''Standard cover:''' Cobra Commander and the Serpentress, by [[Tom Scioli]]
*'''Subscription cover:''' [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] and the Baroness, by [[Giannis Milonogiannis]]
<gallery>
File:TFvsJoe12_regcvr.jpg
File:TFvsJoe12_subcvr.jpg
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe'' #13
*''Aliens: Defiance''
*''Xena: Warrior Princess'' #1
*IDW ''Micronauts'' comic

==Reprints==
* '''''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe Quintessential Collection''''' Hardcover
* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 74: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Part 2'''''

<gallery>
File:IDW-TFvsJoeQC.jpg|'''''Quintessential Collection'''''; cover art by Scioli
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v74.jpg|'''''Definitive G1 Collection: Vol. 74: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Pt. 2'''''; cover art by [[Don Figueroa]] and Scioli
</gallery>

==External links==
*[http://comicsalliance.com/transformers-vs-gi-joe-12-preview/ Preview]

Escape from Primus

2021-04-25T10:47:50Z

Shockwitwicky86: Adding reprint information.

{{Comicstory|series=tfvsjoe
|issueno=11
|prev=Black Cybertron
|next=Transformers vs. G.I. Joe issue 12
|image=TFvsJoe11_regcvr.jpg
|title="Escape from Primus"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[February 24]], [[2016]]
|coverdate=February 2016
|written by=[[Tom Scioli]] and [[John Barber]]
|art by=Tom Scioli
|colors by=Tom Scioli
|letters by=Tom Scioli
|production by=[[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[Carlos Guzman]]
|continuity=[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe]]
}}

'''We flashback to G.I. Joe boot camp as the family history of Duke and Falcon is revealed.'''

==Synopsis==

Far below the surface of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], sudden tremors shake the cavernous chamber of [[Primus]], and the visiting [[Autobot]]s and [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joes]] realize they must make a quick escape before they are buried alive. During the escape run, [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] is pinned beneath a boulder, and [[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]] refuses to leave him behind; the others, meanwhile, make it back to the waiting [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] above, and [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]] sends [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] and a unit of Joes after their fallen comrades. Springer lifts Mirage to safety, but Duke's grappling hook "wirepoon" jams, and it looks like he is going to be trapped in the cave-in... until one Joe wearing a tether takes a flying leap from Springer, grabs Duke, and hauls him to safety. That Joe is [[Falcon (G.I. Joe)|Falcon]]—Duke's half-brother!

''Some time beforehand, when the [[Earth]] had not yet been destroyed, Duke is training the newest team of Joe recruits to be the second wave of troops sent to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], on the heels of [[Scarlett]]'s advance team. Falcon is among them, and Duke—never having had much love for his kid brother—is especially hard on him, tricking him to cutting his much-loved hair into a crew-cut. Falcon strives to show up his older brother by excelling, even looking set to beat Duke's obstacle course record—until he throws it away to disobey orders and "save" a "fallen comrade" who had got stuck in the course mud pit.''

''When Falcon and [[Quarrel]] shirk their guard duty to fool around, Duke dons a [[Cobra]] uniform and attacks his brother to show him the folly of his ways. Falcon tires of his brother's attitude towards him, and Duke is fed up of Faclon's smart mouth, so Falcon is led by the ear to the barracks' gym, where Duke proposes a bare-knuckle boxing match so they can settle their issues once and for all. Duke leads in the fight, and their family issues come out for all the watching Joes to hear: Duke's father took a bullet for Falcon's, who then married Duke's mother and raised Duke with a closed fist. But he wouldn't do the same to Falcon when he was born, so Duke has always seen his little brother as "soft"—especially since his mother made him promise to always take care of Falcon before she died. Duke has spent his entire military career secretly looking out for Falcon; even the Purple Heart his brother earned was down to Duke keeping him safe on the battlefield. But still, Duke refuses to kick Falcon out of the Joes: he will have to quit on his own, and that is one thing Falcon refuses to do, as it will prove everything Duke has said to be true.''

''In time, Falcon, now a fully-fledged Joe, ships out for Cybertron with the rest of his fellow graduates. Before they depart, Duke appears to see them off; he salutes Falcon, and tells his brother to prove that he is wrong about him.''

Duke, Falcon, and Mirage are safely carried out of Cybertron's depths, but as they make it to the surface, the reason for the tremors becomes apparent. At the command of [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], Cybertron has transformed into the body of Primus, and as the clouds of debris left by the Earth part at last, the god-planet turns his attention to the [[Sun]]... and prepares to feed!

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks. 
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (3)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]] (5)
*[[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (8)
*[[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] (11)
*Goldbug? (12)
*[[Springer (G1)|Springer]] (13)

|c2=
*[[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (1)
*[[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] (23)
*[[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] (24)
*[[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] (25)

|h3=[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]|c3=
*[[Cover Girl]] (4)
*[[Tripwire (G.I. Joe)|Tripwire]] (6)
*[[Bazooka (G.I. Joe)|Bazooka]] (7)
*[[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]] (9)
*[[Falcon (G.I. Joe)|Falcon]] (14)
*''[[General Flagg]]'' (15)
*''[[Cutter (G.I. Joe)|Cutter]]'' (16)
*''[[Outback (G.I. Joe)|Outback]]'' (17)
*''[[Muskrat]]'' (18)
*''[[Big Lob]]'' (19)
*''[[Quarrel]]'' (20)
*''[[Budo]]'' (21)
*''Duke & Falcon's mother'' (22)

|c4=
*[[Primus]] (2)
*[[Keeper (Transformer)|Keeper]] (10)
|}}

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*This issue's flashback must occur concurrently with [[Targetmasters (issue)|issue #2]] of the series; it takes place following the battle seen in [[I Saw Three Ships|issue #1]], since the Joes have knowledge of [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]], [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]], and [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (they train using animatronics and cut-outs of them), but must end before [[Funeral for a Friend|issue #3]], in which Duke goes undercover in Cobra.
*Further, Falcon had made it to Cybertron by [[Form Follows Function|issue #4]], though there was no indication at the time that any kind of "second unit" was involved.
*[[Cutter (G.I. Joe)|Cutter]] must also have been part of that unit, as he appeared on Cybertron in [[Everybody Hates Metroplex|issue #5]], but is seen on Earth in this issue's flashback, cutting Falcon's hair (''Cutter'', y'geddit?).
*We previously got a hint toward Falcon and Duke's troubled home life in [[Everybody Hates Metroplex|issue #5]], in which the [[Quintesson]]s plucked an image from Duke's mind of himself as a child mouthing off to his stepfather and dismissing his new baby sibling as "no brother of mine." The same issue had earlier identified Falcon as Duke's little brother on his file card.

===Transformers references===
*As Primus transforms, swarms of [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] are brought skittering out of the planet's depths by the tremors. The concept of an Insecticon swarm goes all the way back to [[The Transformers (cartoon)|the original Generation 1 cartoon]] and its Insecticon clones, but the beasties were first depicted as a naturally-occurring sub-race that lived in the depths of Cybertron in the ''[[Transformers: Fall of Cybertron|Fall of Cybertron]]'' video game. They are, of course, all designed to look like innumerable duplicates of the classic G1 Insecticons [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]], [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]], and [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]], who previously appeared as individuals in this series in issue #2.
*Primus's robot mode design in this issue borrows from the original robot-mode Primus drawing created by [[Don Figueroa]] for [[Dreamwave Productions]]' ''[[Transformers: The War Within|The War Within]]'', later published in ''[[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide]]''. Specifically, it's got the double-barreled over-the-head cannon, and the same domed buildings/turrets on its shins.

===G.I. Joe references===
*In addition to the military movies mentioned below (see "Real-life references"), Scioli notes in this issue's commentary that the boot camp scenes were inspired by issues #4 and #82 of the Marvel ''[[G.I. Joe (comic)|G.I. Joe]]'' comic. The former featured a brutal paramilitary training camp, while the latter put Duke in the role of no-nonsense drill sergeant training new Joes. Elements of Duke's dialogue ("Don't look down! Don't look back! Don't stop to help your buddy if he slips and falls.") are taken straight from issue #4.
*Falcon was Duke's half-brother in ''G.I. Joe: The Movie'', but not in the Marvel comic. Falcon notes that he's going to be a Green Beret, like this father—factoids plucked from the character's original file card.
*And speaking of ''G.I. Joe: The Movie'', it was also responsible for the introduction of Big Lob, part of the same unit as Falcon in both the film and this issue. Big Lob is quite famous for being to ''Joe'' what [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] was to ''Transformers''; a major movie character who never had an action figure in the original toyline.
*Continuing with the ''Joe'' movie references, the scene of Falcon and Quarrel ignoring their guard duty to fool around is an homage to a similar scene in the film in which Falcon abandons his post to flirt with [[Jinx]].
*Never heard of Quarrel? That's 'cause she was actually an early original creation for ''[[Action Force (team)|Action Force]]'', the European version of the ''G.I. Joe'' toyline, who was only officially 'ported into the American version of the brand in 2013. Her file card humorously reads "Swiss Army Knife Expert"; she's not an expert in Swiss army knives, but rather a knife expert from the Swiss army, a reference to her original ''Action Force'' profile, which noted she was the daughter of a Swiss diplomat and an expert with Cantonese butterfly knives.
*The disguised Duke is able to get the drop on Falcon because he has removed the firing pins from his and Quarrel's weapons. Larry Hama, writer of the Marvel ''Joe'' comic, liked using this trick from time to time; it was originally pulled off by Inuit mercenary [[Kwinn]] in the second issue of the series.

===Real-life references===
*This whole issue is a tribute to military cinema, and specifically "boot camp" movies, include such staple scenes of the genre as the haircut, the obstacle course, the brawl between rivals, and the superior officer saluting the young hotshot when they make good.
**Duke gives a speech while in front of a huge American flag, homaging ''{{w|Patton}}''. In the issue's commentary, John Barber recalls how he did the same thing with [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] in [[Dinobot Hunt (IDW)|''Robots in Disguise'' #8]].
**Falcon asks Duke if he is afraid he's "gonna have to salute" him, stealing a line from Richard Gere to Robert Loggia in ''{{w|An Officer and a Gentleman}}''.
**After his luscious locks are shorn into a crew cut, Falcon is horrified to discover he wasn't required to get one because G.I. Joe has no dress code or hair length regulation, a scene Scioli describes as being inspired by scenes in ''{{w|Heartbreak Ridge}}'' and ''{{w|Stripes}}''.
**In addition to these movies, Scioli also cites ''{{w|Private Benjamin}}'' as an influence.
*When Falcon grabs Duke and gets him to safety, their firm arm-lock is an homage to that shared between [[Arnie|Arnold Schwarzenegger]] and Carl Weathers in ''{{w|Predator (film)|Predator}}''.
*The issue's commentary identifies the Joe recruit who Falcon gives up the record to save from the obstacle course mud pit as "Private Pyle," named after the luckless private from ''{{w|Full Metal Jacket}}'', who was in turned named for {{w|Gomer Pyle}}. Though, as that movie is such a classic of boot camp cinema, the term has evolved into slang for a screw-up in the military, so it might be a euphemistic use by Scioli and not literally his name.
*When Duke invites Falcon into the boxing ring with him, he calls him "Little Mac," after {{w|Little Mac (Punch-Out!!)|the player character}} from the ''{{w|Punch-Out!!}}'' video game series.
*As the cloud of radio-disrupting Earth debris finally parts and communications are restored, an unseen Joe is heard exclaiming "Good morning Cybertron!", after another military movie, ''{{w|Good Morning, Vietnam}}''.
*The final page (featuring Primus approaching the Sun) is captioned "There Goes the Sun", evoking the name of the song "{{w|Here Comes the Sun}}" by {{w|The Beatles}}.

===Other trivia===
*Scioli's first draft of this issue's cover featured Duke holding a smoking cigar, but this was changed to a snake for the published version. We'd gamble that [[Hasbro]] said no to the stogie.
*Even the inside-front cover is part of the story in this issue, featuring a drawing of Megatron ordering Cybertron to transform, transmitted via the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]].

===Covers (2)===
*'''Standard cover:''' Duke, by [[Tom Scioli]]
*'''Subscription cover:''' [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck Gar]] rides with the [[Dreadnok]]s, as [[Unicron]]'s head floats in the sky, by [[Tom Neely]] and [[Marc Palm]]
<gallery>
File:TFvsJoe11_regcvr.jpg
File:TFvsJoe11_subcvr.jpg
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe'' #12
*Preview for IDW's ''Wynona Earp'' comic book

==Reprints==
* '''''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe Quintessential Collection''''' Hardcover
* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 74: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Part 2'''''

<gallery>
File:IDW-TFvsJoeQC.jpg|'''''Quintessential Collection'''''; cover art by Scioli
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v74.jpg|'''''Definitive G1 Collection: Vol. 74: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Pt. 2'''''; cover art by [[Don Figueroa]] and Scioli
</gallery>

Black Cybertron

2021-04-25T10:47:25Z

Shockwitwicky86: Adding reprint information.

{{Comicstory|series=tfvsjoe
|issueno=10
|prev=Earth: R.I.P.
|next=Escape from Primus
|image=BlackCybertron.jpg
|title="Black Cybertron"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|published in=[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe issue 10|''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe'' #10]]
|date=[[December 23]], [[2015]]
|coverdate=December 2015
|written by=[[Tom Scioli]] and [[John Barber]]
|art by=Tom Scioli
|editor=[[Carlos Guzman]]
|continuity=[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe]]
}}

'''To resurrect his fallen brother Soundwave, Shockwave must visit the land of the dead.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] is unaccustomed to experiencing emotion, but cannot help but feel... ''something'' over the death of his brother, [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]. True death is an uncommon thing on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], where metal bodies can be rebuilt and parts replaced, but thanks to the [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]'s [[Coltonbolt]], Soundwave's head has been shattered, an injury that cannot be easily repaired. The pieces of Soundwave's head have been collected by Shockwave's nephew [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]], who, along with [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]], now prepare to join him on his mission bring their father back to life by voyaging into the land of the dead: the Cybertronian city of [[Kalis]]. Shockwave despairs over the fate of [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]], the most intelligent and useful of Soundwave's cassettes, who was last seen in the custody of G.I. Joe...

Elsewhere on Cybertron, [[Snake-Eyes|Snake Eyes]] rides Ravage across the metal landscape toward [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]], having tamed the brainwashed cyber-cat with a combination of [[Arashikage]] mind-control techniques. Suddenly, Ravage bucks beneath the ninja and swerves off the path he is on into a cavern. Ravage has heard Soundwave's voice, he explains to his rider, calling him to Kalis; intrigued, Snake Eyes decides to see the detour through.

Shockwave and his nephews bring the remains of Soundwave's head to the citadel of the Autobot apostate [[Flame (Marvel)|Flame]] in Kalis, where his dark sciences pierce the veil of life and death and bring the spymaster back to life. But Soundwave returns... incomplete. His once melodious voice is replaced with an electronic monotone, and all trace of emotion has been drained from him, as he demands only to know what his next mission will be, and finds no meaning in the word "brother" any more.

Ravage and Snake Eyes arrive in the necropolis of Kalis, where they immediately come under attack from undead [[zombie]] Transformers, reanimated through the unholy miracles that Flame has worked upon the city. Snake Eyes reflects that these unliving hulks are far more like typical "robots" than the all-too-human Transformers, but as he thinks on this, he is almost struck by a missile. Evading the projectile, he spots his attacker, the restored Soundwave, and returns fire on him with a missile launcher of his own. The shots do little damage, but as Snake Eyes is readying for another barrage, Ravage lunges at his father. Soundwave is shocked at this betrayal and seizes Ravage, knocking Snake Eyes from his back, and then manually—gruesomely—transforming him back into cassette mode and inserting him into his chest compartment for reprogramming. Shockwave steps from the shadows, having observed the unnerving display. It will take some time, he thinks, before he becomes accustomed to being the "kind one" of the brothers.

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks. 
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Flame (Marvel)|Flame]] (7)

|c2=
*[[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] (1)
*[[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (2)
*[[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (3)
*[[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (4)
*[[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (6)

|h5=Others|c5=
*[[Snake-Eyes|Snake Eyes]] (5)

}}
==Quotes==

"You must've loved this Soundwave to have placed so much effort in the reclamation. Love has no place in my domain."
:—'''Flame'''

"WHAT ARE THE PARAMETERS OF THE MISSION?" 
"What?!" 
"WHAT IS MY TARGET? WHAT ARE THE PARAMETERS OF THE MISSION? ONLY THEN WILL I ABLE TO CHOOSE THE APPROPRIATE CASSETTE AGENT AND CALCULATE THEIR PRESCRIBED OPERATION." 
"Soundwave, don't you recognize me?" 
"AFFIRMATIVE. YOU ARE SHOCKWAVE, SERVANT OF MEGATRON." 
"I'm your brother." 
"THOSE ARE EMPTY WORDS. UNAPPLICABLE. WHAT IS A 'BROTHER' TO A BEING FORGED BY UNKNOWN HANDS? WHAT ARE THE PARAMETERS OF THE MISSION?" 
"Oh Soundwave, what's become of you?"
:—'''Soundwave''' and '''Shockwave'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*Soundwave's head was destroyed in [[I Saw Three Ships|issue #1]].
*Ravage appeared under the control of [[Doctor Venom]] in [[Expelled from the Garden|issue #6]]. The specifics of how he (or indeed, how Soundwave's body) got back to Cybertron are left vague, with the narration noting that Venom's brainwashing and reprogramming attempts have left his mind addled and open to control by Snake Eyes.
*Flame turned from the Autobot path when he discovered ancient, forgotten texts that spoke of "[[Metatron]]". This figure—an archangel from real-life Rabbinic literature—was previously mentioned in [[Expelled from the Garden|issue #6]], in which it was alleged that Megatron inspired the legend among humanity. Here, it turns out that Metatron is known as a holy being by Cybertronians too, and Megatron claims to actually be an incarnation of this "Angel of Light", a concept vaguely evocative of his relationship with [[The Fallen]] the [[Aligned continuity family]].
**Coincidentally a few months before, the Facebook edition of [[Ask Vector Prime]] established a character named Metatron as well. This Metatron, however, was apparently one of the [[multiverse]]'s great villains, opposed by another biblically-inspired character named [[Enoch]] during the "[[Age of Miracles]]".
*Ultra Magnus is referred to as Metatron's nemesis and the "Autobot god of death", casting some light on his enigmatic last-page appearance in the [[Earth: R.I.P.|main story]] from this issue.

===Transformers references===
*Flame originally appeared in the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel UK]] "[[City of Fear!]]" story arc. It was in that adventure that he was shown using Kalis as a base of operations, turning it into a "land of the dead" as he resurrected a zombie army, inspiring the concepts in this story.
*The resurrected Soundwave has the emotionless, robotic voice of his [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original cartoon]] counterpart. It may or may not be intentional, but his resurrection—involving his repaired head being attached to a newly forged body—is certainly evocative of his return to life as "Soundblaster" in ''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|The Headmasters]]'' anime. He's even colored in Soundblaster-black in the illustration that accompanies the story, even though the text says he's still blue!

===Real-life references===
*The prose refers to Ravage as a "ro-beast", a term lifted from ''{{w|Voltron|Voltron: Defender of the Universe}}''.
*In a world where ''Transformers'' and ''G.I. Joe'' are real, it turns out '80s lesser-light franchises ''[[GoBots]]'' and ''[[M.A.S.K. (franchise)|M.A.S.K.]]'' are the ones that wound up with a blockbuster movie series pitting them against one another: "Gobots vs. M.A.S.K." Remind you of anything?

===Other trivia===
*This four-page story (three pages of prose and a full-page illustration) appeared in ''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe'' #10 in place of the creator commentary that normally runs in each issue of the series.

==Reprints==
* '''''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe Quintessential Collection''''' Hardcover

<gallery>
File:IDW-TFvsJoeQC.jpg|'''''Quintessential Collection'''''; cover art by Scioli
</gallery>

Earth: R.I.P.

2021-04-25T10:46:14Z

Shockwitwicky86: Adding reprint information.

{{Comicstory|series=tfvsjoe
|issueno=10
|prev=Stick To Your Guns
|next=Black Cybertron
|image=TFvsJoe10_regcvr.jpg
|title="Earth: R.I.P."
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|published in=[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe issue 10|''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe'' #10]]
|date=[[December 23]], [[2015]]
|coverdate=December 2015
|written by=[[Tom Scioli]] and [[John Barber]]
|art by=Tom Scioli
|colors by=Tom Scioli
|letters by=Tom Scioli
|production by=[[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[Carlos Guzman]]
|continuity=[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe]]
}}

'''With Earth destroyed, G.I. Joe and the Autobots go underground on Cybertron to prepare for the fight back against DeceptiCobra.'''

==Synopsis==
The collision with [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] has resulted in the destruction of [[Earth]]. Now Cybertron is all that remains, with [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]], [[Cobra]], and the [[Oktober Guard]] all that survives of humanity, stranded on the metal world. The Oktober Guard tries to claim Cybertron as "New Transylvania"; [[Blowtorch]] is impressed by the idea, but all it serves to accomplish is to make the Guard targets for the allied "DeceptiCobra" forces, while the Joes take the opportunity to escape.

A great feast is held for the men and women of Cobra in [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s dining hall, where they are all served by their captive G.I. Joe chef, [[Roadblock (G.I. Joe)|Roadblock]]. Megatron, too, joins the banquet, where he partakes of a delicacy specially prepared by his own confectioners: the still-living Joe [[Skidmark (G.I. Joe)|Skidmark]], who Megatron then eats alive in gruesome commemoration of the day the Earth died. The [[Dreadnok]]s find their stomachs turned by the grisly display and quickly lose their appetites, save for [[Dreadnok|Torch]], who happily digs in to his meal... only to die a moment later, projectile-vomiting a fountain of blood! Realizing that Roadblock has poisoned their meal, the forces of Cobra charge towards the kitchen, where the burly G.I. Joe is able to hold them off long enough for [[Tunnel Rat]]—still scurrying around in the vents—to bring him an automatic rifle, with which he mows down his attackers. Tunnel Rat and Roadblock escape into [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]'s vents and meet up with [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]]—not the traitor he appeared to be, Tunnel Rat has discovered, but actually an [[Autobot]] double agent. Roadblock is still suspicious, and only becomes moreso when it turns out T-Rat and Perceptor's exfil plan involves the two Joes sealing themselves in body bags so Perceptor can carry them outside for "disposal", but the plan seems to be working until guards [[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] and [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] realize that Perceptor is not heading to his lab like he told them he was. His cover blown, Perceptor makes a break for it, and successfully manages to escape [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]. Though Earth is no longer visible in the sky, Perceptor tries to reassure the two Joes that is it unscientific to believe something does not exist just because you cannot see it; Roadblock and Tunnel Rat are less optimistic, taking the space debris raining down across Cybertron as proof that their home planet is gone for good.

Perceptor, Roadblock, and Tunnel Rat are met by a party of other Joes, who lead them to the new [[T.H.E. P.I.T.|Pit]] beneath Cybertron's surface where the rest of the Joe team has holed up. Perceptor has also brought the deceased [[Wild Bill]]'s body with him, confusing the Joes, who believe he is still alive, unaware that shapeshifting Cobra spy [[Zartan]] has taken his place. His cover blown, Zartan uses Wild Bill's [[Dragonfly]] helicopter to mow down Joe after Joe, but a well-placed sniper shot from [[Stalker (G.I. Joe)|Stalker]] permanently ends the threat of the Dreadnok leader. As Generals [[General Flagg|Flagg]] and [[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]] restore order, Roadblock, Tunnel Rat, and Perceptor reveal that, between the three of them, they have obtained the deactivation code for Trypticon's forcefield.

Atop one of Cybertron's horn-like mega-mountains, the last survivors of Earth do battle: [[Snake-Eyes|Snake Eyes]] managed to make it onto Cybertron before his homeworld was destroyed, but so did [[Koh-Buru-Lah (creature)|Koh-Buru-Lah]], carrying [[Cobra Commander]] and his followers within organic sacs on its hideous body. Now, even as one of Koh-Buru-Lah's tentacles tugs at Snake Eyes's ankle, the ninja commando duels with [[Storm Shadow|Stormshadow]], who Cobra Commander believes has come to join them. While Snake Eyes is occupied fending off the eldritch horror, however, Stormshadow reveals the true reason for his presence: he has come to rescue his pupil [[Billy (G.I. Joe)|Billy]]—his body ravaged, but still alive—from within the god of Cobra.

Far below the surface of Cybertron, [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]] and [[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]]'s team are guided through the mind of [[Primus]] by the [[Keeper (Transformer)|Keeper]], steward of the sleeping god's dreams. The Keeper regales them with the tale of Primus's creation: he is the offspring of [[Daiakuron]], a living world sculpted by a race of ancient gestalt beings known as the [[Quintesson|Makers]], who had in turn bestowed upon their creation the ability to create worlds of its own. The further and further they descend, the more the Transformers and Joes see, and the larger the question looms... what if not just Cybertronians, but also humankind, were creations of Daiakuron? The line between Earthling and Transformer is growing ever blurrier... much like the line between life and death, as, at the bottom of the staircase the heroes descend, they find [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], the Autobot God of Death, ferrying the corpse of [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] across the river to the underworld!

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks. 
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (26)
*[[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] (70)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]] (72)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (78)
*[[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (80)
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (81)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (82)

|c2=
*[[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (12)
*[[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (27)
*[[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] (28)
*[[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] (29)

|h3=[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]|c3=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Blowtorch]] (7)
*[[Steeler]] (8)
*[[Rock 'n Roll]] (9)
*[[Sandstorm (G.I. Joe)|Sandstorm]] (10)
*[[Dusty]] (11)
*[[Roadblock (G.I. Joe)|Roadblock]] (15)
*[[Skidmark (G.I. Joe)|Skidmark]] (23)
*[[Tunnel Rat]] (25)
*[[Airtight]] (30)
*[[Lightfoot (G.I. Joe)|Lightfoot]] (31)
*[[Deep Six]] (32)
*[[Ozone]] (33)
*[[Wetsuit]] (34)
*[[Repeater (G.I. Joe)|Repeater]] (35)
*[[Beachhead]] (36)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Leatherneck]] (37)
*[[Snow Job]] (38)
*[[Stretcher]] (39)
*[[Hit and Run]] (40)
*[[General Flagg]] (41)
*[[Freefall (G.I. Joe)|Freefall]] (42)
*[[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]] (43)
*[[Airwave (G.I. Joe)|Airwave]] (44)
*[[Scoop (G.I. Joe)|Scoop]] (45)
*[[Cold Front]] (46)
*[[Ambush (G.I. Joe)|Ambush]] (47)
*[[Quick Kick]] (48)
*[[Wild Bill]] (49)
*[[Lady Jaye]] (50)
*[[Recoil (G.I. Joe)|Recoil]] (52)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Cross Country]] (53)
*[[Red Spot]] (54)
*[[Gung-Ho]] (55)
*[[Torpedo]] (56)
*[[Wreckage (G.I. Joe)|Wreckage]] (57)
*[[Grunt]] (58)
*[[Stalker (G.I. Joe)|Stalker]] (59)
*[[Psych Out]] (60)
*[[Lifeline (G.I. Joe)|Lifeline]] (61)
*[[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]] (72)
*[[Bazooka (G.I. Joe)|Bazooka]] (74)
*[[Cover Girl]] (75)
*[[Tripwire (G.I. Joe)|Tripwire]] (78)
{{!}}}
|h4=[[Cobra]]|c4=
*[[Destro]] (13)
*[[Baroness|Serpentress]] (14)
*[[Raptor (Cobra)|Raptor]] (16)
*[[Road Pig (Dreadnok)|Road Pig]] (17)
*[[Dreadnok|Ripper]] (18)
*[[Dreadnok|Torch]] (19)
*[[Zandar]] (20)
*[[Zanzibar]] (21)
*[[Copperhead]] (22)
*[[Battle Android Trooper|B.A.T.]] (24)
*[[Zartan]] (51)
*[[Nemesis Enforcer]] (63)
*[[Storm Shadow|Stormshadow]] (65)
*[[Major Bludd]] (66)
*[[Cobra Commander]] (67)

|h5=Others|c5=
*[[S.H.R.I.E.K.]] (1)
*[[Horrorshow]] (2)
*[[Münchnik]] (3)
*[[Colonel Breakoff]] (4)
*[[Dragun]] (5)
*[[Daina|Denia]] (6)
*[[Koh-Buru-Lah (creature)|Koh-Buru-Lah]] (62)
*[[Snake-Eyes]] (64)
*[[Billy (G.I. Joe)|Billy]] (68)
*[[Keeper (Transformer)|Keeper]] (69)
*[[Primus]] (71)
*''[[Quintesson|The Makers]]'' (75)
*''[[Daiakuron]]'' (76)
*''[[Unicron]]'' (79)
}}

==Quotes==
"I fink I've gone and lost me bloomin' happytite."
:—'''Ripper''', after watching Skidmark meet his end

"I told you having a G.I. Joe chef was a bad idea." 
"Great cuisine is worth the risk."
:—'''Serpentress''' and '''Destro'''

"I can't let myself believe it—not for one second. Until I see it with my own eyes, Earth is just how I remember it. Can't do the job any other way." 
"Denial is half the battle."
:—'''Roadblock''' and '''Tunnel Rat'''

"In all this high-tech survival gear, it's getting harder to tell the orgs from the borgs. We're all Cybertronians now."
:—'''Ozone'''

"The makers sure would be disappointed in us. Instead of creating new life, we've created new ways of killing each other." 
"My makers didn't like how I turned out either, Rodimus."
:—'''Rodimus''' and '''Bazooka'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*Doctor Venom was shown building B.A.T.s for G.I. Joe back in [[Funeral for a Friend|issue #3]], but Cobra has one in this issue. What this means for the good doctor, last seen escaping Optimus Prime's custody in [[Headmasters (issue)|issue #7]], remains to be seen.
*Hook and Scavenger grouse about the loss of the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]]' [[Devastator (G1)|combined form]] following the death of [[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]], which took place in [[Targetmasters (issue)|issue #2]].
*Duke, Snake Eyes, and Optimus encountered the [[Quintesson]]s in [[Everybody Hates Metroplex|issue #5]], in which they claimed to be not just the creators of the Transformers, as in past media, but of ''all'' life. Here, the visuals tell us that the Quintessons are actually the "gestalt" forms of the Moai-like "Makers"—the reason for their multiple faces and tentacles, formed from the Makers' own faces and limbs—and that they created Daiakuron, who then created other planets, making their statement essentially true.
*Ultra Magnus was mentioned before in issue #5, but nothing about that issue implied he was anything more than the great Autobot warrior he is typically depicted as. The prose story "[[Black Cybertron]]" (see "Other trivia," below) explains his sinister appearance here by painting him as the Autobot God of Death.

===Transformers references===
*One of the Decepticon caterers who serves Megatron is based on [[Drag Strip (G1)#Generation 1|Drag Strip]]'s toy, colored in greys and blues.
*The Keeper of Primus, a character from the original Marvel series, appears to guide Duke and Rodimus's team through the depths of Cybertron.
*"Daiakuron" is, of course, named in reference to ''[[Diaclone]]'', the Japanese toyline from which the toys that would become the first Transformers were taken; the spelling is a direct phonetic rendering of the Japanese pronunciation of the word (ダイアクロン da-i-a-ku-ro-n).
*The twin horn-mountains Cybertron has grown over the course of this series have always been evocative of Unicron. This issues explains that both Cybertron and Unicron were created by the horned Daiakuron, and they both inherited the feature from their "father."
*The "ferry" Ultra Magnus uses to transport Prime's body is styled after his own trailer and his rown with a bone white version of the [[Magnus Hammer]]. This doesn't affect the appearance of Magnus himself, who is still drawn with his traditional appearance as if the trailer has formed his body, save for the fact he is missing his shoulder-launchers, visible on the ferry. While the ferry is colored with Magnus's usual red, blue, white, the sinister form of Magnus himself is black, magenta, and white.
*Surprisingly, this is not the first time that Megatron shown a taste for humans. In [[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: The Battlestars (manga)|''The Battlestars'' manga]], Super Megatron had plans to eat a bunch of oil rig workers as snacks (even licking one like a lollipop). Though the key difference here is that Super Megatron was stopped before he could do so while regular Megatron got to eat Skidmark.

===G.I. Joe references===
*Torch prefers a "Yank fizzy drink" at the feast rather than wine; the purple bottle marks it as grape soda, the favorite drink of the Dreadnoks in the original Marvel ''G.I. Joe'' comic book.
*"Denial is half the battle," quips Tunnel Rat, riffing on the classic ''Joe'' [[public service announcement]]s that ended with "Knowing is half the battle."
*Cold Front? Red Spot? Who ''are'' all these guys? Never small to begin with in this series, the Joe ranks swell even further with the first appearances of many lesser-known Joes, most of whom hail from the 1988, 1989, and 1990 product lines released in the gap between ''G.I. Joe'' animated series, and who consequently never gained the wider exposure and recognition that came with being in the one ''Joe'' cartoon anyone cares about. This being a ''Transformers'' wiki, we'd gamble you've not heard of most of them!

===Real-life references===
*Roadblock recalls his best Christmas as a child, when he received an {{w|Easy-Bake Oven}} and a {{w|Huffy}} bicycle.
*Cover Girl likens the discoveries the Joes and Autobots make about Cybertron's origins to ''{{w|Chariots of the Gods?}}''
*Ultra Magnus is playing the role of {{w|Charon (mythology)|Charon}}, the ferryman from Greek mythology who took the souls of the deceased across the river into Hades.

===Other trivia===
*This issue is dedicated to the memory of [[Herb Trimpe]], noted ''G.I. Joe'' comic book artist, who passed away in April 2015.
*Assuming he's not one of the two aforementioned caterers who presents Megatron with his grisly dish, a Decepticon chef named "[[Confektor]]" is mentioned.
*The usual creator commentary is absent from this issue, replaced with the prose story "[[Black Cybertron]]."

==Reprints==
* '''''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe Quintessential Collection''''' Hardcover
* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 74: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Part 2'''''

<gallery>
File:IDW-TFvsJoeQC.jpg|'''''Quintessential Collection'''''; cover art by Scioli
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v74.jpg|'''''Definitive G1 Collection: Vol. 74: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Pt. 2'''''; cover art by [[Don Figueroa]] and Scioli
</gallery>

==External links==
*[http://www.comicbookresources.com/comic-previews/transformers-vs-gi-joe-10-idw-2015 Preview]

Stick To Your Guns

2021-04-25T10:45:02Z

Shockwitwicky86: Adding reprint information.

{{Comicstory|series=tfvsjoe
|issueno=9
|prev=Pax Megatronus
|next=Earth: R.I.P.
|image=TFvsJoe9_regcvr.jpg
|title="Stick To Your Guns" Spotlight: Destro
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[October 7]], [[2015]]
|coverdate=August 2015
|written by=[[Tom Scioli]]
|art by=Tom Scioli
|colors by=Tom Scioli
|letters by=Tom Scioli
|production by=[[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[Carlos Guzman]]
|continuity=[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe]]
}}

'''In a time long past... the origin of Destro revealed! '''

==Synopsis==
''At the dawn of man, an [[Ark (G1)|Autobot spaceship]] falls from the heavens...''

Hundreds of years ago, in medieval Scotland, [[Laird Mac Cullen]] embarks on a pilgrimage to the island of the gods, bringing with him his strongest warrior and right hand, and his mute younger brother. Met by the druid-priests who guard the cave of the gods, Mac Cullen professes his desire for wisdom from the gods, hoping to learn when the Viking raiders who have been terrorising neighboring islands may come to attack his valley. Permitted access to the cave—in truth, the ruined hulk of the Autobot spacecraft—the three warriors are warned not to touch anything they find within. The two older men stare in awe at the frozen forms of the robotic "gods" that stand around them, but the younger Mac Cullen brother finds himself mesmerized by a small [[energon cube|glowing cube]] on the ground. Heedless of the priests' warning, he picks it up and inserts it into a receptacle in the wall, bringing the ship's computer, [[Teletraan I|Teletran-One]] to life. The computer releases a [[Sky Spy]] that scans the mute Mac Cullen, "exchanging information" with the boy and using his form as a basis to revive one of the robots. The three Scotsmen panic as one of the Decepticons comes back to life, and they attack with their blades; Mac Cullen manages to cleave its metal face off, after which the tiny spark of energy infusing it and Teletran with life flickers out, and both robot and computer deactivate. Believing they have bested a god and are now worthy to claim a prize, Mac Cullen takes parts of the robot's body, but as they leave, his attempt to hide his trespass from the druids fails. The trio barely manage to escape the mystics' wrath, and return to their valley, where an incredible transformation soon evinces itself, as the young Mac Cullen speaks for the first time.

In time, the injuries sustained by Mac Cullen's right hand take their toll, and he passes away. His body is placed upon a funeral pyre, but when the pyre is lit, the flames illuminate the sails of a fleet of Viking longships bearing down on Mac Cullen's land. Armoring himself with the stolen pieces of the Decepticon's body and wearing the robot's severed metal face as a mask, Mac Cullen declares himself the "First Laird of Destro", and plunges into battle alongside his men. Mac Cullen fights hard, but eventually is slain by the Viking horde. Where the laird has merely mimicked the physical form of the gods, however, his younger brother has truly been touched by their wisdom: as the battle has raged, the new, alien thoughts racing through the boy's mind have led him to fashion a new weapon from powder and fire... the first gun, which he uses to slay the Viking leader [[Thor FalkenHauser]]. [[Aberneth the Hawk-Helmed]] takes the fallen Thor's tomahawk, and they flee back to their ships in the face of the boy's power.

Donning his fallen brother's metal mask, the young Mac Cullen returns to the island of the gods, realizing the druids sold out his people to the Vikings as punishment for their sacrilege. Using the weapon he has created, Mac Cullen drives the druids away from their land, and in the months that follow, he builds his own castle there, atop the spacecraft: [[Castle Destro]]. Travelling the world to expand his knowledge, while also listening to the murmured words of the sleeping "gods" beneath his castle, "[[Destro]]" enhances his body to ensure himself cybernetic immortality, while forging an empire built on the advanced weaponry their otherworldly science allows him to create.

In the closing days of the 20th century, having moved Castle Destro brick-by-brick to [[California]], Destro is approached by [[Cobra Commander]]. The Commander questions Destro's method of doing business, which commonly involves selling weapons to both side of any conflict; what use is having the biggest gun, the Commander wonders, if the enemy has it as well? To that end, he offers Destro a literal pyramid of cash to become a [[Cobra]]-exclusive contractor, providing weapons for them and them alone.

==Featured characters==
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
*Generic "Datsun" Autobot (6)

|c2=
*Generic [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] (5)
*Generic [[Decepticon Mini-Cassette|Mini-Cassette]] (8)
*Not-[[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] (11)

|c3=
*Mac Cullen's warrior (1)
*[[Laird Mac Cullen]] (2)
*[[Destro|Mac Cullen's brother/Destro]] (3)
*Cobra druids (4)
*[[Aberneth the Hawk-Helmed]] (9)
*[[Thor FalkenHauser]] (10)
*[[Cobra Commander]] (12)
*[[Cobra]] troopers (13)
*Bespectacled bikini-clad babes (14)

|c4=
*[[Teletraan I|Teletran-One]] (7)
}}

==Quotes==
"Clad in the flesh of the gods, I fear no man!"
:—'''Laird Mac Cullen'''

"What business has a blackguard such as ye here in this holy place?" 
"Ye betrayed my brother—sold us out to those outland marauders." 
"Ye sealed your own fate, stealing from the gods." 
"I've come to make good. I've come to return what I've taken. I've come to return fire stolen from the gods." 
''<click-BOOM>''
:—The '''druids''' and the young '''Mac Cullen'''

"After World War I Castle Destro was moved brick by brick, stone by stone to California after centuries in the gloom of the old world. It made sense in the dawning of a new age, Castle Destro stand in perpetual sunlight." 
"It wasn't to escape the ghostsss? They say Castle Destro is haunted by every soul that died on the wrong end of a Destro gun." 
"I '''ghost-proofed''' this new version of the ancestral home. Architectural tricks, stairs to nowhere, etc." 
"It's an expensive affectation, to move a whole castle." 
"When you're as rich as I am, no affectation is too expensive."
:—'''Destro''' and '''Cobra Commander'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*Per Scioli's notes at the end of the issue, the druids who guard the crashed Ark are "the ancestors of Cobra, or maybe an offshoot that shares a common ancestor"—the common ancestor would logically be the ancient spawn of [[Koh-Buru-Lah (creature)|Koh-Buru-Lah]].
*We previously saw Hawk's tomahawk in the hands of Vikings in [[Everybody Hates Metroplex|issue #5]]. We now know from this issue that the character holding the weapon was an elderly version of Aberneth the Hawk-Helmed, and that he and his Vikings had obviously learned a lot more about the Transformers between now and then, as they and their ships were adorned with assorted Transformers symbology.
*Destro revealed himself to be long-lived thanks to cybernetic enhancement in [[Funeral for a Friend|issue #3]], with this issue revealing just how old he really is.

===Transformers references===
*The ''Ark'' is, of course, drawn based on its animation model from the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]].
*Generic Transformers seen within the ''Ark'' include a [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]], and a "Datsun" Autobot (that is, one sharing the body-type of [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]], and [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]]). The Transformer awakened by Teletran-One is of the humanoid [[Decepticon Mini-Cassette]] design used by [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] and [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]], its small, nearly-human stature explained to be the result of Teletran reconfiguring it into a "human" form after scanning the young Destro—similar to the manner in which the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] were created in the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel comic]], based on scans on real dinosaurs. Later in the story, Destro is shown listening to the murmurs of a slumbering bat-Decepticon inspired by [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]]. We're not willing to definitively identify any of these characters as named, pre-existing Transformers.
*Teletran-One utters the line "Repair! Repair!", taken from the Generation 1 cartoon episode "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]". The computer also remarks "And now, on with the countdown!", the catchphrase of actor and radio disc jockey [[Casey Kasem]], who provided the computer's voice in the cartoon.
*The narration refers to the slumbering Transformers beneath Castle Destro as "dwellers in the depths", after the Generation 1 cartoon episode title, "[[The Dweller in the Depths]]".
*The issue's title "Spotlight: Destro" is named for the occasional sub-series of [[The Transformers: Spotlight|IDW Generation 1 comics]].
*The Transformers on the subscription cover are mostly familiar faces, but two more lesser-known characters are also present; 1988 Decepticon cassette [[Squawktalk (G1)|Squawktalk]], and the Autobot traffic light from ''Cybertron'', [[Signal Lancer]].

===G.I. Joe references===
*The druids all have blue skin, an allusion to ''G.I. Joe: The Movie'', which revealed that Cobra Commander was a blue-skinned [[Cobra-La]]vian beneath his mask.
*It's been staring us the in face all along, but Hawk's tomahawk—which shares its shape with the sigil of the Viking raiders, one obviously having inspired the other—is based on the 1970s ''G.I. Joe'' [[Adventure Team (G.I. Joe)|Adventure Team]] logo, a combined A and T atop one another.
*Though unnamed in the story, the leaders of the Viking raiders are identified in Scioli's commentary as "Aberneth the Hawk-Helmed", Hawk's ancestor (his real surname being "Abernathy"), and "Thor FalkenHauser", Duke's ancestor (his name a joint reference to Duke's real surname, "Hauser", and to his half-brother, [[Falcon (G.I. Joe)|Falcon]]).
*The women draped over the pile of money Cobra Commander offers Destro all look like the [[Baroness]], with their round glasses and raven hair. Destro and the Baroness have historically been romantically linked throughout the ''G.I. Joe'' franchise.

===Jack Kirby references===
*The sight of proto-humans staring up at the crashing ''Ark'' is, as Scioli notes in his commentary, highly evocative of the film ''{{w|2001: A Space Odyssey}}''. Kirby did both an adaptation and spin-off series of the film for Marvel Comics.
*Cullen's theft is revealed by the cobra-headed staffs of the druids, which emit a sound effect when they detect the metal beneath his cloak. This sound, "PING PING", is the sound effect of {{w|Mother Box}} from Jack Kirby's {{w|Fourth World (comics)|"Fourth World" comics}}.

===Real-life references===
*The druids use {{w|Greek fire}} on Mac Cullen's fleeing boat.
*The Vikings hail from "'''G'''iant '''I'''sland '''Jo'''tunheim", a cute allusion to "G.I. Joe", but also a reference to {{w|Jötunheimr|Jotunheim}}, land of the giants, from Norse mythology.
*Destro's 'ghost-proofing' of his castle is a parallel to the {{w|Winchester Mystery House}} which also was said to be haunted by the ghosts of those who were killed with the guns that the owner manufactured.

===Other trivia===
*The double-page spread of the crashing ''Ark'' is the first thing you see when you open the comic, printed across the inside-front cover and the first page of the issue. The credits, normally on the inside-cover, are moved to the second page of the comic. The second half of the spread is also reprinted on the inside-back cover, so that if you were to remove the cover from the comic, you'd have a "mini-poster" of the scene.
*As with last issue, this issue was inexplicably only available digitally a week after it came out in physical shops. Moreover, the digital version is missing both the first half of the above-mentioned spread and the final story page.

===Covers (3)===
*'''Standard cover:''' [[Serpentor]] and [[Unicron]] by [[Tom Scioli]]
*'''Subscription cover:''' They came from Cybertron - the Earth came for them! By [[David Lafuente]] and [[John Rauch]]
*'''Cover RI:''' Megatron holds aloft a handful of G.I. Joes, by [[Ben Marra]]

<gallery>
File:TFvsJoe9_regcvr.jpg
File:TFvsJoe9_subcvr.jpg
File:TFvsJoe9_cvrRI.jpg
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe'' #10
*''[[The Transformers: Sins of the Wreckers|Sins of the Wreckers]]'' [[Sins of the Wreckers issue 1|#1]]
*''G.I. Joe: Cobra World Order'' Prelude
*IDW ''Transformers'' graphic novel library
*''Danger Girl: Renegade'' (back cover)

==Reprints==
* '''''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe Quintessential Collection''''' Hardcover
* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 74: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Part 2'''''

<gallery>
File:IDW-TFvsJoeQC.jpg|'''''Quintessential Collection'''''; cover art by Scioli
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v74.jpg|'''''Definitive G1 Collection: Vol. 74: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Pt. 2'''''; cover art by [[Don Figueroa]] and Scioli
</gallery>

Pax Megatronus

2021-04-25T10:44:22Z

Shockwitwicky86: Adding reprint information.

{{Comicstory|series=tfvsjoe
|issueno=8
|prev=Headmasters (issue)
|next=Stick To Your Guns
|image=TFvsJoe8_regcvr.jpg
|title="Pax Megatronus"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[July 29]], [[2015]] (print) [[August 5]], 2015 (digital)
|coverdate=July 2015
|written by=[[Tom Scioli]] and [[John Barber]]
|art by=Tom Scioli
|colors by=Tom Scioli
|letters by=Tom Scioli
|production by=[[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[Carlos Guzman]]
|continuity=[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe]]
}}

'''General Flagg awakens Omega Supreme and travels to a Cybertron in chaos as Optimus Prime and Megatron finally face off.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Billy (G.I. Joe)|Billy]] has escaped [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and returned to [[Earth]] with a prize: the bloodied body of [[Snake-Eyes]], which he now lays before his very-much alive father, [[Cobra Commander]]! Though he is impressed by his son's accomplishment, the cybernetic limbs that are now a part of Billy raise the ire of the terrible [[Koh-Buru-Lah (creature)|Koh-Buru-Lah]], and the Commander concedes that it is better that Billy die than live with the "stink of the machine" on him. His prostheses transform to try and fight back, but the eldritch horror tears the boy limb from limb.

In [[Washington, D.C.]], [[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]], [[Lady Jaye]], and [[Flash (G.I. Joe)|Flash]] arrive at the [[White House]] to arrest [[General Flagg]], who has just overthrown the [[President of the United States|President]]. Flagg convinces them that he is the best man to lead the fight against the approaching Cybertron; after some arguing, Hawk's team agree, and together with Flagg, they set out to search for an Autobot sleeper agent who has been laying dormant on Earth for ages. While heading down Highway Omega, they come under attack from [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] and [[Viper]], but are saved when the Autobot they are looking for turns out to actually ''be'' the very highway they are driving on—the titanic [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], who awakens in time to dispatch their pursuers, then transforms into his rocket mode and carries them into space toward Cybertron. Omega is intercepted part-way by his old foe, [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]], and the pair engage in battle, but before long, Omega triumphs, bringing himself, Astrotrain, and Flagg's team down to Cybertron with meteoric force.

The group finds a Cybertron in chaos. Word of the return of [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], and his taming of [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] and restoration of [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]'s body, has spread like wildfire around the planet, inciting the cowed Autobot populace to rebellion. While the Autobot masses, led by [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] and [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]], follow Omega to Optimus, Flagg's team set out to search for the rest of the Joes on the planet, taking in the many strange sights: from the fully terraformed and now-overgrown [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], to a trio of "[[Pretender]]s", robots created by the Decepticons to emulate human form.

Back on Earth, Cobra Commander prepares to unmask Snake-Eyes for his minions, in order to show off the damage he did to the ninja's face. Just before his mask is removed, however, Snake-Eyes springs to life, his near-death state an apparent ruse. He is immediately surrounded by the Commander's troops, including Koh-Buru-Lah's reptilian spawn, but quickly evades them and escapes outside.

Simultaneously, on Cybertron, Optimus Prime and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] face off as their assembled troops watch in awe. Though Prime appears to turn the fight in his favour when a blade-strike cleaves Megatron's chest open, what the wound reveals is more emotionally crippling to Optimus than any physical injury incurred in the combat: the [[Matrix of Leadership]], stolen by Megatron so long ago, bonded to the Decepticon leader's [[black hole]]-heart to become the unholy tool with which he subjugated the will of [[Primus]] himself. Content that the most devastating blow possible has been stuck by this revelation, and concerned with far greater matters than a nostalgic bout with an old enemy, Megatron declares the duel over, and unperturbed by notions of "fairness," simply orders has his Decepticons to overrun the Autobots. Now, Megatron turns his attention toward his ultimate goal—for at last, the gap between Earth and Cybertron has closed, and the gigantic, horn-like mega-mountains that have grown from the metal world's surface now stab into Earth's crust with the force of uncountable atomic bombs! The Joes on Cybertron try to contact their homeworld, but there is no sign of response, and they can only watch as Optimus Prime is dragged to the edge of a pit and sent plunging to oblivion by a point-blank [[fusion cannon]] blast from Megatron, right through his chest!

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks. 
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (13)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (16)
*[[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] (23)
*[[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] (25)
*[[Kup (G1)|Kup]] (26)
*[[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] (28)

|c2=
*[[Army]] (11)
*[[Limbot]] (12)
*[[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] (14)
*[[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (21)
*[[Viper]] (22)
*[[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] (24)
*[[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] (29)
*[[Stranglehold]] (30)
*[[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (31)
*[[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] (33)
*[[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] (34)

|h3=[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]|c3=
*[[Scoop (G.I. Joe)|Scoop]] (addressed, 15)
*[[Lady Jaye]] (17)
*[[Flash (G.I. Joe)|Flash]] (18)
*[[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]] (19)
*[[General Flagg]] (20)
*[[Stalker (G.I. Joe)|Stalker]] (35)
*[[Sci-Fi]] (36)
*[[Gung-Ho]] (37)
*[[Rock 'n Roll]] (38)
*[[Beachhead]] (39)
*[[Quick Kick]] (40)

|h4=[[Cobra]]|c4=
*[[Pythona]] (3)
*[[Major Bludd]] (4)
*[[Firefly]] (5)
*[[Cobra Commander]] (6)
*[[Tomax and Xamot]] (8-9)
*[[Golobulus]] (10)
*[[Crimson Guard]]smen (27)
*[[Nemesis Enforcer]] (32)

|h5=Others|c5=
*[[Koh-Buru-Lah (creature)|Koh-Buru-Lah]] (1)
*[[Billy (G.I. Joe)|Billy]] (2)
*[[Snake-Eyes]] (7)
}}

==Quotes==

"I told the president he could take a well-earned vacation. Told him Joe's got it from here." 
"You've killed an entire special committee." 
"I dunno. They were reptilian shapeshifters or robots in disguise or something."
:—'''General Flagg''' is full of excuses that '''Hawk''' isn't buying

"How did it all start? I needed '''something''' to slow it all down. The speeding, pounding '''thoughts'''. The torture of a hungry mind on this world of monolithic sameness. Only room for one mind: Megatron, the cosmic '''bore'''. No debate, only obeisance. I'm just old enough to remember the last days of the Iaconian salons. That was the world I was meant for--built too late. Dark Energon--Nucleon Nails--I've done 'em all. Never know which is gonna be the last one--the one that sends me to the slag heap." 
"Optimus is back! He's tamed the Scorponok. Trypticon is next. Spread the word." 
"Optimus Prime. Optimus '''molten-feathered''' Prime. Something new on this grey world. Something--some '''one'''--to ride for."
:—'''Wreck-Gar''' the drug addict is brought news by '''Kup''' that gives him the strength to break his habit

"Gather 'round, my children. Admire your leader's artistry. See how much I prettied him up. Take a look at the exquisite horror behind the mask of Snake Eyesss."
:—'''Cobra Commander'''

"I'm not immune to the charms of nostalgia, but the old ways no longer apply. Scuffles are for lesser beings than I. My realm is the greater cosmos. Bear witness to the power of Megatron. Look up."
:—'''Megatron''' declares his superiority, moments before Earth and Cybertron collide

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*Surprising no-one, it turns out the "mystery villain" responsible for freeing Tomax and Xamot and raising Koh-Buru-Lah is Cobra Commander. Shock!
*Billy has evidently escaped from his imprisonment within Scorponok following the events of last issue. Snake-Eyes was doing fine last we saw him, in [[Maccadam's Old Oil House|Maccadam's Lubricarium]] in [[Expelled from the Garden|issue #6]], but it looks like his bloodied, incapacitated state was a ruse.
*Omega Supreme's absence was alluded to in [[Form Follows Function|issue #4]].
*The Pretenders are evidently the end result of the Decepticons' experiments with "making people", as we saw in issues #6 and [[Headmasters (issue)|#7]].
*Megatron is still wearing the slain [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]'s head over his hand in emulation of [[Megatron (BW)|''Beast Wars'' Megatron]].
*We learned that Megatron had somehow perverted [[Primus]] in issue #6; in this issue, we learn he used the captured and corrupted Matrix to do so.
* A pile of dead Autobot heads passed by the Joes includes Cliffjumper, Warpath, and Bluestreak.

===Transformers references===
*New ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' toy [[Viper]] gets to put in an appropriate cameo appearance, described on his "file card" as the "DeceptiCobra Alliance Incarnate". He transforms into a Cobra [[Rattler]], see.
*Wreck-Gar refers to having taken [[Dark Energon]] and [[Nucleon Nail]]s as part of a drug metaphor (cos he's a ''Junkie''-on, get it?).
*Lots of generic [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] going on this issue, but the one who tries to put down the Autobot uprising seems to take his color scheme cues from ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]].
*As Flagg's unit travel across Cybertron, one of the sights they see is [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] being snatched up by a [[harvester unit]], a more Kirby-fied version of the cruel devices seen in [[The Smelting Pool!|issue #17]] of the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|original Marvel series]].
*Two other generic Pretenders appear in addition to Stranglehold; an all-blue one based on Starscream's Pretender shell, and some naked dude with a ponytail.
*Megatron uses a version of his [[energon mace]], which here extrudes from his [[fusion cannon]].
*Megatron's "black hole heart" is a reference to his original Generation 1 profile, which noted he had the ability to trans-dimensionally link himself to a black hole that he could then draw on for power.
*Megatron declares his and Prime's fight at an end by saying "It's over, Prime", one of his famous lines from ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''.

===G.I. Joe references===
*Though unnamed, the two prominent reptilians who stand alongside Cobra Commander and his team on the first page are green-skinned versions of ''G.I. Joe: The Movie'' villains Pythona and Golobulus, further cementing the implied conceptual link between Koh-Buru-Lah and [[Cobra-La]] from past issues. Fellow Cobra-Lavian Nemesis Enforcer, also unnamed, appears later in the issue.
*The exterior shot of Cobra Commander's base as Snake Eyes escaped reveals it to be the [[Silent Castle]], Cobra's mountain hideaway from the Marvel ''G.I. Joe'' comic book.

===Real-life references===
*Though the poses don't match, Cobra Commander and his retinue certainly seem to be evoking {{w|The Last Supper}} with their "dinner party" on the first page. On the wall behind them is {{w|Benjamin Franklin}}'s political cartoon, "{{w|Join, or Die}}".
*When Megatron and Optimus battle, their combat begins like a beat-'em-up video game, starting with a display of the two franchises' Japanese logos, then the Japanese characters for "Fight!".

===Other trivia===
*Something a little weird went on with the release of this issue. Physical copies were released to comic book stores as normal, but no review copies or online previews were distributed, and it was not made digitally available until the following week.

===Covers (3)===
*'''Standard cover:''' [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] and Flash zoom through space from Earth to Cybertron, by [[Tom Scioli]]
*'''Subscription cover:''' [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] and [[Shipwreck]] by [[Andy Suriano]]
*'''Cover RI:''' Megatron and [[Destro]] by [[Artyom Trakhanov]]

<gallery>
File:TFvsJoe8_regcvr.jpg
File:TFvsJoe8_subcvr.jpg
File:TFvsJoe8_cvrRI.jpg
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe'' #9
*''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|The Transformers]]'' [[South of Heaven|#43]]
*''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' [[The One Where They Go to Earth|#43]]
*''[[The Transformers: Windblade|Windblade]]'' [[Race Against the Light|#5]]
*[[An Uneventful Night|''Combiner Hunters'' #1]]
*IDW EC Comics variant cover month checklist (back cover)

==Reprints==
* '''''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe Quintessential Collection''''' Hardcover
* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 74: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Part 2'''''

<gallery>
File:IDW-TFvsJoeQC.jpg|'''''Quintessential Collection'''''; cover art by Scioli
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v74.jpg|'''''Definitive G1 Collection: Vol. 74: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Pt. 2'''''; cover art by [[Don Figueroa]] and Scioli
</gallery>

Headmasters (issue)

2021-04-25T10:40:58Z

Shockwitwicky86: Adding reprint information.

{{disambig3|Headmaster}}

{{Comicstory|series=tfvsjoe
|issueno=7
|prev=FCBD Funnies
|next=Pax Megatronus
|image=TFvsJoe7_regcvr.jpg
|title="Headmasters"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[June 3]], [[2015]]
|coverdate=March 2015
|written by=[[Tom Scioli]] and [[John Barber]]
|art by=Tom Scioli
|colors by=Tom Scioli
|letters by=Tom Scioli
|production by=[[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[Carlos Guzman]]
|continuity=''[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe]]''
}}

'''Scarlett is confronted with the reality that neither G.I. Joe nor the Transformers actually exist, and that she is a mentally unwell patient about to return to her life in the nice, normal town of Springfield...'''

==Synopsis==
To cure her of her delusion that "Transformers" and "G.I. Joe" are anything more than children's toys and cartoons, [[Scarlett|Shana O'Hara]] is strapped into the [[Brainwave Scanner]] by the kindly [[Doctor Mindbender|Doctor Mindelbinder]]. In the dreams the machine induces, Scarlett sees herself fighting strange reptile-creatures... a small [[Bumblebee (G1)|robot's head]] held between a human thumb and forefinger... a metal face and the words "[[Mindwipe (G1)|mind wipe]]"... and herself, praying before a shining [[Optimus Prime (G1)|robotic figure]], who tells her he will soon return.

Following her session, Mindelbinder takes Shana to see [[Doctor B]] and her current robotics project: "[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]", an artificial intelligence she has named after a character from the ''Transformers'' cartoon. As Shana is wheeled through the hospital, she observes a nursery full of babies, and a [[Billy (G.I. Joe)|young man]] with cybernetic limbs, who apparently communicates with her telepathically to tell her that "[[Snake-Eyes|her boyfriend]]" was responsible for his condition. The mental technique feels familiar to Shana... but nonetheless, in a subsequent office session with Mindelbinder, she appears to have been cured of her delusions, and now tells the doctor that she knows the robots and soldiers are only imaginary. Reunited with her husband Fred and her two children, she returns home to [[Springfield (G.I. Joe)|Springfield]]. But in truth, Shana has only told Mindelbinder what she knew he wanted to hear—dark visions of alien ghosts swarm in her mind as she tries to go about her daily life, their voices ringing in her ears, the world and everything in it seeming artificial... until eventually, unable to bear it any long, she shaves half her hair off, and discovers a fresh scar on her scalp. Picking the wound open, Shana finds an electronic implant within, which she jolts to life with a shock from a power cord. In her mind's eye, the image of [[General Flagg|a general]] appears, who urges her to get out as fast as she can.

At a welcome home party thrown for her by the neighborhood, Shana sees many familiar faces in the crowd—those her mind tells her are her old G.I. Joe teammates. She tries to jog [[Mutt]]'s memory, but he reacts only with confusion... until he leaves the party, and finds himself being followed by a [[Junkyard (G.I. Joe)|dog]]. He tries to shoo the animal away, but it pounces on him... and its fond licking of his face stirs a memory within him...

Pushed to the brink, Shana slits her husband's throat, and sets their house on fire with her children—whom she is convinced are not real—still inside. Leaving the inferno, Shana finds all her friends waiting for her... and a whispered "Yo Joe" from Mutt confirms that all she has believed is true. She is Scarlett of G.I. Joe—and she will have revenge.

The Joes, bar Scarlett, locate the bodies of the [[Autobot]]s who were captured alongside them, and although the 'bots are non-responsive and stuck in vehicle mode, they still make useful getaway cars. Before long, the Springfield police force are in hot pursuit, but the Joes outrun them and smash through her roadblocks to finally burst out of Springfield... which they discover is an artificial town constructed inside [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], the Decepticon "city of madness". Their minds finally clearing as they escape the boundaries of Scorponok, the Joes are amazed to see [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], back on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] once more, facing off against the huge scorpion-city. At a command from their leader, the mesmerized Autobots are suddenly themselves again, and transform to enter the fray.

Back in Springfield, Scarlett returns to the hospital to confront her tormentors. She first comes upon Doctor B, and hands her a sword: a means of defending herself as Scarlett attempts to kill her. The doctor refuses to take the blade, insisting that she is only there to obtain funding from [[Cobra]] to further her own research, and that Scarlett's grudge has nothing to do with her. Content with the woman's refusal to fight, Scarlett spares her life, and then heads for Mindelbinder's office. There, Mindelbinder—or rather, Cobra's [[Doctor Mindbender]]—chastizes her even as he opens fire on her, claiming that she would have suffered ''much'' worse had a more callous intellect than his been responsible for her treatment. Mindbender escapes when Scarlett is attacked by her "children"—revealed to be bio-mechanical constructs, now seared by flame down to the metal skeleton—but she quickly overpowers them, catches up to Mindbender, and forces him to spill the beans. Mindbender hastily explains that the entire facility has been set up by [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] to study the brains of both human and Transformer in order to deduce the commonalities between them, with the end goal of "decrypting" the living mind itself and attaining complete control of all sentient beings in the universe. Satisfied with his answers, Scarlett straps Mindbender into the Brainwave Scanner, and stabs him through the heart; in his final moments, the doctor sees a twisted vision of a DNA spiral, and the faces of his heroes—the greatest rulers, conquerors, and villains in history—laughing at him.

Scarlett moves to depart the hospital, but is confronted with a final unexpected opponent: a bio-mechanical duplicate of ''herself''. The pair turn out to be evenly matched in every way, meaning that neither can win over the other... so all Scarlett focuses on is ''not'' bleeding to death before her doppelganger. This gruesome tactic works, and Scarlett is guided to her final objective by the ethereal alien voices: [[Zarak (G1)|Zarak]], the [[binary bonding|binary bonded]] master of Scorponok, who betrayed his people the [[Nebulos|Neb'los]] to the Decepticons long ago. Springfield was built upon their remains, and the ghosts of the Neb'Los now cry out for Scarlett to enact their vengeance. Scarlett slays Zarak, severing his bond with the city of madness, then takes control of Scorponok herself. For her first action, she uses the city's massive claws to return Bumblebee's still-living head to the humbled Optimus Prime.

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks. 
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (4)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (5)
*[[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] (22)
*[[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (23)
*[[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] (24)

|c2=
*[[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] (3)
*[[Army]] (7)
*[[Limbot]] (8)
*[[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] (25)
*[[Zarak (G1)|Zarak]] (27)

|h3=[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]|c3=
*[[Scarlett]] (2)
*[[Junkyard (G.I. Joe)|Junkyard]] (13)
*[[General Flagg]] (14)
*[[Gung-Ho]] (15)
*[[Alpine]] (16)
*[[Beachhead]] (17)
*[[Steeler]] (18)
*[[Dusty]] (19)
*[[Quick Kick]] (20)
*[[Mutt]] (21)
*[[Doctor Venom]] (26)

|h4=[[Cobra]]|c4=
*[[Doctor Mindbender]] (1)
*[[Doctor B]] (6)
*[[Crimson Guard|Fred]] (10)
*Scarlett's children (11-12)

|h5=Others|c5=
*[[Billy (G.I. Joe)|Billy]] (7)
}}

==Quotes==
"Why are you here?" 
"Delusions of persecution. Anti-social behavior. Violence. To myself and others." 
"What is G.I. Joe?" 
"G.I. Joe is a cartoon for children." 
"And Cybertron?" 
"A nonsense word, invented to tie together several unrelated robot toys into a single advertising narrative. Created in a boardroom by three toy executives named Cy, Bert and Ron."
:—'''Doctor Mindelbinder''' and '''Shana'''

"You're a doll, Shana. You're a doll that nobody wanted and for that reason alone, you are rare and valuable."
:—'''Doctor Mindbender'''

"I refuse to take my medicine if the doctor himself has never tried it."
:—'''Scarlett''', as she straps Mindbender into the Brainwave Scanner

"Zarak. Butcher. Betrayer. I don't know you from Adam. The ghosts of long-buried Neb'los demand your head. Who am I to refuse them their due?"
:—'''Scarlett'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*One of the first images Scarlett sees after being plugged into the Brainwave Scanner is what looks like herself, fighting reptilian creatures. In the issue's commentary, Scioli describes this as "memory regression going back to an ancestor", so presumably, these snake-men are of the reptilian race we were introduced to last issue, the spawn of [[Koh-Buru-Lah (creature)|Koh-Buru-Lah]].
*Bumblebee yet lives! The little yellow 'bot's decapitated head was brought back to Cybertron in [[The Golden Boys|issue #0]], and has been worn on a chain around Megatron's neck ever since, up until last issue, when Megatron had stopped wearing it. Now we know why!
*If you didn't pick up [[Robots in Disguise issue 0|''Robots in Disguise'' #0]] on [[Free Comic Book Day]], then Billy's appearance here will be unexpected: his plight, including the loss of his limbs to Snake-Eyes and their replacement with cybernetic duplicates, was detailed in the issue's ''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe'' back-up strip, "[[FCBD Funnies]]".
*Scarlett mentions once being "almost married", perhaps a reference to the promise she made to marry Snake-Eyes in issue #0. The characters have gone through similar plots in other pieces of ''G.I. Joe'' fiction.
*Gung-Ho still has the Autobot symbol tattoo he got in issue #5.
*[[Tunnel Rat]] found a machine that he believed could possibly have been "making" people last issue; looks like the bio-mechanical beings we see in this issue are the answer to that mystery.

