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User:Silver

2025-03-19T23:25:56Z

Silver:

{{factions|autobot|sgDecepticon|ttautobot}}
:''Silver is a [[technorganic]] [[human]] from the unknown [[continuity family]].''

These days I mostly log in to correct typos.

If you want to overdose on geeking out with me, asking about the Universal Century timeline of the Gundamverse or about mecha/sci-fi/cyberpunk anime & manga would be a good start. Fantasy/sci-fi fiction in general, listening to rock/metal & OSTs, collecting model kits/figures/dice, gaming, astronomy, transhumanism, etc work as well.

T_O <- Icy Blitzwing emote, yay.

== Favourite Transformers ==

* Perceptor (IDW 1.0/G1)
* Ultra Magnus (IDW 1.0/Marvel)
* Prowl (Animated/IDW 1.0)
* Jetfire (IDW 1.0/DW)
* Airazor (TransTech/BW)
* Arcee (IDW 1.0/Prime)
* Ratchet (Prime/IDW 1.0/Marvel)
* Windblade (IDW 1.0)
* Fortress Maximus (IDW 1.0)
* honorable mention: Sari

(I like IDW 2.0, too, honest!)

== Notes to self ==

* '''don't''' use "=" - use "=" (& # 6 1 ; - w/o spaces) instead
* [[/Notes|notes/sandbox]]

The Transformers: The Movie (second draft)

2025-03-19T23:11:46Z

Silver:

[[Image:SecondDraftScriptCover.jpg|thumb|right|250px|This page took fourteen years to make!]]

In early [[1985]], [[Ron Friedman]]'s [[The Transformers: The Movie (first draft)|initial script]] for [[The Transformers: The Movie]] had been rejected (allegedly because it focused too much on the villains). However, the terms of his contract meant that the film had to be based on a script he wrote. So if they wanted to continue production they needed him to write a new script. Not willing to leave this to chance, an outline was created by [[Sunbow Productions]] and he was told to base the new draft on it. This isn't exactly a revision of Friedman's previous script, it's more like an entirely new one that was loosely based on the first draft that Sunbow would be able to further rewrite into the movie they wanted to make without violating his contract.

The new script was written in just under a month. While this draft would form the basis of the final film, it would be massively reworked by a "story consultant" ([[Flint Dille]]). The script first became public when it was purchased after being auctioned off by Friedman in [[2010]] .<ref>"[https://boltax.blogspot.com/2010/12/heritaage-auctions-transformers-movie.html Disciples of Boltax Heritage Auctions -The Transformers The Movie draft Script]</ref>

{{note|For practical purposes this article covers the initial Sunbow outline, the draft script, and a slightly revised draft}}

==Background==
[[Image:TFTMOutlinePage.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Page 9 of the outline including Friedman's handwritten notes.]]
Sometime between February and [[March 28|28th March]] 1985, (two days after he had completed his reworked story premises for everyone's favourite cartoon "Bigfoot and the Muscle Machines") a 16-page outline was given to Friedman by Sunbow to dictate the new film. It features the new cast and a scene-by-scene overview of the film. Since this also had details on the early plans of the [[1986]] range, Hasbro likely had some input in it.
Much of the final film originates here, such as the future setting, character arcs, and locations such as [[Autobot City]] and the Moonbases. Thanks to Friedman's handwritten notes (as he presumably read through this outline for the first time) we can see his thought process. He questioned certain elements, brainstormed new ones, and suggested plot changes. This draft was written in just under a month, being finished on the [[April 27|27 April]]. During this time Friedman seems to have stopped editing scripts, presumably to focus solely on this project.

Shortly after finishing this draft, Friedman revised the script by reworking the first 14 pages and nothing else. This draft was completed on [[May 2|May 2nd]]. He was paid for this draft and that marked the end of his involvement with Transformers. <ref> "[https://toddmatthy.com/2013/12/31/he-killed-optimus-prime-an-interview-with-ron-friedman-writer-of-transformers-the-movie/ He Killed Optimus Prime: An Interview With Ron Friedman the Writer of Transformers:The Movie]</ref> We don't just mean the film, he stopped working on Transformers altogether and focused all his efforts on writing the script for the G.I. Joe movie, which would have a similarly hectic development...<ref>[https://comics.ha.com/itm/memorabilia/miscellaneous/g-i-joe-the-movie-ron-friedman-s-revisions-notes-and-story-ideas-sunbow-productions-inc-1985-/a/7027-93252.s# Heritage Auction G.I. Joe Movie Story ideas dated May 1985]</ref> <ref>[https://comics.ha.com/itm/memorabilia/miscellaneous/g-i-joe-the-movie-outlines-and-notes-by-ron-friedman-sunbow-productions-inc-1985-/a/7027-93254.s?ic16=ViewItem-BrowseTabs-Auction-Archive-ThisAuction-120115 Heritage Auction G.I. Joe Movie Outline and early draft dated July 1985]</ref>

Evidently this new script didn't meet Sunbow's standards. After it was submitted, Sunbow staff [[Joe Bacal]], [[Tom Griffin]], [[Jay Bacal]], Flint Dillie, [[Roger Slifer]], and [[Carole Weitzman]] held a meeting to try and rework the script. This lasted 16 hours. <ref>"[https://alonefancryinginthewilderness.blogspot.com/2012/07/from-archives-my-animated-conversation.html A Lone Fan Crying In The Wilderness — My Animated Conversation With Buzz Dixon]</ref><ref>"[https://alonefancryinginthewilderness.blogspot.com/2012/02/meet-roger-slifer.html A Lone Fan Crying In The Wilderness — My Animated Conversation With Roger Slifer]</ref> <ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20200128201208/http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/60-astrominutes/flint-dille/flint-dille-2.html The Flint Dille Interview Part II]</ref>
Ultimately, Flint Dille was chosen to edit the script; he spent the next several months reworking it into the final film over the course of 20 drafts.

==Synopsis==
Five years have passed since the Transformers awoke on Earth. From the moons of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], the [[Autobot|Autobots]] launch a shuttle to send supplies to [[Earth]]. As it passes through an asteroid field, the [[Decepticon|Decepticons]] begin to trail the shuttle through space. At a fishing hole near Autobot City on Earth, [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]] and [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel]] detect the incoming shuttle. Driving to the nearby Lookout Point they pass [[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]] cording off the area.

As the shuttle enters Earth's atmosphere, the Decepticons blast their way in and kill the crew. Through his observation binoculars Daniel spots the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] eating the ship. [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] flies off commanding his troops to destroy Autobot City. Spotting the young Autobot below, the Decepticon leader opens fire at him, destroying most of the mountain. Hot Rod fights the Decepticon soldiers on the crumbling mountain while trying to protect Daniel, until he's saved by Kup who fights off [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] and [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]]. The trio rush back to the city as the attack continues.

At the city, [[Perceptor (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Perceptor]] alerts [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] to the attack, initiating Autobot City's transformation procedure. Hot Rod and Kup run over the Insecticons as they devour the last bridge into the city, leaving the Autobots trapped inside.
From a "WAR SCREEN" Magnus commands the Autobots against the enemy forces. Spotting the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] near the southern wall which houses the [[Roboto-zoo]], he releases the Ani-Bots who manage to drive off the invaders. On Magnus's order, [[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]] transmits a message to [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]].[[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity| Soundwave]] attempts to intercept this, ejecting the cassettes [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]], [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]], [[Ravage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ravage]], and [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] to jam it. Blaster fights back with his own cassettes [[Steeljaw (G1)|Cubbie]], [[Stripes]], [[Stinger (G1)|Stinger]], and [[Bolts]].

On Cybertron, Prime and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] receive the message and board a shuttle headed to Earth. En-route they are attacked by [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]]. On Earth, the battle continues with the Constructicons forming [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. Seeing this, Magnus commands the Ani-bots to merge into [[Dragon Beast]] to fight the combiner. Prime's shuttle arrives and the Dinobots leap out to face the enemy forces. This begins to turn the tide, as the Decepticons are forced to retreat. Outside of the city, Megatron commands his forces to keep fighting, unaware of Optimus's shuttle landing next to him. Just like last time, the fight is pretty much identical to the final film.

A dying Megatron demands [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] to take his [[Life Spark]] back to Cybertron as the Decepticons board the newly arrived Astrotrain. Gathering around Optimus, Perceptor declares his wounds fatal. Prime gives Magnus his Life Spark, a tiny glowing version of himself, and names the reluctant Autobot his successor as he dies. Ultra Magnus's first orders are for the Autobots to fortify the planet against further attacks and construct a shuttle to follow the Decepticons into space.
As Astrotrain reaches Cybertron, the Decepticons argue over who will be the new leader. Fighting breaks out with Megatron pitifully stating that he's still alive. Arriving at the [[Hall of Heroes]], the dying Megatron begs for his Life Spark to be enshrined alongside the past leaders. The fighting spills into the Hall, wrecking the statues and causing the leaders' Life Sparks to fly off into space. One of the statues crushes Megatron, finally killing him and his Life Spark is left to float into space with the others.

As the Life Sparks drift through space, a furious Megatron demands to have his body restored at any cost. The ghostly voice of [[Unicron/Generation 1|Ingestor]] hears his cries and with a "PALE, COLD RAY" drags the Life Sparks to the "HELL-LIKE, MECHANICAL" planet of Unicron. Ingestor offers him power in exchange for permanent servitude, which Megatron is forced to accept. Bathed in a beam of light he is rebuilt into Galvatron. The other Life Sparks are also rebuilt as [[Scourge (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Scourge]], the [[Sweep (G1)|Sweeps]], [[Cyclonus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cyclonus]], and [[Cyclonus's Armada (G1)|his armada]]. On Ingestor's command they fly to Cybertron to claim its remaining energy.

Starscream's coronation is basically the same, so we can skip that. Under the command of their new leader the Decepticons gather the planet's Energon for Ingestor, which he absorbs with his Cold Rays and the planet Unicron begins to rebuild itself as it nears Cybertron. From Cybertron's third moon, [[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] and [[Cliffjumper (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cliffjumper]] alert Earth to the approaching planet. As the moon is destroyed, Ingestor orders Galvatron to drain Earth next. Galvatron briefly attempts to resist only to be inflicted with pain.

At Autobot City, the superfast messenger, [[Blurr (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blurr]], brings news of the moon's destruction and warns of the imminent arrival of the Decepticons. The Decepticons arrive and a massive battle ensues. Magnus orders Hot Rod and the Dinobots to one of the newly constructed shuttles. The shuttle takes off under enemy fire as Magnus begins his own launch, using the rocket's thrust to melt the attacking Sweeps. Taking off they are pursued by a squad of Decepticons led by Astrotrain before managing to outrun them using a "hyper vault" to blast off at infinite speed. Later, as his troops begin harvesting Earth's [[Energon]], Galvatron learns of the Autobots' escape, boarding a "SPACE CARRIER" to follow them.

On the shuttle, Kup tells the Dinobots an old war story. Perceptor realizes the Decepticons are beaming energy into space and, with no other options, the Autobots are forced to follow it into space. Connecting himself into the shuttle's "SCANNER-MONITOR" to track the signal, Perceptor briefly catches a glimpse of Unicron. Galvatron's armada catches up to them, destroying Hot Rod's shuttle and throwing its occupants into space. Magnus escapes by detonating three quarters of his ship, making it appear to have been destroyed as they sneak to a nearby planet for repairs. Back on Earth, Scourge and the Sweeps hunt down the surviving Autobots. Tracking a signal they find only the burnt remains of a Decepticon soldier. As they leave, Blaster and the other Autobots come out of hiding. Wheeljack realizes that draining Earth's energy is weakening the planet. They only have 48 hours left until it's destroyed. (Blaster's group doesn't appear again. Just so you know.)

Hot Rod and Kup land on [[Quintessa (planet)|Quintesson]], running into a mechanical squid. (Like the last time, we can skip over this.) Magnus's shuttle has a rough landing on planet [[Junkion (planet)|Junkion]]. The Autobots attempt to salvage parts from the junk that makes up the planet. Unnoticed, the [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]] prepare to fight the intruders. Hot Rod and Kup are captured by the [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]] and taken to their masters, the [[Quintesson|Quintessons]]. While they are imprisoned, their fellow prisoner, a rock robot [[Kranix (G1)|Granix]], tells them that their fate will be to fight to the death in the arena. Outside, the Dinobots have found their way to the Quintesson Castle looking for their friends, only to be turned away by a guard who points them in the wrong direction.

In space, Unicron has absorbed more energy and grown even larger. Ingestor tells Galvatron that Magnus still lives, ordering him to kill the Autobot leader. Galvatron resists, only for Ingestor to inflict his "cold rays" on him, then using one of the metal trees that cover the planet to throw him into space. Briefly content, Unicron devours another of Cybertron's moons.

Hot Rod and Kup are sentenced to fight the Sharkticons. The Dinobots run into [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], the "Wolf Boy of Quintesson" who tells them that they've been deceived and they need to save their friends. In the arena, Hot Rod is able to take the lead Quintesson hostage. The leader just laughs at them as his head disconnects from his body and flies to safety, leaving them to face the Sharkticons. As the pair prepare to fight to the end, the Dinobots arrive and turn the tide, dropping bombs and setting the grandstand on fire. The few remaining Sharkticons turn on their masters and begin to devour them. Wheelie shows the Autobots a Quintesson cruiser that they use to leave the planet.

Back on Junkion the repairs are nearly finished. The Junkions lay in wait, retreating when they spot the arriving Decepticons. On Magnus's order, Perceptor has created "Pseudo-clones", non-sentient replicas of the Autobots. The clones are sent on a suicide charge to fool the Decepticons into thinking their enemies have been killed, but the ruse will be uncovered if they examine the remains. Realizing this, Magnus joins the clones knowing that the death of the Autobot leader will distract Galvatron. Magnus is ultimately overwhelmed by a horde of Decepticons and Galvatron kills him with a point blank shot from his fusion cannon. Cutting Prime's Life Spark out of Magnus with a laser saw and putting it in a glass bottle, the Decepticon leader demands his men head back to Earth while he deals with Ingestor.

As the Decepticons leave, the Autobots come out of hiding and mourn their fallen leader. This doesn't last long as the Junkions have returned, forcing them to try and flee. Unable to escape, they are cornered when more Junkions appear from underneath the scrap. The ensuing fight is halted when the Quintesson Cruiser appears overhead. As the ship lands Hot Rod approaches the Junkions with Energon Sticks and recites the Universal Greeting. This works. With everyone now friends, the Junkions rebuild Ultra Magnus. A more mature Hot Rod points out they still need to find where the Decepticons are beaming Earth's energy to. The surrounding crowd cheers and they all board their cruisers.

Back in space, Galvatron threatens Ingestor with a bomb to make him release Galvatron from servitude. This just makes Ingestor laugh, so Galvatron detonates the bomb to destroy Unicron. Ingestor happily reveals that was the last piece of energy he needed and the planet begins to transform into a massive robot revealing that Unicron is actually Ingestor! Ingestor restrains Galvatron in his eyebrows (yes, really), and for his insolence forces him to watch as Cybertron is destroyed.
The Autobots arrive as his attack is underway, with Hot Rod ordering them to intercept him. As the Junkions and Dinobots fly out to distract the giant robot, Hot Rod's ship flies towards Ingestor's head, crashing into his ear. Racing inside, Hot Rod tells the others to keep Ingestor distracted while he tries to find the core of the creature. Sensing intruders, Ingestor picks up Galvatron and shoves him through his eye socket and telling him he may allow him to live if he kills the Autobot.

While the Autobots try to stop Ingestor, deep inside him Galvatron and Hot Rod fight, the Decepticon overpowering the young Autobot. In a last show of strength, Hot Rod grabs the bottle containing Optimus's Life Spark and is transformed, the ghostly voice of Optimus declaring him Rodimus Prime. The battle continues until Rodimus is able to destroy the bottle, releasing the Life Spark's energy. Ingestor begins to explode and tears himself apart to try and get the Life Spark. An explosion throws Galvatron into space. While escaping, Rodimus is able to free Cybertron's moons from Ingestor's stomach. A ghostly image of Optimus appears among the wreckage of Ingestor and flies into space, telling the dying creature that all evil must end.

On their ship the Autobots mourn Hot Rod, only to start cheering when they see their new leader flying towards them.

==Cast==

===Autobots===
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod/Rodimus Prime]]—The outline bluntly describes him as "reckless, headstrong, short tempered and cocky". The movie charts his "grow[th] from boyhood to manhood, both physically and mentally, eventually becoming the new leader of the Autobots". Rodimus Prime is apparently him "fully mature".
*[[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]]—Tanker is named Kup now, meaning his development for the final film is complete. He's named "Kup" "as in Pickup Truck", <ref>Kup's barely reworked early development notes/profile in ''[[The Transformers Universe (Marvel)|The Transformers Universe]]'' #4</ref>, though there is no indication that Friedman knew this. The outline has no info on his alt mode, so the closest the script gets is saying he has wheels.
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]]—He's still "the large and soldierly City Commander". His personality is serious and practical, with Friedman comparing him to Horatio Hornblower. Also, at one point he turns his hand into a loudspeaker. Neat!
*[[Springer (G1)|Springer]]—Still "very muscular", though now he's a "bantering Indiana Jones type Autobot". While going through the outline, Friedman realized he could reuse Rusty Steel's personality for him. The outline calls him Ultra Magnus's wise-cracking second in command, though deep down he unquestionably respects him. He's still not a triple changer yet.
*[[Arcee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Arcee]]—This time she actually gets to go on the adventure (and with barely any misogyny!). This version introduces her relationship with Hot Rod, and mothering of Daniel.
*[[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel]]—An all-American 12-year-old boy who looks up to the Autobots. He has trouble using his exosuit, but at the end is able to master it to save Arcee. He's still not Spike's son yet. The outline intended for him to stowaway on the Autobot shuttle, which Friedman disregarded.
*[[Perceptor (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Perceptor]]—Mentlar has been replaced with the Autobot scientist we know and love. Like in the final film, his gimmick is that he uses too much scientific jargon which confuses the others, though there are way more examples of that in this draft.
*[[Anibot|Anibots]]—A team of Autobots with animal alt modes who are kept in the "Roboto-Zoo lab". They are Simba (a lion), Pardo (a leopard), Shriek (an eagle), Thump (a buffalo), and Clump (a rhinoceros). They combine to form the Dragon Beast, a "huge, DRAGON LIKE MECHANO-BEAST". The outline simply dictated "the Anibots (lion, tiger, eagle, buffalo and rhinoceros) who also come together to form a huge robot" and said they'd fight the Constructicons. Given that description Friedman then came up with their names and combined form. Clearly, the Anibots are an early version of the Predacons, though there was a misunderstanding between Ron and Hasbro. Now, while the lineup of animals would change, the combined form was likely always intended to be the conventional giant robot made up of smaller robots. Ron didn't know this and from the "form a huge robot" line went wild and devised something that Hasbro never intended to release. At some point the group gets dropped from the film but not before concept art was drawn up.
*[[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]]—Described as "a black rock D.J.". He has a larger role than in the final film, leading the surviving Autobots against the Decepticon-controlled Earth. The outline describes his cassettes as a "lion, tiger, scorpion and robot", which Friedman reworked into Cubbie, Stripes, Stinger, and Bolts. Only Cubbie would make it unchanged, though he was renamed to Steeljaw. Bolts would be split in two to become Eject and Rewind. Stinger and Stripes would be cut entirely. This lineup made it all the way to early storyboards.
*[[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]]—a "fast, fast mover and fast, fast talker" Autobot special messenger. He's introduced alerting the others to the destruction of Cybertron's third moon. Besides changing jobs and showing up earlier in the actual film he's the final version of the character.
*[[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]]—An "Autobot like Robotoid kid" that lives as "the Wolf Boy of Quintesson". Stage directions explain Wheelie's backstory in greater detail than in the final film, revealing that he's the only survivor of a crashed spaceship after the Sharkticons ate the rest of the crew. He wears a necklace made of Sharkticon teeth. His weapons are "a three bladed laser knife" and a "SLING which hurls FIRE STONES".

===Decepticons===
*[[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]]—The rebuilt form of Megatron who "still resembles Megatron somewhat". The outline describes him as having a "cannon mode", which isn't explicitly mentioned in the script itself. After being reborn he declares "There is no Megatron! I am Galvatron and I rule!". Despite this the draft still makes several allusions to him being Megatron, such as in the climax when he reveals his identity to Rodimus, calling it his "true name".
*[[Scourge (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Scourge]] and the [[Sweep (G1)|Sweeps]]—The bearded leader of the Sweeps. Built from the converted Life Spark of a former Decepticon leader (as are the other Sweeps), he's likened to a "mafia hit man" in the outline. His soldiers are now called the Sweeps seemingly due to a miscommunication between Ron and Hasbro. They still search for the surviving Autobots, so it sort of works. Like in the previous draft, they turn into land vehicles. Scourge has a mid-transformation form which features his head sticking up in vehicle mode to perform scans. Bizarrely, the Nazi imagery also carries over with the outline describing Scourge as an "SS trooper" and the Sweeps being "smaller" "similar creatures" wearing "dark and matching uniforms". Scourge went unnamed in the outline, being named by Friedman.
*[[Cyclonus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cyclonus]]—He's another converted essence and is the commander of the Decepticon planes. This "armada" or "Jet Force" consists of smaller, but similar-looking robots that turn into "FIGHTER PLANES". He disappears completely from the script after the Autobots flee Earth. His unnamed outline profile reads in its entirety "He needs to be developed".

===Others===
*[[Unicron/Generation 1|Ingestor]]/Unicron—At this stage the Entity has been renamed Ingestor. Other proposed names were Absorber, Unitron, the Amalgamator, Amalgamon, and Masticar. Sunbow felt the idea of a talking planet was "a stretch", and asked for his dialogue to be kept to a minimum. Friedman ignored this. The outline also claims they were going to cast Orson Welles. Good luck with that... His role is similar to the previous draft (introduced as "The Absorber of Unicron", rebuilding Megatron, the appearance of the planet Unicron, and growing larger the more energy he consumes) while his backstory has been removed entirely. This version also adds an extensive final battle on his massive body as the Autobots fight to stop him from destroying Cybertron. The first page of Friedman's revised script features a new intro where the planet flies through space. This would eventually evolve into the sequence of him devouring Lithone that opens the movie proper.
*[[Quintessons]]—Their role is similar to the final film. While their psychic powers have been removed, their appearance carries over from the previous draft. They still have slender bodies which are too small for their massive heads. But in an extra twist it's implied these are their true forms as when the leader disconnects his head, it flies away to attach itself to another body. The outline suggests they have a "friendly face, a stern face, an evil face, (a face of your choosing) and a face of Death", which Friedman reworked into "SMILING, ANGRY, GRIMACING, SUSPICIOUS" and "a DEATH'S HEAD".
**[[Sharkticons]]—While their design and role as the Quintessons' guards carries over from the first draft, their shock sticks (which froze someone in time) are now just regular electric batons. In a scene repeated from the last draft their cries are revealed to translate to "we eat". Apparently, Grimlock inspiring them to rebel against their masters is to show they share "a kind of Proletarian commonality" with their fellow "lower life forms". <ref>''I Killed Optimus Prime'', Ron Friedman (p. 105)</ref> They are still the only Quintesson servants to appear.
*[[Junkion (species)|Junkions]]—A group of "Road Warrior-like robotic Hell's Angels"— made of rusty and disused metal. Like in the previous draft they are able to repair their damaged bodies with their planet's garbage making them essentially indestructible. However, their backstory and connection to Unicron have been removed. They also now ride into battle on their transformed comrades. The outline intended their language to be a mix of "alien lingo", Latin phrases, TV talk, and generic expressions, though only really the TV talk made it into the script.
**[[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]]—He remains the Junkion leader. Sensibly, his design has been switched with that of a generic Junkion from the first draft (as someone probably realized that having one of the heroes dress like a fascist might have been a bad idea). He now looks like "a rusty junk metal version of a Viking helmet and a BRILLO like wooly wire-metal vest". The Nazi-helmeted Junkion is still present, now as a generic who Springer briefly fights. He sounds like "a cross between Henry Kissinger, a TV talk show host like Bert Parks, and Mr. Rogers on amphetamines". Wreck-Gar isn't mentioned in the outline suggesting Friedman used him on his own initiative.

==Notes==
===Comparisons to the finished film===
===What changed===
*This script takes place five years after the Autobots awoke on Earth, seemingly placing the events of the script in the year 1990.
*No opening on Lithone, though the revised draft features a brief scene of Unicron flying through space which would ultimately evolve into Lithone's destruction.
*The draft now opens on Cybertron's moons.
*Unlike in the final film we're given more details about the Autobot Moonbase. The fact it's also a munitions factory remains in the final film, though isn't mentioned on screen.
*Autobot City is introduced. We don't really get any details about the city besides it being a new headquarters, but the final film gives it an extra purpose of generating energy for the Autobots.
*Like in the final film, the Dinobots have a prominent supporting role. Unlike the previous draft, [[Slag (G1)|Slag]] is present, though weirdly he isn't explicitly mentioned until page 61 (with the others first being mentioned on page 21). There's still no [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] for reasons that don't make any sense, with the only explanation being that since the outline didn't specify all of Dinobots, Friedman forgot about him and the production staff didn't add him back in later.
*Rather than intercept the Autobot shuttle, here the Decepticons trail it all the way to Earth. Friedman's revisited draft would add the attack on the shuttle which made it into the final film.
*All human characters from the last draft, except for Daniel, have been cut. He still isn't Spike's son, who still isn't present in this version.
*The script contains a brief scene of Magnus rebuking Hot Rod for leaving his post; this scene would remain up until the storyboard stage before being cut.
*Much of the battle of Autobot City would be reworked. Due to its length a more detailed overview will be given later.
*The Anibots would be dropped, presumably due to being reworked into the Predacons.
*Blaster's cassettes would also be massively reworked.
*We actually see Optimus Prime and the Dinobots receiving Blaster's message, boarding the shuttle and being attacked by Astrotrain.
*Optimus's Matrix and Megatron's essence became the same thing in the outline, later being named Life Sparks in the script. These are tiny glowing versions of Transformers or, more explicitly, Transformers' "souls" (though there's still no explanation as to why Optimus's Life Spark is able to transform Hot Rod or destroy Ingestor at the end). The outline told Friedman to rename the Matrix but at some point the name gets added back in. According to Friedman's notes on the outline "only leaders have essences". In the final film Megatron is only dying, not a ghost/disembodied soul.
*Hot Rod bemoans being responsible for Prime's death, but Kup and Arcee tell him it wasn't his fault.
*Most of the details about the Hall of Heroes carry over from the previous draft. In the final film the place isn't even named. The major addition here is Starscream's coronation.
*That said, Scourge, the Sweeps, Cyclonus, and his Armada being reformatted Life Sparks of former Decepticon leaders would be reworked into them being converted from dead Decepticons.
*The "Unicron is Ingestor" twist would be dropped for the final film. There, it was just Unicron.
*The shuttle launch is more complicated, with the Autobots having to escape the Decepticon forces in space by using the "hyper vault".
*The scene of Perceptor plugging himself into the shuttle's computer and briefly catching a glimpse of Unicron is dropped.
*The Quintesson planet, unnamed in the previous draft, is named here: Quintesson. This name actually made it into the final script of the film, though wasn't used on-screen.
===What stayed the same===
A few scenes from the first draft carry over.
*Megatron and Optimus Prime's final fight carries over nearly verbatim from the previous draft.
*Like in the last script, the Quintesson scenes are similar to the final film, the big change being that we see the Dinobots' rescue attempts:
**The planet's appearance carries over from the last draft, still having a Mercury sea with red desert shores and metallic reefs which are home to robot fish.
**The giant squid fight still occurs and is similarly resolved.
**Kup and Hot Rod still encounter the Sharkticons on a ridge. To communicate with them, they use the "universal alien language salutation" (the name "universal greeting" is used later on). Like in the film, it only briefly works.
**Hot Rod and Kup are taken to a "CASTLE LIKE STRUCTURE" where fellow prisoner Granix tells them about the Quintessons and their show trials.
**The Dinobots arrive at the Quintesson castle only to be sent away by a Quintesson guard. This scene was cut from the final film.
**Wheelie helps the Dinobots find Hot Rod and Kup.
**The arrival of the Dinobots saves the pair from being devoured by the Sharkticons.
**Most of the Quintessons are devoured by the Sharkticons.
**The Autobots leave the planet on a Quintesson cruiser.
===Remnants of the first draft===
*Various other plot points carry over from the first draft that would be dropped for the final film. Since this script was publicly available for over a decade before the first draft surfaced, we're noting them here for completion's sake:
**The twist of Ingestor/Unicron's dual identity.
**Much of the description of Unicron's surface.
**Unicron still has to absorb energy in order to be able to transform.
**The Hall of Heroes's larger role.
**While the Matrix has been removed in this draft, much of the relevant story beats carry over. This means Megatron still dies and his ghost ends up flying into space after his body is destroyed.
**The Decepticons attempt to drain Earth's energy in a process that will destroy it.
**Blaster's leading the surviving Autobots in guerrilla warfare on a Decepticon-controlled Earth.
**The Quintessons' appearance as feeble humanoid figures remains, though their psychic powers don't.
**Granix is a rock robot. Lithone is still only mentioned in passing, Granix being captured during a scientific expedition.

===Other details===
Like the previous draft, this script features a lot of details that couldn't fit in the summary without making it overly long; most of these other details are:
*The outline gave Friedman the okay to kill off the following characters: [[Gears (G1)|Gears]], [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]], [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]], [[Sunstreaker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sunstreaker]], [[Sideswipe (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sideswipe]], [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]], [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]], [[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]], [[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]], [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]], [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], [[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]], [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]], [[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]], [[Skywarp (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Skywarp]], and [[Shockwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Shockwave]]. Not all of these guys die.
*It also gave 1985 characters to use for background appearances: "[[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]], [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]], [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]], [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]], [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]], [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]], [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]], [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]], and [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]]". Not all of them appear in this draft.
*Cybertron has at least five moons.
*Like in the final film the occupants of the Autobot shuttle are Ironhide, Rachet, Prowl, and Brawn, though their deaths are different. Here Megatron blasts through the main viewscreen as they are about to land, blowing Ironhide to pieces while the other Decepticons flood the ship, the Constructicons disintegrating Prowl and the Insecticons devouring Brawn. Friedman didn't include Ratchet's death.
*In the revised draft the Decepticons now intercept the shuttle in space. Megatron blasts Brawn in half, Prowl dies the same way, but Ironhide and Ratchet are fused together and then blown apart by enemy fire.
*Extended battle of Autobot City details:
**Wheeljack isn't a horrible misogynist this time, here he works a control console in the "WAR SCREEN" with Magnus. Later he determines the amount of time until Earth is destroyed.
**There is one final change in the revised draft: the Constructicons' fight with the Anibots is expanded by half a page.
**Powerglide and [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] (who can also fly apparently) intercept Blitzwing over the city, causing him to crash through the city walls, landing in the fishin' hole from the opening. They then drop bombs on him, blasting him into the air.
**Thundercracker and Skywarp lead a group of Decepticons trying to break into the city, while Bluestreak, Hound, and Sunstreaker lay in wait. During the ensuing fight Bluestreak cuts Thundercracker in half with his "LASER SABER". Skywarp and the others swarm Bluestreak until Hound opens fire, blasting off their legs.
**Just before Optimus and Megatron's final fight begins, Dirge attempts to tackle Prime from behind, only for the Autobot leader to grab him with one hand, turn him upside down, and throw him to the ground.
**In the aftermath of the battle we get a brief scene of the surviving Autobots removing wreckage and dead Decepticons' bodies.
*Scrapper calls Starscream "a pompous Alumin-ass".
*The Hall of Heroes carries over into this draft. It is now a "METALLIC EQUIVALENT OF A CLASSICAL, ROCK-CUT MASOULEUM" in a metal mountain. Questionably, it's still described as "High tech" "Nuremberg Party Rally".
[[File:DecepticonMarkers.jpg|thumb|right|The Life Spark flames at the base of the statues]]
*The flames at the base of each Decepticon leader's statue contain their Life Spark. This detail actually made it into the final film where it means nothing.
*The former leaders named in the Hall of Heroes are [[Ghoulon]], [[Murdron]], and [[Bloodron]].
*Galvatron is given the insignia of Ingestor.
*During Starscream's coronation, a reluctant Dirge performs a ritual from an ancient book to the new leader's annoyance.
*As Galvatron kills a confused Starscream at his coronation, he declares: "there is no Megatron! I am Galvatron and I rule!".
*Galvatron kills Starscream by disintegrating him with a blaster. To clarify: he pulls out an actual gun and shoots him dead.
*Ingestor uses his "cold rays" to pull Energon cubes through space to Unicron. This allows the planet to reform itself and travel to Cybertron.
*In one of less creative Friedmanisms, Dirge compares Unicron absorbing Energon with his Cold Rays to drinking "soda-oil through a straw".
*The moon Jazz and Cliffjumper escape from is the third moon. After devouring it, Unicron "swells in size so it looks even closer - like a baloon {{sic}}".
*The Decepticons have a new rallying cry of "Ingestor and victory".
*During Galvatron's attack on the city:
**The script offhandedly reveals that some of the invasion force "have been on Earth all this time".
**The Autobots learn of Ingestor's name (and existence) from Galvatron's battle cry.
**Magnus releases "Optic Dazzler Gas", a white exploding gas cloud that blinds and disorients the Decepticons.
**Springer throws grenades at enemy troops, causing them to fall over like dominos. Then he jumps around, drawing their fire and causing them to miss and melt the other troops in the crossfire.
**Cyclonus and the Constructicons are commanded to melt the city. They succeed at this.
**Similarly to the final film Blurr has to herd the Dinobots into the shuttle.
**Perceptor karate-chops two Sweeps in half, from head to groin, with the halves then walking around and bumping into each other.
**The Dinobots are caught in the fire bombing, having to use their "temperature monitors" to cool down.
**Galvatron surveys the ruined city, plotting to overthrow Ingestor. He is driven off by Powerglide and Warpath.
**Cyclonus "bombs Gears to pieces", the blast throwing Windcharger into the air as the Decepticon rams into him. His parts then rain down on Blaster's group of retreating Autobots.
*The story Kup tells the Dinobots is given slightly more detail here. The [[Ick-Yak|Ick Yaks]] are apparently cyborgs from Phospho-Norn.
*The shuttles have an "Intercom phone", which projects holograms.
*At the ruins of Autobot City, Autobot and human slaves are forced by the Sweeps to process and stack Energon cubes for Ingestor.
*Quintesson is described as "a huge Baroque pearl".
*After crashing in the sea of the planet, Hot Rod turns into an "undersea action" "auto mode", generating "a glass bubble head piece" to breathe.
*Hot Rod blasts a "Robotoid Squid" that is taking Kup apart, scaring it away. He then collects Kup's parts with his magnet powers that he apparently has.
*Quintesson has "low dune-like red metallic hills".
*Kup attempts to track the Dinobots with his homing sensors.
*On the top of a ridge, Hot Rod and Kup run into the Sharkticons. Kup uses the "universal alien language Salutation". Like in the final film it briefly works.
*Page 101 mentions that the Sharkticons have captured Sludge. This isn't mentioned again and we later learn that he is with the other Dinobots. This error is due to Friedman just reworking a portion from the previous draft where Sludge was captured as well.
*When the Dinobots enter the Quintessons castle, a Sharkticon tries to eat Grimlock only to stop when it finds he tastes terrible.
*We don't really get an explanation as to how Ingestor knows Magnus survived. In the final film it's because he sensed the Matrix, here - nothing.
*Hot Rod and Kup are found guilty of trespassing "under the laws of the Quintessons", a charge which is technically true. The trials are still a sham though, Granix says so.
*During the sentencing Kup realises that the Quintessons' heads are their weak spot.
*The Quintessons have other prisoners awaiting trial. The only one described in detail by the script is a "Huge Robotoid Warrior of Glass with Iron Fittings". He's seen cheering on the captured Autobots when they're thrown into the Sharkticon pit. After Grimlock crashes the trial, the prisoner escapes and helps them fight the Quintessons. He's last seen guarding some captive Sharkticons as the Autobots leave Quintesson.
*The Quintesson spaceship has a "five faced insignia of Quintessons".
*Wheelie is the one to suggest they try to make peace with the Junkions, which Kup rejects.
*The Junkions have a spaceship which is introduced with no fanfare.
*After he transforms, Ingestor is described by the script as a "galaxy sized robot". It's difficult to describe just how stupidly big this would make him. Even more laughable, the same page describes his arms as only being the size of a continent!
*Before he attacks Cybertron, Ingestor picks Galvatron up like an ant and drops him onto his eyebrow. His giant metal eyebrow hair acts like cables restraining Galvatron as he's forced to watch his planet be destroyed.
*During Ingestor's destruction of Cybertron:
**Ingestor tears Shockwave's lab out of the ground like a carrot. In the process he ends up pinning Shockwave to a generator with his finger, before swallowing the base whole.
**Skywarp and Thundercracker try to stop Ingestor with a barrage of Laser Cannon fire. He swallows the bombardments then eats the chunk of the planet they are standing on.
**When flying in space, the Junkions wear "space-gear", which is "transformed tricycles which are space sleds and rocket belts".
**When Hot Rod enters Ingestor, the others continue to fight on the surface of Ingestor's body.
**Blurr attaches to himself a "bumper with flame nozzles" which spews fire after him as he races across Ingestor's chest and neck.
**Arcee is knocked into a forest of metal hair on Ingestor's shoulder, which begins to strangle her. Daniel is able to leap down and, finally mastering control of his exo-suit, yanks the hair out.
**Like in the final film, the Dinobots fly around and assault Ingestor; here they are also joined by the Junkions who use grappling hooks to traverse Ingestor's body.
**Ingestor is able to scrape Magnus and Perceptor off of his neck with his fingers.
**Despite Perceptor's warning, Ingestor is able to smash Blurr with his hand. This really looks like it kills him, but he is later revealed to merely be damaged.
**When all hope seems lost, the Autobots hide behind Ingestor's horns to stay out of his sight.
**Galvatron and Hot Rod fight in Ingestor's stomach where Cybertron's moons are caught in a web and are being slowly digested.
**During Rodimus's fight with Galvatron, the Decepticon is able to overpower the Autobot. He is saved when Jazz and Cliffjumper are revealed to be alive in the remains of their swallowed shuttle and open fire on Galvatron. This gives Rodimus the chance to escape and beat the Decepticon until he collapses.
**When Ingestor is being torn apart, Galvatron is blown into space. Jazz and Cliffjumper are also thrown into space, but since they are still in the remains of the escape pod they're probably fine.
**At the end, Rodimus rushes back into Ingestor's stomach to free the moons, blasting through the webbing holding them in place, which allows them to float into space and back into Cybertron's orbit.

===Remnants===
[[File:Cyclonustarget2006.jpg|thumb|right|Cyclonus clearly explains his origin, rendering all debate pointless.]]
Some concepts from the script still partially made it into the final film as well as into media that were based on this script due to the lack of access to the final movie's script.
*Astrotrain's sudden appearance in the aftermath of the battle of Autobot City in the final film is justified here. He's been fighting Optimus Prime's shuttle in space and has only just arrived on Earth.
*Like in the first draft, Unicron doesn't just transform at the end for dramatic effect; he's only just absorbed enough energy to do so.
*The episode [[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2]] references this version of the script when recounting Optimus Prime's dying words.
*Most of [[The Transformers Universe (Marvel)|the Transformers Universe]] profiles for the movie's cast appear to be slightly reworked development notes based on this draft. For example, Scourge's alt mode "handles any terrain", which would be an odd way to describe a plane, but it makes sense for a land vehicle.
*In the Marvel UK story [[Target 2006]], the term Life Spark was misunderstood and ended up as the name of the Decepticon rebuilt into Cyclonus.

===Miscommunications===
It seems the outline provided to Friedman didn't quite work as intended. He and Hasbro appear to have misunderstood a few details.
*The outline gives no mention of what the movie cast turned into. As a result of this when they do transform their alt modes go undescribed.
*Friedman's second revision adds the sequence of the Decepticon ambush and takeover of the Autobot shuttle. This presumably happened because he re-read the outline and realized the Transformers weren't meant to be able to fly through space on their own.
*Friedman interprets the term "essence of leadership" very literally. Underneath it he wrote "only leaders have essence", which probably isn't what Hasbro intended.
*The Autobots that crash-land on Junkion were meant to send a distress signal which Hot Rod and Kup would intercept. However, Friedman didn't include this.
*Hot Rod saving the moons trapped inside Unicron stems from Friedman misinterpreting a line about Hot Rod hearing the "trapped Autobots from the moons of Cybertron and going back inside the Entity to rescue them". Obviously, Hasbro wanted a scene where the main hero rescues the surviving Autobots on the moon. Friedman interprets this rather literally with Rodimus managing to free Cybertron's moons from Unicron's stomach before he explodes.

==Gallery==
Despite the massive reworking of the script, a fair amount of concept art was drawn up using said script; while most of the designs were cut, some of them ended up in the final film.
<center><gallery>
File:UltraMagnus-FloroDery3rdConcept-OrionPax.jpg|Floro Dery's early version of Magnus. The script barely gives any details of his appearance, so Dery went wild.
File:Anibot-MechanoBeastSecondConcept-FloroDery.jpg| [[Dragon Beast]] concept art.
File:DragonBeast.jpg| A reworked version of Dery's first Dragon Beast design used in {{w|Megas XLR}}
File:Stripes_patent_and_prototype.jpg|Patent and prototype of an unproduced sabertooth tiger cassette. Seems like someone mistakenly abbreviated it to just tiger for the outline.
File:Stinger_patent_and_prototype.jpg|Patent and prototype of an unproduced scorpion cassette.
File:Auto-Bop_Robot_Cassette.jpg| Unused "Robot Cassette" character model from the episode [[Auto-Bop]].
File:StripesStoryboard.jpg|Early storyboard featuring the cassettes, likely based solely on the script as none of them resemble the prototypes. Stripes
File:StingerStoryboard.jpg| Stinger
File:CubieStoryboard.jpg|Cubbie
File:BoltsStoryboard.jpg|Bolts; this is actually the best image of him, believe it or not.
File:FloroDery_originalquintesson.jpg| Floro Dery's original design for the Quintessons.
</gallery></center>

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1tAWJAGC3nzxwaICQUUQsvLzLr97McwxJ The Sunbow Outline]
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Aqpj8Fb0esWl9lnD73SkOUMp3s3f7NmX The script itself]
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1sbYhgBn7JgOlauc-Nv5SYfcYBWCuQoQy The revised May Script]
*[https://sunbowmarvelarchive.blogspot.com/2022/05/story-outline-of-ron-friedmans-script.html A detailed summary on the Sunbow Marvel Archive]

[[Category:Unproduced scripts]]

The Transformers: The Movie (second draft)

2025-03-19T23:10:49Z

Silver: prettifying to bring it in line with the first draft's article

[[Image:SecondDraftScriptCover.jpg|thumb|right|250px|This page took fourteen years to make!]]

In early [[1985]], [[Ron Friedman]]'s [[The Transformers: The Movie (first draft)|initial script]] for [[The Transformers: The Movie]] had been rejected (allegedly because it focused too much on the villains). However, the terms of his contract meant that the film had to be based on a script he wrote. So if they wanted to continue production they needed him to write a new script. Not willing to leave this to chance, an outline was created by [[Sunbow Productions]] and he was told to base the new draft on it. This isn't exactly a revision of Friedman's previous script, it's more like an entirely new one that was loosely based on the first draft that Sunbow would be able to further rewrite into the movie they wanted to make without violating his contract.

The new script was written in just under a month. While this draft would form the basis of the final film, it would be massively reworked by a "Story Consultant" [[Flint Dille]]. The script first became public when it was purchased after being auctioned off by Friedman in [[2010]] .<ref>"[https://boltax.blogspot.com/2010/12/heritaage-auctions-transformers-movie.html Disciples of Boltax Heritage Auctions -The Transformers The Movie draft Script]</ref>

{{note|For practical purposes this article covers the initial Sunbow outline, the draft script, and a slightly revised draft}}

==Background==
[[Image:TFTMOutlinePage.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Page 9 of the outline including Friedman's handwritten notes.]]
Sometime between February and [[March 28|28th March]] 1985, (two days after he had completed his reworked story premises for everyone's favourite cartoon "Bigfoot and the Muscle Machines") a 16-page outline was given to Friedman by Sunbow to dictate the new film. It features the new cast and a scene-by-scene overview of the film. Since this also had details on the early plans of the [[1986]] range, Hasbro likely had some input in it.
Much of the final film originates here, such as the future setting, character arcs, and locations such as [[Autobot City]] and the Moonbases. Thanks to Friedman's handwritten notes (as he presumably read through this outline for the first time) we can see his thought process. He questioned certain elements, brainstormed new ones, and suggested plot changes. This draft was written in just under a month, being finished on the [[April 27|27 April]]. During this time Friedman seems to have stopped editing scripts, presumably to focus solely on this project.

Shortly after finishing this draft, Friedman revised the script by reworking the first 14 pages and nothing else. This draft was completed on [[May 2|May 2nd]]. He was paid for this draft and that marked the end of his involvement with Transformers. <ref> "[https://toddmatthy.com/2013/12/31/he-killed-optimus-prime-an-interview-with-ron-friedman-writer-of-transformers-the-movie/ He Killed Optimus Prime: An Interview With Ron Friedman the Writer of Transformers:The Movie]</ref> We don't just mean the film, he stopped working on Transformers altogether and focused all his efforts on writing the script for the G.I. Joe movie, which would have a similarly hectic development...<ref>[https://comics.ha.com/itm/memorabilia/miscellaneous/g-i-joe-the-movie-ron-friedman-s-revisions-notes-and-story-ideas-sunbow-productions-inc-1985-/a/7027-93252.s# Heritage Auction G.I. Joe Movie Story ideas dated May 1985]</ref> <ref>[https://comics.ha.com/itm/memorabilia/miscellaneous/g-i-joe-the-movie-outlines-and-notes-by-ron-friedman-sunbow-productions-inc-1985-/a/7027-93254.s?ic16=ViewItem-BrowseTabs-Auction-Archive-ThisAuction-120115 Heritage Auction G.I. Joe Movie Outline and early draft dated July 1985]</ref>

Evidently this new script didn't meet Sunbow's standards. After it was submitted, Sunbow staff [[Joe Bacal]], [[Tom Griffin]], [[Jay Bacal]], Flint Dillie, [[Roger Slifer]], and [[Carole Weitzman]] held a meeting to try and rework the script. This lasted 16 hours. <ref>"[https://alonefancryinginthewilderness.blogspot.com/2012/07/from-archives-my-animated-conversation.html A Lone Fan Crying In The Wilderness — My Animated Conversation With Buzz Dixon]</ref><ref>"[https://alonefancryinginthewilderness.blogspot.com/2012/02/meet-roger-slifer.html A Lone Fan Crying In The Wilderness — My Animated Conversation With Roger Slifer]</ref> <ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20200128201208/http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/60-astrominutes/flint-dille/flint-dille-2.html The Flint Dille Interview Part II]</ref>
Ultimately, Flint Dille was chosen to edit the script; he spent the next several months reworking it into the final film over the course of 20 drafts.

==Synopsis==
Five years have passed since the Transformers awoke on Earth. From the moons of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], the [[Autobot|Autobots]] launch a shuttle to send supplies to [[Earth]]. As it passes through an asteroid field, the [[Decepticon|Decepticons]] begin to trail the shuttle through space. At a fishing hole near Autobot City on Earth, [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]] and [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel]] detect the incoming shuttle. Driving to the nearby Lookout Point they pass [[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]] cording off the area.

As the shuttle enters Earth's atmosphere, the Decepticons blast their way in and kill the crew. Through his observation binoculars Daniel spots the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] eating the ship. [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] flies off commanding his troops to destroy Autobot City. Spotting the young Autobot below, the Decepticon leader opens fire at him, destroying most of the mountain. Hot Rod fights the Decepticon soldiers on the crumbling mountain while trying to protect Daniel, until he's saved by Kup who fights off [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] and [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]]. The trio rush back to the city as the attack continues.

At the city, [[Perceptor (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Perceptor]] alerts [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] to the attack, initiating Autobot City's transformation procedure. Hot Rod and Kup run over the Insecticons as they devour the last bridge into the city, leaving the Autobots trapped inside.
From a "WAR SCREEN" Magnus commands the Autobots against the enemy forces. Spotting the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] near the southern wall which houses the [[Roboto-zoo]], he releases the Ani-Bots who manage to drive off the invaders. On Magnus's order, [[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]] transmits a message to [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]].[[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity| Soundwave]] attempts to intercept this, ejecting the cassettes [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]], [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]], [[Ravage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ravage]], and [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] to jam it. Blaster fights back with his own cassettes [[Steeljaw (G1)|Cubbie]], [[Stripes]], [[Stinger (G1)|Stinger]], and [[Bolts]].

On Cybertron, Prime and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] receive the message and board a shuttle headed to Earth. En-route they are attacked by [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]]. On Earth, the battle continues with the Constructicons forming [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. Seeing this, Magnus commands the Ani-bots to merge into [[Dragon Beast]] to fight the combiner. Prime's shuttle arrives and the Dinobots leap out to face the enemy forces. This begins to turn the tide, as the Decepticons are forced to retreat. Outside of the city, Megatron commands his forces to keep fighting, unaware of Optimus's shuttle landing next to him. Just like last time, the fight is pretty much identical to the final film.

A dying Megatron demands [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] to take his [[Life Spark]] back to Cybertron as the Decepticons board the newly arrived Astrotrain. Gathering around Optimus, Perceptor declares his wounds fatal. Prime gives Magnus his Life Spark, a tiny glowing version of himself, and names the reluctant Autobot his successor as he dies. Ultra Magnus's first orders are for the Autobots to fortify the planet against further attacks and construct a shuttle to follow the Decepticons into space.
As Astrotrain reaches Cybertron, the Decepticons argue over who will be the new leader. Fighting breaks out with Megatron pitifully stating that he's still alive. Arriving at the [[Hall of Heroes]], the dying Megatron begs for his Life Spark to be enshrined alongside the past leaders. The fighting spills into the Hall, wrecking the statues and causing the leaders' Life Sparks to fly off into space. One of the statues crushes Megatron, finally killing him and his Life Spark is left to float into space with the others.

As the Life Sparks drift through space, a furious Megatron demands to have his body restored at any cost. The ghostly voice of [[Unicron/Generation 1|Ingestor]] hears his cries and with a "PALE, COLD RAY" drags the Life Sparks to the "HELL-LIKE, MECHANICAL" planet of Unicron. Ingestor offers him power in exchange for permanent servitude, which Megatron is forced to accept. Bathed in a beam of light he is rebuilt into Galvatron. The other Life Sparks are also rebuilt as [[Scourge (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Scourge]], the [[Sweep (G1)|Sweeps]], [[Cyclonus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cyclonus]], and [[Cyclonus's Armada (G1)|his armada]]. On Ingestor's command they fly to Cybertron to claim its remaining energy.

Starscream's coronation is basically the same, so we can skip that. Under the command of their new leader the Decepticons gather the planet's Energon for Ingestor, which he absorbs with his Cold Rays and the planet Unicron begins to rebuild itself as it nears Cybertron. From Cybertron's third moon, [[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] and [[Cliffjumper (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cliffjumper]] alert Earth to the approaching planet. As the moon is destroyed, Ingestor orders Galvatron to drain Earth next. Galvatron briefly attempts to resist only to be inflicted with pain.

At Autobot City, the superfast messenger, [[Blurr (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blurr]], brings news of the moon's destruction and warns of the imminent arrival of the Decepticons. The Decepticons arrive and a massive battle ensues. Magnus orders Hot Rod and the Dinobots to one of the newly constructed shuttles. The shuttle takes off under enemy fire as Magnus begins his own launch, using the rocket's thrust to melt the attacking Sweeps. Taking off they are pursued by a squad of Decepticons led by Astrotrain before managing to outrun them using a "hyper vault" to blast off at infinite speed. Later, as his troops begin harvesting Earth's [[Energon]], Galvatron learns of the Autobots' escape, boarding a "SPACE CARRIER" to follow them.

On the shuttle, Kup tells the Dinobots an old war story. Perceptor realizes the Decepticons are beaming energy into space and, with no other options, the Autobots are forced to follow it into space. Connecting himself into the shuttle's "SCANNER-MONITOR" to track the signal, Perceptor briefly catches a glimpse of Unicron. Galvatron's armada catches up to them, destroying Hot Rod's shuttle and throwing its occupants into space. Magnus escapes by detonating three quarters of his ship, making it appear to have been destroyed as they sneak to a nearby planet for repairs. Back on Earth, Scourge and the Sweeps hunt down the surviving Autobots. Tracking a signal they find only the burnt remains of a Decepticon soldier. As they leave, Blaster and the other Autobots come out of hiding. Wheeljack realizes that draining Earth's energy is weakening the planet. They only have 48 hours left until it's destroyed. (Blaster's group doesn't appear again. Just so you know.)

Hot Rod and Kup land on [[Quintessa (planet)|Quintesson]], running into a mechanical squid. (Like the last time, we can skip over this.) Magnus's shuttle has a rough landing on planet [[Junkion (planet)|Junkion]]. The Autobots attempt to salvage parts from the junk that makes up the planet. Unnoticed, the [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]] prepare to fight the intruders. Hot Rod and Kup are captured by the [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]] and taken to their masters, the [[Quintesson|Quintessons]]. While they are imprisoned, their fellow prisoner, a rock robot [[Kranix (G1)|Granix]], tells them that their fate will be to fight to the death in the arena. Outside, the Dinobots have found their way to the Quintesson Castle looking for their friends, only to be turned away by a guard who points them in the wrong direction.

In space, Unicron has absorbed more energy and grown even larger. Ingestor tells Galvatron that Magnus still lives, ordering him to kill the Autobot leader. Galvatron resists, only for Ingestor to inflict his "cold rays" on him, then using one of the metal trees that cover the planet to throw him into space. Briefly content, Unicron devours another of Cybertron's moons.

Hot Rod and Kup are sentenced to fight the Sharkticons. The Dinobots run into [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], the "Wolf Boy of Quintesson" who tells them that they've been deceived and they need to save their friends. In the arena, Hot Rod is able to take the lead Quintesson hostage. The leader just laughs at them as his head disconnects from his body and flies to safety, leaving them to face the Sharkticons. As the pair prepare to fight to the end, the Dinobots arrive and turn the tide, dropping bombs and setting the grandstand on fire. The few remaining Sharkticons turn on their masters and begin to devour them. Wheelie shows the Autobots a Quintesson cruiser that they use to leave the planet.

Back on Junkion the repairs are nearly finished. The Junkions lay in wait, retreating when they spot the arriving Decepticons. On Magnus's order, Perceptor has created "Pseudo-clones", non-sentient replicas of the Autobots. The clones are sent on a suicide charge to fool the Decepticons into thinking their enemies have been killed, but the ruse will be uncovered if they examine the remains. Realizing this, Magnus joins the clones knowing that the death of the Autobot leader will distract Galvatron. Magnus is ultimately overwhelmed by a horde of Decepticons and Galvatron kills him with a point blank shot from his fusion cannon. Cutting Prime's Life Spark out of Magnus with a laser saw and putting it in a glass bottle, the Decepticon leader demands his men head back to Earth while he deals with Ingestor.

As the Decepticons leave, the Autobots come out of hiding and mourn their fallen leader. This doesn't last long as the Junkions have returned, forcing them to try and flee. Unable to escape, they are cornered when more Junkions appear from underneath the scrap. The ensuing fight is halted when the Quintesson Cruiser appears overhead. As the ship lands Hot Rod approaches the Junkions with Energon Sticks and recites the Universal Greeting. This works. With everyone now friends, the Junkions rebuild Ultra Magnus. A more mature Hot Rod points out they still need to find where the Decepticons are beaming Earth's energy to. The surrounding crowd cheers and they all board their cruisers.

Back in space, Galvatron threatens Ingestor with a bomb to make him release Galvatron from servitude. This just makes Ingestor laugh, so Galvatron detonates the bomb to destroy Unicron. Ingestor happily reveals that was the last piece of energy he needed and the planet begins to transform into a massive robot revealing that Unicron is actually Ingestor! Ingestor restrains Galvatron in his eyebrows (yes, really), and for his insolence forces him to watch as Cybertron is destroyed.
The Autobots arrive as his attack is underway, with Hot Rod ordering them to intercept him. As the Junkions and Dinobots fly out to distract the giant robot, Hot Rod's ship flies towards Ingestor's head, crashing into his ear. Racing inside, Hot Rod tells the others to keep Ingestor distracted while he tries to find the core of the creature. Sensing intruders, Ingestor picks up Galvatron and shoves him through his eye socket and telling him he may allow him to live if he kills the Autobot.

While the Autobots try to stop Ingestor, deep inside him Galvatron and Hot Rod fight, the Decepticon overpowering the young Autobot. In a last show of strength, Hot Rod grabs the bottle containing Optimus's Life Spark and is transformed, the ghostly voice of Optimus declaring him Rodimus Prime. The battle continues until Rodimus is able to destroy the bottle, releasing the Life Spark's energy. Ingestor begins to explode and tears himself apart to try and get the Life Spark. An explosion throws Galvatron into space. While escaping, Rodimus is able to free Cybertron's moons from Ingestor's stomach. A ghostly image of Optimus appears among the wreckage of Ingestor and flies into space, telling the dying creature that all evil must end.

On their ship the Autobots mourn Hot Rod, only to start cheering when they see their new leader flying towards them.

==Cast==

===Autobots===
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod/Rodimus Prime]]—The outline bluntly describes him as "reckless, headstrong, short tempered and cocky". The movie charts his "grow[th] from boyhood to manhood, both physically and mentally, eventually becoming the new leader of the Autobots". Rodimus Prime is apparently him "fully mature".
*[[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]]—Tanker is named Kup now, meaning his development for the final film is complete. He's named "Kup" "as in Pickup Truck", <ref>Kup's barely reworked early development notes/profile in ''[[The Transformers Universe (Marvel)|The Transformers Universe]]'' #4</ref>, though there is no indication that Friedman knew this. The outline has no info on his alt mode, so the closest the script gets is saying he has wheels.
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]]—He's still "the large and soldierly City Commander". His personality is serious and practical, with Friedman comparing him to Horatio Hornblower. Also, at one point he turns his hand into a loudspeaker. Neat!
*[[Springer (G1)|Springer]]—Still "very muscular", though now he's a "bantering Indiana Jones type Autobot". While going through the outline, Friedman realized he could reuse Rusty Steel's personality for him. The outline calls him Ultra Magnus's wise-cracking second in command, though deep down he unquestionably respects him. He's still not a triple changer yet.
*[[Arcee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Arcee]]—This time she actually gets to go on the adventure (and with barely any misogyny!). This version introduces her relationship with Hot Rod, and mothering of Daniel.
*[[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel]]—An all-American 12-year-old boy who looks up to the Autobots. He has trouble using his exosuit, but at the end is able to master it to save Arcee. He's still not Spike's son yet. The outline intended for him to stowaway on the Autobot shuttle, which Friedman disregarded.
*[[Perceptor (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Perceptor]]—Mentlar has been replaced with the Autobot scientist we know and love. Like in the final film, his gimmick is that he uses too much scientific jargon which confuses the others, though there are way more examples of that in this draft.
*[[Anibot|Anibots]]—A team of Autobots with animal alt modes who are kept in the "Roboto-Zoo lab". They are Simba (a lion), Pardo (a leopard), Shriek (an eagle), Thump (a buffalo), and Clump (a rhinoceros). They combine to form the Dragon Beast, a "huge, DRAGON LIKE MECHANO-BEAST". The outline simply dictated "the Anibots (lion, tiger, eagle, buffalo and rhinoceros) who also come together to form a huge robot" and said they'd fight the Constructicons. Given that description Friedman then came up with their names and combined form. Clearly, the Anibots are an early version of the Predacons, though there was a misunderstanding between Ron and Hasbro. Now, while the lineup of animals would change, the combined form was likely always intended to be the conventional giant robot made up of smaller robots. Ron didn't know this and from the "form a huge robot" line went wild and devised something that Hasbro never intended to release. At some point the group gets dropped from the film but not before concept art was drawn up.
*[[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]]—Described as "a black rock D.J.". He has a larger role than in the final film, leading the surviving Autobots against the Decepticon-controlled Earth. The outline describes his cassettes as a "lion, tiger, scorpion and robot", which Friedman reworked into Cubbie, Stripes, Stinger, and Bolts. Only Cubbie would make it unchanged, though he was renamed to Steeljaw. Bolts would be split in two to become Eject and Rewind. Stinger and Stripes would be cut entirely. This lineup made it all the way to early storyboards.
*[[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]]—a "fast, fast mover and fast, fast talker" Autobot special messenger. He's introduced alerting the others to the destruction of Cybertron's third moon. Besides changing jobs and showing up earlier in the actual film he's the final version of the character.
*[[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]]—An "Autobot like Robotoid kid" that lives as "the Wolf Boy of Quintesson". Stage directions explain Wheelie's backstory in greater detail than in the final film, revealing that he's the only survivor of a crashed spaceship after the Sharkticons ate the rest of the crew. He wears a necklace made of Sharkticon teeth. His weapons are "a three bladed laser knife" and a "SLING which hurls FIRE STONES".

===Decepticons===
*[[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]]—The rebuilt form of Megatron who "still resembles Megatron somewhat". The outline describes him as having a "cannon mode", which isn't explicitly mentioned in the script itself. After being reborn he declares "There is no Megatron! I am Galvatron and I rule!". Despite this the draft still makes several allusions to him being Megatron, such as in the climax when he reveals his identity to Rodimus, calling it his "true name".
*[[Scourge (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Scourge]] and the [[Sweep (G1)|Sweeps]]—The bearded leader of the Sweeps. Built from the converted Life Spark of a former Decepticon leader (as are the other Sweeps), he's likened to a "mafia hit man" in the outline. His soldiers are now called the Sweeps seemingly due to a miscommunication between Ron and Hasbro. They still search for the surviving Autobots, so it sort of works. Like in the previous draft, they turn into land vehicles. Scourge has a mid-transformation form which features his head sticking up in vehicle mode to perform scans. Bizarrely, the Nazi imagery also carries over with the outline describing Scourge as an "SS trooper" and the Sweeps being "smaller" "similar creatures" wearing "dark and matching uniforms". Scourge went unnamed in the outline, being named by Friedman.
*[[Cyclonus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cyclonus]]—He's another converted essence and is the commander of the Decepticon planes. This "armada" or "Jet Force" consists of smaller, but similar-looking robots that turn into "FIGHTER PLANES". He disappears completely from the script after the Autobots flee Earth. His unnamed outline profile reads in its entirety "He needs to be developed".

===Others===
*[[Unicron/Generation 1|Ingestor]]/Unicron—At this stage the Entity has been renamed Ingestor. Other proposed names were Absorber, Unitron, the Amalgamator, Amalgamon, and Masticar. Sunbow felt the idea of a talking planet was "a stretch", and asked for his dialogue to be kept to a minimum. Friedman ignored this. The outline also claims they were going to cast Orson Welles. Good luck with that... His role is similar to the previous draft (introduced as "The Absorber of Unicron", rebuilding Megatron, the appearance of the planet Unicron, and growing larger the more energy he consumes) while his backstory has been removed entirely. This version also adds an extensive final battle on his massive body as the Autobots fight to stop him from destroying Cybertron. The first page of Friedman's revised script features a new intro where the planet flies through space. This would eventually evolve into the sequence of him devouring Lithone that opens the movie proper.
*[[Quintessons]]—Their role is similar to the final film. While their psychic powers have been removed, their appearance carries over from the previous draft. They still have slender bodies which are too small for their massive heads. But in an extra twist it's implied these are their true forms as when the leader disconnects his head, it flies away to attach itself to another body. The outline suggests they have a "friendly face, a stern face, an evil face, (a face of your choosing) and a face of Death", which Friedman reworked into "SMILING, ANGRY, GRIMACING, SUSPICIOUS" and "a DEATH'S HEAD".
**[[Sharkticons]]—While their design and role as the Quintessons' guards carries over from the first draft, their shock sticks (which froze someone in time) are now just regular electric batons. In a scene repeated from the last draft their cries are revealed to translate to "we eat". Apparently, Grimlock inspiring them to rebel against their masters is to show they share "a kind of Proletarian commonality" with their fellow "lower life forms". <ref>''I Killed Optimus Prime'', Ron Friedman (p. 105)</ref> They are still the only Quintesson servants to appear.
*[[Junkion (species)|Junkions]]—A group of "Road Warrior-like robotic Hell's Angels"— made of rusty and disused metal. Like in the previous draft they are able to repair their damaged bodies with their planet's garbage making them essentially indestructible. However, their backstory and connection to Unicron have been removed. They also now ride into battle on their transformed comrades. The outline intended their language to be a mix of "alien lingo", Latin phrases, TV talk, and generic expressions, though only really the TV talk made it into the script.
**[[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]]—He remains the Junkion leader. Sensibly, his design has been switched with that of a generic Junkion from the first draft (as someone probably realized that having one of the heroes dress like a fascist might have been a bad idea). He now looks like "a rusty junk metal version of a Viking helmet and a BRILLO like wooly wire-metal vest". The Nazi-helmeted Junkion is still present, now as a generic who Springer briefly fights. He sounds like "a cross between Henry Kissinger, a TV talk show host like Bert Parks, and Mr. Rogers on amphetamines". Wreck-Gar isn't mentioned in the outline suggesting Friedman used him on his own initiative.

==Notes==
===Comparisons to the finished film===
===What changed===
*This script takes place five years after the Autobots awoke on Earth, seemingly placing the events of the script in the year 1990.
*No opening on Lithone, though the revised draft features a brief scene of Unicron flying through space which would ultimately evolve into Lithone's destruction.
*The draft now opens on Cybertron's moons.
*Unlike in the final film we're given more details about the Autobot Moonbase. The fact it's also a munitions factory remains in the final film, though isn't mentioned on screen.
*Autobot City is introduced. We don't really get any details about the city besides it being a new headquarters, but the final film gives it an extra purpose of generating energy for the Autobots.
*Like in the final film, the Dinobots have a prominent supporting role. Unlike the previous draft, [[Slag (G1)|Slag]] is present, though weirdly he isn't explicitly mentioned until page 61 (with the others first being mentioned on page 21). There's still no [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] for reasons that don't make any sense, with the only explanation being that since the outline didn't specify all of Dinobots, Friedman forgot about him and the production staff didn't add him back in later.
*Rather than intercept the Autobot shuttle, here the Decepticons trail it all the way to Earth. Friedman's revisited draft would add the attack on the shuttle which made it into the final film.
*All human characters from the last draft, except for Daniel, have been cut. He still isn't Spike's son, who still isn't present in this version.
*The script contains a brief scene of Magnus rebuking Hot Rod for leaving his post; this scene would remain up until the storyboard stage before being cut.
*Much of the battle of Autobot City would be reworked. Due to its length a more detailed overview will be given later.
*The Anibots would be dropped, presumably due to being reworked into the Predacons.
*Blaster's cassettes would also be massively reworked.
*We actually see Optimus Prime and the Dinobots receiving Blaster's message, boarding the shuttle and being attacked by Astrotrain.
*Optimus's Matrix and Megatron's essence became the same thing in the outline, later being named Life Sparks in the script. These are tiny glowing versions of Transformers or, more explicitly, Transformers' "souls" (though there's still no explanation as to why Optimus's Life Spark is able to transform Hot Rod or destroy Ingestor at the end). The outline told Friedman to rename the Matrix but at some point the name gets added back in. According to Friedman's notes on the outline "only leaders have essences". In the final film Megatron is only dying, not a ghost/disembodied soul.
*Hot Rod bemoans being responsible for Prime's death, but Kup and Arcee tell him it wasn't his fault.
*Most of the details about the Hall of Heroes carry over from the previous draft. In the final film the place isn't even named. The major addition here is Starscream's coronation.
*That said, Scourge, the Sweeps, Cyclonus, and his Armada being reformatted Life Sparks of former Decepticon leaders would be reworked into them being converted from dead Decepticons.
*The "Unicron is Ingestor" twist would be dropped for the final film. There, it was just Unicron.
*The shuttle launch is more complicated, with the Autobots having to escape the Decepticon forces in space by using the "hyper vault".
*The scene of Perceptor plugging himself into the shuttle's computer and briefly catching a glimpse of Unicron is dropped.
*The Quintesson planet, unnamed in the previous draft, is named here: Quintesson. This name actually made it into the final script of the film, though wasn't used on-screen.
===What stayed the same===
A few scenes from the first draft carry over.
*Megatron and Optimus Prime's final fight carries over nearly verbatim from the previous draft.
*Like in the last script, the Quintesson scenes are similar to the final film, the big change being that we see the Dinobots' rescue attempts:
**The planet's appearance carries over from the last draft, still having a Mercury sea with red desert shores and metallic reefs which are home to robot fish.
**The giant squid fight still occurs and is similarly resolved.
**Kup and Hot Rod still encounter the Sharkticons on a ridge. To communicate with them, they use the "universal alien language salutation" (the name "universal greeting" is used later on). Like in the film, it only briefly works.
**Hot Rod and Kup are taken to a "CASTLE LIKE STRUCTURE" where fellow prisoner Granix tells them about the Quintessons and their show trials.
**The Dinobots arrive at the Quintesson castle only to be sent away by a Quintesson guard. This scene was cut from the final film.
**Wheelie helps the Dinobots find Hot Rod and Kup.
**The arrival of the Dinobots saves the pair from being devoured by the Sharkticons.
**Most of the Quintessons are devoured by the Sharkticons.
**The Autobots leave the planet on a Quintesson cruiser.
===Remnants of the first draft===
*Various other plot points carry over from the first draft that would be dropped for the final film. Since this script was publicly available for over a decade before the first draft surfaced, we're noting them here for completion's sake:
**The twist of Ingestor/Unicron's dual identity.
**Much of the description of Unicron's surface.
**Unicron still has to absorb energy in order to be able to transform.
**The Hall of Heroes's larger role.
**While the Matrix has been removed in this draft, much of the relevant story beats carry over. This means Megatron still dies and his ghost ends up flying into space after his body is destroyed.
**The Decepticons attempt to drain Earth's energy in a process that will destroy it.
**Blaster's leading the surviving Autobots in guerrilla warfare on a Decepticon-controlled Earth.
**The Quintessons' appearance as feeble humanoid figures remains, though their psychic powers don't.
**Granix is a rock robot. Lithone is still only mentioned in passing, Granix being captured during a scientific expedition.

===Other details===
Like the previous draft, this script features a lot of details that couldn't fit in the summary without making it overly long; most of these other details are:
*The outline gave Friedman the okay to kill off the following characters: [[Gears (G1)|Gears]], [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]], [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]], [[Sunstreaker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sunstreaker]], [[Sideswipe (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sideswipe]], [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]], [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]], [[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]], [[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]], [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]], [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], [[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]], [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]], [[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]], [[Skywarp (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Skywarp]], and [[Shockwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Shockwave]]. Not all of these guys die.
*It also gave 1985 characters to use for background appearances: "[[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]], [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]], [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]], [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]], [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]], [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]], [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]], [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]], and [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]]". Not all of them appear in this draft.
*Cybertron has at least five moons.
*Like in the final film the occupants of the Autobot shuttle are Ironhide, Rachet, Prowl, and Brawn, though their deaths are different. Here Megatron blasts through the main viewscreen as they are about to land, blowing Ironhide to pieces while the other Decepticons flood the ship, the Constructicons disintegrating Prowl and the Insecticons devouring Brawn. Friedman didn't include Ratchet's death.
*In the revised draft the Decepticons now intercept the shuttle in space. Megatron blasts Brawn in half, Prowl dies the same way, but Ironhide and Ratchet are fused together and then blown apart by enemy fire.
*Extended battle of Autobot City details:
**Wheeljack isn't a horrible misogynist this time, here he works a control console in the "WAR SCREEN" with Magnus. Later he determines the amount of time until Earth is destroyed.
**There is one final change in the revised draft: the Constructicons' fight with the Anibots is expanded by half a page.
**Powerglide and [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] (who can also fly apparently) intercept Blitzwing over the city, causing him to crash through the city walls, landing in the fishin' hole from the opening. They then drop bombs on him, blasting him into the air.
**Thundercracker and Skywarp lead a group of Decepticons trying to break into the city, while Bluestreak, Hound, and Sunstreaker lay in wait. During the ensuing fight Bluestreak cuts Thundercracker in half with his "LASER SABER". Skywarp and the others swarm Bluestreak until Hound opens fire, blasting off their legs.
**Just before Optimus and Megatron's final fight begins, Dirge attempts to tackle Prime from behind, only for the Autobot leader to grab him with one hand, turn him upside down, and throw him to the ground.
**In the aftermath of the battle we get a brief scene of the surviving Autobots removing wreckage and dead Decepticons' bodies.
*Scrapper calls Starscream "a pompous Alumin-ass".
*The Hall of Heroes carries over into this draft. It is now a "METALLIC EQUIVALENT OF A CLASSICAL, ROCK-CUT MASOULEUM" in a metal mountain. Questionably, it's still described as "High tech" "Nuremberg Party Rally".
[[File:DecepticonMarkers.jpg|thumb|right|The Life Spark flames at the base of the statues]]
*The flames at the base of each Decepticon leader's statue contain their Life Spark. This detail actually made it into the final film where it means nothing.
*The former leaders named in the Hall of Heroes are [[Ghoulon]], [[Murdron]], and [[Bloodron]].
*Galvatron is given the insignia of Ingestor.
*During Starscream's coronation, a reluctant Dirge performs a ritual from an ancient book to the new leader's annoyance.
*As Galvatron kills a confused Starscream at his coronation, he declares: "there is no Megatron! I am Galvatron and I rule!".
*Galvatron kills Starscream by disintegrating him with a blaster. To clarify: he pulls out an actual gun and shoots him dead.
*Ingestor uses his "cold rays" to pull Energon cubes through space to Unicron. This allows the planet to reform itself and travel to Cybertron.
*In one of less creative Friedmanisms, Dirge compares Unicron absorbing Energon with his Cold Rays to drinking "soda-oil through a straw".
*The moon Jazz and Cliffjumper escape from is the third moon. After devouring it, Unicron "swells in size so it looks even closer - like a baloon {{sic}}".
*The Decepticons have a new rallying cry of "Ingestor and victory".
*During Galvatron's attack on the city:
**The script offhandedly reveals that some of the invasion force "have been on Earth all this time".
**The Autobots learn of Ingestor's name (and existence) from Galvatron's battle cry.
**Magnus releases "Optic Dazzler Gas", a white exploding gas cloud that blinds and disorients the Decepticons.
**Springer throws grenades at enemy troops, causing them to fall over like dominos. Then he jumps around, drawing their fire and causing them to miss and melt the other troops in the crossfire.
**Cyclonus and the Constructicons are commanded to melt the city. They succeed at this.
**Similarly to the final film Blurr has to herd the Dinobots into the shuttle.
**Perceptor karate-chops two Sweeps in half, from head to groin, with the halves then walking around and bumping into each other.
**The Dinobots are caught in the fire bombing, having to use their "temperature monitors" to cool down.
**Galvatron surveys the ruined city, plotting to overthrow Ingestor. He is driven off by Powerglide and Warpath.
**Cyclonus "bombs Gears to pieces", the blast throwing Windcharger into the air as the Decepticon rams into him. His parts then rain down on Blaster's group of retreating Autobots.
*The story Kup tells the Dinobots is given slightly more detail here. The [[Ick-Yak|Ick Yaks]] are apparently cyborgs from Phospho-Norn.
*The shuttles have an "Intercom phone", which projects holograms.
*At the ruins of Autobot City, Autobot and human slaves are forced by the Sweeps to process and stack Energon cubes for Ingestor.
*Quintesson is described as "a huge Baroque pearl".
*After crashing in the sea of the planet, Hot Rod turns into an "undersea action" "auto mode", generating "a glass bubble head piece" to breathe.
*Hot Rod blasts a "Robotoid Squid" that is taking Kup apart, scaring it away. He then collects Kup's parts with his magnet powers that he apparently has.
*Quintesson has "low dune-like red metallic hills".
*Kup attempts to track the Dinobots with his homing sensors.
*On the top of a ridge, Hot Rod and Kup run into the Sharkticons. Kup uses the "universal alien language Salutation". Like in the final film it briefly works.
*Page 101 mentions that the Sharkticons have captured Sludge. This isn't mentioned again and we later learn that he is with the other Dinobots. This error is due to Friedman just reworking a portion from the previous draft where Sludge was captured as well.
*When the Dinobots enter the Quintessons castle, a Sharkticon tries to eat Grimlock only to stop when it finds he tastes terrible.
*We don't really get an explanation as to how Ingestor knows Magnus survived. In the final film it's because he sensed the Matrix, here - nothing.
*Hot Rod and Kup are found guilty of trespassing "under the laws of the Quintessons", a charge which is technically true. The trials are still a sham though, Granix says so.
*During the sentencing Kup realises that the Quintessons' heads are their weak spot.
*The Quintessons have other prisoners awaiting trial. The only one described in detail by the script is a "Huge Robotoid Warrior of Glass with Iron Fittings". He's seen cheering on the captured Autobots when they're thrown into the Sharkticon pit. After Grimlock crashes the trial, the prisoner escapes and helps them fight the Quintessons. He's last seen guarding some captive Sharkticons as the Autobots leave Quintesson.
*The Quintesson spaceship has a "five faced insignia of Quintessons".
*Wheelie is the one to suggest they try to make peace with the Junkions, which Kup rejects.
*The Junkions have a spaceship which is introduced with no fanfare.
*After he transforms, Ingestor is described by the script as a "galaxy sized robot". It's difficult to describe just how stupidly big this would make him. Even more laughable, the same page describes his arms as only being the size of a continent!
*Before he attacks Cybertron, Ingestor picks Galvatron up like an ant and drops him onto his eyebrow. His giant metal eyebrow hair acts like cables restraining Galvatron as he's forced to watch his planet be destroyed.
*During Ingestor's destruction of Cybertron:
**Ingestor tears Shockwave's lab out of the ground like a carrot. In the process he ends up pinning Shockwave to a generator with his finger, before swallowing the base whole.
**Skywarp and Thundercracker try to stop Ingestor with a barrage of Laser Cannon fire. He swallows the bombardments then eats the chunk of the planet they are standing on.
**When flying in space, the Junkions wear "space-gear", which is "transformed tricycles which are space sleds and rocket belts".
**When Hot Rod enters Ingestor, the others continue to fight on the surface of Ingestor's body.
**Blurr attaches to himself a "bumper with flame nozzles" which spews fire after him as he races across Ingestor's chest and neck.
**Arcee is knocked into a forest of metal hair on Ingestor's shoulder, which begins to strangle her. Daniel is able to leap down and, finally mastering control of his exo-suit, yanks the hair out.
**Like in the final film, the Dinobots fly around and assault Ingestor; here they are also joined by the Junkions who use grappling hooks to traverse Ingestor's body.
**Ingestor is able to scrape Magnus and Perceptor off of his neck with his fingers.
**Despite Perceptor's warning, Ingestor is able to smash Blurr with his hand. This really looks like it kills him, but he is later revealed to merely be damaged.
**When all hope seems lost, the Autobots hide behind Ingestor's horns to stay out of his sight.
**Galvatron and Hot Rod fight in Ingestor's stomach where Cybertron's moons are caught in a web and are being slowly digested.
**During Rodimus's fight with Galvatron, the Decepticon is able to overpower the Autobot. He is saved when Jazz and Cliffjumper are revealed to be alive in the remains of their swallowed shuttle and open fire on Galvatron. This gives Rodimus the chance to escape and beat the Decepticon until he collapses.
**When Ingestor is being torn apart, Galvatron is blown into space. Jazz and Cliffjumper are also thrown into space, but since they are still in the remains of the escape pod they're probably fine.
**At the end, Rodimus rushes back into Ingestor's stomach to free the moons, blasting through the webbing holding them in place, which allows them to float into space and back into Cybertron's orbit.

===Remnants===
[[File:Cyclonustarget2006.jpg|thumb|right|Cyclonus clearly explains his origin, rendering all debate pointless.]]
Some concepts from the script still partially made it into the final film as well as into media that were based on this script due to the lack of access to the final movie's script.
*Astrotrain's sudden appearance in the aftermath of the battle of Autobot City in the final film is justified here. He's been fighting Optimus Prime's shuttle in space and has only just arrived on Earth.
*Like in the first draft, Unicron doesn't just transform at the end for dramatic effect; he's only just absorbed enough energy to do so.
*The episode [[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2]] references this version of the script when recounting Optimus Prime's dying words.
*Most of [[The Transformers Universe (Marvel)|the Transformers Universe]] profiles for the movie's cast appear to be slightly reworked development notes based on this draft. For example, Scourge's alt mode "handles any terrain", which would be an odd way to describe a plane, but it makes sense for a land vehicle.
*In the Marvel UK story [[Target 2006]], the term Life Spark was misunderstood and ended up as the name of the Decepticon rebuilt into Cyclonus.

===Miscommunications===
It seems the outline provided to Friedman didn't quite work as intended. He and Hasbro appear to have misunderstood a few details.
*The outline gives no mention of what the movie cast turned into. As a result of this when they do transform their alt modes go undescribed.
*Friedman's second revision adds the sequence of the Decepticon ambush and takeover of the Autobot shuttle. This presumably happened because he re-read the outline and realized the Transformers weren't meant to be able to fly through space on their own.
*Friedman interprets the term "essence of leadership" very literally. Underneath it he wrote "only leaders have essence", which probably isn't what Hasbro intended.
*The Autobots that crash-land on Junkion were meant to send a distress signal which Hot Rod and Kup would intercept. However, Friedman didn't include this.
*Hot Rod saving the moons trapped inside Unicron stems from Friedman misinterpreting a line about Hot Rod hearing the "trapped Autobots from the moons of Cybertron and going back inside the Entity to rescue them". Obviously, Hasbro wanted a scene where the main hero rescues the surviving Autobots on the moon. Friedman interprets this rather literally with Rodimus managing to free Cybertron's moons from Unicron's stomach before he explodes.

==Gallery==
Despite the massive reworking of the script, a fair amount of concept art was drawn up using said script; while most of the designs were cut, some of them ended up in the final film.
<center><gallery>
File:UltraMagnus-FloroDery3rdConcept-OrionPax.jpg|Floro Dery's early version of Magnus. The script barely gives any details of his appearance, so Dery went wild.
File:Anibot-MechanoBeastSecondConcept-FloroDery.jpg| [[Dragon Beast]] concept art.
File:DragonBeast.jpg| A reworked version of Dery's first Dragon Beast design used in {{w|Megas XLR}}
File:Stripes_patent_and_prototype.jpg|Patent and prototype of an unproduced sabertooth tiger cassette. Seems like someone mistakenly abbreviated it to just tiger for the outline.
File:Stinger_patent_and_prototype.jpg|Patent and prototype of an unproduced scorpion cassette.
File:Auto-Bop_Robot_Cassette.jpg| Unused "Robot Cassette" character model from the episode [[Auto-Bop]].
File:StripesStoryboard.jpg|Early storyboard featuring the cassettes, likely based solely on the script as none of them resemble the prototypes. Stripes
File:StingerStoryboard.jpg| Stinger
File:CubieStoryboard.jpg|Cubbie
File:BoltsStoryboard.jpg|Bolts; this is actually the best image of him, believe it or not.
File:FloroDery_originalquintesson.jpg| Floro Dery's original design for the Quintessons.
</gallery></center>

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1tAWJAGC3nzxwaICQUUQsvLzLr97McwxJ The Sunbow Outline]
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Aqpj8Fb0esWl9lnD73SkOUMp3s3f7NmX The script itself]
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1sbYhgBn7JgOlauc-Nv5SYfcYBWCuQoQy The revised May Script]
*[https://sunbowmarvelarchive.blogspot.com/2022/05/story-outline-of-ron-friedmans-script.html A detailed summary on the Sunbow Marvel Archive]

[[Category:Unproduced scripts]]

The Transformers: The Movie (second draft)

2025-03-19T21:24:08Z

Silver: /* Others */ prettifying to bring it in line with the first draft's article

[[Image:SecondDraftScriptCover.jpg|thumb|right|250px|This page took fourteen years to make!]]

In early [[1985]], [[Ron Friedman]]'s [[The Transformers: The Movie (first draft)|initial script]] for [[The Transformers: The Movie]] had been rejected (allegedly because it focused too much on the villains). However, the terms of his contract meant that the film had to be based on a script he wrote. So if they wanted to continue production they needed him to write a new script. Not willing to leave this to chance, an outline was created by [[Sunbow Productions]] and he was told to base the new draft on it. This isn't exactly a revision of Friedman's previous script, it's more like an entirely new one that was loosely based on the first draft that Sunbow would be able to further rewrite into the movie they wanted to make without violating his contract.

The new script was written in just under a month. While this draft would form the basis of the final film, it would be massively reworked by "Story Consultant" [[Flint Dille]]. The script first became public when it was purchased after being auctioned off by Friedman in [[2010]] .<ref>"[https://boltax.blogspot.com/2010/12/heritaage-auctions-transformers-movie.html Disciples of Boltax Heritage Auctions -The Transformers The Movie draft Script]</ref>

{{note|For practical purposes this article covers the initial Sunbow outline, the draft script and a slightly revised draft}}

==Background==
[[Image:TFTMOutlinePage.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Page 9 of the outline including Friedman's handwritten notes.]]
Sometime between February and [[March 28|28th March]] 1985, (two days after he had completed his reworked story premises for everyone's favourite cartoon "Bigfoot and the Muscle Machines") a 16 page outline was given to Friedman by Sunbow to dictate the new film. It features the new cast and a scene by scene overview of the film. Since this also had details on the early plans of the [[1986]] range Hasbro likely had some input in it.
Much of the final film originated here, such as the future setting,character arcs and locations such as [[Autobot City]] and the Moonbases. Thanks to Friedman's handwritten notes (as he presumably read through this outline for the first time) we can see his thought process. He questioned certain elements, brainstormed new ones and suggested plot changes. This draft was written in just under a month, being finished on the [[April 27|27 April]]. During this time Friedman seems to have stopped editing scripts, presumably to focus solely on this project.

Shortly after finishing this draft, Friedman revised this script. By this we mean he reworked the first 14 pages and nothing else. This draft was completed on [[May 2|May 2nd]]. He was paid for this draft and that marked the end of his involvement with Transformers. <ref> "[https://toddmatthy.com/2013/12/31/he-killed-optimus-prime-an-interview-with-ron-friedman-writer-of-transformers-the-movie/ He Killed Optimus Prime: An Interview With Ron Friedman the Writer of Transformers:The Movie]</ref> We don't just mean the film, he stopped working on Transformers all together and focused all his efforts on writing the script for the G.I. Joe movie, which would have a similarly hectic development...<ref>[https://comics.ha.com/itm/memorabilia/miscellaneous/g-i-joe-the-movie-ron-friedman-s-revisions-notes-and-story-ideas-sunbow-productions-inc-1985-/a/7027-93252.s# Heritage Auction G.I. Joe Movie Story ideas dated May 1985]</ref> <ref>[https://comics.ha.com/itm/memorabilia/miscellaneous/g-i-joe-the-movie-outlines-and-notes-by-ron-friedman-sunbow-productions-inc-1985-/a/7027-93254.s?ic16=ViewItem-BrowseTabs-Auction-Archive-ThisAuction-120115 Heritage Auction G.I. Joe Movie Outline and early draft dated July 1985]</ref>

Evidently this new script doesn't seem to have met Sunbow's standards. After it was submitted, Sunbow staff [[Joe Bacal]], [[Tom Griffin]], [[Jay Bacal]], Flint Dillie, [[Roger Slifer]] and [[Carole Weitzman]] held a meeting to try and rework the script. This lasted 16 hours. <ref>"[https://alonefancryinginthewilderness.blogspot.com/2012/07/from-archives-my-animated-conversation.html A Lone Fan Crying In The Wilderness — My Animated Conversation With Buzz Dixon]</ref><ref>"[https://alonefancryinginthewilderness.blogspot.com/2012/02/meet-roger-slifer.html A Lone Fan Crying In The Wilderness — My Animated Conversation With Roger Slifer]</ref> <ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20200128201208/http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/60-astrominutes/flint-dille/flint-dille-2.html The Flint Dille Interview Part II]</ref>
Ultimately, Flint Dille was chosen to edit the script and spent the next several months reworking it into the final film over the course of 20 drafts.

==Synopsis==
Five years have passed since the Transformers awoke on Earth. From the moons of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], the [[Autobot|Autobots]] launch a shuttle to send supplies to [[Earth]]. As it passes through an asteroid field the [[Decepticon|Decepticons]] begin to trail the shuttle through space. At a fishing hole near Autobot City on Earth, [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]] and [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel]] detect the incoming shuttle. Driving to the nearby Lookout Point they pass [[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]] cording off the area.

As the shuttle enters Earth's atmosphere, the Decepticons blast their way in and kill the crew. Through his observation binoculars Daniel spots the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] eating the ship. [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] flies off commanding his troops to destroy Autobot City. Spotting the young Autobot below, the Decepticon leader opens fire at him destroying most of the mountain. Hot Rod fights the Decepticon soldiers on the crumbling mountain while trying to protect Daniel, until he's saved by Kup who fights off [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] and [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]]. The trio rush back to the city as the attack continues.

At the city, [[Perceptor (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Perceptor]] alerts [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] of the attack, initiating Autobot City's transformation procedure. Hot Rod and Kup run over the Insecticons as they devour the last bridge into the city, leaving the Autobots trapped inside.
From a "WAR SCREEN" Magnus commands the Autobots against the enemy forces. Spotting the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] near the southern wall which houses the [[Roboto-zoo]], he releases the Ani-Bots who manage to drive off the invaders. On Magnus' order, [[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]] transmits a message to [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]].[[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity| Soundwave]] attempts to intercept this, ejecting the cassettes [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]], [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]], [[Ravage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ravage]] and [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] to jam it. Blaster fights back with his own cassettes [[Steeljaw (G1)|Cubbie]], [[Stripes]], [[Stinger (G1)|Stinger]] and [[Bolts]].

On Cybertron, Prime and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] receive the message and board a shuttle headed to Earth. En-route they are attacked by [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]]. On Earth, the battle continues with the Constructicons forming [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. Seeing this, Magnus commands the Ani-bots to merge into [[Dragon Beast ]] to fight the combiner. Prime's shuttle arrives and the Dinobots leap out to face the enemy forces. This begins to turn the tide, as the Decepticons are forced to retreat. Outside of the city, Megatron commands his forces to keep fighting, unaware of Optimus' shuttle landing next to him. Just like last time, the fight is pretty much identical to the final film.

A dying Megatron demands [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] to take his [[Life Spark]] back to Cybertron as the Decepticons board the newly arrived Astrotrain. Gathering around Optimus, Perceptor declares his wounds fatal. Prime gives Magnus his Life Spark -a tiny glowing version of himself, and names the reluctant Autobot his successor as he dies. Ultra Magnus' first orders are for the Autobots to fortify the planet against further attacks and construct a shuttle to follow the Decepticons into space.
As Astrotrain reaches Cybertron, the Decepticons argue over who will be the new leader. Fighting breaks out with Megatron pitifully stating that he's still alive. Arriving at the [[Hall of Heroes]], the dying Megatron begs for his Life Spark to be enshrined alongside the past leaders. The fighting spills into the Hall, wrecking the statues causing the leaders Life Sparks to fly off into space. One of the statues crushes Megatron, finally killing him and his Life Spark is left to float into space with the others.

As the Life Sparks drift through space, a furious Megatron demands to have his body restored at any cost. The ghostly voice of [[Unicron/Generation 1|Ingestor]] hears his cries and with a "PALE, COLD RAY" drags the Life Sparks to the "HELL-LIKE, MECHANICAL" planet of Unicron. Ingestor offers him power in exchange for permanent servitude to him which Megatron is forced to accept. Bathed in a beam of light he is rebuilt into Galvatron. The other Life Sparks are also rebuilt as [[Scourge (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Scourge]], the [[Sweep (G1)|Sweeps]], [[Cyclonus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cyclonus]] and [[Cyclonus's Armada (G1)|his armada]]. At Ingestor's command they fly to Cybertron to claim its remaining energy.

Starscream's coronation is basically the same, so we can skip that. Under the command of their new leader the Decepticons gather the planet's Energon for Ingestor, which he absorbs with his Cold Rays and the planet Unicron begins to rebuild itself as it nears Cybertron. From Cybertron's third moon, [[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] and [[Cliffjumper (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cliffjumper]] alert Earth about the approaching planet. As the moon is destroyed, Ingestor orders Galvatron to drain Earth next. Galvatron briefly attempts to resist only to be inflicted with pain.

At Autobot City, the superfast messenger, [[Blurr (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blurr]] brings news of the moon's destruction and warns of the imminent arrival of the Decepticons. Suddenly, the Decepticons arrive and a massive fight ensues. Magnus orders Hot Rod and the Dinobots to one of the newly constructed shuttles. The shuttle takes off under enemy fire as Magnus begins his own launch, using the rocket's thrust to melt the attacking Sweeps. Taking off they are persuaded by a squad of Decepticon led by Astrotrain, before managing to outrun them using a "hyper vault" to blast off at infinite speed. Later, as his troops begin harvesting Earth's [[Energon]], Galvatron learns of the Autobots' escape, boarding a "SPACE CARRIER" to follow them.

On the shuttles, Kup tells the Dinobots an old war story. Perceptor realizes the Decepticons are beaming energy into space and with no other options they are forced to follow it into space. Connecting himself into shuttles "SCANNER-MONITOR" to track the signal, Perecptor briefly catches a glimpse of Unicron. Galvatron's armada catches up to them, destroying Hot Rod's shuttle and throwing its occupants into space. Magnus escapes by detonating three quarters of his ship, making it appear to have been destroyed as they sneak to a nearby planet for repairs. Back on Earth, Scourge and the Sweeps hunt down surviving Autobots. Tracking a signal they find only the burnt remains of a Decepticon soldier. As they leave Blaster and the other Autobots come out of hiding. Wheeljack realizes that draining Earth's energy is weakening the planet. They only have 48 hours left until it's destroyed. (Blaster's group doesn't appear again. Just so you know.)

Hot Rod and Kup land on [[Quintessa (planet)|Quintesson]], running into a mechanical squid. (Like last time, we can skip over this). Magnus' shuttle has a rough landing on planet [[Junkion (planet)|Junkion]]. The Autobots attempt to salvage parts from the junk which makes up the planet. Unnoticed, the [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]] see the intruders and prepare to fight. Hot Rod and Kup are captured by the [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]] and taken to their masters, the [[Quintesson|Quintessons]]. Imprisoned, their fellow prisoner, a rock robot [[Kranix (G1)|Granix]], tells them that their fate will be to fight to the death in the arena. Outside, the Dinobots have found their way to the Quintesson Castle looking for their friends, only to be turned away by a guard who points them in the wrong direction.

In space, Unicron has absorbed more energy and grown even larger. Ingestor tells Galvatron that Magnus still lives, ordering him to kill the Autobot leader. Galvatron resists only for Ingestor to inflict his "cold rays" on him, then using one of the metal trees that covers the planet to throw him into space. Briefly content, Unicron devours another of Cybertron's moons. Hot Rod and Kup are sentenced to fight the Sharkticons. The Dinobots run into [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], the "Wolf Boy of Quintesson" who tells them that they've been deceived and they need to save their friends. In the arena, Hot Rod is able to take the lead Quintesson hostage. The leader just laughs at them as his head disconnects from his body and flies to safety, leaving them to face the Sharkticons. As the pair prepare to fight to the end, the Dinobots arrive and turn the tide, dropping bombs and setting the grandstand on fire. The few remaining Sharkticons turn on their masters and begin to devour them. Wheelie shows the Autobots a Quintesson cruiser they use to leave the planet.

Back on Junkion the repairs are nearly finished. The Junkions lay in wait, retreating when they spot the arriving Decepticons. On Magnus' order, Perceptor has created "Pseudo-clones" - non-sentient replicas of the Autobots. The clones are sent on a suicide charge to fool the Decepticons into thinking their enemies have been killed, but the ruse will be uncovered if they examine the remains. Realizing this Magnus joins the clones knowing that the death of the Autobot leader will distract Galvatron. Magnus is ultimately overwhelmed by a horde of Decepticons and Galvatron kills him with a point blank shot from his fusion cannon. Cutting Prime's Life Spark out of him with a laser saw and putting it in a glass bottle, the leader demands his men head back to Earth, while he deals with Ingestor.

As the Decepticons leave, the Autobots come out of hiding and mourn their fallen leader. This doesn't last long as the Junkions have returned, forcing them to try and flee. Unable to escape, they are cornered when more Junkions appear from underneath the scrap. The ensuing fight is halted when the Quintesson Cruiser appears overhead. As the ship lands Hot Rod approaches the Junkion's with Energon Sticks and recites the Universal Greeting. This works. With everyone now friends, the Junkions rebuild Ultra Magnus. A more mature Hot Rod points out they still need to find where the Decepticons are beaming Earth's energy to. The surrounding crowd cheers and they all board their cruisers.

Back in space, Galvatron threatens Ingestor to release him from servitude. This just makes him laugh, so Galvatron detonates a bomb to destroy Unicron. Ingestor happily reveals that was the last piece of energy he needed and the planet begins to transform into a massive robot revealing that Unicron is actually Ingestor! Ingestor restrains Galvatron in his eyebrows (yes, really), and for his insolence forces him to watch as Cybertron is destroyed.
The Autobots arrive as his attack is underway, with Hot Rod ordering them to intercept him. As the Junkions and Dinobots fly out to distract the giant robot, Hot Rod's ship flies towards Injector's head, crashing into his ear. Racing inside, Hot Rod tells the other to keep him distracted, while he tries to find the core of the creature. Sensing intruders, Ingestor picks up Galvatron and shoves him through his eye socket telling him he may allow him to live if he kills the Autobot.

While the Autobot's try to stop Ingestor, deep inside him Galvatron and Hot Rod fight, the Decepticon overpowering the young Autobot. In a last show of strength, Hot Rod grabs the bottle containing the Life Spark and is transformed, the ghostly voice of Optimus declaring him Rodimus Prime. The battle continues until Rodimus is able to destroy the bottle, releasing the Life Spark's energy. Ingestor begins to explode and tears himself apart to try and get the Life Spark. An explosion throws Galvatron into space. Escaping Rodimus is able to free Cybertron's moons from Ingestor's stomach. Flying into space, a ghostly image of Optimus tells the dying creature that all evil must end.

On their ship the Autobots mourn Hot Rod, only to start cheering when they see their new leader flying towards them

==Cast==

===Autobots===
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod/Rodimus Prime]] - The outline bluntly describes him as "reckless, headstrong, short tempered and cocky." The movie charts his " grow[th] from boyhood to manhood, both physically and mentally, eventually becoming the new leader of the Autobots". Rodimus Prime is apparently him "fully mature".
*[[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]]- Tanker is named Kup now, meaning his development for the final film is complete. He's named "Kup" "as in Pickup Truck", <ref>Kup's barely reworked early development notes/profile in ''[[The Transformers Universe (Marvel)|The Transformers Universe]]'' #4</ref>, though there is no indication that Friedman knew this. The outline has no info on his alt mode, so the closest the script gets is saying he has wheels.
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] - He's still "the large and soldierly City Commander". His personality is serious and practical, with Friedman comparing him to Horatio Hornblower. Also, at one point he turns his hand into a loudspeaker. Neat!
*[[Springer (G1)|Springer]] - Still "very muscular", though now he's a "bantering Indiana Jones type Autobot". While going through the outline, Friedman realized he could reuse Rusty Steel's personality for him. The outline calls him Ultra Magnus's wise-cracking second in command, though deep down he unquestionably respects him. He's still not a triple changer yet.
*[[Arcee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Arcee]] - This time she actually gets to go on the adventure (and with barely any misogyny!). This version introduces her relationship with Hot Rod, and mothering of Daniel.
*[[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel]] - An all-American 12-year-old boy who looks up to the Autobots. He has trouble using his exosuit, but at the end is able to master it to save Arcee. He's still not Spike's son yet. The outline intended for him to stowaway on the Autobot shuttle, which Friedman disregarded.
*[[Perceptor (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Perceptor]] - Mentlar has been replaced with the Autobot scientist we know and love. Like in the final film, his gimmick is that he uses too much scientific jargon which confuses the others, though there are way more examples of that in this draft.
* [[Anibot|Anibots]] - A team of Autobots with animal alt-modes who are kept in the "Roboto-Zoo lab". They are Simba (a lion), Pardo (a leopard), Shriek (an eagle), Thump (a buffalo), and Clump (a rhinoceros). They combine to form the Dragon Beast, a "huge, DRAGON LIKE MECHANO-BEAST". The outline simply dictated "the Anibots (lion, tiger, eagle, buffalo and rhinoceros) who also come together to form a huge robot" and said they'd fight the Constructicons. Given that description Friedman then came up with their names and combined form. Clearly, the Anibots are an early version of the Predacons, though there was a misunderstanding between Ron and Hasbro. Now, while the lineup of animals would change, the combined form was likely always intended to be the conventional giant robot made up of smaller robots. Ron didn't know this and from the "form a huge robot" line went wild and devised something that Hasbro never intended to release. At some point the group gets dropped from the film but not before concept art was drawn up.
*[[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]] - Described as "a black rock D.J.". He has a larger role than in the final film, leading the surviving Autobots against the Decepticon-controlled Earth. The outline describes his cassettes as a "lion, tiger, scorpion and robot", which Friedman reworked into Cubbie, Stripes, Stinger, and Bolts. Only Cubbie would make it unchanged, though he was renamed to Steeljaw. Bolts would be split in two to become Eject and Rewind. Stinger and Stripes would be cut entirely. This lineup made it all the way to early storyboards.
*[[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] - a "fast, fast mover and fast, fast talker" Autobot special messenger. He's introduced alerting the others to the destruction of Cybertron's third moon. Besides changing jobs and showing up earlier in the actual film he's the final version of the character.
*[[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] - An "Autobot like Robotoid kid" that lives as "the Wolf Boy of Quintesson". Stage directions explain Wheelie's backstory in greater detail than in the final film, revealing that he's the only survivor of a crashed spaceship after the Sharkticons ate the rest of the crew. He wears a necklace made of Sharkticon teeth. His weapons are "a three bladed laser knife" and a "SLING which hurls FIRE STONES."

===Decepticons===
*[[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]]—The rebuilt form of Megatron who "still resembles Megatron somewhat". The outline describes him as having a "cannon mode", which isn't explicitly mentioned in the script itself. After being reborn he declares "There is no Megatron! I am Galvatron and I rule!". Despite this the draft still makes several allusions to him being Megatron, such as in the climax when he reveals his identity to Rodimus, calling it his "true name".
*[[Scourge (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Scourge]] and the [[Sweep (G1)|Sweeps]]—The bearded leader of the Sweeps. Built from the converted Life Spark of a former Decepticon leader (as are the other Sweeps), he's likened to a "mafia hit man" in the outline. His soldiers are now called the Sweeps seemingly due to a miscommunication between Ron and Hasbro. They still search for surviving Autobots, so it sort of works. Like in the previous draft, they turn into land vehicles. Scourge has a mid-transformation form which features his head sticking up in vehicle mode to perform scans. Bizarrely, the Nazi imagery also carries over with the outline describing Scourge as an "SS trooper" and the Sweeps being "smaller" "similar creatures" wearing "dark and matching uniforms". Scourge went unnamed in the outline, being named by Friedman.
*[[Cyclonus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cyclonus]]—He's another converted essence and is the commander of the Decepticon planes. This "armada" or "Jet Force" consists of smaller, but similar-looking robots that turn into "FIGHTER PLANES". He disappears completely from the script after the Autobots flee Earth. His unnamed outline profile reads in its entirety "He needs to be developed".

===Others===
*[[Unicron/Generation 1|Ingestor]]/Unicron—At this stage the Entity has been renamed Ingestor. Other proposed names were Absorber, Unitron, the Amalgamator, Amalgamon, and Masticar. Sunbow felt the idea of a talking planet was "a stretch", and asked for his dialogue to be kept to a minimum. Friedman ignored this. The outline also claims they were going to cast Orson Welles. Good luck with that... His role is similar to the previous draft (introduced as "The Absorber of Unicron", rebuilding Megatron, the appearance of the planet Unicron, and growing larger the more energy he consumes) while his backstory has been removed entirely. This version also adds an extensive final battle on his massive body as the Autobots fight to stop him from destroying Cybertron. The first page of Friedman's revised script features a new intro where the planet flies through space. This would eventually evolve into the sequence of him devouring Lithone that opens the movie proper.
*[[Quintessons]]—Their role is similar to the final film. While their psychic powers have been removed, their appearance carries over from the previous draft. They still have slender bodies which are too small for their massive heads. But in an extra twist it's implied these are their true forms as when the leader disconnects his head, it flies away to attach itself to another body. The outline suggests they have a "friendly face, a stern face, an evil face, (a face of your choosing) and a face of Death", which Friedman reworked into "SMILING, ANGRY, GRIMACING, SUSPICIOUS" and "a DEATH'S HEAD".
**[[Sharkticons]]—While their design and role as the Quintessons' guards carries over from the first draft, their shock sticks (which froze someone in time) are now just regular electric batons. In a scene repeated from the last draft their cries are revealed to translate to "we eat". Apparently, Grimlock inspiring them to rebel against their masters is to show they share "a kind of Proletarian commonality" with their fellow "lower life forms". <ref>''I Killed Optimus Prime'', Ron Friedman (p. 105)</ref> They are still the only Quintesson servants to appear.
*[[Junkion (species)|Junkions]]—A group of "Road Warrior-like robotic Hell's Angels"— made of rusty and disused metal. Like in the previous draft they are able to repair their damaged bodies with their planet's garbage making them essentially indestructible. However, their backstory and connection to Unicron have been removed. They also now ride into battle on their transformed comrades. The outline intended their language to be a mix of "alien lingo", Latin phrases, TV talk, and generic expressions, though only really the TV talk made it into the script.
**[[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]]—He remains the Junkion leader. Sensibly, his design has been switched with that of a generic Junkion from the first draft (as someone probably realized that having one of the heroes dress like a fascist might have been a bad idea). He now looks like "a rusty junk metal version of a Viking helmet and a BRILLO like wooly wire-metal vest". The Nazi-helmeted Junkion is still present, now as a generic who Springer briefly fights. He sounds like "a cross between Henry Kissinger, a TV talk show host like Bert Parks, and Mr. Rogers on amphetamines". Wreck-Gar isn't mentioned in the outline suggesting Friedman used him on his own initiative.

==Notes==
===Comparisons to the finished film===
===What changed===
*This script takes place five years after the Autobots awoke on Earth, seemingly placing the events of the script in the year 1990.
*No opening on Lithone, though the revised draft features a brief scene of Unicron flying through space which would ultimately evolve into it.
*The draft now opens on Cybertron's moons.
*Unlike in the final film we're given more details about the Autobot Moonbase. The fact it's also a munitions factory remains in the final film though isn't mentioned on screen.
*Autobot City has been introduced. We don't really get any details about it besides being a new headquarters, but the final film gives it an extra purpose of generating energy for the Autobots.
*Like in the final film, the Dinobots have a prominent supporting role. Unlike the previous draft [[Slag (G1)|Slag]] is present, though weirdly he isn't explicitly mentioned until page 61 (with the others first being mentioned on page 21). There's still no [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] for reasons that have never made any sense, with the only explanation being that since the outline didn't specify all of Dinobots, Freidman forgot about him and the production staff didn't add him back in later.
*Rather than intercept the Autobot shuttle, here the Decepticons trail it all the way to Earth. Friedman's revisited draft would add the attack on the shuttle which made it into the final film.
*All the human characters from the last draft except for Daniel have been cut. He still isn't Spike's son who still isn't in this version.
*The script contains a brief scene of Magnus rebuking Hot Rod for leaving his post, this would remain up until the storyboard stage before being cut.
*Much of the battle of Autobot City would be reworked. Due to the length a more detailed overview will be given later.
*The Anibots would be dropped, presumably due to being reworked into the Predacons.
*Blaster's cassettes would also be massively reworked.
*We actually see Optimus Prime and the Dinobots receiving Blaster's message, boarding the shuttle and being attacked by Astrotrain.
*Optimus' Matrix and Megatron's essence became the same thing in the outline, later being named Life Sparks in the script. These are tiny glowing versions of a Transformer. There more explicitly a Transformers 'soul' (though there's still no explanation as to why Optimus' Life Spark is able to transform Hot Rod or destroy Ingestor at the end). The outline told Friedman to rename the Matrix but at some point it gets added back in. According to Friedman's notes on the outline "only leaders have essences". In the final film Megatron is only dying, not a ghost/disembodied soul.
*Hot Rod bemoans being responsible for Prime's death, but Kup and Arcee tell him it wasn't his fault.
*Most of the details about the Hall of Heroes carry over from the previous draft. In the final film it isn't even named. The major addition here is Starscream's coronation.
*That said Scourge, the Sweeps, Cyclonus and his Armada being reformatted life sparks of former leaders would be reworked into them being the converted from dead Deceptions.
*The Unicron and Ingestor twist would be dropped for the final film. There it was just Unicron
*The shuttle launch is more complicated with them having to escape the Decepticon forces in space by hyper-vault.
*The scene of Perceptor plugging himself into the shuttles computer briefly catching a glimpse of Unicron is dropped.
*The Quintesson planet, unnamed in the previous draft, is named here, Quintesson. This name actually made it into the final script of the film, though wasn't used on screen.
===What stayed the same===
A few scenes from the first draft carry over.
*Megatron and Optimus Prime's final fight carries over nearly verbatim from the previous draft,
*Like in the last script, the Quintesson scenes are similar to the final film, the big change here is that we see the Dinobots rescue attempts:
**The planet's appearance carries over from the last draft, still having a Mercury sea with red desert shores and metallic reefs which are home to robot fish.
**The Robot Squid fight still occurs and is dealt with similarly.
**Kup and Hot Rod still encounter the Sharkticons on a ridge. To communicate with them, they use the "universal alien language salutation," (The name universal greeting is used later on). Like in the film, it only briefly works.
**Hot Rod and Kup are taken to a "CASTLE LIKE STRUCTURE" where fellow prisoner Granix tells them about the Quintessons and their show trials.
**The Dinobots arrive at the Quintesson castle only to be sent away by a Quintesson guard. This scene was cut from the final film.
**Wheelie helps the Dinobots find Hot Rod and Kup.
**The arrival of the Dinobots saves the pair from being devoured by the Sharkticons.
**Most of the Quintessons are devoured by the Sharkticons.
**The Autobots leave the planet on a Quintesson cruiser.
===First Draft Remnants===
*Various other plot points carry over from the first draft that would be dropped for the final film. Since this script was publicly available for over a decade before the first draft surfaced, we're noting them here for completion's sake:
**The twist of Unicron's dual identity.
**Much of the description of Unicron's surface.
**Unicron still has to absorb energy in order to be able to transform.
**The Hall of Heroes' larger role.
**While the Matrix has been removed in this draft, much of the story beats about it carry over. This means Megatron still dies and his ghost ends up flying into space after his body is destroyed.
**The Decepticons attempt to drain Earth's energy in a process that will destroy it.
**Blaster's leading the surviving Autobots in guerrilla warfare on a Decepticon controlled Earth.
**The Quintessons' appearance of feeble humanoid figures remains though their psychic powers don't.
**Granix is a rock robot. Lithone is still only mentioned in passing, with him being captured on a scientific expedition.