===Transformers references===
*For his appearance in Scarlett's Brainwave Scanner vision, Bumblebee is based directly on his original Generation 1 character model, rather than the revised look he normally has in this series.
*Also part of Scarlett's vision in one small panel is Decepticon hypnotist [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]], with an appearance largely based on the face of his original toy, rather than his character model. Given the deliberately psychedelic collection of images, which includes things Scarlett cannot rationally be aware of, it's hard to know what to make of his brief showing here, beyond perhaps the inference that his abilities have something to do with the Brainwave Scanner, or might be an additional "treatment" used on Scarlett.
*Though the bit about "Cy, Bert and Ron" is fictional, Scarlett alludes to the Transformers toyline's real-life origin as "several unrelated robot toys", namely ''[[Diaclone]]'' and ''[[Micro Change]]''.

===G.I. Joe references===
*This issue is largely inspired by the two-part ''G.I. Joe'' cartoon episode, "There's No Place Like Springfield," in which [[Shipwreck]] awakes in the town of Springfield with no memory of the last few years, surrounded by ever-so-slightly "off" versions of his friends, and slowly thinks he is going insane. The whole thing, naturally, is revealed to be a Cobra plot, with the other inhabitants of the town turning out to be [[Synthoid]]s. Scioli notes in the commentary that in early drafts of this issue, Shipwreck was the star of the story.
*Springfield itself was created for the original Marvel ''G.I. Joe'' comic, in which it was a real, functioning town cast in the image of wholesome 1950s midwestern Americana—but one which was a public front for Cobra, with all those who lived in it being members of the organization. We previously saw an incarnation of the Springfield of Earth in this continuity in [[I Saw Three Ships|issue #1]].
*Though not discussed in-story, Scarlett's fake husband being named "Fred" indicates he is a member of the [[Crimson Guard]]. In the Marvel series, elite members of the Guard's "Fred" series all had plastic surgery to look identical and operated undercover across America. One memorable "Fred" was the father in an all-American nuclear Springfield family, like Scarlett's in this story, and the character's connection to the image of Springfield was previously referenced in this series when he and his family appeared on a billboard in issue #1.
*The torturous Brainwave Scanner was a fixture of the Marvel series, where it was designed by Doctor Venom. We previously saw a version of the device in Venom's own lab aboard the USS ''Flagg'' in [[Form Follows Function|issue #4]].
*"Doctor B" is something of a composite of Doctor [[Adele Burkhart|Adele '''B'''urkhart]], a minor supporting character in the Marvel series memorable for being at the center of the very first issue's plot, and [[Sidney Biggles-Jones|Doctor Sidney '''B'''iggles-Jones]], from the [[G.I. Joe (comic)|''G.I. Joe/Transformers: Generation 2'' crossover]]. She combines Burkart's non-combatant aggressive-peacenik stance with Biggles-Jones's role as a scientist who signed up with Cobra to further her work.
*Fred calls Gung-Ho "Ettie"; that's short for his real name, Ettienne, if you were wondering.
*When Scarlett sneaks up on Doctor B, the doctor asks "Who's there?" and Bumblebee tells her: "The most dangerous thing in the world. Ninja holiday." "The Most Dangerous Thing in the World" and "Ninja Holiday" are the titles of two episodes from the second season of the original ''G.I. Joe'' cartoon.
*Doctor Mindbender's nightmarish Brain-Scanner-induced vision comes straight from the ''G.I. Joe'' cartoon mini-series, "Arise, Serpentor, Arise!" Inspired by the sight of the greatest conquerors and villains in history and the spiral of DNA, Mindbender will go onto genetically engineer the Cobra emperor, [[Serpentor]]. Dooooesn't look like he'll be around to do it in ''this'' story, though!
*The figures in Doctor Mindbender's dream include every genetic donor named in "Arise, Serpentor, Arise!", with the exception of {{w|Ivan the Terrible}} and {{w|Geronimo}}. All of them are real (see below), except for a fictional Egyptian general named Xanuth Amon-Toth.
*Doctor Mindbender's filecard lists his specialities as "mind control" and "interrogation" (his established primary roles within Cobra), "dentistry" (he was formerly a dentist before joining Cobra), and in an obscure reference, "wrestling", referring to an early, abandoned version of the character's profile, in which it was alleged he might have previously been a professional wrestler.

===Real-life references===
*When Junkyard follows Mutt, the page is titled "Mutt and Junkyard", after comic strip ''{{w|Mutt and Jeff}}'', in with suitably appropriate "Sunday Funnies"-style title font.
*As Mutt thumps on Inferno's dashboard to try and wake him up, he shouts "Robot roll call!", the famous lyric from the opening to ''[[Mystery Science Theater 3000]]''.
*Given the debt Scioli's work owes to the oeuvre of Jack Kirby, it's worth mentioning that Megatron's ambition to find the encryption key to the mind shares no small degree of similarity with {{w|Darkseid|one of Kirby's most famous villains'}} {{w|Anti-Life_Equation|ultimate quests}}.
*In addition to the aforementioned fictional Amon-Toth (presumably a reference to Conan villain {{w|Thoth-Amon}}), the figures in Doctor Mindbender's dream who are derived from Serpentor's origin story in the ''G.I. Joe'' cartoon are: [[Julius Caesar]], [[Sun Tzu]], [[Hannibal]], {{w|Philip II of Macedon}}, [[Alexander the Great]], {{w|Attila|Attila the Hun}}, {{w|Moctezuma I|Montezuma}}, {{w|Genghis Khan}}, {{w|Grigori Rasputin}}, [[Napoleon Bonaparte]], and [[Dracula]]. Mindbender is left incredulous by the presence of the king of vampires, but as stated, he ''was'' part of the cartoon's list of donors, although there, they made the point of identifying him as real-life figure {{w|Vlad the Impaler}} as well as Dracula. The comic adds: {{w|Osama bin Laden}}, {{w|Joseph Stalin}}, {{w|Kublai Khan}}, {{w|Mordred}}, villain of [[King Arthur|Arthur]]ian legend, [[Adolf Hitler]], {{w|Caligula}}, and someone named Toshiro.

===Other notes===
*This issue was originally solicited for release in March, but production delays meant it did not come out until early June. No further issues of were solicited for three months in order to for the series to catch up.
*An earlier version of the double-page sequence of the Autobots' and Joes' chase with police lacked two of the inset panels, bearing in their space the words "Grand Theft Autobot" done out in the style of the video game ''Grand Theft Auto''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s logo. It's unknown why it was ultimately altered, but IDW editor-in-chief Chris Ryall posted the earlier version of the sequence [http://ryallsfiles.tumblr.com/image/120624964113 online].

===Covers (3)===
*'''Standard cover:''' G.I. Joe and Cobra battle on an asteroid to which [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] is attached, by [[Tom Scioli]]
*'''Subscription cover:''' Optimus Prime battles Soundwave and Starscream while the Joes and Cobras battle in the air on flight packs that look like [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] wings, by [[Joe Quinones]]
*'''Cover RI:''' Starscream by [[Kody Chamberlain]]

<gallery>
File:TFvsJoe7_regcvr.jpg
File:TFvsJoe7_subcvr.jpg
File:TFvsJoe7_cvrRI.jpg
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe'' #8
*''[[Combiner Wars (comic)|Combiner Wars]]''
*[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' #42
*''Onyx''
*Tom Scioli's ''American Barbarian'' hardcover collection
*IDW "Artist's Edition" collections (back cover)

==Reprints==
* '''''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe Quintessential Collection''''' Hardcover
* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 73: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Part 1'''''

<gallery>
File:IDW-TFvsJoeQC.jpg|'''''Quintessential Collection'''''; cover art by Scioli
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v73.jpg|'''''Definitive G1 Collection: Vol. 73: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Pt. 1'''''; cover art by [[Don Figueroa]] and Scioli
</gallery>

==External links==
*[http://www.comicosity.com/preview-transformers-vs-g-i-joe-7/ Preview]

FCBD Funnies

2021-04-25T10:39:57Z

Shockwitwicky86: Adding reprint information.

{{Comicstory|seriesissue=''[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe]]'' Free Comic Book Day strip
|prev=Expelled from the Garden
|next=Headmasters (issue)
|image=TFvsJoe FCBD funnies.jpg
|title="FCBD Funnies"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|published in=[[Robots in Disguise issue 0|''Robots in Disguise'' #0]]
|date=[[May 2]], [[2015]]
|coverdate=May 2015
|written by=[[Tom Scioli]] and [[John Barber]]
|art by=Tom Scioli
|colors by=Tom Scioli
|letters by=Tom Scioli
|editor=[[Carlos Guzman]]
|continuity=[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe]]
}}

'''Cobra Commander's son seeks vengeance on the man who tried to claim his father's life.'''

==Synopsis==

Cobra Commander was not always a snake-themed terrorist mastermind—once, he was a man, with a wife and child whom he left behind. His son, [[Billy (G.I. Joe)|Billy]], is raised with knowledge of what his father has become, leading to fights with other children who refuse to believe his father is the famous terrorist. Upon reaching manhood, Billy sets out to find his father, and while contemplating whether [[Cobra]] or [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] is the better lead to chase, he is approached by the [[Blind Master]] with the offer of a "third path". Trained in the ninja arts by the old master, Billy infiltrates both the Joe ''and'' Cobra ranks and learns from the [[Baroness|Serpentress]] that [[Snake-Eyes|Snake Eyes]] wounded his father and left him in a vegetative state before disappearing through the [[M.A.S.S. Device]]. Billy seeks more information on the Joe ninja from [[Jinx]], who tells him that Snake Eyes allegedly defected from G.I. Joe to join up with Cobra. Traversing the space between worlds, Billy finds Snake Eyes on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], and engages him in a swordfight, on motorcycles, atop [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]'s claws. Snake Eyes emerges the definitive victor, chopping off Billy's right arm and leg, but [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] recovers the boy and provides him cybernetic replacement limbs.

==Featured characters==

{{Featuredcharacters
|c2=
*[[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] (7)
*[[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (8)
*[[Army]] (9)
*[[Limbot]] (10)

|h3=[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]|c3=
*[[Jinx]] (5)

|h4=[[Cobra]]|c4=

*[[Cobra Commander]] (1)
*[[Baroness|Serpentress]] (4)
*[[Snake-Eyes|Snake Eyes]] (6)

|h5=Others|c5=
*[[Billy (G.I. Joe)|Billy]] (2)
*[[Blind Master]] (3)
}}

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*The Blind Master previously appeared in a flashback, training young men in ninjutsu, in [[Everybody Hates Metroplex|issue #5]].
*Snake Eyes wounded Cobra Commander in [[The Golden Boys|issue #0]], the previous year's [[Free Comic Book Day]] offering. The commander was revealed to have survived in issue #5.
*Snake Eyes vanished through the M.A.S.S. Device in [[Form Follows Function|issue #4]].

===G.I. Joe references===
*Cobra Commander's son Billy was a notable supporting character in the original Marvel ''G.I. Joe'' series. There, he received his ninja training from [[Storm Shadow]], and also lost his left leg and gained a cybernetic replacement.
*Cobra Commander reveals his past by informing the reader: "I was once a man." This infamous quote comes from ''G.I. Joe: The Movie'', in which the commander chants it to himself over and over in an attempt to hold onto his humanity as he is slowly mutated into a snake.

===Real-life references===
*The above synopsis probably sounds very straightforward, but this whole strip is done in the form of a "Sunday Comics" newspaper page, with each step on Billy's journey represented as a discreet, short, comic strip. Specific famous comic strips parodied include:
**''{{w|Dennis the Menace (U.S. comics)|Dennis the Menace}}'', parodied as "Billy the Brat", in which Billy fights with a friend.
**''{{w|The Family Circus}}'', its distinctive single-circular-panel shape giving the parody the title of "Circle of Life", in which Billy is approached by the Blind Master.
**''{{w|Spy vs. Spy}}'', parodied as "Ninja vs. Ninja", with Billy and Snake Eyes's white and black outfits filling in nicely for the spies of the original.
**Additionally, the alliteratively-titled "Jinx the Joe Ninja" might be a reference to ''{{w|Hagar the Horrible}}''.
**Other strips include "Scioli and Barber's Fun Factoids" (in which Cobra Commander's family is introduced) and "Rogue's Gallery" (in which Billy meets the Serpentress), while the final installment on the page is "Megatron's Activity Corner": a join-the-dots puzzle to fill in Billy's new cybernetic limbs.

==Reprints==
* '''''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe Quintessential Collection''''' Hardcover

<gallery>
File:IDW-TFvsJoeQC.jpg|'''''Quintessential Collection'''''; cover art by Scioli
</gallery>

[[Category:Transformers vs. G.I. Joe issues]]

Expelled from the Garden

2021-04-25T10:38:51Z

Shockwitwicky86: Adding reprint information.

{{Comicstory|series=tfvsjoe
|issueno=6
|prev=Everybody Hates Metroplex
|next=FCBD Funnies
|image=TFvsJoe6_regcvr.jpg
|title="Expelled from the Garden"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[April 8]], [[2015]]
|coverdate=January 2015
|written by=[[Tom Scioli]] and [[John Barber]]
|art by=Tom Scioli
|colors by=Tom Scioli
|letters by=Tom Scioli
|production by=[[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[Carlos Guzman]]
|continuity=[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe]]
}}

'''While the captive Joes and Autobots are at Decepticobra's mercy on Cybertron, on Earth, it's all-out war in the streets of New York as Optimus Prime invades T.H.E. P.I.T. just as the Serpentress leads an attack on the United Nations!'''

==Synopsis==

[[Roadblock (G.I. Joe)|Roadblock]] is left dumbfounded by the contents of the [[Decepticobranomicon]]—the holy scripture of the cult of [[Cobra]]—which tells a warped, Cobra-centric version of the Biblical Book of Genesis that claims Cybertronian involvement in mankind's history since the Garden of Eden, and that the infamous serpent in that garden was the father of a reptilian race sired through [[Eve]]. Roadblock does not have long to ponder the book, though, as he is soon put to work in Cobra's kitchens, while the rest of the captured [[G.I. Joe (team)|Joes]] and [[Autobot]]s are shuttled off to the [[Polyhex Killway]] on [[Astrotrain (G1)|the Astrotrain]]. An Autobot/Joe unit attacks Astrotrain en route, and although they are defeated, an insertion team led by [[Scarlett]] is able to stow away on Astrotrain as he takes off for [[Polyhex]] and [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok, the city of madness]].

Elsewhere on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], [[Snake-Eyes|Snake Eyes]] confidently strides into [[Maccadam's Old Oil House|Maccadam's Lubricarium]] and scales the bar. The sozzled patrons are amazed at the little human's bravado and even pour him a drink... which Snake Eyes then kicks into a boozehound's face, igniting a bar fight. During the brawl, Snake Eyes pins one of the 'bots to the floor with his swords; in agony, his victim offers information, fuel, guns, or ''whatever'' the ninja wants, but Snake Eyes remains as silent as ever...

On [[Earth]], the Inuit mercenary [[Kwinn]] leads [[Major Bludd]], [[Tomax and Xamot]], their unidentified liberator, and the masked mastermind behind their escape to a remote spot in the [[Arctic]]. There, the sibilant mystery man bemoans the depths to which Cobra has sunk, turned by its new leaders into "slaves of the machines", and resolves to put things to right... and from a chasm in the ice, he summons the monstrous, tentacled [[Koh-Buru-Lah (creature)|Koh-Buru-Lah]], demonic god of the cult of Cobra, and its reptilian army!

In [[New York City]], [[General Flagg]] appeals to the "[[Jugglers]]"—a secret cabal within the government—to nuke Cybertron, which has infected [[Saturn]] and [[Mars (planet)|Mars]] with its technological touch, and now floats above Earth itself, having made the [[Moon (moon)|moon]] its latest victim. Simultaneously, in the nearby [[United Nations]] building, the forces of Decepticobra attack, and the [[Baroness|Serpentress]] addresses the assembled delegates with the intention of convincing them all to submit to [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s rule. Her speech, however, is cut off by an explosion elsewhere in the city—[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] has arrived on Earth and tracked [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]'s life-pattern to Joe headquarters [[T.H.E. P.I.T.]], now revealed to be located beneath New York. As Prime tears into the secret base, [[Doctor Venom]] counterattacks with the fruit of his arcane experiments: he has transformed Bumblebee's body into armor for himself, and [[binary bonding|binary bonded]] himself to [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]'s corpse as its new head!

Back on Cybertron, Megatron and an audience of onlookers watch as [[Destro]] and [[Zartan]] pit the captive Autobots and Joes against one another in the Polyhex Killway arena, manipulating their movements remotely with mind-control technology. When [[Spearhead (G.I. Joe)|Spearhead]] splits [[Galen]]'s helmet with his weapon, all assembled are shocked as the helmet falls away to reveal that Galen is actually a [[human]]!

In [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], [[Bazooka (G.I. Joe)|Bazooka]] awakens to discover that he has drawn a strange map in his sleep, that points the way to "[[Primus]]", who the Autobots explain is their legendary creator. A Joe/Autobot team heads out to follow Bazooka's map, which leads them to a vast underground chamber containing Primus's continent-sized visage. But the cybergod's mind has been overtaken: the [[Decepticon]]s have erected a temple on his brow and infected him—and through him, the planet—with Megatron's will. As battle breaks out between the Joes and Autobots and the temple's guards, Bazooka finds himself sucked ''into'' Primus as the god takes an inward breath, and sees a vision of a Cybertron transformed, consuming other planets in the name of Megatron...

Grotesque surprises await [[Tunnel Rat]] in the core of [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]; having escaped his cell before the prisoners were sent to Polyhex, he now stumbles upon a machine containing numerous human beings in cubes... though he cannot tell if they are captives, or if the machine has ''grown'' them. Turning a corner, he gets one more unwelcome shock, as [[Wild Bill]]'s corpse is autopsied... by [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]], turned traitor and now wearing the Decepticon badge!

In New York, the Jugglers reject Flagg's suggestion, hoping to exploit Cybertron's resources for their own gain, and inform him that G.I. Joe is being decommissioned and their duties handed over to a "private contractor". Flagg does not take this lying down, and instead opens fire, announcing that the Joe team will be taking control of not just the Cybertronian situation, but the ''world''. His show of force is returned by the Jugglers' intended replacements for the Joes: an army of ninjas known as [[GIJONIN]]! The fight quickly spills into the streets outside, which are already awash with violence—Decepticobra has suspended their visit to the UN to get involved in Optimus Prime's continuing battle with Doctor Venom, and has met with Joe resistance, including the long-mothballed [[Battleforce 2000]]. Worse still, the Joes discover their own ranks have been infiltrated when five of their vehicles reveal themselves to be the disguised [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]], who combine into [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]]! And as if things were not chaotic enough, over the horizon, the floating, globular form of Koh-Buru-Lah soon comes into view! None of this fazes the stoic Optimus Prime, however, who focuses on his primary goal: he wrenches Bumblebee free from Soundwave's body and departs the still-ongoing battle to return to Cybertron with his small friend's remains... with Doctor Venom still inside!

And elsewhere... perhaps, else''when''... Scarlett awakens to find herself in a hospital, surrounded by Transformer and G.I. Joe action figures. A [[Doctor Mindbender|Doctor Mindelbinder]] addresses his colleagues, informing them has Scarlett is an ex-soldier coping with trauma by retreating into fantasy, and that she has dreamed the entire Joe/Cobra/Autobot/Decepticon conflict. But Scarlett refuses to believe this, and pounces on the doctor...!

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks. 
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] (15)
*[[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] (16)
*[[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (17)
*[[Galen]] (18)
*[[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] (22)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (42)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (48)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (54)
*[[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (55)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]] (56)

|c2=
*[[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] (23)
*[[Bus Decepticon]] (36)
*[[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] (38)
*[[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (39)
*[[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (49)
*[[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (50)
*[[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (51)
*[[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (53)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (62)
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (63)
*[[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]] (65)
*[[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]] (68)
*[[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]] (69)
*[[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] (70)
*[[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]] (73)
*[[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (74)
*[[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]] (75)

|h3=[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]|c3=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Tunnel Rat]] (3)
*[[Roadblock (G.I. Joe)|Roadblock]] (4)
*[[Spearhead (G.I. Joe)|Spearhead]] (6)
*[[General Flagg]] (8)
*[[Gung-Ho]] (13)
*[[Alpine]] (14)
*[[Mutt (G.I. Joe)|Mutt]] (19)
*[[Dusty]] (20)
*[[Freedom]] (21)
*[[Junkyard (G.I. Joe)|Junkyard]] (24)
*[[Scarlett]] (25)
*[[Quick Kick]] (26)
*[[Beachhead]] (27)
*[[Steeler]] (28)
*[[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]] (43)
*[[Spirit]] (44)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Flint (G.I. Joe)|Flint]] (45)
*[[Lady Jaye]] (46)
*[[Doctor Venom]] (47)
*[[Bazooka (G.I. Joe)|Bazooka]] (57)
*[[Cover Girl]] (58)
*[[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]] (59)
*[[Tripwire (G.I. Joe)|Tripwire]] (60)
*[[Wild Bill]] (corpse, 64)
*[[Footloose]] (67)
*[[Ghostrider]] (71)
*[[Law]] (72)
*[[Dodger (G.I. Joe)|Dodger]] (74)
*[[Blocker (G.I. Joe)|Blocker]] (75)
*[[Dee Jay]] (76)
*[[Knockdown (G.I. Joe)|Knockdown]] (77)
*[[Maverick (G.I. Joe)|Maverick]] (78)
{{!}}}
|h4=[[Cobra]]|c4=
*[[Raptor (Cobra)|Raptor]] (5)
*[[Cobra]] troopers (7)
*[[Snake-Eyes|Snake Eyes]] (10)
*[[Dreadnok|Torch]] (11)
*[[Dreadnok|Ripper]] (12)
*[[Major Bludd]] (30)
*[[Firefly]] (31)
*[[Cobra Commander]] (32)
*[[Tomax and Xamot]] (33-34)
*[[Crimson Guard]]smen (37)
*[[Destro]] (40)
*[[Baroness|Serpentress]] (41)
*[[Zartan]] (52)
*[[Croc Master]] (73)
*[[Doctor Mindbender|Doctor Mindelbinder]] (79)

|h5=Others|c5=
*''[[Eve]]'' (1)
*''[[Adam]]'' (2)
*[[Jugglers]] (9)
*[[Kwinn]] (29)
*[[Koh-Buru-Lah (creature)|Koh-Buru-Lah]] (35)
*[[Primus]] (61)
*[[GIJONIN]] ninjas (66)
}}

==Quotes==

"The prisoners get their assignments. Those with useful skills are put to work serving the needs of Megatron's elite. They get loaded on the Astrotrian and sent to their fates. To the Polyhex Killway or worse—to Scorponok. Dark things happen within the walls of Scorponok. Pray you catch the Astrotrain before he delivers you friends to that city of madness. And if you catch the 'train, make sure you kill the 'train, or he'll make you his passenger too."
:—Dramatic narration!

"This is bigger than any of you clowns! It's a war for the planet— it's Joe's war!" 
"You're talking about a coup—a military takeover of the nation!?" 
"No! I'm talking about a G.I. Joe takeover of the world! On behalf of the American people I want to thank this committee for its service. You are hereby relieved of duty. If the human race goes down the drain it's on me and mine. <big>'''JOE'S IN CHARGE!!"'''</big>
:—'''General Flagg''' takes on the '''Jugglers'''

"You're an impressive specimen, Optimus. Imagine what you could accomplish with my high I.Q."
:—'''Doctor Venom'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*In the image we see of Adam and Eve being cast out of the Garden of Eden, Adam is holding a wooden staff, identical in shape to Hawk's mysterious tomahawk, which was shown last issue to date back to the time of the Vikings. Looks like it's a ''lot'' older than that!
*Though the identity of the sibilant, blue-clad mastermind responsible for organizing Bludd, Xamot and Tomax's escape from prison last issue is not revealed this issue (with Scioli referring to him only as "the mystery villain" in the issue's commentary, and a large "?" appearing in place of his face during a series of talking-head shots), c'mon, it's friggin' [[Cobra Commander]]. He was revealed to not be dead after all last issue.
*"Koh-Buru-Lah" was previously suggested to be the name of Cobra's temple headquarters in [[The Golden Boys|issue #0]], where the narration referred to Starscream as the "Colossus of Koh-Buru-Lah". Here, we discover it is actually the name of the "god" the Cobra cult worships.
*Doctor Venom began his experiments on Bumblebee and Soundwave in [[Form Follows Function|issue #4]]. During the fight, we see several skeletons spill out of Soundwave's chest compartment—the unfortunate "Greenshirt" Joes that Venom sacrificed to his dark work.
*Bazooka saw the face of Primus in a hallucination back in issue #4.
*Wild Bill died in [[Targetmasters (issue)|issue #2]], but we didn't realize it until last issue.

===Transformers references===
*Ironhide's "file card" gives his function as "Royal Guard to the House of Primes", a rather grand re-interpretation of role as Optimus Prime's bodyguard, which was mentioned in his original [[bio]] but has never factored into fiction very much.
*Bruticus' file card simply reads "We Aim to Maim", a line uttered by Brawl in reference to the Combaticon unit in ''[[Spotlight: Arcee]]''.
*Though the word isn't used, Doctor Venom's bond with Bumblebee and Soundwave is obviously evocative of [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster technology]], further highlighted with the revelation that Galen is also a human (no word on whether he is an Earthling or not; in the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel ''Transformers'' series]], [[Nebulan]]s were often referred to as humans). Optimus Prime refers to the link as a [[Binary bonding|binary bond]]. Also, Doctor Venom's mention of his own "high IQ" is possibly a reference to Prime's traditional [[Powermaster]] partner [[Hi-Q]].
*Tripwire remarks on Rodimus's similarity to Primus, which originated with the first physical depiction of Primus in Marvel UK's "[[The Legacy of Unicron!]]".

===G.I. Joe references===
*The "Jugglers" were a secret committee of generals with whom the Joes often butted heads in the original Marvel ''[[G.I. Joe (comic)|G.I. Joe]]'' comic series.
*"Kwinn the Eskimo" {{sic}} (named after the {{w|Quinn the Eskimo (Mighty Quinn)|Bob Dylan song}}) was a memorable supporting character during the first two years of the Marvel ''Joe'' series.
*The idea of Cobra being the offshoot of some kind of ancient race that dwells beneath the ice seems to be inspired by [[Cobra-La]], from ''G.I. Joe: The Movie''. Where that story depicted said race as vaguely-serpent-themed human-like creatures living in a city beneath the Himalayas, here, "Koh-Buru-Lah" is an "[[Elder God]]"-style beast, and progenitor of a race of reptilian humanoids that began with the reptiloid foetus we see growing inside Eve on the first page. The ululating battle cry from the movie is adapted into the story just as the name is: "KOH-BURU-LA-LA-LA-LA-LAH!"
*The Polyhex Killway bears some resemblance to the Cobra Arena of Sport, seen in the original two ''G.I. Joe'' animated mini-series, "A Real American Hero" and "The Revenge of Cobra", in which unwilling combatants also had their bodies remotely manipulated through gladiatorial matches via "joystick"-style controllers.
*The [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] (though not individually referred to by name) mostly turn into recognizable G.I. Joe vehicles. Vortex is a Tomahawk helicopter; Brawl is a MOBAT, and Swindle is an APC, while Blast Off turns into a generic transport plane. These modes are generally evocative of their standard vehicle forms, but the odd 'bot out is Onslaught, who turns into a stealth bomber, so as to give Bruticus a nifty chestplate.
*The pilot of the stealth bomber that turns out to be Onslaught has his file card obscured by the action, so only "Ghost" is visible. He's [[Ghostrider]], and his name being obscured is a running joke in ''Joe'' lore. Although his toy could be sold under the name without difficulty, the existence of the far more visible [[Ghost Rider|Marvel superhero of the same name]] meant it posed a problem when it came time for the character to appear in the Marvel ''G.I. Joe'' comic. Rather than try to ignore it and hope for the best, writer Larry Hama made it a source of comedy instead, and had it that no characters could ever remember Ghostrider's name—a product of the character's skill at "not being noticed", which was what made him such a good stealth flier. He normally pilots the X-19 Stealth Fighter, but not here.
*Battleforce 2000 are a sub-group of G.I. Joe originally introduced in 1987. The whole team save Dodger were killed in the Marvel series in 1991, and since then, as Scioli and Barber note in this issue's commentary and as the characters themselves meta-textually allude to in the story, they haven't really appeared in anything until now.
*If the fantastic mustache and the positioning of his dislodged glasses to suggest a monocle aren't enough to tip you off, the alias on his nametag should do it: Doctor "Mindelbinder" is Cobra's shirtless wonder, mind-tampering former orthodontist [[Doctor Mindbender]].

===Real-life references===
*The Serpentress professes that Megatron was the inspiration for the human legend of the archangel {{w|Metatron}}.
*Destro notes that Decepticobra are mind-controlling the Joes and Autobots through processes devised by the {{w|Project MKUltra|MK-Ultra}} program, which was a real-life CIA mind-control project.
*The GIJONIN take their name from the real-life {{w|ninja}} ranking system, where "jonin" were the highest rank. It's okay to admit you only know it from ''Naruto'', so do we.

===Other notes===
*This issue was originally solicited for release in January, but production delays meant it did not come out until early April.
*Tom Scioli began this issue as part of a "24-Hour Comic" challenge held from [[December 6]]-[[December 7|7]], [[2014]] at Atomic City Comics in Philadelphia. He produced 19 rough pages as part of the challenge, but they were mostly discarded and re-worked for the finished issue; the complete set of thumbnail pages is included as a bonus feature this issue, in addition to the regular story commentary.
*Scioli suggests several possible names in the commentary for the memorable Decepticon bus who appears transporting Crimson Guardsmen to the United Nations: "Busicon", "Busicus", "Cerebus", "Bus-Top", and "Omnibus".

===Covers (5)===
*'''Standard cover:''' Optimus Prime by [[Tom Scioli]]
*'''Subscription cover:''' Optimus Prime, Alpine, Scarlett, and Shipwreck hold off an attack, by [[Dave Crosland]]
*'''Cover RI:''' Snake Eyes and [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] by [[Antonio Fuso]]
*'''Yesteryear Comics exclusive cover:''' Snake Eyes and [[Storm Shadow]] in the snow, by [[Jamie Tyndall]] and [[Ula Mos]]
*'''Ottawa Comiccon exclusive cover:''' Optimus Prime and Duke play ice hockey, by [[Derek Charm]]

<gallery>
File:TFvsJoe6_regcvr.jpg
File:TFvsJoe6_subcvr.jpg
File:TFvsJoe6_cvrRI.jpg
File:TFvsJoe6_yycvr.jpg
File:TFvsJoe6_concvr.jpg
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe'' #7
*IDW ''Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency'' comic (back cover)

==Reprints==
* '''''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe Quintessential Collection''''' Hardcover
* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 73: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Part 1'''''

<gallery>
File:IDW-TFvsJoeQC.jpg|'''''Quintessential Collection'''''; cover art by Scioli
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v73.jpg|'''''Definitive G1 Collection: Vol. 73: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Pt. 1'''''; cover art by [[Don Figueroa]] and Scioli
</gallery>

==External links==
*[http://www.comicbookresources.com/comic-previews/transformers-vs-gi-joe-6-idw-2015 Preview]

Everybody Hates Metroplex

2021-04-25T10:38:09Z

Shockwitwicky86: Adding reprint information.

{{Comicstory|series=tfvsjoe
|issueno=5
|prev=Form Follows Function
|next=Expelled from the Garden
|image=TFvsJoe5_regcvr.jpg
|title="Everybody Hates Metroplex"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[February 11]], [[2015]]
|coverdate=December 2014
|written by=[[Tom Scioli]] and [[John Barber]]
|art by=Tom Scioli
|colors by=Tom Scioli
|letters by=Tom Scioli
|production by=[[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[Carlos Guzman]]
|continuity=[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe]]
}}

'''As the forces of DeceptiCobra lay siege to Metroplex, a team of Joes and Autobots ventures inside Fortress Maximus to save their trapped teammates. Meanwhile, in the space between dimensions, Duke, Snake Eyes, and Optimus Prime are put on trial by the Quintessons.'''

==Synopsis==
Adrift in the [[transwarp|space between dimensions]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], [[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]], and [[Snake-Eyes|Snake Eyes]] are captured by eldritch entities known as the [[Quintesson]]s, who claim to be the creators of all life and consider their autonomy an affront to their grand design. Duke and Snake Eyes agree to set their differences aside to combat this unknowable terror from beyond.

On [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], the situation has gone from bad to infinitely worse for the [[Autobot]]s and [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]. Outraged at the Autobots' alliance with the [[human]] invaders, [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] refuses to countenance their existence any further and launches a full-scale attack on [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] with [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]], while simultaneously, the stuporous, energy-starved [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] has also shambled onto the scene and is causing just as much destruction. As the 'bots and Joes prepare a counter-attack, a small insertion team headed by [[Tunnel Rat]] heads out to intercept Maximus and venture inside the "living prison" to rescue [[U.S.7]] who were swallowed by the giant earlier. In the midst of the chaos, the injured [[Wild Bill]] insists that [[Doc (G.I. Joe)|Doc]] and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] allow him to join the fight; when he is granted permission, he instead sneaks off and opens one of Metroplex's outer doors, allowing waiting [[Cobra]] troops to pour into the Autobot city! In truth, Wild Bill never returned to the Joe ranks after the crash of his 'copter... all along, it has been [[Zartan]], Cobra master of disguise, who has lurked among their ranks!

At the same time, strange scenes play out on [[Earth]]: [[Tomax and Xamot|Tomax, Xamot]], and [[Major Bludd]] are rescued from [[Blackwater Prison]] by parties unknown; [[Storm Shadow]] ambushes [[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|General Hawk]] in a failed attempt to steal his tomahawk, which has some strange connection to Cybertron and indicates a link between the two worlds stretching back to the time of the Vikings; and [[Destro]] and the [[Baroness|Serpentress]] consider using Megatron's gift to Destro—[[Mini-Megatron|an alien gun]]—to kill the comatose [[Cobra Commander]], only to discover when they lift his mask that he is merely a "Fred" body-double, meaning that the Commander is still alive and at large.

In the [[Quintessa (planet)|Quintessons' realm]], Optimus, Duke, and Snake Eyes are put on trial by the ancient horrors, who use their very minds as evidence against them, plucking memories from them for all to see. The group witnesses Snake Eyes's tutelage in the ninja arts from the [[Blind Master]], Duke's troubled relationship with his step-father, and Optimus inheritance of the [[Matrix of Leadership]] from his dying mentor [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]]. Found guilty by the Quintessons of "theft of their property"—their very bodies and souls—the trio flee the Quintesson hordes. As they escape, the two Joes tell Optimus how they witnessed the death of [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] on Earth.

As [[Scarlett]] fends off Cobras and Decepticons alike from the peak of Metroplex, disgraced Autobot [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]] arrives with the injured [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] and [[Psych Out]]'s Joe team. Leaving the wounded rebel fighter in Ratchet's hands, Rodimus takes command of the situation and attempts to get Metroplex to transform to [[robot mode]], but [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] is outraged to find the youth in the control room and challenges him for leadership. Though Rodimus has a greater will to fight than when they last met in battle, the outcome of the confrontation is unclear, as moments later, Grimlock clambers up one of Metroplex's starfish-arms, into Trypticon's mouth itself, where he meets the waiting Megatron in fierce battle.

Meanwhile, Tunnel Rat and the rest of his team navigate the dangers inside Fortress Maximus, which include the [[Oktober Guard]] and the booby-traps their Russian rivals have set. Finding [[Clyde (G.I. Joe)|Clyde]], the team the follow boar to Maximus's brain, where they discover that Maximus's zombified state is the work of [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]], a Decepticon thought to have been killed in ages past by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], who is poisoning the giant's mind. Worse still, she has also taken control of the minds of U.S.7, who attack their human comrades at her command! The battle is a challenge for the Joes, but they triumph and purge Maximus's mind of Blackarachnia's influence; back in his right mind, Maximus joins in the attack on Trypticon. Though the Decepticon city bites Maximus's head off, it simply transforms into [[Cerebros (G1)|Cerebros]] within Trypticon's mouth, after which Cerebros's head transformed into [[Galen]], and the Autobots, Joes and U.S.7 all come pouring out of Cerebros's body. A grim sight greets the warriors as they charge forward, though: Megatron, flanked by Cobra troops, has slain Grimlock and now wears his head as ornamentation.

Just as it appears that Scarlett will be overwhelmed by Cobras, Duke and Snake Eyes suddenly appear to aid her, deposited on Cybertron by Prime. Together, they triumph over the Cobra hordes, with Scarlett even ignoring a communication from [[General Flagg]] in favor of an emotional silent reunion with Snake Eyes. His allegiance remaining an enigma, his motives ever his own, Snake Eyes disappears into the Cybertronian night, but Duke does not pursue, their mind-sharing experience having granted him a greater understanding of the emotionless, isolated life the ninja has chosen for himself. But while this small battle has been won, the greater fight is lost: Maximus has fallen, and Metroplex slinks away, while Trypticon withdraws. Worse yet, though they have saved their animal friends, Tunnel Rat's team has been defeated and imprisoned. Cobra accountant [[Raptor (Cobra)|Raptor]] visits their cells to bring their food... and a mysterious tome known as the "[[DeceptiCobranomicon]]"...

In the skies above Earth, the [[Coltonbolt]] orbiting satellite array targets an approaching Transformer, who easily slices his way through both the satellites and the [[Skystriker (vehicle)|Skystriker]] observing him. Optimus Prime, back in the physical world and in robot form once more, has arrived on Earth—and is headed straight for [[T.H.E. P.I.T.]]!

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks. 
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (2)
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (14)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (15)
*[[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (17)
*[[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] (19)
*[[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] (25)
*[[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] (27)
*[[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] (28)
*[[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (31)
*[[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] (36)
*[[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] (37)
*[[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (38)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (44)
*''[[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]]'' (62)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]'s head (72)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]] (73)
*[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] (74)
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] (80)
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (81)
*[[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] (87)
*[[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] (88)
*[[Slag (G1)|Slag]] (89)
*[[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] (91)
*[[Cerebros (G1)|Cerebros]] (92)
*[[Galen]] (93)

|c2=
*[[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (7)
*[[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] (8)
*[[Spyglass]] (10)
*[[Spectro]] (11)
*[[Viewfinder]] (12)
*[[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (40)
*[[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] (41)
*[[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] (42)
*[[Octane]] (56)
*[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] (63)
*[[Flamefeather (G1)|Flamefeather]]? (69)
*[[Ruckus (G1)|Ruckus]] (70)
*[[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]] (97)

|h3=[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]|c3=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]] (3)
*[[Spirit]] (5)
*[[Shipwreck]] (6)
*[[Scarlett]] (9)
*[[Sci-Fi]] (13)
*[[Doc (G.I. Joe)|Doc]] (18)
*[[Gung-Ho]] (20)
*[[Cutter (G.I. Joe)|Cutter]] (21)
*[[Spearhead (G.I. Joe)|Spearhead]] (22)
*[[Stalker (G.I. Joe)|Stalker]] (23)
*[[Cover Girl]] (24)
*[[Beachhead]] (26)
*[[Roadblock (G.I. Joe)|Roadblock]] (29)
*[[Mutt]] (30)
*[[Dusty]] (32)
*[[Alpine]] (33)
*[[Lift-Ticket (G.I. Joe)|Lift-Ticket]] (34)
*[[Tunnel Rat]] (35)
*[[Jinx]] (39)
*[[Clutch (G.I. Joe)|Clutch]] (45)
*[[Breaker]] (46)
*[[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]] (51)
*[[Clyde (G.I. Joe)|Clyde]] (57)
*[[Falcon (G.I. Joe)|Falcon]]* (60)
*[[Sandstorm (G.I. Joe)|Sandstorm]] (64)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Polly|Seasick/Polly]] (65)
*[[Max (G.I. Joe)|Max]] (66)
*[[Freedom]] (67)
*[[Junkyard (G.I. Joe)|Junkyard]] (68)
*[[Mainframe (G.I. Joe)|Mainframe]] (75)
*[[Chuckles]] (76)
*[[Barbecue]] (77)
*[[Psych Out]] (78)
*[[Frostbite (G.I. Joe)|Frostbite]] (79)
*[[Steeler]] (82)
*[[Rock 'n Roll]] (83)
*[[Snow Job]] (90)
*[[Order]] (94)
*[[General Flagg]] (voice, 96)
*[[Ace]] (99)
{{!}}}
|h4=[[Cobra]]|c4=
*[[Snake-Eyes|Snake Eyes]] (4)
*[[Zartan]] (16)
*[[Cobra]] troopers (43)
*[[Firefly]] (47)
*[[Tomax and Xamot|Tomax]] (48)
*[[Tomax and Xamot|Xamot]] (49)
*[[Major Bludd]] (50)
*[[Storm Shadow]] (52)
*[[Destro]] (84)
*[[Baroness|Serpentress]] (85)
*"[[Cobra Commander]]"/Fred (deceased, 86)
*[[Crimson Guard]]smen (95)
*[[Raptor (Cobra)|Raptor]] (98)

|h5=Others|c5=
*[[Quintesson]]s (1)
*[[Colonel Breakoff]] (53)
*[[Dragun]] (54)
*[[Münchnik]] (55)
*''[[Blind Master]]'' (58)
*''Duke's mother'' (59)
*''Duke's step-father'' (61)
*[[Allicon]]s (71)
}}

<nowiki>*</nowiki>first appears as a baby in a flashback

==Quotes==

"'''Bumblebee!? You've seen Bumblebee?" 
"We thought he was a Cobra drone, but yeah, that '''sounds''' right. He saved Snake Eyes' life back on Earth." 
"Bumblebee on Earth!? Murdered?" 
"I wouldn't call it murder. We have a word on Earth... 'collateral damage'."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Duke'''

"Welcome ta Metroplex. Yinz guys are just in time, da stuff is hittin' da perverbial fan."
:—'''Steeler''', Pittsburgh native

"Who die and make you king? Me '''Grimlock''' king!"
:—'''Grimlock''', to Rodimus

"GRIMLOCK NO RUN! ME GRIMLOCK KING!" 
"Autobot king!? You are a sad, miserable, deluded creature. Megatron's hand around your throat will be a rare act of kindness."
:—'''Grimlock''' and '''Megatron'''

"Trypticon dines this night on the sweetbreads of a goliath!"
:—'''Trypticon''', as he bites Fortress Maximus's head off

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*The mystery of Hawk's tomahawk began in [[I Saw Three Ships|issue #1]], when it was mysteriously able to cleave [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]]'s skull. This issue offers a one-panel flashback that shows it in the hand of Hawk's Viking ancestor, who commands a crew and a fleet of ships all adorned with combined Autobot/Decepticon/Cobra iconography.
*The mysterious gun is the "gift" Megatron offered Destro back in [[Funeral for a Friend|issue #3]].
*Cobra Commander appeared to perish in [[The Golden Boys|issue #0]].
*A copy of the strange book Raptor brings the captive Joes was used by [[Doctor Venom]] in his experiments [[Form Follows Function|last issue]].

===Transformers references===
*The Quintessons were the creators of the Transformers in the original [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]]. It's nice to see the idea get some face time here, as the [[Primus]] mythology has long since eclipsed the Quints as the "accepted" Transformer origin for most other continuities. Their words, however, imply that they are claiming to be the creators of not just the Transformers, but ''all'' life!
*Arcee's "file card" gives her the function of guardian of the [[Plasma Energy Chamber]], which originally featured in the Generation 1 cartoon three-parter, "[[The Rebirth]]".
*Blackarachnia makes the jump from ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'' to this little continuity, though beyond name and spider-like appearance, there's little similarity—she's very monstrous in appearance, and her mind-control powers are a new twist.
*[[Galen]] was the [[Nebulan]] who was the smallest component of Fortress Maximus in the original Marvel ''Transformers'' series, before he died and was replaced with [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]]. This issue's commentary mentions the possibility of his Nebulan background, and Tom Scioli would later release preview art of the next issue describing Galen as "alien, even among his fellow Autobots."
*Megatron wears Grimlock's ''Tyrannosaurus'' head around his wrist and over his hand, as well as having Grimlock's tail sticking out of his fusion cannon barrel, homaging the similar look of [[Megatron (BW)|''Beast Wars'' Megatron]].
*Optimus' sword shows abilities similar to the [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]] while his jetpack recalls his [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|film counterpart]]'s trailer upgrades in ''Dark of the Moon''.

===G.I. Joe references===
*For his one-panel appearance here, as he shape-shifts into his normal form, Zartan appears with blue skin. Colour-changing skin was a feature of Zartan's original action figure, activated by heat, not unlike a Transformer [[rubsign]]; the ''Joe'' cartoon adapted it into the idea that Zartan would change colour when exposed to sunlight.
*Blackwater Prison originally appeared in the second ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'' animated mini-series, "The Revenge of Cobra". ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Transformers Animated]]'' paid homage to it in the episode "[[Black Friday (episode)|Black Friday]]".
*The identity of Xamot, Tomax and Bludd's rescuer goes unrevealed this issue but the grey camo-pattern gloves handling the bomb that blows their cell open identify their liberator as Cobra demolitions expert [[Firefly]].
*After appearances last issue by the [[Hard Master]] and [[Soft Master]], the third of Snake Eyes's teachers, the Blind Master, appears in the flashback the Quintessons pluck from his mind. Sciloi notes in the commentary that he based this version of the Blind Master on "a vet who taught Kung Fu down by the railroad tracks" he knew from his childhood.
*In Duke's flashback, as he argues with his step-father, he also denounces his baby half-brother. Though the issue goes into no more detail, Joe fans will realise that the baby is a young Lt. Falcon, who was Duke's half-brother in the ''G.I. Joe'' animated series continuity. Alluding to this, Scioli notes in the story commentary that Duke's step-father's surname is "Falcone".
*The face under Cobra Commander's hood is that of a "Fred", the shared face and identity used by many of the Crimson Guard, which we briefly glimpsed on a billboard back in issue #1. In the original Marvel ''G.I. Joe'' series, one of the Freds—"Fred VII", specifically—impersonated Cobra Commander for an extended period of time.

===Real-life references===
*The Quintessons as eldritch abominations that live outside of space and time for whom the mortal mind is a plaything is a clear homage to {{w|H. P. Lovecraft}}'s {{w|Cthulhu Mythos}}. The Transformers franchise has played in these waters before, with Lovecraft's [[Elder God]]s having received veiled mentions in various [[Fun Publications]] stories before showing up in IDW's ''[[Infestation 2]].''
*While their name was always a play on the word "{{w|quintessence}}", it never meant anything for the Quintessons beyond the fact they have five faces (from the Latin ''quintus'', meaning "five"). This higher-dimensional take on the aliens plays with multiple meanings of the word: the mythological definition, which described it as the fifth classical element and the substance the made up the realm of the gods, and the present dictionary definition, "the pure and concentrated essence" of something, which is reflected in the way they strip their captives down to their minds.
*Scarlett calls Trypticon {{w|Barney & Friends|Barney}}.
*You see, [[Brad Garrett]] voiced [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] in ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]''. He also played Ray's brother Robert in ''{{w|Everybody Loves Raymond}}''. So the title to this issue, "Everybody Hates Metroplex", is a reference to Trypticon's opposite, Metroplex, whom everybody normally loves, but you see, because everything is ''opposite'', they actually ''hate'' him instead, and... and... Aw jeez, is this really even a reference?
* Tunnel Rat called Trypticon "Mechagodzilla", a reference to the robotic counterpart of [[Godzilla]].

===Errors===
*Megatron's eyes are blue instead of red on page 14.
*The Firecon attacking Scarlett on page 10 appears to be Flamefeather (the chest details match up), but colored like [[Cindersaur (G1)|Cindersaur]].
*Last time we saw Mutt, he was back on Earth. Now, he's suddenly on Cybertron.
*But, y'know, in a book like this that strives to recreate a Silver Age visual experience, "errors" like these could be entirely deliberate, so...

===Other notes===
*This issue was originally solicited for release in December, but production delays meant it did not come out until mid-February.
*While every issue of ''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe'' is full of title-like declarations for small scenes and panels, this issue does not have an obvious "overall" title like past ones. We've gone with "Everybody Hates Metroplex", from the page 2-3 spread, as it seems to best encapsulate the events of the issue.
*According to the story commentary, the unusual form Prime appears in for most of this issue is called "Optimal Prime", as it's the "optimal" form for survival in transwarp space. Continuing the book's wacky adaptation of his classic G1 form, in this issue, when he assumes his recognisable [[robot mode]] on the final page, his trailer forms a large pair of wings.
*Seen briefly last issue, the "Russian" alphabet used for Colonel Breakoff's dialogue this issue is just a substitution cypher made up mostly of stylized English letters. His one speech balloon, directed at Dusty, reads "Your dog can take care of himself. We were bred for deep space survival. You G.I. Joke <Boxes?> were not. Give up! Go home! Leave Cybertron to the capable hands of the Oktober Guard."
*Generic Decepticons of note appearing in this issue include a yellow [[Conehead]] and a blue [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]].

===Covers (4)===
*'''Standard cover:''' "Tunnel Rat's Fantastic Journey to the Center of Fortress Maximus", by [[Tom Scioli]]
*'''Subscription cover:''' Joes clamber over Soundwave as he removes a [[Cold Slither (band)|Cold Slither]] cassette from his chest, by [[Nick Pitarra]] and [[Megan Wilson]]
*'''Cover RI:''' Snake Eyes, Roadblock, Bazooka and Shipwreck ride Rodimus's spoiler as he launches into action, by [[Derek Charm]]
*'''Yesteryear Comics exclusive cover:''' [[Zarana]] in front of a Wanted poster for [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], by [[Jamie Tyndall]] and [[Ula Mos]], available exclusively from Yesteryear Comics

<gallery>
File:TFvsJoe5_regcvr.jpg
File:TFvsJoe5_subcvr.jpg
File:TFvsJoe5_cvrRI.jpg
File:TFvsJoe5_yycvr.jpg
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe'' #6
*Two New Micro-Comic Fun Packs!
*''[[Angry Birds Transformers (comic)|Angry Birds Transformers]]''
*''Machi Koro'' (back cover)

==Reprints==
* '''''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe Quintessential Collection''''' Hardcover
* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 73: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Part 1'''''

<gallery>
File:IDW-TFvsJoeQC.jpg|'''''Quintessential Collection'''''; cover art by Scioli
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v73.jpg|'''''Definitive G1 Collection: Vol. 73: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Pt. 1'''''; cover art by [[Don Figueroa]] and Scioli
</gallery>

==External links==
*[http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=preview&id=26005 Preview]

Form Follows Function

2021-04-25T10:37:40Z

Shockwitwicky86:

{{Comicstory|series=tfvsjoe
|issueno=4
|prev=Funeral for a Friend
|next=Everybody Hates Metroplex
|image=TFvsJoe4_regcvr.jpg
|title="Form Follows Function"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[November 26]], [[2014]]
|coverdate=October 2014
|written by=[[Tom Scioli]] and [[John Barber]]
|art by=Tom Scioli
|colors by=Tom Scioli
|letters by=Tom Scioli
|production by=[[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[Carlos Guzman]]
|continuity=[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe]]
}}

'''While Scarlett's Joes make peace with the Autobots, another group led by Psych Out gets caught between the deposed Autobot leader Hot Rod and revolutionary Blaster, and the Joes' non-human unit clashes with the Oktober Guard.'''

==Synopsis==

In [[Decepticobracropolis]] on [[Earth]], [[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]]'s undercover mission has gone wrong. Though his identity has been discovered, he doesn't take it lying down: after stuffing a grenade in [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]]'s mouth to free himself from the robot's grip, he fights his way through a team of [[Cobra]] troops, and takes down loquacious Cobra pugilist [[Big Boa]]. Out for a bit of personal revenge, he then hunts down the apparent turncoat [[Snake-Eyes|Snake Eyes]], who has just completed a meditation ritual and believes his mastery of body and mind will allow him to make the journey through the [[M.A.S.S. Device]] that has killed so many others. Duke tackles Snake Eyes through the M.A.S.S. Device portal, and the pair are sent tumbling through the [[transwarp|void between worlds]].

In [[T.H.E. P.I.T.]], [[Doctor Venom]] conducts an arcane experiment with [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]'s remains, [[General Flagg]]'s [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblecycle]] and some Joe greenshirts. As Venom reads in the native tongue of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] from some kind of grimoire, the Bumblecycle springs to life and begins coiling around his arm...

A fleet of G.I. Joe [[G.I.Rocket|green bombs]] hurtles through space towards Cybertron, led by a supply rocket manned—so to speak—by G.I. Joe's "non-human personnel" unit [[U.S.7]], made up of the team's animal sidekicks and captained by [[Polly]], aka "Seasick". As they draw near to the metal planet, U.S.7's ship is attacked and boarded by G.I. Joe's Russian counterpart, the creepy, kooky [[Oktober Guard]], but after only a few moments of fighting, their ship is snatched out of the air by the gigantic [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]. The energy-starved colossus pulls them down to Cybertron's surface, shakes animal and guardsman alike out of the ship, and tosses them down his gullet.

At Cybertron's north pole, a Joe team is marking the huge rocket-furnaces growing out of the planet's as targets for the approaching wave of green bombs. Team leader [[Psych Out]] is dismayed; he is fascinated by the constantly morphing geography of Cybertron, and would much rather be investigating the two curious mountains that have sprung up at the south pole. Though they successfully accomplish their task, misfortune strikes when the team are suddenly snagged in a [[turborat]] trap, laid around the furance to catch robotic vermin. The traps are collected by [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]], a fallen [[Autobot]] leader once known as "Imhotep Rodimus", now a maintenance worker for [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s empire. Loading up his traps and going on his weary way, trying to ignore the grisly sight of the [[smelting pool|smelting pits]] fueling the furnaces, Hot Rod finds his path barred by Autobot revolutionary [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]], who is appalled by the once-great young hero's defection and eager to take him out. As the two Autobots fire on each other, the Joes are blasted free from their trap, but at that point, the green bombs begin falling. One bomb-blast kicks up a chunk of rubble that knocks out Blaster; Decepticons [[Apeface]] and [[Demolisher]] arrive in time to see Hot Rod standing over his fallen body and, believing he has defeated Blaster, congratulate him on a job well done. Disgusted by words of praise from the lowest of the low, Hot Rod is galvanized into action: he hurls the two Decepticons into one of the furnaces, loads Blaster into his alternate mode, and heads off for [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]. This is good news for the Joes, who secretly use their grappling hooks to hitch a ride on Hot Rod, enabling them to outrun the green bomb blasts.

In the terraformed [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], [[Bazooka (G.I. Joe)|Bazooka]] is in a portable toilet that is thrown through the air when [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]]'s Autobot unit attacks. Emerging from the collapsed commode, he is horrified to see what appears to be a battlefield strewn with dead bodies... but as he cradles [[Scarlett]]'s fallen form, she and all the other combatants turn out to be alive. Before hostilities can break out again, though, the crawling form of Metroplex climbs appears and disgorges [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]'s Autobots and the small Joe team they had captured. Grimlock loudly announces that a truce has been brokered, and the Autobots and Joes all have a dance party to cement their new friendship. During the celebration, Bazooka tries chewing on some of the foliage that the terraforming process has created, but the bizarre [[technorganic|techno-organic]] leaves prove to be psychoactive, and induce a hallucination of some kind of composite intelligence known as "[[Primus]]".
[[File:FormFollowsFunction-OptimusPrime.jpg|thumb|left]]
The mesmerized Bazooka tries to explain what he is seeing, but Grimlock mistakenly believes he is asking about [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], and explains how the lost Autobot leader fled the planet after being defeated by Megatron; Rodimus was Optimus's appointed successor, but Grimlock overthrew him. The other Autobots grumble that Grimlock is twisting the facts, and that nobody knows why Optimus left or where he went...

Lost in the interdimensional gulf, Duke and Snake Eyes continues to struggle, both clinging onto the ninja's sword, which somehow seems to protect them from the ravages of the space between realities. Oblivion looms, but just then, the two are snatched to safety by the claws of a mysterious, misshappen robotic creature... which the two soldiers have no way of knowing is Optimus Prime himself, his body reconfigured into a form that can survive in the void!
 

==Featured characters==
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]'s body/Bumblecycle (11)
*[[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] (28)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] (35)
*[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] (36)
*[[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (44)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (45)
*[[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] (55)
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (56)
*[[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (57)
*[[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] (62)
*[[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] (63)
*[[Slag (G1)|Slag]] (64)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (67)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (72)
*[[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] (drawing, 74)

|c2=
*[[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] (1)
*[[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]'s body (9)
*[[Apeface]] (37)
*[[Demolisher]] (38)
*[[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (drawing, 73)

|h3=[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]|c3=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]] (2)
*[[Doctor Venom]] (10)
*[[Order]] (12)
*[[Junkyard (G.I. Joe)|Junkyard]] (13)
*[[Max (G.I. Joe)|Max]] (14)
*[[Clyde (G.I. Joe)|Clyde]] (15)
*[[Sandstorm (G.I. Joe)|Sandstorm]] (16)
*[[Freedom]] (17)
*[[Polly|Seasick/Polly]] (18)
*[[Airtight]]? (19)
*[[Shipwreck]] (20)
*[[Spirit]] (21)
*[[Psych Out]] (29)
*[[Frostbite (G.I. Joe)|Frostbite]] (30)
*[[Barbecue]] (31)
*[[Chuckles]] (32)
*[[Mainframe (G.I. Joe)|Mainframe]] (33)
*[[Falcon (G.I. Joe)|Lt. Falcon]] (34)
*[[Bazooka (G.I. Joe)|Bazooka]] (39)
*[[Snow Job]] (40)
*[[Tripwire (G.I. Joe)|Tripwire]] (41)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Stalker (G.I. Joe)|Stalker]] (42)
*[[Rock 'n Roll]] (43)
*? (46)
*? (47)
*[[Dusty]] (48)
*[[Scarlett]] (49)
*[[Recondo]] (50)
*[[Blowtorch]] (51)
*[[Beachhead]] (52)
*[[Quick Kick]] (53)
*[[Steeler]] (54)
*[[Breaker]] (58)
*[[Jinx]] (59)
*[[Cover Girl]] (60)
*[[Clutch (G.I. Joe)|Clutch]] (61)
*[[Gung-Ho]] (65)
*[[Roadblock (G.I. Joe)|Roadblock]] (66)
*[[Doc (G.I. Joe)|Doc]] (68)
*[[Lifeline (G.I. Joe)|Lifeline]] (69)
*[[Joe Colton]] (image, 71)
{{!}}}
|h4=[[Cobra]]|c4=
*[[Cobra]] troopers (3)
*[[Big Boa]] (4)
*[[Snake-Eyes|Snake Eyes]] (5)
*[[Crimson Guard]]smen (8)

|h5=Others|c5=
*[[Soft Master]] (memory, 6)
*[[Hard Master]] (memory, 7)
*[[S.H.R.I.E.K.]] (22)
*[[Colonel Breakoff]] (23)
*[[Horrorshow]] (24)
*[[Daina|Denia]] (25)
*[[Dragun]] (26)
*[[Münchnik]] (27)
*[[Primus]] (70)
}}

==Quotes==

"Trickings and Treatings, G.I Joes. Come and get your sweeties."
:—'''S.H.R.I.E.K.''' announces the October Guard's arrival

"'''Turncoat!''' The once-great polymath warrior prince '''Imhotep Rodimus''' spends his days cleaning turborat droppings and hauling energonic hot rods to fuel Megatronian death engines!? How '''far''' have the mighty '''fallen?''' Are there no heroes left on Cybertron?"
:—'''Blaster''', a mite peeved

"The party gets weird. The dancing simultaneously speeds up and slows to a crawl. I see each creature, man and cyberman, become the same centipede. It's life cycle, womb to tomb is arrayed before me. I see Earth growing ever larger, haloed by the sun just behind it. The bodies merge. The minds become one. Is there a name for this? I hear it spoken... two syllables... a name? A call to action? A plea? A command? A prayer? <big>'''PRIME US.'''</big>"
:—'''Bazooka''' has a vision

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*The street preacher from [[I Saw Three Ships|issue #1]] is revealed to have been one of Snake-Eyes's teachers, the [[Soft Master]] (see "G.I. Joe references", below).
*As the green bombs strike, an image of [[Joe Colton]]'s eyes appears over the scene, and the narration recalls his lifetime dream of remote warfare, as introduced back in issue #1 with his [[Coltonbolt]].
*Shipwreck and Polly have received cybernetic upgrades to replace the damaged portions of their body following the injuries they sustained last issue. The issue's commentary notes that Shipwreck's cybernetic eye can see through Polly's own.
*Though Grimlock's "cave-painting" style recap of Cybertronian history seems to imply that Optimus left Cybertron aboard [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], the Autobot leader's fate, reveal at the issue's end, seems to indicate their belief is incorrect. Indeed, back in [[Targetmasters (issue)|issue #2]], Megatron mentioned that he had "booted [Prime's] hide into the void", suggesting he is responsible for stranding him in interdimensional space.

===Transformers references===
*Classic Cybertronian locations the [[smelting pool|smelting pits]] and the [[Rust Sea|Sea of Rust]] put in appearances.
*It's not clear what it means yet, but the two "mega-mountains" that have emerged from Cybertron's surface certainly are reminiscent of [[Unicron]]'s famous horns.
*Blaster's grim, uncompromising depiction in this issue hearkens back to the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|original Marvel series]], which also debuted the character in [[The Smelting Pool!|a story revolving around the smelting pits]].
*A surprising face among the Decepticons is the [[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|''Armada'']] Decepticon [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]], but not unprecedented, as a [[Demolisher|Generation 1 version of the character also exists]].
*The Autobots and G.I. Joe boogie down to establish their truce, probably a reference to ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', when the Autobots and [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]] did the same.
*Optimus Prime's form is based around a mistransformation of his original toy, rather than a new body.

===G.I. Joe references===
*As Snake-Eyes meditates, he recalls the teachings of his masters. While unnamed in the issue, they are recognizable to ''G.I. Joe'' fans as the [[Soft Master]] and the [[Hard Master]], names reflected in the philosophies Snake-Eyes remembers them espousing.
*Doctor Venom's experiment with the Bumblecycle already looks pretty gruesome, but it becomes even more horrifying when you can recognize the device that one of the "greenshirt" Joes is strapped into as the [[Brainwave Scanner]], a particularly torturous mind-reading device of Venom's design that appeared frequently in the original Marvel ''G.I. Joe'' series.
*The Joes' animal team is made up of all real animal partner characters from ''G.I. Joe'' history. Franchise mainstays include [[Law]]'s German shepherd Order, [[Mutt]]'s Rottweiler Junkyard, Spirit's eagle Freedom, and of course, Shipwreck's parrot Polly, now granted a codename of her own, "Seasick". Less well-known are Spearhead's bobcat Max and Dusty's coyote Sandstorm; the odd-beast-out is warthog Clyde, who is not originally a Joe animal, but actually owned by the [[Dreadnok]] poacher Gnawgahyde. His file card here notes he was "liberated from a poacher" in reference to this.
*The Oktober Guard are the Russian counterpart to G.I. Joe, and have featured in much past Joe fiction. Originally named for the {{w|October Revolution}}, they are here completely reimagined as a Halloween-themed horror team. Only team bruiser Horrorshow gets to retain his original name, given its appropriateness; infantry trooper Schrage becomes torture robot "S.H.R.I.E.K."; team leader Colonel Brekhov is now "Colonel Breakoff" (as in, "breaking off your fingers"); flamethrower-wielding mechanic Dragonsky is reinvented as fire-breathing reptilian quadruped "Dragun"; paratrooper Stormavik is replaced by the diminutive Münchnik; and [[Daina]], the only member of the Guard to have appeared in Transformers fiction before, has become "Denia" (that is, she'll "deny ya" mercy).

===Real-life references===
*The title is derived from architect {{w|Louis Sullivan}}'s famous dictum that {{w|Form follows function|"form ever follows function"}}, often quoted by Modernist designers.
*The one-page scene of Doctor Venom working on the Bumblecycle is labelled "Tales from T.H.E. P.I.T.", a reference to the classic EC horror comic, ''{{w|Tales from the Crypt (comics)|Tales from the Crypt}}'', complete with a direct homage to the comic's logo. This comes on the heels of last issue's reference to Venom as the Crypt Keeper, the comic's host.
*The Joe's "non-human personnel" team is named "U.S.7" after the comic book ''{{w|We3}}'', about cybernetically-enhanced animals.
*U.S.7's ship is designed to resemble {{w|Snoopy}}.
*The Joes announce their intention to "Steranko" their way out of Hot Rod's cage, a reference to comic book artist {{w|Jim Steranko}}, who performed as an escapologist in his younger days. Steranko is particularly well known for the psychedelic spy/military stories he told on ''[[Nicholas Fury|Nick Fury]]'', a big influence on the look and tone of this series.
*As the Joes and Autobots party together, some words (not in a speech bubble, but probably intended to convey a chant or song) read "Yub Yub"—a reference to "[[wikia:starwars:Ewok Celebration|Yub Nub]]", the Ewok victory song that plays at the end of the original theatrical release of [[Star Wars (franchise)|''Return of the Jedi'']], as the Ewoks and [[Rebel Alliance|Rebels]] have a similar celebration.
*Barbecue quips that the planetary engines are hot enough to "turn [them] all into M.R.E's"; "M.R.E." stands for "{{w|Meal, Ready-to-Eat}}", a kind of military field ration. M.R.E.s replaced the unpopular "{{w|C-ration}}s", which the characters of the original Marvel ''G.I. Joe'' run would often comment on with relief.
*Hot Rod was once known as "Imhotep Rodimus". {{w|Imhotep}} was an ancient Egyptian polymath: an accomplished engineer, physician, and architect of pyramids. He was also chancellor to the pharaoh, perhaps mirroring Rodimus's high status as Optimus's choice of successor.

===Errors===
*As Bazooka has his vision, quoted above, "it's" is used instead of "its".

===Other notes===
*This issue was originally solicited for release in October, with the solicitation blurb specifically noting that the Oktober Guard were appearing "just in time for Halloween". Unfortunately, the issue didn't make it out until the end of November.

===Covers (4)===
*'''Standard cover:''' Megatron, Apeface and [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] fend off a G.I. Joe attack, by [[Tom Scioli]]
*'''Subscription cover:''' Soundwave versus a small group of Joes, by [[Riley Rossmo]]
*'''Cover RI:''' Optimus Prime, [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] and Scarlett by Tom Scioli; connects to the RI covers from issues #2 and #3 to form a larger image
*'''Yesteryear Comics exclusive cover:''' The [[Baroness]] and [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]], by [[Jamie Tyndall]] and [[Ula Mos]], available exclusively from Yesteryear Comics

<gallery>
File:TFvsJoe4_regcvr.jpg
File:TFvsJoe4_subcvr.jpg
File:TFvsJoe4_cvrRI.jpg
File:TFvsJoe4_yycvr.jpg
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe'' #5
*''[[The Transformers: Drift - Empire of Stone|Drift - Empire of Stone]]''
*''[[The Transformers: Windblade|Windblade]]'' graphic novel
*''[[Angry Birds Transformers (comic)|Angry Birds Transformers]]''
*''V-Wars'' graphic novel (back cover)

==Reprints==
* '''''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe Quintessential Collection''''' Hardcover
* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 73: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Part 1'''''

<gallery>
File:IDW-TFvsJoeQC.jpg|'''''Quintessential Collection'''''; cover art by Scioli
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v73.jpg|'''''Definitive G1 Collection: Vol. 73: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Pt. 1'''''; cover art by [[Don Figueroa]] and Scioli
</gallery>

==External links==
*[http://tformers.com/idw-comics-preview-the-transformers-vs-/25240/news.html Preview]

Funeral for a Friend

2021-04-25T10:36:57Z

Shockwitwicky86: Adding reprint information.