===Other details===
Like the previous draft, this script features a lot of details that couldn't fit in the summary without making it overly long; most of these other details are:
*The outline gave Friedman the okay to kill off the following characters: [[Gears (G1)|Gears]], [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]], [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]], [[Sunstreaker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sunstreaker]], [[Sideswipe (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sideswipe]], [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]], [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]], [[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]], [[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]], [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]], [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], [[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]], [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]], [[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]], [[Skywarp (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Skywarp]] and [[Shockwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Shockwave]]. Not all of these guys die.
*It also gave 1985 characters to use for background appearances: "[[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]], [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]], [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]], [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]], [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]], [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]], [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]], [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] and [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]]." Not all of them appear in this draft.
*Cybertron has at least five moons.
*Like in the final film the occupants of the Autobot shuttle are Ironhide, Rachet, Prowl and Brawn, though their deaths are different. Here Megatron blasts through the main viewscreen as they are about to land, blowing Ironhide to pieces while the other Decepticons flood the ship, the Constructions disintegrating Prowl and the Insecticons devouring Brawn. Freidman didn't include Ratchet's death.
*In the revised draft the Decepticons now intercept the shuttle in space. Megatron blasts Brawn in half, Prowl dies the same way, but Ironhide and Ratchet are fused together and then blown apart by enemy fire.
*Extended battle of Autobot City details
**Wheeljack isn't a horrible misogynist this time, here he works a control console in the "WAR SCREEN", with Magnus. Later he determines the amount of time until Earth Is destroyed.
**There is one final change in the revised draft: the Constructions fight with the Anibots is expanded by half a page.
**Powerglide and [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] (who can also fly apparently) intercept Blitzwing over the city, causing him to crash through the city walls, landing in the fishin' hole from the opening. They then drop bombs on him, blasting him into the air.
**Thundercracker and Skywarp lead a group of Decepticons trying to break into the city, while Bluestreak, Hound and Sunstreaker lay in wait. During the ensuing fight Bluestreak cuts Thundercracker in half with his "LASER SABER". Skywarp and the others swarm him until Hound opens fire, blasting off their legs.
**Just before Optimus and Megatron's final fight begins, Dirge attempts to tackle Prime from behind, only for the Autobot leader to grab him with one hand, turn him upside down and throw him to the ground.
**In the aftermath of the battle we get a brief scene of the surviving Autobots cleaning up wreckage and dead Decepticons.
*Scrapper calls Starscream "a pompous Alumin-ass"
*The Hall of Heroes carries over into this draft. It is now a "METALLIC EQUIVALENT OF A CLASSICAL , ROCK-CUT MASOULEUM" in a metal mountain. Questionably, it's still described as "High tech" "Nuremberg Party Rally".
[[File:DecepticonMarkers.jpg|thumb|right|The Life Spark flames at the base of the statues ]]
*The flames at the base of each Decepticon leader’s statue contains their Life Spark. This detail actually made it into the final film where it means nothing.
*The former leaders named in the Hall of Heroes are [[Ghoulon]], [[Murdron]], and [[Bloodron]].
*Galvatron is given the insignia of Ingestor.
*During Starscream's coronation, a reluctant Dirge performs a ritual from an ancient book to the new leader's annoyance.
*As Galvatron kills a confused Starscream at his coronation he declares "there is no Megatron! I am Galvatron and I rule!".
*Galvatron kills Starscream by disintegrating him with a blaster. Just to clarify that, he pulls out a gun and shoots him dead.
*Ingestor uses his "cold rays" to pull the Energon Cubes through space to Unicron. This allows the planet to reform itself and travel to Cybertron.
*In one of the less creative Friedmanism, Dirge compares Unicron absorbing Energon with his Cold Rays "Like soda-oil through a straw".
*The moon Jazz and Cliffjumper escape from is the third moon. After devouring it, Unicron, "swells in size so it looks even closer - like a baloon {{sic}}."
*The Decepticons have a new rallying cry of "Ingestor and victory."
*During Galvatron’s attack on the City.
**The script offhandedly reveals that some of the invasion force "have been on Earth all this time."
**The Autobots learn of Ingestor's name (and existence) from Galvatron's battle cry.
** Magnus releases "Optic Dazzler Gas", a white exploding gas cloud that blinds and disorients the Decepticons.
**Springer throws grenades at enemy troops, causing them to fall over like dominos. Then he jumps around, drawing fire causing them to miss and melt the other troops in the crossfire.
**Cyclonus and the Constructicons are commanded to melt the city. They succeed at this.
**Similarly to the final film Blurr has to herd the Dinobots into the shuttle.
**Perceptor karate chops two Sweeps in half, from the head to groin, with each half then walking around bumping into each other.
**The Dinobots are caught in the fire bombing, having to use their "temperature monitors" to cool down.
**Galvatron surveys the ruined city, plotting to overthrow Ingestor. He is driven off by Powerglide and Warpath.
**Cyclonus "bombs Gears to pieces", the blast throwing Windcharger into the air as the Decepticon rams into him. His parts then rain down on Blaster's group of retreating Autobots.
*The story Kup tells the Dinobots is given slightly more detail here. The [[Ick-Yak|Ick Yaks]] are apparently cyborgs from Phospho-Norn.
*The shuttles have an "Intercom phone", which projects holograms.
*At the ruins of Autobot City, Autobot and human slaves are forced by the Sweeps to process and stack Energon Cubes for Ingestor.
*Quintesson is described as "a huge Baroque pearl."
*After crashing in the sea of the planet, Hot Rod turns into an "undersea action" "auto mode"", generating "a glass "bubble" head piece" to breathe.
*Hot Rod blasts a "Robotoid Squid" that takes Kup apart, scaring it away. He then collects Kup parts with his magnet powers he apparently has.
*Quintesson has "low dune-like red metallic hills".
*Kup attempts to track the Dinobots with his homing sensors.
*On the top of a ridge, they run into the Sharkticons. Kup uses the "universal alien language Salutation". Like in the film it briefly works.
*Page 101 mentions that the Sharkticons have captured Sludge. This isn't mentioned again and we later learn he is with the other Dinobots. This error is due to Friedman just reworking a portion from the previous draft where Sludge was captured as well.
*When the Dinobots enter the Quintessons castle, a Sharkticon tries to eat Grimlock only to stop when it finds he tastes terrible.
*We don't really get an explanation as to how Unicron knows Magnus survived. In the film it's because he sensed the Matrix, here nothing.
*Hot Rod and Kup are found guilty of trespassing, "under the laws of the Quintessons" a charge which is technically true. The trials are still a sham though, Granix says so.
*During the sentencing Kup realise the Quintessons' heads are their weak spot.
*The Quintesssons have other prisoners awaiting trial. The only one described in detail by the script is a ‘Huge Robotoid Warrior of Glass with Iron Fittings’. He’s seen cheering on the captured Autobots when they're thrown into the Sharkticon pit. After Grimlock crashes the trial, he escapes and helps them fight the Quintessons. He's last seen guarding some captive Sharkticons as the Autobots leave Quintesson.
*The Quintesson spaceship has a "five faced insignia of Quintessons."
*Wheelie is the one to suggest they try to make peace with the Junkions, which Kup rejects.
*The Junkions have a spaceship which is introduced with no fanfare.
*After he transforms Ingestor is described by the script as a ‘galaxy sized robot’. It's difficult to describe just how stupidly big this would make him. Even more laughable, the same page describes his arms as only being the size of a continent!
*Before he attacks Cybertron, Ingestor picks Galvatron up like an ant and drops him onto his eyebrow. His giant metal eyelashes act like cables restraining Galvatron as he’s forced to watch his planet be destroyed.
*During Ingestors destruction of Cybertron:
**Ingestor tears Shockwave's lab out of the ground like a carrot. In the process he ends up pinning Shockwave to a generator with his finger, before swallowing the base whole.
** Skywarp and Thundercracker try to stop Ingestor with a barrage of Laser Cannon fire. He swallows the bombardments then eats the chunk of the planet they're standing on.
**When flying in space the Junkions wear "space-gear", which is "Transformed tricycles which are space sleds, and rocket belts."
*When Hot Rod enters Ingestor the other continues to fight on his outer body.
**Blurr attaches a "Bumper with flame nozzles" which spews fire after him as he races across Ingestors chest and neck.
**Arcee is knocked into a forest of metal hair on Ingestor's shoulder, which begins to strangle her. Daniel is able to leap down and finally mastering control of his exo-suit, yanks the hairs out.
**Like in the film the Dinobots fly around and assault Ingestor, here they are joined by the Junkions who use grappling hooks to traverse his body.
**Ingestor is able to scrape Magnus and Perceptor off his neck with his fingers.
**Despite Perceptor's warning, Ingestor is able to smash Blurr with his hand. This really looks like it kills him, but he is later revealed to merely be damaged.
**When all hope seems lost the Autobots hide behind his horns to stay out of his sight.
*Galvatron and Hot Rod fight in Ingestor's stomach where Cybertron's moons are caught in a web and slowly being digested.
*During Rodimus' fight with Galvatron, the Decepticon is able to overpower him. He is saved when Jazz and Cliffjumper are revealed to be alive in the remains of their swallowed shuttle and open fire on Galvatron. This gives Rodimus the chance to escape and beat the Deception until he collapses.
*When Injector is being torn apart, Galvatron is blown into space. Jazz and Cliffjumper are also thrown into space, but since they're still in the remains of the escape pod they're probably fine.
*At the end, Rodimus rushes back into Ingestor's stomach to free the moons, blasting through the webbing holding them in place, which allows them to float into space and back into Cybetron’s orbit.

===Remnants===
[[File:Cyclonustarget2006.jpg|thumb|right|Cyclonus clearly explains his origin, rendering all debate pointless.]]
Some concepts from the script still made it into the film and media based on the script due to lack of access to the final movie.
*Astrotrain's sudden appearance in the aftermath of the battle of Autobot City is justified here. He's been fighting Optimus Prime's shuttle in space and has only just arrived on Earth.
*Like in the first draft, Unicron doesn't just transform at the end for dramatic effect; he's only just absorbed enough energy to do so.
*The episode [[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2]] refrenes this version of the script when recounting Optimus Prime's dying words.
*Most of [[The Transformers Universe (Marvel)|The Transformers Universe]] profiles for the movie cast appear to be slightly reworked development notes based on this draft. For example Scourge altmode "handles any terrain", which would be an odd way to describe a plane but makes sense for a land vehicle.
*In the Marvel UK story [[Target 2006]], the term Life Spark was misunderstood and ended up as the name of the Decepticon rebuilt into Cyclonus.

===Miscommunications===
It seems the outline provided to Friedman didn't quite work as intended. He and Hasbro appear to have misunderstood a few details.
*The outline gives no mention of what the movie cast turned into. As a result of this when they do transform their alt modes go undescribed.
*Friedman's second revision adds the sequence of the Decepticons ambush and take over of the Autobot shuttle presumably happened because he re-read the outline and realized the Transformers weren't meant to be able to fly through space on their own.
*Freidman interprets the term "essence of leadership" very literally. Underneath it he wrote "only leaders have essence", which probably isn't what they intended.
*The Autobots that crash land on Junkion were meant to send a distress signal which Hot Rod and Kup intercepted. However, Friedman didn't include this.
*Hot Rod saving the moons inside Unicron stems from Friedman misinterpreting a line about Hot Rod hearing the "trapped Autobots from the moons of Cybertron and going back inside the Entity to rescue them." Obviously, they wanted a scene where the main hero rescues the surviving Autobots on the moon. Well, Friedman interprets this rather literally with Rodimus managing to free Cybertron's moons from Unicron's stomach before he explodes.

==Gallery==
Despite the massive reworking of the script, a fair amount of concept art was drawn up using it, while most of the designs were cut some of it ended up in the final film.
<center><gallery>
File:UltraMagnus-FloroDery3rdConcept-OrionPax.jpg|Floro Dery's early version of Magnus. The script barely gives any details of his appearance so he went wild.
File:Anibot-MechanoBeastSecondConcept-FloroDery.jpg| [[Dragon Beast]] concept art.
File:DragonBeast.jpg| A reworked version of Dery's first Dragon Beast design used in {{w|Megas XLR}}
File:Stripes_patent_and_prototype.jpg|Patent and prototype of unproduced saber tooth tiger cassette. Seems someone mistakenly abbreviated it to just tiger for the outline.
File:Stinger_patent_and_prototype.jpg|Patent and Prototype of unproduced scorpion cassette.
File:Auto-Bop_Robot_Cassette.jpg| Unused "Robot Cassette" character model from the episode [[Auto-Bop]].
File:StripesStoryboard.jpg|Early storyboard featuring the cassettes, likely based solely on the script as none of them resemble the prototypes. Stripes
File:StingerStoryboard.jpg| Stinger
File:CubieStoryboard.jpg|Cubbie
File:BoltsStoryboard.jpg|Bolts, this is actually the best image of him, believe it or not.
File:FloroDery_originalquintesson.jpg| Floro Dery's original design for the Quintessons
</gallery></center>

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1tAWJAGC3nzxwaICQUUQsvLzLr97McwxJ The Sunbow Outline]
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Aqpj8Fb0esWl9lnD73SkOUMp3s3f7NmX The script itself]
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1sbYhgBn7JgOlauc-Nv5SYfcYBWCuQoQy The revised May Script]
*[https://sunbowmarvelarchive.blogspot.com/2022/05/story-outline-of-ron-friedmans-script.html A detailed summary on the Sunbow Marvel Archive]

[[Category:Unproduced scripts]]

The Transformers: The Movie (second draft)

2025-03-19T21:22:43Z

Silver: /* Decepticons */

[[Image:SecondDraftScriptCover.jpg|thumb|right|250px|This page took fourteen years to make!]]

In early [[1985]], [[Ron Friedman]]'s [[The Transformers: The Movie (first draft)|initial script]] for [[The Transformers: The Movie]] had been rejected (allegedly because it focused too much on the villains). However, the terms of his contract meant that the film had to be based on a script he wrote. So if they wanted to continue production they needed him to write a new script. Not willing to leave this to chance, an outline was created by [[Sunbow Productions]] and he was told to base the new draft on it. This isn't exactly a revision of Friedman's previous script, it's more like an entirely new one that was loosely based on the first draft that Sunbow would be able to further rewrite into the movie they wanted to make without violating his contract.

The new script was written in just under a month. While this draft would form the basis of the final film, it would be massively reworked by "Story Consultant" [[Flint Dille]]. The script first became public when it was purchased after being auctioned off by Friedman in [[2010]] .<ref>"[https://boltax.blogspot.com/2010/12/heritaage-auctions-transformers-movie.html Disciples of Boltax Heritage Auctions -The Transformers The Movie draft Script]</ref>

{{note|For practical purposes this article covers the initial Sunbow outline, the draft script and a slightly revised draft}}

==Background==
[[Image:TFTMOutlinePage.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Page 9 of the outline including Friedman's handwritten notes.]]
Sometime between February and [[March 28|28th March]] 1985, (two days after he had completed his reworked story premises for everyone's favourite cartoon "Bigfoot and the Muscle Machines") a 16 page outline was given to Friedman by Sunbow to dictate the new film. It features the new cast and a scene by scene overview of the film. Since this also had details on the early plans of the [[1986]] range Hasbro likely had some input in it.
Much of the final film originated here, such as the future setting,character arcs and locations such as [[Autobot City]] and the Moonbases. Thanks to Friedman's handwritten notes (as he presumably read through this outline for the first time) we can see his thought process. He questioned certain elements, brainstormed new ones and suggested plot changes. This draft was written in just under a month, being finished on the [[April 27|27 April]]. During this time Friedman seems to have stopped editing scripts, presumably to focus solely on this project.

Shortly after finishing this draft, Friedman revised this script. By this we mean he reworked the first 14 pages and nothing else. This draft was completed on [[May 2|May 2nd]]. He was paid for this draft and that marked the end of his involvement with Transformers. <ref> "[https://toddmatthy.com/2013/12/31/he-killed-optimus-prime-an-interview-with-ron-friedman-writer-of-transformers-the-movie/ He Killed Optimus Prime: An Interview With Ron Friedman the Writer of Transformers:The Movie]</ref> We don't just mean the film, he stopped working on Transformers all together and focused all his efforts on writing the script for the G.I. Joe movie, which would have a similarly hectic development...<ref>[https://comics.ha.com/itm/memorabilia/miscellaneous/g-i-joe-the-movie-ron-friedman-s-revisions-notes-and-story-ideas-sunbow-productions-inc-1985-/a/7027-93252.s# Heritage Auction G.I. Joe Movie Story ideas dated May 1985]</ref> <ref>[https://comics.ha.com/itm/memorabilia/miscellaneous/g-i-joe-the-movie-outlines-and-notes-by-ron-friedman-sunbow-productions-inc-1985-/a/7027-93254.s?ic16=ViewItem-BrowseTabs-Auction-Archive-ThisAuction-120115 Heritage Auction G.I. Joe Movie Outline and early draft dated July 1985]</ref>

Evidently this new script doesn't seem to have met Sunbow's standards. After it was submitted, Sunbow staff [[Joe Bacal]], [[Tom Griffin]], [[Jay Bacal]], Flint Dillie, [[Roger Slifer]] and [[Carole Weitzman]] held a meeting to try and rework the script. This lasted 16 hours. <ref>"[https://alonefancryinginthewilderness.blogspot.com/2012/07/from-archives-my-animated-conversation.html A Lone Fan Crying In The Wilderness — My Animated Conversation With Buzz Dixon]</ref><ref>"[https://alonefancryinginthewilderness.blogspot.com/2012/02/meet-roger-slifer.html A Lone Fan Crying In The Wilderness — My Animated Conversation With Roger Slifer]</ref> <ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20200128201208/http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/60-astrominutes/flint-dille/flint-dille-2.html The Flint Dille Interview Part II]</ref>
Ultimately, Flint Dille was chosen to edit the script and spent the next several months reworking it into the final film over the course of 20 drafts.

==Synopsis==
Five years have passed since the Transformers awoke on Earth. From the moons of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], the [[Autobot|Autobots]] launch a shuttle to send supplies to [[Earth]]. As it passes through an asteroid field the [[Decepticon|Decepticons]] begin to trail the shuttle through space. At a fishing hole near Autobot City on Earth, [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]] and [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel]] detect the incoming shuttle. Driving to the nearby Lookout Point they pass [[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]] cording off the area.

As the shuttle enters Earth's atmosphere, the Decepticons blast their way in and kill the crew. Through his observation binoculars Daniel spots the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] eating the ship. [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] flies off commanding his troops to destroy Autobot City. Spotting the young Autobot below, the Decepticon leader opens fire at him destroying most of the mountain. Hot Rod fights the Decepticon soldiers on the crumbling mountain while trying to protect Daniel, until he's saved by Kup who fights off [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] and [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]]. The trio rush back to the city as the attack continues.

At the city, [[Perceptor (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Perceptor]] alerts [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] of the attack, initiating Autobot City's transformation procedure. Hot Rod and Kup run over the Insecticons as they devour the last bridge into the city, leaving the Autobots trapped inside.
From a "WAR SCREEN" Magnus commands the Autobots against the enemy forces. Spotting the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] near the southern wall which houses the [[Roboto-zoo]], he releases the Ani-Bots who manage to drive off the invaders. On Magnus' order, [[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]] transmits a message to [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]].[[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity| Soundwave]] attempts to intercept this, ejecting the cassettes [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]], [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]], [[Ravage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ravage]] and [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] to jam it. Blaster fights back with his own cassettes [[Steeljaw (G1)|Cubbie]], [[Stripes]], [[Stinger (G1)|Stinger]] and [[Bolts]].

On Cybertron, Prime and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] receive the message and board a shuttle headed to Earth. En-route they are attacked by [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]]. On Earth, the battle continues with the Constructicons forming [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. Seeing this, Magnus commands the Ani-bots to merge into [[Dragon Beast ]] to fight the combiner. Prime's shuttle arrives and the Dinobots leap out to face the enemy forces. This begins to turn the tide, as the Decepticons are forced to retreat. Outside of the city, Megatron commands his forces to keep fighting, unaware of Optimus' shuttle landing next to him. Just like last time, the fight is pretty much identical to the final film.

A dying Megatron demands [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] to take his [[Life Spark]] back to Cybertron as the Decepticons board the newly arrived Astrotrain. Gathering around Optimus, Perceptor declares his wounds fatal. Prime gives Magnus his Life Spark -a tiny glowing version of himself, and names the reluctant Autobot his successor as he dies. Ultra Magnus' first orders are for the Autobots to fortify the planet against further attacks and construct a shuttle to follow the Decepticons into space.
As Astrotrain reaches Cybertron, the Decepticons argue over who will be the new leader. Fighting breaks out with Megatron pitifully stating that he's still alive. Arriving at the [[Hall of Heroes]], the dying Megatron begs for his Life Spark to be enshrined alongside the past leaders. The fighting spills into the Hall, wrecking the statues causing the leaders Life Sparks to fly off into space. One of the statues crushes Megatron, finally killing him and his Life Spark is left to float into space with the others.

As the Life Sparks drift through space, a furious Megatron demands to have his body restored at any cost. The ghostly voice of [[Unicron/Generation 1|Ingestor]] hears his cries and with a "PALE, COLD RAY" drags the Life Sparks to the "HELL-LIKE, MECHANICAL" planet of Unicron. Ingestor offers him power in exchange for permanent servitude to him which Megatron is forced to accept. Bathed in a beam of light he is rebuilt into Galvatron. The other Life Sparks are also rebuilt as [[Scourge (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Scourge]], the [[Sweep (G1)|Sweeps]], [[Cyclonus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cyclonus]] and [[Cyclonus's Armada (G1)|his armada]]. At Ingestor's command they fly to Cybertron to claim its remaining energy.

Starscream's coronation is basically the same, so we can skip that. Under the command of their new leader the Decepticons gather the planet's Energon for Ingestor, which he absorbs with his Cold Rays and the planet Unicron begins to rebuild itself as it nears Cybertron. From Cybertron's third moon, [[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] and [[Cliffjumper (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cliffjumper]] alert Earth about the approaching planet. As the moon is destroyed, Ingestor orders Galvatron to drain Earth next. Galvatron briefly attempts to resist only to be inflicted with pain.

At Autobot City, the superfast messenger, [[Blurr (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blurr]] brings news of the moon's destruction and warns of the imminent arrival of the Decepticons. Suddenly, the Decepticons arrive and a massive fight ensues. Magnus orders Hot Rod and the Dinobots to one of the newly constructed shuttles. The shuttle takes off under enemy fire as Magnus begins his own launch, using the rocket's thrust to melt the attacking Sweeps. Taking off they are persuaded by a squad of Decepticon led by Astrotrain, before managing to outrun them using a "hyper vault" to blast off at infinite speed. Later, as his troops begin harvesting Earth's [[Energon]], Galvatron learns of the Autobots' escape, boarding a "SPACE CARRIER" to follow them.

On the shuttles, Kup tells the Dinobots an old war story. Perceptor realizes the Decepticons are beaming energy into space and with no other options they are forced to follow it into space. Connecting himself into shuttles "SCANNER-MONITOR" to track the signal, Perecptor briefly catches a glimpse of Unicron. Galvatron's armada catches up to them, destroying Hot Rod's shuttle and throwing its occupants into space. Magnus escapes by detonating three quarters of his ship, making it appear to have been destroyed as they sneak to a nearby planet for repairs. Back on Earth, Scourge and the Sweeps hunt down surviving Autobots. Tracking a signal they find only the burnt remains of a Decepticon soldier. As they leave Blaster and the other Autobots come out of hiding. Wheeljack realizes that draining Earth's energy is weakening the planet. They only have 48 hours left until it's destroyed. (Blaster's group doesn't appear again. Just so you know.)

Hot Rod and Kup land on [[Quintessa (planet)|Quintesson]], running into a mechanical squid. (Like last time, we can skip over this). Magnus' shuttle has a rough landing on planet [[Junkion (planet)|Junkion]]. The Autobots attempt to salvage parts from the junk which makes up the planet. Unnoticed, the [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]] see the intruders and prepare to fight. Hot Rod and Kup are captured by the [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]] and taken to their masters, the [[Quintesson|Quintessons]]. Imprisoned, their fellow prisoner, a rock robot [[Kranix (G1)|Granix]], tells them that their fate will be to fight to the death in the arena. Outside, the Dinobots have found their way to the Quintesson Castle looking for their friends, only to be turned away by a guard who points them in the wrong direction.

In space, Unicron has absorbed more energy and grown even larger. Ingestor tells Galvatron that Magnus still lives, ordering him to kill the Autobot leader. Galvatron resists only for Ingestor to inflict his "cold rays" on him, then using one of the metal trees that covers the planet to throw him into space. Briefly content, Unicron devours another of Cybertron's moons. Hot Rod and Kup are sentenced to fight the Sharkticons. The Dinobots run into [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], the "Wolf Boy of Quintesson" who tells them that they've been deceived and they need to save their friends. In the arena, Hot Rod is able to take the lead Quintesson hostage. The leader just laughs at them as his head disconnects from his body and flies to safety, leaving them to face the Sharkticons. As the pair prepare to fight to the end, the Dinobots arrive and turn the tide, dropping bombs and setting the grandstand on fire. The few remaining Sharkticons turn on their masters and begin to devour them. Wheelie shows the Autobots a Quintesson cruiser they use to leave the planet.

Back on Junkion the repairs are nearly finished. The Junkions lay in wait, retreating when they spot the arriving Decepticons. On Magnus' order, Perceptor has created "Pseudo-clones" - non-sentient replicas of the Autobots. The clones are sent on a suicide charge to fool the Decepticons into thinking their enemies have been killed, but the ruse will be uncovered if they examine the remains. Realizing this Magnus joins the clones knowing that the death of the Autobot leader will distract Galvatron. Magnus is ultimately overwhelmed by a horde of Decepticons and Galvatron kills him with a point blank shot from his fusion cannon. Cutting Prime's Life Spark out of him with a laser saw and putting it in a glass bottle, the leader demands his men head back to Earth, while he deals with Ingestor.

As the Decepticons leave, the Autobots come out of hiding and mourn their fallen leader. This doesn't last long as the Junkions have returned, forcing them to try and flee. Unable to escape, they are cornered when more Junkions appear from underneath the scrap. The ensuing fight is halted when the Quintesson Cruiser appears overhead. As the ship lands Hot Rod approaches the Junkion's with Energon Sticks and recites the Universal Greeting. This works. With everyone now friends, the Junkions rebuild Ultra Magnus. A more mature Hot Rod points out they still need to find where the Decepticons are beaming Earth's energy to. The surrounding crowd cheers and they all board their cruisers.

Back in space, Galvatron threatens Ingestor to release him from servitude. This just makes him laugh, so Galvatron detonates a bomb to destroy Unicron. Ingestor happily reveals that was the last piece of energy he needed and the planet begins to transform into a massive robot revealing that Unicron is actually Ingestor! Ingestor restrains Galvatron in his eyebrows (yes, really), and for his insolence forces him to watch as Cybertron is destroyed.
The Autobots arrive as his attack is underway, with Hot Rod ordering them to intercept him. As the Junkions and Dinobots fly out to distract the giant robot, Hot Rod's ship flies towards Injector's head, crashing into his ear. Racing inside, Hot Rod tells the other to keep him distracted, while he tries to find the core of the creature. Sensing intruders, Ingestor picks up Galvatron and shoves him through his eye socket telling him he may allow him to live if he kills the Autobot.

While the Autobot's try to stop Ingestor, deep inside him Galvatron and Hot Rod fight, the Decepticon overpowering the young Autobot. In a last show of strength, Hot Rod grabs the bottle containing the Life Spark and is transformed, the ghostly voice of Optimus declaring him Rodimus Prime. The battle continues until Rodimus is able to destroy the bottle, releasing the Life Spark's energy. Ingestor begins to explode and tears himself apart to try and get the Life Spark. An explosion throws Galvatron into space. Escaping Rodimus is able to free Cybertron's moons from Ingestor's stomach. Flying into space, a ghostly image of Optimus tells the dying creature that all evil must end.

On their ship the Autobots mourn Hot Rod, only to start cheering when they see their new leader flying towards them

==Cast==

===Autobots===
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod/Rodimus Prime]] - The outline bluntly describes him as "reckless, headstrong, short tempered and cocky." The movie charts his " grow[th] from boyhood to manhood, both physically and mentally, eventually becoming the new leader of the Autobots". Rodimus Prime is apparently him "fully mature".
*[[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]]- Tanker is named Kup now, meaning his development for the final film is complete. He's named "Kup" "as in Pickup Truck", <ref>Kup's barely reworked early development notes/profile in ''[[The Transformers Universe (Marvel)|The Transformers Universe]]'' #4</ref>, though there is no indication that Friedman knew this. The outline has no info on his alt mode, so the closest the script gets is saying he has wheels.
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] - He's still "the large and soldierly City Commander". His personality is serious and practical, with Friedman comparing him to Horatio Hornblower. Also, at one point he turns his hand into a loudspeaker. Neat!
*[[Springer (G1)|Springer]] - Still "very muscular", though now he's a "bantering Indiana Jones type Autobot". While going through the outline, Friedman realized he could reuse Rusty Steel's personality for him. The outline calls him Ultra Magnus's wise-cracking second in command, though deep down he unquestionably respects him. He's still not a triple changer yet.
*[[Arcee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Arcee]] - This time she actually gets to go on the adventure (and with barely any misogyny!). This version introduces her relationship with Hot Rod, and mothering of Daniel.
*[[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel]] - An all-American 12-year-old boy who looks up to the Autobots. He has trouble using his exosuit, but at the end is able to master it to save Arcee. He's still not Spike's son yet. The outline intended for him to stowaway on the Autobot shuttle, which Friedman disregarded.
*[[Perceptor (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Perceptor]] - Mentlar has been replaced with the Autobot scientist we know and love. Like in the final film, his gimmick is that he uses too much scientific jargon which confuses the others, though there are way more examples of that in this draft.
* [[Anibot|Anibots]] - A team of Autobots with animal alt-modes who are kept in the "Roboto-Zoo lab". They are Simba (a lion), Pardo (a leopard), Shriek (an eagle), Thump (a buffalo), and Clump (a rhinoceros). They combine to form the Dragon Beast, a "huge, DRAGON LIKE MECHANO-BEAST". The outline simply dictated "the Anibots (lion, tiger, eagle, buffalo and rhinoceros) who also come together to form a huge robot" and said they'd fight the Constructicons. Given that description Friedman then came up with their names and combined form. Clearly, the Anibots are an early version of the Predacons, though there was a misunderstanding between Ron and Hasbro. Now, while the lineup of animals would change, the combined form was likely always intended to be the conventional giant robot made up of smaller robots. Ron didn't know this and from the "form a huge robot" line went wild and devised something that Hasbro never intended to release. At some point the group gets dropped from the film but not before concept art was drawn up.
*[[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]] - Described as "a black rock D.J.". He has a larger role than in the final film, leading the surviving Autobots against the Decepticon-controlled Earth. The outline describes his cassettes as a "lion, tiger, scorpion and robot", which Friedman reworked into Cubbie, Stripes, Stinger, and Bolts. Only Cubbie would make it unchanged, though he was renamed to Steeljaw. Bolts would be split in two to become Eject and Rewind. Stinger and Stripes would be cut entirely. This lineup made it all the way to early storyboards.
*[[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] - a "fast, fast mover and fast, fast talker" Autobot special messenger. He's introduced alerting the others to the destruction of Cybertron's third moon. Besides changing jobs and showing up earlier in the actual film he's the final version of the character.
*[[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] - An "Autobot like Robotoid kid" that lives as "the Wolf Boy of Quintesson". Stage directions explain Wheelie's backstory in greater detail than in the final film, revealing that he's the only survivor of a crashed spaceship after the Sharkticons ate the rest of the crew. He wears a necklace made of Sharkticon teeth. His weapons are "a three bladed laser knife" and a "SLING which hurls FIRE STONES."

===Decepticons===
*[[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]]—The rebuilt form of Megatron who "still resembles Megatron somewhat". The outline describes him as having a "cannon mode", which isn't explicitly mentioned in the script itself. After being reborn he declares "There is no Megatron! I am Galvatron and I rule!". Despite this the draft still makes several allusions to him being Megatron, such as in the climax when he reveals his identity to Rodimus, calling it his "true name".
*[[Scourge (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Scourge]] and the [[Sweep (G1)|Sweeps]]—The bearded leader of the Sweeps. Built from the converted Life Spark of a former Decepticon leader (as are the other Sweeps), he's likened to a "mafia hit man" in the outline. His soldiers are now called the Sweeps seemingly due to a miscommunication between Ron and Hasbro. They still search for surviving Autobots, so it sort of works. Like in the previous draft, they turn into land vehicles. Scourge has a mid-transformation form which features his head sticking up in vehicle mode to perform scans. Bizarrely, the Nazi imagery also carries over with the outline describing Scourge as an "SS trooper" and the Sweeps being "smaller" "similar creatures" wearing "dark and matching uniforms". Scourge went unnamed in the outline, being named by Friedman.
*[[Cyclonus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cyclonus]]—He's another converted essence and is the commander of the Decepticon planes. This "armada" or "Jet Force" consists of smaller, but similar-looking robots that turn into "FIGHTER PLANES". He disappears completely from the script after the Autobots flee Earth. His unnamed outline profile reads in its entirety "He needs to be developed".

===Others===
*[[Unicron/Generation 1|Ingestor]]/Unicron—At this stage the Entity has been renamed Ingestor. Other proposed names were Absorber, Unitron, the Amalgamator, Amalgamon, and Masticar. Sunbow felt the idea of a talking planet was "a stretch", and asked for his dialogue to be kept to a minimum. Friedman ignored this. The outline also claims they were going to cast Orson Welles. Good luck with that... His role is similar to the previous draft (introduced as "The Absorber of Unicron", rebuilding Megatron, the appearance of the planet Unicron, and growing larger the more energy he consumes) while his backstory has been removed entirely. This version also adds an extensive final battle on his massive body as the Autobots fight to stop him from destroying Cybertron. The first page of Friedman's revised script features a new intro where the planet flies through space. This would eventually evolve into the sequence of him devouring Lithone that opens the movie proper.
*[[Quintessons]]—Their role is similar to the final film. While their psychic powers have been removed, their appearance carries over from the previous draft. They still have slender bodies which are too small for their massive heads. But in an extra twist it's implied these are their true forms as when the leader disconnects his head, it flies away to attach itself to another body. The outline suggests they have a "friendly face, a stern face, an evil face, (a face of your choosing) and a face of Death", which Friedman reworked into "SMILING, ANGRY, GRIMACING, SUSPICIOUS" and "a DEATH'S HEAD".
*[[Sharkticons]]—While their design and role as the Quintessons' guards carries over from the first draft, their shock sticks (which froze someone in time) are now just regular electric batons. In a scene repeated from the last draft their cries are revealed to translate to "we eat". Apparently, Grimlock inspiring them to rebel against their masters is to show they share "a kind of Proletarian commonality" with their fellow "lower life forms". <ref>''I Killed Optimus Prime'', Ron Friedman (p. 105)</ref> They are still the only Quintesson servants to appear.
*[[Junkion (species)|Junkions]]—A group of "Road Warrior-like robotic Hell's Angels"— made of rusty and disused metal. Like in the previous draft they are able to repair their damaged bodies with their planet's garbage making them essentially indestructible. However, their backstory and connection to Unicron have been removed. They also now ride into battle on their transformed comrades. The outline intended their language to be a mix of "alien lingo", Latin phrases, TV talk, and generic expressions, though only really the TV talk made it into the script.
* [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]]—He remains the Junkion leader. Sensibly, his design has been switched with that of a generic Junkion from the first draft (as someone probably realized that having one of the heroes dress like a fascist might have been a bad idea). He now looks like "a rusty junk metal version of a Viking helmet and a BRILLO like wooly wire-metal vest". The Nazi-helmeted Junkion is still present, now as a generic who Springer briefly fights. He sounds like "a cross between Henry Kissinger, a TV talk show host like Bert Parks, and Mr. Rogers on amphetamines". Wreck-Gar isn't mentioned in the outline suggesting Friedman used him on his own initiative.

==Notes==
===Comparisons to the finished film===
===What changed===
*This script takes place five years after the Autobots awoke on Earth, seemingly placing the events of the script in the year 1990.
*No opening on Lithone, though the revised draft features a brief scene of Unicron flying through space which would ultimately evolve into it.
*The draft now opens on Cybertron's moons.
*Unlike in the final film we're given more details about the Autobot Moonbase. The fact it's also a munitions factory remains in the final film though isn't mentioned on screen.
*Autobot City has been introduced. We don't really get any details about it besides being a new headquarters, but the final film gives it an extra purpose of generating energy for the Autobots.
*Like in the final film, the Dinobots have a prominent supporting role. Unlike the previous draft [[Slag (G1)|Slag]] is present, though weirdly he isn't explicitly mentioned until page 61 (with the others first being mentioned on page 21). There's still no [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] for reasons that have never made any sense, with the only explanation being that since the outline didn't specify all of Dinobots, Freidman forgot about him and the production staff didn't add him back in later.
*Rather than intercept the Autobot shuttle, here the Decepticons trail it all the way to Earth. Friedman's revisited draft would add the attack on the shuttle which made it into the final film.
*All the human characters from the last draft except for Daniel have been cut. He still isn't Spike's son who still isn't in this version.
*The script contains a brief scene of Magnus rebuking Hot Rod for leaving his post, this would remain up until the storyboard stage before being cut.
*Much of the battle of Autobot City would be reworked. Due to the length a more detailed overview will be given later.
*The Anibots would be dropped, presumably due to being reworked into the Predacons.
*Blaster's cassettes would also be massively reworked.
*We actually see Optimus Prime and the Dinobots receiving Blaster's message, boarding the shuttle and being attacked by Astrotrain.
*Optimus' Matrix and Megatron's essence became the same thing in the outline, later being named Life Sparks in the script. These are tiny glowing versions of a Transformer. There more explicitly a Transformers 'soul' (though there's still no explanation as to why Optimus' Life Spark is able to transform Hot Rod or destroy Ingestor at the end). The outline told Friedman to rename the Matrix but at some point it gets added back in. According to Friedman's notes on the outline "only leaders have essences". In the final film Megatron is only dying, not a ghost/disembodied soul.
*Hot Rod bemoans being responsible for Prime's death, but Kup and Arcee tell him it wasn't his fault.
*Most of the details about the Hall of Heroes carry over from the previous draft. In the final film it isn't even named. The major addition here is Starscream's coronation.
*That said Scourge, the Sweeps, Cyclonus and his Armada being reformatted life sparks of former leaders would be reworked into them being the converted from dead Deceptions.
*The Unicron and Ingestor twist would be dropped for the final film. There it was just Unicron
*The shuttle launch is more complicated with them having to escape the Decepticon forces in space by hyper-vault.
*The scene of Perceptor plugging himself into the shuttles computer briefly catching a glimpse of Unicron is dropped.
*The Quintesson planet, unnamed in the previous draft, is named here, Quintesson. This name actually made it into the final script of the film, though wasn't used on screen.
===What stayed the same===
A few scenes from the first draft carry over.
*Megatron and Optimus Prime's final fight carries over nearly verbatim from the previous draft,
*Like in the last script, the Quintesson scenes are similar to the final film, the big change here is that we see the Dinobots rescue attempts:
**The planet's appearance carries over from the last draft, still having a Mercury sea with red desert shores and metallic reefs which are home to robot fish.
**The Robot Squid fight still occurs and is dealt with similarly.
**Kup and Hot Rod still encounter the Sharkticons on a ridge. To communicate with them, they use the "universal alien language salutation," (The name universal greeting is used later on). Like in the film, it only briefly works.
**Hot Rod and Kup are taken to a "CASTLE LIKE STRUCTURE" where fellow prisoner Granix tells them about the Quintessons and their show trials.
**The Dinobots arrive at the Quintesson castle only to be sent away by a Quintesson guard. This scene was cut from the final film.
**Wheelie helps the Dinobots find Hot Rod and Kup.
**The arrival of the Dinobots saves the pair from being devoured by the Sharkticons.
**Most of the Quintessons are devoured by the Sharkticons.
**The Autobots leave the planet on a Quintesson cruiser.
===First Draft Remnants===
*Various other plot points carry over from the first draft that would be dropped for the final film. Since this script was publicly available for over a decade before the first draft surfaced, we're noting them here for completion's sake:
**The twist of Unicron's dual identity.
**Much of the description of Unicron's surface.
**Unicron still has to absorb energy in order to be able to transform.
**The Hall of Heroes' larger role.
**While the Matrix has been removed in this draft, much of the story beats about it carry over. This means Megatron still dies and his ghost ends up flying into space after his body is destroyed.
**The Decepticons attempt to drain Earth's energy in a process that will destroy it.
**Blaster's leading the surviving Autobots in guerrilla warfare on a Decepticon controlled Earth.
**The Quintessons' appearance of feeble humanoid figures remains though their psychic powers don't.
**Granix is a rock robot. Lithone is still only mentioned in passing, with him being captured on a scientific expedition.

===Other details===
Like the previous draft, this script features a lot of details that couldn't fit in the summary without making it overly long; most of these other details are:
*The outline gave Friedman the okay to kill off the following characters: [[Gears (G1)|Gears]], [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]], [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]], [[Sunstreaker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sunstreaker]], [[Sideswipe (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sideswipe]], [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]], [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]], [[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]], [[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]], [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]], [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], [[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]], [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]], [[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]], [[Skywarp (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Skywarp]] and [[Shockwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Shockwave]]. Not all of these guys die.
*It also gave 1985 characters to use for background appearances: "[[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]], [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]], [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]], [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]], [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]], [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]], [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]], [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] and [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]]." Not all of them appear in this draft.
*Cybertron has at least five moons.
*Like in the final film the occupants of the Autobot shuttle are Ironhide, Rachet, Prowl and Brawn, though their deaths are different. Here Megatron blasts through the main viewscreen as they are about to land, blowing Ironhide to pieces while the other Decepticons flood the ship, the Constructions disintegrating Prowl and the Insecticons devouring Brawn. Freidman didn't include Ratchet's death.
*In the revised draft the Decepticons now intercept the shuttle in space. Megatron blasts Brawn in half, Prowl dies the same way, but Ironhide and Ratchet are fused together and then blown apart by enemy fire.
*Extended battle of Autobot City details
**Wheeljack isn't a horrible misogynist this time, here he works a control console in the "WAR SCREEN", with Magnus. Later he determines the amount of time until Earth Is destroyed.
**There is one final change in the revised draft: the Constructions fight with the Anibots is expanded by half a page.
**Powerglide and [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] (who can also fly apparently) intercept Blitzwing over the city, causing him to crash through the city walls, landing in the fishin' hole from the opening. They then drop bombs on him, blasting him into the air.
**Thundercracker and Skywarp lead a group of Decepticons trying to break into the city, while Bluestreak, Hound and Sunstreaker lay in wait. During the ensuing fight Bluestreak cuts Thundercracker in half with his "LASER SABER". Skywarp and the others swarm him until Hound opens fire, blasting off their legs.
**Just before Optimus and Megatron's final fight begins, Dirge attempts to tackle Prime from behind, only for the Autobot leader to grab him with one hand, turn him upside down and throw him to the ground.
**In the aftermath of the battle we get a brief scene of the surviving Autobots cleaning up wreckage and dead Decepticons.
*Scrapper calls Starscream "a pompous Alumin-ass"
*The Hall of Heroes carries over into this draft. It is now a "METALLIC EQUIVALENT OF A CLASSICAL , ROCK-CUT MASOULEUM" in a metal mountain. Questionably, it's still described as "High tech" "Nuremberg Party Rally".
[[File:DecepticonMarkers.jpg|thumb|right|The Life Spark flames at the base of the statues ]]
*The flames at the base of each Decepticon leader’s statue contains their Life Spark. This detail actually made it into the final film where it means nothing.
*The former leaders named in the Hall of Heroes are [[Ghoulon]], [[Murdron]], and [[Bloodron]].
*Galvatron is given the insignia of Ingestor.
*During Starscream's coronation, a reluctant Dirge performs a ritual from an ancient book to the new leader's annoyance.
*As Galvatron kills a confused Starscream at his coronation he declares "there is no Megatron! I am Galvatron and I rule!".
*Galvatron kills Starscream by disintegrating him with a blaster. Just to clarify that, he pulls out a gun and shoots him dead.
*Ingestor uses his "cold rays" to pull the Energon Cubes through space to Unicron. This allows the planet to reform itself and travel to Cybertron.
*In one of the less creative Friedmanism, Dirge compares Unicron absorbing Energon with his Cold Rays "Like soda-oil through a straw".
*The moon Jazz and Cliffjumper escape from is the third moon. After devouring it, Unicron, "swells in size so it looks even closer - like a baloon {{sic}}."
*The Decepticons have a new rallying cry of "Ingestor and victory."
*During Galvatron’s attack on the City.
**The script offhandedly reveals that some of the invasion force "have been on Earth all this time."
**The Autobots learn of Ingestor's name (and existence) from Galvatron's battle cry.
** Magnus releases "Optic Dazzler Gas", a white exploding gas cloud that blinds and disorients the Decepticons.
**Springer throws grenades at enemy troops, causing them to fall over like dominos. Then he jumps around, drawing fire causing them to miss and melt the other troops in the crossfire.
**Cyclonus and the Constructicons are commanded to melt the city. They succeed at this.
**Similarly to the final film Blurr has to herd the Dinobots into the shuttle.
**Perceptor karate chops two Sweeps in half, from the head to groin, with each half then walking around bumping into each other.
**The Dinobots are caught in the fire bombing, having to use their "temperature monitors" to cool down.
**Galvatron surveys the ruined city, plotting to overthrow Ingestor. He is driven off by Powerglide and Warpath.
**Cyclonus "bombs Gears to pieces", the blast throwing Windcharger into the air as the Decepticon rams into him. His parts then rain down on Blaster's group of retreating Autobots.
*The story Kup tells the Dinobots is given slightly more detail here. The [[Ick-Yak|Ick Yaks]] are apparently cyborgs from Phospho-Norn.
*The shuttles have an "Intercom phone", which projects holograms.
*At the ruins of Autobot City, Autobot and human slaves are forced by the Sweeps to process and stack Energon Cubes for Ingestor.
*Quintesson is described as "a huge Baroque pearl."
*After crashing in the sea of the planet, Hot Rod turns into an "undersea action" "auto mode"", generating "a glass "bubble" head piece" to breathe.
*Hot Rod blasts a "Robotoid Squid" that takes Kup apart, scaring it away. He then collects Kup parts with his magnet powers he apparently has.
*Quintesson has "low dune-like red metallic hills".
*Kup attempts to track the Dinobots with his homing sensors.
*On the top of a ridge, they run into the Sharkticons. Kup uses the "universal alien language Salutation". Like in the film it briefly works.
*Page 101 mentions that the Sharkticons have captured Sludge. This isn't mentioned again and we later learn he is with the other Dinobots. This error is due to Friedman just reworking a portion from the previous draft where Sludge was captured as well.
*When the Dinobots enter the Quintessons castle, a Sharkticon tries to eat Grimlock only to stop when it finds he tastes terrible.
*We don't really get an explanation as to how Unicron knows Magnus survived. In the film it's because he sensed the Matrix, here nothing.
*Hot Rod and Kup are found guilty of trespassing, "under the laws of the Quintessons" a charge which is technically true. The trials are still a sham though, Granix says so.
*During the sentencing Kup realise the Quintessons' heads are their weak spot.
*The Quintesssons have other prisoners awaiting trial. The only one described in detail by the script is a ‘Huge Robotoid Warrior of Glass with Iron Fittings’. He’s seen cheering on the captured Autobots when they're thrown into the Sharkticon pit. After Grimlock crashes the trial, he escapes and helps them fight the Quintessons. He's last seen guarding some captive Sharkticons as the Autobots leave Quintesson.
*The Quintesson spaceship has a "five faced insignia of Quintessons."
*Wheelie is the one to suggest they try to make peace with the Junkions, which Kup rejects.
*The Junkions have a spaceship which is introduced with no fanfare.
*After he transforms Ingestor is described by the script as a ‘galaxy sized robot’. It's difficult to describe just how stupidly big this would make him. Even more laughable, the same page describes his arms as only being the size of a continent!
*Before he attacks Cybertron, Ingestor picks Galvatron up like an ant and drops him onto his eyebrow. His giant metal eyelashes act like cables restraining Galvatron as he’s forced to watch his planet be destroyed.
*During Ingestors destruction of Cybertron:
**Ingestor tears Shockwave's lab out of the ground like a carrot. In the process he ends up pinning Shockwave to a generator with his finger, before swallowing the base whole.
** Skywarp and Thundercracker try to stop Ingestor with a barrage of Laser Cannon fire. He swallows the bombardments then eats the chunk of the planet they're standing on.
**When flying in space the Junkions wear "space-gear", which is "Transformed tricycles which are space sleds, and rocket belts."
*When Hot Rod enters Ingestor the other continues to fight on his outer body.
**Blurr attaches a "Bumper with flame nozzles" which spews fire after him as he races across Ingestors chest and neck.
**Arcee is knocked into a forest of metal hair on Ingestor's shoulder, which begins to strangle her. Daniel is able to leap down and finally mastering control of his exo-suit, yanks the hairs out.
**Like in the film the Dinobots fly around and assault Ingestor, here they are joined by the Junkions who use grappling hooks to traverse his body.
**Ingestor is able to scrape Magnus and Perceptor off his neck with his fingers.
**Despite Perceptor's warning, Ingestor is able to smash Blurr with his hand. This really looks like it kills him, but he is later revealed to merely be damaged.
**When all hope seems lost the Autobots hide behind his horns to stay out of his sight.
*Galvatron and Hot Rod fight in Ingestor's stomach where Cybertron's moons are caught in a web and slowly being digested.
*During Rodimus' fight with Galvatron, the Decepticon is able to overpower him. He is saved when Jazz and Cliffjumper are revealed to be alive in the remains of their swallowed shuttle and open fire on Galvatron. This gives Rodimus the chance to escape and beat the Deception until he collapses.
*When Injector is being torn apart, Galvatron is blown into space. Jazz and Cliffjumper are also thrown into space, but since they're still in the remains of the escape pod they're probably fine.
*At the end, Rodimus rushes back into Ingestor's stomach to free the moons, blasting through the webbing holding them in place, which allows them to float into space and back into Cybetron’s orbit.

===Remnants===
[[File:Cyclonustarget2006.jpg|thumb|right|Cyclonus clearly explains his origin, rendering all debate pointless.]]
Some concepts from the script still made it into the film and media based on the script due to lack of access to the final movie.
*Astrotrain's sudden appearance in the aftermath of the battle of Autobot City is justified here. He's been fighting Optimus Prime's shuttle in space and has only just arrived on Earth.
*Like in the first draft, Unicron doesn't just transform at the end for dramatic effect; he's only just absorbed enough energy to do so.
*The episode [[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2]] refrenes this version of the script when recounting Optimus Prime's dying words.
*Most of [[The Transformers Universe (Marvel)|The Transformers Universe]] profiles for the movie cast appear to be slightly reworked development notes based on this draft. For example Scourge altmode "handles any terrain", which would be an odd way to describe a plane but makes sense for a land vehicle.
*In the Marvel UK story [[Target 2006]], the term Life Spark was misunderstood and ended up as the name of the Decepticon rebuilt into Cyclonus.

===Miscommunications===
It seems the outline provided to Friedman didn't quite work as intended. He and Hasbro appear to have misunderstood a few details.
*The outline gives no mention of what the movie cast turned into. As a result of this when they do transform their alt modes go undescribed.
*Friedman's second revision adds the sequence of the Decepticons ambush and take over of the Autobot shuttle presumably happened because he re-read the outline and realized the Transformers weren't meant to be able to fly through space on their own.
*Freidman interprets the term "essence of leadership" very literally. Underneath it he wrote "only leaders have essence", which probably isn't what they intended.
*The Autobots that crash land on Junkion were meant to send a distress signal which Hot Rod and Kup intercepted. However, Friedman didn't include this.
*Hot Rod saving the moons inside Unicron stems from Friedman misinterpreting a line about Hot Rod hearing the "trapped Autobots from the moons of Cybertron and going back inside the Entity to rescue them." Obviously, they wanted a scene where the main hero rescues the surviving Autobots on the moon. Well, Friedman interprets this rather literally with Rodimus managing to free Cybertron's moons from Unicron's stomach before he explodes.

==Gallery==
Despite the massive reworking of the script, a fair amount of concept art was drawn up using it, while most of the designs were cut some of it ended up in the final film.
<center><gallery>
File:UltraMagnus-FloroDery3rdConcept-OrionPax.jpg|Floro Dery's early version of Magnus. The script barely gives any details of his appearance so he went wild.
File:Anibot-MechanoBeastSecondConcept-FloroDery.jpg| [[Dragon Beast]] concept art.
File:DragonBeast.jpg| A reworked version of Dery's first Dragon Beast design used in {{w|Megas XLR}}
File:Stripes_patent_and_prototype.jpg|Patent and prototype of unproduced saber tooth tiger cassette. Seems someone mistakenly abbreviated it to just tiger for the outline.
File:Stinger_patent_and_prototype.jpg|Patent and Prototype of unproduced scorpion cassette.
File:Auto-Bop_Robot_Cassette.jpg| Unused "Robot Cassette" character model from the episode [[Auto-Bop]].
File:StripesStoryboard.jpg|Early storyboard featuring the cassettes, likely based solely on the script as none of them resemble the prototypes. Stripes
File:StingerStoryboard.jpg| Stinger
File:CubieStoryboard.jpg|Cubbie
File:BoltsStoryboard.jpg|Bolts, this is actually the best image of him, believe it or not.
File:FloroDery_originalquintesson.jpg| Floro Dery's original design for the Quintessons
</gallery></center>

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1tAWJAGC3nzxwaICQUUQsvLzLr97McwxJ The Sunbow Outline]
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Aqpj8Fb0esWl9lnD73SkOUMp3s3f7NmX The script itself]
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1sbYhgBn7JgOlauc-Nv5SYfcYBWCuQoQy The revised May Script]
*[https://sunbowmarvelarchive.blogspot.com/2022/05/story-outline-of-ron-friedmans-script.html A detailed summary on the Sunbow Marvel Archive]

[[Category:Unproduced scripts]]

The Transformers: The Movie (second draft)

2025-03-19T21:21:38Z

Silver: /* Others */

[[Image:SecondDraftScriptCover.jpg|thumb|right|250px|This page took fourteen years to make!]]

In early [[1985]], [[Ron Friedman]]'s [[The Transformers: The Movie (first draft)|initial script]] for [[The Transformers: The Movie]] had been rejected (allegedly because it focused too much on the villains). However, the terms of his contract meant that the film had to be based on a script he wrote. So if they wanted to continue production they needed him to write a new script. Not willing to leave this to chance, an outline was created by [[Sunbow Productions]] and he was told to base the new draft on it. This isn't exactly a revision of Friedman's previous script, it's more like an entirely new one that was loosely based on the first draft that Sunbow would be able to further rewrite into the movie they wanted to make without violating his contract.

The new script was written in just under a month. While this draft would form the basis of the final film, it would be massively reworked by "Story Consultant" [[Flint Dille]]. The script first became public when it was purchased after being auctioned off by Friedman in [[2010]] .<ref>"[https://boltax.blogspot.com/2010/12/heritaage-auctions-transformers-movie.html Disciples of Boltax Heritage Auctions -The Transformers The Movie draft Script]</ref>

{{note|For practical purposes this article covers the initial Sunbow outline, the draft script and a slightly revised draft}}

==Background==
[[Image:TFTMOutlinePage.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Page 9 of the outline including Friedman's handwritten notes.]]
Sometime between February and [[March 28|28th March]] 1985, (two days after he had completed his reworked story premises for everyone's favourite cartoon "Bigfoot and the Muscle Machines") a 16 page outline was given to Friedman by Sunbow to dictate the new film. It features the new cast and a scene by scene overview of the film. Since this also had details on the early plans of the [[1986]] range Hasbro likely had some input in it.
Much of the final film originated here, such as the future setting,character arcs and locations such as [[Autobot City]] and the Moonbases. Thanks to Friedman's handwritten notes (as he presumably read through this outline for the first time) we can see his thought process. He questioned certain elements, brainstormed new ones and suggested plot changes. This draft was written in just under a month, being finished on the [[April 27|27 April]]. During this time Friedman seems to have stopped editing scripts, presumably to focus solely on this project.

Shortly after finishing this draft, Friedman revised this script. By this we mean he reworked the first 14 pages and nothing else. This draft was completed on [[May 2|May 2nd]]. He was paid for this draft and that marked the end of his involvement with Transformers. <ref> "[https://toddmatthy.com/2013/12/31/he-killed-optimus-prime-an-interview-with-ron-friedman-writer-of-transformers-the-movie/ He Killed Optimus Prime: An Interview With Ron Friedman the Writer of Transformers:The Movie]</ref> We don't just mean the film, he stopped working on Transformers all together and focused all his efforts on writing the script for the G.I. Joe movie, which would have a similarly hectic development...<ref>[https://comics.ha.com/itm/memorabilia/miscellaneous/g-i-joe-the-movie-ron-friedman-s-revisions-notes-and-story-ideas-sunbow-productions-inc-1985-/a/7027-93252.s# Heritage Auction G.I. Joe Movie Story ideas dated May 1985]</ref> <ref>[https://comics.ha.com/itm/memorabilia/miscellaneous/g-i-joe-the-movie-outlines-and-notes-by-ron-friedman-sunbow-productions-inc-1985-/a/7027-93254.s?ic16=ViewItem-BrowseTabs-Auction-Archive-ThisAuction-120115 Heritage Auction G.I. Joe Movie Outline and early draft dated July 1985]</ref>

Evidently this new script doesn't seem to have met Sunbow's standards. After it was submitted, Sunbow staff [[Joe Bacal]], [[Tom Griffin]], [[Jay Bacal]], Flint Dillie, [[Roger Slifer]] and [[Carole Weitzman]] held a meeting to try and rework the script. This lasted 16 hours. <ref>"[https://alonefancryinginthewilderness.blogspot.com/2012/07/from-archives-my-animated-conversation.html A Lone Fan Crying In The Wilderness — My Animated Conversation With Buzz Dixon]</ref><ref>"[https://alonefancryinginthewilderness.blogspot.com/2012/02/meet-roger-slifer.html A Lone Fan Crying In The Wilderness — My Animated Conversation With Roger Slifer]</ref> <ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20200128201208/http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/60-astrominutes/flint-dille/flint-dille-2.html The Flint Dille Interview Part II]</ref>
Ultimately, Flint Dille was chosen to edit the script and spent the next several months reworking it into the final film over the course of 20 drafts.

==Synopsis==
Five years have passed since the Transformers awoke on Earth. From the moons of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], the [[Autobot|Autobots]] launch a shuttle to send supplies to [[Earth]]. As it passes through an asteroid field the [[Decepticon|Decepticons]] begin to trail the shuttle through space. At a fishing hole near Autobot City on Earth, [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]] and [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel]] detect the incoming shuttle. Driving to the nearby Lookout Point they pass [[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]] cording off the area.

As the shuttle enters Earth's atmosphere, the Decepticons blast their way in and kill the crew. Through his observation binoculars Daniel spots the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] eating the ship. [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] flies off commanding his troops to destroy Autobot City. Spotting the young Autobot below, the Decepticon leader opens fire at him destroying most of the mountain. Hot Rod fights the Decepticon soldiers on the crumbling mountain while trying to protect Daniel, until he's saved by Kup who fights off [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] and [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]]. The trio rush back to the city as the attack continues.

At the city, [[Perceptor (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Perceptor]] alerts [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] of the attack, initiating Autobot City's transformation procedure. Hot Rod and Kup run over the Insecticons as they devour the last bridge into the city, leaving the Autobots trapped inside.
From a "WAR SCREEN" Magnus commands the Autobots against the enemy forces. Spotting the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] near the southern wall which houses the [[Roboto-zoo]], he releases the Ani-Bots who manage to drive off the invaders. On Magnus' order, [[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]] transmits a message to [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]].[[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity| Soundwave]] attempts to intercept this, ejecting the cassettes [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]], [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]], [[Ravage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ravage]] and [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] to jam it. Blaster fights back with his own cassettes [[Steeljaw (G1)|Cubbie]], [[Stripes]], [[Stinger (G1)|Stinger]] and [[Bolts]].

On Cybertron, Prime and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] receive the message and board a shuttle headed to Earth. En-route they are attacked by [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]]. On Earth, the battle continues with the Constructicons forming [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. Seeing this, Magnus commands the Ani-bots to merge into [[Dragon Beast ]] to fight the combiner. Prime's shuttle arrives and the Dinobots leap out to face the enemy forces. This begins to turn the tide, as the Decepticons are forced to retreat. Outside of the city, Megatron commands his forces to keep fighting, unaware of Optimus' shuttle landing next to him. Just like last time, the fight is pretty much identical to the final film.

A dying Megatron demands [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] to take his [[Life Spark]] back to Cybertron as the Decepticons board the newly arrived Astrotrain. Gathering around Optimus, Perceptor declares his wounds fatal. Prime gives Magnus his Life Spark -a tiny glowing version of himself, and names the reluctant Autobot his successor as he dies. Ultra Magnus' first orders are for the Autobots to fortify the planet against further attacks and construct a shuttle to follow the Decepticons into space.
As Astrotrain reaches Cybertron, the Decepticons argue over who will be the new leader. Fighting breaks out with Megatron pitifully stating that he's still alive. Arriving at the [[Hall of Heroes]], the dying Megatron begs for his Life Spark to be enshrined alongside the past leaders. The fighting spills into the Hall, wrecking the statues causing the leaders Life Sparks to fly off into space. One of the statues crushes Megatron, finally killing him and his Life Spark is left to float into space with the others.

As the Life Sparks drift through space, a furious Megatron demands to have his body restored at any cost. The ghostly voice of [[Unicron/Generation 1|Ingestor]] hears his cries and with a "PALE, COLD RAY" drags the Life Sparks to the "HELL-LIKE, MECHANICAL" planet of Unicron. Ingestor offers him power in exchange for permanent servitude to him which Megatron is forced to accept. Bathed in a beam of light he is rebuilt into Galvatron. The other Life Sparks are also rebuilt as [[Scourge (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Scourge]], the [[Sweep (G1)|Sweeps]], [[Cyclonus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cyclonus]] and [[Cyclonus's Armada (G1)|his armada]]. At Ingestor's command they fly to Cybertron to claim its remaining energy.

Starscream's coronation is basically the same, so we can skip that. Under the command of their new leader the Decepticons gather the planet's Energon for Ingestor, which he absorbs with his Cold Rays and the planet Unicron begins to rebuild itself as it nears Cybertron. From Cybertron's third moon, [[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] and [[Cliffjumper (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cliffjumper]] alert Earth about the approaching planet. As the moon is destroyed, Ingestor orders Galvatron to drain Earth next. Galvatron briefly attempts to resist only to be inflicted with pain.

At Autobot City, the superfast messenger, [[Blurr (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blurr]] brings news of the moon's destruction and warns of the imminent arrival of the Decepticons. Suddenly, the Decepticons arrive and a massive fight ensues. Magnus orders Hot Rod and the Dinobots to one of the newly constructed shuttles. The shuttle takes off under enemy fire as Magnus begins his own launch, using the rocket's thrust to melt the attacking Sweeps. Taking off they are persuaded by a squad of Decepticon led by Astrotrain, before managing to outrun them using a "hyper vault" to blast off at infinite speed. Later, as his troops begin harvesting Earth's [[Energon]], Galvatron learns of the Autobots' escape, boarding a "SPACE CARRIER" to follow them.

On the shuttles, Kup tells the Dinobots an old war story. Perceptor realizes the Decepticons are beaming energy into space and with no other options they are forced to follow it into space. Connecting himself into shuttles "SCANNER-MONITOR" to track the signal, Perecptor briefly catches a glimpse of Unicron. Galvatron's armada catches up to them, destroying Hot Rod's shuttle and throwing its occupants into space. Magnus escapes by detonating three quarters of his ship, making it appear to have been destroyed as they sneak to a nearby planet for repairs. Back on Earth, Scourge and the Sweeps hunt down surviving Autobots. Tracking a signal they find only the burnt remains of a Decepticon soldier. As they leave Blaster and the other Autobots come out of hiding. Wheeljack realizes that draining Earth's energy is weakening the planet. They only have 48 hours left until it's destroyed. (Blaster's group doesn't appear again. Just so you know.)

Hot Rod and Kup land on [[Quintessa (planet)|Quintesson]], running into a mechanical squid. (Like last time, we can skip over this). Magnus' shuttle has a rough landing on planet [[Junkion (planet)|Junkion]]. The Autobots attempt to salvage parts from the junk which makes up the planet. Unnoticed, the [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]] see the intruders and prepare to fight. Hot Rod and Kup are captured by the [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]] and taken to their masters, the [[Quintesson|Quintessons]]. Imprisoned, their fellow prisoner, a rock robot [[Kranix (G1)|Granix]], tells them that their fate will be to fight to the death in the arena. Outside, the Dinobots have found their way to the Quintesson Castle looking for their friends, only to be turned away by a guard who points them in the wrong direction.

In space, Unicron has absorbed more energy and grown even larger. Ingestor tells Galvatron that Magnus still lives, ordering him to kill the Autobot leader. Galvatron resists only for Ingestor to inflict his "cold rays" on him, then using one of the metal trees that covers the planet to throw him into space. Briefly content, Unicron devours another of Cybertron's moons. Hot Rod and Kup are sentenced to fight the Sharkticons. The Dinobots run into [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], the "Wolf Boy of Quintesson" who tells them that they've been deceived and they need to save their friends. In the arena, Hot Rod is able to take the lead Quintesson hostage. The leader just laughs at them as his head disconnects from his body and flies to safety, leaving them to face the Sharkticons. As the pair prepare to fight to the end, the Dinobots arrive and turn the tide, dropping bombs and setting the grandstand on fire. The few remaining Sharkticons turn on their masters and begin to devour them. Wheelie shows the Autobots a Quintesson cruiser they use to leave the planet.

Back on Junkion the repairs are nearly finished. The Junkions lay in wait, retreating when they spot the arriving Decepticons. On Magnus' order, Perceptor has created "Pseudo-clones" - non-sentient replicas of the Autobots. The clones are sent on a suicide charge to fool the Decepticons into thinking their enemies have been killed, but the ruse will be uncovered if they examine the remains. Realizing this Magnus joins the clones knowing that the death of the Autobot leader will distract Galvatron. Magnus is ultimately overwhelmed by a horde of Decepticons and Galvatron kills him with a point blank shot from his fusion cannon. Cutting Prime's Life Spark out of him with a laser saw and putting it in a glass bottle, the leader demands his men head back to Earth, while he deals with Ingestor.

As the Decepticons leave, the Autobots come out of hiding and mourn their fallen leader. This doesn't last long as the Junkions have returned, forcing them to try and flee. Unable to escape, they are cornered when more Junkions appear from underneath the scrap. The ensuing fight is halted when the Quintesson Cruiser appears overhead. As the ship lands Hot Rod approaches the Junkion's with Energon Sticks and recites the Universal Greeting. This works. With everyone now friends, the Junkions rebuild Ultra Magnus. A more mature Hot Rod points out they still need to find where the Decepticons are beaming Earth's energy to. The surrounding crowd cheers and they all board their cruisers.

Back in space, Galvatron threatens Ingestor to release him from servitude. This just makes him laugh, so Galvatron detonates a bomb to destroy Unicron. Ingestor happily reveals that was the last piece of energy he needed and the planet begins to transform into a massive robot revealing that Unicron is actually Ingestor! Ingestor restrains Galvatron in his eyebrows (yes, really), and for his insolence forces him to watch as Cybertron is destroyed.
The Autobots arrive as his attack is underway, with Hot Rod ordering them to intercept him. As the Junkions and Dinobots fly out to distract the giant robot, Hot Rod's ship flies towards Injector's head, crashing into his ear. Racing inside, Hot Rod tells the other to keep him distracted, while he tries to find the core of the creature. Sensing intruders, Ingestor picks up Galvatron and shoves him through his eye socket telling him he may allow him to live if he kills the Autobot.

While the Autobot's try to stop Ingestor, deep inside him Galvatron and Hot Rod fight, the Decepticon overpowering the young Autobot. In a last show of strength, Hot Rod grabs the bottle containing the Life Spark and is transformed, the ghostly voice of Optimus declaring him Rodimus Prime. The battle continues until Rodimus is able to destroy the bottle, releasing the Life Spark's energy. Ingestor begins to explode and tears himself apart to try and get the Life Spark. An explosion throws Galvatron into space. Escaping Rodimus is able to free Cybertron's moons from Ingestor's stomach. Flying into space, a ghostly image of Optimus tells the dying creature that all evil must end.

On their ship the Autobots mourn Hot Rod, only to start cheering when they see their new leader flying towards them

==Cast==

===Autobots===
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod/Rodimus Prime]] - The outline bluntly describes him as "reckless, headstrong, short tempered and cocky." The movie charts his " grow[th] from boyhood to manhood, both physically and mentally, eventually becoming the new leader of the Autobots". Rodimus Prime is apparently him "fully mature".
*[[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]]- Tanker is named Kup now, meaning his development for the final film is complete. He's named "Kup" "as in Pickup Truck", <ref>Kup's barely reworked early development notes/profile in ''[[The Transformers Universe (Marvel)|The Transformers Universe]]'' #4</ref>, though there is no indication that Friedman knew this. The outline has no info on his alt mode, so the closest the script gets is saying he has wheels.
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] - He's still "the large and soldierly City Commander". His personality is serious and practical, with Friedman comparing him to Horatio Hornblower. Also, at one point he turns his hand into a loudspeaker. Neat!
*[[Springer (G1)|Springer]] - Still "very muscular", though now he's a "bantering Indiana Jones type Autobot". While going through the outline, Friedman realized he could reuse Rusty Steel's personality for him. The outline calls him Ultra Magnus's wise-cracking second in command, though deep down he unquestionably respects him. He's still not a triple changer yet.
*[[Arcee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Arcee]] - This time she actually gets to go on the adventure (and with barely any misogyny!). This version introduces her relationship with Hot Rod, and mothering of Daniel.
*[[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel]] - An all-American 12-year-old boy who looks up to the Autobots. He has trouble using his exosuit, but at the end is able to master it to save Arcee. He's still not Spike's son yet. The outline intended for him to stowaway on the Autobot shuttle, which Friedman disregarded.
*[[Perceptor (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Perceptor]] - Mentlar has been replaced with the Autobot scientist we know and love. Like in the final film, his gimmick is that he uses too much scientific jargon which confuses the others, though there are way more examples of that in this draft.
* [[Anibot|Anibots]] - A team of Autobots with animal alt-modes who are kept in the "Roboto-Zoo lab". They are Simba (a lion), Pardo (a leopard), Shriek (an eagle), Thump (a buffalo), and Clump (a rhinoceros). They combine to form the Dragon Beast, a "huge, DRAGON LIKE MECHANO-BEAST". The outline simply dictated "the Anibots (lion, tiger, eagle, buffalo and rhinoceros) who also come together to form a huge robot" and said they'd fight the Constructicons. Given that description Friedman then came up with their names and combined form. Clearly, the Anibots are an early version of the Predacons, though there was a misunderstanding between Ron and Hasbro. Now, while the lineup of animals would change, the combined form was likely always intended to be the conventional giant robot made up of smaller robots. Ron didn't know this and from the "form a huge robot" line went wild and devised something that Hasbro never intended to release. At some point the group gets dropped from the film but not before concept art was drawn up.
*[[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]] - Described as "a black rock D.J.". He has a larger role than in the final film, leading the surviving Autobots against the Decepticon-controlled Earth. The outline describes his cassettes as a "lion, tiger, scorpion and robot", which Friedman reworked into Cubbie, Stripes, Stinger, and Bolts. Only Cubbie would make it unchanged, though he was renamed to Steeljaw. Bolts would be split in two to become Eject and Rewind. Stinger and Stripes would be cut entirely. This lineup made it all the way to early storyboards.
*[[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] - a "fast, fast mover and fast, fast talker" Autobot special messenger. He's introduced alerting the others to the destruction of Cybertron's third moon. Besides changing jobs and showing up earlier in the actual film he's the final version of the character.
*[[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] - An "Autobot like Robotoid kid" that lives as "the Wolf Boy of Quintesson". Stage directions explain Wheelie's backstory in greater detail than in the final film, revealing that he's the only survivor of a crashed spaceship after the Sharkticons ate the rest of the crew. He wears a necklace made of Sharkticon teeth. His weapons are "a three bladed laser knife" and a "SLING which hurls FIRE STONES."

===Decepticons===
*[[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] - The rebuilt form of Megatron who "still resembles Megatron somewhat". The outline describes him as having a "cannon mode", which isn't explicitly mentioned in the script itself. After being reborn he declares "There is no Megatron! I am Galvatron and I rule!". Despite this the draft still makes several allusions to him being Megatron, such as in the climax when he reveals his identity to Rodimus, calling it his "true name".
*[[Scourge (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Scourge]] /The [[Sweep (G1)|Sweeps]] - The bearded leader of the Sweeps. Built from the converted Life Spark of a former Decepticon leader (as are the other Sweeps), he's likened to a "mafia hit man" in the outline. His soldiers are now called the Sweeps seemingly due to a miscommunication between Ron and Hasbro. They still search for surviving Autobots, so it sort of works. Like in the previous draft, they turn into land vehicles. Scourge has a mid-transformation form which features his head sticking up in vehicle mode to perform scans. Bizarrely, the Nazi imagery also carries over with the outline describing Scourge as an "SS trooper" and the Sweeps being "smaller" "similar creatures" wearing "dark and matching uniforms". Scourge went unnamed in the outline, being named by Friedman.
*[[Cyclonus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cyclonus]] - He's another converted essence and is the commander of the Decepticon planes. This "armada" or "Jet Force" consists of smaller, but similar-looking robots that turn into "FIGHTER PLANES". He disappears completely from the script after the Autobots flee Earth. His unnamed outline profile reads in its entirety "He needs to be developed".

===Others===
*[[Unicron/Generation 1|Ingestor]]/Unicron—At this stage the Entity has been renamed Ingestor. Other proposed names were Absorber, Unitron, the Amalgamator, Amalgamon, and Masticar. Sunbow felt the idea of a talking planet was "a stretch", and asked for his dialogue to be kept to a minimum. Friedman ignored this. The outline also claims they were going to cast Orson Welles. Good luck with that... His role is similar to the previous draft (introduced as "The Absorber of Unicron", rebuilding Megatron, the appearance of the planet Unicron, and growing larger the more energy he consumes) while his backstory has been removed entirely. This version also adds an extensive final battle on his massive body as the Autobots fight to stop him from destroying Cybertron. The first page of Friedman's revised script features a new intro where the planet flies through space. This would eventually evolve into the sequence of him devouring Lithone that opens the movie proper.
*[[Quintessons]]—Their role is similar to the final film. While their psychic powers have been removed, their appearance carries over from the previous draft. They still have slender bodies which are too small for their massive heads. But in an extra twist it's implied these are their true forms as when the leader disconnects his head, it flies away to attach itself to another body. The outline suggests they have a "friendly face, a stern face, an evil face, (a face of your choosing) and a face of Death", which Friedman reworked into "SMILING, ANGRY, GRIMACING, SUSPICIOUS" and "a DEATH'S HEAD".
*[[Sharkticons]]—While their design and role as the Quintessons' guards carries over from the first draft, their shock sticks (which froze someone in time) are now just regular electric batons. In a scene repeated from the last draft their cries are revealed to translate to "we eat". Apparently, Grimlock inspiring them to rebel against their masters is to show they share "a kind of Proletarian commonality" with their fellow "lower life forms". <ref>''I Killed Optimus Prime'', Ron Friedman (p. 105)</ref> They are still the only Quintesson servants to appear.
*[[Junkion (species)|Junkions]]—A group of "Road Warrior-like robotic Hell's Angels"— made of rusty and disused metal. Like in the previous draft they are able to repair their damaged bodies with their planet's garbage making them essentially indestructible. However, their backstory and connection to Unicron have been removed. They also now ride into battle on their transformed comrades. The outline intended their language to be a mix of "alien lingo", Latin phrases, TV talk, and generic expressions, though only really the TV talk made it into the script.
* [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]]—He remains the Junkion leader. Sensibly, his design has been switched with that of a generic Junkion from the first draft (as someone probably realized that having one of the heroes dress like a fascist might have been a bad idea). He now looks like "a rusty junk metal version of a Viking helmet and a BRILLO like wooly wire-metal vest". The Nazi-helmeted Junkion is still present, now as a generic who Springer briefly fights. He sounds like "a cross between Henry Kissinger, a TV talk show host like Bert Parks, and Mr. Rogers on amphetamines". Wreck-Gar isn't mentioned in the outline suggesting Friedman used him on his own initiative.

==Notes==
===Comparisons to the finished film===
===What changed===
*This script takes place five years after the Autobots awoke on Earth, seemingly placing the events of the script in the year 1990.
*No opening on Lithone, though the revised draft features a brief scene of Unicron flying through space which would ultimately evolve into it.
*The draft now opens on Cybertron's moons.
*Unlike in the final film we're given more details about the Autobot Moonbase. The fact it's also a munitions factory remains in the final film though isn't mentioned on screen.
*Autobot City has been introduced. We don't really get any details about it besides being a new headquarters, but the final film gives it an extra purpose of generating energy for the Autobots.
*Like in the final film, the Dinobots have a prominent supporting role. Unlike the previous draft [[Slag (G1)|Slag]] is present, though weirdly he isn't explicitly mentioned until page 61 (with the others first being mentioned on page 21). There's still no [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] for reasons that have never made any sense, with the only explanation being that since the outline didn't specify all of Dinobots, Freidman forgot about him and the production staff didn't add him back in later.
*Rather than intercept the Autobot shuttle, here the Decepticons trail it all the way to Earth. Friedman's revisited draft would add the attack on the shuttle which made it into the final film.
*All the human characters from the last draft except for Daniel have been cut. He still isn't Spike's son who still isn't in this version.
*The script contains a brief scene of Magnus rebuking Hot Rod for leaving his post, this would remain up until the storyboard stage before being cut.
*Much of the battle of Autobot City would be reworked. Due to the length a more detailed overview will be given later.
*The Anibots would be dropped, presumably due to being reworked into the Predacons.
*Blaster's cassettes would also be massively reworked.
*We actually see Optimus Prime and the Dinobots receiving Blaster's message, boarding the shuttle and being attacked by Astrotrain.
*Optimus' Matrix and Megatron's essence became the same thing in the outline, later being named Life Sparks in the script. These are tiny glowing versions of a Transformer. There more explicitly a Transformers 'soul' (though there's still no explanation as to why Optimus' Life Spark is able to transform Hot Rod or destroy Ingestor at the end). The outline told Friedman to rename the Matrix but at some point it gets added back in. According to Friedman's notes on the outline "only leaders have essences". In the final film Megatron is only dying, not a ghost/disembodied soul.
*Hot Rod bemoans being responsible for Prime's death, but Kup and Arcee tell him it wasn't his fault.
*Most of the details about the Hall of Heroes carry over from the previous draft. In the final film it isn't even named. The major addition here is Starscream's coronation.
*That said Scourge, the Sweeps, Cyclonus and his Armada being reformatted life sparks of former leaders would be reworked into them being the converted from dead Deceptions.
*The Unicron and Ingestor twist would be dropped for the final film. There it was just Unicron
*The shuttle launch is more complicated with them having to escape the Decepticon forces in space by hyper-vault.
*The scene of Perceptor plugging himself into the shuttles computer briefly catching a glimpse of Unicron is dropped.
*The Quintesson planet, unnamed in the previous draft, is named here, Quintesson. This name actually made it into the final script of the film, though wasn't used on screen.
===What stayed the same===
A few scenes from the first draft carry over.
*Megatron and Optimus Prime's final fight carries over nearly verbatim from the previous draft,
*Like in the last script, the Quintesson scenes are similar to the final film, the big change here is that we see the Dinobots rescue attempts:
**The planet's appearance carries over from the last draft, still having a Mercury sea with red desert shores and metallic reefs which are home to robot fish.
**The Robot Squid fight still occurs and is dealt with similarly.
**Kup and Hot Rod still encounter the Sharkticons on a ridge. To communicate with them, they use the "universal alien language salutation," (The name universal greeting is used later on). Like in the film, it only briefly works.
**Hot Rod and Kup are taken to a "CASTLE LIKE STRUCTURE" where fellow prisoner Granix tells them about the Quintessons and their show trials.
**The Dinobots arrive at the Quintesson castle only to be sent away by a Quintesson guard. This scene was cut from the final film.
**Wheelie helps the Dinobots find Hot Rod and Kup.
**The arrival of the Dinobots saves the pair from being devoured by the Sharkticons.
**Most of the Quintessons are devoured by the Sharkticons.
**The Autobots leave the planet on a Quintesson cruiser.
===First Draft Remnants===
*Various other plot points carry over from the first draft that would be dropped for the final film. Since this script was publicly available for over a decade before the first draft surfaced, we're noting them here for completion's sake:
**The twist of Unicron's dual identity.
**Much of the description of Unicron's surface.
**Unicron still has to absorb energy in order to be able to transform.
**The Hall of Heroes' larger role.
**While the Matrix has been removed in this draft, much of the story beats about it carry over. This means Megatron still dies and his ghost ends up flying into space after his body is destroyed.
**The Decepticons attempt to drain Earth's energy in a process that will destroy it.
**Blaster's leading the surviving Autobots in guerrilla warfare on a Decepticon controlled Earth.
**The Quintessons' appearance of feeble humanoid figures remains though their psychic powers don't.
**Granix is a rock robot. Lithone is still only mentioned in passing, with him being captured on a scientific expedition.

===Other details===
Like the previous draft, this script features a lot of details that couldn't fit in the summary without making it overly long; most of these other details are:
*The outline gave Friedman the okay to kill off the following characters: [[Gears (G1)|Gears]], [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]], [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]], [[Sunstreaker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sunstreaker]], [[Sideswipe (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sideswipe]], [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]], [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]], [[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]], [[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]], [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]], [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], [[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]], [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]], [[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]], [[Skywarp (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Skywarp]] and [[Shockwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Shockwave]]. Not all of these guys die.
*It also gave 1985 characters to use for background appearances: "[[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]], [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]], [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]], [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]], [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]], [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]], [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]], [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] and [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]]." Not all of them appear in this draft.
*Cybertron has at least five moons.
*Like in the final film the occupants of the Autobot shuttle are Ironhide, Rachet, Prowl and Brawn, though their deaths are different. Here Megatron blasts through the main viewscreen as they are about to land, blowing Ironhide to pieces while the other Decepticons flood the ship, the Constructions disintegrating Prowl and the Insecticons devouring Brawn. Freidman didn't include Ratchet's death.
*In the revised draft the Decepticons now intercept the shuttle in space. Megatron blasts Brawn in half, Prowl dies the same way, but Ironhide and Ratchet are fused together and then blown apart by enemy fire.
*Extended battle of Autobot City details
**Wheeljack isn't a horrible misogynist this time, here he works a control console in the "WAR SCREEN", with Magnus. Later he determines the amount of time until Earth Is destroyed.
**There is one final change in the revised draft: the Constructions fight with the Anibots is expanded by half a page.
**Powerglide and [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] (who can also fly apparently) intercept Blitzwing over the city, causing him to crash through the city walls, landing in the fishin' hole from the opening. They then drop bombs on him, blasting him into the air.
**Thundercracker and Skywarp lead a group of Decepticons trying to break into the city, while Bluestreak, Hound and Sunstreaker lay in wait. During the ensuing fight Bluestreak cuts Thundercracker in half with his "LASER SABER". Skywarp and the others swarm him until Hound opens fire, blasting off their legs.
**Just before Optimus and Megatron's final fight begins, Dirge attempts to tackle Prime from behind, only for the Autobot leader to grab him with one hand, turn him upside down and throw him to the ground.
**In the aftermath of the battle we get a brief scene of the surviving Autobots cleaning up wreckage and dead Decepticons.
*Scrapper calls Starscream "a pompous Alumin-ass"
*The Hall of Heroes carries over into this draft. It is now a "METALLIC EQUIVALENT OF A CLASSICAL , ROCK-CUT MASOULEUM" in a metal mountain. Questionably, it's still described as "High tech" "Nuremberg Party Rally".
[[File:DecepticonMarkers.jpg|thumb|right|The Life Spark flames at the base of the statues ]]
*The flames at the base of each Decepticon leader’s statue contains their Life Spark. This detail actually made it into the final film where it means nothing.
*The former leaders named in the Hall of Heroes are [[Ghoulon]], [[Murdron]], and [[Bloodron]].
*Galvatron is given the insignia of Ingestor.
*During Starscream's coronation, a reluctant Dirge performs a ritual from an ancient book to the new leader's annoyance.
*As Galvatron kills a confused Starscream at his coronation he declares "there is no Megatron! I am Galvatron and I rule!".
*Galvatron kills Starscream by disintegrating him with a blaster. Just to clarify that, he pulls out a gun and shoots him dead.
*Ingestor uses his "cold rays" to pull the Energon Cubes through space to Unicron. This allows the planet to reform itself and travel to Cybertron.
*In one of the less creative Friedmanism, Dirge compares Unicron absorbing Energon with his Cold Rays "Like soda-oil through a straw".
*The moon Jazz and Cliffjumper escape from is the third moon. After devouring it, Unicron, "swells in size so it looks even closer - like a baloon {{sic}}."
*The Decepticons have a new rallying cry of "Ingestor and victory."
*During Galvatron’s attack on the City.
**The script offhandedly reveals that some of the invasion force "have been on Earth all this time."
**The Autobots learn of Ingestor's name (and existence) from Galvatron's battle cry.
** Magnus releases "Optic Dazzler Gas", a white exploding gas cloud that blinds and disorients the Decepticons.
**Springer throws grenades at enemy troops, causing them to fall over like dominos. Then he jumps around, drawing fire causing them to miss and melt the other troops in the crossfire.
**Cyclonus and the Constructicons are commanded to melt the city. They succeed at this.
**Similarly to the final film Blurr has to herd the Dinobots into the shuttle.
**Perceptor karate chops two Sweeps in half, from the head to groin, with each half then walking around bumping into each other.
**The Dinobots are caught in the fire bombing, having to use their "temperature monitors" to cool down.
**Galvatron surveys the ruined city, plotting to overthrow Ingestor. He is driven off by Powerglide and Warpath.
**Cyclonus "bombs Gears to pieces", the blast throwing Windcharger into the air as the Decepticon rams into him. His parts then rain down on Blaster's group of retreating Autobots.
*The story Kup tells the Dinobots is given slightly more detail here. The [[Ick-Yak|Ick Yaks]] are apparently cyborgs from Phospho-Norn.
*The shuttles have an "Intercom phone", which projects holograms.
*At the ruins of Autobot City, Autobot and human slaves are forced by the Sweeps to process and stack Energon Cubes for Ingestor.
*Quintesson is described as "a huge Baroque pearl."
*After crashing in the sea of the planet, Hot Rod turns into an "undersea action" "auto mode"", generating "a glass "bubble" head piece" to breathe.
*Hot Rod blasts a "Robotoid Squid" that takes Kup apart, scaring it away. He then collects Kup parts with his magnet powers he apparently has.
*Quintesson has "low dune-like red metallic hills".
*Kup attempts to track the Dinobots with his homing sensors.
*On the top of a ridge, they run into the Sharkticons. Kup uses the "universal alien language Salutation". Like in the film it briefly works.
*Page 101 mentions that the Sharkticons have captured Sludge. This isn't mentioned again and we later learn he is with the other Dinobots. This error is due to Friedman just reworking a portion from the previous draft where Sludge was captured as well.
*When the Dinobots enter the Quintessons castle, a Sharkticon tries to eat Grimlock only to stop when it finds he tastes terrible.
*We don't really get an explanation as to how Unicron knows Magnus survived. In the film it's because he sensed the Matrix, here nothing.
*Hot Rod and Kup are found guilty of trespassing, "under the laws of the Quintessons" a charge which is technically true. The trials are still a sham though, Granix says so.
*During the sentencing Kup realise the Quintessons' heads are their weak spot.
*The Quintesssons have other prisoners awaiting trial. The only one described in detail by the script is a ‘Huge Robotoid Warrior of Glass with Iron Fittings’. He’s seen cheering on the captured Autobots when they're thrown into the Sharkticon pit. After Grimlock crashes the trial, he escapes and helps them fight the Quintessons. He's last seen guarding some captive Sharkticons as the Autobots leave Quintesson.
*The Quintesson spaceship has a "five faced insignia of Quintessons."
*Wheelie is the one to suggest they try to make peace with the Junkions, which Kup rejects.
*The Junkions have a spaceship which is introduced with no fanfare.
*After he transforms Ingestor is described by the script as a ‘galaxy sized robot’. It's difficult to describe just how stupidly big this would make him. Even more laughable, the same page describes his arms as only being the size of a continent!
*Before he attacks Cybertron, Ingestor picks Galvatron up like an ant and drops him onto his eyebrow. His giant metal eyelashes act like cables restraining Galvatron as he’s forced to watch his planet be destroyed.
*During Ingestors destruction of Cybertron:
**Ingestor tears Shockwave's lab out of the ground like a carrot. In the process he ends up pinning Shockwave to a generator with his finger, before swallowing the base whole.
** Skywarp and Thundercracker try to stop Ingestor with a barrage of Laser Cannon fire. He swallows the bombardments then eats the chunk of the planet they're standing on.
**When flying in space the Junkions wear "space-gear", which is "Transformed tricycles which are space sleds, and rocket belts."
*When Hot Rod enters Ingestor the other continues to fight on his outer body.
**Blurr attaches a "Bumper with flame nozzles" which spews fire after him as he races across Ingestors chest and neck.
**Arcee is knocked into a forest of metal hair on Ingestor's shoulder, which begins to strangle her. Daniel is able to leap down and finally mastering control of his exo-suit, yanks the hairs out.
**Like in the film the Dinobots fly around and assault Ingestor, here they are joined by the Junkions who use grappling hooks to traverse his body.
**Ingestor is able to scrape Magnus and Perceptor off his neck with his fingers.
**Despite Perceptor's warning, Ingestor is able to smash Blurr with his hand. This really looks like it kills him, but he is later revealed to merely be damaged.
**When all hope seems lost the Autobots hide behind his horns to stay out of his sight.
*Galvatron and Hot Rod fight in Ingestor's stomach where Cybertron's moons are caught in a web and slowly being digested.
*During Rodimus' fight with Galvatron, the Decepticon is able to overpower him. He is saved when Jazz and Cliffjumper are revealed to be alive in the remains of their swallowed shuttle and open fire on Galvatron. This gives Rodimus the chance to escape and beat the Deception until he collapses.
*When Injector is being torn apart, Galvatron is blown into space. Jazz and Cliffjumper are also thrown into space, but since they're still in the remains of the escape pod they're probably fine.
*At the end, Rodimus rushes back into Ingestor's stomach to free the moons, blasting through the webbing holding them in place, which allows them to float into space and back into Cybetron’s orbit.

===Remnants===
[[File:Cyclonustarget2006.jpg|thumb|right|Cyclonus clearly explains his origin, rendering all debate pointless.]]
Some concepts from the script still made it into the film and media based on the script due to lack of access to the final movie.
*Astrotrain's sudden appearance in the aftermath of the battle of Autobot City is justified here. He's been fighting Optimus Prime's shuttle in space and has only just arrived on Earth.
*Like in the first draft, Unicron doesn't just transform at the end for dramatic effect; he's only just absorbed enough energy to do so.
*The episode [[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2]] refrenes this version of the script when recounting Optimus Prime's dying words.
*Most of [[The Transformers Universe (Marvel)|The Transformers Universe]] profiles for the movie cast appear to be slightly reworked development notes based on this draft. For example Scourge altmode "handles any terrain", which would be an odd way to describe a plane but makes sense for a land vehicle.
*In the Marvel UK story [[Target 2006]], the term Life Spark was misunderstood and ended up as the name of the Decepticon rebuilt into Cyclonus.

===Miscommunications===
It seems the outline provided to Friedman didn't quite work as intended. He and Hasbro appear to have misunderstood a few details.
*The outline gives no mention of what the movie cast turned into. As a result of this when they do transform their alt modes go undescribed.
*Friedman's second revision adds the sequence of the Decepticons ambush and take over of the Autobot shuttle presumably happened because he re-read the outline and realized the Transformers weren't meant to be able to fly through space on their own.
*Freidman interprets the term "essence of leadership" very literally. Underneath it he wrote "only leaders have essence", which probably isn't what they intended.
*The Autobots that crash land on Junkion were meant to send a distress signal which Hot Rod and Kup intercepted. However, Friedman didn't include this.
*Hot Rod saving the moons inside Unicron stems from Friedman misinterpreting a line about Hot Rod hearing the "trapped Autobots from the moons of Cybertron and going back inside the Entity to rescue them." Obviously, they wanted a scene where the main hero rescues the surviving Autobots on the moon. Well, Friedman interprets this rather literally with Rodimus managing to free Cybertron's moons from Unicron's stomach before he explodes.

==Gallery==
Despite the massive reworking of the script, a fair amount of concept art was drawn up using it, while most of the designs were cut some of it ended up in the final film.
<center><gallery>
File:UltraMagnus-FloroDery3rdConcept-OrionPax.jpg|Floro Dery's early version of Magnus. The script barely gives any details of his appearance so he went wild.
File:Anibot-MechanoBeastSecondConcept-FloroDery.jpg| [[Dragon Beast]] concept art.
File:DragonBeast.jpg| A reworked version of Dery's first Dragon Beast design used in {{w|Megas XLR}}
File:Stripes_patent_and_prototype.jpg|Patent and prototype of unproduced saber tooth tiger cassette. Seems someone mistakenly abbreviated it to just tiger for the outline.
File:Stinger_patent_and_prototype.jpg|Patent and Prototype of unproduced scorpion cassette.
File:Auto-Bop_Robot_Cassette.jpg| Unused "Robot Cassette" character model from the episode [[Auto-Bop]].
File:StripesStoryboard.jpg|Early storyboard featuring the cassettes, likely based solely on the script as none of them resemble the prototypes. Stripes
File:StingerStoryboard.jpg| Stinger
File:CubieStoryboard.jpg|Cubbie
File:BoltsStoryboard.jpg|Bolts, this is actually the best image of him, believe it or not.
File:FloroDery_originalquintesson.jpg| Floro Dery's original design for the Quintessons
</gallery></center>

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1tAWJAGC3nzxwaICQUUQsvLzLr97McwxJ The Sunbow Outline]
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Aqpj8Fb0esWl9lnD73SkOUMp3s3f7NmX The script itself]
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1sbYhgBn7JgOlauc-Nv5SYfcYBWCuQoQy The revised May Script]
*[https://sunbowmarvelarchive.blogspot.com/2022/05/story-outline-of-ron-friedmans-script.html A detailed summary on the Sunbow Marvel Archive]

[[Category:Unproduced scripts]]

The Transformers: The Movie (first draft)

2025-03-19T21:19:54Z

Silver:

[[Image:TfMovie-FirstDraftScriptAuction.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Indiana Jones|It belongs in a museum!]]]]
Do you know '''''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'''''? Of course you do! Until the live action movies came along, it was the most well known piece of ''Transformers'' media.

Well, this ''isn't'' that movie. This is about the ''initial script'' of that movie.

Written by [[Ron Friedman]] between late [[1984]] and early [[1985]], this 212-page script is radically different from the finished film. After it was rejected by [[Hasbro]], Friedman was told to start over with a new draft. For many years the only details about this script came from comments by writer [[Flint Dille]] who called it "incoherent"<ref name="FDIP2">"[https://web.archive.org/web/20200128201208/http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/60-astrominutes/flint-dille/flint-dille-2.html The Flint Dille Interview Part II]"</ref> and suggested that "nobody really felt it was [well] structured".<ref>"Metrodome Transformers: The Movie — Ultimate Edition Interview with Story Consultant Flint Dille"</ref> In [[2022]], after years of speculation, the script surfaced at the [[unofficial conventions|TFNation 2022]] fan convention in a panel hosted by [[Jim Sorenson]] and [[Chris McFeely]].

==Background==
[[Image:TFM-FirstDraftOutline.jpeg|thumb|150px|The first page of the outline. If you bought this in 2010, please let us know.]]
In [[1983]], Friedman was hired by [[Sunbow Productions]] as a writer on ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I Joe: A Real American Hero]]'', scripting the five episode miniseries that opened the cartoon. Positive feedback on this lead him to become the "additional dialogue" editor for ''Transformers''.<ref name="HKOP">"[https://toddmatthy.com/2013/12/31/he-killed-optimus-prime-an-interview-with-ron-friedman-writer-of-transformers-the-movie/ He Killed Optimus Prime: An Interview With Ron Friedman the Writer of Transformers:The Movie]</ref> As part of this, a clause in his contract stated that a ''Transformers'' movie would have to be based on a script he wrote. On [[August 15]], [[1984]], two days after finishing the season 1 finale "[[Heavy Metal War]]", he wrote an outline which was revised several times over the next month.<ref>[https://comics.ha.com/itm/memorabilia/miscellaneous/transformers-the-movie-revised-script-treatment-sunbow-productions-inc-1984-/a/7027-93271.s Cover page of the revised script] </ref> The exact contents of this are still unknown. This 53-page outline was approved, and Friedman began writing the first draft in November, which was finished by February 1985.<ref>[https://comics.ha.com/itm/memorabilia/miscellaneous/transformers-the-movie-script-group-sunbow-productions-inc-1984-85-total-3-items-/a/7027-93280.s Cover page of the first draft script]</ref> It is unknown how much influence Hasbro had over this script; Friedman was asked to include Optimus Prime dying after Hasbro higher-ups were taken by the idea of Duke dying in the also in-production ''G.I. Joe: The Movie'', but the rest is still mostly speculation.<ref name="HKOP"/><ref>"[https://alonefancryinginthewilderness.blogspot.com/2012/07/from-archives-my-animated-conversation.html A Lone Fan Crying In The Wilderness — My Animated Conversation With Buzz Dixon]</ref>

Friedman has said that he created [[Unicron/Generation 1 |Unicron]], [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], the [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]], the [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]], and the idea of [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] being rebuilt into [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]].<ref name="HKOP"/><ref>''I Killed Optimus Prime'', Ron Friedman (p. 42)</ref> <ref>''I Killed Optimus Prime'', Ron Friedman (p. 90)</ref> On the Sunbow side of production, executive producers [[Joe Bacal]] and [[Tom Griffin]], along with the creative director [[Jay Bacal]] had "input". <ref>''The Gamesmaster'', Flint Dille (p. 273)</ref> What this was... we're not entirely sure, but it seems to include Daniel, named after Jay's real life son <ref>[https://youtu.be/rBqMyy6HYxE?t=1781 SDCC 2023 Transformers Toy Panel ]</ref> and, the Quintessons similarly named after a local business. <ref>''The Gamesmaster, Flint Dille (p. 296)</ref>

We only have a broad idea of what happened after this script was submitted, save that Hasbro wasn't happy with it, though the specific reasons for this are unknown. Friedman (who was still paid for this draft)<ref name="HKOP"/> claims it was because he focused too much on the villains.<ref>''I Killed Optimus Prime'', Ron Friedman (p. 169)</ref> Trying to fix the script, a copy was given to story editor Flint Dille and he was told to rework it. Dille ultimately deemed the script to be incoherent and, along with creative director Jay Bacal, began work on a new script partially based on Friedman's. This script, ''[[The Secret of Cybertron]]'', was written in a week, but was also rejected.<ref name="FDIP2"/> On [[March 28]], Hasbro went back to Friedman and gave him a new outline and character list, essentially telling him to start over. The [[The Transformers: The Movie (second draft)|resulting draft]] would form the basis of film we know today, though with some notable differences.

===Rediscovery===
In [[2010]], Ron Friedman auctioned off material from his time at Sunbow. Thanks to efforts spearheaded by Jim Sorenson, much of Friedman's material became publicly available online. One of the things that didn't was the first draft script and outline for ''The Transformers The Movie''. For the next decade, we could only wonder about what it contained, because it's never seen again. In October [[2020]], Flint Dille began to organize and clear out his storage for the first time in years with help from Sorenson, including a ''lot'' of paperwork from his Sunbow years. During this, they found a copy of this script, presumably the copy Hasbro had given Dille to punch up.<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/flintdlile/posts/pfbid0e7KEB5FPqTiE6XNVaNjWw9feYCnjCMcvv7vRG1VAocMrxHKobK83usYKDVdbtBhfl Flint Dille's Facebook post about finding the script]</ref> Upon discovering this, Dille allowed Sorenson to scan the script before he auctioned it off. Two years later in [[2022]], with permission from Dille, Jim and fellow superfan [[Chris McFeely]] performed a panel at the fan convention [[unofficial conventions|TFNation 2022]], where they give an overview of the script. Shortly afterward, the Sunbow Marvel Archive published an in depth summary of the draft. The script was later made public for the first time in [[2023]], a little over a year after the panel.

==Synopsis==
The [[Decepticon]]s are attacking an old steel mill that the [[Autobot]]s plan to convert into a new facility. [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Magnus]] leads the defense, commanding [[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Tanker]], [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]], [[Arcee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Arcee]], and [[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]], but things are already desperate for the Autobot forces. Meanwhile, an old freight train driven by humans [[General Blaze]] and Rusty Steel transports Autobot reinforcements to the mill,coming under fire from Decepticon jets led by [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]]. On [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]]'s orders, the Autobots fight off the oncoming jets. When [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] destroys the train tracks, it is revealed that the train is an Autobot called [[Rails]], who turns into a floating high tech bullet train which flies through the assembled troops. As the Decepticons overrun the mill, Prime commands Rails to transform again, this time into a massive fire breathing snake that destroys the enemy forces. Megatron challenges Prime to a fight, and things go pretty much exactly as they did in the final film, with the two leaders inflicting mortal blows on one another. The Autobots gather around the dying Prime, while Starscream orders the Decepticons to retreat back to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], taking the dying Megatron with them. Rusty tells them they can't declare Prime dead in the field and orders them back to headquarters for a full analysis. He also orders Wheeljack to begin building a ship to follow the Decepticons.

In space, the Decepticons argue about who should be their new leader. Arriving at the Decepticon [[Hall of Heroes]], they begin to inter Megatron's essence in an urn among their fallen leaders. A fight then breaks out over who will be his successor, the crossfire from which destroys the hall and accidentally shatters Megatron's urn, causing his spirit to drift off into space unnoticed. As Megatron's essence floats helplessly, begging to be restored before it evaporates into nothingness, the ghostly voice of "The Entity" appears and takes him up on the offer, pulling him towards the metal planet of [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]. He offers Megatron great power in exchange for servitude to him, which the broken leader accepts. Megatron is bathed in light and rebuilt into the new form of [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]], and the Entity sends him to Cybertron to convert the rest of the Decepticons.

Back on Earth, Prime is taken to the [[Ark (G1)|Autobot Headquarters]] at Crater Mountain and put on life support. The Autobots run into [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Prentiss]], a young boy that idolizes Rusty. Daniel sadly asks if Prime will make it, only for his mother Ellen to show up and tell him she wants nothing to do with Rusty. An alarm sounds, and everyone rushes to the dying leader. As Optimus Prime dies, he names Magnus as his successor. Magnus is given the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]]—a tiny, glowing version of Prime—and becomes Ultra Magnus. Magnus's first order is for the Autobots to develop a defense system to protect Earth when the Decepticons return. On Cybertron, the Decepticons are still fighting when a ray of light appears over them. Galvatron appears before them and tells them he is the reborn Megatron and they will now serve the Entity. He bathes them in light, turning them into the Entity's servants. The light begins covering all of Cybertron and transforming the entire populace into soldiers, who fly off to attack Earth at the Entity's command. As they leave, Cybertron begins to collapse and the planet Unicron devours it, growing larger in the process. Galvatron silently vows to avenge his homeworld.

At their base, the Autobots begin work on the Recontour Shield. Suddenly, [[Teletraan I]] reports that Cybertron has been destroyed, and an invading force of Decepticons appears and attacks the Autobots. Magnus raises the shields, which manages to hold off the invaders, but a furious Galvatron summons green lightning from the sky which destroys the shield. The Autobots retreat as the Decepticons melt the mountain. At the same time, a separate attack destroys the space cruisers being built at the steel mill. Sometime later, the Decepticons have taken control of the planet and a [[Sweep (G1)|Sweep]] party scours through the remains of the base, unaware of a makeshift Autobot camp hidden in a nearby ravine. From a [[Sky Spy]], the Autobots learn the Decepticons plan to cover Earth in an energy cage to drain its energy and beam it into space, which will destroy the planet in only 96 hours. Tanker and Hot Rod are sent to find new recruits, while the others complete work on the only surviving space cruiser, which will allow them to follow the transmitted energy to its destination. As they leave, the Sweeps find the base, but Magnus sets up a diversion, with [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] creating a [[hologram|holographic army]] which distracts them long enough to escape by raft.

In the desert, Hot Rod and Tanker find [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] being attacked by Decepticon jets. The Decepticons seem to have him at first, only for Springer to turn the tide by jumping around, causing their fire to hit each other and melt them together. Reunited with the others, Springer tells them where to find more warriors. Heading to an oil refinery which hasn't yet been overrun, they see a swarm of [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] overhead, and a fight ensues as they rush to the refinery. The three are overwhelmed until the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] appear and destroy the Insecticons with their fire breath. At the refinery, the group meets Mentlar, a scientist that has created an "Immuno Stabilizer Field" which temporarily depowers the Entity's troops. Unfortunately, they have already started to gain immunity to this. Leaving to reunite with Magnus, the group run into [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]], an ultra fast but slow-talking Autobot.

Later in the Arctic, Galvatron's forces pick up the Autobots' signal as they attempt to launch the cruiser. Due to lack of space, the Dinobots, Tanker and Hot Rod are forced to ride on the outside of the ship. As they melt their way into the base, Magnus initiates the launch, and the Decepticon forces follow them into space. The Autobots are nearly trapped in the energy cage, but Magnus's piloting skills allow him to dodge it at the last second while the Deceptions fly into the trap. As they fall back to Earth, the Entity appears and mocks Galvatron's failure before giving him a new "aircraft carrier" spaceship.

On the cruiser, the humans try out Mentlar's new invention—the [[Exosuit|Exo-Suit]], a "METAL CAGE-LIKE OUTFIT" that grants users increased speed and strength. Suddenly, the Decepticon ship appears and opens fire on them. The group outside splits off and heads to a nearby asteroid to draw fire, and [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] ejects [[Laserbeak (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Laserbeak]] to follow them. Mentlar comes up with a plan to detonate "Photon Flares" to make it look like the ship was destroyed. Galvatron senses Optimus Prime's essence in Magnus. As the ship lands, the Autobots hurry to find Hot Rod and Tanker before the Decepticons realize what happened, unaware that Laserbeak has already spotted them. Picking up their signal on a volcano-filled ridge, they are attacked by the Decepticon fleet. The ensuing fight is interrupted by a sudden "Galactic Warp Hurricane", which threatens to tear the asteroid apart. [[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]] and [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] detonate explosives that blast Hot Rod and Tanker into space. The Decepticon ship is destroyed in the storm's debris, with Galvatron believing that his enemies have been destroyed. The Autobots retreat back to the cruiser as they head to the Shadow Nebula.

Hot Rod and Tanker land on an asteroid, getting attacked by a robot squid. (This whole sequence is more or less the same as the final film, so we can skim over it. In fact most of the Quintesson parts are similar.) The cruiser crashes on the moon of Planet Unicron. While the others repair the ship, Mentlar surveys their surroundings, finding a crystal scale which he takes as a specimen. Electricity flows from this scale into space, as the Entity senses intruders. Back on Earth, Arcee and Wheeljack lead the other Autobots against the Decepticon Jets, trapping them by collapsing a freeway on them. Galvatron insults Starscream for his failures until the Entity demands they head to his planet to deal with the intruders.

Hot Rod and Tanker have been taken by the [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]] to their psychic masters, the [[Quintesson]]s. Prisoner [[Kranix (G1)|Granix]], a rock robot, explains their cruel nature before he is put on trial and forced to fight to the death. As they watch him being devoured, Hot Rod thinks of a plan. Meanwhile, examining the scale, Mentlar realizes that it is part of the same organism that the Decepticons have been drawing power from. Galvatron leads the Decepticons to the moon, destroying what turns out to be "Robotic Doubles" of the Autobots... in truth, two-dimensional cut-outs (yes, really). From a nearby mountain, Magnus leads Blurr and Mentlar in a suicide charge to try and give the others time to escape.

Thanks to the Dinobots, Hot Rod and Tanker escape from the Quintessons. Hot Rod forces their leader to use his mind scan to find his friends. Learning their friends are on the moon of Unicron, they fly off to reunite with them. As Galvatron returns with more troops, Magnus begins his desperate last stand. In a fog bank, Springer and the humans run into the [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]], who capture them. Back at the mountain, a heavily wounded Magnus is the only survivor. He fights on until Galvatron finally kills him and then cuts Optimus Prime's Matrix out of him with a razor saw, vowing to destroy the Entity. However, when Galvatron threatens to blow up the Entity if he isn't released from servitude, it just laughs at him, so Galvatron detonates a bomb to destroy Unicron.

In a Junkion village, their leader [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] calls for silence as the prisoners are tied to stakes. As they close in, Hot Rod and Tanker arrive and... do something. (We don't know what, that page of the script is missing. Probably the [[universal greeting]].) With everyone now allies, Wreck-Gar explains how his people have always fought the Entity, hiding from it in the Veil of Fog. He takes them to an ancient computer containing the Junkions' history. Ellen is able to decipher the data and realizes that the ancient Junkions created the Entity as their protector (yes, you read that right), only for it to become corrupted by greed. Now the Decepticons have absorbed enough energy for the planet to break free of its orbit. But they also discover its one weakness located... somewhere. (That page of the script is also missing.)

Unicron is unharmed, and the planet transforms around Galvatron, with the Entity revealing that it and Unicron are one and the same as it turns into a giant robot. Finally free, the Entity leaves to devour Earth. The Autobots land on the creature's throat and follow a channel the schematics say will lead them to its core. Inside, they find that the entrance is so small that only Daniel is able to fit through it. Hot Rod suddenly gains an aura and realizes that the Matrix can destroy the Entity, and that Galvatron is still alive inside the massive robot. As the Entity reaches Earth, Hot Rod tries to convince Galvatron to help him destroy Unicron, but the Decepticon responds by trying to kill him with a Laser Knife. Hot Rod is only saved when Ellen appears and knocks Galvatron over with her Exo-Suit, allowing Hot Rod to take the Matrix. Hot Rod races back to Daniel, who leaps into the core, and the Matrix floods the room with light as Daniel is thrown out of the hole into his mother's arms. Galvatron is swept into space as the Entity is torn apart, the disembodied voice of Optimus telling it all evil shall be destroyed. Earth's energy is returned as the Autobots hold a parade for their new heroes.