{{disambig2|the IDW ''[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe]]'' issue|the Marvel Generation 1 issue|Funeral for a Friend!}}
{{Comicstory|series=tfvsjoe
|issueno=3
|prev=Targetmasters (issue)
|next=Form Follows Function
|image=TFvsJoe3_regcvr.jpg
|title="Funeral for a Friend"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[October 8]], [[2014]]
|coverdate=September 2014
|written by=[[Tom Scioli]] and [[John Barber]]
|art by=Tom Scioli
|colors by=Tom Scioli
|letters by=Tom Scioli
|production by=[[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[Carlos Guzman]]
|continuity=[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe]]
}}

'''While the Joes on Cybertron face Autobot justice, the Earthbound Joe forces stage a phoney funeral in order to draw out Cobra, only to find that their enemies have allied with the Decepticons.'''

==Synopsis==
Below decks on the aircraft carrier ''[[USS Flagg]]'', [[Doctor Venom]] is being guarded by [[Shipwreck]] and [[Dial-Tone]] as he works on a line of [[Battle Android Trooper|robotic troops]] for the Joes. Venom insists that the guard duty is not necessary, as he is on their side, but the two grunts don't buy it, already irritated to be missing the spectacle taking place on the deck of the ''Flagg'': a funeral for [[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]], who has apparently died from gangrene. Just as the 21-gun salute is fired, the ''Flagg'' comes under attack from [[Cobra]]—or rather, "Decepticobra", the allied forces of the terrorists and the [[Decepticon]]s the Joes previously battled! However, as [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]—his facial injuries awkwardly repaired by Cobra—and [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]—furious at the death of his brother [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]—try to rip the ''Flagg'' in two, the funeral is revealed to be a sham designed to draw Cobra out when Hawk emerges from his coffin with a pair of gatling guns blazing. Even [[General Flagg]] gets in on the action, piloting a "Bumblecycle" battle platform made from [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]'s body in combat against the [[Baroness|Serpentress]], riding on [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]]'s back.

On [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]], [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] and [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] return to [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], the animate, starfish-like city of the exiled [[Autobot]]s, which constantly crawls across the planet's surface. The three Autobots deposit their Joe prisoners at the feet of their tyrant-king [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]], then immediately depart to go to [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]'s aid. The Joes bravely try to threaten Grimlock into surrendering, but he sees through their bluff and in retribution for the bombing of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], he drops them into a pit of [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]]. [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] insists they be given a fighting chance, and tosses the Joes one of their satchels; they are able to use the explosives it contains to give the Sharkticons some severe indigestion, and manage to climb back out of the pit.

Back on the ''Flagg'', Starscream and Shockwave tear their way into the vessel's science deck, searching for Soundwave's remains. Shipwreck and Dial Tone try to evacuate Doctor Venom, but they are quickly chased down by the phalanx of Cobra troopers, led by [[Dreadnok|Buzzer]], that the Decepticons insert into the carrier. The two Joes are shot down, but the Cobras quickly discover that Soundwave's body is not ''on'' the ''Flagg'', and their forces begin to withdraw. Buzzer welcomes Venom back into the Cobra fold and hands him a gun so they can fight their way out... only for Venom to immediately shoot the Dreadnok in the head, point-blank! The blood-spattered Venom turns to his wounded Joe guards with a grin; he ''told'' them he was on their side.

Up top, the reason for the Joes' funeral façade is put into play as [[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]], disguised as a scarred Cobra trooper, infiltrates the fleeing terrorists' ranks and has himself transported back to their headquarters, the island temple of [[Decepticobracropolis]]. Upon arrival, Duke spots [[Snake-Eyes|Snake Eyes]] among the Cobras, apparent evidence that one the greatest Joes of all has changed sides, but this discovery pales in comparison to what follows: Cobra weaponsmaster [[Destro]] uses his [[M.A.S.S. Device]] to teleport himself and a squad of troops to Cybertron! Fortunately, Duke is not among their number, for as they arrive in [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s throneroom, all the Cobras save Destro are burnt to death by the M.A.S.S. transfer process. Megatron seeks a means to purge the organic contamination the Joes' [[G.I.Rocket|green bombs]] have brought to Cybertron, and Destro proposes that he be allowed to take charge of the mission alone. Destro reveals that his mastery of technology has allowed him to extend his own life with cybernetic implants, and to construct a "secret cybernetic army"; amazed that a human has mastered mechanical life, Megatron agrees, and offers Destro a gift.

In the terraformed Iacon, [[Scarlett]]'s Joes go about the grisly procedure of dissecting the still-functional [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]], refusing to consider the giant robot a living being. Wheeljack cycles through recordings of old [[Earth]] transmissions in hopes of finding something that will convince the Joes to stop; just as they open his brain casing, he strikes gold with a speech from the [[President of the United States]]. Concluding that [[More than Meets the Eye (disambiguation)|more than meets the eye]] is going on, Scarlett orders the Autobot reassembled. Just then, Brawn, Mirage and Perceptor storm Iacon, and a fierce firefight ensues. When the last shot is fired, all is still in Iacon, and both Joes and Autobots lie motionless...

Back on Earth, in [[T.H.E. P.I.T.]], General Flagg presents Doctor Venom with Soundwave's corpse, and instructs him to repair the alien and get him up and fighting on the side of America!

==Featured characters==
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] (21)
*[[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (22)
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (23)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (24)
*[[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] (29)
*[[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (30)
*[[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] (31)
*[[Slag (G1)|Slag]] (32)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (33)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]'s head (44)

|c2=
*[[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (16)
*[[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (18)
*[[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] (20)
*[[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]] (34)
*[[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] (39)
*[[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] (40)
*[[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] (41)
*[[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]] (42)
*[[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (43)
*[[Darkwing (G1)|Darkwing]] (45)
*A [[conehead]] (46)
*[[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (69)

|h3=[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]|c3=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Dial-Tone]] (1)
*[[Doctor Venom]] (2)
*[[Polly]] (3)
*[[Shipwreck]] (4)
*[[Battle Android Trooper|B.A.T.s]] (5)
*[[Sealegs]] (6)
*[[Spirit]] (7)
*[[Mutt]] (8)
*[[Flash (G.I. Joe)|Flash]] (9)
*[[Law]] (10)
*[[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]] (11)
*[[Lady Jaye]] (12)
*[[General Austin]] (13)
*[[General Flagg]] (14)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]] (19)
*[[Breaker]] (25)
*[[Jinx]] (26)
*[[Cover Girl]] (27)
*[[Clutch (G.I. Joe)|Clutch]] (28)
*[[Crazylegs]] (47)
*[[Alpine]] (48)
*[[Roadblock (G.I. Joe)|Roadblock]] (49)
*[[Gung-Ho]] (50)
*? (51)
*[[Rock 'n Roll]] (52)
*[[Blowtorch]] (53)
*[[Recondo]] (54)
*[[Dusty]] (55)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Deep Six]] (56)
*[[Scoop (G.I. Joe)|Scoop]] (57)
*[[Tripwire (G.I. Joe)|Tripwire]] (58)
*[[Snow Job]] (59)
*[[Beachhead]] (60)
*[[Scarlett]] (61)
*[[Stalker (G.I. Joe)|Stalker]] (62)
*[[Sci-Fi]] (63)
*[[Charbroil]] (64)
*[[Taurus]] (65)
*[[Quick Kick]] (66)
*[[Steeler]] (67)
*[[Torpedo]] (68)
{{!}}}
|h4=[[Cobra]]|c4=
*[[Baroness|Serpentress]] (15)
*[[Dreadnok|Buzzer]] (17)
*[[Cobra]] troopers (35)
*[[Destro]] (36)
*[[Snake-Eyes|Snake Eyes]] (37)
*[[Crimson Guard]]smen (38)
}}

==Quotes==

"No, Dial-Tone, not '''"Venom"'''--it's pronounced "'''Phe'''-nom" as in "'''phe'''-nomenon--" 
"We're in American waters. V is V, like victory. Like venomous snake. In '''my''' phonebook, your name is '''mud'''."
:—'''Doctor Venom''' and '''Dial-Tone'''

"Green ones destroy Grimlock holy place. Grimlock demand payback. Punishment is death." 
"You're big and loud, but you don't scare us for a second. If you think we're going to beg for mercy--" 
"Grimlock no have mercy. Grimlock have Sharkticons!"
:—'''Grimlock''' and '''Breaker''' (or is it '''Clutch'''?)

"Look at me now... Sergeant Conrad Hauser. Code name: '''Duke.''' Jack-booted goose-stepping para-fascist super-soldier. What would '''Bubbe''' and '''Zayde''' say?"
:—'''Duke''' goes undercover

"Gun Maker. Life Taker. Dream Breaker. Earth Shaker. Money Raker."
:—The narration sings the praises of '''Destro'''

"What I '''do''' have is a secret army--something my allies only barely understand. '''Cybernetic life''', like here." 
"'''Impossible!''' You, a lowly fleshbag, have mastered the secret of '''true life'''?" 
"I had great teachers, the metal gods themselves. By your reckoning, I am but a '''zygote'''. Compared to my people, I am very long-lived indeed. I mastered your technology and made it my '''own'''. I made it part of my '''biology'''. In a way, we are brothers, mighty Megatron. I am '''your future''', as you are '''mine'''. Both our races are headed toward the same endpoint, a fusion of man and machine. '''Each''' indistinguishable from the '''other'''." 
:—'''Destro''' and '''Megatron'''

<big>'''"NO MERCY FROM PERCY"'''</big>
:—The narration on '''Perceptor'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*Soundwave, Starscream and Shockwave were blasted by the Coltonbolt back in [[I Saw Three Ships|issue #1]]. Starscream and Shockwave are revealed to have survived—with Starscream now wearing a Cobra-created "mask" to hide the injuries inflicted on his face—while Soundwave's remains have been recovered by the Joes.
*Hawk's death is quickly revealed to be a farce, but is stated to be a result of gangrene, following on the from the injury he sustained in issue #1.
*G.I. Joe are revealed to have salvaged Bumblebee's body following his demise in [[The Golden Boys|issue #0]].

===Transformers references===
*This issue is named after [[Funeral for a Friend!|issue #26]] of the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|original Marvel series]].
*Grimlock appears as the tyrannical king of the Autobots, a role he also enjoyed for an extended period of time during the Marvel run.
*The [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] speak with their usual primitive "caveman" style of speech, which Arcee blames on them not having learned Earth language properly yet.
*Sharkticons are, of course, normally servants of the [[Quintesson]]s; while Grimlock has himself a pit of them here, a Decepticon insignia is visible on one of their fins.
*Decepticobracropolis is cast a shape similar to that of the [[Insignia#Unused concepts|combined Decepticon/Cobra insignia]] designed for the [[Devil's Due Press|Devil's Due]] ''[[G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers]]'' crossover.
*Wheeljack's method of communication through song and speech snippets is similar to how Bumblebee in the live-action films communicates.

===G.I. Joe references===
*The robots Doctor Venom constructs are [[Battle Android Trooper]]s, which are normally a Cobra venture in ''G.I. Joe'' continuity, but have here been reinterpreted as Joe constructs.
*A naval Joe named "Sealegs" appears here—he's actually a brand new character, but ''Joe'' has seen some use of the name before, as the Cobra amphibious assault craft, the "[[wikia:gijoe:S.E.A. Legs|S.E.A. Legs]]".
*The Cobra trooper disguise Duke dons includes an elaborate scar running down his face, over his right eye—highly reminiscent of "Scarface", a Cobra trooper from the early issues of the Marvel ''G.I. Joe'' series who featured two such scars. However, see "real-life references".
*The M.A.S.S. Device ("Molecular Assembler Scrambler Sender") and its three "catalytic elements" were the central macguffin of the original ''G.I. Joe'' cartoon mini-series.

===Real-life references===
*Clutch (or is it Breaker? They're friggin' identical!) holds a Sharkticon's jaws open with his legs by doing the splits, crying "Van Damme!", referring to actor {{w|Jean-Claude Van Damme}}, known for his ability to do impressive splits.
*In addition to referring to "Scarface", Duke's single-scarred disguise also references a disguise worn by [[Batman|Bruce Wayne]] in the graphic novel ''Batman: Year One''.
*Duke's undercover role incorporates overtones of Quentin Tarantino films ''{{w|Inglorious Basterds}}'' and ''{{w|Reservoir Dogs}}''. As a further reference, Lady Jaye wishes Duke luck by saying "Come home in a body bag" (rather than "Break a leg"); "Coming Home in a Body Bag" was the name of a fictional movie in the Tarantino-scripted film ''{{w|True Romance}}''.
*Among the sound-bytes Wheeljack rattles off are:
**The lyrics to the {{w|Bee Gees}} song, "{{w|How Can You Mend a Broken Heart}}", slightly misquoted as "How do you keep the sun from shining?", rather than the correct "How can you stop the sun from shining?"
**A cry of "{{w|Gary Dell'Abate|Baba Booey!}}"
**President [[Barack Obama]]'s {{w|Barack Obama election victory speech, 2008|2008 election victory speech}}
*As Doctor Venom thanks General Flagg in the most creepy way possible, Flagg orders him to "Stow the {{w|Tales from the Crypt (TV series)|Crypt Keeper}} patter".

===Covers (4)===
*'''Standard cover:''' Wheeljack is surrounded by the G.I. Joes, by [[Tom Scioli]]
*'''Subscription cover:''' Optimus Prime, Duke, Snake-Eyes, Roadblock and Scarlet in the middle of a firefight, by [[Jim Rugg]]
*'''Cover RI:''' The Joes rolls into battle with backup from [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]], by Tom Scioli; connects to cover RI from issue #2 to form a larger image
*'''Yesteryear Comics exclusive cover:''' Megatron on a throne, holding Optimus Prime's severed head, by [[Jamie Tyndall]] and [[Ula Mos]], available exclusively from Yesteryear Comics

<gallery>
File:TFvsJoe3_regcvr.jpg
File:TFvsJoe3_subcvr.jpg
File:TFvsJoe3_cvrRI.jpg
File:TFvsJoe3_yycvr.jpg
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''[[The Transformers: Windblade|Windblade]]'' graphic novel
*IDW Transformers graphic novel library
*IDW Micro Comic Fun Packs
*''[[My Little Pony]]'' Annual 2014

==Reprints==
* '''''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe Quintessential Collection''''' Hardcover
* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 73: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Part 1'''''

<gallery>
File:IDW-TFvsJoeQC.jpg|'''''Quintessential Collection'''''; cover art by Scioli
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v73.jpg|'''''Definitive G1 Collection: Vol. 73: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Pt. 1'''''; cover art by [[Don Figueroa]] and Scioli
</gallery>

==External links==
*[http://www.comicbookresources.com:8080/?page=preview&id=23959 Preview]

Targetmasters (issue)

2021-04-25T10:36:27Z

Shockwitwicky86: Adding reprint information.

{{disambig3|Targetmaster}}

{{Comicstory|series=tfvsjoe
|issueno=2
|prev=I Saw Three Ships
|next=Funeral for a Friend
|image=TFvsJoe2_regcvr.jpg
|title="Targetmasters"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[August 27]], [[2014]]
|coverdate=August 2014
|written by=[[Tom Scioli]] and [[John Barber]]
|art by=Tom Scioli
|colors by=Tom Scioli
|letters by=Tom Scioli
|production by=[[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[Carlos Guzman]]
|continuity=[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe]]
}}

'''The Joes get an up-close look at life on Megatron's Cybertron when they are captured alongside a group of Autobots.'''

==Synopsis==
Flying above the surface of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] aboard the starship ''[[Defiant (G.I. Joe)|Defiant]]'', [[Scarlett]] and the [[Star Brigade]] drop a bombardment of [[Doctor Venom]]'s [[G.I.Rocket|creeper bomb]]s on the city of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], swamping it in rapidly-growing organic matter. The terraforming tactics are observed by [[Autobot]]s [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]], [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]], [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]], and [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], who deduce that the invading humans are unaware that Iacon is an abandoned ruin, and lament the absence of the long-missing [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]. Perceptor tries to examine some of the creeper material under his scope, but it suddenly begins to grow, forcing Brawn to blast it.

The [[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]] team spots a new target: [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]], a gigantic, animate city in the form of a dinosaur. Over the objections of [[Psych Out]], who is appalled at their contamination of an alien world with organic life from [[Earth]], they drop a load of creeper bombs on the saurian city, only to find that it is protected by a force field. A fleet of [[Decepticon]]s led by [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] and [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] erupt from Trypticon's mouth to pursue the Joes' ship; down below, the four Autobots believe ''they'' are the villains' targets since they are out past curfew, but they realize they haven't even been noticed when the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] appear on the road ahead and completely ignore them, merging into [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] and taking off into the skies. The ''Defiant'' splits into its two modules, but Devastator tears into one, sending it falling out of the sky in a blaze. As the Joes bail out, Scarlett lands her [[RAM]] on the barrel of Devastator's gun and rides it up his arm and off his shoulder, landing safely in the [[Tomahawk (G.I. Joe)|Tomahawk]] helicopter—all while delivering a status update to [[General Flagg]]. The shuttle section of the ''Defiant'' meets a similar fate, and goes up in flames under a barrage of Decepticon fire, but pilot [[Wild Bill]]—in defiance of Scarlett's order to abandon ship—steers the flaming craft into Devastator, blowing the [[combiner|gestalt]] into his components. Joes [[Breaker]], [[Clutch (G.I. Joe)|Clutch]], [[Cover Girl]] and [[Jinx]] land their vehicles safely on parachutes and try to "merge with local traffic", unaware that what they think are native vehicles are, in fact, the four Autobots that have been watching the proceedings. This brings the Autobots to the Decepticons' attention, and they activate a trap hidden within the roadway, which begins to close around the fleeing 'bots and Joes. Wheeljack, Mirage and the Joes are able to squeeze through before the rising walls close, but Brawn and Perceptor are captured. The Joes fail to make a getaway, however, as they are snatched up by the bounty-hunting [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]].

A short time later, in the throne room within Trypticon, Cyclonus and Scourge present the shackled Brawn and Perceptor to their god-king [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]... only for a furious Megatron to slay Scourge. Autobots, he angrily proclaims, are a race long defeated and far beneath his notice—it is the invading humans that he wants. As luck would have it, the Insecticons choose this moment to arrive, bringing the objects of Megatron's desire with them. When the Decepticon emperor unwraps Clutch from the bindings the Insecticons have placed him and the other Joes in, the human opens fire on him, prompting cacophonous laughter as the bullets ping off his armor. Suddenly, Optimus Prime himself appears in the middle of the throne room, but when Megatron hurls himself at his ancient enemy, he discovers that it is merely a hologram: Mirage has deceived him and freed the captured 'bots, who now beat a hasty retreat from Trypticon with the Joes in their custody.

Meanwhile, the rest of Scarlett's team sets up base camp in the terraformed Iacon, setting up perimeter traps and using a [[Weather Dominator]] to make the region's atmosphere more palatable. As night falls, Scarlett checks in with [[Snow Job]] for a status update; he has little to report until suddenly, a figure emerges from the darkness—Wild Bill has survived his kamikaze run on Devastator, but as he collapses in front of his allies, he warns that one of the Transformers has pursued him. Fortunately for the Joes, one of their snares succeeds in trapping their Cybertronian guest: Wheeljack!

==Featured characters==
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (2)
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (3)
*[[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (4)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (5)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]'s head (40)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] hologram (41)
|c2=
*[[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] (9)
*[[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (14)
*[[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] (15)
*[[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] (16)
*[[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] (17)
*[[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (18)
*[[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (19)
*[[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] (20)
*[[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] (21)
*[[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]] (22)
*[[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (23)
*[[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] (24)
*[[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] (34)
*[[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] (35)
*[[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] (36)
|h3=[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]|c3=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Low Light]] (1)
*[[Rock 'n Roll]] (6)
*[[Alpine]] (7)
*[[Psych Out]] (8)
*[[Scarlett]] (10)
*[[Roadblock (G.I. Joe)|Roadblock]] (11)
*[[Snow Job]] (12)
*[[Quick Kick]] (13)
*[[Payload (G.I. Joe)|Payload]] (25)
*[[Wild Bill]] (26)
*[[Steeler]] (27)
*[[Bazooka (G.I. Joe)|Bazooka]] (28)
*[[Jinx]] (29)
*[[Breaker]] (30)
*[[Clutch (G.I. Joe)|Clutch]] (31)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Cover Girl]] (32)
*[[General Flagg]] (33)
*[[Stalker (G.I. Joe)|Stalker]] (37)
*[[Gung-Ho]] (38)
*[[Tripwire (G.I. Joe)|Tripwire]] (39)
*[[Tunnel Rat]] (42)
*[[Blowtorch]] (43)
*[[Doc (G.I. Joe)|Doc]] (44)
*? (45)
*[[Crazylegs]] (46)
*[[Leatherneck]] (47)
*[[Charbroil]] (48)
*[[Sci-Fi]] (49)
{{!}}}
}}

==Quotes==

"Autobots are '''ancient history'''--beneath my notice--a cowed and conquered people '''born vanquished'''. The only Autobot that ever mattered left this world when I booted his hide into '''the void'''. Don't waste my precious '''chrono-cycles''' with petty Autobot sins."
:—'''Megatron'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*Megatron is wearing Bumblebee's decapitated head around his neck on a chain, acquired in [[The Golden Boys|issue #0]].

===Transformers references===
*The road on which the Joes and Autobots briefly drive together is patterned with a grid with a slight reddish gradient, that turns into a purplish gradient when it folds up to entrap them, an apparent reference to the classic gradient-grid pattern of the original [[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1 toyline packaging]].
*Before combining into Devastator, Hook tells the Constructicons to "Merge for the kill!", which is what Megatron ordered them to do in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''.
*Perceptor uses his unofficial "tank" mode (a leftover from the toy's Microman origins).

===G.I. Joe references===
*Wheeljack bets "Energon to O-Rings"; while the {{w|O-ring}} is a real mechanical gasket, meaning that his line can make sense in and of itself, they saw extensive use in the 1980s ''G.I. Joe'' toyline to connect the top half of the figures to the bottom.
*The Joes plan to use a [[Weather Dominator]] to make the local atmosphere more pleasant; the Weather Dominator was the central macguffin of the ''G.I. Joe'' cartoon's "Revenge of Cobra" mini-series.
*While nearly all of the Joe vehicles on Cybertron are easily recognizable, Jinx appears to be driving some sort of made-up treaded motorcycle. This is likely intended to be the [http://www.yojoe.com/vehicles/86/lcv/ LCV Recon Sled] since she's laying prone, a feature of the LCV design.

===Real-life references===
*The Joe's mission to use the Green Bombs on Cybertron is code-named "Paint It Green", a reference to the Rolling Stones song ''{{w|Paint It Black}}'' and further, to the song's use as the [[theme song|theme]] of the Vietnam War TV show, ''{{w|Tour of Duty (TV series)|Tour of Duty}}''.
*Charbroil calls Wheeljack a "[[GoBot]]"—historically, not the first time that a Joe character has made the reference, as Cobra Commander once calls the Transformers "glorified GoBots" in [[Devil's Due Press|Devil's Due]]'s [[The Art of War issue 5|''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers: The Art of War'' #5]].

===Other notes===
*Per standard, the story is followed by a complete page-by-page commentary from Barber and Scioli.

===Covers (5)===
*'''Standard cover:''' The G.I. Joes are confronted by Cyclonus, Scourge and Devastator, by [[Tom Scioli]]
*'''Subscription cover:''' [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] and [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] duke it out as some Joes and Cobras exchange menacing glances, by [[Ed Piskor]]
*'''Cover RI:''' The Joes on the run from Trypticon, Devastator and [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]], by Tom Scioli
*'''Yesteryear Comics exclusive cover:''' Scarlett by [[Jamie Tyndall]] and [[Ula Mos]], available exclusively from Yesteryear Comics
*'''Amazing Convention exclusive cover:''' Scarlett by [[Rob Liefeld]] and [[Tom Mason]], available exclusively at the Amazing! Comic Convention

<gallery>
File:TFvsJoe2_regcvr.jpg
File:TFvsJoe2_subcvr.jpg
File:TFvsJoe2_cvrRI.jpg
File:TFvsJoe2_yycvr.jpg
File:TFvsJoe2_amazingcvr.jpg
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''[[The Transformers: Primacy|Primacy]]''
*IDW Micro Comic Fun Packs
*IDW Transformers graphic novel library
*CGC
*''G.I. Joe'' #1
*''Little Nemo: Return to Slumberland''

==Reprints==
* '''''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe Quintessential Collection''''' Hardcover
* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 73: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Part 1'''''

<gallery>
File:IDW-TFvsJoeQC.jpg|'''''Quintessential Collection'''''; cover art by Scioli
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v73.jpg|'''''Definitive G1 Collection: Vol. 73: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Pt. 1'''''; cover art by [[Don Figueroa]] and Scioli
</gallery>

==External links==
*[http://www.newsarama.com/21969-transformers-previews-for-aug-26-mtmte-32-vs-g-i-joe-2.html Preview]

I Saw Three Ships

2021-04-25T10:35:42Z

Shockwitwicky86: Adding reprint information.

{{Comicstory|series=tfvsjoe
|issueno=1
|prev=The Golden Boys
|next=Targetmasters (issue)
|image=TFvsJoe1_cvr.jpg
|title="I Saw Three Ships"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[July 23]], [[2014]] (1st printing), [[August 13]], 2014 (2nd printing)
|coverdate=July 2014
|written by=[[Tom Scioli]] and [[John Barber]]
|art by=Tom Scioli
|colors by=Tom Scioli
|letters by=Tom Scioli
|production by=[[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[Carlos Guzman]]
|continuity=''[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe]]''
}}

'''The G.I. Joes make first contact with the Transformers, but the alien robots they welcome to Earth turn out to be enemies.'''

==Synopsis==
While [[General Flagg]] attempts to coax the recalcitrant [[Snake-Eyes|Snake Eyes]] out of his self-imposed seclusion from civilization, the [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] team launches an attack on [[Springfield (Cobra)|Springfield]], an unassuming all-American little town that is, in fact, an undercover [[Cobra]] operations base. The mission is the first taste of action for several new Joes, including [[Gung-Ho]], who grapples with Cobra head officers [[Tomax and Xamot]] and is nearly overcome by their symbiotic, acrobatic skills until a copter-load of Joes come to the rescue. Watching from a hiding place nearby, Cobra munitions master [[Destro]] trains his wrist-rockets on the helicopter, but is stopped from firing by a shadow-shrouded figure—Cobra's ''true'' leader. This mysterious individual prefers to see Tomax and Xamot take the fall, leaving G.I. Joe to labor under the continued misconception that Cobra is still splintered and directionless following [[Cobra Commander]]'s death, unaware that the terrorist organization has greater goals in motion...

Some time later, in the classified city beneath which G.I. Joe's headquarters [[T.H.E. P.I.T.]] is located, [[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]] runs into [[Scarlett]] on the way to a briefing—though before they can attend, they have to shake off a street prophet handing out pamphlets about the "Face of Darkness", a large asteroid presently entering [[Earth]]'s [[Solar System]] that the prophet insists is actually a planet. This "asteroid" is actually the subject of the briefing: G.I. Joe has picked up transmissions emanating from the mysterious celestial body, which include the word "[[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]" and glyphs that the Joes recognize from their prior encounter with robotic lifeforms during the battle for Koh-Buru-Lah. Those robots had previously been misidentified as Cobra automatons, but now the Joes realize they were alien lifeforms! Mention of that mission and the disfiguring repercussions it had upon Snake Eyes appears to unnerve Scarlett, and she excuses herself, but not without some whispered words to General Flagg.

In response to the transmissions, the Joes lay out the welcome mat at the top secret [[Area Zero]] facility, where top brass and grunts alike watch as three alien craft descend from the sky. Three small robots disembark the lead craft, and [[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|General Hawk]] steps forward to address the [[Frenzy (G1)|most humanoid]] of their number, only to have the feline-form [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] respond; Hawk offers peace, and Ravage gladly accepts, but it soon becomes apparent that he has mistranslated the word peace as "surrender". Tensions are also growing in the skies above: unbeknownst to any present, Snake Eyes has arrived on a hang-glider, while Duke has recognized one of the other ships as [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], the same robot from their previous encounter, just as it changes shape to emulate a Joe [[Skystriker (vehicle)|Skystriker]]. Everything explodes when the unseen Snake Eyes shoots Hawk in the arm, triggering an outbreak of hostilities. The lead ship transforms, revealing itself to be [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]], who seizes Hawk, [[Lady Jaye]], and [[Flash (G.I. Joe)|Flash]] and imprisons them within his chest compartment, while all the other Joes fight their way past the aliens in order to clear the area for the activation of countermeasure protocol [[Coltonbolt]]—a blast from an orbital laser satellite array developed by G.I. Joe's founder, [[Joe Colton]]. Flash is able to slice a hole in Soundwave's chest with his laser rifle, allowing the three Joes to escape; confronted by Ravage on the ground, Hawk is surprised to find that his dull-edged tomahawk somehow manages to slice right through the cat-bot's skull. Duke swoops in aboard a [[Sky Hawk]] to airlift his companions to safety, but Soundwave gives chase, prompting Hawk to consider bailing and leading him back into Coltonbolt's kill zone. Before he can do so, however, Snake Eyes appears; though shocked to realize it was their old ally who shot at Hawk, the Joes don't complain when the ninja flies past them and, in an act of misguided revenge, hurls a bandoleer of grenades directly into Starscream's face, ravaging it as his was during his last encounter with the aliens. The Coltonbolt fires, and Soundwave, Ravage, Starscream, and [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] are caught in its blast radius as the Joes watch. Only [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] and [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] escape the ray, the latter airlifted to safety by the former, but the two small 'bots are soon swallowed up by a Cobra airship, and the new leader—the scarred [[Baroness]], having reinvented herself as the "Serpentress"—reveals herself and offers the aliens sanctuary.

Regrouping aboard the [[USS Flagg|USS ''Flagg'']], the Joes are acutely aware of the fact that the Cybertronians are likely to soon retaliate in greater numbers, and that the Coltonbolt trick will not work again. General Flagg sends a mesage to Scarlett, who has, in fact, departed with a team on a secret away mission aboard the Joe space shuttle ''[[Defiant (G.I. Joe)|Defiant]]'' to the mysterious approaching planetoid. They are no longer on a mission of exploration... now, their mission is the invasion of Cybertron!

==Featured characters==
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=

|c2=
*[[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (31)
*[[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] (32)
*[[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (33)
*[[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (36)
*[[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] (37)
*[[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (38)

|h3=[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]|c3=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Snake-Eyes|Snake Eyes]] (1)
*[[Timber]] (2)
*[[General Flagg]] (3)
*[[Gung-Ho]] (5)
*[[Stalker (G.I. Joe)|Stalker]] (9)
*[[Quick Kick]] (10)
*[[Dusty]] (11)
*[[Snow Job]] (12)
*[[Blowtorch]] (13)
*[[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]] (14)
*[[Flint (G.I. Joe)|Flint]] (15)
*[[Lady Jaye]] (16)
*[[Flash (G.I. Joe)|Flash]] (17)
*[[Beachhead|Beach Head]] (18)
*[[Roadblock (G.I. Joe)|Roadblock]] (19)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Bazooka (G.I. Joe)|Bazooka]] (20)
*[[Rock 'n Roll]] (21)
*[[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]] (22)
*[[Wild Bill]] (23)
*[[Jinx]] (24)
*[[Alpine]] (25)
*[[Scarlett]] (29)
*[[Spirit]] (30)
*[[Dial-Tone|Dial Tone]] (34)
*[[General Austin]] (35)
*[[Order]] (39)
*[[Law]] (40)
*[[Shipwreck]] (41)
*[[Mutt]] (42)
*[[Junkyard (G.I. Joe)|Junkyard]] (43)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Joe Colton]] (computer image, 44)
*? (45)
*[[Cover Girl]] (46)
*[[Steeler]] (47)
*[[Clutch (G.I. Joe)|Clutch]] (48)
*[[Breaker]]? (49)
*[[Deep Six]] (50)
*[[Recondo]] (51)
*[[Torpedo]] (52)
*[[Chuckles]] (53)
*[[Scoop (G.I. Joe)|Scoop]] (54)
*[[Barbecue]] (55)
*[[Hardtop (G.I. Joe)|Hardtop]] (56)
*[[Lift-Ticket (G.I. Joe)|Lift-Ticket]] (57)
{{!}}}
|h4=[[Cobra]]|c4=
*[[Tomax and Xamot|Tomax]] (4)
*[[Tomax and Xamot|Xamot]] (6)
*[[Crimson Guard]]smen (7)
*[[Cobra]] troopers (8)
*[[Destro]] (26)
*[[Baroness|Serpentress]] (27)
|h5=Others|c5=
*[[Soft Master|Street prophet]] (28)
}}

==Quotes==

"My mastery of '''your language''' is not quite perfect. There is 'peace' but there is another word--a better word--'surrender'. You offer us '''<nowiki>'</nowiki>surrender<nowiki>'</nowiki>'''." 
"'Surrender'? No. I said '''<nowiki>'</nowiki>peace<nowiki>'</nowiki>''' and I meant '''<nowiki>'</nowiki>peace<nowiki>'</nowiki>'''. G.I. Joe doesn't know the meaning of the word 'surrender'."
:—'''Ravage''' and '''Hawk'''

"Lady Jaye, every one of us, whether a general or a grunt, is a Joe... and G.I. Joe has always been a suicide mission. We die, so freedom can live."
:—'''Hawk'''

"I offered you peace, and you ran me over with your car."
:—'''Ravage'''

"Lin Chi said it best... 'If you meet Space Buddha, kill Space Buddha'."
:—'''General Flagg'''
==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*Though unnamed, it seems logical to conclude that Cobra's mysterious new bandaged leader, identified as the "Serpentress" in the post-story commentary, is the Baroness, who appeared to perish when the plane carrying her and Cobra Commander went down in issue #0. Later issues will present this as something to be taken at face value.

===Transformers references===
*The planet entering Earth's solar system is noted in a news ticker to be named "Face of Darkness", after the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]] multi-parter, "[[Five Faces of Darkness]]".
*Ravage is the first Transformer to speak in the series, in homage to his role as the first speaking Transformer in the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|original Marvel series]].

===G.I. Joe references===
*Cobra's manufactured town of Springfield was a fixture of the [[G.I. Joe (comic)|Marvel ''G.I. Joe'' series]]. The sign seen here includes the town's motto from the Marvel series ("A nice little town"), and the image of one of the Cobra's identical "Fred" Crimson Guardsmen, red pinstripe suit and all.
*Buildings seen in the classified city include the Arbco Tower ("Arbco" was one of Cobra's legitimate business façades in the Marvel series, its name being an anagram, of course), and one labelled "[[M.A.R.S.]]", Destro's Military Armaments Research Syndicate.
*Joe Colton also masterminded an orbital defense system in the original Marvel ''G.I. Joe'' series.
*The injuries Snake Eyes inflicts to Starscream's face, leaving him with a bulging "eye" and damage across mostly one half of his face seem to deliberately mirror Snake Eyes's own scars as they appeared in issue #93 of the original Marvel series.
*Colton is referred to as "a guy named Joe", a term used to describe him in issue #86 of the Marvel series, which was in turn a reference to the 1943 film ''{{w|A Guy Named Joe}}''.
*The Baroness's new alter ego is clearly inspired by [[Serpentor]].

===Jack Kirby references===
*Spirit here sports an uncharacteristic mohawk, in an apparent reference to the distinctive hairdo of Jack Kirby's {{w|OMAC (Buddy Blank)|OMAC}}.
*The image of a long-haired, heavily bearded Joe Colton in the flashback explaining the Colton Bolt is designed to look like Izaya the Highfather, a major character in Kirby's Fourth World mythos.

===Real-life references===
*The title of this issue comes from the English Christmas carol, "{{w|I Saw Three Ships}}". In-story, Dial-Tone likens the titular three ships (Starscream, Soundwave, and Shockwave) to the three ships of {{w|Christopher Columbus}}.
*General Flagg paraphrases {{w|Linji Yixuan|Lin Chi}}'s principle of iconoclasm, "If you meet a buddha, kill the buddha".

===Other notes===
*The regular cover of this issue is a composite homage to the cover of the [[The Transformers (issue)|first issue]] of the Marvel Transformers series (with Soundwave taking the place of Optimus Prime), and the first ''page'' of the first issue of the Marvel G.I. Joe series.
*As with issue #0, this issue's story is followed by a complete page-by-page commentary from Barber and Scioli.

===Covers (13)===
*'''Cover A:''' General Flagg tries to get a disinterested Snake Eyes into the fray as the Joes are assaulted by the Decepticons, by [[Tom Scioli]]
*'''Subscription cover:''' The Joes versus [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], by [[James Stokoe]]
*'''Cover RI:''' Snake Eyes, Duke, Scarlett, [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], by [[Rob Liefeld]] and [[Romulo Fajardo Jr.]]
*'''Convention exclusive cover:''' Black-and-white lineart version of Cover RI, available from IDW's booth at various conventions
*'''Special Order blank cover variant:''' A blank cover for sketches
<gallery>
File:TFvsJoe1_cvr.jpg
File:TFvsJoe1_subcvr.jpg
File:TFvsJoe1_cvrRI.jpg
File:TFvsJoe1_concvr.jpg
File:TFvsJoe1_blankcvr.jpg
</gallery>
*'''Yesteryear Comics exclusive cover 1:''' A rather stylized Optimus Prime by [[Jamie Tyndall]] and [[Ula Mos]], available exclusively from Yesteryear Comics
*'''Yesteryear Comics exclusive cover 2:''' A black-and-white lineart version of the regular Yesteryear exclusive
*'''Yesteryear Comics blanks variant cover:''' A blank wraparound cover for sketches
*'''Mile High Comics exclusive cover:''' Optimus Prime and Duke versus Megatron and Destro, by Tom Scioli, available exclusively from Mile High Comics
<gallery>
File:TFvsJoe1_cvrRE.jpg
File:TFvsJoe1_cvrRE2.jpg
File:TFvsJoe1_yyblankcvr.jpg
File:TFvsJoe1_milehighcvr.jpg
</gallery>
*'''Cover SDCC A:''' The Decepticons and the forces of Cobra outside the [[San Diego Comic-Con]] by Tom Scioli; available exclusively from Diamond's booth at SDDCC, connects to the second Diamond Previews exclusive cover
*'''Cover SDCC B:''' The Autobots and G.I. Joe outside the San Diego Comic Con by Tom Scioli; available exclusively from Diamond's booth at SDDCC, connects to the first Diamond Previews exclusive cover
*'''Cover SDCC RI:''' Wraparound cover combining Diamond's A and B covers, recolored with a blue backdrop; available exclusively from Diamond's booth at SDDCC
*'''Second printing cover:''' Wraparound cover of Megatron and Optimus Prime in battle using their [[energon mace]] and [[energon-axe|axe]] while Duke and Laserbeak fly around, and Snake Eyes accosts Cobra Commander's jet in the foreground, by Tom Sciloi
<gallery>
File:TFvsJoe1_sdccacvr.jpg
File:TFvsJoe1_sdccbcvr.jpg
File:TFvsJoe1_sdccRIcvr.jpg
File:TFvsJoe1_2ndptgcvr.jpg
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*IDW Micro Comic Fun Packs
*CGC
*IDW ''Transformers'' comics
*''[[G.I. Joe (comic)|G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero]]'' comics
*''[[Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark (console)|Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark]]''
*''Machi Koro'' (back cover)

==Reprints==
* '''''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe Quintessential Collection''''' Hardcover
* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 73: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Part 1'''''

<gallery>
File:IDW-TFvsJoeQC.jpg|'''''Quintessential Collection'''''; cover art by Scioli
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v73.jpg|'''''Definitive G1 Collection: Vol. 73: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Pt. 1'''''; cover art by [[Don Figueroa]] and Scioli
</gallery>

==External links==
*[http://www.newsarama.com/21621-idw-transformers-previews-july-23-vs-gi-joe-launches-windblade-s-first-mini-wraps-up.html Preview]

The Golden Boys

2021-04-25T10:32:43Z

Shockwitwicky86: Adding reprint information.

{{Comicstory|series=tfvsjoe
|issueno=0
|prev=
|next=I Saw Three Ships
|image=TFvsJoe0.jpg
|title="The Golden Boys"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[May 3]], [[2014]]
|coverdate=May 2014
|written by=[[Tom Scioli]] and [[John Barber]]
|art by=Tom Scioli
|colors by=Tom Scioli
|letters by=Tom Scioli
|editor=[[Carlos Guzman]]
|continuity=[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe]]
}}

'''When a pair of mysterious alien robots stumble into the middle of a US special mission force's strike against the headquarters of their ruthless terrorist enemies, the stage is set for bombastic action in the mighty <s>Marvel</s> IDW manner!'''

==Synopsis==
==="The Flight of Bumblebee"===
Out in the void of space, tiny [[Autobot]] [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] flees aboard his [[Autobot Resistance Karrier]] from the wrath of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], who is determined to capture him so that he can be used as bait to draw [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] out of hiding. Starscream mounts the craft and rips its cockpit open, but Bumblebee is able to steer the ship toward an asteroid, which knocks his pursuer off. The furious Starscream continues to give chase as Bumblebee puts his damaged ship down on a nearby planet, and heads off towards a ruined, [[Koh-Buru-Lah|temple-like structure]] in the distance, seeking somewhere to hide...

==="Operation: Doomsday Seed"===

That temple structure is, in fact, the headquarters of the ruthless terrorist organization [[Cobra]], and is under attack by America's highly-trained special mission force, [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]. As they descend upon the ruins on "[[J.U.M.P.]]" jetpacks, new team member [[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]] asks [[Scarlett]] out on a date, but she is far more focused on their mission: the apprehension of [[Cobra Commander]], killer of both her sister, and the parents of Duke's rival for her affections, [[Snake-Eyes|Snake Eyes]], though she jokingly promises to marry the Joe who brings her the commander's helmet. The team is faced with Cobra's "[[G.I.Rocket|Project Creeper]]", killer vines that threaten to engulf them, but the Joes are able to use the flames from the engines of their J.U.M.P.s to fend the vicious vegetables off. They blast through the Cobra troopers standing against them—costing Cobra poet [[Major Bludd]] an arm and an eye in the process—and capture the vines' creator [[Doctor Venom]], though he smugly professes that Cobra forced him to do so, and suggests the Joes focus more on stopping the villains from dropping creeper payloads all across America.

As the Joes split up to search the base, Snake Eyes finds his way into Cobra Commander's garage, where the materialistic terrorist leader has gathered hundreds of cars—but what Snake Eyes does not expect to find is Starscream, searching through the vehicles. Assuming the giant robot is a Cobra automaton, Snake Eyes hurls a grenade at it, but Starscream merely slaps the projectile out the air and sends it spinning back toward the Joe. A car's door suddenly opens, and Snake Eyes dives inside to escape the blast, unknowingly winding up behind Bumblebee's wheel!

At the same time, another group of Joes locate Cobra Commander, who cuts down several soldiers before fleeing aboard a [[Rattler]] piloted by the [[Baroness]]. Duke and Scarlett board another Rattler to follow them, narrowly avoiding the creeper bomb that Cobra Commander drops into the temple to cover their escape. Hawk orders the pair to stay back and leave the aerial warfare up to [[Wild Bill]] and [[Ace]], but just then, Bumblebee comes roaring out of the ruins with Snake Eyes aboard and Starscream on his tail. Leaving the 'bots to their battle (with the other Joes sharing his assumption that they are Cobra robots), Snake-Eyes uses his J.U.M.P. to close on Cobra Commander's Rattler. Scarlett uses her crossbow to nail the jet with a creeper grenade, and as the vines begin wrapping around it, Snake Eyes lands on its fuselage and raises his sword high. Just as he sinks his blade into Cobra Commander's chest, however, the villain discharges his sidearm directly into Snake Eyes's face. Snake Eyes topples from the Rattler, but is snatched out of the air by Duke and Scarlett and flown to safety as the other Joes blow Cobra Commander's jet out of the sky. The Rattler's creeper payload detonates in the blast, blanketing the surrounding area in vines, but while the Joes are able to get to safety, the same cannot be said for Starscream, who loses a wing escaping their grip, or Bumblebee, whose body disappears into the vegetable mass.

==="Battle Damage"===
Some time later, back at the Joes' headquarters, [[T.H.E. P.I.T.]], Scarlett visits the injured Snake Eyes as he recovers. The blast from Cobra Commander's weapon has ruined his face, but this matters not to her: while Cobra Commander's body has not been recovered, his helmet has been found, and as she sets it on the silent Snake Eyes's beside table, she takes his hand and asks if he has picked a date for their wedding.

===Epilogue===
Across the galaxy, on the metal world of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Starscream returns to his master [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] with a terrible prize—while Bumblebee's ''body'' may have been lost to the vines, Starscream was able to tear off his ''head'', which [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] now scans for information. Megatron congratulates Starscream on a job well done, sure that the intelligence the little 'bot's mind contains will ensure Optimus Prime's end.

==Featured characters==
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (2)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (hologram, 28)

|c2=
*[[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (1)
*[[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (25)
*[[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]] (26)
*[[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (27)

|h3=[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]|c3=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]] (3)
*[[Wild Bill]] (4)
*[[Bazooka (G.I. Joe)|Bazooka]] (5)
*[[Roadblock (G.I. Joe)|Roadblock]] (6)
*[[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]] (7)
*[[Snake-Eyes|Snake Eyes]] (8)
*[[Scarlett]] (9)
*[[Rock 'n Roll]] (11)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Doc (G.I. Joe)|Doc]] (12)
*[[Breaker]] (13)
*[[Stalker (G.I. Joe)|Stalker]] (14)
*[[Cover Girl]] (15)
*[[Zap (G.I. Joe)|Zap]] (20)
*[[Short-Fuze]] (22)
*[[Shooter]] (23)
*[[Ace]] (24)
{{!}}}
|h4=[[Cobra]]|c4=
*[[Cobra]] troopers (10)
*[[Doctor Venom]] (16)
*[[Major Bludd]] (17)
*[[Baroness]] (18)
*[[Cobra Commander]] (19)
*[[Crimson Guard|Crimson Guardsmen]] (21)
}}

==Quotes==

"Snake Eyes isn't the kind of man who asks for help. He relies on the brains his mother gave him, the training his master gave him, and the tools G.I. Joe gave him--but today unexpected aid comes from a golden guardian, born light years away. In our infinite cosmos, life takes many forms. '''TODAY... <big>SALVATION</big> IS A <big>GOLD BUG!"'''</big>
:—The narrator is excited!

"'''Megatron'''--is a '''kind'''--and '''generous''' god."
:—'''Starscream''' accepts his lord's praise

==Notes==
===Transformers references===
*The opening page is based off the scene of the two factions' flagships attacking each other in "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]", with Bumblebee taking the place of the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], and Starscream that of the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]''. Bumblebee has a little spaceship based off the Ark, while Starscream just turns into a spaceship resembling the Nemesis.
*The narration piece stating "TODAY... SALVATION is a GOLD BUG" pays direct homage to the name of Bumblebee's classic Generation 1 upgraded form, Goldbug.
*In a cameo that is unexpected on the face of it, but in-keeping with the tone of a book where it feels like any crazy thing could happen, Straxus appears on the last page as part of the Decepticon elite. He even has his trademark pickaxe!

===G.I. Joe references===
*Scarlett's affections are competed for by Duke and Snake Eyes, referring to how other ''Joe'' media paired her off: the original 1980s cartoon had her with Duke, but the Marvel comics, and most subsequent media, saw her in a long-term relationship with Snake Eyes.
*The title of the middle chapter of the book, "Operation: Doomsday Seed", is a reference to the title of the first issue of the original Marvel ''G.I. Joe'' comic, "Operation: Lady Doomsday".
*Duke was the leader of the G.I. Joe for the first couple of years in the cartoon, and tends to occupy the position in the pop culture hive-mind. This comic depicts him as a ''new'' member of the Joe team, in a nod to the fact that in the Marvel comics, he actually didn't appear until nearly two years after the book began.
*General Hawk is introduced on his filecard as "General "Tomahawk" Abernathy", a combination of the various alternate names Hasbro used for the character's toys in the early 2000's: "General Abernathy" (his real name) and the "General Tomahawk", which is here given some actual meaning that it previously lacked, as Hawk wields a tomahawk in battle (a family heirloom and good-luck charm, the after-story bonus section reveals; see "other trivia" below).
*The creeper vines in this story are based on the strangler vines from the early ''G.I. Joe'' cartoon episode, "The Vines of Evil". The Joes used the heat from jet engines to combat them in that story too. The creeper bombs also appeared in issue #44 of the Marvel comic series, where they were invented by Dr. Venom's successor, [[Doctor Mindbender|Dr. Mindbender]].
*"Operation: Doomsday Seed" features a one-page sequence labelled "Silent Interlude" featuring Snake-Eyes, in homage to issue #21 of the Marvel ''G.I. Joe'' series, which went by the same name, famous for being an entirely silent issue devoid of dialogue. The joke here, of course, is that while not one word of dialogue is spoken, the florid Kirby-esque narration continues throughout the page, meaning it probably has the ''most'' text on it out of any page of the comic!
*Narration identifies Cobra's headquarters as "Koh-Buru-Lah", a take-off on [[Cobra-La]].
*Of the four "Greenshirt" Joes that Cobra Commander mows down, the name of the one on the far right is deliberately cut-off on panel; it's "Shooter", an "extra" fourteenth member added to the roster of the original thirteen Joes in the first issue of the Marvel comic to fill up some extra panel space, named in reference to [[Jim Shooter]]. Shooter actually got translated into being a real character during [[Devil's Due Press]]'s ''G.I. Joe'' comics, in a one-shot story that also included her death.

===Real-world references===
* Rock'n'Roll's identifying caption labels him as "{{w|Jimmy Page}} on a Machine Gun", referring to the lead guitarist of English rock band {{w|Led Zeppelin}}. However, see "Errors" below.
* As Cobra Commander drops the creeper bomb as they make their escape, he mentions "the world that's coming," referencing the caption on issue #1 of {{w|Jack Kirby}}'s DC comic, ''{{w|OMAC (Buddy Blank)|OMAC}}''.

===Errors===
*While delivering a poem, Major Bludd uses the phrases "apples and pears", Cockney rhyming slang for "stairs", which Scioli notes in the commentary he learned from the ''Austin Powers'' movies, and included for some regional authenticity. The error, however, is that Major Bludd ''isn't Cockney''—he's Australian, but [[Michael Bell]]'s dodgy fake accent in the original ''G.I. Joe'' cartoon sounded fairly Cockney; a common American ailment of the mouth and ear.
*Jimmy Page's name is misspelled as "Jimmie Paige".

===Other notes===
*This issue was released as part of [[Free Comic Book Day]] 2014.
*All the Transformers speak entirely in electronic signals, represented in their speech bubbles as modulated sine waves, which are translated into English in footnotes.
*The story is followed by a bonus section that includes: a "Battlefield Report" that provides fact-files on Scarlett's crossbow, Snake Eyes's sword and Hawk's tomahawk; an afterword from John Barber welcoming readers to the series; a "wanted" poster for Optimus Prime; and a full page-by-page commentary on the story by Barber and Scioli.

===Covers (1)===
*'''Standard cover:''' Starscream and Bumblebee struggle as Scarlet, Stalker, Snake Eyes, and Roadblock tackle the creeper vines, by [[Tom Scioli]] and [[Josh Burcham]]

<gallery>
File:TFvsJoe0.jpg
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''[[Dawn of the Autobots]]''
*''[[The Transformers Classics]]'' and ''[[The Transformers Classics UK]]''
*''[[G.I. Joe (comic)|G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero]]''
*IDW ''[[My Little Pony]]'' comics
*''G.I. Joe: The Complete Collections'' and ''[[G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers]]'' trades
*IDW: Getting Into Your Head for 15 Years (back cover)

==Reprints==
* '''''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe Quintessential Collection''''' Hardcover
* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 73: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Part 1'''''

<gallery>
File:IDW-TFvsJoeQC.jpg|'''''Quintessential Collection'''''; cover art by Scioli
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v73.jpg|'''''Definitive G1 Collection: Vol. 73: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Pt. 1'''''; cover art by [[Don Figueroa]] and Scioli
</gallery>

==External links==
*[http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=preview&id=21382 Preview]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Golden Boys}}

Transformers vs. G.I. Joe

2021-04-25T10:21:51Z

Shockwitwicky86:

{{disambig2|that trippy IDW comic where Cybertron and Earth collided|other stories with G.I. Joe|G.I. Joe crossovers}}

[[File:TransformersVsGIJoeLogo.png|center]] 
[[File:TFvsJoe promo.jpg|right|thumb|300px|A long, deep silence--wrapped in massive darkness... it was this way for an age... THEN--THERE WAS NEW LIGHT!]]

'''''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''''' is a comic book "maxi-series" published by [[IDW Publishing]] between May 2014 and June 2016. It represents the first crossover between the two brands since IDW gained control of both licenses, and takes place in a separate continuity unrelated to either of the "main" universes the company has developed for the 'bots and Joes. The series is distinguished by its retro-styled artwork and storytelling, emulating the look and feel of the {{w|Silver Age of Comic Books}}.

The series was followed by a one-shot in March 2017, which presented itself as the comic book adaptation of a fictitious movie made based on the series.

{{chapters|title=''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe'' issues|content=
*[[The Golden Boys|#0]]
*[[I Saw Three Ships|#1]]
*[[Targetmasters (issue)|#2]]
*[[Funeral for a Friend|#3]]
*[[Form Follows Function|#4]]
*[[Everybody Hates Metroplex|#5]]
*[[Expelled from the Garden|#6]]
*[[FCBD Funnies|FCBD strip]]
*[[Headmasters (issue)|#7]]
*[[Pax Megatronus|#8]]
*[[Stick To Your Guns|#9]]
*[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe issue 10|#10]]
*[[Escape from Primus|#11]]
*[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe issue 12|#12]]
*[[The War Never Ends|#13]]
*[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe: The Movie Adaptation|The Movie Adaptation]]

}}

==Overview==
[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] has been banished from [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], and the [[Decepticon]]s rule the metal planet under their god-emperor [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]. The Transformers' homeworld arrives in [[Earth]]'s solar system, where Decepticon representatives are sent to accept the surrender of Earth's representatives, [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]], who are in the process of mopping up the remnants of the [[Cobra]] terrorist organization following the apparent death of the [[Cobra Commander]]. Naturally, the Joes do not take kindly to the aliens' aggression, and war breaks out between the two planets.

A Joe team is sent as an advance unit to Cybertron, where they first clash, then ally, with a group of [[Autobot]] rebels. Simultaneously, Cobra's new leaders, [[Destro]] and the [[Baroness|Serpentress]] make contact with the Decepticons, learning that the ancient snake-cult from which Cobra grew is actually intertwined with Cybertronian activity on Earth going back centuries. Realizing that they are "related" much more closely than they realized, Cobra and the Decepticons begin working together to create the perfect hybrid of human and Cybertronian—but not before they crush the Autobot/Joe resistance, and Megatron slays the Autobot leader [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]. A small Joe/Autobot unit flees into the depths of the planet, following the dreams of the Joe [[Bazooka (G.I. Joe)|Bazooka]] in an attempt to find and break the hold Megatron has placed over their creator [[Primus]] that has allowed him to dominate Cybertron.

Meanwhile, former Joe ninja-commando [[Snake-Eyes|Snake Eyes]] goes undercover within Cobra for reasons of his own. Believing him to be a traitor, Joe field leader [[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]] hunts Snake-Eyes down, resulting in a fight that send the pair tumbling through Destro's [[M.A.S.S. Device]]. Set adrift in [[transwarp|interdimensional space]], they discover the lost Optimus Prime, and help him escape the clutches of the eldritch [[Quintesson]]s and return to reality. Optimus rallies the scattered Autobots and Joes under his leadership, but when he faces down Megatron, he loses—dramatically. Worse yet, at the moment of Prime's defeat, Cybertron collides with Earth, destroying the humans' homeworld utterly.

While the Decepticon/Cobra alliance celebrates, the Autobots and Joes venture ever deeper into Cybertron finding both their planets to have been created by an entity named [[Daiakuron]], itself a creation of the mysterious "Makers". Soon enough, Megatron triggers Primus's transformation to robot mode, directing the god to consume the [[sun]] to supercharge his powers and create a [[Decepticon Empire]].

As Primus wraps the star in a dyson sphere, chaos breaks out on his surface as it is revealed Earth was not destroyed, merely dented. Optimus Prime, repaired by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], enters the battlefield, sending Megatron hurtling into the sun and reclaiming the [[Matrix of Leadership]] while the Joes defeat the Cobra forces. Despite this victory, Optimus is unable to reason with the energy starved Primus requiring the god to be stopped by [[Atlas (G1)|Atlas]], the robot mode of Earth.

With the war over, both Transformers and humans colonize the [[Solar System|solar system]], entering into a new age of peace and cooperation. As [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]] guides Primus back to his original orbit, Optimus leads the [[Ark II|''Ark'' 2]], with a crew of both Transformers and humans, to find the Makers.

==Production==
IDW senior Transformers editor [[John Barber]] co-writes the series with artist [[Tom Scioli]]. Scioli's artwork is heavily inspired by comic book legend {{w|Jack Kirby}}, and the artist previously made his name emulating Kirby on the Image Comics series ''{{w|Gødland}}''. While Kirby's kinetic artistic style is the primary influence on the look of title, it is not carbon-copied; many other artistic influences shape the book, including {{w|Jim Steranko}}, [[Herb Trimpe]], and [[Frank Miller]]. In terms of writing and tone, the cast is populated with bombastic Silver Age characters and over-the-top dialogue, while the plots are a steady flow of Kirby-style wild, outlandish cosmic sci-fi ideas delivered at a hypercompressed pace, with potentially multiple dozen characters appearing on a single page. This storytelling technique was designed in emulation of film adaptation comics (such as Kirby's own adaptation of ''2001: A Space Odyssey'') and chosen as a way of compensating for the book's huge cast and limited page-count; an adaptation, Scioli calls it, "of a movie that doesn't exist."<ref>[http://comicsalliance.com/tom-scioli-transformers-vs-gi-joe-part-one/ Tom Scioli On ‘Transformers vs. GI Joe,' Part 1]</ref>

Though both the Transformers and the Joes and Cobras are all very much recognizable as their classic selves, ''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe'' presents perhaps one of the most radical reimaginings of their world yet. Characters are reinvented by stripping them of their fictional history and examining them as toys to find new takes on old concepts—Soundwave's opening chest, for example, is used as a prison to hold Joes, while Destro's metal mask becomes indicative of his being a cyborg, and Optimus Prime is given a "optimal" mode for survival between dimensions that is simply a half-transformed version of his toy that reinterprets his fist-less arms as eyestalks. In addition to this from-the-ground-up reworking, however, Scioli also heavily researched Transformers and G.I. Joe lore during production and includes multiple references to both in the book, often remixed into something very new. For instance, the series blends together the creation stories of [[Primus]] and the [[Quintesson]]s and connects the result to the {{w|Ancient astronaut hypothesis}}. That is in turn interlaced with the [[Cobra-La]] backstory from ''G.I. Joe: The Movie'', which is itself merged with the ideas of ancient gods seen in the ''G.I. Joe'' episode "Sins of the Fathers" to create the concept of the ancient and terrible [[Koh-Buru-Lah (creature)|Koh-Buru-Lah]]. Scioli crafted a "very long outline" before producing the first issue, but the book is full of ideas created on the fly. He describes his goal with the series as to create "the most important universe there is,"<ref>[http://comicsalliance.com/tom-scioli-transformers-vs-gi-joe-part-two/ Tom Scioli On ‘Transformers vs. GI Joe,' Part 2]</ref> and describes that universe as being "the central hub that all universes originate from like spokes in the cosmic wheel."<ref>[https://twitter.com/tomscioli/status/684871960677974017 Scioli's Twitter]</ref>

The series has carved out an identity for itself as one with a visual style entirely unlike past Transformers and G.I. Joe comics; in-keeping with that, a variety of atypical artists provide variant covers for the series, including noted {{w|alternative comics}} artist [[Ed Piskor]] and 1990s trend-setter [[Rob Liefeld]].

==Collections==
* '''''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''''' Volume 1 TPB ([[December 24]], [[2014]]) ISBN 1631401904 / ISBN 978-1631401909
:* Chapters 1–4
:* Extra content includes:
:** Cover gallery.
:** "Battlefield report," an overview of weapons used by the Joes.
:** Sample of Tom Scioli's original layout for several pages.
:** Commission art by Tom Scioli.
:** Chapter commentaries by Tom Scioli and John Barber, with illustrations.
:** Optimus Prime wanted poster.

* '''''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''''' Volume 2 TPB ([[November 11]], [[2015]]) ISBN 1631402706 / ISBN 978-1631402708
:* Chapters 5–9
:* Extra content includes:
:** Cover gallery.
:** Chapter commentaries by Tom Scioli and John Barber, with illustrations.
:** 24-hour comic book by Tom Scioli.

* '''''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''''' Volume 3 TPB ([[August 3]], [[2016]]) ISBN 1631406930 / ISBN 978-1631406935
:* Chapters 10–13
:* Extra content includes:
:** Cover gallery.
:** Chapter commentaries by Tom Scioli and John Barber, with illustrations.

* '''''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe Quintessential Collection''''' Hardcover ([[December 27]], [[2017]]) ISBN 1631408607 / ISBN 978-1631408601
:* Chapters 0–13, the [[FCBD Funnies]] strip and [[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe: The Movie Adaptation]].
:* Bonus material includes: commentary and extras by creators Tom Scioli and John Barber.
:* Strangely, [[Black Cybertron]] is printed so that the first two pages come at the very end of the book, but the last page is printed directly after issue 9's commentary.

* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 73: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Part 1''''' ([[July 11]], [[2018]])
:* Chapters 0–7
:* Bonus material includes cover art, a creator commentary on issue #0 and an exclusive interview with Tom Scioli.

* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 74: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Part 2''''' ([[February 20]], [[2019]])
:* Chapters 8–13
:* Bonus material UNKNOWN,

<gallery>
File:IDW-TFvsJoeV1.jpg|'''Volume 1'''; cover art by [[Tom Scioli]]
File:IDW-TFvsJoeV2.jpg|'''Volume 2'''; cover art by Scioli
File:IDW-TFvsJoeV3.jpg|'''Volume 3'''; cover art by Scioli
File:IDW-TFvsJoeQC.jpg|'''''Quintessential Collection'''''; cover art by Scioli
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v73.jpg|'''''Definitive G1 Collection: Vol. 73: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Pt. 1'''''; cover art by [[Don Figueroa]] and Scioli
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v74.jpg|'''''Definitive G1 Collection: Vol. 74: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Pt. 2'''''; cover art by Figueroa and Scioli
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category: Generation 1 comic series]]
[[Category: IDW titles]]
[[Category: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe issues| ]]

Transformers vs. G.I. Joe

2021-04-18T13:27:47Z

Shockwitwicky86: I recently obtained a copy of the Quintessential Collection and can confirm that this collection also includes the 0-numbered issue and the Movie Adaptation one-shot.

{{disambig2|that trippy IDW comic where Cybertron and Earth collided|other stories with G.I. Joe|G.I. Joe crossovers}}

[[File:TransformersVsGIJoeLogo.png|center]] 
[[File:TFvsJoe promo.jpg|right|thumb|300px|A long, deep silence--wrapped in massive darkness... it was this way for an age... THEN--THERE WAS NEW LIGHT!]]

'''''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''''' is a comic book "maxi-series" published by [[IDW Publishing]] between May 2014 and June 2016. It represents the first crossover between the two brands since IDW gained control of both licenses, and takes place in a separate continuity unrelated to either of the "main" universes the company has developed for the 'bots and Joes. The series is distinguished by its retro-styled artwork and storytelling, emulating the look and feel of the {{w|Silver Age of Comic Books}}.

The series was followed by a one-shot in March 2017, which presented itself as the comic book adaptation of a fictitious movie made based on the series.

{{chapters|title=''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe'' issues|content=
*[[The Golden Boys|#0]]
*[[I Saw Three Ships|#1]]
*[[Targetmasters (issue)|#2]]
*[[Funeral for a Friend|#3]]
*[[Form Follows Function|#4]]
*[[Everybody Hates Metroplex|#5]]
*[[Expelled from the Garden|#6]]
*[[FCBD Funnies|FCBD strip]]
*[[Headmasters (issue)|#7]]
*[[Pax Megatronus|#8]]
*[[Stick To Your Guns|#9]]
*[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe issue 10|#10]]
*[[Escape from Primus|#11]]
*[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe issue 12|#12]]
*[[The War Never Ends|#13]]
*[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe: The Movie Adaptation|The Movie Adaptation]]

}}

==Overview==
[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] has been banished from [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], and the [[Decepticon]]s rule the metal planet under their god-emperor [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]. The Transformers' homeworld arrives in [[Earth]]'s solar system, where Decepticon representatives are sent to accept the surrender of Earth's representatives, [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]], who are in the process of mopping up the remnants of the [[Cobra]] terrorist organization following the apparent death of the [[Cobra Commander]]. Naturally, the Joes do not take kindly to the aliens' aggression, and war breaks out between the two planets.

A Joe team is sent as an advance unit to Cybertron, where they first clash, then ally, with a group of [[Autobot]] rebels. Simultaneously, Cobra's new leaders, [[Destro]] and the [[Baroness|Serpentress]] make contact with the Decepticons, learning that the ancient snake-cult from which Cobra grew is actually intertwined with Cybertronian activity on Earth going back centuries. Realizing that they are "related" much more closely than they realized, Cobra and the Decepticons begin working together to create the perfect hybrid of human and Cybertronian—but not before they crush the Autobot/Joe resistance, and Megatron slays the Autobot leader [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]. A small Joe/Autobot unit flees into the depths of the planet, following the dreams of the Joe [[Bazooka (G.I. Joe)|Bazooka]] in an attempt to find and break the hold Megatron has placed over their creator [[Primus]] that has allowed him to dominate Cybertron.

Meanwhile, former Joe ninja-commando [[Snake-Eyes|Snake Eyes]] goes undercover within Cobra for reasons of his own. Believing him to be a traitor, Joe field leader [[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]] hunts Snake-Eyes down, resulting in a fight that send the pair tumbling through Destro's [[M.A.S.S. Device]]. Set adrift in [[transwarp|interdimensional space]], they discover the lost Optimus Prime, and help him escape the clutches of the eldritch [[Quintesson]]s and return to reality. Optimus rallies the scattered Autobots and Joes under his leadership, but when he faces down Megatron, he loses—dramatically. Worse yet, at the moment of Prime's defeat, Cybertron collides with Earth, destroying the humans' homeworld utterly.

While the Decepticon/Cobra alliance celebrates, the Autobots and Joes venture ever deeper into Cybertron finding both their planets to have been created by an entity named [[Daiakuron]], itself a creation of the mysterious "Makers". Soon enough, Megatron triggers Primus's transformation to robot mode, directing the god to consume the [[sun]] to supercharge his powers and create a [[Decepticon Empire]].

As Primus wraps the star in a dyson sphere, chaos breaks out on his surface as it is revealed Earth was not destroyed, merely dented. Optimus Prime, repaired by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], enters the battlefield, sending Megatron hurtling into the sun and reclaiming the [[Matrix of Leadership]] while the Joes defeat the Cobra forces. Despite this victory, Optimus is unable to reason with the energy starved Primus requiring the god to be stopped by [[Atlas (G1)|Atlas]], the robot mode of Earth.

With the war over, both Transformers and humans colonize the [[Solar System|solar system]], entering into a new age of peace and cooperation. As [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]] guides Primus back to his original orbit, Optimus leads the [[Ark II|''Ark'' 2]], with a crew of both Transformers and humans, to find the Makers.

==Production==
IDW senior Transformers editor [[John Barber]] co-writes the series with artist [[Tom Scioli]]. Scioli's artwork is heavily inspired by comic book legend {{w|Jack Kirby}}, and the artist previously made his name emulating Kirby on the Image Comics series ''{{w|Gødland}}''. While Kirby's kinetic artistic style is the primary influence on the look of title, it is not carbon-copied; many other artistic influences shape the book, including {{w|Jim Steranko}}, [[Herb Trimpe]], and [[Frank Miller]]. In terms of writing and tone, the cast is populated with bombastic Silver Age characters and over-the-top dialogue, while the plots are a steady flow of Kirby-style wild, outlandish cosmic sci-fi ideas delivered at a hypercompressed pace, with potentially multiple dozen characters appearing on a single page. This storytelling technique was designed in emulation of film adaptation comics (such as Kirby's own adaptation of ''2001: A Space Odyssey'') and chosen as a way of compensating for the book's huge cast and limited page-count; an adaptation, Scioli calls it, "of a movie that doesn't exist."<ref>[http://comicsalliance.com/tom-scioli-transformers-vs-gi-joe-part-one/ Tom Scioli On ‘Transformers vs. GI Joe,' Part 1]</ref>

Though both the Transformers and the Joes and Cobras are all very much recognizable as their classic selves, ''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe'' presents perhaps one of the most radical reimaginings of their world yet. Characters are reinvented by stripping them of their fictional history and examining them as toys to find new takes on old concepts—Soundwave's opening chest, for example, is used as a prison to hold Joes, while Destro's metal mask becomes indicative of his being a cyborg, and Optimus Prime is given a "optimal" mode for survival between dimensions that is simply a half-transformed version of his toy that reinterprets his fist-less arms as eyestalks. In addition to this from-the-ground-up reworking, however, Scioli also heavily researched Transformers and G.I. Joe lore during production and includes multiple references to both in the book, often remixed into something very new. For instance, the series blends together the creation stories of [[Primus]] and the [[Quintesson]]s and connects the result to the {{w|Ancient astronaut hypothesis}}. That is in turn interlaced with the [[Cobra-La]] backstory from ''G.I. Joe: The Movie'', which is itself merged with the ideas of ancient gods seen in the ''G.I. Joe'' episode "Sins of the Fathers" to create the concept of the ancient and terrible [[Koh-Buru-Lah (creature)|Koh-Buru-Lah]]. Scioli crafted a "very long outline" before producing the first issue, but the book is full of ideas created on the fly. He describes his goal with the series as to create "the most important universe there is,"<ref>[http://comicsalliance.com/tom-scioli-transformers-vs-gi-joe-part-two/ Tom Scioli On ‘Transformers vs. GI Joe,' Part 2]</ref> and describes that universe as being "the central hub that all universes originate from like spokes in the cosmic wheel."<ref>[https://twitter.com/tomscioli/status/684871960677974017 Scioli's Twitter]</ref>

The series has carved out an identity for itself as one with a visual style entirely unlike past Transformers and G.I. Joe comics; in-keeping with that, a variety of atypical artists provide variant covers for the series, including noted {{w|alternative comics}} artist [[Ed Piskor]] and 1990s trend-setter [[Rob Liefeld]].

==Collections==
* '''''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''''' Volume 1 TPB ([[December 24]], [[2014]]) ISBN 1631401904 / ISBN 978-1631401909
:* Chapters 1–4
:* Extra content includes:
:** Cover gallery.
:** "Battlefield report," an overview of weapons used by the Joes.
:** Sample of Tom Scioli's original layout for several pages.
:** Commission art by Tom Scioli.
:** Chapter commentaries by Tom Scioli and John Barber, with illustrations.
:** Optimus Prime wanted poster.

* '''''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''''' Volume 2 TPB ([[November 11]], [[2015]]) ISBN 1631402706 / ISBN 978-1631402708
:* Chapters 5–9
:* Extra content includes:
:** Cover gallery.
:** Chapter commentaries by Tom Scioli and John Barber, with illustrations.
:** 24-hour comic book by Tom Scioli.

* '''''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''''' Volume 3 TPB ([[August 3]], [[2016]]) ISBN 1631406930 / ISBN 978-1631406935
:* Chapters 10–13
:* Extra content includes:
:** Cover gallery.
:** Chapter commentaries by Tom Scioli and John Barber, with illustrations.

* '''''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe Quintessential Collection''''' Hardcover ([[December 27]], [[2017]]) ISBN 1631408607 / ISBN 978-1631408601
:* Chapters 0–13 and [[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe: The Movie Adaptation]].
:* Bonus material includes: commentary and extras by creators Tom Scioli and John Barber.
:* Strangely, [[Black Cybertron]] is printed so that the first two pages come at the very end of the book, but the last page is printed directly after issue 9's commentary.

* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 73: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Part 1''''' ([[July 11]], [[2018]])
:* Chapters 0–7
:* Bonus material includes cover art, a creator commentary on issue #0 and an exclusive interview with Tom Scioli.

* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 74: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Part 2''''' ([[February 20]], [[2019]])
:* Chapters 8–13
:* Bonus material UNKNOWN,

<gallery>
File:IDW-TFvsJoeV1.jpg|'''Volume 1'''; cover art by [[Tom Scioli]]
File:IDW-TFvsJoeV2.jpg|'''Volume 2'''; cover art by Scioli
File:IDW-TFvsJoeV3.jpg|'''Volume 3'''; cover art by Scioli
File:IDW-TFvsJoeQC.jpg|'''''Quintessential Collection'''''; cover art by Scioli
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v73.jpg|'''''Definitive G1 Collection: Vol. 73: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Pt. 1'''''; cover art by [[Don Figueroa]] and Scioli
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v74.jpg|'''''Definitive G1 Collection: Vol. 74: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Pt. 2'''''; cover art by Figueroa and Scioli
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category: Generation 1 comic series]]
[[Category: IDW titles]]
[[Category: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe issues| ]]

MediaWiki talk:Community Portal

2020-12-26T14:23:10Z

Shockwitwicky86: Error I mentioned no longer happening. Removing this so I don't waste the other editors' time.

__NEWSECTIONLINK__

This is the place for discussion of topics that affect the entire wiki. For less wide-reaching subjects, either use articles' individual talk pages or [https://discord.gg/N99Bygq our Discord server].

Some topics that would ordinarily be here have merited their own pages:

{{chapters|title=Specific Discussion Subjects|align=left|content=
<div class="list-header">'''Moving From Wikia:'''</div>
* [[Transformers Wiki talk:Community Portal/Arriving|Arriving]]
* [[Transformers Wiki talk:Community Portal/Leaving|Leaving]]
* [[Transformers Wiki:Community Portal/Complaints|Complaints]]
 <div class="list-header">'''New Ad Policy:'''</div>
* [[Transformers Wiki:Ads|Ads]]
 <div class="list-header">'''Bookworm Database-Crash:'''</div>
* [[Transformers Wiki talk:Community Portal/Damage Control Central|Damage Control Central]]
* [[Project:Bookworm Crash]]
* [[Transformers Wiki talk:Community Portal/Leaving2|Leaving Take 2]]
 <div class="list-header">'''Server Move:'''</div>
* [[Transformers Wiki talk:Community Portal/Arriving2|Arriving Take 2]]
 <div class="list-header">'''Relicensing:'''</div>
* [[Transformers Wiki talk:Community Portal/Relicensing|Relicensing]]
 <div class="list-header">'''Dealing With Vandalism:'''</div>
* [[Transformers Wiki talk:Community Portal/Vandalism|Vandalism]]
 <div class="list-header">'''GoBots Sister Wiki:'''</div>
* [[Transformers Wiki talk:Community Portal/GoBots|Discussion on the place of GoBots in this wiki]]
 <div class="list-header">'''Wiki Technical Information:'''</div>
* [[Transformers_Wiki:Tech|A Not So Brief Summary of the Horrible Things That McFly and Co. Have Done To Keep This Wiki From Melting Down]]
}} 

{{:{{FULLPAGENAMEE}}/Archive}}


==The latest vandal / scrubbing slurs==
Is there any way to scrub the changes and that username from the recent changes? Because now we've got a slur on multiple pages, and it'd be nice not to. We should probably also see if there's a way to prevent usernames from having that word too. --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] ([[User talk:M Sipher|talk]]) 19:01, 4 January 2019 (EST)
:I believe we're on a late enough version of MediaWiki that somebody with access to our LocalSettings.php (abates?) should be able to switch on the [https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Manual:RevisionDelete 'revision delete'] function for sysops. That would let us scrub the offending edits from the article histories. [[User:Jalaguy|Jalaguy]] ([[User talk:Jalaguy|talk]]) 19:08, 4 January 2019 (EST)
::Well, I found a way to rename the user, at least. Which scrubs SOME stuff but not everything. But yeah, if that works, let's. --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] ([[User talk:M Sipher|talk]]) 19:11, 4 January 2019 (EST)
:::He had another account that got banned yesterday; we should scrub all those too. -- [[User:Cyberlink420|Cyberlink420]] ([[User talk:Cyberlink420|talk]]) 20:10, 4 January 2019 (EST)
::Sounds good, I'll see about enabling revision deletion for admins. --[[User:Abates|abates]] ([[User talk:Abates|talk]]) 21:10, 4 January 2019 (EST)
:::All right, I've redacted a bunch of revisions from both instances. --[[User:Abates|abates]] ([[User talk:Abates|talk]]) 21:33, 4 January 2019 (EST)
::::The one instance that wasn't able to be gotten is McFeely's banning of the original username, since it hadn't been changed yet, but that's only in the "Recent changes" view; it should be fixed everywhere else. Unless you want to undo the edit summaries of all the reversions to strike his name(s) entirely from the record, we're probably all set. -- [[User:Cyberlink420|Cyberlink420]] ([[User talk:Cyberlink420|talk]]) 21:37, 4 January 2019 (EST)
:::::Thanks, I've changed the usernames in Recent Changes manually. --[[User:Abates|abates]] ([[User talk:Abates|talk]]) 22:01, 4 January 2019 (EST)

== Scheduled downtime ==

Our host has to do some maintenance on our server, so there's going to be some downtime on Jan 8, 8:30am UTC. --[[User:Abates|abates]] ([[User talk:Abates|talk]]) 00:25, 6 January 2019 (EST)

== Creating a new page for Dropkick ==
I think that we should separate the 2007 Dropkick with the BB Dropkick just like we did it with Crosshairs and Hound {{unsigned|Crosshairs}}
:I'm rather inclined to agree. ''Bumblebee'' Dropkick has nothing concretely connecting him to ''Transformers'' Dropkick. [[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]]) 15:18, 15 January 2019 (EST)
:Why? They're both whiny blue movieverse Decepticon grunts who hate being on Earth. Other than altmode, what makes them more different than ROTF and AOE Lockdown? --[[User:Riptide|Riptide]] ([[User talk:Riptide|talk]]) 15:27, 15 January 2019 (EST)
::ROTF and AOE Lockdown are both based on the same character (Animated Lockdown). The Dropkicks aren't. [[User:Omegatron|Omegatron]] ([[User talk:Omegatron|talk]]) 19:20, 16 January 2019 (EST)

== Help With Where To Store Images For 'Fritos Poster - The Power Struggle' and 'Hi-C Poster / Calendar Battle In The Desert Valley' ==

I have high quality scans of all the images on the Fritos Poster 'The Power Struggle' and Hi-C 'Battle In the Desert Valley', but don't know where to put them. It does not appear you put all images of something (like a book) onto this site; that's why there are external links. It also doesn't look like you could make a separate subpage with all of the images on it. I do not know if I could upload them on this site, or if you have a recommend place to upload them or send to someone's website (like where the Transformers Manga is stored) and then include appropriate links when the images are up so people could read the whole thing. {{unsigned|TheScarletSpider}}
:We have no problem with hosting full posters, actually. In fact, we already have images for [[:File:BitDesertValley.jpg|Battle in the Desert Valley]] and [[:File:HiCThePowerStruggle.jpg|The Power Struggle]]. If yours are cleaner than ours, though, we'd love for you to upload them! You can use the "Upload a new version of this file" link for each image to replace the existing versions. Please be careful about the filesize, though; we generally prefer JPG files at 150 kb or less for bandwidth reasons, though given all the small text, we can probably make an exception for these as long as they're not too big. (Also, please make sure to sign your talk page posts! Just type four tildes at the end (<nowiki>~~~~</nowiki>) and the wiki will take care of the rest.) -- [[User:Cyberlink420|Cyberlink420]] ([[User talk:Cyberlink420|talk]]) 15:25, 7 February 2019 (EST)

Yeah, so both posters are scanned 2 pages each so you can actually read it, but they are in the 4-7MB range, so they would probably need to be hosted elsewhere, and then a link provided on the TFWiki Page to it, if anyone knows any good places to email someone / a website about hosting them. I also have scanned the 4 advertisements on the back of the Battle Desert Valley Poster, as well as the Reinforcements Ad scanned that came with the Power Struggle. ([[User:TheScarletSpider|TheScarletSpider]] ([[User talk:TheScarletSpider|talk]]) 16:18, 12 September 2019 (EDT))
:What resolution are the images at? Surely we can bring down the filesize while still keeping them relatively readable. For now, try hosting them on Google Drive or Dropbox or something, and we'll see if we can't optimize them a bit to make them okay for upload. -- [[User:Cyberlink420|Cyberlink420]] ([[User talk:Cyberlink420|talk]]) 16:31, 12 September 2019 (EDT)

== Wiki page titles with diacritics ==

I recently read about how SEO is somewhat unfriendly towards searches containing diacritics, resulting in diacritic-containing page titles getting found less often by Google. In that case, how should pages such as that of [[David Garcia Cruz|David García Cruz of Spain]] and [[Gabriel Rodriguez|Gabriel Rodríguez Pérez of Chile]] be titled, additionally considering that IDW in the U.S. often doesn't spell their names with the diacritics in business material? Far be it from me to advocate not spelling personal names natively, but comprising on that seems to be most helpful for the wiki's Internet presence. [[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]]) 17:42, 10 February 2019 (EST)
:I don't think we should base our spellings of creators' names on what's relevant for SEO, but more the correct way it should be spelled. Though I do notice from googling both of those names that even they themselves spell them both with and without diacritics on their social media. --[[User:Abates|abates]] ([[User talk:Abates|talk]]) 18:19, 22 April 2019 (EDT)

=="Core Concepts" and the Main Page==
Okay so here's a thing, kind of a big major cascading-ish thing. Abates brought this up on the Allspark in the discussion of the [[Comics]] page revamp, and let's discuss it here. Namely, the "Categories" box on the Main Page is useless. Categories are a TERRIBLE "first step" to finding information on a wiki. Just a big wad-list of links. That space would be better served with links to actual pages, particularly "core concepts" pages that are good "basics"-level starting points/hubs to find more information, like the new version of the Comics page. 
The issue, though, is that many of the big "core concepts" pages... well, range from "are in need of work" to "are dogshit". "Comics" was clearly thrown togther 15 years ago then not touched significantly since then since it was not a glamourous page to work on... but it's an essential concept. SO. I want to gather a list of candidate pages for this "core concepts" section, stuff that's broad but important, and it'd be good to have folks really work at polishing them up and making them approachable, current-standards pages.
:*'''[[Comics]]''' - Well, most of that work's been done recently.
:*'''[[Cartoons]]''' - We don't have this yet, but we prolly should. Same general idea as the Comics, but should be a LOT simpler. I'll probably work on a version of this in a few days.
:*'''[[Toy]]''' - I mean, it IS the reason this whole damn enterprise exists. A brief glance at this page shows it too could really use a revamp. It's not ''awful'', but it's... not up to our current standards.
:*'''[[Video games]]''' - I'm not convinced the current setup of this page is the best way it could be done. At the very least it needs some pictures.
:*'''[[Continuity]]''' - This page is solid but could use a brush-up. But it's at the core of a lot of related concepts... better to ease someone into "continuity family" talk with the broad-strokes of "continuity" first.
:*'''[[Franchise]]''' - Hoooooo boy does this page need work. What an ugly kludge. BUT the page ''idea'' is a perfect hub for people to find out more about that thing they remember from when they were a kid.
:*'''[[Transformer]]''' - Another good hub for the broader concepts of TF biology and whatnot.
:*'''[[Fandom]]''' - Sure.
:*'''[[Factions]]''' - Maybe? Abates mentioned it as a possibility. Wouldn't be a bad lead-in to reworking the individual factions' pages.
Maybe call the box "Getting Started" instead of "Core Concepts". And honestly? It should probably go ABOVE "Continuity Families", which I'm... increasingly unsold on the need for on the Mainpage, but I'm not calling for it to be deleted (yet). --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] ([[User talk:M Sipher|talk]]) 06:00, 15 February 2019 (EST)
:What about '''[[Character]]'''? As for the general name for these, "the Basics" would be good ... except McFeely's already taken it. --[[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] ([[User talk:Khajidha|talk]]) 06:59, 15 February 2019 (EST)
::Christ on a tilt-a-whirl, that page needs SERIOUS culling. It should be MAYBE a third of its current size. There's no way in hell I'd recommend that as a "starter" page. *''looks at edit history to see who did the most work on the page''* of fucking course --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] ([[User talk:M Sipher|talk]]) 07:29, 15 February 2019 (EST)
:::Hey, I make no claim as to the quality of the page, I'm just saying that "character" is a core concept that should be in this group (whether the current version of that page or some totally new one or something in between, I have no opinion on).--[[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] ([[User talk:Khajidha|talk]]) 11:26, 15 February 2019 (EST)
:I'd be willing to take a crack at the Video Games page, but I wonder whether we should continue to split them up by continuity, or do so by console generation instead? -- [[User:Cyberlink420|Cyberlink420]] ([[User talk:Cyberlink420|talk]]) 11:57, 15 February 2019 (EST)
::It's a good question. I'm not wild about breaking them up by continuity. Breaking them up by pre-Nintendo gaming systems, 8-bit/16-bit era, uh... whatever the PS/Xbox/GC up to now would be considered, mobile apps, and arcades? That what you're thinking? --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] ([[User talk:M Sipher|talk]]) 21:47, 15 February 2019 (EST)
:::More or less, yeah. I'm thinking we split it up into 3rd gen (8-bit systems), 5th gen (PS1/N64), 6th gen (GC/PS2), 7th gen (360/PS3/Wii), 8th gen (XB1/PS4/Wii U), mobile, and arcade, with a separate link to the [[Online game]] page because trying to merge all those in might actually bloat it too much. Depending on how the final breakdown looks, I might split off handheld games into their own section as well. Not sure yet whether to list games twice if they appeared across multiple console generations (like how some games were on both PS3 and PS4) or just once. I'll see how each approache looks, then decide where to go from there. -- [[User:Cyberlink420|Cyberlink420]] ([[User talk:Cyberlink420|talk]]) 22:46, 15 February 2019 (EST)
::::I'm'a be honest, I think distinguishing between 7 & 8 is kinda pointless, especially when you consider how many of those games were also on PC/Steam. 5 & 6 too also seem pretty much the same. --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] ([[User talk:M Sipher|talk]])
:::::Fair enough. I started a [[User:Cyberlink420/vgsandbox|draft]] and sorted all the games accordingly into categories (though I haven't done any curation beyond that like putting them in release order). I'm gonna try and drill down further later, but I don't even know how to approach the mobile games section; whittling that one down into something digestible and/or writing a summary will probably require help from someone who actually plays the mobile games. -- [[User:Cyberlink420|Cyberlink420]] ([[User talk:Cyberlink420|talk]]) 03:13, 16 February 2019 (EST)
::::::You know, this might be a place for us to get a shade fancy. I'm thinking tables. Title, release date, system(s), franchise, with that little arrow in each column header that lets you sort the list by that column. Side benefit: not a bullet list leaving a lot of whitespace. I mean, still broken up by the current categories. Something to consider. --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] ([[User talk:M Sipher|talk]]) 04:02, 16 February 2019 (EST)
:::::::I did a quick and dirty mockup for the console games, with the systems themselves being a non-sortable column because it's not gonna make a difference when you've got like five or six of them in a single box. If this looks good, I'll do the same for the other sections. -- [[User:Cyberlink420|Cyberlink420]] ([[User talk:Cyberlink420|talk]]) 11:10, 16 February 2019 (EST)
::::::::Yeah, I like that. Has all the stuff most anyone might want to find a particular game, in a format much easier to find the variables in than our normal bullet points. --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] ([[User talk:M Sipher|talk]]) 18:10, 16 February 2019 (EST)
:::::::::Okay, the page is almost ready. There's still more to do, but I suggest we move further discussion to the [[User talk:Cyberlink420/vgsandbox|sandbox talk page]] so we're not taking up too much space here. -- [[User:Cyberlink420|Cyberlink420]] ([[User talk:Cyberlink420|talk]]) 22:55, 17 February 2019 (EST)
:::::::::The games page has officially been updated. I also have a WIP Toys section for Transformers that turn into gaming devices like consoles and controllers, but I decided to leave it off for fear that it'd bloat the page. If anyone else thinks it's worth including, though, I'm happy to add it as well. -- [[User:Cyberlink420|Cyberlink420]] ([[User talk:Cyberlink420|talk]]) 21:55, 20 February 2019 (EST)
:Just want to note that I feel like these links should be consistently pluralised? "Franchises", "Continuities"... - [[User:The Wadapan|The Wadapan]] ([[User talk:The Wadapan|talk]]) 13:25, 15 February 2019 (EST)

Okay, so, re-opening this discussion, since several of the above pages have gotten their overhauls. I'm feeling like both the "Continuity Families" and "Categories" boxes on the main page should go bye-bye in favor of a single "Fundamentals" section, with the pages listed above. Any thoughts to the contrary? (Sandboxing a box now.) --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] ([[User talk:M Sipher|talk]]) 22:38, 27 February 2019 (EST)
:[[User:M_Sipher/Sandbox:Fundamentals|Started a "Fundamentals" sandbox page]]. And thought of a new addition... a "'''Movies'''" hub page, since there's been stuff in Japan not in the US... --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] ([[User talk:M Sipher|talk]]) 22:53, 27 February 2019 (EST)
::That looks like a great improvement over what we've got at the moment. --[[User:Abates|abates]] ([[User talk:Abates|talk]]) 00:49, 28 February 2019 (EST)
:::Unless someone's got any kinda objections/additions to discuss, I figure I'll just make the change once I get [[User:M Sipher/Sandbox:MoviesHub|the "Movies" page]] sorted... and also once we slap a warning or something on [[Character]] because jeezus, that page needs worrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrk. --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] ([[User talk:M Sipher|talk]]) 04:09, 28 February 2019 (EST)

== Generation 1 toyline labeling ==

Of late, I have observed some "Generation 1" toy headers get changed to "The Transformers" (e.g. on the pages "[[Blowpipe (G1)]]", "[[Prowl (G1)/toys]]", "[[Roadhandler (G1)]]"), presumably because "''The Transformers''" was the actual series name on the original packaging. Is this a trend we want to propagate throughout the site? [[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]]) 00:52, 19 February 2019 (EST)
:Oof. I'd definitely prefer keeping "Generation 1". "The Transformers" is so unhelpfully generic. Using G1 may not be technically accurate, but it's such a universally known and intuitive retroactive term that it just looks better, especially with toys that have "Generation 2" releases right below it. --[[User:Xaaron|Xaaron]] ([[User talk:Xaaron|talk]]) 09:34, 20 February 2019 (EST)
::Thing is, "Generation 1" gets used for both the franchise AND the wider grouping that sits above it (whereas Unicron Trilogy → Armada, for instance). That's why other stuff has been changed to ''The Transformers'' in the past (e.g., articles for the cartoon/toyline/etc; as well as Fiction section headers), IIRC - to make it clearer whether (e.g,) G1 cartoons in general (including the JP Headmasters/Masterforce/etc sequels) or the series running from MTMTE pt 1 to The Rebirth pt 3 is the subject at hand. - [[User:Mammalian Verisimilitude|Mammalian Verisimilitude]] ([[User talk:Mammalian Verisimilitude|talk]]) 21:22, 20 February 2019 (EST)
::I can say that personally, I've been using "The Transformers" only when I'm talking about the media and toyline specifically called that, and almost always something along the lines of "Marvel's ''The Transformers'' comic" or "Sunbow's ''The Transformers'' cartoon." When I'm talking about a character or whatnot, I'll say "Generation 1 Xnamehere." [[User:Escargon|Escargon]] ([[User talk:Escargon|talk]]) 21:47, 20 February 2019 (EST)
:::Well, that's in line with what Xaaron's objecting to, I think. Making (e.g.) the first subheader (under Toys) on [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys]] say "The Transformers" (or a variation, like "The Transformers (1984)" - which would have precedent with the likes of Transformers (2007)/(2010), Robots in Disguise (2001)/(2015), Universe (2003)/(2008), etc) - rather than "Generation 1".
:::(And I was saying that I agree with the change, since if they're on the page of a "Generation 1" character, they're ''all'' "G1 toys", even if they weren't in the 1984-1991 toylines. We use "Generation 1" on multiple things whereas in other "continuity families" with multiple franchises, we use a term distinct from any of the constituent franchises, like [[Unicron Trilogy]], [[live-action film series]] or [[Aligned]]) - [[User:Mammalian Verisimilitude|Mammalian Verisimilitude]] ([[User talk:Mammalian Verisimilitude|talk]]) 00:08, 21 February 2019 (EST)
Kind of related question: Why DO we consider the first franchise to officially be "The Transformers"? I know the "the" is right there in the logo, but it's in the same font as the "More than meets the eye" tagline which we don't consider part of the title. Aside from that, if we REALLY wanted to match the franchise name to the logo, wouldn't it be "The Trans {insert faction symbol here} Formers" or, at least, "The Trans Formers"? --[[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] ([[User talk:Khajidha|talk]]) 08:22, 21 February 2019 (EST)
:[[File:TFUSindiciasamples.jpg|thumb|Knew I'd seen one of these somewhere around here]] Well, the Marvel US series was formally "The Transformers", even after the "The" was dropped from the front cover logo... - [[User:Mammalian Verisimilitude|Mammalian Verisimilitude]] ([[User talk:Mammalian Verisimilitude|talk]]) 19:40, 22 February 2019 (EST)

== Quotation punctuation on Siege toy entries ==

So, I noticed that pretty much all of the [[War for Cybertron: Siege|Siege]] toy entries use the American quotation style (commas and periods outside the quotation marks, like "this,") instead of the British/logical style (commas and periods inside the quotation marks, like "this",). I've never liked the American style, but personal opinions aside, I kinda find this odd, considering [[Help:Style guide#Grammar|this wiki perfers the logical style]]. Granted, our style guide also says "Respect other editors' style choices", but honestly, I think it'd be better to change to the logical style. After all, are those commas and periods really part of the weapons' names? [[User:ShootingStar7X|ShootingStar7X]] ([[User talk:ShootingStar7X|talk]]) 20:25, 19 February 2019 (EST)
:It seems to vary by personal choice of the editor, and in spite of that guideline, most users on this wiki prefer U.S.-style punctuation inside quotation marks (which is unfortunate, but oh well). [[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]]) 21:39, 15 March 2019 (EDT)

== Rename IDW Generation 1 continuity to IDW 2005 continuity? ==

Obviously, we have an imminent reboot, which the wiki will almost certainly classify as G1, 'cause that's what it does with comics. But even until now, the "IDW Generation 1 continuity" is not the ''only'' G1 based continuity IDW have published - ''Star Trek/Transformers'' has just finished, and there's been a bunch of other G1 "micro-continuities" they've done. "IDW Generation 1 continuity" only really works as a name if it's the ''only'' IDW G1 continuity. And even if you ignore the small stuff, that's not the case as of later this month. So how about switching to naming it by date? - [[User:Mammalian Verisimilitude|Mammalian Verisimilitude]] ([[User talk:Mammalian Verisimilitude|talk]]) 10:02, 8 March 2019 (EST)
:Date seems to be the most future-proof naming scheme, in case they reboot again in another 10 years. --[[User:Abates|abates]] ([[User talk:Abates|talk]]) 16:57, 10 March 2019 (EDT)
::Yeah, I'm all for switching to date as well, but I'd like to get a few more folks to weigh in before I start updating things, since this change would effect a LOT of articles. -- [[User:Cyberlink420|Cyberlink420]] ([[User talk:Cyberlink420|talk]]) 21:04, 14 March 2019 (EDT)
:::Problem is, the longer you wait, the harder it becomes to actually do it, if people start slipping in "IDW Generation 1 (2019)" and similar styles that would get caught by find'n'replace. - [[User:Mammalian Verisimilitude|Mammalian Verisimilitude]] ([[User talk:Mammalian Verisimilitude|talk]]) 21:21, 15 March 2019 (EDT)
::::Perhaps, but again, I think this is a big enough change that there needs to be some level of consensus before it starts getting implemented. -- [[User:Cyberlink420|Cyberlink420]] ([[User talk:Cyberlink420|talk]]) 21:43, 15 March 2019 (EDT)
:::::Distinguishing by date seems to have a lot of support in the Allspark thread. https://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/101932-tfwikinet-thread-30/page-609 Not sure why more haven't weighed in here. "IDW 2005 continuity" and "IDW 2019 continuity" sounds good to me. [[User:NovaSaber|NovaSaber]] ([[User talk:NovaSaber|talk]]) 11:26, 16 March 2019 (EDT)
::::::In line with our RiD headers, I suggest adjusting that to "2005 IDW continuity" and "2019 IDW continuity". [[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]]) 22:42, 18 March 2019 (EDT)
:::::::The thing about that is that the pages for the RID cartoons are at [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 cartoon)]] and [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 cartoon)]]. Wherever [[IDW Generation 1 continuity]] goes needs to match the headers, because of the way split pages are done. Hence why I prefer "IDW (year) continuity"
:::::::And is anything actually HAPPENING with this? - [[User:Mammalian Verisimilitude|Mammalian Verisimilitude]] ([[User talk:Mammalian Verisimilitude|talk]]) 20:03, 22 March 2019 (EDT)
::::::::It seems we've got a category problem on our hands. I'm seeing pages marked under "IDW 2005", "IDW (2005)", and "2005 IDW". Can we just pick one category banner name and stick with it?--[[User:NexusShard17|NexusShard17]] ([[User talk:NexusShard17|talk]]) 13:23, 04 April 2019 (EDT)
:::::::::There was some further discussion on AllSpark, and it sounds like the current consensus is "2005 IDW continuity". -- [[User:Cyberlink420|Cyberlink420]] ([[User talk:Cyberlink420|talk]]) 14:27, 4 April 2019 (EDT)
::::::::::The main continuity page stands at "[[2005 IDW continuity]]" while categories should become "Category:IDW (2005) x" in line with our precedent of "Category:Robots in Disguise (2001) x". [[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]]) 15:57, 4 April 2019 (EDT)

== Guideline for fan opinions? ==

Hi, I'd just like to ask if there are general guidelines for citing fan opinions on pages (e.g. ''Revenge of the Fallen'' is bad, ''Masterpiece'' Prime is considered one of the best toys ever)? I noticed that some pages cite subjective opinions and some don't, but I'd just like to figure out when it's acceptable or not to do so. --[[User:Samus Aran|Samus Aran]] ([[User talk:Samus Aran|talk]]) 12:42, 22 May 2019 (EDT)

==Uploading Images==
Hi, I'm new to this wiki. I've made contributions on other wikis (Marvel, Shadowrun, Cyberpunk, etc) and was going to upload images, starting with two regarding the Autobot Fleet (IDW) but I keep getting the message that I don't have permission to create new pages. I've followed the instructions and continue to get that message. What am I missing or are only certain individuals permitted to upload images?

[[User:Esparza3368|Esparza3368]] ([[User talk:Esparza3368|talk]]) 00:05, 22 June 2019 (EDT)
:New users are restricted from creating articles (which image uploads fall under) as an anti-spam measure. After you've made more edits (I forget the exact number, hopefully another admin can come along and say?) that functionality will be automatically unlocked for you. [[User:Jalaguy|Jalaguy]] ([[User talk:Jalaguy|talk]]) 15:27, 22 June 2019 (EDT)

== General policy regarding toy writeups for toys with multiple releases, reissues etc. ==

I feel like this has been discussed a few times already, but do we have a general rule regarding how we treat toys that had multiple releases in the respective characters' toy sections? For example, both [[Tracks (G1)/toys#Generation 1|Tracks]] and [[Wheeljack (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Wheeljack]] still have their [[Classics (Europe)|"Classic Heroes"]] releases tacked onto their original G1 toy writups, whereas others such as [[Jazz (G1)/toys#Generation 1|Jazz]], [[Prowl (G1)/toys#Generation 1|Prowl]] and [[Sunstreaker (G1)/toys#Generation 1|Sunstreaker]] have them separated out into separate writeups. (On top of that, the date for "Classic" Tracks was off by one year! It originally said "1992" twice before I fixed it.) Meanwhile, [[Silverbolt (G1)#Unite Warriors|G1 Silverbolt's ''Unite Warriors'']] writeup itself mentions the 2019 re-release, but the top of the writeup only mentions the original 2015 release date (presumably because the exact date would make adding the re-release date look awkwardly clunky, unlike a simple "2015/2019" date). The other Aerialbots' UW writeups don't mention the 2019 re-release at all.

Generally, I ''think'' the guideline ''should be'' more or less "if there is a new production run in largely unaltered packaging within a few years of the original version, it gets added to the original writeup, but if the official branding on the packaging changes, it gets its own separate writeup", which made us separate stuff like the ''[[The Transformers Collection|Transformers Collection]]'', ''[[The Transformers: Generation One Commemorative Series|Commemorative Series]]'' and ''[[Transformers Encore|Encore]]'' out into their own sections. But that doesn't ''really'' cover the "Euro Classics", which had their own distinct packaging designs but ''were'' still part of what we consider the "Generation 1 line"... and then there are a bunch of other complicated cases:
* The 1989-onwards [[The Transformers (Chinese toyline)|Chinese releases]] are generally ignored ''entirely'' in the toy writeups, even though some of them were released more then half a decade after their original US versions, around the same time as the "Euro Classics".
* Most of the [[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)#Post-series releases|2000-onwards Japanese reissues]] in (mostly) unaltered packaging get their own writeups, but [[Predaking (G1)#Generation 1|Predaking]] and the individual Predacons, as well as [[Sixshot (G1)#Generation 1|Sixshot]], have the reissues added to the writeups for the original 1986/1987 releases instead.
*The unreleased redecos of ''Generation 2'' "Hero" [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#CombatHeroOptimusPrime|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (G1)/toys#CombatHero|Megatron]] get separate entries, even though based on the packaging, they were intended as mere color variants like the G2 Dinobots and Constructicons had. The only reason they're considered as separate items is because of the fabled "''Combat'' Heroes" name, which is likely the result of a persistent outdated working name seeping into the fandom's collective consciousness. (See [[Hero (G2)#Notes|here]] for more.)
* What about the very odd case of the Toys"R"Us exclusive [[Unicron/toys#Universe (2008)|''Universe'' Unicron]], a straight re-release of the ''Armada'' figure in an identical deco, featuring the same Hasbro product code number and UPC barcode as the ''Armada'' release, but sold in completely redesigned packaging and branded under the ''Universe'' line rather than ''Armada''?
* What, then, about the "Dollar store" releases of Legion Class [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Transformers (2014)|Optimus Prime]], [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Transformers (2014)|Bumblebee]], [[Starscream (G1)/toys#Transformers (2014)|Starscream]] and [[Grimlock (G1)/toys#LegionClass|Grimlock]]? Originally released in 2014, in packaging mimicking the overall look of the then-concurrent ''Age of Extinction'' line, Optimus, Bumblebee and Grimlock were re-released a year later, now in completely redesigned packaging mimicking the overall look of the then-concurrent ''Combiner Wars'' line, complete with new Hasbro product code numbers and UPC barcodes compared to their 2014 releases... and ''then'' Optimus, Bumblebee and Starscream were re-released ''again'' in 2017, this time in slightly altered and updated versions of their 2014 releases' packaging complete with the old Hasbro product code numbers and UPC barcodes. Optimus, Bumblebee and Starscream mention the re-releases both in their writeups themselves and in the writeup headers (though I had to remove an incorrect mention of an alleged 2015 release for Starscream), whereas Grimlock only mentions it in the writeup itself, but not in the header. Do we consider these all as variations of the same releases, including the 2015 versions?
*My head hurts.
:Anyone?--[[User:Nevermore|Nevermore]] ([[User talk:Nevermore|talk]]) 07:53, 8 December 2019 (EST)

== New admins ==

Several recent incidents seem to indicate a need for more admins. How do we go about getting some? --[[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] ([[User talk:Khajidha|talk]]) 16:11, 4 July 2019 (EDT)
: I think Walky is the only person with the power to appoint admins, so you'd need to talk to him. [[User:Grum|Grum]] ([[User talk:Grum|talk]]) 17:17, 4 July 2019 (EDT)

== Fixing up the category system ==

Our category system at the moment is a mess, in no small part because the wiki is old and over time people have added stuff in different places. One of the rules we should be sticking to is that if an article is in a subcategory, it should be equally able to fit into the parent category. By example, [[Optimus Prime (G1)]] is in:

*[[:Category:Characters|Characters]] -> [[:Category:Robots|Robots]] -> [[:Category:Transformers|Transformers]] -> [[:Category:Generation 1 Transformers|Generation 1 Transformers]] -> [[:Category:Generation 1 Autobots|Generation 1 Autobots]]

Optimus Prime is a character, a robot, and a Transformer, so he can fit into any of the parent categories, so this is a good structure. Meanwhile [[Destro]] is in:

*[[:Category:Organizations|Organizations]] -> [[:Category:Human organizations|Human organizations]] -> [[:Category:Cobra|Cobra]]

While [[Cobra]] is a human organization, Destro is not. If you're navigating into a category for "Organizations", I don't think you should find a category containing a bunch of characters.

The Cobra category has been categorized as though it's the Cobra article when it's actually "People and objects related to Cobra". It contains Cobra personnel and things like [[Cobra Island]].

So I think the Cobra category should be removed from both its current parents, but I'm not sure where it would go. Do we need a top-level category for categories of "articles by subgroup" perhaps? (there are a bunch of categories like Cobra) Thoughts? --[[User:Abates|abates]] ([[User talk:Abates|talk]]) 02:47, 11 July 2019 (EDT)
:If ''G.I. Joe'' is both the name of the franchise and an organization with many non-sentient assets, and Cobra also has the latter anyway, then perhaps it is time to create subcategories along the lines of "Category:G.I. Joe members" and "Category:Cobra members". [[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]]) 19:11, 15 December 2019 (EST)
::I think that is perhaps a separate issue? The problem I was talking about is that a category's parent categories should apply to all of the articles it contains. If there was no "Generation 1 Autobots" category, Optimus Prime would be in "Generation 1 Transformers", which still fits. If there was no "Cobra" category, "Destro" would not be in "Human organizations" or "Generation 1 factions". --[[User:Abates|abates]] ([[User talk:Abates|talk]]) 19:27, 15 December 2019 (EST)

==Parentheticals for way-too-similar page titles==
Okay, this has been brought up on Allspark ([https://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/101932-tfwikinet-thread-or-the-all-new-all-different-community-portal/?p=3909370 link to the start)] in the wake of the whole "Bring Me The Head Of Optimus Prime" deal, but let's talk about this here. 
"[[Transformers Generations]]", "[[Transformers: Generations]]" and "[[The Transformers: Generations (comic)|The Transformers: Generations]]" all link to considerably different things, and none of them are redirects. So, tell me, without clicking any of the links... which does each link to? Really shouldn't HAVE to go to a disambig page to find out which is which. 
And I don't think we need to make up a ton of redirects to clutter the searchbar with every variant depending on ":", "the" or minor capitalization change. Hell, "Generations (toyline)" already exists and is sufficient, "Generations (books)" can lead to the disambig page seeing as that list is like 80% books titled "Generations". 
But let's consider other other cases, like how we got "[[Energon grid]]" and "[[Energon Grid (episode)]]", and how that's a bit more helpful than making people page-bounce. --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] ([[User talk:M Sipher|talk]]) 19:50, 27 August 2019 (EDT)
:Goes without saying, but I'm all in favor. It might also be a worthwhile idea for someone to do an audit of our list of redirects, see which ones aren't really necessary. -- [[User:Cyberlink420|Cyberlink420]] ([[User talk:Cyberlink420|talk]]) 10:11, 28 August 2019 (EDT)
:I've never liked the idea that "well, it isn't EXACTLY the same title, so it doesn't need disambiguation". These sorts of things are REAL WORLD ambiguous and we shouldn't be making it hard for people to find what they are looking for. Titles with or without "the" or "a" or "an", capitalization differences, spacing differences (Motormaster vs Motor Master), use or non use of a colon, terminal "!" or "?" all are horrible things to depend on for disambiguation. Translation: I'm all for this. --[[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] ([[User talk:Khajidha|talk]]) 10:21, 28 August 2019 (EDT)
::[[Hun-Grrr]], too? --[[User:Riptide|Riptide]] ([[User talk:Riptide|talk]]) 08:39, 29 August 2019 (EDT)
:::I'd redirect all variant spellings to the disambiguation page and tag all of the individual articles with their franchise of origin. Even if the name in franchise X is spelled differently from the name in every other franchise, I guarantee you people will get confused and it is quite likely that any particular spelling will eventually be used for another version of the character. --[[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] ([[User talk:Khajidha|talk]]) 09:44, 29 August 2019 (EDT)
SO. I'm thinking let's do this. --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] ([[User talk:M Sipher|talk]]) 05:24, 16 December 2019 (EST)
:Agreed. Though... can I also point to [[Zeta (AB)]] as a place where "keeping a parenthetical even though it's technically unneeded" would be useful? --[[User:Riptide|Riptide]] ([[User talk:Riptide|talk]]) 06:06, 16 December 2019 (EST)
::Agreed and agreed. --[[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] ([[User talk:Khajidha|talk]]) 08:28, 16 December 2019 (EST)

Okay, so if someone can maybe run a bot script to change the outdated redirects to the three "Generations" pages now further disambiguated, that'd be great. I think next I'm gonna fix the Hun-Grrrs because holy shit y'all --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] ([[User talk:M Sipher|talk]]) 21:04, 12 January 2020 (EST)

Question: Are we okay with having [[Knockout (G1)]] and [[Knock Out (G1)]]? --[[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] ([[User talk:Khajidha|talk]]) 16:22, 22 May 2020 (EDT)
:I think they need to be disambiguated further. Perhaps (G1 Micromaster) for the former. -- [[User:Cyberlink420|Cyberlink420]] ([[User talk:Cyberlink420|talk]]) 17:08, 22 May 2020 (EDT)

==Official TFWiki Discord==
In light of some recent coordination issues, several editors (including five of the site admins) have agreed that having a dedicated space on Discord to discuss the wiki in real time would be useful, and so I've made one. Yes, this means discussion is now fragmented three ways - here, over on the Allspark thread, and now in the server - but it seems that the existing forums already don't account for everyone, so I'm inclined to call this a codification of the existing situation rather than additional splintering. Admins have full privileges over the server at the moment, but they're not expected to handle any moderation; for now that's my responsibility if it turns out to be necessary, acting in capacity of being a mod for the Allspark. [https://discord.gg/N99Bygq You can join the server here] - whether you're a regular editor, an infrequent contributor (like me) or just a wiki-walker with an interest in the site's inner workings. --[[User:The Wadapan|The Wadapan]] ([[User talk:The Wadapan|talk]]) 08:52, 17 December 2019 (EST)
:The Discord server has been a pretty solid success so far, and people there have agreed that putting a link at the top of this page would be a good idea, so I've done that - if anyone has any qualms with this, speak up! Activity on the Allspark thread has diminished significantly in light of recent events, so it seems that the Discord might end up replacing it entirely in the long run.
:People also seem pretty keen on the idea of getting a link up on the main page itself, alongside the twitter/tumblr links. Any thoughts on this? --[[User:The Wadapan|The Wadapan]] ([[User talk:The Wadapan|talk]]) 16:36, 20 March 2020 (EDT)

==User account created, but no activity==
Something I've noticed when I'd pop in every once in awhile when checking the Recent Changes/User Creation Log is that once a new user account has been created, there's no activity. Granted, some have been blocked for various reasons (mostly the autoblocks), but I wonder whether there should be anything done to the others (aside of just leaving them alone). Like, delete the username after a certain period of no activity, or would that affect the IP address? I'm reminded of how one user had a history of creating and then camping subreddits, which was against Reddit's TOS. -- [[User:Lonegamer78|Lonegamer78]] ([[User talk:Lonegamer78|talk]]) 00:12, 7 January 2020 (EST)
:There is a maintenance script we can run which deletes old users with no edits to their name, ISTR. --[[User:Abates|abates]] ([[User talk:Abates|talk]]) 17:20, 7 January 2020 (EST)
::That sounds good. -- [[User:Lonegamer78|Lonegamer78]] ([[User talk:Lonegamer78|talk]]) 20:26, 10 January 2020 (EST)

== Minor skin tweak ==

The latest version of Firefox was making the scrollbars look funky and blue on our site, so I have put some css in to fix them. Hopefully this should not affect any other browsers, but please let me know if you're using Chrome or IE7 or something and it is causing a problem. --[[User:Abates|abates]] ([[User talk:Abates|talk]]) 20:20, 8 January 2020 (EST)

== 2007 Movie Universe and 2018 Movie Universe ==

Since Bumblebee is officially a reboot, will we be separating the sections on the movies similar to what has been recently done with the IDW 2005 and 2019 sections? --[[User:Waspscream|Waspscream]] ([[User talk:Waspscream|talk]]) 21:36, 16 January 2020 (EST)
: No, because we don't know it's a proper reboot yet, so we have no reason to do so. This has been discussed at length already. [[Misconceptions and urban legends about Transformers#Bumblebee|Please read this.]] -- [[User:Cyberlink420|Cyberlink420]] ([[User talk:Cyberlink420|talk]]) 23:05, 16 January 2020 (EST)

== Prime Wars Placement ==

I'm probably being an idiot and there's a perfectly valid reason for it, but why aren't the Prime Wars Trilogy bios placed in character's G1 Cartoon sections? Is it the slight IDW influence, or not enough evidence that they belong there? --[[User:Waspscream|Waspscream]] ([[User talk:Waspscream|talk]]) 23:16, 26 January 2020 (EST)
:The Prime Wars Trilogy is a completely separate continuity from the G1 cartoon. The G1 Cartoon sections are for information detailing a character's exploits in continuities tied directly or nearly directly to that 1984-1987 animated series produced by Marvel Productions and Sunbow Productions, which the Prime Wars Trilogy has no connection to and therefore gets it own separate section on each character's page. --[[User:Sabrblade|Sabrblade]] ([[User talk:Sabrblade|talk]]) 23:25, 26 January 2020 (EST)
::I could agree to that back when Combiner Wars was out, but by the time of Power Of The Primes, there were a lot of additions, such as Megatron once having been Galvatron and Unicron stuck as a head, that seem to attempt to connect it to the cartoon. At the very least, it's somewhat tied to the cartoon, even with many incongruities. -- [[User:Waspscream|Waspscream]] ([[User talk:Waspscream|talk]]) 16:20, 27 January 2020 (EST)
:::It's really not. -- [[User:Cyberlink420|Cyberlink420]] ([[User talk:Cyberlink420|talk]]) 16:41, 27 January 2020 (EST)
:::"Things are referencing the first really huge piece of popular media most people are familiar with" is not exactly slam-dunk proof of "actually part of the same timeline". --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] ([[User talk:M Sipher|talk]]) 21:13, 27 January 2020 (EST)
:::: Admittedly, I didn't explain my opinions very well, but while Megatron being Galvatron is common, the use of it here seems like an attempt to reconcile the series as somewhat connected to the G1 cartoon, on a similar level to Beast Wars, I guess. There were other examples, that was just the first that came to mind. There isn't really any true proof for it, so I guess I'll leave it at that. I guess the entire thing is in a grey area free for personal interpretation of where it could belong. I'm kinda new around here, and I'm not trying to start an argument, just get some clarification about what belongs where. -- [[User:Waspscream|Waspscream]] ([[User talk:Waspscream|talk]]) 21:38, 27 January 2020 (EST)
:::::Power of the Primes also hinted that when Unicron turned Megatron into Galvatron, it was by the power of the Matrix of Chaos, a device that did not exist in the G1 cartoon and thus which was not used by Unicron to turn Megatron into Galvatron in the 1986 movie. --[[User:Sabrblade|Sabrblade]] ([[User talk:Sabrblade|talk]]) 00:39, 28 January 2020 (EST)
::::::And that Unicron was destroyed in ancient times by the Requiem Blaster, a thing that very much did not happen in the original cartoon. (And for the record, we don't treat Beast Wars as a direct cartoon followup either since it blends elements from both Marvel and Sunbow.) -- [[User:Cyberlink420|Cyberlink420]] ([[User talk:Cyberlink420|talk]]) 00:57, 28 January 2020 (EST)
::::::: I am aware of that. -- [[User:Waspscream|Waspscream]] ([[User talk:Waspscream|talk]]) 22:13, 29 January 2020 (EST)
:::::::Given the prominence of the G1 cartoon, it is not surprising that so many later stories make reference to it or homage it. But that's all that this is, referencing and homages. --[[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] ([[User talk:Khajidha|talk]]) 08:13, 28 January 2020 (EST)

== Franchise pages ==

I wanted to float an idea regarding our franchise pages. They're typically pretty sparse and some which aren't are just plain paragraphs of text with lists. What do people think about formatting the franchise pages more like the main page? I've made an [[User:Abates/Franchise sandbox|example sandbox]]. I used Rescue Bots Academy as an example, since we currently have it linked on the sidebar, so there's boxes for the cartoon, toyline, major characters, and a featured article (which I think would be best as a random article rather than manually being changed each month). --[[User:Abates|abates]] ([[User talk:Abates|talk]]) 19:46, 20 March 2020 (EDT)
:I like this a LOT. That said, how would this template handle pages with way more information like Beast Wars? Also, a suggestion made on the Discord was for the featured article to change between premade selections similar to the [[Main Page/disambig|main page disambiguation template]] or [[multilingual packaging]]. Would that be worth exploring? -- [[User:Cyberlink420|Cyberlink420]] ([[User talk:Cyberlink420|talk]]) 20:34, 20 March 2020 (EDT)
::That was my thinking as to how the featured article section would work. As for something like Beast Wars, probably everything below, say, "A dramatic change" could stay as is. The idea is to present the main info in a more appealing manner, but there's nothing to say we couldn't have more conventional sections further down. --[[User:Abates|abates]] ([[User talk:Abates|talk]]) 21:39, 20 March 2020 (EDT)

== Source namespace ==

We currently have a bunch of source documents which have names like "Angry Birds Transformers bios/src". It's possible to create a Source namespace so instead they would be at names like "Source:Angry Birds Transformers bios".

Advantages: Everything that's an official document would be all in one namespace, searchable independently of mainspace articles. 
Disadvantages: We wouldn't be able to have a namespace article with a title starting "Source:", but I think it's unlikely to be an issue. We have [[Source]] which is a redirect, but I don't believe it would be affected.

What does everyone think? --[[User:Abates|abates]] ([[User talk:Abates|talk]]) 19:32, 26 April 2020 (EDT)
:Makes sense to me. There's a lot of online-only text that's disappeared from official websites (Legends card game, Robotmasters, Cloud, lots of bios, etc.) Preserving this stuff would help in the future. [[User:Saix|Saix]] ([[User talk:Saix|talk]]) 19:38, 26 April 2020 (EDT)
::I'm in agreement. I think the pros heavily outweigh the cons, and I'm sure we can find a workaround if there's a story title that starts with "Source" down the line. -- [[User:Cyberlink420|Cyberlink420]] ([[User talk:Cyberlink420|talk]]) 19:57, 26 April 2020 (EDT)
:::If there aren't any objections then, I'll get it set up! --[[User:Abates|abates]] ([[User talk:Abates|talk]]) 01:55, 27 April 2020 (EDT)

== Should we add a category for "Toy of the Year" winners of the Hall of fame? ==

Seeing that we already have categories for "Hall of Fame characters," and "Hall of Fame creators," we probably should make a category for the "Toy(s) of the Year(s)." Just my opinion. [[User:DDog|DDog]] ([[User talk:DDog|talk]]) 17:03, 1 May 2020 (EDT)

== Minor edits ==

I just wanted to post a reminder about minor edits, because I've seen people mark edits as minor which I don't think should be considered minor. Minor edits are things like spelling and grammar corrections, formatting corrections, and the like. If you're adding an entire sentence to an article or a whole new note, it shouldn't be marked minor. We've got a brief section on this here: [[Help:Style guide#Minor and major edits]]. I'm not looking to single anyone out, just post a reminder because it seems to be more common recently. --[[User:Abates|abates]] ([[User talk:Abates|talk]]) 19:09, 3 May 2020 (EDT)

=="Japanese ID number"==
I dunno if "uncomfortable" is the right word, but "Japanese ID number" feels off for a variety of reasons, including these toys not being sold ONLY in Japan. I'm increasingly thinking there's a better option for this info in the toy entries.
*For entries that cover both the Hasbro and Takara versions, "Takara ID number" works better. (Conversely, those handful of Hasbro toys w/ numbers, "Hasbro ID number")
*For entries about toys ONLY released in Takara lines, just plain old "ID number" should suffice.
I realize this is... a buttload of changes across the wiki, and not a top priority or anything, but maybe something folks can pick up here and there while making other edits in the relevant sections. Thoughts? --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] ([[User talk:M Sipher|talk]]) 00:50, 5 May 2020 (EDT)

== Do Euro-Classics get their own listing or not? ==
We are currently very inconsistent on whether [[Classics (Europe)]] counts as a G1 toy release as distinct as a Targetmaster or Pretender upgrade. Look at [[Sunstreaker (G1)/toys]] and [[Prowl (G1)/toys]] and compare to [[Sludge (G1)]] or [[Wheeljack (G1)/toys]]. I think they should all be listed distinctly - that the Sunstreaker approach is right. Is there any reason why we wouldn't do this? --[[User:Thylacine 2000|Thylacine 2000]] ([[User talk:Thylacine 2000|talk]]) 20:26, 5 May 2020 (EDT)
:I think it's just that no one has bothered to do it. --[[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] ([[User talk:Khajidha|talk]]) 21:07, 5 May 2020 (EDT)
::Pretty much. A LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT of old stuff on this wiki -particularly the toy entries- needs to be dusted off and looked at and brought up to modern standards/consistency. But that's a pretty dang involved process and while it seems many of us have more spare time now, it's still... a kinda draining, droning way to spend it. (I've been tackling BW but hoofta, it's a lot.) --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] ([[User talk:M Sipher|talk]]) 00:01, 6 May 2020 (EDT)

== TF Car Robots concept materials? ==
Z226_JUPITER on [https://twitter.com/Z226_JUPITER Twitter] had been tweeting several behind-the-scenes stuff on ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)|Car Robots]]'', namely design notes, storyboards, and [https://twitter.com/Z226_JUPITER/status/1258406704334532614 height chart], like how the Almanacs were for Animated. One of the more recent [https://twitter.com/Z226_JUPITER/status/1260473367192317955 tweets] noted a possible 176-page book being released, as well a PDF version. Unfortunately, I don't know anyone here who's fluent in Japanese to be able to better ask Z226_JUPITER about it, much less how a copy could be obtained to further supplement the wiki here for non-Japanese readers. One thing is that I don't know if this is something like a fan-release thing or something OKed by Takara, given how there have been the occasional official doujinshi/fan-supplemented materials green-lit by companies. --[[User:Lonegamer78|Lonegamer78]] ([[User talk:Lonegamer78|talk]]) 17:42, 14 May 2020 (EDT)
:I've crossposted this to the Discord server and one of our Japanese speaking users there (Star-Spangled Sam) volunteered to look into it. Abates and I looked at it a bit too, and found that Z226_Jupiter has a link in his Twitter profile to his works on booth.pm. That site appears to be a place for self publishing fan works and related to Pixiv, a Japanese site which is similar to DeviantArt. The book can be purchased from that site. As for whether it has any approval from TakaraTomy, that's unclear so far. The description when run through Google Translate reads like the speaker is not affilated with TT (which makes sense given this is a fanwork) but beyond that there's no indication. We're waiting to see what Sam comes up with. --[[User:Tigerpaw28|Tigerpaw28]] ([[User talk:Tigerpaw28|talk]]) 14:34, 3 June 2020 (EDT)
::Much kudos. --[[User:Lonegamer78|Lonegamer78]] ([[User talk:Lonegamer78|talk]]) 18:52, 5 June 2020 (EDT)

== New bot proposal ==
After some discussion on the Discord about the need for a new bot and having been thinking about writing one for awhile now, I've put together a proposal for how a new bot would work, and what kinds of things it might likely do. This done with the idea that [[User:Deceptitran|Deceptitran]]'s functionality would need to be replaced, given [[User:Derik|Derik]]'s infrequent appearances these days and no else having access to run Deceptitran. There's also a distinct possibility Deceptitran isn't functional at the moment as the URL for the Emopanda site Derik was using for hosting things externally (I presume this includes Deceptitran) is abandoned.

The way I see it, the bot could run a number of recurring tasks at different intervals, plus any one time "on demand" requests from Wiki editors/staff. Requests would made by editing a subpage of the bot's user page and filling out a template. This would be much the same as link fix requests worked with Deceptitran.

Every 15-30 minutes, the bot would check it's user page for new "on demand"/"editor generated" requests and process them.
For these requests, I see two levels of approval they could go through: 1. Request approval and 2. Result approval. The former would be approval of the request before any processing occurs. The latter would be approval of the results of a request before the bot actually makes any changes on the Wiki.

I think the first level of approval could be handled by checking Wiki rights/permission of the requesting user. A bot request approval permission could be created and assigned to any trusted non-mod or Admin user. Then only requests from those users, mods and admins would be processed. This would prevent anons and other untrusted accounts from using the bot for nefarious purposes without requiring active moderation of the request submissions by a human.

Result approvals would be to prevent the bot from making tons of errant changes. Someone would have to manually go through the list of changes proposed by the bot to see if anything looks wrong. To limit the amount of time we have to spend looking over stuff like this, I think it would make sense to make this a requirement only for requests that would produce a minimum (10? 20?) number of changes. This limit could be gradually increased as we become more confident in the bot's logic.

Verification of these changes would be done by logging into a site running on my hosting service, same as the bot would be. As for who would do it, I am willing to do it and/or we could set it up for any mods/admins that would like to. I've also thought about the possibility of having email notifications for when a request needs to be reviewed.

I've come up with the following ideas for what kinds of tasks could be done on demand:
::Link fixing
::Category tagging/untagging
::Section reordering by header level
::Mass page moving

In addition to the recurring on demand processing job, I've come up with some other recurring jobs that I think might be beneficial:

::At least once a day:
:::Page deletion
:::Welcoming users (placing the welcome template on their talkpage)
:::Fix redirects

::Daily:
:::Remove stale dated templates

I'm open to any other ideas on what tasks we'd like to have the bot perform. I'd also like to hear some thoughts on which tasks should get added as functionality first.
--[[User:Tigerpaw28|Tigerpaw28]] ([[User talk:Tigerpaw28|talk]]) 14:34, 3 June 2020 (EDT)

==G2 Go-Bots mold templates==
Hey y'all, I just knocked out a set of mold templates for the original six G2 Go-Bot toolings, I think I've gotten everything consistent as far as how to refer to stuff, but it's a little idiosyncratic because unlike say, the CW limb guys, you've got a case where Motormouth was released in two slightly different but clearly distinct plastic colors (clear vs opaque) and then RID Ironhide/CR Ox had multiple different uses of the tooling in different colorways, all intended to be the same character, which I'm struggling to think of a comparable situation. If someone else wants to go over the nomeclature I used (especially for the various store exclusive redecos) be my guest.

If I'm feeling REALLY masochistic, I might try to do a template like this for the Armada Mini-Con toolings, which are probably ''Classics'' Seeker level of reused. '''EDIT TO ADD:''' If I were to do the UT Mini-Cons, would the mold templates use the names the toys were sold under (e.g. "X-Dimension Sail") or the names that were retroactively applied by Ask Vector Prime? I'm inclined towards the former and to not even mention the retronyms, because otherwise the box gets really cluttered. I sort of flirted with this with 2003 Universe Camshaft and Hoist, who were just straight reissues of KB W.A.R.S. and Ironhide, but at least they were available on shelves under those names. I didn't bother with the Prowl and Ironhide that were retroactively "declared" to be Red Alert and Trailbreaker because who cares, lol. [[User:Hooper X|-hx]] ([[User talk:Hooper X|talk]]) 14:44, 10 July 2020 (EDT)
:Mold templates are indeed geared to names of toys themselves. As you point out, a Japanese-exclusive toy should not use an English retronym. [[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]]) 15:37, 10 July 2020 (EDT)
::As someone who wrote a lot of bios that gave Japanese Mini-Cons "western" names, yeah, use the names the toys were sold under. --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] ([[User talk:M Sipher|talk]]) 19:09, 10 July 2020 (EDT)

== Scheduled downtime ==

Our web host has notified me of some downtime scheduled for August 7 at 3AM UTC, so the site will be unavailable for a period at that time. --[[User:Abates|abates]] ([[User talk:Abates|talk]]) 02:18, 17 July 2020 (EDT)
:Reminder that this is later this week! --[[User:Abates|abates]] ([[User talk:Abates|talk]]) 18:45, 2 August 2020 (EDT)

== Scoop bastard template ==

Since we have changed the caption bastard template to caption happy, do we wish to change the scoop bastard template as well? --[[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] ([[User talk:Khajidha|talk]]) 10:32, 17 July 2020 (EDT)
:Done and done. -- [[User:Cyberlink420|Cyberlink420]] ([[User talk:Cyberlink420|talk]]) 10:55, 17 July 2020 (EDT)

== Privacy Policy ==

I just noticed we have an unofficial, unadopted privacy party that's over a decade old. I raised the question in more detail on [[Project talk:Privacy policy|its talk page]], but it seems like something that should at least have a discussion and official outcome of some sort.--[[User:Cosmos1|Waverod ✈️]] ([[User talk:Cosmos1|talk]]) 20:26, 23 July 2020 (EDT)

== World of Warships article? ==
When Warships first announced this back in August, I was laughing so hard at the reactions. I'm a bit surprised to not see even a stub article about it.

* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnGP42M6Dig Announcement trailer] on August 3, 2020.
* [https://worldofwarships.com/en/news/general-news/one-shall-stand/ News announcement] on August 3, 2020 with a one-page comic of Optimus and Bumblebee.
* [https://worldofwarships.com/en/news/sales-and-events/transformers-more-than-meets-the-eye/ September 4, 2020 news update], showing off more assets and another one-page comic of Megatron and Rumble (red).

I suppose any Warships players here and at the discord would have a field day. (I don't play it, I only knew of it through another WW2-theme online game franchise from Japan.) --[[User:Lonegamer78|Lonegamer78]] ([[User talk:Lonegamer78|talk]]) 05:39, 12 September 2020 (EDT)

== Officially approved YouTube videos ==

Here are some official videos undocumented on this wiki. Can they be documented?
 
'''Counter656 Hasbro approved stop motion videos'''

[https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-wLsNdu7tFM Masterpiece Bumblebee stop motion]

[https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=m_gEL-qGBoI Movie Masterpiece Ratchet stop motion]
 

'''HISHE Bumblebee'''

[https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nVZ6W5EQ9cw HISHE Bumblebee video]

It is approved by Paramount:
[https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/paramount-approved-how-bumblebee-should-have-ended-video-featuring-jon-bailey/43183/]
 

'''Pewdiepie video'''

It is sponsored by Earth Wars. The original video is deleted but here is the mirror. The original upload didn't have subtitles):

[https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mwRbBD1SIjE Pewdiepie video]
 

'''Lumaken Earth Wars stop motion'''

In the description, he says that this is a collaboration with the SpaceApe Games (Earth Wars developer):

[https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xF-F4FlRc3I Lumaken stop motion]

--[[User:Primestar3|Primestar3]] ([[User talk:Primestar3|talk]]) 18:47, 18 September 2020 (EDT)
:First two are for sure good, as they were produced for Hasbro (and are even mirrored on the [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVnDLnA9mro Transformers YouTube channel]). I'm hesitant at best about HISHE and Lumaken, and absolutely against Pewdiepie's. Also, if we were to document all "approved" videos, we'd have to include every video where Hasbro ever sent an outlet or YouTuber a product for review, and that would be tantamount to lunacy because of just how many videos that would include. -- [[User:Cyberlink420|Cyberlink420]] ([[User talk:Cyberlink420|talk]]) 19:18, 18 September 2020 (EDT)
::I think in regards to reviewers, they can get individual pages and have their approved videos be listed on those pages corresponding to the reviewer in question.--[[User:Primestar3|Primestar3]] ([[User talk:Primestar3|talk]]) 19:51, 18 September 2020 (EDT)
:::Again documenting every outlet/individual and instance in which they've been sponsored or sent something would be far too much of an undertaking, and these people are only tangentially related at best. For example, IGN has been sent press kits for TF games, been granted interviews with devs, and received toys for review, but they don't get their own article; we just link to the content where appropriate, like in a game's development section. -- [[User:Cyberlink420|Cyberlink420]] ([[User talk:Cyberlink420|talk]]) 20:05, 18 September 2020 (EDT)
::::Even then, the videos I've posted above all have some sort of narrative. That's far more distinctive than simple reviews and there are less approved narrative-based videos than approved review videos, so it wouldn't be as hard to document.

::::I think there's precedeence to this idea as this wiki documents videos on the official Transformers Youtube channel featuring narrative such as How to Ride your Dinobot but not every other video posted on that channel (most of which aren't short narrative based videos).--[[User:Primestar3|Primestar3]] ([[User talk:Primestar3|talk]]) 20:58, 18 September 2020 (EDT)
:::::We can't go documenting everything that Transformers has sponsored or we'd be here all millennium. If they're hosted on the official Transformers YouTube account, then that's something Hasbro produced and worth mentioning. But otherwise, it's tantamount to trying to list every single instance where a Transformers commercial has aired on TV. There's been episodes of TV shows sponsored by Transformers too. It's notable that Transformers has sponsored things in general and the types of things they've sponsored. But the individual things are not notable on their own unless Hasbro or a licensee produced it or paid someone else to produce it. HISHE might have an argument as the content creator asserts that Paramount approved it. The other two not on the official channel don't. Not really sure what SpaceApe's involvement was with the Lumaken video, but it seems like some of their people helped with filming or effects. That said, the video isn't corporately sponsored and thus their involvement does not appear to qualify the video as being an official production. Pewdiepie's has no Hasbro or licensee involvement whatsoever, it's just a paid ad. They bought airtime essentially. He just happened to theme the video around the advertisement. BIG no on that one. --[[User:Tigerpaw28|Tigerpaw28]] ([[User talk:Tigerpaw28|talk]]) 22:24, 18 September 2020 (EDT)

== New game "Transformers: Battlegrounds" ==

For the PlayStation, and [https://collider.com/transformers-battlegrounds-review-release-date/ Collider did a hands-on preview of it], saying that it's based on Cyberverse. See also the [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUun-tEbF5Q trailer], with [https://twitter.com/Outright_Games/status/1308034152202211334 October 23, 2020] release date. --[[User:Lonegamer78|Lonegamer78]] ([[User talk:Lonegamer78|talk]]) 19:13, 21 September 2020 (EDT)

== Featured Article nominations ==

We now have a page for nominating articles to be picked as future Featured Articles: [[Transformers Wiki:Featured Article Nominations]]. While there's no guarantee that your suggestion will be picked, that's no reason not to make your voice heard! --[[User:Riptide|Riptide]] ([[User talk:Riptide|talk]]) 20:16, 3 October 2020 (EDT)

== T-Beast ==

Hey all, I was just wondering if the T-Beast Art books were official publications through TakaraTomy? If they are, how come we haven't made pages for them on this wiki? I would make the pages if I knew much about them, but as I can't read or speak Japanese, I'd much rather leave that job for someone who knows more about them or who can translate any of whats in the books. I've watched Emgo316's review on the books on youtube and with the overuse of official names (sometimes ''Engrish'' translated) and faction insignias, it would suggest to me that it is a TakaraTomy publication. I know we won't cover the 3rd party molds based off of the designs from the books because *gasp* that's blasphemous, but the books are worth mentioning. [[User:Fanofcoolstuff27|Fanofcoolstuff27]] ([[User talk:Fanofcoolstuff27|talk]]) 02:05, 27 October 2020 (EDT)

Those aren't official liscenced product. We wished they were, but they're not. [[User:ZacAttack|ZacAttack]] ([[User talk:ZacAttack|talk]]) 02:19, 27 October 2020 (EDT)
:Interesting. It's really strange that they got away with having the insignias and names printed in the book without running into licensing issues. Anyways, thanks for clearing that up! :) [[User:Fanofcoolstuff27|Fanofcoolstuff27]] ([[User talk:Fanofcoolstuff27|talk]]) 02:52, 27 October 2020 (EDT)

I think it's different in Japan. Might be wrong, but I think it's different. --[[User:ZacAttack|ZacAttack]] ([[User talk:ZacAttack|talk]]) 03:08, 27 October 2020 (EDT)

== Iron Man in commercial ==

Can I add this commercial appearance to Iron Man page? Both ROTF Megatron and Endgame Iron Man appear in the same commercial.