==Cast==
===Autobots===
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Magnus]]—A large Autobot with distinctive headgear. Still an old friend of Optimus, the biggest change is that he starts as Magnus and is reformatted into Ultra Magnus when he receives the Matrix. The script suggests that he turns into something like a "HARVESTER WITH THRESER BLADES" {{sic}} or a "GASOLINE TRUCK WITH HUGE BATTERING RAM TYPE BUMPERS". We don't know if Hasbro had decided on releasing the Powered Convoy toy at this point or if Friedman knew this would be the case. Overall, he has a similar role to the final film, apart from staying dead.
*[[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Tanker]]—A "one-eyed battle scarred old Autobot" soldier who turns into a Sherman tank. He's pretty much Kup in all but name and appearance.
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]]—Described bluntly as "a [[Luke Skywalker]]-young-man-on-the-brink-of manhood sort of Autobot". He transforms not into a futuristic car, but a "souped up, cut down 'Hot Rod' version of, say, a Camaro". He's still responsible for Optimus Prime's death, something that he blames himself for, and never becomes Rodimus Prime.
*[[Arcee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Arcee]]—An Autobot nurse. She's part of a terrible running gag with Wheeljack where, despite being a competent soldier and saving him various times, she is constantly berated for being a "shebot". He does apologize for this at the end though. More on that later.
*[[Rails]]—A giant [[Triple Changer|triple-changing]] snake capable of breathing fire and shooting lasers from his eyes, who can turn into an old fashioned freight train and a futuristic high tech flying train (which just might be the coolest thing ever). It seems that this character may be an early version of [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] from when the character was planned to be an Autobot. Friedman may have been told to include an unnamed "Autobot triple changer train" in the script, and based on that limited description created Rails. In his autobiography, Friedman when recounting the opening battle of this draft refers to Rails as Astrotrain (as well as claiming he created him, which seems... unlikely), giving a certain amount of credibility to this theory.<ref>''I Killed Optimus Prime'', Ron Friedman (pp. 169–171)</ref>
*[[Springer (G1)|Springer]]—At this stage, not a triple changer yet and with a personality based on [[Arnie|Arnold Schwarzenegger]] rather than [[Harrison Ford]]. He's described as muscular and having special jumping abilities (with an accompanying ''SPOONG'' sound), but since he's not a helicopter yet, this power isn't completely redundant. His alt mode is suggested to be a "JET POWERED STEAM ROLLER" or a "MOBILE MISSLE LAUNCHER". He's first seen sparring with Mirage and Bluestreak at headquarters. His personality would be switched with that of Rusty Steel in the second draft.
*Chemico—"A walking laboratory" with "CLEAR GLASS TUBES AND INTERLACING GLASS PIPING in his torso" who shows up briefly to create a smokescreen, allowing the Autobots to escape from the Decepticons. It is clear from the description given that Friedman simply needed to have the heroes escape and created Chemico on the spot to allow that to happen.
*Mentlar—A {{w|Carl Sagan}} style scientist with a large head and "ALPHA-WAVE STYLE HEADGEAR", capable of firing physic blasts from his headband. He's described as having long delicate fingers and transforming into a RADAR DISH TRUCK. He was a former director of research at the Cybertronic Institute of Technometry. Obviously, he would be replaced with [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] in the second draft, but it's also possible that he was always intended to be Perceptor. Briefing documents for the 1985 range describe the then-unnamed toy as an "Autobot Scientist", and Friedman may have been told to include this figure in his script.
*[[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]]—In contrast to his superspeed, this version talks slow like {{w|Jimmy Stewart}} and transforms into a "LAND SPEED RECORD HOLDING ROCKET CAR." Like in the final film, he doesn't do much.

===Humans===
*[[General Blaze]]—A {{w|George S. Patton|General Patton}} type with a streak of white hair, who later helps Arcee and Wheeljack defend Earth from the Entity's forces.
**Rusty Steel—A "Green Beret type Colonel" described as similar to [[Indiana Jones]] in that he makes quips but is capable when under threat. He's idolized by Daniel but mostly distrusted by the boy's mother. His personality would be applied to Springer in later drafts after being cut.
*[[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Prentiss]]—A 12 year old who views Rusty as his idol. He's not his son (his father is mentioned at one point), he just really looks up to him. He totally saves the day at the end. Daniel is the only human to make it into the final cut, where he would become [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]]'s son. Special mention is made of him giving Rusty his lucky silver dollar, which ends up being completely irrelevant to the plot.
**Ellen Prentiss—A computer scientist and Daniel's mother. She doesn't like Rusty at first, but learns to trust him over the course of the film. She initially can't transform her Exo-Suit, but manages to do so at the end, which means she's the one responsible for saving Earth and defeating Unicron.

===Decepticons===
*[[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]]—Still a reformatted Megatron. Described as a larger version of Megatron, coated in scales (like those that cover the planet Unicron) and wearing the Entity's insignia. His alt mode is still a self propelled laser cannon which is described as a "DEATH-SHIP MODE". Swears vengeance on the Entity for the destruction of Cybertron and his suffering at his hands. Despite this at the end when he's given a chance to destroy the Entity he completely ignores it.
*[[Sweep (G1)|Sweep]] party—a group of identical, emotionless "BLACK CLAD "GESTAPO" Decepticons. Turn into "HISSING BLACK VEHICLES", which are explicitly said to be land vehicles. True to their name they perform sweeps of an area to find surviving Autobots and destroy them. This descriptive title would become their actual name in the second draft. They have heavily mechanical voices.

===Others===
*[[Unicron/Generation 1|The Entity / Planet Unicron]]—Introduced as a ghostly voice referred to as the Entity, "The Absorber of Unicron" rebuilds Megatron and grants him power in exchange for his servitude. The Decepticon leader is taken to the hellish planet of Unicron, which is covered in steel trees and grass (later revealed to be hair in robot mode). The planet is coated in scales which his servants also share. He has a "COLD RAY" (columns of light), which he uses to both reward and punish his minions. Unicron grows in size the more energy is absorbed, eventually draining enough to be able to transform, revealing that it and the Entity are the same being. Originally he was created by the ancient Junkions as a protector before being corrupted by power. His origin would be removed in the second draft, while the twist about his true identity remained before being dropped in later drafts.

*[[Quintesson]]s—They have a similar role to the final version, but their appearance is very different. While still five-faced at this point, they have slender bodies which are too small for their massive heads. They also have psychic abilities, at one point using telekinesis to create more Sharkticons from scrap. Their powers would be removed, but their appearance would remain into the second draft.
**[[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]]—They also have a similar role to later drafts, with a similar appearance. They still hunt down intruders on their masters' orders, but carry shock sticks similar to cattle prods that freeze intruders in time. Their growls are revealed to be them constantly repeating "we eat". They are covered in primitive sensors that they use to identify other Sharkticons by bumping into them. Hot Rod and Tanker are able to get them to devour each other by coating these sensors in grease. No other Quintesson servants appear at this stage.

*[[Junkion (species)|Junkions]]—A tribe of "Road Warrior-like robotic Hell's Angels" made of rusty and disused metal. Long ago, they created the Entity as their protector before it became corrupted. Generations later, they live hidden from it in the Veil of Fog. They don't talk TV yet, and are still able to reassemble themselves after being torn apart.
**[[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]]—The Junkion leader, who wears "NAZI HELMET STYLE HEADGEAR" and is covered in "NUMEROUS JUNK MEDALS AND SIDEARMS AND STUDS". Turns into a motorcycle.
**Scrapo—A massive Junkion that befriends the Dinobots. He's fascinated with "shebots" (we don't know the full context behind this, as it follows from a scene which starts on a missing script page). [[Grimlock (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Grimlock]] tells him Wheeljack will build a "Dino Girl" for him. Stage descriptions mention he fed metal to Grimlock on one of the missing pages. The role of the Dinobots' pal would later be given to [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]].

==Comparisons to the finished film==
===What changed===
Unsurprisingly for a first draft, many plot points would change in later revisions. Major story changes include:
*The script takes place in the present day. The move to the future that would be mandated by Hasbro.
*Various scenes of characters running from place to place were streamlined. For example, in a 20 page sequence, Hot Rod is sent from the makeshift base to find reinforcements in the desert, runs into the Dinobots, then goes to the refinery and heads to an Arctic base. In the second draft, everyone is just at [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]].
*The script opens on Earth, not Cybertron or its moons.
*No Autobot City yet, just the steel mill and the later attack on Headquarters.
*All the human characters except for Daniel were cut.
*Optimus is the only named character from the show to die. Everyone else seemingly survives.
*The Matrix is present as a radically different and even more nebulous plot device than in the final film. In the film, the Matrix at least has a clear purpose: it's the Autobot symbol of leadership and a great weapon the Chosen One will wield against the ultimate evil. Here, it's basically Optimus Prime's soul, a tiny glowing version of himself which seven pages from the end is revealed to be able to destroy Unicron. Stage directions refer to it as "the Matrix of Optimus Prime." In this version, Hot Rod never really fulfills his character arc and the Autobots don't get a new leader after Magnus dies. In the final version, Galvatron wants the Matrix to destroy Unicron; here, he wants it because he senses Optimus's essence in it, and tries to kill Unicron with a bomb instead.
**The "[[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]]" would be introduced in [[The New Order|issue 5]] of the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel comic series]], but it bears no resemblance to the one seen here. [[Bob Budiansky]] came up with the Creation Matrix on his own <ref>[http://www.metalmachine.net/blog/2009/11/21/todds-take-with-bob-budiansky-the-architect-of-the-transformers/ Interview with the Metal Machine]</ref> <ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090730005006/http://rustingcarcass.yuku.com/topic/954 Interview with the Rusting Carcass]</ref> and was unaware of this script for decades.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=So I just talked to Bob Budiansky at his booth here at BotCon 2023 and asked him about the whole situation regarding the Creation Matrix from the comics and the Matrix that was first mentioned in Ron Friedman's original TFTM script. He confirmed that he had no idea about the name being used in that script, as he had no awareness of the script whatsoever at the time, and was surprised to hear that it predated not just the first use of the "Matrix" name in issue 5 of the comics, but even the premiere of the animated TV series.
|link=https://discord.com/channels/656241088826441729/656248887534944265/1145034278644752497|name=Sabrblade|site=the TFWiki Discord server|year=2023|month=08|day=26}}</ref>
**Who actually came up with the Matrix for this script is unclear. Friedman doesn't seem to have ever taken credit for it. What we do know is that the comics and this draft were being worked on at roughly the same time, it's possible that whatever outline or pitch that Budiansky wrote for issue 5, (which would have had to have mentioned Optimus' Matrix) was seized upon by someone at Hasbro and included in a attempt at creative synergy.
**In the second draft, the Matrix and Megatron's essence both became [[Life Spark]]s at Sunbow's request. At some point, the Matrix was added back in.
*Cybertron is destroyed by Unicron, with 160 pages left, and he spends the rest of the script trying to destroy Earth. From the second draft onwards, he attempts to destroy Cybertron in the climax.
*The energy cage would be dropped; in the final film, Unicron doesn't need to absorb energy.
*The fight on the asteroid would be cut, leaving just the ambush on the shuttles.
*The remaining Autobots on Earth try to launch a counter attack on the Decepticons. This remains into the second draft in a massively reduced role before being cut in the final film.
*Galvatron kills Magnus, Mentlar and Blurr. They stay dead in this draft, with no being rebuilt by the Junkions.
*Unicron's origin was dropped, as was his connection to the Junkions.
*Daniel is the one that uses the Matrix to save the day.

===Other differences===
*Characters like [[Cyclonus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cyclonus]], [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] and [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] don't exist yet.
*Magnus only becomes Ultra Magnus when he gains the Matrix.
*Hot Rod never becomes Rodimus Prime. It's possible Hasbro hadn't come up with that aspect of the character yet.
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike]] doesn't appear in this or the second draft at all.
*The Dinobots only have three members: [[Grimlock (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Grimlock]], [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] and [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]].
*[[Kranix (G1)|Granix]] is a rock robot rather than a regular robot, and has a much smaller role. There are no scenes on [[Lithone (planet)|Lithone]], which is only mentioned in passing as his homeworld; he was instead said to be captured by the Quintessons during a scientific expedition.

===What stayed the same===
Nevertheless, some things remain pretty close to what we eventually got in 1986...
*Megatron and Optimus Prime's final fight is nearly identical to the final film, even down to having some of the same dialogue. Considering that killing Optimus was the one thing we know Hasbro wanted, this may not be that surprising.
*Despite the rest of the script being massively reworked, the Quintesson scenes are similar to the final film, even if there are various differences:
**The planet's appearance would go unchanged in later drafts, still having a Mercury sea with red desert shores and metallic reefs which are home to robot fish.
**The Robot Squid fight still occurs and is dealt with similarly, albeit with Hot Rod using his "magnet power" to collect Tanker's parts.
**Tanker and Hot Rod encounter the Sharkticons on a ridge with metallic vegetation. To communicate with them, they use the "universal alien language salutation," an early name for the otherwise-identical [[universal greeting]]. Like in the film, it only briefly works.
**The captured Hot Rod and Tanker are taken to a compound where fellow prisoner Granix tells them about the Quintessons and their show trials.
**The Quintesson trials are still a sham, but rather than the guilty or innocent verdict, they are "found innocent of trespassing, but guilty of insolence."
**The arrival of the Dinobots saves the pair from being devoured by the Sharkticons.

===Season 1 quirks===
Some of the oddness of this script comes from it being written in 1984, early in the existence of the ''Transformers'' franchise. With only the first season of the show to draw on, many aspects of the ''Transformers'' mythos we know today didn't exist yet.
*Being massively outnumbered by the Autobots, the script features many generic Decepticons to pad out their ranks.
*The only 1985 characters to appear are [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]], [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] and [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]].
*The lackluster opening attack on the steel mill makes more sense when you consider most season 1 episodes opened with the Decepticons raiding power plants, factories or construction sites. Years later, Friedman called this opening "too ordinary" and was glad he came up with something more memorable.<ref>''I Killed Optimus Prime'', Ron Friedman (p. 171)</ref>
*Hasbro almost certainly hadn't determined the movie characters' designs at this point, hence why Friedman had to suggest what they turn into at various points.
*Autobot headquarters is called Crater Mountain, a name used in scripts for the first season that didn't make it into the final show.
*[[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] is still called by his preliminary name [[Gravedigger]].

===Things we haven't mentioned yet===
This script features a lot of details that couldn't fit in the summary without making it bloated and hard to follow; we've listed most of these other details below:

*Flint Dille's copy of the script is incomplete, with three pages missing. Two of them (page 200 and 203) are mentioned in the summary; the other is page 137, where the Autobot shuttle crashes on the Entity's moon and then it cuts back to the Autobots on Earth.
*In the opening battle, the Decepticons use Fire Snow, a "snow crystal cloud" which rains down flakes of fire which continuously burn the Autobot soldiers. This sounds pretty similar to the Cybertronian equivalent of {{w|napalm}}.
*A Decepticon soldier tries to kill Hot Rod with a Laser Chainsaw, only to end up cutting himself in half (lengthways) after Tanker trips him.
*Like in the finished film, Hot Rod blames himself for Prime's death. Unlike in the film, the other Autobots comfort him and assure him it wasn't his fault.
*Unlike in the final film, which sees him as one of the many Autobot casualties, Wheeljack has a prominent supporting role in this script. Unfortunately, it involves him being a massive misogynist for laughs. These moments include:
**When Arcee chooses to join Wheeljack's team because she's "the best metal worker you've got", he tells her to "keep out of the way."
**When the Autobots are constructing the shuttle, Arcee saves him from falling machinery. Of course, he doesn't notice this since he was on a call with Magnus.
**When the Decepticons attack the mill, Wheeljack misses her fighting [[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] and derides her for ruining his report.
**Before launching the shuttle, Arcee corrects him about how some of the thrusters should be positioned. He agrees with this, but when he realizes Arcee was the one who told him, he responds with "do you mind?"
**After she defeats Starscream, he congratulates her for finally pulling her weight. Understandably this annoys her.
**When the Decepticons leave Earth and they realize they now have a chance to take back the planet, she kisses him, which he begrudgingly accepts before saying it isn't appropriate for comrades in arms.
**As Unicron appears over the Earth, Wheeljack finally apologizes, saying he "didn't mean half the things I said".
*The [[Hall of Heroes]] has a larger role in this draft. Described as a high tech art-deco "Nuremberg Party Rally" where the essence of dying leaders are placed in urns that flow into statues of the Decepticon Heroes' chest. This detail would carry over into the second draft.
*Of the former leaders named in the Hall of Heroes, only [[Ghoulon]] would make it into the film. Cryotron and Octacron would never be seen again.
*Autobot headquarters has been expanded into a high tech rotating "medieval fortified city-state". Various human civilians, scientists and soldiers live there.
*Similar to Prime's Matrix, Megatron's essence is a tiny glasslike version of himself.
*An Autobot is mentioned that turns into an electric tug (the kind that pulls aircraft, not the boat).
*The Decepticons converted by the Entity gain giant scale covered forms, though are said to still be recognizable as their former selves. They also get a new insignia. Apparently their powers are now "beyond computation". They have a rallying cry of yelling "Entity!" as they charge into battle.
*Cybertron was located in Space Quadrant Zeta.
*This isn't really an error, but the Autobots never learn that Megatron has been renamed Galvatron.
*Among the Entity's attacking forces are "DECEPTICONS like Starscream and Skywarp".
*A salvaged Teletraan I is rebuilt into a mobile tank like vehicle.
*When the "Sweeps" attack the makeshift base, Magnus's diversion has Sideswipe and Sunstreaker fight them off with steel beams they use like baseball bats.
*Snarl and Slag are missing from the Dinobots; the latter would ultimately make it into the final film.
*Bumblebee might have been killed off, as when the shuttle is attacked, he is blown off scene in an explosion. He isn't mentioned again, leaving his fate unclear.
*To plot a course for the ship, Mentlar has to plug himself into the computer, entering a trance-like state as he does.
*Hot Rod creates "a glass 'Bubble' head-piece" to breath underwater. Notice something off about that sentence?
*Apparently, Hot Rod can also turn into "a modified underwater—ready mode".
*Granix is able to destroy several Sharkticons in gladiatorial combat before he's finally killed.
*The Quintessons have various other prisoners besides Granix awaiting trial, who help the Autobots escape after being freed.
*Unlike in the film, the Quintessons don't have a ship. As a result, the Autobots just fly through space on their own.
*When Magnus leads the troops in their last stand, Springer bids farewell with "Until all matrixes are one". This would become "[['Til all are one|'til all are one]]" in later drafts.
*Tanker mentions someone called Ectalon.
*Various generic Junkions are featured. One tricycle Junkion which attacks Ellen is described as having a viking helmet and a metal-like woolen jacket. This design would be copied word for word and given to Wreck-Gar in the second draft.
*The humans get chained to a flatbed "jail truck" when captured by the Junkions.
*On route to Unicron, the Autobots encounter the wounded remnants of the Decepticon armada heading back to Earth, hiding from them in an asteroid field.
*The Junkions live in a village which is described as being a "JUNKY, HIGH TECH AFRICAN KRAAL -TRAILER PARK- CYCLE BUM PAD" with various strange Junkion creatures, and decorated with machinery and shrunken heads.
*The Junkion computer is print-out. Well, they do call it primitive...
*A desperate Galvatron is able to blast off one of The Entity's fingers, only for it to immediately grow back.
*The Decepticons flee as the Entity is destroyed, which is more of an explanation than we get in the final film.
*Galvatron is last seen hurtling through space, clinging to the remains of one of Unicron's hands and screaming in terror, while the human characters watch him from Earth using Sky Scope Binoculars.
*At the very end, the Autobots build a new base, though it isn't described in any way.

===General weirdness===
It is likely many of the following would have been addressed in future revisions had this draft been approved and developed into a full script. Nevertheless...
*At various points in the script, Friedman suddenly suggests that a generic Transformer in the scene is a specific character with "say (name)". He seemed to do this whenever the role was too important for a generic. For example, midway through Springer's fight with the Decepticon jets, it is revealed they are led by Starscream when he orders them to destroy the Autobot. It seems he didn't think about which characters were going to appear until he had to.
*It seems Friedman couldn't make up his mind if Transformers could fly in space or not. Sometimes they need a ship, but other times they don't. Hasbro must have also found this confusing, and in the second outline made it clear they need a spaceship to do this.
*[[Shockwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Shockwave]] is mentioned exactly once as being in the crowd of Decepticons when Galvatron appears at the Hall of Heroes.
*No one seems bothered by the destruction of Cybertron. After they find out the planet is gone, they never mention it again. Galvatron's vow of revenge is never mentioned again, not even when he tries to blow up Unicron, and he is given other reasons to hate The Entity.
*The Autobots spend pages building the Recontour shield, which is described in great detail, only for it to be destroyed almost instantly.
*All the space cruisers are mentioned to be destroyed in the attack on the mill...until Arcee and Wheeljack reveal they kept one safe for use later on.
*We mentioned this before, but Chemico clearly only exists to create a distraction to allow the Autobots to escape. Did Friedman just make this script up as he went along?
*Mentlar's weapon is briefly able to depower the Entity's troops. However, they almost immediately develop immunity to it, and it's never mentioned again.
*When saving Tanker from the Squid, Hot Rod is revealed to have magnetic powers, which are never mentioned again.
*Grimlock is able to evade capture by the Sharkticons, find the Quintesson compound, and free the captured Dinobots. Unlike in the final film, all of this happens off screen.
*Wreck-Gar is described as wearing "NAZI HELMET STYLE HEADGEAR". ''Eesh.'' Presumably, this was intended as a reference to the usage of Nazi iconography among biker gangs (the Junkions being much more strongly coded as outlaw bikers in this draft), but it's unsurprising that Hasbro didn't end up going with that idea for one of their heroic characters.
*So Ultra Magnus, Blurr and Mentlar are just killed off in this version. Friedman's autobiography seems to give a justification for this. Apparently his first big idea for the movie was that he wanted characters to die, to "raise the stakes, give the surviving CHARACTERS opportunities to grieve" and add a "more profound human dimension" (Killing Optimus wasn't his choice, something he reiterates throughout the book, and this is the only other death scene in the script).<ref>''I Killed Optimus Prime'', Ron Friedman (p. 160-167)</ref> If this is true, it means he decided to have them sacrifice themselves while writing the script. It's hard to imagine that Hasbro were okay with him killing off the characters they intended to release toys of...
*It sure seems like a lot must have happened on the missing page where they befriend the Junkions. In the second draft, this sequence is expanded by three pages.
*With no foreshadowing or build up, an aura tells Hot Rod that the Matrix can destroy the Entity.

===Remnants===
Despite the massive reworking done in later drafts, this version still provides explanations for some things left unexplained in the final movie.
*How does Hot Rod find his friends? Rather than just running into them due to luck, the Quintessons tell him where to find them.
*As the Junkions created Unicron, they know how he works and what his weak points are. This is why they agree to help fight him.
*Unicron doesn't just transform at the end for dramatic effect; at this point, he's finally absorbed enough energy to be able to transform himself.
*Why does Magnus have such a minor role after being rebuilt by the Junkions? He was originally meant to stay dead.

==Legacy==
Two years after this aborted first draft came to light, [[Rails]] and [[General Blaze]] were properly canonized through ''[[The Enigma of Combination]]'', an expansion book for the [[Transformers Roleplaying Game]]. It's probably not a coincidence that Jim Sorenson, who had a hand in digging up the original script, would go on to contribute material for this book...

==Concept art==
Despite the script being rejected, several pieces of concept art were created from it. All three known pieces were drawn by [[Floro Dery]] and, according to the design notes, were done at the same time.

<center><gallery>
File:FloroDeryUnicronNotes.jpg|Note the 'Moon of the Entity' and the 'hole to the center of the Entity', two features which only exist in this draft.
File:FloroDeryJunkionnotes.jpg|The unnamed Junkion whose design would be used for Wreck-Gar. Note the lack of Nazi helmet.
File:FloroDerySharkticonNotes.jpg|Sharkticon concept art which gives them the alternate name of Sharkons, which isn't used in the script.
</gallery></center>

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qiESvs6xDIfpNh3zVegyt7HuCIJLKqOD/view The script itself]
*[https://sunbowmarvelarchive.blogspot.com/2022/11/detailed-outline-of-very-first.html A detailed summary on the Sunbow Marvel Archive]

[[Category:Unproduced scripts]]

The Transformers: The Movie (first draft)

2025-03-19T21:13:39Z

Silver: /* Autobots */

[[Image:TfMovie-FirstDraftScriptAuction.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Indiana Jones|It belongs in a museum!]]]]
Do you know '''''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'''''? Of course you do! Until the live action movies came along, it was the most well known piece of ''Transformers'' media.

Well, this ''isn't'' that movie. This is about the ''initial script'' of that movie.

Written by [[Ron Friedman]] between late [[1984]] and early [[1985]], this 212-page script is radically different from the finished film. After it was rejected by [[Hasbro]], Friedman was told to start over with a new draft. For many years the only details about this script came from comments by writer [[Flint Dille]] who called it "incoherent"<ref name="FDIP2">"[https://web.archive.org/web/20200128201208/http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/60-astrominutes/flint-dille/flint-dille-2.html The Flint Dille Interview Part II]"</ref> and suggested that "nobody really felt it was [well] structured".<ref>"Metrodome Transformers: The Movie — Ultimate Edition Interview with Story Consultant Flint Dille"</ref> In [[2022]], after years of speculation, the script surfaced at the [[unofficial conventions|TFNation 2022]] fan convention in a panel hosted by [[Jim Sorenson]] and [[Chris McFeely]].

==Background==
[[Image:TFM-FirstDraftOutline.jpeg|thumb|150px|The first page of the outline. If you bought this in 2010, please let us know.]]
In [[1983]], Friedman was hired by [[Sunbow Productions]] as a writer on ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I Joe: A Real American Hero]]'', scripting the five episode miniseries that opened the cartoon. Positive feedback on this lead him to become the "additional dialogue" editor for ''Transformers''.<ref name="HKOP">"[https://toddmatthy.com/2013/12/31/he-killed-optimus-prime-an-interview-with-ron-friedman-writer-of-transformers-the-movie/ He Killed Optimus Prime: An Interview With Ron Friedman the Writer of Transformers:The Movie]</ref> As part of this, a clause in his contract stated that a ''Transformers'' movie would have to be based on a script he wrote. On [[August 15]], [[1984]], two days after finishing the season 1 finale "[[Heavy Metal War]]", he wrote an outline which was revised several times over the next month.<ref>[https://comics.ha.com/itm/memorabilia/miscellaneous/transformers-the-movie-revised-script-treatment-sunbow-productions-inc-1984-/a/7027-93271.s Cover page of the revised script] </ref> The exact contents of this are still unknown. This 53-page outline was approved, and Friedman began writing the first draft in November, which was finished by February 1985.<ref>[https://comics.ha.com/itm/memorabilia/miscellaneous/transformers-the-movie-script-group-sunbow-productions-inc-1984-85-total-3-items-/a/7027-93280.s Cover page of the first draft script]</ref> It is unknown how much influence Hasbro had over this script; Friedman was asked to include Optimus Prime dying after Hasbro higher-ups were taken by the idea of Duke dying in the also in-production ''G.I. Joe: The Movie'', but the rest is still mostly speculation.<ref name="HKOP"/><ref>"[https://alonefancryinginthewilderness.blogspot.com/2012/07/from-archives-my-animated-conversation.html A Lone Fan Crying In The Wilderness — My Animated Conversation With Buzz Dixon]</ref>

Friedman has said that he created [[Unicron/Generation 1 |Unicron]], [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], the [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]], the [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]], and the idea of [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] being rebuilt into [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]].<ref name="HKOP"/><ref>''I Killed Optimus Prime'', Ron Friedman (p. 42)</ref> <ref>''I Killed Optimus Prime'', Ron Friedman (p. 90)</ref> On the Sunbow side of production, executive producers [[Joe Bacal]] and [[Tom Griffin]], along with the creative director [[Jay Bacal]] had "input". <ref>''The Gamesmaster'', Flint Dille (p. 273)</ref> What this was... we're not entirely sure, but it seems to include Daniel, named after Jay's real life son <ref>[https://youtu.be/rBqMyy6HYxE?t=1781 SDCC 2023 Transformers Toy Panel ]</ref> and, the Quintessons similarly named after a local business. <ref>''The Gamesmaster, Flint Dille (p. 296)</ref>

We only have a broad idea of what happened after this script was submitted, save that Hasbro wasn't happy with it, though the specific reasons for this are unknown. Friedman (who was still paid for this draft)<ref name="HKOP"/> claims it was because he focused too much on the villains.<ref>''I Killed Optimus Prime'', Ron Friedman (p. 169)</ref> Trying to fix the script, a copy was given to story editor Flint Dille and he was told to rework it. Dille ultimately deemed the script to be incoherent and, along with creative director Jay Bacal, began work on a new script partially based on Freidman's. This script, ''[[The Secret of Cybertron]]'', was written in a week, but was also rejected.<ref name="FDIP2"/> On [[March 28]], Hasbro went back to Friedman and gave him a new outline and character list, essentially telling him to start over. The [[The Transformers: The Movie (second draft)|resulting draft]] would form the basis of film we know today, though with some notable differences.

===Rediscovery===
In [[2010]], Ron Friedman auctioned off material from his time at Sunbow. Thanks to efforts spearheaded by Jim Sorenson, much of Freidman's material became publicly available online. One of the things that didn't was the first draft script and outline for ''The Transformers The Movie''. For the next decade, we could only wonder about what it contained, because it's never seen again. In October [[2020]], Flint Dille began to organize and clear out his storage for the first time in years with help from Sorenson, including a ''lot'' of paperwork from his Sunbow years. During this, they found a copy of this script, presumably the copy Hasbro had given Dille to punch up.<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/flintdlile/posts/pfbid0e7KEB5FPqTiE6XNVaNjWw9feYCnjCMcvv7vRG1VAocMrxHKobK83usYKDVdbtBhfl Flint Dille's Facebook post about finding the script]</ref> Upon discovering this, Dille allowed Sorenson to scan the script before he auctioned it off. Two years later in [[2022]], with permission from Dille, Jim and fellow superfan [[Chris McFeely]] performed a panel at the fan convention [[unofficial conventions|TFNation 2022]], where they give an overview of the script. Shortly afterward, the Sunbow Marvel Archive published an in depth summary of the draft. The script was later made public for the first time in [[2023]], a little over a year after the panel.

==Synopsis==
The [[Decepticon]]s are attacking an old steel mill that the [[Autobot]]s plan to convert into a new facility. [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Magnus]] leads the defense, commanding [[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Tanker]], [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]], [[Arcee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Arcee]], and [[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]], but things are already desperate for the Autobot forces. Meanwhile, an old freight train driven by humans [[General Blaze]] and Rusty Steel transports Autobot reinforcements to the mill,coming under fire from Decepticon jets led by [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]]. On [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]]'s orders, the Autobots fight off the oncoming jets. When [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] destroys the train tracks, it is revealed that the train is an Autobot called [[Rails]], who turns into a floating high tech bullet train which flies through the assembled troops. As the Decepticons overrun the mill, Prime commands Rails to transform again, this time into a massive fire breathing snake that destroys the enemy forces. Megatron challenges Prime to a fight, and things go pretty much exactly as they did in the final film, with the two leaders inflicting mortal blows on one another. The Autobots gather around the dying Prime, while Starscream orders the Decepticons to retreat back to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], taking the dying Megatron with them. Rusty tells them they can't declare Prime dead in the field and orders them back to headquarters for a full analysis. He also orders Wheeljack to begin building a ship to follow the Decepticons.

In space, the Decepticons argue about who should be their new leader. Arriving at the Decepticon [[Hall of Heroes]], they begin to inter Megatron's essence in an urn among their fallen leaders. A fight then breaks out over who will be his successor, the crossfire from which destroys the hall and accidentally shatters Megatron's urn, causing his spirit to drift off into space unnoticed. As Megatron's essence floats helplessly, begging to be restored before it evaporates into nothingness, the ghostly voice of "The Entity" appears and takes him up on the offer, pulling him towards the metal planet of [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]. He offers Megatron great power in exchange for servitude to him, which the broken leader accepts. Megatron is bathed in light and rebuilt into the new form of [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]], and the Entity sends him to Cybertron to convert the rest of the Decepticons.

Back on Earth, Prime is taken to the [[Ark (G1)|Autobot Headquarters]] at Crater Mountain and put on life support. The Autobots run into [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Prentiss]], a young boy that idolizes Rusty. Daniel sadly asks if Prime will make it, only for his mother Ellen to show up and tell him she wants nothing to do with Rusty. An alarm sounds, and everyone rushes to the dying leader. As Optimus Prime dies, he names Magnus as his successor. Magnus is given the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]]—a tiny, glowing version of Prime—and becomes Ultra Magnus. Magnus's first order is for the Autobots to develop a defense system to protect Earth when the Decepticons return. On Cybertron, the Decepticons are still fighting when a ray of light appears over them. Galvatron appears before them and tells them he is the reborn Megatron and they will now serve the Entity. He bathes them in light, turning them into the Entity's servants. The light begins covering all of Cybertron and transforming the entire populace into soldiers, who fly off to attack Earth at the Entity's command. As they leave, Cybertron begins to collapse and the planet Unicron devours it, growing larger in the process. Galvatron silently vows to avenge his homeworld.

At their base, the Autobots begin work on the Recontour Shield. Suddenly, [[Teletraan I]] reports that Cybertron has been destroyed, and an invading force of Decepticons appears and attacks the Autobots. Magnus raises the shields, which manages to hold off the invaders, but a furious Galvatron summons green lightning from the sky which destroys the shield. The Autobots retreat as the Decepticons melt the mountain. At the same time, a separate attack destroys the space cruisers being built at the steel mill. Sometime later, the Decepticons have taken control of the planet and a [[Sweep (G1)|Sweep]] party scours through the remains of the base, unaware of a makeshift Autobot camp hidden in a nearby ravine. From a [[Sky Spy]], the Autobots learn the Decepticons plan to cover Earth in an energy cage to drain its energy and beam it into space, which will destroy the planet in only 96 hours. Tanker and Hot Rod are sent to find new recruits, while the others complete work on the only surviving space cruiser, which will allow them to follow the transmitted energy to its destination. As they leave, the Sweeps find the base, but Magnus sets up a diversion, with [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] creating a [[hologram|holographic army]] which distracts them long enough to escape by raft.

In the desert, Hot Rod and Tanker find [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] being attacked by Decepticon jets. The Decepticons seem to have him at first, only for Springer to turn the tide by jumping around, causing their fire to hit each other and melt them together. Reunited with the others, Springer tells them where to find more warriors. Heading to an oil refinery which hasn't yet been overrun, they see a swarm of [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] overhead, and a fight ensues as they rush to the refinery. The three are overwhelmed until the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] appear and destroy the Insecticons with their fire breath. At the refinery, the group meets Mentlar, a scientist that has created an "Immuno Stabilizer Field" which temporarily depowers the Entity's troops. Unfortunately, they have already started to gain immunity to this. Leaving to reunite with Magnus, the group run into [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]], an ultra fast but slow-talking Autobot.

Later in the Arctic, Galvatron's forces pick up the Autobots' signal as they attempt to launch the cruiser. Due to lack of space, the Dinobots, Tanker and Hot Rod are forced to ride on the outside of the ship. As they melt their way into the base, Magnus initiates the launch, and the Decepticon forces follow them into space. The Autobots are nearly trapped in the energy cage, but Magnus's piloting skills allow him to dodge it at the last second while the Deceptions fly into the trap. As they fall back to Earth, the Entity appears and mocks Galvatron's failure before giving him a new "aircraft carrier" spaceship.

On the cruiser, the humans try out Mentlar's new invention—the [[Exosuit|Exo-Suit]], a "METAL CAGE-LIKE OUTFIT" that grants users increased speed and strength. Suddenly, the Decepticon ship appears and opens fire on them. The group outside splits off and heads to a nearby asteroid to draw fire, and [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] ejects [[Laserbeak (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Laserbeak]] to follow them. Mentlar comes up with a plan to detonate "Photon Flares" to make it look like the ship was destroyed. Galvatron senses Optimus Prime's essence in Magnus. As the ship lands, the Autobots hurry to find Hot Rod and Tanker before the Decepticons realize what happened, unaware that Laserbeak has already spotted them. Picking up their signal on a volcano-filled ridge, they are attacked by the Decepticon fleet. The ensuing fight is interrupted by a sudden "Galactic Warp Hurricane", which threatens to tear the asteroid apart. [[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]] and [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] detonate explosives that blast Hot Rod and Tanker into space. The Decepticon ship is destroyed in the storm's debris, with Galvatron believing that his enemies have been destroyed. The Autobots retreat back to the cruiser as they head to the Shadow Nebula.

Hot Rod and Tanker land on an asteroid, getting attacked by a robot squid. (This whole sequence is more or less the same as the final film, so we can skim over it. In fact most of the Quintesson parts are similar.) The cruiser crashes on the moon of Planet Unicron. While the others repair the ship, Mentlar surveys their surroundings, finding a crystal scale which he takes as a specimen. Electricity flows from this scale into space, as the Entity senses intruders. Back on Earth, Arcee and Wheeljack lead the other Autobots against the Decepticon Jets, trapping them by collapsing a freeway on them. Galvatron insults Starscream for his failures until the Entity demands they head to his planet to deal with the intruders.

Hot Rod and Tanker have been taken by the [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]] to their psychic masters, the [[Quintesson]]s. Prisoner [[Kranix (G1)|Granix]], a rock robot, explains their cruel nature before he is put on trial and forced to fight to the death. As they watch him being devoured, Hot Rod thinks of a plan. Meanwhile, examining the scale, Mentlar realizes that it is part of the same organism that the Decepticons have been drawing power from. Galvatron leads the Decepticons to the moon, destroying what turns out to be "Robotic Doubles" of the Autobots... in truth, two-dimensional cut-outs (yes, really). From a nearby mountain, Magnus leads Blurr and Mentlar in a suicide charge to try and give the others time to escape.

Thanks to the Dinobots, Hot Rod and Tanker escape from the Quintessons. Hot Rod forces their leader to use his mind scan to find his friends. Learning their friends are on the moon of Unicron, they fly off to reunite with them. As Galvatron returns with more troops, Magnus begins his desperate last stand. In a fog bank, Springer and the humans run into the [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]], who capture them. Back at the mountain, a heavily wounded Magnus is the only survivor. He fights on until Galvatron finally kills him and then cuts Optimus Prime's Matrix out of him with a razor saw, vowing to destroy the Entity. However, when Galvatron threatens to blow up the Entity if he isn't released from servitude, it just laughs at him, so Galvatron detonates a bomb to destroy Unicron.

In a Junkion village, their leader [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] calls for silence as the prisoners are tied to stakes. As they close in, Hot Rod and Tanker arrive and... do something. (We don't know what, that page of the script is missing. Probably the [[universal greeting]].) With everyone now allies, Wreck-Gar explains how his people have always fought the Entity, hiding from it in the Veil of Fog. He takes them to an ancient computer containing the Junkions' history. Ellen is able to decipher the data and realizes that the ancient Junkions created the Entity as their protector (yes, you read that right), only for it to become corrupted by greed. Now the Decepticons have absorbed enough energy for the planet to break free of its orbit. But they also discover its one weakness located... somewhere. (That page of the script is also missing.)

Unicron is unharmed, and the planet transforms around Galvatron, with the Entity revealing that it and Unicron are one and the same as it turns into a giant robot. Finally free, the Entity leaves to devour Earth. The Autobots land on the creature's throat and follow a channel the schematics say will lead them to its core. Inside, they find that the entrance is so small that only Daniel is able to fit through it. Hot Rod suddenly gains an aura and realizes that the Matrix can destroy the Entity, and that Galvatron is still alive inside the massive robot. As the Entity reaches Earth, Hot Rod tries to convince Galvatron to help him destroy Unicron, but the Decepticon responds by trying to kill him with a Laser Knife. Hot Rod is only saved when Ellen appears and knocks Galvatron over with her Exo-Suit, allowing Hot Rod to take the Matrix. Hot Rod races back to Daniel, who leaps into the core, and the Matrix floods the room with light as Daniel is thrown out of the hole into his mother's arms. Galvatron is swept into space as the Entity is torn apart, the disembodied voice of Optimus telling it all evil shall be destroyed. Earth's energy is returned as the Autobots hold a parade for their new heroes.

==Cast==
===Autobots===
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Magnus]]—A large Autobot with distinctive headgear. Still an old friend of Optimus, the biggest change is that he starts as Magnus and is reformatted into Ultra Magnus when he receives the Matrix. The script suggests that he turns into something like a "HARVESTER WITH THRESER BLADES" {{sic}} or a "GASOLINE TRUCK WITH HUGE BATTERING RAM TYPE BUMPERS". We don't know if Hasbro had decided on releasing the Powered Convoy toy at this point or if Friedman knew this would be the case. Overall, he has a similar role to the final film, apart from staying dead.
*[[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Tanker]]—A "one-eyed battle scarred old Autobot" soldier who turns into a Sherman tank. He's pretty much Kup in all but name and appearance.
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]]—Described bluntly as "a [[Luke Skywalker]]-young-man-on-the-brink-of manhood sort of Autobot". He transforms not into a futuristic car, but a "souped up, cut down 'Hot Rod' version of, say, a Camaro". He's still responsible for Optimus Prime's death, something that he blames himself for, and never becomes Rodimus Prime.
*[[Arcee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Arcee]]—An Autobot nurse. She's part of a terrible running gag with Wheeljack where, despite being a competent soldier and saving him various times, she is constantly berated for being a "shebot". He does apologize for this at the end though. More on that later.
*[[Rails]]—A giant [[Triple Changer|triple-changing]] snake capable of breathing fire and shooting lasers from his eyes, who can turn into an old fashioned freight train and a futuristic high tech flying train (which just might be the coolest thing ever). It seems that this character may be an early version of [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] from when the character was planned to be an Autobot. Friedman may have been told to include an unnamed "Autobot triple changer train" in the script, and based on that limited description created Rails. In his autobiography, Friedman when recounting the opening battle of this draft refers to Rails as Astrotrain (as well as claiming he created him, which seems... unlikely), giving a certain amount of credibility to this theory.<ref>''I Killed Optimus Prime'', Ron Friedman (pp. 169–171)</ref>
*[[Springer (G1)|Springer]]—At this stage, not a triple changer yet and with a personality based on [[Arnie|Arnold Schwarzenegger]] rather than [[Harrison Ford]]. He's described as muscular and having special jumping abilities (with an accompanying ''SPOONG'' sound), but since he's not a helicopter yet, this power isn't completely redundant. His alt mode is suggested to be a "JET POWERED STEAM ROLLER" or a "MOBILE MISSLE LAUNCHER". He's first seen sparring with Mirage and Bluestreak at headquarters. His personality would be switched with that of Rusty Steel in the second draft.
*Chemico—"A walking laboratory" with "CLEAR GLASS TUBES AND INTERLACING GLASS PIPING in his torso" who shows up briefly to create a smokescreen, allowing the Autobots to escape from the Decepticons. It is clear from the description given that Friedman simply needed to have the heroes escape and created Chemico on the spot to allow that to happen.
*Mentlar—A {{w|Carl Sagan}} style scientist with a large head and "ALPHA-WAVE STYLE HEADGEAR", capable of firing physic blasts from his headband. He's described as having long delicate fingers and transforming into a RADAR DISH TRUCK. He was a former director of research at the Cybertronic Institute of Technometry. Obviously, he would be replaced with [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] in the second draft, but it's also possible that he was always intended to be Perceptor. Briefing documents for the 1985 range describe the then-unnamed toy as an "Autobot Scientist", and Friedman may have been told to include this figure in his script.
*[[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]]—In contrast to his superspeed, this version talks slow like {{w|Jimmy Stewart}} and transforms into a "LAND SPEED RECORD HOLDING ROCKET CAR." Like in the final film, he doesn't do much.

===Humans===
*[[General Blaze]]—A {{w|George S. Patton|General Patton}} type with a streak of white hair, who later helps Arcee and Wheeljack defend Earth from the Entity's forces.
**Rusty Steel—A "Green Beret type Colonel" described as similar to [[Indiana Jones]] in that he makes quips but is capable when under threat. He's idolized by Daniel but mostly distrusted by the boy's mother. His personality would be applied to Springer in later drafts after being cut.
*[[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Prentiss]]—A 12 year old who views Rusty as his idol. He's not his son (his father is mentioned at one point), he just really looks up to him. He totally saves the day at the end. Daniel is the only human to make it into the final cut, where he would become [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]]'s son. Special mention is made of him giving Rusty his lucky silver dollar, which ends up being completely irrelevant to the plot.
**Ellen Prentiss—A computer scientist and Daniel's mother. She doesn't like Rusty at first, but learns to trust him over the course of the film. She initially can't transform her Exo-Suit, but manages to do so at the end, which means she's the one responsible for saving Earth and defeating Unicron.

===Decepticons===
*[[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]]—Still a reformatted Megatron. Described as a larger version of Megatron, coated in scales (like those that cover the planet Unicron) and wearing the Entity's insignia. His alt mode is still a self propelled laser cannon which is described as a "DEATH-SHIP MODE". Swears vengeance on the Entity for the destruction of Cybertron and his suffering at his hands. Despite this at the end when he's given a chance to destroy the Entity he completely ignores it.
*[[Sweep (G1)|Sweep]] party—a group of identical, emotionless "BLACK CLAD "GESTAPO" Decepticons. Turn into "HISSING BLACK VEHICLES", which are explicitly said to be land vehicles. True to their name they perform sweeps of an area to find surviving Autobots and destroy them. This descriptive title would become their actual name in the second draft. They have heavily mechanical voices.

===Others===
*[[Unicron/Generation 1|The Entity / Planet Unicron]]—Introduced as a ghostly voice referred to as the Entity, "The Absorber of Unicron" rebuilds Megatron and grants him power in exchange for his servitude. The Decepticon leader is taken to the hellish planet of Unicron, which is covered in steel trees and grass (later revealed to be hair in robot mode). The planet is coated in scales which his servants also share. He has a "COLD RAY" (columns of light), which he uses to both reward and punish his minions. Unicron grows in size the more energy is absorbed, eventually draining enough to be able to transform, revealing that it and the Entity are the same being. Originally he was created by the ancient Junkions as a protector before being corrupted by power. His origin would be removed in the second draft, while the twist about his true identity remained before being dropped in later drafts.

*[[Quintesson]]s—They have a similar role to the final version, but their appearance is very different. While still five-faced at this point, they have slender bodies which are too small for their massive heads. They also have psychic abilities, at one point using telekinesis to create more Sharkticons from scrap. Their powers would be removed, but their appearance would remain into the second draft.
**[[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]]—They also have a similar role to later drafts, with a similar appearance. They still hunt down intruders on their masters' orders, but carry shock sticks similar to cattle prods that freeze intruders in time. Their growls are revealed to be them constantly repeating "we eat". They are covered in primitive sensors that they use to identify other Sharkticons by bumping into them. Hot Rod and Tanker are able to get them to devour each other by coating these sensors in grease. No other Quintesson servants appear at this stage.

*[[Junkion (species)|Junkions]]—A tribe of robot Road Warrior Hell's Angels made of rusty and disused metal. Long ago, they created the Entity as their protector before it became corrupted. Generations later, they live hidden from it in the Veil of Fog. They don't talk TV yet, and are still able to reassemble themselves after being torn apart.
**[[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]]—The Junkion leader, who wears "NAZI HELMET STYLE HEADGEAR" and is covered in "NUMEROUS JUNK MEDALS AND SIDEARMS AND STUDS". Turns into a motorcycle.
**Scrapo—A massive Junkion that befriends the Dinobots. He's fascinated with "shebots" (we don't know the full context behind this, as it follows from a scene which starts on a missing script page). [[Grimlock (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Grimlock]] tells him Wheeljack will build a "Dino Girl" for him. Stage descriptions mention he fed metal to Grimlock on one of the missing pages. The role of the Dinobots' pal would later be given to [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]].

==Comparisons to the finished film==
===What changed===
Unsurprisingly for a first draft, many plot points would change in later revisions. Major story changes include:
*The script takes place in the present day. The move to the future that would be mandated by Hasbro.
*Various scenes of characters running from place to place were streamlined. For example, in a 20 page sequence, Hot Rod is sent from the makeshift base to find reinforcements in the desert, runs into the Dinobots, then goes to the refinery and heads to an Arctic base. In the second draft, everyone is just at [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]].
*The script opens on Earth, not Cybertron or its moons.
*No Autobot City yet, just the steel mill and the later attack on Headquarters.
*All the human characters except for Daniel were cut.
*Optimus is the only named character from the show to die. Everyone else seemingly survives.
*The Matrix is present as a radically different and even more nebulous plot device than in the final film. In the film, the Matrix at least has a clear purpose: it's the Autobot symbol of leadership and a great weapon the Chosen One will wield against the ultimate evil. Here, it's basically Optimus Prime's soul, a tiny glowing version of himself which seven pages from the end is revealed to be able to destroy Unicron. Stage directions refer to it as "the Matrix of Optimus Prime." In this version, Hot Rod never really fulfills his character arc and the Autobots don't get a new leader after Magnus dies. In the final version, Galvatron wants the Matrix to destroy Unicron; here, he wants it because he senses Optimus's essence in it, and tries to kill Unicron with a bomb instead.
**The "[[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]]" would be introduced in [[The New Order|issue 5]] of the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel comic series]], but it bears no resemblance to the one seen here. [[Bob Budiansky]] came up with the Creation Matrix on his own <ref>[http://www.metalmachine.net/blog/2009/11/21/todds-take-with-bob-budiansky-the-architect-of-the-transformers/ Interview with the Metal Machine]</ref> <ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090730005006/http://rustingcarcass.yuku.com/topic/954 Interview with the Rusting Carcass]</ref> and was unaware of this script for decades.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=So I just talked to Bob Budiansky at his booth here at BotCon 2023 and asked him about the whole situation regarding the Creation Matrix from the comics and the Matrix that was first mentioned in Ron Friedman's original TFTM script. He confirmed that he had no idea about the name being used in that script, as he had no awareness of the script whatsoever at the time, and was surprised to hear that it predated not just the first use of the "Matrix" name in issue 5 of the comics, but even the premiere of the animated TV series.
|link=https://discord.com/channels/656241088826441729/656248887534944265/1145034278644752497|name=Sabrblade|site=the TFWiki Discord server|year=2023|month=08|day=26}}</ref>
**Who actually came up with the Matrix for this script is unclear. Friedman doesn't seem to have ever taken credit for it. What we do know is that the comics and this draft were being worked on at roughly the same time, it's possible that whatever outline or pitch that Budiansky wrote for issue 5, (which would have had to have mentioned Optimus' Matrix) was seized upon by someone at Hasbro and included in a attempt at creative synergy.
**In the second draft, the Matrix and Megatron's essence both became [[Life Spark]]s at Sunbow's request. At some point, the Matrix was added back in.
*Cybertron is destroyed by Unicron, with 160 pages left, and he spends the rest of the script trying to destroy Earth. From the second draft onwards, he attempts to destroy Cybertron in the climax.
*The energy cage would be dropped; in the final film, Unicron doesn't need to absorb energy.
*The fight on the asteroid would be cut, leaving just the ambush on the shuttles.
*The remaining Autobots on Earth try to launch a counter attack on the Decepticons. This remains into the second draft in a massively reduced role before being cut in the final film.
*Galvatron kills Magnus, Mentlar and Blurr. They stay dead in this draft, with no being rebuilt by the Junkions.
*Unicron's origin was dropped, as was his connection to the Junkions.
*Daniel is the one that uses the Matrix to save the day.

===Other differences===
*Characters like [[Cyclonus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cyclonus]], [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] and [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] don't exist yet.
*Magnus only becomes Ultra Magnus when he gains the Matrix.
*Hot Rod never becomes Rodimus Prime. It's possible Hasbro hadn't come up with that aspect of the character yet.
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike]] doesn't appear in this or the second draft at all.
*The Dinobots only have three members: [[Grimlock (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Grimlock]], [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] and [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]].
*[[Kranix (G1)|Granix]] is a rock robot rather than a regular robot, and has a much smaller role. There are no scenes on [[Lithone (planet)|Lithone]], which is only mentioned in passing as his homeworld; he was instead said to be captured by the Quintessons during a scientific expedition.

===What stayed the same===
Nevertheless, some things remain pretty close to what we eventually got in 1986...
*Megatron and Optimus Prime's final fight is nearly identical to the final film, even down to having some of the same dialogue. Considering that killing Optimus was the one thing we know Hasbro wanted, this may not be that surprising.
*Despite the rest of the script being massively reworked, the Quintesson scenes are similar to the final film, even if there are various differences:
**The planet's appearance would go unchanged in later drafts, still having a Mercury sea with red desert shores and metallic reefs which are home to robot fish.
**The Robot Squid fight still occurs and is dealt with similarly, albeit with Hot Rod using his "magnet power" to collect Tanker's parts.
**Tanker and Hot Rod encounter the Sharkticons on a ridge with metallic vegetation. To communicate with them, they use the "universal alien language salutation," an early name for the otherwise-identical [[universal greeting]]. Like in the film, it only briefly works.
**The captured Hot Rod and Tanker are taken to a compound where fellow prisoner Granix tells them about the Quintessons and their show trials.
**The Quintesson trials are still a sham, but rather than the guilty or innocent verdict, they are "found innocent of trespassing, but guilty of insolence."
**The arrival of the Dinobots saves the pair from being devoured by the Sharkticons.

===Season 1 quirks===
Some of the oddness of this script comes from it being written in 1984, early in the existence of the ''Transformers'' franchise. With only the first season of the show to draw on, many aspects of the ''Transformers'' mythos we know today didn't exist yet.
*Being massively outnumbered by the Autobots, the script features many generic Decepticons to pad out their ranks.
*The only 1985 characters to appear are [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]], [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] and [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]].
*The lackluster opening attack on the steel mill makes more sense when you consider most season 1 episodes opened with the Decepticons raiding power plants, factories or construction sites. Years later, Freidman called this opening "too ordinary" and was glad he came up with something more memorable.<ref>''I Killed Optimus Prime'', Ron Friedman (p. 171)</ref>
*Hasbro almost certainly hadn't determined the movie characters' designs at this point, hence why Friedman had to suggest what they turn into at various points.
*Autobot headquarters is called Crater Mountain, a name used in scripts for the first season that didn't make it into the final show.
*[[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] is still called by his preliminary name [[Gravedigger]].

===Things we haven't mentioned yet===
This script features a lot of details that couldn't fit in the summary without making it bloated and hard to follow; we've listed most of these other details below:

*Flint Dille's copy of the script is incomplete, with three pages missing. Two of them (page 200 and 203) are mentioned in the summary; the other is page 137, where the Autobot shuttle crashes on the Entity's moon and then it cuts back to the Autobots on Earth.
*In the opening battle, the Decepticons use Fire Snow, a "snow crystal cloud" which rains down flakes of fire which continuously burn the Autobot soldiers. This sounds pretty similar to the Cybertronian equivalent of {{w|napalm}}.
*A Decepticon soldier tries to kill Hot Rod with a Laser Chainsaw, only to end up cutting himself in half (lengthways) after Tanker trips him.
*Like in the finished film, Hot Rod blames himself for Prime's death. Unlike in the film, the other Autobots comfort him and assure him it wasn't his fault.
*Unlike in the final film, which sees him as one of the many Autobot casualties, Wheeljack has a prominent supporting role in this script. Unfortunately, it involves him being a massive misogynist for laughs. These moments include:
**When Arcee chooses to join Wheeljack's team because she's "the best metal worker you've got", he tells her to "keep out of the way."
**When the Autobots are constructing the shuttle, Arcee saves him from falling machinery. Of course, he doesn't notice this since he was on a call with Magnus.
**When the Decepticons attack the mill, Wheeljack misses her fighting [[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] and derides her for ruining his report.
**Before launching the shuttle, Arcee corrects him about how some of the thrusters should be positioned. He agrees with this, but when he realizes Arcee was the one who told him, he responds with "do you mind?"
**After she defeats Starscream, he congratulates her for finally pulling her weight. Understandably this annoys her.
**When the Decepticons leave Earth and they realize they now have a chance to take back the planet, she kisses him, which he begrudgingly accepts before saying it isn't appropriate for comrades in arms.
**As Unicron appears over the Earth, Wheeljack finally apologizes, saying he "didn't mean half the things I said".
*The [[Hall of Heroes]] has a larger role in this draft. Described as a high tech art-deco "Nuremberg Party Rally" where the essence of dying leaders are placed in urns that flow into statues of the Decepticon Heroes' chest. This detail would carry over into the second draft.
*Of the former leaders named in the Hall of Heroes, only [[Ghoulon]] would make it into the film. Cryotron and Octacron would never be seen again.
*Autobot headquarters has been expanded into a high tech rotating "medieval fortified city-state". Various human civilians, scientists and soldiers live there.
*Similar to Prime's Matrix, Megatron's essence is a tiny glasslike version of himself.
*An Autobot is mentioned that turns into an electric tug (the kind that pulls aircraft, not the boat).
*The Decepticons converted by the Entity gain giant scale covered forms, though are said to still be recognizable as their former selves. They also get a new insignia. Apparently their powers are now "beyond computation". They have a rallying cry of yelling "Entity!" as they charge into battle.
*Cybertron was located in Space Quadrant Zeta.
*This isn't really an error, but the Autobots never learn that Megatron has been renamed Galvatron.
*Among the Entity's attacking forces are "DECEPTICONS like Starscream and Skywarp".
*A salvaged Teletraan I is rebuilt into a mobile tank like vehicle.
*When the "Sweeps" attack the makeshift base, Magnus's diversion has Sideswipe and Sunstreaker fight them off with steel beams they use like baseball bats.
*Snarl and Slag are missing from the Dinobots; the latter would ultimately make it into the final film.
*Bumblebee might have been killed off, as when the shuttle is attacked, he is blown off scene in an explosion. He isn't mentioned again, leaving his fate unclear.
*To plot a course for the ship, Mentlar has to plug himself into the computer, entering a trance-like state as he does.
*Hot Rod creates "a glass 'Bubble' head-piece" to breath underwater. Notice something off about that sentence?
*Apparently, Hot Rod can also turn into "a modified underwater—ready mode".
*Granix is able to destroy several Sharkticons in gladiatorial combat before he's finally killed.
*The Quintessons have various other prisoners besides Granix awaiting trial, who help the Autobots escape after being freed.
*Unlike in the film, the Quintessons don't have a ship. As a result, the Autobots just fly through space on their own.
*When Magnus leads the troops in their last stand, Springer bids farewell with "Until all matrixes are one". This would become "[['Til all are one|'til all are one]]" in later drafts.
*Tanker mentions someone called Ectalon.
*Various generic Junkions are featured. One tricycle Junkion which attacks Ellen is described as having a viking helmet and a metal-like woolen jacket. This design would be copied word for word and given to Wreck-Gar in the second draft.
*The humans get chained to a flatbed "jail truck" when captured by the Junkions.
*On route to Unicron, the Autobots encounter the wounded remnants of the Decepticon armada heading back to Earth, hiding from them in an asteroid field.
*The Junkions live in a village which is described as being a "JUNKY, HIGH TECH AFRICAN KRAAL -TRAILER PARK- CYCLE BUM PAD" with various strange Junkion creatures, and decorated with machinery and shrunken heads.
*The Junkion computer is print-out. Well, they do call it primitive...
*A desperate Galvatron is able to blast off one of The Entity's fingers, only for it to immediately grow back.
*The Decepticons flee as the Entity is destroyed, which is more of an explanation than we get in the final film.
*Galvatron is last seen hurtling through space, clinging to the remains of one of Unicron's hands and screaming in terror, while the human characters watch him from Earth using Sky Scope Binoculars.
*At the very end, the Autobots build a new base, though it isn't described in any way.

===General weirdness===
It is likely many of the following would have been addressed in future revisions had this draft been approved and developed into a full script. Nevertheless...
*At various points in the script, Friedman suddenly suggests that a generic Transformer in the scene is a specific character with "say (name)". He seemed to do this whenever the role was too important for a generic. For example, midway through Springer's fight with the Decepticon jets, it is revealed they are led by Starscream when he orders them to destroy the Autobot. It seems he didn't think about which characters were going to appear until he had to.
*It seems Friedman couldn't make up his mind if Transformers could fly in space or not. Sometimes they need a ship, but other times they don't. Hasbro must have also found this confusing, and in the second outline made it clear they need a spaceship to do this.
*[[Shockwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Shockwave]] is mentioned exactly once as being in the crowd of Decepticons when Galvatron appears at the Hall of Heroes.
*No one seems bothered by the destruction of Cybertron. After they find out the planet is gone, they never mention it again. Galvatron's vow of revenge is never mentioned again, not even when he tries to blow up Unicron, and he is given other reasons to hate The Entity.
*The Autobots spend pages building the Recontour shield, which is described in great detail, only for it to be destroyed almost instantly.
*All the space cruisers are mentioned to be destroyed in the attack on the mill...until Arcee and Wheeljack reveal they kept one safe for use later on.
*We mentioned this before, but Chemico clearly only exists to create a distraction to allow the Autobots to escape. Did Friedman just make this script up as he went along?
*Mentlar's weapon is briefly able to depower the Entity's troops. However, they almost immediately develop immunity to it, and it's never mentioned again.
*When saving Tanker from the Squid, Hot Rod is revealed to have magnetic powers, which are never mentioned again.
*Grimlock is able to evade capture by the Sharkticons, find the Quintesson compound, and free the captured Dinobots. Unlike in the final film, all of this happens off screen.
*Wreck-Gar is described as wearing "NAZI HELMET STYLE HEADGEAR". ''Eesh.'' Presumably, this was intended as a reference to the usage of Nazi iconography among biker gangs (the Junkions being much more strongly coded as outlaw bikers in this draft), but it's unsurprising that Hasbro didn't end up going with that idea for one of their heroic characters.
*So Ultra Magnus, Blurr and Mentlar are just killed off in this version. Friedman's autobiography seems to give a justification for this. Apparently his first big idea for the movie was that he wanted characters to die, to "raise the stakes, give the surviving CHARACTERS opportunities to grieve" and add a "more profound human dimension" (Killing Optimus wasn't his choice, something he realities throughout the book and this is the only other death scene in the script).<ref>''I Killed Optimus Prime'', Ron Friedman (p. 160-167)</ref> If this is true it means he decided to have them sacrifice themselves while writing the script. It's hard to imagine that Hasbro were okay with him killing off the characters they intended to release toys of...
*It sure seems like a lot must have happened on the missing page where they befriend the Junkions. In the second draft, this sequence is expanded by three pages.
*With no foreshadowing or build up, an aura tells Hot Rod that the Matrix can destroy the Entity.

===Remnants===
Despite the massive reworking done in later drafts, this version still provides explanations for some things left unexplained in the final movie.
*How does Hot Rod find his friends? Rather than just running into them due to luck, the Quintessons tell him where to find them.
*As the Junkions created Unicron, they know how he works and what his weak points are. This is why they agree to help fight him.
*Unicron doesn't just transform at the end for dramatic effect; at this point, he's finally absorbed enough energy to be able to transform himself.
*Why does Magnus have such a minor role after being rebuilt by the Junkions? He was originally meant to stay dead.

==Legacy==
Two years after this aborted first draft came to light, [[Rails]] and [[General Blaze]] were properly canonized through ''[[The Enigma of Combination]]'', an expansion book for the [[Transformers Roleplaying Game]]. It's probably not a coincidence that Jim Sorenson, who had a hand in digging up the original script, would go on to contribute material for this book...

==Concept art==
Despite the script being rejected, several pieces of concept art were created from it. All three known pieces were drawn by [[Floro Dery]] and, according to the design notes, were done at the same time.

<center><gallery>
File:FloroDeryUnicronNotes.jpg|Note the 'Moon of the Entity' and the 'hole to the center of the Entity', two features which only exist in this draft.
File:FloroDeryJunkionnotes.jpg|The unnamed Junkion whose design would be used for Wreck-Gar. Note the lack of Nazi helmet.
File:FloroDerySharkticonNotes.jpg|Sharkticon concept art which gives them the alternate name of Sharkons, which isn't used in the script.
</gallery></center>

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qiESvs6xDIfpNh3zVegyt7HuCIJLKqOD/view The script itself]
*[https://sunbowmarvelarchive.blogspot.com/2022/11/detailed-outline-of-very-first.html A detailed summary on the Sunbow Marvel Archive]

[[Category:Unproduced scripts]]

The Transformers: The Movie (first draft)

2025-03-19T21:10:34Z

Silver: /* Synopsis */

[[Image:TfMovie-FirstDraftScriptAuction.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Indiana Jones|It belongs in a museum!]]]]
Do you know '''''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'''''? Of course you do! Until the live action movies came along, it was the most well known piece of ''Transformers'' media.

Well, this ''isn't'' that movie. This is about the ''initial script'' of that movie.

Written by [[Ron Friedman]] between late [[1984]] and early [[1985]], this 212-page script is radically different from the finished film. After it was rejected by [[Hasbro]], Friedman was told to start over with a new draft. For many years the only details about this script came from comments by writer [[Flint Dille]] who called it "incoherent"<ref name="FDIP2">"[https://web.archive.org/web/20200128201208/http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/60-astrominutes/flint-dille/flint-dille-2.html The Flint Dille Interview Part II]"</ref> and suggested that "nobody really felt it was [well] structured".<ref>"Metrodome Transformers: The Movie — Ultimate Edition Interview with Story Consultant Flint Dille"</ref> In [[2022]], after years of speculation, the script surfaced at the [[unofficial conventions|TFNation 2022]] fan convention in a panel hosted by [[Jim Sorenson]] and [[Chris McFeely]].

==Background==
[[Image:TFM-FirstDraftOutline.jpeg|thumb|150px|The first page of the outline. If you bought this in 2010, please let us know.]]
In [[1983]], Friedman was hired by [[Sunbow Productions]] as a writer on ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I Joe: A Real American Hero]]'', scripting the five episode miniseries that opened the cartoon. Positive feedback on this lead him to become the "additional dialogue" editor for ''Transformers''.<ref name="HKOP">"[https://toddmatthy.com/2013/12/31/he-killed-optimus-prime-an-interview-with-ron-friedman-writer-of-transformers-the-movie/ He Killed Optimus Prime: An Interview With Ron Friedman the Writer of Transformers:The Movie]</ref> As part of this, a clause in his contract stated that a ''Transformers'' movie would have to be based on a script he wrote. On [[August 15]], [[1984]], two days after finishing the season 1 finale "[[Heavy Metal War]]", he wrote an outline which was revised several times over the next month.<ref>[https://comics.ha.com/itm/memorabilia/miscellaneous/transformers-the-movie-revised-script-treatment-sunbow-productions-inc-1984-/a/7027-93271.s Cover page of the revised script] </ref> The exact contents of this are still unknown. This 53-page outline was approved, and Friedman began writing the first draft in November, which was finished by February 1985.<ref>[https://comics.ha.com/itm/memorabilia/miscellaneous/transformers-the-movie-script-group-sunbow-productions-inc-1984-85-total-3-items-/a/7027-93280.s Cover page of the first draft script]</ref> It is unknown how much influence Hasbro had over this script; Friedman was asked to include Optimus Prime dying after Hasbro higher-ups were taken by the idea of Duke dying in the also in-production ''G.I. Joe: The Movie'', but the rest is still mostly speculation.<ref name="HKOP"/><ref>"[https://alonefancryinginthewilderness.blogspot.com/2012/07/from-archives-my-animated-conversation.html A Lone Fan Crying In The Wilderness — My Animated Conversation With Buzz Dixon]</ref>

Friedman has said that he created [[Unicron/Generation 1 |Unicron]], [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], the [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]], the [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]], and the idea of [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] being rebuilt into [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]].<ref name="HKOP"/><ref>''I Killed Optimus Prime'', Ron Friedman (p. 42)</ref> <ref>''I Killed Optimus Prime'', Ron Friedman (p. 90)</ref> On the Sunbow side of production, executive producers [[Joe Bacal]] and [[Tom Griffin]], along with the creative director [[Jay Bacal]] had "input". <ref>''The Gamesmaster'', Flint Dille (p. 273)</ref> What this was... we're not entirely sure, but it seems to include Daniel, named after Jay's real life son <ref>[https://youtu.be/rBqMyy6HYxE?t=1781 SDCC 2023 Transformers Toy Panel ]</ref> and, the Quintessons similarly named after a local business. <ref>''The Gamesmaster, Flint Dille (p. 296)</ref>

We only have a broad idea of what happened after this script was submitted, save that Hasbro wasn't happy with it, though the specific reasons for this are unknown. Friedman (who was still paid for this draft)<ref name="HKOP"/> claims it was because he focused too much on the villains.<ref>''I Killed Optimus Prime'', Ron Friedman (p. 169)</ref> Trying to fix the script, a copy was given to story editor Flint Dille and he was told to rework it. Dille ultimately deemed the script to be incoherent and, along with creative director Jay Bacal, began work on a new script partially based on Freidman's. This script, ''[[The Secret of Cybertron]]'', was written in a week, but was also rejected.<ref name="FDIP2"/> On [[March 28]], Hasbro went back to Friedman and gave him a new outline and character list, essentially telling him to start over. The [[The Transformers: The Movie (second draft)|resulting draft]] would form the basis of film we know today, though with some notable differences.

===Rediscovery===
In [[2010]], Ron Friedman auctioned off material from his time at Sunbow. Thanks to efforts spearheaded by Jim Sorenson, much of Freidman's material became publicly available online. One of the things that didn't was the first draft script and outline for ''The Transformers The Movie''. For the next decade, we could only wonder about what it contained, because it's never seen again. In October [[2020]], Flint Dille began to organize and clear out his storage for the first time in years with help from Sorenson, including a ''lot'' of paperwork from his Sunbow years. During this, they found a copy of this script, presumably the copy Hasbro had given Dille to punch up.<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/flintdlile/posts/pfbid0e7KEB5FPqTiE6XNVaNjWw9feYCnjCMcvv7vRG1VAocMrxHKobK83usYKDVdbtBhfl Flint Dille's Facebook post about finding the script]</ref> Upon discovering this, Dille allowed Sorenson to scan the script before he auctioned it off. Two years later in [[2022]], with permission from Dille, Jim and fellow superfan [[Chris McFeely]] performed a panel at the fan convention [[unofficial conventions|TFNation 2022]], where they give an overview of the script. Shortly afterward, the Sunbow Marvel Archive published an in depth summary of the draft. The script was later made public for the first time in [[2023]], a little over a year after the panel.

==Synopsis==
The [[Decepticon]]s are attacking an old steel mill that the [[Autobot]]s plan to convert into a new facility. [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Magnus]] leads the defense, commanding [[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Tanker]], [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]], [[Arcee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Arcee]], and [[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]], but things are already desperate for the Autobot forces. Meanwhile, an old freight train driven by humans [[General Blaze]] and Rusty Steel transports Autobot reinforcements to the mill,coming under fire from Decepticon jets led by [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]]. On [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]]'s orders, the Autobots fight off the oncoming jets. When [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] destroys the train tracks, it is revealed that the train is an Autobot called [[Rails]], who turns into a floating high tech bullet train which flies through the assembled troops. As the Decepticons overrun the mill, Prime commands Rails to transform again, this time into a massive fire breathing snake that destroys the enemy forces. Megatron challenges Prime to a fight, and things go pretty much exactly as they did in the final film, with the two leaders inflicting mortal blows on one another. The Autobots gather around the dying Prime, while Starscream orders the Decepticons to retreat back to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], taking the dying Megatron with them. Rusty tells them they can't declare Prime dead in the field and orders them back to headquarters for a full analysis. He also orders Wheeljack to begin building a ship to follow the Decepticons.

In space, the Decepticons argue about who should be their new leader. Arriving at the Decepticon [[Hall of Heroes]], they begin to inter Megatron's essence in an urn among their fallen leaders. A fight then breaks out over who will be his successor, the crossfire from which destroys the hall and accidentally shatters Megatron's urn, causing his spirit to drift off into space unnoticed. As Megatron's essence floats helplessly, begging to be restored before it evaporates into nothingness, the ghostly voice of "The Entity" appears and takes him up on the offer, pulling him towards the metal planet of [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]. He offers Megatron great power in exchange for servitude to him, which the broken leader accepts. Megatron is bathed in light and rebuilt into the new form of [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]], and the Entity sends him to Cybertron to convert the rest of the Decepticons.

Back on Earth, Prime is taken to the [[Ark (G1)|Autobot Headquarters]] at Crater Mountain and put on life support. The Autobots run into [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Prentiss]], a young boy that idolizes Rusty. Daniel sadly asks if Prime will make it, only for his mother Ellen to show up and tell him she wants nothing to do with Rusty. An alarm sounds, and everyone rushes to the dying leader. As Optimus Prime dies, he names Magnus as his successor. Magnus is given the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]]—a tiny, glowing version of Prime—and becomes Ultra Magnus. Magnus's first order is for the Autobots to develop a defense system to protect Earth when the Decepticons return. On Cybertron, the Decepticons are still fighting when a ray of light appears over them. Galvatron appears before them and tells them he is the reborn Megatron and they will now serve the Entity. He bathes them in light, turning them into the Entity's servants. The light begins covering all of Cybertron and transforming the entire populace into soldiers, who fly off to attack Earth at the Entity's command. As they leave, Cybertron begins to collapse and the planet Unicron devours it, growing larger in the process. Galvatron silently vows to avenge his homeworld.

At their base, the Autobots begin work on the Recontour Shield. Suddenly, [[Teletraan I]] reports that Cybertron has been destroyed, and an invading force of Decepticons appears and attacks the Autobots. Magnus raises the shields, which manages to hold off the invaders, but a furious Galvatron summons green lightning from the sky which destroys the shield. The Autobots retreat as the Decepticons melt the mountain. At the same time, a separate attack destroys the space cruisers being built at the steel mill. Sometime later, the Decepticons have taken control of the planet and a [[Sweep (G1)|Sweep]] party scours through the remains of the base, unaware of a makeshift Autobot camp hidden in a nearby ravine. From a [[Sky Spy]], the Autobots learn the Decepticons plan to cover Earth in an energy cage to drain its energy and beam it into space, which will destroy the planet in only 96 hours. Tanker and Hot Rod are sent to find new recruits, while the others complete work on the only surviving space cruiser, which will allow them to follow the transmitted energy to its destination. As they leave, the Sweeps find the base, but Magnus sets up a diversion, with [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] creating a [[hologram|holographic army]] which distracts them long enough to escape by raft.

In the desert, Hot Rod and Tanker find [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] being attacked by Decepticon jets. The Decepticons seem to have him at first, only for Springer to turn the tide by jumping around, causing their fire to hit each other and melt them together. Reunited with the others, Springer tells them where to find more warriors. Heading to an oil refinery which hasn't yet been overrun, they see a swarm of [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] overhead, and a fight ensues as they rush to the refinery. The three are overwhelmed until the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] appear and destroy the Insecticons with their fire breath. At the refinery, the group meets Mentlar, a scientist that has created an "Immuno Stabilizer Field" which temporarily depowers the Entity's troops. Unfortunately, they have already started to gain immunity to this. Leaving to reunite with Magnus, the group run into [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]], an ultra fast but slow-talking Autobot.

Later in the Arctic, Galvatron's forces pick up the Autobots' signal as they attempt to launch the cruiser. Due to lack of space, the Dinobots, Tanker and Hot Rod are forced to ride on the outside of the ship. As they melt their way into the base, Magnus initiates the launch, and the Decepticon forces follow them into space. The Autobots are nearly trapped in the energy cage, but Magnus's piloting skills allow him to dodge it at the last second while the Deceptions fly into the trap. As they fall back to Earth, the Entity appears and mocks Galvatron's failure before giving him a new "aircraft carrier" spaceship.

On the cruiser, the humans try out Mentlar's new invention—the [[Exosuit|Exo-Suit]], a "METAL CAGE-LIKE OUTFIT" that grants users increased speed and strength. Suddenly, the Decepticon ship appears and opens fire on them. The group outside splits off and heads to a nearby asteroid to draw fire, and [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] ejects [[Laserbeak (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Laserbeak]] to follow them. Mentlar comes up with a plan to detonate "Photon Flares" to make it look like the ship was destroyed. Galvatron senses Optimus Prime's essence in Magnus. As the ship lands, the Autobots hurry to find Hot Rod and Tanker before the Decepticons realize what happened, unaware that Laserbeak has already spotted them. Picking up their signal on a volcano-filled ridge, they are attacked by the Decepticon fleet. The ensuing fight is interrupted by a sudden "Galactic Warp Hurricane", which threatens to tear the asteroid apart. [[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]] and [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] detonate explosives that blast Hot Rod and Tanker into space. The Decepticon ship is destroyed in the storm's debris, with Galvatron believing that his enemies have been destroyed. The Autobots retreat back to the cruiser as they head to the Shadow Nebula.

Hot Rod and Tanker land on an asteroid, getting attacked by a robot squid. (This whole sequence is more or less the same as the final film, so we can skim over it. In fact most of the Quintesson parts are similar.) The cruiser crashes on the moon of Planet Unicron. While the others repair the ship, Mentlar surveys their surroundings, finding a crystal scale which he takes as a specimen. Electricity flows from this scale into space, as the Entity senses intruders. Back on Earth, Arcee and Wheeljack lead the other Autobots against the Decepticon Jets, trapping them by collapsing a freeway on them. Galvatron insults Starscream for his failures until the Entity demands they head to his planet to deal with the intruders.

Hot Rod and Tanker have been taken by the [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]] to their psychic masters, the [[Quintesson]]s. Prisoner [[Kranix (G1)|Granix]], a rock robot, explains their cruel nature before he is put on trial and forced to fight to the death. As they watch him being devoured, Hot Rod thinks of a plan. Meanwhile, examining the scale, Mentlar realizes that it is part of the same organism that the Decepticons have been drawing power from. Galvatron leads the Decepticons to the moon, destroying what turns out to be "Robotic Doubles" of the Autobots... in truth, two-dimensional cut-outs (yes, really). From a nearby mountain, Magnus leads Blurr and Mentlar in a suicide charge to try and give the others time to escape.

Thanks to the Dinobots, Hot Rod and Tanker escape from the Quintessons. Hot Rod forces their leader to use his mind scan to find his friends. Learning their friends are on the moon of Unicron, they fly off to reunite with them. As Galvatron returns with more troops, Magnus begins his desperate last stand. In a fog bank, Springer and the humans run into the [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]], who capture them. Back at the mountain, a heavily wounded Magnus is the only survivor. He fights on until Galvatron finally kills him and then cuts Optimus Prime's Matrix out of him with a razor saw, vowing to destroy the Entity. However, when Galvatron threatens to blow up the Entity if he isn't released from servitude, it just laughs at him, so Galvatron detonates a bomb to destroy Unicron.

In a Junkion village, their leader [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] calls for silence as the prisoners are tied to stakes. As they close in, Hot Rod and Tanker arrive and... do something. (We don't know what, that page of the script is missing. Probably the [[universal greeting]].) With everyone now allies, Wreck-Gar explains how his people have always fought the Entity, hiding from it in the Veil of Fog. He takes them to an ancient computer containing the Junkions' history. Ellen is able to decipher the data and realizes that the ancient Junkions created the Entity as their protector (yes, you read that right), only for it to become corrupted by greed. Now the Decepticons have absorbed enough energy for the planet to break free of its orbit. But they also discover its one weakness located... somewhere. (That page of the script is also missing.)

Unicron is unharmed, and the planet transforms around Galvatron, with the Entity revealing that it and Unicron are one and the same as it turns into a giant robot. Finally free, the Entity leaves to devour Earth. The Autobots land on the creature's throat and follow a channel the schematics say will lead them to its core. Inside, they find that the entrance is so small that only Daniel is able to fit through it. Hot Rod suddenly gains an aura and realizes that the Matrix can destroy the Entity, and that Galvatron is still alive inside the massive robot. As the Entity reaches Earth, Hot Rod tries to convince Galvatron to help him destroy Unicron, but the Decepticon responds by trying to kill him with a Laser Knife. Hot Rod is only saved when Ellen appears and knocks Galvatron over with her Exo-Suit, allowing Hot Rod to take the Matrix. Hot Rod races back to Daniel, who leaps into the core, and the Matrix floods the room with light as Daniel is thrown out of the hole into his mother's arms. Galvatron is swept into space as the Entity is torn apart, the disembodied voice of Optimus telling it all evil shall be destroyed. Earth's energy is returned as the Autobots hold a parade for their new heroes.

==Cast==
===Autobots===
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Magnus]]—A large Autobot with distinctive headgear. Still an old friend of Optimus, the biggest change is that he starts as Magnus and is reformatted into Ultra Magnus when he receives the Matrix. The script suggests that he turns into something like a "HARVESTER WITH THRESER BLADES" {{sic}} or a "GASOLINE TRUCK WITH HUGE BATTERING RAM TYPE BUMPERS". We don't know if Hasbro had decided on releasing the Powered Convoy toy at this point or if Friedman knew this would be the case. Overall, he has a similar role to the final film, apart from staying dead.
*[[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Tanker]]—A "one-eyed battle scarred old Autobot" soldier who turns into a Sherman Tank. He's pretty much Kup in all but name and appearance.
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]]—Described bluntly as "a [[Luke Skywalker]]-young-man-on-the-brink-of manhood sort of Autobot". He transforms not into a futuristic car, but a "souped up, cut down 'Hot Rod' version of, say, a Camaro". He's still responsible for Optimus Prime's death, something that he blames himself for, and never becomes Rodimus Prime.
*[[Arcee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Arcee]]—An Autobot nurse. She's part of a terrible running gag with Wheeljack where, despite being a competent soldier and saving him various times, she is constantly berated for being a "shebot". He does apologize for this at the end though. More on that later.
*[[Rails]]—A giant [[Triple Changer|triple-changing]] snake capable of breathing fire and shooting lasers from his eyes, who can turn into an old fashioned freight train and a futuristic high tech flying train (which just might be the coolest thing ever). It seems that this character may be an early version of [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] from when the character was planned to be an Autobot. Friedman may have been told to include an unnamed "Autobot triple changer train" in the script, and based on that limited description created Rails. In his autobiography, Friedman when recounting the opening battle of this draft refers to Rails as Astrotrain (as well as claiming he created him, which seems...unlikely), giving a certain amount of credibility to this theory.<ref>''I Killed Optimus Prime'', Ron Friedman (pp. 169–171)</ref>
*[[Springer (G1)|Springer]]—At this stage, not a triple changer yet and with a personality based on [[Arnie|Arnold Schwarzenegger]] rather than [[Harrison Ford]]. He's described as muscular and having special jumping abilities (with an accompanying ''SPOONG'' sound), but since he's not a helicopter yet, this power isn't completely redundant. His alt mode is suggested to be a "JET POWERED STEAM ROLLER" or a "MOBILE MISSLE LAUNCHER". He's first seen sparring with Mirage and Bluestreak at headquarters. His personality would be switched with that of Rusty Steel in the second draft.
*Chemico—"A walking laboratory" with "CLEAR GLASS TUBES AND INTERLACING GLASS PIPING in his torso" who shows up briefly to create a smokescreen, allowing the Autobots to escape from the Decepticons. It is clear from the description given that Friedman simply needed to have the heroes escape and created Chemico on the spot to allow that to happen.
*Mentlar—A {{w|Carl Sagan}} style scientist with a large head and "ALPHA-WAVE STYLE HEADGEAR", capable of firing physic blasts from his headband. He's described as having long delicate fingers and transforming into a RADAR DISH TRUCK. He was a former director of research at the Cybertronic Institute of Technometry. Obviously, he would be replaced with [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] in the second draft, but it's also possible that he was always intended to be Perceptor. Briefing documents for the 1985 range describe the then-unnamed toy as an "Autobot Scientist", and Friedman may have been told to include this figure in his script.
*[[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]]—In contrast to his superspeed, this version talks slow like {{w|Jimmy Stewart}} and transforms into a "LAND SPEED RECORD HOLDING ROCKET CAR." Like in the final film, he doesn't do much.

===Humans===
*[[General Blaze]]—A {{w|George S. Patton|General Patton}} type with a streak of white hair, who later helps Arcee and Wheeljack defend Earth from the Entity's forces.
**Rusty Steel—A "Green Beret type Colonel" described as similar to [[Indiana Jones]] in that he makes quips but is capable when under threat. He's idolized by Daniel but mostly distrusted by the boy's mother. His personality would be applied to Springer in later drafts after being cut.
*[[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Prentiss]]—A 12 year old who views Rusty as his idol. He's not his son (his father is mentioned at one point), he just really looks up to him. He totally saves the day at the end. Daniel is the only human to make it into the final cut, where he would become [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]]'s son. Special mention is made of him giving Rusty his lucky silver dollar, which ends up being completely irrelevant to the plot.
**Ellen Prentiss—A computer scientist and Daniel's mother. She doesn't like Rusty at first, but learns to trust him over the course of the film. She initially can't transform her Exo-Suit, but manages to do so at the end, which means she's the one responsible for saving Earth and defeating Unicron.

===Decepticons===
*[[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]]—Still a reformatted Megatron. Described as a larger version of Megatron, coated in scales (like those that cover the planet Unicron) and wearing the Entity's insignia. His alt mode is still a self propelled laser cannon which is described as a "DEATH-SHIP MODE". Swears vengeance on the Entity for the destruction of Cybertron and his suffering at his hands. Despite this at the end when he's given a chance to destroy the Entity he completely ignores it.
*[[Sweep (G1)|Sweep]] party—a group of identical, emotionless "BLACK CLAD "GESTAPO" Decepticons. Turn into "HISSING BLACK VEHICLES", which are explicitly said to be land vehicles. True to their name they perform sweeps of an area to find surviving Autobots and destroy them. This descriptive title would become their actual name in the second draft. They have heavily mechanical voices.

===Others===
*[[Unicron/Generation 1|The Entity / Planet Unicron]]—Introduced as a ghostly voice referred to as the Entity, "The Absorber of Unicron" rebuilds Megatron and grants him power in exchange for his servitude. The Decepticon leader is taken to the hellish planet of Unicron, which is covered in steel trees and grass (later revealed to be hair in robot mode). The planet is coated in scales which his servants also share. He has a "COLD RAY" (columns of light), which he uses to both reward and punish his minions. Unicron grows in size the more energy is absorbed, eventually draining enough to be able to transform, revealing that it and the Entity are the same being. Originally he was created by the ancient Junkions as a protector before being corrupted by power. His origin would be removed in the second draft, while the twist about his true identity remained before being dropped in later drafts.

*[[Quintesson]]s—They have a similar role to the final version, but their appearance is very different. While still five-faced at this point, they have slender bodies which are too small for their massive heads. They also have psychic abilities, at one point using telekinesis to create more Sharkticons from scrap. Their powers would be removed, but their appearance would remain into the second draft.
**[[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]]—They also have a similar role to later drafts, with a similar appearance. They still hunt down intruders on their masters' orders, but carry shock sticks similar to cattle prods that freeze intruders in time. Their growls are revealed to be them constantly repeating "we eat". They are covered in primitive sensors that they use to identify other Sharkticons by bumping into them. Hot Rod and Tanker are able to get them to devour each other by coating these sensors in grease. No other Quintesson servants appear at this stage.

*[[Junkion (species)|Junkions]]—A tribe of robot Road Warrior Hell's Angels made of rusty and disused metal. Long ago, they created the Entity as their protector before it became corrupted. Generations later, they live hidden from it in the Veil of Fog. They don't talk TV yet, and are still able to reassemble themselves after being torn apart.
**[[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]]—The Junkion leader, who wears "NAZI HELMET STYLE HEADGEAR" and is covered in "NUMEROUS JUNK MEDALS AND SIDEARMS AND STUDS". Turns into a motorcycle.
**Scrapo—A massive Junkion that befriends the Dinobots. He's fascinated with "shebots" (we don't know the full context behind this, as it follows from a scene which starts on a missing script page). [[Grimlock (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Grimlock]] tells him Wheeljack will build a "Dino Girl" for him. Stage descriptions mention he fed metal to Grimlock on one of the missing pages. The role of the Dinobots' pal would later be given to [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]].

==Comparisons to the finished film==
===What changed===
Unsurprisingly for a first draft, many plot points would change in later revisions. Major story changes include:
*The script takes place in the present day. The move to the future that would be mandated by Hasbro.
*Various scenes of characters running from place to place were streamlined. For example, in a 20 page sequence, Hot Rod is sent from the makeshift base to find reinforcements in the desert, runs into the Dinobots, then goes to the refinery and heads to an Arctic base. In the second draft, everyone is just at [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]].
*The script opens on Earth, not Cybertron or its moons.
*No Autobot City yet, just the steel mill and the later attack on Headquarters.
*All the human characters except for Daniel were cut.
*Optimus is the only named character from the show to die. Everyone else seemingly survives.
*The Matrix is present as a radically different and even more nebulous plot device than in the final film. In the film, the Matrix at least has a clear purpose: it's the Autobot symbol of leadership and a great weapon the Chosen One will wield against the ultimate evil. Here, it's basically Optimus Prime's soul, a tiny glowing version of himself which seven pages from the end is revealed to be able to destroy Unicron. Stage directions refer to it as "the Matrix of Optimus Prime." In this version, Hot Rod never really fulfills his character arc and the Autobots don't get a new leader after Magnus dies. In the final version, Galvatron wants the Matrix to destroy Unicron; here, he wants it because he senses Optimus's essence in it, and tries to kill Unicron with a bomb instead.
**The "[[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]]" would be introduced in [[The New Order|issue 5]] of the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel comic series]], but it bears no resemblance to the one seen here. [[Bob Budiansky]] came up with the Creation Matrix on his own <ref>[http://www.metalmachine.net/blog/2009/11/21/todds-take-with-bob-budiansky-the-architect-of-the-transformers/ Interview with the Metal Machine]</ref> <ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090730005006/http://rustingcarcass.yuku.com/topic/954 Interview with the Rusting Carcass]</ref> and was unaware of this script for decades.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=So I just talked to Bob Budiansky at his booth here at BotCon 2023 and asked him about the whole situation regarding the Creation Matrix from the comics and the Matrix that was first mentioned in Ron Friedman's original TFTM script. He confirmed that he had no idea about the name being used in that script, as he had no awareness of the script whatsoever at the time, and was surprised to hear that it predated not just the first use of the "Matrix" name in issue 5 of the comics, but even the premiere of the animated TV series.
|link=https://discord.com/channels/656241088826441729/656248887534944265/1145034278644752497|name=Sabrblade|site=the TFWiki Discord server|year=2023|month=08|day=26}}</ref>
**Who actually came up with the Matrix for this script is unclear. Friedman doesn't seem to have ever taken credit for it. What we do know is that the comics and this draft were being worked on at roughly the same time, it's possible that whatever outline or pitch that Budiansky wrote for issue 5, (which would have had to have mentioned Optimus' Matrix) was seized upon by someone at Hasbro and included in a attempt at creative synergy.
**In the second draft, the Matrix and Megatron's essence both became [[Life Spark]]s at Sunbow's request. At some point, the Matrix was added back in.
*Cybertron is destroyed by Unicron, with 160 pages left, and he spends the rest of the script trying to destroy Earth. From the second draft onwards, he attempts to destroy Cybertron in the climax.
*The energy cage would be dropped; in the final film, Unicron doesn't need to absorb energy.
*The fight on the asteroid would be cut, leaving just the ambush on the shuttles.
*The remaining Autobots on Earth try to launch a counter attack on the Decepticons. This remains into the second draft in a massively reduced role before being cut in the final film.
*Galvatron kills Magnus, Mentlar and Blurr. They stay dead in this draft, with no being rebuilt by the Junkions.
*Unicron's origin was dropped, as was his connection to the Junkions.
*Daniel is the one that uses the Matrix to save the day.

===Other differences===
*Characters like [[Cyclonus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cyclonus]], [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] and [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] don't exist yet.
*Magnus only becomes Ultra Magnus when he gains the Matrix.
*Hot Rod never becomes Rodimus Prime. It's possible Hasbro hadn't come up with that aspect of the character yet.
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike]] doesn't appear in this or the second draft at all.
*The Dinobots only have three members: [[Grimlock (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Grimlock]], [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] and [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]].
*[[Kranix (G1)|Granix]] is a rock robot rather than a regular robot, and has a much smaller role. There are no scenes on [[Lithone (planet)|Lithone]], which is only mentioned in passing as his homeworld; he was instead said to be captured by the Quintessons during a scientific expedition.

===What stayed the same===
Nevertheless, some things remain pretty close to what we eventually got in 1986...
*Megatron and Optimus Prime's final fight is nearly identical to the final film, even down to having some of the same dialogue. Considering that killing Optimus was the one thing we know Hasbro wanted, this may not be that surprising.
*Despite the rest of the script being massively reworked, the Quintesson scenes are similar to the final film, even if there are various differences:
**The planet's appearance would go unchanged in later drafts, still having a Mercury sea with red desert shores and metallic reefs which are home to robot fish.
**The Robot Squid fight still occurs and is dealt with similarly, albeit with Hot Rod using his "magnet power" to collect Tanker's parts.
**Tanker and Hot Rod encounter the Sharkticons on a ridge with metallic vegetation. To communicate with them, they use the "universal alien language salutation," an early name for the otherwise-identical [[universal greeting]]. Like in the film, it only briefly works.
**The captured Hot Rod and Tanker are taken to a compound where fellow prisoner Granix tells them about the Quintessons and their show trials.
**The Quintesson trials are still a sham, but rather than the guilty or innocent verdict, they are "found innocent of trespassing, but guilty of insolence."
**The arrival of the Dinobots saves the pair from being devoured by the Sharkticons.

===Season 1 quirks===
Some of the oddness of this script comes from it being written in 1984, early in the existence of the ''Transformers'' franchise. With only the first season of the show to draw on, many aspects of the ''Transformers'' mythos we know today didn't exist yet.
*Being massively outnumbered by the Autobots, the script features many generic Decepticons to pad out their ranks.
*The only 1985 characters to appear are [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]], [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] and [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]].
*The lackluster opening attack on the steel mill makes more sense when you consider most season 1 episodes opened with the Decepticons raiding power plants, factories or construction sites. Years later, Freidman called this opening "too ordinary" and was glad he came up with something more memorable.<ref>''I Killed Optimus Prime'', Ron Friedman (p. 171)</ref>
*Hasbro almost certainly hadn't determined the movie characters' designs at this point, hence why Friedman had to suggest what they turn into at various points.
*Autobot headquarters is called Crater Mountain, a name used in scripts for the first season that didn't make it into the final show.
*[[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] is still called by his preliminary name [[Gravedigger]].

===Things we haven't mentioned yet===
This script features a lot of details that couldn't fit in the summary without making it bloated and hard to follow; we've listed most of these other details below:

*Flint Dille's copy of the script is incomplete, with three pages missing. Two of them (page 200 and 203) are mentioned in the summary; the other is page 137, where the Autobot shuttle crashes on the Entity's moon and then it cuts back to the Autobots on Earth.
*In the opening battle, the Decepticons use Fire Snow, a "snow crystal cloud" which rains down flakes of fire which continuously burn the Autobot soldiers. This sounds pretty similar to the Cybertronian equivalent of {{w|napalm}}.
*A Decepticon soldier tries to kill Hot Rod with a Laser Chainsaw, only to end up cutting himself in half (lengthways) after Tanker trips him.
*Like in the finished film, Hot Rod blames himself for Prime's death. Unlike in the film, the other Autobots comfort him and assure him it wasn't his fault.
*Unlike in the final film, which sees him as one of the many Autobot casualties, Wheeljack has a prominent supporting role in this script. Unfortunately, it involves him being a massive misogynist for laughs. These moments include:
**When Arcee chooses to join Wheeljack's team because she's "the best metal worker you've got", he tells her to "keep out of the way."
**When the Autobots are constructing the shuttle, Arcee saves him from falling machinery. Of course, he doesn't notice this since he was on a call with Magnus.
**When the Decepticons attack the mill, Wheeljack misses her fighting [[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] and derides her for ruining his report.
**Before launching the shuttle, Arcee corrects him about how some of the thrusters should be positioned. He agrees with this, but when he realizes Arcee was the one who told him, he responds with "do you mind?"
**After she defeats Starscream, he congratulates her for finally pulling her weight. Understandably this annoys her.
**When the Decepticons leave Earth and they realize they now have a chance to take back the planet, she kisses him, which he begrudgingly accepts before saying it isn't appropriate for comrades in arms.
**As Unicron appears over the Earth, Wheeljack finally apologizes, saying he "didn't mean half the things I said".
*The [[Hall of Heroes]] has a larger role in this draft. Described as a high tech art-deco "Nuremberg Party Rally" where the essence of dying leaders are placed in urns that flow into statues of the Decepticon Heroes' chest. This detail would carry over into the second draft.
*Of the former leaders named in the Hall of Heroes, only [[Ghoulon]] would make it into the film. Cryotron and Octacron would never be seen again.
*Autobot headquarters has been expanded into a high tech rotating "medieval fortified city-state". Various human civilians, scientists and soldiers live there.
*Similar to Prime's Matrix, Megatron's essence is a tiny glasslike version of himself.
*An Autobot is mentioned that turns into an electric tug (the kind that pulls aircraft, not the boat).
*The Decepticons converted by the Entity gain giant scale covered forms, though are said to still be recognizable as their former selves. They also get a new insignia. Apparently their powers are now "beyond computation". They have a rallying cry of yelling "Entity!" as they charge into battle.
*Cybertron was located in Space Quadrant Zeta.
*This isn't really an error, but the Autobots never learn that Megatron has been renamed Galvatron.
*Among the Entity's attacking forces are "DECEPTICONS like Starscream and Skywarp".
*A salvaged Teletraan I is rebuilt into a mobile tank like vehicle.
*When the "Sweeps" attack the makeshift base, Magnus's diversion has Sideswipe and Sunstreaker fight them off with steel beams they use like baseball bats.
*Snarl and Slag are missing from the Dinobots; the latter would ultimately make it into the final film.
*Bumblebee might have been killed off, as when the shuttle is attacked, he is blown off scene in an explosion. He isn't mentioned again, leaving his fate unclear.
*To plot a course for the ship, Mentlar has to plug himself into the computer, entering a trance-like state as he does.
*Hot Rod creates "a glass 'Bubble' head-piece" to breath underwater. Notice something off about that sentence?
*Apparently, Hot Rod can also turn into "a modified underwater—ready mode".
*Granix is able to destroy several Sharkticons in gladiatorial combat before he's finally killed.
*The Quintessons have various other prisoners besides Granix awaiting trial, who help the Autobots escape after being freed.
*Unlike in the film, the Quintessons don't have a ship. As a result, the Autobots just fly through space on their own.
*When Magnus leads the troops in their last stand, Springer bids farewell with "Until all matrixes are one". This would become "[['Til all are one|'til all are one]]" in later drafts.
*Tanker mentions someone called Ectalon.
*Various generic Junkions are featured. One tricycle Junkion which attacks Ellen is described as having a viking helmet and a metal-like woolen jacket. This design would be copied word for word and given to Wreck-Gar in the second draft.
*The humans get chained to a flatbed "jail truck" when captured by the Junkions.
*On route to Unicron, the Autobots encounter the wounded remnants of the Decepticon armada heading back to Earth, hiding from them in an asteroid field.
*The Junkions live in a village which is described as being a "JUNKY, HIGH TECH AFRICAN KRAAL -TRAILER PARK- CYCLE BUM PAD" with various strange Junkion creatures, and decorated with machinery and shrunken heads.
*The Junkion computer is print-out. Well, they do call it primitive...
*A desperate Galvatron is able to blast off one of The Entity's fingers, only for it to immediately grow back.
*The Decepticons flee as the Entity is destroyed, which is more of an explanation than we get in the final film.
*Galvatron is last seen hurtling through space, clinging to the remains of one of Unicron's hands and screaming in terror, while the human characters watch him from Earth using Sky Scope Binoculars.
*At the very end, the Autobots build a new base, though it isn't described in any way.

===General weirdness===
It is likely many of the following would have been addressed in future revisions had this draft been approved and developed into a full script. Nevertheless...
*At various points in the script, Friedman suddenly suggests that a generic Transformer in the scene is a specific character with "say (name)". He seemed to do this whenever the role was too important for a generic. For example, midway through Springer's fight with the Decepticon jets, it is revealed they are led by Starscream when he orders them to destroy the Autobot. It seems he didn't think about which characters were going to appear until he had to.
*It seems Friedman couldn't make up his mind if Transformers could fly in space or not. Sometimes they need a ship, but other times they don't. Hasbro must have also found this confusing, and in the second outline made it clear they need a spaceship to do this.
*[[Shockwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Shockwave]] is mentioned exactly once as being in the crowd of Decepticons when Galvatron appears at the Hall of Heroes.
*No one seems bothered by the destruction of Cybertron. After they find out the planet is gone, they never mention it again. Galvatron's vow of revenge is never mentioned again, not even when he tries to blow up Unicron, and he is given other reasons to hate The Entity.
*The Autobots spend pages building the Recontour shield, which is described in great detail, only for it to be destroyed almost instantly.
*All the space cruisers are mentioned to be destroyed in the attack on the mill...until Arcee and Wheeljack reveal they kept one safe for use later on.
*We mentioned this before, but Chemico clearly only exists to create a distraction to allow the Autobots to escape. Did Friedman just make this script up as he went along?
*Mentlar's weapon is briefly able to depower the Entity's troops. However, they almost immediately develop immunity to it, and it's never mentioned again.
*When saving Tanker from the Squid, Hot Rod is revealed to have magnetic powers, which are never mentioned again.
*Grimlock is able to evade capture by the Sharkticons, find the Quintesson compound, and free the captured Dinobots. Unlike in the final film, all of this happens off screen.
*Wreck-Gar is described as wearing "NAZI HELMET STYLE HEADGEAR". ''Eesh.'' Presumably, this was intended as a reference to the usage of Nazi iconography among biker gangs (the Junkions being much more strongly coded as outlaw bikers in this draft), but it's unsurprising that Hasbro didn't end up going with that idea for one of their heroic characters.
*So Ultra Magnus, Blurr and Mentlar are just killed off in this version. Friedman's autobiography seems to give a justification for this. Apparently his first big idea for the movie was that he wanted characters to die, to "raise the stakes, give the surviving CHARACTERS opportunities to grieve" and add a "more profound human dimension" (Killing Optimus wasn't his choice, something he realities throughout the book and this is the only other death scene in the script).<ref>''I Killed Optimus Prime'', Ron Friedman (p. 160-167)</ref> If this is true it means he decided to have them sacrifice themselves while writing the script. It's hard to imagine that Hasbro were okay with him killing off the characters they intended to release toys of...
*It sure seems like a lot must have happened on the missing page where they befriend the Junkions. In the second draft, this sequence is expanded by three pages.
*With no foreshadowing or build up, an aura tells Hot Rod that the Matrix can destroy the Entity.

===Remnants===
Despite the massive reworking done in later drafts, this version still provides explanations for some things left unexplained in the final movie.
*How does Hot Rod find his friends? Rather than just running into them due to luck, the Quintessons tell him where to find them.
*As the Junkions created Unicron, they know how he works and what his weak points are. This is why they agree to help fight him.
*Unicron doesn't just transform at the end for dramatic effect; at this point, he's finally absorbed enough energy to be able to transform himself.
*Why does Magnus have such a minor role after being rebuilt by the Junkions? He was originally meant to stay dead.

==Legacy==
Two years after this aborted first draft came to light, [[Rails]] and [[General Blaze]] were properly canonized through ''[[The Enigma of Combination]]'', an expansion book for the [[Transformers Roleplaying Game]]. It's probably not a coincidence that Jim Sorenson, who had a hand in digging up the original script, would go on to contribute material for this book...

==Concept art==
Despite the script being rejected, several pieces of concept art were created from it. All three known pieces were drawn by [[Floro Dery]] and, according to the design notes, were done at the same time.

<center><gallery>
File:FloroDeryUnicronNotes.jpg|Note the 'Moon of the Entity' and the 'hole to the center of the Entity', two features which only exist in this draft.
File:FloroDeryJunkionnotes.jpg|The unnamed Junkion whose design would be used for Wreck-Gar. Note the lack of Nazi helmet.
File:FloroDerySharkticonNotes.jpg|Sharkticon concept art which gives them the alternate name of Sharkons, which isn't used in the script.
</gallery></center>

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qiESvs6xDIfpNh3zVegyt7HuCIJLKqOD/view The script itself]
*[https://sunbowmarvelarchive.blogspot.com/2022/11/detailed-outline-of-very-first.html A detailed summary on the Sunbow Marvel Archive]

[[Category:Unproduced scripts]]

The Transformers: The Movie (second draft)

2025-03-19T21:05:21Z

Silver: /* Decepticons */

[[Image:SecondDraftScriptCover.jpg|thumb|right|250px|This page took fourteen years to make!]]

In early [[1985]], [[Ron Friedman]]'s [[The Transformers: The Movie (first draft)|initial script]] for [[The Transformers: The Movie]] had been rejected (allegedly because it focused too much on the villains). However, the terms of his contract meant that the film had to be based on a script he wrote. So if they wanted to continue production they needed him to write a new script. Not willing to leave this to chance, an outline was created by [[Sunbow Productions]] and he was told to base the new draft on it. This isn't exactly a revision of Friedman's previous script, it's more like an entirely new one that was loosely based on the first draft that Sunbow would be able to further rewrite into the movie they wanted to make without violating his contract.

The new script was written in just under a month. While this draft would form the basis of the final film, it would be massively reworked by "Story Consultant" [[Flint Dille]]. The script first became public when it was purchased after being auctioned off by Friedman in [[2010]] .<ref>"[https://boltax.blogspot.com/2010/12/heritaage-auctions-transformers-movie.html Disciples of Boltax Heritage Auctions -The Transformers The Movie draft Script]</ref>

{{note|For practical purposes this article covers the initial Sunbow outline, the draft script and a slightly revised draft}}

==Background==
[[Image:TFTMOutlinePage.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Page 9 of the outline including Friedman's handwritten notes.]]
Sometime between February and [[March 28|28th March]] 1985, (two days after he had completed his reworked story premises for everyone's favourite cartoon "Bigfoot and the Muscle Machines") a 16 page outline was given to Friedman by Sunbow to dictate the new film. It features the new cast and a scene by scene overview of the film. Since this also had details on the early plans of the [[1986]] range Hasbro likely had some input in it.
Much of the final film originated here, such as the future setting,character arcs and locations such as [[Autobot City]] and the Moonbases. Thanks to Friedman's handwritten notes (as he presumably read through this outline for the first time) we can see his thought process. He questioned certain elements, brainstormed new ones and suggested plot changes. This draft was written in just under a month, being finished on the [[April 27|27 April]]. During this time Friedman seems to have stopped editing scripts, presumably to focus solely on this project.

Shortly after finishing this draft, Friedman revised this script. By this we mean he reworked the first 14 pages and nothing else. This draft was completed on [[May 2|May 2nd]]. He was paid for this draft and that marked the end of his involvement with Transformers. <ref> "[https://toddmatthy.com/2013/12/31/he-killed-optimus-prime-an-interview-with-ron-friedman-writer-of-transformers-the-movie/ He Killed Optimus Prime: An Interview With Ron Friedman the Writer of Transformers:The Movie]</ref> We don't just mean the film, he stopped working on Transformers all together and focused all his efforts on writing the script for the G.I. Joe movie, which would have a similarly hectic development...<ref>[https://comics.ha.com/itm/memorabilia/miscellaneous/g-i-joe-the-movie-ron-friedman-s-revisions-notes-and-story-ideas-sunbow-productions-inc-1985-/a/7027-93252.s# Heritage Auction G.I. Joe Movie Story ideas dated May 1985]</ref> <ref>[https://comics.ha.com/itm/memorabilia/miscellaneous/g-i-joe-the-movie-outlines-and-notes-by-ron-friedman-sunbow-productions-inc-1985-/a/7027-93254.s?ic16=ViewItem-BrowseTabs-Auction-Archive-ThisAuction-120115 Heritage Auction G.I. Joe Movie Outline and early draft dated July 1985]</ref>

Evidently this new script doesn't seem to have met Sunbow's standards. After it was submitted, Sunbow staff [[Joe Bacal]], [[Tom Griffin]], [[Jay Bacal]], Flint Dillie, [[Roger Slifer]] and [[Carole Weitzman]] held a meeting to try and rework the script. This lasted 16 hours. <ref>"[https://alonefancryinginthewilderness.blogspot.com/2012/07/from-archives-my-animated-conversation.html A Lone Fan Crying In The Wilderness — My Animated Conversation With Buzz Dixon]</ref><ref>"[https://alonefancryinginthewilderness.blogspot.com/2012/02/meet-roger-slifer.html A Lone Fan Crying In The Wilderness — My Animated Conversation With Roger Slifer]</ref> <ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20200128201208/http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/60-astrominutes/flint-dille/flint-dille-2.html The Flint Dille Interview Part II]</ref>
Ultimately, Flint Dille was chosen to edit the script and spent the next several months reworking it into the final film over the course of 20 drafts.

==Synopsis==
Five years have passed since the Transformers awoke on Earth. From the moons of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], the [[Autobot|Autobots]] launch a shuttle to send supplies to [[Earth]]. As it passes through an asteroid field the [[Decepticon|Decepticons]] begin to trail the shuttle through space. At a fishing hole near Autobot City on Earth, [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]] and [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel]] detect the incoming shuttle. Driving to the nearby Lookout Point they pass [[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]] cording off the area.

As the shuttle enters Earth's atmosphere, the Decepticons blast their way in and kill the crew. Through his observation binoculars Daniel spots the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] eating the ship. [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] flies off commanding his troops to destroy Autobot City. Spotting the young Autobot below, the Decepticon leader opens fire at him destroying most of the mountain. Hot Rod fights the Decepticon soldiers on the crumbling mountain while trying to protect Daniel, until he's saved by Kup who fights off [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] and [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]]. The trio rush back to the city as the attack continues.

At the city, [[Perceptor (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Perceptor]] alerts [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] of the attack, initiating Autobot City's transformation procedure. Hot Rod and Kup run over the Insecticons as they devour the last bridge into the city, leaving the Autobots trapped inside.
From a "WAR SCREEN" Magnus commands the Autobots against the enemy forces. Spotting the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] near the southern wall which houses the [[Roboto-zoo]], he releases the Ani-Bots who manage to drive off the invaders. On Magnus' order, [[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]] transmits a message to [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]].[[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity| Soundwave]] attempts to intercept this, ejecting the cassettes [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]], [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]], [[Ravage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ravage]] and [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] to jam it. Blaster fights back with his own cassettes [[Steeljaw (G1)|Cubbie]], [[Stripes]], [[Stinger (G1)|Stinger]] and [[Bolts]].

On Cybertron, Prime and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] receive the message and board a shuttle headed to Earth. En-route they are attacked by [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]]. On Earth, the battle continues with the Constructicons forming [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. Seeing this, Magnus commands the Ani-bots to merge into [[Dragon Beast ]] to fight the combiner. Prime's shuttle arrives and the Dinobots leap out to face the enemy forces. This begins to turn the tide, as the Decepticons are forced to retreat. Outside of the city, Megatron commands his forces to keep fighting, unaware of Optimus' shuttle landing next to him. Just like last time, the fight is pretty much identical to the final film.

A dying Megatron demands [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] to take his [[Life Spark]] back to Cybertron as the Decepticons board the newly arrived Astrotrain. Gathering around Optimus, Perceptor declares his wounds fatal. Prime gives Magnus his Life Spark -a tiny glowing version of himself, and names the reluctant Autobot his successor as he dies. Ultra Magnus' first orders are for the Autobots to fortify the planet against further attacks and construct a shuttle to follow the Decepticons into space.
As Astrotrain reaches Cybertron, the Decepticons argue over who will be the new leader. Fighting breaks out with Megatron pitifully stating that he's still alive. Arriving at the [[Hall of Heroes]], the dying Megatron begs for his Life Spark to be enshrined alongside the past leaders. The fighting spills into the Hall, wrecking the statues causing the leaders Life Sparks to fly off into space. One of the statues crushes Megatron, finally killing him and his Life Spark is left to float into space with the others.