[https://www.tfw2005.com/boards/threads/sky-advert-featuring-bayverse-rotf-megatron.1202802/ commercial].--[[User:Primestar3|Primestar3]] ([[User talk:Primestar3|talk]]) 10:34, 1 November 2020 (EST)

== Can the ROTF viral sites be documented in a source page? ==

Realeffingdeal and Gianteffingrobots.com. Though they will be incomplete since not all of it is saved (especially the second site). I want to archive the surviving images and the posts regardless.--[[User:Primestar3|Primestar3]] ([[User talk:Primestar3|talk]]) 13:11, 1 November 2020 (EST).

:Go for it, why not? I wish I'd been able to archive some of the other tie-in web content that's now long since gone. [[User:Hooper X|-hx]] ([[User talk:Hooper X|talk]]) 13:10, 4 December 2020 (EST)

== Any luck on finding the Holy Grails? ==

I know that they are called "Holy Grails" for a reason, but just for curiosity, and because the Holy Grail tab hasn't been updated for a while (or at least I think it hasn't), how is it going with the Holy Grails? P.S: I expected it to be hard, and also, what does it mean with "Kiss Players radio play translations"? Is it as in language translation? Supacool9[[User:Supacool9|Supacool9]] ([[User talk:Supacool9|talk]]) 20:09, 19 November 2020 (EST)

:Discission about things on the "Holy Grails" and the attempts to find them, can be found [[Talk:Main Page/holy-grails|here]].[[User:DDog|DDog]] ([[User talk:DDog|talk]]) 22:32, 3 November 2020 (EST)
::PS: make sure you sign your username by adding four tildes (<nowiki>~~~~</nowiki>) at the end, and it will do it automatically.[[User:DDog|DDog]] ([[User talk:DDog|talk]]) 22:32, 3 November 2020 (EST)

== Operation Skyfire ==

Should a page be made for this cancelled movie? [https://www.tfw2005.com/boards/threads/lets-talk-about-operation-skyfire.1149480/ Operation Skyfire forum thread]--[[User:Primestar3|Primestar3]] ([[User talk:Primestar3|talk]]) 14:55, 12 November 2020 (EST)

== A moratorium on expanding toy entries? ==

There's been some discussion on the Discord recently about entries for newly-released toys getting clogged up with overlong crufty notes, as a result of people rushing in to expand the entries as soon the figure starts trickling out into the wild. I thought it could be worth discussing ways of combating these editing habits – a potential idea I'd had was a moratorium on expanding entries for newly-released toys, similar to what we did to curb poor editing habits in relation to the Facebook Ask Vector Prime? Maybe do it relative to the first US retail sighting or something? Thoughts welcome! [[User:Jalaguy|Jalaguy]] ([[User talk:Jalaguy|talk]]) 18:35, 27 November 2020 (EST)
:For starters, I'm gonna suggest immediate reversion of any claims of "widespread" defects or quality/sensitivity of pieces for the first month or two of release, so as to determine if it's *actually* a widespread issue and not someone adding personal commentary on the state of their own toy. -- [[User:Cyberlink420|Cyberlink420]] ([[User talk:Cyberlink420|talk]]) 19:00, 27 November 2020 (EST)
::I agree with this, I see mentionings of supposed "widespread" issues mentioned on here all the time that don't have sufficient evidence to back up these claims. [[User:Cyberlink420|Cyberlink420's]] idea of holding off for a month or so would probably be a good solution for this. It gives enough time for people to have a figure in-hand long enough to compare and document issues, allowing for us to have a better idea of whether these are as widespread as claimed or whether this is just one out of several million that has had issues with their personal figure. Especially when some people are buying stolen products long before their expected release and note issues that probably aren't even on the finished product and could possibly just be a result of a stolen test-shot. [[User:Fanofcoolstuff27|Fanofcoolstuff27]] ([[User talk:Fanofcoolstuff27|talk]]) 19:20, 27 November 2020 (EST)
::I'm going to agree with the """widespread""" issues notes needing to be held off on, but I'm not sure that waiting to just fill out basic info for an entry is going to actually curb the "overlong crufty" parts. That's... just a standard writing/editing issue that can affect toy writeups done years after a toy's release, or character profile entries, or etc. It's part of why I've been trying to "formalize" toy writeups a bit, a kind of "info goes in more or this order, try not to jump around between mode-features, paragraph breaks for X Y Z". Try and keep things less review-y and rambly. --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] ([[User talk:M Sipher|talk]]) 20:23, 3 December 2020 (EST)
:::Just gonna throw out [[Fasttrack_(G1)#War_for_Cybertron:_Earthrise]] as a recent example. Open with place in toyline, altmode, altmode/robot features... new paragraph for tertiary mode features to keep the first paragraphs from being too chunky.--[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] ([[User talk:M Sipher|talk]]) 03:23, 4 December 2020 (EST)

== Messing around with mold templates ==

As seen [[User:Hooper_X/SANDBALLS/Template:G1BumblebeeMold|here for G1 Bee]], [[User:Hooper_X/SANDBALLS/Template:G1CliffjumperMold|here for the rest of the 84 minibots]], [[User:Hooper_X/SANDBALLS/Template:G1CombaticonMolds|here for the Combaticons]] and [[User:Hooper_X/SANDBALLS/Template:G1SeekerMold|here for the G1 Seekers]]. There doesn't seem to be a consistent way to manage significant retools - the Classics Seeker template makes a lot of distinctions, while the Universe Sunstreaker template treats all the retools as one consistent toy. I'm also trying to figure out how to thread the needle on the weird international variants of the minicars, like the "Huffer in Pipes colors" that supposedly came out in Greece and also came out in a different set of "Pipes colors" in Mexico... I'm gonna leave some time for y'all to comment and cogitate on it before I actually start adding these things all over the place. [[User:Hooper X|-hx]] ([[User talk:Hooper X|talk]]) 13:13, 4 December 2020 (EST)
:The difference between the ''Classics'' Starscream template and the ''Universe'' Sunstreaker template is simple—if there has been a significant change to the body besides just a new head tooling and accessories, then there is a new group to sort by body style. That is how I reorganised the ''Combiner Wars'' network of templates. [[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]]) 15:56, 4 December 2020 (EST)
::That works for me - as for the different colored international minibots, I've made a go of it [[User:Hooper X/SANDBALLS/Template:G1CliffjumperMold|here]] where I've broken them down by distributor in alphabetical order, then each colorway in parentheses after. What I'd really love would be little flag emoji to represent the relevant nations - Argentina for Antex, Peru for Lynsa, etc. We could waive these for Hasbro's worldwide releases I suppose. [[User:Hooper X|-hx]] ([[User talk:Hooper X|talk]]) 12:57, 7 December 2020 (EST)

MediaWiki talk:Community Portal

2020-12-26T14:17:51Z

Shockwitwicky86:

The Transformers (issue)

2020-12-18T13:39:32Z

Shockwitwicky86: Correcting typographical error.

{{disambig2|the first comic issue of the first comic series about Transformers|other uses of ''The Transformers''|Transformers (disambiguation)}}
{{comicstory|
|seriesissue=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|''The Transformers'' (US)]] #1
|next=Power Play!
|seriesissue2=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|''The Transformers'' (UK)]] #1–2
|next2=Power Play!
|image=MarvelUS-01.jpg
|caption=[[Smallest Transforming Transformers|Largest Transforming Transformers]] Optimus Prime! One of six blind-packed $500,000,000 toys!
|title="The Transformers"
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|date=[[May 8]], [[1984]] ("on sale" [[May 29]], 1984)
|coverdate=September 1984
|plot=[[Bill Mantlo]]
|script=[[Ralph Macchio]]
|pencils=[[Frank Springer]]
|inks=[[Kim DeMulder]]
|colors=[[Nelson Yomtov]]
|lettering=[[Michael Higgins]], [[Rick Parker]]
|editor=[[Bob Budiansky]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
|packaged with=|packaged with=[[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Universe (2008)|Optimus Prime]]
}}
'''A group of sentient warring robots crash-lands on Earth four million years ago. When they awake in the present day, their battle begins anew.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:Marvel issue 1 Cybertron.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.66]]
On the [[Saturn]]-sized mechanical world of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], life has evolved not through carbon bonding, but via "[[Atechnogenesis|naturally-occurring gears, levers, and pulleys]]". The resultant sentient robots, the [[Autobot]]s, live in peace for many eons, until some of their number fall victim to a lust for power. Rallying behind the banner of the powerful [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]], these "[[Decepticon]]s" rebuild their bodies, allowing them to [[transformation|transform]] into vehicles and weapons of destruction, and declare war on the Autobots, intending to conquer the planet and rebuild it as a cosmic dreadnought. The Autobots adopt the ability of transformation as well, but struggle to repel the Decepticon onslaught until a leader emerges from the city of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]: the wise and powerful [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]. Under his leadership, the scattered Autobots are successfully united to become an effective fighting force... and thus, an [[Great War (G1)|all-consuming war]] rages across the planet for a thousand years, while the planet itself—dislodged from its orbit by the titanic battles—spins out of control through the cosmos.

Eventually, the Autobots learn that an [[asteroid belt]] lies in Cybertron's path, threatening the planet with destruction. Optimus Prime and a specially-chosen group of Autobots set out aboard a huge spacecraft dubbed the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] to clear a path through the asteroids... but their preparations are observed by the Decepticon spy [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]], allowing the Decepticons to plot against them. The Autobots go on to successfully complete their mission, after which the Decepticons launch an attack against them, boarding the Ark and easily overwhelming the weakened warriors. Facing inevitable defeat, Optimus Prime sets the Ark on a suicide course towards the third planet of the solar system: prehistoric [[Earth]]. The ship crashes into a [[Mount St. Hilary|volcano]], and all aboard are knocked offline.

[[File:Combat deck marvel 1.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.66|Combat Deck bought a junker lot from eBay.]]

Four million years later, the volcano erupts, reactivating the Ark's dormant [[Aunty|computer]]. Launching a probe to scan the planet, the computer proves unable to detect Earth's carbon-based [[human]] and animal life, believing instead that humanity's vehicles and machines are its dominant "life form." Under this mistaken belief, the computer sets about rebuilding and reactivating the ship's occupants, reconfiguring their alternate modes to match Earth's machines. Damaged, the computer is unable to tell friend from foe, and restores both Autobots and Decepticons alike. After [[Introdump|checking themselves over]], the Decepticons make a hasty exist to search for sources of [[Transformer fuel|fuel]], leaving the Autobots to set about attempting to repair the Ark. Reviewing the footage the ship's probe has gathered from across the planet, the Autobots learn of Earth's machines, and—still labouring under the misconception that they are living beings—Optimus Prime vows to protect these "lifeforms" and their planet from the Decepticon menaces he has accidentally unleashed upon them.

In a [[Portland|nearby city]], human teenager [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]] returns home from school late, having stayed behind to catch up on the library work involved in his literary scholarship. His father, mechanic [[Sparkplug Witwicky]], despairs; he loves his son, but the Witwicky patriarch is a blue-collar guy who sees little value in literature and the arts, and wishes Buster would learn a manual trade so that he'll be able to make a living his his hands. Though a little annoyed that Buster has arrived home too late to help with work in the family auto-shop, Sparkplug gives the boy permission to head out and meet his friends at the [[Community Drive-In|drive-in theater]].

[[File:TheTransformers drivein battle.jpg|left|thumb|upright=2.25]]

As night falls, Optimus Prime sends a team of five Autobots, under the command of [[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]], to scout out the new world and make contact with the natives. The group comes upon the drive-in theater, and, mistaking it for some kind of religious ritual, heads in to make contact with the "natives"—unaware that their movements have been spotted by Decepticon [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] and reported back to Megatron. Eager to be the first to greet an Earthling, the young [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]] over-enthusiastically nudges the car in which Buster, his girlfiend [[Jesse (G1)|Jesse]], and his best friend [["O"]] are sitting, and just as the three kids climb out to see what has happened, the Decepticons attack, intent on keeping their foes from establishing an alliance with the planet's natives. The villains' opening salvo injures Bumbelbee, and the other Autobots reluctantly transform and defend themselves, turning the drive-in into a battlefield. During the battle, Prowl realizes that the automobiles are not alive at all, but the humans fleeing from them are; the Autobots retreat to draw the Decepticons' fire away from the apparently defenseless fleshlings, forced to leave Bumblebee behind.

Having heard the damaged Bumblebee cry out in pain when struck, a confused Buster tries to help, and ends up "driving" him away from the battlefield, back to his the Witwicky garage. The noise of their arrival awakens Sparkplug, who is at first delighted to find Buster apparently showing an interest in auto-repair... but not so amused when the car cries out that it needs help, because it is dying...

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{collist|2|
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] (4)
*[[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]] (10)
*[[Ironhide (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ironhide]] (13)
*[[Cliffjumper (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Cliffjumper]] (14)
*[[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (15)
*[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] (16)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]] (17)
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] (18)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (19)
*[[Mirage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Mirage]] (20)
*[[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] (21)
*[[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]] (22)
*[[Gears (G1)|Gears]] (23)
*[[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (24)
*[[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] (25)
*[[Ratchet (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ratchet]] (26)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Wheeljack]] (27)
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (28)
}}
|c2=
*[[Ravage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ravage]] (1)
*[[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] (2)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] (3)
*[[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (5)
*[[Skywarp (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Skywarp]] (6)
*[[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] (7)
*[[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (8)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] (9)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Thundercracker]] (11)
*[[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] (12)
|c3=
*[[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]] (29)
*[[Sparkplug Witwicky]] (30)
*[[Jesse (G1)|Jesse]] (31)
*[["O"]] (32)}}

==Quotes==
[[File:TheTransformers decepticon boarding party.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.66]]
[[File:TheTransformers suicidal heading.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.66]]
[[File:Glassgas.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.66]]
"We have lived peacefully with the Autobots for eons, slowly, '''secretly''' gathering our strength and pursuing our technology. Now we shall strike at those who have brought the stagnation of peace and plenty to Cybertron. They shall learn the way of conflict... the way of war... the way of Megatron."
: — '''Megatron''', have you thought this through?

"'''Strike! Strike!''' With all the might at our command! Death to the Autobots and the decay they stand for!"
: — '''Megatron''' launches his war

"The Ark and its secrets must never fall into enemy hands, so I plotted an alternate course that would take us on a suicidal heading... directly into the third planet of this system. Farewell, my friend. Though we die, at least our enemies are taken with us."
: — '''Optimus Prime''' pushes the fatal button

"Let us never forget our primary purpose -- to spare this world from the scourge we have unwittingly unleashed upon it!"
: — '''Optimus Prime''''s "we" is more of an "I"

"Bumblebee, come back! We must reconnoiter first!" 
"You can't check the exuberance of youth, Prowl!"
: — '''Prowl''' and '''Hound'''

"I had hoped to Optimus we could avoid this, but... it seems our adversaries have left us little choice. Assume defensive configurations." 
"Now yer talkin' my lingo."
: — '''Prowl''' and '''Brawn'''

"So, '''Starscream''', you strike at me because you think isolation makes me vunerable? You have obviously never flown in the face of my glass-gas gun!" 
"Yarrgh! The gas coats me, making my metal brittle and breakable as glass!"
: — '''Cliffjumper''' and '''Starscream''' team up to tell the reader how CJ's special gun works

==Notes==
===Production notes===
[[File:Generic autobots marvel 1.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.5|Generic robots use the color schemes of Bumblebee, Trailbreaker, Sunstreaker, Hound, and Optimus Prime; the last of these, in the bottom right, bears a resemblance to Optimus and might be intended to represent a "pre-war" incarnation of him.]]
[[File:Generics marvel 1.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.5|Since he's called out in the caption box, it's probably fair to assume that the robot armed with the [[ion blaster]] represents Optimus Prime, albeit miscolored. On his right is a robot using Sideswipe's design, apparently armed with a [[fusion cannon]].]]
*''The Transformers'' was initially conceived as a [[The Transformers Four-Issue Limited Series|four-issue limited series]]. At the start of its production, [[character model]]s had not been finalized for the majority of the cast; as such, for the first two issues of the series, the appearances of the Autobots and Decepticons is quite variable, based either on early designs created for the first animated commercials (Optimus Prime, Sideswipe, Prowl, Jazz, Megatron, the three Decepticon jets, Soundwave, Laserbeak and Buzzsaw) or on the toys themselves, and their [[package art]] (most evident on characters like Ironhide and Ratchet). The finalized models were ready in time for [[Prisoner of War!|issue #3]], but the early color schemes used in these issues for certain characters—like Optimus Prime's lack of a silver stripe on his torso, Megatron's black helmet, Starscream's blue chest-vents, and the entirely-purple Soundwave—would persist throughout most if not all of the comic's run, in some cases becoming hallmarks of the characters' Marvel appearances.
*In addition to these teething troubles, artist [[Frank Springer]] and colorist [[Nelson Yomtov]] played fast and loose with what robot and technology designs they ''did'' have. Multiples of Optimus Prime's [[Combat Deck (G1)|Combat Deck]] are used to represent the "revival drones" that rebuilt the Ark's crew on pages 11-12, while a [[Onebox component]] like that used by Ironhide and Ratchet appears mounted to the hull of the Ark, firing on the asteroids, on page 6. Further, a range broad of [[generic]] Transformers appear throughout the issue; some are wholly original (such as the one prominently displayed on the title page that fans would go on to dub "[[Big Red (G1)|Big Red]]"), but others use and abuse existing characters' designs and/or color schemes (as seen in the images at right). As the brand was in its infancy at this stage, some of these might have been [[authorial intent|intended]] to represent actual characters, but whether they do so is probably best left [[Personal canon|up to you]].
* Both an early advertisement featured in comic news magazines (such as ''The Comic Reader'' #218) and the announcement for the miniseries in ''Marvel Age'' #17 stated ''The Transformers'' would begin in April of 1984 ('''possibly''' intended to ship April 3rd and be "on sale" April 24th, working backwards from other titles in the ''Marvel Age'' #17 checklist). However, the U.S. copyright office filing for the issue places its publication at May 8th, which in turn puts its "on sale" date at May 29th. '''Why''' the series apparently launched a whole month after it was '''supposed''' to come out, we dunno...

===Continuity notes===
[[File:Introdump decepticons marvelus01.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.5]]
*As is only natural, some of this issue's early details would be retconned away or simply ignored as the series progressed and expanded its mythology, including the idea of Cybertron as "Saturn-sized," and the idea that the Transformers had "naturally evolved". In particular, this origin would be source of much mockery in the earlier days of online fandom, but modern media went on to dub the idea of spontaneously-evolving mechanical life "[[atechnogenesis]]" and offer it up as one of several possible-but-unverified origins for the Transformers, who ''themselves'' did not know if it was true or not.
* Megatron's plan to turn the planet into a "cosmic dreadnought" would be further explored in the Marvel UK story "[[Legion of the Lost!]]".
*Megatron's statement that "one of our mightiest is missing" plants the seed for [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]]'s debut in [[The Last Stand|issue #4]]. This brief mention parallels the character's cameo appearance in cartoon's [[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1|pilot episode]], which likewise set the stage for his full-fledged appearance in the [[Transport to Oblivion (episode)|first regular episode]] of the series proper. Shockwave was among the first, if not ''the'' first, of the second-year toys to be released.
*'''Bot Roster:'''
**''Autobots:'' 18 active
**''Decepticons:'' 10 active; Shockwave missing in action

===Real-life references===
*[[Mount St. Hilary]] is obviously inspired by the 1980 eruption of [[Mount St. Helens]].
*Unlike the contemporaneous cartoon, which was always shy about specifics, the comic immediately lets us know that the action is set in the state of [[Oregon]]. Issues #5 and #7 will later name [[Portland]] as the location of Sparkplug's garage, presumably making it the unnamed city we see here and elsewhere in the next few issues.
*A [[hitchhiker]] compares the sound of a team of Autobots driving down the highway to the [[Indy 500]].
*The Autobots visit a drive-in movie theater, which in the early 80s were still a thing.
*The cover for the Marvel UK ''Transformers'' #2 edition is an homage to the famous cover of EC's [http://www.comics.org/issue/10134/cover/4/ ''Weird Science'' #16]. The [[Martian]]s of ''[[Mars Attacks: The Transformers|Mars Attacks]]'' were inspired by the same cover.

===Continuity and plotting errors===
*It's said in this issue that the war between the Transformers ''knocked Cybertron out of its orbit'', which sounds...very improbable because of the sheer magnitude of force required for something like that to happen; Cybertron would have likely been completely obliterated before it would've been knocked out of its orbit.
*Numerous [[generic]]s show up aboard the Ark, when per story continuity, it should only have the 18 crew members shown here (plus, according to [[The Last Stand|issue #4]], the future Dinobots, whose characters presumably didn't exist yet in real-life terms). That said, the art on page 12 seems to provide a possible "out" for this by showing what looks to be a huge pile of unrepaired Transformers between behind Optimus and Megatron as they re-awaken.
*Page 10: "The drone swiftly plots its return to the Ark"—it's not clear from context if "it" is the jet scanned by the probe, or the probe itself. Neither makes a lot of sense.
*A solitary reference is made to "Aunty" as the name of the Ark's computer. This was an early name conceived by [[Jim Shooter]] when he wrote the original treatment for the Transformers backstory, at a time when the spaceship itself did not yet have a name. During hand-written re-writes of his treatment, Shooter replaced the name "Aunty" with "The Ark," which came to be treated as the name of the ship itself, with the apparent intent being to make the computer and ship synonymous with one another. Consequently, the inclusion of the outdated "Aunty" name in this issue appears to be in error; it would never be used in the US series again, but did reoccur in [[Raiders of the Last Ark|one early UK-original story]].

===Artwork and technical errors===
Hoo-boy.
[[File:Contentedfools.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5]]
*The iconic cover of this issue depicts Optimus Prime in a design that appears to have been based on a reference image in an early [[character model|model sheet]] that was offered on [[eBay]] in 2016<ref name="modelsheets">[http://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/93711-more-unseen-tftm-designs-plus-some-early-colors-and-some-show-design/?p=3191211 Early model sheets] at The Allspark.</ref>, which in turn is based on an early [[prototype]] or mock-up for his original toy's ''[[Diaclone]]'' predecessor depicted in an early ''Diaclone'' catalog.<ref name="diaclonecatalogs">[http://1501bc.com/pretf/diaclone_catalogs.html Diaclone catalog scans] at 1501bc.com.</ref>
*Page 1: The third sentence has an "its/it's" typo: "It's content was entirely--mechanical."
*Page 2: In his very first appearance, parts of Soundwave's backpack, arms and legs are colored red.
[[File:M01 tomaandi.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|Jazz experimented with [[electrum]] before [[The Golden Lagoon (episode)|it was cool]].]]
*Page 5: As he and Optimus Prime report to the Autobot Elders, Jazz is colored like Bumblebee. Additionally, he is drawn to be ''extremely'' toy-based, complete with Earthly car parts, right down to having the toy's conjoined uni-feet, and has two missile launchers instead of one.
[[File:Generic decepticons marvel 1.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|...[[Nemesis Prime (G1)|Nemesis Prime]], is that you?]]
*Page 7:
**Panel 3: As the Decepticons first strike the Ark, Optimus Prime is colored almost entirely red.
**Panel 5: A blue-chested, red-legged Optimus Prime is among the invading Decepticons! In the same panel, Optimus himself is colored entirely red and is missing his chest windows. Prime's thought "Our firepower - no match" is missing its punctuation.
**None of the invading Decepticons resemble the ten Decepticons later shown to compose Megatron's crew.
*Page 8: Prowl is missing his door/wings, though one could retcon this as being his "Cybertronian" body.
*Page 12: The robots undergoing repair don't really correspond to any Transformer known to be present.
*Page 13: Soundwave converts to his tape player form and flies off with the jets! Or starts to, at least—he's not shown in the next panel as the Decepticons flee the volcano.
*In the giant two-page Autobot spread:
**Sideswipe seems to have a made-up or at least off-model head.
**Wheeljack's "ears" are kind of folded up against his head.
**Bluestreak is missing his door/wings and shoulder rockets.
**Gears is a strange alternate model bearing almost no resemblance to his toy or later design.
**Hound, Wheeljack, and Sideswipe are all missing their shoulder launchers.
**Trailbreaker is missing his force field projector.
**Due to the overhead perspective, Windcharger looks taller than Hound.
[[File:Gearsg1firstappearance.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|"Follow your dreams, you can reach your goals; I'm living proof. Beefcake. Beefcake!"]]
*Page 16:
**Panel 1: Bluestreak is colored like Prowl.
**Panel 1: Sideswipe is colored like Sunstreaker.
**Panel 1: Gears seems to have an entirely new, entirely different model.
**Panel 2: Bumblebee suddenly has the toy-based "backing plate" behind his head, whereas before he didn't.
**Panel 3: Not all of the silhouettes correspond to actual characters.
**Panel 4: Sunstreaker's "ears" are misshapen.
*Page 17:
**Panel 5: Sparkplug's "okay" is missing a period at the end.
**Panel 6: Sparkplug is meant to say "learnin'," to parallel the way he drops the g from the end of "readin'" in the first half of his sentence, but the word is written with the g... ''and'' the apostrophe meant to signify its absence.
*Page 19: When an Autobot asks Prowl "why would machines worship moving pictures of strange objects?", Prowl identifies the speaker as Bumblebee, but the art shows the speech bubble emanating from Brawn. It's not clear which is in error.
*Page 22: Starscream's entire cockpit cowling is colored as though it were a canopy.
*Page 23:
**Panel 2: When Ravage confronts him, Hound has ''two'' shoulder launchers.
**Panels 5-6: Soundwave is colored like Megatron as he attacks Prowl and Cliffjumper. His gun is missing its narrow tip, looking more like Megatron's fusion cannon, which is likely what caused the coloring error.
*Page 24: Cliffjumper's arms are colored white as Prowl orders the retreat.

===UK printing===
[[File:TheTransformers action transfers.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.5]]
'''Issue #1:'''
*'''Published:''' [[September 20|20th September]], 1984
*'''Backup strips:''' ''Machine Man'' ("Introducing Machine Man" & "Byte of the Binary Bug," Part 1)
*'''Free gift:''' "Action Transfers"; page 16 of the comic is a full-page pin-up of a street featuring Sparkplug's garage that the transfers can be stuck on to create action scenes ''(right)''
*'''Other features:''' Spot-the-difference contest to win a Jazz figure; pin-up of Prowl, Jazz, and Sideswipe, made using a screengrab from the original ''Transformers'' comic book animated commercial; "Robot Round-Up," a two-page text feature looking at modern advancements in robotics
*The letters printed in issue #1 of the UK comic were provided by pupils from Greycourt School (in Ham, near Richmond in South West London) who were visiting the Marvel UK offices. Their visit was written up in a magazine published at the school. The teacher who arranged the visit was Stephen Payne, former president of the [[Doctor Who]] Appreciation Society and soon to be publisher of Visual Imagination Magazines (Starburst & TV Zone).<ref>Extract from Greycourt school 1984 sci fi mag detailing visit to the Marvel UK comics offices that resulted in comments appearing in the letters page of Marvel UK Transformers #1 http://www.flickr.com/photos/48819633@N05/5297859701/</ref>
[[File:TheTransformers autobot introdump.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.5]]
'''Issue #2:'''
*'''Published:''' [[October 4|4th October]], 1984
*'''Backup strips:''' ''Machine Man'' ("Byte of the Binary Bug," Part 2)
*'''Free Gift:''' More "Action Transfers"
*'''Other features:''' "Design a Decepticon" contest to win a Decepticon jet figure; "Robot Round-Up"
*While the first issue was published in full-colour, this issue introudces the half-colour, half-black-and-white format the UK series will adhere to until [[Repeat Performance!|issue #27]]. Almost the entire ''Transformers'' strip is in black-and-white, with only the two pages of Buster returning home after school, and the Autobots departing on their survey mission, appearing in colour.
*The two-page spread of the Autobots introducing themselves ''(right)'' is omitted from the story, probably because the way the comic is laid out would have resulted in half of it being in black and white, and half in colour. New text captions added to the end of the preceding page and the start of the next to link them together. The spread ''is'' included in the issue, however, repurposed to become a full-colour pull-out poster, with the Transformers logo pasted over the two panels in the top-left corner (showing the Decepticons escapsing, and Prowl and Optimus watching them go). The spread would also be printed in this edited form in the [[Transformers Annual 1985|the 1985 annual]]. In a sense, this means the early UK continuity initially lacks an in-story list of the Autobots originally on Earth, making appearances by [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] in "[[The Enemy Within!]]" and [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] in "[[Decepticon Dam-Busters!]]" a ''weeeee'' bit easier to reconcile.

===Other trivia===
*This mini-series was printed on high-quality [[Mando paper]].
*On [[May 22]], the [http://groups.google.com/group/net.comics/msg/1cdaf7df610e0376?dmode=source&hl=en first Usenet post about Transformers] is posted by Ted Nolan to net.comics, regarding this issue. Capsule review? "Worst comic of the year."
**In 2018, [https://youtu.be/_AKb1Xw0ZbA?list=PLVlwyeBOK67ywYrd05wzdjcBoIl4XS4HS&t=1633 TFU.INFO interviewed Ted Nolan about the post].
*The cover price is 75 cents, which would be about $1.80 when adjusted for inflation to 2017 dollars. Comics as an industry are rather notorious for their price increases over and above standard inflation; today, a standard [[IDW Publishing]] ''Transformers'' comic costs $3.99.
*The cover corner box, a staple of Marvel's covers from the 1970s through the mid-1990s, features a [[character model]] of Optimus Prime. A new, more dramatic pose would debut with the first ongoing issue ([[The New Order|issue #5]]).
*The cover banner that promotes this issue as "#1 IN A FOUR ISSUE LIMITED SERIES" would be spoofed for the [[End of the Road! (US)|final issue of the series]] ("#80 IN A FOUR ISSUE LIMITED SERIES"), and again for the [[The War to End All Wars, Part 5|final issue]] of the modern-day sequel ''[[The Transformers: Regeneration One|Regeneration One]]'' ("#100 IN A FOUR ISSUE LIMITED SERIES").
* Other latter-day references to this issue include:
** A loving homage in IDW's ''Robots in Disguise'' [[Primus: All Good Things|2012 Annual]]
** Various parodies and homages to its distinctly surreal cover art including [[:File:TDOOP cvrRIA.jpg|an incentive cover]] of "[[Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime|The Death of Optimus Prime]]", [[:File:RG1_100_cvrB.jpg|Cover B]] of the [[The War to End All Wars, Part 5|final issue]] of ''[[The Transformers: Regeneration One|Regeneration One]]'', a convention exclusive cover for [[:File:TAAO1 cvrREB.jpg|''Till All Are One'' #1]], the "cover" for "[[The Inexorable March]]", and a retailer incentive cover [[:File:TFUnicron1 cvrRIC.jpg|to ''Unicron'' #1]].

===Covers (3)===
*'''US issue #1:''' gigantic Optimus Prime, tiny Starscream, Gears, Laserbeak and the Witwickys, by [[Bill Sienkiewicz]].
*'''UK issue #1:''' Soundwave and Buzzsaw kick Prime's ass, by [[Jerry Paris]].
*'''UK issue #2:''' the Autobots depart the Ark, by [[John Ridgway]]; inspired by the cover of ''{{w|Weird Science (comics)|Weird Science}}'' [[wikia:eccomics:Weird Science Vol 1 16|issue #16]] (November, 1952)
<gallery>
File:MarvelUS-01.jpg|'''US issue #1''' - First he will crush the planes, then he will crush the giant floating heads.
File:MarvelUK-001.jpg|'''UK issue #1''' - Is Soundwave on [[Ore-13|Ultra-Energon]]?
File:MarvelUK-002.jpg|'''UK issue #2''' - Is this girl '''that''' into her doll that she didn't see the [[Michael Bay|giant f*cking robots]]?
</gallery>

===Reprints===
<gallery>
File:Tfcolcom01.jpg|'''''[[Transformers Collected Comics|Collected Comics]]'' (UK) #1''' (Marvel UK, 1985)
File:TFUSCollectedComics1StoryBegins.jpg|'''''[[The Transformers: Collected Comics 1 - The Story Begins...|''Collected Comics'' (US) #1: The Story Begins...]]''' (Marvel US, 1985)
File:FederalSuperSpecial.jpg|'''''The Transformers: A Federal Super Special''''' (Federal Publishing Company, 1985)
File:Complete works 1 cover.jpg|'''[[The Transformers: The Complete Works Part 1|''The Transformers: The Complete Works'' Part 1]]''' (Marvel UK, 1986)
File:Die tf 01.jpg|'''[[Die Transformer issue 1|''Die Transformer'' #1]]''' (Condor Verlag, 1986)
File:Transformers Digest 01-cover.jpg|'''[[The Transformers Comics Magazine issue 1|''The Transformers Comics Magazine'' #1]]:''' (Marvel US, 1986)
File:Titan-BeginningsSC.jpg|'''[[Transformers: Beginnings (G1)|''Transformers: Beginnings'']] paperback''' (Titan Books, 2003)
File:Titan-BeginningsHC.jpg|'''[[Transformers: Beginnings (G1)|''Transformers: Beginnings'']] hardback''' (Titan Books, 2003)
File:MarvelUS-01-25years.jpg|Pack-in with [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Generation 1 Series|25th Anniversary Optimus Prime]] toy (Hasbro, 2009)
File:Classic Transformers Vol1.jpg|'''[[Classic Transformers Volume 1|''Classic Transformers'' Volume 1]]''' (IDW Publishing, 2008)
File:TFClassicsVol1.JPG|'''[[The Transformers Classics, Vol. 1|''The Transformers Classics'', Vol. 1]]''' (IDW Publishing, 2011)
File:TF 30thAnniversaryColl.jpg|'''''[[The Transformers 30th Anniversary Collection]]''''' (IDW Publishing, 2013)
File:TF1_100PennyPress.jpg|'''One Hundred Penny Press Edition''' (IDW Publishing, 2014)
File:ClassicComicCollection1.jpg|'''''Transformers: Classic Comic Collection, Vol. 1''''' (Chrirpy Bird, 2015)
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v1.jpg|'''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]], Vol. 1: Power Play''''' (Hachette Partworks Ltd, 2017)
File:HXClassicsVol1.jpg|'''''[[The Transformers Classics#Japanese reprints|The Transformers: Classics]], Vol. 1''''' ([[Hero-X]], 2018)
</gallery>
====Reprint notes====
*The UK ''Collected Comics'' #1 omits the double-page Autobot roll-call scene, as the original UK printing of the issue did (see [[#UK printing|UK printing]], above).
*''The Complete Works'' reinstates the Autobot roll-call spread, but replaces the two panels in the corner with a single exterior shot of the Ark, re-used from [[Crisis of Command!|UK issue #42]], drawn by [[Geoff Senior]]. Presumably, this had to be done because Marvel UK either damaged or lost the original panels after removing them to edit the page into a poster for their original printing of the issue (again, see [[#UK printing|UK printing]]).

====IDW ''Transformers Classics'' edits====
For ''[[The Transformers Classics]]'' series of trade paperbacks, IDW Publishing "remastered" the coloring of the series with varying degrees of success. These changes were sometimes to fix errors, but often to alter characters' color schemes to make them resemble their toy and/or cartoon selves, and were rarely applied with consistency. IDW's recolored version was also used for Hachette's ''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection|Definitive G1 Collection]]''.
*Soundwave is recolored blue throughout the issue, erasing his standard Marvel purple color scheme, as well as correcting the coloring errors on pages 2 and 23.
*Page 1, panel 5: The blue thighs of the generic red robot (second from the left) are recolored to also be red.
*Page 5: Jazz's colors are corrected as best they can be, changing him from incorrect yellow to white and blue.
*Page 7: Optimus's colors in panels 3 and 5 are largely corrected, though his pelvis remains blue.
*Page 15: Wheeljack is recolored to add a patch of green to his chest.
*Page 22, panel 4 and page 23, panel 1: For these two panels alone, Starscream is recolored into his finalized, predominantly white color scheme, as opposed to the early blue scheme he has in the rest of the issue.
*Page 23-24: For these two pages, Hound's legs are recolored from their standard Marvel solid blue to green with white thighs.

===Advertisements===
====US====
*''The Last Starfighter'' (Inside front cover)
*Free [[Spider-Man]] Comic from Fig Newtons - between pages 4 & 5
*Olympic Sales Club - between pages 5 & 6
*Mile High Comics (2-page spread) - between pages 13 & 14
*Block of various Sketchy Things (I.E. Charles Atlas) - between pages 16 & 17
*Helen of Toy mail-in military scenes - between pages 22 & 23
*Marvel bonus certificate
*''Muppets Take Manhattan'' storybook & record (Inside rear cover)
*''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' home console video arcade cassette (Rear cover)

====UK====
'''Issue #1'''
*The ''Transformers'' toyline, spotlighting the [[Autobot Cars]], Autobot [[Mini Vehicle]]s, [[Decepticon Planes]], and [[Mini-Cassette]]s.
*''Indiana Jones'' #1
*''The Savage Sword of Conan'' #85
*''The Best Pals Club''

'''Issue #2'''
*Mail-away "[[Autobot (G2)|Robot Watch]]" offer
*Weetabix cereal home computer competition
*Grandreams 1985 hardback annuals
*The ''Transformers'' toyline
*Mail-away [[Spider-Man]] watches offer

==Footnotes==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Transformers (issue)}}
[[Category:Marvel US issues]]
[[Category:Marvel UK issues]]
[[Category:Pack-in material]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]

Commercial

2020-07-17T16:25:14Z

Shockwitwicky86: Link had to be replaced because the video was made private.

{{disambig2|TV advertisements|the bits between the show and the ads|Commercial bumper}}
{{suite}}
{{inprogress}}
{{-}}
[[File:Targetmasters.jpg|upright=2.2|thumb|And watch the cartoon, too! It's not nearly this pretty, but it gives you time to blink.]]
Despite the existence of comics, cartoons, and other media intended to advertise [[Toy|Transformers toys]], Hasbro has routinely commissioned standard [[television]] '''commercials''' to promote their current toy lines. These commercials typically use a combination of animation and live-action film featuring the characters/toys in question.

During the Generation 1 days, animation used in the commercials consisted largely of newly commissioned pieces that told a story. Since then, nearly all animation featured in ''Transformers'' commercials can be classified as either re-used excerpts from the current cartoon or short animations used to merely introduce the ad. Live-action toy segments have stayed mostly the same, with most US and international ads showing kids (or a pair of hands) transforming the toys. Japanese ads, by contrast, have shown a much larger preference for stop-motion toy segments.

As the goal of any advertising is to influence the viewer into buying the advertised product,''Transformers'' commercials have naturally played a large part in the perception of the [[Transformers brand]]. The narration of [[Victor Caroli]], along with the animation, enabled Generation 1 commercials to create the idea of a Transformers world with many stories to be told. The ''Beast Wars'' ad campaign created a similar feel of a whole world waiting to be explored but this time with organic beasts. This recurring theme of a huge world of stories has captivated many a Transformers fan and is largely responsible for the brand's rabid [[fandom]]. More recently, the massive ad campaigns for the [[live-action film series]] and associated merchandise has kept the Transformers brand in the eye of the public, and made the films feel like the blockbuster events they were intended to be.

==Generation 1==
{{main|Commercial/Generation 1}}

==Generation 2==
{{main|Commercial/Generation 2}}

==Beast Wars==
{{main|Commercial/Beast Wars}}

==Beast Machines==
===1999===
* '''Evolution Revolution sneak peek''' [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qIkfT81hOA&t=7m04s]
: ''Animation:'' [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] and [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] emerging from the light of the [[Oracle (BM)|Oracle]].
: ''Narration:'' [[Jess Harnell]]
: ''Coming this fall...to Fox Kids...Beast Machines. Don't miss an exclusive first look. Today during the premiere of Digimon.''

[[File:Evolution Revolution.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|It's a conversion re-version.]]
* '''[[Evolution Revolution]]''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUH4qfS1xRc]
: ''Animation:'' Excerpts from [[The Reformatting]] and [[Master of the House]].
: ''Narration:'' ''Coming this fall to Fox Kids!'' at the very end by Jess Harnell
: ''It's a transformation revelation! It's Beast Machines.''
:* '''Evolution Revolution''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qIkfT81hOA&t=9m34s] - An edited down version of the previous ad.

* '''Series premiere promo''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qIkfT81hOA&t=10m35s]
: ''Animation:'' Excerpts from [[The Reformatting]] and [[Master of the House]].
: ''Narration:'' [[Neil Ross]]
: ''It's an all new show for a renegade group of Beast Machines.''
<table border="1" style="margin-left: 2em">
<tr><th>Version</th><th>Length</th><th>Link</th></tr>
<tr><td>Premiering Sat. Sept. 18th 10:00am</td><td>0:30 NET</td><td>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qIkfT81hOA&t=10m35s</td></tr>
<tr><td>Premiering Sat. Sept. 18th 11:00am</td><td>0:30 NET</td><td>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qIkfT81hOA&t=11m09s</td></tr>
<tr><td>Station</td><td>0:30 STA</td><td>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qIkfT81hOA&t=11m41s</td></tr>
<tr><td>Premiering Sat. Sept. 18th 10:00am</td><td>0:20 NET</td><td>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qIkfT81hOA&t=12m11s</td></tr>
<tr><td>Premiering Sat. Sept. 18th 11:00am</td><td>0:20 NET</td><td>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qIkfT81hOA&t=12m36s</td></tr>
<tr><td>Station</td><td>0:20 STA</td><td>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qIkfT81hOA&t=12m55s</td></tr>
<tr><td>Premiering Sat. Sept. 18th 10:00am</td><td>0:10 NET</td><td>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qIkfT81hOA&t=13m18s</td></tr>
<tr><td>Premiering Sat. Sept. 18th 11:00am</td><td>0:10 NET</td><td>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qIkfT81hOA&t=13m30s</td></tr>
<tr><td>Station</td><td>0:10 STA</td><td>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qIkfT81hOA&t=13m42s</td></tr>
</table>

* '''Season One promo''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Wj8B6ZAh9s]
: ''Animation:'' Various cartoon excerpts.
: ''Narration:'' Tom Kane
: ''An ape, a cat, a spider, a bat and a rat. Go wild with Beast Machines.''

[[File:MasterTheBeastCommerical.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Hey look, they put the [[Void]] in the poster!]]
* '''Master the Beast Sweepstakes''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qIkfT81hOA&t=13m55s]
: ''Animation:'' Excerpts of [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] transforming, [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] turning his head, Optimus Primal landing in [[beast mode]], Megatron glaring, the Maximals together, Optimus Primal at the Oracle, Cheetor turning his head, Blackarachnia opening her eyes, Optimus Primal transforming, Rattrap in beast mode.
: ''Narration:'' Unknown
: ''Notes:'' This was an ad for the [[Master the Beast]] sweepstakes contest.
: ''Does changing into Beast Machines sound cool to you?''

* '''YTV promo''' [http://movies.tfarchive.com/movies/Beast_Machines/Beast_Machines_Commercial2.mpg]
: ''Animation:'' Excerpts of the Optimal/Transmetal 2 and Beast Machines versions of Optimus Primal, Blackarachnia and [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]] from the respective series.
: ''Narration:'' Edward Glen
: ''Notes:'' Each characters' ''Beast Wars'' Season 3 form is followed by their ''Beast Machines'' form accompanied by the narrator describing the changes as though he's narrating a fashion show.

[[File:Jetstorm and Primal Commercial.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|That kid in the back? Way too excited.]]
* '''Deluxe Jetstorm and Optimus Primal''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qIVLD-NelA&t=13m59s]

: ''Animation:'' Cartoon excerpts showing [[Jetstorm (BM)|Jetstorm]] firing at Optimus Primal and Optimus Primal jumping down from somewhere.
: ''Narration:'' [[SUNDAY SUNDAY SUNDAY!!!]]
: ''Toy segment:'' Two boys at school fight in the only honorable way — by badly transforming Optimus Primal and Jetstorm.
: "Three o'clock at the flag pole." "I'll BE there!"
:* '''Deluxe Jetstorm and Optimus Primal''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csjzeY8vXqA] - Edited down from the previous commercial.

* '''Supreme Cheetor''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BEoOHppwAU&t=5m39s]

: ''Animation:'' Two excerpts featuring [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] transforming.
: ''Narration:'' None, apart from "New Beast Machines Electronic Cheetor Supreme sold separately" by the Cheetor Kid.
: ''Toy segment:'' Two kids face off in a gymnasium, surrounded by cheering friends. Megatron Kid makes threats to the other kid, who whips out Supreme Cheetor. Megatron Kid congratulates Cheetor Kid after losing their match.
: ''The challenge is in the change!''

* '''Nightscream and Ultra Jetstorm''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gs_268NcQew] [[File:BM Ultras Commercial.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|"Nightscream likes EXTRA ketchup on his fries!" (Actual dialog)]]

: ''Animation:'' Excerpts of Jetstorm and [[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream]] transforming.
: ''Narration:'' None, apart from "New Beast Machines Electronic Jetstorm and Electronic Nightscream sold separately" by Jetstorm Kid.
: ''Toy segment:'' Two kids ordering food are informed by the lady behind the counter that there is only one order of fries left, so they decide to fight it out with their Transformers. The "bad" kid grabs Ultra Jetstorm and shows it off for viewers' benefit, while the "good" kid transforms his Ultra Nightscream and shoots Jetty with his disk launcher. Nightscream Kid wins and tells Jetstorm Kid that "Nightscream likes EXTRA ketchup on his fries!" Jetstorm Kid warns him not to push it.
: "You're grounded Jetlag!"

* '''End of the Line promo''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykgTS7btJPk]
: ''Animation:'' Excerpts from [[End of the Line]].
: ''Narration:'' Jonathan David Cook
: ''Notes:'' This spot aired several times throughout the morning of ''End of the Line's'' initial airing.
: ''This morning, all sides have the key to...'' "Worldwide armageddon!" "Doomsday." ''But who will be the first to turn it?''

===2000===
* '''Season Two promo''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ibydIv9aeU]
: ''Animation:'' Various cartoon excerpts.
: ''Narration:'' [[Maurice LaMarche]] (?) and various local announcers.
: ''Maximize your mornings for an all new season of Beast Machines!''

* '''YTV promo 2''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwGkNh2EM08]
: ''Animation:'' An excerpt from [[Endgame Pt. III: Seeds of the Future]] as normal, then reversed in a loop.
: ''Narration:'' Edward Glen (as Optimus Primal) in an intentionally doofy voice dub featuring any other voice removed and the original sound effects replaced with more comedic ones.
: A bewildered Optimus Primal finds himself falling and then grabs onto some molding on the side of a building. The molding gives way and he falls down the side of the building. He mistakes the sparks created by his scraping fingernails as something shooting from his fingers. He finally catches another piece of molding as Megatron (in his Optimal Optimus body) strafes him. As he tries to explain that he's not [[King Kong]], the scene reverses itself and he finds himself stuck in some sort of time loop.
: ''Notes:'' This ad doesn't mention anything about the series finale from which the animation is taken. In fact, this seems to be just a regular old promo for the show. Assuming this aired before [[Endgame Pt. II: When Legends Fall]], anyone eagle-eyed enough to spot Optimal Optimus' jetmode would've caught a hefty spoiler.

==Animorphs==
[[File:AnimorphsCommercial.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|"ИƎI⅃A?"]]
===1999===
'''Animorphs''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ty0k87cP5z8&t=0m35s] (15 second) / [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Boqg792QOk] (30 second)
: ''Narration:'' Unknown (possibly [[Shawn Ashmore]]).
: ''Notes:'' A brief explanation of the ''[[Animorphs]]'' story, with one of the characters saying "Animorphs, Transformers!" Features [[Jake (Animorphs)|Jake]], [[Tobias]], [[Size class|Mega class]] [[Aximili-Esgarrouth-Isthill|Ax]], [[Size class|Mega class]] [[Visser Three]] and [[Rachel]]. Some footage from the ''Animorphs'' TV series is seen, and an instrumental version of the series' theme plays underneath. The synthesized "Transformers!" digital voice (as with the concurrent ''Beast Wars'' ads, apparently taken from older ''Generation 1'' ads) plays at the end.
: ''The alien invasion has begun. Animorphs, Transformers!''
{{-}}

==Robots in Disguise (2001)==
===2001===
* '''Series premiere promo''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qIkfT81hOA]
: ''Animation:'' Various cartoon excerpts.
: ''Narration:'' [[Koji Onishi]] ([[Jason Spisak]]), [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] ([[Neil Kaplan]]) and various other Autobots as a group, "ONLY on [[Fox Kids]]".
: ''Strap in, because this ride's about to...'' "Transform." "Transform!" ''Transform!''

* '''Series premiere promo #2''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qIkfT81hOA&t=0m30s]
: ''Animation:'' Excerpts from [[Battle Protocol!]]
: ''Narration:'' ONLY on Fox Kids
: ''They came to destroy earth. NOW, the only ones strong enough to take them on, are hiding right, under, your...HOOD!''

[[File:Omega Prime Commercial.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Neither golden retriever, nor lawn mower, nor white picket fence, nor bright of day, shall stay these kids from the swift completion of their appointed Prime.]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Ultra Magnus''' [http://www.ridforever.info/Video/commercials-toys/HASBRO_COMMERCIAL_OMEGA_2_.MPEG]

: ''Animation:'' [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]] transforms, and Optimus Prime finds himself surrounded by the [[Predacon (RID)|Predacons]].
: ''Narration:'' [[Steve Blum]]
: ''Toy segment:'' Two kids who live next door to each other grab their respective Autobot Super figures and run into each other at full speed; as soon as they touch, they combine!
: ''Notes:'' One of the kids had a poster for the 1986 animated movie in his room. The whole commercial has a dubbed over feel, as Megatron and Optimus Prime sound nothing like the voices used for the show (presumably because casting had not yet been done) and the sound quality of the narration seems below that of the rest of the commercial.
:*'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Ultra Magnus''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qIkfT81hOA&t=0m50s] - Same as previous commercial, but Neil Kaplan voices Optimus Prime and the narration is the actor used for the rest of the ''Robots in Disguise'' commercials. The blank panels in the first kid's comic book have been filled in with an appropriate screenshot and quote, though it's still surrounded by panels from "[[Prime Time!]]". Also, the background music doesn't stop while the kids shout to each other from their windows.

[[File:Megatron Sky-Byte and Autobot Cars Commercial.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Nope, still not fearsome or impressive.]]
*'''Megatron''', '''Sky-Byte''' and '''[[Autobot Brothers|Deluxe Cars]]''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qIkfT81hOA&t=1m20s]

: ''Animation:'' CGI Optimus Prime transforms from truck to super-mode; Cartoon excerpts of Megatron (with [[Daniel Riordan|correct voice]]) talking, Optimus transforming, and [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] taking a chunk out of the rear of a moving vehicle.
: ''Narration:'' Steve Blum
: ''Toy segment:'' Kids yell the names of the toys while showing them off or transforming them. They do this in what appears to be a poorly lit basement of some sort.
: ''Notes:'' "Prowl" just does not sound fearsome or impressive no matter how much you growl when you yell it.

[[File:TeamBulletTrainAndGalvatronCommercial.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Hey, show us your Lark pack!]]
* '''Team Bullet Train and Galvatron''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qIkfT81hOA&t=6m18s]

: ''Animation:'' Cartoon excerpts - [[Team Bullet Train]] finishes forming [[Rail Racer (RID)|Rail Racer]]; [[Megatron (RID)|Galvatron]] says "Foolish Autobots! Bring it on!".
: ''Narration:'' Steve Blum
: ''Toy segment:'' Two kids play with the bullet trains aboard a subway car.
:* '''Team Bullet Train and Galvatron''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qIkfT81hOA&t=6m48s] - Edited from the previous commercial.

* '''[[Landfill (RID)|Landfill]] and [[Ruination (RID)|Ruination]]'''

: ''Animation:''
: ''Narration:''
: ''Toy segment:''

* '''Shift, Shape, & Save'''
: ''Animation:'' Various cartoon excerpts.
: ''Narration:'' Koji Onishi (Jason Spisak), Optimus Prime (Neil Kaplan), various other Autobots as a group, and John Garry.
: ''Notes:'' This commercial was aired in various lengths with various end tags. Version names below are confirmed, except where noted.
<table border="1" style="margin-left: 2em">
<tr><th>Version</th><th>Length</th><th>Link</th></tr>
<tr><td>All New Saturday 8E/7C&P</td><td>0:30 NET</td><td>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qIkfT81hOA&t=1m35s</td></tr>
<tr><td>Mon-Fri Afternoons & Saturday Mornings</td><td>0:30 NET</td><td>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qIkfT81hOA&t=2m09s</td></tr>
<tr><td>Station</td><td>0:30 STA</td><td>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qIkfT81hOA&t=2m41s</td></tr>
<tr><td>All New Saturday 8E/7C&P</td><td>0:20 NET</td><td>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qIkfT81hOA&t=3m14s</td></tr>
<tr><td>Mon-Fri Afternoons & Saturday Mornings</td><td>0:20 NET</td><td>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qIkfT81hOA&t=3m36s</td></tr>
<tr><td>Station</td><td>0:20 STA</td><td>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qIkfT81hOA&t=4m00s</td></tr>
<tr><td>Coming Up (unconfirmed)</td><td>0:20 NET</td><td>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dN4yssbZv5A</td></tr>
<tr><td>All New Saturday 8E/7C&P</td><td>0:10 NET</td><td>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qIkfT81hOA&t=4m23s</td></tr>
<tr><td>Mon-Fri Afternoons & Saturday Mornings</td><td>0:10 NET</td><td>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qIkfT81hOA&t=4m35s</td></tr>
<tr><td>Station</td><td>0:10 STA</td><td>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qIkfT81hOA&t=4m49s</td></tr>
<tr><td>Coming Up (unconfirmed)</td><td>0:10 NET</td><td>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWnayVCMUC0</td></tr>
</table>

* '''Cartoon promo''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qIkfT81hOA&t=5m47s]
: ''Animation:'' Excerpts of Optimus Prime, Ultra Magnus, [[Scourge (RID)|Scourge]], Galvatron and the [[Commando (RID)|Commandos]].
: ''Narration:'' Koji Onishi (Jason Spisak).
: ''Sit down, hold on and hush up, because in the battle for Earth, you're either gonna lead, follow, or get out of the way!'' "Tremble with fear, I AM GALVATRON!" "You're goin' down, down, down, down." "Transform!" ''Catch an all-new episode of Transformers: Robots in Disguise, next Saturday morning only on Fox Kids!''
: * '''Cartoon promo''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qIkfT81hOA&t=6m08s] - Edited down from the previous version.

* '''Cartoon promo 2''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkCmDrNmGpY&t=12m19s]
: ''Animation:'' Many of the same excerpts used in "Shift, Shape, & Save".
: ''Narration:'' [[Don LaFontaine]]
: ''This summer, Fox Kids will transform your TV into a blockbuster action machine. Transformers. Today after Digimon, on Fox Kids.''

* '''Cartoon promo 3''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewNb3osmAJY]
: ''Animation:'' Many of the same excerpts used in "Shift, Shape, & Save" along with excerpts of [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Fortress Maximus]] and "Super" [[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn]].
: ''Narration:'' Alternating unknown male and female announcers.
: [Weight:] Male: ''"Fifteen tons."'' Female:''"All muscle."'' [A.I.:] ''"Artificial intelligence."'' ''"It's real."'' [Engine:] ''"One hundred thousand horse power."'' ''"Real dominance."'' [Fuel:] ''"The Matrix powers."'' ''"High octane."'' [Speed:] ''"From zero to action."'' ''"In a flash."'' [Mission:] ''"To save Earth."'' ''"No surrender."''

==Go-Bots==
===2002===
[[File:Go Go Go Bots Commercial.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Now if the guy had found a way to turn the "each sold separately" disclaimer into a rap too...]]
*'''[[Transformers: Go-Bots (franchise)|Transformers: Go-Bots]]''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBmvKjRvUbU]

: ''Animation:'' Cartoon excerpt of [[Aero-Bot]] transforming while [[Beast-Bot]] and [[Speed-Bot]] look on.
: ''Narration:'' [[Rap Guy]]
: ''Toy segment:'' The toys turn around on invisible turntables and transform.
: ''Notes:'' The rap is back! This commercial marks the brief return of rap in Transformers commercials.
: ''Aero-Bot, Beast-Bot, and Speed-Bot go! They only change, when you say so!''
:* '''Transformers: Go-Bots''' [http://adland.tv/commercials/hasbro-playskool-transformers-go-bots-2003-015-usa] - Edited down version of the previous commercial.

===2003===
*'''[[Hauler-Bot]]''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qjt1bbhIUYI]

: ''Animation:'' Hauler-Bot departs a distant planet, then lands on Earth.
: ''Narration:'' [[Rap Guy]]
: ''Toy segment:'' Two boys playing with the Hauler-Bot components in front of green-screened techno-ish backgrounds of varying colors.
:''Sent to Earth from a world far away, Hauler-Bot Go-Bot saves the day!''

==Armada==
===2002===

[[File:First Armada Toy Commercial.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|But when I looked behind me, I only saw... uh... nine sets of footprints?]]
* '''[[Mini-Con]]s, [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]], [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]], Megatron''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4b34MifYuw]

: ''Animation:'' From a sand background, CGI [[Sonar (Armada)|Sonar]] emerges from a [[Mini-Con storage panel]]. Sped-up cartoon footage of [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron]] transforming.
: ''Narration:'' [[Even Keel]]
: ''Toy segment:'' Kids play with the toys in a sandy environment with a sunset background. ''Woo woo woo woo.'' "Swindle. Starscream. Missiles away. Powerlink Mini-Cons for maximum firepower!"
: ''Kidmation:'' Terrifyingly large-mouthed kids hold the toys and mouth "robots in disguise" while the camera bobs drunkenly.
: ''Newww Transformers: Armada. With powerlinking Mini-Con '''warriors!'''''

* '''Megatron and Optimus Prime''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3L5LGd3l6n0]

: ''Animation:'' From a watery background, CGI [[Grindor (Armada)|Grindor]] emerges from a storage panel. Cartoon excerpt: [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] stock footage.
: ''Narration:'' Even Keel
: ''Toy segment:'' Kids play with the toys in a sand-laden diorama environment. That ''can't'' be good for Prime's electronic innards.
: ''Kidmation:'' The large-mouthed kids again, with different toys.

[[File:Armada Supercon commercial.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|[[David Willis|Walky's]] dream job.]]
* '''[[Laserbeak (Armada)|Laserbeak]], Hot Shot, Demolishor''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWMvc3rWfk0]

: ''Narration:'' Even Keel
: ''Animation:'' From an ice background, CGI [[Jolt (Armada)|Jolt]] emerges from a storage panel. Cartoon excerpts: [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] stock footage; [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]] and [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]] running and firing.
: ''Toy segment:'' Kids play with the toys in a snowy diorama environment.
: ''Kidmation:'' The large-mouthed kids yet again, with different toys.
:* '''Laserbeak, Hot Shot, Demolishor''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BXd6S3c_F4] - Edited down from previous commercial.

* '''Series premiere promo''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPMEyvRI63E]

: ''Animation:'' Various excerpts from the first three episodes of ''Armada''.
: ''Narration:'' [[Peter Cullen]]
: ''Notes:'' ''Armada's'' first three episodes were combined into a mini-movie for its premiere on [[Toonami]]. This ad was kind of a big deal to fans as it was the first time Peter Cullen had done any work related to Transformers in thirteen years, dating back to the [[Action Master]] ads.
: ''Transformers: Armada. Friday at 4. Much more than meets the eye.''
:* '''Series premiere promo''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usvMNiU1qg0] - An edited down version of the previous commercial.

* '''''Armada'' marathon''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ogcXC0zzdk]

: ''Animation:'' Various cartoon excerpts, plus a brief CGI scene of TOM 2.0.
: ''Narration:'' TOM 2.0 ([[Steve Blum]])
: ''Everyone loves transforming robots, but sometimes twenty-two minutes isn't enough. We're here for ya.''

===2003===
[[File:Jetfire Galvatron Optimus Scavenger Commercial .jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|The Decepticon menace.]]
* '''Galvatron, Scavenger, Jetfire, Optimus Prime''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usvMNiU1qg0]

: ''Narration:'' Even Keel
: ''Animation:'' Cartoon [[stock footage]] of Optimus Prime
: ''Toy segment:'' In what looks like a {{w|Santiago Calatrava}} building, [[Scavenger (Armada)|Scavenger]] takes on [[Megatron (Armada)/toys|Galvatron]]; [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] and Prime [[Powerlinx|combine]] to counterattack.
: ''Kidmation:'' Two kids stand with their toys, back-to-back as if to make a final stand, while mouthing along with "robots in disguise!"

* '''[[Blurr (Armada)|Blurr]], [[Sideways (Armada)|Sideways]], [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]], [[Side Swipe (Armada)|Side Swipe]]''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0gxqH7cXJY]

: ''Narration:'' Even Keel
: ''Toy segment:'' Kids play with the toys in some kind of modernist corporate office setting.
: ''Kidmation:'' Back-to-back for the final stand again, this time against the corporate office's windows.
: ''Another battle for ultimate control!'' "Blurr attacks!" ''And Sideways betrays.''
: ''Notes:'' This commercial revealed Sideways to be a traitor long before the TV series did, spoiling the surprise for many fans.

*'''[[Overload (Armada)|Overload]], [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Powerlinx Optimus Prime]], [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]], [[Megatron (Armada)|Galvatron]]'''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhQGeL0tRvA]

: ''Animation:'' Cartoon [[stock footage]] of Optimus Prime combined with Overload and Megatron combining with Tidal Wave.
: ''Narration:'' Even Keel
: ''Toy segment:'' Kids play with the toys near a public water fountain.

[[File:Unicron Commercial.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Johnny didn't do so well on his science project this year.]]
* '''Unicron''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooWCY1BubSg]

: ''Animation:'' Excerpt from ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' of [[Unicron]] slamming his hand down on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s surface, accompanied by a newly recorded voice-over proclaiming "The universe is mine!". Also has an excerpt of Optimus Prime stock footage with Optimus telling Unicron to "fight someone your own size."
: ''Narration:'' Even Keel
: ''Toy segment:'' A kid plays with the toys, first in front of a projected space background, then in something resembling an empty warehouse.
: "Obviously, Optimus Prime, that would not be you!"
:* '''Unicron''' [http://adland.tv/commercials/transformers-armada-unicron-battles-devours-entire-worlds-2003-015] — Edited down from the previous commercial.

===2004===
* '''[[Transformers (PS2)|PlayStation 2 Armada game]] commercial''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWQVSAZTS-E]

: Starscream: "There's no ''escape''. Soundtrack is "Wishbone" by the band [[Dropbox]], who are actually shown rocking out between excerpts of game footage.
: ''The ultimate conflict begins.''

* '''PlayStation 2 Armada game trailer 1''' [http://www.gametrailers.com/video/trailer-1-transformers/4086]
: Idyllic scenes of nature on earth are followed by scenes of the Decepticon army mobilizing with an epic choral tune playing the background. The mood shifts as scenes of the Autobots taking action are accompanied by a rock version of the Generation 1 [[theme song|theme]].
: ''Notes:'' The "Transformers, robots in disguise" clip used in the rock rendition of the theme seems to be taken from the original G1 Season 1 theme song. This trailer is composed mostly of actual gameplay footage with a smattering of cut scene footage thrown in.
: ''Earth is not going to war. War is coming to Earth.''

* '''PlayStation 2 Armada game trailer 2''' [http://www.gametrailers.com/video/trailer-2-transformers/4087]
: Scenes of nature are followed by the Decpticons' arrival and subsequent battles with the Autobots.
: ''The ultimate conflict begins.''

==Energon==
===2004===
[[File:Energon Optimus and Scorponok Commercial.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Energon Unicron? Where you been!?]]
* '''[[Scorponok (Energon)|Scorponok]] and [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]]''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfT_Z-rZ9mU]

: ''Narration:'' [[Even Keel]], with the cartoon's theme music.
: ''Toy segment:'' Kids playing with the toys in what looks like a basement or maybe a warehouse.
: ''Notes:'' Energon [[Unicron/toys|Unicron]] appears in the static shot of the toys at the end, as well as in the background of some of the other toy scenes. This suggests that a longer version of the commercial, which would feature Energon Unicron along with the other two toys, exists.
: ''Eachsoldseparatelybatteriesnotincludedactualchangetimewillvary.''

* '''[[Shockblast (Energon)|Shockblast]], [[Ironhide (Energon)|Energon Ironhide]], [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]]''' [http://adland.tv/commercials/hasbro-transformers-energon-2-2004-015-usa]

: ''Narration:'' Even Keel, with the cartoon's theme music.
: ''Toy segment:'' Kids play with the toys on a tabletop.
: ''Shockblast is on the hunt but Powerlinx Jetfire prepares for attack.''

* '''Starscream, [[Terrorcon (Energon)|Terrorcon]]s, Deluxe Autobots''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PYvg9YbVtg]

: ''Narration:'' Even Keel.
: ''Toy segment:'' Various kids on viewscreens are rotoscoped into the frame like members of some sinister corporation's executive board.
: ''Kidmation:'' The three kids drop separately into the rotoscope and mouth along to the song while holding up [[Hot Shot (Armada)/toys|Hot Shot]] [[powerlinx]]ed with [[Rodimus (Energon)|Rodimus]], [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] and [[Inferno (Energon)|Inferno]] powerlinxed with [[Prowl (Energon)|Prowl]].
: ''Decepticons attack with Hyper Power.''
:* '''Starscream, Terrorcons, Deluxe Autobots''' [http://adland.tv/commercials/hasbro-transformers-energon-2004-015-usa] — Edited down from the previous commercial.

[[File:Energon Omega Supreme and Megatron Commercial.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Oddly better quality than the show.]]
* '''Omega Supreme and Megatron''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uePLyCXTU-s]

: ''Animation:'' Cartoon excerpt: [[Omega Supreme (Energon)|Omega Supreme]] spins around in space.
: ''Narration:'' Even Keel
: ''Kidmation:'' Two serious-faced kids on a split screen hold up Omega and [[Megatron (Armada)/toys|Megatron]], while mouthing along with the hard rock [[theme song]].
: "Your weapons are ''useless'' against <s>Prince of Space</s> ''him!''"

* '''''Energon'' marathon''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoeTY5uN3lE]

: ''Animation:'' Various cartoon excerpts and a brief CGI scene featuring TOM 3.0.
: ''Narration:'' TOM 3.0 ([[Steve Blum]])
: ''Next Friday, the battle to control the Earth's supply of Energon is raging so hard, we're giving Optimus and the gang some extra airtime.''

===2005===

* '''Air Team and Optimus Prime''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddVPMX0Cy54]

: ''Animation:'' Cartoon excerpts: Optimus Prime forms his super mode; The Air Team forms [[Superion Maximus]], then attacks [[Constructicon Maximus]] and [[Bruticus Maximus (Energon)|Bruticus Maximus]].
: ''Narration:'' [[Dramatic Guy]]
: ''Toy segment:'' Various shots of the toys in their [[robot mode]]s.
: ''Notes:'' This commercial appears to represent an alternate continuity. Optimus Prime is implied to have created either combiners in general or just the Air Team in particular.
: ''Transformers: Energon. You can join the Powerlinx Battles.''

===2009===

* '''VHS & DVD trailer''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfS3oEAsjWE]

: ''Animation:'' Excerpts from ''[[Transformers: Energon (cartoon)|Transformers: Energon]]''.
: ''Narration:'' [[Jim Cummings]]
: ''Notes:'' Promotes the videos [[Paramount Pictures|"The Battle for Energon" and "The Return of Megatron"]].

{{-}}

==Cybertron==
===2005===
[[File:Cybertron Large Figures Commercial.jpg|upright=0.95|thumb|And you thought Sari's [[AllSpark Key]] was impressive.]]
* '''Optimus Prime, Megatron, Starscream''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeuBAMhs_uc]

: ''Narration:'' Dramatic Guy
: ''Live-action segment:'' A kid runs down a laser-lit passageway with a frisbee-sized [[Cyber Planet Key]], which he uses to unlock a giant door, which opens to reveal a giant CG ''Cybertron'' [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]]!
: ''Toy segment:'' Optimus Prime uses his Cyber Key Power to take down [[Megatron (Armada)/toys|Megatron]], but the giant [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] has his own Cyber Key!
:''You can go to Transformers.com! Ask your parents first.''
:* '''Starscream''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHjjDI-PGTo] - Edited down from the previous commercial, with new narration focusing solely on Starscream.

*'''''Cybertron'' on Toonami''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNSt9LS_J54]

: ''Animation:'' Various cartoon excerpts and a CGI scene of a Clyde explorer robot spray painting the ''Cybertron'' logo and airtime on a wall.
: ''Narration:'' TOM 3.0 ([[Steve Blum]])
: ''Transformers: Cybertron. New episodes Saturdays at seven. Unlock the power.''

*'''''Cybertron'' on the Kids' WB Aftertoons Show''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0BMiHDdaE0]

: ''Animation:'' Various cartoon excerpts, the [[Kids' WB]] rendering of the Warner Brothers' studio lot.
: ''Narration:'' [[Mr. Action]]
: ''Re-energize your weekdays with Transformers: Cybertron.''

===2006===
[[File:CybAd DarkcrumplezoneEvacDownshift.jpg|upright=0.95|thumb|Somehow more exciting than the TV show.]]
*'''Crumplezone, Downshift, Evac''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDjPB6tVX2o]

: ''Narration:'' Dramatic Guy
: ''Toy segment:'' A whole little plot plays out in an impressive-looking diorama environment. [[Crumplezone (Cybertron)|Dark Crumplezone]] steals a silver-bordered [[Earth]] Cyber Key! He transforms into [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]], uses the Cyber Key Power and races off with the heroic Autobots [[Downshift (Energon)|Downshift]] and [[Evac (Cybertron)|Evac]] in hot pursuit! Oh noes! Crumplezone shoves Downshift off the cliff-edge road they are racing on. Downshift is transformed and grabs Evac's rescue rope, then blasts Crumplezone into oblivion. The Key is saved!
: ''Notes:'' Oddly, and in contrast to previous commercials, [[Paul Oakenfold]]'s ''Cybertron'' [[theme song]] is not used. Instead, an alternate theme rendition is featured.
:''Ask your parents to take you to Transformers.com!''

===2007===
*'''''Cybertron'' marathon''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJcabPf5QEQ]

: ''Animation:'' Various cartoon excerpts.
: ''Narration:'' [[Peter Cullen]]
: ''All set to transform this summer? Well Toonami's got just the thing for you!''
:* '''''Cybertron'' marathon''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLWq-0At8X8] - An edited down version of the previous commercial.

*'''Sneak peek after the ''Cybertron'' marathon''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfSieHZvvb4]

: ''Animation:'' Various Cybertron excerpts.
: ''Narration:'' Peter Cullen
: ''Notes:'' This spot promoted a sneak preview of ''[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]]'' that aired after a Saturday marathon of [[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|Transformers: Cybertron]]. Features several scenes from the movie, all of which were frequently used in promo spots.
: ''This Saturday night, we're showing you a bright and shiny sneak peak at the new Transformers movie after the Transformers: Cybertron marathon. How's nineish for you?''

==Star Wars Transformers==
===2006===
[[File:SW Transformers Commercial.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Now the space wizards are robots, too!]]
* '''Darth Vader and Obi-Wan Kenobi''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwWHqkWJ1No]

: ''Narration:'' 2006-2007 Guy.
: ''Toy segment:'' Two kids, one dressed as a [[Sith]] Lord and the other a [[Jedi]] Knight, play with [[Darth Vader]] and [[Obi-Wan Kenobi|Obi-Wan]] respectively.
: ''Notes:'' Features excerpts of Darth Vader from ''Episode IV: A New Hope'' and ''Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back''.
:''NEW! Star Wars Transformers. Mech mode or vehicle mode. The battle for the universe rages on!''

[[File:SWTF Millennium Falcon Commercial.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Time to pull the wishbone!]]
* '''Millennium Falcon and Boba Fett''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrbwqLTmuRA]

: ''Narration:'' 2006-2007 Guy.
: ''Toy segment:'' Two unseen individuals demonstrate the play features of the [[Millennium Falcon]] and [[Boba Fett]] in front of a "Death Star interior" background.
: ''Notes:'' Features excerpts of [[Han Solo]] and [[Chewbacca]] in the Millennium Falcon from ''Episode IV: A New Hope'' and ''Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back''.

===2007===
[[File:SWTF Death Star Commercial.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb]]
* '''Death Star''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yr5UtgsUK9Y]

: ''Narration:'' 2006-2007 Guy.
: ''Toy segment:'' An unseen individual demonstrates the toy's features in front of a space background.
: ''Notes:'' Features an excerpt of the [[Death Star]] destroying Alderaan from ''Episode IV: A New Hop''e.
: ''Now you can control the most devastating power in the galaxy.''
{{-}}

==Attacktix==
===2006===
[[File:Attacktix Commercial.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|I don't know. I think Prime could take him.]]
* '''Attacktix Intergalactic Showdown''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oe9LDLUdJq8]

:''Narration:'' 2006-2007 Guy
:''Toy segment:'' Group of kids battle with Star Wars and Transformers [[Attacktix]] figures upon a table top.
:"Optimus Prime beat Darth Vader? No. Way." ''Find out with Attacktix.''
:* '''Attacktix Intergalactic Showdown''' [http://adland.tv/commercials/hasbro-attacktix-battle-figure-game-star-wars-transformers-2006-15-us] - Same as the previous commercial but with different toy footage, after the [[Megatron (Armada)/toys|''Cybertron'' Megatron]]/Darth Vader split screen, featuring Boba Fett, [[wikia:wookie:AT-RT|AT-RT]] and [[Omega Sentinel (Energon)|Omega Sentinel]].
{{-}}

==Transformers (2007) ==
{{main|Commercial/Transformers (2007)}}

==Animated==
===2007===
[[File:TFAnimatedTransformAndRolloutPremiereCommercial.jpg|thumb|"Here I come to save the day!"]]
*'''''Transform and Roll Out'' premiere''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYKMMX2gFLg]

: ''Animation:'' Excerpts from [[Transform and Roll Out]].
: ''Narration:'' [[Peter Cullen]]
: ''Bumblebee. Optimus Prime. Megatron. And more, like you've never seen them before!''

*'''Series premiere promo''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uv7H05Byz6g]

: ''Animation:'' Excerpts from [[Transform and Roll Out]], [[The Thrill of the Hunt]], and [[Along Came a Spider]].
: ''Narration:'' Peter Cullen
: ''The Transformers are getting their own brand new series.''

===2008===
* '''YTV promo''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfSaBAIKXCY]
: ''Animation:'' Scenes of the [[Elite Guard]] arriving on Earth, [[Carmine Fanzone|Captain Fanzone]] standing by [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]], [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] shaking the hand of [[Augustus Edsel]], and Sentinel as just a head.
: ''Narration:'' Edward Glen (as Sentinel Prime)
: ''Notes:'' The animation is re-soundtracked with comedic background music and new narration from Sentinel Prime introducing himself to Captain Fanzone and explaining why it has to be robots.

* '''YTV promo 2''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUMBDhJka84] 
: ''Animation:'' Excerpts of [[Jazz (Animated)|Jazz]] swinging his nunchucks, [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]], [[Wreck-Gar (Animated)|Wreck-Gar]] & [[Lugnut (Animated)|Lugnut]], [[Sari Sumdac (Animated)|Sari]] & [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] playing video games, Optimus Prime being sprayed in the face by water, Optimus Prime laughing at body-less Sentinel Prime, Bumblebee tapping his foot, Sentinel shaking the [[Augustus Edsel|mayor]]'s hand, Sari sneezing from a cold, [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] and Bumblebee yelling "[[space barnacle]]s!" and Jazz recoiling in fear from Sari.
: ''Narration:'' Edward Glen
: ''Notes:'' The narrator talks about all the ways humans and Transformers are alike, using the animation as examples.

[[File:Toycommercial-Animated01.jpg|thumb|Bulkhead isn't small! He's just faaaar away.]]
*'''Wave 1 & 2 Voyagers and Deluxes''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ch_DqDKJ_lw]
:''Animation:'' Cartoon excerpt of [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] swooping down and firing.
:''Narration:'' [[Dynamic!]]
:''Toy Segment:'' The evil Starscream prepares to attack, with the evil Decepticons [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Blackarachnia]] and... [[Lockdown (Animated)|Lockdown]]? Luckily, Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Prowl, and [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] are there to save the day. Notice how Bulkhead is SHORTER than 'Bee.
:''Notes:'' Has an end tag advertising the 'Battle Begins' Optimus Prime/Megatron two-pack.
:* '''Wave 1 & 2 Voyagers and Deluxes''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9M_bptK7T7Y] - Edited down from the previous commercial.

* '''Leader Megatron and Rollout Command Optimus Prime''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aXyzrpB2eg] (Original), [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CAr4_PdrwI] (with Leader Class Bulkhead)
:''Animation:'' None.
:''Narration:'' Dynamic!
:''Toy Segment:'' Optimus Prime races through a city diorama to meet Megatron and show off his "amazing auto-spin technology!" gimmick.
:''Note'': An alternate version of the commercial features Leader Class Bulkhead.

* '''[[McDonald's]] Happy Meal toys''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzkYFIBglK4] (Partial)
:Kids play with [[List of Transformers restaurant promotions|Animated Happy Meal Toys]] inside a giant, Happy Meal Box-shaped spaceship. Inexplicably, [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys|MOVIE Optimus Prime]] appears in the background.

*'''[[Transformers Animated: The Game]]''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYF8da0kEUs]
:Various excerpts of gameplay and animation from the game are shown, interspersed with text narration and voice over clips from Megatron, Bumblebee, Optimus Prime, and Prowl.
:''In this time of war, victory...depends on teamwork.''

===2009===
[[File:AnimatedJetfireandJetstormCommericalframes.jpg|thumb|This is the only trace we have of this commercial.]]
* '''[[Safeguard (Animated)|Jetstorm and Jetfire]]'''

:''Animation:'' None.
:''Narration:'' Unknown.
:''Toy Segment:''

*'''''TransWarped'' premiere''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNslpFyD0Ag]

: ''Animation:'' Excerpts from [[TransWarped]]
: ''Narration:'' [[Saturday Crush Zone]]
: ''You'll get more than one episode can hold. More than you bargained for. And more than meets the eye.''

==Revenge of the Fallen==
{{main|Commercial/Revenge of the Fallen}}

==War for Cybertron==
===2009===
[[File:WFC One Shall Stand Trailer.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|IT'S MECHAGODZILLA, AND HE'S GOT....glowing chest lights?]]
* '''Teaser Trailer''' [http://v.wordpress.com/wp-content/plugins/video/flvplayer.swf?ver=1.11&guid=kV2PWlEi]
: A brief trailer showing a transmission from [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] before first contact with [[Earth]]. [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] speeds into battle, transforms in mid-air and charges with his fellow Autobots - slicing a Decepticon in half - and stopping as [[Omega Supreme (WFC)|Omega Supreme]] launches his energy weapon.

* '''One Shall Stand Trailer''' [http://www.gametrailers.com/video/one-shall-transformers-war/60792]

: Optimus Prime tells the story of the Transformers' war on Cybertron while a battle takes place between the opposing sides. He then comes to the rescue of a group of Autobots under attack by [[Skywarp (WFC)|Skywarp]]. Prime laments the war while [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] feels the war is necessary. Their discussion of the war continues as individuals on both sides continue to fight. Eventually, the two factions form unified fronts and charge towards each other. The trailer ends just as Prime and Megatron start to clash.
:''Notes:'' Narrated by [[Peter Cullen]] as Optimus Prime. The battle depicted in this trailer is the one shown in the transmission from the teaser trailer.
: "One shall stand." "One shall fall."

[[File:WFC Gamplay Reveal Trailer.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|The Axeman Cometh.]]
* '''Gameplay Reveal Trailer''' [http://pc.ign.com/dor/objects/54828/transformers-war-for-cybertron/videos/transformwfc_trl_gameplay_revtrailer_22610.html]

: Optimus Prime tells us that Cybertron has never seen war until now and declares that the Autobots must stand as one against the Decepticon army.
: ''Experience the beginning. Fight to the end.''

* '''Multiplayer Character Trailer''' [http://pc.ign.com/dor/objects/54828/transformers-war-for-cybertron/videos/transformerswfc_trl_multiplayerdebut_4710.html]

: The ability to create a custom multiplayer character and battles featuring such characters are heavily featured amongst other multiplayer footage.
: ''Become. The Ultimate. Weapon.''

* '''Multiplayer Overview Trailer''' [http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/action/transformerswarforcybertron/video/6261305]

: The game's various multiplayer modes are demonstrated as Optimus Prime names each one of them.
: ''Wage war online. Become the ultimate weapon.''

* '''E3 2010 Trailer''' [http://pc.ign.com/dor/objects/54828/transformers-war-for-cybertron/videos/e32010_transformerswfc_trl_e3trailer_60410.html]
: Various game scenes are shown as Optimus Prime and Megatron argue over whether the Autobots should leave Cybertron or stay and fight.
: ''Fight to the end. In the war. That started it all. Become the ultimate weapon.''

[[File:WFC Gamestop Commercial.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|''So I walked in the room, held mah '''BOOMBOX''' high, And what happened next will blow your mind!'']]
* '''Gamestop Exclusive TV spot''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtyYt7oRMhs]

: [[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]] arrives to the location of Megatron, [[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]] and [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] prompting Megatron to take off and leave Shockwave in charge. Pleased by Megatron's decision, Shockwave takes this opportunity to order Soundwave to transform into boombox mode and play music for him to shoot Autobots by. His choice of song? "[[The Touch]]"! Starscream is not enthused by this and asks "Why this song?". Shockwave replies that when Starscream's hit percentage exceeds Shockwave's then he can choose the soundtrack.
: ''Notes:'' Shockwave's Autobot blasting is ''in time'' to the song! Shockwave's voice is provided once again by [[Corey Burton]].
{{-}}

==2010 Transformers toyline==
===2010===
[[File:PCC commercial.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|It's time to duel!]]
* '''[[Power Core Combiners]]''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxLrS3XwIaA]
: ''Narration:'' [[2006-2007 Guy]]
: ''Toy Segment:'' [[Huffer (PCC)|Huffer]] and [[Smolder]] seem to fly by buildings in robot mode while side-by-side in their own camera shots. Then [[Skyburst (PCC)|Skyburst]] flies to his drones before transforming, first to robot mode and then to combiner torso mode, in order to demonstrate [[Power Core Combination]]. [[Bombshock (PCC)|Bombshock]] combines with his drones and other Power Core Combiners are shown in their combined forms.
: ''Power Core technology lets a commander lead his Power Core drones OR combine forces with them to create a Bigger, BADder, BOT!''

* '''Leader Starscream and Optimus Prime''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQ1I2qEIZKA] (15 sec.) / [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKHK2v8_9TQ] (21 sec, Chinese language) / [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vdu-6NGC2sg] (31 sec.)
: ''Narration:'' 2006-2007 Guy
: ''Toy Segment:'' [[Starscream (Movie)/toys|Starscream]] is located and hunted down by [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys|Optimus Prime]], [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys|Bumblebee]] and [[Sideswipe (Movie)|Sideswipe]].
: ''Notes:'' The toy segment is followed by a plug for the [[Hunt for the Decepticons]] online game.

* '''Battle Ops Bumblebee''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtlT_JtH42I]
: ''Animation:'' Bumblebee flipping his mask down and looking at the camera for the introduction, Bumblebee continuing to look at the camera for the end.
: ''Narration:'' 2006-2007 Guy
: ''Toy Segment:'' A four-way split screen shows clips of Bumblebee in all four of his modes, with one mode per quadrant. The quadrants then pull to the exterior to reveal a full size clip of his Guardian vehicle mode, followed by his Battle vehicle mode as the narrator begins to describe the four modes. He continues as a pair of hands transforms Bumblebee to his two robots modes and demonstrates the electronics for both modes.
:* '''Battle Ops Bumblebee''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n94lcULZGGU] - An edited down version of the previous commercial.

[[File:2010 McDonalds Commercial.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb]]
* '''McDonald's Happy Meal''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NETH0bv_FY]
: Three kids, one has curly hair, one has long hair and one has short hair, sit at a kitchen table eating their [[McDonald's]] Transformers Happy Meals. The curly-haired kid gets up to leave and declares "Bumblebee is gonna guard my McNuggets. If you take anything, he'll blast you back to Cybertron!". His friends call his bluff and, much to their surprise, find themselves floating in space.

* '''Reveal the Shield''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ImjgEnXV8s]
: ''Narration:'' Unknown.
: ''Toy segment:'' [[Cyclonus (G1)/toys|Cyclonus]], [[Lugnut (TF 2010)|Lugnut]] and [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys|Rodimus]] strike dynamic poses in a poorly lit area resembling spaceship wreckage while the narrator provides the backstory. The spot ends with Rodimus, [[Grapple (G1)|Solar Storm Grappel]] and [[Jazz (G1)/toys|Autobot Jazz]] stare down Cyclonus, Lugnut, ...and [[Tracks (G1)|Turbo Tracks]]? This must be [[Total War!|total war]].
:''Notes:'' To be fair, Tracks being with the Decepticons does play into the whole unknown allegiance gimmick.
: ''But whose side are they on?''

== Speed Stars ==
=== 2010 ===
[[File:Stealth Force Prime Ad.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb]]
* '''Stealth Force Optimus Prime''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HufDT8lmUX8]
: ''Animation:'' Optimus Prime driving out from behind the [[Speed Stars]] logo.
: ''Narration:'' Dynamic!
: ''Toy Segment:'' [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys|Optimus Prime]] patrols a city street in Stealth Mode before switching Battle Mode to take on [[Megatron (Movie)/toys|Megatron]]. He is then joined as he speeds down the street by [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys|Bumblebee]] and [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]].

* '''Bumblebee Track Set''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvZT7CngRJk]
: ''Narration:'' Dynamic!
: ''Toy Segment:'' A kid plays with Bumblebee, having him zoom along his track set on a mission with an undisclosed purpose.
: ''Notes:'' A clip from ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' of Optimus Prime decking Megatron is used to help highlight the set's smashable Megatron figure.

==Prime==
{{main|Commercial/Prime}}

==Dark of the Moon==
{{main|Commercial/Dark of the Moon}}

==Kre-O==
=== 2011===
[[File:Kre-oTransformersTeaserTrailer.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
* '''KRE-O TRANSFORMERS teaser trailer''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=PcsNMTqpBAE]
:Uploaded [[June 30]], [[2011]]. CG Kre-O Transformers duke it out. ''They came to our world... [[Commercial/Transformers (2007)|most have come to destroy us... some have come to protect us...]] and now there's a whole new way to battle, because the Transformers have never been built like this.'' ''The Transformers world has never been bigger.'' [[Bumblebee (Kre-O)|Bumblebee]]: "Never been smaller either."
: ''Notes:'' Bumblebee's voice is not provided by [[Dan Gilvezan|any]] [[Mark Ryan|of]] [[Bumper Robinson|his]] [[Johnny Yong Bosch|other]] [[Nicole Dubuc|voice]] [[Will Friedle|actors]]. In fact it sounds similar to the voice {{w|Seth Green}} uses for {{w|Family Guy|Chris Griffin}}.

* '''KRE-O TRANSFORMERS Online Exclusive''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMYBJgfaAww&NR=1]
:Uploaded June 30, 2011.
: ''Animation:'' [[Starscream (Kre-O)|Starscream]] and [[Megatron (Kre-O)|Megatron]] battle [[Optimus Prime (Kre-O)|Optimus Prime]], [[Ratchet (Kre-O)|Ratchet]] and Bumblebee in the desert. The action scenes have scenes of the Bumblebee KREO set building itself interspersed between them. ''[The action builds when you build!]''

=== 2012 ===
[[File:KreoBattleForEnergonCommercial.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
* '''"Battle for Energon" building set''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qu2nadv4DQ8&feature=share&list=UUDtYGb16ru5UWC78xaaO34A]
:Uploaded [[October 30]], [[2012]].
: ''Animation:'' [[Tank Driver]] steals a shard of [[Dark Energon]] being held inside a bank. He is chased out by [[Security Officer]] and runs into the foot of Megatron, knocking him onto his back. Megatron grabs the Dark Energon shard, but Tank Driver hangs on, even with energy beginning to radiate from the crystal. Megatron gets decked by Optimus Prime. Somewhere else in the city, Optimus Prime speeds through an intersection and carelessly rams Megatron in his tank mode while a [[human]] watches from the nearby sidewalk. The collision results in an explosion which forces the human to flee from projectile debris. Optimus and Megatron then duke it out in robot mode, with humans fleeing the scene. A kick to Megatron's face allows Prime to recover the dark energon. Kreon Optimus throws Kreon Megatron behind bars with Tank Driver occupying an adjacent cell.
: ''Toy segment:'' Sped up footage of the Prime and Megatron sets being built into robot form, torn down and then rebuilt into their vehicle forms.

=== 2013 ===
* '''KRE-O Transformers Micro Changers and Combiners Construction Sets''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zh_4xY_UTS8&feature=share&list=UUDtYGb16ru5UWC78xaaO34A]
:Uploaded [[March 19]], [[2013]].
: ''Animation:'' A huge Kreon battle takes place on a lightly forested field. [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] takes down [[Ripclaw]]. [[Silverbolt (G1)|Sliverbolt]] pounds [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] into parts, then blasts [[Tantrum (G1)|Headlock]]. This happens just before [[Scorch (G1)|Singe]] drives up, then transforms and leaps into a corkscrew spin, ending with a missile blast. Someone with a high pitched voice: (in dismay) "No, they're combining!" The Combaticons and Predacons combine. A blue generic, Springer, [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]], and Singe are chased by [[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]] and [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]]. This causes the generic and Warpath to run into each other and Silverbolt, of all bots, to complain that the combiners are showoffs. Ripclaw torches Springer's backside.
: ''Toy segment:'' A pan through half of the Wave 1 Microchangers plus Silverbolt and [[Fireflight (G1)|Firestrike]]. Fast motion transformation of Singe, Springer, [[Bludgeon (Kre-O)|Bludgeon]], and [[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]] to vehicle mode. Fast motion combination of the Predacons and Combaticons into Predaking and Bruticus, respectively. A pan through various Preview Wave, Wave 1, and Combiner Microchangers.
: ''Notes:'' Silverbolt is not voiced by [[Charlie Adler]]. Involved in the mega battle scene are a number of duplicates, presumably due to the cost of working up a whole bunch of different CGI models. The scene includes two each of [[Spinister (G1)|Spinister]], [[Headstrong (G1)|Torox]] and [[Tantrum (G1)|Headlock]], three each of Ripclaw (one without wings), Springer, and [[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]], four [[Divebomb (G1)|Divebomb]]s, ''five'' Warpaths and '''''six''''' each of Silverbolt and Singe. Know that, surprisingly, there's only one [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]].
:* '''KRE-O Transformers Micro Changers Combiners Construction Sets''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fayfPfIb5Kk&feature=share&list=UUDtYGb16ru5UWC78xaaO34A]
::Uploaded March 19, 2013. An edited down version of the Micro Changers and Combiners ad.

=== 2014 ===
{{main|Commercial/Age of Extinction#Dino Force}}

=== 2015 ===
* ''KRE-O Battle Changers''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7h20AJOLLzw]
:''Animation:'' Autobot logo built from Kre-O bricks. Grimlock finds out, to his surprise, that "With new Kre-o Battle Changers, you can build and convert!". Grimlock pauses from bashing Decepticons to test the claim by switching Bumblebee between modes until he breaks apart. Bumblebee reacts with audible disappointment: "Aw man!".
:''Toy segment:'' Fast motion assembly and conversion of Bumblebee.

==Rescue Bots==
=== 2011 ===
[[File:RescueBotsOnlineExclusiveTrailer.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Optimus' hopes of defending his 200 [[Units of length|mechanometer]] title were dashed by a pulled hamstring.]]
* '''Rescue Bots Online Exclusive trailer''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RXpHdIoJFo]
:Uploaded August [[2011]]. The narrator introduces the concept of the [[Transformers: Rescue Bots (franchise)|Rescue Bots]] while a young boy plays with the toys and demonstrates their features.
:"''Playskool Heroes brings the excitement of big boy brands to little boy hands with the all new Transformers Rescue Bots.''"

* '''[[Family of Heroes|Sneak]] [[Under Pressure|Preview]]''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUuLIPROmBE]
: ''Saturday!'' "Follow these coordinates." ''The Hub transforms your morning with an all-new sneak peak.'' "Robots! Transform!" ''New Autobots...'' "Happy to join the battle sir." ''...new adventures...brand new series.'' "Less talk, more action." ''Be the first to catch the hour long Hub sneak peak.'' "Thought you'd never ask." ''Transformers: Rescue Bots. Saturday starting at noon Eastern, 9AM Pacific. Only on the Hub.'' "Roll to the rescue!"

* '''Rescue Bots toys''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JL9M-l6SExs]
: ''Animation:'' CGI [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]], [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]], [[Heatwave (RB)|Heatwave]], [[Chase (RB)|Chase]], [[Blades (RB)|Blades]], and [[Boulder]] come running (or flying) out of [[Fire Station Prime]]. Prime, Bumblebee and Chase watch as Heatwave puts out a fire. The whole group gets into a heroic V-formation.
: ''Toy segment:'' A pan over of Fire Station Prime, Optimus Prime, Bee, Boulder, and Blades. Close up of two sets of hands transforming Chase and Heatwave to robot mode simultaneously. [[Cody Burns]] is placed into Heatwave and driven out of Fire Station Prime. Fire Station Prime is transformed. Heatwave is transformed to robot mode again. Fire Station Prime is transformed again. [[Jack Tracker]] rides the elevator with his jetpack. The Fire Station's water cannon is used to put out a fire. Cody Burns slides down the fire pole. Chase transforms to car mode.
: ''Notes:'' The narration of this ad consists of an unknown singer singing about the heroism of the Rescue Bots and what's going on in the toy and animation clips.
: "New from Transformers! Res-cue-Bots! Rescue Robots sa-ving the day. Working with humans, the Rescue Bot way. Fire station changes to Optimus Prime. Heatwave! Put out those fires crew. Rescue Bots ready any time. To put out fires and team up with youuuuuuuuuu! Res-cue-Bots! Rescue Robots sa-ving the day. Working with humans, the Rescue Bot way. Res-cue-Bots!" ''Heroes start here.''

=== 2012 ===

* '''Season 1 promo''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=To6iSieJVOY]
: ''Saturdays on The Hub.'' "Rescue Bots, Roll to the Rescue!" ''They're the first on the scene.'' "Wherever there is an emergency, there are Rescue Bots." ''Heatwave, Chase, Boulder, and Blades!'' "Hi." ''They've got a mission to serve and protect [[Griffin Rock|our planet]], and that's just what they planned to do!'' "Preferably with high speed pursuits." "Now you're talking!" ''Transformers: Rescue Bots. Check local listings, only on The Hub.'' "We're happy to join the battle, sir."

* '''Season 1 [[It's a Bot Time|2]]-[[Bot to the Future|parter]] promo''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikd0LRByc9A]
: "What did Morocco do to Griffin Rock?" "Whatever it was, we have to undo it." ''Saturday on The Hub. Bumblebee and Optimus Prime join the Rescue Bots.'' "We suspected you might need some assistance." ''And in order to foil Doctor Morocco's evil plan--'' "Capture those robots." ''they'll need all the help they can get.'' "They've walled us in." ''A special 2-part episode of Transformers: Rescue Bots.'' "I like the sound of that." ''Check local listings. It Can Happen, only on The Hub.''

[[File:RescueBotsMobileHeadquartersCommercial.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
* '''Mobile Headquarters''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hh84eeSmu70]
: ''Animation:'' The same clip of CGI Autobots getting into a V-formation as used in the previous commercial.
: ''Toy segment:'' The ladder of the headquarters is raised with Cody Burns in the basket. The vehicle is converted to base mode and Cody is dropped into the passenger compartment of Optimus Prime. Prime rolls out from the headquarters.
: ''Notes:'' The narration is a song again with different words but the same tune.
: ''Trannnsformers: Rescue Bots, it's time to roll. Chase and Heatwave out on patrol. Open up headquarters, don't delay. Roll out with Optimus and save the daaay! Res-cue-Bots!''

* '''Bots & Robbers Police Headquarters''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tl9lyEqa-Ww]
: ''Animation:'' CGI Autobots forming into a V-formation.
: ''Toy segment:'' Chase is deployed from the police headquarters; he returns to the headquarters and locks the criminal in the jail cell.
: ''Notes:'' This ad has yet another narration song. The playset is referred to as the Rescue Bots Police Headquarters in the ad.
: ''Trannnsformers: Rescue Bots, are on the scene. First at responding, work as a team. Chase the Police Bot speeds away, catches the robber and saves the daaay! Res-cue-Bots!''

=== 2013 ===

* '''Energize figures''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hh84eeSmu70]
: ''Animation:'' Bumblebee and Heatwave race to the scene of a burning building and a road that's splitting apart. All the Autobots raise their Energize tools to the air; Bumblebee uses his jackhammer to demolish rubble. Heatwave uses his "water" cannon to put out a fire.
: ''Narration:'' Unknown.
: ''Toy segment:'' Bee and Heatwave are pushed along, then Bee is transformed. Group shot of all the figures in robot mode. Bumblebee breaks through a wall in robot mode, then Boulder does the same in vehicle mode. Heatwave deals with a burning building. Two kids celebrate while all the figures stand in front of them.
: ''Notes:'' Sadly, there's no catchy tune this time.
: ''New tools, new rescues.''

[[File:BeamBoxCommercial.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|"All right, Beatrice, there was no alien. The flash of light you saw in the sky was not a UFO. Swamp gas from a weather balloon was trapped in a thermal pocket and reflected the light from Venus."]]
* '''Beam Box Game System''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgtWopfjBXw]
: ''Animation:'' None.
: ''Narration:'' Unknown.
: ''Toy segment:'' A young boy invites his friends to step inside...his closet? It turns out to be a surprisingly roomy closet that resembles a dimly lit warehouse. The boy inserts his [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] figure inside his [[Beam Box]] and tells his friends: "Prepare to be amazed!". Optimus Prime is then beamed into a magically appearing video screen. The narrator then proceeds to explain how the Beam Box "beams" the figures into various video games as the kids are shown playing the games.

* '''Marathon promo''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3Otbnk4H74]
: ''Saturday at 12:00 PM Eastern. Have no fear, The Hub is here--'' "Rescue Bots, Roll to the Rescue!" ''to save your Saturday! We're amping up your afternoon with eight episodes of Transformers: Rescue Bots right in a row. By adding action, diverting danger--'' "It's go time." ''and saving your Saturday from total disaster.'' (explosion) "This is a job for heavy machinery." ''Transform your Saturday with Transformers: Rescue Bots. Saturday at 12:00 PM Eastern, 9:00 Pacific, only on The Hub.''

=== 2014 ===

* '''Season 2 [[Road Trip|Premiere]]''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bciE8EjnMg0]
: (Cheering noises) "We're gonna need a bigger road." ''Saturday, March 1st.'' "Rescue Bots, Roll to the Rescue!" "I wanted to say that!" ''Your favorite Hub Network heroes are transforming with all-new adventures.'' (Grunt) "I can't believe it's real!" ''The all-new season of Transformers: Rescue Bots. Premieres Saturday, March 1st at 1:00 PM Eastern, 10:00 AM Pacific. Only on the Hub Network.'' "We're on our way!"

* '''Season 2 promo''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHGyKVfvIPg]
: ''This Saturday!'' "Ready, everybody?" "Yep!" ''The Hub Network's Transformers: Rescue Bots is all-new.'' "Our fans will want to see everything!" ''With adventure so incredible, there's only one word to describe it:'' "Interesting." "Awesome." "Incredible." "Fascinating." "Uhhh...[[Gremlin]]s." (Gremlin squeals.) ''Okay, maybe not that word.'' "Let's move, team!" ''Don't miss an all-new Transformers: Rescue Bots. Check local listings. You don't wanna miss this, only on the Hub Network!''

* '''Season 2 Summer promo''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJ1xcSwTKG8]
: ''Saturday! The Hub Network is heating up your summer with all-new episodes of Transformers: Rescue Bots.'' "Hold the elevator, what?" ''All-new episodes of Transformers: Rescue Bots. Every Saturday!'' "Sounds great." ''The Rescue Bots are rolling to rescue your summer from boredom.'' "Because we're awesome." ''Because for them, that's what summer vacation is all about.'' "That sounds about right." ''Transformers: Rescue Bots, all new Saturday at 1:30 PM Eastern, 12:30 Central. Only on the Hub Network. Making Family Fun.''

* '''Transformers 4 July Marathon''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dzb56jIR7RI]
: ''Friday, July 4th. Celebrate the Transformers' 30th Anniversary with the Hub Network. "Lock and load." ''Featuring three decades of Transformers action-- "Roll out." ''All. Day. Long.'' "Let's go for it." "Brace yourselves." ''There's fireworks a plenty--'' "Boom." ''with the 4th of July Transformers Marathon. Friday, July 4th, starting at 11:00 AM Eastern, 10:00 AM Central. Only on the Hub Network.''
: Notes: this was a 2014 marathon featuring the re-titled ''[[The Transformers: The Movie|Transformers: The Animated Movie]]'', ''[[Predacons Rising (Prime)|Predacons Rising]]'', and various ''[[Transformers: Rescue Bots (cartoon)|Rescue Bots]]'' episodes.

[[File:MixableMashableHeroesCommercial.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
* '''Mixable, Mashable Heroes''' [https://www.ispot.tv/ad/7rE9/transformers-mr-potato-head]
: ''Animation:'' [[Mr. Potato Head]] works on Optimus Prime in his garage when a transmission comes over the radio telling all Autobots to roll out. The two combine into [[Optimash Prime]].
: ''Narration:'' Unknown.
: ''Toy segment:'' Three boys mix and match Potato Head parts on a living room table.
: ''Mr. Potato Head is ready to save the day!''

* '''Season 3 Exclusive Preview''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IHKP0MO9_U]
: Premiered [[July 24]], [[2014]] at [[San Diego Comic-Con]]. The first 30 seconds features [[Blades (RB)|Blades]], [[Boulder]], [[Heatwave (RB)|Heatwave]], [[Chase (RB)|Chase]] and [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] transforming from vehicle mode to robot mode to dinosaur mode. The remaining 1:12 consists of various clips of Optimus Prime in dinosaur mode, set to an orchestral soundtrack.

[[File:RescueBotsOptimusPrimalCommercial.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
* '''Optimus Primal''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWxDDpyC8FA]
: ''Animation/Kidmation:'' Kidmation is back! The boy playing with his Optimus Primal toy, becomes a Rescue Bots animated version of himself and directs Optimus and Heatwave to "roar and rescue" Chase.
: ''Narration:'' Unknown.
: ''Toy Segment:'' A boy plays with [[Optimus Prime (WFC)/toys#Rescue Bots|Optimus Primal]] and [[Heatwave (RB)#electronicdinobottoy|Electronic Heatwave the Rescue Dinobot]] on a living room coffee table.
{{-}}

== Bot Shots ==
=== 2012 ===
[[File:BotShotsOnlineBattleGameTeaserTrailer.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Round 1, FIGHT!]]
* '''Bot Shots Online Battle Game teaser trailer''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhQEQOzEzps]
: A CGI [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] and [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] are used to explain the mechanics of the Bot Shots game. Each "x beats y" combination of attacks is shown followed by Bumblebee beating up Starscream with the winning attack. There is no narration in this trailer.
: [Small bots.] [Big attitude.]

* '''Bot Shots''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCBARFhkDFI]
: ''Animation:'' CGI [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] collide in vehicle mode, then transform and battle. CGI Bumblebee and Starscream have their own confrontation. Bumblebee bursts through the end shot.
: ''Narration:'' Dynamic!
: ''Toy Segment:'' Two school lockers, with Autobot and Decepticon logos, shudder and shake. Two bookbags, that also have Autobot and Decepticons logos, bulge and glow with red and purple light. The lockers then glow and bulge themselves before a Bot Shot bursts out of each one. Bot Shots break out of the bookbags too, shooting through several full bookshelves before colliding. The Bot Shots from the lockers collide in a hallway. The announcer then describes the Bot Shots while their features are demonstrated on a table...somewhere.

[[File:BotShotsBattleForTheMatrixCommercial.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
* '''Battle For The Matrix''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMqbwoxMVt0]
: ''Animation:'' The same Optimus Prime/Megatron and Bumblebee/Starscream scenes from the previous ad. A live action segment has CGI Megatron goading Prime into a fight from the window of a neighboring house. Prime takes the bait and they charge at each other, ripping through the walls of the houses.
: ''Narration:'' Dynamic!
: ''Toy Segment:'' Demonstration of the Optimus Prime and Megatron figures battling and launching from their launchers.
: ''Notes:'' Megatron and Optimus Prime both have high pitched voices created via sped up playback. As a result both sound similar to Bumblebee whose voice has the same processing.
: "Hey you!" "Who me?" "Yeah, you! Bring it!" "Oh, let's do this!" "You want a piece of this?" "You got it!"

=== 2013 ===
* '''Dragon Track''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfuj72wsNNQ]
: ''Animation:'' Optimus Prime collides with Megatron, but this time it's the version of Megatron that comes with the [[Bot Shots (toyline)#Dragon Track|Dragon Track]]. A live action segment has startled onlookers witnessing [[Scourge (Cybertron)|Scourge]] bursting through the door of a subway car in order to goad Optimus Prime into a fight. Being the macho idiot that he apparently he is in this universe, Prime takes the bait again and the two charge at each other.
: ''Narration:'' Dynamic!
: ''Toy Segment:'' The Dragon Track is demonstrated and the new moves it allows the Bot Shots to perform are highlighted.
: ''Notes:'' The ad also includes a plug for "bashing new beasts" at Transformers.com.
: "Hey Bot, it's go time!" "Oh yeah Beast? Bring it!"

== Fall of Cybertron ==
=== 2012 ===
[[File:FOCTeaserTrailerGrimlock.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|And here we see Yankee slugger Babe Ruth approaching home plate...]]
* '''Teaser Trailer''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhMsfJcQKSk]
: A series of black and white (with some red highlights) clips of Grimlock.

* '''Launch Trailer''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7yibXofJoM]
: Cybertron has been ravaged by the war between the Autobots and Decepticons. Optimus Prime realizes the planet can no longer sustain them and that only one transport remains. Megatron places the blame for the current situation on Prime. Both sides make plans to journey to another planet. One, according to Shockwave, that is [[Earth|primitive but rich in raw energy]]. Grimlock disagrees with the idea of escaping to another planet, preferring to stand and fight. Metroplex heeds the call of the "Last Prime".
: [The Fall Of Their World] [Is The Beginning Of Their Legend.]

[[File:FOCRetroOptimusPrimeTrailer.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
* '''Retro Optimus Prime trailer''' [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFvFo7SpVzI]
: Starscream leads the Decepticons in an attack, only for G1 Optimus Prime to show up and [[The Touch|recreate a scene]] from [[The Transformers: The Movie]].

* '''Commercial''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFZrL0x63c8] (90 second) / [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=baf0nYhmYgg] (30 second)
: Optimus Prime carries Bumblebee away from a battle. He stands over Bumblebee with Jazz and Ironhide, ready for a fight. Megatron stomps and smashes a generic Autobot. He commands the Combaticons to attack and they combine into Bruticus. Swoop and Slug transform and take off. They join the other Dinobots to take on Bruticus while Prime goes for Megatron. Megatron starts to gain the upper hand and goes for a killing blow. Before he can land it though, Prime calls upon Metroplex.
: [At The End Of Their World] [Their Last Stand Begins] [Experience The Battle] [That Changed Their Fate] [And Decided Our Future]

== Transformers: The Ride-3D ==
=== 2012 ===
* '''Teaser trailer''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-LE95WGDfc]
: After name checking the design team as the ones who brought you The Amazing Adventures of [[Spider-Man]] and [[King Kong]] 360 3-D, footage from the ride is shown. [[Evac (Ride)|Evac]] drives alongside a security fence before transforming and hopping over it. [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] kicks [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] in the back, knocking what looks like a canister out of Bee's hands and into Evac's. Megatron bursts out of a floor. [[Devastator (ROTF)|Devastator]] grasps at thin air while falling from a building. [[Laserbeak (DOTM)|Laserbeak]] drags...something through a floor of an office building. [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] (speaking to the camera) congratulates some freedom fighters.
: ''Notes:'' Optimus Prime is not voiced by [[Peter Cullen]].
: [From the team that brought you The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man] [King Kong 360 3-D] [And now] [Transformers The Ride-3D] [Ride it this May] "Well done, freedom fighters."

[[File:TransformersTheRide3DSuperbowlAdOptimus.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
* '''Super Bowl XLVI Commercial''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KorOHqxYSuo]
: Aired [[February 5]], [[2012]]. We appear to return to the broadcast of Super Bowl XLVI only to have the feed interrupted by a message from Optimus Prime. "Humans, you are in grave danger. The Decepticons have taken over, we need your help-" He is blasted then shoved out of the way by Megatron who "finishes" Optimus Prime's thought: "earthlings, and soon you will all perish!" The feed goes out as on screen text instructs us to "Prepare for Battle" and the narrator tells us to ride the attraction at Universal Studios.
: ''Notes:'' Peter Cullen reprises his role as Optimus Prime while [[Frank Welker]] supplies the voice of Megatron.

[[File:TransformersTheRide3DCommerical.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
* '''Commercial''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfCsnAI4IyA](Hollywood May 25)/[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mu5i9YSH7VE](Orlando Now)
: A metal bar appears out of ice vapor. Megatron takes a swing at Optimus Prime and misses, slamming his fist into the ground. The metal bar rotates as more ice vapor eminates from the bar. Bumblebee rips a small Decepticon apart. A hand reaches for the metal bar. An unidentified arm ([[City of Steel (episode)|with the hand at the end of that arm holding a gun]]) moves towards [[Bonecrusher (Movie)|Bonecrusher]] and shoots him in the face. [[Grindor (ROTF)|Grindor]]? runs. The hand completes its grip on the bar. Two more hands grab the bar. Optimus Prime tries to restrain Megatron with a chain but Megs is able to fire his cannon at the camera anyway. The bar is revealed to be part of a theme park ride being held two men and a woman all wearing 3D glasses. Devastator sucks a car into his mouth.
: [Prepare] [For The Greatest] [Battle] [You'll Ever] [Ride] [Transformers The Ride-3D] ''Transformers: The Ride. Ride it. At Universal Studios Hollywood.''
: ''Notes:'' This ad came with either "Ride it [Month] [Day]" or "Ride it now" and was used for both Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Resort Orlando.

* '''Radio ad''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-rOpJnxRHY]
: ''...for this, Universal Studios: Hollywood is offering their "Buy a day, get 2012 free" pass to the public for a limited time. You and your family can enjoy the park, or what remains of it, all year long for the price of one day. And experience your favorite rides again and again. Like the intense King Kong 360 3D and be able to return this May to live the exciting arrival of Transformers: The Ride - 3D. This offer ends April 29th, 2012 so we ask all civilians to hurry and purchase their annual pass today. This was an official message from the EDC, [[Earth Defense Command]] against the Decepticons. Black out dates and restrictions apply. Go to UniversalStudiosHollywood.com for details.''

[[File:TransformersTheRide3DSuperbowlAdMegatron.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
* '''Universal Resort Orlando Trailer''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHpmcRxPpd0]
: Optimus Prime delivers a warning about a Decepticon attack on Orlando and makes a plea for help from humankind, only to be interrupted by Megatron.
: "Humans, you are in grave danger. I, am Optimus Prime. I must warn you, that at this very moment the Decepticons are mobilizing to take over Orlando. Their plan is to destroy the human race. They will ravage your planet like they did our own, until it is consumed with death. But hope is not lost. We can rise against evil and defeat Megatron, but we cannot do it alone. Humans, we need your help to defend mankind ''before'' it is too late. Orlando, the time has come to prepare for battle-" "earthlings, and soon you will all perish."
: ''Notes:'' This is an extended and modified version of the message and interruption from the Super Bowl commercial. As such, [[Peter Cullen]] and [[Frank Welker]] voice Optimus Prime and Megatron respectively. The ride footage from the teaser trailer is tacked onto the end.

* '''Universal Studios Hollywood''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v49qrd6LN00]
: This is just the on screen text [Prepare For The Greatest Battle You'll Ever Ride] followed by an abbreviated version of the ride footage from the teaser trailer.
{{-}}

=== 2018 ===

* '''Peyton Manning: Vacation Quarterback''' [https://youtu.be/PlNoeTWSfe4?t=27s]
: Scene from an longer commercial, aired on [[February 4]], [[2018]] during the Super Bowl. While on vacation at Universal Studios with his family, {{w|Peyton Manning}} runs into Megatron, who Manning thinks [[Megatron (human)|used to play]] for [[Detroit]]. Megatron is sickened by the sight of Manning.

== Construct-Bots ==
=== 2013 ===
[[File:ConstructBotsCommercial.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
* '''Toy ad #1''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qp5z6L9PVI8]
: ''Animation:'' [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] breaking out of his package; Bumblebee does the Cabbage Patch as [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] comes up behind him and knocks him down with a back legsweep. Megatron is quite amused by this until Bumblebee turns the table by stripping Megatron's parts off in a tornado of action, leaving him "naked". At the end, Bumblebee busts through the wall seen behind the Construct-Bots Bumblebee and [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] figures, does a somersault and then points at the camera: "Build ''your'' Bot!"
: ''Narration:'' [[Dynamic!]]
: ''Toy segment:'' The Bumblebee Construct-bot figure is built to robot mode, changed to vehicle mode and customized with parts from Soundwave.
: ''Notes:'' The narration switches from the narrator to Bumblebee without any change in voice. It's merely indicated by the animated Bumblebee's lips moving. Megatron's laugh, shriek and grunts are provided by an unknown voice actor. The animation was shared with the online video [[Switcheroo!]]
: ''Now, you can build your bot your way!''

* '''Toy ad #2''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6jE-bctjyg]
{{See also|Toys & App TV Commercial}}
: ''Animation:'' The Bumblebee breaking out of his package intro is re-used here. Bumblebee transforms into his jet mode and flies around. Much to his dismay he encounters Megatron trying to shoot him down. He is saved by [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] ramming into Megatron in truck mode. Megatron is hit so hard, he not only goes flying but all his armor flies off, once again leaving him "naked". Optimus Prime transforms to robot mode.
: ''Narration:'' [[Dynamic!]]
: ''Toy segment:'' The Construct-Bots app is demonstrated on a tablet PC. The Bumblebee figure is set down next to his package and that of Soundwave.
: ''Notes:'' Again, there is little to no distinction between the narrator voice and the Bumblebee voice. Megatron again has a laugh and shriek provided by an unknown actor. Thanks to the amount of animation and the app demonstration, the only actual toy footage is a seven second or so stretch of the Bumblebee figure being set down and then still visible on screen as CGI Bumblebee breaks through the wall, rolls forward and begins speaking to the camera.
: ''Unleash your ultimate Optimus Prime!''

* '''Cybertron Construction Zone on CartoonNetwork.com''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-T4eKlJVSUA]
: ''Animation:'' None.
: ''Narration:'' Unknown.
: ''Toy segment:'' Optimus Prime and Megatron laying on circular platforms with their parts spread out around them. A CGI robotic camera analyzes them, and the connected computer system counts 67 pieces for Optimus Prime, 68 for Megatron and declares that there will be no mixing. A set of human hands builds Optimus Prime but finishes by adding Megatron's [[Insignia|faction symbol]], to the astonishment of the narrator. The computer starts to flip out, noting that "This is against protocol." The narrator tells the computer to relax then instructs kids (with the help of their parents) to go to [[Cartoon Network]]'s website to [[Construct-Bots Builder|"construct, customize and convert your own ultimate custom bots."]]
: ''Notes:'' The narrator refers to the camera/computer combo as 'Cyborg'.
: ''Should've tried that years ago.''

== Age of Extinction ==
{{main|Commercial/Age of Extinction}}

==Angry Birds Transformers==
===2014===
====Game====
[[File:AngryBirdsCinematicTrailer1.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
*''Comic-Con trailer'' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExD-ZX-Z_Ds]
: Uploaded [[July 24]], 2014. [[Red (AB)|Red]] is deployed by [[Astrotrain (G1)|a familiar looking space shuttle]] onto a beach dotted with palms. He runs across the beach and into a jungle, taking out a trio of pigs as he goes. Red stops at the sight of a pile of rocks which transforms into a robot in order to attack him. Red tries to fight back but finds his attack to be ineffective. This prompts him to use a [[telepod]] to call in [[King Pig]] to help him. After defeating the robot, Red goes to shake Pig's hand. Pig does the old "pull hand away and slick back your hair" trick and then laughs at Red. Jerk.

[[File:AngryBirdsCinematicTrailer2.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Holy crap Prime. It's just a Taco Bell.]]
*''Cinematic trailer'' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lL_rOz2DUY]
: Uploaded [[August 29]], 2014. A comet?, streak of light? cross the universe and deposits the [[AllSpark#Angry Birds Transformers continuity family|AllSpark Egg]] onto a planet much like [[Earth|our own]]. The Angry Birds and Pigs race toward a standoff in a rocky, desert-like area. The Allspark egg turns them into the [[Autobird]]s and [[Deceptihog]]s. Nearby eggs are turned into the [[Eggbot (AB)|Eggbots]], who open fire on both groups. They also start turning rocks into automated gun turrets. Red and King Pig have a tense arm wrestling lockup which causes rocks to start flying. This is interrupted by the Eggbots who draw the Autobirds' full attentions. The Autobirds destroy the turrets and chase the Eggbots off towards a volcano.
{{Note|This trailer is an homage to the Season 1 [[title sequence]] of ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]'' complete with its own unique theme song (written in part by [[Vince DiCola]] himself) and the title text coming out from behind the volcano. The creators even went so far as to make the animation look like it's an authentic 1980's production ripped from a VHS tape with film defects and tracking issues.}}

*''Gameplay Trailer'' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejZmRyraq2g]
: Uploaded [[September 25]], 2014. A montage of gameplay footage.

*''Character trailers'' - Brief demos of the model for the highlighted character.
**"Red as Optimus Prime!": [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veUmALdUbfo]
**"Chuck as Bumblebee!": "[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzLL96i3WPs]
**"Hal as Grimlock!": [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svl_hrkIGAg]
**"Corporal Pig as Galvatron!": [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lK0j9Bh2jCM]
**"Foreman Pig as Lockdown!": [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jE_GNEGexxg]

*''Behind the scenes with Vince DiCola and Kenny Meriedeth!'' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LlkMgAQIkk]
: Uploaded [[August 29]], 2014. Vince DiCola and [[Kenny Meriedeth]] talk about what went into creating the soundtrack for [[Angry Birds Transformers (mobile game)|Angry Birds Transformers]].

* ''Launch trailer'' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pp9MW6Yj0NA]
: Uploaded [[October 30]], 2014. A mixture of footage from the Cinematic trailer, the Gameplay trailer, and the Character trailers combined with footage of Angry Birds cosplayers at [[New York Comic Con#2014|New York Comic Con 2014]], set to the Angry Birds Transformers theme song. The soundtrack and the new ability to take a teammate into events are highlighted features.

====Toys====
{{stub}}

===2015===
====Game====
* ''Deceptihogs' Revenge'' [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOLaQG34eSM]
: Uploaded [[January 14]], 2015. Optimus Prime Bird and Megatron Pig fist-bump as they drive up to the EggSpark. Megatron Pig reaches it first, and is entranced by its glow. Optimus Prime reaches out to him to be helped up... But Megatron Pig laughs maniacally in his face as the EggSpark upgrades him into Dark Megatron Pig! Dark Megatron Pig kicks Optimus Prime Bird away, and returns to the Deceptihogs' lair. He is followed by the Autobirds, who burst in to find... The Deceptihogs using the EggSpark as a dancelight.
{{Note|This trailer is a sort of "sequel" to the Cinematic Trailer detailed above, animated in the same style. The gameplay footage highlights the "Deceptihogs' Revenge" update.}}

* ''Best Buddies'' [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnCsp0bVv6g]
: Uploaded [[April 28]], 2015. Bumblebee Bird faces off against a swarm of flying Pigbots, barely holding his own... then spots Heatwave Bird relaxing nearby in a hammock. Perplexed, he goes up to his friend for help, but Heatwave Bird is uninterested... until a stray shot blows off the little umbrella from his drink. Heatwave Bird blows up the Deceptihogs with one shot, before going back to nursing his drink.

* ''Arcee and Airachnid join the team!'' [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwEBZB9mcVs]
: Uploaded [[May 21]], 2015. Arcee Bird does some heavy-lifting at the gym. As she finishes up, she walks by Galvatron Pig, spotting Megatron Pig at a nearby weight station. Galvatron Pig is distracted by Arcee Bird, and picks up her discarded lollypop, while Megatron Pig struggles with the weight he attempted to lift. Airachnid Bird does some yoga stretches, surrounded by japanese lanterns... but gets her leg stuck behind her neck. She hops past Megatron Pig, now at a punching bag. Optimus Prime Bird jogs across the countryside, and meets with Arcee Bird, Airachnid Bird, and Megatron Pig. They jump up in cheer together. Freezeframe.

* ''Meet Bluestreak and Prowl!'' [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMnFZn16BV8]
: Uploaded [[July 15]], 2015. Optimus Prime Bird and Arcee Bird are on the run from some Flying Pigbots! Arriving at a cliff edge, they try to fight back, only to find that they are out of ammo. They duck behind a boulder for cover... And are rescued by Bluestreak Bird, teleporting in! Elsewhere, Heatwave Bird and Bumblebee Bird are driving by when... Aww, someone taped over this part with some gameplay footage!
{{Note|This trailer is yet another one made to look as though it was ripped fram a VHS tape. In keeping with the theme, a short portion of another "commercial" can be seen before the Angry Birds: Transformers" footage begins.}}

* ''Introduction to Energonicons'' [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r13C9W01Re8]
: Uploaded [[July 24]], 2015. Nick from the Angry Birds Transformers team covers the subject of "Energonicons," a new feature included in the game as of its "1.6" update.

* ''Introduction to Crafting'' [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCZFTlNLQ68]
: Uploaded [[July 27]], 2015. Nick from the Angry Birds Transformers team covers the subject of "Crafting" a new feature included in the game as of its "1.6" update.

* ''Introduction to Bluestreak'' [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7Tr_nY_ruw]
: Uploaded [[July 27]], 2015. Nick from the Angry Birds Transformers team covers the subject of new character "Bluestreak" an addition to the game as of its "1.6" update.

== Hero Mashers ==
[[File:HeroMashersCommercial.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|No more, Optimus Prime! Grant me mercy, I beg of you! Use a breath mint!]]
=== 2014 ===
* '''Hero Mashers''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EmoVsaUkiM]
: ''Animation:'' Megatron battles it out on city street with Optimus Prime, Bumblebee and Grimlock. The three Autobots swap parts all the while and Prime borrows a few of Megs' parts at one point.
: ''Narration:'' Unknown.
: ''Toy segment:'' None.
: ''Notes:'' This ad continues the long history of music in Transformers commercials. This time however, it isn't a rap. It's a parody of "The Hokey Pokey".
: (Briskly, to the tune of "The Hokey Pokey") ''Optimus stumbles upon, pieces of Megatron. He tries them on for size, and they all fit to his surprise. More powerful than ever, enemies meet their demise, that's what it's all about. Autobots combine, Megatron's missiles miss. Using Grimlock's arms, they stop him with a dino fist. Taking bad guys down is easy, when you're mashing that with this. That's what it's all about.

== Battle Masters ==
[[File:BattleMastersCommercial.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Now boys, fight clean. No rough stuff. None of this. Or this. Or this. Or like so. Or this. Or this. Or this. You understand?]]
=== 2014 ===
* '''Battle Masters''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPRA1nyMfvg]
: ''Animation:'' [[Optimus Prime (Battle Masters)|Optimus Prime]] sits in his locker room, pumping himself up to fight [[Megatron (Battle Masters)|Megatron]]. After the fight, Prime hoists the title above a defeated Megatron.
: ''Narration:'' Unknown.
: ''Toy segment:'' Two boys play with the Battle Masters in the center of a boxing ring.
: ''Welcome to Fight Night.''
: This commercial was animated by [[Clockwork VFX]]

* '''Battle Masters Fight Night''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsQwKJN39Jg]
: An ad for a three day promotion for the [[Battle Masters mobile game]] where if a player beat the tournament, they would unlock the Brazen Brawler, [[Knockout (Battle Masters)|Knockout]]. The promotion ran from [[August 15]] to [[August 17]], [[2014]].

== Robots in Disguise (2015) ==
=== 2014 ===
* '''Exclusive First Look''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwsLeDPQCvA]
: Premiered [[July 24]], [[2014]] at [[San Diego Comic-Con]]. Features clips from ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 cartoon)|Robots In Disguise]]'' set to a techno track without any dialogue or sound effects.

* '''Season 1 trailer''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KjHtPfhHCg]
: Uploaded [[October 7]], 2014 to the Hasbro Studios YouTube channel. Presented on [[October 9]], 2014 at [[New York Comic Con]].
: ''Get ready...for a new mission...with a new team...and a new leader. Coming in 2015...a new team will roll out. Transformers: Robots in Disguise. Coming in 2015.''

* '''Bumblebee's Mission''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3qOX6p2xR4]
: Uploaded October 9, 2014 to the Hasbro Studios YouTube channel. A 3 minute clip of [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]]'s team talking him into letting them help with his mission.

* '''Masters of Destruction''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kgi7O-ycjuI]
: Uploaded October 9, 2014 to the Hasbro Studios YouTube channel. The Autobots take on [[Bisk (RID)|Bisk]].

===2015===
* '''Season 1 trailer #2''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_xFCPPbkUs]
: Uploaded [[February 23]], [[2015]] to the Official Transformers Channel.
: "I need you on Earth Bumblebee." "Optimus!" "We could be looking at a Decepticon army trying to take this planet." "Ready for your backup plan, sir." "I don't have one!" "Why don't we just start punchin' and see how it turns out?" "If we're gonna wrap these fugitives up, we need to be robots in disguise." "Woah." ''Transformers: Robots in Disguise. A brand new series. Only on Cartoon Network.''

* '''Series Premiere''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAb-J-EMk1U]
: Aired [[March 14]], [[2015]].
: "Playtime's over." ''The Transformers have a new mission.'' "And I'm stranded on Earth with two teenagers." ''Catch every fugitive Decepticon on Earth and get them back into their cells.'' "I could eat the whole planet. Just the crunchy parts." ''But it's not gonna be easy...'' "Roll up and roll out! I'll work on that last part." ''Transformers: Robots In Disguise. One hour series premiere. Tonight at six, five Central. On Cartoon Network.''

* '''One Step and Three Step Changers''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXhJWFTS2ks]
:Uploaded [[February 20]], 2015 to the Official Transformers Channel.
: ''Animation:'' CGI Bumblebee pulls into a parking lot near a beach as [[Steeljaw (RID)|Steeljaw]] pops out of some sand behind a live action boy. Bumblebee battles Steeljaw, eventually tossing him into the ocean.
: ''Narration:'' Standard RID 2015 Guy
: ''Toy segment:'' Live action kid transforming One Step Steeljaw and Three Step Bumblebee.
: ''Notes:'' Bumblebee's voice is provided by [[Will Friedle]].
:* '''One Step and Three Step Changers with Warrior Class Optimus Prime'''
: An edited version of the commercial above, featuring a brief clip of [[:File:Transformers-RID2015-spring-CM-ver-2-Optimus-Prime.jpg|Warrior Class Optimus Prime]].
: ''Notes:'' This [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] features unpainted thighs.
:* '''One Step and Three Step Changers''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOvHl0OGNqU]
: An edited version of the original commercial, featuring One Step Grimlock instead of Steeljaw. The ending shot also is replaced with a new one, showcasing One Step Grimlock and Sideswipe (the second mold), Warrior Optimus Prime and Strongarm, and Three Step Bumblebee and Thunderhoof.
:''Get on the action fast with One-Step, and Three Step Changers! And: Convert your favorite heroes with Warriors!''

* '''Mega Optimus Prime'''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owcaYg2OnEE]
: Uploaded [[June 16]], 2015 to the Official Transformers Channel.
: ''Animation'': Optimus Prime takes on [[Divebomb (RID)|Divebomb]], [[Airazor (RID)|Airazor]], and [[Fracture (RID)|Fracture]] in their rampage.
: ''Narration:'' Standard RID 2015 Guy
: ''Toy segment:'' Kid in yellow hoodie transforms Optimus Prime after driving him through a diorama.
: ''Notes:'' Optimus Prime's voice is not provided by [[Peter Cullen]].
:''Mega Optimus Prime converts fast in 3 Steps, from bot to battle!''

* '''Deployers: 'Mini-Con'''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVqc6Wifs-o]
: Uploaded August ?? 2015.
: ''Animation:'' None, apart from CGI manufacturing robot arms manipulating toys into place for the end shot.
: ''Narration:'' Standard RID 2015 Guy
: ''Toy segment'': Two kid scientists demonstrates the "science" of the Deployer gimmick, but only ended up fighting with their respective deployers when the kid from the left accidentally knocked off their ''only beaker''.
: ''Notes:'' When the camera pans out to show the two kids fighting across the table, there's no sign of the beaker anywhere.
: ''Oh yeah, now that's science!''

* '''Deployers''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BbcQTNPsPg] (30-second version)
: Uploaded September 20, 2015.
: ''Animation:'' Three different segments: [[Drift_(RID)|Drift]] deploys [[Jetstorm (RID)|Jetstorm]]; Fracture deploys Airazor and [[Divebomb (RID)|Divebomb]]; Drift deploys both Jetstorm and [[Slipstream (RID)]] and Fracture deploys his Mini-cons leading to a clash. Only the aftermath of the clash is seen with the Autobots standing tall over, and in the case of the Mini-cons standing tall on, the Decepticons.
: ''Narration:'' Standard RID 2015 Guy
: ''Toy segment:'' Two boys duel with Drift, Fracture and their Min-cons in a diorama.
: ''Notes:'' Diorama is the same one used for the Mega Optimus Prime ad.
:''Convert, Load, and Launch Mini-cons!''

* '''Super Bumblebee''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DT-9ZCgOhAk] (15-second version) / [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiTpA1zsWHI] (30-second version)
: Uploaded August 23, 2015.
:''Animation'': Steeljaw approaches Bumblebee, and bee transforms himself into a ''bigger'' bot, and then plays Steeljaw like a toy.
: ''Toy segment'': A boy drives Bumblebee through a scenic diorama before transforming him. His scale with other figures and electronic features are also demonstrated.
: ''Notes:'' The diorama is the same as the previous commercial.
:''Super Bumblebee: converts fast!''

* '''McDonald's Happy Meal''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0saCzXCR8k]
: Happy Meal box A pulls out a Yoplait GoGurt tube from behind his back, much to the delight of a second Happy Meal box. Happy Meal box B spins the GoGurt (and thereby also twists the arm of box A) like an airplane propeller. This causes box A to fly around like an airplane, eventually knocking down box B from behind. After B gets up and sees A fly away again, Bumblebee shows up. B hops into Bee's driver seat and starts pressing all around Bumblebee's interior touch screen controls, triggering his transformation. Once transformed, Bee is tickled by the Happy Meal box banging around inside him, trying to get out. Box B eventually manages to pop out of a hatch behind Bumblebee's head, and the zaniness of the whole thing gives both of them a good laugh. Box A flies through the still shot of the actual toys just before his arm propeller runs out of steam and he crashes.

* '''Exhibit at The Children's Museum of Indiana''' [https://youtu.be/psXk7_r_yHE]
: Optimus Prime narrates, appealing to the citizens of Earth to join [[Autobot|his team]] to defend the Earth from the Decepticons, who have been sighted near the museum. This narration accompanies various shots of the exhibit being enjoyed by children and their parents.
: ''Notes:'' Optimus Prime's narration is provided by his usual cartoon voice actor, [[Peter Cullen]].
: "Citizens of Earth, Decepticons have been sighted at the children's museum. We need you to join our team. Are you Autobot or Decepticon? Where do you stand? You must choose. You must prepare yourself to explore our world. Train the young. Design new Transformers characters. To protect the Allspark, join me Optimus Prime, to defend Earth." "Transformers: Robots In Disguise, at the Children's Museum of Indianapolis. Open now."

===2016===

* '''Power Surge Optimus Prime''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkSXc6Nyewg]
: Uploaded September 1, 2016.
: ''Animation:'' [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] lands in front of house where a boy comes out to defend it with his Power Surge Optimus Prime figure on a stormy night. Starscream then recoils in fear as [[Aerobolt]] being snapped onto the toy chest and activating its gimmicks causes the real Optimus Prime to show up.
: ''Narration:'' [[Peter Cullen]] with the Standard RID 2015 Guy doing the figure description at the end.
: ''Toy segment:'' Live action boy, flipping back the cab portion of the toy, then attaching Aerobolt to Prime's chest to trigger his pop-out wings and cannons.
:''When evil casts its shadow, step into the light to power up and be more than meets the eye.''