As the Life Sparks drift through space, a furious Megatron demands to have his body restored at any cost. The ghostly voice of [[Unicron/Generation 1|Ingestor]] hears his cries and with a "PALE, COLD RAY" drags the Life Sparks to the "HELL-LIKE, MECHANICAL" planet of Unicron. Ingestor offers him power in exchange for permanent servitude to him which Megatron is forced to accept. Bathed in a beam of light he is rebuilt into Galvatron. The other Life Sparks are also rebuilt as [[Scourge (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Scourge]], the [[Sweep (G1)|Sweeps]], [[Cyclonus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cyclonus]] and [[Cyclonus's Armada (G1)|his armada]]. At Ingestor's command they fly to Cybertron to claim its remaining energy.

Starscream's coronation is basically the same, so we can skip that. Under the command of their new leader the Decepticons gather the planet's Energon for Ingestor, which he absorbs with his Cold Rays and the planet Unicron begins to rebuild itself as it nears Cybertron. From Cybertron's third moon, [[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] and [[Cliffjumper (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cliffjumper]] alert Earth about the approaching planet. As the moon is destroyed, Ingestor orders Galvatron to drain Earth next. Galvatron briefly attempts to resist only to be inflicted with pain.

At Autobot City, the superfast messenger, [[Blurr (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blurr]] brings news of the moon's destruction and warns of the imminent arrival of the Decepticons. Suddenly, the Decepticons arrive and a massive fight ensues. Magnus orders Hot Rod and the Dinobots to one of the newly constructed shuttles. The shuttle takes off under enemy fire as Magnus begins his own launch, using the rocket's thrust to melt the attacking Sweeps. Taking off they are persuaded by a squad of Decepticon led by Astrotrain, before managing to outrun them using a "hyper vault" to blast off at infinite speed. Later, as his troops begin harvesting Earth's [[Energon]], Galvatron learns of the Autobots' escape, boarding a "SPACE CARRIER" to follow them.

On the shuttles, Kup tells the Dinobots an old war story. Perceptor realizes the Decepticons are beaming energy into space and with no other options they are forced to follow it into space. Connecting himself into shuttles "SCANNER-MONITOR" to track the signal, Perecptor briefly catches a glimpse of Unicron. Galvatron's armada catches up to them, destroying Hot Rod's shuttle and throwing its occupants into space. Magnus escapes by detonating three quarters of his ship, making it appear to have been destroyed as they sneak to a nearby planet for repairs. Back on Earth, Scourge and the Sweeps hunt down surviving Autobots. Tracking a signal they find only the burnt remains of a Decepticon soldier. As they leave Blaster and the other Autobots come out of hiding. Wheeljack realizes that draining Earth's energy is weakening the planet. They only have 48 hours left until it's destroyed. (Blaster's group doesn't appear again. Just so you know.)

Hot Rod and Kup land on [[Quintessa (planet)|Quintesson]], running into a mechanical squid. (Like last time, we can skip over this). Magnus' shuttle has a rough landing on planet [[Junkion (planet)|Junkion]]. The Autobots attempt to salvage parts from the junk which makes up the planet. Unnoticed, the [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]] see the intruders and prepare to fight. Hot Rod and Kup are captured by the [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]] and taken to their masters, the [[Quintesson|Quintessons]]. Imprisoned, their fellow prisoner, a rock robot [[Kranix (G1)|Granix]], tells them that their fate will be to fight to the death in the arena. Outside, the Dinobots have found their way to the Quintesson Castle looking for their friends, only to be turned away by a guard who points them in the wrong direction.

In space, Unicron has absorbed more energy and grown even larger. Ingestor tells Galvatron that Magnus still lives, ordering him to kill the Autobot leader. Galvatron resists only for Ingestor to inflict his "cold rays" on him, then using one of the metal trees that covers the planet to throw him into space. Briefly content, Unicron devours another of Cybertron's moons. Hot Rod and Kup are sentenced to fight the Sharkticons. The Dinobots run into [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], the "Wolf Boy of Quintesson" who tells them that they've been deceived and they need to save their friends. In the arena, Hot Rod is able to take the lead Quintesson hostage. The leader just laughs at them as his head disconnects from his body and flies to safety, leaving them to face the Sharkticons. As the pair prepare to fight to the end, the Dinobots arrive and turn the tide, dropping bombs and setting the grandstand on fire. The few remaining Sharkticons turn on their masters and begin to devour them. Wheelie shows the Autobots a Quintesson cruiser they use to leave the planet.

Back on Junkion the repairs are nearly finished. The Junkions lay in wait, retreating when they spot the arriving Decepticons. On Magnus' order, Perceptor has created "Pseudo-clones" - non-sentient replicas of the Autobots. The clones are sent on a suicide charge to fool the Decepticons into thinking their enemies have been killed, but the ruse will be uncovered if they examine the remains. Realizing this Magnus joins the clones knowing that the death of the Autobot leader will distract Galvatron. Magnus is ultimately overwhelmed by a horde of Decepticons and Galvatron kills him with a point blank shot from his fusion cannon. Cutting Prime's Life Spark out of him with a laser saw and putting it in a glass bottle, the leader demands his men head back to Earth, while he deals with Ingestor.

As the Decepticons leave, the Autobots come out of hiding and mourn their fallen leader. This doesn't last long as the Junkions have returned, forcing them to try and flee. Unable to escape, they are cornered when more Junkions appear from underneath the scrap. The ensuing fight is halted when the Quintesson Cruiser appears overhead. As the ship lands Hot Rod approaches the Junkion's with Energon Sticks and recites the Universal Greeting. This works. With everyone now friends, the Junkions rebuild Ultra Magnus. A more mature Hot Rod points out they still need to find where the Decepticons are beaming Earth's energy to. The surrounding crowd cheers and they all board their cruisers.

Back in space, Galvatron threatens Ingestor to release him from servitude. This just makes him laugh, so Galvatron detonates a bomb to destroy Unicron. Ingestor happily reveals that was the last piece of energy he needed and the planet begins to transform into a massive robot revealing that Unicron is actually Ingestor! Ingestor restrains Galvatron in his eyebrows (yes, really), and for his insolence forces him to watch as Cybertron is destroyed.
The Autobots arrive as his attack is underway, with Hot Rod ordering them to intercept him. As the Junkions and Dinobots fly out to distract the giant robot, Hot Rod's ship flies towards Injector's head, crashing into his ear. Racing inside, Hot Rod tells the other to keep him distracted, while he tries to find the core of the creature. Sensing intruders, Ingestor picks up Galvatron and shoves him through his eye socket telling him he may allow him to live if he kills the Autobot.

While the Autobot's try to stop Ingestor, deep inside him Galvatron and Hot Rod fight, the Decepticon overpowering the young Autobot. In a last show of strength, Hot Rod grabs the bottle containing the Life Spark and is transformed, the ghostly voice of Optimus declaring him Rodimus Prime. The battle continues until Rodimus is able to destroy the bottle, releasing the Life Spark's energy. Ingestor begins to explode and tears himself apart to try and get the Life Spark. An explosion throws Galvatron into space. Escaping Rodimus is able to free Cybertron's moons from Ingestor's stomach. Flying into space, a ghostly image of Optimus tells the dying creature that all evil must end.

On their ship the Autobots mourn Hot Rod, only to start cheering when they see their new leader flying towards them

==Cast==

===Autobots===
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod/Rodimus Prime]] - The outline bluntly describes him as "reckless, headstrong, short tempered and cocky." The movie charts his " grow[th] from boyhood to manhood, both physically and mentally, eventually becoming the new leader of the Autobots". Rodimus Prime is apparently him "fully mature".
*[[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]]- Tanker is named Kup now, meaning his development for the final film is complete. He's named "Kup" "as in Pickup Truck", <ref>Kup's barely reworked early development notes/profile in ''[[The Transformers Universe (Marvel)|The Transformers Universe]]'' #4</ref>, though there is no indication that Friedman knew this. The outline has no info on his alt mode, so the closest the script gets is saying he has wheels.
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] - He's still "the large and soldierly City Commander". His personality is serious and practical, with Friedman comparing him to Horatio Hornblower. Also, at one point he turns his hand into a loudspeaker. Neat!
*[[Springer (G1)|Springer]] - Still "very muscular", though now he's a "bantering Indiana Jones type Autobot". While going through the outline, Friedman realized he could reuse Rusty Steel's personality for him. The outline calls him Ultra Magnus's wise-cracking second in command, though deep down he unquestionably respects him. He's still not a triple changer yet.
*[[Arcee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Arcee]] - This time she actually gets to go on the adventure (and with barely any misogyny!). This version introduces her relationship with Hot Rod, and mothering of Daniel.
*[[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel]] - An all-American 12-year-old boy who looks up to the Autobots. He has trouble using his exosuit, but at the end is able to master it to save Arcee. He's still not Spike's son yet. The outline intended for him to stowaway on the Autobot shuttle, which Friedman disregarded.
*[[Perceptor (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Perceptor]] - Mentlar has been replaced with the Autobot scientist we know and love. Like in the final film, his gimmick is that he uses too much scientific jargon which confuses the others, though there are way more examples of that in this draft.
* [[Anibot|Anibots]] - A team of Autobots with animal alt-modes who are kept in the "Roboto-Zoo lab". They are Simba (a lion), Pardo (a leopard), Shriek (an eagle), Thump (a buffalo), and Clump (a rhinoceros). They combine to form the Dragon Beast, a "huge, DRAGON LIKE MECHANO-BEAST". The outline simply dictated "the Anibots (lion, tiger, eagle, buffalo and rhinoceros) who also come together to form a huge robot" and said they'd fight the Constructicons. Given that description Friedman then came up with their names and combined form. Clearly, the Anibots are an early version of the Predacons, though there was a misunderstanding between Ron and Hasbro. Now, while the lineup of animals would change, the combined form was likely always intended to be the conventional giant robot made up of smaller robots. Ron didn't know this and from the "form a huge robot" line went wild and devised something that Hasbro never intended to release. At some point the group gets dropped from the film but not before concept art was drawn up.
*[[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]] - Described as "a black rock D.J.". He has a larger role than in the final film, leading the surviving Autobots against the Decepticon-controlled Earth. The outline describes his cassettes as a "lion, tiger, scorpion and robot", which Friedman reworked into Cubbie, Stripes, Stinger, and Bolts. Only Cubbie would make it unchanged, though he was renamed to Steeljaw. Bolts would be split in two to become Eject and Rewind. Stinger and Stripes would be cut entirely. This lineup made it all the way to early storyboards.
*[[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] - a "fast, fast mover and fast, fast talker" Autobot special messenger. He's introduced alerting the others to the destruction of Cybertron's third moon. Besides changing jobs and showing up earlier in the actual film he's the final version of the character.
*[[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] - An "Autobot like Robotoid kid" that lives as "the Wolf Boy of Quintesson". Stage directions explain Wheelie's backstory in greater detail than in the final film, revealing that he's the only survivor of a crashed spaceship after the Sharkticons ate the rest of the crew. He wears a necklace made of Sharkticon teeth. His weapons are "a three bladed laser knife" and a "SLING which hurls FIRE STONES."

===Decepticons===
*[[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] - The rebuilt form of Megatron who "still resembles Megatron somewhat". The outline describes him as having a "cannon mode", which isn't explicitly mentioned in the script itself. After being reborn he declares "There is no Megatron! I am Galvatron and I rule!". Despite this the draft still makes several allusions to him being Megatron, such as in the climax when he reveals his identity to Rodimus, calling it his "true name".
*[[Scourge (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Scourge]] /The [[Sweep (G1)|Sweeps]] - The bearded leader of the Sweeps. Built from the converted Life Spark of a former Decepticon leader (as are the other Sweeps), he's likened to a "mafia hit man" in the outline. His soldiers are now called the Sweeps seemingly due to a miscommunication between Ron and Hasbro. They still search for surviving Autobots, so it sort of works. Like in the previous draft, they turn into land vehicles. Scourge has a mid-transformation form which features his head sticking up in vehicle mode to perform scans. Bizarrely, the Nazi imagery also carries over with the outline describing Scourge as an "SS trooper" and the Sweeps being "smaller" "similar creatures" wearing "dark and matching uniforms". Scourge went unnamed in the outline, being named by Friedman.
*[[Cyclonus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cyclonus]] - He's another converted essence and is the commander of the Decepticon planes. This "armada" or "Jet Force" consists of smaller, but similar-looking robots that turn into "FIGHTER PLANES". He disappears completely from the script after the Autobots flee Earth. His unnamed outline profile reads in its entirety "He needs to be developed".

===Others===
*[[Unicron/Generation 1|Ingestor]]/Unicron - At this stage the Entity has been renamed Ingestor. Other proposed names were Absorber, Unitron, the Amalgamator, Amalgamon, and Masticar. Sunbow felt the idea of a talking planet was "a stretch", and asked for his dialogue to be kept to a minimum. Friedman ignored this. The outline also claims they were going to cast Orson Welles. Good luck with that... His role is similar to the previous draft (introduced as "The Absorber of Unicron", rebuilding Megatron, the appearance of the planet Unicron, and growing larger the more energy he consumes) while his backstory has been removed entirely. This version also adds an extensive final battle on his massive body as the Autobots fight to stop him from destroying Cybertron. The first page of Friedman's revised script features a new intro where the planet flies through space. This would eventually evolve into the sequence of him devouring Lithone that opens the movie proper.
*[[Quintessons]] - Their role is similar to the final film. While their psychic powers have been removed, their appearance carries over from the previous draft. They still have slender bodies which are too small for their massive heads. But in an extra twist it's implied these are their true forms as when the leader disconnects his head, it flies away to attach itself to another body. The outline suggests they have a "friendly face, a stern face, an evil face, (a face of your choosing) and a face of Death", which Friedman reworked into "SMILING, ANGRY, GRIMACING, SUSPICIOUS" and "a DEATH'S HEAD".
*[[Sharkticons]] - While their design and role as the Quintessons' guards carries over from the first draft, their shock sticks (which froze someone in time) are now just regular electric batons. In a scene repeated from the last draft their cries are revealed to translate to "we eat". Apparently, Grimlock inspiring them to rebel against their masters is to show they share "a kind of Proletarian commonality" with their fellow "lower life forms". <ref>''I Killed Optimus Prime'', Ron Friedman (p. 105)</ref> They are still the only Quintesson servants to appear.
* [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]] - A group of robot road warriors slash Hell's Angels made of rusty and disused metal. Like in the previous draft they are able to repair their damaged bodies with their planet's garbage making them essentially indestructible. However, their backstory and connection to Unicron have been removed. They also now ride into battle on their transformed comrades. The outline intended their language to be a mix of "alien lingo", Latin phrases, TV talk, and generic expressions, though only really the TV talk made it into the script.
* [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] - He remains the Junkion leader. Sensibly, his design has been switched with that of a generic Junkion from the first draft (as someone probably realized that having one of the heroes dress like a fascist might have been a bad idea). He now looks like "a rusty junk metal version of a Viking helmet and a BRILLO like wooly wire-metal vest". The Nazi-helmeted Junkion is still present, now as a generic who Springer briefly fights. He sounds like "a cross between Henry Kissinger, a TV talk show host like Bert Parks, and Mr. Rogers on amphetamines". Wreck-Gar isn't mentioned in the outline suggesting Friedman used him on his own initiative.

==Notes==
===Comparisons to the finished film===
===What changed===
*This script takes place five years after the Autobots awoke on Earth, seemingly placing the events of the script in the year 1990.
*No opening on Lithone, though the revised draft features a brief scene of Unicron flying through space which would ultimately evolve into it.
*The draft now opens on Cybertron's moons.
*Unlike in the final film we're given more details about the Autobot Moonbase. The fact it's also a munitions factory remains in the final film though isn't mentioned on screen.
*Autobot City has been introduced. We don't really get any details about it besides being a new headquarters, but the final film gives it an extra purpose of generating energy for the Autobots.
*Like in the final film, the Dinobots have a prominent supporting role. Unlike the previous draft [[Slag (G1)|Slag]] is present, though weirdly he isn't explicitly mentioned until page 61 (with the others first being mentioned on page 21). There's still no [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] for reasons that have never made any sense, with the only explanation being that since the outline didn't specify all of Dinobots, Freidman forgot about him and the production staff didn't add him back in later.
*Rather than intercept the Autobot shuttle, here the Decepticons trail it all the way to Earth. Friedman's revisited draft would add the attack on the shuttle which made it into the final film.
*All the human characters from the last draft except for Daniel have been cut. He still isn't Spike's son who still isn't in this version.
*The script contains a brief scene of Magnus rebuking Hot Rod for leaving his post, this would remain up until the storyboard stage before being cut.
*Much of the battle of Autobot City would be reworked. Due to the length a more detailed overview will be given later.
*The Anibots would be dropped, presumably due to being reworked into the Predacons.
*Blaster's cassettes would also be massively reworked.
*We actually see Optimus Prime and the Dinobots receiving Blaster's message, boarding the shuttle and being attacked by Astrotrain.
*Optimus' Matrix and Megatron's essence became the same thing in the outline, later being named Life Sparks in the script. These are tiny glowing versions of a Transformer. There more explicitly a Transformers 'soul' (though there's still no explanation as to why Optimus' Life Spark is able to transform Hot Rod or destroy Ingestor at the end). The outline told Friedman to rename the Matrix but at some point it gets added back in. According to Friedman's notes on the outline "only leaders have essences". In the final film Megatron is only dying, not a ghost/disembodied soul.
*Hot Rod bemoans being responsible for Prime's death, but Kup and Arcee tell him it wasn't his fault.
*Most of the details about the Hall of Heroes carry over from the previous draft. In the final film it isn't even named. The major addition here is Starscream's coronation.
*That said Scourge, the Sweeps, Cyclonus and his Armada being reformatted life sparks of former leaders would be reworked into them being the converted from dead Deceptions.
*The Unicron and Ingestor twist would be dropped for the final film. There it was just Unicron
*The shuttle launch is more complicated with them having to escape the Decepticon forces in space by hyper-vault.
*The scene of Perceptor plugging himself into the shuttles computer briefly catching a glimpse of Unicron is dropped.
*The Quintesson planet, unnamed in the previous draft, is named here, Quintesson. This name actually made it into the final script of the film, though wasn't used on screen.
===What stayed the same===
A few scenes from the first draft carry over.
*Megatron and Optimus Prime's final fight carries over nearly verbatim from the previous draft,
*Like in the last script, the Quintesson scenes are similar to the final film, the big change here is that we see the Dinobots rescue attempts:
**The planet's appearance carries over from the last draft, still having a Mercury sea with red desert shores and metallic reefs which are home to robot fish.
**The Robot Squid fight still occurs and is dealt with similarly.
**Kup and Hot Rod still encounter the Sharkticons on a ridge. To communicate with them, they use the "universal alien language salutation," (The name universal greeting is used later on). Like in the film, it only briefly works.
**Hot Rod and Kup are taken to a "CASTLE LIKE STRUCTURE" where fellow prisoner Granix tells them about the Quintessons and their show trials.
**The Dinobots arrive at the Quintesson castle only to be sent away by a Quintesson guard. This scene was cut from the final film.
**Wheelie helps the Dinobots find Hot Rod and Kup.
**The arrival of the Dinobots saves the pair from being devoured by the Sharkticons.
**Most of the Quintessons are devoured by the Sharkticons.
**The Autobots leave the planet on a Quintesson cruiser.
===First Draft Remnants===
*Various other plot points carry over from the first draft that would be dropped for the final film. Since this script was publicly available for over a decade before the first draft surfaced, we're noting them here for completion's sake:
**The twist of Unicron's dual identity.
**Much of the description of Unicron's surface.
**Unicron still has to absorb energy in order to be able to transform.
**The Hall of Heroes' larger role.
**While the Matrix has been removed in this draft, much of the story beats about it carry over. This means Megatron still dies and his ghost ends up flying into space after his body is destroyed.
**The Decepticons attempt to drain Earth's energy in a process that will destroy it.
**Blaster's leading the surviving Autobots in guerrilla warfare on a Decepticon controlled Earth.
**The Quintessons' appearance of feeble humanoid figures remains though their psychic powers don't.
**Granix is a rock robot. Lithone is still only mentioned in passing, with him being captured on a scientific expedition.

===Other details===
Like the previous draft, this script features a lot of details that couldn't fit in the summary without making it overly long; most of these other details are:
*The outline gave Friedman the okay to kill off the following characters: [[Gears (G1)|Gears]], [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]], [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]], [[Sunstreaker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sunstreaker]], [[Sideswipe (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sideswipe]], [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]], [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]], [[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]], [[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]], [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]], [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], [[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]], [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]], [[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]], [[Skywarp (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Skywarp]] and [[Shockwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Shockwave]]. Not all of these guys die.
*It also gave 1985 characters to use for background appearances: "[[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]], [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]], [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]], [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]], [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]], [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]], [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]], [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] and [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]]." Not all of them appear in this draft.
*Cybertron has at least five moons.
*Like in the final film the occupants of the Autobot shuttle are Ironhide, Rachet, Prowl and Brawn, though their deaths are different. Here Megatron blasts through the main viewscreen as they are about to land, blowing Ironhide to pieces while the other Decepticons flood the ship, the Constructions disintegrating Prowl and the Insecticons devouring Brawn. Freidman didn't include Ratchet's death.
*In the revised draft the Decepticons now intercept the shuttle in space. Megatron blasts Brawn in half, Prowl dies the same way, but Ironhide and Ratchet are fused together and then blown apart by enemy fire.
*Extended battle of Autobot City details
**Wheeljack isn't a horrible misogynist this time, here he works a control console in the "WAR SCREEN", with Magnus. Later he determines the amount of time until Earth Is destroyed.
**There is one final change in the revised draft: the Constructions fight with the Anibots is expanded by half a page.
**Powerglide and [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] (who can also fly apparently) intercept Blitzwing over the city, causing him to crash through the city walls, landing in the fishin' hole from the opening. They then drop bombs on him, blasting him into the air.
**Thundercracker and Skywarp lead a group of Decepticons trying to break into the city, while Bluestreak, Hound and Sunstreaker lay in wait. During the ensuing fight Bluestreak cuts Thundercracker in half with his "LASER SABER". Skywarp and the others swarm him until Hound opens fire, blasting off their legs.
**Just before Optimus and Megatron's final fight begins, Dirge attempts to tackle Prime from behind, only for the Autobot leader to grab him with one hand, turn him upside down and throw him to the ground.
**In the aftermath of the battle we get a brief scene of the surviving Autobots cleaning up wreckage and dead Decepticons.
*Scrapper calls Starscream "a pompous Alumin-ass"
*The Hall of Heroes carries over into this draft. It is now a "METALLIC EQUIVALENT OF A CLASSICAL , ROCK-CUT MASOULEUM" in a metal mountain. Questionably, it's still described as "High tech" "Nuremberg Party Rally".
[[File:DecepticonMarkers.jpg|thumb|right|The Life Spark flames at the base of the statues ]]
*The flames at the base of each Decepticon leader’s statue contains their Life Spark. This detail actually made it into the final film where it means nothing.
*The former leaders named in the Hall of Heroes are [[Ghoulon]], [[Murdron]], and [[Bloodron]].
*Galvatron is given the insignia of Ingestor.
*During Starscream's coronation, a reluctant Dirge performs a ritual from an ancient book to the new leader's annoyance.
*As Galvatron kills a confused Starscream at his coronation he declares "there is no Megatron! I am Galvatron and I rule!".
*Galvatron kills Starscream by disintegrating him with a blaster. Just to clarify that, he pulls out a gun and shoots him dead.
*Ingestor uses his "cold rays" to pull the Energon Cubes through space to Unicron. This allows the planet to reform itself and travel to Cybertron.
*In one of the less creative Friedmanism, Dirge compares Unicron absorbing Energon with his Cold Rays "Like soda-oil through a straw".
*The moon Jazz and Cliffjumper escape from is the third moon. After devouring it, Unicron, "swells in size so it looks even closer - like a baloon {{sic}}."
*The Decepticons have a new rallying cry of "Ingestor and victory."
*During Galvatron’s attack on the City.
**The script offhandedly reveals that some of the invasion force "have been on Earth all this time."
**The Autobots learn of Ingestor's name (and existence) from Galvatron's battle cry.
** Magnus releases "Optic Dazzler Gas", a white exploding gas cloud that blinds and disorients the Decepticons.
**Springer throws grenades at enemy troops, causing them to fall over like dominos. Then he jumps around, drawing fire causing them to miss and melt the other troops in the crossfire.
**Cyclonus and the Constructicons are commanded to melt the city. They succeed at this.
**Similarly to the final film Blurr has to herd the Dinobots into the shuttle.
**Perceptor karate chops two Sweeps in half, from the head to groin, with each half then walking around bumping into each other.
**The Dinobots are caught in the fire bombing, having to use their "temperature monitors" to cool down.
**Galvatron surveys the ruined city, plotting to overthrow Ingestor. He is driven off by Powerglide and Warpath.
**Cyclonus "bombs Gears to pieces", the blast throwing Windcharger into the air as the Decepticon rams into him. His parts then rain down on Blaster's group of retreating Autobots.
*The story Kup tells the Dinobots is given slightly more detail here. The [[Ick-Yak|Ick Yaks]] are apparently cyborgs from Phospho-Norn.
*The shuttles have an "Intercom phone", which projects holograms.
*At the ruins of Autobot City, Autobot and human slaves are forced by the Sweeps to process and stack Energon Cubes for Ingestor.
*Quintesson is described as "a huge Baroque pearl."
*After crashing in the sea of the planet, Hot Rod turns into an "undersea action" "auto mode"", generating "a glass "bubble" head piece" to breathe.
*Hot Rod blasts a "Robotoid Squid" that takes Kup apart, scaring it away. He then collects Kup parts with his magnet powers he apparently has.
*Quintesson has "low dune-like red metallic hills".
*Kup attempts to track the Dinobots with his homing sensors.
*On the top of a ridge, they run into the Sharkticons. Kup uses the "universal alien language Salutation". Like in the film it briefly works.
*Page 101 mentions that the Sharkticons have captured Sludge. This isn't mentioned again and we later learn he is with the other Dinobots. This error is due to Friedman just reworking a portion from the previous draft where Sludge was captured as well.
*When the Dinobots enter the Quintessons castle, a Sharkticon tries to eat Grimlock only to stop when it finds he tastes terrible.
*We don't really get an explanation as to how Unicron knows Magnus survived. In the film it's because he sensed the Matrix, here nothing.
*Hot Rod and Kup are found guilty of trespassing, "under the laws of the Quintessons" a charge which is technically true. The trials are still a sham though, Granix says so.
*During the sentencing Kup realise the Quintessons' heads are their weak spot.
*The Quintesssons have other prisoners awaiting trial. The only one described in detail by the script is a ‘Huge Robotoid Warrior of Glass with Iron Fittings’. He’s seen cheering on the captured Autobots when they're thrown into the Sharkticon pit. After Grimlock crashes the trial, he escapes and helps them fight the Quintessons. He's last seen guarding some captive Sharkticons as the Autobots leave Quintesson.
*The Quintesson spaceship has a "five faced insignia of Quintessons."
*Wheelie is the one to suggest they try to make peace with the Junkions, which Kup rejects.
*The Junkions have a spaceship which is introduced with no fanfare.
*After he transforms Ingestor is described by the script as a ‘galaxy sized robot’. It's difficult to describe just how stupidly big this would make him. Even more laughable, the same page describes his arms as only being the size of a continent!
*Before he attacks Cybertron, Ingestor picks Galvatron up like an ant and drops him onto his eyebrow. His giant metal eyelashes act like cables restraining Galvatron as he’s forced to watch his planet be destroyed.
*During Ingestors destruction of Cybertron:
**Ingestor tears Shockwave's lab out of the ground like a carrot. In the process he ends up pinning Shockwave to a generator with his finger, before swallowing the base whole.
** Skywarp and Thundercracker try to stop Ingestor with a barrage of Laser Cannon fire. He swallows the bombardments then eats the chunk of the planet they're standing on.
**When flying in space the Junkions wear "space-gear", which is "Transformed tricycles which are space sleds, and rocket belts."
*When Hot Rod enters Ingestor the other continues to fight on his outer body.
**Blurr attaches a "Bumper with flame nozzles" which spews fire after him as he races across Ingestors chest and neck.
**Arcee is knocked into a forest of metal hair on Ingestor's shoulder, which begins to strangle her. Daniel is able to leap down and finally mastering control of his exo-suit, yanks the hairs out.
**Like in the film the Dinobots fly around and assault Ingestor, here they are joined by the Junkions who use grappling hooks to traverse his body.
**Ingestor is able to scrape Magnus and Perceptor off his neck with his fingers.
**Despite Perceptor's warning, Ingestor is able to smash Blurr with his hand. This really looks like it kills him, but he is later revealed to merely be damaged.
**When all hope seems lost the Autobots hide behind his horns to stay out of his sight.
*Galvatron and Hot Rod fight in Ingestor's stomach where Cybertron's moons are caught in a web and slowly being digested.
*During Rodimus' fight with Galvatron, the Decepticon is able to overpower him. He is saved when Jazz and Cliffjumper are revealed to be alive in the remains of their swallowed shuttle and open fire on Galvatron. This gives Rodimus the chance to escape and beat the Deception until he collapses.
*When Injector is being torn apart, Galvatron is blown into space. Jazz and Cliffjumper are also thrown into space, but since they're still in the remains of the escape pod they're probably fine.
*At the end, Rodimus rushes back into Ingestor's stomach to free the moons, blasting through the webbing holding them in place, which allows them to float into space and back into Cybetron’s orbit.

===Remnants===
[[File:Cyclonustarget2006.jpg|thumb|right|Cyclonus clearly explains his origin, rendering all debate pointless.]]
Some concepts from the script still made it into the film and media based on the script due to lack of access to the final movie.
*Astrotrain's sudden appearance in the aftermath of the battle of Autobot City is justified here. He's been fighting Optimus Prime's shuttle in space and has only just arrived on Earth.
*Like in the first draft, Unicron doesn't just transform at the end for dramatic effect; he's only just absorbed enough energy to do so.
*The episode [[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2]] refrenes this version of the script when recounting Optimus Prime's dying words.
*Most of [[The Transformers Universe (Marvel)|The Transformers Universe]] profiles for the movie cast appear to be slightly reworked development notes based on this draft. For example Scourge altmode "handles any terrain", which would be an odd way to describe a plane but makes sense for a land vehicle.
*In the Marvel UK story [[Target 2006]], the term Life Spark was misunderstood and ended up as the name of the Decepticon rebuilt into Cyclonus.

===Miscommunications===
It seems the outline provided to Friedman didn't quite work as intended. He and Hasbro appear to have misunderstood a few details.
*The outline gives no mention of what the movie cast turned into. As a result of this when they do transform their alt modes go undescribed.
*Friedman's second revision adds the sequence of the Decepticons ambush and take over of the Autobot shuttle presumably happened because he re-read the outline and realized the Transformers weren't meant to be able to fly through space on their own.
*Freidman interprets the term "essence of leadership" very literally. Underneath it he wrote "only leaders have essence", which probably isn't what they intended.
*The Autobots that crash land on Junkion were meant to send a distress signal which Hot Rod and Kup intercepted. However, Friedman didn't include this.
*Hot Rod saving the moons inside Unicron stems from Friedman misinterpreting a line about Hot Rod hearing the "trapped Autobots from the moons of Cybertron and going back inside the Entity to rescue them." Obviously, they wanted a scene where the main hero rescues the surviving Autobots on the moon. Well, Friedman interprets this rather literally with Rodimus managing to free Cybertron's moons from Unicron's stomach before he explodes.

==Gallery==
Despite the massive reworking of the script, a fair amount of concept art was drawn up using it, while most of the designs were cut some of it ended up in the final film.
<center><gallery>
File:UltraMagnus-FloroDery3rdConcept-OrionPax.jpg|Floro Dery's early version of Magnus. The script barely gives any details of his appearance so he went wild.
File:Anibot-MechanoBeastSecondConcept-FloroDery.jpg| [[Dragon Beast]] concept art.
File:DragonBeast.jpg| A reworked version of Dery's first Dragon Beast design used in {{w|Megas XLR}}
File:Stripes_patent_and_prototype.jpg|Patent and prototype of unproduced saber tooth tiger cassette. Seems someone mistakenly abbreviated it to just tiger for the outline.
File:Stinger_patent_and_prototype.jpg|Patent and Prototype of unproduced scorpion cassette.
File:Auto-Bop_Robot_Cassette.jpg| Unused "Robot Cassette" character model from the episode [[Auto-Bop]].
File:StripesStoryboard.jpg|Early storyboard featuring the cassettes, likely based solely on the script as none of them resemble the prototypes. Stripes
File:StingerStoryboard.jpg| Stinger
File:CubieStoryboard.jpg|Cubbie
File:BoltsStoryboard.jpg|Bolts, this is actually the best image of him, believe it or not.
File:FloroDery_originalquintesson.jpg| Floro Dery's original design for the Quintessons
</gallery></center>

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1tAWJAGC3nzxwaICQUUQsvLzLr97McwxJ The Sunbow Outline]
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Aqpj8Fb0esWl9lnD73SkOUMp3s3f7NmX The script itself]
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1sbYhgBn7JgOlauc-Nv5SYfcYBWCuQoQy The revised May Script]
*[https://sunbowmarvelarchive.blogspot.com/2022/05/story-outline-of-ron-friedmans-script.html A detailed summary on the Sunbow Marvel Archive]

[[Category:Unproduced scripts]]

The Transformers: The Movie (second draft)

2025-03-19T21:04:48Z

Silver: /* Others */

[[Image:SecondDraftScriptCover.jpg|thumb|right|250px|This page took fourteen years to make!]]

In early [[1985]], [[Ron Friedman]]'s [[The Transformers: The Movie (first draft)|initial script]] for [[The Transformers: The Movie]] had been rejected (allegedly because it focused too much on the villains). However, the terms of his contract meant that the film had to be based on a script he wrote. So if they wanted to continue production they needed him to write a new script. Not willing to leave this to chance, an outline was created by [[Sunbow Productions]] and he was told to base the new draft on it. This isn't exactly a revision of Friedman's previous script, it's more like an entirely new one that was loosely based on the first draft that Sunbow would be able to further rewrite into the movie they wanted to make without violating his contract.

The new script was written in just under a month. While this draft would form the basis of the final film, it would be massively reworked by "Story Consultant" [[Flint Dille]]. The script first became public when it was purchased after being auctioned off by Friedman in [[2010]] .<ref>"[https://boltax.blogspot.com/2010/12/heritaage-auctions-transformers-movie.html Disciples of Boltax Heritage Auctions -The Transformers The Movie draft Script]</ref>

{{note|For practical purposes this article covers the initial Sunbow outline, the draft script and a slightly revised draft}}

==Background==
[[Image:TFTMOutlinePage.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Page 9 of the outline including Friedman's handwritten notes.]]
Sometime between February and [[March 28|28th March]] 1985, (two days after he had completed his reworked story premises for everyone's favourite cartoon "Bigfoot and the Muscle Machines") a 16 page outline was given to Friedman by Sunbow to dictate the new film. It features the new cast and a scene by scene overview of the film. Since this also had details on the early plans of the [[1986]] range Hasbro likely had some input in it.
Much of the final film originated here, such as the future setting,character arcs and locations such as [[Autobot City]] and the Moonbases. Thanks to Friedman's handwritten notes (as he presumably read through this outline for the first time) we can see his thought process. He questioned certain elements, brainstormed new ones and suggested plot changes. This draft was written in just under a month, being finished on the [[April 27|27 April]]. During this time Friedman seems to have stopped editing scripts, presumably to focus solely on this project.

Shortly after finishing this draft, Friedman revised this script. By this we mean he reworked the first 14 pages and nothing else. This draft was completed on [[May 2|May 2nd]]. He was paid for this draft and that marked the end of his involvement with Transformers. <ref> "[https://toddmatthy.com/2013/12/31/he-killed-optimus-prime-an-interview-with-ron-friedman-writer-of-transformers-the-movie/ He Killed Optimus Prime: An Interview With Ron Friedman the Writer of Transformers:The Movie]</ref> We don't just mean the film, he stopped working on Transformers all together and focused all his efforts on writing the script for the G.I. Joe movie, which would have a similarly hectic development...<ref>[https://comics.ha.com/itm/memorabilia/miscellaneous/g-i-joe-the-movie-ron-friedman-s-revisions-notes-and-story-ideas-sunbow-productions-inc-1985-/a/7027-93252.s# Heritage Auction G.I. Joe Movie Story ideas dated May 1985]</ref> <ref>[https://comics.ha.com/itm/memorabilia/miscellaneous/g-i-joe-the-movie-outlines-and-notes-by-ron-friedman-sunbow-productions-inc-1985-/a/7027-93254.s?ic16=ViewItem-BrowseTabs-Auction-Archive-ThisAuction-120115 Heritage Auction G.I. Joe Movie Outline and early draft dated July 1985]</ref>

Evidently this new script doesn't seem to have met Sunbow's standards. After it was submitted, Sunbow staff [[Joe Bacal]], [[Tom Griffin]], [[Jay Bacal]], Flint Dillie, [[Roger Slifer]] and [[Carole Weitzman]] held a meeting to try and rework the script. This lasted 16 hours. <ref>"[https://alonefancryinginthewilderness.blogspot.com/2012/07/from-archives-my-animated-conversation.html A Lone Fan Crying In The Wilderness — My Animated Conversation With Buzz Dixon]</ref><ref>"[https://alonefancryinginthewilderness.blogspot.com/2012/02/meet-roger-slifer.html A Lone Fan Crying In The Wilderness — My Animated Conversation With Roger Slifer]</ref> <ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20200128201208/http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/60-astrominutes/flint-dille/flint-dille-2.html The Flint Dille Interview Part II]</ref>
Ultimately, Flint Dille was chosen to edit the script and spent the next several months reworking it into the final film over the course of 20 drafts.

==Synopsis==
Five years have passed since the Transformers awoke on Earth. From the moons of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], the [[Autobot|Autobots]] launch a shuttle to send supplies to [[Earth]]. As it passes through an asteroid field the [[Decepticon|Decepticons]] begin to trail the shuttle through space. At a fishing hole near Autobot City on Earth, [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]] and [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel]] detect the incoming shuttle. Driving to the nearby Lookout Point they pass [[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]] cording off the area.

As the shuttle enters Earth's atmosphere, the Decepticons blast their way in and kill the crew. Through his observation binoculars Daniel spots the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] eating the ship. [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] flies off commanding his troops to destroy Autobot City. Spotting the young Autobot below, the Decepticon leader opens fire at him destroying most of the mountain. Hot Rod fights the Decepticon soldiers on the crumbling mountain while trying to protect Daniel, until he's saved by Kup who fights off [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] and [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]]. The trio rush back to the city as the attack continues.

At the city, [[Perceptor (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Perceptor]] alerts [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] of the attack, initiating Autobot City's transformation procedure. Hot Rod and Kup run over the Insecticons as they devour the last bridge into the city, leaving the Autobots trapped inside.
From a "WAR SCREEN" Magnus commands the Autobots against the enemy forces. Spotting the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] near the southern wall which houses the [[Roboto-zoo]], he releases the Ani-Bots who manage to drive off the invaders. On Magnus' order, [[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]] transmits a message to [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]].[[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity| Soundwave]] attempts to intercept this, ejecting the cassettes [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]], [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]], [[Ravage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ravage]] and [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] to jam it. Blaster fights back with his own cassettes [[Steeljaw (G1)|Cubbie]], [[Stripes]], [[Stinger (G1)|Stinger]] and [[Bolts]].

On Cybertron, Prime and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] receive the message and board a shuttle headed to Earth. En-route they are attacked by [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]]. On Earth, the battle continues with the Constructicons forming [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. Seeing this, Magnus commands the Ani-bots to merge into [[Dragon Beast ]] to fight the combiner. Prime's shuttle arrives and the Dinobots leap out to face the enemy forces. This begins to turn the tide, as the Decepticons are forced to retreat. Outside of the city, Megatron commands his forces to keep fighting, unaware of Optimus' shuttle landing next to him. Just like last time, the fight is pretty much identical to the final film.

A dying Megatron demands [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] to take his [[Life Spark]] back to Cybertron as the Decepticons board the newly arrived Astrotrain. Gathering around Optimus, Perceptor declares his wounds fatal. Prime gives Magnus his Life Spark -a tiny glowing version of himself, and names the reluctant Autobot his successor as he dies. Ultra Magnus' first orders are for the Autobots to fortify the planet against further attacks and construct a shuttle to follow the Decepticons into space.
As Astrotrain reaches Cybertron, the Decepticons argue over who will be the new leader. Fighting breaks out with Megatron pitifully stating that he's still alive. Arriving at the [[Hall of Heroes]], the dying Megatron begs for his Life Spark to be enshrined alongside the past leaders. The fighting spills into the Hall, wrecking the statues causing the leaders Life Sparks to fly off into space. One of the statues crushes Megatron, finally killing him and his Life Spark is left to float into space with the others.

As the Life Sparks drift through space, a furious Megatron demands to have his body restored at any cost. The ghostly voice of [[Unicron/Generation 1|Ingestor]] hears his cries and with a "PALE, COLD RAY" drags the Life Sparks to the "HELL-LIKE, MECHANICAL" planet of Unicron. Ingestor offers him power in exchange for permanent servitude to him which Megatron is forced to accept. Bathed in a beam of light he is rebuilt into Galvatron. The other Life Sparks are also rebuilt as [[Scourge (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Scourge]], the [[Sweep (G1)|Sweeps]], [[Cyclonus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cyclonus]] and [[Cyclonus's Armada (G1)|his armada]]. At Ingestor's command they fly to Cybertron to claim its remaining energy.

Starscream's coronation is basically the same, so we can skip that. Under the command of their new leader the Decepticons gather the planet's Energon for Ingestor, which he absorbs with his Cold Rays and the planet Unicron begins to rebuild itself as it nears Cybertron. From Cybertron's third moon, [[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] and [[Cliffjumper (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cliffjumper]] alert Earth about the approaching planet. As the moon is destroyed, Ingestor orders Galvatron to drain Earth next. Galvatron briefly attempts to resist only to be inflicted with pain.

At Autobot City, the superfast messenger, [[Blurr (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blurr]] brings news of the moon's destruction and warns of the imminent arrival of the Decepticons. Suddenly, the Decepticons arrive and a massive fight ensues. Magnus orders Hot Rod and the Dinobots to one of the newly constructed shuttles. The shuttle takes off under enemy fire as Magnus begins his own launch, using the rocket's thrust to melt the attacking Sweeps. Taking off they are persuaded by a squad of Decepticon led by Astrotrain, before managing to outrun them using a "hyper vault" to blast off at infinite speed. Later, as his troops begin harvesting Earth's [[Energon]], Galvatron learns of the Autobots' escape, boarding a "SPACE CARRIER" to follow them.

On the shuttles, Kup tells the Dinobots an old war story. Perceptor realizes the Decepticons are beaming energy into space and with no other options they are forced to follow it into space. Connecting himself into shuttles "SCANNER-MONITOR" to track the signal, Perecptor briefly catches a glimpse of Unicron. Galvatron's armada catches up to them, destroying Hot Rod's shuttle and throwing its occupants into space. Magnus escapes by detonating three quarters of his ship, making it appear to have been destroyed as they sneak to a nearby planet for repairs. Back on Earth, Scourge and the Sweeps hunt down surviving Autobots. Tracking a signal they find only the burnt remains of a Decepticon soldier. As they leave Blaster and the other Autobots come out of hiding. Wheeljack realizes that draining Earth's energy is weakening the planet. They only have 48 hours left until it's destroyed. (Blaster's group doesn't appear again. Just so you know.)

Hot Rod and Kup land on [[Quintessa (planet)|Quintesson]], running into a mechanical squid. (Like last time, we can skip over this). Magnus' shuttle has a rough landing on planet [[Junkion (planet)|Junkion]]. The Autobots attempt to salvage parts from the junk which makes up the planet. Unnoticed, the [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]] see the intruders and prepare to fight. Hot Rod and Kup are captured by the [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]] and taken to their masters, the [[Quintesson|Quintessons]]. Imprisoned, their fellow prisoner, a rock robot [[Kranix (G1)|Granix]], tells them that their fate will be to fight to the death in the arena. Outside, the Dinobots have found their way to the Quintesson Castle looking for their friends, only to be turned away by a guard who points them in the wrong direction.

In space, Unicron has absorbed more energy and grown even larger. Ingestor tells Galvatron that Magnus still lives, ordering him to kill the Autobot leader. Galvatron resists only for Ingestor to inflict his "cold rays" on him, then using one of the metal trees that covers the planet to throw him into space. Briefly content, Unicron devours another of Cybertron's moons. Hot Rod and Kup are sentenced to fight the Sharkticons. The Dinobots run into [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], the "Wolf Boy of Quintesson" who tells them that they've been deceived and they need to save their friends. In the arena, Hot Rod is able to take the lead Quintesson hostage. The leader just laughs at them as his head disconnects from his body and flies to safety, leaving them to face the Sharkticons. As the pair prepare to fight to the end, the Dinobots arrive and turn the tide, dropping bombs and setting the grandstand on fire. The few remaining Sharkticons turn on their masters and begin to devour them. Wheelie shows the Autobots a Quintesson cruiser they use to leave the planet.

Back on Junkion the repairs are nearly finished. The Junkions lay in wait, retreating when they spot the arriving Decepticons. On Magnus' order, Perceptor has created "Pseudo-clones" - non-sentient replicas of the Autobots. The clones are sent on a suicide charge to fool the Decepticons into thinking their enemies have been killed, but the ruse will be uncovered if they examine the remains. Realizing this Magnus joins the clones knowing that the death of the Autobot leader will distract Galvatron. Magnus is ultimately overwhelmed by a horde of Decepticons and Galvatron kills him with a point blank shot from his fusion cannon. Cutting Prime's Life Spark out of him with a laser saw and putting it in a glass bottle, the leader demands his men head back to Earth, while he deals with Ingestor.

As the Decepticons leave, the Autobots come out of hiding and mourn their fallen leader. This doesn't last long as the Junkions have returned, forcing them to try and flee. Unable to escape, they are cornered when more Junkions appear from underneath the scrap. The ensuing fight is halted when the Quintesson Cruiser appears overhead. As the ship lands Hot Rod approaches the Junkion's with Energon Sticks and recites the Universal Greeting. This works. With everyone now friends, the Junkions rebuild Ultra Magnus. A more mature Hot Rod points out they still need to find where the Decepticons are beaming Earth's energy to. The surrounding crowd cheers and they all board their cruisers.

Back in space, Galvatron threatens Ingestor to release him from servitude. This just makes him laugh, so Galvatron detonates a bomb to destroy Unicron. Ingestor happily reveals that was the last piece of energy he needed and the planet begins to transform into a massive robot revealing that Unicron is actually Ingestor! Ingestor restrains Galvatron in his eyebrows (yes, really), and for his insolence forces him to watch as Cybertron is destroyed.
The Autobots arrive as his attack is underway, with Hot Rod ordering them to intercept him. As the Junkions and Dinobots fly out to distract the giant robot, Hot Rod's ship flies towards Injector's head, crashing into his ear. Racing inside, Hot Rod tells the other to keep him distracted, while he tries to find the core of the creature. Sensing intruders, Ingestor picks up Galvatron and shoves him through his eye socket telling him he may allow him to live if he kills the Autobot.

While the Autobot's try to stop Ingestor, deep inside him Galvatron and Hot Rod fight, the Decepticon overpowering the young Autobot. In a last show of strength, Hot Rod grabs the bottle containing the Life Spark and is transformed, the ghostly voice of Optimus declaring him Rodimus Prime. The battle continues until Rodimus is able to destroy the bottle, releasing the Life Spark's energy. Ingestor begins to explode and tears himself apart to try and get the Life Spark. An explosion throws Galvatron into space. Escaping Rodimus is able to free Cybertron's moons from Ingestor's stomach. Flying into space, a ghostly image of Optimus tells the dying creature that all evil must end.

On their ship the Autobots mourn Hot Rod, only to start cheering when they see their new leader flying towards them

==Cast==

===Autobots===
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod/Rodimus Prime]] - The outline bluntly describes him as "reckless, headstrong, short tempered and cocky." The movie charts his " grow[th] from boyhood to manhood, both physically and mentally, eventually becoming the new leader of the Autobots". Rodimus Prime is apparently him "fully mature".
*[[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]]- Tanker is named Kup now, meaning his development for the final film is complete. He's named "Kup" "as in Pickup Truck", <ref>Kup's barely reworked early development notes/profile in ''[[The Transformers Universe (Marvel)|The Transformers Universe]]'' #4</ref>, though there is no indication that Friedman knew this. The outline has no info on his alt mode, so the closest the script gets is saying he has wheels.
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] - He's still "the large and soldierly City Commander". His personality is serious and practical, with Friedman comparing him to Horatio Hornblower. Also, at one point he turns his hand into a loudspeaker. Neat!
*[[Springer (G1)|Springer]] - Still "very muscular", though now he's a "bantering Indiana Jones type Autobot". While going through the outline, Friedman realized he could reuse Rusty Steel's personality for him. The outline calls him Ultra Magnus's wise-cracking second in command, though deep down he unquestionably respects him. He's still not a triple changer yet.
*[[Arcee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Arcee]] - This time she actually gets to go on the adventure (and with barely any misogyny!). This version introduces her relationship with Hot Rod, and mothering of Daniel.
*[[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel]] - An all-American 12-year-old boy who looks up to the Autobots. He has trouble using his exosuit, but at the end is able to master it to save Arcee. He's still not Spike's son yet. The outline intended for him to stowaway on the Autobot shuttle, which Friedman disregarded.
*[[Perceptor (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Perceptor]] - Mentlar has been replaced with the Autobot scientist we know and love. Like in the final film, his gimmick is that he uses too much scientific jargon which confuses the others, though there are way more examples of that in this draft.
* [[Anibot|Anibots]] - A team of Autobots with animal alt-modes who are kept in the "Roboto-Zoo lab". They are Simba (a lion), Pardo (a leopard), Shriek (an eagle), Thump (a buffalo), and Clump (a rhinoceros). They combine to form the Dragon Beast, a "huge, DRAGON LIKE MECHANO-BEAST". The outline simply dictated "the Anibots (lion, tiger, eagle, buffalo and rhinoceros) who also come together to form a huge robot" and said they'd fight the Constructicons. Given that description Friedman then came up with their names and combined form. Clearly, the Anibots are an early version of the Predacons, though there was a misunderstanding between Ron and Hasbro. Now, while the lineup of animals would change, the combined form was likely always intended to be the conventional giant robot made up of smaller robots. Ron didn't know this and from the "form a huge robot" line went wild and devised something that Hasbro never intended to release. At some point the group gets dropped from the film but not before concept art was drawn up.
*[[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]] - Described as "a black rock D.J.". He has a larger role than in the final film, leading the surviving Autobots against the Decepticon-controlled Earth. The outline describes his cassettes as a "lion, tiger, scorpion and robot", which Friedman reworked into Cubbie, Stripes, Stinger, and Bolts. Only Cubbie would make it unchanged, though he was renamed to Steeljaw. Bolts would be split in two to become Eject and Rewind. Stinger and Stripes would be cut entirely. This lineup made it all the way to early storyboards.
*[[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] - a "fast, fast mover and fast, fast talker" Autobot special messenger. He's introduced alerting the others to the destruction of Cybertron's third moon. Besides changing jobs and showing up earlier in the actual film he's the final version of the character.
*[[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] - An "Autobot like Robotoid kid" that lives as "the Wolf Boy of Quintesson". Stage directions explain Wheelie's backstory in greater detail than in the final film, revealing that he's the only survivor of a crashed spaceship after the Sharkticons ate the rest of the crew. He wears a necklace made of Sharkticon teeth. His weapons are "a three bladed laser knife" and a "SLING which hurls FIRE STONES."

===Decepticons===
*[[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] - The rebuilt form of Megatron who "still resembles Megatron somewhat". The outline describes him as having a "cannon mode", which isn’t explicitly mentioned in the script itself. After being reborn he declares "There is no Megatron! I am Galvatron and I rule!". Despite this the draft still makes several allusions to him being Megatron, such as in the climax when he reveals his identity to Rodimus, calling it his "true name".
*[[Scourge (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Scourge]] /The [[Sweep (G1)|Sweeps]] - The bearded leader of the Sweeps. Built from the converted Life Spark of a former Decepticon leader (as are the other Sweeps), he's likened to a "mafia hit man" in the outline. His soldiers are now called the Sweeps seemingly due to a miscommunication between Ron and Hasbro. They still search for surviving Autobots, so it sort of works. Like in the previous draft, they turn into land vehicles. Scourge has a mid-transformation form which features his head sticking up in vehicle mode to perform scans. Bizarrely, the Nazi imagery also carries over with the outline describing Scourge as an "SS trooper" and the Sweeps being "smaller" "similar creatures" wearing "dark and matching uniforms". Scourge went unnamed in the outline, being named by Friedman.
*[[Cyclonus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cyclonus]] - He's another converted essence and is the commander of the Decepticon planes. This "armada" or "Jet Force" consists of smaller, but similar-looking robots that turn into "FIGHTER PLANES". He disappears completely from the script after the Autobots flee Earth. His unnamed outline profile reads in its entirety "He needs to be developed."

===Others===
*[[Unicron/Generation 1|Ingestor]]/Unicron - At this stage the Entity has been renamed Ingestor. Other proposed names were Absorber, Unitron, the Amalgamator, Amalgamon, and Masticar. Sunbow felt the idea of a talking planet was "a stretch", and asked for his dialogue to be kept to a minimum. Friedman ignored this. The outline also claims they were going to cast Orson Welles. Good luck with that... His role is similar to the previous draft (introduced as "The Absorber of Unicron", rebuilding Megatron, the appearance of the planet Unicron, and growing larger the more energy he consumes) while his backstory has been removed entirely. This version also adds an extensive final battle on his massive body as the Autobots fight to stop him from destroying Cybertron. The first page of Friedman's revised script features a new intro where the planet flies through space. This would eventually evolve into the sequence of him devouring Lithone that opens the movie proper.
*[[Quintessons]] - Their role is similar to the final film. While their psychic powers have been removed, their appearance carries over from the previous draft. They still have slender bodies which are too small for their massive heads. But in an extra twist it's implied these are their true forms as when the leader disconnects his head, it flies away to attach itself to another body. The outline suggests they have a "friendly face, a stern face, an evil face, (a face of your choosing) and a face of Death", which Friedman reworked into "SMILING, ANGRY, GRIMACING, SUSPICIOUS" and "a DEATH'S HEAD".
*[[Sharkticons]] - While their design and role as the Quintessons' guards carries over from the first draft, their shock sticks (which froze someone in time) are now just regular electric batons. In a scene repeated from the last draft their cries are revealed to translate to "we eat". Apparently, Grimlock inspiring them to rebel against their masters is to show they share "a kind of Proletarian commonality" with their fellow "lower life forms". <ref>''I Killed Optimus Prime'', Ron Friedman (p. 105)</ref> They are still the only Quintesson servants to appear.
* [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]] - A group of robot road warriors slash Hell's Angels made of rusty and disused metal. Like in the previous draft they are able to repair their damaged bodies with their planet's garbage making them essentially indestructible. However, their backstory and connection to Unicron have been removed. They also now ride into battle on their transformed comrades. The outline intended their language to be a mix of "alien lingo", Latin phrases, TV talk, and generic expressions, though only really the TV talk made it into the script.
* [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] - He remains the Junkion leader. Sensibly, his design has been switched with that of a generic Junkion from the first draft (as someone probably realized that having one of the heroes dress like a fascist might have been a bad idea). He now looks like "a rusty junk metal version of a Viking helmet and a BRILLO like wooly wire-metal vest". The Nazi-helmeted Junkion is still present, now as a generic who Springer briefly fights. He sounds like "a cross between Henry Kissinger, a TV talk show host like Bert Parks, and Mr. Rogers on amphetamines". Wreck-Gar isn't mentioned in the outline suggesting Friedman used him on his own initiative.

==Notes==
===Comparisons to the finished film===
===What changed===
*This script takes place five years after the Autobots awoke on Earth, seemingly placing the events of the script in the year 1990.
*No opening on Lithone, though the revised draft features a brief scene of Unicron flying through space which would ultimately evolve into it.
*The draft now opens on Cybertron's moons.
*Unlike in the final film we're given more details about the Autobot Moonbase. The fact it's also a munitions factory remains in the final film though isn't mentioned on screen.
*Autobot City has been introduced. We don't really get any details about it besides being a new headquarters, but the final film gives it an extra purpose of generating energy for the Autobots.
*Like in the final film, the Dinobots have a prominent supporting role. Unlike the previous draft [[Slag (G1)|Slag]] is present, though weirdly he isn't explicitly mentioned until page 61 (with the others first being mentioned on page 21). There's still no [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] for reasons that have never made any sense, with the only explanation being that since the outline didn't specify all of Dinobots, Freidman forgot about him and the production staff didn't add him back in later.
*Rather than intercept the Autobot shuttle, here the Decepticons trail it all the way to Earth. Friedman's revisited draft would add the attack on the shuttle which made it into the final film.
*All the human characters from the last draft except for Daniel have been cut. He still isn't Spike's son who still isn't in this version.
*The script contains a brief scene of Magnus rebuking Hot Rod for leaving his post, this would remain up until the storyboard stage before being cut.
*Much of the battle of Autobot City would be reworked. Due to the length a more detailed overview will be given later.
*The Anibots would be dropped, presumably due to being reworked into the Predacons.
*Blaster's cassettes would also be massively reworked.
*We actually see Optimus Prime and the Dinobots receiving Blaster's message, boarding the shuttle and being attacked by Astrotrain.
*Optimus' Matrix and Megatron's essence became the same thing in the outline, later being named Life Sparks in the script. These are tiny glowing versions of a Transformer. There more explicitly a Transformers 'soul' (though there's still no explanation as to why Optimus' Life Spark is able to transform Hot Rod or destroy Ingestor at the end). The outline told Friedman to rename the Matrix but at some point it gets added back in. According to Friedman's notes on the outline "only leaders have essences". In the final film Megatron is only dying, not a ghost/disembodied soul.
*Hot Rod bemoans being responsible for Prime's death, but Kup and Arcee tell him it wasn't his fault.
*Most of the details about the Hall of Heroes carry over from the previous draft. In the final film it isn't even named. The major addition here is Starscream's coronation.
*That said Scourge, the Sweeps, Cyclonus and his Armada being reformatted life sparks of former leaders would be reworked into them being the converted from dead Deceptions.
*The Unicron and Ingestor twist would be dropped for the final film. There it was just Unicron
*The shuttle launch is more complicated with them having to escape the Decepticon forces in space by hyper-vault.
*The scene of Perceptor plugging himself into the shuttles computer briefly catching a glimpse of Unicron is dropped.
*The Quintesson planet, unnamed in the previous draft, is named here, Quintesson. This name actually made it into the final script of the film, though wasn't used on screen.
===What stayed the same===
A few scenes from the first draft carry over.
*Megatron and Optimus Prime's final fight carries over nearly verbatim from the previous draft,
*Like in the last script, the Quintesson scenes are similar to the final film, the big change here is that we see the Dinobots rescue attempts:
**The planet's appearance carries over from the last draft, still having a Mercury sea with red desert shores and metallic reefs which are home to robot fish.
**The Robot Squid fight still occurs and is dealt with similarly.
**Kup and Hot Rod still encounter the Sharkticons on a ridge. To communicate with them, they use the "universal alien language salutation," (The name universal greeting is used later on). Like in the film, it only briefly works.
**Hot Rod and Kup are taken to a "CASTLE LIKE STRUCTURE" where fellow prisoner Granix tells them about the Quintessons and their show trials.
**The Dinobots arrive at the Quintesson castle only to be sent away by a Quintesson guard. This scene was cut from the final film.
**Wheelie helps the Dinobots find Hot Rod and Kup.
**The arrival of the Dinobots saves the pair from being devoured by the Sharkticons.
**Most of the Quintessons are devoured by the Sharkticons.
**The Autobots leave the planet on a Quintesson cruiser.
===First Draft Remnants===
*Various other plot points carry over from the first draft that would be dropped for the final film. Since this script was publicly available for over a decade before the first draft surfaced, we're noting them here for completion's sake:
**The twist of Unicron's dual identity.
**Much of the description of Unicron's surface.
**Unicron still has to absorb energy in order to be able to transform.
**The Hall of Heroes' larger role.
**While the Matrix has been removed in this draft, much of the story beats about it carry over. This means Megatron still dies and his ghost ends up flying into space after his body is destroyed.
**The Decepticons attempt to drain Earth's energy in a process that will destroy it.
**Blaster's leading the surviving Autobots in guerrilla warfare on a Decepticon controlled Earth.
**The Quintessons' appearance of feeble humanoid figures remains though their psychic powers don't.
**Granix is a rock robot. Lithone is still only mentioned in passing, with him being captured on a scientific expedition.

===Other details===
Like the previous draft, this script features a lot of details that couldn't fit in the summary without making it overly long; most of these other details are:
*The outline gave Friedman the okay to kill off the following characters: [[Gears (G1)|Gears]], [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]], [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]], [[Sunstreaker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sunstreaker]], [[Sideswipe (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sideswipe]], [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]], [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]], [[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]], [[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]], [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]], [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], [[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]], [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]], [[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]], [[Skywarp (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Skywarp]] and [[Shockwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Shockwave]]. Not all of these guys die.
*It also gave 1985 characters to use for background appearances: "[[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]], [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]], [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]], [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]], [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]], [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]], [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]], [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] and [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]]." Not all of them appear in this draft.
*Cybertron has at least five moons.
*Like in the final film the occupants of the Autobot shuttle are Ironhide, Rachet, Prowl and Brawn, though their deaths are different. Here Megatron blasts through the main viewscreen as they are about to land, blowing Ironhide to pieces while the other Decepticons flood the ship, the Constructions disintegrating Prowl and the Insecticons devouring Brawn. Freidman didn't include Ratchet's death.
*In the revised draft the Decepticons now intercept the shuttle in space. Megatron blasts Brawn in half, Prowl dies the same way, but Ironhide and Ratchet are fused together and then blown apart by enemy fire.
*Extended battle of Autobot City details
**Wheeljack isn't a horrible misogynist this time, here he works a control console in the "WAR SCREEN", with Magnus. Later he determines the amount of time until Earth Is destroyed.
**There is one final change in the revised draft: the Constructions fight with the Anibots is expanded by half a page.
**Powerglide and [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] (who can also fly apparently) intercept Blitzwing over the city, causing him to crash through the city walls, landing in the fishin' hole from the opening. They then drop bombs on him, blasting him into the air.
**Thundercracker and Skywarp lead a group of Decepticons trying to break into the city, while Bluestreak, Hound and Sunstreaker lay in wait. During the ensuing fight Bluestreak cuts Thundercracker in half with his "LASER SABER". Skywarp and the others swarm him until Hound opens fire, blasting off their legs.
**Just before Optimus and Megatron's final fight begins, Dirge attempts to tackle Prime from behind, only for the Autobot leader to grab him with one hand, turn him upside down and throw him to the ground.
**In the aftermath of the battle we get a brief scene of the surviving Autobots cleaning up wreckage and dead Decepticons.
*Scrapper calls Starscream "a pompous Alumin-ass"
*The Hall of Heroes carries over into this draft. It is now a "METALLIC EQUIVALENT OF A CLASSICAL , ROCK-CUT MASOULEUM" in a metal mountain. Questionably, it's still described as "High tech" "Nuremberg Party Rally".
[[File:DecepticonMarkers.jpg|thumb|right|The Life Spark flames at the base of the statues ]]
*The flames at the base of each Decepticon leader’s statue contains their Life Spark. This detail actually made it into the final film where it means nothing.
*The former leaders named in the Hall of Heroes are [[Ghoulon]], [[Murdron]], and [[Bloodron]].
*Galvatron is given the insignia of Ingestor.
*During Starscream's coronation, a reluctant Dirge performs a ritual from an ancient book to the new leader's annoyance.
*As Galvatron kills a confused Starscream at his coronation he declares "there is no Megatron! I am Galvatron and I rule!".
*Galvatron kills Starscream by disintegrating him with a blaster. Just to clarify that, he pulls out a gun and shoots him dead.
*Ingestor uses his "cold rays" to pull the Energon Cubes through space to Unicron. This allows the planet to reform itself and travel to Cybertron.
*In one of the less creative Friedmanism, Dirge compares Unicron absorbing Energon with his Cold Rays "Like soda-oil through a straw".
*The moon Jazz and Cliffjumper escape from is the third moon. After devouring it, Unicron, "swells in size so it looks even closer - like a baloon {{sic}}."
*The Decepticons have a new rallying cry of "Ingestor and victory."
*During Galvatron’s attack on the City.
**The script offhandedly reveals that some of the invasion force "have been on Earth all this time."
**The Autobots learn of Ingestor's name (and existence) from Galvatron's battle cry.
** Magnus releases "Optic Dazzler Gas", a white exploding gas cloud that blinds and disorients the Decepticons.
**Springer throws grenades at enemy troops, causing them to fall over like dominos. Then he jumps around, drawing fire causing them to miss and melt the other troops in the crossfire.
**Cyclonus and the Constructicons are commanded to melt the city. They succeed at this.
**Similarly to the final film Blurr has to herd the Dinobots into the shuttle.
**Perceptor karate chops two Sweeps in half, from the head to groin, with each half then walking around bumping into each other.
**The Dinobots are caught in the fire bombing, having to use their "temperature monitors" to cool down.
**Galvatron surveys the ruined city, plotting to overthrow Ingestor. He is driven off by Powerglide and Warpath.
**Cyclonus "bombs Gears to pieces", the blast throwing Windcharger into the air as the Decepticon rams into him. His parts then rain down on Blaster's group of retreating Autobots.
*The story Kup tells the Dinobots is given slightly more detail here. The [[Ick-Yak|Ick Yaks]] are apparently cyborgs from Phospho-Norn.
*The shuttles have an "Intercom phone", which projects holograms.
*At the ruins of Autobot City, Autobot and human slaves are forced by the Sweeps to process and stack Energon Cubes for Ingestor.
*Quintesson is described as "a huge Baroque pearl."
*After crashing in the sea of the planet, Hot Rod turns into an "undersea action" "auto mode"", generating "a glass "bubble" head piece" to breathe.
*Hot Rod blasts a "Robotoid Squid" that takes Kup apart, scaring it away. He then collects Kup parts with his magnet powers he apparently has.
*Quintesson has "low dune-like red metallic hills".
*Kup attempts to track the Dinobots with his homing sensors.
*On the top of a ridge, they run into the Sharkticons. Kup uses the "universal alien language Salutation". Like in the film it briefly works.
*Page 101 mentions that the Sharkticons have captured Sludge. This isn't mentioned again and we later learn he is with the other Dinobots. This error is due to Friedman just reworking a portion from the previous draft where Sludge was captured as well.
*When the Dinobots enter the Quintessons castle, a Sharkticon tries to eat Grimlock only to stop when it finds he tastes terrible.
*We don't really get an explanation as to how Unicron knows Magnus survived. In the film it's because he sensed the Matrix, here nothing.
*Hot Rod and Kup are found guilty of trespassing, "under the laws of the Quintessons" a charge which is technically true. The trials are still a sham though, Granix says so.
*During the sentencing Kup realise the Quintessons' heads are their weak spot.
*The Quintesssons have other prisoners awaiting trial. The only one described in detail by the script is a ‘Huge Robotoid Warrior of Glass with Iron Fittings’. He’s seen cheering on the captured Autobots when they're thrown into the Sharkticon pit. After Grimlock crashes the trial, he escapes and helps them fight the Quintessons. He's last seen guarding some captive Sharkticons as the Autobots leave Quintesson.
*The Quintesson spaceship has a "five faced insignia of Quintessons."
*Wheelie is the one to suggest they try to make peace with the Junkions, which Kup rejects.
*The Junkions have a spaceship which is introduced with no fanfare.
*After he transforms Ingestor is described by the script as a ‘galaxy sized robot’. It's difficult to describe just how stupidly big this would make him. Even more laughable, the same page describes his arms as only being the size of a continent!
*Before he attacks Cybertron, Ingestor picks Galvatron up like an ant and drops him onto his eyebrow. His giant metal eyelashes act like cables restraining Galvatron as he’s forced to watch his planet be destroyed.
*During Ingestors destruction of Cybertron:
**Ingestor tears Shockwave's lab out of the ground like a carrot. In the process he ends up pinning Shockwave to a generator with his finger, before swallowing the base whole.
** Skywarp and Thundercracker try to stop Ingestor with a barrage of Laser Cannon fire. He swallows the bombardments then eats the chunk of the planet they're standing on.
**When flying in space the Junkions wear "space-gear", which is "Transformed tricycles which are space sleds, and rocket belts."
*When Hot Rod enters Ingestor the other continues to fight on his outer body.
**Blurr attaches a "Bumper with flame nozzles" which spews fire after him as he races across Ingestors chest and neck.
**Arcee is knocked into a forest of metal hair on Ingestor's shoulder, which begins to strangle her. Daniel is able to leap down and finally mastering control of his exo-suit, yanks the hairs out.
**Like in the film the Dinobots fly around and assault Ingestor, here they are joined by the Junkions who use grappling hooks to traverse his body.
**Ingestor is able to scrape Magnus and Perceptor off his neck with his fingers.
**Despite Perceptor's warning, Ingestor is able to smash Blurr with his hand. This really looks like it kills him, but he is later revealed to merely be damaged.
**When all hope seems lost the Autobots hide behind his horns to stay out of his sight.
*Galvatron and Hot Rod fight in Ingestor's stomach where Cybertron's moons are caught in a web and slowly being digested.
*During Rodimus' fight with Galvatron, the Decepticon is able to overpower him. He is saved when Jazz and Cliffjumper are revealed to be alive in the remains of their swallowed shuttle and open fire on Galvatron. This gives Rodimus the chance to escape and beat the Deception until he collapses.
*When Injector is being torn apart, Galvatron is blown into space. Jazz and Cliffjumper are also thrown into space, but since they're still in the remains of the escape pod they're probably fine.
*At the end, Rodimus rushes back into Ingestor's stomach to free the moons, blasting through the webbing holding them in place, which allows them to float into space and back into Cybetron’s orbit.

===Remnants===
[[File:Cyclonustarget2006.jpg|thumb|right|Cyclonus clearly explains his origin, rendering all debate pointless.]]
Some concepts from the script still made it into the film and media based on the script due to lack of access to the final movie.
*Astrotrain's sudden appearance in the aftermath of the battle of Autobot City is justified here. He's been fighting Optimus Prime's shuttle in space and has only just arrived on Earth.
*Like in the first draft, Unicron doesn't just transform at the end for dramatic effect; he's only just absorbed enough energy to do so.
*The episode [[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2]] refrenes this version of the script when recounting Optimus Prime's dying words.
*Most of [[The Transformers Universe (Marvel)|The Transformers Universe]] profiles for the movie cast appear to be slightly reworked development notes based on this draft. For example Scourge altmode "handles any terrain", which would be an odd way to describe a plane but makes sense for a land vehicle.
*In the Marvel UK story [[Target 2006]], the term Life Spark was misunderstood and ended up as the name of the Decepticon rebuilt into Cyclonus.

===Miscommunications===
It seems the outline provided to Friedman didn't quite work as intended. He and Hasbro appear to have misunderstood a few details.
*The outline gives no mention of what the movie cast turned into. As a result of this when they do transform their alt modes go undescribed.
*Friedman's second revision adds the sequence of the Decepticons ambush and take over of the Autobot shuttle presumably happened because he re-read the outline and realized the Transformers weren't meant to be able to fly through space on their own.
*Freidman interprets the term "essence of leadership" very literally. Underneath it he wrote "only leaders have essence", which probably isn't what they intended.
*The Autobots that crash land on Junkion were meant to send a distress signal which Hot Rod and Kup intercepted. However, Friedman didn't include this.
*Hot Rod saving the moons inside Unicron stems from Friedman misinterpreting a line about Hot Rod hearing the "trapped Autobots from the moons of Cybertron and going back inside the Entity to rescue them." Obviously, they wanted a scene where the main hero rescues the surviving Autobots on the moon. Well, Friedman interprets this rather literally with Rodimus managing to free Cybertron's moons from Unicron's stomach before he explodes.

==Gallery==
Despite the massive reworking of the script, a fair amount of concept art was drawn up using it, while most of the designs were cut some of it ended up in the final film.
<center><gallery>
File:UltraMagnus-FloroDery3rdConcept-OrionPax.jpg|Floro Dery's early version of Magnus. The script barely gives any details of his appearance so he went wild.
File:Anibot-MechanoBeastSecondConcept-FloroDery.jpg| [[Dragon Beast]] concept art.
File:DragonBeast.jpg| A reworked version of Dery's first Dragon Beast design used in {{w|Megas XLR}}
File:Stripes_patent_and_prototype.jpg|Patent and prototype of unproduced saber tooth tiger cassette. Seems someone mistakenly abbreviated it to just tiger for the outline.
File:Stinger_patent_and_prototype.jpg|Patent and Prototype of unproduced scorpion cassette.
File:Auto-Bop_Robot_Cassette.jpg| Unused "Robot Cassette" character model from the episode [[Auto-Bop]].
File:StripesStoryboard.jpg|Early storyboard featuring the cassettes, likely based solely on the script as none of them resemble the prototypes. Stripes
File:StingerStoryboard.jpg| Stinger
File:CubieStoryboard.jpg|Cubbie
File:BoltsStoryboard.jpg|Bolts, this is actually the best image of him, believe it or not.
File:FloroDery_originalquintesson.jpg| Floro Dery's original design for the Quintessons
</gallery></center>

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1tAWJAGC3nzxwaICQUUQsvLzLr97McwxJ The Sunbow Outline]
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Aqpj8Fb0esWl9lnD73SkOUMp3s3f7NmX The script itself]
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1sbYhgBn7JgOlauc-Nv5SYfcYBWCuQoQy The revised May Script]
*[https://sunbowmarvelarchive.blogspot.com/2022/05/story-outline-of-ron-friedmans-script.html A detailed summary on the Sunbow Marvel Archive]

[[Category:Unproduced scripts]]

The Transformers: The Movie (second draft)

2025-03-19T20:58:25Z

Silver: /* Decepticons */

[[Image:SecondDraftScriptCover.jpg|thumb|right|250px|This page took fourteen years to make!]]

In early [[1985]], [[Ron Friedman]]'s [[The Transformers: The Movie (first draft)|initial script]] for [[The Transformers: The Movie]] had been rejected (allegedly because it focused too much on the villains). However, the terms of his contract meant that the film had to be based on a script he wrote. So if they wanted to continue production they needed him to write a new script. Not willing to leave this to chance, an outline was created by [[Sunbow Productions]] and he was told to base the new draft on it. This isn't exactly a revision of Friedman's previous script, it's more like an entirely new one that was loosely based on the first draft that Sunbow would be able to further rewrite into the movie they wanted to make without violating his contract.

The new script was written in just under a month. While this draft would form the basis of the final film, it would be massively reworked by "Story Consultant" [[Flint Dille]]. The script first became public when it was purchased after being auctioned off by Friedman in [[2010]] .<ref>"[https://boltax.blogspot.com/2010/12/heritaage-auctions-transformers-movie.html Disciples of Boltax Heritage Auctions -The Transformers The Movie draft Script]</ref>

{{note|For practical purposes this article covers the initial Sunbow outline, the draft script and a slightly revised draft}}

==Background==
[[Image:TFTMOutlinePage.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Page 9 of the outline including Friedman's handwritten notes.]]
Sometime between February and [[March 28|28th March]] 1985, (two days after he had completed his reworked story premises for everyone's favourite cartoon "Bigfoot and the Muscle Machines") a 16 page outline was given to Friedman by Sunbow to dictate the new film. It features the new cast and a scene by scene overview of the film. Since this also had details on the early plans of the [[1986]] range Hasbro likely had some input in it.
Much of the final film originated here, such as the future setting,character arcs and locations such as [[Autobot City]] and the Moonbases. Thanks to Friedman's handwritten notes (as he presumably read through this outline for the first time) we can see his thought process. He questioned certain elements, brainstormed new ones and suggested plot changes. This draft was written in just under a month, being finished on the [[April 27|27 April]]. During this time Friedman seems to have stopped editing scripts, presumably to focus solely on this project.

Shortly after finishing this draft, Friedman revised this script. By this we mean he reworked the first 14 pages and nothing else. This draft was completed on [[May 2|May 2nd]]. He was paid for this draft and that marked the end of his involvement with Transformers. <ref> "[https://toddmatthy.com/2013/12/31/he-killed-optimus-prime-an-interview-with-ron-friedman-writer-of-transformers-the-movie/ He Killed Optimus Prime: An Interview With Ron Friedman the Writer of Transformers:The Movie]</ref> We don't just mean the film, he stopped working on Transformers all together and focused all his efforts on writing the script for the G.I. Joe movie, which would have a similarly hectic development...<ref>[https://comics.ha.com/itm/memorabilia/miscellaneous/g-i-joe-the-movie-ron-friedman-s-revisions-notes-and-story-ideas-sunbow-productions-inc-1985-/a/7027-93252.s# Heritage Auction G.I. Joe Movie Story ideas dated May 1985]</ref> <ref>[https://comics.ha.com/itm/memorabilia/miscellaneous/g-i-joe-the-movie-outlines-and-notes-by-ron-friedman-sunbow-productions-inc-1985-/a/7027-93254.s?ic16=ViewItem-BrowseTabs-Auction-Archive-ThisAuction-120115 Heritage Auction G.I. Joe Movie Outline and early draft dated July 1985]</ref>

Evidently this new script doesn't seem to have met Sunbow's standards. After it was submitted, Sunbow staff [[Joe Bacal]], [[Tom Griffin]], [[Jay Bacal]], Flint Dillie, [[Roger Slifer]] and [[Carole Weitzman]] held a meeting to try and rework the script. This lasted 16 hours. <ref>"[https://alonefancryinginthewilderness.blogspot.com/2012/07/from-archives-my-animated-conversation.html A Lone Fan Crying In The Wilderness — My Animated Conversation With Buzz Dixon]</ref><ref>"[https://alonefancryinginthewilderness.blogspot.com/2012/02/meet-roger-slifer.html A Lone Fan Crying In The Wilderness — My Animated Conversation With Roger Slifer]</ref> <ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20200128201208/http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/60-astrominutes/flint-dille/flint-dille-2.html The Flint Dille Interview Part II]</ref>
Ultimately, Flint Dille was chosen to edit the script and spent the next several months reworking it into the final film over the course of 20 drafts.

==Synopsis==
Five years have passed since the Transformers awoke on Earth. From the moons of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], the [[Autobot|Autobots]] launch a shuttle to send supplies to [[Earth]]. As it passes through an asteroid field the [[Decepticon|Decepticons]] begin to trail the shuttle through space. At a fishing hole near Autobot City on Earth, [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]] and [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel]] detect the incoming shuttle. Driving to the nearby Lookout Point they pass [[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]] cording off the area.

As the shuttle enters Earth's atmosphere, the Decepticons blast their way in and kill the crew. Through his observation binoculars Daniel spots the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] eating the ship. [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] flies off commanding his troops to destroy Autobot City. Spotting the young Autobot below, the Decepticon leader opens fire at him destroying most of the mountain. Hot Rod fights the Decepticon soldiers on the crumbling mountain while trying to protect Daniel, until he's saved by Kup who fights off [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] and [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]]. The trio rush back to the city as the attack continues.

At the city, [[Perceptor (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Perceptor]] alerts [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] of the attack, initiating Autobot City's transformation procedure. Hot Rod and Kup run over the Insecticons as they devour the last bridge into the city, leaving the Autobots trapped inside.
From a "WAR SCREEN" Magnus commands the Autobots against the enemy forces. Spotting the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] near the southern wall which houses the [[Roboto-zoo]], he releases the Ani-Bots who manage to drive off the invaders. On Magnus' order, [[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]] transmits a message to [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]].[[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity| Soundwave]] attempts to intercept this, ejecting the cassettes [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]], [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]], [[Ravage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ravage]] and [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] to jam it. Blaster fights back with his own cassettes [[Steeljaw (G1)|Cubbie]], [[Stripes]], [[Stinger (G1)|Stinger]] and [[Bolts]].

On Cybertron, Prime and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] receive the message and board a shuttle headed to Earth. En-route they are attacked by [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]]. On Earth, the battle continues with the Constructicons forming [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. Seeing this, Magnus commands the Ani-bots to merge into [[Dragon Beast ]] to fight the combiner. Prime's shuttle arrives and the Dinobots leap out to face the enemy forces. This begins to turn the tide, as the Decepticons are forced to retreat. Outside of the city, Megatron commands his forces to keep fighting, unaware of Optimus' shuttle landing next to him. Just like last time, the fight is pretty much identical to the final film.

A dying Megatron demands [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] to take his [[Life Spark]] back to Cybertron as the Decepticons board the newly arrived Astrotrain. Gathering around Optimus, Perceptor declares his wounds fatal. Prime gives Magnus his Life Spark -a tiny glowing version of himself, and names the reluctant Autobot his successor as he dies. Ultra Magnus' first orders are for the Autobots to fortify the planet against further attacks and construct a shuttle to follow the Decepticons into space.
As Astrotrain reaches Cybertron, the Decepticons argue over who will be the new leader. Fighting breaks out with Megatron pitifully stating that he's still alive. Arriving at the [[Hall of Heroes]], the dying Megatron begs for his Life Spark to be enshrined alongside the past leaders. The fighting spills into the Hall, wrecking the statues causing the leaders Life Sparks to fly off into space. One of the statues crushes Megatron, finally killing him and his Life Spark is left to float into space with the others.

As the Life Sparks drift through space, a furious Megatron demands to have his body restored at any cost. The ghostly voice of [[Unicron/Generation 1|Ingestor]] hears his cries and with a "PALE, COLD RAY" drags the Life Sparks to the "HELL-LIKE, MECHANICAL" planet of Unicron. Ingestor offers him power in exchange for permanent servitude to him which Megatron is forced to accept. Bathed in a beam of light he is rebuilt into Galvatron. The other Life Sparks are also rebuilt as [[Scourge (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Scourge]], the [[Sweep (G1)|Sweeps]], [[Cyclonus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cyclonus]] and [[Cyclonus's Armada (G1)|his armada]]. At Ingestor's command they fly to Cybertron to claim its remaining energy.

Starscream's coronation is basically the same, so we can skip that. Under the command of their new leader the Decepticons gather the planet's Energon for Ingestor, which he absorbs with his Cold Rays and the planet Unicron begins to rebuild itself as it nears Cybertron. From Cybertron's third moon, [[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] and [[Cliffjumper (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cliffjumper]] alert Earth about the approaching planet. As the moon is destroyed, Ingestor orders Galvatron to drain Earth next. Galvatron briefly attempts to resist only to be inflicted with pain.

At Autobot City, the superfast messenger, [[Blurr (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blurr]] brings news of the moon's destruction and warns of the imminent arrival of the Decepticons. Suddenly, the Decepticons arrive and a massive fight ensues. Magnus orders Hot Rod and the Dinobots to one of the newly constructed shuttles. The shuttle takes off under enemy fire as Magnus begins his own launch, using the rocket's thrust to melt the attacking Sweeps. Taking off they are persuaded by a squad of Decepticon led by Astrotrain, before managing to outrun them using a "hyper vault" to blast off at infinite speed. Later, as his troops begin harvesting Earth's [[Energon]], Galvatron learns of the Autobots' escape, boarding a "SPACE CARRIER" to follow them.

On the shuttles, Kup tells the Dinobots an old war story. Perceptor realizes the Decepticons are beaming energy into space and with no other options they are forced to follow it into space. Connecting himself into shuttles "SCANNER-MONITOR" to track the signal, Perecptor briefly catches a glimpse of Unicron. Galvatron's armada catches up to them, destroying Hot Rod's shuttle and throwing its occupants into space. Magnus escapes by detonating three quarters of his ship, making it appear to have been destroyed as they sneak to a nearby planet for repairs. Back on Earth, Scourge and the Sweeps hunt down surviving Autobots. Tracking a signal they find only the burnt remains of a Decepticon soldier. As they leave Blaster and the other Autobots come out of hiding. Wheeljack realizes that draining Earth's energy is weakening the planet. They only have 48 hours left until it's destroyed. (Blaster's group doesn't appear again. Just so you know.)

Hot Rod and Kup land on [[Quintessa (planet)|Quintesson]], running into a mechanical squid. (Like last time, we can skip over this). Magnus' shuttle has a rough landing on planet [[Junkion (planet)|Junkion]]. The Autobots attempt to salvage parts from the junk which makes up the planet. Unnoticed, the [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]] see the intruders and prepare to fight. Hot Rod and Kup are captured by the [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]] and taken to their masters, the [[Quintesson|Quintessons]]. Imprisoned, their fellow prisoner, a rock robot [[Kranix (G1)|Granix]], tells them that their fate will be to fight to the death in the arena. Outside, the Dinobots have found their way to the Quintesson Castle looking for their friends, only to be turned away by a guard who points them in the wrong direction.

In space, Unicron has absorbed more energy and grown even larger. Ingestor tells Galvatron that Magnus still lives, ordering him to kill the Autobot leader. Galvatron resists only for Ingestor to inflict his "cold rays" on him, then using one of the metal trees that covers the planet to throw him into space. Briefly content, Unicron devours another of Cybertron's moons. Hot Rod and Kup are sentenced to fight the Sharkticons. The Dinobots run into [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], the "Wolf Boy of Quintesson" who tells them that they've been deceived and they need to save their friends. In the arena, Hot Rod is able to take the lead Quintesson hostage. The leader just laughs at them as his head disconnects from his body and flies to safety, leaving them to face the Sharkticons. As the pair prepare to fight to the end, the Dinobots arrive and turn the tide, dropping bombs and setting the grandstand on fire. The few remaining Sharkticons turn on their masters and begin to devour them. Wheelie shows the Autobots a Quintesson cruiser they use to leave the planet.

Back on Junkion the repairs are nearly finished. The Junkions lay in wait, retreating when they spot the arriving Decepticons. On Magnus' order, Perceptor has created "Pseudo-clones" - non-sentient replicas of the Autobots. The clones are sent on a suicide charge to fool the Decepticons into thinking their enemies have been killed, but the ruse will be uncovered if they examine the remains. Realizing this Magnus joins the clones knowing that the death of the Autobot leader will distract Galvatron. Magnus is ultimately overwhelmed by a horde of Decepticons and Galvatron kills him with a point blank shot from his fusion cannon. Cutting Prime's Life Spark out of him with a laser saw and putting it in a glass bottle, the leader demands his men head back to Earth, while he deals with Ingestor.

As the Decepticons leave, the Autobots come out of hiding and mourn their fallen leader. This doesn't last long as the Junkions have returned, forcing them to try and flee. Unable to escape, they are cornered when more Junkions appear from underneath the scrap. The ensuing fight is halted when the Quintesson Cruiser appears overhead. As the ship lands Hot Rod approaches the Junkion's with Energon Sticks and recites the Universal Greeting. This works. With everyone now friends, the Junkions rebuild Ultra Magnus. A more mature Hot Rod points out they still need to find where the Decepticons are beaming Earth's energy to. The surrounding crowd cheers and they all board their cruisers.

Back in space, Galvatron threatens Ingestor to release him from servitude. This just makes him laugh, so Galvatron detonates a bomb to destroy Unicron. Ingestor happily reveals that was the last piece of energy he needed and the planet begins to transform into a massive robot revealing that Unicron is actually Ingestor! Ingestor restrains Galvatron in his eyebrows (yes, really), and for his insolence forces him to watch as Cybertron is destroyed.
The Autobots arrive as his attack is underway, with Hot Rod ordering them to intercept him. As the Junkions and Dinobots fly out to distract the giant robot, Hot Rod's ship flies towards Injector's head, crashing into his ear. Racing inside, Hot Rod tells the other to keep him distracted, while he tries to find the core of the creature. Sensing intruders, Ingestor picks up Galvatron and shoves him through his eye socket telling him he may allow him to live if he kills the Autobot.

While the Autobot's try to stop Ingestor, deep inside him Galvatron and Hot Rod fight, the Decepticon overpowering the young Autobot. In a last show of strength, Hot Rod grabs the bottle containing the Life Spark and is transformed, the ghostly voice of Optimus declaring him Rodimus Prime. The battle continues until Rodimus is able to destroy the bottle, releasing the Life Spark's energy. Ingestor begins to explode and tears himself apart to try and get the Life Spark. An explosion throws Galvatron into space. Escaping Rodimus is able to free Cybertron's moons from Ingestor's stomach. Flying into space, a ghostly image of Optimus tells the dying creature that all evil must end.

On their ship the Autobots mourn Hot Rod, only to start cheering when they see their new leader flying towards them

==Cast==

===Autobots===
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod/Rodimus Prime]] - The outline bluntly describes him as "reckless, headstrong, short tempered and cocky." The movie charts his " grow[th] from boyhood to manhood, both physically and mentally, eventually becoming the new leader of the Autobots". Rodimus Prime is apparently him "fully mature".
*[[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]]- Tanker is named Kup now, meaning his development for the final film is complete. He's named "Kup" "as in Pickup Truck", <ref>Kup's barely reworked early development notes/profile in ''[[The Transformers Universe (Marvel)|The Transformers Universe]]'' #4</ref>, though there is no indication that Friedman knew this. The outline has no info on his alt mode, so the closest the script gets is saying he has wheels.
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] - He's still "the large and soldierly City Commander". His personality is serious and practical, with Friedman comparing him to Horatio Hornblower. Also, at one point he turns his hand into a loudspeaker. Neat!
*[[Springer (G1)|Springer]] - Still "very muscular", though now he's a "bantering Indiana Jones type Autobot". While going through the outline, Friedman realized he could reuse Rusty Steel's personality for him. The outline calls him Ultra Magnus's wise-cracking second in command, though deep down he unquestionably respects him. He's still not a triple changer yet.
*[[Arcee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Arcee]] - This time she actually gets to go on the adventure (and with barely any misogyny!). This version introduces her relationship with Hot Rod, and mothering of Daniel.
*[[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel]] - An all-American 12-year-old boy who looks up to the Autobots. He has trouble using his exosuit, but at the end is able to master it to save Arcee. He's still not Spike's son yet. The outline intended for him to stowaway on the Autobot shuttle, which Friedman disregarded.
*[[Perceptor (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Perceptor]] - Mentlar has been replaced with the Autobot scientist we know and love. Like in the final film, his gimmick is that he uses too much scientific jargon which confuses the others, though there are way more examples of that in this draft.
* [[Anibot|Anibots]] - A team of Autobots with animal alt-modes who are kept in the "Roboto-Zoo lab". They are Simba (a lion), Pardo (a leopard), Shriek (an eagle), Thump (a buffalo), and Clump (a rhinoceros). They combine to form the Dragon Beast, a "huge, DRAGON LIKE MECHANO-BEAST". The outline simply dictated "the Anibots (lion, tiger, eagle, buffalo and rhinoceros) who also come together to form a huge robot" and said they'd fight the Constructicons. Given that description Friedman then came up with their names and combined form. Clearly, the Anibots are an early version of the Predacons, though there was a misunderstanding between Ron and Hasbro. Now, while the lineup of animals would change, the combined form was likely always intended to be the conventional giant robot made up of smaller robots. Ron didn't know this and from the "form a huge robot" line went wild and devised something that Hasbro never intended to release. At some point the group gets dropped from the film but not before concept art was drawn up.
*[[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]] - Described as "a black rock D.J.". He has a larger role than in the final film, leading the surviving Autobots against the Decepticon-controlled Earth. The outline describes his cassettes as a "lion, tiger, scorpion and robot", which Friedman reworked into Cubbie, Stripes, Stinger, and Bolts. Only Cubbie would make it unchanged, though he was renamed to Steeljaw. Bolts would be split in two to become Eject and Rewind. Stinger and Stripes would be cut entirely. This lineup made it all the way to early storyboards.
*[[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] - a "fast, fast mover and fast, fast talker" Autobot special messenger. He's introduced alerting the others to the destruction of Cybertron's third moon. Besides changing jobs and showing up earlier in the actual film he's the final version of the character.
*[[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] - An "Autobot like Robotoid kid" that lives as "the Wolf Boy of Quintesson". Stage directions explain Wheelie's backstory in greater detail than in the final film, revealing that he's the only survivor of a crashed spaceship after the Sharkticons ate the rest of the crew. He wears a necklace made of Sharkticon teeth. His weapons are "a three bladed laser knife" and a "SLING which hurls FIRE STONES."

===Decepticons===
*[[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] - The rebuilt form of Megatron who "still resembles Megatron somewhat". The outline describes him as having a "cannon mode", which isn’t explicitly mentioned in the script itself. After being reborn he declares "There is no Megatron! I am Galvatron and I rule!". Despite this the draft still makes several allusions to him being Megatron, such as in the climax when he reveals his identity to Rodimus, calling it his "true name".
*[[Scourge (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Scourge]] /The [[Sweep (G1)|Sweeps]] - The bearded leader of the Sweeps. Built from the converted Life Spark of a former Decepticon leader (as are the other Sweeps), he's likened to a "mafia hit man" in the outline. His soldiers are now called the Sweeps seemingly due to a miscommunication between Ron and Hasbro. They still search for surviving Autobots, so it sort of works. Like in the previous draft, they turn into land vehicles. Scourge has a mid-transformation form which features his head sticking up in vehicle mode to perform scans. Bizarrely, the Nazi imagery also carries over with the outline describing Scourge as an "SS trooper" and the Sweeps being "smaller" "similar creatures" wearing "dark and matching uniforms". Scourge went unnamed in the outline, being named by Friedman.
*[[Cyclonus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cyclonus]] - He's another converted essence and is the commander of the Decepticon planes. This "armada" or "Jet Force" consists of smaller, but similar-looking robots that turn into "FIGHTER PLANES". He disappears completely from the script after the Autobots flee Earth. His unnamed outline profile reads in its entirety "He needs to be developed."

===Others===
*[[Unicron/Generation 1|Ingestor]]/Unicron- At this stage the Entity has been renamed Ingestor. Other proposed names were Absorber, Unitron, The Amalgamator, Amalgamon and Masticar. Sunbow felt the idea of a talking planet was "a stretch", and asked for his dialogue to be kept to a minimum. Firedman ignored this. The outline also claims they were going to cast Orson Welles. Good luck with that..... His role is similar to the previous draft (introduced as ‘The Absorber of Unicron’, rebuilding Megatron, the appearance of the planet Unicron, and growing larger the more energy he consumes) while his backstory has been removed entirely. This version also adds an extensive final battle on his massive body as the Autobots fight to stop him destroying Cybertron. The first page of Friedman's revised script features a new intro where the planet flies through space. This would eventually evolve into the sequence of him devouring Lithone that opens the movie proper.
*[[Quintessons]]-Their role is similar to the final film. While their psychic powers have been removed their appearance carries over from the previous draft. They still have slender bodies which are too small for their massive heads. But in an extra twist it's implied these are their true form as when the leader disconnects his head, it flies away to attach itself to another body. The outline suggests they have a "friendly face, a stern face, an evil face, (a face of your choosing) and a face of Death", which Friedman reworked into "SMILING, ANGRY, GRIMACING, SUSPICIOUS" and "a DEATH'S HEAD".
*[[Sharkticons]]- While their design and role as the Quintessons guards carries over from the first draft their shock sticks (which froze someone in time) are now just regular electric batons. In a scene repeated from the last draft their cries are revealed to translate to "we eat". Apparently, Grimlock inspiring them to rebel against their master’s is to show they share "a kind of Proletarian commonality" with their fellow 'lower life forms'. <ref>''I Killed Optimus Prime'', Ron Friedman (p. 105)</ref> They are still the only Quintesson servants to appear.
* [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]] - A group of robot Road Warrior Hell's Angels made of rusty and disused metal. Like in the previous draft they are able to repair their damaged bodies with their planet's garbage making them essentially indestructible. However, their backstory (and connection to Unicron) has been removed. They also now ride into battle on their transformed comrades. The outline intended their language to be a mix of "alien lingo", Latin phrases, TV talk and generic expressions, though only really the TV talk made it into the script.
* [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] - He remains the Junkion leader. Sensibly, his design has been switched with that of a generic Junkion from the first draft (as someone probably realized that having one of the heroes dress like a fascist might have been a bad idea). He now looks like "a rusty junk metal version of a Viking helmet and a BRILLO like wooly wire-metal vest". The Nazi Helmeted Junkion is still present, now as a generic who Springer briefly fights. He sounds like" a cross between Henry Kissinger-a tv talk show host like Bert Parks, and Mr. Rogers on amphetamines". Wreck-Gar isn't mentioned in the outline suggesting Friedman used him on his own initiative.

==Notes==
===Comparisons to the finished film===
===What changed===
*This script takes place five years after the Autobots awoke on Earth, seemingly placing the events of the script in the year 1990.
*No opening on Lithone, though the revised draft features a brief scene of Unicron flying through space which would ultimately evolve into it.
*The draft now opens on Cybertron's moons.
*Unlike in the final film we're given more details about the Autobot Moonbase. The fact it's also a munitions factory remains in the final film though isn't mentioned on screen.
*Autobot City has been introduced. We don't really get any details about it besides being a new headquarters, but the final film gives it an extra purpose of generating energy for the Autobots.
*Like in the final film, the Dinobots have a prominent supporting role. Unlike the previous draft [[Slag (G1)|Slag]] is present, though weirdly he isn't explicitly mentioned until page 61 (with the others first being mentioned on page 21). There's still no [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] for reasons that have never made any sense, with the only explanation being that since the outline didn't specify all of Dinobots, Freidman forgot about him and the production staff didn't add him back in later.
*Rather than intercept the Autobot shuttle, here the Decepticons trail it all the way to Earth. Friedman's revisited draft would add the attack on the shuttle which made it into the final film.
*All the human characters from the last draft except for Daniel have been cut. He still isn't Spike's son who still isn't in this version.
*The script contains a brief scene of Magnus rebuking Hot Rod for leaving his post, this would remain up until the storyboard stage before being cut.
*Much of the battle of Autobot City would be reworked. Due to the length a more detailed overview will be given later.
*The Anibots would be dropped, presumably due to being reworked into the Predacons.
*Blaster's cassettes would also be massively reworked.
*We actually see Optimus Prime and the Dinobots receiving Blaster's message, boarding the shuttle and being attacked by Astrotrain.
*Optimus' Matrix and Megatron's essence became the same thing in the outline, later being named Life Sparks in the script. These are tiny glowing versions of a Transformer. There more explicitly a Transformers 'soul' (though there's still no explanation as to why Optimus' Life Spark is able to transform Hot Rod or destroy Ingestor at the end). The outline told Friedman to rename the Matrix but at some point it gets added back in. According to Friedman's notes on the outline "only leaders have essences". In the final film Megatron is only dying, not a ghost/disembodied soul.
*Hot Rod bemoans being responsible for Prime's death, but Kup and Arcee tell him it wasn't his fault.
*Most of the details about the Hall of Heroes carry over from the previous draft. In the final film it isn't even named. The major addition here is Starscream's coronation.
*That said Scourge, the Sweeps, Cyclonus and his Armada being reformatted life sparks of former leaders would be reworked into them being the converted from dead Deceptions.
*The Unicron and Ingestor twist would be dropped for the final film. There it was just Unicron
*The shuttle launch is more complicated with them having to escape the Decepticon forces in space by hyper-vault.
*The scene of Perceptor plugging himself into the shuttles computer briefly catching a glimpse of Unicron is dropped.
*The Quintesson planet, unnamed in the previous draft, is named here, Quintesson. This name actually made it into the final script of the film, though wasn't used on screen.
===What stayed the same===
A few scenes from the first draft carry over.
*Megatron and Optimus Prime's final fight carries over nearly verbatim from the previous draft,
*Like in the last script, the Quintesson scenes are similar to the final film, the big change here is that we see the Dinobots rescue attempts:
**The planet's appearance carries over from the last draft, still having a Mercury sea with red desert shores and metallic reefs which are home to robot fish.
**The Robot Squid fight still occurs and is dealt with similarly.
**Kup and Hot Rod still encounter the Sharkticons on a ridge. To communicate with them, they use the "universal alien language salutation," (The name universal greeting is used later on). Like in the film, it only briefly works.
**Hot Rod and Kup are taken to a "CASTLE LIKE STRUCTURE" where fellow prisoner Granix tells them about the Quintessons and their show trials.
**The Dinobots arrive at the Quintesson castle only to be sent away by a Quintesson guard. This scene was cut from the final film.
**Wheelie helps the Dinobots find Hot Rod and Kup.
**The arrival of the Dinobots saves the pair from being devoured by the Sharkticons.
**Most of the Quintessons are devoured by the Sharkticons.
**The Autobots leave the planet on a Quintesson cruiser.
===First Draft Remnants===
*Various other plot points carry over from the first draft that would be dropped for the final film. Since this script was publicly available for over a decade before the first draft surfaced, we're noting them here for completion's sake:
**The twist of Unicron's dual identity.
**Much of the description of Unicron's surface.
**Unicron still has to absorb energy in order to be able to transform.
**The Hall of Heroes' larger role.
**While the Matrix has been removed in this draft, much of the story beats about it carry over. This means Megatron still dies and his ghost ends up flying into space after his body is destroyed.
**The Decepticons attempt to drain Earth's energy in a process that will destroy it.
**Blaster's leading the surviving Autobots in guerrilla warfare on a Decepticon controlled Earth.
**The Quintessons' appearance of feeble humanoid figures remains though their psychic powers don't.
**Granix is a rock robot. Lithone is still only mentioned in passing, with him being captured on a scientific expedition.

===Other details===
Like the previous draft, this script features a lot of details that couldn't fit in the summary without making it overly long; most of these other details are:
*The outline gave Friedman the okay to kill off the following characters: [[Gears (G1)|Gears]], [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]], [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]], [[Sunstreaker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sunstreaker]], [[Sideswipe (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sideswipe]], [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]], [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]], [[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]], [[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]], [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]], [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], [[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]], [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]], [[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]], [[Skywarp (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Skywarp]] and [[Shockwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Shockwave]]. Not all of these guys die.
*It also gave 1985 characters to use for background appearances: "[[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]], [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]], [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]], [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]], [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]], [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]], [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]], [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] and [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]]." Not all of them appear in this draft.
*Cybertron has at least five moons.
*Like in the final film the occupants of the Autobot shuttle are Ironhide, Rachet, Prowl and Brawn, though their deaths are different. Here Megatron blasts through the main viewscreen as they are about to land, blowing Ironhide to pieces while the other Decepticons flood the ship, the Constructions disintegrating Prowl and the Insecticons devouring Brawn. Freidman didn't include Ratchet's death.
*In the revised draft the Decepticons now intercept the shuttle in space. Megatron blasts Brawn in half, Prowl dies the same way, but Ironhide and Ratchet are fused together and then blown apart by enemy fire.
*Extended battle of Autobot City details
**Wheeljack isn't a horrible misogynist this time, here he works a control console in the "WAR SCREEN", with Magnus. Later he determines the amount of time until Earth Is destroyed.
**There is one final change in the revised draft: the Constructions fight with the Anibots is expanded by half a page.
**Powerglide and [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] (who can also fly apparently) intercept Blitzwing over the city, causing him to crash through the city walls, landing in the fishin' hole from the opening. They then drop bombs on him, blasting him into the air.
**Thundercracker and Skywarp lead a group of Decepticons trying to break into the city, while Bluestreak, Hound and Sunstreaker lay in wait. During the ensuing fight Bluestreak cuts Thundercracker in half with his "LASER SABER". Skywarp and the others swarm him until Hound opens fire, blasting off their legs.
**Just before Optimus and Megatron's final fight begins, Dirge attempts to tackle Prime from behind, only for the Autobot leader to grab him with one hand, turn him upside down and throw him to the ground.
**In the aftermath of the battle we get a brief scene of the surviving Autobots cleaning up wreckage and dead Decepticons.
*Scrapper calls Starscream "a pompous Alumin-ass"
*The Hall of Heroes carries over into this draft. It is now a "METALLIC EQUIVALENT OF A CLASSICAL , ROCK-CUT MASOULEUM" in a metal mountain. Questionably, it's still described as "High tech" "Nuremberg Party Rally".
[[File:DecepticonMarkers.jpg|thumb|right|The Life Spark flames at the base of the statues ]]
*The flames at the base of each Decepticon leader’s statue contains their Life Spark. This detail actually made it into the final film where it means nothing.
*The former leaders named in the Hall of Heroes are [[Ghoulon]], [[Murdron]], and [[Bloodron]].
*Galvatron is given the insignia of Ingestor.
*During Starscream's coronation, a reluctant Dirge performs a ritual from an ancient book to the new leader's annoyance.
*As Galvatron kills a confused Starscream at his coronation he declares "there is no Megatron! I am Galvatron and I rule!".
*Galvatron kills Starscream by disintegrating him with a blaster. Just to clarify that, he pulls out a gun and shoots him dead.
*Ingestor uses his "cold rays" to pull the Energon Cubes through space to Unicron. This allows the planet to reform itself and travel to Cybertron.
*In one of the less creative Friedmanism, Dirge compares Unicron absorbing Energon with his Cold Rays "Like soda-oil through a straw".
*The moon Jazz and Cliffjumper escape from is the third moon. After devouring it, Unicron, "swells in size so it looks even closer - like a baloon {{sic}}."
*The Decepticons have a new rallying cry of "Ingestor and victory."
*During Galvatron’s attack on the City.
**The script offhandedly reveals that some of the invasion force "have been on Earth all this time."
**The Autobots learn of Ingestor's name (and existence) from Galvatron's battle cry.
** Magnus releases "Optic Dazzler Gas", a white exploding gas cloud that blinds and disorients the Decepticons.
**Springer throws grenades at enemy troops, causing them to fall over like dominos. Then he jumps around, drawing fire causing them to miss and melt the other troops in the crossfire.
**Cyclonus and the Constructicons are commanded to melt the city. They succeed at this.
**Similarly to the final film Blurr has to herd the Dinobots into the shuttle.
**Perceptor karate chops two Sweeps in half, from the head to groin, with each half then walking around bumping into each other.
**The Dinobots are caught in the fire bombing, having to use their "temperature monitors" to cool down.
**Galvatron surveys the ruined city, plotting to overthrow Ingestor. He is driven off by Powerglide and Warpath.
**Cyclonus "bombs Gears to pieces", the blast throwing Windcharger into the air as the Decepticon rams into him. His parts then rain down on Blaster's group of retreating Autobots.
*The story Kup tells the Dinobots is given slightly more detail here. The [[Ick-Yak|Ick Yaks]] are apparently cyborgs from Phospho-Norn.
*The shuttles have an "Intercom phone", which projects holograms.
*At the ruins of Autobot City, Autobot and human slaves are forced by the Sweeps to process and stack Energon Cubes for Ingestor.
*Quintesson is described as "a huge Baroque pearl."
*After crashing in the sea of the planet, Hot Rod turns into an "undersea action" "auto mode"", generating "a glass "bubble" head piece" to breathe.
*Hot Rod blasts a "Robotoid Squid" that takes Kup apart, scaring it away. He then collects Kup parts with his magnet powers he apparently has.
*Quintesson has "low dune-like red metallic hills".
*Kup attempts to track the Dinobots with his homing sensors.
*On the top of a ridge, they run into the Sharkticons. Kup uses the "universal alien language Salutation". Like in the film it briefly works.
*Page 101 mentions that the Sharkticons have captured Sludge. This isn't mentioned again and we later learn he is with the other Dinobots. This error is due to Friedman just reworking a portion from the previous draft where Sludge was captured as well.
*When the Dinobots enter the Quintessons castle, a Sharkticon tries to eat Grimlock only to stop when it finds he tastes terrible.
*We don't really get an explanation as to how Unicron knows Magnus survived. In the film it's because he sensed the Matrix, here nothing.
*Hot Rod and Kup are found guilty of trespassing, "under the laws of the Quintessons" a charge which is technically true. The trials are still a sham though, Granix says so.
*During the sentencing Kup realise the Quintessons' heads are their weak spot.
*The Quintesssons have other prisoners awaiting trial. The only one described in detail by the script is a ‘Huge Robotoid Warrior of Glass with Iron Fittings’. He’s seen cheering on the captured Autobots when they're thrown into the Sharkticon pit. After Grimlock crashes the trial, he escapes and helps them fight the Quintessons. He's last seen guarding some captive Sharkticons as the Autobots leave Quintesson.
*The Quintesson spaceship has a "five faced insignia of Quintessons."
*Wheelie is the one to suggest they try to make peace with the Junkions, which Kup rejects.
*The Junkions have a spaceship which is introduced with no fanfare.
*After he transforms Ingestor is described by the script as a ‘galaxy sized robot’. It's difficult to describe just how stupidly big this would make him. Even more laughable, the same page describes his arms as only being the size of a continent!
*Before he attacks Cybertron, Ingestor picks Galvatron up like an ant and drops him onto his eyebrow. His giant metal eyelashes act like cables restraining Galvatron as he’s forced to watch his planet be destroyed.
*During Ingestors destruction of Cybertron:
**Ingestor tears Shockwave's lab out of the ground like a carrot. In the process he ends up pinning Shockwave to a generator with his finger, before swallowing the base whole.
** Skywarp and Thundercracker try to stop Ingestor with a barrage of Laser Cannon fire. He swallows the bombardments then eats the chunk of the planet they're standing on.
**When flying in space the Junkions wear "space-gear", which is "Transformed tricycles which are space sleds, and rocket belts."
*When Hot Rod enters Ingestor the other continues to fight on his outer body.
**Blurr attaches a "Bumper with flame nozzles" which spews fire after him as he races across Ingestors chest and neck.
**Arcee is knocked into a forest of metal hair on Ingestor's shoulder, which begins to strangle her. Daniel is able to leap down and finally mastering control of his exo-suit, yanks the hairs out.
**Like in the film the Dinobots fly around and assault Ingestor, here they are joined by the Junkions who use grappling hooks to traverse his body.
**Ingestor is able to scrape Magnus and Perceptor off his neck with his fingers.
**Despite Perceptor's warning, Ingestor is able to smash Blurr with his hand. This really looks like it kills him, but he is later revealed to merely be damaged.
**When all hope seems lost the Autobots hide behind his horns to stay out of his sight.
*Galvatron and Hot Rod fight in Ingestor's stomach where Cybertron's moons are caught in a web and slowly being digested.
*During Rodimus' fight with Galvatron, the Decepticon is able to overpower him. He is saved when Jazz and Cliffjumper are revealed to be alive in the remains of their swallowed shuttle and open fire on Galvatron. This gives Rodimus the chance to escape and beat the Deception until he collapses.
*When Injector is being torn apart, Galvatron is blown into space. Jazz and Cliffjumper are also thrown into space, but since they're still in the remains of the escape pod they're probably fine.
*At the end, Rodimus rushes back into Ingestor's stomach to free the moons, blasting through the webbing holding them in place, which allows them to float into space and back into Cybetron’s orbit.

===Remnants===
[[File:Cyclonustarget2006.jpg|thumb|right|Cyclonus clearly explains his origin, rendering all debate pointless.]]
Some concepts from the script still made it into the film and media based on the script due to lack of access to the final movie.
*Astrotrain's sudden appearance in the aftermath of the battle of Autobot City is justified here. He's been fighting Optimus Prime's shuttle in space and has only just arrived on Earth.
*Like in the first draft, Unicron doesn't just transform at the end for dramatic effect; he's only just absorbed enough energy to do so.
*The episode [[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2]] refrenes this version of the script when recounting Optimus Prime's dying words.
*Most of [[The Transformers Universe (Marvel)|The Transformers Universe]] profiles for the movie cast appear to be slightly reworked development notes based on this draft. For example Scourge altmode "handles any terrain", which would be an odd way to describe a plane but makes sense for a land vehicle.
*In the Marvel UK story [[Target 2006]], the term Life Spark was misunderstood and ended up as the name of the Decepticon rebuilt into Cyclonus.

===Miscommunications===
It seems the outline provided to Friedman didn't quite work as intended. He and Hasbro appear to have misunderstood a few details.
*The outline gives no mention of what the movie cast turned into. As a result of this when they do transform their alt modes go undescribed.
*Friedman's second revision adds the sequence of the Decepticons ambush and take over of the Autobot shuttle presumably happened because he re-read the outline and realized the Transformers weren't meant to be able to fly through space on their own.
*Freidman interprets the term "essence of leadership" very literally. Underneath it he wrote "only leaders have essence", which probably isn't what they intended.
*The Autobots that crash land on Junkion were meant to send a distress signal which Hot Rod and Kup intercepted. However, Friedman didn't include this.
*Hot Rod saving the moons inside Unicron stems from Friedman misinterpreting a line about Hot Rod hearing the "trapped Autobots from the moons of Cybertron and going back inside the Entity to rescue them." Obviously, they wanted a scene where the main hero rescues the surviving Autobots on the moon. Well, Friedman interprets this rather literally with Rodimus managing to free Cybertron's moons from Unicron's stomach before he explodes.

==Gallery==
Despite the massive reworking of the script, a fair amount of concept art was drawn up using it, while most of the designs were cut some of it ended up in the final film.
<center><gallery>
File:UltraMagnus-FloroDery3rdConcept-OrionPax.jpg|Floro Dery's early version of Magnus. The script barely gives any details of his appearance so he went wild.
File:Anibot-MechanoBeastSecondConcept-FloroDery.jpg| [[Dragon Beast]] concept art.
File:DragonBeast.jpg| A reworked version of Dery's first Dragon Beast design used in {{w|Megas XLR}}
File:Stripes_patent_and_prototype.jpg|Patent and prototype of unproduced saber tooth tiger cassette. Seems someone mistakenly abbreviated it to just tiger for the outline.
File:Stinger_patent_and_prototype.jpg|Patent and Prototype of unproduced scorpion cassette.
File:Auto-Bop_Robot_Cassette.jpg| Unused "Robot Cassette" character model from the episode [[Auto-Bop]].
File:StripesStoryboard.jpg|Early storyboard featuring the cassettes, likely based solely on the script as none of them resemble the prototypes. Stripes
File:StingerStoryboard.jpg| Stinger
File:CubieStoryboard.jpg|Cubbie
File:BoltsStoryboard.jpg|Bolts, this is actually the best image of him, believe it or not.
File:FloroDery_originalquintesson.jpg| Floro Dery's original design for the Quintessons
</gallery></center>

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1tAWJAGC3nzxwaICQUUQsvLzLr97McwxJ The Sunbow Outline]
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Aqpj8Fb0esWl9lnD73SkOUMp3s3f7NmX The script itself]
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1sbYhgBn7JgOlauc-Nv5SYfcYBWCuQoQy The revised May Script]
*[https://sunbowmarvelarchive.blogspot.com/2022/05/story-outline-of-ron-friedmans-script.html A detailed summary on the Sunbow Marvel Archive]

[[Category:Unproduced scripts]]

The Transformers: The Movie (second draft)

2025-03-19T20:54:40Z

Silver: /* Autobots */

[[Image:SecondDraftScriptCover.jpg|thumb|right|250px|This page took fourteen years to make!]]

In early [[1985]], [[Ron Friedman]]'s [[The Transformers: The Movie (first draft)|initial script]] for [[The Transformers: The Movie]] had been rejected (allegedly because it focused too much on the villains). However, the terms of his contract meant that the film had to be based on a script he wrote. So if they wanted to continue production they needed him to write a new script. Not willing to leave this to chance, an outline was created by [[Sunbow Productions]] and he was told to base the new draft on it. This isn't exactly a revision of Friedman's previous script, it's more like an entirely new one that was loosely based on the first draft that Sunbow would be able to further rewrite into the movie they wanted to make without violating his contract.

The new script was written in just under a month. While this draft would form the basis of the final film, it would be massively reworked by "Story Consultant" [[Flint Dille]]. The script first became public when it was purchased after being auctioned off by Friedman in [[2010]] .<ref>"[https://boltax.blogspot.com/2010/12/heritaage-auctions-transformers-movie.html Disciples of Boltax Heritage Auctions -The Transformers The Movie draft Script]</ref>

{{note|For practical purposes this article covers the initial Sunbow outline, the draft script and a slightly revised draft}}

==Background==
[[Image:TFTMOutlinePage.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Page 9 of the outline including Friedman's handwritten notes.]]
Sometime between February and [[March 28|28th March]] 1985, (two days after he had completed his reworked story premises for everyone's favourite cartoon "Bigfoot and the Muscle Machines") a 16 page outline was given to Friedman by Sunbow to dictate the new film. It features the new cast and a scene by scene overview of the film. Since this also had details on the early plans of the [[1986]] range Hasbro likely had some input in it.
Much of the final film originated here, such as the future setting,character arcs and locations such as [[Autobot City]] and the Moonbases. Thanks to Friedman's handwritten notes (as he presumably read through this outline for the first time) we can see his thought process. He questioned certain elements, brainstormed new ones and suggested plot changes. This draft was written in just under a month, being finished on the [[April 27|27 April]]. During this time Friedman seems to have stopped editing scripts, presumably to focus solely on this project.

Shortly after finishing this draft, Friedman revised this script. By this we mean he reworked the first 14 pages and nothing else. This draft was completed on [[May 2|May 2nd]]. He was paid for this draft and that marked the end of his involvement with Transformers. <ref> "[https://toddmatthy.com/2013/12/31/he-killed-optimus-prime-an-interview-with-ron-friedman-writer-of-transformers-the-movie/ He Killed Optimus Prime: An Interview With Ron Friedman the Writer of Transformers:The Movie]</ref> We don't just mean the film, he stopped working on Transformers all together and focused all his efforts on writing the script for the G.I. Joe movie, which would have a similarly hectic development...<ref>[https://comics.ha.com/itm/memorabilia/miscellaneous/g-i-joe-the-movie-ron-friedman-s-revisions-notes-and-story-ideas-sunbow-productions-inc-1985-/a/7027-93252.s# Heritage Auction G.I. Joe Movie Story ideas dated May 1985]</ref> <ref>[https://comics.ha.com/itm/memorabilia/miscellaneous/g-i-joe-the-movie-outlines-and-notes-by-ron-friedman-sunbow-productions-inc-1985-/a/7027-93254.s?ic16=ViewItem-BrowseTabs-Auction-Archive-ThisAuction-120115 Heritage Auction G.I. Joe Movie Outline and early draft dated July 1985]</ref>

Evidently this new script doesn't seem to have met Sunbow's standards. After it was submitted, Sunbow staff [[Joe Bacal]], [[Tom Griffin]], [[Jay Bacal]], Flint Dillie, [[Roger Slifer]] and [[Carole Weitzman]] held a meeting to try and rework the script. This lasted 16 hours. <ref>"[https://alonefancryinginthewilderness.blogspot.com/2012/07/from-archives-my-animated-conversation.html A Lone Fan Crying In The Wilderness — My Animated Conversation With Buzz Dixon]</ref><ref>"[https://alonefancryinginthewilderness.blogspot.com/2012/02/meet-roger-slifer.html A Lone Fan Crying In The Wilderness — My Animated Conversation With Roger Slifer]</ref> <ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20200128201208/http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/60-astrominutes/flint-dille/flint-dille-2.html The Flint Dille Interview Part II]</ref>
Ultimately, Flint Dille was chosen to edit the script and spent the next several months reworking it into the final film over the course of 20 drafts.

==Synopsis==
Five years have passed since the Transformers awoke on Earth. From the moons of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], the [[Autobot|Autobots]] launch a shuttle to send supplies to [[Earth]]. As it passes through an asteroid field the [[Decepticon|Decepticons]] begin to trail the shuttle through space. At a fishing hole near Autobot City on Earth, [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]] and [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel]] detect the incoming shuttle. Driving to the nearby Lookout Point they pass [[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]] cording off the area.

As the shuttle enters Earth's atmosphere, the Decepticons blast their way in and kill the crew. Through his observation binoculars Daniel spots the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] eating the ship. [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] flies off commanding his troops to destroy Autobot City. Spotting the young Autobot below, the Decepticon leader opens fire at him destroying most of the mountain. Hot Rod fights the Decepticon soldiers on the crumbling mountain while trying to protect Daniel, until he's saved by Kup who fights off [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] and [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]]. The trio rush back to the city as the attack continues.

At the city, [[Perceptor (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Perceptor]] alerts [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] of the attack, initiating Autobot City's transformation procedure. Hot Rod and Kup run over the Insecticons as they devour the last bridge into the city, leaving the Autobots trapped inside.
From a "WAR SCREEN" Magnus commands the Autobots against the enemy forces. Spotting the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] near the southern wall which houses the [[Roboto-zoo]], he releases the Ani-Bots who manage to drive off the invaders. On Magnus' order, [[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]] transmits a message to [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]].[[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity| Soundwave]] attempts to intercept this, ejecting the cassettes [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]], [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]], [[Ravage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ravage]] and [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] to jam it. Blaster fights back with his own cassettes [[Steeljaw (G1)|Cubbie]], [[Stripes]], [[Stinger (G1)|Stinger]] and [[Bolts]].

On Cybertron, Prime and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] receive the message and board a shuttle headed to Earth. En-route they are attacked by [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]]. On Earth, the battle continues with the Constructicons forming [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. Seeing this, Magnus commands the Ani-bots to merge into [[Dragon Beast ]] to fight the combiner. Prime's shuttle arrives and the Dinobots leap out to face the enemy forces. This begins to turn the tide, as the Decepticons are forced to retreat. Outside of the city, Megatron commands his forces to keep fighting, unaware of Optimus' shuttle landing next to him. Just like last time, the fight is pretty much identical to the final film.

A dying Megatron demands [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] to take his [[Life Spark]] back to Cybertron as the Decepticons board the newly arrived Astrotrain. Gathering around Optimus, Perceptor declares his wounds fatal. Prime gives Magnus his Life Spark -a tiny glowing version of himself, and names the reluctant Autobot his successor as he dies. Ultra Magnus' first orders are for the Autobots to fortify the planet against further attacks and construct a shuttle to follow the Decepticons into space.
As Astrotrain reaches Cybertron, the Decepticons argue over who will be the new leader. Fighting breaks out with Megatron pitifully stating that he's still alive. Arriving at the [[Hall of Heroes]], the dying Megatron begs for his Life Spark to be enshrined alongside the past leaders. The fighting spills into the Hall, wrecking the statues causing the leaders Life Sparks to fly off into space. One of the statues crushes Megatron, finally killing him and his Life Spark is left to float into space with the others.

As the Life Sparks drift through space, a furious Megatron demands to have his body restored at any cost. The ghostly voice of [[Unicron/Generation 1|Ingestor]] hears his cries and with a "PALE, COLD RAY" drags the Life Sparks to the "HELL-LIKE, MECHANICAL" planet of Unicron. Ingestor offers him power in exchange for permanent servitude to him which Megatron is forced to accept. Bathed in a beam of light he is rebuilt into Galvatron. The other Life Sparks are also rebuilt as [[Scourge (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Scourge]], the [[Sweep (G1)|Sweeps]], [[Cyclonus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cyclonus]] and [[Cyclonus's Armada (G1)|his armada]]. At Ingestor's command they fly to Cybertron to claim its remaining energy.

Starscream's coronation is basically the same, so we can skip that. Under the command of their new leader the Decepticons gather the planet's Energon for Ingestor, which he absorbs with his Cold Rays and the planet Unicron begins to rebuild itself as it nears Cybertron. From Cybertron's third moon, [[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] and [[Cliffjumper (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cliffjumper]] alert Earth about the approaching planet. As the moon is destroyed, Ingestor orders Galvatron to drain Earth next. Galvatron briefly attempts to resist only to be inflicted with pain.

At Autobot City, the superfast messenger, [[Blurr (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blurr]] brings news of the moon's destruction and warns of the imminent arrival of the Decepticons. Suddenly, the Decepticons arrive and a massive fight ensues. Magnus orders Hot Rod and the Dinobots to one of the newly constructed shuttles. The shuttle takes off under enemy fire as Magnus begins his own launch, using the rocket's thrust to melt the attacking Sweeps. Taking off they are persuaded by a squad of Decepticon led by Astrotrain, before managing to outrun them using a "hyper vault" to blast off at infinite speed. Later, as his troops begin harvesting Earth's [[Energon]], Galvatron learns of the Autobots' escape, boarding a "SPACE CARRIER" to follow them.

On the shuttles, Kup tells the Dinobots an old war story. Perceptor realizes the Decepticons are beaming energy into space and with no other options they are forced to follow it into space. Connecting himself into shuttles "SCANNER-MONITOR" to track the signal, Perecptor briefly catches a glimpse of Unicron. Galvatron's armada catches up to them, destroying Hot Rod's shuttle and throwing its occupants into space. Magnus escapes by detonating three quarters of his ship, making it appear to have been destroyed as they sneak to a nearby planet for repairs. Back on Earth, Scourge and the Sweeps hunt down surviving Autobots. Tracking a signal they find only the burnt remains of a Decepticon soldier. As they leave Blaster and the other Autobots come out of hiding. Wheeljack realizes that draining Earth's energy is weakening the planet. They only have 48 hours left until it's destroyed. (Blaster's group doesn't appear again. Just so you know.)

Hot Rod and Kup land on [[Quintessa (planet)|Quintesson]], running into a mechanical squid. (Like last time, we can skip over this). Magnus' shuttle has a rough landing on planet [[Junkion (planet)|Junkion]]. The Autobots attempt to salvage parts from the junk which makes up the planet. Unnoticed, the [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]] see the intruders and prepare to fight. Hot Rod and Kup are captured by the [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]] and taken to their masters, the [[Quintesson|Quintessons]]. Imprisoned, their fellow prisoner, a rock robot [[Kranix (G1)|Granix]], tells them that their fate will be to fight to the death in the arena. Outside, the Dinobots have found their way to the Quintesson Castle looking for their friends, only to be turned away by a guard who points them in the wrong direction.

In space, Unicron has absorbed more energy and grown even larger. Ingestor tells Galvatron that Magnus still lives, ordering him to kill the Autobot leader. Galvatron resists only for Ingestor to inflict his "cold rays" on him, then using one of the metal trees that covers the planet to throw him into space. Briefly content, Unicron devours another of Cybertron's moons. Hot Rod and Kup are sentenced to fight the Sharkticons. The Dinobots run into [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], the "Wolf Boy of Quintesson" who tells them that they've been deceived and they need to save their friends. In the arena, Hot Rod is able to take the lead Quintesson hostage. The leader just laughs at them as his head disconnects from his body and flies to safety, leaving them to face the Sharkticons. As the pair prepare to fight to the end, the Dinobots arrive and turn the tide, dropping bombs and setting the grandstand on fire. The few remaining Sharkticons turn on their masters and begin to devour them. Wheelie shows the Autobots a Quintesson cruiser they use to leave the planet.

Back on Junkion the repairs are nearly finished. The Junkions lay in wait, retreating when they spot the arriving Decepticons. On Magnus' order, Perceptor has created "Pseudo-clones" - non-sentient replicas of the Autobots. The clones are sent on a suicide charge to fool the Decepticons into thinking their enemies have been killed, but the ruse will be uncovered if they examine the remains. Realizing this Magnus joins the clones knowing that the death of the Autobot leader will distract Galvatron. Magnus is ultimately overwhelmed by a horde of Decepticons and Galvatron kills him with a point blank shot from his fusion cannon. Cutting Prime's Life Spark out of him with a laser saw and putting it in a glass bottle, the leader demands his men head back to Earth, while he deals with Ingestor.

As the Decepticons leave, the Autobots come out of hiding and mourn their fallen leader. This doesn't last long as the Junkions have returned, forcing them to try and flee. Unable to escape, they are cornered when more Junkions appear from underneath the scrap. The ensuing fight is halted when the Quintesson Cruiser appears overhead. As the ship lands Hot Rod approaches the Junkion's with Energon Sticks and recites the Universal Greeting. This works. With everyone now friends, the Junkions rebuild Ultra Magnus. A more mature Hot Rod points out they still need to find where the Decepticons are beaming Earth's energy to. The surrounding crowd cheers and they all board their cruisers.

Back in space, Galvatron threatens Ingestor to release him from servitude. This just makes him laugh, so Galvatron detonates a bomb to destroy Unicron. Ingestor happily reveals that was the last piece of energy he needed and the planet begins to transform into a massive robot revealing that Unicron is actually Ingestor! Ingestor restrains Galvatron in his eyebrows (yes, really), and for his insolence forces him to watch as Cybertron is destroyed.
The Autobots arrive as his attack is underway, with Hot Rod ordering them to intercept him. As the Junkions and Dinobots fly out to distract the giant robot, Hot Rod's ship flies towards Injector's head, crashing into his ear. Racing inside, Hot Rod tells the other to keep him distracted, while he tries to find the core of the creature. Sensing intruders, Ingestor picks up Galvatron and shoves him through his eye socket telling him he may allow him to live if he kills the Autobot.

While the Autobot's try to stop Ingestor, deep inside him Galvatron and Hot Rod fight, the Decepticon overpowering the young Autobot. In a last show of strength, Hot Rod grabs the bottle containing the Life Spark and is transformed, the ghostly voice of Optimus declaring him Rodimus Prime. The battle continues until Rodimus is able to destroy the bottle, releasing the Life Spark's energy. Ingestor begins to explode and tears himself apart to try and get the Life Spark. An explosion throws Galvatron into space. Escaping Rodimus is able to free Cybertron's moons from Ingestor's stomach. Flying into space, a ghostly image of Optimus tells the dying creature that all evil must end.

On their ship the Autobots mourn Hot Rod, only to start cheering when they see their new leader flying towards them

==Cast==

===Autobots===
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod/Rodimus Prime]] - The outline bluntly describes him as "reckless, headstrong, short tempered and cocky." The movie charts his " grow[th] from boyhood to manhood, both physically and mentally, eventually becoming the new leader of the Autobots". Rodimus Prime is apparently him "fully mature".
*[[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]]- Tanker is named Kup now, meaning his development for the final film is complete. He's named "Kup" "as in Pickup Truck", <ref>Kup's barely reworked early development notes/profile in ''[[The Transformers Universe (Marvel)|The Transformers Universe]]'' #4</ref>, though there is no indication that Friedman knew this. The outline has no info on his alt mode, so the closest the script gets is saying he has wheels.
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] - He's still "the large and soldierly City Commander". His personality is serious and practical, with Friedman comparing him to Horatio Hornblower. Also, at one point he turns his hand into a loudspeaker. Neat!
*[[Springer (G1)|Springer]] - Still "very muscular", though now he's a "bantering Indiana Jones type Autobot". While going through the outline, Friedman realized he could reuse Rusty Steel's personality for him. The outline calls him Ultra Magnus's wise-cracking second in command, though deep down he unquestionably respects him. He's still not a triple changer yet.
*[[Arcee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Arcee]] - This time she actually gets to go on the adventure (and with barely any misogyny!). This version introduces her relationship with Hot Rod, and mothering of Daniel.
*[[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel]] - An all-American 12-year-old boy who looks up to the Autobots. He has trouble using his exosuit, but at the end is able to master it to save Arcee. He's still not Spike's son yet. The outline intended for him to stowaway on the Autobot shuttle, which Friedman disregarded.
*[[Perceptor (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Perceptor]] - Mentlar has been replaced with the Autobot scientist we know and love. Like in the final film, his gimmick is that he uses too much scientific jargon which confuses the others, though there are way more examples of that in this draft.
* [[Anibot|Anibots]] - A team of Autobots with animal alt-modes who are kept in the "Roboto-Zoo lab". They are Simba (a lion), Pardo (a leopard), Shriek (an eagle), Thump (a buffalo), and Clump (a rhinoceros). They combine to form the Dragon Beast, a "huge, DRAGON LIKE MECHANO-BEAST". The outline simply dictated "the Anibots (lion, tiger, eagle, buffalo and rhinoceros) who also come together to form a huge robot" and said they'd fight the Constructicons. Given that description Friedman then came up with their names and combined form. Clearly, the Anibots are an early version of the Predacons, though there was a misunderstanding between Ron and Hasbro. Now, while the lineup of animals would change, the combined form was likely always intended to be the conventional giant robot made up of smaller robots. Ron didn't know this and from the "form a huge robot" line went wild and devised something that Hasbro never intended to release. At some point the group gets dropped from the film but not before concept art was drawn up.
*[[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]] - Described as "a black rock D.J.". He has a larger role than in the final film, leading the surviving Autobots against the Decepticon-controlled Earth. The outline describes his cassettes as a "lion, tiger, scorpion and robot", which Friedman reworked into Cubbie, Stripes, Stinger, and Bolts. Only Cubbie would make it unchanged, though he was renamed to Steeljaw. Bolts would be split in two to become Eject and Rewind. Stinger and Stripes would be cut entirely. This lineup made it all the way to early storyboards.
*[[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] - a "fast, fast mover and fast, fast talker" Autobot special messenger. He's introduced alerting the others to the destruction of Cybertron's third moon. Besides changing jobs and showing up earlier in the actual film he's the final version of the character.
*[[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] - An "Autobot like Robotoid kid" that lives as "the Wolf Boy of Quintesson". Stage directions explain Wheelie's backstory in greater detail than in the final film, revealing that he's the only survivor of a crashed spaceship after the Sharkticons ate the rest of the crew. He wears a necklace made of Sharkticon teeth. His weapons are "a three bladed laser knife" and a "SLING which hurls FIRE STONES."

===Decepticons===
*[[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] - The rebuilt form of Megatron who "still resembles Megatron somewhat". The outline describes him as having a “cannon mode”, which isn’t explicitly mentioned in the script itself. After being reborn he declares "There is no Megatron! I am Galvatron and I rule!" Despite this the draft still makes several allusions to him being Megatron, such as in the climax when he reveals his identity to Rodimus, calling it his 'true name'.
*[[Scourge (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Scourge]] /The [[Sweep (G1)|Sweeps]] - The bearded leader of the Sweeps. Built from the converted Life Spark of a former Decepticon leader (as are the other Sweeps), he's likened to a 'mafia hit man' in the outline. His soldiers are now called the Sweeps seemingly due to a miscommunication between Ron and Hasbro. They still search for surviving Autobots so it sort of works. Like in the previous draft they turn into land vehicles. Scourge has a mid-transformation form which features his head sticking up in vehicle model to perform scans. Bizarrely, the Nazi imagery also carries over with the outline describing Scourge as a "SS trooper" and the Sweeps being "smaller" "similar creatures" wearing "dark and matching uniforms". Scourge went unnamed in the outline, being named by Friedman.
*[[Cyclonus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cyclonus]] - He's another converted essence and is the commander of the Decepticon Planes. This "armada" or "Jet Force " consists of smaller, but similar looking robots that turn into "FIGHTER PLANES". He disappears completely from the script after the Autobots flee Earth. His unnamed outline profile reads in its entirety "He needs to be developed."

===Others===
*[[Unicron/Generation 1|Ingestor]]/Unicron- At this stage the Entity has been renamed Ingestor. Other proposed names were Absorber, Unitron, The Amalgamator, Amalgamon and Masticar. Sunbow felt the idea of a talking planet was "a stretch", and asked for his dialogue to be kept to a minimum. Firedman ignored this. The outline also claims they were going to cast Orson Welles. Good luck with that..... His role is similar to the previous draft (introduced as ‘The Absorber of Unicron’, rebuilding Megatron, the appearance of the planet Unicron, and growing larger the more energy he consumes) while his backstory has been removed entirely. This version also adds an extensive final battle on his massive body as the Autobots fight to stop him destroying Cybertron. The first page of Friedman's revised script features a new intro where the planet flies through space. This would eventually evolve into the sequence of him devouring Lithone that opens the movie proper.
*[[Quintessons]]-Their role is similar to the final film. While their psychic powers have been removed their appearance carries over from the previous draft. They still have slender bodies which are too small for their massive heads. But in an extra twist it's implied these are their true form as when the leader disconnects his head, it flies away to attach itself to another body. The outline suggests they have a "friendly face, a stern face, an evil face, (a face of your choosing) and a face of Death", which Friedman reworked into "SMILING, ANGRY, GRIMACING, SUSPICIOUS" and "a DEATH'S HEAD".
*[[Sharkticons]]- While their design and role as the Quintessons guards carries over from the first draft their shock sticks (which froze someone in time) are now just regular electric batons. In a scene repeated from the last draft their cries are revealed to translate to "we eat". Apparently, Grimlock inspiring them to rebel against their master’s is to show they share "a kind of Proletarian commonality" with their fellow 'lower life forms'. <ref>''I Killed Optimus Prime'', Ron Friedman (p. 105)</ref> They are still the only Quintesson servants to appear.
* [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]] - A group of robot Road Warrior Hell's Angels made of rusty and disused metal. Like in the previous draft they are able to repair their damaged bodies with their planet's garbage making them essentially indestructible. However, their backstory (and connection to Unicron) has been removed. They also now ride into battle on their transformed comrades. The outline intended their language to be a mix of "alien lingo", Latin phrases, TV talk and generic expressions, though only really the TV talk made it into the script.
* [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] - He remains the Junkion leader. Sensibly, his design has been switched with that of a generic Junkion from the first draft (as someone probably realized that having one of the heroes dress like a fascist might have been a bad idea). He now looks like "a rusty junk metal version of a Viking helmet and a BRILLO like wooly wire-metal vest". The Nazi Helmeted Junkion is still present, now as a generic who Springer briefly fights. He sounds like" a cross between Henry Kissinger-a tv talk show host like Bert Parks, and Mr. Rogers on amphetamines". Wreck-Gar isn't mentioned in the outline suggesting Friedman used him on his own initiative.

==Notes==
===Comparisons to the finished film===
===What changed===
*This script takes place five years after the Autobots awoke on Earth, seemingly placing the events of the script in the year 1990.
*No opening on Lithone, though the revised draft features a brief scene of Unicron flying through space which would ultimately evolve into it.
*The draft now opens on Cybertron's moons.
*Unlike in the final film we're given more details about the Autobot Moonbase. The fact it's also a munitions factory remains in the final film though isn't mentioned on screen.
*Autobot City has been introduced. We don't really get any details about it besides being a new headquarters, but the final film gives it an extra purpose of generating energy for the Autobots.
*Like in the final film, the Dinobots have a prominent supporting role. Unlike the previous draft [[Slag (G1)|Slag]] is present, though weirdly he isn't explicitly mentioned until page 61 (with the others first being mentioned on page 21). There's still no [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] for reasons that have never made any sense, with the only explanation being that since the outline didn't specify all of Dinobots, Freidman forgot about him and the production staff didn't add him back in later.
*Rather than intercept the Autobot shuttle, here the Decepticons trail it all the way to Earth. Friedman's revisited draft would add the attack on the shuttle which made it into the final film.
*All the human characters from the last draft except for Daniel have been cut. He still isn't Spike's son who still isn't in this version.
*The script contains a brief scene of Magnus rebuking Hot Rod for leaving his post, this would remain up until the storyboard stage before being cut.
*Much of the battle of Autobot City would be reworked. Due to the length a more detailed overview will be given later.
*The Anibots would be dropped, presumably due to being reworked into the Predacons.
*Blaster's cassettes would also be massively reworked.
*We actually see Optimus Prime and the Dinobots receiving Blaster's message, boarding the shuttle and being attacked by Astrotrain.
*Optimus' Matrix and Megatron's essence became the same thing in the outline, later being named Life Sparks in the script. These are tiny glowing versions of a Transformer. There more explicitly a Transformers 'soul' (though there's still no explanation as to why Optimus' Life Spark is able to transform Hot Rod or destroy Ingestor at the end). The outline told Friedman to rename the Matrix but at some point it gets added back in. According to Friedman's notes on the outline "only leaders have essences". In the final film Megatron is only dying, not a ghost/disembodied soul.
*Hot Rod bemoans being responsible for Prime's death, but Kup and Arcee tell him it wasn't his fault.
*Most of the details about the Hall of Heroes carry over from the previous draft. In the final film it isn't even named. The major addition here is Starscream's coronation.
*That said Scourge, the Sweeps, Cyclonus and his Armada being reformatted life sparks of former leaders would be reworked into them being the converted from dead Deceptions.
*The Unicron and Ingestor twist would be dropped for the final film. There it was just Unicron
*The shuttle launch is more complicated with them having to escape the Decepticon forces in space by hyper-vault.
*The scene of Perceptor plugging himself into the shuttles computer briefly catching a glimpse of Unicron is dropped.
*The Quintesson planet, unnamed in the previous draft, is named here, Quintesson. This name actually made it into the final script of the film, though wasn't used on screen.
===What stayed the same===
A few scenes from the first draft carry over.
*Megatron and Optimus Prime's final fight carries over nearly verbatim from the previous draft,
*Like in the last script, the Quintesson scenes are similar to the final film, the big change here is that we see the Dinobots rescue attempts:
**The planet's appearance carries over from the last draft, still having a Mercury sea with red desert shores and metallic reefs which are home to robot fish.
**The Robot Squid fight still occurs and is dealt with similarly.
**Kup and Hot Rod still encounter the Sharkticons on a ridge. To communicate with them, they use the "universal alien language salutation," (The name universal greeting is used later on). Like in the film, it only briefly works.
**Hot Rod and Kup are taken to a "CASTLE LIKE STRUCTURE" where fellow prisoner Granix tells them about the Quintessons and their show trials.
**The Dinobots arrive at the Quintesson castle only to be sent away by a Quintesson guard. This scene was cut from the final film.
**Wheelie helps the Dinobots find Hot Rod and Kup.
**The arrival of the Dinobots saves the pair from being devoured by the Sharkticons.
**Most of the Quintessons are devoured by the Sharkticons.
**The Autobots leave the planet on a Quintesson cruiser.
===First Draft Remnants===
*Various other plot points carry over from the first draft that would be dropped for the final film. Since this script was publicly available for over a decade before the first draft surfaced, we're noting them here for completion's sake:
**The twist of Unicron's dual identity.
**Much of the description of Unicron's surface.
**Unicron still has to absorb energy in order to be able to transform.
**The Hall of Heroes' larger role.
**While the Matrix has been removed in this draft, much of the story beats about it carry over. This means Megatron still dies and his ghost ends up flying into space after his body is destroyed.
**The Decepticons attempt to drain Earth's energy in a process that will destroy it.
**Blaster's leading the surviving Autobots in guerrilla warfare on a Decepticon controlled Earth.
**The Quintessons' appearance of feeble humanoid figures remains though their psychic powers don't.
**Granix is a rock robot. Lithone is still only mentioned in passing, with him being captured on a scientific expedition.

===Other details===
Like the previous draft, this script features a lot of details that couldn't fit in the summary without making it overly long; most of these other details are:
*The outline gave Friedman the okay to kill off the following characters: [[Gears (G1)|Gears]], [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]], [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]], [[Sunstreaker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sunstreaker]], [[Sideswipe (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sideswipe]], [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]], [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]], [[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]], [[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]], [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]], [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], [[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]], [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]], [[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]], [[Skywarp (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Skywarp]] and [[Shockwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Shockwave]]. Not all of these guys die.
*It also gave 1985 characters to use for background appearances: "[[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]], [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]], [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]], [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]], [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]], [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]], [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]], [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] and [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]]." Not all of them appear in this draft.
*Cybertron has at least five moons.
*Like in the final film the occupants of the Autobot shuttle are Ironhide, Rachet, Prowl and Brawn, though their deaths are different. Here Megatron blasts through the main viewscreen as they are about to land, blowing Ironhide to pieces while the other Decepticons flood the ship, the Constructions disintegrating Prowl and the Insecticons devouring Brawn. Freidman didn't include Ratchet's death.
*In the revised draft the Decepticons now intercept the shuttle in space. Megatron blasts Brawn in half, Prowl dies the same way, but Ironhide and Ratchet are fused together and then blown apart by enemy fire.
*Extended battle of Autobot City details
**Wheeljack isn't a horrible misogynist this time, here he works a control console in the "WAR SCREEN", with Magnus. Later he determines the amount of time until Earth Is destroyed.
**There is one final change in the revised draft: the Constructions fight with the Anibots is expanded by half a page.
**Powerglide and [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] (who can also fly apparently) intercept Blitzwing over the city, causing him to crash through the city walls, landing in the fishin' hole from the opening. They then drop bombs on him, blasting him into the air.
**Thundercracker and Skywarp lead a group of Decepticons trying to break into the city, while Bluestreak, Hound and Sunstreaker lay in wait. During the ensuing fight Bluestreak cuts Thundercracker in half with his "LASER SABER". Skywarp and the others swarm him until Hound opens fire, blasting off their legs.
**Just before Optimus and Megatron's final fight begins, Dirge attempts to tackle Prime from behind, only for the Autobot leader to grab him with one hand, turn him upside down and throw him to the ground.
**In the aftermath of the battle we get a brief scene of the surviving Autobots cleaning up wreckage and dead Decepticons.
*Scrapper calls Starscream "a pompous Alumin-ass"
*The Hall of Heroes carries over into this draft. It is now a "METALLIC EQUIVALENT OF A CLASSICAL , ROCK-CUT MASOULEUM" in a metal mountain. Questionably, it's still described as "High tech" "Nuremberg Party Rally".
[[File:DecepticonMarkers.jpg|thumb|right|The Life Spark flames at the base of the statues ]]
*The flames at the base of each Decepticon leader’s statue contains their Life Spark. This detail actually made it into the final film where it means nothing.
*The former leaders named in the Hall of Heroes are [[Ghoulon]], [[Murdron]], and [[Bloodron]].
*Galvatron is given the insignia of Ingestor.
*During Starscream's coronation, a reluctant Dirge performs a ritual from an ancient book to the new leader's annoyance.
*As Galvatron kills a confused Starscream at his coronation he declares "there is no Megatron! I am Galvatron and I rule!".
*Galvatron kills Starscream by disintegrating him with a blaster. Just to clarify that, he pulls out a gun and shoots him dead.
*Ingestor uses his "cold rays" to pull the Energon Cubes through space to Unicron. This allows the planet to reform itself and travel to Cybertron.
*In one of the less creative Friedmanism, Dirge compares Unicron absorbing Energon with his Cold Rays "Like soda-oil through a straw".
*The moon Jazz and Cliffjumper escape from is the third moon. After devouring it, Unicron, "swells in size so it looks even closer - like a baloon {{sic}}."
*The Decepticons have a new rallying cry of "Ingestor and victory."
*During Galvatron’s attack on the City.
**The script offhandedly reveals that some of the invasion force "have been on Earth all this time."
**The Autobots learn of Ingestor's name (and existence) from Galvatron's battle cry.
** Magnus releases "Optic Dazzler Gas", a white exploding gas cloud that blinds and disorients the Decepticons.
**Springer throws grenades at enemy troops, causing them to fall over like dominos. Then he jumps around, drawing fire causing them to miss and melt the other troops in the crossfire.
**Cyclonus and the Constructicons are commanded to melt the city. They succeed at this.
**Similarly to the final film Blurr has to herd the Dinobots into the shuttle.
**Perceptor karate chops two Sweeps in half, from the head to groin, with each half then walking around bumping into each other.
**The Dinobots are caught in the fire bombing, having to use their "temperature monitors" to cool down.
**Galvatron surveys the ruined city, plotting to overthrow Ingestor. He is driven off by Powerglide and Warpath.
**Cyclonus "bombs Gears to pieces", the blast throwing Windcharger into the air as the Decepticon rams into him. His parts then rain down on Blaster's group of retreating Autobots.
*The story Kup tells the Dinobots is given slightly more detail here. The [[Ick-Yak|Ick Yaks]] are apparently cyborgs from Phospho-Norn.
*The shuttles have an "Intercom phone", which projects holograms.
*At the ruins of Autobot City, Autobot and human slaves are forced by the Sweeps to process and stack Energon Cubes for Ingestor.
*Quintesson is described as "a huge Baroque pearl."
*After crashing in the sea of the planet, Hot Rod turns into an "undersea action" "auto mode"", generating "a glass "bubble" head piece" to breathe.
*Hot Rod blasts a "Robotoid Squid" that takes Kup apart, scaring it away. He then collects Kup parts with his magnet powers he apparently has.
*Quintesson has "low dune-like red metallic hills".
*Kup attempts to track the Dinobots with his homing sensors.
*On the top of a ridge, they run into the Sharkticons. Kup uses the "universal alien language Salutation". Like in the film it briefly works.
*Page 101 mentions that the Sharkticons have captured Sludge. This isn't mentioned again and we later learn he is with the other Dinobots. This error is due to Friedman just reworking a portion from the previous draft where Sludge was captured as well.
*When the Dinobots enter the Quintessons castle, a Sharkticon tries to eat Grimlock only to stop when it finds he tastes terrible.
*We don't really get an explanation as to how Unicron knows Magnus survived. In the film it's because he sensed the Matrix, here nothing.
*Hot Rod and Kup are found guilty of trespassing, "under the laws of the Quintessons" a charge which is technically true. The trials are still a sham though, Granix says so.
*During the sentencing Kup realise the Quintessons' heads are their weak spot.
*The Quintesssons have other prisoners awaiting trial. The only one described in detail by the script is a ‘Huge Robotoid Warrior of Glass with Iron Fittings’. He’s seen cheering on the captured Autobots when they're thrown into the Sharkticon pit. After Grimlock crashes the trial, he escapes and helps them fight the Quintessons. He's last seen guarding some captive Sharkticons as the Autobots leave Quintesson.
*The Quintesson spaceship has a "five faced insignia of Quintessons."
*Wheelie is the one to suggest they try to make peace with the Junkions, which Kup rejects.
*The Junkions have a spaceship which is introduced with no fanfare.
*After he transforms Ingestor is described by the script as a ‘galaxy sized robot’. It's difficult to describe just how stupidly big this would make him. Even more laughable, the same page describes his arms as only being the size of a continent!
*Before he attacks Cybertron, Ingestor picks Galvatron up like an ant and drops him onto his eyebrow. His giant metal eyelashes act like cables restraining Galvatron as he’s forced to watch his planet be destroyed.
*During Ingestors destruction of Cybertron:
**Ingestor tears Shockwave's lab out of the ground like a carrot. In the process he ends up pinning Shockwave to a generator with his finger, before swallowing the base whole.
** Skywarp and Thundercracker try to stop Ingestor with a barrage of Laser Cannon fire. He swallows the bombardments then eats the chunk of the planet they're standing on.
**When flying in space the Junkions wear "space-gear", which is "Transformed tricycles which are space sleds, and rocket belts."
*When Hot Rod enters Ingestor the other continues to fight on his outer body.
**Blurr attaches a "Bumper with flame nozzles" which spews fire after him as he races across Ingestors chest and neck.
**Arcee is knocked into a forest of metal hair on Ingestor's shoulder, which begins to strangle her. Daniel is able to leap down and finally mastering control of his exo-suit, yanks the hairs out.
**Like in the film the Dinobots fly around and assault Ingestor, here they are joined by the Junkions who use grappling hooks to traverse his body.
**Ingestor is able to scrape Magnus and Perceptor off his neck with his fingers.
**Despite Perceptor's warning, Ingestor is able to smash Blurr with his hand. This really looks like it kills him, but he is later revealed to merely be damaged.
**When all hope seems lost the Autobots hide behind his horns to stay out of his sight.
*Galvatron and Hot Rod fight in Ingestor's stomach where Cybertron's moons are caught in a web and slowly being digested.
*During Rodimus' fight with Galvatron, the Decepticon is able to overpower him. He is saved when Jazz and Cliffjumper are revealed to be alive in the remains of their swallowed shuttle and open fire on Galvatron. This gives Rodimus the chance to escape and beat the Deception until he collapses.
*When Injector is being torn apart, Galvatron is blown into space. Jazz and Cliffjumper are also thrown into space, but since they're still in the remains of the escape pod they're probably fine.
*At the end, Rodimus rushes back into Ingestor's stomach to free the moons, blasting through the webbing holding them in place, which allows them to float into space and back into Cybetron’s orbit.

===Remnants===
[[File:Cyclonustarget2006.jpg|thumb|right|Cyclonus clearly explains his origin, rendering all debate pointless.]]
Some concepts from the script still made it into the film and media based on the script due to lack of access to the final movie.
*Astrotrain's sudden appearance in the aftermath of the battle of Autobot City is justified here. He's been fighting Optimus Prime's shuttle in space and has only just arrived on Earth.
*Like in the first draft, Unicron doesn't just transform at the end for dramatic effect; he's only just absorbed enough energy to do so.
*The episode [[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2]] refrenes this version of the script when recounting Optimus Prime's dying words.
*Most of [[The Transformers Universe (Marvel)|The Transformers Universe]] profiles for the movie cast appear to be slightly reworked development notes based on this draft. For example Scourge altmode "handles any terrain", which would be an odd way to describe a plane but makes sense for a land vehicle.
*In the Marvel UK story [[Target 2006]], the term Life Spark was misunderstood and ended up as the name of the Decepticon rebuilt into Cyclonus.

===Miscommunications===
It seems the outline provided to Friedman didn't quite work as intended. He and Hasbro appear to have misunderstood a few details.
*The outline gives no mention of what the movie cast turned into. As a result of this when they do transform their alt modes go undescribed.
*Friedman's second revision adds the sequence of the Decepticons ambush and take over of the Autobot shuttle presumably happened because he re-read the outline and realized the Transformers weren't meant to be able to fly through space on their own.
*Freidman interprets the term "essence of leadership" very literally. Underneath it he wrote "only leaders have essence", which probably isn't what they intended.
*The Autobots that crash land on Junkion were meant to send a distress signal which Hot Rod and Kup intercepted. However, Friedman didn't include this.
*Hot Rod saving the moons inside Unicron stems from Friedman misinterpreting a line about Hot Rod hearing the "trapped Autobots from the moons of Cybertron and going back inside the Entity to rescue them." Obviously, they wanted a scene where the main hero rescues the surviving Autobots on the moon. Well, Friedman interprets this rather literally with Rodimus managing to free Cybertron's moons from Unicron's stomach before he explodes.

==Gallery==
Despite the massive reworking of the script, a fair amount of concept art was drawn up using it, while most of the designs were cut some of it ended up in the final film.
<center><gallery>
File:UltraMagnus-FloroDery3rdConcept-OrionPax.jpg|Floro Dery's early version of Magnus. The script barely gives any details of his appearance so he went wild.
File:Anibot-MechanoBeastSecondConcept-FloroDery.jpg| [[Dragon Beast]] concept art.
File:DragonBeast.jpg| A reworked version of Dery's first Dragon Beast design used in {{w|Megas XLR}}
File:Stripes_patent_and_prototype.jpg|Patent and prototype of unproduced saber tooth tiger cassette. Seems someone mistakenly abbreviated it to just tiger for the outline.
File:Stinger_patent_and_prototype.jpg|Patent and Prototype of unproduced scorpion cassette.
File:Auto-Bop_Robot_Cassette.jpg| Unused "Robot Cassette" character model from the episode [[Auto-Bop]].
File:StripesStoryboard.jpg|Early storyboard featuring the cassettes, likely based solely on the script as none of them resemble the prototypes. Stripes
File:StingerStoryboard.jpg| Stinger
File:CubieStoryboard.jpg|Cubbie
File:BoltsStoryboard.jpg|Bolts, this is actually the best image of him, believe it or not.
File:FloroDery_originalquintesson.jpg| Floro Dery's original design for the Quintessons
</gallery></center>

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1tAWJAGC3nzxwaICQUUQsvLzLr97McwxJ The Sunbow Outline]
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Aqpj8Fb0esWl9lnD73SkOUMp3s3f7NmX The script itself]
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1sbYhgBn7JgOlauc-Nv5SYfcYBWCuQoQy The revised May Script]
*[https://sunbowmarvelarchive.blogspot.com/2022/05/story-outline-of-ron-friedmans-script.html A detailed summary on the Sunbow Marvel Archive]

[[Category:Unproduced scripts]]

Transformers One (film)

2024-09-29T23:53:46Z

Silver: /* Transformers references */

{{Nav-one}}
{{movie|
|seriess=Transformers One
|prev=
|next=
|title=''Transformers One''
|image=Transformers One New Theatrical Poster.jpg
|caption=The motion picture you are about to see is an adaptation of the [[Transformers: Exodus|Exodus]] story. While artistic and historical license has been taken, we believe that this film is true to the essence, values and integrity of a story that is a cornerstone of faith for [[fandom|millions of people worldwide]].
|production companies=[[Hasbro Entertainment]] [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura|di Bonaventura Pictures]] Bayhem Films [[Paramount Animation]] New Republic Pictures
|distributor=[[Paramount Pictures]]
|executive producer=[[Steven Spielberg]] [[Zev Foreman]] [[Olivier Dumont]] [[Brian Oliver]] [[B.J. Farmer]] [[Matt Quigg]]
|producer=[[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]] [[Tom DeSanto]] [[Don Murphy]] [[Michael Bay]] [[Mark Vahradian]] [[Aaron Dem]]
|story by=[[Andrew Barrer]] [[Gabriel Ferrari]]
|screenplay by=[[Eric Pearson]] Andrew Barrer Gabriel Ferrari
|directed by=[[Josh Cooley]]
|cinematography by=
|edited by=
|music by= [[Brian Tyler]]
|release date=[[September 20]], [[2024]]
|runtime=104 minutes
|budget= $75 million
|box office=
|credits=Transformers One (film)/credits
}}

'''''Transformers One''''' is an animated film released on [[September 20]], [[2024]]. It is written by [[Eric Pearson]], [[Andrew Barrer]] and [[Gabriel Ferrari]] from a story by Barrer and Ferrari,<ref name="deadlinereveal">[https://deadline.com/2015/09/transformers-writers-room-akiva-goldsman-transformers-5-1201531918/ 'Transformers' Writers Room Wraps] on Deadline</ref> and directed by [[Josh Cooley]].<ref name="cooleyreveal">[https://deadline.com/2020/04/transformers-animated-movie-paramount-hasbro-toy-story-4-director-josh-cooley-1202921100/ Animated 'Transformers' Prequel Activated; 'Toy Story 4's Josh Cooley To Direct For Hasbro/eOne & Paramount]</ref> The movie is an origin story set on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] three billion years ago<ref name="collidercinemacon">[https://collider.com/transformers-one-animated-movie-title/ New ‘Transformers’ Animated Movie Rolls Out a New Title at CinemaCon] on Collider</ref><ref name="screenrantsandiegocomiccon">[https://screenrant.com/transformers-one-timeline-setting-takes-place// When Transformers One Takes Place In The Franchise Timeline] on Screen Rant</ref> in the days before the Autobot-Decepticon war, and focuses on [[Optimus Prime (One)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (One)|Megatron]] as they go from brothers-in-arms to enemies.<ref name="cooleyreveal" />

{{bigquote|The line between friend and enemy is not as clear as I once believed. Once it's crossed, there is no going back. Because some transformations are permanent...|[[Optimus Prime (One)|Optimus Prime]]}}

==Synopsis==
Long ago, the benevolent [[Primus]] sacrificed his life essence to become the planet [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], and created the [[Thirteen|first generation of Transformers]], the [[Prime (rank)|Prime]]s. Through the power of the [[Matrix of Leadership]], [[energon]] flowed freely from the planet's core, and the Primes ruled justly for a time. However, when the alien [[Quintesson]]s began a long war of invasion, the Primes were eventually slain, and the Matrix of Leadership was lost, leaving only [[Sentinel Prime (One)|Sentinel Prime]] to rule the planet in their absence after the Cybertronians relocated to massive underground cities, abandoning the dangerous surface.

[[File:TFOne Orion caught.jpg|left|thumb|300px|She's exhausted from the day's work. Uh, not that it was too much! We-we quite enjoyed it!]]
Fifty cycles after the war, Cybertronian society now relies on an underclass of manual laborers born without [[transformation cog]]s, including a caste of miners who physically extract what few veins of usable energon remain from the tunnels beneath the subterranean [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] City, while Sentinel Prime makes periodic journeys to the surface in search of the missing Matrix. One impulsive miner named [[Optimus Prime (One)|Orion Pax]] has been searching for information regarding the Matrix, in the hopes that finding the artifact will restore Cybertron to prosperity and allow him and his fellow miners to choose their own path in life. Unfortunately, this search for information has led him to repeatedly break into the city's data archives without authorization. His latest attempt draws the unwanted attention of two [[Guard (One)|guards]] who have caught him several times in the past already, leading to a wild (and nearly lethal) chase through the skyways, through buildings, and eventually into the ground-level public transport station. Though the guards eventually catch up to Orion, the miner's friend [[Megatron (One)|D-16]] provides a distraction and sends the guards off on a wild goose chase. On the train to work, the pair discuss Orion's latest life-endangering adventure, and Orion, knowing that his friend idolizes the strongest Prime, gifts D-16 a rare first-edition decal of [[The Fallen|Megatronus Prime]]'s helmet he'd found.

[[File:TFOne Mine Explosion.jpg|right|thumb|300px|We're trying to get the funny man out of the well!]]
In the mines, D-16 and Orion work under the supervision of their go-getting captain [[Elita-1 (One)|Elita-1]], using [[jet pack]]s and deployable support poles to keep Cybertron's shifting geology stable long enough for them to extract raw energon. However, [[Wheeljack (One)|Wheeljack]] accidentally hits a vein of unstable energon, and the ensuing explosions trap [[Jazz (One)|Jazz]] under a rockfall. Orion and D-16 defy protocol and use a jet pack to save their coworker, but the chaos ends up damaging and destroying a lot of mine equipment. One of the mine's guards, [[Darkwing (One)|Darkwing]], blames Elita for the disaster, and informs her she's been demoted to waste management duty, despite Orion sticking up for her and taking the blame.

That evening, Sentinel Prime returns to Iacon to announce that he still has not found the Matrix; to take the blow off this bad news, Sentinel declares that the prestigious [[Iacon 5000]] race will be held the next day. Orion tries to persuade D-16 to join him in the race, hoping that they can prove to the rest of Cybertron that mining bots deserve respect, but D-16 has no interest in the idea. On the day of the race, Orion discreetly leads D-16 to the maintenance area inside the giant starting signal above the race's starting line; while D-16 is initially excited to watch from a perfect vantage point, Orion reveals his true intention as he straps jet packs to the two just as the race begins and they're dropped into the thick of a throng of racing robots. Using their jet packs and some quick thinking to compensate for their inability to transform, the two dodge the numerous traps and obstacles and briefly manage to take the lead, sending bots across the city into a frenzy, especially their fellow cogless miners. The pair are just about to limp across the finish line and take first place, but end up being run down by [[Chromia (One)|Chromia]], who snags victory for herself. The pair figure they can still be proud of second place... until several dozen other racers whip by them in vehicle mode.

[[File:TFOne Sentinel visits.jpg|left|thumb|300px|I seek to build an empire, and your only goal is to amuse yourselves by tearing it down. Have I taught you nothing?]]
In Iacon's medical center, where many, many racers have ultimately ended up, Sentinel Prime meets with Orion and D-16; the pair are immediately certain they are in ''massive'' trouble, especially when they're scanned by Sentinel's creepy aide [[Airachnid (One)|Airachnid]] before his arrival, but it turns out it's quite the opposite. Sentinel ''loved'' their little stunt, and tells them that the miners' productivity after that showing was already at 150%. Sentinel offers them a chance to tour the mines and help inspire their comrades to work harder, with promises of some pampering along the way, and the pair quickly agree. However, Darkwing arrives before Airachnid can escort them to Sentinel's private quarters; infuriated that he nearly lost the race to the pair after they humiliated him, he drags them to the planet's fiftieth sub-level (ten levels below what they ''thought'' was the lowest level of the planet) and locks them in a trash incineration station.

The two bots soon meet the eccentric and exceptionally talkative [[Bumblebee (One)|B-127]], who has been trapped at the job of "look at garbage and take anything of value out before it's burned" for years, with only garbage statues for "company". When one of B's pals "[[Steve (One)|Steve]]" utters some electronic gibberish, Orion accidentally beheads the "bot", but discovers within the wreckage an old beacon from the Quintesson war, still broadcasting a set of coordinates located somewhere on the planet's surface. Orion, B-127, and D-16 decide to investigate, escaping the only way they can: by climbing up the dump chute. Ew. The trio stow away aboard an automated surface-bound garbage train but coincidentally encounter Elita-1, who now works the refuse line. She handily clobbers the three but ends up locked in the train with them as it departs. She heads for the front, intending to report them to security, a mad dash that gets all the harder as the train starts moving vertically towards its destination. She manages to pop a hatch and make it out of the train, and the trio gives chase, but all four are stopped cold as they're enveloped in light and they find themselves traveling along Cybertron's surface.

The four are stunned by the planet's natural beauty, only to become horrified as said natural beauty starts violently heaving upwards behind them, tearing up the self-building rail and scattering train cars. They run for it but are thrown off, waking in just enough time to completely miss another train, the rail un-building behind it. Elita is furious, but agrees to join Orion's search for the Matrix, on the conditions that 1) she's in command, 2) she holds the map, and 3) after they find the Matrix and bring it back, the other three turn themselves in for their idiotic plan and sing her praises to the authorities. Orion very quickly agrees, and the four head off, confused by the weird not-metal life growing on the surface. They spy a group of robotic quadrupedal lifeforms, which suddenly snap to attention and run for it as the ground begins to tremble. It's soon apparent the cause of their panic: a massive Quintesson spaceship! As the ship scans for any lifeforms (obliterating one of the Cybertronian fauna with a massive cannon blast when it ends up in the tracking beams), the four barely evade detection and the ship moves on.

[[File:TransformersOne-AlphaTrionTransformationCogs.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.66|Take the staff in your hand, Moses. With it, you shall do My wonders.]]
Soon they find themselves at the end of the map's trail, a hidden and extremely creepy cave. Inside they find a scene of absolute horror: the spot where the ancient Primes made their final stand against the Quintessons, the bodies of the thirteen lying broken and covered in overgrowth. Although the Matrix is nowhere to be found, Orion discovers that [[Alpha Trion (One)|Alpha Trion]]'s spark still pulses and uses an [[energon cube]] provided by B to revive him. The four attempt to bring Trion up to speed on recent events, but their mention of "Sentinel Prime" causes Trion to reveal the terrible truth: Sentinel is an imposter, a traitorous aide who led the Primes into a Quintesson ambush in exchange for "ruling" Cybertron under the invaders' command. However, when Sentinel tried to claim the Matrix after prying it from [[Zeta Prime (One)|Zeta Prime]]'s corpse, the artifact judged him unworthy and disappeared. To appease his new masters, Sentinel has deliberately stolen transformation cogs from newborn Transformers to keep them producing energon in the mines; at Trion's urging, the four emerge from the cave to witness Sentinel pledging servitude to the [[Quintesson High Commander]] and learn the city's garbage trains are actually transporting Cybertron's dwindling energon supplies to Quintesson ships, leaving barely enough for the people of Cybertron. These revelations leave the bots horrified, but D-16 takes it the worst of all, having also looked up to Sentinel for years. Alpha Trion decides to give the team hope by gifting them the transformation cogs from four of the fallen Primes, as well as a recording of Sentinel's treachery. However, Airachnid spotted the four when they were watching Sentinel's meeting with the Quintessons, and a squad of Sentinel's [[Death Tracker]]s arrive. Despite his disrepair, Alpha Trion uses his leonine alternate mode to wipe out the squad, allowing Orion and the others to escape, but is quickly incapacitated by Airachnid.

The four bots have a very rocky time learning to transform in the middle of fleeing a squad of Death Trackers, tumbling downhill with only ''parts'' of them shifting into their new vehicle modes, but desperation forces them to adapt ''very'' quickly. Each one finds new abilities and an aptitude for combat, and soon they're able to destroy their pursuers. Overjoyed at their victory, they make the plan to use the incriminating information Trion gave them by returning to Iacon and exposing Sentinel as a traitor... although D-16 snatches the evidence and takes the lead, his ever-growing intensity and openly stated desire to kill Sentinel leaving Orion more and more unnerved.

Back in Iacon, Alpha Trion is brought before Sentinel, who mocks the "old-timer" and gloats about his station, complaining to Airachnid about the Primes' stuffiness and boring speeches. Trion's word of warning that Sentinel's time will soon be over only annoys the false Prime further, and in a fit of rage he kills the ancient Prime before sending Airachnid back to the surface to hunt down the wayward miners.

[[File:TFoneStarscreamSoundwaveShockwaveInterrogation.jpg|left|thumb|300px|You're playing with the big boys now!]]
Along the path to Iacon, a series of shots ring out, and each bot slips into stasis... Orion and the others are brought back online, bound (and gagged in B's case) as prisoners of the former members of Cybertron's [[High Guard]], who have been fighting a guerrilla war against the Quintessons ever since the fall of the Primes, led by [[Starscream (One)|Starscream]]. D-16 is not impressed, and giving into his growing rage, challenges Starscream's authority, and the two quickly end up in a brawl. While Starscream plays it tough even as D-16 crushes his neck and damages his speech module, his attitude soon changes as D-16 manifests a massive cannon on his arm, aimed directly at Starscream's head. The Guard quickly rallies behind their new leader, ready to take the fight to Sentinel... but Airachnid's forces arrive and ambush them.

[[File:TFOne Airachnid attacks.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Not much of a snake-charmer, are you?]]
Orion, having been buried in the battle, awakens when Elita drags him from the rubble to find that D-16, B-127, and much of the Guard have been taken prisoner, and the data crystal containing the evidence of Sentinel's betrayal has been shattered. Orion despairs, believing their quest to be hopeless now, but Elita won't have it. Though she's still not above taking some digs at Orion, she points out that it is the bot's endless ''optimism'' that makes him a true leader, one that can make bots do amazing (and occasionally amazingly ''stupid'') things. Orion takes the praise (and insults) and decides it's time to rally, and the two quickly formulate a plan; the Guard may be strong, but the last battle proved they aren't enough on their own, they need a true army... and Orion knows exactly where to get one. After Elita quickly shuts down any dissent from the remaining Guard (thanks to a very swift punch to [[Shockwave (One)|Shockwave's]] eye), Orion primes the warriors for the coming battle, with a cry of "''[[Roll out|Transform and ROLL OUT]]!''"

The captives have been brought to Sentinel's tower, where the puppet leader gloats over them, mocking Starscream's scrambled voice and sneering at D-16. But the miner does not cower or balk at all, declaring that he is not afraid of Sentinel, as he has nothing left to lose. Noticing the worn Megatronus decal, Sentinel reveals that he took Megatronus's transformation cog when he killed him, ripping the decal from the miner's arm before slapping it back onto his chest... and then, knocking the miner on his back, using a mining tool to crudely ''carve'' the Prime's face into D-16's chest.

Orion uses his new form to rocket-glide into the depths of Iacon City, entering the miners' quarters (and bodily hurling Darkwing aside in the process). Orion reveals the truth to the miners and rallies them to join forces with the High Guard and rebel against Sentinel's regime. Meanwhile, Elita, Shockwave, and [[Soundwave (One)|Soundwave]] have commandeered a returning "garbage" train, transporting the Guard into the city in a sneak attack. But the sudden appearance of hundreds of Death Trackers makes things look very bad for the plan... until Orion and the miners leap into the fray and cut a swath through the incoming horde, armed with their jet packs and mining tools. Airachnid attempts to kill Orion, slamming him into the train engine, and revealing the ''incredibly horrifying'' array of optics hidden in the back of her head. But her multi-scanning abilities give Orion a sudden idea as the train plows towards Sentinel's tower.

Sentinel, angered as D-16 once again attempts to rise up, is just about to blow the miner's head off when the train slams into his tower. Soundwave frees the prisoners and the fight spills across the city. Sentinel transforms into combat mode, but D-16 will not be deterred, the two launch into battle. Elita leaps into action, tackling Airachnid and attempting to take her prisoner (with only ''some'' gratuitously satisfying pummeling along the way). She drags the semi-conscious bot to one of Iacon's broadcast stations, and B makes a ''very'' over-enthusiastic entrance. Airachnid's memory banks are quickly scanned, and her memories of Sentinel's most recent meeting with the Quintessons are broadcast throughout the city, leading the populace to also join the fight.

Sentinel fares badly in his fight with D-16, and seeing his cowering before the Quintessons on dozens of screens, his empire in ruins, tries to flee, and when that fails, begs D-16 to spare him, claiming they can co-rule Cybertron. D-16 insists that Sentinel must die for his crimes, but Orion tries to convince his friend that they can be better than their enemies. D-16 violently disagrees, knocking his friend aside and readying the kill shot... only for Orion to leap in the path, the cannon blast tearing through his torso and sending him tumbling over the edge. D-16 grabs Orion's one good arm, horrified... ''that Orion would stop him from killing Sentinel''. With this betrayal, he vows he is ''done'' saving Orion from his mistakes and lets his dying friend plummet into Cybertron's depths. As Orion falls, D-16, insistent that there will be no more Primes, kills Sentinel by bisecting him with his hands. He then seizes Megatronus' cog from Sentinel's chest, replacing the one gifted to him by Trion, which transforms him into an even ''more'' battle-ready form. Declaring himself "Megatron", he commands the High Guard to destroy everything Sentinel built... in other words, what's left of the city.

[[File:One-Megs-Prime-face-to-face.jpg|thumb|300px|Goodbye... brother.]]
Meanwhile, the mortally wounded Orion falls through the planetary strata, which slides and shifts out of his way, until he finally reaches Cybertron's core. There, he encounters the spirits of the Primes as Trion announce that Primus has deemed him worthy for the future of Cybertron and to carry the Matrix of Leadership, reformatting Orion and restoring his spark to declare him the newest of the Primes: "Optimus Prime", before being sent rocketing back to the surface in a blaze of blue light.

Elita and B try and fail to stop Megatron's rampage, their former friend ready to kill them too, but Optimus smashes onto the scene. Megatron is incensed at this new betrayal both by his former friend ''and'' the Matrix itself, and launches himself at Optimus. During their fight, Optimus manifests a energy battle axe to fight against Megatron along with Starscream, Soundwave, and Shockwave before using it to destroy Megatron's new cannon. Optimus ultimately triumphs in their fight, and, unwilling to kill his oldest friend, reluctantly banishes Megatron and his new allies to the surface. Megatron seethes but decides that now is not the time, and takes his new army to the surface.

With the return of the Matrix of Leadership, Cybertron is restored to life: energon flows once again from the planet's core to the surface, and ''all'' of the cogless bots receive transformation cogs, becoming fully autonomous "[[Autobot]]s" who vow to defend Cybertron from any future Quintesson incursions. However, the Quintessons are not the only looming threat—though banished from Iacon, Megatron and his followers rechristen themselves the "[[Decepticon]]s" and swear revenge.
{{-}}

==Cast==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=Miners
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (One)|Orion Pax / Optimus Prime]] ([[Chris Hemsworth]])
*[[Megatron (One)|D-16 / Megatron]] ([[Brian Tyree Henry]])
*[[Elita-1 (One)|Elita-1]] ([[Scarlett Johansson]])
*[[Bumblebee (One)|B-127]] ([[Keegan-Michael Key]])
*[[Jazz (One)|Jazz]] ([[Evan Michael Lee]])
*[[Arcee (One)|Arcee]] ([[Jinny Chung]])
*[[Bluestreak (One)|Bluestreak]]
*[[Brawn (One)|Brawn]]
*[[Hound (One)|Hound]]
*[[Huffer (One)|Huffer]]
*[[Firestar (One)|Firestar]]<ref group=note name="uncredited">Denotes a character, or unidentified members of a group, who speaks, but has no credited voice actor. The performance was likely done by an ADR voice cast member.</ref>
*[[Ironhide (One)|Ironhide]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Mirage (One)|Mirage]]
*[[Moonracer (One)|Moonracer]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Prowl (One)|Prowl]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Ratchet (One)|Ratchet]]
*[[Red Alert (One)|Red Alert]]
*[[Sideswipe (One)|Sideswipe]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Smokescreen (One)|Smokescreen]]
*[[Sunstreaker (One)|Sunstreaker]]
*[[Wheeljack (One)|Wheeljack]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Windcharger (One)|Windcharger]]

|h2=[[High Guard]]
|c2=
*[[Starscream (One)|Starscream]] ([[Steve Buscemi]])
*[[Soundwave (One)|Soundwave]] ([[Jon Bailey]])
*[[Shockwave (One)|Shockwave]] ([[Jason Konopisos-Alvarez]])
*[[Skywarp (One)|Skywarp]] (Josh Cooley)
*[[Thundercracker (One)|Thundercracker]]
*[[Dirge (One)|Dirge]]
*[[Ramjet (One)|Ramjet]]
*[[Thrust (One)|Thrust]]
*[[Slipstream (One)|Slipstream]]
*[[Redwing (One)|Redwing]]

|h3=[[Thirteen|Primes]]
|c3=
*[[Alpha Trion (One)|Alpha Trion]] ([[Laurence Fishburne]])
*[[Zeta Prime (One)|Zeta Prime]] ([[James Remar]])
*[[The Fallen|Megatronus Prime]]
*[[Alchemist Prime]]
*[[Amalgamous Prime]]
*[[Liege Maximo]]
*[[Micronus Prime]]
*[[Nexus Prime]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Onyx Prime]]
*[[Prima|Prima Prime]]
*[[Quintus Prime]]
*[[Solus Prime]]<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Vector Prime]]

|c4=
*[[Sentinel Prime (One)|Sentinel Prime]] ([[Jon Hamm]])
*[[Airachnid (One)|Airachnid]] ([[Vanessa Liguori]])
*[[Quintesson High Commander]]
*[[Quintesson Soldier]]s
*[[Primus]]
*[[Death Tracker]]s<ref group=note name="uncredited"/>
*[[Death Tracker|Gold Tracker]]s
*[[Death Tracker|Silver Tracker]]s
*[[Guard (One)|Guards]] ([[Steve Blum]], Jason Konopisos-Alvarez)
*[[Announcer Bot]] (Steve Blum)
*[[Control Room Guys]] (Josh Cooley)

'''Racers'''
*[[Darkwing (One)|Darkwing]] ([[Isaac C. Singleton, Jr.]])
*[[Chromia (One)|Chromia]] (Jinny Chung)
*[[Injured Racer]] ([[Dillon Bryan]])

|nonumbering=true
}}
<references group=note/>

==Quotes==
"Are you ''crazy?!''" 
"Sure feels like it!"
:—'''D-16''' and '''Orion Pax''' summing up their initial relationship.

"What do you think he's gonna do to us when he finds out that we know?!" 
"I'm not thinking about what ''he's'' going to do, I'm thinking about what ''we're'' going to do." 
"That's the whole thing! You're never thinking about anything else, just yourself. Fantastic! Another Orion Pax master plan! I can't wait to hear this!" 
"Don't you want to stop him?" 
"NO, '''I WANT TO KILL HIM!''' I wanna put Sentinel in chains and march him through the mines so everyone can see him for the '''false Prime''' that he is! I want him to suffer, and then to ''die'' in ''darkness.''"
:—The first cracks show in '''D-16''' and '''Orion Pax''''s friendship.

"They were one. ''You'' are one. '''ALL''' are one!" 
:—'''Alpha Trion''' inaugurates our heroes with the tried and true phrase.

"Uh, why is he gagged?" 
"He wouldn't stop talking." 
"Even when he was unconscious?" 
"''ESPECIALLY'' WHEN HE WAS UNCONSCIOUS!"
:—'''Elita-1''' asks '''Shockwave''' about B-127's restraints.

"Listen to me, I really want you to hear this. Are you listening? I'm better than you." 
"Yeah, okay, I'm hearing you.." 
"I'm better than you in every way, except you have hope. You always have. You went back into the mine to rescue Jazz, you snuck up to the surface to find the Matrix of Leadership!" 
"Oh, yeah, and how'd that work out?" 
"My point is that your instincts tell you to break protocol for a ''reason''. This blind optimism that you have is why you make such bold and courageous choices. That are also extremely stupid." 
"First time giving a pep-talk?"
:—'''Elita-1''' attempts to give '''Orion Pax''' a pep-talk. ''Attempts'' to.

'''Soundwave''': "What is our first move?" 
'''Orion Pax''': ''(quietly and intensely)'' "We roll out." 
'''Skywarp''': "...what?!" 
'''Elita-1''': ''(quietly)'' "Louder!" 
'''Orion Pax''': "TRANSFORM AND ROLL OUT!"
:—Orion realizes that dramatic one-liners aren't that dramatic if no one can hear them.

"What defines a Transformer is not the cog in its chest but the spark that resides in their core... a spark that gives you the will to make your world better, and that is something Sentinel can ''never'' take from us. If we want to be in control of our own destiny, we will have to fight for it. Now is the time for us to stand up. For ourselves. Stand up for this injustice! I promise you, this fight will be worth it. Follow me; nothing can stop us when we stand together! Together as '''one!'''"
:—'''Orion Pax''' delivers his first heroic speech.

"It's over, Sentinel! You can't escape the truth!" 
"What truth? That I plucked the cogs from your newborn chests? Forced you to mine so I could pay off the Quintessons and live like a king? None of that matters! Because the truth... is. ''What. I. '''Make it!'''''"
:—'''Orion Pax''' learns '''Sentinel Prime''' won't go down without a fight.

"I'm ''done'' saving you."
:—<s>D-16</s> '''Megatron''' lets his ''former'' friend fall.

"Impossible... Primus gave ''you'' the Matrix?" 
"We could have built the future ''together!"'' 
"I'll build it myself, after I tear down everyone '''''IN MY WAY!'''''"
:-'''Megatron''' and '''Optimus Prime''' set the stage for eons of conflict to come.

"We were given the power to change our world, and you chose to destroy it. Just like Sentinel. You have betrayed Cybertron and its citizens, and you betrayed... ''me.'' Go. Take the High Guard, and leave. You are... banished from Iacon. It didn't have to end this way." 
"This isn't over, ''Prime.''"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Megatron''' share one final exchange.

"This is the greatest day of my life... I get to work for the ''government''!"
:—'''B-127''' knows a good benefits package when he sees one.

"And now we stand here together as one, proving we all have the power to transform; to become who we were destined to be; to right wrongs; to make our world better. Because here, freedom and autonomy are the right of all sentient beings. Here, all are truly ''Autobots''. This message is a warning to all Quintessons: If you dare return to Cybertron, the Autobots will be waiting. ''I'' will be waiting. I... am ''Optimus Prime''."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' gives his first dramatic ending monologue...

"Sentinel the betrayer is dead. But his death has given life to a new enemy...a stronger enemy... a ''personal'' enemy. We will not be blinded by his deception! We are the ones who are... '''DECEPTICONS! ''RISE UP!'''''"
:—...and '''Megatron''' gives the coming darkness its new name.

==Continuity notes==
The movie that would ultimately become ''Transformers One'' entered preliminary development in early 2015, when the project was first pitched as part of a writer's room that would lay out a number of sequels, prequels, and spinoff films that would turn the ongoing [[live-action film series|slate of live-action movies]] into a proper "cinematic universe", an attempt to cash in on the then-meteoric hype of the {{w|Marvel Cinematic Universe}}. Like pretty much all the other "cinematic universes" pitched at around this time, this ambitious vision was not to be: following the box-office bomb that was ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight]]'', most of these projects were shelved, while others were heavily reworked—perhaps most infamously, ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'' was reworked into a film that contradicted with the character's [[World War II]] flashbacks in ''The Last Knight'', shifting the film into a more ambiguous timeframe with regards to the other five live-action films.

It appears that a similar conceptual drift occurred over the course of ''Transformers One'''s production. When the film entered full production in mid-2020, ''One'' was said to be "separate and apart" from the ongoing live-action films, though at the time just how distinct the film would be from its predecessors remained a mystery.<ref name="cooleyreveal" /> When later asked if the film was a prequel to the live-action films, a reboot, or its own universe, director Josh Cooley answered "yes" to all of the above.<ref>[https://comicbook.com/movies/news/transformers-one-director-confirms-new-movies-canon-status/ Transformers ONE Director Confirms New Movie's Canon Status - ComicBook.com]</ref> While a few details and visual nods—such as Bumblebee's original name of "B-127"—referenced the live-action films, the film otherwise draws heavily upon the mythology first laid down in the [[Aligned continuity family|"Aligned" continuity family]], particularly in its depiction of Orion Pax and D-16 as former allies fighting against a corrupt Cybertronian government.

As the film's release date drew closer, multiple comments from the film's creatives indicated that the filmmakers viewed the movie as something entirely separate from the ongoing live-action films. In July, Josh Cooley stated that the film was set in a "new Transformers continuity"<ref>{{citesocial|quote= "Hey little nerd in my profile picture, what if I told you someday you'll create a new Transformers continuity, that begins earlier than anything you've seen on the Transformers lore timeline, with the greatest crew and cast ever assembled?"|link= https://x.com/CooleyUrFaceOff/status/1817235351095894510?t=Oju3b9v53cYIHlH4MLEsXg |name=Josh Cooley|site=Twitter|year=2024|month=7|day=27}}</ref>; in another interview from a week before release, di Bonaventura ultimately admitted that ''One'' didn't fit into the chronology of the live-action films, and described ''One'' and the live-action films as "two universes" that would be "[kept] separate".<ref>[https://comicbook.com/movies/news/is-transformers-one-a-prequel-optimus-prime-origin-story-exclusive/ Is Transformers One a Prequel or Reboot? The Animated Movie's Origin Story Is Both, Director Says]</ref> These statements were ultimately borne out by the movie itself, which featured multiple plot points that are pretty much irreconcilable with the live-action films—early on, the film establishes that [[The Fallen|Megatronus]] is long dead, negating his appearance in ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]''; additionally, the movie ends with the newly christened Megatron killing Sentinel Prime, leaving no wiggle room for the events of ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]'' to occur. As a result, the wiki has opted to treat the ''One'' franchise and any potential sequels as a new [[continuity family]], entirely separate from the ongoing live-action films.

==Transformers references==
* As with pretty much every major ''Transformers'' project since 2010, ''Transformers One'' is the latest interpretation of the modernized ''Transformers'' backstory that originated with [[Binder of Revelation|Hasbro's internal design documents]] and was first laid down in ''[[Transformers: Exodus]]''—the story of [[Primus]], the [[Thirteen|thirteen original Transformers]], and the origins of Optimus Prime and Megatron as former friends who fought against inequality on pre-war Cybertron until Megatron's extremism drove them apart. Notably, this version of the story portrays both Orion and Megatron as [[energon]] miners on the bottom of Cybertron's caste system—most other interpretations have instead depicted Orion as a somewhat higher-ranking data clerk. While other tellings of the story have Orion advocating for non-violent social change, this take on the origin ends with Orion Pax working alongside the future Decepticons to directly overthrow the reigning Prime, evoking [[IDW Publishing|IDW]]'s ''[[The Transformers: Autocracy|Autocracy]]'' miniseries.
* Many contemporary works of pre-war ''Transformers'' fiction have established that pre-war Cybertronians organized themselves under a job-based [[Functionism|caste system]], with miners and other manual laborers occupying the lowest ranks of Transformer society. ''One'' features a very simplified version of this hierarchy, where Cybertronians without transformation cogs are an oppressed underclass while other Transformers receive additional rights and job opportunities.
* With the exception of D-16—whose origins as a low-ranking miner date back to IDW's ''[[The Transformers: Megatron Origin|Megatron Origin]]''—all of the other miners shown in the film go on to join the Autobots, while the forerunners of the Decepticons are depicted as ex-members of the elite [[High Guard]]. This specific class divide dates back to the ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]'' episode "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4]]" and, to a lesser extent, "[[War Dawn (episode)|War Dawn]]", which explained the war between the Autobots and Decepticons as an entrenched conflict between civilian laborers and military robots.
* All the character designs are far closer to their Generation 1 designs (both the cartoon and the original toys) than the previous films. Characters also earn their iconic design traits in pivotal scenes, such as Optimus Prime's [[Energon-axe]] and [[mouthplate]], or Megatron's [[fusion cannon]]. In the final scene, many miners gain details to match their Generation 1-selves even closer after they receive their cogs; in particular, Arcee gains her pink visor from ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''. Starscream, Soundwave, and Megatron's newly applied insignias in the post-credits scene are also in the same place as their original counterparts, with Starscream's even being upside-down!
* Optimus Prime's original identity of "Orion Pax" is a name taken from the ''The Transformers'' episode "War Dawn". Notably, the cartoon's version of Orion Pax was also a manual laborer, although the film does seemingly pay homage to Orion Pax's other famous job by having him sneak into the Cybertronian Archives at the very beginning of the film.
* The 'bot who will one day be known as "Megatron" initially goes by the name "D-16", a moniker lifted from ''Exodus'' and itself based on the [[TakaraTomy]] ID number of the [[Megatron (G1)/toys#The Transformers|original Megatron toy]]. D-16's original body—with a black, dome-shaped helmet and yellow eyes—references Megatron's [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Marvel Comics appearance]], which in turn was based on concept art for an unproduced prototype version of the original Takara Micro Change figure. Much like Orion Pax, his modern gladiator job is paid homage in his fight with Starscream.
* B-127 is heavily based on his [[Bumblebee (Movie)|live-action film series counterpart]]: his helmet design and blasters bear a resemblance to his appearance in those films; additionally, his overly-talkative nature is a meta-gag about his "future" self being best known for not being able to speak. The name "B-127" derives from the [[Bumblebee (film)|''Bumblebee'' movie]], where, much like this film, he did not receive the name "Bumblebee" on Cybertron. B-127's battle mask resembles his [[Bumblebee (G1)|Generation 1 counterpart's]] [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#The Transformers|original toy]]; towards the end of the film, he fights with a pair of "knife hands" seemingly based on ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (games)|War for Cybertron]]'' Bumblebee's melee weapons.
* In general, Elita-1 doesn't draw upon as many specific references as her co-stars, although her purplish-pink color scheme and motorcycle [[alternate mode]] may be a reference to her [[Elita-One (Movie)|''Revenge of the Fallen'' design]]. Notably, of the four main protagonists, Elita's the only one who ''doesn't'' have an alternate alias—especially odd given that her [[Elita One (G1)|Generation 1 counterpart]] originally went by "Ariel" in the ''The Transformers'' episode "War Dawn".
* Sentinel Prime is based on [[Sentinel Zeta Prime]], the former leader of Cybertron in the "Aligned" continuity. Like that version of the character, this take on Sentinel Prime is explicitly a "false" Prime who never carried the Matrix of Leadership, and a puppet ruler who was appointed to the position by the Quintessons. Design-wise, this take on Sentinel draws from his "Aligned" counterpart, his [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|''Dark of the Moon'' appearance]], and has details from his [[Sentinel Prime (G1)#Titans Return|''Titans Return'' toy]] and the thematically similar character, [[Nominus Prime]]. Sentinel's battle mode is inspired by his [[Apex Armor (G1)|Apex Armor]] from the ''Megatron Origin'' comic. He also has his [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|''Animated'' counterpart]]'s glorious chin.
* Like Sentinel Prime, the Quintessons are primarily based on their depiction in [[Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|''The Covenant of Primus'']], which depicted them as shadowy manipulators who ruled Cybertron and exploited its natural resources through a proxy government; notably, the Quintessons in the ''Covenant'' helped maintain their hold on Transformer civilization by withholding the power to transform from the general populace. In a notable deviation from traditional ''Transformers'' lore, the bodies and starships of the film's Quintessons appear to be organic in nature.
* Primus's design seen in the hologram Orion plays invokes his ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'' appearance, even using a simplified version of [[Primus#Cybertron|his toy]]'s transformation scheme, but with the origins of his "Aligned" counterpart. The color scheme is drawn from his [[:File:WarWithinPrimus.jpg|Dreamwave look]].
* The Thirteen are primarily based on their "Aligned" counterparts for their backstory and designs. Nexus, Megatronus, Solus, and Alchemist Prime also draw from their ''[[:File:NexusPrimeflankedbyotherPrimes.jpg|Timelines]]'', ''[[:File:Megatronus.jpeg|Titans Return]]'', ''[[:File:SolusPrime-PowerofthePrimes.jpg|Power of the Primes]]'', and ''[[:File:TheCitizen IaconusCitizens.jpg|Cyberverse]]'' designs, respectively, while Vector Prime is based squarely on his [[:File:VectorPrimeGoldCG.jpg|original ''Galaxy Force'' concept art]].
* Megatronus is also inspired by his ''Revenge of the Fallen'' design, including his face being based on the Decepticon symbol (or vice versa in-universe), although it is far more obvious in this movie, coincidentally evoking [[Tarn (G1)|Tarn]]. Megatronus's face becoming the in-universe inspiration for the Decepticon symbol reflects the real life story of [[Soundwave (G1)|Generation 1 Soundwave]]'s face inspiring the iconic symbol.
* Alpha Trion's abilities to recreate and store memories as information calls back to the archival role of his [[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Aligned counterpart]]. His alternate mode being a leonine beast with a unicorn-esque horn is a direct homage to his [[Alpha Trion (G1)#Titans Return|''Titans Return'' toy]], itself based on his [[Alpha Trion (G1)#Toys|cancelled BotCon toy]].
* The mysterious [[Thirteenth Prime]] is replaced with Zeta Prime, who also takes [[Prima]]'s role as leader and Matrix-bearer, though Prima himself is still present. Zeta's design is also based on "Aligned" Sentinel Zeta Prime, as he appears in the ''War for Cybertron'' video game.
* The Thirteen are not actually referred to as the "Thirteen", but rather the Primes or the "Council of Elders", a term that originated in ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]''.
* The cameo miners mostly draw from the [[The Transformers (cartoon)/cast#Season 1|1984 cast of the original cartoon]], along with the 1985 [[Female Autobots]], and recolors such as [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]]. The High Guard, meanwhile, are based on the endless Starscream recolors that have appeared throughout ''Transformers'', commonly known as the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]]. One of their helmet variations is based on [[Starscream (Armada)/Cartoon continuity#Cybertron cartoon|''Cybertron'' Starscream]]'s.
* Shockwave, Soundwave, Starscream/the Seekers, and the cogged versions of Ironhide, Ratchet, and Arcee have details based on their ''Bumblebee'' designs.
*Starscream's/the Seekers' jet modes are also based on ''Bumblebee'', while Soundwave's vehicle mode is based on his [[Soundwave (ROTF)/toys#SS83|''Studio Series Bumblebee'' toy]]. Shockwave's alternate mode resembles his [[Shockwave (WFC)|''War for Cybertron'' counterpart]], and both he and Starscream/the Seekers have details from their [[War for Cybertron: Siege|''Siege'' toys]].
* Sentinel Prime's Death Trackers take heavy inspiration from ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Prime]]'' [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]]s, in both their design and their role as generic enemy troopers.
*When Orion "transforms" to run away from the guards, he moves his limbs in a way that evokes [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Toys|his original toy]]'s transformation.
* The Matrix causing Energon to flow and 'killing' the planet when lost calls back to the [[AllSpark]].
* When discussing their mining ability, Elita says Orion "[doesn't] have the touch or the power," a reference to the [[The Touch|beloved song]] from ''The Transformers: The Movie.''
* The Iacon 5000 derives from the Marvel UK ''The Transformers'' [[Source:Darn 'n' Blast#Issue 326|issue 326's "Darn 'n' Blast" letter page]]. Many of the racers in the Iacon 5000 are characters from Generation 1 and ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]]'', with their colors and vehicle modes next to their names on the leaderboard, though they do not correspond to specific models except for the miners, Darkwing, and Chromia.
** Racers based on their Generation 1 counterparts include [[Mirage (One)|Mirage]], [[Clampdown (One)|Clampdown]], [[Silverbolt (One)|Silverbolt]], "[[Deadend (One)|Deadend]]", [[Slingshot (One)|Slingshot]], [[Cliffjumper (One)|Cliffjumper]], [[Dragstrip (One)|Dragstrip]], [[Swerve (One)|Swerve]], [[Powerglide (One)|Powerglide]], [[Jetstorm (One)|Jetstorm]], [[Windblade (One)|Windblade]], [[Afterburner (One)|Afterburner]], [[Blurr (One)|Blurr]], [[Fireflight (One)|Fireflight]], [[Cordon (One)|Cordon]], [[Breakdown (One)|Breakdown]], [[Swindle (One)|Swindle]], [[Tailgate (One)|Tailgate]], [[Lightspeed (One)|Lightspeed]], "[[Spinout (One)|Spinout]]", [[Greasepit (One)|Greasepit]], [[Scattershot (One)|Scattershot]], [[Inferno (One)|Inferno]], [[Motormaster (One)|Motormaster]], and "[[Hotrod (One)|Hotrod]]".
** Racers based on their ''Generation 2'' counterparts include [[Blowout (One)|Blowout]], [[High Beam (One)|High Beam]], [[Double Clutch (One)|Double Clutch]], [[Meanstreak (One)|Meanstreak]], [[Motormouth (One)|Motormouth]], [[Speedstream (One)|Speedstream]], "[[Roadrocket (One)|Roadrocket]]", [[Jolt (One)|Jolt]], and [[Staxx (One)|Staxx]].
** [[Override (One)|Override]] and [[Tankor (One)|Tankor]] are based on their ''[[Override (Cybertron)|Cybertron]]'' and ''[[Tankor (BM)|Beast Machines]]'' counterparts, respectively.
**Racers that are only named through dialogue are [[Tailwind (One)|Tailwind]], [[Strafe (One)|Strafe]] (spelled "Streak" in the Spanish subtitles), [[Skyfire (One)|Skyfire]], and original characters [[Thunderglide]] and [[Behemoth]]. Phew!
* B-127 naming one of his pals 'Steve' could be a reference to [[Steve (Vehicon)|Steve the Vehicon]], a popular fandom joke during the ''Prime'' cartoon that got official recognition in the [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 comic)|''Robots in Disguise'' comic]].
* After being knocked off the train and stranded on the surface, Elita-1 calls Orion, D-16, and B-127 a bunch of [[GoBots|go-bots]].
* The film's themes, "Resting Place of the Primes" and "The Fall", includes a leitmotif from the main theme of ''Transformers: Prime'', which was also composed by Brian Tyler. "The Fall" also plays a motif lifted from ''The Transformers: The Movie'''s "[[Death of Optimus Prime]]" in a different key. More specifically, the motif is from when [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] flatlines and dies. Fitting, as "The Fall" plays when Orion Pax is dropped into Cybertron's core and Optimus Prime is born.
* The notion of the Matrix actively rejecting an "unworthy" candidate and disintegrating was a plot point in ''Revenge of the Fallen''.
* Alpha Trion announces "All are one!" as he bequeaths the main quartet their new transformation cogs, a reference to the classic slogan "[['Til all are one]]!" originating from ''The Transformers: The Movie''.
* The throne Starscream sits on is loosely based on the crown his [[Starscream (G1)|Generation 1 counterpart]] wore during his coronation in ''The Transformers: The Movie''.<ref>[https://youtu.be/fo7EwIlSNAs?si=8y1UWHCLv46WKzE7&t=190 Brian Tyree Henry & Josh Cooley Dissect The Evolution Of Megatron | Transformers One Behind The Shot]</ref>
*Soundwave scans Orion's electrical impulses to check if he is lying, a rarely referenced ability from his [[Soundwave (G1)|original toy's bio]].
*Shockwave's eye flickers when he speaks, just as it did in the original Generation 1 cartoon. Similarly, Optimus Prime's faceplate bobs up and down when he speaks.
* Starscream has a normal-sounding voice when he first appears, but after D-16 crushes his [[voice box]] during their duel, his voice becomes shriller and scratchier in the style of [[Chris Latta]]'s portrayal of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original cartoon]].
*Shockwave and Elita have a small rivalry, reflecting their Generation 1 versions in Elita's introduction episode, "[[The Search for Alpha Trion]]".
* Soundwave orders the High Guard to "[[Decepticon Mini-Cassette|eject]]" when descending on Sentinel's tower.
* During the battle in Sentinel Prime's tower, Orion leaps into the air and shoots one of the Death Trackers, with his midair pose homaging Optimus Prime's famous midair shooting pose from ''The Transformers: The Movie''.
* Megatron is the 'bot who shoots Orion and leaves him on the brink of death until he is resurrected as Optimus Prime in what is likely a reference to the ''The Transformers'' episode "War Dawn". However, the specific framing of the scene—in which Megatron shoots Orion and drops him into the depths of the planet, only for him to find the Matrix and return as Optimus—is, however coincidentally, nearly identical to the events of [[Transformation (issue)|issue #9]] of ''Autocracy''. Orion finding the Matrix in the planet's core also evokes the climax of the ''War for Cybertron'' games.
* The fatal wounds Orion Pax sustained from D-16 before his descent into Cybertron's core strongly resemble the wounds Optimus Prime sustained at the end of the ''The Transformers'' episode "[[Dark Awakening (episode)|Dark Awakening]]".
* Megatron disposes of Sentinel Prime in the same manner that his [[Megatron (Movie)|live-action counterpart]] killed [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]]—by bisecting the bot with his bare hands. Similarly, this is also how the [[Rainmaker]]s disposed of Sentinel in the [[2019 IDW continuity]].
* When both Orion Pax and Sentinel Prime die, [[aggressive depigmentation|their bodies turn grey]].
* "Arise, Optimus Prime", intones Alpha Trion as Orion receives the Matrix, evoking the climax of ''The Transformers: The Movie'', in which a ghostly Optimus Prime said the same to [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] as he transformed into Rodimus Prime.
* Megatron using a long piece of sharp, orange shrapnel to attack Optimus comes from their iconic fight in ''The Transformers: The Movie''.
* Optimus using a defeated Shockwave's cannon to attack another enemy is a fighting move Optimus made in ''Dark of the Moon''.
* Megatron's last words to Optimus are, "This isn't over, Prime", bookending his line, "It's over, Prime", from ''The Transformers: The Movie''.
* When restoring Cybertron's Energon supply, Optimus holds the Matrix in the same pose Hot Rod holds it when transforming into Rodimus at the end of ''The Transformers: The Movie''.
* Optimus's concluding narration is presented as a "message" being sent into space, continuing the recurring concept of the ''Transformers'' films ending in such a way, introduced in the [[Transformers (film)|first live-action movie]].
* In the post-credits scene, Megatron brands the Decepticon insignia onto his troops much like his [[Megatron (Animated)|''Animated'' counterpart]] did in "[[A Bridge Too Close, Part I]]". Megatron also orders the Decepticons to "[[Roll out#Transformers_Animated|rise up]]", quoting his ''Animated'' counterpart who originated the phrase "transform and rise up" in "[[Megatron Rising - Part 2]]".
* While the newly christened Decepticons fire into the sky, the glow of the laser beams shines on Megatron's insignia in a way that homages the metallic effect of the [[:File:TF-G1-HD-Logo-Evil-Decepticon.png|original Decepticon ''The Transformers'' logo]], and many a [[scene transition]].

==Real-life references==
* One of B-127's "friends" is named [https://youtu.be/Dd7FixvoKBw?t=104 A-A-Tron].
* Optimus spins his Energon-axe in a very similar manner to the signature weapon of his [[Chris Hemsworth|voice actor]]'s [[Thor|most notable role]].

==Errors==
* Many of the miners based on recognizable characters appear multiple times in the background or between shots.
* Mirage, with the colors and land-based vehicle mode of his [[Mirage (G1)|Generation 1 counterpart]], appears on the leaderboard of the Iacon 5000, but one of the cogless miners is clearly based on Generation 1 Mirage.
* Chromia is the racer that wins the Iacon 5000, but a bot that better resembles [[Chromia (G1)|Generation 1 Chromia]] appears as a miner too.
* One of the cogless miners is clearly meant to be [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], with a black crest, red pelvis, and red pips on his shoulders. However, the scene after the Iacon 5000 in Iacon's medical center has a voice on the intercom paging a "Dr. Ratchet".
* The incriminating clips of Sentinel replayed from Airachnid's mind reuse clips from previous scenes of the movie instead of being from Airachnid's point of view. Most egregious is the footage where Sentinel and his entourage kneel to the Quintesson High Commander, where Airachnid herself is fully visible.

==Music==
A score album, ''[[Transformers One (Music from the Motion Picture)]]'', features the original music by composer [[Brian Tyler]] and was released concurrently with the film. It notably repurposes a leitmotif from his work on [[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|''Transformers: Prime'']] into this film's main theme. The composer, under his electronic side project "Are We Dreaming", also produced the end credits song, "If I Fall", featuring rappers [[W:Quavo|Quavo]] (of Migos fame) and [[W:Ty Dolla $Sign|Ty Dolla $ign]].

==Development timeline==
[[File:Transformers-One-Teaser-Poster.jpg|thumb|right|250px|''There can be miracles when you believe Though hope is frail, it's hard to kill Who knows what miracles you can achieve When you believe, somehow you will You will when you believe'']]
* March 27, 2015 — As part of the development of ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|Transformers: The Last Knight]]'', [[Paramount Pictures]] negotiates with [[Akiva Goldsman]], hiring him to create a "writer's room" to build a cinematic universe.<ref name="goldsman">[https://deadline.com/2015/03/transformers-akiva-goldsman-paramount-sequels-spinoffs-1201400027/ Paramount Enlisting Akiva Goldsman To Ramp Up 'Transformers' Output] on deadline.com</ref> Among the writers hired are ''Ant-Man and the Wasp'' scribes [[Andrew Barrer]] and [[Gabriel Ferrari]], who pitch the concept of an animated ''Transformers'' prequel set in the [[Live-action film series|live-action series universe]].<ref name="barrerferrari">[https://deadline.com/2015/05/transformers-ant-man-andrew-barrer-gabriel-ferrari-cybertron-1201433402/ 'Ant-Man' Scribes Andrew Barrer & Gabriel Ferrari Join 'Transformers' Writers Room] on Deadline</ref>
* December 20, 2018 — Following the release of ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'', [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]] hints in an interview that the animated prequel is still in the works.<ref>[https://www.metro.us/will-there-be-a-bumblebee-2-whats-the-future-for-the-transformers-universe-heres-what-its-producer-told-us/ Lorenzo di Bonaventura interview for Metro USA]</ref>
* April 29, 2020 — Director [[Josh Cooley]] (''Toy Story 4'') is reported to have been brought into the project to oversee a final draft, which is said to be "separate and apart" from the live-action films.<ref name="cooleyreveal" />
* May 18, 2021 — [[Allspark Pictures]] President [[Greg Mooradian]] credits the animated ''Transformers'' film on his Linkedin page with a 2023 release.<ref>[https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-mooradian-4a5062200/ Greg Mooradian's Linkedin:] "TRANSFORMERS (Animated Feature), with Oscar-winner Josh Cooley directing (2023 release)"</ref>
* May 24, 2021 — Hasbro CEO [[Brian Goldner]] confirms the animated feature is in development, and will be released at some point after ''[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)|Transformers: Rise of the Beasts]]''.<ref>[https://news.tfw2005.com/2021/05/24/tfw2005-coverage-of-49th-j-p-morgan-conference-434088 TFW2005 Coverage Of 49th J.P. Morgan Conference]</ref>
* January 21, 2022 — Paramount announces an untitled animated Transformers movie will be released on July 19, 2024.<ref>[https://collider.com/new-transformers-animated-movie-release-date/ Collider: New 'Transformers' Animated Movie Release Date Set For 2024]</ref>
* April 20, 2023 — di Bonaventura reveals that the entire film takes place on Cybertron, and the setting explores how they begin to question the hierarchy of how their society has gotten stratified, and how the common man doesn't have the voice that they want to have.<ref name=collider2023>[https://collider.com/transformers-animated-movie-characters-plot-cybertron-lorenzo-di-bonaventura-comments/ Here’s What the New Animated ‘Transformers’ Movie Is About (Exclusive)]</ref>
* April 21, 2023 — A day after the previous interview, di Bonaventura confirms [[Industrial Light & Magic]]'s involvement as the film's animation studio, bringing the company back to the franchise for the first time since ''Bumblebee''.<ref>[https://collider.com/new-transformers-animated-movie-ilm-lorenzo-di-bonaventura-comments/ The New 'Transformers' Animated Movie Is Partnering With an Industry Giant for the CGI (Exclusive)]/</ref>
* April 27, 2023 — The first members of the film's voice cast are revealed, consisting of [[Chris Hemsworth]] as Optimus Prime, [[Brian Tyree Henry]] as Megatron, [[Scarlett Johansson]] as Elita, [[Keegan-Michael Key]] as Bumblebee, [[Jon Hamm]] as Sentinel Prime, and [[Laurence Fishburne]] as Alpha Trion.<ref>[https://variety.com/2023/film/news/transformers-animated-prequel-chris-hemsworth-scarlett-johansson-1235596692/ ‘Transformers’ Animated Prequel Sets Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson and More Voice Cast]</ref>
* May 24, 2023 — Paramount moves the film's release date to September 13, 2024.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2023/05/transformers-one-release-date-pushed-by-paramount-1235379167/ ‘Transformers One’: Paramount Pushes Date For Animated Feature]</ref>
* June 7, 2023 — di Bonaventura teases how the film stands out from previous entries in the franchise, praises Chris Hemsworth's casting as Optimus Prime, and mentions a vocal transition from Hemsworth's voice to [[Peter Cullen]]'s as the character for audiences to witness. [[Steve Desmond]] and [[Michael Sherman]] (''Knock at the Cabin'') were revealed to be additional writers for the film, but where uncredited when the final credit came in.<ref>[https://collider.com/transformers-one-chris-hemsworth-optimus-prime-lorenzo-di-bonaventura-comments/ 'Transformers One' Producer Is Already Hyped for Chris Hemsworth's Optimus Prime]</ref>
* June 15, 2023 — Scarlett Johansson discusses the film's animation and praises Cooley as director.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWqG5mlRxzs Scarlett Johansson Says Transformers One Looks So Cool]</ref> Chris Hemsworth later brings details on voicing Optimus Prime for the film and his reasoning he joined the project through his love of the script. He confirms that he will not use his regular voice for the character.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWrsvSzWHoE Chris Hemsworth's Optimus Prime Sadly Won't Be Australian in Transformers One]</ref>
* July 20, 2023 — di Bonaventura confirms Optimus Prime and Megatron in the film will be depicted under their Orion Pax and D-16 identities.<ref>[https://onetakenews.com/2023/07/20/lorenzo-di-bonaventura-transformers-one/ Lorenzo di Bonaventura Teases Upcoming Film ‘Transformers: One’: “It’s Something I’ve Wanted To Do For A Long Time” (Exclusive)]</ref>
* December 15, 2023 — Keegan-Michael Key mentions his voice for Bumblebee is closer to his regular speaking voice.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLM71B5xmFY Transformers One: Keegan-Michael Key Reveals What Bumblebee Sounds Like in New Animated Film]</ref>
* April 11, 2024 — The cast of the movie previews the trailer and reveals a new logo for the film at Cinemacon 2024, The Hollywood Reporter also confirms [[Steve Buscemi]] has joined the cast.<ref>[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/transformers-one-animated-movie-chris-hemsworth-scarlett-johansson-1235871998/ Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson and Brian Tyree Henry Debut Origin Story 'Transformers One' - The Hollywood Reporter]</ref> During the presentation, Hemsworth revealed that Cullen served as a consultant on the getting the voice down.<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/transformers-one-news-film-is-testing-very-well-and-peter-cullen-consulted-chris-hemsworth-on-voice/48127/ Transformers One News: Film is Testing Very Well and Peter Cullen Consulted Chris Hemsworth on Voice]</ref>
* April 16, 2024 — Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry announce the date of the film's first trailer being on Thursday, April 18, 2024, as it will be launched into space.<ref>[https://collider.com/transformers-one-trailer-premiered-from-space/ The 'Transformers One' Trailer Will Be Premiered From Space - Collider]</ref>
[[File:TransformersOne-weatherballoon.jpg|right|thumb|250px|''So how do you judge what a man is worth? By what he [[Toy|builds or buys]]? You can never see with your eyes on Earth Look through Heaven's eyes Look at your life. Look at your life Look at your life through Heaven's eyes'']]
* April 18, 2024 — A livestream hosted by Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry follows a small craft launched towards space, with a screen that plays the trailer once it reaches 125,000 feet. The movie's release date has been pushed back by one week, to September 20, reportedly to avoid the release conflicting with that of ''{{w|Beetlejuice Beetlejuice}}''.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2024/04/transformers-one-trailer-release-date-1235889037/ ‘Transformers One’ Launches Trailer In Space, A First For A Movie Studio; Pic Going Later In September]</ref> When asked whether the film is a fresh start, a prequel to the live-action films, or its own thing, Cooley replies "yes to all of the above".<ref>[https://comicbook.com/movies/news/transformers-one-director-confirms-new-movies-canon-status/ Transformers ONE Director Confirms New Movie's Canon Status - ComicBook.com]</ref>
* May 20, 2024 — [[Brian Tyler]] is attached as the film's composer.<ref>[https://filmmusicreporter.com/2024/05/20/brian-tyler-scoring-josh-cooleys-transformers-one/ Brian Tyler Scoring Josh Cooley’s ‘Transformers One’ - Filmmusicreporter.com]</ref>
* June 7, 2024 — Production for the film is revealed to be finished in the following month.<ref>[https://news.tfw2005.com/2024/06/07/work-on-transformers-one-animated-movie-is-set-to-wrap-up-in-july-513038 Work On Transformers: One Animated Movie Is Set To Wrap Up In July - TFW2005]</ref>
* June 10, 2024 — A work-in-progress cut of the film was screened at the {{w|Annecy International Animation Film Festival}} to a standing ovation.<ref>[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/transformers-one-chris-hemsworth-scarlett-johansson-1235918820/ Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson’s ‘Transformers One’ Draws Laughs, Cheers in Its Annecy Debut - Hollywood Reporter]</ref>
* June 18, 2024 — Production designer Jason Scheier confirms animation for the film is finished.<ref>[https://twitter.com/ScheierJason/status/1803227407404638226/ Production Designer Jason Scheier's post on Twitter]</ref>
* June 27, 2024 — Sound-mixing for the film is finished, with production finally now complete around three months in advance of release.<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/p/C8vPCEUS3Bs/ @CooleyYourFaceOff - Instagram]</ref>
* July 9, 2024 — A panel for the film has been announced for [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2024 on Thursday, July 25 at 11:45 am PST at Hall H.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2024/07/transformers-one-comic-con-1236004636/ Paramount Animation & Hasbro Entertainment’s ‘Transformers One’ Will Be More Than Meets The Eye At San Diego Comic-Con]</ref>
* July 13, 2024 — Chris Hemsworth, Bryan Tyree Henry, and Keegan-Michael Key reveal a new clip of the main cast transforming for the first time at the Kids' Choice Awards 2024.<ref>[https://twitter.com/transformers/status/1812285185427431646/ Post from the official Transformers account on Twitter]</ref>
* July 23, 2024 — Cooley discusses how ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' influenced ''One''.<ref>[https://ew.com/transformers-one-comic-con-preview-optimus-prime-megatron-origin-story-8676886 Transformers One director reveals how infamous 1986 animated movie influenced new prequel film]</ref> A screening of the finished film was shown at a fan-event at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles and in New York City.<ref>[https://comicbook.com/anime/news/transformers-one-review-first-reactions/ Transformers One First Reactions are Raving Over "Best Transformers Film to Date"]</ref> Hemsworth talks about voicing Optimus Prime in the film and how his depiction stands out.<ref>[https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/transformers-one-chris-hemsworth-optimus-prime-orion-pax/ Chris Hemsworth on Becoming Optimus Prime for Transformers One (Exclusive)]</ref>
* July 24, 2024 — Several new posters are released, along with the announcement of a new trailer the following day at the SDCC panel.<ref>[https://twutter.com/transformers/status/1816111093917573615/ Second trailer announcement on Twitter]</ref>
* July 25, 202.4 — Details at the SDCC panel were revealed, along with the debut of the second trailer and Bucsemi's role announced to be Starscream.<ref>[https://deadline.com/2024/07/transformers-one-chris-hemsworth-comic-con-1236022134/ ‘Transformers One’ Ignites Comic-Con With Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry & Keegan-Michael Key: How Two Best Friends Became Immortal Enemies]</ref> [[Eric Pearson]] was revealed to be an additional writer.<ref>[https://www.awn.com/news/paramount-drops-transformers-one-trailer-2 Paramount Drops ‘Transformers One’ Trailer #2]</ref>
* August 21, 2024 — A new clip of Orion Pax and D-16 competing in the Iacon 5000 race is released on Paramount's YouTube channel.<ref>[https://youtu.be/7o-bGIBZxdc?feature=shared/ TRANSFORMERS ONE Film Clip IACON Race Begins (2024)]</ref>
* August 23, 2024 — Evan Michael Lee is revealed to be voicing Jazz.<ref>[https://twitter.com/Evanmichaellee/status/1826960202920530306/ Evan Michael Lee on Twitter]</ref>
* August 24, 2024 — [[Jon Bailey]], [[Jason Konopisos-Alvarez]], [[Isaac C. Singleton, Jr.]] and [[Vanessa Liguori]] are revealed to be voicing Soundwave, Shockwave, Darkwing and Airachnid respectively, with Bailey reprising his role from ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]''.<ref>[https://punto.com.ph/paramount-pictures-our-crew-rolls-deep-meet-the-voice-cast-behind-the-characters-in-transformers-one-in-cinemas-september-18/ PARAMOUNT PICTURES : OUR CREW ROLLS DEEP: MEET THE VOICE CAST BEHIND THE CHARACTERS IN “TRANSFORMERS ONE,” IN CINEMAS SEPTEMBER 18 on Punzo.com]</ref>
*September 6, 2024 — The film's credits song, '[[If I Fall]]' by [[Quavo]], is released.<ref>[https://youtu.be/M3FCIf0HFnk?si=NB1J3bT9XNPOpKCc/ If I Fall (Music from the Motion Picture Transformers One / Lyric Video)]</ref>
*September 12, 2024 — In an interview, Lorenzo di Bonaventura clarifies that ''One'' doesn't directly connect to the live-action films, and describes them as "two universes" that will be "[kept] separate". However, he notes that ''One'' will likely have an influence on future live-action projects.<ref>[https://comicbook.com/movies/news/is-transformers-one-a-prequel-optimus-prime-origin-story-exclusive/ Is Transformers One a Prequel or Reboot? The Animated Movie's Origin Story Is Both, Director Says]</ref> The film's review embargo is also lifted, and the film debuts with an 89% "Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes.<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/transformers-one-critic-reviews-are-out-currently-89-on-rotten-tomatoes/48337/ Transformers One Critic Reviews are Out, Currently 89% on Rotten Tomatoes]</ref>
*September 13, 2024 — The film's main theme is released.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFnuXrOH0fs/ Brian Tyler - Transformers One Theme | Transformers One (Music from the Motion Picture)]</ref>
* September 18, 2024 — An early fan event screening is held, preceded by a seven-minute featurette consisting of interview segments with Hemsworth, Henry, and Key, footage of main cast recording their dialogue, and some [https://twitter.com/damnyouwillis/status/1836584462341054907 hilarious trivia]. Attendees receive one of four exclusive keychains and poster prints featuring Orion Pax, D-16, B-127, or Elita-1.<ref>https://bleedingcool.com/movies/transformers-one-4-new-posters-tickets-go-on-sale-fan-screenings/</ref>
* September 20, 2024 — The first 300 ticket holders at participating theaters receive a poster print of {{w|Shadow the Hedgehog}} to promote the upcoming release of ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (character)|Sonic the Hedgehog 3]]''.<ref>https://kotaku.com/sonic-3-shadow-print-transformers-one-theater-showtimes-1851649010</ref>

===Changes before, during, and after production===
* Although the broad story beats of ''One'' remained more or less consistent over the course of the film's development, the first draft—written before Josh Cooley's involvement—was a silly, joke-heavy script that was very different in tone from the final product. When first brought on to direct, Cooley pushed for a more serious treatment to bring the film closer in line to the usual tone of the ''Transformers'' franchise.<ref name="gizmodo">[https://gizmodo.com/transformers-one-director-interview-josh-cooley-easter-eggs-2000489187 ''Transformers One'' Director Josh Cooley Talks Lore, Easter Eggs, and Alternate Versions] </ref>
* An early draft had a scene where Orion and D-16 played an arcade game together, which would've featured an 8-bit version of "The Touch". The gag was eventually dropped, although the arcade machine and a different reference to the song made it into the final film.<ref name="gizmodo" />
* Another draft had D-16 as a gladiator, alluding to another part of the character's standard origin story, but ultimately this concept was cut for time.<ref>[https://www.indiewire.com/features/animation/transformers-one-star-wars-old-republic-interview-1235017651/ ‘Transformers One’ Director Talks Bringing the Franchise to Its ‘Old Republic’ Era - Indiewire]</ref>
* Originally, the film would've ended on a smash cut to the film's title, accompanied by a rendition of the classic ''Transformers'' [[theme song]]. However, Cooley decided that the scene would be overly self-referential, and instead [[Brian Tyler]] scored an original composition to close out the film.<ref name="gizmodo" />
*A shot of Orion, Elita, Soundwave, and Shockwave exiting the train after crashing into Sentinel's tower is not in the final film, and only appears in promotional material.

==Notes==
*As seen in the cast list above, Arcee and Chromia are voiced by Jinny Chung, the film's story / script coordinator. The Injured Racer is voiced by Dillon Bryan, Josh Cooley's assistant. Cooley himself cameos as Skywarp, the "Control Room Guys", and the PA system.
* Several international releases of the film are edited to cut away from Orion's "finger transformation" a few seconds earlier, as well as changing any mention of Bee's "knife hands" to refer to them as "sword hands" instead.
* The credits feature a dedication to former Hasbro CEO [[Brian Goldner]], who passed away in October 2021.
*Darkwing was named by Hasbro designer [[Mark Maher]], when his boss asked him "If this was a Decepticon flyer, who would it be?"<ref>{{citesocial|link=https://www.instagram.com/stories/markclonus/|name=Mark Maher|site=Instagram|year=2024|month=09|day=08}}</ref>

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''''Transformers/One''''' (トランスフォーマー/ONE ''Toransufōmā Wan'')
*''French:'' '''''Transformers : Le Commencement''''' (France, "Transformers: The Beginning"), '''''Transformers : Un''''' (Canada, "Transformers: One")
*''Mandarin:'' '''''Biànxíng Jīngāng: Qǐyuán''''' (变形金刚：起源, "Transformers: The Beginning")
*''Portuguese:'' '''''Transformers: O Início''''' ("Transformers: The Beginning")
*''Korean:'' '''''Transformer ONE''''' (트랜스포머 ONE ''Teuraenseupomeo ONE'')
*''Russian:'' '''''Transformery: Nachalo''''' (Трансформеры: Начало, "Transformers: The Beginning")
*''Spanish:'' '''''Transformers One''''' (Spain), '''''Transformers : Uno''''' (Latin America, "Transformers: One")

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

[[Category:One| ]]
[[Category:Real world films]]

Shattered Glass II issue 4

2022-12-01T23:16:54Z

Silver: /* Errors */

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Transformers: Shattered Glass II]]'' #4
|prev=Shattered Glass II issue 3
|next=Shattered Glass II issue 5
|caption=
|image=IDWSGII 4 cvrA.jpg
|title=
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[November 23]], 2022
|coverdate=November 2022
|written by=[[Danny Lore]]
|art by=[[Dan Khanna]]
|inks=[[Gigi Dutreix]]
|colors=[[John-Paul Bove]] and [[Ed Pirrie]]
|letters by=[[Jake M. Wood]]
|editor=[[David Mariotte]] and [[Riley Farmer]]
}}

'''Flamewar struggles to balance her desire for vengeance against the good of the mission as she leads a Decepticon strike force to Metroplex.'''