* '''Power Surge Bumblebee''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hRyIz-3_hk]
: Uploaded September 19, 2016.
: ''Animation:'' [[Thunderhoof (RID)|Thunderhoof]] transforms in the middle of a downtown intersection with a number of humans looking on. One of them, a young boy, steps up and holds his Power Surge Bumblebee figure up to Thunderhoof. This prompts the Decepticon to laugh and point at the child. The boy snaps [[Buzzstrike]] to the figure's chest to power it up. Thunderhoof is not swayed and continues laughing until he notices the real Bumblebee is standing behind him with Buzzstrike in-hand.
: ''Narration:'' Peter Cullen with the Standard RID 2015 Guy doing the figure description at the end.
: ''Toy Segment:'' Boy transforms Buzzstrike to chestplate mode and attaches him to Bumblebee.
:''Some forces will always try to stop you, but you have a choice. Power up and be more than meets the eye.''

* '''McDonald's Happy Meal''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcghgJtUzkU]
: Four kids sit on the front steps of a house, eating their [[McDonald's]] Happy Meal. One kid pulls out a robot mode Optimus Prime figure, which is strangely not bagged, from his Happy Meal box. As he shouts "Whoa, cool!", one of the other kids pulls out a robot mode Steeljaw figure. A third kid then shouts "You're outnumbered now, Optimus Prime!" as he holds up his robot mode Thunderhoof figure. Kid number four takes a bite out of his McNugget and nods knowingly at kid number one. After the still shot of the four toys, we find out that in an incredible coincidence kid four got vehicle mode Bumblebee. He asks "Who's out numbered now?" and flicks the toy forward. As the toy leaves the frame, it's replaced by a yellow Chevy Camaro that the four boys take to be the [[Bumblebee (Movie)|real-life Bumblebee]]

{{stub|Promos for the cartoon}}
{{-}}

===2017===

* '''Combiner Force: When Bots Collide''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlU2yNP1Gt0]
* Uploaded January 6, 2017.
: ''Animation:'' CG Optimus Prime & [[Strongarm (RID)|Strongarm]] collide and combine into Primestrong in a Southwestern U.S. desert. This happens behind a boy doing the same with his action figures.
: ''Narration:'' Unknown.
: ''Toy Segment:'' The animation segment is revealed to be a figment of the boy's imagination as a pan out from his eye shows him playing with the Combiner Force toys at what appears to be a picnic table.
:''Crash! and combine forces to become more than meets the eye! Now you can have the power to turn two, into one with new Robots in Disguise Crash Combiners ...and Activators.''

{{-}}

== Combiner Wars ==
===2015===
[[File:Transformers-Combiner-Wars-Commercial-Superion.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
*'''Transformers Generations: Combiner Wars''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wy-n-pzrJvI] (30-second version) / [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUXbTUKK6W4] (15-second version)
:Uploaded June 28, 2015 to the Official Transformers Channel.
:''Animation:'' A head shot of [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] talking about the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]], while said team flies to the city to stop the rampaging [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]]. The Aerialbots combine to form [[Superion (G1)|Superion]], and they battle against the Decepticon gestalt.
: ''Toy Segment:'' The Aerialbots are combined into Superion, who faces off with Menasor.
: ''Notes:'' Powerglide only shows up in the toy segment after Superion is formed.

*'''Transformers Generations: Combiner Wars: Defensor''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3Mv1lNDMhg]
:''Animation:'' Same as the first Combiner Wars ad but with scenes featuring the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] and [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]] replacing those that featured the Aerialbots and Superion.
:''Notes:'' Groove is not present on the first scene of the Protectobot's alt modes, and he later appears to form Defensor's chest.

*'''Transformers Generations: Combiner Wars: Sky Reign''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKQXMwiE69k] (23-second version) / [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bn7tZTWrDJE] (19-second version)
:''Animation:'' An abbreviated version of the animation from the first two Combiner Wars ads, featuring Menasor and Superion as the combiners. Optimus Prime's lines have been shortened as well. This time, instead of referring to any specific Transformers (himself included), he merely says "Six Decepticons have formed a massive combiner. Autobots, you have the power to combine." The animation from the end of the commercial has been omitted completely.
:''Toy Segment:'' [[Sky Reign]] is formed and placed in a faceoff against [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]].
:''Courage is stronger when combined!''

*'''Transformers Generations: Combiner Wars: Devastator trailer''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CELuyLdOg4]
: ''Animation:'' Excerpts from [[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]].
: ''Notes:'' The trailer is composed of text narration interspersed with snippets of the G1 cartoon and still frames of Devastators' various comic appearances all set to a background techno rock track. The cartoon snippets are occasionally accompanied by re-dubbed dialogue, presumably to avoid paying royalties for the use of the original voice actors' performances.
: ''The '''original''' combiner was made of | TOUGH STUFF | His return from G-1 [sic] | Has been 30 years in the making'' "Constructicons, merge into Dev-a-sta-tor." ''And now | We bring you'' "Devastator is back!" ''Devastator''
{{-}}

== Titans Return ==
===2016===
[[File:TF-Generations-Titans-Return-CM.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
*'''Transformers Generations: Titans Return''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBYZ_6Q2kd8] (15-Second Fortress Maximus version) / [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfSTaOAyRc8] (15-second Powermaster Optimus Prime verison)
:''Animation:'' Sentinel Prime and Blurr transforming into robots with their Titan Masters forming their heads, with Fortress Maximus appearing from behind.
:''Toy Segment:'' There are two variants of the commercial, one where "You can even control Powermaster Optimus Prime!" and one where "You can even control Fortress Maximus!" In either case, the respective Transformer has their head plugged in and then is shown in their alternate mode.
:''Notes:'' The commercial was first seen in Cybertron Con 2016.
:''On Cybertron, the ancient Titans has returned!''

===2017===
*'''Transformers: Titans Return - "More than Meets the Eye"''' [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qM_0jMmkIio]
:''Animation:'' Sawback replaces Diac as Optimus Prime's head, then he shoots at Megatron, who dodges, then Fangry becomes his head and he stomps the ground, making a quake Optimus dodges. Hot Rod runs by, Ptero becomes his head and then he transforms.
:''Toy Segment:'' Diac is detached from Optimus Prime and transformed into robot mode, then Sawback is plugged in his place. Ending shot shows Optimus Prime, Hot Rod and Sawback.
:''On Cybertron, Titan Masters enhance Optimus Prime's Fireblast, Megatron's Strength and Hot Rod's Speed!''
{{-}}

== The Last Knight ==
{{main|Commercial/The Last Knight}}

== Power of the Primes ==
*'''Transformers: Power of the Primes''' [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMziLNsacoI] (15-second version) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXtMR-jiUNY] (20-second version)
:''Animation:'' Micronus lands on Cybertron. Jazz escapes from Starscream's attacks, then Micronus comes out and boosts Jazz's power.
:''Toy Segment:'' Starscream lands and aims at Jazz and Micronus. Micronus is pulled out from his [[Prime Master|Decoy Armor]] and placed inside Jazz's chest armor.
:''Notes:'' In the 15 seconds version, the final shot shows Beachcomber alongside the three aforemented characters.
:''Unleash the Prime to become more than meets the eye!''

*'''Transformers: Power of the Primes Optimus Prime and Rodimus Prime''' [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBPUi8aksB4]
:''Toy Segment:'' A kid asks to some super computer how Optimus and Rodimus became Primes. The computer answers that Orion Pax and Hot Rod became them by the power of the Matrix. The kid transforms the two Leader Class toys of them, pulls out Optimus's Matrix and inserts Rodimus's into his placement.
:''Notes:'' Multiple scenes from the 1986 movie are shown in the super computer's screen.

== Studio Series ==
*'''Transformers Studio Series''' [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95Sp8a_TpHg]
:''Animation:'' Brief clip of Bumblebee transforming from the first movie.
:''Toy Segment:'' Bumblebee, Ratchet and Optimus Prime are set in front of the cardboard backdrops included with them.
:''Discover the moments and bring home the characters that defined a generation! You set the stage with Transformers Studio Series.''

*'''Transformers Studio Series''' [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQCgOcalodA]
:''Animation:'' Same as above.
:''Toy Segment:'' Same as above, but Blackout replaces Ratchet.

== Cyberverse ==
*'''Action Attackers''' [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOTHF3QWBM4] (20-second version) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyCpyIMe0SE] (15-second version)
:''Toy Segment:'' A kid transforms [[Bumblebee (Cyberverse)|Bumblebee]] and gasps at the activation of his car mode gimmick. He then transforms [[Grimlock (Cyberverse)|Grimlock]] too and activates his fire-breathing gimmick, and this time Bumblebee pokes out from behind the sofa to gasp at it in unison with the kid.
:''"WHOA" is right. Feel that thrill. There's always more than meets the eye! GET MORE WHOA with new Transformers Cyberverse Action Attackers!''
[[Category:Commercials| ]]
[[Category:Toys]]

Talk:Aero-Bot Flying Fists

2019-11-20T09:02:33Z

Shockwitwicky86: Created page with "==The link is now defunct== Worse, I can't seem to find a replacement link. ~~~~"

==The link is now defunct==
Worse, I can't seem to find a replacement link.
[[User:Shockwitwicky86|Shockwitwicky86]] ([[User talk:Shockwitwicky86|talk]]) 04:02, 20 November 2019 (EST)

Talk:Skuxxoid

2019-11-07T20:25:32Z

Shockwitwicky86:

I don't agree with the idea of the Skuxxoid being multiple guys. I'd always assumed it was this same one - what's the evidence to the contrary? --[[User:Monzo|Monzo]] 03:00, 16 January 2008 (UTC)
:Swindle's comment of "they" seems to be pretty indicative of a species. And Cyclonus also said "those miserable Skuxxoids" in FFOD2. -- [[User:SFH|SFH]] 03:01, 16 January 2008 (UTC)
::Hm. Perhaps I mis-spoke. What I mean is, I think the Skuxxoid we see in five episodes is the same one over and over again, not multiple Skuxxoids. I'm not disputing that there's a race of him - just that we haven't seen other ones. --[[User:Monzo|Monzo]] 03:12, 16 January 2008 (UTC)

==Any other sources proving Corey Burton voiced this guy?==
I've accessed the threads lately and the images of the master cast list are not displaying properly. They only appear as numbers and clicking on them doesn't seem to do anything. [[User:Shockwitwicky86|Shockwitwicky86]] ([[User talk:Shockwitwicky86|talk]]) 15:25, 7 November 2019 (EST)

Autoboot Camp

2016-08-25T15:06:54Z

Shockwitwicky86: /* Trivia */

{{episode|
|series=Anitoon
|series2=AniJapan
|ep=25
|ep2=23
|prev2=SUV: Society of Ultimate Villainy
|next2=Black Friday (episode)
|image=Autobot Cadets.jpg
|caption=Class of 2008. The ENTIRE Class of 2008.
|title="Autoboot Camp"
|airdate=[[June 3]], [[2008]]
|written by=[[Michael Ryan]]
|directed by=[[Ben Jones]] [[Christopher Berkeley]] [[Shunji Ōga|Shunji Oga]]
|animation studio=[[The Answer Studio]]
|continuity=[[Animated cartoon continuity]]}}

'''On the trail of an escaped Autobot traitor, Bumblebee flashes back to a previous encounter with the traitor when he first met Bulkhead in Autobot Boot Camp.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:TFA Autoboot Camp Wasp Salute.jpg|thumb|left|"Sayonara, suckerzzz."]]
Somewhere in space, an Autobot shuttle streaks through the solar night and crash-lands on an asteroid, where its lone occupant races off across the barren ground in [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]]. Hot on his trail is [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]], who chases him to a [[space bridge]] node on the asteroid. The green-armoured escapee triggers the space bridge with a blast from a familiar pair of stingers, and Sentinel loses his quarry as the portal explodes with light.

On Earth, [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]] reports the news of the escapee to the [[Autobot]]s. [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] immediately recognizes the criminal in question as [[Wasp]], a 'bot sharing his bodyform whom he met when during his [[Elite Guard]] training days.

[[File:TFA Autoboot Camp Bee Sentinel.jpg|thumb|Living rooms of America, do you catch my drift? Do... you... dig?]]
In the [[Decepticon]]s' underground lair, [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] contacts his double-agent on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and congratulates him on orchestrating Wasp's breakout. The double-agent is concerned that they are speaking so freely on the subject, but Megatron assures him that nobody will be able to listen in on the broadcast. [[Isaac Sumdac (Animated)|Professor Sumdac]] has other plans, though, as he secretly taps into the communication frequency and bounces it to the [[Autobot Earth Base|Autobots' base]]. Bumblebee and [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] are on monitor duty at the time, and the message comes through exceedingly scrambled, but they are at least able to comprehend the existence of a double-agent. Naturally, Bumblebee immediately assumes it to be Wasp, and he decides to settle his old score, with Bulkhead tagging along. Bumblebee remembers how it all went down...

''Stellar cycles ago, on Cybertron, Bumblebee meets Bulkhead for the first time when they both attend boot camp to train under Sentinel Minor, alongside Wasp, super-durable [[Ironhide (Animated)|Ironhide]] and telescopic-limbed [[Shockwave (Animated)|Longarm]]. The two B's immediately earn Sentinel's ire—Bumblebee for his impetuous bungling, and Bulkhead for his desire to be nothing more than a space bridge technician—and the pair gets saddled with [[oil]] cleanup. Of course, Bumblebee begins goofing off, which results in a stack of oil drums collapsing on Sentinel, which results in Bumblebee being made to stand in the middle of the courtyard in the dead of night, holding up oil drums and repeatedly declaring himself a “worthless oil stain.”''

[[File:AutobootCamp-Sentinelgetsowned(Secondtime).jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.85|Hardly a relaxing oil bath.]]
''After a while, though, Bumblebee calls it quits, but as he is walking by a warehouse, he spots a shadowy figure speaking into a communicator, with the voice of Megatron responding! After a moment's hesitation, Bumblebee pops his stingers and commands the spy-bot to show himself...but the figure has vanished. When Bumblebee turns to leave, however, he spots Wasp walking out of the warehouse.''

''Unsure of how to proceed, Bumblebee confides in Longarm, who encourages him to gather some evidence and present it to Sentinel. Bumblebee tries setting up a trap, planting a box with the Elite Guard symbol on it in the open, hoping Wasp will grab it...except Sentinel is the first to come upon it, and it explodes, covering him in paint. Next, Bumblebee tries a listening device, but accidentally winds up broadcasting Sentinel over the camp's loudspeakers as he jokes about Ultra Magnus being too old to hack the commander role. In traditional boot camp manner, Sentinel makes the whole team suffer for Bumblebee's mistakes, and Wasp and Ironhide take it out on the little 'bot by disconnecting his legs and stuffing him in a locker. Longarm comes to Bumblebee's rescue, and urges Bumblebee not to give in.''

[[File:TFA Autoboot Camp Oh Slag.jpg|thumb|Optimus must be kicking himself for having missed this.]]
''But the bullying doesn't stop, as Wasp hits Bumblebee with a burst of “friendly fire” in a simulated combat training exercise. Of course, it's just a paint grenade, but when Bulkhead offers to help Bumblebee up, Bumblebee snaps and insults Bulkhead's lack of ambition before storming off. Turning a corner, Bumblebee yelps as he finds several auto-cannons pointed in his face, but then laughs as he remembers that they're only loaded with paint rounds for the simulated combat. Or rather, they ''were'', as the shadowy figure from the warehouse slinks by the cannons and switches them to active ammunition. As the cannons open fire on Bumblebee, Bulkhead speeds to his rescue and takes out the cannons by dropping a building on them with his wrecking ball...only for Sentinel to get squashed under it as well. Bumblebee encourages Bulkhead to scarper, rather than risk his career by owning up.''

Tracking the message Sumdac broadcast to them, Bumblebee and Bulkhead wander through the wilderness, reminiscing about the old days. When Bumblebee stumbles into a patch of quicksand, Bulkhead plucks him out, but the conflict between the pair from their boot camp days starts bubbling back to the surface, and Bulkhead leaves Bumblebee to the mission himself. Angrily stomping up a mountain, Bumblebee loses his footing and falls off a cliff, becoming buried in an avalanche.

[[File:TFA Autoboot Camp Wasp Captured.jpg|thumb|left|Will go on to star in [[Wikipedia:The Count of Monte Cristo|''The Count of Monte Cristo'']].]]

''Longarm informs Bumblebee that Sentinel is about to conduct a surprise locker examination, meaning that it's his last chance to find evidence on Wasp before Sentinel can take credit for it himself. Using his extensible limbs to trip up Wasp, Longarm allows Bumblebee to "help him up" and finger his locker key in the process. As Bumblebee quickly opens Wasp's locker, Sentinel appears behind him, demanding to know what he's doing, only to be quickly silenced when Bumblebee presents him with a Decepticon communicator. Impressed with Bumblebee's work, Sentinel plans to recommend him for an Elite Guard position. After Wasp is carted off, screaming his innocence all the way, Sentinel brings up the matter of the building being dropped on him. Since nobody has owned up, he decides to kick out whoever he feels like—and he feels like Bulkhead. Before he can give Bulkster the boot, however, Bumblebee steps forward and claims responsibility, sheepishly asking if it will affect his Elite Guard position.''

[[File:TFA Shockwave DoubleAgent.jpg|thumb|Sometimes, when you stare into the abyss, it stares right back.]]
''Some time later, Bumblebee and Bulkhead are on an asteroid, working on a space bridge node, as Bulkhead cheerfully announces "I have arrived!"''

Buried under the rockslide, Bumblebee reflects on his friendship with Bulkhead out loud, and about how he saved Bulkhead's career, even ''if'' his friend never dreamed big. But Bulkhead ''did'' dream big; as the bulky bot appears above Bumblebee and hauls him out from beneath the boulders, he announces that he dreamed of being Bumblebee's friend. Bumblebee thanks his big buddy, and the pair drive off...having only been mere feet from the secret entrance to the Decepticon base.

Out in space, it turns out that Wasp didn't escape to Earth at all, and that he is still on the asteroid, huddled up in a ball. His mind clearly broken, the insectoid 'bot buzzes and twitters to himself about how he will find Bumblebee and make him pay for ruining his life.

Back at the Autobot base, our heroes contact Cybertron to alert the Autobots there about Megatron's double-agent. As it turns out, Bumblebee's old boot camp buddy Longarm is now Longarm ''Prime'', head of Cybertronian Intelligence, and he promises to root out the traitor no matter what.

In the Decepticon base, Megatron communicates once again with his double-agent... Longarm Prime! But the deception is a dual-layered one, for Longarm is, in fact, the shape-shifting [[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave]]!

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Wasp]] (1)
*[[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] (2)
*[[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]] (3)
*[[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] (4)
*[[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] (5)
*[[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] (6)
*[[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] (7)
*[[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] (8)
*[[Ironhide (Animated)|Ironhide]] (11) (Flashback)
*[[Cliffjumper (Animated)|Cliffjumper]] (14) (Flashback)
|c2=
*[[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] (9)
*[[Lugnut (Animated)|Lugnut]] (13, voice only)
*[[Shockwave (Animated)|Longarm Prime/Shockwave]] (12)
|c3 =
*[[Isaac Sumdac (Animated)|Isaac Sumdac]] (10)
}}

==Quotes==
"Hey, little fella. Can you scan a picture of me with these big tall buildings? They'll never believe this back home." 
"Mhm. First time off the [[energon farm]]?" 
"How'd you know?"
:—'''Bulkhead''' and '''Bumblebee''', together for the first time.

'''Sentinel Minor''': Wipe that smile off your face, dullspark! 
'''Bulkhead''': Uh, I'm not smiling, sir! My jaw is just tempered that way, sir! 
'''Bumblebee''': Forget Mudflap's jaw, check out the asteroid-sized chin on Sarge! 
'''Sentinel Minor''': YOU GOT A COMMENT, FUNNY-BOT?! 
'''Bumblebee''': No, sir!
:—The future Sentinel Prime is a little sensitive about his [[chin]]. Maybe it's why he's such a jerk.

'''Sentinel Minor''': Now here's a bot who knows his place. You should try to be more like your friend here. 
'''Bumblebee''': He's not my friend, sir! 
'''Sentinel Minor''': WE'RE ALL FRIENDS HERE!
:—Mr. Personality does it again.

"You are nothing but a BUMBLER! From now on, your name is...BUMBLEBEE!"
:—And lo, a legend was born, thanks to '''Sentinel Minor'''

"You would not '''believe''' the glitches the Commander's saddled me with this time. I'm starting to think that Ultra Magnus is a few circuits shy of a full processor, know what I mean? Oh, sure, he was The Bot back in the day, but now? Ultra Magnus is just a rusted-out, obsolete model sorely in need of an upgrade."
:—'''Sentinel Minor''' is a suck-up only to the boss's face. ''Quelle surprise''.

"I couldn't leave you all alone out here like that. I should've, but I didn't."
:—'''Bulkhead''' is loyal, but not stupid.

"Bumblebot not hide from Wasp. Wasp swears he find Bumblebot. Wasp make Bumblebot pay for RUINING WASP'S LIFE!"
:—There lies a broken '''Wasp'''...

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
* In the scene after Sentinel Prime rips off Wasp's insignia, you can see him still wearing it.

===Continuity errors===
* Bumblebee's stingers are shown to be powerful enough to knock down a building; yet in prior episodes they were only useful for zapping debris and bouncing uselessly off Decepticon armor. The discrepancy is somewhat explained in "[[TransWarped]]" when Ratchet gives Bumblebee battle-grade stingers to boost his power. Maybe when he was demoted to space bridge duty, his stingers were downgraded.
* If Professor Sumdac can reroute a Decepticon message between Earth and Cybertron to the Autobots on Earth, why can't he call for help too?
* If Cybertronians live on a planet with no organic life-forms, how does Sentinel know that wasps and bumblebees exist?

===Continuity notes===
* Sentinel's speech about his troops being "cogs in a machine" is very similar to Optimus's comment at the beginning of "[[Transform and Roll Out]]" (although Optimus gets the message across without the attitude); it may be a standard message from the Autobot Academy.
* Clearly, when Bumblebee and Bulkhead noted that Sentinel Prime didn't remember them back in "[[The Elite Guard]]", they were referring to their boot camp days.
* It was explained back in "The Elite Guard" that "Prime" was a rank, and this episode reveals that before attaining the rank, Sentinel was known as "Sentinel Minor". [[Optimus Minor|Sounds a little familiar]].

===Transformers references===
* When Bulkhead makes the comment about his jaw being molded a certain way, Bumblebee mockingly calls him [[Mudflap (slang)|Mudflap]].
* In the final moments of the episode, the addled Wasp (who has spoken perfectly normally throughout the flashbacks) begins speaking in the buzzing, third-person style of ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'' [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]].

===Trivia===
*Marty Isenberg has revealed that the other boot-campers being [[repaint]] characters was an idea of [[Derrick J. Wyatt]]'s, that the inclusion of Shockwave was a late decision, and that originally ''Cliffjumper'' was going to be the falsely accused. [http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/interviews-27/tfw2005-interviews-transformers-animated-story-editor-marty-isenberg-165509/]
*Sentinel Prime has switched back to his Cybertronian alt-form, presumably since arriving back on Cybertron (since he still had his Earth form in "[[A Fistful of Energon]]"). Considering what he thought of Earth, it's not really a surprise that he'd want to change back as soon as possible. [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]] even muses over this in an entry in ''[[Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac|The AllSpark Almanac]]'', where he also explains that the only reason Sentinel is seen with his Earth mode later on is because he (Ultra Magnus) decided to keep his.
*This episode certainly explains a lot about Bumblebee's independent streak. His very first "team" effort was basically people being colossal jerks to him for no reason (well, except for Sentinel, really...drill sergeants are ''supposed'' to be like that) except for the big goofy country-bot...and standing up for said bot basically led to his dreams being crushed.
*On the other hand, if names get assigned by drill sergeants, you have to wonder exactly to what levels Ultra and [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Elita-1]] stooped in order to get those names...
*Lugnut is not shown, but is briefly heard saying "Megatron will speak to you now," when Megatron is contacted by Shockwave in the flashback, ten minutes into the episode.
*In this episode, when Sentinel gives Bumblebee his name, Bumblebee reacts as if he doesn't like it. However, in "[[Transform and Roll Out]]", when Bumblebee tells Sari his name and she responds, "I'm Sari," Bumblebee then says, "Oh, don't be. I like my name." Maybe he got over it?
[[File:Chugway.jpg|thumb|Closed Captioning provided by the Zero Wing Translation Team.]]
*Bulkhead used to have a "hick" accent while in boot camp that he lost sometime after starting work on space bridges with Bumblebee and the others.
*What, exactly, was the point of Sentinel Prime keeping one arm in a bandage and sling? And for that matter, why do robots have slings?
*When commenting on Sentinel's chin, Bumblebee looks directly at the "camera", so to speak, making this one of the few occasions where animated ''Transformers'' media break the fourth wall.
*The closed captioning on the [[Paramount Pictures|Paramount]] [[Transformers Animated (cartoon)/home video|DVD release]] for this episode (contained in "Transformers Animated — Volume Six: Black Friday") mistakenly spells Shockwave's name as '''Chugway'''.
*This episode was adapted in comic book format using screen captures as half of "[[Transformers Animated Volume 11]]", with "[[SUV: Society of Ultimate Villainy]]" making up the other half.
* The [[Shout! Factory]] release of the entire series misspells this episode's title as "Autobot Camp" in the episode selection menu and on the inside of the DVD case, apparently believing that the episode's original title was a typo itself.

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Le camp des Autobots'''" ("The Autobot Camp")
:*''Original airdate:'' ???

'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Der Spion-Bot'''" ("The Spy-Bot")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[July 25|25 July]] [[2008]]

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Double Agent'''" (ダブルエージェント)
:*''Original airdate:'' [[September 4|4 September]] [[2010]]

::*Since wordplay is rarely translation-friendly, the Japanese dub uses new puns for the origins of Wasp and Bumblebee's names. In Wasp's case, his name (pronounced "Wasupu") is derived from combining the first syllables of the words in "Wow, nice precision" ("'''Wa'''u, '''su'''goi '''pu'''re"), which is Sentinel's reaction to his aim. Upon witnessing Bumblebee (pronounced "Banburubī") use his weapons ("banban", onomatopoeia for gunfire) to destroy a building ("biru"), Sentinel initially dubs him "Banbanbī", then changes it slightly to make Bumblebee.

'''Polish'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Maszeruj, Autobocie"''' ("March, Autobot")
:*''Original airdate:'' ???

==Home video releases==
;DVD
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''Transformers Animated'' — Season Two ([[Transformers Animated (cartoon)/home video|Paramount]]) — English and Spanish audio. 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''Transformers Animated'' — Volume Six: Black Friday (Paramount) — English and German audio. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers Animated'' — Volume Six: Black Friday (Paramount) — English and German audio. 
[[File:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 2009 — ''Transformers Animated'' — Volume Sechs: Schwarzer Freitag (Paramount) — English and German audio. 
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2011 — ''Transformers Animated'' — Vol. 6 (Paramount) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2014 — ''Transformers Animated'' — Season Two ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2014 — ''Transformers Animated'' — The Complete Series ([[Shout! Factory]])

[[Category:Animated episodes]]

Shout! Studios

2016-08-05T07:49:34Z

Shockwitwicky86: /* Errors */

{{factions|dvd|blu-ray|usa}}
[[File:Shoutfactory.jpg|right|thumb|If there's some weird sound / on your DVD / who you gonna call?]]
'''Shout! Factory''' is the latest company to hold the U.S. [[home video]] distribution rights to the original [[The Transformers (cartoon)|''Transformers'' cartoon]]. They also have released DVD versions of many other nostalgic cartoons, like ''[[wikipedia:C.O.P.S. (animated TV series)|C.O.P.S.]]'', ''[[wikipedia:Captain N|Captain N: The Game Master]]'', and ''[[wikipedia:Wheeled Warriors|Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors]]''. Oh, and [[G.I. Joe (franchise)|that one show]] that always gets mixed up with the Transformers.

'''Shout! Factory''' releases are manufactured and distributed by [[wikipedia:Cinedigm|Cinedigm]].
{{TOCclear}}

==Releases==
===Generation 1===
For their Generation 1 DVDs, Shout! Factory have notably cleaned up the extra sound effects and animation errors introduced by [[Rhino Entertainment|Kid Rhino]] and [[Magno Sound & Video]] that have previously been present in many different companies' releases worldwide. Though ''much'' closer to the originals, the cleanup was not perfect; some scenes required mastering from lower-quality records, resulting in noticeable jumps in visual and aural quality within episodes.

*'''''The Transformers'': Season One [25th Anniversary Edition]''' ([[June 16]], [[2009]])
:Contains the entire first season across two discs, plus a third disc of bonus material including a featurette on "the origins of the Transformers", [[commercial]]s, [[Public service announcement|PSA]]s, and the script for "[[Transport to Oblivion (episode)|Transport to Oblivion]]". This set also includes a magnet in the form of the G1 [[Autobot]] [[insignia]].

*'''''The Transformers'': More than Meets the Eye''' ([[September 1]], 2009)
:Contains the episodes "[[More than Meets the Eye (mini-series)|More than Meets the Eye]]" parts 1-3, "Transport to Oblivion" and "[[Roll for It]]".

*'''''The Transformers'': Season Two, Vol. 1 [25th Anniversary Edition]''' ([[September 15]], 2009)
:Contains 28 episodes of the second season across four discs.

<center><gallery perrow=3>
File:ShoutFactory Season1 DVD.jpg|'''Complete First Season'''
File:ShoutFactory MTMTE DVD.jpg|'''More than Meets the Eye'''
File:ShoutFactory Season2Vol1 DVD.jpg|'''Season Two, Volume One'''
</gallery></center>
{{-}}

*'''''The Transformers'': The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection''' ([[October 20]], 2009)
:Sixteen-disc set compiling the four individual "25th Anniversary Edition" season releases, with extra bonus material including more episode scripts, an exclusive interview with [[Bob Budiansky]], and a featurette on "voicing the robots in disguise". This set also includes a 60-page book and Autobot and [[Decepticon]] insignia magnets.

*'''''The Transformers'': Season Two, Vol. 2 [25th Anniversary Edition]''' ([[January 12]], [[2010]])
:Contains the remaining 21 episodes of the second season across three discs, plus a fourth disc of bonus material including a featurette on "forming the ''Transformers'' animated series", a concept art gallery, excerpts from the show's [[production bible]], commercials and PSAs.

*'''''The Transformers'': Seasons Three and Four [25th Anniversary Edition]''' ([[April 20]], 2010)
:Contains the third and fourth seasons across four discs, plus a fifth disc of bonus material including "The Autobots, The Decepticons & the Fans" featurette, a concept art gallery, production bible excerpts, commercials and PSAs.

*'''''The Transformers'': The Complete Original Series''' ([[May 24]], [[2011]])
:Fifteen-disc set compiling the four individual "25th Anniversary Edition" season releases. The slipcase used on this release can be purchased separately [http://www.shoutfactorystore.com/prod.aspx?pfid=5257413&sid=B38F1A2254B348ED8741B2887226EC58 on Shout!'s website] for those that already bought the four individual volumes.

<center><gallery perrow=3>
File:ShoutFactory CompleteSeries DVD.jpg|'''Complete Series "Matrix of Leadership" Collection'''
File:ShoutFactory Season2Vol2 DVD.jpg|'''Season Two, Volume Two'''
File:ShoutFactory Seasons3and4 DVD.jpg|'''Seasons Three and Four'''
</gallery></center>
{{-}}

*'''''The Transformers'': Season One [30th Anniversary Edition]''' ([[April 29]], [[2014]])
:Three-disc set comprising 16 episodes.

*'''''The Transformers'': Season Two, Vol. 1 [30th Anniversary Edition]''' ([[April 29]], 2014)
:Four-disc set comprising 28 episodes.

*'''''The Transformers'': Season Two, Vol. 2 [30th Anniversary Edition]''' ([[April 29]], 2014)
:Four-disc set comprising 21 episodes.

*'''''The Transformers'': Seasons Three And Four [30th Anniversary Edition]''' ([[April 29]], 2014)
:Four-disc set comprising 33 episodes.

*'''''The Transformers: Roar of the Dinobots''''' ([[June 3]], 2014)
:One-disc set comprising 6 episodes: "[[S.O.S. Dinobots]]", "[[War of the Dinobots]]", "[[Heavy Metal War]]", "[[Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 1]]", "[[Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 2]]" and "[[Grimlock's New Brain]]".

*'''''The Transformers: The Movie'' [30th Anniversary Edition]''' ([[September 13]], [[2016]])
:Newly remastered DVD and blu ray release.

===Beast Wars===
*'''''Transformers Beast Wars'': Season One''' ([[June 7]], [[2011]])
: Contains the first season of ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' on four discs. Bonus material consists of the "Maximize! Creating A New Breed Of Transformer" featurette, an art gallery, and character models.

*'''''Transformers Beast Wars'': The Complete Series''' ([[June 7]], 2011)
: Eight-disc set compiling the Season 1 and Seasons 2 & 3 sets. Also included is the ''[[Transformers Timelines (fiction)|Transformers: Timelines]]'' prequel comic "[[Dawn of Future's Past]]". This set was originally given away at [[BotCon 2011]], and then released as an online exclusive to Shout! Factory's website. It was later released to retail on [[November 11]], 2011.

*'''''Transformers Beast Wars'': Seasons 2 & 3''' ([[October 4]], 2011)
: Contains the second and third seasons on four discs. Bonus material consists of the "Remembering the Spark" featurette, "Original Making Of Beast Wars" featurette, an art gallery, and character models.

*'''''Transformers Beast Wars'': Chain Of Command''' ([[June 17]], [[2014]])
: Single disc containing "[[Beast Wars (Part 1)]]", "[[Beast Wars (Part 2)]]", "[[The Web]]", "[[Equal Measures]]", "[[Chain of Command (BW)|Chain of Command]]", "[[Power Surge (episode)|Power Surge]]" and "[[Fallen Comrades]]".

*'''''Transformers Beast Machines: The Complete Series''''' ([[September 2]], 2014)
:Four-disc set comprising 26 episodes.
:Bonus Features: Includes Interviews and Commentaries

===Japanese Collection===
*'''Transformers Japanese Collection''': '''''Headmasters''''' ([[July 5]], [[2011]])
:Four-disc set forming the first North American release of the Japanese ''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|The Headmasters]]'' cartoon. All thirty-five episodes are included in the same slightly edited format previously evidenced on [[Metrodome]] and [[Madman Entertainment]]'s earlier releases of the series; unlike those two companies' versions, the [[Omni Productions]] dub is absent, its inclusion vetoed by [[Hasbro]], who [[Brian Ward]] has noted appeared resistant to the idea of releasing the series at all. Hasbro did, however, oversee the new English subtitles produced for the set, modified from those created by Metrodome—and it shows, with some very anachronistic Transformers-specific terminology being substituted in where appropriate, such as [[Sixshot]] being referred to as a "[[Phase Sixer|phase six officer]]" instead of a "ninja staff officer", or the Autobot and Decepticon [[Mini-Cassette]]s being called "[[Deployer (WFC)|Deployer]]s". Curses on the set have been replaced with Transformers-specific [[Scrap|expressions]]. An art gallery is the sole extra.

<center><gallery perrow=3>
File:Shout_headmasters.jpg|'''Headmasters'''
</gallery></center>

*'''''Transformers'': The Japanese Collection''' ([[January 10]], [[2012]])
:Thirteen-disc set compiling the ''Transformers [[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|The Headmasters]]'', ''[[Transformers: Super-God Masterforce (cartoon)|Super-God Masterforce]]'', and ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory (cartoon)|Victory]]'' cartoons.

*'''Transformers Japanese Collection''': '''''Super-God Masterforce''''' ([[May 1]], 2012)
:Five-disc set comprising the first North American release of the Japanese ''[[Transformers: Super-God Masterforce (cartoon)|Super-God Masterforce]]'' cartoon. The subtitles identify most of the characters by their American names, so [[Phoenix (Masterforce)|Phoenix]] is [[Cloudburst]], [[Bullhorn (Masterforce)|Bullhorn]] is [[Horri-Bull]], and so on. However, the Autobot [[Headmaster Junior]]s, [[Sixknight]], and the Godmasters [[Ginrai]], [[Ranger]], [[Hydra (Masterforce)|Hydra]], and [[Buster (Masterforce)|Buster]] all keep their Japanese names. Aside from the Headmaster [[Cab]], all of those characters had toys that were redecos of their American counterparts. It's possible that [[Hasbro]], who provided character names for Shout! Factory, decided that if a character looked different enough from their toys, the Japanese name should be used, and otherwise American names should be used. Besides Cab, the only exception to this theoretical rule is [[Diver (Masterforce)|Diver]], whose toy is slightly different from [[Waverider]], but is still called by his American name. [[Clouder|Doubleclouder]], [[Guzzle (G1)|Guzzle]], and [[Javil]] are all identified by their American names even though their Japanese and American toys were different, but their animation models are actually based on the colors of their American toys, not the Japanese toys.

*'''Transformers Japanese Collection''': '''''Victory''''' ([[August 28]], 2012)
:Four-disc set comprising the first North American release of the Japanese ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory (cartoon)|Transformers: Victory]]'' cartoon. It contains thirty-eight of the forty four episodes of the series, including the six clip shows that were left out of the [[Metrodome]] and [[Madman Entertainment]] DVD releases. As with Shout! Factory's other DVD sets of the Japanese cartoons, subtitles sometimes refer to characters by Japanese names and sometimes by alternate names. The Autobot [[Micromaster]]s, which were the only Victory-related toys released in North America, are referred to by their American names; Deszaras is called by the common English rendering [[Deathsaurus (Victory)|Deathsaurus]]; [[Breastforce]] is called Chestforce; and [[Blacker]] is called [[Gripper (G1)|Gripper]], the name of his [[Motorvator]] redeco. However, in a few episodes subtitles use the original Japanese names, and sometimes the other [[Brainmaster]]s are called by their Motorvator names.

===Prime===
*'''''Transformers Prime'': Darkness Rising''' ([[December 6]], [[2011]])
:The five-part pilot of ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'', "[[Darkness Rising]]", was released on DVD with storyboards and character models as bonus material.

*'''''Transformers Prime'': Season One''' ([[March 6]], [[2012]])
:Contains the first season of the ''Transformers: Prime'' series, available on both Blu-Ray and DVD.

*'''''Transformers Prime'': One Shall Stand''' ([[July 31]], 2012)
:Contains the seven episode story arc from [[One Shall Fall]] to [[Orion Pax, Part 3]].

*'''''Transformers Prime'': Season Two''' ([[November 27]], 2012)
:Contains the second season of the ''Prime'' series, available on both Blu-Ray and DVD.

*'''''Transformers Prime'': [[Predacons Rising (Prime)|Beast Hunters — Predacons Rising]]''' ([[October 8]], [[2013]])
:Contains the finale of the ''Prime'' series, available on both Blu-Ray and DVD.

*'''''Transformers Prime'': Beast Hunters — Season Three''' ([[December 3]], 2013)
:Contains the third season of the ''Prime'' series, available on both Blu-Ray and DVD.

*'''''Transformers Prime'': Ultimate Bumblebee''' ([[February 25]], [[2014]])
:Single disc containing "[[Masters & Students|Masters and Students]]", "[[Operation Bumblebee, Part 1|Operation: Bumblebee, Part 1]]", "[[Operation Bumblebee, Part 1|Operation: Bumblebee, Part 2]]" and "[[Deadlock]]".

*'''''Transformers Prime'': Ultimate Autobots''' ([[September 23]], 2014)
:Single disc containing "[[Scrapheap (episode)|Scrapheap]]", "[[Predatory]]", "[[Metal Attraction]]", "[[Stronger, Faster]]" and "[[Legacy (episode)|Legacy]]".

===Rescue Bots===
*'''''Transformers: Rescue Bots'': Roll to the Rescue''' ([[October 2]], [[2012]])
:Contains the early episodes of the ''[[Transformers: Rescue Bots (cartoon)|Transformers: Rescue Bots]]'' series: "[[Family of Heroes]]", "[[Under Pressure]]", "[[Hotshots]]", "[[Flobsters on Parade]]", "[[The Alien Invasion of Griffin Rock]]" and "[[Four Bots and a Baby]]".
*'''''Transformers: Rescue Bots'': Energize''' ([[June 11]], [[2013]])
:Contains the next set of ''Rescue Bots'' episodes: "[[Cody on Patrol]]", "[[Walk on the Wild Side]]", "[[Christmas in July]]", "[[Deep Trouble (RB)|Deep Trouble]]" and "[[Return of the Dino Bot|Return of the Dinobot]]".
*'''''Transformers: Rescue Bots'': Griffin Rock Rescue''' ([[October 22]], 2013)
:Continues with the next five ''Rescue Bots'' episodes: "[[The Other Doctor]]", "[[The Reign of Morocco]]", "[[Small Blessings]]", "[[The Griffin Rock Triangle]]" and "[[Rules and Regulations]]".
*'''''Transformers: Rescue Bots'': Heroes on the Scene''' ([[March 18]], [[2014]])
:Contains five more season one episodes (not in order): "[[The Lost Bell]]", "[[You've Been Squilshed]]", "[[Little White Lies]]", "[[Shake Up]]" and "[[Rescue Boy]]".
*'''''Transformers: Rescue Bots'': Mystery Rescue''' ([[September 2]], 2014)
:Contains two season one episodes and three from season two (in no particular order): "[[Countdown (RB)|Countdown]]", "[[The Haunting of Griffin Rock]]", "[[Spellbound]]", "[[Blame the Gremlins]]" and "[[Feed the Beast]]".
*'''''Transformers: Rescue Bots'': Jurassic Adventure''' ([[February 10]], [[2015]])
:Contains two season one episodes (previously released) and four from season two (in no particular order): "[[Family of Heroes]]", "[[Return of the Dino Bot|Return of the Dinobot]]", "[[What Lies Below]]", "[[What Rises Above]]", "[[In Search of the Griffin's Nest]]" and "[[Movers and Shakers]]".
*"'''''Transformers: Rescue Bots'': Return of the Heroes'''" ([[May 12]], 2015)
:Contains the episodes "[[Bumblebee to the Rescue (RB)|Bumblebee to the Rescue]]", "[[Bot to the Future]]", "[[A Virtual Disaster]]", "[[Changes]]", and "[[Rise of the Heroes]]".
*"'''''Transformers: Rescue Bots'': Dinobots!'''" ([[August 25]], 2015)
:Contains the episodes "[[Land Before Prime (episode)|Land Before Prime]]", "[[Big Game]]", "[[Quarry's Quarry]]", "[[Did You See What I Thaw?]]", and ."[[The Attack of Humungado]]".

===Unicron Trilogy===
*'''''Transformers Armada: The Complete Series''''' ([[March 11]], [[2014]])
:Eight-disc set comprising all 52 episodes of ''[[Transformers: Armada (cartoon)|Transformers: Armada]]''.

*'''''Transformers Energon: The Complete Series''''' ([[May 6]], 2014)
:Seven-disc set comprising all 51 episodes of ''[[Transformers: Energon (cartoon)|Transformers: Energon]]''.

*'''''Transformers Cybertron: The Complete Series''''' ([[August 5]], 2014)
:Seven-disc set comprising all 52 episodes of ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|Transformers: Cybertron]]''.

===Animated===
*'''''Transformers Animated: The Complete Series''''' ([[June 10]], [[2014]])
:Six-disc set comprising all three seasons of ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Transformers Animated]]''
:Bonus Features: Audio Commentaries

*'''''Transformers Animated: Season Three''''' ([[June 10]], 2014)
:Two-disc set, featuring only the third season of ''Animated''
:Bonus Features: Audio Commentaries

{{-}}

==Notes==
{{picsneeded|maybe a couple of quality comparisons, pre- & post-restoration screens etc.}}
*The episode order as used by Shout! Factory for season one (in production order), and season two (mostly in airdate order), actually stems from utilizing the episode order as suggested in the unofficial guidebook [[Unofficial guidebooks#Prime Targets|''Prime Targets'']]. The book presents a list which places priority on the overarching continuity of the series, rearranging the latter half of season two and the whole of season three into neither production, nor airdate order.
**When publicising their ''Season Two, Volume One'' DVD, Shout! somewhat bizarrely initially claimed that [[Hasbro]] had [[canon]]ised the episode order presented in the unofficial book. Shortly afterwards however, they were instructed to restore season three's airdate order for the ''Matrix of Leadership Collection'', regardless of continuity between some of the episodes. Shout! obliged, but this instruction came too late to change the disc covers or accompanying booklet, leading to much confusion about various season three episodes being on the 'wrong' discs.<ref>[http://www.shoutfactory.com/community/1551/thread.aspx Shout! Factory Community - The Definitive Transformers Thread]</ref>
*On the first season set's "Triple Changer: The Origins of the Transformers" featurette, and the ''Matrix of Leadership Collection'''s interview with Bob Budiansky, there is a deliberate obfuscation of [[Marvel Comics]]' involvement in fashioning much of the Transformers' early backstory and no direct mention that they were the publisher behind the 1980s comics. Clips from the [[Commercial/Generation 1#1984|very first]] Transformers commercial for [[The Transformers (issue)|issue #1 of the comic]] are shown, but are cut off before [[Victor Caroli]]'s narration can mention it will be coming "from Marvel Comics", with even the brief image of the comic in the commercial also having Marvel's logo blurred out. The tiptoeing around Marvel's name is particularly noticeable in Budiansky's solo interview as he only ever refers to working for "the comic book company", even when mentioning receiving a fan letter from someone named [[wikipedia:Stan Lee|Stan Lee]], who was apparently well known for being associated with "the comic book company".
*The ''[[Secret Files of Teletraan II]]'' no longer appear after their respective season three episodes, but are instead all included separately as isolated extras.
*Following the precedent of [[Sony]]'s ''The Transformers: The Movie 20th Anniversary Special Edition'' DVD, all the commercials on the Shout! discs have the kids' faces blurred out due to clearance issues.
**These commercials are of unfortunately low quality; the commercial for the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]]s, for example, contains the horizontal distortion lines common to degraded VHS videotapes. No original masters were saved or archived for the commercials, hence the quality issues.
*Shout! looked into obtaining the U.S. home video rights to include "[[Scramble City: Mobilization]]" for the ''Matrix of Leadership Collection'', but were unsuccessful, simply stating that "[[Toei]] has no interest in licensing to third parties". Previous and future third party releases of "Scramble City" get around Toei's blockade by using the low quality fansubbed version of the OVA, or simply omitting the Japanese audio track and replacing it with commentaries. Shout! was likewise denied by Toei in their attempts to release the ''[[Enter the New Supreme Commander, Dai Atlas!|Zone]]'' OVA in America.
*In the 60-page booklet that accompanies the ''Complete Series'' set, selected character profiles are mixed in with episode summaries. These profiles are taken from [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]]'s ''[[Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' profile books and paired with art from varying sources (some brand new). This means that [[Unicron]]'s profile mentions his cosmic battle with [[Primus]], for example, and [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]'s profile is randomly mean and sarcastic since it was written as being from [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]'s [[datatrax]]—a detail that goes unmentioned.
*In the concept art montage that was on the Special Features disk of Season Two: Part Two, [[Hook (G1)|Hook's]] character design is omitted from the collection of [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]] artwork, making it seem like [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] is a [[Constructicon Maximus|five-piece Combiner]].

===Errors===

*The Headmasters episode guides in the package does not jive with the disc content. As in the 9th episode recorded on Disc One is stated to be on Disc two while episode 18 is stated to be on three and so on.
*The entire collection, from "The Headmasters" down to "Victory" sported the Japanese "Headmasters" logo.
*The decal on the Super-God Masterforce Collection states that it contained "52 episodes" when in reality the entire collection only contains 42 episodes.
*In the Masterforce art gallery, Cab is designated as Go Shooter.
*The Transformers Animated DVD set misspells the episode [[Autoboot Camp]] as "Auto''bot'' Camp" on both the inside of the case and on the DVD menu.

===Restoration===
[[File:HeavyMetalWar-Rhino VS Shout.jpg|thumb|right|420px|A comparison between Shout! and Rhino's versions of [[Heavy Metal War]], showing an example of a Rhino error they fixed. [[Bumper (G1)|Bumblejumper]] is that you?]]
*Shout! Factory conducted a painstaking editing process to correct the animation errors and sound effect additions made by Kid Rhino and Magno Sound & Video.
**From the DVD insert: "''Transformers'' DVDs released prior to our 25th Anniversary Edition were missing animation seen in the original broadcast. We did extensive research, found the discrepancies between the original broadcast masters and the restored masters used for the last DVD release, reinserted the correct animation, and color corrected it as best we could to match the shots before and after. But because a one-inch master tape simply can't hold up to the quality of the restored masters, you may notice occasional shots—or even scenes—in some episodes that seem slightly softer than others. Just take comfort in knowing that laser blasts have been reinserted, backgrounds have been corrected and [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] is Starscream once again."
**Some of the fixed scenes are indeed "softer" than the surrounding animation—though since the last time the correct versions were released for North American purchase was on VHS circa 1999-2000, by this point the Shout! versions probably look as good as or better than them. Though not absolutely every Kid Rhino coloring error was fixed, the vast majority were, and certainly all of the [[Heavy Metal War|sequences of mistaken animation that confused the plot]] were fixed.
**Shout! even repaired some ''audio'' errors that had been present on several prior releases of "[[Fire on the Mountain (episode)|Fire on the Mountain]]," and also included the <s>totally better</s> original, non-narrated closing sequence for "[[Dark Awakening (episode)|Dark Awakening]]" where Kid Rhino had used the later version. A few episodes did, however, have their soundtracks incorrectly tweaked; for example, many of the sound effects in "[[Countdown to Extinction (episode)|Countdown to Extinction]]" are almost inaudible, despite being prominent before.
*A version of the [[theme song]] including all of the extra sound effects introduced by Magno is used on the DVD title menu, but not in the actual episodes.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.shoutfactory.com Official website]
*[[wikipedia:Shout! Factory|Shout! Factory]] article at Wikipedia.

[[Category:Home entertainment]]
[[Category:Companies]]

Transformers Animated: The Complete AllSpark Almanac

2016-08-05T07:46:56Z

Shockwitwicky86: /* Chapter 4 - Events */

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=''Transformers Animated: The Complete AllSpark Almanac''
|image=The Complete AllSpark Almanac cover.jpeg‎
|caption=
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|written by=[[Jim Sorenson]] and [[Bill Forster]]
|date=[[March 4]], [[2015]]
|illustrated by=
|continuity=[[Animated cartoon continuity]]
|pagecount=472
|price=$39.99 USD
|prev=The AllSpark Almanac Addendum
|ISBN=ISBN 1631402102 
ISBN 978-1631402104
}}

'''''Transformers Animated: The Complete AllSpark Almanac''''' is a compilation of ''[[Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac|The AllSpark Almanac]]'', ''[[Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II|The AllSpark Almanac II]]'', and ''[[The AllSpark Almanac Addendum]]'' with approximately ten pages of extra material and some minor revisions.

==Contents==
*Part One
**Introduction by the Authors
**Forewords by [[Derrick J. Wyatt]] and [[David Kaye]]
**Chapter 1: [[Autobot|Autobots]]
**Interstitial A: Lighting
**Chapter 2: [[Decepticon|Decepticons]]
**Interstitial B: Transformations
**Chapter 3: [[Human|Humans]]
**Interstitial C: [[Studio 4°C]]
**Chapter 4: Events
**Interstitial D: Deleted Scenes
**Chapter 5: Culture
**Interstitial E: Design Evolution
**Chapter 6: [[Detroit]]
**Interstitial F: Style Guides
**Chapter 7: [[Cybertron]]
**Interstitial G: Backgrounds
**Chapter 8: Settings
**Interstitial H: [[Scale|Size Comparison]]
**Chapter 9: [[Project Omega]]
**Interstitial I: Japan
*Part Two
**Forewords by [[Eric Siebenaler]] and [[Matt Youngberg]]
**Section I: Toy Design
**Section II: Animation
**Section III: Season Four
**Section IV: Toy Gallery
**Section V: Hero
**Section VI: Packaging Art
**Section VII: Expanded Universe
**Section VIII: The Cast
**Afterwords by [[Aaron Archer]] and [[Marty Isenberg]]
**Acknowledgement

==Chapter 1 - Autobots==
Chapter 1 covers every Autobot to ever appear on the show as well as some who only appear in this book or in supplementary materials.

{{collist|3|
*[[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] by Ultra Magnus
*[[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] by Lockdown
*[[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] by Fanzone
*[[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] by Bulkhead
*[[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] by Sari
*[[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]] by Sentinel Prime
*[[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] by Optimus Prime
*[[Jazz (Animated)|Jazz]] by Sentinel Prime
*[[Blurr (Animated)|Blurr]] by Bumblebee
*[[Jetfire (Animated)|Jetfire]] by Jetstorm
*[[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]] by Jetfire
*[[Safeguard (Animated)|Safeguard]] by Sentinel Prime
*[[Dai Atlas (Animated)|Dai Atlas]] by Ultra Magnus
*[[Erector (Animated)|Erector]] by Sentinel Prime
*[[Warpath (Animated)|Warpath]] by Flareup
*[[Kup (Animated)|Kup]] by Optimus Prime
*[[Rad (Animated)|Rad]] by Cosmos
*[[Lionizer (Animated)|Lionizer]] by Rad
*[[Metalhawk (Animated)|Metalhawk]] by Jetfire and Jetstorm
*[[Wreck-Gar (Animated)|Wreck-Gar]] by Ratchet
*[[Dinobot (Animated)|Dinobots]] by Blackarachnia
**[[Grimlock (Animated)|Grimlock]]
**[[Snarl (Animated)|Snarl]]
**[[Swoop (Animated)|Swoop]]
*[[Rodimus Prime (Animated)|Rodimus Prime]] by Kup
*[[Brawn (Animated)|Brawn]] by Ironhide
*[[Hot Shot (Animated)|Hot Shot]] by Red Alert
*[[Red Alert (Animated)|Red Alert]] by Hot Shot
*[[Ironhide (Animated)|Ironhide]] by Bulkhead
*[[Arcee (Animated)|Arcee]] by Ratchet
*[[Shockwave (Animated)|Longarm Prime]] by Bumblebee
*[[Yoketron (Animated)|Yoketron]] by Jazz
*[[Alpha Trion (Animated)|Alpha Trion]] by Sentinel Prime
*[[Wheelie (Animated)|Wheelie]] by Seapsray
*[[Perceptor (Animated)|Perceptor]] by Shockwave
*[[Wheeljack (Animated)|Wheeljack]] by Perceptor
*[[Mainframe (Animated)|Mainframe]] by Wheeljack
*[[Botanica (Animated)|Botanica]] by Tracks
*[[Seaspray (Animated)|Seaspray]] by Sentinel Prime
*[[Rattletrap]] by Warpath
*[[Grandus (Animated)|Grandus]] by Rosanna
*[[Sky Garry (Animated)|Sky Garry]] by Alpha Trion
*[[Dug Base]] by Wheelie
*[[Powerglide (Animated)|Powerglide]] by Blitzwing
*[[Mirage (Animated)|Mirage]] by Cliffjumper
*[[Cosmos (Animated)|Cosmos]] by Bulkhead
*[[Tracks (Animated)|Tracks]] by Beachcomber
*[[Beachcomber (Animated)|Beachcomber]] by Rattletrap
*[[Highbrow (Animated)|Highbrow]] by Shockwave
*[[Pipes (Animated)|Pipes]] by Huffer
*[[Huffer (Animated)|Huffer]] by Pipes
*[[Cliffjumper (Animated)|Cliffjumper]] by Bumblebee
*[[Moscardo]] by Cliffjumper
*[[First Aid (Animated)|First Aid]] by Sentinel Prime
*[[Glyph (Animated)|Glyph]] by Volks
*[[Tap-Out (Animated)|Tap-Out]] by Glyph
*[[Chase (Animated)|Chase]] by Carrera
*[[Freeway (Animated)|Freeway]] by Sedan
*[[Searchlight (Animated)|Searchlight]] by Furão
*[[Volks (Animated)|Volks]] by Tap-Out
*[[Carrera (Animated)|Carrera]] by Bumper
*[[Furão]] by Chase
*[[Hubcap (Animated)|Hubcap]] by Freeway
*[[Sedan (Animated)|Sedan]] by Hubcap
*[[Bumper (Animated)|Bumper]] by Searchlight
*[[Wasp]] by Shockwave and Bumblebee
*[[Flareup (Animated)|Flareup]]
*[[Lightbright]] by Dug Base
*[[Lickety-Split]] by Lightbright
*[[Rosanna (Animated)|Rosanna]] by Grandus
**[[Steeljaw (Animated)|Steeljaw]]
**[[Zaur]]
**[[Ramhorn (Animated)|Ramhorn]]
**[[Nook]] and [[Night Watch]]
*[[Cheetor (Animated)|Cheetor]] by Ironfist
*[[Ironfist (Animated)|Ironfist]] by Swindle
*[[Sideswipe (Animated)|Sideswipe]] by Ransack
*[[Depth Charge (Animated)|Depth Charge]] by Cheetor
*[[Ransack (Animated)|Ransack]] by Depth Charge
*[[Crumplezone (Animated)|Crumplezone]] by Sideswipe
*[[Road Rage (Animated)|Road Rage]] by Lockdown
*[[Chromia (Animated)|Chromia]] by Rattletrap
*[[Flashpoint]] by Minerva
*[[Jackpot (Animated)|Jackpot]] by Hubcap
*[[Sights (Animated)|Sights]] by Jackpot
*[[Minerva (Animated)|Minerva]] by Ratchet
*[[Drift (Animated)|Drift]] by Jazz
*[[Nightbeat (Animated)|Nightbeat]] by Sideswipe
*[[Autotrooper (Animated)|Autotrooper]] by Alpha Trion
*"Wingblade" Optimus Prime by Megatron}}

==Chapter 2 - Decepticons==
Chapter 2 covers every Decepticon to appear in the show as well as Decepticons exclusive to this book and supplementary material.

{{collist|3|
*[[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] by Lugnut
*[[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] by himself
**[[Clone number 3370318|Clone #3370318]]
**[[Clone number 2716057|Clone #2716057]]
*[[Lugnut (Animated)|Lugnut]] by Blitzwing
*[[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]] by Lugnut
*[[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Blackarachnia]] by Optimus Prime
*[[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave]] by Megatron
*[[Swindle (Animated)|Swindle]] by The Angry Archer
*[[Soundwave (Animated)|Soundwave]] by Sari
*Soundwave's Avatars by Prowl
*[[Ratbat (Animated)|Ratbat]] and [[Laserbeak (Animated)|Laserbeak]] by Soundwave
*[[Lockdown (Animated)|Lockdown]] by Prowl
*[[Constructicon (Animated)|Constructicons]] by Bulkhead
**[[Mixmaster (Animated)|Mixmaster]]
**[[Scrapper (Animated)|Scrapper]]
*[[Dirt Boss (Animated)|Dirt Boss]] by Scrapper and Mixmaster
*[[Slipstream (Animated)|Slipstream]] by Thundercracker
*[[Thundercracker (Animated)|Thundercracker]] by Ramjet
*[[Ramjet (Animated)|Ramjet]] by Sunstorm
*[[Sunstorm (Animated)|Sunstorm]] by Skywarp
*[[Skywarp (Animated)|Skywarp]] by Slipstream
*[[Wasp|Waspinator]] by Blackarachnia
*[[Strika (Animated)|General Strika]] by Lugnut
*[[Oil Slick (Animated)|Oil Slick]] by Cyclonus
*[[Cyclonus (Animated)|Cyclonus]] by Scalpel
*[[Blackout (Animated)|Blackout]] by Megatron
*[[Spittor (Animated)|Spittor]] by Oil Slick
*[[Sky-Byte (Animated)|Sky-Byte]] by Strika
*[[Mindwipe (Animated)|Mindwipe]] by Megatron
*[[Blot (Animated)|Blot]] by Starscream
*[[The Motor Master]] by Wildrider
*[[Wildrider (Animated)|Wildrider]] by Drag Strip
*[[Drag Strip (Animated)|Drag Strip]] by Breakdown
*[[Breakdown (Animated)|Breakdown]] by Dead End
*[[Dead End (Animated)|Dead End]] by Toxitron
*[[Toxitron (Animated)|Toxitron]] by The Motor Master
*[[Reflector (Animated)|Reflector]] by Blackarachnia
**Spectro
**Viewfinder
**Spyglass
*[[Stretch]] by Porter C. Powell
*[[Flip Sides (Animated)|Flip Sides]] by Blurr
*[[Straxus (Animated)|Lord High Governor Straxus]] by Strika
*[[Slapper (Animated)|Slapper]] by Swindle
*[[Scalpel (Animated)|Scalpel]] by Perceptor
*[[Magnificus (Animated)|Magnificus]] by Starscream
*[[Bugly (Animated)|Bugly]] by Lockdown
*[[Grinder]] by Oil Slick
*[[Venom (Animated)|Venom]] by Blitzwing
*[[Nemesis Prime (Animated)|Nemesis Prime]] by Straxus
*[[Dark Rodimus]] by Cyclonus
*[[Skipjack (Animated)|Skipjack]] by Dirt Boss}}

==Chapter 3 - Humans==
Covers every human character in the series.

{{collist|3|
*[[Sari Sumdac (Animated)|Sari Sumdac]] by Bulkhead
**[[Tutor Bot]]
**[[Sparkplug (robot dog)|Sparkplug]]
*[[Isaac Sumdac (Animated)|Isaac Sumdac]] by Megatron
*[[Carmine Fanzone|Captain Carmine Fanzone]] by Sari
*[[Angry Archer|The Angry Archer]] by Swindle
*[[Professor Princess|Professor Penny Princess, PhD]] by Sari
*[[Nanosec]] by Slo-Mo
*[[Slo-Mo]] by Nanosec
*[[Headmaster (Animated)|The Headmaster]] by Bulkhead
*[[Meltdown]] by Blackarachnia
*[[Colossus Rhodes]] by Meltdown
*[[Fusion creature|Fusion creatures]]
**[[Fusion creature|BAT-MONSTER]] by Grimlock
**The [[Fusion creature|Seafood Louis creature]] by Fanzone
*[[Master Disaster (Animated)|Master Disaster]] by Blurr
*[[Street Demon]] by Bulkhead
**[[Ming-Li]] and [[Roxy Sparkles]] by Sari
**[[Shana Story]] and [[Solon Kitakaze (Animated)|Solon Kitakaze]] by Bumblebee
*Sari Sumdac (Upgraded) by Ratchet
*[[Porter C. Powell]] by Headmaster}}

==Chapter 4 - Events==
The episodes and comics that make up the primary Animated continuity, in order.

{{collist|2|
*[[Transform and Roll Out]] as three Autobot Incident Reports by Optimus Prime and a page from Isaac Sumdac's journal.
*[[Dispatches]] as musings from [[Vector Prime]]
*[[Home Is Where the Spark Is]] as an Autobot Incident Report by Optimus Prime
*[[Total Meltdown]] as an Autobot Incident Report by Optimus Prime
*[[Blast from the Past]] as Megatron's Encrypted Internal Log
*[[The Arrival issue 4#.22A Few Loose Strands.22|A Few Loose Strands]] as [[Venus (magazine)|Venus]], the trans-dimensional magazine for Decepti-femmes.
*[[The Thrill of the Hunt]] as an Autobot Incident Report by Ratchet
*[[The Arrival issue 5|The Arrival #5]] as a page from Swindle's ledger and an evaluation form
*[[Nanosec (episode)|Nanosec]] as an Autobot Incident Report by Optimus Prime
*[[Along Came a Spider]] as an Autobot Incident Report by Optimus Prime
*[[The Arrival issue 2#.22Whatever Happened To Whatisname.3F.22|Whatever Happened To Whatisname?]] as a page from Professor Princess' [['Lil Spoiled Brat|diary]]
*[[Sound and Fury]] as an Autobot Incident Report by Optimus Prime
*[[The Arrival issue 2#.22Attention Surplus Disorder.22|Attention Surplus Disorder]] as two pages from the [[Detroit Powell Press]]
*[[Lost and Found (episode)|Lost and Found]] as Lugnut's Internal Log
*[[The Arrival issue 3|The Arrival #3]] as Megatron's Encrypted Internal Log and a medical report from Ratchet
*[[Survival of the Fittest]] as a police report from Captain Fanzone
*[[Headmaster (episode)|Headmaster]] as an Autobot Incident Report by Optimus Prime
*[[The Arrival issue 4#.22The Insincerest Form of Flattery.22|The Insincerest Form of Flattery]] as an Autobot Incident Report by Bulkhead
*[[Nature Calls]] as an Autobot Incident Report by Prowl
*[[Megatron Rising - Part 1]] as Megatron's Encrypted Internal Log
*[[Megatron Rising - Part 2]] as an Autobot Incident Report by Optimus Prime
*[[The Elite Guard]] as an Autobot Incident Report by Optimus Prime
*[[The Return of the Headmaster]] as Sentinel Prime's private journal and a letter from Sari to her absent father
*[[Mission Accomplished]] as Megatron's Internal Log
*[[Garbage In, Garbage Out]] as a box of [[Garbage O's]] cereal
*[[Velocity (episode)|Velocity]] as an Autobot Incident Report by Bumblebee
*[[Rise of the Constructicons]] as an Autobot Incident Report by Optimus Prime
*[[A Fistful of Energon]] as Starscream's Internal Log
*[[SUV: Society of Ultimate Villainy]] as excerpts from interrogations conducted by Carmine Fanzone
*[[Autoboot Camp]] as Shockwave's Encrypted Internal Log
*[[First (and Second) in Flight]] as a page from Ultra Magnus's memoirs
*[[Black Friday]] as an Autobot Incident Report by Optimus Prime
*[[Sari, No One's Home]] as a letter from Sari to her absent father
*[[A Bridge Too Close, Part I]] as Megatron's Internal Log
*[[A Bridge Too Close, Part II]] as an Autobot Incident Report by Optimus Prime
*[[TransWarped]] as Shockwave and Starscream's Internal Logs, Autobot Incident Reports by Ratchet and Optimus Prime, Bumblebee's Private Journal, and the Headmaster's [[Yatter]] page.
*[[Three's a Crowd]] as an Autobot Incident Report by Bulkhead and Lugnut's Internal Log
*[[Where Is Thy Sting?]] as a medical report by First Aid and an Autobot Incident Report by Bumblebee
*[[Five Servos of Doom]] as an Autobot Incident Report by Prowl
*[[Predacons Rising (Animated)|Predacons Rising]] as an Autobot Incident Report by Sentinel Prime and a message in a bottle by Waspinator
*[[Human Error, Part I]] as an Autobot Incident Report by Optimus Prime
*[[Human Error, Part II]] as a fairy tale/"Wizard of Oz" type of story
*[[Decepticon Air]] as Sentinel Prime's Private Journal
*[[This Is Why I Hate Machines]] as an issue of the ALTernity Today magazine
*[[Endgame, Part I]] as an Autobot Incident Report by Optimus Prime
*[[Endgame, Part II]] as Megatron's Encrypted Internal Log
*[[Moving Violations]] as a police report by Depth Charge
*[[The Stunti-Con Job]] as Strika's Internal Log}}

==Chapter 5 - Culture==
A catch-all for other aspects of Animated including ships, monsters and customs

{{collist|3|
*The [[AllSpark]] by Optimus Prime
*[[Space bridge|Space bridges]] by Megatron
*Autobot Cybertronian forms by Ultra Magnus
*Decepticon Cybertronian forms by Starscream
*The [[Death's Head (Animated)|Death's Head]] by Lockdown
*Thanatos-class ships by Strika
*[[Great War (Animated)|The Great War]] (the game)
*[[Automaton|Sumdac robots]] by Porter C. Powell
*Bulkhead's art by Ratchet, Optimus Prime, and Sari
*[[Halloween]] by Bulkhead and Bumblebee
*[[Christmas]] by Optimus Prime
*[[Human Error, Part I|Automen]] by Bulkhead
*The Media by Soundwave
**[[News Bot]]
**[[Lester Black]]
*[[Ninja Gladiator]] by Sari
*[[Space barnacle|Space barnacles]] by Sari
*[[Nanite|Nanobots]] by Ratchet
*[[Rock Lord|Rock Lords]] by Bumblebee
*Stupid Organics (i.e., animals) by Sentinel Prime
*Scooter / Jetpack by Isaac Sumdac
*[[Emergency shuttle|Autobot Shuttle]] by Blitzwing
*[[Electronic paint job|Electronic Paint]] by Bumblebee
*Helmets by Swindle
*[[Protoform|Protoforms]] by Yoketron
*[[Cloning]] by Swindle
**[[Dirge (Animated)|Dirge]]
**[[Thrust (Animated)|Thrust]]
*The [[Cyber-Ninja Corps]] by Yoketron
*Powers by Prowl
*Decepticon Weaponry by Ironfist
*Mirror Universe
**[[Optimus Prime (SG Animated)|Mirror Optimus Prime]] by Mirror Isaac Sumdac
**[[Bumblebee (SG Animated)|Mirror Bumblebee]] by Mirror Sari Sumdac
**[[Sari Sumdac (SG Animated)|Mirror Sari Sumdac]] by Mirror Bumblebee
**[[Isaac Sumdac (SG Animated)|Mirror Isaac Sumdac]] by Mirror Optimus Prime
*[[Predacon|Predacons]] by Megatron
**[[Inferno (Animated)|Inferno]]
**[[Antagony (Animated)|Antagony]]
**Blackarachnia
*Science Guild Report on [[Forestonite]] by Perceptor
*Prototype Minions by Soundwave
**[[Buzzsaw (Animated)|Buzzsaw]], [[Sunder (Animated)|Sunder]], and [[Garboil (Animated)|Garboil]]
**[[Wingthing (Animated)|Wingthing]]
*The AllSpark Reconstituted by Optimus Prime}}

==Chapter 6 - Detroit==
People, places and things in and about Detroit.