==Synopsis==
{{note|This story is told in non-linear form. This synopsis presents it in chronological order for ease of reading.}}

''As the war between the evil [[Autobot]]s and heroic [[Decepticon]]s took shape, not all Cybertronians took sides at first. Some, like [[Cannonball (SG)|Cannonball]] and the pirate crew of the ''[[Rising Sea]]'' initially stayed out of the conflict due to his past disagreements with [[Megatron (SG)|Megatron]], but there came a time when Cannonball and his crew joined [[Soundwave (SG)|Soundwave]] in a battle to protect [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]'s [[Titan Net]] from [[Windblade (SG)|Windblade]]'s Titan-killing "Citycrashers". [[Flamewar (SG)|Flamewar]], fanatically loyal to her captain, took on [[Rodimus (SG)|Rodimus]] alone, ignoring her captain's warnings, and forced Cannonball to sacrifice his life so that his crew could escape. Without their captain, Flamewar and the remaining survivors slipped into a deep despair; during a drunken memorial for Cannonball at a run-down watering hole, however, Megatron approached Flamewar and her compatriots with an offer of employment—join the Decepticons and take back Cybertron from Autobot tyranny. Megatron believes that [[Slipstream (SG)|Slipstream]] is the new leader of the pirates, but this isn't entirely true: she might be their ''nominal'' commander, but the truth is that they go wherever Flamewar goes.''

Years later, Flamewar was a part of Megatron's ill-fated mission to [[Earth]] and present for the final battle against the Autobots. Ultimately, Megatron ordered [[Starscream (SG)|Starscream]] to get the surviving Decepticons to safety while he stayed behind; although the noble [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] and his followers did what they could to rescue as many Decepticons as possible and limp back to Cybertron, Flamewar had now lost ''two'' leaders, and the experience taught the embittered Decepticon a valuable lesson: never leave a man behind.''

In the present day, an annoyed Flamewar gripes that Megatron still hasn't cleared her or her unit to take on the Autobots in the [[Static Zone]]; while Slipstream urges caution, Flamewar, still fuming about her recent run-in with [[Blaster (SG)|Blaster]], insists that she's ready for action. The pair argue back and forth about Megatron's true strategy before [[Shadow Striker (SG)|Shadow Striker]] finally cuts to the heart of the matter: if neither of them really want to be here, why are they still here? Flamewar admits that Cannonball would never have sat back and waited for the action to come to him—and with that, the crew of the ''Rising Sea'' transform and speed away to find the Autobots.

Out in the Static Zone, the group find [[Metroplex (SG)|Metroplex]]'s frozen form, surrounded by Autobots—including Flamewar's old nemesis, Rodimus. Flamewar immediately announces that she's going to kill Rodimus for everything he's done, Slipstream advises caution... but Flamewar, adamant that she'll do this even if her own teammates won't support her, promptly zooms away to settle her score. Slipstream watches her go, and murmurs that she'll ''always'' be there for her...

At Metroplex's base, Rodimus spies Flamewar on the horizon and springs into action, leaving an irritated [[Wheeljack (SG)|Slicer]] to drag their new prisoner [[Jetfire (SG)|Jetfire]] away to [[Ratchet (SG)|Ratchet]]'s newest base of operations. The pair fight until an artillery shell spirals into the battlefield and sends them both flying—a shell that belongs to [[Hailstorm (SG)|Hailstorm]], who tries to assist until Rodimus shoots him in a turret barrel and triggers a fatal explosion. At that moment, Slipstream swoops in to extricate her teammate from an unwinnable fight; furious and grief-stricken at losing another comrade, Flamewar struggles free and dives back down to finish the job—only for Rodimus to promptly shoot her unconscious.

Flamewar comes to inside the Titan itself... and right next to a shackled [[Optimus Prime (SG)|Optimus Prime]], who bellows defiance at his captors as they haul him away for an unspecified "procedure". Flamewar demands to know where he's been taken, and what's to happen to her as well, but Slicer only informs her that she's being kept alive as a bargaining chip. Fortunately, Slipstream's arrived just in time to rescue her friend as she stalls for time. Noticing that Slicer has some attachment to Blaster's severed head, she grabs the body part and demands to know what Ratchet's doing to Optimus—Slicer manages to get out that Ultra Magnus's sinister plans involve Prime's body somehow, but when Slicer leaps for Slipstream, Flamewar lines up a shot and sends the amoral engineer tumbling out of a shattered wall to the ground far below. Flamewar takes stock of this unexpected victory, and remembers her last conversation with Slipstream.

Flamewar decides that she ''could'' pointlessly avenge Megatron and Cannonball and everyone else she's lost... but there's a ''real'' fight underway now, and there'll be plenty of other chances to make up for lost time!

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashback. 

{{featuredcharacters
|h1=[[Decepticon]]s|c1=
* [[Slipstream (SG)|Slipstream]] (1)
* [[Hailstorm (SG)|Hailstorm]] (2)
* [[Barricade (SG)|Barricade]] (3)
* [[Flamewar (SG)|Flamewar]] (4)
* [[Skywarp (SG)|Skywarp]] (5)
* [[Sunstorm (SG)|Sunstorm]] (6)
* ''[[Tracer (SG)|Tracer]]'' (7)
* [[Megatron (SG)|Megatron]] (8)
* [[Shadow Striker (SG)|Shadow Striker]] (9)
* [[Hotlink (SG)|Hotlink]] (10)
* [[Soundwave (SG)|Soundwave]] (14)
* ''[[Frenzy (SG)|Frenzy]]'' (16)
* ''[[Thundercracker (SG)|Thundercracker]]'' (19)
* ''[[Starscream (SG)|Starscream]]'' (20)

|h2=[[Autobot]]s|c2=
* [[Wheeljack (SG)|Slicer]] (12)
* [[Rodimus (SG)|Rodimus]] (13)
* ''[[Windblade (SG)|Windblade]]'' (17)
* [[Optimus Prime (SG)|Optimus Prime]] (21)
* [[Springer (SG)|Springer]] (22)

|c4=
* [[Metroplex (SG)|Metroplex]] (11)
* ''[[Cannonball (SG)|Cannonball]]'' (15)
* [[Jetfire (SG)|Jetfire]] (18)

}}

==Quotes==
"This isn't even really disobeying. This is just... speeding up the timeline."
:—'''Flamewar'''

"If you're not right behind me, then I guess you weren't 'with me' like I thought you were." 
"We're always with you, don't you get it?"
:—'''Flamewar''' and '''Slipstream''''

"I gotcha, Flamewar!" 
"Which one of us do you think is quicker on the draw? Me or '''Hailstorm?'''"
:—'''Hailstorm''' dies to '''Rodimus'''

"You do those experiments on your own people? Sick." 
"I get the feeling you've got a broader idea of 'your own people' than I do." 
"I don't get it." 
"You've '''got''' people. I've got a job."
:—'''Flamewar''' and '''Slicer'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* The comic picks up in the immediate aftermath of [[Shattered Glass II issue 2|issue #2]], in which [[Blaster (SG)|Blaster]] led a raid on [[Kaon (polity)|Kaon]] and used his sonic powers to smash his way through a wall, catching Flamewar off-guard in the process.
* The third flashback takes place immediately after the flashback in '''[[Transformers: Shattered Glass (IDW)|Shattered Glass]]'' [[Shattered Glass issue 2|issue #2]], in which Megatron deliberately sacrificed himself so that [[Starscream (SG)|Starscream]]—wearing his F-15 Earth body from the same flashback—could lead the remaining Decepticons off [[Earth]].

===Transformers references===
* While Flamewar rocketed to stardom during [[Brian Ruckley]]'s tenure on IDW's [[Transformers (2019 comic)|2019 ''Transformers'' reboot]]—in which he famously characterized her as a chaotic terrorist who delighted in trolling her nominal allies—this take on the character hews closer to her depiction in [[BotCon 2014]]'s "[[Hoist the Flag]]" storyline, which depicted her as a new recruit to [[Cannonball (G1)|Cannonball]]'s pirate crew. As we noted in our article for last issue, however, her affiliates are (mostly) mirror-universe members of [[Team Stream]] from the 2019 comics.
* Cannonball himself is based directly on his "Hoist the Flag" incarnation, a retool of ''[[Transformers: Prime (toyline)|Prime]]'' [[Ratchet (WFC)#Prime|Ratchet]] with a new head and color scheme.
* While in Iacon, Flamewar, Soundwave, and Cannonball fought to defend the city's "[[Titan Net]]", a piece of Titan-related technology that originated in the 2019 ''Transformers'' reboot. They're opposed by, among other characters, [[Windblade (SG)|Windblade]]; rather than a [[cityspeaker]], her and [[Lightbright (SG)|Lightbright]] are "city''crashers''" who deliberately destroy Titans.
* In her conversation with Soundwave, Flamewar namedrops [[Lowload (SG)|Lowload]], a ''Shattered Glass'' version of a [[Lowload (G1)|minor character from IDW's reboot]], as a former member of Cannonball's crew.

===Errors===
* On page two, "[[engex]]" is misspelt "energex".
* On page four, Flamewar's line—"we're not Constructicons"—is missing a period.
* On page eleven, Cannonball's dialogue is also missing a punctuation mark.
* On the first panel on page fifteen, Flamewar's handcuffs are black like the inner parts of her forearms instead of blue.

===Covers (4)===
* '''Cover A:''' Flamewar, by [[Livio Ramondelli]]
* '''Cover B:''' Flamewar's up to mischief, by [[Ashleigh Phillips]]
* '''Retailer incentive cover:''' Metroplex, Megatron, and a perky Flamewar, by [[Josh Burcham]]
* '''Hasbro Pulse exclusive cover:''' Flamewar attacks, by [[Casey Coller]]

<gallery>
IDWSGII 4 cvrA.jpg
IDWSGII 4 cvrB.jpg
IDWSGII 4 cvrRI.jpg
IDWSGII 4 cvrRE.jpg
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'' #300
* ''[[Godzilla]] Rivals: vs. Gigan''
* ''The Rocketeer: The Complete Adventures Deluxe Edition''
* ''Dead Seas''

==External links==
* [https://majorspoilers.com/2022/11/22/preview-transformers-shattered-glass-ii-4/ Preview]

[[Category:IDW Shattered Glass issues]]

Shattered Glass II issue 4

2022-12-01T23:16:23Z

Silver: /* Errors */

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Transformers: Shattered Glass II]]'' #4
|prev=Shattered Glass II issue 3
|next=Shattered Glass II issue 5
|caption=
|image=IDWSGII 4 cvrA.jpg
|title=
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[November 23]], 2022
|coverdate=November 2022
|written by=[[Danny Lore]]
|art by=[[Dan Khanna]]
|inks=[[Gigi Dutreix]]
|colors=[[John-Paul Bove]] and [[Ed Pirrie]]
|letters by=[[Jake M. Wood]]
|editor=[[David Mariotte]] and [[Riley Farmer]]
}}

'''Flamewar struggles to balance her desire for vengeance against the good of the mission as she leads a Decepticon strike force to Metroplex.'''

==Synopsis==
{{note|This story is told in non-linear form. This synopsis presents it in chronological order for ease of reading.}}

''As the war between the evil [[Autobot]]s and heroic [[Decepticon]]s took shape, not all Cybertronians took sides at first. Some, like [[Cannonball (SG)|Cannonball]] and the pirate crew of the ''[[Rising Sea]]'' initially stayed out of the conflict due to his past disagreements with [[Megatron (SG)|Megatron]], but there came a time when Cannonball and his crew joined [[Soundwave (SG)|Soundwave]] in a battle to protect [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]'s [[Titan Net]] from [[Windblade (SG)|Windblade]]'s Titan-killing "Citycrashers". [[Flamewar (SG)|Flamewar]], fanatically loyal to her captain, took on [[Rodimus (SG)|Rodimus]] alone, ignoring her captain's warnings, and forced Cannonball to sacrifice his life so that his crew could escape. Without their captain, Flamewar and the remaining survivors slipped into a deep despair; during a drunken memorial for Cannonball at a run-down watering hole, however, Megatron approached Flamewar and her compatriots with an offer of employment—join the Decepticons and take back Cybertron from Autobot tyranny. Megatron believes that [[Slipstream (SG)|Slipstream]] is the new leader of the pirates, but this isn't entirely true: she might be their ''nominal'' commander, but the truth is that they go wherever Flamewar goes.''

Years later, Flamewar was a part of Megatron's ill-fated mission to [[Earth]] and present for the final battle against the Autobots. Ultimately, Megatron ordered [[Starscream (SG)|Starscream]] to get the surviving Decepticons to safety while he stayed behind; although the noble [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] and his followers did what they could to rescue as many Decepticons as possible and limp back to Cybertron, Flamewar had now lost ''two'' leaders, and the experience taught the embittered Decepticon a valuable lesson: never leave a man behind.''

In the present day, an annoyed Flamewar gripes that Megatron still hasn't cleared her or her unit to take on the Autobots in the [[Static Zone]]; while Slipstream urges caution, Flamewar, still fuming about her recent run-in with [[Blaster (SG)|Blaster]], insists that she's ready for action. The pair argue back and forth about Megatron's true strategy before [[Shadow Striker (SG)|Shadow Striker]] finally cuts to the heart of the matter: if neither of them really want to be here, why are they still here? Flamewar admits that Cannonball would never have sat back and waited for the action to come to him—and with that, the crew of the ''Rising Sea'' transform and speed away to find the Autobots.

Out in the Static Zone, the group find [[Metroplex (SG)|Metroplex]]'s frozen form, surrounded by Autobots—including Flamewar's old nemesis, Rodimus. Flamewar immediately announces that she's going to kill Rodimus for everything he's done, Slipstream advises caution... but Flamewar, adamant that she'll do this even if her own teammates won't support her, promptly zooms away to settle her score. Slipstream watches her go, and murmurs that she'll ''always'' be there for her...

At Metroplex's base, Rodimus spies Flamewar on the horizon and springs into action, leaving an irritated [[Wheeljack (SG)|Slicer]] to drag their new prisoner [[Jetfire (SG)|Jetfire]] away to [[Ratchet (SG)|Ratchet]]'s newest base of operations. The pair fight until an artillery shell spirals into the battlefield and sends them both flying—a shell that belongs to [[Hailstorm (SG)|Hailstorm]], who tries to assist until Rodimus shoots him in a turret barrel and triggers a fatal explosion. At that moment, Slipstream swoops in to extricate her teammate from an unwinnable fight; furious and grief-stricken at losing another comrade, Flamewar struggles free and dives back down to finish the job—only for Rodimus to promptly shoot her unconscious.

Flamewar comes to inside the Titan itself... and right next to a shackled [[Optimus Prime (SG)|Optimus Prime]], who bellows defiance at his captors as they haul him away for an unspecified "procedure". Flamewar demands to know where he's been taken, and what's to happen to her as well, but Slicer only informs her that she's being kept alive as a bargaining chip. Fortunately, Slipstream's arrived just in time to rescue her friend as she stalls for time. Noticing that Slicer has some attachment to Blaster's severed head, she grabs the body part and demands to know what Ratchet's doing to Optimus—Slicer manages to get out that Ultra Magnus's sinister plans involve Prime's body somehow, but when Slicer leaps for Slipstream, Flamewar lines up a shot and sends the amoral engineer tumbling out of a shattered wall to the ground far below. Flamewar takes stock of this unexpected victory, and remembers her last conversation with Slipstream.

Flamewar decides that she ''could'' pointlessly avenge Megatron and Cannonball and everyone else she's lost... but there's a ''real'' fight underway now, and there'll be plenty of other chances to make up for lost time!

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashback. 

{{featuredcharacters
|h1=[[Decepticon]]s|c1=
* [[Slipstream (SG)|Slipstream]] (1)
* [[Hailstorm (SG)|Hailstorm]] (2)
* [[Barricade (SG)|Barricade]] (3)
* [[Flamewar (SG)|Flamewar]] (4)
* [[Skywarp (SG)|Skywarp]] (5)
* [[Sunstorm (SG)|Sunstorm]] (6)
* ''[[Tracer (SG)|Tracer]]'' (7)
* [[Megatron (SG)|Megatron]] (8)
* [[Shadow Striker (SG)|Shadow Striker]] (9)
* [[Hotlink (SG)|Hotlink]] (10)
* [[Soundwave (SG)|Soundwave]] (14)
* ''[[Frenzy (SG)|Frenzy]]'' (16)
* ''[[Thundercracker (SG)|Thundercracker]]'' (19)
* ''[[Starscream (SG)|Starscream]]'' (20)

|h2=[[Autobot]]s|c2=
* [[Wheeljack (SG)|Slicer]] (12)
* [[Rodimus (SG)|Rodimus]] (13)
* ''[[Windblade (SG)|Windblade]]'' (17)
* [[Optimus Prime (SG)|Optimus Prime]] (21)
* [[Springer (SG)|Springer]] (22)

|c4=
* [[Metroplex (SG)|Metroplex]] (11)
* ''[[Cannonball (SG)|Cannonball]]'' (15)
* [[Jetfire (SG)|Jetfire]] (18)

}}

==Quotes==
"This isn't even really disobeying. This is just... speeding up the timeline."
:—'''Flamewar'''

"If you're not right behind me, then I guess you weren't 'with me' like I thought you were." 
"We're always with you, don't you get it?"
:—'''Flamewar''' and '''Slipstream''''

"I gotcha, Flamewar!" 
"Which one of us do you think is quicker on the draw? Me or '''Hailstorm?'''"
:—'''Hailstorm''' dies to '''Rodimus'''

"You do those experiments on your own people? Sick." 
"I get the feeling you've got a broader idea of 'your own people' than I do." 
"I don't get it." 
"You've '''got''' people. I've got a job."
:—'''Flamewar''' and '''Slicer'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* The comic picks up in the immediate aftermath of [[Shattered Glass II issue 2|issue #2]], in which [[Blaster (SG)|Blaster]] led a raid on [[Kaon (polity)|Kaon]] and used his sonic powers to smash his way through a wall, catching Flamewar off-guard in the process.
* The third flashback takes place immediately after the flashback in '''[[Transformers: Shattered Glass (IDW)|Shattered Glass]]'' [[Shattered Glass issue 2|issue #2]], in which Megatron deliberately sacrificed himself so that [[Starscream (SG)|Starscream]]—wearing his F-15 Earth body from the same flashback—could lead the remaining Decepticons off [[Earth]].

===Transformers references===
* While Flamewar rocketed to stardom during [[Brian Ruckley]]'s tenure on IDW's [[Transformers (2019 comic)|2019 ''Transformers'' reboot]]—in which he famously characterized her as a chaotic terrorist who delighted in trolling her nominal allies—this take on the character hews closer to her depiction in [[BotCon 2014]]'s "[[Hoist the Flag]]" storyline, which depicted her as a new recruit to [[Cannonball (G1)|Cannonball]]'s pirate crew. As we noted in our article for last issue, however, her affiliates are (mostly) mirror-universe members of [[Team Stream]] from the 2019 comics.
* Cannonball himself is based directly on his "Hoist the Flag" incarnation, a retool of ''[[Transformers: Prime (toyline)|Prime]]'' [[Ratchet (WFC)#Prime|Ratchet]] with a new head and color scheme.
* While in Iacon, Flamewar, Soundwave, and Cannonball fought to defend the city's "[[Titan Net]]", a piece of Titan-related technology that originated in the 2019 ''Transformers'' reboot. They're opposed by, among other characters, [[Windblade (SG)|Windblade]]; rather than a [[cityspeaker]], her and [[Lightbright (SG)|Lightbright]] are "city''crashers''" who deliberately destroy Titans.
* In her conversation with Soundwave, Flamewar namedrops [[Lowload (SG)|Lowload]], a ''Shattered Glass'' version of a [[Lowload (G1)|minor character from IDW's reboot]], as a former member of Cannonball's crew.

===Errors===
* On page two, "[[engex]]" is misspelt "energex".
* On page four, Flamewar's line—"we're not Constructicons"—is missing a period.
* On page eleven, Cannonball's dialogue is also missing a punctuation mark.
* On the first panel on page fifteen, Flamewar's cuffs are black like the inner parts of her forearms instead of blue.

===Covers (4)===
* '''Cover A:''' Flamewar, by [[Livio Ramondelli]]
* '''Cover B:''' Flamewar's up to mischief, by [[Ashleigh Phillips]]
* '''Retailer incentive cover:''' Metroplex, Megatron, and a perky Flamewar, by [[Josh Burcham]]
* '''Hasbro Pulse exclusive cover:''' Flamewar attacks, by [[Casey Coller]]

<gallery>
IDWSGII 4 cvrA.jpg
IDWSGII 4 cvrB.jpg
IDWSGII 4 cvrRI.jpg
IDWSGII 4 cvrRE.jpg
</gallery>

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==External links==
* [https://majorspoilers.com/2022/11/22/preview-transformers-shattered-glass-ii-4/ Preview]

[[Category:IDW Shattered Glass issues]]

End of Time

2022-05-22T16:59:56Z

Silver: /* Continuity notes */

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Transformers (2019 comic)|Transformers]]'' #43
|prev=Radical Time
|next=Transformers: Fate of Cybertron
|caption=
|image=TF2019 43 cvrA.jpg
|title="End of Time"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[May 18]], 2022
|coverdate=May 2022
|written by=[[Brian Ruckley]]
|art by=[[Anna Malkova]] (pg. 1-2, 6-8), [[Juan Samu]] (pg. 3-5, 15-17, 22-25, 27-30), [[Blacky Shepherd]] (pg. 9-12), [[Ed Pirrie]] (pg. 18-21, 26)
|colors=[[David García Cruz]] and [[Heather Breckel]]
|letters by=[[Jake M. Wood]]
|editor=[[David Mariotte]], [[Tom Waltz]] and [[Riley Farmer]]
|continuity=[[2019 IDW continuity]]
|chronology=
}}

'''Besieged by ravenous rust worms and swarming Insecticlones, the Autobots engage in some heavy-duty pest control.'''

==Synopsis==
''[[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] is a world of wonders. As the [[Thirteen]] begat the [[Firstforged]], so too did the Firstforged and their descendants tame a savage world and build a civilization steeped in glory and mythology. But, as [[Termagax]] lays out in her blistering speech before the Cybertronian [[Senate]], the [[Nominus Edict]] has forced the people of Cybertron and their wonders into stagnation and complacency—but lawmakers cannot deny history, and when change comes, for good or ill, they will be the ones responsible for what happens next.''

In the present day, [[Blades (G1)|Blades]], [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]], and [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] lead the brunt of the [[Insecticon clone|Insecticlones]] on a merry chase, [[Firestar (G1)|Novastar]] and the rest of her insertion team the opening they need to breach the dead [[Titan (group)|Titan]] that the Insecticons have turned into their primary hive. Outside [[Darkmount (Cybertron)|Darkmount]], meanwhile, [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], [[Tap-Out (Universe)|Tap-Out]] and [[Road Rage (G1)|Road Rage]] try to capture one of the creatures alive, so that Prime's science team—Termagax, [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]], [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]], and [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]]—can reverse-engineer a [[data bomb]] to breach the Insecticon neural network and bring down the swarm from within. However, Termagax reminds the Autobots that her plan is entirely contingent on whether or not Novastar can install the receiver inside the hive: for her, whether or not Novastar ''survives'' the adventure is a secondary concern.

''Many kilocycles ago, in [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]'s [[Archives]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Orion Pax]] speaks with [[Codexa]] about his recent tour of the Cybertronian commonwealth and his plans for the future. Orion muses that, for all that the Cybertronian race has done, the people of Cybertron still know very little about the wider universe, and Cybertron's inability to temper its infamously heavy-handed approach could lead to further conflict. Codexa, dissatisfied with Cybertron's changing political landscape, is already finalizing her preparations to go [[immersant]]... but when the time comes, it will not be Orion who takes over her position. Orion's already eyeing a new career in politics, alongside his friend [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]; no matter where his [[spark]] takes him, however, Codexa tells him that she's proud to have known such a good 'bot.''

In the present day, Optimus Prime, [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], and the [[Senate Guard|Prime Guard]] struggle to hold off the ravenous tide of [[rust worm]]s, which attack not just from the front, but from ''below'', and nearly snag an Autobot before Prime intervenes. Not far away, [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]] and her team accuse [[Red Wing]] of breaking their ceasefire, but the arrogant [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] insists that the Decepticons are merely conducting an operation against the rust worms and orders them to turn back. When [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] orders the group to fall back, Chromia muses that they might not make it out of this one alive; Prime grimly agrees, but hopes against hope that they might still have enough time to pull off a miracle...

In Darkmount, Tap-Out grapples with one of the Kickback-type clones, who's carried him aloft to eat him—fortunately, Road Rage intervenes, shoots the monster out of the sky, and gives Tap-Out the opportunity to put his wrestling skills to work as he piledrives another clone into the ground, knocking it unconscious just long enough for Hound to fire a netgun and capture the Insecticon. Their victory is short-lived, however: already, ''another'' swarm darkens the horizon...

Inside the Titan, [[Cromar]] and the other members of Novastar's insertion team discuss their mission: the neural network that ties all the clones together is inexorably linked to their progenitor [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]], and taking him out is the only way they can hack the network. While Smokescreen and Cromar sweep ahead, Novastar and Javelin note that the tunnels seem empty, and wonder if the clones have spread themselves too thin... only to stumble across the latest batch as they swarm up toward the surface! Cromar combines with Javelin to help her hold off the clones, a sacrifice that gives Smokescreen and Novastar the opportunity to head deeper into the Titan and finish their mission.

Outside, Darkmount, Termagax and the other members of Optimus Prime's science team watch as the swarm darkens the sky. Having invested all their time and resources into repairing the comatose [[Lodestar (Titan)|Lodestar]] and the final ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]''-class starship, the besieged city has nothing left to stave off this latest assault; realizing what must be done, Termgax opens a secure channel to [[House (building)|House]] and orders it into action. The sight of House striding away from the city walls baits the clone swarm into breaking off their pursuit of Hound and the other Autobots; bit by bit, the clones whittle away at House's structural integrity until the walking fortress reaches a safe distance. As the Insecticons swarm over the building, Termagax briefly thanks House for its service... then, triggers the "Endpoint" protocol that overloads House's rector and obliterates the entire swarm, and House with it, with a single blast.

Inside the Titan, Bombshell orders the other two Insecticons to keep eating their fallen soldiers and generate the energon they need to power the [[cloning]] machines and recuperate their mounting losses. Tired and delirious from gorging themselves for cycles on end, Kickback grumbles that they're running out of stamina; when their leader slaps them into action, Kickback turns on Bombshell, and the scuffle leaves both of them distracted just long enough for Novastar to leap from a nearby access vent and slap the receiver directly into Bombshell's head. As Smokescreen, Javelin, and Cromar join the brawl, the three keep the monsters at bay just long enough for Termagax—still mourning the loss of her House—to patch her orders through the receiver and into the Insecticon net.

As Optimus and the other Autobots eod what they can against the worms, another Insecticlone swarm darkens the sky... but ''these'' clones ignore the Autobots entirely and attack the worms instead! By turning the two threats against each other, Termagax has, for the moment, solved their problem, but this reprieve won't last forever. As the Autobots wade through the liquid rust back towards Darkmount, a flash of light heralds the arrival of [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]], toting an [[imploder]] and a message from Megatron as the Decepticon army rolls towards them: stay where they are, or they all die...

==Featured characters==
(Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks.) 
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
* ''[[Nominus Prime]]'' (8)
* ''[[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]'' (9)
* [[Blades (G1)|Blades]] (11)
* [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] (12)
* [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] (13)
* [[Cromar]] (14)
* [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] (15)
* [[Firestar (G1)|Novastar]] (16)
* [[Javelin]] (17)
* [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (18)
* [[Road Rage (G1)|Road Rage]] (19)
* [[Tap-Out (Universe)|Tap-Out]] (20)
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (21)
* [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] (22)
* [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (23)
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
* [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] (24)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Orion Pax/Optimus Prime]] (25)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (27)
* [[Subsea]] (28)
* [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] (29)
* [[Pipes (G1)|Pipes]] (30)
* [[Backstreet (G1)|Backstreet]] (31)
* [[Bumper (G1)|Bumper]] (32)
* [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (33)
* [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]] (34)
* [[Strongarm (G1)|Strongarm]] (35)
* [[Vibes]] (42)
* [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] (43)
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (44)
* [[Stakeout (G1)|Stakeout]] (45)

{{!}}}

|h2=[[Decepticon]]s/[[Decepticon|Ascenticon]]s|c2=
* [[Termagax]] (10)
* [[Red Wing]] (36)
* [[Windsweeper]] (37)
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (38)
* [[Shrapnel (G1)|Skrapnel]] (39)
* [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] (40)
* [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] (41)
* [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (46)
* [[Nova Storm (G1)|Nova Storm]] (47)
* [[Acid Storm (G1)|Acid Storm]] (48)
* [[Ion Storm]] (49)
* [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] (50)
* [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (51)
* [[Obsidian (BM)|Obsidian]] (52)
* [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] (53)
* [[Strika (BM)|Strika]] (54)

|c4=
* ''[[Liege Maximo]]'' (1)
* ''[[Prima]]'' (2)
* ''[[The Fallen|Megatronus]]'' (3)
* ''[[Solus Prime]]'' (4)
* ''[[Gaidora (BWU)|Gaidora]]'' (5)
* ''[[Halonix Maximus]]'' (6)
* ''[[Big Bang (G1)|Big Bang]]'' (7)
* [[Insecticon clone|Insecticlone]]s (11)
* ''[[Codexa]]'' (26)
}}

==Quotes==
"You want to freeze into stasis the story that began with Cybertron itself, the Primes, the Firstforged. But I tell you, the flood of all those countless megacycles of time opposes you. Its weight exceeds you. The flood of our capacities, our potential. It exceeds you. There is a force and a flow to a story as ancient as us that cannot be legislated away. We will be expressed. If you close off one path, another will be carved out. For better... or for worse."
:—'''Termagax'''

"Wish I knew how I keep winding up in these situations." 
"You're a compulsive volunteer. Or a compulsive something, anyway."
:—'''Smokescreen''' and '''Novastar'''

"If it can get me in, I'll handle the rest." 
"Hmm. And of course overconfidence never tripped you up, Termagax." 
"Says Perceptor, who I hear accidentally shot a teleporter into the future. And imprisoned Titansparks. The lack of self-awareness in here makes my gears ache. No wonder the planet's coming apart. '''Literally'''."
:—'''Termagax''' and '''Perceptor'''

"We tread heavily wherever we go. Wherever we have been. We can't do otherwise, it seems. But I think we have to."
:—'''Orion Pax'''

"I'm okay. I '''choose''' to be okay."
:—'''Javelin'''

"You know, if we're not getting out of here, you should satisfy my curiosity, Smokescreen. No one seems to know, so who do you actually, '''technically''' work for now?" 
"Technically? I have absolutely no idea. Lost track ages ago, and I never really cared. But you know what? I know '''exactly''' what I actually work for. '''Cybertron'''. Corny, huh?"
:—'''Novastar''' and '''Smokescreen'''

"Well, '''hello''', Autobots!" 
"Skywarp? What are you--" 
"Hush, hush! History is trying to speak. Yes, yes, I think it's saying... this is an imploder, and I'll detonate it if you don't stay right where you are. Because someone's coming to see you... and he'll be '''very''' disappointed if you're not here to greet him."
:—'''Skywarp''' threatens '''Optimus Prime'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* Termagax's creation story first shows the Firstforged emerging from an ornate pool of liquid. Given what we know about Cybertron's history, it's possible that this is, in fact, this continuity's take on the [[Well of All Sparks]], a more literal take that depicts it as an actual "well" of liquid metal. If so, then this would ''also'' mark the future site of the [[Forge Pyramid]], which was noted to have been built over the Well in [[The World In Your Eyes Part Four|issue #4]].
* The first flashback depicts a battle between [[Halonix Maximus]], [[Gaidora (BWU)|Gaidora]], and a pack of [[turbofox]]es. Dialogue in [[Rise of the Decepticons: Tremors|issue #21]] and a flashback in [[War World: Prime|#25]] noted that Halonix Maximus fought and defeated [[Preditron]] in ancient times, and later rescued [[Zarak Maximus]] from a lair of turbofoxes; the framing of ''this'' scene, however, combined with Termagax's description of a "victory over the raw world", suggests that these battles were part of a larger campaign against other Cybertronian lifeforms, including Transformers with beast modes. Perhaps, as was the case in [[2005 IDW continuity|IDW's original ''Transformers'' universe]], this has something to do with some Cybertronians displaying prejudice against beast Transformers, as briefly discussed in [[Rise of the Decepticons: We Have Deceived You|issue #23]].
* Working together, Blaster, Glyph, and Highbrow have developed a [[data-bomb]]; [[Slipstream (G1)|Slipstream]]'s [[Team Stream|unit]] used the technology in [[The Change In Your Nature Part Four|issue #16]] to incapacitate the planetary [[Titan Net]] in preparation for their assault on the [[Winged Moon]].
* While sniping at Perceptor, Termagax notes the time he secretly imprisoned [[Spark|Titanspark]]s under the terms of the [[Nominus Edict]], as revealed in [[War World: Titans|issue #29]], and his accidental invention of [[time travel]] in the two-part storyline that ran from issues [[Lord of Misrule: Test Flight I|#31]] to [[Lord of Misrule: Test Flight II|#32]].
* The issue's second flashback is set four megacycles after [[Orion Pax: Free Fall|issue #6]]'s flashback, a story that included Orion planning a tour of Cybertron's colonies, a weary Codexa preparing for retirement, and Megatron contemplating a potential career in politics. With Orion going into politics instead of following a career in the archives, Codexa reveals that she's recruited [[Proxima (G1)|Proxima]] to take over when she retires, a factoid that'd previously been discussed in [[Rise of the Decepticons: We Have Deceived You|issue #23]]. However, see "Errors" below.
* Since turning the siege of [[Crystal City]] in favor of the Autobots in [[The Landscape of Fear|issue #41]], Prime notes that [[Scattershot (G1)|Scattershot]] and the other [[Technobot (G1)|Technobot]]s, having run low on [[energon]], have retreated to Darkmount to recuperate with other civilians and noncombatants.
* While searching for the Insecticons, Smokescreen muses that "it's not like they chose their hunger". Indeed, a flashback in ''[[Transformers: Galaxies|Galaxies]]'' [[Constructicons Rising, Part 2|#2]] showed that the Insecticons emerged from the [[Forge Pyramid]] with the ability to process and metabolize any kind of raw material. This would, presumably, put them in the same category as other unusual Transformers like [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]], [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]], and [[Jumpstream]]; as per a conversation in [[Rise of the Decepticons: Swindle's|issue #20]], they appear to be called "prodigies".
* Megatron and the rest of his forces are presumably on their way back from the events of the ''[[Transformers: War's End|War's End]]'' miniseries, in which Megatron, Shockwave, and the three [[Rainmaker]]s came into conflict with [[Exarchon]]. Notably, Skywarp's brought an [[imploder]] with him, but it's not yet clear if this is meant to be the ''same'' imploder Exarchon planned to use in his own scheme or a different weapon.

===Transformers references===
* Termagax's creation story ties together both the original [[Thirteen]] Transformers and their immediate descendants, the [[Firstforged]], by explaining that the Thirteen created the Firstforged, who in turn laid the foundations of Cybertronian civilization. As in ''[[Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus]]'', it ties [[Solus Prime]] to the creation of Cybertronian life; while that version of the story ended with Solus Prime dying at the hands of [[The Fallen|Megatronus]] and subsequently becoming the [[Well of All Sparks]], this version of the story—which already showed both her and [[Alchemist Prime|Alchemist]] surviving all the way to the end of the Age of Primes in [[A Dust of Crystals|issue #40]]—using the "[[Ur-Forge]]" to create the second generation of Transformer life.
* The second part of Termagax's story shows Halonix Maximus battling [[Gaidora (BWU)|Gaidora]], a character who debuted in the ''[[Triple Combination: Transformers Go! (cartoon)|Go!]]'' cartoon. It's likely not a coincidence that both Gaidora and Preditron fought Halonix Maximus: they appeared together in the ''[[Beast Wars: Uprising]]'' story "[[Safe Spaces]]".
* Fighting alongside Halonix is [[Big Bang (G1)|Big Bang]], a Japanese-original also-ran who would've originally headlined the story that eventually evolved into 1991's ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (franchise)#Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Return of Convoy|Return of Convoy]]'' franchise, but later saw use in [[Fun Publications]]' ''[[Transformers: Wings Universe|Wings Universe]]'' stories. As the character never received an official color scheme, Fun Publications gave him a made-up red, white, and blue color scheme, but ''this'' incarnation of the character uses the orange, black, and red livery that originated with his [[Big Bang Prime|''Animated'' incarnation]].

===Errors===
* A bit of artistic inconsistency means that Springer's now drawn to resemble his [[Springer (G1)/toys#Thrilling 30|"Thrilling 30"]] toy, instead of the ''Siege'' body he's used up until this point. Similarly, Pipes is drawn with his [[War for Cybertron: Kingdom|''Kingdom'']] toy design, rather than the original design he's sported in this series and Obsidian's alternate mode resembles his ''Beast Machines'' body, rather than the ''[[Obsidian (BM)#Timelines 2|Timelines]]'' toy he's used up until this point.
* Throughout the comic, [[Bumper (G1)|Bumper]] is drawn with two symmetrical arms, and lacks the asymmetrical replacement arm he kept as a badge of honor back in [[Lord of Misrule: Test Flight I|issue #31]].
* As per the narration, the second flashback is set 496 [[Units of time|kilocycles]] before the present day. Going by the dialogue, it's clear that it's meant to take place after the events of [[Orion Pax: Free Fall|issue #6]], which was set a mere three hundred kilocycles in the past, just after the construction of the [[Winged Moon]] and the [[Tether]]. Given that Optimus notes that he spent four kilocycles away from Cybertron, a likely guess is that it's meant to be set ''296'' kilocycles ago, and that someone made a mistake somewhere along the line.
* As the Insecticlones begin to consume the rust worms, Stakeout is mistakenly colored as Bumblebee in a single panel.
* The issue's title was accidentally left out of the finished product.<ref>{{twitter|Dang. Yes, there's a title in the script - totally missed that it wasn't there in the finished issue. 'End Of Time'. Supposed to be on Page 3, Panel 1, so everyone just go ahead and write that in with a permanent marker! :)|https://twitter.com/Brian_Ruckley/status/1527687044314570752|Brian Ruckley|2022|05|20}}</ref>

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A:''' Optimus and Bumblebee fight rust worms, by [[Stefano Simeone]]
* '''Cover B:''' The Insecticons bear down on Darkmount, by [[Thomas Deer]]
* '''Retailer incentive cover:''' Optimus, Prowl, and Bumblebee fight rust worms and Decepticons, by [[Geoff Senior]] and [[Nahuel Ruiz]]

<gallery>
File:TF2019 43 cvrA.jpg
File:TF2019 43 cvrB.jpg
File:TF2019 43 cvrRI.jpg
</gallery>

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* ''[[Transformers: Last Bot Standing]]''

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://majorspoilers.com/2022/05/17/preview-transformers-43/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=preview-transformers-43 Preview]

[[Category:Transformers (2019) issues]]

Rhinox's Amaze-ing Adventure

2022-04-28T22:57:07Z

Silver: /* Transformers references */

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Transformers: Beast Wars|Beast Wars]]'' Annual 2022
|prev=Skold's No Good, Very Bad Day
|next=The Morphlings
|caption=At one point, Rhinox considered going to Egypt.
|image=RhinoxsAmazeingAdventure.jpg
|title="Rhinox's Amaze-ing Adventure"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|published in=''[[Beast Wars Annual]]''
|date=[[April 20]], 2022
|coverdate=April 2022
|written by=[[David Mariotte]]
|art by=[[Philip Johnson]]
|letters by=[[Jake M. Wood]]
}}

'''Rhinox receives some unwanted assistance as he tries to escape a Predacon trap—but it's further than he thinks, and time is short...'''

==Synopsis==
While tracking a distress beacon from a fallen [[stasis pod]], [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] discovers and easily disarms a crude [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] snare... unaware of the ''second'' booby trap until the ground caves in under his feet and sends him plummeting into a dark dungeon. As a trapdoor slides shut over his head, Rhinox first tries to climb to freedom, but discovers that a mesh of electrified webbing prevents him from even ''touching'' the walls without suffering painful electrocution.

At that moment, a familiar voice introduces himself to Rhinox: [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]]! He and and [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] have designed an elaborate, trap-riddled labyrinth to trap him forever... but, as Tarantulas bickers with Blackarachnia, Rhinox hears another voice calling for help. With no other way to navigate the dark corridors, Rhinox voluntarily electrocutes himself to light his way; after following the sound of the other voice through laser grids and spider swarms, he finally stumbles across [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]], who Tarantulas and Blackarachnia used as a guinea pig before abandoning him in the maze. Although Rhinox grudgingly agrees to rescue Waspinator, the Predacon's constant bumbling winds up tripping trap after trap—swinging axes, spears rockfalls, and even a giant boulder—as the pair wind their way through the massive maze, inconveniencing Rhinox even further while miraculously leaving Waspinator unharmed, despite the Predacon's bumbling nature.

Finally, Rhinox spies a crack of light in the ceiling above: a way out! Waspinator quickly unholsters his blaster, shoots himself an exit... and promptly abandons the "Maximal scum", leaving a frustrated Rhinox grumbling to himself!

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=[[Maximal]]s|c1=
* [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] (1)

|h2=[[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s|c2=
* [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] (voice only) (2)
* [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] (3)

}}

==Quotes==
"If you haven't already given up and turned to scrap, you'll find this labyrinth layered with traps... it's not "helping" to reveal that there are more traps! He needs to know my genius... right, '''our''' genius... can I at least reveal part of it?"
:—'''Tarantulas''' argues with Blackarachnia

"Wazzzpinator sorry... usually universe hates Wazzzpinator."
:—'''Waspinator'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* This story can slot in basically anywhere after the events of [[Pod Part 2|issue #8]], which featured Blackarachnia sabotaging the ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]'''s cargo of orbital stasis pod network and causing them to crash. Of note is that the beginning of [[The Speedway of Central Consciousness|#13]] suggested that some time had passed between it and the end of [[Maximals Strike Back, Part 3|#12]], providing a neat gap for this story to slot in.

===Transformers references===
* In a takeoff of a [[tvtropes:Main/CirclingBirdies|long-standing cartoon slapstick trope]], a dazed Rhinox is shown encircled by an imaginary ring of Megatron's beloved [[Rubber Ducky|Rubber Duckies]].
* While reflecting on his bad luck, Waspinator muses that "universe hates Wazzzpinator", in reference to his famous lament from the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' episode "[[Deep Metal]]".
* On page ten, a startled ape-like creature is shown dropping [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]]'s improvised axe from the ''Beast Wars'' episode "[[Code of Hero]]".
* At the beginning of the issue, after Rhinox falls down into the labyrinth, and the end of the issue, when Waspinator backstabs him, Rhinox grumbles "that's just Prime", one of [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]]'s catchphrases.

===Real-world references===
* While searching for one another in the dark maze, Rhinox and Waspinator play a game of {{w|Marco Polo (game)|Marco Polo}} using [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]'s name.
* Rhinox and Waspinator's journey through the maze sees them dodging spears, axes, and even a rolling boulder, a la ''[[Indiana Jones]]''.
* In keeping with the planet's strange, hybrid fauna, one of the creatures on page ten appears to be a baby {{w|jackalope}}.

===Other trivia===
* While Waspinator has largely eschewed his idiosyncratic, Elmo-style dialogue from the original ''Beast Wars'' cartoon throughout the comic's run, his appearance here sees him revert to a more cartoon-accurate method of speech.

[[Category:Beast Wars (2021) issues]]

War's End Part Three

2022-04-28T22:52:57Z

Silver: /* Errors */

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Transformers: War's End|Transformers: War's End]]'' #3
|prev=War's End Part Two
|next=War's End Part Four
|caption=
|image=TFWarsEnd 3 cvrRI.jpg
|title="War's End Part Three"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[April 27]], 2022
|coverdate=April 2022
|written by=[[Brian Ruckley]]
|art by=[[Jack Lawrence]]
|colors by=[[John-Paul Bove]] and [[Ed Pirrie]]
|letters by=[[Jake M. Wood]]
|editor=[[Riley Farmer]], [[David Mariotte]], and [[Tom Waltz]]
|continuity=[[2019 IDW continuity]]
|chronology=
}}

'''Caught between a vengeful Megatron and a tenuous Autobot-Decepticon alliance, Exarchon accelerates his endgame.'''

==Synopsis==
It's all-out war in the [[Sonic Canyons]]—on one side, an uneasy alliance between [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]]'s [[Decepticon]] loyalists, [[Pyra Magna]]'s [[Companion]]s, and [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]]; on the other, [[Exarchon]], his army of [[Skywarp drone]]s, and [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]]'s rogue [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]] unit. Amidst the chaos, however, [[Jumpstream]] arrives with urgent news for her leader... just as Exarchon himself swoops down on Pyra and piledrives her into the ground. [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] shouts that Jumpstream ''can't'' be here, but the teleporting soldier shouts that something even worse is coming; by leaping onto Deathsaurus's back, she gives Pyra the opening she needs to blast Exarchon in the chest. As Exarchon retreats for the moment, Jumpstream warns Pyra that [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]'s on his way; when she sees [[Swift (G1)|Swift]] suggest a retreat to Sixshot however, she remembers that, in her trip to the future, Swift told her that Cyclonus died... and, sure enough, Onslaught's currently holding the old warrior at gunpoint. Without thinking, Jumpstream leaps into action, catches Onslaught offguard before he can execute his captive, and rescues Cyclonus; in doing so, she seemingly pushes history onto an entirely new path...

Outside the canyon, [[Shadow Striker (G1)|Shadow Striker]] and the other members of [[Team Stream]] watch the retreat from afar. When [[Flamewar (G1)|Flamewar]] feels the ground shake beneath her, however, she has only a few second to question what's going on before [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] strides past, on his way to the Sonic Canyons!

In [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]'s hidden laboratory, the Decepticon scientist shows off his discoveries to Exarchon's other iteration, including the shielded tube that houses the dangerously radioactive [[Sunstorm (G1)|Sunstorm]]. Exarchon's intrigued at the prospect of occupying such a novel body; Shockwave declines, however, and warns that nothing can survive close contact with his irradiated body. Exarchon warns Shockwave to know his place—after all, his masters created him to be the ultimate weapon against Cybertron, and turning Sunstorm's unique physiology against the Transformers would prove a potent tool indeed. Before either can debate further, however, [[Rage (G1)|Rage]] arrives with news: [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] has arrived to speak with Exarchon.

In Exarchon's hidden base, [[Landmine (G1)|Landmine]] tries to steady his nerves with help from [[Geomotus]], while [[Zetar (G1)|Zetar]], [[Pointblank]], and [[Sureshot (G1)|Sureshot]] keep an eye on Exarchon himself as the body-stealing Transformer meets with [[Soundblaster (G1)|Soundblaster]]. As Exarchon confirms that the drill is ready to begin its fateful mission to the planetary core, Sureshot insists that, with the fate of the entire planet on the line, they have to do ''something'' to slow him down, even if it means dying.

Having withdrawn from the Sonic Canyons ahead of Devastator's advance, Sixshot and Pyra Magna weigh their options in the face of Shockwave's newest weapon; Sunstreaker and Swift bristle at the idea of cooperating further, while Jumpstream confides to [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] that her teleportation powers have been somehow enhanced after Perceptor tampered with her teleportation abilities. Cyclonus and his ghostly retinue , meanwhile, merely observe the proceedings from a distance, as his imaginary compatriots mull over the prospects of Cyclonus sacrificing himself to kill Exarchon once and for all—does he have anything to live for? Although Pyra's willing to swallow her pride and work with the Decepticons in order to take out Exarchon, [[Blackjack (G1)|Blackjack]] warns that enemy reinforcements might be on the way: Slipstream and the other members of his former unit might've gone rogue.
Sure enough, Flamewar and the other members of Team Stream have accompanied Devastator to the entrance of the Threefold Spark base; despite his disdain for the Cybertronian species, even Exarchon can't help but marvel at the sight of a real [[combiner]]. Soundblaster quietly reminds Exarchon to tread lightly, for only Shockwave can control the unruly team... but when Shadow Striker questions Exarchon's musings that Devastator's very existence poses a threat to the universe, the conqueror simply tells her that there's no time left to worry about his plans.

Elsewhere, Exarchon's other body has defied Shockwave by releasing Sunstorm from his prison, just as Megatron arrives to negotiate a conditional agreement with the ancient tyrant. Shockwave insists that Exarchon return Sunstorm to his secure chamber, and although Exarchon loftily dismisses his former collaborator, he pushes his luck too far when he threatens to turn Megatron into his latest iteration—a threat that prompts Megatron to unload his fusion cannon on Exarchon's body, sending the wounded 'bot staggering into Sunstorm, who easily melts the 'bot that was once [[Flatline (G1)|Flatline]] into a puddle of molten metal. The threat mitigated for the moment, Megatron turns his attention to his subordinates, including [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]], and provides them with their new orders: travel to the Sonic Canyons, take everything they can, while he and Shockwave have a frank discussion about what Exarchon's been up to.

In the Sonic Canyons, Exarchon curses the loss of his other body, but that's of little concern now—why be just ''one'' when he could be ''many''? With that, Exarchon opens his [[spark]] chamber once more and envelops Devastator!

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Pyra Magna]] (6)
* [[Groundbreaker]] (8)
* [[Jumpstream]] (9)
* [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] (10)
* [[Geomotus]] (20)
* [[Landmine (G1)|Landmine]] (21)
* [[Pointblank]] (22)
* [[Sureshot (G1)|Sureshot]] (23)
* [[Zetar (G1)|Zetar]] (26)
* [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] (27)

|c2=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
* [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]] (1)
* [[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]] (2)
* [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] (3)
* [[Blackjack (G1)|Blackjack]] (7)
* [[Swift (G1)|Swift]] (11)
* [[Shadow Striker (G1)|Shadow Striker]] (12)
* [[Slipstream (G1)|Slipstream]] (13)
* [[Flamewar (G1)|Flamewar]] (14)
* [[Hyperdrive (Micromaster)|Hyperdrive]] (15)
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
* [[Sunstorm (G1)|Sunstorm]] (17)
* [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] (18)
* [[Rage (G1)|Rage]] (19)
* [[Soundblaster (G1)|Soundblaster]] (25)
* [[Acid Storm (G1)|Acid Storm]] (33)
* [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (34)
* [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (35)
* [[Ion Storm]] (36)
* [[Nova Storm (G1)|Nova Storm]] (37)

{{!}}}

|h3=Threefold Spark|c3=
* [[Exarchon]] (5)
* [[Skywarp drone]]s (24)

|c4=
* [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] (4)
* [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] (16)
* ''[[Gridlock]]'' (28)
* ''[[Grudge]]'' (29)
* ''[[Highfire]]'' (30)
* ''[[Provoke]]'' (31)
* ''[[Paragon]]'' (32)

}}

==Quotes==
"Don't care about the future. Nothing beyond the moment I get to snuff out Exarchon's last ember."
:—'''Cyclonus'''

"My shapes help me. The ordered, the familiar. Maybe you should look at them, too. Just while we wait for the others to come back." 
"I don't... sure, Geomotus. Why not? Thank you."
:—''Geomotus''' and '''Landmine'''

"My very purpose is to '''silence''' the shriek that Cybertron unleashed upon the universe with its '''expansion'''. There are greater powers than us out there, Shockwave. Powers that would have Cybertron stilled."
:—'''Exarchon'''

"No, Exarchon. You talk too much. And you are not inevitable. Persistent, certainly... but persistence is not '''permanence'''."
:—'''Megatron'''

"I cannot be one. That's too slender a thread to hold on to. But what glorious fortune that such a second should be available to me in this moment. Come, giant. Come, great one... I have a whole '''other kind''' of combination to
show you."
:—'''Exarchon'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* Exarchon remembers the last time he met Megatron during the [[War of the Threefold Spark]], when he briefly encountered him in the aftermath of the [[Yuss]] offensive, as seen in the flashback segments of ''[[Transformers (2019 comic)|Transformers]]'' [[The Change In Your Nature Part Three|''#18]]. His dismissal of Megatron as "of no consequence" contrasts with prior declaration that Megatron might be of use, but perhaps he's just playing it cool to get leverage in any of potential negotiations.
* To help put Landmine at ease, Geomotus recommends he look at his special "shapes"; he's used these transitional objects before in issues [[The World In Your Eyes Part Three|#3]] and [[Lord of Misrule: Sea of Rust I|#34]] to help self-regulate while in an unfamiliar space.
* Jumpstream remembers her time with [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]], who attempted to enhance her teleportation abilities with the aid of a [[nucleon (substance)|Nucleon]]-fuelled [[teleportation harness]] in [[Lord of Misrule: Test Flight I|''Transformers'' #31]], which teleported her into a bad future where Exarchon ruled. She notes that the experiment seems to have altered her teleportation powers by allowing her to directly tap into [[unspace]], which seems like it'll set something up...
* [[Rage (G1)|Rage]] last appeared in 2021's ''[[Transformers: Escape]]'' miniseries, where he and [[Hydradread]] unsuccessfully attempted to take out the rogue [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]]s.
* Exarchon notes that he learned about Devastator recently while perusing Cybertron's archives, which he did while masquerading as Cyclonus's wartime friend [[Provoke]] in the subplot that ran from issues [[Lord of Misrule: Test Flight II|#32]] to [[Darkness, Once Gazed Upon: Part Three|#39]]. Presumably, he must've learned that the individual Constructicons and their combined form all helped to rebuild [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] after the end of the war, in the storyline that ran from issues [[Constructicons Rising, Part 1|#1]] to [[Constructicons Rising, Part 4|#4]] of ''[[Transformers: Galaxies|Galaxies]]''.

===Transformers references===
* While ordering his troops to imprison Sunstorm, Megatron flags up Nova Storm's impenetrable armour plating, as in [[War World: Prime|''Transformers'' #25]]—the idea that it could allow her to nullify intense radiation, such as the type generated by Sunstorm, is a bit of lore that goes all the way back to her original profile in "[[Ask Vector Prime]]", which described the character as being able to survive in the chronosphere of a star.

===Errors===
* On page three, the energon trickling out of the corner of Pyra Magna's mouth is colored like blood.
* Both Pyra Magna and Jumpstream refer to the Constructicon's combined form as "Devastator"... however, given that the Constructicons only dubbed themselves that in the [[Constructicons Rising, Part 4|final issue]] of the "Constructicons Rising" arc of ''[[Transformers: Galaxies|Galaxies]]'' moments before killing everyone on [[Mayalx]] and skipping town, and [[Lord of Misrule: Swindle's II|later stories]] have revealed that the government successfully covered up what happened, there's really no way that Pyra—who was, we remind you, still in prison when this all went down—could know this.

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A''': Megatron leads the charge, by [[Sebastian Piriz]]
* '''Cover B''': An Exarchon-possessed Sunstorm, by [[Susan Margevich]]
* '''Retailer incentive cover''': Devastator gets Norted, by [[Joana Lafuente]]

<gallery>
File:TFWarsEnd 3 cvrA.jpg
File:TFWarsEnd 3 cvrB.jpg
File:TFWarsEnd 3 cvrRI.jpg
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'' graphic novels
* ''[[Star Trek]]: Ferengi''
* ''[[Beast Wars Annual]]''
* ''Locke & Key: The Golden Age''
* ''The Rocketeer: The Great Race''

==External links==
* [https://majorspoilers.com/2022/04/26/preview-transformers-wars-end-3 Preview]

[[Category:War's End issues]]

Main Page/featured-series

2021-12-18T00:48:06Z

Silver:

<div align="center">
{|cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" width="100%"
|style="border-bottom:1px solid #aaa" align="center" valign="top" width="50%"|
[[File:ROTBlogo.jpg|250px|link=Transformers: Rise of the Beasts]] 
Only {{#expr: ({{ #time: U |June 9, 2023}} - {{ #time: U }})/86400 round 0}} days until ''[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts]]''! 

|style="border-bottom:1px solid #aaa; border-left:1px solid #aaa" align="center" valign="top" width="50%"|
[[File:War_for_Cybertron_logo_transparent.png|200px|link=Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy (cartoon)]] 
'''''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy (cartoon)|Chapter 3: Kingdom]]'''''

|-
|style="border-bottom:1px solid #aaa;" align="center" valign="top" width="50%"|
[[File:Cyberverse 2018 logo.png|200px|link=Transformers: Cyberverse (cartoon)]] 
"[[The Immobilizers]]" 
"[[The Perfect Decepticon]]"

|style="border-bottom:1px solid #aaa; border-left:1px solid #aaa" align="center" valign="top" width="50%"|
[[File:Transformers- Rescue Bots Academy logo.jpg|100px|link=Transformers: Rescue Bots Academy (cartoon)]] 
"[[Space Party]]" 
"[[Crash Of The Titan]]"

|-
|colspan="2" align="center" valign="top" width="50%" rowspan="2"|
[[File:IDW Transformers Jan 2019 logo.png|225px|link=IDW Publishing]]

''[[Transformers (2019 comic)|Transformers]]'' 38: "[[Darkness, Once Gazed Upon: Part Two]]" 
''[[Wreckers: Tread & Circuits]]'' [[Tread & Circuits Part 3|#3]] 

''[[Transformers: Beast Wars]]'' #10: "[[Maximals Strike Back, Part 1]]"

''[[Transformers: King Grimlock|King Grimlock]]'' [[King Grimlock issue 4|#4]] 
''[[Transformers: Shattered Glass (IDW)|Shattered Glass]]'' [[Shattered Glass issue 4|#4]]
|}</div>
<noinclude>[[Category:Main Page templates]]</noinclude>

Gauge

2021-10-15T23:31:45Z

Silver:

{{factions|autobot}}
{{disambig2|the comic character|the Mini-Con toy named "Gauge" in Japan|Skidmark (Cybertron)}}
:''Gauge is an [[Autobot]] or unaligned [[Transformer]] from the [[2019 IDW continuity|2019 IDW portion]] of [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''

[[File:TF Galaxies 9 clean.jpg|thumb|right|250px|"[[2020|This was supposed to be the Summer of Gauge!]]"]]

As one of the youngest [[Transformer]]s, '''Gauge''' consequently still has a lot of growing to do before she can become a full-fledged [[Autobot]]. Though enthusiastic about experiencing everything that the great big universe has to offer, she's still naïve and untested. She can get flustered easily, although that's not a hard thing to do when you've got the entire future of your species riding on your shoulders, and can sometimes make easy mistakes, but her youth can give her a new perspective on details that might elude her older compatriots.

As [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]]'s [[mentor|mentee]], she's very close to both Arcee, and Arcee's romantic partner [[Greenlight]], who take a motherly role in her life—so woe betide anyone who as much as scuffs her paintwork.

{{TOC}}

==Fiction==
===2019 IDW continuity===
{{first|[[The World In Your Eyes Part Four|''Transformers'' #4]]}}

[[File:TheWorldInYourEyesPart3-Gauge.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"You can't jump into other people's holes! Remember what happened to Prowl?" "I want my hole, Arcee! I wanna be an owl!"]]

Under the terms of the [[Nominus Edict]], [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s ability to forge new Transformers became greatly limited, and only a handful of new forgings could be authorized every kilocycle. Thus, Gauge became something of an anomaly, as she was forged only a few weeks after [[Rubble]]. {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part Four}} Like all newly forged Cybertronians, Gauge emerged from the [[Pyramid (Cybertron)|Pyramid]] in the city of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] and received the traditional forging ceremony held in her honor. Within the first few minutes of her life, she met Senator [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Orion Pax]], her appointed mentor [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], and Arcee's romantic partner [[Greenlight]]. {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part Four}} {{storylink|Gauging the Truth, Part Two: A Truth for a Truth|A Truth for a Truth}} Rubble attended her forging, and his own mentor [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] noted that Gauge had essentially received two mentors for the price of one. {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part Four}} However, some Cybertronians viewed her creation as a political move—one designed to distract Cybertronians from the recent murder of [[Brainstorm (G1)|Brainstorm]], and that her forging had only been authorized ''because'' of Brainstorm's death. {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part Four}} {{storylink|Arcee/Greenlight: Run}}

Over the next few weeks, Gauge settled into life on Cybertron with her mentors, and with Arcee's guidance she tried her hand at several prospective careers, oblivious to the rising political tensions that threatened to engulf the planet. Privately, Greenlight wondered if it might best to relocate somewhere offworld, but Arcee wanted to stay on Cybertron for Gauge's sake. While working with [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]]'s architectural division, Gauge told Arcee that she'd heard some of the other workers gossiping about her forging. No sooner had Arcee angrily confronted the 'bots responsible, however, then a great shadow blotted out the skyline—the Titan [[Vigilem]] had attacked the [[Tether]], and its collapse levelled vast swathes of Iacon.

[[File:ArceeGreenlightRun-Arcee.jpg|thumb|right|250px|"This experience has changed me! It's made me more cynical, more bitter, more jaded!" "Really?" "Sure, why not."]]

In the immediate aftermath of the cataclysm, the three helped to evacuate survivors and clear debris, but while investigating a destroyed [[energon storage field]] Gauge was shot by [[Singe]], a looter who'd taken the opportunity to steal [[energon]] from the wreckage. Though unharmed, the experience pushed Arcee into agreeing with Greenlight, and the little family set out to evacuate the planet aboard the [[Reversionist]] starship, the ''[[Exodus (G1 ship)|Exodus]]''. The three raced through the energon storage fields as they ignited and only just made it to safety; although Arcee initially sacrificed her chances of getting off Cybertron to get Arcee and Greenlight to safety, she was able to squeeze aboard the ship at the last minute, and the three happily embraced as the ''Exodus'' lifted off. {{storylink|Arcee/Greenlight: Run}}

[[File:Galaxies8_gauge_memorywipe.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"You're killing Independent Gauge!"]]

However, it didn't take long before the Reversionist plenary [[Heretech]] discovered the three stowaways and correctly realized that they'd interfere with his grand plan of "purifying" Cybertron. The Reversionists aboard the ship forcibly separated Arcee and Greenlight and imprisoned them deep in the ship's engine room, while Gauge, still young enough that her memory could be tampered with, received a memory wipe courtesy of [[Accelerator]], intent on raising her as a devout Reversionist. {{storylink|Gauging the Truth, Part Two: A Truth for a Truth|A Truth for a Truth}} At some point, Gauge obtained an [[alternate mode]] for herself: a half-tracked digging vehicle. {{storylink|Gauging the Truth, Part Three: Moment of Truth|Moment of Truth}}

With no memory of her old life on Cybertron, Gauge became a [[Primus]]-worshpiping Reversionist along with her shipmates, and carried out the daily routine of private meditations, mass devotions, and communal chores. She memorized all of the teachings of her plenary, and dutifully, if uncertainly, followed instructions for some time, until she noticed a strange code appearing and disappearing throughout the ship. Her attention shifted entirely to cracking this code, much to Accelerator's annoyance, and when she encountered it above Heretech's throne during one devotion she accidentally earned the ire of the plenary when she went to investigate. Feeling betrayed by the 'bot she had been taught to worship as a god, she ran to her room, vowing that she could no longer trust anyone. Suddenly, Gauge realized the code was meant specifically for ''her'', a code beckoning her to the engine room in defiance of shipboard custom. Knowing what to do, Gauge snuck inside the closed off sector. After tripping up a guard, she ran deeper into the ship and found Arcee and Greenlight, who informed her that they meant to tell her the truth. {{storylink|Gauging the Truth: Part One}}

Gauge hesitantly accepted a memory patch from the two, reasoning that she no longer had anything left to lose. The memory patch showed her the truth of her origins — her forging, her escape from Cybertron, and her capture by the Reversionists — and a startled Gauge realised it made too much sense to be false. Greenlight and Arcee were aware that the Reversionists had a plan, one they'd enact soon, but were unsure of ''what'' this plan entailed; the only way to deactivate their laser cage was through a command hardcoded to the central terminal in Heretech's quarters. Gauge tried and failed to find a subtle means to access the plenary's quarters, but when Heretech announced that their time of ascension was at hand, Gauge had no choice but to break directly into Heretech's quarters, which got her caught by Accelerator. However, she had already freed Arcee and Greenlight, having come to the realization that while they had told her what to do, they had never ''told'' her she had to do it. Racing past Accelerator, Gauge made her way back to the ''Exodus''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s engineering section and helped her mentors fight off their would-be captors. Their reunion was interrupted by Heretech announcing to the entire ship that they had reached their promised destination — Cybertron. {{storylink|Gauging the Truth, Part Two: A Truth for a Truth|A Truth for a Truth}}

[[File:MomentOfTruth-GaugeAltMode.jpg|thumb|right|250px|"You know, we're living in a society! We're supposed to act in a civilized way!"]]

Arcee and Greenlight hoped that Gauge could covertly return to the ranks of the Reversionists and bring down their attack on the planet from the inside, but unfortunately this was not to be: Heretech appointed Gauge as his chosen messenger, who would spread their divine word... and use her alternate mode to find a suitable vein of energon for their ship's plasma engines to ignite, killing the unfaithful. As the Reversionists began their attack, Gauge seemingly did as Heretech asked and raced through the battlefield towards the nearest communications tower. Once there, however, she deviated from both Arcee and Heretech's visions: rather, she implored the Reversionists to ''let'' Cybertronians decide to join their ranks, but respect the wishes of those who chose not to. Her words angered the Reversionist plenary, who leapt from the Exodus to confront her; Arcee and Greenlight stepped in to intervene, however, and in the ensuing battle Gauge teamed up with Arcee to hurl a mass of exploding [[energon crystal]]s at Heretech. Once Heretech had been defeated, Gauge and her family elected to remain on Cybertron while most of the other Reversionists returned to outer space. {{storylink|Gauging the Truth, Part Three: Moment of Truth|Moment of Truth}}
{{-}}

===''My Little Pony/Transformers''===
[[File:MLPTF2-ShockwaveAttack.jpg|thumb|left|200px|"This is not good. Worlds are colliding! ''Gauge is getting upset!''"]]

Gauge was among the many Autobots who battled for control of a malfunctioning [[Space bridge|spacebridge]], only to be teleported to [[Equestria]] as a result of [[Queen Chrysalis]]'s [[magic]] interfering with the machine. {{storylink|Transformation Is Magic}}

Gauge befriended [[Pinkie Pie]], who invited her to star in the [[Preppin' with Pinkie|first Equestrian-Cybertronian cooking show]]. The pair set about preparing their respective dishes—Pinkie's platter of cupcakes versus Gauge's [[iron filings|iron filing]] casserole—before [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] attacked through a [[space bridge|spacebridge]] portal. The pair defeated the villain by using some kitchen utensils as makeshift weapons, then completed their cooking show... but found that their respective dishes were incompatible with one another's tastes. {{storylink|They Eat Ponies, Don't They?}}

After the Autobots had returned to Cybertron, Gauge bore witness to Optimus Prime detonating the spacebridge to protect Equestria from further Decepticon incursions, though Prime reassured her that the memory of their equine friends would always stay with them. {{storylink|Finale (Friendship in Disguise!)|Finale}}

[[File:ARealMother-NewFriends.jpg|thumb|right|250px|"I like sports. I could do something in sports."]]

After the Decepticons' pilfering of Equestrian artifacts had brought several ponies to Cybertron, {{storylink|The Magic of Cybertron}} Gauge was among the Cybertronian youths who befriended the displaced [[Scootaloo]]. Riding atop [[Flareup (G1)|Flareup]], Gauge helped show Scootaloo some Cybertronian stunts before the group reunited the equine with her aunts [[Holiday]] and [[Lofty]]. {{storylink|A Real Mother}}
{{-}}

[[Category:Comic-only Transformers]]
[[Category:Female Transformers]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:IDW (2019) Transformers]]

War World: Titans

2021-05-20T21:37:11Z

Silver: /* Transformers references */ hope it's not a YMMV kind of reference

{{disambig3|Titan}}

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Transformers (2019 comic)|Transformers]]'' #29
|prev=War World: Hunt
|next=War World: We Are Not Meant To Be Darkness
|caption=
|image=TF2019 29 cvrB.jpg
|title="War World: Titans"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[May 19]], 2021
|coverdate=March 2021
|written by=[[Brian Ruckley]]
|art by=[[Anna Malkova]]
|colors=[[David García Cruz]]
|letters by=[[Jake M. Wood]]
|editor=[[David Mariotte]], [[Tom Waltz]] and [[Riley Farmer]]
|continuity=[[2019 IDW continuity]]
|chronology=
}}

'''Optimus Prime learns the secret history of the Titans when he visits the Pyramid, but the Decepticons have their own plans for these giant Cybertronians.'''

==Synopsis==
At the central [[Titan Net]] hub [[Bitstream (G1)|Bitstream]], [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]], and [[Sparkstalker]] break the bad news to [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]: the [[data-bomb]] they uploaded onto the network worked ''too'' well and left them with no way to reactivate the dormant [[Titan (group)|Titan]]s or correct their decaying orbits. The Decepticon leader is displeased, and notes the remote possibility that the Autobots could still access a subsidiary facility to bring them back online. Rather than hand his enemies a victory, Megatron asks if his tech specialists could simply hasten the inevitable by bringing the Titans down for good...

At Autobot headquarters, [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] welcomes [[Javelin]] to his team. After her last mission with [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], the jittery young Autobot has transferred into Ironhide's command, and despite her own self-doubt Ironhide reassures her that she's in good company. After all, the 'bots who make up the [[Senate Guard]] all have their own share of foibles and personality flaws, and ''nobody'' would blame a 'bot as badly hurt as Javelin for taking more time to heal. Still, Javelin wants to help however she can, so Ironhide takes her into their briefing room as he makes an announcement to the group. The former head of [[Senate]] security takes full responsibility for [[Roulette (Universe)|Roulette]] and [[Chainclaw (G1)|Chainclaw]] dying; he got reckless, underestimated Megatron's tactics, and paid the price. He's not intent on repeating that mistake: [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] is all that remains of the Senate, and they must live up to their credo by protecting the Autobot leader at all costs—with their lives, if need be.

Despite this bravado, Optimus dislikes the idea of others sacrificing themselves on his behalf, but Ironhide tells him to be realistic: Megatron controls three-quarters of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] and almost every major facility... all of them, that is, except their current destination: the [[Pyramid (Cybertron)|Forge Pyramid]] where new Cybertronians are created. Ironhide points out that they could just leave Iacon entirely, but Prime shoots down this idea: part of this objection is rooted in morality, as abandoning the city will only confirm Megatron's victory to the rest of Cybertron, but part of it is practical—they came here to speak with [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]], who won't come to them. Brusque and agnostic as ever, Perceptor has little time for the Autobots or the [[Matrix of Leadership]] Optimus carries; the latest groundquake has ruptured the plasma drawtubes that power the pyres, and now only an emergency magnetic field stands between the building and its complete destruction. But when the Autobot leader asks Perceptor about [[Spark|Titanspark]]s, however—a question based on [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]'s last words and a recent message from an anonymous informant—the scientist realises that Sentinel never told his second-in-command the truth about the Titans. Before the [[War of the Threefold Spark]], Titansparks naturally arose from the [[Well of All Sparks]] like any other; ''forging'' that Titanspark into a new body, however, required immense quantities of [[energon]] and raw material, and [[Nominus Prime]] realised that keeping each new Titan fuelled would require another wave of expansion and colonization that would bring [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] into conflict with other races. On Nominus's orders, the sixteen Titansparks that ''have'' emerged since the end of the war and the ratification of the [[Nominus Edict]] have all been diverted and stored in a secret chamber underneath the Pyramid.

Not far away, [[Strika (BM)|Strika]]'s [[Decepticon]]s—acting on [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]'s intelligence—prepare to attack the facility. Whatever Megatron wants from the Pyramid, [[Apeface]] observes, he wants it ''bad''; all six members of [[Strika's Heavies]] lead the charge, followed by a massive Decepticon air strike! Apeface and [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] easily dodge [[Flak (G1)|Flak]]'s missiles and storm the west entrance, leaving [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] with just seconds to radio a warning to Ironhide's troops. Optimus asks if anyone else has learned of the hidden sparks, and Perceptor muses that Nominus's successor Sentinel must have given [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] his cushy job as Head of Intelligence in exchange for keeping quiet. Prime reflects on his predecessor's last words—"kill Starscream"—and comes to the conclusion that Starscream ''must'' have told Megatron everything he knows about the Titansparks... seconds before Ironhide and Prime receive Kup's transmission warning them of an imminent Decepticon attack! [[Nova Storm (G1)|Nova Storm]] makes an entrance for her compatriots by blowing a hole in the ceiling, and although Ironhide orders [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]], [[Backstreet (G1)|Backstreet]], and [[Flareup (G1)|Flareup]] to cover their retreat, [[Obsidian (BM)|Obsidian]] leaps through the hole and uses his rotors to injure Brawn before Javelin nails him with her rifle. As airborne reinforcements pour through the hole in their defences, [[Flareup (G1)|Flareup]] pulls Javelin to safety as the Autobots abandon their position.

As this battle plays out, the three Decepticons at the Titan Hub eye their options: although they cannot reverse the effects of the data-bomb, they ''can'' still feed new orders to the dormant Titans—for instance, ordering every Titan to initiate their aerobraking maneuvers. At Mindwipe's urging, Sparkstalker does just that...

As the Autobots seal the building, an alarm alerts Perceptor that the fight has damaged the containment field, giving them only a few minutes to evacuate before the molten plasma overwhelms the facility. When Nova Storm swoops in on the Autobots and pounces on [[Grotusque]], Optimus rams her with his [[alternate mode]] and sends them both plunging off the catwalk—but the Autobot leader simply advises her to tell her comrades to clear out. By the time Apeface and Blitzwing shoot their way through the wall, they're too late to do anything but watch the evaucation efforts, while [[Acid Storm (G1)|Acid Storm]]'s group on the other side of the Pyramid are nearly trampled when Optimus, the Autobots, and the civilian forge workers all stampede through the weakened wall to safety. As both sides retreat, Optimus stays behind to make sure everyone has made it to a safe distance... then seeks out Perceptor. As the two watch the Pyramid flood with molten plasma, its structure rupturing and leaking under the terrific heat and pressure, Optimus warns him that they are ''not'' done discussing what he did.

The Titans hurtle towards the metal planet: [[Chela]] smashes into the middle of [[Kalis]], bringing with him a firestorm of flaming debris; the colossal [[Citadel (Titan)|Citadel]] splashes into the [[Rust Sea|Sea of Rust]]; venerable [[Cargohold]] hurtles into the lands outside of Iacon and finally obliterates the stricken [[Memorial Crater]] for good. The impact draws the attention of [[Roadtrap (Generations)|Roadtrap]] and [[Gutcruncher (G1)|Gutcruncher]]; some time later, the pair clamber down into the impact site and discover that the crash has dislodged a [[Transformer]], still sandwiched between layers of Cybertronian strata. Gutcruncher points out that she's not an [[immersant]], and Roadtrap notices that she's somehow still alive, and even recognizes her as a fellow soldier from the war. Her name? [[Provoke]]...

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashback. 
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
* [[Javelin]] (6)
* [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] (7)
* [[Grotusque]] (8)
* [[Vibes]] (9)
* [[Backstreet (G1)|Backstreet]] (10)
* [[Subsea]] (11)
* [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (12)
* [[Flareup (G1)|Flareup]] (13)
* [[Groove (G1)|Groove]] (14)
* [[Pipes (G1)|Pipes]] (15)
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (16)
* [[Flak (G1)|Flak]] (17)
* [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] (18)
* [[Strongarm (BWU)|Strongarm]] (19)
* [[Carzap (BT)|Carzap]] (20)
* ''[[Nominus Prime]]'' (22)
* [[Big Shot|Topshot]] (33)
* [[Sunrunner (G1)|Sunrunner]] (34)
* [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] (35)
* [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] (36)

{{!}}}

|c2=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
* [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (1)
* [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] (2)
* [[Bitstream (G1)|Bitstream]] (3)
* [[Catgut]] (4)
* [[Sparkstalker]] (5)
* [[Lugnut (TF 2010)|Lugnut]] (23)
* [[Apeface]] (24)
* [[Obsidian (BM)|Obsidian]] (25)
* [[Heavywait]] (26)
* [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] (27)
* [[Snaptrap (G1)|Snaptrap]] (28)

{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}

* [[Twirl (G1)|Twirl]] (29)
* [[Whisper (G1)|Visper]] (32)
* [[Nova Storm (G1)|Nova Storm]] (38)
* [[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]] (39)
* [[Runabout (G1)|Runabout]] (40)
* [[Acid Storm (G1)|Acid Storm]] (41)
* [[Power Punch (G1)|Power Punch]] (42)
* [[Direct-Hit (G1)|Direct-Hit]] (43)
* [[Windsweeper]] (44)
* [[Roadtrap (Generations)|Roadtrap]] (45)
* [[Gutcruncher (G1)|Gutcruncher]] (46)
{{!}}}

|c4=
* [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (20)
* ''[[Lodestar (Titan)|Lodestar]]'' (21)
* [[Chela]] (30)
* [[Citadel (Titan)|Citadel]] (31)
* [[Cargohold]] (37)
* [[Provoke]] (47)
}}

==Quotes==
"'''I''' let the Decepticons take the Senate. Then I rushed us back '''in there''' because I was angry and embarrassed. And I took us in '''too deep''' because I hadn't got my mind round the rules the 'Cons were playing by. Thought I had, but I hadn't. I '''hadn't''' switched to fight-for-our-lives mode. Not really. Now we know better. Now I know. The Senate's lost, but there's '''one''' bit of it left. Optimus Prime. '''That's''' what we guard from now on. No hesitation, no missteps. We guard '''him'''."
:—'''Ironhide'''

"Titans are innately, inherently... they are the universe's dominant lifeform. Nominus Prime specifically '''did not want''' domination."
:—'''Perceptor'''

"I've got three modes too, you know, Heavywait." 
"But they're not very good, are they?" 
"What? What's wrong with '''my''' modes, Blitzwing?" 
"They're not very good."
:—'''Apeface''' and '''Blitzwing'''

"We're bringing them home, in every sense. Oh, the mysteries they approach. The journey we send them on. Do it, Sparkstalker, and '''revel''' in our bending of history. We end an era with the flick of a switch." 
"It's a lever. And you know, Mindwipe, sometimes even '''I''' think you're a bit creepy."
:—'''Mindwipe''' and '''Sparkstalker'''

"'''Apeface!''' What're you '''doing?!''' If that hadn't hit armor—" 
"Sorry. Thought I saw a target in there. Guess the sheer '''glory''' of your alt-modes threw my aim off. Dazzled me. Yeah. That's it."
:—'''Blitzwing''' and '''Apeface'''

"You took '''lives''' spun out from the All-Spark, and put them in a '''vault''', Perceptor. We are not done talking about this." 
"No. I didn't suppose we were."
:—'''Optimus''' is not happy with '''Perceptor'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* A quick recap for those of you just joining us: [[Flamewar (G1)|Flamewar]] and the other members of "[[Team Stream]]" attacked the [[Titan Net]] back in [[The Change In Your Nature Part Four|issue #16]], using a special [[data-bomb]] that corrupted the network and shut down all of the [[Titan (group)|Titan]]s except for [[Vigilem]] and [[Lodestar (Titan)|Lodestar]]. In [[Rise of the Decepticons: Tremors|issue #20]], [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] brought in [[Glyph (Universe)|Glyph]] in to help unscramble the system, but they didn't make any real headway before Megatron took over Iacon in [[Rise of the Decepticons: We Have Deceived You|#23]] and sent his own lackeys to evict Blaster and the others from the Titan net hub during the previous issue.
* [[Javelin]] last appeared in [[War World: Prime|issue #25]], where she experienced a panic attack during the attack on the Decepticon-controlled [[Senate]] building. Javelin credits this to unresolved trauma from her near-death experience in [[The Change In Your Nature Part Two|#14]], where she took a shot to the head that knocked her out of action for some time.
* [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] alludes to the deaths of [[Roulette (Universe)|Roulette]] and [[Chainclaw (G1)|Chainclaw]], which also occurred in issue #25.
* Optimus Prime and his Autobots head to the [[Pyramid (Cybertron)|Pyramid]] as a result of a tip-off from [[Vibes]]; in [[War World: Hunt|the previous issue]], Starscream's spy [[Reflector (G1)|Refraktor]] secretly told her to pass a message along to Optimus Prime regarding [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] and the Titansparks.
* In a conversation with Ironhide, Optimus notes that [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] has evacuated many civilians and non-Cybertronians out of Iacon, an operation that's currently playing out in the ''[[Transformers: Escape]]'' miniseries.
* [[Arcee/Greenlight: Run|Issue #18]] noted that no Titansparks had emerged from the well since the War of the Threefold Spark; this is revealed as a half-truth, as Nominus Prime ordered all new Titansparks to be diverted into indefinite storage. Evidently, Starscream somehow found out about this, and Perceptor suggests that this is why Starscream got a promotion in exchange for his silence—we know, as per [[The Change In Your Nature Part Two|issue #14]], that he'd somehow ousted [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] from the position, but just ''how'' and ''why'' had gone unexplained up till this point. This must also be why Sentinel Prime's last words in issue #25 to Orion Pax were "warn Perceptor" and "kill Starscream", out of fear that the self-serving intelligence director would... well... do exactly what he did here.
* The flashback features a scene depicting a forging ceremony for the Titan [[Lodestar (Titan)|Lodestar]], who's currently partnered with the [[Cityspeaker]] [[Lightbright (G1)|Lightbright]] in the present day.
* Strika's [[Strika's Heavies|elite unit of bruisers]] last appeared in issue #25. Since then, they've drafted [[Lugnut (TF 2010)|Lugnut]] and [[Obsidian (BM)|Obsidian]] to replace [[Clench (G1)|Clench]], who died in that same issue.
* A narration box notes that the giant Titan Citadel killed [[Croaton (G1)|Croaton]] during the [[War of the Threefold Spark]], leaving behind the [[Croaton Cloud]] that appeared in [[Wheeljack: Orbital Decay|issue #24]].
* Citadel crashes in the [[Rust Sea|Sea of Rust]], which will surely have dire repercussions going forward—in ''[[Transformers: Escape|Escape]]'' [[Escape Part Two|#2]], [[Geomotus]] theorized that a tremor in that area could fracture the sea's impermeable layer and release [[rust worm]]s into the planetary strata.
* While poking around in the fissure left by Cargohold's destruction, [[Gutcruncher (G1)|Gutcruncher]] alludes to the recent history of the [[Memorial Crater]]—it was excavated for use as a [[The Rise|Rise]] base sometime before [[The World In Your Eyes Part One|issue #1]] and later destroyed by [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]] in [[The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Three|#9]].
* You'll surely recognize [[Provoke]] as one of the four ghostly phantasms haunting [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]]. The nature of their existence has been one of the long-percolating mysteries Ruckley's been building towards, so watch this space!

===Transformers references===
* Obscure Autobot [[Carzap (BT)|Carzap]] makes a cameo as an Autobot soldier guarding the Pyramid. As is customary for this universe, he's using a body based off his most recent toy: in his case, his 2015 [[Carzap (BT)#Timelines|''Timelines'' toy]].
* [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] first appeared in [[The World In Your Eyes Part Four|issue #4]], where he oversaw [[Gauge]]'s forging ceremony; this issue reveals that he's responsible for the daily operation of the [[Pyramid (Cybertron)|Pyramid]] where the [[living metal]] of Cybertron is melted down and [[Reproduction|forged]] into new Transformers. Compared to most modern incarnations of the character, which depict him as a generic scientist-type, this might seem like a bit of a weird pull... until you remember that [[Bob Budiansky]]'s original profile ''did'' explicitly describe him as a metallurgical specialist.
* In a subtle nod to [[Perceptor (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|the previous incarnation]], this version of Perceptor can be seen with a holographic overlay over his eye.
* In IDW's ''[[Optimus Prime (comic)|Optimus Prime]]'' and ''[[The Transformers: Windblade|Windblade]]'' comic books, Chela was only ever depicted in an avian form, but it was never made clear if this was his [[robot mode]] or [[alternate mode]]. This comic shows him with a starship form, although the feather-like detailing across his hull suggest he still possesses some kind of [[beast mode]].
* This issue gives us our first look at Optimus Prime's [[alternate mode]]; although it's still based on his [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generations toys#S40|2019 "Galaxy Upgrade" figure]], it features a made-up "trailer" attachment that covers his back half.
* When Chela hits Cybertron, he crash-lands in the city of [[Kalis]]—perhaps not coincidentially, Chela's master "[[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Onyx Prime]]" ruled Kalis in ancient times before the [[First Cybertronian Civil War]] in [[IDW Publishing|IDW]]'s [[2005 IDW continuity|first ''Transformers'' continuity]].

===Errors===
* On page five, [[Flareup (G1)|Flareup]]'s alternate mode is colored blue.
* There's some [[insignia]]-related weirdness going on in this issue, where characters alternate between hand-drawn faction symbols and digitally overlaid black ones. More often then not, they'll switch back and forth from panel to panel—look at [[Heavywait]] on page seven for a good example.
* On page twelve, [[Twirl (G1)|Twirl]] is miscolored black, perhaps because the colorist mistook her for [[Storm Cloud (G1)|Storm Cloud]].
* [[Acid Storm (G1)|Acid Storm]]'s Decepticon sigils on page seventeen are not colored purple.
* On the last page, "[[AllSpark]]" is erroneously hyphenated as "All-spark".

===Other trivia===
* Originally solicited for March 17th, this issue falls victim to IDW's ongoing scheduling problems by dropping two months late.

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A''': Who will save us? by [[Anna Malkova]]
* '''Cover B''': Crash of the Titans, by [[E. J. Su]]
* '''Retailer incentive cover''': Optimus Prime rallies the crowd, by [[Marcelo Matere]]

<gallery>
File:TF2019 29 cvrA.jpg
File:TF2019 29 cvrB.jpg
File:TF2019 29 cvrRI.jpg
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin: Director's Cut''
*[[Symbiote Studios]] ''Transformers'' plushies

===Reprints===
*'''''Transformers Volume 4: Declaration of War''''' ([[August 10]], 2021 **''scheduled''**) ISBN 1684058066 / ISBN 978-1684058068
**Hardcover.
**Collects ''Transformers'' issues #25–30, ''Transformers Valentine's Day Special'', and ''[[Transformers: Escape|Escape]]'' issues #1-5.
**Bonus material currently unknown, most likely alternate covers.

<gallery>
image:TF-IDW-2019v4.jpg|'''''Volume 4: Declaration of War'''''; cover art by [[Cryssy Cheung]]
</gallery>

==External links==
* [https://graphicpolicy.com/2021/03/30/preview-transformers-28-2/ Preview]

[[Category:Transformers (2019) issues]]

War World: Prime

2020-12-14T00:47:56Z

Silver: /* Transformers references */ typo

{{disambig3|Prime}}
{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Transformers (2019 comic)|Transformers]]'' #25
|prev=Wheeljack: Orbital Decay
|next=War World Part Two
|caption=
|image=TF2019 25 cvrA.jpg
|title="War World: Prime"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[December 9]], 2020
|coverdate=November 2020
|written by=[[Brian Ruckley]]
|art by=[[Anna Malkova]]
|colors=[[Joana Lafuente]]
|letters by=[[Jake M. Wood]]
|editor=[[David Mariotte]], [[Tom Waltz]] and [[Riley Farmer]]
|continuity=[[2019 IDW continuity]]
|chronology=
}}

'''Megatron’s Decepticons have seized Iacon, overthrown the Senate, and captured Sentinel Prime—but when a resistance-backed rescue mission goes awry, Orion Pax must undergo the ultimate transformation.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] wrestles with uncooperative controls as his damaged shuttle streaks towards [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], but his rough landing in the empty streets only draws the attention of [[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]] and [[Runabout (G1)|Runabout]]. The engineer has returned to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] with a warning that [[the Rise]] has invaded the [[Winged Moon]], but the pair don't care about that: they just want to know if he stands with the [[Decepticon]]s, or against them. Wheeljack points out that he has no idea what a Decepticon ''is'', so the two simply shoot him point-blank and prepare to take him in, but before they do, [[Slapdash (G1)|Slapdash]] and [[Streetwise (G1)|Streetwise]] arrive, send the pair fleeing, and help the injured scientist to his feet, promising that they'll get him to safety.

In the [[Senate]] building, the prisoners of the Decepticon regime get used to the new order. [[Roulette (Universe)|Roulette]] tries to buoy the spirits of the other captured members of the [[Senate Guard]] by telling them that [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] will be back for them; in the high-security wing above them, meanwhile, [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] takes a moment to rub his victory in the face of his most important prisoner: [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]. Caged and manacled, Sentinel warns the Decepticon leader that his plans will fail: the universe does not belong to the Cybertronians alone, and if Megatron forces a return to the days of violent expansion and colonization, then the other races ''will'' remember... and one day collect on whatever debts Megatron incurs. Megatron counters that he will not force his kind to suppress their true potential, and turns the conversation toward the [[Matrix of Leadership]] that Sentinel carries. If he were to simply rip the artifact out of Sentinel's chest, he wonders, would ''he'' become the next [[Prime (rank)|Prime]]? It's an experiment for another time, Megatron decides; for now, he has a city to run. Before he leaves, Megatron pauses to snarl at the imprisoned [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Orion Pax]], who has betrayed his trust by planting a spy in his [[Ascenticon Guard]]. Orion does not matter anymore, Megatron warns, and neither do ''any'' of the Autobots.

At the [[South Tower Security Center]], the remnants of Sentinel Prime's government-in-exile hold an emergency meeting to discuss their next course of action. Though [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] advises caution, Ironhide makes it clear that, with or without his authorization, he's going back to the Senate building to rescue Sentinel and the others. [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]] agrees with Ironhide: Megatron's rhetoric has led to the deaths of [[Brainstorm (G1)|Brainstorm]], [[Rubble]], and countless others; with every Senator either complicit or imprisoned, and [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] missing in action, now is the time for them to either fall in line... or make a stand. Whatever they think of Sentinel Prime or the Autobots, explains Ironhide, today, they'll ''all'' have to be Autobots... or they'll never get the chance to choose what they want to be again. A shaken Wheeljack arrives with news of the impending takeover of the Winged Moon, so [[Firestar (G1)|Novastar]] announces that she'll take her team to investigate while Wheeljack reluctantly stays behind to recover from his injuries. That night, as Megatron broadcasts his latest address to the citizens of Iacon, the Autobot resistance takes shape in the shadows as Hound and the reluctant [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] get an artillery unit—veteran soldiers [[Big Shot|Topshot]] and [[Flak (G1)|Flak]], plus new recruits [[Sidetrack (G1)|Sidetrack]] and [[Sunrunner (G1)|Sunrunner]]—into fighting shape. At a safehouse near the Senate building, an irate [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] cuts off idle chatter between [[Bumper (G1)|Bumper]] and [[Strongarm (BWU)|Strongarm]] regarding [[Quake (G1)|Quake]]'s death and Rubble's murder: he ''heard'' Rubble die, he tells them, and unless they want to end up like him then they'll get ready to cover Ironhide's team as they and their prisoners make their exit from Decepticon territory.

With the assistance of [[Zetar (G1)|Zetar]], Ironhide and Chromia breach the underground tunnels that connect the safehouse to the Senate, while Kup and Hound order a diversionary bombardment that interrupts Megatron's latest speech to the imprisoned Senators. It doesn't take long for Ironhide and his men to smash through the holding cell to free Roulette and the others... but [[Grotusque]] informs Ironhide that Megatron's detained the high priority prisoners, including Orion and Sentinel, in the new high-security cells right above them. After a bit of demolition analysis and a pep talk, Ironhide gets [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] to simply throw [[Chainclaw (G1)|Chainclaw]] straight through the ceiling and up onto the second floor, where the surprise appearance of the furious bear-bot sends [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] and [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] fleeing! As the other members of the Senate Guard squeeze through the opening and free Sentinel and Orion, the First Senator decides to deal with Megatron himself—up until Ironhide tells him to stand down: this is a ''rescue'' mission, and right now the new Autobots need a leader. While Chromia gets the pair to safety, Ironhide briefs the team on what comes next: they need to get as many people out of the Senate as possible, and that means sweeping the building for anyone else in need of rescue. It's a dangerous mission, so it's volunteers only... but, even so, ''every'' Autobot volunteers. However, the Autobots have lost the element of surprise: as Laserbeak reports to Megatron that their enemies have taken the lower levels, the Decepticon leader orders [[Strika (BM)|Strika]] to take care of the problem. While Strika's content to let [[Flywheels|Skytread]] take care of the enemy artillery, she's more than eager to unleash her "New Heavies"—[[Clench (G1)|Clench]], [[Snaptrap (G1)|Snaptrap]], [[Heavywait]], [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]], and [[Apeface]]—on the Autobots, and orders them to crush any resistance they might find.

Back at the Autobot fallback point, Brawn, Sentinel, and Orion Pax push their way through the hatch to the underground, and interrupt another conversation between Bumper and Strongarm in the process; the First Senator has little time for their concerns, and announces his intent to find the nearest broadcast tower and transmit a message to the planet. As Ironhide's team sweeps the Senate building, [[Groove (G1)|Groove]] takes a moment to recite a prayer to [[Mortilus]] to center himself—but the momentary lapse in concentration allows Blitzwing to get the drop on them, and the first barrage from his weapon kills Roulette on the spot! As [[Backstreet (G1)|Backstreet]] and Groove trade fire with Apeface, Chainclaw drags Ironhide away. Insistent that Megatron has ''not'' won the fight, Sentinel orders Chromia and Orion to follow him to the South Tower, transforms, and takes off, but the headstrong Prime has left without any fliers to cover his departure; when Clench spies him leaving, Megatron orders the [[Rainmaker]]s to take to the sky and bring him back.

As Prowl's team lays down a hail of covering fire, Ironhide, Groove, and Backstreet burst from the doors of the Senate while Chainclaw brings up the rearguard. Unfortunately, he's not fast enough to keep up with the others, and a slug from Clench's railgun impales him through the chest. As Prowl rages, Javelin panics, and Bumper and Sideswipe defy orders by running into the field of fire to rescue Chainclaw. A second round decapitates Chainclaw and a third slices Bumper's arm off before Sunrunner can properly mark Clench's position, allowing Flak and Sidetrack to blow Clench and his railgun to bits. The smoke clears, and Strongarm and [[Pointblank]] rush to take care of Sideswipe, who's alive, badly injured... and cradling Bumper's body.

In the skies above Iacon, Sentinel does his best to shake the three Rainmakers off his tail; the nimble fliers quickly close the distance, however, and [[Ion Storm]] jolts him out of the air and sends him crashing into [[The Slaarg & Turbofox|an empty bar]]. But the Autobot leader is not so easily defeated—he punts the electrical Rainmaker into a wall and weathers a corrosive barrage from [[Acid Storm (G1)|Acid Storm]]... but it's [[Nova Storm (G1)|Nova Storm]] who delivers the killing blow by broadsiding Sentinel in alternate mode and slicing him in half with her wing. Chromia and Orion arrive in time to send the three Decepticons fleeing, but too late to save their leader. In his final moments, Sentinel orders Orion to warn [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] of what has transpired, kill Starscream, and pass the Matrix to [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] before he finally dies. Although Orion maintains that the Matrix must be passed to Magnus in accordance with Sentinel's final request, it's Chromia who insists that they need a Prime ''now''. As his own abdomen opens to reveal a Matrix chamber, Orion plunges the artifact into his chest...

Orion comes to in an ethereal landscape, greeted only by a mysterious "mediator" who has adopted the body of [[Codexa]] based on Optimus's memories of his own mentor. "Codexa" explains that they are in the [[Transformer afterlife|Allspark]] itself, a realm beyond time and space from which all sparks come from and return to—a realm that contains echoes of great deeds and terrible events like the [[Hate Plague]]. The Matrix, his guide explains, is a manifestation of the Allspark on the physical plane, forged by [[Solus Prime]] but guided by [[Primus]] himself. Though the Primes have fallen, and their various artifacts lost to history, the Matrix survived, and still searches for its final bearer: the [[Thirteenth Prime]] that will someday arise to become the greatest hero of Cybertron. Many have carried the Matrix over the eons and fought to shape Cybertronian civilization ... but the coming war is a struggle for Cybertron's very soul, one that will require a Matrix-bearer like no other. The Matrix has already accepted him as its carrier, but Orion must choose to shoulder this burden. Indeed, the senator initially hesitates, but as Chromia's distant voice calls to him through the Allspark, Orion realises what must be done.

As his chest closes around the Matrix, Chromia asks if Orion is alright, but as the Matrix glows and he rises to his feet, he declares that he is Orion Pax no longer—he is '''[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]!'''

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashback. 
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
* [[Slapdash (G1)|Slapdash]] (4)
* [[Streetwise (G1)|Streetwise]] (5)
* [[Flareup (G1)|Flareup]] (6)
* [[Roulette (Universe)|Roulette]] (7)
* [[Subsea]] (8)
* [[Grotusque]] (9)
* [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]] (11)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Orion Pax/Optimus Prime]] (14)
* [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] (15)
* [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]] (16)
* [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (17)
* [[Firestar (G1)|Novastar]] (18)
* [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] (19)
* [[Big Shot|Topshot]] (20)
* [[Flak (G1)|Flak]] (21)
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
* [[Sidetrack (G1)|Sidetrack]] (22)
* [[Sunrunner (G1)|Sunrunner]] (23)
* [[Bumper (G1)|Bumper]] (24)
* [[Strongarm (BWU)|Strongarm]] (25)
* [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] (26)
* [[Pointblank]] (27)
* [[Javelin]] (28)
* [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (29)
* [[Zetar (G1)|Zetar]] (30)
* [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (31)
* [[Backstreet (G1)|Backstreet]] (32)
* [[Chainclaw (G1)|Chainclaw]] (33)
* [[Pipes (G1)|Pipes]] (34)
* [[Groove (G1)|Groove]] (35)
* ''[[Nominus Prime]]'' (53)
{{!}}}

|c2=
* [[Runabout (G1)|Runabout]] (2)
* [[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]] (3)
* [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (10)
* [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (12)
* [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (13)
* [[Nova Storm (G1)|Nova Storm]] (36)
* [[Ion Storm]] (37)
* [[Acid Storm (G1)|Acid Storm]] (38)
* [[Strika (BM)|Strika]] (39)
* [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (40)
* [[Clench (G1)|Clench]] (41)
* [[Snaptrap (G1)|Snaptrap]] (42)
* [[Heavywait]] (43)
* [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] (44)
* [[Apeface]] (45)
* [[Reflector (G1)|Refraktor]] (46)
* [[Crasher (G1)|Crasher]] (47)

|c4=
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (1)
* Mediator (48)
* [[It]] (49)
* ''[[Primus]]'' (50)
* ''[[Solus Prime]]'' (51)
* ''[[Thirteenth Prime]]'' (52)
* ''[[Zeta Prime (G1)|Zeta Prime]]'' (54)
* ''Unidentified Matrix bearer'' (55)
* ''[[Nova Prime]]'' (56)
* ''[[Preditron]]'' (57)
* ''[[Halonix Maximus]]'' (58)
* ''[[Zarak Maximus]]'' (59)

}}

==Quotes==
"Restraint can be the purest form of strength. And a small cost to bear, for the sake of peace. For the '''future'''. Such a small sacrifice. Is it really too much to ask for ourselves?" 
"You call it a small sacrifice. I can think of none '''greater''' than to ask an entire society to be less what it '''can be'''."
:—'''Sentinel Prime''' and '''Megatron'''

"Whoever we were before, whatever any of us think of Sentinel Prime, we all have to be Autobots now. For this one cycle. We've '''got''' to '''stand up''' if we want to have a choice about who we'll be afterwards."
:—'''Ironhide'''

"You are '''very''' hard to please, that's all I'm saying." 
"That's why it'll feel so rewarding if you ever manage to '''do''' it."
:—'''Strongarm''' and '''Prowl'''

"Well. Time to do what must be done. Just try not to '''hurt''' anyone." 
"For you, Hound, we'll even try not to hurt the '''building''' too bad."
:—'''Hound''' and '''Kup'''

"Did I miss this part of the mission briefing? 'Cos this looks like it might kind of hurt." 
"Nah. You're pretty robust, aren't you?" 
"Sure, but-" 
"And you've kept your maintenance regime up, right? Hoist checked you over not long ago, right?" 
"These are '''not''' the kind of questions that fill me with confidence." 
:—'''Ironhide''' gives '''Chainclaw''' a pep talk

"It's Blitzwing!" 
"'''Pray harder,''' Groove!"
:—'''Roulette''' and '''Backstreet'''

"Thank Primus they didn't spend more time on target practice." 
<nowiki>*</nowiki>'''THUMP'''<nowiki>*</nowiki> 
"Oh. Damn."
:—'''Chainclaw'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s last words

"You think I am so '''easily''' laid low? When you are no longer '''supercharged'''? I am a '''PRIME!'''"
:—'''Sentinel Prime''' throws down with Ion Storm

"And when the Primes were sundered, when their time ended and their artifacts were lost, the Matrix persisted. It has come down through vast ages, waiting, searching, for its '''final bearer'''. Until the '''Thirteenth''' rises to claim it, it belongs to no one. It belongs to all. Each who has borne it, and will yet bear it, is only a '''steward'''. It waits. It searches. And those whom it elevates, for however short a time, they are called not to power, or to glory, but to '''service'''. Some falter beneath such a burden. Some stand tall."
:—'''Mediator'''

"Can I choose?" 
"Yes. What happens here may fade from your memory. But '''two things''' you will certainly remember. That the burden is great. And that you made a choice."
:—'''Orion Pax''' and his guide

"Are you alright, Orion?" 
"No. We must become what the times '''require''' of us. Not Orion Pax. '''OPTIMUS PRIME.'''"
:—'''Chromia''' and '''Optimus Prime'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] returns to Cybertron just after the events of [[Wheeljack: Orbital Decay|the previous issue]], where he helped save Cybertron's [[Winged Moon]] from falling into the sun before it was invaded by [[the Rise]]. He's made the trip aboard the same snub-nosed shuttle that played a role in that issue, and although he's sidelined for most of the action in this story, Wheeljack won't be out of action for long: he's going on to star in the ''[[Transformers: Escape]]'' miniseries opposite [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] and [[Nautica (G1)|Nautica]].
* [[Streetwise (G1)|Streetwise]] had been mentioned as the head of one of Cybertron's police academies in issues [[Rise of the Decepticons: All Fall Down|#19]] and [[Rise of the Decepticons: Swindle's|#20]].
* [[Subsea]], [[Grotusque]], [[Roulette (Universe)|Roulette]], and [[Flareup (G1)|Flareup]] all appeared in [[Rise of the Decepticons: We Have Deceived You|issue #23]] as members of the [[Senate Guard]] who had been ambushed by Megatron's forces. That issue mistakenly colored Flareup grey after [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]]'s [[Mini-Cassette|infiltration trooper]]s jumped her, wrongly implying that she'd died—that's not the case, however, as she and the others are all revealed to have survived their respective encounters with the Decepticons.
* While listing off deaths that [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] indirectly abetted, Chromia refers to the murders of [[Brainstorm (G1)|Brainstorm]], from all the way back in [[The World In Your Eyes Part One|issue #1]], [[Rubble]], in [[The World In Your Eyes Part Five|issue #5]], and the many victims of the recent [[Tether]] disaster, as alluded to in both [[Arcee/Greenlight: Run|issue #18]] and ''[[Transformers: Galaxies|Galaxies]]'' [[Storm Horizon Part 2|#11]].
* [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] notes his displeasure at having to return to active duty; we learned in [[The Change In Your Nature Part Two|issue #14]] that he was a soldier during the [[War of the Threefold Spark]], but deliberately came out of retirement as a member of [[Security Operations]] to keep the newfound peace. His new team includes several veterans of "[[Strika's Heavies]]", though Hound notes that [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]], who appeared in Megatron's wartime flashback in issue #15 alongside [[Flak (G1)|Flak]], has since gone into stasis.
* Strongarm and [[Bumper (G1)|Bumper]] discuss [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]'s recent arrest after killing [[Quake (G1)|Quake]], which occurred in [[Rise of the Decepticons: Prisoners|issue #22]]. This was, of course, a move spurred on by Quake's murder of Rubble. It's only come to the fore a few times since then, but Rubble accidentally called Prowl on his communicator moments before he died, and the experience has clearly affected Prowl. In the same exchange, Prowl chides Bumper for letting [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] get into his head, referring to their raid on [[Swindle's]] in issue #20.
* [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] compliments [[Javelin]] on her new head, which [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] repaired in [[Rise of the Decepticons: All Fall Down|issue #19]] after [[Ruckus (G1)|Ruckus]]'s group shot her in [[The Change In Your Nature Part Two|issue #14]].
* While discussing their impending attack on the [[Senate]] building, Hound notes that the current iteration of the building is a "post-war rebuild". Presumably, it was one of the many structures rebuilt by the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]]s at some point after the end of the Threefold Spark war, and a nearby building features a golden statue of [[Primus]] identical to the one that Orion Pax and Megatron excavated from the debris during the first flashback in [[Orion Pax: Free Fall|issue #6]]. In a bit of ''new'' world-building, Kup notes that there was an "old Senate" in [[Tarn (polity)|Tarn]] at some point that no longer exists.
* There's quite a lot of mythology and world-building going on in the margins of this issue! Ironhide mentions a folk story about [[Halonix Maximus]], whom [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] namedropped in [[Rise of the Decepticons: Tremors|issue #21]]. Orion's journey within the Matrix features a few glimpses from this period in history: the famous duel between Halonix and [[Preditron]], which had been alluded to in the same issue, and another flashback that shows [[Zarak Maximus]] battling a swarm of [[turbofox]]es.
* While plotting an escape route from the Senate building, Chromia suggests using [[flying-eye drone]]s, the remotely-operated spies that she used in issues [[The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Three|issue #9]] and [[The Change In Your Nature Part Two|#14]].
* Sentinel Prime's last wish is to have Orion pass the Matrix on to [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]; during a heated moment in issue #19, he previously announced that he would pass the artifact onto Magnus instead of Orion.
* As he traverses the Allspark, Orion wonders if [[Exarchon]], instigator of the War of the Threefold Spark, has returned, and his guide tells him that Exarchon has "not come home." Though most Cybertronians think him long-dead, [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] expressed his belief that Exarchon might still be out there in [[The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part One|issue #7]].
* Optimus's first words upon leaving the Allspark—"we must become what the times '''require''' of us"—echo Megatron's own proclamations: he first said the phrase in [[The Change In Your Nature Part Three|issue #15]] before giving [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] a beating, and repeated it to Orion in issue #23 just before he confronted the Senate.

===Transformers references===
* Quite a few names from the [[Age of the Firstforged]] get mentions: in addition to Halonix Maximus and Preditron, [[Backstreet (G1)|Backstreet]] mentions [[Zarak Maximus]], a commercial-exclusive character who received a name and backstory through 2015's "[[Ask Vector Prime]]" Facebook feature.
* Other notable figures from this era include [[Solomus]] and [[Mortilus]]. Longtime IDW fans will immediately recognize these names as members of the [[Guiding Hand]], the pantheon of deities from [[2005 IDW continuity|the prior IDW universe]]. In ''that'' timeline, they were the original five Transformers who laid the foundation for Cybertronian civilization, while the [[Thirteen|Thirteen Primes]] were merely ambitious tribal leaders who seized power after their departure. In this continuity, however, the order appears to be reversed: the Primes are the original Cybertronians, and the heroes and villains of the Age of the Firstforged rose to prominence at some point after they fell from power.
* As Megatron introduces the [[Rainmaker]]s to his prisoners, he runs over each of their abilities: [[Acid Storm (G1)|Acid Storm]] generates acid, [[Ion Storm]] possesses electromagnetic powers, and [[Nova Storm (G1)|Nova Storm]] can survive in harsh environments, powers all lifted from the 2015 Ask Vector Prime column that first named the yellow and blue [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]]s that appeared in the ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]'' episode "[[Divide and Conquer]]". What's notable, however, is that Megatron describes Nova Storm as "she": this take on the character probably owes something to the ''[[Transformers: Cyberverse (cartoon)|Cyberverse]]'' cartoon, which featured a [[Nova Storm (Cyberverse)|female Nova Storm]] as a recurring villain and also probably influenced her [[Nova_Storm (G1)#Transformers_Trading_Card_Game|depiction]] in the ''[[Transformers Trading Card Game]]''.
* Strika's team of "New Heavies" features a group of familiar bruisers, but one character you probably ''won't'' recognize is [[Heavywait]]. Much like [[Voxpop]], she actually originated in IDW's first continuity; created by [[Kei Zama]], she appeared in ''[[Optimus Prime (comic)|Optimus Prime]]'' [[New Cybertron Part 5: Future Glories Lost|#5]] as a nameless goon who ran guns with [[Needlenose (G1)|Needlenose]].
* While defending the Senate from the Autobots, [[Clench (G1)|Clench]] gets to commandeer a roof-mounted railgun that's drawn to resemble the trailer weapon that came with his original toy.
* Sentinel Prime makes his last stand in an establishment called "[[The Slaarg & Turbofox]]", named for both the [[Turbofox|ubiquitous Cybertronian creatures]] and the [[Slaarg|as-yet-unseen animals]] that received a mention in the original ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]'' cartoon. A group of turbofoxes appear in a vision on page 39, drawn to resemble the spiky, wolf-like beasts who appeared in ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]''.
* As he explores the Allspark, Orion discovers a grotesque, skeletal face—a remnant, his guide explains, of the [[Hate Plague]] that once ravaged Cybertron. The connection is not directly highlighted in the issue itself, but the being is drawn to resemble the mysterious "[[It]]" that appeared in the ''The Transformers'' episode "[[The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2]]". In that episode, "It" possessed a connection to the Hate Plague, and gave [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] some advice on how to cure the infected.
* The first female member of the [[Thirteen]], [[Solus Prime]] has been a staple of ''Transformers'' lore for some time now, and is traditionally depicted as the creator of the many powerful [[Artifacts of the Primes|artifact]]s that her brothers wielded, including the [[Enigma of Combination]] that played a key role in the first ''Galaxies'' story arc. The idea that Solus created the [[Matrix of Leadership]] itself is a new one, however—both the [[Aligned continuity family|Aligned]] and [[2005 IDW continuity|prior IDW]] incarnations of the character merely smithed it into the hilt of the powerful [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]] in ancient times.
* Orion glimpses the lineage of the Primes and Matrix-bearers that preceded him, which includes Sentinel Prime and his predecessor [[Nominus Prime]]. Behind them is a helmeted, mouthplated Prime who resembles [[Zeta Prime (G1)|Zeta Prime]] as he appeared in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]] episode "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4]]", and two down from him is another Prime based upon [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Thrilling 30|Orion Pax's ''Generations'' toy]]; this must be [[Nova Prime]], who received a [[Nova Prime#Timelines|toy in this likeness]] through [[Fun Publications]] in 2015.
* Orion's guide explains to him that the Matrix has been searching for its "final bearer" for eons, the mythical "[[Thirteenth Prime]]" that will one day arise and prove themselves worthy of leadership. This is not a new take on the overarching mythos surrounding the Thirteen—most notably, the [[Aligned continuity family]] depicted [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] as the Thirteenth Prime, who had died and been reincarnated as an ordinary Cybertronian. More recently, IDW's own ''[[Optimus Prime (comic)|Optimus Prime]]'' comic suggested that the [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]] of the original IDW continuity ''might'' be the mythical "[[The Arisen|Arisen]]", the Thirteenth Prime reborn... but [[Post|the final issue of the comic]] left the answer up to the reader's interpretation. Is ''this'' version of Orion the Thirteenth Prime, the chosen bearer of the Matrix, or just another steward? We'll have to keep reading to find out...