{{collist|3|
*[[Augustus Edsel|Detroit's Leadership]] by Sentinel Prime
*Buildings by Jazz
*[[Blackwater Prison]] by Captain Fanzone
*[[Burger Bot]] by Sari Sumdac
*[[Tigatron Stadium]] by Lugnut
*[[Fossil Fuel]] by Dirt Boss
*[[Human|Organic Inhabitants]] by Sentinel Prime
*Emergency Responders by Captain Fanzone
*Earth Vehicles by Jazz}}

==Chapter 7 - Cybertron==
Inhabitants and locations on Cybertron or places near Cybertron.

{{collist|3|
*Cybertron and its moons by Ultra Magnus
*The [[Hadeen System]] by Cosmos
*Stellar Cartography by Swindle
*[[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] by Captain Fanzone
*Iacon's Populace by Sari
**[[Stungun (Animated)|Stungun]]
**[[Excellion (Animated)|Excellion]]
**[[Strongarm (Animated)|Strongarm]]
**[[Air Raid (Animated)|Air Raid]]
**[[Scrounge (Animated)|Scrounge]]
**[[Longrack (Animated)|Longrack]]
**[[Stampy (Animated)|Stampy]]
*The [[Metroplex (Animated)|Metroplex]] by Alpha Trion
*Longarm's office by Cliffjumper
*Infirmary by Arcee
*[[Fortress Maximus (Animated)|Fortress Maximus]] by Sentinel Prime
*[[Maccadam's Old Oil House]] by Brawn
*[[Autobot boot camp]] by Ultra Magnus
*[[Trypticon Prison]] by Sideswipe
**[[Reachout (Animated)|Reachout]]
**[[Grindor (Animated)|Grindor]]
**[[Leader-1 (Animated)|Leader-1]]
**[[DUCK-E]]
**[[Sureshock (Animated)|Sureshock]]
**[[High Wire (Animated)|High Wire]]
*[[Cyber-Ninja Dojo]] by Lockdown
*[[Space bridge nexus|Spacebridge nexus]] by Bulkhead}}

==Chapter 8 - Settings==
Miscellaneous locations on the show

{{collist|3|
*[[Autobot Earth Base]] by Bulkhead
*[[Decepticon Earth Base]] by Mixmaster and Scrapper
*[[Sumdac Systems]] by Isaac Sumdac
*[[Nemesis (Animated)|The Nemesis]] by Blackarachnia
*[[Dinobot Island (Animated)|Dinobot Island]] by Prowl
*[[Meltdown's Subterranean Lab]] by Cyrus "The Colossus" Rhodes
*Soundwave's lab by Sari
*[[Archa Seven]] by Sentinel Prime
*Unknown locale by Blackarachnia
*Cyberspace by Prowl}}

==Chapter 9 - Project Omega==
More information regarding Project Omega

*Omega Laboratory by Ratchet
*Autobot workers by Blitzwing
*[[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]] by Ratchet
*[[Sigma Supreme|Steelhaven]] by Ultra Magnus
*Steelhaven cargo by Swindle
*Steelhaven brig by Sunstorm
*Steelhaven infrastructure by Optimus Prime
*Steelhaven Energon storage by Jazz
*Steelhaven schematics by Perceptor
*[[Lugnut Supreme]] by Starscream

==Section I - Toy Design==
Details the processes behind designing each toy, and how Hasbro, Takara, and Cartoon Network worked together to make them possible.

==Section II - Animation==
This section is about the general production of the series, including design, the first treatment of the show, how the show evolved from season to season, casting, scripts, post-production, and of course, animation.

==Section III - Season Four==
Contains info on what would have happened if season four was made. Hasbro and Cartoon Network collaborated extensively on what such a thing would be like.

*The season's theme would be energon, since the Allspark left energon deposits all over Detroit and the surrounding area.
*There would be more on Sari's origin and Blackarachnia would have a growing army of Predacons.
*Sari and Bulkhead would stay on Cybertron to continue Sari's education and to protect the energon farms from Decepticons.
*Among the main characters, Ironhide would receive an Earth mode and replace Bulkhead, and Jazz would replace Prowl.
*Bludgeon would have appeared, as a pirate.
*Ultra Magnus was planned to go offline after being attacked by [[Shockwave (Animated)|our favorite double agent]] back in Season 3.
*Some episode proposals were listed:
**"The Trial of Megatron" - Three-part season premiere; Sari wants to learn more about her origins, Sentinel tries to become Magnus, Bulkhead's hometown is targeted by Decepticons, Megatron relocates Kaon to Earth using is trial as a destraction, and there is a spectacular prison break.
**"Allspark-alypse Now!" - Sentinel comes to Earth and intends to use the AllSpark to kill Megatron, as Prowl's ghost inhabits Cybertronians empowered by AllSpark fragments, telling Optimus about the consequences of his ideas.
**"S.T.E.A.M." - The Autobots are forced to save their detractors when the steampunk tool-using, anti-technological Luddites of "Save The Earth And Mankind" run afoul of Soundwave.
**"Mirror, Mirror" - Bulkhead and Sari enter [[Transformers: Shattered Glass (franchise)|a mirror universe with evil Autobots and heroic Decepticons]].
**"Gremlins in the Geers" - The Minicons who run Kaon disassemble all machinery in Detroit, and Ratchet and Fanzone have to stop them.
**"It Came from Planet Cybertron" - Cosmos has an important message for Optimus, and comes to Earth to tell him. He loses his memory after scanning a prop flying saucer from a B-movie's set, and hi-jinks ensue.
**"Turf War" - The Constructicons battle the Decepticons over control of the energon in Detroit.
**"Megatron Must Be Destroyed!" - The two-part season finale (series finale?) would have had Megatron's machinations threaten the entire planet. Optimus gathers as many allies as imaginable to defeat Megatron once and for all.

Three rejected toy concepts were shown: Marauder Megatron (Megatron in a new body, and as a [[Triple Changer]]), Hot Shot (an Earth-mode toy based on his [[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|2008 Universe]] figure, and a Powermaster Optimus Prime (would have combined with a trailer and a Minicon to improve his size and power, looking similar to the original Powermaster Prime). Hot Shot and Megatron made it as far as the prototype stage, but Powermaster Prime existed only as concept art. There is a note from Hasbro outright stating that they will never be released, despite their wishes.

==Section IV - Toy Gallery==
[[Stock photography]] of every toy released in the [[Transformers Animated (toyline)|Animated toyline]], including some that were completed, yet not released.

==Section V - Hero==
Concept art and information for ''Transformers: Hero'', a proposed successor to the [[Unicron Trilogy]] that ended up becoming ''Transformers Animated''.

==Section VI - Packaging Art==
Discusses and shows off each toy's "action" package art (mass released and otherwise), drawn by [[Derrick J. Wyatt]] and [[Marcelo Matere]].

==Section VII - Expanded Universe==
Covers information regarding the [[Bee in the City|live]] [[The Stunti-Con Job|script readings]], [[Transformers Animated: The Game|the video game]], the show's tie-in comic [[Transformers Animated: The Arrival]], and [[Transformers Animated (Titan)|the short-lived Titan Magazine comic]].

==Section VIII- The Cast==
Presents information and photos of the main members of the voice cast: [[David Kaye]], [[Tara Strong]], [[Corey Burton]], [[Bumper Robinson]], [[Jeff Glen Bennett|Jeff Bennett]], [[Bill Fagerbakke]], [[Tom Kenny]], [[Cree Summer]], [[Townsend Coleman]], and [[Phil LaMarr]].

==Interstitials==
The only place where out-of-universe information is presented, the interstitial pages covered divergent continuities as well as select aspects of the animation process. These appear at the end of a chapter.

{{collist|3|
*Chapter 1: Lighting
*Chapter 2: Transformations
*Chapter 3: Studio 4°C
*Chapter 4: Deleted Scenes
*Chapter 5: Design Evolution
*Chapter 6: Style Guides
*Chapter 7: Backgrounds
*Chapter 8: Size Comparison
*Chapter 9: Japan}}

==External links==
*[http://boltax.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/the-complete-allspark-almanac-preview.html The Complete AllSpark Almanac - 8 Page Preview! (Plus a Silly Little Contest)]
*[http://www.allspark.com/content/2015/03/allspark-com-interview-transformers-animated-the-complete-allspark-almanac-author-jim-sorenson/ Allspark.com Interview - Transformers Animated: The Complete Allspark Almanac Author Jim Sorenson]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=244sXiKXyFk Radio Free Cybertron - Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac Complete Edition Interview]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Animated: The Complete Allspark Almanac}}
[[Category:Animated books|Complete Allspark Almanac]]
[[Category:IDW titles]]
[[Category:Reference texts]]

Transformers Animated: The Complete AllSpark Almanac

2016-08-05T07:44:02Z

Shockwitwicky86: Typo. I reiterate that other editors who own the Complete Allspark Almanac are welcome to add anything I overlooked while beefing up this article.

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=''Transformers Animated: The Complete AllSpark Almanac''
|image=The Complete AllSpark Almanac cover.jpeg‎
|caption=
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|written by=[[Jim Sorenson]] and [[Bill Forster]]
|date=[[March 4]], [[2015]]
|illustrated by=
|continuity=[[Animated cartoon continuity]]
|pagecount=472
|price=$39.99 USD
|prev=The AllSpark Almanac Addendum
|ISBN=ISBN 1631402102 
ISBN 978-1631402104
}}

'''''Transformers Animated: The Complete AllSpark Almanac''''' is a compilation of ''[[Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac|The AllSpark Almanac]]'', ''[[Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II|The AllSpark Almanac II]]'', and ''[[The AllSpark Almanac Addendum]]'' with approximately ten pages of extra material and some minor revisions.

==Contents==
*Part One
**Introduction by the Authors
**Forewords by [[Derrick J. Wyatt]] and [[David Kaye]]
**Chapter 1: [[Autobot|Autobots]]
**Interstitial A: Lighting
**Chapter 2: [[Decepticon|Decepticons]]
**Interstitial B: Transformations
**Chapter 3: [[Human|Humans]]
**Interstitial C: [[Studio 4°C]]
**Chapter 4: Events
**Interstitial D: Deleted Scenes
**Chapter 5: Culture
**Interstitial E: Design Evolution
**Chapter 6: [[Detroit]]
**Interstitial F: Style Guides
**Chapter 7: [[Cybertron]]
**Interstitial G: Backgrounds
**Chapter 8: Settings
**Interstitial H: [[Scale|Size Comparison]]
**Chapter 9: [[Project Omega]]
**Interstitial I: Japan
*Part Two
**Forewords by [[Eric Siebenaler]] and [[Matt Youngberg]]
**Section I: Toy Design
**Section II: Animation
**Section III: Season Four
**Section IV: Toy Gallery
**Section V: Hero
**Section VI: Packaging Art
**Section VII: Expanded Universe
**Section VIII: The Cast
**Afterwords by [[Aaron Archer]] and [[Marty Isenberg]]
**Acknowledgement

==Chapter 1 - Autobots==
Chapter 1 covers every Autobot to ever appear on the show as well as some who only appear in this book or in supplementary materials.

{{collist|3|
*[[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] by Ultra Magnus
*[[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] by Lockdown
*[[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] by Fanzone
*[[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] by Bulkhead
*[[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] by Sari
*[[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]] by Sentinel Prime
*[[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] by Optimus Prime
*[[Jazz (Animated)|Jazz]] by Sentinel Prime
*[[Blurr (Animated)|Blurr]] by Bumblebee
*[[Jetfire (Animated)|Jetfire]] by Jetstorm
*[[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]] by Jetfire
*[[Safeguard (Animated)|Safeguard]] by Sentinel Prime
*[[Dai Atlas (Animated)|Dai Atlas]] by Ultra Magnus
*[[Erector (Animated)|Erector]] by Sentinel Prime
*[[Warpath (Animated)|Warpath]] by Flareup
*[[Kup (Animated)|Kup]] by Optimus Prime
*[[Rad (Animated)|Rad]] by Cosmos
*[[Lionizer (Animated)|Lionizer]] by Rad
*[[Metalhawk (Animated)|Metalhawk]] by Jetfire and Jetstorm
*[[Wreck-Gar (Animated)|Wreck-Gar]] by Ratchet
*[[Dinobot (Animated)|Dinobots]] by Blackarachnia
**[[Grimlock (Animated)|Grimlock]]
**[[Snarl (Animated)|Snarl]]
**[[Swoop (Animated)|Swoop]]
*[[Rodimus Prime (Animated)|Rodimus Prime]] by Kup
*[[Brawn (Animated)|Brawn]] by Ironhide
*[[Hot Shot (Animated)|Hot Shot]] by Red Alert
*[[Red Alert (Animated)|Red Alert]] by Hot Shot
*[[Ironhide (Animated)|Ironhide]] by Bulkhead
*[[Arcee (Animated)|Arcee]] by Ratchet
*[[Shockwave (Animated)|Longarm Prime]] by Bumblebee
*[[Yoketron (Animated)|Yoketron]] by Jazz
*[[Alpha Trion (Animated)|Alpha Trion]] by Sentinel Prime
*[[Wheelie (Animated)|Wheelie]] by Seapsray
*[[Perceptor (Animated)|Perceptor]] by Shockwave
*[[Wheeljack (Animated)|Wheeljack]] by Perceptor
*[[Mainframe (Animated)|Mainframe]] by Wheeljack
*[[Botanica (Animated)|Botanica]] by Tracks
*[[Seaspray (Animated)|Seaspray]] by Sentinel Prime
*[[Rattletrap]] by Warpath
*[[Grandus (Animated)|Grandus]] by Rosanna
*[[Sky Garry (Animated)|Sky Garry]] by Alpha Trion
*[[Dug Base]] by Wheelie
*[[Powerglide (Animated)|Powerglide]] by Blitzwing
*[[Mirage (Animated)|Mirage]] by Cliffjumper
*[[Cosmos (Animated)|Cosmos]] by Bulkhead
*[[Tracks (Animated)|Tracks]] by Beachcomber
*[[Beachcomber (Animated)|Beachcomber]] by Rattletrap
*[[Highbrow (Animated)|Highbrow]] by Shockwave
*[[Pipes (Animated)|Pipes]] by Huffer
*[[Huffer (Animated)|Huffer]] by Pipes
*[[Cliffjumper (Animated)|Cliffjumper]] by Bumblebee
*[[Moscardo]] by Cliffjumper
*[[First Aid (Animated)|First Aid]] by Sentinel Prime
*[[Glyph (Animated)|Glyph]] by Volks
*[[Tap-Out (Animated)|Tap-Out]] by Glyph
*[[Chase (Animated)|Chase]] by Carrera
*[[Freeway (Animated)|Freeway]] by Sedan
*[[Searchlight (Animated)|Searchlight]] by Furão
*[[Volks (Animated)|Volks]] by Tap-Out
*[[Carrera (Animated)|Carrera]] by Bumper
*[[Furão]] by Chase
*[[Hubcap (Animated)|Hubcap]] by Freeway
*[[Sedan (Animated)|Sedan]] by Hubcap
*[[Bumper (Animated)|Bumper]] by Searchlight
*[[Wasp]] by Shockwave and Bumblebee
*[[Flareup (Animated)|Flareup]]
*[[Lightbright]] by Dug Base
*[[Lickety-Split]] by Lightbright
*[[Rosanna (Animated)|Rosanna]] by Grandus
**[[Steeljaw (Animated)|Steeljaw]]
**[[Zaur]]
**[[Ramhorn (Animated)|Ramhorn]]
**[[Nook]] and [[Night Watch]]
*[[Cheetor (Animated)|Cheetor]] by Ironfist
*[[Ironfist (Animated)|Ironfist]] by Swindle
*[[Sideswipe (Animated)|Sideswipe]] by Ransack
*[[Depth Charge (Animated)|Depth Charge]] by Cheetor
*[[Ransack (Animated)|Ransack]] by Depth Charge
*[[Crumplezone (Animated)|Crumplezone]] by Sideswipe
*[[Road Rage (Animated)|Road Rage]] by Lockdown
*[[Chromia (Animated)|Chromia]] by Rattletrap
*[[Flashpoint]] by Minerva
*[[Jackpot (Animated)|Jackpot]] by Hubcap
*[[Sights (Animated)|Sights]] by Jackpot
*[[Minerva (Animated)|Minerva]] by Ratchet
*[[Drift (Animated)|Drift]] by Jazz
*[[Nightbeat (Animated)|Nightbeat]] by Sideswipe
*[[Autotrooper (Animated)|Autotrooper]] by Alpha Trion
*"Wingblade" Optimus Prime by Megatron}}

==Chapter 2 - Decepticons==
Chapter 2 covers every Decepticon to appear in the show as well as Decepticons exclusive to this book and supplementary material.

{{collist|3|
*[[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] by Lugnut
*[[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] by himself
**[[Clone number 3370318|Clone #3370318]]
**[[Clone number 2716057|Clone #2716057]]
*[[Lugnut (Animated)|Lugnut]] by Blitzwing
*[[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]] by Lugnut
*[[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Blackarachnia]] by Optimus Prime
*[[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave]] by Megatron
*[[Swindle (Animated)|Swindle]] by The Angry Archer
*[[Soundwave (Animated)|Soundwave]] by Sari
*Soundwave's Avatars by Prowl
*[[Ratbat (Animated)|Ratbat]] and [[Laserbeak (Animated)|Laserbeak]] by Soundwave
*[[Lockdown (Animated)|Lockdown]] by Prowl
*[[Constructicon (Animated)|Constructicons]] by Bulkhead
**[[Mixmaster (Animated)|Mixmaster]]
**[[Scrapper (Animated)|Scrapper]]
*[[Dirt Boss (Animated)|Dirt Boss]] by Scrapper and Mixmaster
*[[Slipstream (Animated)|Slipstream]] by Thundercracker
*[[Thundercracker (Animated)|Thundercracker]] by Ramjet
*[[Ramjet (Animated)|Ramjet]] by Sunstorm
*[[Sunstorm (Animated)|Sunstorm]] by Skywarp
*[[Skywarp (Animated)|Skywarp]] by Slipstream
*[[Wasp|Waspinator]] by Blackarachnia
*[[Strika (Animated)|General Strika]] by Lugnut
*[[Oil Slick (Animated)|Oil Slick]] by Cyclonus
*[[Cyclonus (Animated)|Cyclonus]] by Scalpel
*[[Blackout (Animated)|Blackout]] by Megatron
*[[Spittor (Animated)|Spittor]] by Oil Slick
*[[Sky-Byte (Animated)|Sky-Byte]] by Strika
*[[Mindwipe (Animated)|Mindwipe]] by Megatron
*[[Blot (Animated)|Blot]] by Starscream
*[[The Motor Master]] by Wildrider
*[[Wildrider (Animated)|Wildrider]] by Drag Strip
*[[Drag Strip (Animated)|Drag Strip]] by Breakdown
*[[Breakdown (Animated)|Breakdown]] by Dead End
*[[Dead End (Animated)|Dead End]] by Toxitron
*[[Toxitron (Animated)|Toxitron]] by The Motor Master
*[[Reflector (Animated)|Reflector]] by Blackarachnia
**Spectro
**Viewfinder
**Spyglass
*[[Stretch]] by Porter C. Powell
*[[Flip Sides (Animated)|Flip Sides]] by Blurr
*[[Straxus (Animated)|Lord High Governor Straxus]] by Strika
*[[Slapper (Animated)|Slapper]] by Swindle
*[[Scalpel (Animated)|Scalpel]] by Perceptor
*[[Magnificus (Animated)|Magnificus]] by Starscream
*[[Bugly (Animated)|Bugly]] by Lockdown
*[[Grinder]] by Oil Slick
*[[Venom (Animated)|Venom]] by Blitzwing
*[[Nemesis Prime (Animated)|Nemesis Prime]] by Straxus
*[[Dark Rodimus]] by Cyclonus
*[[Skipjack (Animated)|Skipjack]] by Dirt Boss}}

==Chapter 3 - Humans==
Covers every human character in the series.

{{collist|3|
*[[Sari Sumdac (Animated)|Sari Sumdac]] by Bulkhead
**[[Tutor Bot]]
**[[Sparkplug (robot dog)|Sparkplug]]
*[[Isaac Sumdac (Animated)|Isaac Sumdac]] by Megatron
*[[Carmine Fanzone|Captain Carmine Fanzone]] by Sari
*[[Angry Archer|The Angry Archer]] by Swindle
*[[Professor Princess|Professor Penny Princess, PhD]] by Sari
*[[Nanosec]] by Slo-Mo
*[[Slo-Mo]] by Nanosec
*[[Headmaster (Animated)|The Headmaster]] by Bulkhead
*[[Meltdown]] by Blackarachnia
*[[Colossus Rhodes]] by Meltdown
*[[Fusion creature|Fusion creatures]]
**[[Fusion creature|BAT-MONSTER]] by Grimlock
**The [[Fusion creature|Seafood Louis creature]] by Fanzone
*[[Master Disaster (Animated)|Master Disaster]] by Blurr
*[[Street Demon]] by Bulkhead
**[[Ming-Li]] and [[Roxy Sparkles]] by Sari
**[[Shana Story]] and [[Solon Kitakaze (Animated)|Solon Kitakaze]] by Bumblebee
*Sari Sumdac (Upgraded) by Ratchet
*[[Porter C. Powell]] by Headmaster}}

==Chapter 4 - Events==
The episodes and comics that make up the primary Animated continuity, in order.

{{collist|2|
*[[Transform and Roll Out]] as three Autobot Incident Reports by Optimus Prime and a page from Isaac Sumdac's journal.
*[[Dispatches]] as musings from [[Vector Prime]]
*[[Home Is Where the Spark Is]] as an Autobot Incident Report by Optimus Prime
*[[Total Meltdown]] as an Autobot Incident Report by Optimus Prime
*[[Blast from the Past]] as Megatron's Encrypted Internal Log
*[[The Arrival issue 4#.22A Few Loose Strands.22|A Few Loose Strands]] as [[Venus (magazine)|Venus]], the trans-dimensional magazine for Decepti-femmes.
*[[The Thrill of the Hunt]] as an Autobot Incident Report by Ratchet
*[[The Arrival issue 5|The Arrival #5]] as a page from Swindle's ledger and an evaluation form
*[[Nanosec (episode)|Nanosec]] as an Autobot Incident Report by Optimus Prime
*[[Along Came a Spider]] as an Autobot Incident Report by Optimus Prime
*[[The Arrival issue 2#.22Whatever Happened To Whatisname.3F.22|Whatever Happened To Whatisname?]] as a page from Professor Princess' [['Lil Spoiled Brat|diary]]
*[[Sound and Fury]] as an Autobot Incident Report by Optimus Prime
*[[The Arrival issue 2#.22Attention Surplus Disorder.22|Attention Surplus Disorder]] as two pages from the [[Detroit Powell Press]]
*[[Lost and Found (episode)|Lost and Found]] as Lugnut's Internal Log
*[[The Arrival issue 3|The Arrival #3]] as Megatron's Encrypted Internal Log and a medical report from Ratchet
*[[Survival of the Fittest]] as a police report from Captain Fanzone
*[[Headmaster (episode)|Headmaster]] as an Autobot Incident Report by Optimus Prime
*[[The Arrival issue 4#.22The Insincerest Form of Flattery.22|The Insincerest Form of Flattery]] as an Autobot Incident Report by Bulkhead
*[[Nature Calls]] as an Autobot Incident Report by Prowl
*[[Megatron Rising - Part 1]] as Megatron's Encrypted Internal Log
*[[Megatron Rising - Part 2]] as an Autobot Incident Report by Optimus Prime
*[[The Elite Guard]] as an Autobot Incident Report by Optimus Prime
*[[The Return of the Headmaster]] as Sentinel Prime's private journal and a letter from Sari to her absent father
*[[Mission Accomplished]] as Megatron's Internal Log
*[[Garbage In, Garbage Out]] as a box of [[Garbage O's]] cereal
*[[Velocity (episode)|Velocity]] as an Autobot Incident Report by Bumblebee
*[[Rise of the Constructicons]] as an Autobot Incident Report by Optimus Prime
*[[A Fistful of Energon]] as Starscream's Internal Log
*[[SUV: Society of Ultimate Villainy]] as excerpts from interrogations conducted by Carmine Fanzone
*[[Autoboot Camp]] as Shockwave's Encrypted Internal Log
*[[First (and Second) in Flight]] as a page from Ultra Magnus's memoirs
*[[Black Friday]] as an Autobot Incident Report by Optimus Prime
*[[Sari, No One's Home]] as a letter from Sari to her absent father
*[[A Bridge Too Close, Part I]] as Megatron's Internal Log
*[[A Bridge Too Close, Part II]] as an Autobot Incident Report by Optimus Prime
*[[TransWarped]] as Shockwave and Starscream's Internal Logs, Autobot Incident Reports by Ratchet and Optimus Prime, Bumblebee's Private Journal, and the Headmaster's [[Yatter]] page.
*[[Three's a Crowd]] as an Autobot Incident Report by Bulkhead and Lugnut's Internal Log
*[[Where Is Thy Sting?]] as a medical report by First Aid and an Autobot Incident Report by Bumblebee
*[[Five Servos of Doom]] as an Autobot Incident Report by Prowl
*[[Predacons Rising (Animated)|Predacons Rising]] as an Autobot Incident Report by Sentinel Prime and a message in a bottle by Waspinator
*[[Human Error, Part I]] as an Autobot Incident Reprot by Optimus Prime
*[[Human Error, Part II]] as a fairy tale/"Wizard of Oz" type of story
*[[Decepticon Air]] as Sentinel Prime's Private Journal
*[[This Is Why I Hate Machines]] as an issue of the ALTernity Today magazine
*[[Endgame, Part I]] as an Autobot Incident Report by Optimus Prime
*[[Endgame, Part II]] as Megatron's Encrypted Internal Log
*[[Moving Violations]] as a police report by Depth Charge
*[[The Stunti-Con Job]] as Strika's Internal Log}}

==Chapter 5 - Culture==
A catch-all for other aspects of Animated including ships, monsters and customs

{{collist|3|
*The [[AllSpark]] by Optimus Prime
*[[Space bridge|Space bridges]] by Megatron
*Autobot Cybertronian forms by Ultra Magnus
*Decepticon Cybertronian forms by Starscream
*The [[Death's Head (Animated)|Death's Head]] by Lockdown
*Thanatos-class ships by Strika
*[[Great War (Animated)|The Great War]] (the game)
*[[Automaton|Sumdac robots]] by Porter C. Powell
*Bulkhead's art by Ratchet, Optimus Prime, and Sari
*[[Halloween]] by Bulkhead and Bumblebee
*[[Christmas]] by Optimus Prime
*[[Human Error, Part I|Automen]] by Bulkhead
*The Media by Soundwave
**[[News Bot]]
**[[Lester Black]]
*[[Ninja Gladiator]] by Sari
*[[Space barnacle|Space barnacles]] by Sari
*[[Nanite|Nanobots]] by Ratchet
*[[Rock Lord|Rock Lords]] by Bumblebee
*Stupid Organics (i.e., animals) by Sentinel Prime
*Scooter / Jetpack by Isaac Sumdac
*[[Emergency shuttle|Autobot Shuttle]] by Blitzwing
*[[Electronic paint job|Electronic Paint]] by Bumblebee
*Helmets by Swindle
*[[Protoform|Protoforms]] by Yoketron
*[[Cloning]] by Swindle
**[[Dirge (Animated)|Dirge]]
**[[Thrust (Animated)|Thrust]]
*The [[Cyber-Ninja Corps]] by Yoketron
*Powers by Prowl
*Decepticon Weaponry by Ironfist
*Mirror Universe
**[[Optimus Prime (SG Animated)|Mirror Optimus Prime]] by Mirror Isaac Sumdac
**[[Bumblebee (SG Animated)|Mirror Bumblebee]] by Mirror Sari Sumdac
**[[Sari Sumdac (SG Animated)|Mirror Sari Sumdac]] by Mirror Bumblebee
**[[Isaac Sumdac (SG Animated)|Mirror Isaac Sumdac]] by Mirror Optimus Prime
*[[Predacon|Predacons]] by Megatron
**[[Inferno (Animated)|Inferno]]
**[[Antagony (Animated)|Antagony]]
**Blackarachnia
*Science Guild Report on [[Forestonite]] by Perceptor
*Prototype Minions by Soundwave
**[[Buzzsaw (Animated)|Buzzsaw]], [[Sunder (Animated)|Sunder]], and [[Garboil (Animated)|Garboil]]
**[[Wingthing (Animated)|Wingthing]]
*The AllSpark Reconstituted by Optimus Prime}}

==Chapter 6 - Detroit==
People, places and things in and about Detroit.

{{collist|3|
*[[Augustus Edsel|Detroit's Leadership]] by Sentinel Prime
*Buildings by Jazz
*[[Blackwater Prison]] by Captain Fanzone
*[[Burger Bot]] by Sari Sumdac
*[[Tigatron Stadium]] by Lugnut
*[[Fossil Fuel]] by Dirt Boss
*[[Human|Organic Inhabitants]] by Sentinel Prime
*Emergency Responders by Captain Fanzone
*Earth Vehicles by Jazz}}

==Chapter 7 - Cybertron==
Inhabitants and locations on Cybertron or places near Cybertron.

{{collist|3|
*Cybertron and its moons by Ultra Magnus
*The [[Hadeen System]] by Cosmos
*Stellar Cartography by Swindle
*[[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] by Captain Fanzone
*Iacon's Populace by Sari
**[[Stungun (Animated)|Stungun]]
**[[Excellion (Animated)|Excellion]]
**[[Strongarm (Animated)|Strongarm]]
**[[Air Raid (Animated)|Air Raid]]
**[[Scrounge (Animated)|Scrounge]]
**[[Longrack (Animated)|Longrack]]
**[[Stampy (Animated)|Stampy]]
*The [[Metroplex (Animated)|Metroplex]] by Alpha Trion
*Longarm's office by Cliffjumper
*Infirmary by Arcee
*[[Fortress Maximus (Animated)|Fortress Maximus]] by Sentinel Prime
*[[Maccadam's Old Oil House]] by Brawn
*[[Autobot boot camp]] by Ultra Magnus
*[[Trypticon Prison]] by Sideswipe
**[[Reachout (Animated)|Reachout]]
**[[Grindor (Animated)|Grindor]]
**[[Leader-1 (Animated)|Leader-1]]
**[[DUCK-E]]
**[[Sureshock (Animated)|Sureshock]]
**[[High Wire (Animated)|High Wire]]
*[[Cyber-Ninja Dojo]] by Lockdown
*[[Space bridge nexus|Spacebridge nexus]] by Bulkhead}}

==Chapter 8 - Settings==
Miscellaneous locations on the show

{{collist|3|
*[[Autobot Earth Base]] by Bulkhead
*[[Decepticon Earth Base]] by Mixmaster and Scrapper
*[[Sumdac Systems]] by Isaac Sumdac
*[[Nemesis (Animated)|The Nemesis]] by Blackarachnia
*[[Dinobot Island (Animated)|Dinobot Island]] by Prowl
*[[Meltdown's Subterranean Lab]] by Cyrus "The Colossus" Rhodes
*Soundwave's lab by Sari
*[[Archa Seven]] by Sentinel Prime
*Unknown locale by Blackarachnia
*Cyberspace by Prowl}}

==Chapter 9 - Project Omega==
More information regarding Project Omega

*Omega Laboratory by Ratchet
*Autobot workers by Blitzwing
*[[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]] by Ratchet
*[[Sigma Supreme|Steelhaven]] by Ultra Magnus
*Steelhaven cargo by Swindle
*Steelhaven brig by Sunstorm
*Steelhaven infrastructure by Optimus Prime
*Steelhaven Energon storage by Jazz
*Steelhaven schematics by Perceptor
*[[Lugnut Supreme]] by Starscream

==Section I - Toy Design==
Details the processes behind designing each toy, and how Hasbro, Takara, and Cartoon Network worked together to make them possible.

==Section II - Animation==
This section is about the general production of the series, including design, the first treatment of the show, how the show evolved from season to season, casting, scripts, post-production, and of course, animation.

==Section III - Season Four==
Contains info on what would have happened if season four was made. Hasbro and Cartoon Network collaborated extensively on what such a thing would be like.

*The season's theme would be energon, since the Allspark left energon deposits all over Detroit and the surrounding area.
*There would be more on Sari's origin and Blackarachnia would have a growing army of Predacons.
*Sari and Bulkhead would stay on Cybertron to continue Sari's education and to protect the energon farms from Decepticons.
*Among the main characters, Ironhide would receive an Earth mode and replace Bulkhead, and Jazz would replace Prowl.
*Bludgeon would have appeared, as a pirate.
*Ultra Magnus was planned to go offline after being attacked by [[Shockwave (Animated)|our favorite double agent]] back in Season 3.
*Some episode proposals were listed:
**"The Trial of Megatron" - Three-part season premiere; Sari wants to learn more about her origins, Sentinel tries to become Magnus, Bulkhead's hometown is targeted by Decepticons, Megatron relocates Kaon to Earth using is trial as a destraction, and there is a spectacular prison break.
**"Allspark-alypse Now!" - Sentinel comes to Earth and intends to use the AllSpark to kill Megatron, as Prowl's ghost inhabits Cybertronians empowered by AllSpark fragments, telling Optimus about the consequences of his ideas.
**"S.T.E.A.M." - The Autobots are forced to save their detractors when the steampunk tool-using, anti-technological Luddites of "Save The Earth And Mankind" run afoul of Soundwave.
**"Mirror, Mirror" - Bulkhead and Sari enter [[Transformers: Shattered Glass (franchise)|a mirror universe with evil Autobots and heroic Decepticons]].
**"Gremlins in the Geers" - The Minicons who run Kaon disassemble all machinery in Detroit, and Ratchet and Fanzone have to stop them.
**"It Came from Planet Cybertron" - Cosmos has an important message for Optimus, and comes to Earth to tell him. He loses his memory after scanning a prop flying saucer from a B-movie's set, and hi-jinks ensue.
**"Turf War" - The Constructicons battle the Decepticons over control of the energon in Detroit.
**"Megatron Must Be Destroyed!" - The two-part season finale (series finale?) would have had Megatron's machinations threaten the entire planet. Optimus gathers as many allies as imaginable to defeat Megatron once and for all.

Three rejected toy concepts were shown: Marauder Megatron (Megatron in a new body, and as a [[Triple Changer]]), Hot Shot (an Earth-mode toy based on his [[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|2008 Universe]] figure, and a Powermaster Optimus Prime (would have combined with a trailer and a Minicon to improve his size and power, looking similar to the original Powermaster Prime). Hot Shot and Megatron made it as far as the prototype stage, but Powermaster Prime existed only as concept art. There is a note from Hasbro outright stating that they will never be released, despite their wishes.

==Section IV - Toy Gallery==
[[Stock photography]] of every toy released in the [[Transformers Animated (toyline)|Animated toyline]], including some that were completed, yet not released.

==Section V - Hero==
Concept art and information for ''Transformers: Hero'', a proposed successor to the [[Unicron Trilogy]] that ended up becoming ''Transformers Animated''.

==Section VI - Packaging Art==
Discusses and shows off each toy's "action" package art (mass released and otherwise), drawn by [[Derrick J. Wyatt]] and [[Marcelo Matere]].

==Section VII - Expanded Universe==
Covers information regarding the [[Bee in the City|live]] [[The Stunti-Con Job|script readings]], [[Transformers Animated: The Game|the video game]], the show's tie-in comic [[Transformers Animated: The Arrival]], and [[Transformers Animated (Titan)|the short-lived Titan Magazine comic]].

==Section VIII- The Cast==
Presents information and photos of the main members of the voice cast: [[David Kaye]], [[Tara Strong]], [[Corey Burton]], [[Bumper Robinson]], [[Jeff Glen Bennett|Jeff Bennett]], [[Bill Fagerbakke]], [[Tom Kenny]], [[Cree Summer]], [[Townsend Coleman]], and [[Phil LaMarr]].

==Interstitials==
The only place where out-of-universe information is presented, the interstitial pages covered divergent continuities as well as select aspects of the animation process. These appear at the end of a chapter.

{{collist|3|
*Chapter 1: Lighting
*Chapter 2: Transformations
*Chapter 3: Studio 4°C
*Chapter 4: Deleted Scenes
*Chapter 5: Design Evolution
*Chapter 6: Style Guides
*Chapter 7: Backgrounds
*Chapter 8: Size Comparison
*Chapter 9: Japan}}

==External links==
*[http://boltax.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/the-complete-allspark-almanac-preview.html The Complete AllSpark Almanac - 8 Page Preview! (Plus a Silly Little Contest)]
*[http://www.allspark.com/content/2015/03/allspark-com-interview-transformers-animated-the-complete-allspark-almanac-author-jim-sorenson/ Allspark.com Interview - Transformers Animated: The Complete Allspark Almanac Author Jim Sorenson]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=244sXiKXyFk Radio Free Cybertron - Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac Complete Edition Interview]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Animated: The Complete Allspark Almanac}}
[[Category:Animated books|Complete Allspark Almanac]]
[[Category:IDW titles]]
[[Category:Reference texts]]

Transformers Animated: The Complete AllSpark Almanac

2016-08-05T07:42:44Z

Shockwitwicky86: There. That should leave this article up to date unless there are some details I've overlooked that other editors who own a copy of this book wish to add.

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=''Transformers Animated: The Complete AllSpark Almanac''
|image=The Complete AllSpark Almanac cover.jpeg‎
|caption=
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|written by=[[Jim Sorenson]] and [[Bill Forster]]
|date=[[March 4]], [[2015]]
|illustrated by=
|continuity=[[Animated cartoon continuity]]
|pagecount=472
|price=$39.99 USD
|prev=The AllSpark Almanac Addendum
|ISBN=ISBN 1631402102 
ISBN 978-1631402104
}}

'''''Transformers Animated: The Complete AllSpark Almanac''''' is a compilation of ''[[Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac|The AllSpark Almanac]]'', ''[[Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II|The AllSpark Almanac II]]'', and ''[[The AllSpark Almanac Addendum]]'' with approximately ten pages of extra material and some minor revisions.

==Contents==
*Part One
**Introduction by the Authors
**Forewords by [[Derrick J. Wyatt]] and [[David Kaye]]
**Chapter 1: [[Autobot|Autobots]]
**Interstitial A: Lighting
**Chapter 2: [[Decepticon|Decepticons]]
**Interstitial B: Transformations
**Chapter 3: [[Human|Humans]]
**Interstitial C: [[Studio 4°C]]
**Chapter 4: Events
**Interstitial D: Deleted Scenes
**Chapter 5: Culture
**Interstitial E: Design Evolution
**Chapter 6: [[Detroit]]
**Interstitial F: Style Guides
**Chapter 7: [[Cybertron]]
**Interstitial G: Backgrounds
**Chapter 8: Settings
**Interstitial H: [[Scale|Size Comparison]]
**Chapter 9: [[Project Omega]]
**Interstitial I: Japan
*Part Two
**Forewords by [[Eric Siebenaler]] and [[Matt Youngberg]]
**Section I: Toy Design
**Section II: Animation
**Section III: Season Four
**Section IV: Toy Gallery
**Section V: Hero
**Section VI: Packaging Art
**Section VII: Expanded Universe
**Section VIII: The Cast
**Afterwords by [[Aaron Archer]] and [[Marty Isenberg]]
**Acknowledgement

==Chapter 1 - Autobots==
Chapter 1 covers every Autobot to ever appear on the show as well as some who only appear in this book or in supplementary materials.

{{collist|3|
*[[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] by Ultra Magnus
*[[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] by Lockdown
*[[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] by Fanzone
*[[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] by Bulkhead
*[[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] by Sari
*[[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]] by Sentinel Prime
*[[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] by Optimus Prime
*[[Jazz (Animated)|Jazz]] by Sentinel Prime
*[[Blurr (Animated)|Blurr]] by Bumblebee
*[[Jetfire (Animated)|Jetfire]] by Jetstorm
*[[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]] by Jetfire
*[[Safeguard (Animated)|Safeguard]] by Sentinel Prime
*[[Dai Atlas (Animated)|Dai Atlas]] by Ultra Magnus
*[[Erector (Animated)|Erector]] by Sentinel Prime
*[[Warpath (Animated)|Warpath]] by Flareup
*[[Kup (Animated)|Kup]] by Optimus Prime
*[[Rad (Animated)|Rad]] by Cosmos
*[[Lionizer (Animated)|Lionizer]] by Rad
*[[Metalhawk (Animated)|Metalhawk]] by Jetfire and Jetstorm
*[[Wreck-Gar (Animated)|Wreck-Gar]] by Ratchet
*[[Dinobot (Animated)|Dinobots]] by Blackarachnia
**[[Grimlock (Animated)|Grimlock]]
**[[Snarl (Animated)|Snarl]]
**[[Swoop (Animated)|Swoop]]
*[[Rodimus Prime (Animated)|Rodimus Prime]] by Kup
*[[Brawn (Animated)|Brawn]] by Ironhide
*[[Hot Shot (Animated)|Hot Shot]] by Red Alert
*[[Red Alert (Animated)|Red Alert]] by Hot Shot
*[[Ironhide (Animated)|Ironhide]] by Bulkhead
*[[Arcee (Animated)|Arcee]] by Ratchet
*[[Shockwave (Animated)|Longarm Prime]] by Bumblebee
*[[Yoketron (Animated)|Yoketron]] by Jazz
*[[Alpha Trion (Animated)|Alpha Trion]] by Sentinel Prime
*[[Wheelie (Animated)|Wheelie]] by Seapsray
*[[Perceptor (Animated)|Perceptor]] by Shockwave
*[[Wheeljack (Animated)|Wheeljack]] by Perceptor
*[[Mainframe (Animated)|Mainframe]] by Wheeljack
*[[Botanica (Animated)|Botanica]] by Tracks
*[[Seaspray (Animated)|Seaspray]] by Sentinel Prime
*[[Rattletrap]] by Warpath
*[[Grandus (Animated)|Grandus]] by Rosanna
*[[Sky Garry (Animated)|Sky Garry]] by Alpha Trion
*[[Dug Base]] by Wheelie
*[[Powerglide (Animated)|Powerglide]] by Blitzwing
*[[Mirage (Animated)|Mirage]] by Cliffjumper
*[[Cosmos (Animated)|Cosmos]] by Bulkhead
*[[Tracks (Animated)|Tracks]] by Beachcomber
*[[Beachcomber (Animated)|Beachcomber]] by Rattletrap
*[[Highbrow (Animated)|Highbrow]] by Shockwave
*[[Pipes (Animated)|Pipes]] by Huffer
*[[Huffer (Animated)|Huffer]] by Pipes
*[[Cliffjumper (Animated)|Cliffjumper]] by Bumblebee
*[[Moscardo]] by Cliffjumper
*[[First Aid (Animated)|First Aid]] by Sentinel Prime
*[[Glyph (Animated)|Glyph]] by Volks
*[[Tap-Out (Animated)|Tap-Out]] by Glyph
*[[Chase (Animated)|Chase]] by Carrera
*[[Freeway (Animated)|Freeway]] by Sedan
*[[Searchlight (Animated)|Searchlight]] by Furão
*[[Volks (Animated)|Volks]] by Tap-Out
*[[Carrera (Animated)|Carrera]] by Bumper
*[[Furão]] by Chase
*[[Hubcap (Animated)|Hubcap]] by Freeway
*[[Sedan (Animated)|Sedan]] by Hubcap
*[[Bumper (Animated)|Bumper]] by Searchlight
*[[Wasp]] by Shockwave and Bumblebee
*[[Flareup (Animated)|Flareup]]
*[[Lightbright]] by Dug Base
*[[Lickety-Split]] by Lightbright
*[[Rosanna (Animated)|Rosanna]] by Grandus
**[[Steeljaw (Animated)|Steeljaw]]
**[[Zaur]]
**[[Ramhorn (Animated)|Ramhorn]]
**[[Nook]] and [[Night Watch]]
*[[Cheetor (Animated)|Cheetor]] by Ironfist
*[[Ironfist (Animated)|Ironfist]] by Swindle
*[[Sideswipe (Animated)|Sideswipe]] by Ransack
*[[Depth Charge (Animated)|Depth Charge]] by Cheetor
*[[Ransack (Animated)|Ransack]] by Depth Charge
*[[Crumplezone (Animated)|Crumplezone]] by Sideswipe
*[[Road Rage (Animated)|Road Rage]] by Lockdown
*[[Chromia (Animated)|Chromia]] by Rattletrap
*[[Flashpoint]] by Minerva
*[[Jackpot (Animated)|Jackpot]] by Hubcap
*[[Sights (Animated)|Sights]] by Jackpot
*[[Minerva (Animated)|Minerva]] by Ratchet
*[[Drift (Animated)|Drift]] by Jazz
*[[Nightbeat (Animated)|Nightbeat]] by Sideswipe
*[[Autotrooper (Animated)|Autotrooper]] by Alpha Trion
*"Wingblade" Optimus Prime by Megatron}}

==Chapter 2 - Decepticons==
Chapter 2 covers every Decepticon to appear in the show as well as Decepticons exclusive to this book and supplementary material.

{{collist|3|
*[[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] by Lugnut
*[[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] by himself
**[[Clone number 3370318|Clone #3370318]]
**[[Clone number 2716057|Clone #2716057]]
*[[Lugnut (Animated)|Lugnut]] by Blitzwing
*[[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]] by Lugnut
*[[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Blackarachnia]] by Optimus Prime
*[[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave]] by Megatron
*[[Swindle (Animated)|Swindle]] by The Angry Archer
*[[Soundwave (Animated)|Soundwave]] by Sari
*Soundwave's Avatars by Prowl
*[[Ratbat (Animated)|Ratbat]] and [[Laserbeak (Animated)|Laserbeak]] by Soundwave
*[[Lockdown (Animated)|Lockdown]] by Prowl
*[[Constructicon (Animated)|Constructicons]] by Bulkhead
**[[Mixmaster (Animated)|Mixmaster]]
**[[Scrapper (Animated)|Scrapper]]
*[[Dirt Boss (Animated)|Dirt Boss]] by Scrapper and Mixmaster
*[[Slipstream (Animated)|Slipstream]] by Thundercracker
*[[Thundercracker (Animated)|Thundercracker]] by Ramjet
*[[Ramjet (Animated)|Ramjet]] by Sunstorm
*[[Sunstorm (Animated)|Sunstorm]] by Skywarp
*[[Skywarp (Animated)|Skywarp]] by Slipstream
*[[Wasp|Waspinator]] by Blackarachnia
*[[Strika (Animated)|General Strika]] by Lugnut
*[[Oil Slick (Animated)|Oil Slick]] by Cyclonus
*[[Cyclonus (Animated)|Cyclonus]] by Scalpel
*[[Blackout (Animated)|Blackout]] by Megatron
*[[Spittor (Animated)|Spittor]] by Oil Slick
*[[Sky-Byte (Animated)|Sky-Byte]] by Strika
*[[Mindwipe (Animated)|Mindwipe]] by Megatron
*[[Blot (Animated)|Blot]] by Starscream
*[[The Motor Master]] by Wildrider
*[[Wildrider (Animated)|Wildrider]] by Drag Strip
*[[Drag Strip (Animated)|Drag Strip]] by Breakdown
*[[Breakdown (Animated)|Breakdown]] by Dead End
*[[Dead End (Animated)|Dead End]] by Toxitron
*[[Toxitron (Animated)|Toxitron]] by The Motor Master
*[[Reflector (Animated)|Reflector]] by Blackarachnia
**Spectro
**Viewfinder
**Spyglass
*[[Stretch]] by Porter C. Powell
*[[Flip Sides (Animated)|Flip Sides]] by Blurr
*[[Straxus (Animated)|Lord High Governor Straxus]] by Strika
*[[Slapper (Animated)|Slapper]] by Swindle
*[[Scalpel (Animated)|Scalpel]] by Perceptor
*[[Magnificus (Animated)|Magnificus]] by Starscream
*[[Bugly (Animated)|Bugly]] by Lockdown
*[[Grinder]] by Oil Slick
*[[Venom (Animated)|Venom]] by Blitzwing
*[[Nemesis Prime (Animated)|Nemesis Prime]] by Straxus
*[[Dark Rodimus]] by Cyclonus
*[[Skipjack (Animated)|Skipjack]] by Dirt Boss}}

==Chapter 3 - Humans==
Covers every human character in the series.

{{collist|3|
*[[Sari Sumdac (Animated)|Sari Sumdac]] by Bulkhead
**[[Tutor Bot]]
**[[Sparkplug (robot dog)|Sparkplug]]
*[[Isaac Sumdac (Animated)|Isaac Sumdac]] by Megatron
*[[Carmine Fanzone|Captain Carmine Fanzone]] by Sari
*[[Angry Archer|The Angry Archer]] by Swindle
*[[Professor Princess|Professor Penny Princess, PhD]] by Sari
*[[Nanosec]] by Slo-Mo
*[[Slo-Mo]] by Nanosec
*[[Headmaster (Animated)|The Headmaster]] by Bulkhead
*[[Meltdown]] by Blackarachnia
*[[Colossus Rhodes]] by Meltdown
*[[Fusion creature|Fusion creatures]]
**[[Fusion creature|BAT-MONSTER]] by Grimlock
**The [[Fusion creature|Seafood Louis creature]] by Fanzone
*[[Master Disaster (Animated)|Master Disaster]] by Blurr
*[[Street Demon]] by Bulkhead
**[[Ming-Li]] and [[Roxy Sparkles]] by Sari
**[[Shana Story]] and [[Solon Kitakaze (Animated)|Solon Kitakaze]] by Bumblebee
*Sari Sumdac (Upgraded) by Ratchet
*[[Porter C. Powell]] by Headmaster}}

==Chapter 4 - Events==
The episodes and comics that make up the primary Animated continuity, in order.

{{collist|2|
*[[Transform and Roll Out]] as three Autobot Incident Reports by Optimus Prime and a page from Isaac Sumdac's journal.
*[[Dispatches]] as musings from [[Vector Prime]]
*[[Home Is Where the Spark Is]] as an Autobot Incident Report by Optimus Prime
*[[Total Meltdown]] as an Autobot Incident Report by Optimus Prime
*[[Blast from the Past]] as Megatron's Encrypted Internal Log
*[[The Arrival issue 4#.22A Few Loose Strands.22|A Few Loose Strands]] as [[Venus (magazine)|Venus]], the trans-dimensional magazine for Decepti-femmes.
*[[The Thrill of the Hunt]] as an Autobot Incident Report by Ratchet
*[[The Arrival issue 5|The Arrival #5]] as a page from Swindle's ledger and an evaluation form
*[[Nanosec (episode)|Nanosec]] as an Autobot Incident Report by Optimus Prime
*[[Along Came a Spider]] as an Autobot Incident Report by Optimus Prime
*[[The Arrival issue 2#.22Whatever Happened To Whatisname.3F.22|Whatever Happened To Whatisname?]] as a page from Professor Princess' [['Lil Spoiled Brat|diary]]
*[[Sound and Fury]] as an Autobot Incident Report by Optimus Prime
*[[The Arrival issue 2#.22Attention Surplus Disorder.22|Attention Surplus Disorder]] as two pages from the [[Detroit Powell Press]]
*[[Lost and Found (episode)|Lost and Found]] as Lugnut's Internal Log
*[[The Arrival issue 3|The Arrival #3]] as Megatron's Encrypted Internal Log and a medical report from Ratchet
*[[Survival of the Fittest]] as a police report from Captain Fanzone
*[[Headmaster (episode)|Headmaster]] as an Autobot Incident Report by Optimus Prime
*[[The Arrival issue 4#.22The Insincerest Form of Flattery.22|The Insincerest Form of Flattery]] as an Autobot Incident Report by Bulkhead
*[[Nature Calls]] as an Autobot Incident Report by Prowl
*[[Megatron Rising - Part 1]] as Megatron's Encrypted Internal Log
*[[Megatron Rising - Part 2]] as an Autobot Incident Report by Optimus Prime
*[[The Elite Guard]] as an Autobot Incident Report by Optimus Prime
*[[The Return of the Headmaster]] as Sentinel Prime's private journal and a letter from Sari to her absent father
*[[Mission Accomplished]] as Megatron's Internal Log
*[[Garbage In, Garbage Out]] as a box of [[Garbage O's]] cereal
*[[Velocity (episode)|Velocity]] as an Autobot Incident Report by Bumblebee
*[[Rise of the Constructicons]] as an Autobot Incident Report by Optimus Prime
*[[A Fistful of Energon]] as Starscream's Internal Log
*[[SUV: Society of Ultimate Villainy]] as excerpts from interrogations conducted by Carmine Fanzone
*[[Autoboot Camp]] as Shockwave's Encrypted Internal Log
*[[First (and Second) in Flight]] as a page from Ultra Magnus's memoirs
*[[Black Friday]] as an Autobot Incident Report by Optimus Prime
*[[Sari, No One's Home]] as a letter from Sari to her absent father
*[[A Bridge Too Close, Part I]] as Megatron's Internal Log
*[[A Bridge Too Close, Part II]] as an Autobot Incident Report by Optimus Prime
*[[TransWarped]] as Shockwave and Starscream's Internal Logs, Autobot Incident Reports by Ratchet and Optimus Prime, Bumblebee's Private Journal, and the Headmaster's [[Yatter]] page.
*[[Three's a Crowd]] as an Autobot Incident Report by Bulkhead and Lugnut's Internal Log
*[[Where Is Thy Sting?]] as a medical report by First Aid and an Autobot Incident Report by Bumblebee
*[[Five Servos of Doom]] as an Autobot Incident Report by Prowl
*[[Predacons Rising (Animated)|Predacons Rising]] as an Autobot Incident Report by Sentinel Prime and a message in a bottle by Waspinator
*[[Human Error, Part I]] as an Autobot Incident Reprot by Optimus Prime
*[[Human Error, Part II]] as a fairy tale/"Wizard of Oz" type of story
*[[Decepticon Air]] as Sentinel Prime's Private Journal
*[[This Is Why I Hate Machines]] as an issue of the ALTernity Today magazine
*[[Endgame, Part I]] as an Autobot Incident Report by Optimus Prime
*[[Endgame, Part II]] as Megatron's Encrypted Internal Log
*[[Moving Violations]] as a police report by Depth Charge
*[[The Stunti-Con Job]] as Strika's Internal Log}}

==Chapter 5 - Culture==
A catch-all for other aspects of Animated including ships, monsters and customs

{{collist|3|
*The [[AllSpark]] by Optimus Prime
*[[Space bridge|Space bridges]] by Megatron
*Autobot Cybertronian forms by Ultra Magnus
*Decepticon Cybertronian forms by Starscream
*The [[Death's Head (Animated)|Death's Head]] by Lockdown
*Thanatos-class ships by Strika
*[[Great War (Animated)|The Great War]] (the game)
*[[Automaton|Sumdac robots]] by Porter C. Powell
*Bulkhead's art by Ratchet, Optimus Prime, and Sari
*[[Halloween]] by Bulkhead and Bumblebee
*[[Christmas]] by Optimus Prime
*[[Human Error, Part I|Automen]] by Bulkhead
*The Media by Soundwave
**[[News Bot]]
**[[Lester Black]]
*[[Ninja Gladiator]] by Sari
*[[Space barnacle|Space barnacles]] by Sari
*[[Nanite|Nanobots]] by Ratchet
*[[Rock Lord|Rock Lords]] by Bumblebee
*Stupid Organics (i.e., animals) by Sentinel Prime
*Scooter / Jetpack by Isaac Sumdac
*[[Emergency shuttle|Autobot Shuttle]] by Blitzwing
*[[Electronic paint job|Electronic Paint]] by Bumblebee
*Helmets by Swindle
*[[Protoform|Protoforms]] by Yoketron
*[[Cloning]] by Swindle
**[[Dirge (Animated)|Dirge]]
**[[Thrust (Animated)|Thrust]]
*The [[Cyber-Ninja Corps]] by Yoketron
*Powers by Prowl
*Decepticon Weaponry by Ironfist
*Mirror Universe
**[[Optimus Prime (SG Animated)|Mirror Optimus Prime]] by Mirror Isaac Sumdac
**[[Bumblebee (SG Animated)|Mirror Bumblebee]] by Mirror Sari Sumdac
**[[Sari Sumdac (SG Animated)|Mirror Sari Sumdac]] by Mirror Bumblebee
**[[Isaac Sumdac (SG Animated)|Mirror Isaac Sumdac]] by Mirror Optimus Prime
*[[Predacon|Predacons]] by Megatron
**[[Inferno (Animated)|Inferno]]
**[[Antagony (Animated)|Antagony]]
**Blackarachnia
*Science Guild Report on [[Forestonite]] by Perceptor
*Prototype Minions by Soundwave
**[[Buzzsaw (Animated)|Buzzsaw]], [[Sunder (Animated)|Sunder]], and [[Garboil (Animated)|Garboil]]
**[[Wingthing (Animated)|Wingthing]]
*The AllSpark Reconstituted by Optimus Prime}}

==Chapter 6 - Detroit==
People, places and things in and about Detroit.

{{collist|3|
*[[Augustus Edsel|Detroit's Leadership]] by Sentinel Prime
*Buildings by Jazz
*[[Blackwater Prison]] by Captain Fanzone
*[[Burger Bot]] by Sari Sumdac
*[[Tigatron Stadium]] by Lugnut
*[[Fossil Fuel]] by Dirt Boss
*[[Human|Organic Inhabitants]] by Sentinel Prime
*Emergency Responders by Captain Fanzone
*Earth Vehicles by Jazz}}

==Chapter 7 - Cybertron==
Inhabitants and locations on Cybertron or places near Cybertron.

{{collist|3|
*Cybertron and its moons by Ultra Magnus
*The [[Hadeen System]] by Cosmos
*Stellar Cartography by Swindle
*[[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] by Captain Fanzone
*Iacon's Populace by Sari
**[[Stungun (Animated)|Stungun]]
**[[Excellion (Animated)|Excellion]]
**[[Strongarm (Animated)|Strongarm]]
**[[Air Raid (Animated)|Air Raid]]
**[[Scrounge (Animated)|Scrounge]]
**[[Longrack (Animated)|Longrack]]
**[[Stampy (Animated)|Stampy]]
*The [[Metroplex (Animated)|Metroplex]] by Alpha Trion
*Longarm's office by Cliffjumper
*Infirmary by Arcee
*[[Fortress Maximus (Animated)|Fortress Maximus]] by Sentinel Prime
*[[Maccadam's Old Oil House]] by Brawn
*[[Autobot boot camp]] by Ultra Magnus
*[[Trypticon Prison]] by Sideswipe
**[[Reachout (Animated)|Reachout]]
**[[Grindor (Animated)|Grindor]]
**[[Leader-1 (Animated)|Leader-1]]
**[[DUCK-E]]
**[[Sureshock (Animated)|Sureshock]]
**[[High Wire (Animated)|High Wire]]
*[[Cyber-Ninja Dojo]] by Lockdown
*[[Space bridge nexus|Spacebridge nexus]] by Bulkhead}}

==Chapter 8 - Settings==
Miscellaneous locations on the show

{{collist|3|
*[[Autobot Earth Base]] by Bulkhead
*[[Decepticon Earth Base]] by Mixmaster and Scrapper
*[[Sumdac Systems]] by Isaac Sumdac
*[[Nemesis (Animated)|The Nemesis]] by Blackarachnia
*[[Dinobot Island (Animated)|Dinobot Island]] by Prowl
*[[Meltdown's Subterranean Lab]] by Cyrus "The Colossus" Rhodes
*Soundwave's lab by Sari
*[[Archa Seven]] by Sentinel Prime
*Unknown locale by Blackarachnia
*Cyberspace by Prowl}}

==Chapter 9 - Project Omega==
More information regarding Project Omega

*Omega Laboratory by Ratchet
*Autobot workers by Blitzwing
*[[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]] by Ratchet
*[[Sigma Supreme|Steelhaven]] by Ultra Magnus
*Steelhaven cargo by Swindle
*Steelhaven brig by Sunstorm
*Steelhaven infrastructure by Optimus Prime
*Steelhaven Energon storage by Jazz
*Steelhaven schematics by Perceptor
*[[Lugnut Supreme]] by Starscream

==Section I - Toy Design==
Details the processes behind designing each toy, and how Hasbro, Takara, and Cartoon Network worked together to make them possible.

==Section II - Animation==
This section is about the general production of the series, including design, the first treatment of the show, how the show evolved from season to season, casting, scripts, post-production, and of course, animation.

==Section III - Season Four==
Contains info on what would have happened if season four was made. Hasbro and Cartoon Network collaborated extensively on what such a thing would be like.

*The season's theme would be energon, since the Allspark left energon deposits all over Detroit and the surrounding area.
*There would be more on Sari's origin and Blackarachnia would have a growing army of Predacons.
*Sari and Bulkhead would stay on Cybertron to continue Sari's education and to protect the energon farms from Decepticons.
*Among the main characters, Ironhide would receive an Earth mode and replace Bulkhead, and Jazz would replace Prowl.
*Bludgeon would have appeared, as a pirate.
*Ultra Magnus was planned to go offline after being attacked by [[Shockwave (Animated)|our favorite double agent]] back in Season 3.
*Some episode proposals were listed:
**"The Trial of Megatron" - Three-part season premiere; Sari wants to learn more about her origins, Sentinel tries to become Magnus, Bulkhead's hometown is targeted by Decepticons, Megatron relocates Kaon to Earth using is trial as a destraction, and there is a spectacular prison break.
**"Allspark-alypse Now!" - Sentinel comes to Earth and intends to use the AllSpark to kill Megatron, as Prowl's ghost inhabits Cybertronians empowered by AllSpark fragments, telling Optimus about the consequences of his ideas.
**"S.T.E.A.M." - The Autobots are forced to save their detractors when the steampunk tool-using, anti-technological Luddites of "Save The Earth And Mankind" run afoul of Soundwave.
**"Mirror, Mirror" - Bulkhead and Sari enter [[Transformers: Shattered Glass (franchise)|a mirror universe with evil Autobots and heroic Decepticons]].
**"Gremlins in the Geers" - The Minicons who run Kaon disassemble all machinery in Detroit, and Ratchet and Fanzone have to stop them.
**"It Came from Planet Cybertron" - Cosmos has an important message for Optimus, and comes to Earth to tell him. He loses his memory after scanning a prop flying saucer from a B-movie's set, and hi-jinks ensue.
**"Turf War" - The Constructicons battle the Decepticons over control of the energon in Detroit.
**"Megatron Must Be Destroyed!" - The two-part season finale (series finale?) would have had Megatron's machinations threaten the entire planet. Optimus gathers as many allies as imaginable to defeat Megatron once and for all.

Three rejected toy concepts were shown: Marauder Megatron (Megatron in a new body, and as a [[Triple Changer]]), Hot Shot (an Earth-mode toy based on his [[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|2008 Universe]] figure, and a Powermaster Optimus Prime (would have combined with a trailer and a Minicon to improve his size and power, looking similar to the original Powermaster Prime). Hot Shot and Megatron made it as far as the prototype stage, but Powermaster Prime existed only as concept art. There is a note from Hasbro outright stating that they will never be released, despite their wishes.

==Section IV - Toy Gallery==
[[Stock photography]] of every toy released in the [[Transformers Animated (toyline)|Animated toyline]], including some that were completed, yet not released.

==Section V - Hero==
Concept art and information for ''Transformers: Hero'', a proposed successor to the [[Unicron Trilogy]] that ended up becoming ''Transformers Animated''.

==Section VI - Packaging Art==
Discusses and shows off each toy's "action" package art (mass released and otherwise), drawn by [[Derrick J. Wyatt]] and [[Marcelo Matere]].

==Section VII - Expanded Universe==
Covers information regarding the [[Bee in the City|live]] [[The Stunti-Con Job|script readings]], [[Transformers Animated: The Game|the video game]], the show's tie-in comic [[Transformers Animated: The Arrival]], and [[Transformers Animated (Titan)|the short-lived Titan Magazine comic]].

==Section VIII- The Cast==
Presents information and photos of the main members of the voice cast: [[David Kaye]], [[Tara Strong]], [[Corey Burton]], [[Bumper Robinson]], [[Jeff Glenn Bennett|Jeff Bennett]], [[Bill Fagerbakke]], [[Tom Kenny]], [[Cree Summer]], [[Townsend Coleman]], and [[Phil LaMarr]].

==Interstitials==
The only place where out-of-universe information is presented, the interstitial pages covered divergent continuities as well as select aspects of the animation process. These appear at the end of a chapter.

{{collist|3|
*Chapter 1: Lighting
*Chapter 2: Transformations
*Chapter 3: Studio 4°C
*Chapter 4: Deleted Scenes
*Chapter 5: Design Evolution
*Chapter 6: Style Guides
*Chapter 7: Backgrounds
*Chapter 8: Size Comparison
*Chapter 9: Japan}}

==External links==
*[http://boltax.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/the-complete-allspark-almanac-preview.html The Complete AllSpark Almanac - 8 Page Preview! (Plus a Silly Little Contest)]
*[http://www.allspark.com/content/2015/03/allspark-com-interview-transformers-animated-the-complete-allspark-almanac-author-jim-sorenson/ Allspark.com Interview - Transformers Animated: The Complete Allspark Almanac Author Jim Sorenson]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=244sXiKXyFk Radio Free Cybertron - Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac Complete Edition Interview]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Animated: The Complete Allspark Almanac}}
[[Category:Animated books|Complete Allspark Almanac]]
[[Category:IDW titles]]
[[Category:Reference texts]]