===Errors===
* While the ''[[Transformers Valentine's Day Special]]'' and [[Rise of the Decepticons: We Have Deceived You|issue #23]] more-or-less adhered to [[Apeface]]'s concurrent ''[[Apeface#War for Cybertron: Siege|Siege]]'' toy, this issue gives him a slightly different [[beast mode]]: he lacks the nosecone and folded wings on his back, and instead possesses a pair of back-mounted cannons, prominent antennae, and purple biceps instead of black.

===Other trivia===
* Originally solicited for November 25th, this special double-sized issue arrives just two weeks late, landing instead on December 9th.

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A''': Orion takes a stand, by [[Angel Hernandez]] and [[Joana Lafuente]]
* '''Cover B''': Orion accepts the Matrix, by [[Anna Malkova]]
* '''Retailer incentive cover''': Wheeljack finds that Cybertron has changed, by [[Fico Ossio]]
<gallery>
File:TF2019 25 cvrA.jpg
File:TF2019 25 cvrB.jpg
File:TF2019 25 cvrRI.jpg
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''[[Transformers vs. The Terminator]]''
*''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Jennika II''

===Reprints===
*'''''Transformers Volume 4: Declaration of War''''' ([[August 10]], 2021 **''scheduled''**) ISBN 1684058066 / ISBN 978-1684058068
**Hardcover.
**Collects ''Transformers'' issues #25–30, ''Transformers Valentine's Day Special'', and ''[[Transformers: Escape|Escape]]'' issues #1-5.
**Bonus material currently unknown, most likely alternate covers.

<gallery>
image:TF-IDW-2019v4.jpg|'''''Volume 4: Declaration of War'''''; cover art by [[Cryssy Cheung]]
</gallery>

==External links==
* [https://graphicpolicy.com/2020/12/08/preview-transformers-25/ Preview]

[[Category:Transformers (2019) issues]]

Strength in Numbers

2020-11-11T21:20:54Z

Silver: /* Errors */

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[My Little Pony/Transformers]]'' #4
|prev=The Flyin' Fox Trot
|next=Finale (My Little Pony/Transformers)
|image=MLPTF 4 cvr RI.jpg
|title="Strength in Numbers"
|caption= The weirdest ''Naked Jungle'' adaptation ever.
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|published in=[[My Little Pony/Transformers issue 3|''My Little Pony/Transformers'' #4]]
|date=[[November 4]], [[2020]]
|coverdate=November 2020
|written by=[[Ian Flynn]]
|art by=[[Sara Pitre-Durocher]]
|colors by=[[Joana Lafuente]]
|letters by=[[Jake M. Wood]]
|editor=[[Megan Brown]], [[David Mariotte]], and [[Bobby Curnow]]
}}

'''Applejack takes on the Insecticons when the Decepticons invade her farm, but she'll need more than one pony to stop these mechanical menaces.'''

==Synopsis==
As the proprietor of the [[Sweet Apple Acres]] farm, [[Applejack]] has dealt with her fair share of pests, varmints, and critters... but in all her life she's ''never'' encountered a threat like the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]]s! The rapacious Cybertronians gobble their way through her apple orchard, devouring every tree, leaf, and apple—and nothing she does has any effect on the mechanical invaders, who shrug off all of her myriad attempts to shoo them away. But as she rifles through a book on pest control, she's surprised when [[Discord (MLP)|Discord]] teleports in. At first, Applejack suspects that Discord is up to his usual mischief, but he assures her that's not the case. Indeed, he's here to help... but when Applejack asks him to lend a hand, he instead tells her that he's got a better idea. With the snap of his fingers, the ''entire'' Apple family arrives through magic portals, and Discord takes a seat to watch the show!

The Apples quickly gains the upper hand against the maurading [[Decepticon]]s: [[Big McIntosh]], [[Babs Seed]], and [[Apple Bumpkin]] work together to pile-drive [[Chop Shop (G1)|Chop Shop]] into the ground, multiple Apples ensnare [[Ransack (G1)|Ransack]] with their lassos and drag the giant flier to the ground, and even elderly [[Auntie Applesauce]] gets her moment when she accidentally deflects one of [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]]'s own [[cerebro-shell]]s back onto him! The Insecticons know when they're outmatched and promptly flee, while the triumphant Apple family members celebrate their victory.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=

|c2=
* [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] (2)
* [[Venom (G1)|Venom]] (3)
* [[Ransack (G1)|Ransack]] (4)
* [[Shrapnel (G1)|Skrapnel]] (5)
* [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] (6)
* [[Chop Shop (G1)|Chop Shop]] (7)
* [[Barrage (Insecticon)|Barrage]] (8)

|c4=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
* [[Applejack]] (1)
* [[Discord (MLP)|Discord]] (9)
* [[Apple Cinnamon]] (10)
* [[Aunt and Uncle Orange]] (11, 14)
* [[Big McIntosh]] (12)
* [[Caramel Apple]] (13)
* [[Red Gala]] (14)
* [[Braeburn]] (15)
* [[Apple Fritter]] (16)
* [[Babs Seed]] (17)
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
* [[Apple Brown Betty]] (18)
* [[Florina Tart]] (19)
* [[Half-Baked Apple]] (20)
* [[Red Delicious]] (21)
* [[Apple Bloom]] (22)
* [[Apple Strudel]] (23)
* [[Granny Smith]] (24)
* [[Apple Bumpkin]] (25)
* [[Auntie Applesauce]] (26)
* [[Golden Delicious]] (27)

{{!}}}
}}

==Quotes==
"More life detected. More to consume." 
"Could move on. Consume more..." 
"'''Or more of this'''!" 
"'''More of this! All of this!'''"
:—'''Chop Shop''', '''Ransack''' and '''Kickback'''

"They're invaders. Tactless, mannerless, and ruiners of perfectly good teatimes."
:—'''Discord''' has a low opinion of the Insecticons

"How do you like '''these''' apples?"
:—'''Applejack''' triumphs

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* Although she primarily ran the [[Sweet Apple Acres]] family farm with the assistance of her grandmother [[Granny Smith]] and her siblings [[Big McIntosh]] and [[Apple Bloom]], [[Applejack]]'s gigantic extended family featured in several episodes, most notably the [[wikia:MLP:Friendship is Magic - Part 1|series premiere]] and the third season episode "[[wikia:MLP:Apple Family Reunion|Apple Family Reunion]]". Other notable relatives include [[Aunt and Uncle Orange]], who appeared in "[[wikia:MLP:The Cutie Mark Chronicles|The Cutie Mark Chronicles]]", [[Braeburn]], whom Applejack and friends visited in "[[wikia:MLP:Over a Barrel|Over a Barrel]]", and former bully [[Babs Seed]] from "[[wikia:MLP:One Bad Apple|One Bad Apple]]".
* Discord describes the Decepticons as "ruiners of perfectly good tea times", alluding to how [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] spoiled his tea party with [[Fluttershy]] in "[[Pet Sounds]]".

===Transformers references===
* The familiar [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]] trio of [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]], [[Shrapnel (G1)|Skrapnel]], and [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] receive some reinforcements in the shape of the lesser-known "Deluxe Insecticons", who never appeared in the original [[The Transformers (cartoon)|''Transformers'' cartoon]] or [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|comic]]: [[Venom (G1)|Venom]], [[Ransack (G1)|Ransack]], [[Chop Shop (G1)|Chop Shop]], and [[Barrage (Insecticon)|Barrage]]. They are not named in the introductory roll call, and only introduced as [[Insecticon clone|"clones"]], referencing the Insecticons' traditional self-replication powers; for completion's sake, and without any evidence to the contrary, we're assuming that these four are also the characters in question. Although these four traditionally possess their own, non-coordinated color schemes, this comic instead gives them unified purple, yellow, and black paintjobs to match their more famous brethren.
* Bombshell attacks the Apples with his infamous [[cerebro-shell]]s, drawn to resemble the bullet-shaped projectiles that appeared in the original cartoon but with the addition of little buggy legs.

===My Little Pony references===
* Among the many, many members of the Apple clan is a pink pony with an apple core cutie mark. This background pony has never received an ''official'' name from Hasbro; fans took to calling her "Piña Colada" because of a scene that depicted her as the younger sister of the equally fan-named [[wikia:MLP:Berryshine|"Berry Punch"]]. With that in mind, she ''probably'' shouldn't be showing up here, but she's also about as much as a character as your average background [[generic]], so...

===Errors===
* There's a "Crack" SFX in the panel where Applejack makes her second attempt at shooing away the Insecticons with a hose. It would make more sense for that SFX to take place in the panel above where she breaks her rake.
* On page four "nutrient-rich" is misspelled as "nurtient-rich".

===Real-life references===
* The various Apple family members emerging through Discord's portals evokes the climax of ''{{w|Avengers: Endgame}}'', which saw all of the recently-resurrected [[Avengers]] use portals to reach the final battle against Thanos.

[[Category:My Little Pony/Transformers issues]]

2005 IDW timeline

2020-08-27T22:14:53Z

Silver: /* 3 million BCE */ typo

{{featured}}
[[File:Transformers Historia Cover.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Let's see how far we've come.]]

Beginning as a simple reimagining of the traditional [[Generation 1 continuity family]] under the pen of [[Simon Furman]], the [[2005 IDW continuity|2005-2018 IDW comic continuity]] evolved over the course of thirteen years into the single longest-running continuity in the history of the [[Transformers brand|''Transformers'' brand]], spanning numerous ongoings, miniseries, and one-shots. Almost every work from 2005 to 2018 ties into the overarching '''timeline''', telling a single unified story that starts at the dawn of time, moves through to the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]] and eventually into a new era of post-war reconstruction. Naturally, such a long-running work of fiction is bound to contain occasional storytelling and artistic inconsistencies, though [[John Barber|certain writers]] have actively sought to correct these mistakes over the course of their careers.

In 2016, [[IDW Publishing]] announced the formation of the [[Hasbro Universe]], a shared comic continuity retroactively encompassing the Transformers, [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]], other Hasbro properties such as [[Rom|Rom the Space Knight]], and, in a stranger development, the events of the largely forgotten ''[[Hearts of Steel]]'' miniseries. For the sake of completion, all those events are covered in this timeline... though some adjustments are required to make them fit.<ref name="GIJoe">The events of IDW's G.I. Joe comics just... cannot take place in the eight-year timeframe allotted to them in post-''[[Revolution]]'' works. Per {{i|G.I. Joe issue 2|''G.I. Joe'' vol. 1 #2}}, at least five years passed between G.I. Joe's founding and their first contact with Cobra; per {{i|The Last Laugh|''Cobra'' vol. 2 #12}}, two years passed between first contact and the end of "{{i|Cobra Command}}"; an undefined amount of time was covered by the events of "{{i|Deep Terror, Part 1|Deep Terror}}" and "{{i|Target: Snake Eyes}}"; per {{i|The Search for Siren|''G.I. Joe'' vol. 3 #15}}, ''G.I. Joe'' vol. 3 covered at least seven months; and according to {{i|The Fall of G.I. Joe Part One|''G.I. Joe'' vol. 4 #1}}, five years passed between the events of volumes 3 and 4. To make it fit, we're here assuming that the "retconned" timeline shortens the first and last gaps to 3 years each.</ref>

{{quote|The story never ends, Ironhide. It just changes into something else.|[[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]], having a nice [[Furmanism]]|[[Pax Cybertronia (issue)|Pax Cybertronia]]}}

{{note|Events in italics were originally presented as part of IDW's ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'' universe, a separate continuity from their ''Transformers'' titles. For the ''[[Revolution]]'' event in 2016, the G.I. Joe and Transformers universes were [[retcon]]ned into both being part of a larger "[[Hasbro Universe]]".}}
==1,000,000+ years ago==
===5 billion BCE===
The planet [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] is formed around this time; later religions will hold that the creation of the planet was divinely ordained by the Transformer god [[Primus]]. {{storylink|Crisis Intervention}}

===4.5 billion BCE===
The planet [[Earth]] forms. {{storylink|Crisis Intervention}}

===16 million BCE===
The [[Stentarian]] civil war begins, pitting the heroic [[Terradore]]s against the villainous [[Ammonite]]s. {{storylink|Little Victories}} Their war precipitates the disastrous [[Shattering]], necessitating the creation of the [[Galactic Council]] to stabilize the galaxy and govern the planets who join its ranks. {{storylink|Primus: You, Me, and Other Revelations|You, Me, and Other Revelations}}

===12 million BCE===
[[File:GodWars.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|Name brand vs. Great Value.]]

According to legend, the very first Cybertronian, in the land that will one day become [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], realizes that he can [[Transformation|transform]]. {{storylink|Liars, A to D Part 1: How to Say Goodbye and Mean It|How to Say Goodbye and Mean It}} This first Transformer is Primus; though later religions will remember him as an omnipotent warrior-god, the "true" Primus is a humble robot much like any other, distinguished solely by his ability to generate the [[photonic crystal]]s capable of storing [[spark]]s. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 5): The Unremembering|The Unremembering}} At some point after his creation, he is joined by four others like him: [[Mortilus]], [[Adaptus]], [[Solomus]], and [[Epistemus]]. The five are present for the first activation of Cybertron's twelve [[hot spot]]s, which birth the first true generation of Transformers. The five become known as the "[[Guiding Hand]]." Primus is able to use his alternate mode to compress multiple photonic crystals together, creating the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 5): The Unremembering|The Unremembering}}

[[File:TheUnremembering-informationcreep.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|When Moons Attack.]]

The creation and subsequent proliferation of the Transformer race leads to the planet's first golden age. {{storylink|Primus: You, Me, and Other Revelations|You, Me, and Other Revelations}} Primus supposedly delivers the [[Prime Pastoral]] at the future site of [[Crystal City]]. {{storylink|Origin Myths}} The peace lasts until the ambitious Adaptus—worried that their perfect society will only lead to stagnation—encourages Cybertron to wage war against the rest of the galaxy, to encourage growth; when the other four members of the pantheon refuse, the conflict leads to the "[[God War]]," pitting the four allies against their treacherous brother. Epistemus is killed in the conflict, and Adaptus—routed but not defeated—flees to [[Moonbase One|Luna 1]], where he blasts the planet with an [[electromagnetic pulse]] designed to erase the memories of Cybertron's inhabitants and leave them disoriented while he makes his escape. Primus attempts to ''absorb'' this same blast, but is only partially successful; he and the other surviving members of the Guiding Hand forget their true identities, with Primus being rendered "compulsively forgettable", and the fallout gives rise to the neurological condition known as "[[information creep]]." {{storylink|Crucible (Part 5): The Unremembering|The Unremembering}}

Adaptus escapes Cybertron by installing thrusters on Luna-1 and leaving the planet through the [[Warren]]. In the meantime, the Cybertronian race, left with only hazy memories of their origins, create new myths based on half-remembered truths; in these stories, ''Mortilus,'' supposedly the "god of death," is cast as the treacherous member of the Guiding Hand, whose "death" at the hands of "Primus" rendered the Cybertronian race immortal while giving rise to the Matrix, the [[brain module]] and [[transformation cog]], and [[Vector Sigma]]. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 5): The Unremembering|The Unremembering}} {{storylink|Primus: You, Me, and Other Revelations|You, Me, and Other Revelations}}

The first generation of Cybertronians present to witness these supernatural feats supposedly go on to become the mythical [[Knights of Cybertron]], {{storylink|Primus: You, Me, and Other Revelations|You, Me, and Other Revelations}} who go on to turn the planet into a paradise. Among their many feats involve defeating the monstrous [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]], rumored to be a creation of Mortilus, {{storylink|The Transformers: Salvation|Salvation}} alongside [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], the First [[Titan (group)|Titan]]. Trypticon's body is sealed away beneath the [[Toraxxis Plains]]. {{storylink|The Illusion of Control}}

[[File:MtMtEAnn2012-Metrotitans.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Fleeing the Great Kirby Krackle Scourge of Cybertron.]]

Eventually, after turning Cybertron into a utopian haven for both the mind and spirit, the Knights leave Cybertron to spread enlightenment aboard a fleet of [[Titan (group)|Titan]]s, taking the Matrix of Leadership with them. {{storylink|Primus: You, Me, and Other Revelations|You, Me, and Other Revelations}} They never return, {{storylink|World, Shut Your Mouth Part 3: Predestination: A Beginner's Guide|Predestination: A Beginner's Guide}} though some later evidence suggests that the Knights split into different clans during their voyage across the galaxy. {{storylink|The Dying of the Light: (1) How Bright Their Frail Deeds|How Bright Their Frail Deeds}} Most successive generations of Cybertronians do not believe in the Knights as concrete beings, instead viewing them as mythological folk heroes. {{storylink|Dark Dawn: Dark Cybertron Chapter 1|Dark Dawn}}

Having fled Cybertron, Adaptus exploits the strange properties of the Warren to travel many millions of years into the future; there he witnesses a terrible sight of a gigantic, false effigy to Primus ravaging the galaxy. In order to prevent this fate from coming to pass, he returns to his own era of history, setting up Luna One as a new base of operations for himself and his clan of followers while building a new network of contacts designed to prevent this terrible future from coming to pass. In this new role, he dubs himself the "Grand Architect," and adopting the motto "prepare, confront, [and] repel." {{storylink|Crucible (Part 5): The Unremembering|The Unremembering}} {{storylink|Crucible (Part 4): The Return of the King|The Return of the King}}

[[File:TheFirstWhoWasNamed-MegatronusOrigins.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|Everything from this image that follows is [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|his]] fault.]]

Deprived of the benevolent leadership of the Knights of Cybertron, Cybertron regresses into a primitive state of barbarism, reverting to a new Dark Age as early Cybertronian civilization splinters into a multitude of competing tribes and societies. {{storylink|Origin Myths}} As a result of the destruction of his [[chronal drive]], the [[Decepticon]] [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]] is flung twelve million years into the past from the moment of his defeat in the year [[#2012-2013|2013]]. Grievously injured, he spends years wandering the barbarian land until he is found by a peaceful "shepherd" named [[Onyx Prime|Onyx]], who Shockwave recognises as the Cybertronian who will one day be known as Onyx Prime. Shockwave murders Onyx and takes on his identity; he also takes control of Onyx's "flock" of mostly [[beast mode|beast-mode Cybertronians]], taking one particularly fearless individual under his wing as a student and naming him "[[The Fallen|Megatronus]]".

Inspired by [[#10,000 BCE|a previous encounter]] in his youth, Shockwave uses his knowledge of future events to manipulate history on a grand scale, guiding it along the course he learned in his youth, while simultaneously manipulating those around him in the hopes of analyzing why his species falls to civil war; {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} eventually, Shockwave determines that the only hope for his race's future is to destroy its past, and sets about creating every facet of its culture and religion so that he can, in time, reveal it as a falsehood and build a new civilization on a blank slate. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 6: Unforgivable|Unforgivable}}

Prominent tribal leaders soon arise, chief among them the [[Prime (rank)|Primes]]. Five of these Primes—[[Solus Prime|Solus]], [[Nexus Prime|Nexus]], [[Alchemist Prime|Alchemist]], [[Vector Prime|Vector]], [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] and their followers—join forces to commemorate Primus by founding the small village of Crystal City. Around the same time, Megatronus—now a powerful warlord in his own right—aims to expand his territory of the [[Darklands]], and after invading and annexing [[Protihex|Protohex]] he recruits the twin gladiators [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]] and [[Arcee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Arcee]], who slay their capricious master [[Septimus Prime]] and pledge allegiance to Megatronus. His legions conquer the [[Forgotten Plains]], but when Megatronus marches on the Crystal City, he is met by the armies of the Primes, bolstered by the [[Liege Maximo]] and Onyx Prime's bestial legions. Their fighting awakens the original three Titans before Onyx "realizes" that their enemy is his "old friend" Megatronus, leading to ceasefire and a truce—all of which Onyx planned, having unleashed Megatronus on Cybertron to force an alliance between the tribes that would build Cybertronian society. To celebrate the new alliance, Onyx Prime creates a new flag for Cybertron, supposedly based on the visage of Primus himself, but actually based on his foreknowledge of the symbol of the [[Autobot]]s. {{storylink|Origin Myths}} {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}}

[[File:Heavy-TheThirteen.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Cybertron League Unlimited.]]

The alliance is joined by five more Primes, and together they become known as the [[Thirteen]], {{storylink|The Crucible}} each ruling a group of followers that come to be known as the [[Thirteen Tribes]] and commanding the loyalty of gigantic Titans and diminutive [[Titan Master]]s. {{storylink|White Light}} The Primes become the archetypes for future Cybertronians to pattern themselves after, {{storylink|Heavy}} but it doesn't take long before the Thirteen grow drunk on their own arrogance and begin to think themselves above other Cybertronians: indeed, it soon becomes common belief that the Primes are so powerful that only a Prime can kill another Prime. {{storylink|The Crucible}} {{storylink|Origin Myths}}
{{-}}

===10 million BCE===
After leaving Cybertron, the Knights of Cybertron travel the galaxy for many years, "changing and being changed by" the many new [[alien]] races they encounter. However, their adventure takes an unfortunate turn when the Knights contract the degenerative disease [[atrophosia]] through prolonged contact with organic species; around the same time, their fleet lands on the planet [[Mederi]], a planetary euthanasia clinic. The telepathic aliens who control the planet's illusions reconcile the Knights' homesickness with their desire to explore new worlds by creating a "perfect" Cybertron for them to inhabit, a "[[Cyberutopia]]." The Knights, believing they'd found paradise at last, inscribe a map to "Cyberutopia" in the Matrix and send it back to Cybertron before they pass away. {{storylink|The Everlasting Voices (3): You Are Here|You Are Here}}

===8 million BCE===
[[File:TheFirstWhoWasNamed-AntillanWar.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66|How come Midnight Oil never wrote a song about ''[[Antillan|them]]''?]]

As the Primes govern their planet peacefully, Shockwave, in the guise of Onyx, advises [[Prima]] to spread Cybertron's "enlightenment" to other worlds via colonization. Megatronus, Alpha Trion, Arcee, and Galvatron join [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] and the [[Guardian robot|Omega Sentinels]] on this mission, the first since the days of the Knights of Cybertron. Their effort to colonize the planet [[Antilla]] leads into a brutal war against the native [[Antillan]]s, which only ends when a desperate Antillan scientist constructs and activates a [[Talisman (G1)|doomsday weapon]] that annihilates ''all'' life on Antilla, its energies wreaking havoc across the galaxy. In the process, the device reaches out across time and space, drawing on the [[magic]] of [[Prysmos]] and creating the [[Dire Wraith]]s and their dark sorcery from it. The resulting dead world is transformed into the dormant [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]. {{storylink|Stranger Eons}}

Inspired by Onyx Prime's rhetoric of galactic expansion, twelve Titans leave Cybertron at or around the same time, each one the former servant of a Prime. {{storylink|First Contact (IDW)|First Contact}} They embark on millennia-long deep space voyages, intending to find and colonize distant worlds in an attempt at spreading [[Pax Cybertronia]] across the cosmos. {{storylink|Conquerors Part 1: Aphelion|Aphelion}} These planets include [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]], [[Velocitron]], [[Eukaris]], {{storylink|A 'Bot and Her City}} {{storylink|Windblade vol. 2 issue 6|Windblade vol. 2 #6}} and [[Arduria]]. {{storylink|Ceremony}} Some of these planets, such as [[Devisiun (planet)|Devisiun]], are aggressively [[Eco-structuring|cyberformed]], crushing the native civilizations in the process. {{storylink|Time Will Rust}} Eventually, thirteen planets become closely associated with the Cybertronian species, and history will remember them as the "thirteen colonies," each connected to one of the Primes.<ref>The thirteen colonies are [[LV-117]], [[Gorlam Prime]], [[Prion (planet)|Prion]], [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]], [[Devisiun (planet)|Devisiun]], [[Arduria]], [[Antilla]], [[Tsiehshi]], [[Velocitron]], [[Vigilem|Carcer]], [[Eukaris]], [[Elonia]], and [[Earth]]. Not all of these planets were shown to have been officially colonized by Cybertronians; in some cases, they are only called colonies due to their close ''association'' with the history of Cybertron, though it's possible that at least some of them hosted true colonies that simply failed.</ref> {{storylink|Conquerors Part 1: Aphelion|Aphelion}}

[[File:TheFirstWhoWasNamed-MegatronusKillsSolus.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Look, Hasbro, we'll give you anything to not have this plot point come up again.]]

After the Antillan mission fails, however, Prima blames Megatronus for the expedition's failure; acting on Onyx's orders, Liege Maximo stokes Megatronus's resentment, leading him to turn on Prima. Solus Prime intervenes in the fight to save Prima's life, but is killed by Megatronus with the Star Saber. {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} The betrayal ignites tensions between the thirteen tribes and escalates into the [[First Cybertronian Civil War]]. {{storylink|The Crucible}} {{storylink|Heavy}} Megatronus flees the planet, while Liege Maximo is captured by the Primes and imprisoned within his titan, [[Vigilem]], whom the other Titans deem unworthy of remembrance and exile into space. A repentant splinter of Liege Maximo's old tribe agree to keep their former leader and his Titan permanently interred, renaming their dormant Titan "[[Vigilem|Carcer]]". {{storylink|Rubicon}} {{storylink|Heavy}} {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}}

Onyx Prime allies first with [[Micronus Prime]], {{storylink|White Heat}} and later, [[Nexus Prime]]. Onyx and Nexus utilize the [[Enigma of Combination]] to create an army of [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]]: [[combiner]]s between beast-bots and humanoid Transformers. {{storylink|The Crucible}} {{storylink|Earthfall Chapter 3: The Mind Bomb|The Mind Bomb}} The joint faction proves powerful, and the Headmasters see action on distant worlds such as [[Spindrift]]. {{storylink|Heart of Darkness issue 3|Heart of Darkness #3}}

Onyx Prime and Prima hunt down Megatronus aboard Prima's Titan [[Emissary (IDW)|Emissary]], finding him on the planet [[Tsiehshi]]; Megatronus kills Prima before being slain by Onyx, his usefulness to Shockwave's machinations at an end. Emissary carries Prima's body to the stars, but Onyx ensures that he will crash on [[Elonia|a faraway planet]]. On returning, Onyx tells Alpha Trion that Megatronus and Prima slew each other in final battle. Megatronus's name is soon forgotten by history, and he becomes known only as "the Fallen". {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}}

[[File:TheMindBomb-GalvatronKillsHeadmasters.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66|Off with his Headmaster.]]

Disgusted by this fusion between beast-bots and his own kind, [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]] deserts his post in Megatronus's army to begin his own campaign against the Headmasters—a campaign that ends with him killing Nexus Prime. {{storylink|The Crucible}} Disgusted by the idea of combination, Galvatron conceals the Enigma to prevent any future combiners from coming into being. {{storylink|Earthfall Chapter 3: The Mind Bomb|The Mind Bomb}} {{storylink|The Crucible}} The realization that they are not as invulnerable as they thought provokes many of the Primes to flee Cybertron, with the exception of [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]]. {{storylink|The Crucible}} Nexus Prime's most devoted servant, a diminutive Titan Master named [[Infinitus]], vows revenge for his master's death and swears allegiance to Onyx Prime before going into hiding. {{storylink|White Light}}

With the war over and the Primes gone, Trion brings together Galvatron and [[Prima]]'s follower [[Nova Prime|Nova Major]] in hopes of reuniting Cybertron. Nova Major agrees, noting that under the principles of [[functionism]], everyone will "know their place". {{storylink|The Crucible}}

[[File:Windblade1 Caminus.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|The lack of tail fins was a disappointment.]]

Over time, the surviving members of the Guiding Hand re-emerge under new identities: Solomus as the judge [[Solomus|Tyrest]], Mortilus as the forensic pathologist [[Mortilus|Censere]], and Primus as the unassuming psychiatrist [[Rung (G1)|Rung]]. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 5): The Unremembering|The Unremembering}} Censere is inspired by the death of an [[Tusk|an old friend of his]] to begin a lifelong mission to chronicle the deaths of every Cybertronian; after losing his hometown in the war, he relocates to a [[Necroworld|distant planet]] where he sets up a base of operations, equipped with a [[teleport chamber]] to allow him to record every fatality. {{storylink|The Not Knowing}} He is unaware that this "planet," is in fact, a hollow "mould" used to forge multiple copies of Cybertron, utilized by his former brother Adaptus to create a weapon known as the "[[God Gun]]" as part of his ongoing goals. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 3): Farsickness|Farsickness}} Elsewhere, the decapitated head of Epistemus ends up under the care of the [[Omega Guardian]]s and becomes known as "the Magnificence", an artifact able to immediately and accurately answer any question posed to it. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 5): The Unremembering|The Unremembering}} {{storylink|Spotlight: Hot Rod}}

Eventually, however, the [[space bridge]] network between the Titans fails and the colonies are permanently cut off from Cybertron and each other. In their absence, the colonists begin developing their own societies that invariably venerate the Thirteen—and, by extension, all Primes—as deities. {{storylink|Conquerors Part 1: Aphelion|Aphelion}}
{{-}}

===7 million BCE===
[[File:AllGoodThings-NovaPrimeAndFriends.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|The Pastel Age was a soothing time.]]
Alpha Trion and Metroplex work together to explore the surface of Cybertron, {{storylink|Omega's Conundrum}} until the Titan eventually goes dormant beneath the city of [[Nyon]]. {{storylink|Ruins}}

Nova Major declares himself "Nova Prime". Accompanied by Galvatron, [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]], [[Cyclonus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Cyclonus]], and [[Dai Atlas (Zone)|Dai Atlas]], he embarks on a quest into the planet's lowermost reaches. There, they discover the ancient [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], who allies himself with the Prime in the hopes of returning their wartorn planet to its former glory. With Omega Supreme's aid, Nova Prime ushers in Cybertron's "Golden Age". {{storylink|Primus: All Good Things|All Good Things}} Under his direction, the Cybertronian empire expands into space, with the [[Primal Vanguard]] serving as offworld peacekeepers. {{storylink|Liars, A to D Part 2: Hangers On|Hangers On}}

At some point following the departure of the colony Titans, [[female Transformer]]s disappear from Cybertron under unknown circumstances. {{storylink|Onyx Interface Part Three: ONoffON|ONoffON}} Arcee, feeling that her "forged male" status has never been true to her spark, approaches Jhiaxus for help; but though the scientist's experiments in reintroducing female Transformers to the now "genderless" Cybertronian species are broadly successful, the invasive process of altering Arcee's CNA gives her her a "maelstrom of contradictory sensory input", and Jhiaxus abandons his now disoriented and homicidal follower. {{storylink|Spotlight: Arcee}} {{storylink|Post}}

===6.7 million BCE===
[[File:Tyrest and the matrix.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|"It consisted of our Top Bots."]]

Nova Prime aims to further expand the reach of the Cybertronian race and, inspired by the legends of the Knights of Cybertron, begins planning what he calls the "[[Expansion]]", a massive wave of interplanetary colonization and conquest aimed at establishing "[[Pax Cybertronia]]" across the known galaxy. {{storylink|Primus: All Good Things|All Good Things}} To do so, he requires a fresh generation of new Cybertronians, but, around this time, the life-giving, [[hot spot]]-igniting pulse waves of Vector Sigma slow down. Nova tasks a team of scientists, led by Tyrest, with extracting new sparks from the [[Matrix of Leadership]], exponentially boosting the Cybertronian population and dividing Cybertronians along [[Reproduction#2005 IDW continuity|"forged" or "cold constructed"]] lines. A "first wave" of new Transformers is created; additional Sparks are stored until bodies can be created for them.

The process ends after a scientist has a crisis of conscience, steals the Matrix, and replaces it with a forgery while hiding the real one underground. The team simply assumes that they have bled the Matrix dry and the project is abandoned. {{storylink|Remain in Light 3 of 5: The Divided Self|The Divided Self}} {{storylink|Twenty Plus One}}

Hoping to rediscover the lost art of combination, Nova Prime conspires with Jhiaxus in an attempt to replicate combiner technology, seeking a process that allows sentient minds to be merged into one in the pursuit of peace—eliminating all free will save his own, a society where "all are one". {{storylink|Primus: All Good Things|All Good Things}} Galvatron, still opposed to the existence of combiners, secretly launches Nexus's [[Enigma of Combination]] into space to put it beyond Jhiaxus's reach. It lands on [[Earth]], in the region that will one day be known as [[Mesopotamia]]. {{storylink|The Crucible}}

In deep space, Onyx Prime and his Titan [[Chela]] make planetfall on [[Eukaris]], an uninhabited jungle world. Using the [[hot spot]] within his Titan, Onyx oversees the development of a new civilization of [[beast mode]] Transformers, free to live without the stigma surrounding beast modes. He eventually departs, but instructs Chela to guard his colony from any intruding "standard-formers". {{storylink|Windblade vol. 2 issue 6|Windblade vol. 2 #6}}

Aware of Galvatron's gambit from his past experiences as Shockwave, Onyx correctly deduces that Nexus's artifact has landed on Earth and dispatches a Titan Master named [[Sovereign]] to find the artifact and summon the Prime when he had found it. {{storylink|Conquerors Part 3: Helden|Helden}} {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}}

Abandoning his colony world of [[Prion (planet)|Prion]], [[Micronus Prime]] creates and then retreats into the sub-atomic realm of [[Microspace]]. {{storylink|White Heat}} {{storylink|O Ship of State}} {{storylink|Crisis Intervention}}

===6.5 million BCE===
With the Cybertronian population growing exponentially under [[Nova Prime]]'s program of expansion, Jhiaxus's student [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]] begins planning for an inevitable energon shortage by developing a [[Ore-14|self-regenerating energy source]]. {{storylink|Shockwaves}}

===6 million BCE===
[[File:AllGoodThings-Monstructor.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|They did, in fact, ask for this.]]
After a long period of experimentation, Jhiaxus creates [[Monstructor (G1)|Monstructor]] from six volunteers. Though physically powerful, Monstructor is also violently insane as a result of the crude combination process, and Nova Prime's enthusiasm for the creature prompts Omega Supreme and [[Dai Atlas (Zone)|Dai Atlas]] to turn on him. {{storylink|Primus: All Good Things|All Good Things}}

While Omega Supreme is occupied battling the beast, Nova Prime and Jhiaxus depart Cybertron in the first ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' to begin their work, with notable crew members Galvatron, {{storylink|Spotlight: Galvatron}} [[Cyclonus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Cyclonus]], [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]], [[Grindcore (G1)|Grindcore]], {{storylink|Spotlight: Cyclonus}} and [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]]. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 14|Rebirth}} A young 'bot named [[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]], born only two weeks previously, is part of the crew responsible for cleaning out the craft's coolant tubes before take-off. {{storylink|Cybertronian Homesick Blues}} He runs late and tries taking a shortcut across the fragile [[Mitteous Plateau]], which results in him falling into stasis underground for several million years. {{storylink|Liars, A to D Part 1: How to Say Goodbye and Mean It|How to Say Goodbye and Mean It}}

[[File:DarkCybertron01-setcoursefortheanomaly.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|"We'll simply set a new course, for that empty region over there, near that blackish, hole-ish thing."]]

After a prolonged battle, Omega defeats Monstructor and locks him away in an inter-dimensional prison {{storylink|Spotlight: Optimus Prime}} and entrusts [[Metrotitan (Zone)|Metrotitan]], one of two remaining Titans on Cybetrtron, to Dai Atlas. {{storylink|Primus: All Good Things}} The [[Crystal City]] is destroyed, but not before Shockwave plants a seed of [[Ore-14]] within. The defeat of Monstructor allows Shockwave to realize that his old teacher had flaws of his own; Shockwave takes up the mantle of his teacher, striving to study and better his erstwhile master's works. {{storylink|Shockwaves}} Around this time he begins to investigate the history of ancient Cybertron. {{storylink|The Crucible}}

Nova Prime's ''Ark'' is subsequently lost in the [[Benzuli Expanse]], transported to the [[Dead Universe]]. All aboard perish and are resurrected as undead creatures to serve the will of the [[D-Void]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Galvatron}} {{storylink|Chaos Part Four: Genesis|Genesis}}

With Nova Prime gone, Cybertron enters a brief period known as the [[Interregnum]]. Unaware that it's a fake, [[Delta Magnus]] of the Primal Vanguard safeguard the Matrix of Leadership until a new bearer can be found. {{storylink|Shadowplay (Conclusion): An Intimate Beheading|An Intimate Beheading}} Cybertron suffers from a lack of energy in the wake of Nova's expansion program, and tensions emerge.

Those who were constructed cold face institutionalized apartheid; {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 1}} although this eventually ends due to mounting public pressure, including mass protests and marches. {{storylink|Twenty Plus One}} However, intrinsic prejudice against constructed cold Transformers persists in among a sizable percentage of the population. {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 1}}

After a period of unrest, [[Nominus Prime]] becomes the next Matrix-bearer, though by this point the office of "Prime" is largely subordinate to the new, but increasingly corrupt, [[Senate]]. {{storylink|Interiors}} {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 1}} {{storylink|Life After the Big Bang}} At some point around this time, Cybertronian datekeeping switches to a [[New Calendar]]. {{storylink|Before & After}} [[Functionism|Functionist]] sentiment becomes an institution of society overseen by the [[Functionist Council]], with robots expected to stick to a single job determined by their [[alternate mode]]. [[Militant Monoform Movement|Monoformers]], those without alt mode, face shape-hate. {{storylink|Interiors}} {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 1}} {{storylink|Life After the Big Bang}} Unable to determine what [[Rung (G1)|Rung]] does, the Council classifies him as an "[[Ornament class|ornament]]"... {{storylink|Little Victories}} unaware that the unassuming psychiatrist, is, in fact, Primus. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 5): The Unremembering|The Unremembering}}

[[File:RID17 senator shockwave.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|You can tell it's advanced because it's glowing.]]
The Senate use the sinister network of secret facilities known as the [[Institute]] root out and quash dissent through [[mnemosurgery|mnemosurgical]] techniques like [[shadowplay]]. The Functionist Council becomes fond of subjecting criminals to a barbaric head-and-hand replacement ritual known as [[empurata]]. {{storylink|Shadowplay, Part 2: Patternism|Patternism}} Shockwave joins the Senate in the hopes of precipitating real change on Cybertron and founds the [[Jhiaxian Academy of Advanced Technology]] in memory of his old teacher. {{storylink|Shockwaves}}

As a result of their increasingly stagnant and moribund society, neighboring alien races start calling the Cybertronians "Autobots": an insult, meaning "automatons". {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 2}}

At an unknown point, the Omega Guardians "ascend" to the "[[Higher Realms]]", becoming four-dimensional beings. They leave the Magnificence on [[Ki-Aleta]], protected by statue-like automatons. {{storylink|The Ties That Bind (issue)|The Ties That Bind}} Eventually, one of them seeks to return to three-dimensional space through a rift in the [[Benzene Cluster]], but is killed in the attempt, with their four-dimensional corpse becoming the knot of quantum tunnels known as the [[Warren]], spanning all of space and time. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 5): The Unremembering}}
{{-}}

===5 million BCE===
[[File:MTMTE37 megatron under construction.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|Would you kill baby Megatron?]]
The experimental ship ''[[Lost Light|Unitrex-1]]'' is commissioned and constructed in the city of [[Unitrex]], designed to house a prototype [[quantum generator]]. Before it can launch, [[time travel]]ling [[Autobot]]s from the future infiltrate the vessel, searching for a way to recharge their [[time case|time machine]]. Hoping to use the ship's engine to provide the necessary jump-start, [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Rodimus]] uses [[Perceptor (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Perceptor]]'s knowledge of future quantum science to upgrade the ''Unitrex-1''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s generator so that it can perform the task, and retroactively creates the very first quantum generator. A reaction between the case and generator causes the vessel to quantum jump away through time and space. {{storylink|Elegant Chaos Part 3: Predestination: An Expert's Guide|Predestination: An Expert's Guide}} {{storylink|No Guns, No Swords, No Briefcases}}

A watchmaker named [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] attempts to leave the [[Aerial Corps]] and follow his true passion as a watchmaker. Though initially successful due to a moderate functionary pemitting the change, the Council catches word of his blasphemy and engineer his downfall via a local criminal syndicate. In the aftermath, he is subjected to [[empurata]], leaving him destitute, and, eventually, he is convinced to join the Senate's security forces. {{storylink|Interiors}} {{storylink|Shadowplay, Part 2: Patternism|Patternism}} {{storylink|Elegant Chaos Part 2: Stet|Stet}}
[[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]] is constructed cold in [[Tarn (polity)|Tarn]], intended to house a spark from the Matrix of Leadership. The same Autobots from the future interfere with his development, extinguishing the original spark. {{storylink|Elegant Chaos Part 3: Predestination: An Expert's Guide|Predestination: An Expert's Guide}}

The time travel misadventure creates a [[Functionist Universe|divergent timeline]] where Megatron was never constructed at all. Before this alternate universe can overwrite reality, the future Whirl replaces Megatron's spark with a forged [[Point One Percenter]] spark harvested from the future. This action returns history to its proper course and gives rise to the first and only "hybrid" Transformer. {{storylink|Elegant Chaos Part 3: Predestination: An Expert's Guide|Predestination: An Expert's Guide}} Megatron spends his early life hoping to become a medic, {{storylink|The Becoming: Dark Cybertron Chapter 10|The Becoming}} but the tenets of Functionism means that he instead becomes a miner, working at [[Nova Point]]. {{storylink|World, Shut Your Mouth Part 1: Towards Peace|Towards Peace}}

[[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Orion Pax]] is brought online from a sparkfield in Iacon; the [[blacksmith]], impressed with his size, invites Alpha Trion to bear witness to his birth. With many options available to him thanks to his truck alternate mode, Orion joins the Iacon police force, but is disturbed by the violence and cynicism inherent in the system. {{storylink|Post}}

Sickened by the caste-based brutality of Nominus Prime's Cybertron, Megatron writes a [[After the Ark: Nominus Prime and the Illusion of Progress|treatise]] arguing in favor of non-violent dissent and the peaceful exchange of ideas. His ideas prove popular among Cybertron's menial classes, attracting a growing movement that threatens the sovereignty of the Senate. {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 1}}

While discussing his ideas with his friend [[Impactor (G1)|Impactor]] at [[Maccadam's Old Oil House|Maccadam's New Oil House]], the two are caught in a bar brawl {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 1}} accidentally caused by the same time-hopping Autobots from the future. {{storylink|Elegant Chaos Part 2: Stet|Stet}} The fight sees both Megatron and Impactor arrested; hoping to use the event to silence Megatron, the Senate send Whirl to visit Megatron's cell to permanently silence him. {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 1}}

[[File:ChaosTheory2 orion addresses senate.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Lend me your audio receptors.]]
Orion Pax, now a police captain, manages to arrange for Megatron's release before Whirl can finish him off, saving his life. Orion discovers Megatron's readings, and, moved by them, decides to confront the Senate, deciding to 'reclaim' the slur Autobot as short for "autonomous robot". Orion's diatribe inspires Shockwave, who has been searching for promising young Cybertronians, to befriend the police captain in the hopes of nudging him into bearing the Matrix of Leadership. Shockwave arranges for his release and repair, adding a new Matrix chamber to his chest in the repair process. {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 2}}

Megatron, however, comes to the realization that peaceful dissent will not be enough to unseat the Senate—and that violence makes a more powerful statement. {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 1}}

Shortly afterwards, several Senators make a grab for more power by ordering an attack on Nominus Prime, using it as an excuse to obtain the Matrix of Leadership and enforce more control over an increasingly unruly Cybertronian populace. During the [[Primal Procession]], Nominus is attacked by a suicide bomber and rendered comatose. The public is told that Nominus is merely in hiding while the Senate investigate the comatose Prime, hoping to use their head of security [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel]] to tap into the power of the Matrix. {{storylink|Shadowplay, Part 1: Post Hoc|Post Hoc}} {{storylink|Liars, A to D Part 3: The Chaos of Warm Things|The Chaos of Warm Things}} Unbeknownst to all, "Sentinel" is, in reality, a false identity constructed by [[Infinitus]], using his [[Titan Master]] powers to disguise himself as a normal Cybertronian. {{storylink|Last Light (issue)|Last Light}}

Sentinel's attempts prove fruitless, but expose an ancient secret: Nominus Prime's "Matrix" is a fake holdover from the days of Nova Prime's reign. Realizing this, the Senate sees no use keeping the Prime around and kill him, releasing a cover story that he passed away from a [[rust]] infection. Thus bolstered, the Senate impose the [[Clampdown (event)|Clampdown]], limiting the rights and social mobilities of all Cybertronians. Ostensibly, this is to root out terrorists and tighten security, in reality, it is an opportunity for Senators to track down and silence those who contest their rule. The injustice proves useful for the growing "[[Decepticon]]" movement, basing themselves off Megatron's [[w:Samizdat|samizdat]] writings.

[[File:MTMTE34 what you might call a thinker.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|"I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man."]]
As part of attempts to limit any future Decepticon uprisings, the Senate has Megatron transferred to an offworld mine on [[Messatine]] to limit his influence. {{storylink| Shadowplay, Part 1: Post Hoc|Post Hoc}} There, he meets [[Terminus (G1)|Terminus]], an elderly miner who encourages him to keep writing. Terminus helps smuggle each new work back to Cybertron, continuing the spread of the Decepticon movement. The Senate eventually tries to cut the problem off at the source, deploying [[Froid]] and [[Trepan]] to try and rewire Megatron's mind through shadowplay. Megatron escapes the procedure due to a nearby explosion and subsequent evacuation—in reality, the explosion is caused by [[Brainstorm (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Brainstorm]] jumping backwards through time. {{storylink|Births, Deaths, and Interventions}} Afterwards Megatron publishes his magnum opus, ''[[Towards Peace]]'', which will eventually become the Decepticon manifesto. {{storylink|World, Shut Your Mouth Part 1: Towards Peace|Towards Peace}}

[[File:Shadowplay3-SenatorWho.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|We can rebuild him. Better than he was before. Better. Stronger. More logical.]]
As part of a complicated plan to eliminate the threat the Decepticons pose to their social order, Senator [[Proteus]] promises to recognize the Decepticons as a legitimate political entity if 10,000 of them register as such, actually a method of gathering names for future shadowplay. {{storylink|Shadowplay, Part 2: Patternism|Patternism}} To discredit the growing movement, the Senate intends to stage a bombing that will be pinned on the Decepticons. The scheme is foiled by Orion Pax, [[Ratchet (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ratchet]], and a trio of [[Outlier (group)|outliers]] comprising [[Skids (G1)|Skids]], [[Tarn (DJD)|Damus]] and [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]]. They succeed, but as a repercussion, his friend Senator Shockwave is brainwashed and subjected to empurata and shadowplay by the Institute. {{storylink|Shadowplay (Conclusion): An Intimate Beheading|An Intimate Beheading}} Realizing that he has been "liberated" from the constraints of emotions, Shockwave continues his [[Regenesis|energy research]] in secret. {{storylink|Shockwaves}}

Thanks to the influence of the Senate, Sentinel is installed as the new Matrix-bearer and becomes “Sentinel Prime”. {{storylink|Shadowplay, Part 2: Patternism|Patternism}} Sentinel reorganizes the Senate's security forces into the [[Elite Guard#2005 IDW continuity|Elite Guard]], a collection of thuggish bruisers. {{storylink|Elegant Chaos Part 1: All Our Parlous Yesterdays|All Our Parlous Yesterdays}} Infinitus quietly uses his Titan Master talents to assemble a legion of sleeper agents that will join his side should the need arise, including [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]]. [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]] joins his security services and eventually becomes Sentinel's second-in-command. {{storylink|Last Light (issue)|Last Light}}

Hoping to take out the bot responsible for the heist, Sentinel Prime's forces try to track down Orion Pax and his friends, forcing them to go on the run. While on the lam, he meets the ambitious [[Zeta Prime (G1)|Zeta]], another of Shockwave's handpicked wunderkind. {{storylink|Elegant Chaos Part 1: All Our Parlous Yesterdays|All Our Parlous Yesterdays}}
{{-}}

===4.2 million BCE===
On [[Moonbase Two|Luna Two]], [[Thymesis Energon mining facility]] workers [[Frak]] and [[Rushcut]] uncover a [[Point One Percenter]] [[spark]] beneath the moon's surface, the first in ten generations. The spark will become [[Overlord (Masterforce)|Overlord]]'s. {{storylink|Remembrance Day}}

===4 million BCE===
[[File:BirthsDeathsAndInterventions-OutlawPax.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|"You seem familiar. Ain't I killed you before?"]]
By this time, Cybertronian society is growing increasingly secular, and as a result the role of the Functionist Council in society has greatly diminished. When the Senate catches wind of a new hand-shaped [[hot spot]] in [[Alyon]] that seemingly proves the existence of the supernatural Guiding Hand, they send the Elite Guard to secure the site, cover its existence from prying Functionist eyes, and use the newborn sparks within for experimentation. Orion Pax and his fugitives clash with the Senate for control of the hot spot, and with the help of some time-travelling Autobots they are successful in defending the location. {{storylink|Elegant Chaos Part 1: All Our Parlous Yesterdays|All Our Parlous Yesterdays}}

With Messatine abandoned, Megatron is transferred to [[Mining Outpost C-12]] on [[Croteus 12]]. Growing increasingly frustrated with his life, he works there for a period of time until Senator [[Decimus]] automates the mine, leaving the miners unemployed. When Decimus and his thuggish police force arrives to announce the closure of the facility, the reaction sparks a riot—and in the chaos, Megatron takes his first life. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 1|Megatron Origin #1}} Megatron and his fellow miners escape in a shuttle to join the illegal [[Gladiatorial combat|gladiatorial games]] beneath the city of [[Kaon (polity)|Kaon]]. Megatron takes over the games and is approached by [[Soundwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Soundwave]], an emissary of Senator [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]], to cause terror throughout Cybertron. Thousands of new Decepticons join the cause, including the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]]s, who help rebuild the motley collection of gladiators into full-on warriors. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 2|Megatron Origin #2}}

During this period, Shockwave is approached by Starscream, who brings him before Megatron. Realizing that Shockwave has a goal of his own, but with no interest in what it actually ''is'', Megatron offers the former senator the freedom and resources that the Senate cannot provide. In exchange, Shockwave will use his scientific talents to study and improve on Jhiaxus's technology in the hopes of creating a functioning [[combiner]] for the Decepticons. Shockwave accepts the offer, though he notes that it will take a very long time. {{storylink|Shockwaves}}

[[File:Apexthrone.JPG|thumb|upright=1.4|"I could make a giant purple griffin out of stolen automobiles..."]]
Megatron unites his gladiators under the Decepticon banner and arranges their "capture" by Sentinel Prime's forces. Once captured, [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]] and Soundwave's forces massacre the Senate, and release the Decepticons from prison so they can overrun the security force's HQ. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 3|Megatron Origin #3}} News of the Decepticon uprising reaches Sentinel Prime, and the Prime dons his [[Apex Armor (G1)|Apex Armor]] to make a final stand against the Decepticons in Kaon. He loses the ensuing duel with Megatron, and the Decepticon leader fashions his defeated enemy's armor into a throne. With Kaon now a Decepticon stronghold, the security forces withdraw to [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 4|Megatron Origin #4}}

Sentinel Prime's body is laid to rest within the [[Primal Basilica]]... but while "Sentinel Prime" has publicly perished, ''Infinitus'' lives on, and the tiny head-bot abandons his old body and goes into hiding underneath Kaon. Neither the Senate nor the Decepticons are able to explain the mysterious loss of the corpse's head. {{storylink|The Last Autobot}}

Zeta subsequently steps up as the next Prime. {{storylink|Omega's Conundrum}} His leadership—relying heavily on pageantry and theatrical displays of force—restores a semblance of order to Cybertron, forcing the Decepticons back underground for the time being. Orion Pax returns to the force, helping to keep the peace in these troubled times; {{storylink|New Cybertron Part 1: To Walk Among the Chosen|To Walk Among the Chosen}} he asks [[Ironhide (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ironhide]] to teach him how to be a ''soldier'' and not just a cop. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 13|Old Ways}}

Orion Pax and Zeta help to reshape Cybertron's disorganized security forces into a counter-terrorism army dubbed the "[[Autobot]]s". {{storylink|Spotlight: Blurr}} Zeta begins reorganizing Cybertron in ways large and small, "pushing Cybertronian society as fast as it can go". {{storylink|New Cybertron Part 5: Future Glories Lost|Future Glories Lost}} Among other things, he gives more rights to members of the [[disposable class]], a political move spurred in part by the writings and campaigning of noted adventurer and rhetorician [[Dominus Ambus]]. {{storylink|Before & After}} Under his leadership, Zeta brings back the Senate as the "New Senate", but he also secretly resuscitates the [[Institute]] and turns it into "The New Institute" for his own uses. {{storylink|Remembrance Day}}

With the Decepticon movement now publicly recognized as a terrorist movement, Zeta takes numerous actions to root out illegal activity, which eventually leads to shutting down popular venues like racetracks. This temporarily puts star racer [[Blurr (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Blurr]] out of the spotlight. {{storylink|Spotlight: Blurr}} Orion Pax later oversees a hostage exchange with the Decepticons. This is a trick to capture the wise [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]], so the Decepticons can use him to find a Titan and gain spacebridge technology. Pax prevents this. {{storylink|Omega's Conundrum|Spotlight: Orion Pax}}

[[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] is stranded in the [[Rust Sea|Rust Spot]] and develops a fear of solitude. {{storylink|The Waiting Game|Spotlight: Hoist}} Blurr gets caught in Autobot/Decepticon crossfire, but Orion convinces him to turn his self-confidence to the Autobot cause. {{storylink|Spotlight: Blurr}}

[[File:DanceAmongTheShadows-zetaprime.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|Ah, I could just look at myself all day.]]
On the Decepticon side of things, growing tension causes ideological rifts among the community. a sizeable portion of Decepticons maintain that their movement should be one of pacifism, but others—bolstered by Megatron's recent actions—begin preparing for all-out war by amassing weapons from offworld. {{storylink|New Cybertron Part 3: Behind My Bleeding Back|Behind My Bleeding Back}} Decepticon gunrunner [[Hefter]] finds himself on the wrong side of the law when Zeta's forces crack down on the Decepticons, and his death in police custody sparks a larger inquiry that involves Orion Pax. {{storylink|New Cybertron Part 1: To Walk Among the Chosen|To Walk Among the Chosen}} With the help of [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]] and conflicted Decepticon pacifist [[Jetfire (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Jetfire]], Orion succeeds in uncovering exposing [[Needlenose (G1)|Needlenose]] and [[Horri-Bull]]'s Decepticon cell, but his experiences leave him embittered and ready to go to war against the Decepticons. {{storylink|New Cybertron End: Feel Safe Without Regrets|Feel Safe Without Regrets}}

A young Cybertronian named [[Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Bumblebee]] joins the Autobots after the Decepticons trick him into delivering explosives through his dreams. {{storylink|Ghost Stories}}

With war looming on the horizon, Prowl forms an alliance with the neutral scientist [[Tarantulas (BW)|Mesothulas]]. {{storylink|Sins of the Wreckers issue 3|Sins of the Wreckers #3}} Together, they create many weapons and devices that will see use in the upcoming conflict, but Prowl eventually has a crisis of conscience and recruits Impactor to dispose of his increasingly depraved comrade. Impactor does so in exchange for having [[Roadbuster (G1)|Roadbuster]] released, but finds himself unable to kill "Ostaros", an artificial Cybertronian created in the lab. Instead, he inducts the young "Transformer" into the Autobots as "[[Springer (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Springer]]". {{storylink|Sins of the Wreckers issue 5|Sins of the Wreckers #5}}

Megatron holds [[Declaration Day]], officially announcing the commencement of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]]. Zeta and Orion work to fight back against the Decepticons, but Zeta Prime's ruthlessness pushes him to create the [[vamparc ribbon]], which drains energon from his own citizens and other insurgents. Horrified by his leader, Orion Pax turns on him and forges an alliance with Megatron to overthrow the tyrannical Prime. {{storylink|The Transformers: Autocracy|Autocracy}}

[[File:Autocracy9 pax becomes prime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|He's getting The Touch.]]
They succeed, and Megatron kills Zeta in an action later remembered as "the gunshot that killed a civilization". {{storylink|Life After the Big Bang}} Megatron immediately betrays Orion, casts him into the depths of Cybertron, and declares himself ruler of the planet. Lost underground, Orion discovers the long-lost true Matrix and is turned into [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]]. Optimus uses his new connection with the Matrix to awaken the dormant Metroplex and rally a new army against Megatron's dictatorship. The new army of Autobots drive the Decepticons out of Iacon, setting the stage for all-out war. {{storylink|The Transformers: Autocracy|Autocracy}}

[[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] is finally (reluctantly) accepted for a scouting mission and crashlands on [[LV-117]]. He spends a period of time getting beaten up by giant spiders, picking his arm out of giant lizard dung, and sending a distress signal.<ref>In "[[Space Opera Part 1: The Stars My Destination]]", Rodimus claims that Wheelie disappeared shortly after Rodimus joined the Autobots, which he did in ''Autocracy''.</ref> {{storylink|Spotlight: Wheelie}}

Megatron is overthrown and exiled to [[Junkion (planet)|Junkion]] by [[Scorponok (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Scorponok]], who destroys Cybertron's last major source of energon and awakens the ancient monster [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]. Aided by the [[Quintesson]] [[Pentius]], Megatron is able to return and defeat the beast alongside [[Grimlock (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Grimlock]]. {{storylink|The Transformers: Monstrosity|Monstrosity}}

[[File:Drift2-somewhereinconspicuous.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|Are you ''sure'' this is the Heleus Cluster?]]
Alarmed by the energon crisis and escalating hostilities, numerous Cybertronians began evacuating the planet in the [[Exodus (event)|Exodus]], a mass diaspora of neutrals, conscientious objectors, and other non-participants in the war. Dai Atlas and Tyrest oversee the safe evacuation of approximately 10-20 million refugees. {{storylink|Fallout (issue)|Fallout}} Among the evacuees are the [[Circle of Light]], who secretly depart Cybertron aboard [[Metrotitan (Zone)|Metrotitan]] and establish a hidden city on the planet of [[Theophany]]. {{storylink|Drift issue 2|Drift #2}} A group of [[Mortilus]]-worshiping neutrals discover the drifting ''Unitrex-1'' near [[Vela Pulsar]]. {{storylink|Twenty Plus One}} They take custody of the abandoned ship for the duration of the war, keeping a mutated [[Sparkeater (creature)|Sparkeater]] aboard docile by feeding it [[turbofox]]es. {{storylink|Liars, A to D Part 3: The Chaos of Warm Things|The Chaos of Warm Things}}

Megatron revives Trypticon using Pentius's spark and gathers the scattered Decepticon forces for a full-scale assault on the Autobots, but Optimus Prime cleanses him of the Quintesson's influence and captures him, {{storylink|The Transformers: Primacy|Primacy}} though he is soon freed by a Decepticon raid. {{storylink|Post}}

At some point after this, the original [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ultra Magnus]] dies under mysterious circumstances. Hoping to keep the legend of the immortal lawman alive, Tyrest creates the [[Magnus Armor]] and recruits [[Point One Percenter|load-bearer]] Autobots to wear it, effectively becoming Ultra Magnus. {{storylink|The Gloaming}}

With both sides searching for a way to bolster their numbers, Cybertronians discover reserves of cryogenically frozen [[Spark]]s created via Nova Prime's Matrix bleeding. These new sparks are used to create new Transformers which become known as "[[M.T.O.|Made to Order]]" soldiers for specific campaigns in what is later termed the "Silver Harvest". {{storylink|Twenty Plus One}}

The Decepticons move to conquer several nearby cities, and their string of major victories is remembered as the [[Fall of the First Five Cities]] —the conquests of [[Vos (polity)|Vos]], [[Tarn (polity)|Tarn]], [[Helex (polity)|Helex]], Kaon, and [[Tesarus (polity)|Tesarus]]. {{Storylink|Life After the Big Bang}} These cities become the inspiration for the [[Decepticon Justice Division]], who name their five operatives after the cities. {{storylink|Rules of Disengagement (issue)|Rules of Disengagement}}

Optimus Prime and Megatron repeatedly clash over the course of the war; their very first showdown at the Battle of [[Sherma Bridge]] (2nd Cycle 087) becomes legendary. {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 1}} Early into the war, Optimus Prime turns down Megatron's first and only invitation for an Autobot surrender. {{storylink|Liars, A to D Part 1: How to Say Goodbye and Mean It|How to say Goodbye and Mean It}}

[[Ironhide (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ironhide]] is injured saving Optimus Prime from an [[Axer (G1)|assassin]]. {{storylink|The Iron Age}}
Tyrest attempts to broker peace between the two sides. His efforts ultimately fail, but do result in the creation of the [[Tyrest Accord]], limiting the spread of Transformer technology to other races. {{storylink|Remain in Light 2 of 5: House of Ambus|House of Ambus}}

[[File:ALonelyPillarOnThePlain-BattleOfJunkion.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|You weren't there, man. You don't know.]]

The Autobot-Decepticon war expands beyond Cybertron and encompasses many other worlds, and thousands of battles occur both on and off Cybertron over a period of time. During this period, Shockwave leads a detachment back to Junkion in order to recruit the natives. They are opposed by Prowl; the struggle goes on, neither side able to gain an advantage over the other, until one faction decides to detonate the planet entirely to keep it out of the other's hands. The surviving Junkions, led by [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] and [[Rum-Maj]], flee the destruction of their home aboard a [[Quintesson Cruiser|gigantic vessel]] and become galactic nomads. {{storylink|New Cybertron Part 2: A Lonely Pillar on the Plain|A Lonely Pillar on the Plain}}
{{-}}

===3 million BCE===
A battle takes place on the planet [[Clemency]] for control of the [[Nightmare Engine]], and a flight of [[K-Class]] Decepticons succeed in killing a bearer of the Magnus Armor. {{storylink|The Gloaming}}

The early phases of the war culminate in the destructive [[Simanzi Massacre]], a cataclysmic battle over the [[Crucible]]. Details are unclear, but the fallout from the conflict irradiates a sizeable percentage of the planet while cutting the Cybertronian population in half. Among the casualties is a bearer of the Magnus Armor. {{storylink|The Gloaming}} The Simanzi Massacre leads to the [[Forced Flood]] and the [[Endless Retaliation]]. {{storylink|Twenty Plus One}}

[[File:Omniglobes.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|Electrohamster balls were a popular accessory for the well-equipped commanding officer.]]
Bolstered by their victories, the Decepticons form the [[Constellate]], marking the peak of Decepticon power. In this brief period, the Decepticons conquer and colonize many worlds, using grandiose weapons of war like the gigantic [[Worldsweeper]]-class warships. {{storylink|Scavengers (Part 2): Who's Afraid of the DJD?|Who's Afraid of the DJD?}} The devastation visited on other races is enough to prompt the [[Galactic Council]] to permanently blacklist the Cybertronian race, {{storylink|Primus: You, Me, and Other Revelations|You, Me, and Other Revelations}} and develop anti-Cybertronian weapons to safeguard their member worlds from future destruction. {{storylink|The Waiting Game}}

With both sides now defending on-planet and offworld footings, the conflict enters a state of total war as both sides pour all available resources into defeating the other. Optimus and Megatron seal themselves inside [[omniglobe]]s to direct the war effort. {{storylink|Rules of Disengagement (issue)|Rules of Disengagement}} Eventually, the Constellate collapses, marking the decline of the Decepticon's imperial phase. Imperial assets are recalled to Cybertron to fight on the home front. {{storylink|Rules of Disengagement (issue)|Rules of Disengagement}}

[[File:Mtmte 48 grindcore.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Comes with its own cheerful [[The Empyrean Suite|theme tune]]!]]
Skids joins the Autobots as a "bomb negotiator", disabling [[anti-personal mine]]s. One negotiation session goes wrong and lands him in the notorious [[Grindcore (prison)|Grindcore prison]]. {{storylink|Speak, Memory: Part 1}} There, he befriends [[Quark]] and catches the attention of Decepticon Damus—Skids's old friend, now a Decepticon. Damus plays a sadistic game where the Autobot repairs the camp's "teleporter", in reality a smelting chamber, and then kills the fifty Autobots he promised to send away, including Quark. The experience proves traumatic enough for Skids to suppress the memory. {{storylink|Speak, Memory! (Part 2)}} At some point after this, Damus is promoted and joins the [[Decepticon Justice Division]] as "Tarn". {{storylink|The Dying of the Light Part 6: Do Not Go Gentle|Do Not Go Gentle}}

Skids eventually escapes prison and joins the Autobot [[Diplomatic Corps]], working to persuade other races to support the Autobot cause. {{storylink|Scavengers (Part 2): Who's Afraid of the DJD?|Who's Afraid of the DJD?}}

After several other Magnus Armor wearers succumb to battlefield injuries or ailments, [[Minimus Ambus]] becomes the latest and longest-serving bearer of the Armor. {{storylink|Remain in Light 3 of 5: The Divided Self|The Divided Self}} {{storylink|The Sound of Breaking Glass}}
{{--}}

==100,000+ years ago==
===650,000 BCE===
Shockwave realises Cybertron will soon die and fully launches [[Regenesis]]; using [[energon]] as a catalyst, he launches thirteen specific ores at thirteen distant planets.<ref>"Six Hundred Thousand Meta-Cycles Ago"</ref> {{storylink|Spotlight: Shockwave}} Unbeknownst to the younger Shockwave, these planets are the thirteen colonies of Cybertronian legend, an ontological paradox set up years beforehand by his future self in the guise of "Onyx Prime." {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 4: The Hallowing}}

===500,000 BCE===
Shockwave leaves Cybertron to begin examining the fruits of Regenesis. Over the ensuing thousands of years, he discovers that the ores that have formed on the different planets have taken on wildly different attributes, and begins formulating a scheme to use them in conjunction to achieve his dream of fuelling Cybertron forever. {{storylink|Syndromica (1)}} Alpha Trion takes Metroplex off Cybertron to keep him out of Megatron's hands and investigate Shockwave's plot. {{storylink|Earthfall Part 1: Hello Cruel World|Hello Cruel World}}

Still searching for usable Titan technology, Megatron has a team of Decepticons led by [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] search outer space for Metroplex. Crew member [[Thundercracker (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Thundercracker]] finds the Titan, but has a crisis of conscience and ends up letting him go. {{storylink|The Hunting Party (IDW)|The Hunting Party}} Another member, [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]], is able to find and injure [[Quintessa (IDW)|another Titan]], causing it to teleport to [[Gorlam Prime]] where it goes dormant. {{storylink|Homecoming (IDW)|Homecoming}}

===18,000 BCE===
Returning to Antilla aboard the titan [[Nemesis (BWII)|Nemesis]], Onyx Prime and his [[Maximal]]s uncover the core of the Unicron device, which he dubs the "[[Talisman (G1)|Talisman]]". {{storylink|Our Finest}} Knowing its destructive potential, Onyx entrusts the device to the Maximal crew of the ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]'', sending them on a deep-space mission to locate the [[Enigma of Combination]] in the knowledge that their quest would take them to Earth; {{storylink|Strange Visitors}} {{storylink|Hasbro Heroes Sourcebook issue 1|Centurion's profile}} Onyx's ultimate goal for the Talisman is for it to poison Cybertron and act as bait to draw in and destroy Unicron, leaving the Transformers freed of their past and able to begin again on Earth. {{storylink|Ghost in the Machine (IDW)|Ghost in the Machine}} {{storylink|Our Finest}}

===10,000 BCE===
[[File:StrangeVisitors-IceAgeWars.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|''All this has happened before All this shall happen again'']]
The [[Dinobot (G1)|Dynobots]] attack a Decepticon-held Energon silo in [[Sub-Sector-Nine]]. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 1}} Later, they depart Cybertron to hunt down Shockwave in pursuit of revenge for a past defeat. {{storylink|Spotlight: Shockwave}}

The ''Axalon'', needing to refuel, stops by prehistoric Earth after tracking the energon surges from Shockwave's experiments. Shockwave, present to check on his work, shoots them down, and the crash scrambles their memories. As an experiment, he brainwashes and retrofits the crew to think they are prominent Autobots and Decepticons so he can run the "[[Ice Age Wars]]", a control experiment of the Great War while he studies the Talisman.<ref>A caption says [[Centurion (IDW)|Centurion]] hasn't been on the ''Axalon'' for "twenty thousand years", which clashes with ''Spotlight: Shockwave'' but does put this nicely in the Ice Age.</ref> {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 1|Hearts of Steel #1}} {{storylink|Strange Visitors}}
{{-}}

===8390 BCE===
[[File:Shockwaveg1idw.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"A six-inch retractable claw, like a razor, on the the middle toe. He doesn't bother to bite your jugular like a lion, say... no no. He slashes at you here, or here..."]]
The Ice Age has ended<ref>The real Ice Age ended several thousand years earlier.</ref> and Ore-13 has started to grow unstable. Shockwave abandons his miniature Great War to stabilize Ore-13 but the Dynobots—seeking revenge and sporting energon-shielded beast modes—have finally tracked him down, and they engage him in combat. While he defeats them, he is deactivated by a failsafe set by Grimlock, as the Dynobots' ship triggers a volcanic eruption which buries all six in what would later become [[Eureka]], [[Nevada]].<ref>Shockwave specifies in [[Maximum Dinobots issue 5|''Maximum Dinobots'' #5]] that he has been waiting for "ten thousand, three hundred and ninety-six years, two months and three days".</ref> {{storylink|Spotlight: Shockwave}} The abandoned ''Axalon'' crew fight on for a time, but low energon levels eventually force them all into hibernation in secluded regions. {{storylink|Strange Visitors}} Megatron assigns Bludgeon to investigate Shockwave's projects {{storylink|Spotlight: Shockwave}}—and Soundwave to watch over Bludgeon. {{storylink|Spotlight: Soundwave}}

[[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] is rescued from the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]] by an [[Jazz (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|unknown Autobot]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Jazz}}

[[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] crashlands on an unnamed planet and spends a period of time there watching over young aliens named [[Kita]] and [[Coll]] until Kita dies when Cliffjumper is discovered by Decepticons. {{storylink|Spotlight: Cliffjumper}}

A Decepticon named [[Drift (G1)|Deadlock]] leaves [[Turmoil]]'s command when he feels disillusioned by what the civil war had become, and he stumbles across the Circle of Light. {{storylink|Drift issue 1}} His coming prompts the Circle to raise their hidden city above ground. {{storylink|Drift issue 4}}

===3000 BCE===
At some point before this period of time, ancient humans discover the Enigma of Combination. The influence of the Enigma "combines" their thoughts and ideas, allowing them to work together and found the city of [[Uruk (Earth)|Uruk]].<ref>Issue 37 of ''The Transformers'' claims that this only happened 2000 years ago, which contradicts historical events alluded to in later issues ''and'' real life; Uruk existed as far back as 4000 years ago, and was far from the first civilization.</ref> {{storylink|Onyx Interface Part Three: ONoffON|ONoffON}}

Sumerians develop an early civilization. {{storylink|Crisis Intervention|Revolutionaries #1 timeline}}

===2560 BCE===
The [[Pyramid]]s are constructed. {{storylink|Crisis Intervention|Revolutionaries #1 timeline}} Around this time, the Talisman somehow winds up underneath the [[Tomb of Altomec]] in [[Dahshur]], [[Egypt]]. {{storylink|The Secret of the Mummy's Tomb}}

==100+ years ago==
[[File:GhostStories-onyxprime.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.3|[[Tirac|Tirek]] got a big makeover for his ''[[My Little Pony|Friendship is Magic]]'' appearance.]]
Over time, the colony world of Caminus runs low on resources and energon, becoming increasingly isolated from the rest of the galaxy. {{storylink|Windblade issue 3|Windblade #3}} At an indeterminate point in time, while Caminus still has functioning interstellar ships, the inhabitants detect an emergency beacon from the planet [[Antilla]]; however, the explorers find the planet dead and rusted, and inhabited only by Onyx Prime and his army. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 1: Surfeit of Primes|Surfeit of Primes}} The surviving explorers flee back to Caminus, but after some years are followed back there by Onyx, who attacks the village [[Parvus Oppidum]] and claims the life of [[Praesidia Magna]], leader of the [[Torchbearer]]s and one of the explorers. Her subordinate [[Pyra Magna|Pyra]] steps up as leader, {{storylink|Ghost Stories}} while the [[Mistress of Flame]] covers up the attack. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 2: Another Mine|Another Mine}}

===603 BCE===
The [[Predator (subgroup)|Predator]]s put down local resistance in the [[Skomiloch Territories]]. They remain while [[Skyquake (G1)|Skyquake]] rules a mini-empire there. {{storylink|The Transformers: Last Stand of the Wreckers|Snare's personnel evaluation}}

===27 BCE===
Octavian establishes the Roman Empire as {{w|Emperor Augustus}}. {{storylink|Crisis Intervention|Revolutionaries #1 timeline}}

===220===
The Han Dynasty in Ancient [[China]] ends. {{storylink|Crisis Intervention|Revolutionaries #1 timeline}}

===1309===
''The earliest known [[Cobra Commander|Commander]] of [[Cobra]] is inspired by the writings of Cobra agent {{i|Dante Alighieri}}, whose ''{{w|Divine Comedy}}'' serves as an allegory for Cobra and its dealings, to expand the organization's pursuits into newly discovered lands and new areas of science and learning. {{istorylink|G.I. Joe vol. 3 issue 13|Inferno}}''

===1320===
''Dante completes and publishes the ''Divine Comedy''. Cobra Commander sadly has his old friend poisoned for risking revealing Cobra to the world, concluding that the virtuous future Dante had envisioned for Cobra would never come to be. {{istorylink|G.I. Joe vol. 3 issue 13|Inferno}}'' {{storylink|Crisis Intervention|Revolutionaries #1 timeline}}

===1408===
Fortress Maximus is instated as warden of [[Garrus-9]]. {{storylink|Last Light (issue)|Last Light}}

===1516===
Runaway [[blacksmith]] turned adventurer-archeologist [[Anode]] and her conjunx endura [[Lug (IDW)|Lug]] travel to [[Moonbase Two|Luna Two]] at the behest of their employer, the mysterious "[[Adaptus|Grand Architect]]", in search of a rare piece of "[[Living metal#2005 IDW continuity|widowed metal]]". They run afoul of a Decepticon [[Cybernought]], but Censere, as the "Necrobot", intervenes. He spirits Anode away through time and space, but Lug is left behind and perishes. {{storylink|Dissolution Part 1: Some Other Cybertron|Some Other Cybertron}}

Arcee, who Anode had offered to help with her trauma from Jhiaxus's experiments, is left even more unstable by her sudden disappearance, {{storylink|Post}} and ends up on a violent rampage trying to track down Jhiaxus and destroy everything he created; she is eventually stopped by Ultra Magnus, who has her spark extracted and imprisoned in [[Garrus-9]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Arcee}}

===1550===
[[File:Thunderwingwhathaveyoudone.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|{{w|Pod People}}.]]
Decepticon scientist [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] comes to the conclusion that Cybertron—between ever-dwindling supplies of energon and the fallout caused by millennia of warfare—will soon be entirely uninhabitable. Believing that the Transformers must find a way to adapt to changing planetary conditions, he develops an upgrade based on "[[Pretender|polydermal grafting]]" procedures. Unfortunately, he uses himself as a test subject for the process and, driven mad, he ends up destroying the planet even faster before perishing.<ref>700 stellar-cycles ago, so if a stellar cycle is ~7.5 months, then presumptively ~437 years ago.</ref> {{storylink|The Transformers: Stormbringer |Stormbringer}}

Shortly after Thunderwing's rampage, Soundwave uses [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] to take control of [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]]. Beachcomber attempts to assassinate [[Blaster (G1)/toys|Blaster]], leaving him adrift in space. The Decepticons began a massive offensive against the demoralized Autobots. {{storylink|Spotlight: Blaster}} It's all for naught anyway as the planet is soon abandoned, a lifeless, radiation-saturated wreck. With Cybertron now completely uninhabitable, the war does not abate, but moves permanently off-planet. {{storylink|The Transformers: Stormbringer |Stormbringer}}

Following the loss of Cybertron, the nature of the war changes, becoming a series of cloak-and-dagger operations on alien worlds. The Decepticon war machine reorganizes around the [[infiltration protocol]], a step-by-step process by which Decepticons covertly infiltrate a planet's society and manipulate events to bring it down from within. As part of this process, three of the [[Warriors Elite]] are promoted to [[Phase Sixer]]s, including [[Overlord (Masterforce)|Overlord]]—who promptly deserts from the Decepticon army. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 2|Last Stand of the Wreckers #2}}
{{-}}

===1586===
[[United Kingdom|England]] creates the original [[Action Man]] Programme. {{storylink|Crisis Intervention|Revolutionaries #1 timeline}}

===1610===
{{w|Galileo Galilei|Galileo}} charts the moons of [[Jupiter]]. {{storylink|Crisis Intervention|Revolutionaries #1 timeline}}

===1700s===
Incumbent Magnus Armor wearer Minimus Ambus is critically injured in the line of duty, requiring him to step down as Ultra Magnus for a prolonged period. He is replaced as the armor's wearer by [[Convoy (G1)|Convoy]], a hot-headed Autobot with a disdain for organic life. {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 5|Shining Armor #5}}

Around this time, the [[Prysmos]]ian sorcerer [[Merklynn]], disgusted by his home planet's technological advancements, plots to reverse their technological development and does so by casting a spell that brings the system's three suns into alignment with one another, shutting down machinery across the planet. {{storylink|Cybertron No More}} In the ensuing "Age of Magic", he and his "[[Visionaries]]" keep the peace until catastrophe strikes: as the suns move back out of alignment, the gravitational forces unleashed tear the world apart, and only a handful of Prysmosians escape its destruction. Merklynn goes out into the galaxy in the hopes of finding a new world to colonize: a quest that, eventually, leads him to [[Earth]]. {{storylink|Schismatic}} Though Merklynn believes the de-alignment to have been the fault of his own miscalculations, the true cause was the creation of Unicron, which had harnessed the [[Magic|arcana vast]] from across time and space, destroying Prysmos in the process. {{storylink|Stranger Eons}}

===1800===
Following the deaths of his family at the hands of the [[Dire Wraith]]s, [[Rom|Rom K'atsema]] of [[Elonia]] joins the [[Solstar Order]] to take the fight to them. On his homeworld, he discovers a [[Ore-12|mysterious ore]], anathema to the Wraiths, that forms itself into a {{i|Space Knight armor|symbiotic armor}} around his body. The Solstar Order uses this ore to found its order of [[Space Knight]]s. {{istorylink|Cold Fire}} {{storylink|Crisis Intervention|Revolutionaries #1 timeline}}

Shortly afterwards, the Dire Wraiths discover Earth, drawn to Shockwave's supplies of [[Ore-13]] to amplify their powerful dark magic. {{storylink|The New Colossus}} Using their shapeshifting talents, Dire Wraith scouts begin infiltrating the worlds' governments and militaries, preparing for an eventual encounter with the Space Knight. {{istorylink|Earthfall: Part Three}}

===1830s===
[[File:Shining Armor 4 - Ultra Vekktral vs Starscream.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|"Curse your sudden but inevitable betrayal!"]]
A Galactic Council ship destroys a Camien vessel in the [[Gray Area]]. One protoform survives, recovered by [[Rom]] and taken to the Solstar Order, where the protoform matures into [[Stardrive]]. After some years the Cybertronian joins the Order's Space Knights as a cadet, though she is often excluded and made to feel unwanted thanks to anti-Cybertronian prejudice.

The [[energon synthesizer]] the Order have developed for Stardrive draws the attention of [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]], whose Decepticons ally with the Dire Wraith [[Vekktral]] and attack the attack the [[Orchid Crossing]] space station in order. The battle draws the attention of an Autobot ship commanded by Convoy's Ultra Magnus. {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 1|Shining Armor #1}} The ensuing fight sees the Autobots team up with the Solstar Knights to counter the Decepticon/Dire Wraith alliance as both parties battle it out on the frozen world of [[Xetaxxis]], Wraith leader [[Vekktral]] using his [[magic]] to create monstrous Wraith-Cybertronian hybrids. {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 3|Shining Armor #3}} The battle ends with Starscream destroying the energon synthesizer and sterilizing half of the planet in the process, forcing the heroes to retreat and wiping out Vekktral and his Dire Wraiths. The experience leaves Stardrive unwilling to continue fighting in the Space Knights' war; abandoning her allies, she takes up residence on a distant planet... unaware that she has been infected by a fragment of Wraith biomatter.

Bumblebee returns with the Magnus Armor to the Autobot fleet, where Minimus Ambus—recovered from his injuries—takes up the mantle once more. The Galactic Council and the Solstar Order formally decide to keep to their own sectors of space rather than getting caught up in each other's wars, while Starscream determines that the Dire Wraiths are too dangerous to risk allying with—and the Wraiths themselves decide to rely on their magic rather than turning to technology in future. {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 5|Shining Armor #5}}

===1867===
[[File:BeeandJohnHenry-HOS2.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|''John Henry was a man just six feet high Nearly two feet and a half across his breast He'd hammer with a nine-pound hammer all day And never get tired and want to rest'']]
Still believing themselves to be the Autobots and Decepticons, the lost Maximals are roused from their slumber by [[human]] activity sometime in the late 19th century.<ref>The ''Hasbro Heroes Sourcebook'' would lay down that the events of ''Hearts of Steel'' took place 150 years before the present date. This date contradicts real-world historical information; In the story, Mark Twain lives in San Francisco, as he did from 1864 to 1866, but refers to a daughter in [[Hearts of Steel issue 4|issue #4]], who would not be born in the real world until 1872.</ref> [[Centurion (IDW)|Centurion]] (believing himself Bumblebee) awakens to the sound of [[John Henry]] laying railroad track. While Centurion takes the form of a steam locomotive and makes contact with John Henry and his friends, the brainwashed "Shockwave" fools disgraced scientist [[Tobias Muldoon]] into helping him create a "Golden Age" of progress. {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 1|Hearts of Steel #1}} {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 2|Hearts of Steel #2}}

Muldoon realizes he's been tricked in time and manages to alert mankind by reaching [[Mark Twain]], helped by "Ravage" following him and Twain defeating him. {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 3|Hearts of Steel #3}} Human industrialists [[Vanflint]] and [[Jacob Lee Bonaventure]] collaborate with the Decepticons in Muldoon's place, while John Henry and his friends join the Autobots in heading out to stop the Decepticon's "[[Astrotrain (G1)#Hearts of Steel|Astrotrain]]" reaching [[New York City]] (running through [[United States Army]] blockades). The Autobots fight a running battle down the railroad tracks before knocking the Astrotrain, and the human collaborators riding it, off a cliff. With the threat over, the "Autobots" return to their slumber. {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 4|Hearts of Steel #4}} {{storylink|Strange Visitors}}

===1887===
Dormant Maximals are found by the [[fish people|Deep Ones]] that lurk in our oceans and taken to their unearthly city to join the forces of a slumbering [[Elder God]]. {{storylink|Infestation 2: The Transformers issue 1|Infestation 2: The Transformers #1}}

===1888===
[[File:TFInfestation2.2 Optimus Prime vs Elder God.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|Iä! Iä! Optimus primhagn!]]
Shipping is being sunk by the fishy foes and their "Seacon" slaves, and "Ironhide" (riding the [[USS Miskatonic|USS ''Miskatonic'']] identifies the threat. The steam-powered "Autobots" are rallied again and seek 1,000,000 volts to power up "Optimus Prime" (actually Domitius Major) with the help of Muldoon and [[Nikola Tesla]], but [[Port Cenotaph]], [[Canada]] is overrun before they reach it. {{storylink|Infestation 2: The Transformers issue 1|Infestation 2: The Transformers #1}} Domitius Major is awoken just as a combined naval fleet of the world's powers reaches Port Cenotaph and runs into the Elder God. Domitius Major joins the battle and wounds the Elder God badly enough to provoke a retreat, leaving the Royal Navy bemused and questioning Tesla and Muldoon. {{storylink|Infestation 2: The Transformers issue 2|Infestation 2: The Transformers #2}}
{{--}}

==1900s==
[[File:SpotlightHotRod rush.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Wheeeeeee!]]
Over the course of his travels, [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]] is challenged by the alien [[Reaper]]s. He refuses to join them. {{storylink|Spotlight: Sixshot}}
[[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Hot Rod]] leads a team to secure the [[Epistemus|Magnificence]]. [[Doubledealer]], posing as an Autobot, sabotages the raid. Hot Rod hides the Magnificence. He later infiltrates the Decepticon penal colony [[Styx]] to rescue "Dealer", who befriends him. {{storylink|Spotlight: Hot Rod}}

Meanwhile, [[Kup (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Kup]] and [[Outback (G1)|Outback]] crash-land on the planet [[Tsiehshi]], one of Shockwave's Regenesis test planets. The barren, uncharted planet is covered with radioactive crystals of [[Ore-8]]. Outback is killed in the crash, and Kup is slowly driven insane by the radiation. {{storylink|Spotlight: Kup}}

The massacre at [[Babu Yar]] takes place, which sees the deployment of the controversial bioweapon [[Gideon's Glue]] against [[Flame (Marvel)|Flame]]'s Autobots. {{storylink|Bullets}}

===1914-1919===
The Maximal Autobots are, by this time, slowly dying off, though several beginning to shake off their reconditioning and realizing that they are not who they believed themselves to be. Several of the Maximals try to find the Talisman and perish in the attempt. [[World War I]] breaks out on Earth, and Domitius Major and Centurion stumble on a battleground. Seeing real conflict causes their artificial memories of the Great War to unravel; Domitius perishes, but Centurion, confused and enraged, dedicates the remainder of his life to hunting down and killing the remaining Maximals on Earth. {{storylink|Strange Visitors}}

===1941===
[[Merklynn]]—who has arrived on Earth at some point before this time—has forged a [[human]] disguise and a new alter-ego as "Garrison Kreiger". Hoping to plot a new course, he joins the [[United States Army|US army]] at the beginning of [[World War II]]. {{storylink|The Origins of Evil, Part Five: One Unholy Machine|One Unholy Machine}}

[[Sgt. Savage|Robert Steven Savage]] also joins the military; after going above and beyond the call of duty in [[Galibi]], he receives a crack team of his own to command: the elite [[Screaming Eagles]]. {{storylink|Hasbro Heroes Sourcebook issue 2|Sgt. Savage profile}}

===1943===
With Garrison "Blitz" Kreiger now serving as an officer on the Screaming Eagles, the unit is deployed to fight in [[Kalistan]]. They are startled to find [[IRON Trooper|robot drones]]—in reality, creations of the Talisman—fighting for the Axis. [[Merklynn|Garrison Kreiger]], recognizing them as the work of alien magic, becomes fascinated by them. {{storylink|The Secret of the Mummy's Tomb}}

===1944===
[[File:StrangeVisitors-CenturionVsFakeShockwave.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|''We're leaving together, but still it's farewell'']]

In the winter of 1944, Centurion tracks the last of the ''Axalon'' crew—"[[Maximal Shockwave|Shockwave]]"—to his hiding place in [[France]]. The two battle one another, and are witnessed by the Screaming Eagles, who have arrived in France to help out the local resistance. Centurion defeats his foe and takes his gun as a trophy. Centurion asks for their help in tracking down his old starship so that he can die in peace, and although Kreiger is horrified at the prospect of the "mechanical hell" the Maximals embody, he convinces Savage to assist the alien... and so that he can learn more about the IRON Troopers.

The trio eventually locate the ''Axalon''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s frozen remains in [[Brasnya]], but are unprepared for an IRON Trooper ambush, or the sight of the robots puppeteering Domitius's corpse to attack the group. Though Centurion defeats his reanimated commander, energies unleashed by the Talisman caused the ship to vanish, with taking [[Sgt. Savage]] with it. A confused and upset Centurion agreed to assist Kreiger, who spends the next several decades grooming him as he begins a decades-long search for the Talisman. {{storylink|Strange Visitors}}
{{-}}

===1960s===
Disabled amateur sleuth [[Atomic Man|Mike Power]] accidentally stumbles on a ring of Brasnyan spies smuggling alien technology into the United States. Their plan is foiled by British super-spy [[Action Man]], who offers Power some words of encouragement. Bolstered by this praise, he goes on to study some of the technology he surreptitiously recovers from their base and eventually builds himself a new set of prostheses. {{storylink|Power and Glory}}

===1982===
[[File:Adventure Team Revolution.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|"If it is there, at Tanis, then it is something that man was not meant to disturb."]]
After serving with the [[Green Berets]], [[Joe Colton|Joseph B. "Joe" Colton]] is selected to join the [[Adventure Team]], an crack team of American operatives. {{storylink|Hasbro Heroes Sourcebook issue 1|Hasbro Heroes Sourcebook #1}} He serves alongside elite military assets such as [[Stalker (G.I. Joe)|Stalker]] and [[Miles Mayhem|Miles "Mayhem" Manheim]]. {{storylink|Secret Raiders: A Revolution Prelude|Secret Raiders}} They are eventually joined by superpowered operatives including [[Bulletman]] and Mike Power, now calling himself the "[[Atomic Man]]". {{storylink|The Secret of the Mummy's Tomb}} {{storylink|Power and Glory}} As "G.I. Joe", Colton and the Adventure Team enjoy numerous globetrotting escapades, on one occasion meeting Action Man. {{storylink|Secret Raiders: A Revolution Prelude|Secret Raiders}}

===1984===
Soundwave is sent to investigate Bludgeon's activities on Earth {{storylink|Spotlight: Soundwave}} but first makes a detour to Egypt to investigate unusual energy readings.

Kreiger, having spent decades scouring the Earth for alien artifacts, finally tracks the Talisman to its resting place in the [[Tomb of Amtoltec]] and goes to retrieve it, disposing of his [[Elliot Marsh|guide]] along the way. A few days later, the Adventure Team is deployed to rescue him. The team battles IRON Troopers and runs afoul of Soundwave before before discovering Kreiger and the Talisman. The Talisman upgrades Mike Power's cybernetic limbs; thus empowered, the team is able to see the Decepticon off and recover the Talisman, entrusting it to British intelligence. {{storylink|The Secret of the Mummy's Tomb}}

Soundwave returns to his main mission on Earth, but is deactivated when Bludgeon, after some of Shockwave's Regenesis ore—which he calls "ultra-energon"—triggers the eruption of [[Mount St. Helens]].<ref>In real life, the volcano erupted four years earlier.</ref> {{storylink|Spotlight: Soundwave}}

===1985===
[[File:SpotlightSoundwave infoispower.jpg|thumb|left|Decepticonism killed the radio star.]]
Soundwave, [[Ravage (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ravage]] and [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] are excavated by [[Skywatch]]. Interest is taken in the cassettes, found in "[[robot mode]]", but Soundwave, in cassette player mode, is apparently discarded. {{storylink|Spotlight: Soundwave}}

===1988===
[[Scorponok (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Scorponok]] lands on the backwater planet [[Nebulos]]. The latest in a series of flagrant violation of the Tyrest Accords, he develops a working relationship with [[Zarak (G1)|Mo Zarak]] and the [[Zarak Consortium]] as part of his ''modus operandi''. The duo develop a variation of the [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] process involving hybridizing [[Nebulan]]s and Cybertronians. Ultra Magnus tracks Scorponok to [[Nebulos]], but despite taking severe damage, the Decepticon escapes.<ref>29 stellar cycles ago, or 18 years</ref> {{storylink|Spotlight: Ultra Magnus}}

[[Solomus|Tyrest]] constructs the supercomputer/judging machine [[Aequitas]], based on [[Tarantulas (BW)|Mesothulas]]' old designs. {{storylink|Sins of the Wreckers issue 3|Sins of the Wreckers #3}} The [[Aequitas trials]] begin, a catalog of Autobot atrocities. {{storylink|Remain in Light 2 of 5: House of Ambus|House of Ambus}} What nobody but Tyrest knows is that every Autobot on trial is "[[Reproduction#2005 IDW continuity|constructed cold]]", a process he'd help develop. The revelation is enough to gnaw at his conscience, and eventually Tyrest vanishes from the public eye. {{storylink|Remain in Light 3 of 5: The Divided Self|The Divided Self}}

Skids eventually moves to Prowl's covert [[Special Operations]], necessitating faking his own death. {{storylink|Liars, A to D Part 2: Hangers On|Hangers On}} Partnered with [[Getaway]], he is sent to "assassinate" the rogue Tyrest by using a [[nudge gun]] to implant the impulse to resign in the Chief Justice's increasingly disturbed mind. The plan fails, and Skids barely manages to escape. Aboard his escape craft, he uses the gun to erase his own memory before setting the shuttle to hone in on the coordinates of his handlers, the [[Duobot]]s. {{storylink|Remain in Light 4 of 5: Arm the Lonely|Arm the Lonely}}

===1990===
Obsessed with defeating [[Squadron X]], the [[Wrecker]]s track them down to the planet [[Pova]]. After capturing them, [[Impactor (G1)|Impactor]] is ordered to release them due to a technicality. Instead, he executes the prisoners, and as a consequence is himself imprisoned in [[Garrus-9]]. Springer subsequently takes over leadership of the Wreckers. {{storylink|The Transformers: Last Stand of the Wreckers|Last Stand of the Wreckers}} {{storylink|Bullets}}

After a disastrous mission, a despairing Mike Power turns to Kreiger to further upgrade his limbs. Power disappears from the public eye as Kreiger, hoping to use Power for his own ends, experiments on him further. {{storylink|Power and Glory}} Though deprived of their most powerful member, Joe Colton reorganizes the team into the totally radical "Adventure Force". {{storylink|When Eagles Scream}}

===1994===
After years of augmentation to his body by Garrison Kreiger, Mike Power reactivates the Talisman, causing a surge of energy and the reappearance of both the ''Axalon'' and a confused Sgt. Savage. Before explanations can be provided, the Adventure Team — now rechristened the "Adventure Force" — storm the facility to shut down Krieger's experiments; team member [[Stalker (G.I. Joe)|Stalker]] does not detect any signs of life from Mike Power's body, and the team is incorrectly left to believe that Power has died. {{storylink|When Eagles Scream}}

Over the following decade, the time-displaced Sgt. Savage goes on to have many totally radical adventures, teaming up with the contemporary Action Man's [[Team Extreme]] and fighting ninja, mutants eco-terrorists, and skateboard gangs! {{storylink|When Eagles Scream}}

===1997===
[[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] and Metroplex return to Cybertron. Hoping to return the planet to habitability, Alpha Trion slowly begins cleaning Cybertron's polluted atmosphere.<ref>12 meta-cycles ago, or 13 years</ref> {{storylink|Any Old Iron}}

===1999===
''A {{i|Chimera|genius psychologist}} serving in the [[United States of America|United States]] military murders his family and deserts the army, taking with him a cache of explosives and ordnance. Over the seven years that follow, he goes on to build a fortune on pyramid schemes as a Wall Street broker. {{istorylink|Origins issue 1|G.I. Joe: Origins #1}}''

==2000s==
At some point, a mission by incumbent [[Action Man]] {{i|Mike Brogan}} prevents the Action Man Programme's nemesis [[Doctor X]] from using a chemical compound to mutate college students. In the mission's aftermath, the head of intel for the Action Man Programme {{i|Mercy Gale}} discovers the body of Doctor X in the wreckage caused by Action Man's entry, and, covering up his death, takes his place as the new Doctor X in order to effect real change instead of just reacting to supervillains' schemes. {{istorylink|Mr Love and Justice}}

===2001===
[[File:What Its Really Like - Jazz likes jazz.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|"The music was ''dope''."]]
The current era of Transformer activity on Earth begins. Starscream heads a unit on Earth as part of the now-standardized infiltration protocol, and the Autobots retaliate by deploying an Autobot cell led by Prowl. {{storylink|Infiltration issue 1|Infiltration #1}} Advance scout [[Jazz (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Jazz]] is the first Autobot to make planetfall, {{storylink|What It's Really Like}} and is eventually joined by the rest of Prowl's team aboard the ''[[Ark-19]]''. {{storylink|Infiltration issue 1|Infiltration #1}}

Conspiracy theorists like [[Hunter O'Nion]] begin searching for evidence of extraterrestrials after the anomalous "Buchanan crop manifestations" in [[Iowa]]. {{storylink|Infiltration issue 1|Infiltration #1}}

The Cybertronians discover that Earth is not as unaware of their presence as they might have thought—the Decepticons become aware of the [[Machination]]. In reality, this is merely a front for Scorponok's latest operation, intending to build off his Headmaster research on Nebulos in the hopes of supplying himself, by this point reduced to little more than a ruined head, with a new body. {{storylink|The Transformers: Escalation|Escalation}}

===2006-7===
[[File:Infiltration6 starscream on ultraenergon.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|This is your Starscream on drugs.]]

Shockwave's hand is discovered in an excavation in Nevada. {{storylink|Spotlight: Shockwave}} News of the dig reaches the conspiracy theorists but is considered a fringe theory, the "paleo-purists". {{storylink|Infiltration issue 1|Infiltration #1}}

''General Clayton Abernathy — codenamed "[[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]]" — forms the [[G.I. Joe (team)|Joint Services Special Counterterrorist Group]], a secretive counter-terrorism unit whose members are taken from the most elite members of the military and legally declared dead for secrecy. His first recruits are Shana O'Hara, given the name [[Scarlett]], and the former Adventure Team member Lonzo "[[Stalker (G.I. Joe)|Stalker]]" Wilkison. {{istorylink|Origins issue 1|G.I. Joe: Origins #1}} {{storylink|Crisis Intervention}}''

Joshua Red and Skywatch bring in Joe Colton and Garrison Kreiger to run their Mount St. Helens base, [[Project Hot House|Project: Hot House]]. The Skywatch team manages to revive the incapacitated Decepticon [[Bugly (G1)|Bugly]], but the Transformer escapes, bringing him into conflict with Hawk's newly formed team; meanwhile, Sgt. Savage arrives in response to a priority distress beacon sent by Colton and Kreiger. Kreiger's ally Centurion defeats Bugly and brings the Decepticon, the Joes and Savage back to the base, and inside, Kreiger has Centurion chain Bugly to the Talisman and throw Savage at it, destroying the Decepticon and flinging Savage into the future once more; the destruction of Bugly proves to Colton and Kreiger that the Talisman can be used as a weapon. {{storylink|When Eagles Scream}}

From the Dead Universe, [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]] lures [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] to the rapidly-evolving world of [[Gorlam Prime]] and implants a device in his brain. {{storylink|Spotlight: Nightbeat}}

On Earth, Starscream's infiltration unit discover ripe samples of Shockwave's Regenesis ore, dubbing it "Ore-13". In [[Arizona]], wandering drifter [[Verity Carlo]] steals a [[SM-40|palm computer]] from a travelling businessman, unaware that her victim is really an agent of the Machination. Possessing a record of Cybertronian activity on Earth makes her, Hunter, and [[Jimmy Pink]] targets of the Decepticons, prompting Ratchet to intervene. {{storylink|Infiltration issue 0|Infiltration #0}} {{storylink|Infiltration issue 1|Infiltration #1}} Ratchet brings them back to the Autobot base, and, learning that the Decepticons have preemptively initiated "siege mode", brings the humans along to investigate their abandoned base in [[Nebraska]]. {{storylink|Infiltration issue 4|Infiltration #4}}

[[File:Thunderwing stormbringer.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|''The thunder of guns Tore me apart You've been Thunderstruck!'']]

The humans discover that Megatron has come to Earth; Megatron learns from the base's old files that Starscream plans on overthrowing his leader using Ore-13. Disgusted by the power games—and infuriated when [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] and [[Skywarp (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Skywarp]] accidentally bomb their old base with him inside—Megatron sets off to the new command bunker in [[Oregon]] to retake command. Megatron quickly puts down Starscream's insurrection and announces the beginning of "phase 2". {{storylink|Infiltration issue 6|Infiltration #6}}

''Hawk's next recruit to his elite team is Sergeant Conrad Hauser, given the new name "[[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]]", selected for his heroic defense of a supply convoy in {{i|Trucial}}. {{istorylink|In or Out?}} At around the same time, the former psychologist who deserted the army has his finances ruined by the collapse of one of his pyramid schemes; visiting a [[Las Vegas]] plastic surgery clinic, he has his face reconstructed in order to build a new life, but is recognised by his former military ally [[Snake-Eyes|Snake Eyes]]. The man blows up the clinic to erase the evidence of his new identity, but Snake Eyes survives and is recruited by G.I. Joe. {{istorylink|Origins issue 1|G.I. Joe: Origins #1}} {{storylink|Crisis Intervention|Revolutionaries #1 timeline}} The team manage to kill this "Chimera" and prevent the release of a nerve toxin in 10 major cities, but have no time to also stop the release of financial information that would trigger a subprime mortgage crisis. {{istorylink|Origins issue 5|Origins #5}}''

''In the aftermath of their first mission, the team takes {{i|Pit|the abandoned base}} Chimera was operating out of as their headquarters, and is informally named "[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]" after Joe Colton, with his blessing. {{istorylink|Origins issue 5|Origins #5}} {{storylink|Secret Raiders: A Revolution Prelude|Secret Raiders}} Not long afterwards, Sergeant Marvin Hinton manages to track his cousin — a founding member of G.I. Joe codenamed [[Heavy Duty]] — to the base after assuming him to be dead, and is inducted into the team himself under the codename of [[Roadblock (G.I. Joe)|Roadblock]]. {{istorylink|G.I. Joe vol. 3 issue 11|G.I. Joe vol. 3 #11}}''

Orbiting the dead husk of Cybertron, the crew of the ''[[Calabi-Yau]]'' pick up an anomalous energy burst. Jetfire and several [[Technobot (G1)|Technobot]]s investigate the strange readings and discover that Bludgeon has used his "ultra-energon" to reanimate Thunderwing's corpse. {{storylink|Stormbringer issue 1|Stormbringer #1}} Thunderwing lays waste to Nebulos and overruns the Decepticon cell already located on the planet before returning to Cybertron. {{storylink|Stormbringer issue 3|Stormbringer #3}} Optimus Prime calls in the Wreckers to combat the threat, and bringing their full firepower to bear the Autobots blast Thunderwing until he runs out of energon. Jetfire analyzes Bludgeon's files and discovers information related to Earth and the Regenesis project. {{storylink|Stormbringer issue 4|Stormbringer #4}} The news prompts Optimus to set course for Earth, and he arrives shortly after Megatron removes Starscream from command. {{storylink|Infiltration issue 6|Infiltration #6}}

Meanwhile, Soundwave, still trapped in his alternate mode, is purchased from a pawn shop. {{storylink|Spotlight: Soundwave}}
Springer orders a costly mission to rescue the stranded and demented [[Kup (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Kup]], whose Spark is beginning a fatal meltdown. They eventually succeed, but not without taking significant losses at the hands of the elderly Autobot, who mistakes his rescuers for [[zombie]]s. {{storylink|Spotlight: Kup}}

[[File:Megsandspidy.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|Later, he died off-panel.]]
Shortly after Megatron arrives on Earth, [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] joins the Decepticon's Earth unit. Megatron initiates a plan to increase political unrest on Earth using [[Psycho-Prism|technology]] stolen from [[Doctor Doom]]. Facing resistance from the Autobots and [[Avengers]], the Decepticons initiate [[mirror response mode]] and boost their powers by tapping into [[Spider-Man]]'s superhuman abilities. Megatron's plan is thwarted by the Autobots and Avengers, helped in part by Ramjet's increasing disloyalty to Megatron. {{storylink|New Avengers/Transformers|Man and Machine}}

While returning the humans to their normal lives, Machination forces successfully tail and capture [[Sunstreaker (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Sunstreaker]] and Hunter O'Nion while incapacitating [[Ironhide (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ironhide]] {{storylink|Escalation issue 1|Escalation #1}} Prime, Jazz, and [[Wheeljack (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Wheeljack]] join Ironhide to search for the attackers. Meanwhile, the Decepticons proceed to phase two by activating numerous [[Facsimile construct|facsimile]] sleeper agents within world governments to further destabilize human society. {{storylink|Escalation issue 1|Escalation #1}}

The Decepticons use their facsimiles to, among other things, escalate tension between [[Brasnya]] and [[Russia]]. The Autobots intervene, and Prime summons Hot Rod, [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]], and [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] to Earth. {{storylink|Escalation issue 3|Escalation #3}} During the battle, Prime is nearly killed and encounters the form of [[Nova Prime]] within [[infraspace]] as he shunts his consciousness into his trailer. {{storylink|Escalation issue 6|Escalation #6}}

''G.I. Joe agent [[Mainframe (G.I. Joe)|Mainframe]], bed-bound after an injury in the field, discovers consistent references to "[[Cobra]]" in various terrorist communications. Unable to convince his superiors of his theory that Cobra is a major player driving the happenings of the terrorist underworld, Mainframe goes AWOL in order to investigate Cobra alone. As a parting message, he warns the Joes to "beware {{i|Rangoon}}". {{istorylink|Origins issue 7|Origins #7}}''

Ironhide, Ratchet, Jimmy, and Verity continue to search for Sunstreaker's disappearance, but Ironhide is severely damaged in the process and left behind. Unbeknownst to them, Sunstreaker and Hunter are sent to surgical prep to test the Machination's [[binary bonding]] process. {{storylink|Escalation issue 4|Escalation #4}}

Skywatch takes over the excavation of Shockwave and the Dinobots, while also reactivating and reprogramming Ravage and Laserbeak into loyal Skywatch operatives. {{storylink|Escalation issue 5|Escalation #5}}

[[File:SLOptimus prime vs monstructor.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Quickly, give him your face and he'll go away!]]
With Megatron's other forces busy, Ramjet initiates an ambitious plan to overthrow the Decepticon leader and seize control of the Decepticons, involving, among other things, a group of jive-talking [[Mini-Constructicon]]s. His bungled plan ends when Megatron returns from Brasyna, beats him to death, and throws his parts across the globe. {{storylink|Spotlight: Ramjet}}

[[Blaster (G1)/toys|Blaster]] is found drifting in space and returned to the Autobot fold. As he reintegrates into the Autobot command structure, he helps free [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] from Decepticon control. {{storylink|Spotlight: Blaster}}

Optimus Prime briefly leaves Earth to meet with the ancient warrior [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], from whom he learns more about Nova Prime and the nature of Nova's original quest. Optimus winds up defeating and capturing Monstructor, and he sends the "Monstructor Six" into the care of [[Fortress Maximus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Fortress Maximus]] on [[Garrus-9]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Optimus Prime}} Around this time, Wheelie's original distress signal from LV-117 finally reaches Autobot space... only to be ignored due to more pressing concerns. {{storylink|Spotlight: Wheelie}}

Galvatron briefly leaves the Dead Universe to travel to Cybertron to retrieve Thunderwing's body, defeating [[Hound (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Hound]]'s unit on the way. He takes his trophy to [[Gorlam Prime]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Galvatron}}

[[Banzai-Tron (G1)|Banzaitron]] initiates an attack on the Autobot prison facility at [[Garrus-9]] in an attempt to free the long-imprisoned Monstructor team. Realizing that they need another of Jhiaxus's creations to track down the unpredictable escapees, Fortress Maximus takes a gamble by releasing [[Arcee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Arcee]] and sending the warrior-bot after them. {{storylink|Spotlight: Arcee}}

His defeat at the hands of Optimus Prime turns Megatron's behavior increasingly erratic, and so the Earth-bound Decepticons reactivate Starscream to help deal with the problem. Hoping to get an edge over Optimus Prime, Megatron summons Sixshot to Earth, violating the infiltration protocol. Sixshot, though internally conflicted, follows orders and opens fire on the Autobot assets stationed on the planet, destroying the ''Ark-19''. He is, however, followed by the Reapers. {{storylink|Devastation issue 1|Devastation #1}}

[[Wheeljack (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Wheeljack]] and Hot Rod attempt to rescue Ironhide but are attacked by the Machination's army of mass-produced [[Sunstreaker clone]]s. With Hardhead's help, they defeat them and rescue Ironhide. {{storylink|Devastation issue 5|Devastation #5}} {{storylink|Devastation issue 6|Devastation #6}}

[[File:Devastation03-HeadmasterHunter.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|My hands! My horrible human hands!]]
Meanwhile, Hunter awakens at Machination headquarters and finds Sunstreaker's head. He undergoes the Headmaster process as [[Abraham Dante]] does the same with [[Scorponok (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Scorponok]]. Stealing a spare clone body, he links with Sunstreaker's mind to become a Headmaster and uses his new body to escape the facility. However, the Machination takes Sunstreaker's real head. The hybrid Sunstreaker/O'Nion entity agrees to search for Sunstreaker's real head in the hopes of undoing the process. {{storylink|Devastation issue 6|Devastation #6}}

From the [[Dead Universe]], Nova Prime orders Galvatron to Earth to deal with the Reapers, whom Sixshot has aligned with, before Starscream shuts him down using a failsafe trigger. {{storylink|Devastation issue 5|Devastation #5}} The other Decepticons engage the Reapers, losing the [[Battlecharger]]s, before being covertly assisted by Galvatron. Triumphant in his mission, he returns to the Dead Universe with Sixshot's body. {{storylink|Devastation issue 6|Devastation #6}}

Learning of the breakout at Garrus-9, the majority of the Autobots prepare to leave Earth, though Hot Rod and Sunstreaker remain. Concurrently, Skywatch is notified of the battle and prepares to deploy their latest and most powerful asset: Grimlock. {{storylink|Devastation issue 6|Devastation #6}} After he is awoken, he escapes from Skywatch and refuses an offer to join forces with Scorponok. {{storylink|Spotlight: Grimlock}}

''Soldier {{i|Mad Monk|Michael Monk}}, who served alongside Duke in Trucial, {{istorylink|Threat Matrix 3 of 4}} is recruited into Cobra by psychologist {{i|Lester Horvath}}, following the discovery that he ranks as an incredibly rare "1" on Horvath's {{i|Lome System}}. Horvath places Monk under high-ranking Cobra member {{i|Krake}}, secretly hoping to sabotaging the terrifyingly brilliant member of High Command, and is eventually killed by Monk for acting outside of Cobra's interests — though not before informing Monk of his intentions, and the fact that Krake has had Monk's family imprisoned in {{i|Section Ten}}. {{istorylink|Sedition by Numbers Part 4|Sedition by Numbers}}''

On Cybertron, [[Cyclonus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Cyclonus]] arrives and attacks Hound's crew as revenge for the devastation wrought by the war. His attack is interrupted by Ultra Magnus, and he is forced to retreat to [[Corata-Vaz]]. After activating the [[Nega-Core]], Cyclonus is again set upon, and activates the Nega-core's reanimated guardian, Thunderwing. He is forced to return to the Dead Universe as his body has been in the "living" world too long. {{storylink|Spotlight: Cyclonus}}

[[File:SpotlightCyclonus DeadUniversetransformers.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|"Death walks among you."]]
In the wake of the attack, Optimus and his crew arrive at Garrus-9. They meet with [[Jetfire (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Jetfire]] and [[Fortress Maximus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Fortress Maximus]] and head back to the ''Ark-32''. {{storylink|Spotlight: Cyclonus}}

The forces of the Dead Universe—including Jhiaxus, Galvatron, Straxus and Grindcore—leave the Dead Universe to begin the [[Expansion]]. Leading the charge is Nova Prime, now calling himself "Nemesis Prime". {{storylink|Spotlight: Cyclonus}}

Nightbeat and Hardhead travel to [[Gorlam Prime]] to investigate Nightbeat's missing memories, and they encounter a large group of [[Micromaster]]s trying to impede their progress. The pair makes it to the Dead Universe portal and Jhiaxus takes control of Nightbeat, forcing Hardhead to kill him, and dive into the portal himself. {{storylink|Spotlight: Hardhead}} Jetfire decides to use [[Pretender]] technology to enable [[Cloudburst]], [[Landmine (G1)|Landmine]], [[Groundbreaker]], and [[Waverider]] to survive the Benzuli Expanse. {{storylink|Spotlight: Hardhead}}

Optimus receives a transmission from Dealer, who says that he's been monitoring the current situation, and he thinks that all of the answers they seek lie in the [[Epistemus|Magnificence]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Hardhead}} Hot Rod agrees and both travel to [[Ki-Aleta]], the planet where Hot Rod had hidden it earlier. Using the oracle, Hot Rod discovers that Dealer betrayed him, and sends the traitor to his death moments before he could do the same to him. The Magnificence later provides useful info to Ultra Magnus about the machinations of Nemesis Prime. {{storylink|Spotlight: Doubledealer}}

On Earth, Straxus and Grindcore mine energon in [[China]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Doubledealer}} They are prevented doing this by Hound's team, primarily Sideswipe. {{storylink|Spotlight: Sideswipe}}

[[File:IDWAutobotPretenders.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|To infinity and beyond!]]
Galvatron and Cyclonus attack the ''[[Mirror-Manifold]]'', the ship of Cloudburst and crew. {{storylink|Spotlight: Doubledealer}} They are beamed out seconds before their ship explodes by the Technobots in the ''[[Nightbird (ship)|Nightbird]]'', who present them with their own personal Pretender carapaces. Using these, they battle Galvatron and Cyclonus, defeating one and allowing the other to escape. Using their shells as temporary shields, they cross into the Dead Universe and manage to seal the gate to the Dead Universe. {{storylink|Spotlight: Sideswipe}}

Nemesis Prime arrives on Garrus-9, and is faced by Optimus Prime. Optimus is attacked, using the [[Darkness (G1)|Darkness]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Doubledealer}} However, the Darkness reaches out to Optimus as a successor. Nemesis continues the attack but is blasted in the back by Galvatron and falls dead. The Darkness enters Optimus Prime. Galvatron offers Prime a choice: kill himself in the nearby Solar Pool, or willingly pass on the Darkness to him. Prime does both, passing on the Darkness ''and'' tossing Galvatron into the pool. {{storylink|Spotlight: Sideswipe}} Meanwhile, Arcee manages to track down Jhiaxus beneath Gorlam Prime, and with some help from an undead Hardhead, defeats him. With Jhiaxus rendered functionally immortal due to the energies of the Dead Universe portal, Arcee gleefully kills him over, and over, and over, and over... {{storylink|Spotlight: Sideswipe}}

Above ground, the residents of Gorlam Prime finally complete their evolution into wholly mechanical beings. In honor of their great leap forward, they rename their planet... ''Cybertron''. {{storylink|Spotlight: Sideswipe}}

[[File:GrimlockMaxDino01.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Because "Skree-onk" was copyrighted.]]
Back on Earth, Grimlock and the other Dynobots end up fighting Sunstreaker clones in [[Fallon]], [[Nevada]] in an event orchestrated by Scorponok and the Machination. Hoping to repair their ship, the ''[[Skyfire (ship)|Skyfire]]'', Grimlock calls the [[Monsterbot (G1)|Monsterbot]]s for help. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 1|Maximum Dinobots #1}}

Hot Rod takes on Scorponok and fails, while Sunstreaker and Hunter try to reclaim Sunstreaker's original head. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 2|Maximum Dinobots #2}} The Monsterbots arrive on Earth just in time to rescue the bedraggled Dynobots. The Dynobots begin to have misgivings about Grimlock's increasingly unstable leadership—feelings which come to a head when it appears [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] has died from a blast by Scorponok. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 3|Maximum Dinobots #3}}

Soundwave, Shockwave, Laserbeak, and Ravage plot together and free themselves from Skywatch's control; {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 4|Maximum Dinobots #4}} Shockwave involves himself in the battle with Scorponok, and both are ultimately are defeated by Grimlock and the Dynobots. Ultra Magnus arrives to arrest the group. Though Grimlock willingly goes with Ultra Magnus, the other four Dynobots walk free thanks to his sacrifice. Shockwave, Scorponok, and Grimlock are all sent to Garrus-9 after a trial, though Grimlock's sentence is shortened thanks to bringing in two wanted Decepticons. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 5|Maximum Dinobots #5}}

===2008===
[[File:Slowmotionmoviewalkahm5.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|He's your huckleberry.]]
Hoping to bolster the Decepticon ranks, Megatron and [[Deluge (G2)|Deluge]] create the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]]s. The process is highly imperfect, however, and the thousands upon thousands of failed clones are abandoned on Cybertron to become the feral "[[Insecticon swarm|Swarm]]". {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 7|All Hail Megatron #7}}

Shortly after their creation, scientist [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] completes Shockwave's project regarding Jhiaxus's combination technology. The end result is [[Devastator (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Devastator]]: a mentally stable, combat-ready combiner using the like-minded [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]]. {{storylink|Before the Dawn}} {{storylink|Shockpoint}}

Perceptor rebuilds Kup using [[Pretender]] technology, reversing the deleterious effects of Ore-8 on his mind. At Prowl's insistence, however, Perceptor also adds technology into Kup's new body that will allow Prowl to take control of the elderly Autobot. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 15|Everything in Its Right Place}} With his new lease on life, Kup organizes a team to rescue captured Autobots. They receive assistance from former Decepticon Deadlock, now known as [[Drift (G1)|Drift]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Drift}} On their first mission, they rescue Hot Rod from Bludgeon and the Monster Pretenders; Perceptor is injured and upgrades himself into a sniper. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 15|Lost & Found}}

Sixshot, freed from the Dead Universe following the defeat of Nemesis Prime, attacks [[Orvus Base]] to recover secret Autobot scientific research, only for the [[Throttlebot]]s to escape to the nearby planet [[Salvvatan VIII]]. Though Sixshot pursues them, they are rescued by Metroplex, who transforms from the city mode he was hiding as on the planet and stomped the six changer, temporarily incapacitating him. However, Metroplex immediately takes off with the object that he was on the planet to protect, leaving the Throttlebots on Sakvvatan VIII. {{storylink|Spotlight: Metroplex}} Unfortunately, Sixshot soon recovers and damages the team's shuttle as they try to leave; though the remaining Throttlebots believe they manage to kill the Decepticon before taking off, they soon crash land on the planet [[Regalis V|Botanica]]. {{storylink|The Dead Come Home, Part 1 (of 2)|The Dead Come Home, Part 1}}

On Earth, Ratchet succeeds in separating Sunstreaker and Hunter. Horrified and disgusted by what humans did to him, Sunstreaker makes a Faustian deal with [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]] to help him take out Megatron in exchange for the Autobots permanently abandoning Earth. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 7|All Hail Megatron #8}} Ratchet returns Hunter to his house and leaves, unaware that Bombshell is preparing to abduct the young human to gain access to the Headmaster technology still implanted in his body. {{storylink|Our Steps Will Always Rhyme}}

''Following a mission to Rangoon that ends in disaster and a battle with his old [[Arashikage]] clan brother [[Storm Shadow]], Snake Eyes goes AWOL from G.I. Joe to investigate Cobra, though he retains back-channel communications with Scarlett. {{istorylink|G.I. Joe issue 6|G.I. Joe #6}}''

[[File:LastStandoftheWreckers1-Overlord.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|"I come in peace. Shoot to kill."]]

Using Autobot access codes acquired from Sunstreaker, Megatron launches "[[Surge (event)|The Surge]]": across the galaxy, Decepticons abandon infiltration protocol and launch an all-out attack on every major Autobot outpost. {{storylink|Bullets}} The Autobots on Earth are led into a Decepticon trap and are soundly defeated, leaving Optimus Prime in critical condition. Megatron takes the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] and exiles them back to Cybertron while he and his Decepticons run amok on Earth. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 7|All Hail Megatron #8}}

During the Surge, [[Skyquake (G1)|Skyquake]]'s [[Predator (subgroup)|Predator]]s assault [[Garrus-9]]. Rogue former Decepticon [[Overlord (Masterforce)|Overlord]] kills Skyquake and takes over the prison, turning it into an arena for his own amusement. Former warden Fortress Maximus is lobotomized and repeatedly tortured. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 1|Last Stand of the Wreckers #1}} As part of a deal, Overlord releases Shockwave and restores him operational status; in return, Shockwave removes the [[Achilles virus]] implanted in Overlord's body as a failsafe. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 3|Last Stand of the Wreckers #3}}

Knowing that he is being targeted by the Decepticon Justice Division, Shockwave selects a crew consisting of ''other'' Decepticons on their "list", and offers them as a trade for his life when the DJD tracks him down; however, Tarn rejects his offer, intent on following the list in order despite its inefficiency. Unaware that the DJD is only there for Scorponok, three members of Shockwave's crew—Scorponok, Flame and Flywheels—eject themselves into space before Shockwave manages to shut off the transmission of Tarn's lethal voice. {{storylink|The Ties That Bind (issue)|The Ties That Bind}} Flywheels is found by the crew of the [[Weak Anthropic Principle]] (aka the "Foragers"), while Scorponok and Flame are found and claimed by the Grand Architect, manifesting as an enormous spacebound hieroglyph. {{storylink|Kill All 'Cons}}

[[File:AHM2Devastator.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|YOU—ARE NOT—PREPARED.]]

On [[May 29]], 2008, the Earth-based Decepticons make their presence known to humankind. Their combined forces demolish [[New York City]] and easily defeat the US military. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 1|All Hail Megatron #1}} [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Colonel Daniel Witwicky]] is brought to New York to aid in its defense, though his troops can do little to defeat the onslaught. The Decepticons rampage across America and annihilate major cities across the nation. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 2|All Hail Megatron #2}} Within a matter of hours, [[Washington, D.C.]] falls. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 3|All Hail Megatron #3}} College student [[Marissa Faireborn]], in New York as part of the {{w|Occupy Wall Street}} movement, has her worldview shaken by the scope and horror of the invasion. {{storylink|Earthfall Chapter 3: The Mind Bomb|The Mind Bomb}}

Mercy Gale, head of intelligence for the [[Action Man Programme]]—and, in secret, the AMP's greatest nemesis [[Doctor X]]—makes her own arrangements that prevent the Decepticon invasion from touching the [[United Kingdom]]. {{storylink|The Origins of Evil, Part One: Redcliffe Club|Redcliffe Club}}

Over the next few days, the Autobots and humans struggle to get back on their feet while the Decepticons continue to ravage cities across the globe. On Cybertron, Kup's team crash-lands on the planet and joins the stranded Autobots, who are fighting off the Swarm. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 4|All Hail Megatron #4}} On Earth, Colonel Witwicky appoints a team lead by his son [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Spike]] to take out Megatron. Spike's team is killed by Ratbat and Spike is the only survivor. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 5|All Hail Megatron #5}}

Without the Autobots, the Decepticons quickly grow bored and start squabbling among themselves. The [[European Union]] decides to end the threat by deploying nuclear weapons against New York. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 6|All Hail Megatron #6}} Frustrated by Megatron's sudden listlessness, Starscream plots with the Insecticons. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 8|All Hail Megatron #8}}

On Cybertron, the Autobots decide to use their remaining energon to repair Prime. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 6|All Hail Megatron #6}} The Autobots struggle to elude the Swarm, but Perceptor is injured. Guilt ridden, Sunstreaker makes the ultimate sacrifice and detonates a bomb to blow up a bridge (and himself) to keep the Swarm away from the other Autobots. Just before he does so, he reveals to Ironhide that it was he who brokered the deal with Starscream that betrayed the Autobots. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 8|All Hail Megatron #8}}

Sarah and Bridge run into Spike, and are later joined by [[Charles (G1)|Charles]], seeking revenge against [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] for killing his son. With a weapon reverse-engineered from Shockwave, Spike brings Rumble down with the help of his new friends. On Cybertron, Optimus Prime is repaired, along with the remaining Autobots. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 9|All Hail Megatron #9}}

Bombshell builds a [[space bridge]] and reveals that he helped hack into the Autobots' defenses using technology gained by dissecting Hunter O'Nion. Starscream teams up with the Insecticons and Constructicons to attack Megatron, but they are not successful. The Autobots on Cybertron are saved by the arrival of [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] and taken back to Earth. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 10|All Hail Megatron #10}}

===2009===
{{note|According to "[[Ride-Along]]", the events of ''All Hail Megatron'' spanned over a year, though it's unclear exactly when the transition to 2009 happened.}}

[[File:AHM12 prime vs megs.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|One Shall...oh, you know the drill.]]
The Autobots arrive on Earth and battle the Decepticons. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 11|All Hail Megatron #11}} Megatron gets the upper hand against Prime and orders a retreat, leaving the Autobots to be nuked by the humans... but Spike Witwicky, welding a powerful weapon reverse-engineered from Transformer technology, shoots Megatron in the face, allowing Prime to smash Megatron in the face with his own fusion cannon. With Megatron grievously wounded, Starscream takes command and orders a retreat.

The Decepticons do so, but [[Thundercracker (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Thundercracker]] stays behind to dispose of the EU's bomb. He succeeds, but [[Skywarp (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Skywarp]] blasts him out of the sky for his efforts.

Discovering that his brother's old Headmaster partner has been horrifically mutilated under Bombshell's custody, Sideswipe mercifully terminates the vegetative Hunter. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 12|All Hail Megatron #12}} In the aftermath, Optimus Prime talks Ironhide out of retiring. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 13|Old Ways}}

Believing the Matrix to be purely symbolic and now devoid of any power it might have once held, Starscream prepares to dump it into space. When [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] reminds him that the Autobots use it to choose their leaders, Starscream declares that with Megatron incapacitated, he will use the Matrix to lead the Decepticons to victory once more. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 13|Uneasy Lies the Head}}

Though the Decepticons have been defeated and mostly driven off-planet, Earth is largely in ruins. More than a billion people have died worldwide from the invasion, and most major cities are left utterly devastated by the Decepticons. Military assets begin hunting for Decepticon stragglers; as part of these early missions, Spike defeats Ravage, but is injured. Faced with a persistent Decepticon threat, Skywatch is heavily reorganized, going from a clandestine paramilitary organization into an international peacekeeping unit designed to hunt down and eliminate rogue Transformers on Earth, wielding reverse-engineered Cybertronian technology. Sparkplug is made head of Skywatch and recruits Spike to work for him. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 16|The Man of Steel}} This new incarnation of Skywatch does not differentiate between factions, and hunts both Autobots and Decepticons indiscriminately. Bumblebee briefly breaks cover to save some humans and is injured for his efforts. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 16|Hidden}}

After the Decepticon invasion, Action Man Programme director {{i|Patrick Cain}} steps down and is replaced by [[Pauline Bestley]]. {{istorylink|Hasbro Heroes Sourcebook issue 1|Pauline Bestley profile}}

[[File:SeasonsInFlight thundercracker discovers tv.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|Eight years later and we still haven't gotten him off the couch.]]
Over the next two years, humans and Cybertronians alike struggle to recover from the Surge. With their infrastructure across the galaxy in shambles, many Autobots seek shelter on Earth. Humanity slowly repairs the damage caused by the invasion, but are enraged at the Cybertronians that remain on their planet. After witnessing a defenseless [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] executed by a group of police officers, Prowl decides that with their numbers so reduced by war, all Cybertronian life—even Decepticons—needs to be protected. {{storylink|Ride-Along|Spotlight: Prowl}}

Thundercracker survives his ordeal, but is badly damaged and unable to transform or fly. Stranded in the ruins of New York, Thundercracker takes refuge in an abandoned building and watches [[television]] to pass the time until he's rescued. {{storylink|Things Fall Apart, Part 3: "Seasons in Flight"|Seasons in Flight}}

''Cobra commissions Laird James "[[Destro]]" McCullen to create the [[M.A.S.S. device]], a teleporter allowing instantaneous transport across the world; however, his theory is flawed, and he is forced to seal himself into a metal containment suit to survive after testing the device on himself. For his failure, Destro is brought to Cobra's arctic "[[Section Zero]]" base to fix his creation or die. {{istorylink|G.I. Joe issue 6|G.I. Joe #6}} {{istorylink|The Betrayers Part 4}}<ref name="GIJoe"/> At the same time, Cobra High Command members [[Tomax and Xamot|Tomax and Xamot Paoli]] are hired to provide intelligence on G.I. Joe for {{i|Colonel Shtern}}, who wishes to create [[Oktober Guard|a Russian counterpart to the team]]. {{istorylink|Oktober Guard, Part 3|Oktober Guard, Part 3}}''

[[File:Crashsuitsandtransports.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|''Geronimo!'']]
Skywatch continues its anti-Transformer operations, reverse-engineering Cybertronian technology to produce new weapons to safely combat rogue Transformers on Earth; this initiative culminating in the development of the unit's signature [[crash suit]]s. What Skywatch doesn't know is that this technology is secretly being provided to Skywatch via Spike Witwicky, whose disregard for the rules drives him to cut a deal with [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]]. {{storylink|Police Action Part 3: A Second Chance at Eden|A Second Chance at Eden}} [[Gears (G1)|Gears]] and [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] are amongst those captured. {{storylink|...For All Mankind}}

''Undercover G.I. Joe agent [[Chuckles]] infiltrates Cobra, unaware of its true nature. Though he is outplayed by the Paoli brothers, {{istorylink|G.I. Joe: Cobra}} his intelligence helps convince Hawk that Cobra is real, leading to Snake Eyes and Mainframe being reinstated as Joes. {{istorylink|The Betrayers Part 6}} Destro completes the M.A.S.S. device with the help of Doctors [[Doctor Mindbender|Mindbender]] and {{i|Gerry Orizama|Orizama}}, but is imprisoned in the Section Ten gulag for his insolence; {{istorylink|G.I. Joe issue 16|G.I. Joe vol. 1 #16}} however, he manages to depose the warden [[Major Bludd]] and take over, bargaining with Cobra Commander for freedom and power. {{istorylink|G.I. Joe issue 19|G.I. Joe vol. 1 #19}} Cobra puts M.A.S.S. into use for theft, assassination, extortion, and even creating "[[Section Sabine]]", a base in the Sabine crater on the moon.{{istorylink|G.I. Joe issue 16|G.I. Joe vol. 1 #16}} In response to Cobra's use of the M.A.S.S. device, the G.I. Joe team undergoes retraining under Snake Eyes. {{istorylink|G.I. Joe issue 19|G.I. Joe vol. 1 #19}}''

[[Dominus Ambus]], now a mole within the [[Decepticon Justice Division]], reports that the Decepticons have lost contact with [[Garrus-9]] and DJD scouting parties do not return. [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]] authorizes [[Springer (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Springer]] to assemble a new team of [[Wrecker]]s. Their mission is twofold—to rescue any Autobot prisoners and to download data from the [[Aequitas]] supercomputer. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 1|Last Stand of the Wreckers #1}} {{storylink|Bullets}} At some point after this, the other four members of the DJD discover the mole in their organization and subject Dominus to "[[domestication]]", reducing him to a feral "Pet". Another Decepticon thus steps up to become the next "[[Vos (DJD)|Vos]]". {{storylink|The Dying of the Light Part 4: At Close of Day|At Close of Day}}

Still marooned on LV-114, [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] discovers a Decepticon shipwreck with surviving crewmembers [[Spectro]] and [[Spyglass]] ([[Viewfinder]] alas, didn't make it.) He saves an [[Varta|alien]] from them and in the process blows them and his escape ship to pieces. And so, he waits... {{storylink|Spotlight: Wheelie}}

At some point after Gorlam Prime's transformation, the malevolent Dead Universe entity known as the [[D-Void]] lures the entire population of the planet into his domain and devours their [[spark]]s. {{storylink|Heart of Darkness issue 2|Heart of Darkness #2}}

===2010===
''Hawk deploys a new recruit to G.I. Joe, codenamed {{i|Ronin|"Chameleon"}}, to locate and retrieve Chuckles, who has gone off the grid; she is unable to persuade him to return, but brings back Cobra defector Erika Le Tene, half-sister of the [[Baroness]]. {{istorylink|G.I. Joe: Cobra II}} In exchange for asylum, Erika joins the Joes, taking on the codename of her rescuer (who quit the team in disgust) and becoming the new [[Chameleon (G.I. Joe)|Chameleon]]. {{istorylink|Cobra: Special issue 2|Cobra: Special #2}} Chuckles is captured by Cobra Commander, who seeks to truly recruit him into Cobra. {{istorylink|G.I. Joe: Cobra II}}''

[[File:Ongoing Issue 1-Optimus Surrenders.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|Botkind, well, that was another story.]]
Thundercracker is rescued by a rag-tag team of Decepticons led by [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]]. He discovers, however, that he has lost his taste for fighting, having come to respect humanity and its culture. {{storylink|Things Fall Apart, Part 3: "Seasons in Flight"|Seasons in Flight}}

Prowl is captured by Skywatch, and Hot Rod's rescue mission leads to Ironhide's death. Depressed, Optimus Prime resigns as Autobot leader and surrenders to Skywatch. {{storylink|...For All Mankind}} Frustrated by recent events, Hot Rod and a group of like-minded Autbots make preparations to leave Earth. They decide to join forces with Swindle's Decepticons, while the other Autobots chose to remain on Earth, and Bumblebee is elected the new Autobot leader. {{storylink|Things Fall Apart, Part 1: "New Arrivals, Old Encounters"|New Arrivals, Old Encounters}}

[[File:LastStandoftheWreckers1-newrecruits.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Cue the A-Team [[theme song|theme]].]]

''Hawk recruits a civilian to the G.I. Joe team, [[Agent Helix]], thanks to her possession of an unusual ability known as {{i|total organic battlefield awareness}}, {{istorylink|G.I. Joe: Special - Helix|Special - Helix}} and also recruits private investigator [[Scoop (G.I. Joe)|Leonard Michaels]] to investigate the {{i|Coil}}, a religious movement with suspected Cobra ties; however, Michaels ends up brainwashed by the cult's leader [[Serpentor]] following Hawk's seemingly apathetic treatment of him, and willingly offers himself to be sacrificed to their deity, [[Golobulus]]. {{istorylink|Serpent's Tale Part Five: Viper's Nest|Serpent's Tale}}''

Eight months after Dominus Ambus's report, the [[Wrecker]]s—bolstered by new recruits [[Verity Carlo]], [[Pyro (G1)|Pyro]], [[Rotorstorm (G1)|Rotorstorm]], [[Guzzle (G1)|Guzzle]], ascended fanboy [[Ironfist (G1)|Ironfist]], and lead by a returned Impactor—arrive at Garrus-9 and begin their assault. Overlord retaliates by ordering the death of all Autobot prisoners upon the Wreckers' arrival save Grimlock, who has vanished. The Wreckers take heavy casualties over the course of their mission, but succeed in capturing Overlord and securing the data from [[Aequitas]]. Overlord is captured and the remaining Decepticons scatter, glad to be free of Overlord's oppression. The [[data slug]] that contains the various records from the Aequitas trials are entrusted to Prowl. {{storylink|The Transformers: Last Stand of the Wreckers|Last Stand of the Wreckers}}

After dropping off the Wreckers on Garrus-9, Ultra Magnus arrives on Earth to investigate the death of Ironhide and surrender of Optimus Prime. Afraid of being arrested by Magnus, [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]], [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] and Blurr leave to join Hot Rod, but all except Blurr are captured by Skywatch and used as leverage by Spike for Optimus Prime to talk. Magnus leaves to find Hot Rod. {{storylink|Things Fall Apart, Part 2: "A Rude Awakening"|A Rude Awakening}}

Bumblebee's feelings of inadequacy, combined with the derision he faces from his fellow Autobots, pushes him into making a reckless deal with Colonel [[Gordon Horiuchi]]. Horiuchi promises the Autobots protection from Skywatch if they capture Decepticons, but at the price of being immobilized if they disobey. Skywatch quickly forces Bumblebee's troops to capture other ''Autobots'', starting with [[Blurr (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Blurr]]. After Bumblebee's immobilizing badge is damaged, he locates the [[Sanjay Bharwaney|creator]] of the badges and personally destroys them, defeating Skywarp and proving his worth as leader of the Autobots in the process. {{storylink|The Transformers: Bumblebee}}

Ultra Magnus shows up and tries to arrest Swindle, but Rodimus defends his ally. {{storylink|Things Fall Apart, Part 3: "Seasons in Flight"|Seasons in Flight}} Ultra Magnus takes several Autobots from Bumblebee's group with him to help him detain Swindle and the rebellious Rodimus. Swindle uses the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticon]]s to test some experimental [[combiner]] technology, and when Ultra Magnus arrives Swindle betrays Rodimus and unleashes [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] to kill the Autobots. {{storylink|Things Fall Apart, Part 4: "Enemies of the System"|Enemies of the System}}

Spike releases Optimus Prime to battle Menasor, but the combiner is undone after the Stunticons fail to unite their minds into a workable gestalt. The battle prompts Spike to realize that the Autobots are not part of the problem. Skywatch forges a new alliance with Bumblebee's Autobots, while Rodimus steals Ultra Magnus's spaceship and strikes off on his own. {{storylink|Things Fall Apart, Part 5: "Earthworks"|Earthworks}}

The space-bound Decepticons fare little better than their Earth-bound counterparts; Starscream's poor leadership, combined with dwindling fuel sources, leads to the collapse of the Decepticon faction. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 2: Altered Carbon|Altered Carbon}} On a desolate asteroid, the Decepticons scrounge for fuel and cannibalize each other for Energon and parts, {{storylink|All His Engines‎}} a barbaric practice encouraged by [[Predacon (G1)|Predacon]] general [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]], who travels to space following a failed combiner experiment. {{storylink|The Iron Klaw}} The other Predacons remain on Earth, where they eventually join the government of [[China]] as border guards. {{storylink|International Incident Part 3: "Hawk Among the Sparrows"|Hawk Among the Sparrows}}

[[File:Ongoing Issue 13 - Megatron.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|''Well, I'm back, back Well, I'm back in black Yes, I'm back in black'']]

Tiring of Starscream's bungled leadership, Soundwave and Shockwave revive Megatron in a new body equipped with [[Titan (group)|Titan]]-derived [[Space bridge|spacebridge]] technology. His old body is used to create replicas of his old gun mode, which contain small pieces of the Decepticon leader's consciousness. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 2: Altered Carbon|Altered Carbon}}

Rodimus arrives at the Decepticons' asteroid base, intending to retrieve the Matrix. He succeeds in stealing it back from Starscream, but is confronted by the newly upgraded Megatron who blasts him and the Matrix into space. {{storylink|Heart Like a Wheel}}

In his new body, Megatron retakes leadership of the Decepticons {{storylink|Spotlight: Megatron}} and sends the Megatron guns to Earth, where they quickly spread amongst unsuspecting humans with anti-Transformer sentiments. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 2: Altered Carbon|Altered Carbon}}

Spike disobeys orders and goes rogue, hunting down and executing [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] in an attempt to prevent Devastator from ever being formed again. {{storylink|Scrapper (issue)|Scrapper}}

On Cybertron, Alpha Trion continues his project to clean the desolate world, though these efforts are threatened by the increasingly ravenous Insecticon swarm. Trion decides to resurrect a copy of the one Autobot most suited for the job: Ironhide. The confused duplicate lacks all of Ironhide's memories from the war, but does his job well. He also recovers Sunstreaker, having survived his sacrifice years earlier. Alpha Trion and Metroplex take off for parts unknown, leaving Ironhide and Sunstreaker on the planet to finish off the Swarm. Over the course of their campaign, Sunstreaker adopts one of the failed clones as a pet, which he nicknames "[[Bob (IDW)|Bob]]". {{storylink|The Transformers: Ironhide}}

As Rodimus floats through space, the Matrix bonds with him, saving his life. He crashes on the planet [[LV-118]], where he meets Wheelie. Together with him and the alien [[Garnak]], Rodimus steals a ship and heads to Cybertron. {{storylink|Space Opera Part 1: The Stars My Destination|The Stars My Destination}}

[[File:TFInfestation2-BrittKup.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Alas, neither a pirate nor a ninja.]]

Galvatron frees himself from the solar pool, fully fused with the Darkness. He tracks down the Dead Universe Transformers trapped on Gorlam Prime, Cyclonus and Scourge. Using his new powers, he revives Scourge, using him to create a personal guard in the form of the [[Sweep (G1)|Sweep]]s. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 14|Rebirth}} They investigate the planet's missing inhabitants, {{storylink|Heart of Darkness issue 1|Heart of Darkness #1}} and upon learning about the D-Void's plans to destroy all Transformers, set out to raise an army to oppose it.<ref>The point at which Galvatron escapes the solar pool is never made explicit, but it can be inferred from several pieces of evidence: it occurs after ''[[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron|All Hail Megatron]]'' (per ''[[Revelation (IDW)|Revelation]]'''s epilogue), Autobot guards are present on Garrus-9, and it has been "years" since Galvatron's defeat.</ref> {{storylink|Heart of Darkness issue 2|Heart of Darkness #2}}

Galvatron and his men discover a block of ice in space, unaware that it contains a [[zombie]] virus brought from another dimension by the extradimensional vampire-zombie [[Britt]]. Several of Galvatron's crew members are infected by the zombie virus, and his ship crash-lands on Earth in [[Las Vegas]], forcing the Autobots and Skywatch to pitch in and contain the infestation. Kup is infected by the virus and transformed into a zombie, but uses Prowl's mental link to thwart the swarm and warp Britt, her virus, and himself through time and space to the dawn of the Dead Universe. The Autobots refuse to join Galvatron's army. {{storylink|Infestation (IDW)|Infestation}} ''This {{i|Undermind}} also targets G.I. Joe through a malevolent, sentient computer virus, but it is stopped from spreading beyond an underwater Cobra base by the sacrifice of [[Psych Out|Psyche Out]]. {{istorylink|G.I. Joe: Infestation}}''

Though physically unharmed by his experience, Kup is stranded within the Dead Universe and spends the next several billion years on a barren asteroid. {{storylink|Earthfall Part 1: Hello Cruel World|Hello Cruel World}} He encounters the similarly stranded Nova Prime, who tries and fails to turn his body into a space bridge back into the living world. {{storylink| No Exit: Dark Cybertron Chapter 6|No Exit}}

''Through some difficulty G.I. Joe manages to partially reverse-engineer M.A.S.S. technology, and Snake Eyes and Helix use it to hitch a ride back to Section Zero, forcing Cobra Commander to activate the base's self-destruct and destroy M.A.S.S. to keep it out of the Joes' hands. The staff of the Section Sabine moonbase, totally cut off without the M.A.S.S. device, are left to starve to death. {{istorylink|M.A.S.S. Destruction Part 5|M.A.S.S. Destruction}}''

Galvatron takes his new army to Cybertron, declaring it the first line of defense against the D-Void. Rodimus also arrives on the planet where he meets Ironhide and Sunstreaker and learns of Galvatron's presence. The assorted Autobots leave Cybertron to warn Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Heart of Darkness issue 4|Heart of Darkness #4}} {{storylink|Space Opera Act 2: Out of the Silent Planet|Out of the Silent Planet}}

Four months later, [[North Korea]]n leader [[Kim Jong Du]] strikes a deal with three of the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]], providing them with energon in exchange for their services. Under his orders, the Combaticons attack [[South Korea]], prompting the United States government to declare the employment of Cybertronians equivalent to the use of weapons of mass destruction. {{storylink|International Incident Part 1: "The Land Ironclads"|The Land Ironclads}} Skywatch and the Autobots move out to defeat the Combaticons. To keep the public from learning that the US also employs Cybertronians, the Autobots remain in their vehicle modes throughout the battle, and are easily defeated. {{storylink|International Incident Part 2: "Ranks of Bronze"|Ranks of Bronze}}

[[File:TheDemolishedMan-BumblebeeGetsShot.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|"NOTHING BAD EVER HAPPENED. ''EVVVVER''."]]

Bumblebee meets with Thundercracker, who is now only interested in watching TV, and convinces him to help them. [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] hacks the spy satellites above Korea, allowing the Autobots to fight in [[robot mode]]. Backed up by these resources, the Autobots defeat the Combaticons. {{storylink|International Incident Part 3: "Hawk Among the Sparrows"|Hawks Among the Sparrows}} As the Autobots are attacked by the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]], who have a similar contract with [[China]], Skywatch agent [[Sandra (G1)|Sandra]] breaks the encryption on one of the satellites. The secret alliance between Skywatch and the Autobots is revealed to the world, and [[Russia]] attempts to nuke the Transformers, though Cosmos saves them. The energon factories in North Korea and China are destroyed, ending the threat from the Combaticons and Predacons. {{storylink|International Incident Part 4: "All My Sins Remembered"|All My Sins Remembered}}

The incident turns into a PR nightmare for both Skywatch and the Autobots. Bumblebee holds a press conference, but fails to contain the unruly crowd and is grievously injured by [[Joe Gladki]]. {{storylink|International Incident Part 4: "All My Sins Remembered"|All My Sins Remembered}} Megatron's Decepticons return to Earth, attacking the Autobot-Skywatch base and freeing the Decepticon captives within. The plane carrying Optimus Prime, Spike Witwicky and the rest of the Korea team is shot down over the Pacific Ocean. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 1: The Demolished Man|The Demolished Man}} Ultra Magnus takes charge and has the base evacuated. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 2: Altered Carbon|Altered Carbon}} He and his troops attempt to regroup, but are defeated by Megatron himself. Meanwhile, Starscream tries and fails to convince Thundercracker to return to the Decepticons. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 3: Woken Furies|Woken Furies}}

After two days, Optimus Prime's team emerge from the oceans alive. Prime confronts Megatron, who is holding Magnus hostage, and causes him to flee by injuring Soundwave. Jazz is forced to kill [[John Powell|a human]] in order to save his comrades, furthering Autobot distrust among human civilians. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 4: Burning Chrome|Burning Chrome}} After another meeting with Prime, Megatron surrenders himself so that he can watch from the inside as the Autobots are crushed by the humans they protect. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 5: Enemy Mine|Enemy Mine}}

''The Commander offers to let Chuckles kill Tomax and Xamot, the architects of his misery, to win him over; Chuckles agrees, {{istorylink|Sidewinder}} but, his agreement is merely a ploy to get close to the Commander, and when he gets the opportunity, Chuckles shoots Cobra Commander through the head, killing him. {{istorylink|Rattler (issue)|Rattler}} Though he intends to kill Tomax and Xamot as well, Tomax manages to get away from him; instead, Chuckles uses a nuclear submarine docked at Section Twenty to destroy the base and kill everyone on it, including himself and Xamot. The Baroness and Tomax manage to escape at the last minute. {{istorylink|King Cobra (issue)|King Cobra}}''
{{-}}

===2011===
[[File:PoliceActionPrologue-Prowl.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Prowl discovered his "Summon Leggy Dame" spell had failed.]]
Six weeks after Megatron's surrender, Rodimus and his crew arrive on Earth and return the Matrix to Optimus Prime. Learning about Galvatron's invasion of Cybertron, Optimus takes most of the Autobots and Megatron with him, Prime leaves Earth on Omega Supreme. Bumblebee, Prowl, Ultra Magnus, and several others remain behind to investigate Megatron's claims that Spike murdered Scrapper. {{storylink|Space Opera—Final Tableaux: Orphans of the Helix|Orphans of the Helix}}

Prowl investigates Spike by following him around. {{storylink|Police Action: Part 1}} While investigating the site of Scrapper's death, he is attacked by [[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]], but defeating and interrogating yields nothing about his motives. The Autobots bring in Sandra, who enlightens them on Spike's sociopathic past. {{storylink|Police Action Part 2: Only Forward|Only Forward}} Bumblebee and the other Autobots keep busy by tracking down rogue Decepticons, and Bumblebee singlehandedly takes down a Decepticon plot to activate a space bridge. {{storylink|The Question}} The defeat proves so humiliating that [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]] quits the Stunticons forever. {{storylink|First Contact (IDW)|First Contact}}

After four months of investigation, {{storylink|Police Action Part 2: Only Forward|Only Forward}} Spike shamelessly admits to killing Scrapper, but Prowl's fair share of questionable actions makes him unsure on what to do about it. During an attempted arrest of anti-Autobot pundit [[Ben Simpson]], the Autobots learn that he was a [[Facsimile construct|facsimile]] created by Swindle. Under interrogation, Swindle reveals that he had been selling weapons to Skywatch via Spike for years. The alliance between Skywatch and the Autobots quickly dissolves and Spike becomes an international fugitive. {{storylink|Police Action Part 3: A Second Chance at Eden|A Second Chance at Eden}}

''Cobra scientist {{i|Dr. Llund}} opens a Lovecraftian gateway to bring the Elder Gods through into the world. Crystal Ball, Storm Shadow, {{i|Interrogator}}, and a group of inmates of {{i|Snake Pit|Cobra's insane asylum}} manage to stop Llund, though Crystal Ball — a worshipper of the Elder Gods — only stops her as he wants to bring them through ''properly'', by finding ''every'' gateway. {{istorylink|Infestation 2: G.I. Joe}}''

En route to Cybertron, Optimus Prime must choose life imprisonment or execution for Megatron's punishment in anticipation of his future trial. He tries to talk to his nemesis, but is only goaded into torturing him. {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 1}} When he asks Megatron what he would choose, Megatron chooses death. {{storylink|Chaos Theory Part 2}}

Cyclonus and the Sweeps take over [[Kimia Facility]]. The Autobots arrive on Cybertron, where Optimus Prime again declines to join Galvatron's army, causing Galvatron to responds with violence. {{storylink|Chaos Part One: Lamentations|Lamentations}} In order to reach Cybertron's core, Galvatron uses Kimia to fire on the planet's surface until the facility is destroyed from within. As the Autobots fight Galvatron's army, Megatron escapes from captivity and powers himself up using his Megatron-guns. {{storylink|Chaos Part Two: Numbers|Numbers}}

[[File:Deceptigod Chaos part3 Kings.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|Excuse me sir, do you have a moment to talk about our lord and savior Deceptigod?]]

Megatron uses the space bridge technology in his body to summon his Decepticon army to Cybertron. The D-Void, acting through Galvatron's [[Darkness (G1)|Heart of Darkness]], mind-controls them into combining with Galvatron's troops to form the "[[Deceptigod]]". {{storylink|Chaos Part Three: Kings|Kings}} While Megatron fights and defeats the Deceptigod, Galvatron reaches [[Vector Sigma]] and inserts the Heart of Darkness into it, hoping this will stop the D-Void from entering the universe when in truth it does the opposite. Optimus Prime stops the D-Void from turning Cybertron into a portal to the Dead Universe by opening the Matrix of Leadership into the planet's core, emptying the artifact completely. {{storylink|Chaos Part Four: Genesis|Genesis}}

Galvatron and his forces are defeated, and the cleansing of Vector Sigma has the unexpected side effect of "resetting" Cybertron back to a living, primordial state. Though the planet is habitable once again, it is also wild and untamed, and all indications of Transformer civilization have been lost. Every Cybertronian in the universe receives a simple message, courtesy of Vector Sigma: "come home". With the Decepticons in shambles and Megatron missing, the Great War is considered over, though the Autobot victory proves pyrrhic. {{storylink|Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime|The Death of Optimus Prime}}

Over the next three weeks, Bumblebee's team returns to Cybertron, taking care to remove every piece of Cybertronian technology they can find on Earth before they depart. {{storylink|Secret Raiders: A Revolution Prelude|Secret Raiders}} Joining up with the other Autobots on Cybertron, they successfully inter the weakened and disoriented Decepticons within the wreckage of the Kimia satellite and plant them with [[Inhibitor/deterrence chip|I/D chips]] to keep them docile. Before they can begin rebuilding society, however, they are joined by tens of thousands of neutrals, deserters, refugees, and other assorted noncombatants. Prowl dubs the hordes of civilians "[[NAIL]]s".

[[File:DoOP matrix bequeathed.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Remember to share, kids. Peace, I'm out.]]

Tensions between the three groups grow until Optimus Prime, having inadvertently time-jumped three weeks forward following his defeat of Galvatron, arrives in the shantytown that was once Iacon. The Autobots bring him up to speed, though ex-Autobot [[Metalhawk (Masterforce)|Metalhawk]], ''de facto'' speaker for the NAILs, makes it clear that his people want neither the Autobots nor Decepticons on "their" planet. When riots break out in the streets due to his presence, Prime departs the planet and entrusts the empty Matrix halves to Bumblebee and Rodimus, who are split on whether to stay and rebuild Cybertronian society, or go in search of the [[Knights of Cybertron]] in the hopes of starting anew on [[Cyberutopia]] . Prime leaves, and declares that, without the Matrix, he is "Orion Pax" once more—and that Optimus Prime is dead. {{storylink|Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime|The Death of Optimus Prime}}

[[File:SecretRaiders-GIJoe.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|"It is well that war is so terrible, otherwise we should grow too fond of it."]]
On Earth, the Transformer war is soon overshadowed by the rising threat of Cobra. {{storylink|Secret Raiders: A Revolution Prelude|Secret Raiders}} ''The {{i|Cobra Council}} determines the new Cobra Commander through a contest, with the objective to bring as much misery to G.I. Joe as possible, between 7 members of Cobra High Command. The contestants kill countless Joes, destroy the Pit and sink their {{i|Dreadnaught|replacement command center}}, but in the end, Krake is chosen as Cobra's new leader. {{istorylink|Cobra Civil War}} As his first act, the new Cobra Commander brings Cobra out of the shadows by invading the country of [[Nanzhao]], in the {{i|Golden Triangle}} region where he grew up. Cobra takes control of the country and forces its evacuation, before dropping nuclear weapons acquired from [[China]] on Nanzhao's largest population centres, rendering them uninhabitable; thanks to international opposition to the Nanzhaoese regime and a slow-to-act U.S. government, G.I. Joe are unable to prevent Cobra's near-total victory.''

''Major Bludd, Tomax Paoli and Serpentor, unhappy with the new Commander's actions, attempt a coup; however, the Baroness's assassination of the Cobra Council to cement the new Commander's total control forces Bludd and Tomax to surrender themselves into G.I. Joe custody after Serpentor rats them out. Meanwhile, Storm Shadow — angry over the murder of his ''oyabun'' Oda Satori by Cobra assassin [[Zartan]] — invites his old sword-brother Snake Eyes to rejoin the Arashikage and help them take down Cobra; Snake Eyes accepts, though Helix is the only Joe aware of the fact, with all others believing him to have died in Nanzhao. {{istorylink|Cobra Command}}''

''In the aftermath of the invasion, Hawk is dismissed by his superiors, with Duke promoted to Colonel and put in charge of G.I. Joe in his place; the Joes' operating budget is also slashed to 1/3 of what it previously was. To help circumvent their new limitations, Hawk calls in Sergeant {{i|Bildocker}}, a highly skilled "scrounger" capable of calling in favors to get hold of extra resources, on Duke's behalf. {{istorylink|G.I. Joe vol. 2 issue 13|G.I. Joe vol. 2 #13}}'' The reduced budget prevents G.I. Joe from mounting a planned rescue mission for the Cobra forces trapped in Section Sabine. {{storylink|Enter The Shadow}} ''In order to secure their status as a newly "legitimate" world power, Cobra reveals the existence of G.I. Joe to the world, waging a propaganda campaign against them. {{istorylink|G.I. Joe vol. 2 issue 12|G.I. Joe vol. 2 #12}} Public awareness of their location forces the Joes to move again, from {{i|Fort Baxter}} to the [[USS Flagg|U.S.S. ''Flagg'']]. {{istorylink|Deep Terror Epilogue}}''

Though the Cybertronians have left Earth alone for the time being, the effect they have on the shellshocked planet is profound. Embroiled in controversy, Skywatch is considered defunct and is shut down by the United States government. Several operatives are shunted into its successor, the international [[Earth Defense Command]], headed by [[Marissa Faireborn]]. {{storylink|Earthfall Part 2: Detonation Boulevard|Detonation Boulevard}} {{storylink|The Iron Klaw}} Determined not to let another invasion happen on her watch, Faireborne and the EDC reverse-engineer what technology they can find, producing new anti-Cybertronian weaponry such as [[mind bomb]]s and particle-based warheads. {{storylink|Earthfall Chapter 3: The Mind Bomb|The Mind Bomb}} Around this time, eccentric tech industrialist [[G.B. Blackrock|Garrison Blackrock]] comes to prominence, head of the [[Onyx]] software and engineering firm. Unbeknownst to anyone on Earth—including ''himself''—Blackrock is a false identity constructed by [[Sovereign]]. As "Blackrock", Sovereign succeeds in collecting dozens of Transformer artifacts from their recent conflicts on Earth, including the corpses of [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] and [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] and the Enigma of Combination. {{storylink|Onyx Interface Part Three: ONoffON|ONoffON}} From the former two artifacts, he creates an army of [[Seeker clone]]s for the EDC, which are augmented to combine through the energies of the Engima. {{storylink|Earthfall Chapter 5: I Dream of Wires|I Dream of Wires}}

Among their many anti-Transformer initiatives is "Project Spectrum", a series of experimental weapons designed to use the Transformers' chameleonic natures against them. Following the mysterious loss of {{i|Cornelius Trakker}}, Adventure Team alumni [[Miles Mayhem|Miles "Mayhem" Manheim]] steps up and refines it into the "[[M.A.S.K.]]" program. {{storylink|Hasbro Heroes Sourcebook issue 3|Matt Trakker profile}}

''Using a "gift" of 700 million dollars from Tomax Paoli, Duke sets up a {{i|G.I. Joe Intelligence|specialised, intelligence-focused unit}} headed by [[Flint (G.I. Joe)|Flint]] to make use of their ex-Cobra assets Tomax, Chameleon and Major Bludd; the unit is stationed in {{i|The Gemini}}, a [[Las Vegas]] casino also "donated" by Tomax. Tomax offers them several leads, including Cobra Commander's son [[Billy (G.I. Joe)|Billy Kessler-Latta]]; {{istorylink|Son of the Snake, Part 1: A New Era|A New Era}} however, Tomax is able to sabotage their missions through back-channels the Joes are unaware of, {{istorylink|The House Always Wins, Part 2: Hand to Hand|Hand to Hand}} leaving the Joes with proof that Tomax's intel is "good" but with no workable leads. {{istorylink|Son of the Snake, Part 4: The Hunt is On!|The Hunt is On!}} The unit takes another blow after Major Bludd is abducted by Colonel Shtern and his [[Oktober Guard]]; when the Joes try to investigate, they barely escape with their lives, and Bludd is able to kill Shtern and take control of the Oktober Guard himself. {{istorylink|Oktober Guard, Part 4|Oktober Guard}}''

''Snake Eyes works with the Arashikage to bring down Zartan, managing to crash his plane in the [[Australia]]n outback, but is secretly working to sabotage and weaken the clan from within. {{istorylink|G.I. Joe: Snake Eyes|Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow}} When G.I. Joe discovers Snake Eyes' betrayal, they become a third party in the Cobra-Arashikage war. Snake Eyes' unwillingness to kill Scarlett leads Storm Shadow to realise that he has been misleading them, and seemingly kills him in a climactic battle that destroys the U.S.S. ''Flagg'' after Snake Eyes is brought back there; {{istorylink|Target: Snake Eyes}} but in fact, Snake Eyes has faked his death and gone into hiding, with only the [[Hard Master]] knowing the truth. {{istorylink|Silence}}''

''The Pentagon determines that G.I. Joe needs a new approach to effectively fight Cobra, and the unit is reorganised into a public-facing team of "celebrity soldiers" similar to the Adventure Team, stationed on [[Governor's Island]] and under the direct command of their namesake Joe Colton; Duke is placed in charge of the field team, {{istorylink|Homefront, Part 1 of 5|Homefront, Part 1}} while Scarlett and Mainframe are placed in charge of the {{i|Special Missions unit}}, a sub-team carrying out more "traditional" black ops missions. {{istorylink|G.I. Joe: Special Missions}} Michael Monk is placed in charge of Cobra's {{i|Manhattan Bureau}}, and begins manipulating events to make it seem as if Duke is a Cobra mole; though Monk is eventually found out and defeated, his actions uncover Duke's ''actual'' past indiscretions, and he is discharged from the Army. {{istorylink|Threat Matrix, Part 4 of 4|Threat Matrix}}''

''Tomax's manipulations lead to the destruction of the Gemini casino and the total collapse of the intelligence unit; Tomax escapes back to Cobra, while Billy Kessler-Latta and G.I. Joe agents Chameleon and Ronin flee and go into hiding. {{istorylink|G.I. Joe: The Cobra Files|The Cobra Files}}''

{{-}}

===2012-2013===
[[File:Mtmte-01-liarsatod-p19-panel345-boom.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Wait for it...wait for it...]]
Rodimus gathers a crew of two hundred Autobots and purchases the ''Unitrex-1'' during the [[Festival of Lost Light]]. The event inspires him to rename the vessel the ''[[Lost Light]]''. Hoping to learn more about the secrets behind creating [[Phase Sixer]]s, Prowl manages to convince Rodimus to take Overlord with them in the hopes of using [[Chromedome (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Chromedome]]'s [[mnemosurgery|mnemosurgical]] skills to probe the Decepticon's memories. {{storylink|Remembrance Day}} {{storylink|The Sound of Breaking Glass}} Before they depart, Chromedome, his [[Conjunx Endura]] [[Rewind (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Rewind]], and Ratchet discover Tailgate and take him aboard. The ''Lost Light'' departs Cybertron shortly afterwards... but the quantum engines malfunction shortly after the ship launches due to a mishap involving Overlord's slow cell {{storylink|Liars, A to D Part 3: The Chaos of Warm Things|The Chaos of Warm Things}}, and the vessel vanishes in a fiery explosion. {{storylink|Liars, A to D Part 1: How to Say Goodbye and Mean It|How to Say Goodbye and Mean It}}

[[File:TheAutonomyLesson-spaceport.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy."]]
The loss of the ''Lost Light'' causes ructions between the Autobots, Decepticons, and NAILs; the latter faction believing that the Autobots are now publicly discouraging anyone from leaving their shantytown. Having made the difficult choice to release the Decepticons to help keep the peace, Bumblebee is forced to put down [[Horri-Bull]] when the Decepticon oversteps his authority. {{storylink|The Autonomy Lesson (issue)|The Autonomy Lesson}}

Around this time, war hero and all-around do-gooder [[Thunder Clash|Thunderclash]] decides to strike out on his own search for the Knights of Cybertron aboard his own ship, the ''[[Vis Vitalis]]''. He discovers the lost colony of [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]] and recruits three of the inhabitants—[[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]], [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]], and [[Nautica (G1)|Nautica]]—to join him on his quest. {{storylink|Burning Bright: Dark Cybertron Chapter 8|Burning Bright}} {{storylink|A 'Bot and Her City}}

An attempt on Bumblebee's life via [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] leads to the latter's death and prompts Starscream to start working with Bumblebee's Autobots in their efforts to rebuild a functioning government. {{storylink|The World & Everything in It}} [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] secretly continues Shockwave's old combiner experiments, which results in Prowl, at the end of his tether and increasingly emotionally closed-off, seemingly executing him. {{storylink|Devisive}} Ironhide salvages the situation by petitioning to have the [[inhibitor/deterrence chip|I/D chips]] installed in the Decepticons deactivated. {{storylink|A Better Tomorrow}}

After [[Barrel Roll]] dies, [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]] and his crew of [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] leave Iacon to start anew in the wilderness beyond. {{storylink|Stick Together}} Ironhide then recruits the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] to try and find the missing fliers; they discover that the lands beyond Iacon have a disorienting effect on Cybertronians. {{storylink|Dinobot Hunt (IDW)|Dinobot Hunt}}

[[File:Sparkeater rips The Chaos of Warm Things.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|''HEEEEERE'S JOHNNY!'']]

Meanwhile, in space, the ''Lost Light'' rematerializes, ''twice''; the peculiar quantum engines mean that the explosion creates a duplicate ''Lost Light'', one on-course and one off-course. The on-course ''Lost Light'' and its duplicate crew embark on a series of improbable adventures that ends when the [[Decepticon Justice Division]], on the trail of the traitorous Overlord and tipped off to his location by conflicted double agent [[Brainstorm (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Brainstorm]], kill everyone aboard save Rewind. {{storylink|slaughterhouse Part 2: The Road Not Taken|The Road Not Taken}}

The ''other'' ''Lost Light'', however, materializes near the edge of the galaxy, where the crew meets Skids and contends with the Sparkeater. {{storylink|Liars, A to D Part 2: Hangers On|Hangers On}} {{storylink|Liars, A to D Part 3: The Chaos of Warm Things|The Chaos of Warm Things}} The Sparkeater's rampage accidentally damages the [[slow cell]] containing Overlord, which alerts paranoid security director Red Alert to the stowaway. {{storylink|How Ratchet Got His Hands Back}}

[[File:MTMTE ROE Grimlock.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|Grimlock in stained glass.]]

On Cybertron, Wheeljack investigates a mysterious time machine brought to the planet by [[Turmoil]]. {{storylink|Interference Patterns}} This has repercussions across the galaxy; far away from Cybertron, Orion Pax, Hardhead, [[Garnak]], and Wheelie discover that Jhiaxus, Bludgeon, and Monstructor are carrying out a part of Shockwave's Regenesis program to alter the future using the chronologically-destabilized world of [[LV-117]], a plan involving Turmoil's time machine. Thought they thwart Jhiaxus's scheme, the planet is destroyed. {{storylink|Syndromica (1)}} {{storylink|Syndromica (2)}}

On the planet [[Clemency]], a [[Scavenger (group)|band of misfit Decepticons]]—the former Foragers—stumble on [[Fulcrum]], a cowardly [[K-Class]] suicide bomber. Together, they investigate an anomalous [[Worldsweeper]] ship containing numerous strange experiments and a brain-damaged Grimlock, whom they reactivate to battle the [[Decepticon Justice Division]]. The Scavengers reluctantly take him on. {{storylink|Scavengers (Part 2): Who's Afraid of the DJD?|Who's Afraid of the DJD?}}

Shortly afterwards, the ship chances on the planet [[Theophany]], former home of the now-missing [[Circle of Light]]. The crew discovers [[Metrotitan (Zone)|Metrotitan]], and help the struggling Titan return to Cybertron by using Brainstorm's [[mass-displacement gun]] to shrink him to a manageable size so he can safely teleport away. {{storylink|Primus: You, Me, and Other Revelations|You, Me, and Other Revelations}}

[[File:RID16 heavyisthehead.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Spoiler: this won't end well.]]

Metrotitan materializes within the ruins of [[Crystal City]], where his arrival interrupts the search for the missing Autobots. Starscream investigates, and the Titan proclaims him the "chosen one" before his destabilized molecules explode and teleport him away {{storylink|Primus: All Good Things|All Good Things}} to [[Monument Valley]] on Earth. {{storylink|All Hail Optimus Part 5: As Above...So Below|As Above... So Below}} Before Starscream can use his new standing to tip upcoming elections in his favor, Iacon is thrown into chaos when Megatron returns. {{storylink|City on Fire}}

Having experimented with [[combiner]] technology in the wake of the D-Void's defeat, Megatron has secretly collaborated with several Decepticons to perfect the process and create a new, more powerful Devastator from the remaining Constructicons... and using Prowl, who has been under Bombshell's mind control all along, as a guinea pig. {{storylink|Heavy Is the Head|Heavy Is The Head}}

The new Devastator lays waste to Iacon, but is defeated by Ironhide, the Dinobots, and the Aerialbots, the latter group having accidentally combined into a new combiner named [[Superion (G1)|Superion]]. {{storylink|The End of the Beginning of the World}} Wheeljack sacrifices himself to neutralize Megatron, while Superion helps defeat Devastator and return Prowl to his senses. Starscream kills Metalhawk to exploit the NAILs and uses the political leverage to declare himself as the sole ruler of the "[[Republic of Cybertron]]", casting both Autobots and Decepticons out into the wilderness. {{storylink|Heavy Is the Head|Heavy Is The Head}} Starscream recruits [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] as his second-in-command and finds a useful stooge in the religiously-inclined [[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]] {{storylink|Three Monologues}} after taking custody of the comatose Superion and secretly placing Wheeljack into stasis. {{storylink|Heavy Is the Head|Heavy Is The Head}}

A subsequent stopover on [[Hedonia]] {{storylink|Cybertronian Homesick Blues}} brings the ''Lost Light'' crew into contact with a group of [[Ammonite]]s, and a game of one-upmanship goes wrong when [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] annihilates [[Terradore]] commander [[Imperius Drax]]. With Drax's successor pushing the Terradores towards a dangerous conclusion, the Ammonites join forces with Shockwave. {{storylink|The Dead Are Not Enough: Dark Cybertron Chapter 7|The Dead Are Not Enough}} Megatron's defeat pushes Shockwave into accelerating the development of his Regenesis program—having evolved into an ambitious plan to end the universe so Cybertron can live forever. {{storylink|Shockwaves}}

Not far away, Metroplex detects [[Ore-7]], and Shockwave dispatches his Ammonite army to reclaim the sample. The Ammonites prove incapable of bringing the Titan down, but ''are'' successful in incapacitating him with a sample of [[Ore-2]]. Having contracted an [[alchemical virus]] from exposure to the deadly ore, a grievously wounded Metroplex jettisons his thumb and the Ore-7 sample before splashing down beneath the oceans of [[Hydrophena]] to recuperate. {{storylink|The Becoming: Dark Cybertron Chapter 10|The Becoming}}

Metroplex's thumb impacts the ''Lost Light'', leaving a reluctant [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] to fight off [[Lockdown (G1)|Lockdown]] and his crew of [[Titan Hunter]]s. {{storylink|The Reluctant Specialist}} Meanwhile, [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] and a crew of Autobots cope with a leftover [[phobia shield]]. {{storylink|The Waiting Game}}

[[File:ThisCalamitousLife-legislatorfight.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|";"]]

When Rewind is grievously injured in a battle on [[Temptoria]], the possibility of losing his beloved sends Chromedome into a grief spiral that eventually sees him tapping Overlord's memories. {{storylink|Remembrance Day}} Unfortunately, Chromedome accidentally allows Overlord to escape, and Rewind has to sacrifice himself to jettison the monster from the ship. {{storylink|Under Cold Blue Stars}} Not wanting to jeopardize a great destiny he has foreseen for Rodimus, Drift volunteers to take the fall for the incident and is exiled from the ship. {{storylink|The Gloaming}} Overlord's drifting body is found and taken in by the [[Galactic Council]], who rebuild and recruit him into their service. {{storylink|The Dying of the Light Part 3: Your Fierce Tears|Your Fierce Tears}}

Ultra Magnus is also fatally wounded in the battle, but his body disappears from the ship's Medibay. The crew track the Magnus Armor and discover lost moon of [[Moonbase One|Luna 1]], {{storylink|Remain in Light 1 of 5: The Fecund Moon|The Fecund Moon}} where they discover Chief Justice Tyrest, who has gone rogue and constructed a [[universal killswitch]] designed to eliminate all Transformers who were constructed cold in an act of religious genocide, helped by mad doctor [[Pharma (G1)|Pharma]] and knight Templar [[Star Saber (Victory)|Star Saber]]. The crew discovers the secret of [[Minimus Ambus]] and eventually defeat Tyrest by using their half of the Matrix to overwrite the killswitch, sacrificing their map to Cyberutopia in the process. {{storylink|Remain in Light 5 of 5: This Calamitous Life|This Calamitous Life}} Tyrest escapes, managing to teleport himself to the other side of Luna 1, where he is found and repaired by the Grand Architect. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 3): Farsickness|Farsickness}}

[[File:BurningBright-Windblade.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|''They're Windblade and the Brain Windblade and the Brain One is a Titan, the other's a plane!'']]

Alpha Trion makes contact with Thunderclash and persuades him to send his Camien crew members to Hydrophena, where [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] uses her [[cityspeaker|cityspeaking]] talents to tend to Metroplex's many injuries. {{storylink|Burning Bright: Dark Cybertron Chapter 8|Burning Bright}}

Believing that Shockwave's plans will involve the [[Enigma of Combination]], Alpha Trion correctly deduces it to be on Earth. He travels there to retrieve it, but his vessel is shot down by the [[Earth Defense Command]] and he is taken hostage to forward the development of the EDC's weaponry. {{storylink|The Crucible}} {{storylink|Earthfall Chapter 4: Full Fathom Five|Full Fathom Five}}

With his pieces in place, Shockwave puts the final pieces of his plan into play. At the request of his old student, [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] manipulates Orion Pax into awakening a Titan slumbering beneath [[Gorlam Prime]] and transports it to Cybertron, transforming it into a [[zombie|undead]] "[[Quintessa (IDW)|Necrotitan]]" that lays waste to Iacon by unleashing a "death plague" that brings the dead back to life, including Metalhawk. {{storylink|Dark Dawn: Dark Cybertron Chapter 1|Dark Dawn}} {{storylink|Winners & Losers: Dark Cybertron Chapter 3|Winners & Losers}}

[[File:BlackPlanet-bigfight.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|"Our arrows will blot out the sun!" "Good; then we will fight in the shade."]]

Shockwave creates a portal to the [[Dead Universe]] to summon Nova Prime and his ancient Cybertronians. {{storylink|Dark Dawn: Dark Cybertron Chapter 1|Dark Dawn}} Bumblebee makes an alliance with Soundwave to stop this, but their strike on Shockwave's base proves only partially successful, as Galvatron reemerges before they can close the gate. {{storylink|Finest Hour: Dark Cybertron Chapter 5|Finest Hour}} Gorlam Prime collapses into a Dead Universe portal, and Orion and his crew are saved by the ''Lost Light''. Orion and Hardhead venture into the rift to stop Shockwave's plot. {{storylink|Black Metal: Dark Cybertron Chapter 2|Black Metal}} Though Hardhead perishes, Orion succeeds in rescuing both Nightbeat and Kup from the thrall of the Dead Universe. In the ensuing fight against Nova Prime, Prime finally kills his villainous predecessor and retakes the title of "Optimus Prime". {{storylink|Finis Temporis: Dark Cybertron Chapter 9|Finis Temporis}}

With the ''Lost Light'' on Jhiaxus's tail, the ship makes a detour to [[Hydrophena]], where they encounter Metroplex's body, {{storylink|Winners & Losers: Dark Cybertron Chapter 3|Winners & Losers}} his Camien caretakers, {{storylink|The Dead Are Not Enough: Dark Cybertron Chapter 7|The Dead Are Not Enough}} and an army of Ammonites. {{storylink|Into the Abyss: Dark Cybertron Chapter 4|Into the Abyss}} The crew use their ship's engines to power up the Titan and return him to Cybertron. In the ravaged remains of Iacon, Bumblebee and Megatron form a strange alliance, {{storylink|Burning Bright: Dark Cybertron Chapter 8|Burning Bright}} and the Decepticon leader uses his internal space bridge to teleport Metroplex's thumb back to its rightful owner, giving Metroplex the energy to kill the Necrotitan and counter the plague. {{storylink|Finis Temporis: Dark Cybertron Chapter 9|Finis Temporis}}

Unfortunately, all of this plays right into Shockwave's metaphorical hands; having lured all of the elements in his final plan to Cybertron—and having eliminated Nova Prime's control over the Dead Universe—Shockwave begins his final endgame, using Jhiaxus's [[chronal drive]] and the power of all fourteen ores to collapse all of reality into a singularity that will feed Cybertron for all eternity. {{storylink|Finis Temporis: Dark Cybertron Chapter 9|Finis Temporis}} {{storylink|The Becoming: Dark Cybertron Chapter 10|The Becoming}}

[[File:DCFinale megatron the autobot.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|WHAT.]]

Prime, Bumblebee, and Megatron confront Shockwave beneath Crystal City {{storylink|Black Planet: Dark Cybertron Chapter 11|Black Planet}} while Metalhawk sacrifices himself once again to destroy the Ammonite army. {{storylink|...And the Damage Done: Dark Cybertron Finale|...And the Damage Done}} Shockwave shoots Bumblebee {{storylink|Black Planet: Dark Cybertron Chapter 11|Black Planet}} but the Autobot's sacrifice moves Megatron—having slowly realized the error of his ways—to announce that he is changing sides. Shockwave's incredulity breaks the shadowplay, and, horrified at what he has become, he allows Optimus Prime to put him down. Crystal City collapses into a singularity and drags Bumblebee's body with it. {{storylink|...And the Damage Done: Dark Cybertron Finale|...And the Damage Done}} Unbeknownst to anyone, however, Shockwave is not dead, instead having been sent [[#12 million BCE|twelve million years back in time]], to the dawn of Cybertronian civilisation. {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}}

Though the Transformers have saved reality, the events of the crisis have changed Cybertron forever. In the aftermath, Autobot Megatron allows himself to stand trial for his crimes against the species, {{storylink|World, Shut Your Mouth Part 1: Towards Peace|Towards Peace}} while the three Camiens struggle to adjust to their new lives. With the Decepticons left betrayed and rudderless, a new warrior steps up to take command... [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]]. {{storylink|Earthfall Part 1: Hello Cruel World|Hello Cruel World}}
{{-}}

===2014===
''Over the course of several years, an increasingly high-tech G.I. Joe continues to pursue Cobra. At some point, Tomax Paoli takes over Cobra and reforms it into a "legitimate" private security force, and G.I. Joe faces the threat of being shut down now that their job is seemingly done. {{istorylink|The Fall of G.I. Joe Part One}}''<ref name="GIJoe"/>

[[File:MTMTE28 megatron pleads guilty.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|Cast in the name of Primus.]]
Megatron's trial in the [[Raskol Arena]] lasts for five months, and though Megatron initially pleads guilty, Starscream's blustering testimony convinces him to change his plea to "not guilty". {{storylink|World, Shut Your Mouth Part 2: Words Hang in the Air|Words Hang in the Air}} The ex-Decepticon escapes immediate sentencing on a technicality. Requesting to be judged by the Knights of Cybertron, he joins the crew of the ''Lost Light'' as co-captain alongside an annoyed Rodimus. Before leaving Cybertron, he announces that the Decepticon cause has failed and that all active Decepticons are to stand down. {{storylink|World, Shut Your Mouth Part 3: Predestination: A Beginner's Guide|Predestination: A Beginner's Guide}}

Snake Eyes emerges from hiding to apparently join Cobra, though he is in fact acting as a deep-cover operative for G.I. Joe. {{storylink|The Iron Klaw}} ''After breaking Destro out of a maximum security prison transport, Snake Eyes is tasked with hunting down Billy Kessler-Latta for a pin in his leg, secretly encoded with data; he manages to do so with the help of Erika Le Tene, but allows Billy to go free after a battle with Storm Shadow, instead giving Destro a fake pin. {{istorylink|G.I. Joe: Snake Eyes, Agent of Cobra|Snake Eyes, Agent of Cobra}}''

''Thanks to a combination of G.I. Joe operations in the region, the defection of {{i|Cobra Youth}} captain [[Isaac Craft]], and sabotage by the war-hungry Baroness, Cobra is kicked out of the country of [[Galibi]], where they had been hired to keep the peace during negotiations with its neighbor [[Schleteva]]. {{istorylink|G.I. Joe vol. 4}}'' The [[CIA]]'s {{i|Operational Support}} hires Isaac Craft and ex-Joe mercenaries Duke and [[Big Ben]] to kill Tomax, but though their actions manage to cause the total collapse of Cobra, their lack of knowledge of Snake Eyes' involvement leads to Isaac's death. {{storylink|The Iron Klaw}} With Cobra defunct, G.I. Joe is shut down. {{storylink|Secret Raiders: A Revolution Prelude|Secret Raiders}}

[[File:DetonationBoulevard-galvatronandedc.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|''Awkward!'']]

Those Decepticons still loyal to the cause rally under Galvatron's new banner. Soundwave joins Galvatron's splinter group, announcing that they will follow the ''true'' Decepticon path and seek peace. Galvatron leads his new troops to [[Earth]], where they meet with [[Sparkplug Witwicky|General Witwicky]] and [[Marissa Faireborn|Director Faireborn]]. The neo-Decepticons convince the skeptical humans of their good intentions by telling them that Megatron has defected to the Autobots, though Galvatron openly chafes under the idea of working alongside humans. {{storylink|Earthfall Part 2: Detonation Boulevard|Detonation Boulevard}} In exchange for aid against the Autobots, G.B. Blackrock sponsors the construction of [[Sanctuary Station]] in orbit around Jupiter, which will house the new Decepticon movement. {{storylink|Earthfall Chapter 4: Full Fathom Five|Full Fathom Five}}

As the Autobots and their new allies settle in, Optimus Prime decides to lead a small crew of Autobots (and Prowl's Constructicon hangers-on) back to Earth aboard the ''[[Ark-7]]'' in search of Alpha Trion. {{storylink|Earthfall Part 1: Hello Cruel World|Hello Cruel World}} {{storylink|Earthfall Part 2: Detonation Boulevard|Detonation Boulevard}}

Metroplex transforms into his city mode and links up with the ruins of Iacon, providing housing, power, and infrastructure for any in need. {{storylink|World, Shut Your Mouth Part 1: Towards Peace|Towards Peace}} In time, a "ghetto" of Decepticons springs up around his outskirts, while the Autobots and NAILs live inside the Titan. {{storylink|First Contact (IDW)|First Contact}} Though alive, Metroplex is barely functional, and over several months Windblade slowly nurses him back to health. {{storylink|A 'Bot and Her City}} As Metroplex recovers, he begins searching for his Titan brethren, scattered throughout the galaxy. Eventually, he locates [[Navitas]] on [[Velocitron]], [[Chela]] on [[Eukaris]], the remains of the [[Devisiun (Titan)|dead Titan]] on [[Devisiun (planet)|Devisiun]], {{storylink|Windblade issue 4|Windblade #4}} and [[Vigilem|Carcer]], disguised as Metroplex's lost brother [[Tempo]]. {{storylink|Rubicon}} Though most of the colonies have survived their millennia of isolation unscathed, one world is not so lucky: [[Micronus Prime]]'s colony world of [[Mini-Con]]s is sterilized by the robophobic [[Black Block Consortia]]. The sole survivor, a young female named [[Nickel]], joins the [[Decepticon Justice Division]] when they happen on the planet days after the attack. {{storylink|The Permanent Revolution}}

[[File:ABotAndHerCity-metroplexsbrain.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|''They're Windblade and the Brain Yes, Windblade and the Brain Their robotic campaign, is easy to explain'']]

[[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]] comes to the conclusion that Cybertron is too dangerous for Windblade to stay, and engineers a public crisis that will allow her access to Metroplex's space bridge by surreptitiously bombing districts within Metroplex. {{storylink|Windblade issue 4|Windblade #4}} Windblade investigates and repeatedly clashes with Starscream {{storylink|A Long Way Down}}, who has by this point established the [[Badgeless]] troopers as enforcers of his will. {{storylink|Windblade issue 3|Windblade #3}} Windblade is horrified when she learns the truth, but strikes an uneasy deal with Starscream in the name of the greater good: in exchange for keeping Chromia's crimes hidden, Windblade will allow Starscream to contact the ''other'' lost colony worlds, help her impoverished home and rebuild the Cybertronian empire with himself at the helm. Though her friend walks free, Windblade is left conflicted by her friend's duplicity and her own moral compromise. {{storylink|Windblade issue 4|Windblade #4}}

[[File:Full Fathom Five Alpha Trion.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Old Primes never die, they just get to be lab rats.]]

Entering Earth's orbit, the ''[[Ark-7]]'' runs up against post-invasion humanity, who deploy sophisticated orbital defense systems derived from Cybertronian technology against them. Sneaking to Earth aboard Sky Lynx, Optimus, Kup, and Jazz encounter [[Thundercracker (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Thundercracker]], who has gone native on Earth and turned his love of television into a career as an aspiring screenwriter. Thundercracker and his new pet [[Buster (IDW)|Buster]] are bait, however, and the Earth Defence Command arrives to arrest the Autobots. {{storylink|Earthfall Part 1: Hello Cruel World|Hello Cruel World}} The Autobots flee to the town of [[Poverty Flat]], where Prowl and the Constructicons deploy Devastator against their foes. {{storylink|Earthfall Part 2: Detonation Boulevard|Detonation Boulevard}} The Autobots escape custody and return to their ship, where they trace the development of the "[[mindbomb]]" to an EDC base on [[Marshall Islands|Bikini Atoll]]. The Autobots manage to infiltrate the facility, where they discover and free Alpha Trion. In the conflict, Galvatron kills General Witwicky. {{storylink|Earthfall Chapter 4: Full Fathom Five|Full Fathom Five}}

Trion explains the sordid history behind the Enigma of Combination, prompting the Autobots under Prowl's command to search for it {{storylink|The Crucible}} while Optimus returns to Cybertron. {{storylink|Onyx Interface Part One: Signals, Calls, and Marches|Signals, Calls, and Marches}}
A globetrotting chase across the world ensues as Prowl's Autobots race Galvatron's Decepticons to find the artifact before the Decepticon leader can destroy it. {{storylink|Onyx Interface Part Two: Vs.|Vs.}} {{storylink|Onyx Interface Part Three: ONoffON|ONoffON}} As they close on the Enigma, Prowl and his Constructicons form an unlikely alliance with Spike Witwicky to infiltrate Blackrock's Onyx facility in [[China]]. Devastator's hatred of Spike jeopardizes the mission and causes him to lose control of the Enigma to the Decepticons... who in turn, lose it to Starscream's double-agent Scoop, who has been working within the Decepticons as a mole. {{storylink|Onyx Interface Part Three: ONoffON|ONoffON}} {{storylink|The Onyx Interface Conclusion: The Obliterati|The Obliterati}}

[[File:TheRoadNotTaken-ChromedomeRewind.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|''[Feels intensify]'']]

In deep space, Megatron continues to grapple with his legacy while dealing with the less-than-accepting crew of the ''Lost Light'', including his old nemesis [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]]. {{storylink|World, Shut Your Mouth Part 3: Predestination: A Beginner's Guide|Predestination: A Beginner's Guide}} A freak transmission and a mysterious coffin causes the ''Lost Light'' and its crewmembers to start disappearing, a phenomenon caused by their approach to the quantum duplicate of the ''Lost Light''. {{storylink|Twenty Plus One}} The ''Lost Light'' crew investigates the wreckage of the ship and discovers the "other" Rewind, who is reunited with his beloved Chromedome. {{storylink|slaughterhouse}} {{storylink|Slaughterhouse Part 2: The Road Not Taken|The Road Not Taken}} Immediately afterwards, Brainstorm, who has been perfecting the development of a portable [[time case]], takes the ''Lost Light'' crew out of commission and escapes backwards through history with the intention of talking Megatron out of starting the war and saving [[Quark]] from his eventual fate. {{storylink|Elegant Chaos Part 1: All Our Parlous Yesterdays|All Our Parlous Yesterdays}} A team of Autobots chase Brainstorm across time to prevent a [[Functionist Universe|alternate timeline]] from overwriting reality entirely and succeed in preventing the increasingly desperate scientist from killing Megatron at the moment of his creation—but not without creating some critically important time loops along the way. {{storylink|Elegant Chaos Part 3: Predestination: An Expert's Guide|Predestination: An Expert's Guide}}

[[File:ThePermanentRevolution-goingtowar.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Good god, y'all.]]

Ratchet decides, after some soul-searching, to leave the ''Lost Light'' and go off in search of his friend [[Drift (G1)|Drift]]. {{storylink|Our Steps Will Always Rhyme}} He tracks the wayward Autobot to the outer rim of the [[galaxy]], and joins Drift in confronting his old commander [[Megatron (RID)|Gigatron]] and [[Hellbat (Victory)|Hellbat]] over an [[Stone Army|army of ancient automatons]]. Ratchet agrees to help Drift, but only if he promises to return to the ''Lost Light'' at the conclusion of their adventure. {{storylink|The Transformers: Drift - Empire of Stone|Drift: Empire of Stone}}

Learning of Megatron's defection from a postwar edition of his [[Towards Peace|manifesto]], Tarn briefly despairs, but his grief hardens into a resolve to kill Megatron, whom he considers a traitor. He joins forces with [[Deathsaurus (Victory)|Deathsaurus]]'s troops in preparation for all-out war against Megatron. {{storylink|The Permanent Revolution}}

With Windblade's repairs on Metroplex nearing completion, Optimus arrives on Cybertron and helps bring Autobot serial killer [[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]], who has been exerting vengeance on war criminals who went unpunished, to justice. {{storylink|The Transformers: Punishment|Punishment}}
{{-}}

===2015===
[[File:TheSumAndItsParts-OptimusMatrix.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|Starring: Space Jesus, Space Peter, and Space Judas.]]
Starscream resuscitates Wheeljack to help repair Superion with the help of the Enigma and aid Windblade on Metroplex's space bridge. {{storylink|The World of Tomorrow}} Having established a stable link between the two worlds, Cybertron prepares to make official "first contact"with Caminus after millions of years of mutual isolation. Starscream uses both Menasor and Superion to stage a combiner attack on the planet to win them over, but discovers that the Camiens, like most colonists, consider Optimus Prime to be a divine being, and immediately fall behind him on learning of his existence. {{storylink|The Sum and Its Parts}} Caminus's leader, the [[Mistress of Flame]], comes to believes that Optimus is the "Arisen", the legendary Thirteenth Prime, a belief not held by Pyra Magna or her Torchbearers. {{storylink|All Hail Optimus Part 3: The Medium and the Message|The Medium and the Message}}

[[File:Optimusmaximus.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"You have failed. We will find another way."]]

Windblade and Optimus collaborate to undermine Starscream's imperialism from within, and manipulate him into announcing the formation of the "[[Council of Worlds]]", a democratic parliament where Cybertron and its colonies will all have an equal voice. {{storylink|The Possible Light}} Infuriated by news of Starscream's scheme, Prowl and the Constructicons arrive on Cybertron to forcibly cut the planet off from the rest of the galaxy, but Starscream stops them by creating [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]] from the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]], a group of ''Lost Light'' delegates. {{storylink|Mistakes and Mayhem}} Starscream takes custody of Devastator and rebuilds him to incorporate Scoop, forcing the combiner into obeying him. Rattrap, who is secretly a double agent working for Prowl, releases Prowl from prison and gives him the Enigma. {{storylink|You, Me, and the Universe}}

When Devastator and Menasor go berserk, Prowl uses the Enigma on himself, Prime, and several other Autobots to create [[Optimus Maximus (G1)|Optimus Maximus]], who battles Devastator in a fight that spans across the lost colonies. Swindle leads a riot at Metroplex's space bridge; he is shot and presumed dead,{{storylink|All That Remains}} but Rattrap and Wheeljack secretly hide the brain-damaged Cybertronian, knowing that he has incriminating information on Starscream. {{storylink|Things We Said We'd Never Do}} The rogue combiners are defeated, paving the way for the creation of the Council of Worlds. Across the other colonies, the inhabitants are alerted to the fact that Cybertron still exists, and prepare for their own first contacts with their ancestral homeworld. {{storylink|All That Remains}} Optimus visits Prowl to try and reconcile, but the increasingly unstable tactician rejects his attempts. Their disagreement escalates into a full-on fistfight, and Rattrap has no choice but to spirit Prowl's broken body to safety. On Earth, Galvatron and Arcee arrange a clandestine meeting, where Galvatron reveals the otherworldly source behind [[G.B. Blackrock]]'s Onyx operating code. {{storylink|Now and On Earth}}

[[File:TheWillOfTheFew-councilofworlds.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|Bots of the Square Table.]]

Arcee travels to Cybertron and steals the Enigma, hoping to ensure that nobody else can be changed against their will. Windblade and Chromia track her to the [[Rust Sea]], where they encounter Pyra Magna's group of Torchbearers. An accident leads to the creation of [[Victorion]], the first Camien combiner. The Enigma is returned to its proper place, with Starscream none the wiser, while the Torchbearers opt to remain in the Rust Sea. {{storylink|An Uneventful Night}} Starscream and Windblade race each other to try and recruit more colonies into the Council of Worlds; after some adventuring, they succeed in convincing the citizens of [[Velocitron]], [[Devisiun (planet)|Devisiun]], [[Eukaris]], and "[[Vigilem|Carcer]]" to join. {{storylink|The Will of the Few}}

In space, a visit to the Vis Vitalis for Thunderclash's "pre-wake" sees the legendary Autobot, and the Camien medic [[Velocity (G1)|Velocity]], join the Lost Light's crew after they save the other ship from an infestation of "[[personality tick]]s". {{storylink|The Frail Gaze}} A series of whimsical events leads to the ''Lost Light'' crew braving the holographic "[[Swearth]]" in search of Swerve {{storylink|The One Where They Go to Earth}}, which, in turn, leads them to the [[Necroworld]], where they meet [[Mortilus|Censere]]. {{storylink|The Not Knowing}} A discussion regarding the Necrobot's passivity inspires Censere to use one of Brainstorm's discarded [[time case]]s to start travelling back in time and rescuing the "Disappeared" before they can vanish from history, storing them in stasis pods before they can overcome their timesickness. Among those brought to the present are [[Anode]] and [[Roller (IDW)|Roller]]. {{storylink|The Dying of the Light Part 6: Do Not Go Gentle|Do Not Go Gentle}}

[[File:SinsoftheWreckers3-Tarantulasspider.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Come into my Noisemaze, said the spider to the bot.]]

At some point after this, Prowl is kidnapped by his old comrade [[Tarantulas (BW)|Mesothulas]], who has escaped from the [[Noisemaze]] and recruited [[Mayhem Attack Squad|Mayhem]], a post-war terrorist group sporting experimental biomechanical [[beast mode]]s, to capture a terminally ill [[Verity Carlo]] and [[Stakeout (G1)|Stakeout]] for the Aequitas data they carry. Prowl's capture necessitates the return of the Wreckers, who assemble to rescue the disgraced strategist. Their mission takes them into the Noisemaze, where Prowl rejects Tarantulas's offer of an alliance. The Wreckers manage to free Prowl; Kup and Arcee finally sever ties with him and return to the ''Ark-7''. {{storylink|The Transformers: Sins of the Wreckers|Sins of the Wreckers}}

Aboard the ''Lost Light'', crewmember [[Getaway]] decides that enough is enough and makes a move to incriminate Megatron by grooming Tailgate into performing a suicide mission. {{storylink|The Lopsided Triangle}} In case this fails, he also plans a large-scale mutiny, taking advantage of the crew's resentment of Megatron's presence and Rodimus's increasingly erratic leadership; Getaway also convinces them that the captains plan to have him locked up on trumped-up charges, which results in the crew having doubts when he is imprisoned for his attempt to manipulate Tailgate into his death. {{storylink|The Plotters' Club (Part 2): Filling in the Blanks|Filling in the Blanks}} {{storylink|Speak, Memory! (Part 2)}} A subsequent encounter with [[Froid]] and [[Sunder (G1)|Sunder]] results in a super-powered Tailgate, while Megatron decides to permanently lay down arms in the name of pacifism. {{storylink|Speak, Memory: Part 1}} {{storylink|Speak, Memory! (Part 2)}}
{{-}}

===2016===
[[File:AHO-earthannexed.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|''Got tired of whining A grander scheme with silver lining For every boy and girl'']]
The formation of the Council of Worlds brings great changes to Cybertron; Transformers from all five colonies start immigrating to Iacon, and the mix of cultures and traditions bolsters the rebuilding city. {{storylink|Conquerors Part 1: Aphelion|Aphelion}} {{storylink|Choose Me}} This new optimism has little effect on the increasingly frazzled Starscream, who starts experiencing recurring hallucinations of Bumblebee—who, unbeknownst to anyone, still lives within the Crystal City singularity. {{storylink|Conquerors Part 1: Aphelion|Aphelion}} {{storylink|Ghost Stories}} Unsure of his place in this rapidly changing society, Optimus Prime finds a sympathetic ear in [[Aileron]], a young Camien who persuades him to seek out the Torchbearers. They do so, and Pyra Magna vows to build the agnostic Optimus into a worthy Prime. {{storylink|Conquerors Part 1: Aphelion|Aphelion}} At the same time, Galvatron begins recruiting new Decepticons on Cybertron, intending to restart the war on Earth via the space bridge network. {{storylink|The Transgressors}}

Action Man Mike Brogan sacrifices his life beneath the [[Thames]] to prevent Doctor X's antimatter reactor from destroying the world. {{i|Ian Noble}}, the Action Man Programme agent who uncovered the plot, is made the new Action Man thanks to pressure from the [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom]]. {{istorylink|To the Victors the Spoils}} {{storylink|Hasbro Heroes Sourcebook issue 1|Action Man profile}}

The Dinobots accept a secret mission from Camien-turned-Decepticon sympathizer [[Swift (G1)|Swift]]: transporting a payload of Sparks into the Cybertronian wilderness. They contend with [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]'s latest wave of experiments and succeed in reigniting [[Alyon]]'s old hot spot, gaining [[Strafe (IDW)|Strafe]] as the newest member of their team. {{storylink|The Transformers: Redemption|Redemption}}

[[File:RageRage-Megatronappears.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|The old man's back again.]]

The faith the colonists place in Optimus pushes him into making ever more reckless decisions, and when Galvatron launches a unilateral attack on Earth, Optimus responds by using his authority to annex Earth into the Council of Worlds, permanently placing it under Cybertronian protection {{storylink|All Hail Optimus Part 1: Once Upon a Time on Earth|Once Upon a Time on Earth}} His actions throw both worlds into chaos; on Earth, the Earth Defense Command forms an alliance with the [[People's Liberation Army Mecha Force]] to prepare for total war against the Cybertronians, while on Cybertron, Starscream galvanizes the Council against Prime's actions. {{storylink|All Hail Optimus Part 3: The Medium and the Message|The Medium and the Message}} Blackrock, his status as a mechanical imposter fully revealed, forges an alliance of convenience with Galvatron's Decepticons. {{storylink|All Hail Optimus Part 4: It's Beginning To And Back Again|It's Beginning To And Back Again}} Seeking a new advantage, Optimus travels to Sanctuary Station and blackmails Soundwave's Decepticons into joining him and taking down Galvatron. The Autobots battle the Decepticons underwater, where Galvatron uses the powers of the Enigma against his foes before Superion sacrifices himself by de-combining for good to neutralize Blackrock's Enigma code. {{storylink|All Hail Optimus Part 5: As Above...So Below|As Above... So Below}}

On Earth, events come to a head in [[Monument Valley]], where Optimus, at Alpha Trion's urging, uses his control over Titans to summon Metrotitan. Optimus summoning a holy Titan convinces the colonists that Prime is, indeed, the Thirteenth Prime, and that Earth is a lost colony of Cybertron, which swings public opinion back his way. Prime, Arcee, and Soundwave subsequently pursue Galvatron to [[Jupiter]], where Prime finally kills the ancient warrior. Hoping to repair relations with humankind, Optimus orders Metrotitan to transform and dubs the Titan "[[Autobot City (G1)#2005 IDW continuity|Autobot City]]", an embassy for Cybertronians on Earth. {{storylink|All Hail Optimus Part 6: No Fair Fights|No Fair Fights}}

Project Spectrum is accelerated in response to the arrival of Metrotitan, with Miles Mayhem recruiting a group of young civilians (including troubled youth [[Matt Trakker]]) into the project, which has created anti-Cybertronian weapons including weaponized {{i|Mask|masks}} and heavily-armed transforming vehicles. The result is the elite [[M.A.S.K.|Mobile Armored Strike Kommand]] task force; however, Mayhem secretly recruits certain members into his own personal black ops team, [[V.E.N.O.M.]]. {{istorylink|M.A.S.K.: Revolution}}

In space, the mutinous crew of the ''Lost Light'' make their move against Rodimus and his crew by luring them to the [[Necroworld]] under the guise of a psychic attack and stranding them there. What they ''don't'' know is that Getaway has made a deal with the [[Galactic Council]] to hand over Megatron—and even he is unaware that the Decepticon Justice Division has finally tracked down Megatron, and that the Decepticon forces have assembled to take out the traitor and his allies. {{storylink|The Dying of the Light: (1) How Bright Their Frail Deeds|How Bright Their Frail Deeds}} {{storylink|The Plotters' Club (Part 2): Filling in the Blanks|Filling in the Blanks}} The Galactic Council arrives and deploys their new asset Overlord against Megatron. {{storylink|The Dying of the Light Part 3: Your Fierce Tears|Your Fierce Tears}} With the help of the returned Ratchet and Drift—and through Skids's own self sacrifice—the crew manage to repel Deathsaurus's troops; Megatron renounces his pacifism and takes up arms once more to finally put down the DJD for good. In the aftermath, the crew discovers the fate of the time-hopping "Disappeared". Megatron is finally reunited with his old friend [[Terminus (G1)|Terminus]]... moments before a GC [[geobomb]] detonates inside the planet. {{storylink|The Dying of the Light Part 6: Do Not Go Gentle|Do Not Go Gentle}}

On the ''Lost Light'', the crew are shocked to learn both about Getaway's deal with the council and that he used his nudge gun to erase the memories of those who would not agree to the coup. Getaway pacifies them by lying that the council promised not to harm anyone but Megatron, but his subsequent efforts to alter the terms of the deal ends in failure. {{storylink|The Plotters' Club (Part 2): Filling in the Blanks|Filling in the Blanks}}

[[File:ModesOfProduction-tractorbeam.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66|They're heeeere!]]

The detonation of the geobomb shunts the entire Necroworld into an [[Functionist Universe|alternate reality]] created by Brainstorm's time-travel misadventures. {{storylink|Dissolution Part 4: Bad Moon Rising|Bad Moon Rising}} Rodimus and a small crew of Autobots attempt to teleport back to Cybertron, only to find themselves on the wrong Cybertron! {{storylink|Dissolution Part 1: Some Other Cybertron|Some Other Cybertron}} The [[Functionism|Functionist]] Cybertron stands on the brink of extermination, and the arrival of the Autobots threatens to push the uneasy peace completely over the brink. {{storylink|Dissolution Part 3: A World Misplaced|A World Misplaced}} The [[Functionist Council]] eventually deploy their [[Moonbase Two|ultimate weapon]] against Cybertron, and Megatron steps up to lead the counterattack and rallies the [[Anti-Vocationist League]]. {{storylink|Dissolution Part 5: Modes of Production|Modes of Production}} Most of the Autobots return to their home universe, but Megatron and Terminus are accidentally left behind. Megatron joins the League and begins again, this time basing his revolution on "peace through empathy". On Necroworld, Anode—having been hallucinating Lug still being alive thanks to her timesickness—manages to resurrect her using the widowed metal "snowflake" and traces of Lug's spark energy in Necroworld's flowers. {{storylink|Dissolution Part 6: This Machine Kills Fascists|This Machine Kills Fascists}}

On the "real" Cybertron, Windblade and the other Council members continue to keep the peace {{storylink|07:00:00}} while Starscream hires exiled [[Eukaris|Eukarian]] [[Fateweaver]] [[Airachnid (G1)|Airachnid]] to search for Swindle's body in the hopes of permanently silencing the loose end. {{storylink|The Price of You}} {{storylink|Things We Said We'd Never Do}} Increasing tensions between the [[Badgeless]] and the civilians prompt [[Ironhide (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ironhide]] to step up and reform Cybertronian security. {{storylink|Applicable Skills}} Chromia and Windblade continue to search for Swindle's body as Airachnid surreptitiously racks up a mnemosurgical murder spree, while [[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]] joins the Badgeless to bring down their organization from within. {{storylink|Things We Said We'd Never Do}} Their inquiry ends when Rattrap and Wheeljack reveal the location of Swindle's body. The Combaticons use the Enigma to probe Swindle's mind and merge into [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]], who attacks Iacon. Ironhide's new recruits bring down the combiner, but in the aftermath Chromia confesses to her old crimes and is sent to jail. {{storylink|The Line Between Us}}

Prompted by Getaway, Perceptor manages to find "the [[Warren]]", a series of quantum tunnels that the Lost Light crew can use to reach Cyberutopia, but this "victory" is stymied by the Lost Light finally receiving the "last will and testament" of the crew, broadcast from Necroworld, which reveals their apparent imminent deaths at the hands of the Decepticon Justice Division. Despite Getaway's flustered insistence that the transmission is a fake, the crew is horrified and wants to go back for them, leading Getaway to use his nudge gun to memory-wipe Thunderclash and Riptide, though—unbeknownst to him—it fails on the latter. Getaway has Froid and Sunder released from the ship's brig so that Sunder can use his remote mnemosurgery abilities to trap Thunderclash in a memory loop and make the crew forget the transmission; though Getaway initially balks at Sunder's demand for twenty-five [[life cord]]s to feast on in exchange, he quickly comes around. {{storylink|The Plotters' Club (Part 2): Filling in the Blanks|Filling in the Blanks}}

The [[President of the United States]], furious at the EDC's recent failures, dissolves the organization in favor of [[Joe Colton (Dire Wraith)|Joe Colton]], leading a revitalized team of [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] veterans. {{storylink|White Light}} What she doesn't know is that Joe Colton and several G.I. Joe troopers have been replaced by [[Dire Wraith]]s. {{storylink|Concorde Hymn}} The real Colton, having survived the Dire Wraith attack, takes on the identity of Baron Ironblood and joins up with Garrison Kreiger, intending to solve the Cybertronian problem by other means. {{storylink|Ghost in the Machine (IDW)|Ghost in the Machine}}

[[File:WhiteLight-bodyjackinginfinitus.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|"SHUT UP, DAMMIT!"]]

Metrotitan broadcasts a message to the galaxy at large... a message that reaches Cybertron and awakens [[Infinitus]] from his long slumber beneath [[Kaon (polity)|Kaon]]. Disgusted at what Cybertron has become, "Sentinel Prime" returns to life and rampages through Iacon before bridging to Earth. {{storylink|The Last Autobot}} There, he captures G.B. Blackrock and forcibly awakens his "Sovereign" persona {{storylink|White Light}} before leaving for Prion with Soundwave and Optimus. Claiming to be the herald of Onyx Prime's return, Sentinel attempts and fails to convince Optimus to stand with him. {{storylink|White Light}} Subsequently, Infinitus and Sovereign travel to [[Moonbase One|Luna One]], where Infinitus uses his powers to reactivate the Titan graveyard and send them to "cleanse" Cybertron. Infinitus perishes and Fortress Maximus, Red Alert, and Prowl manage to send his fleet of Titans off-course so that it will take months for them to reach Cybertron. {{storylink|Last Light (issue)|Last Light}}

On Necroworld, the stranded ''Lost Light''ers prepare to attempt re-contact with Cybertron using a [[Skip|convenient alt-mode]] they found amongst the dead Decepticons. Tailgate accepts treatment for his hyperactive spark, but a vengeful [[Fangry (G1)|Fangry]] buries him for another six million years {{storylink|After Megatron (A Dissolution Epilogue)|After Megatron}} before taking control of Necroworld with his fellow Decepticon Disappeared, until Fortress Maximus and his team arrive in response to Team Rodimus's "last will and testament". {{storylink|Sardines}}

The "Rod Squad"'s first stop is [[Troja Major]], where they seek to obtain a new map to Cyberutopia from [[Nautica (G1)|Nautica]]'s contact [[Agonizer]]; however, Nautica has an ulterior motive for travelling to the planet, seeking to use the [[Carthasian]] [[Mengel]]'s Resus Cradle to resurrect Skids from his brain module. Meanwhile, Anode and Lug meet up with her old co-worker [[Wipe-Out]], but soon find themselves under attack from both the Black Block Consortia and the forces of the [[Adaptus|Grand Architect]], led by [[Flame (Marvel)|Flame]]. {{storylink|An Axe to Break the Ice}} Anode, Lug and Wipe-Out escape, and Flame's troops instead pursue their more important target—a newborn Transformer known as the "[[Infinite]]", capable of turning into anything—to Mengel's lab. Nautica manages to break out of Mengel's siphon and escape from the Grand Architect's men before losing her friendship with Velocity, which Mengel had demanded as payment for Skids's resurrection, but loses her emotional connection to her memories of Skids in the process. Flame and his men recover the Resus Cradle, which is actually the Magnificence, and deliver it to Scorponok. {{storylink|Chasing the Infinite}} The Grand Architect moves his plans into their final phase, using the Black Block Consortia, which he has infiltrated and taken over, to clear the Benzene cluster of life so that he can use its threadbare space to banish the threat he had seen so long before. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 3): Farsickness|Farsickness}}

Around three weeks into Skip's journey, tensions start to flare during a prank war between the bored Swerve and Anode; things come to a head when the crew receive news from Fortress Maximus on Necroworld that Tailgate has apparently spontaneously combusted, leading a grief-stricken Cyclonus to inadvertently wound Rewind with his Great Sword. As fighting breaks out aboard the ship, Skip's [[Size changing|mass-shifting]] begins wearing off, causing the dead Decepticon to shrink, threatening to crush the crew. {{storylink|Sardines}} Ten, having apparently gained the ability to speak—in reality, the Omega Guardians manipulating the crew by speaking through him—attempts to rally the other Autobots to save the de-materializing Ratchet by plotting a course through the Warren to Mederi.<ref name="LLTimeline">The Lost Light timeline relative to the rest of the universe takes... a lot of {{w|No-Prize|No-Prizing}} to figure out. Despite [https://twitter.com/jroberts332/status/1062091397271089152 ''Crucible'' taking place simultaneously to ''Unicron''], the characters indicate that from their perspective it was only four weeks between ''Dissolution'' and ''Crucible'', rather than ''two years''. This can be fixed by assuming that the characters' various trips through the Warren took them through time as well as space... but we're also going to assume that Scorponok's transmat portal had similar time-bending consequences, as otherwise, timeline crossover means we'd have to conclude that it took years for Mirage and the Protectobots to catch up with the ''Lost Light''. James Roberts encourages us not to try and do the mathematics.</ref> {{storylink|The Everlasting Voices (3): You Are Here|You Are Here}}

[[File:TheNewColossus-thisendsnow.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|Behold the power of brand synergy*! (* [[Synergy]] not included.)]]

Doctor X manipulates the Action Man Programme into retrieving the {{i|O.S. Codex|data}} she requires to gain full access to all American intelligence communications; in the process, however, Action Man discovers her true identity as Mercy Gale, and she is forced to flee the AMP. {{istorylink|Action Man (comic)|Action Man}}

Rom the Space Knight makes planetfall on Earth to hunt the Dire Wraiths, but is taken off guard by the subtlety of their infiltration and their ability to hide from his {{i|energy analyzer}}. With the help of traumatized military veteran {{i|Darby Mason}} and Wraith-infected police officer {{i|Camilla Byers}}, Rom is able to disrupt the Wraiths' operations in northern [[California]], and discovers that they have infiltrated the forces of G.I. Joe. {{istorylink|ROM (comic)|Earthfall}} Rom's investigation leads him to [[Seattle]], where the Wraiths have him attacked by the monstrous {{i|Axiom}}. {{istorylink|Field Test}}

Several months pass, and humanity and Cybertronians uneasily coexist on Earth in spite of the Autobot's continued humanitarian efforts. {{storylink|Concorde Hymn}} All this changes when extradimensional warlord [[Baron Karza]], hailing from [[Micronus Prime]]'s dying dimension of [[Microspace]], sets his sights on Earth's ample supplies of [[Ore-13]], which he can use to save his universe. {{storylink|The New Colossus}} He cuts a deal with the [[Dire Wraith]]s and [[Miles Mayhem]] and begins transporting supplies of the ore into his dimension, which has the side effect of destabilizing the ore on Earth and threatening the planet with nuclear annihilation. {{storylink|Concorde Hymn}} Believing the Cybertronians at fault, “Colton” seeks out Miles Mayhem, who gears up to deploy [[M.A.S.K.]] in the field by using his captive [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] as a source of scientific development. {{storylink|Secret Raiders: A Revolution Prelude|Secret Raiders}}

Colton deploys G.I. Joe in [[Portland]] against Jazz and Arcee; during the battle, [[Rom]] arrives and immediately kills the false Colton. {{storylink|Concorde Hymn}} The Autobots pursue Rom while [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] relocates to Earth to deal with the malfunctioning Metrotitan, and a [[Cityspeaker|cityspeaking]] session catapults her into Microspace. {{storylink|Informed}} Thundercracker defends the President from a Dire Wraith incursion {{storylink|Thundercracker & Buster Save the World}} while [[Action Man]] leads a daring heist to rescue Kup from MASK captivity. {{storylink|The Modern World}} The heroic [[Micronaut]]s cut a deal with their nemesis Karza and travel to our dimension. {{storylink|The New Colossus}} The Scavengers briefly stop by Earth, where they befriend washed-up G.I. Joe recruit [[MP3]] and Crankcase's [[CONS4EVA|online boyfriend]]—in reality a pacifistic Dire Wraith—as part of a mystical "[[Crossover]]". {{storylink|Nothing Will Ever Be the Same Again!}}

[[File:ValleyForge-MonsterKarza.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|"''Enerchange''."]]

Miles Mayhem, M.A.S.K., and the Dire Wraiths launch an assault on Autobot City, which turns into a free-for-all when Baron Karza arrives. Only by teaming up do the heroes manage to force the villain back into Microspace and neutralize Earth's remaining stores of Ore-13. In the aftermath, Optimus Prime and his new allies realize that they will have to defend Earth together, as equals. {{storylink|Valley Forge}}

G.I. Joe parts ways with the U.S. government to become an independent peacekeeping force, adapting the captured Decepticon warship ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'', which they rechristen ''Lemuria'', into an underwater base of operations. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vol. 5 issue 1|G.I. Joe vol. 5 #1}} Skywarp, mistreated and abandoned by Galvatron's Decepticons, reluctantly joins the G.I. Joe team in exchange for them promising to fix his lost teleportation powers. {{storylink|D.T.A.}} Former G.I. Joe leader Duke returns to the U.S. Army, taking on Roadblock — torn between his loyalties to G.I. Joe and his country — as an informant. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vol. 5 issue 3|G.I. Joe vol. 5 #3}} {{storylink|Hasbro Heroes Sourcebook issue 1|Duke profile}}

The Micronauts are captured by a scientific organisation that seeks to vivisect them, but escape with the help of a {{i|Rhonda Conway|sympathetic scientist}}. {{istorylink|Micronauts issue 7|Micronauts #7}} Following their discovery of a miniature city populated by {{i|Kronus|refugees}} from a destroyed future Microspace, {{istorylink|Micronauts issue 9|Micronauts #9}} a battle with alternate future versions of themselves inadvertently brings the Micronauts under attack by Baron Karza's forces once more. {{istorylink|Micronauts Annual 2017|Micronauts Annual}}

[[File:Desperate Times - Depth Of My Pettiness.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|Nothing more need be said.]]

Windblade returns to Cybertron just in time for Sentinel Prime's fleet of [[zombie|undead]] titans to make planetfall on Cybertron. The Republic of Cybertron musters its defenses and prepares to fight back... {{storylink|Ping}} but their efforts aren't enough, and as a result Starscream orders his troops to storm [[Vigilem|Carcer]] against the wishes of its commander [[Elita One (G1)|Elita One]] and force the Titan to transform. {{storylink|Desperate Times}} Windblade joins the infiltration team, but is horrified when she learns she has awoken Vigilem after years of slumber. {{storylink|Desperate Measures (Till All Are One)|Desperate Measures}} Vigilem destroys the zombie Titans, but proves too much for Windblade to control. Metroplex releases Chromia to help her, and Elita One manages to kill the Titan... but not before Vigilem disgorges Liege Maximo, the Prime teleporting away to places unknown. {{storylink|Rubicon}}

Miles Mayhem and his V.E.N.O.M. loyalists split from M.A.S.K., and begin building a criminal empire by selling dangerous prototype {{i|Mask}}s on the black market. They are thwarted by M.A.S.K., who have V.E.N.O.M. arrested and imprisoned; however, while they celebrate their victory, M.A.S.K. member [[Brad Turner]] is captured and replaced by the shapeshifting Zartan. {{istorylink|M.A.S.K. issue 5}}

Rom's fellow Space Knights [[Livia]] and [[Orphion]] arrive on Earth, believing that the planet's Wraith infection has reached the point where the planet must be destroyed. Despite his comrades' intent, Rom is able to convince them to stay their hand and investigate the cause of the Wraiths' unusual behavior after a battle with the {{i|Absence}} almost kills Livia. {{istorylink|Reinforcements, Part 5|Reinforcements}} A battle with the Wraith-monsters {{i|Scylla}} and {{i|Charybdis}} reveals that the Dire Wraiths are gathering energy to hasten the growth of the {{i|Presence}}, a Dire Wraith deity incubating within the planet. {{istorylink|Long Roads to Ruin, Part 4|Long Roads to Ruin}}
{{-}}

===2017===
[[File:StrangeVisitors-CenturionMeetsTheAutobots.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Remember me, from two-thirds up the page? I still exist!]]

In the country of [[Schleteva]], G.B. Blackrock investigates the Talisman and provokes a crisis aboveground when his recklessness transforms civilians into Dire Wraiths. {{storylink|Crisis Intervention}} He, [[Action Man]], [[Ayana Jones]], and Kup team up to chase the Talisman across the globe and beyond in the hopes of returning Ayana's G.I. Joe comrades to normal, encountering a villainous alliance—the [[Iron Ring]]—of foes such as [[Joe Colton|Baron Ironblood]], the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacon]]s, {{storylink|The Iron Klaw}} and [[Centurion (IDW)|Centurion]], the last of the living Maximal Autobots... even as the frozen corpse of Domitius Major is examined by the forces of Ironblood and [[Merklynn|Garrison Kreiger]]. {{storylink|Strange Visitors}} The Revolutionaries break into Kreiger's [[Project Ice Man]] compound and capture Kreiger while also reuniting with the time lost [[Sgt. Savage]]. {{storylink|Power and Glory}} Before they can transfer the Talisman and Kreiger over to G.I. Joe however, Baron Ironblood attacks with Savage unmasking him as Joe Colton. {{storylink|When Eagles Scream}} Blackrock proves able to use his connection to the Talisman and his Titan Master powers to heal the infected the mutates Verenyans via Metrotitan's Space Bridge, a wave that somehow releases the consciousness of the deceased [[Atomic Man|Mike Power]] into the body of Centurion. Nonetheless, Colton's alliance proves able to escape with the Talisman with it sending another mutagenic wave that the new Centurion shields Action Man from before returning to life and explaining his recovery. {{storylink|Ghost in the Machine (IDW)|Ghost in the Machine}}

Baron Karza, having built a new army after being sent back to Microspace, invades Earth to create a new home for his people; Enerchanging with Micronus Prime's body, Karza uses its power to defeat and capture Optimus Prime, Arcee and Jazz, while his forces neutralise M.A.S.K. and G.I. Joe. {{storylink|Wrath of Karza issue 1|Wrath of Karza #1}} Though his armies almost manage to conquer the planet, he is stopped by the Micronauts, who release the Autobots from Karza's orbital prison to fight him. {{storylink|Wrath of Karza issue 4|Wrath of Karza #4}} Karza is forced to team up with the Autobots when his wife, [[Shazraella]], starts using the power of the Entropy Cloud that has consumed Microspace, but they are unable to defeat her. Shazraella is eventually stopped when the Micronauts' leader, [[Oziron Rael]], ascends to become one of the Time Travelers and separates her from the source of her power; the Time Travelers arrange to have spacebridges created between Microspace and Earth, with Optimus pledging to help welcome any ambassadors of Microspace to the planet. {{storylink|Wrath of Karza issue 5|Wrath of Karza #5}}

[[File:ToWalkAmongTheChosen-NewAutobots.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|They'll let anyone be 'chosen' these days.]]
Optimus Prime's adventures prove inspirational enough to recruit a whole new generation of idealistic Autobots, recruited from the colonies and religiously devoted to their leader. With his new recruits, Prime and the Autobots continue their mission of global peacekeeping while preparing Earth to join the Council. This uneasy status quo is thrown into doubt when the [[Junkion (species)|Junkion]]s arrive on Earth, hoping to rebuild their world using Earth's supplies of Ore-13. {{storylink|New Cybertron Part 1: To Walk Among the Chosen|To Walk Among the Chosen}} A series of mutual misunderstandings caused by Prime's increasing ruthlessness escalate the crisis to the point of all-out war between the Transformers and Junkions, as Soundwave uses Megatron's ''original'' words to turn the Junkions' servant [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]] against their masters, {{storylink|New Cybertron Part 5: Future Glories Lost|Future Glories Lost}} but Optimus salvages the situation at the last moment by convincing his troops to lay down arms. {{storylink|New Cybertron End: Feel Safe Without Regrets|Feel Safe Without Regrets}}

The Junkions relocate to an abandoned EDC base to start the construction of "[[Little Cybertron]]", but [[Slide]], who has lost her brother [[Oiler]] in the hostilities, is unable to forgive the Junkions and finds herself being groomed by an increasingly ambitious Pyra Magna, who has grown tired of Prime's leadership, {{storylink|What It's Really Like}} even as Optimus and Pyra tentatively bury their hatchet...for now. {{storylink|Ghost Stories}} Jazz, in an effort to increase understanding between humans and Cybertronians, agrees to an interview with [[Hector Ramirez]], but the interview is used as a trap by G.I. Joe, who seek to apprehend him for his killing of John Powell years before. Jazz escapes thanks to a tip-off from Optimus Prime. {{storylink|What It's Really Like}}

Ex-Cobra mysticist [[Crystal Ball]] and the [[Dreadnok]]s take over Inner Mongolia, leading the Chinese government to call on G.I. Joe for aid; {{storylink|G.I. Joe vol. 5 issue 1|G.I. Joe vol. 5 #1}} though they manage to capture Crystal Ball, the team are faced with a greater threat when a group of {{i|Fatal Fluffy|subterranean monsters}} are released on the Earth. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vol. 5 issue 4|G.I. Joe vol. 5 #4}} Snake Eyes and Agent Helix disobey orders to try and fight the monsters, but are disciplined and imprisoned in the brig when they return to ''Lemuria''. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vol. 5 issue 8|G.I. Joe vol. 5 #8}} An underground G.I. Joe mission succeeds in destroying the monsters' nest, but in the chaos, Crystal Ball and the Baroness — previously captured by the Joes — are broken free of a prison transport taking them to the Hague by Cobra loyalists, and escape. The Baroness subsequently declares herself the new Cobra Commander of a revived Cobra. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vol. 5 issue 9|G.I. Joe vol. 5 #9}}

[[File:LostLight12 smite the abomination.jpg|thumb|upright=1.45|Who would win? a) A powerful gestalt being formed of six Autobots through mystical and ancient technology b) One sword-wielding boi]]
After months in space, the Protectobots and [[Mirage (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Mirage]] finally catch up with the ''Lost Light'' where they are all, First Aid in particular, caught off guard by the change in command and the resulting changes aboard ship as well the myriad of suspicious activities and attitudes. At a private meeting, they are approached by [[Riptide (G1)|Riptide]] who confesses the truth behind the mutiny against Rodimus and his role therein. Simultaneously however, Getaway and his loyalists corner them forcing the Protectobots into a running firefight to try and escape the ship only to be subdued and placed within a memory loop, {{storylink|The Plotters' Club (Part 1): Full Circle|Full Circle}} while Riptide is forced into the ship's oil reservoir, which has been filled with [[scraplet]]s. {{storylink|The Plotters' Club (Part 2): Filling in the Blanks|Filling in the Blanks}} To secure his control of the ship, Getaway contacts Star Saber, hiring him as an enforcer.

As the ''Lost Light'' makes multiple trips through the Warren, in order to deal with his co-conspirator [[Atomizer]]'s growing doubts, Getaway forces him to execute the comatose [[Rook (Generations)|Rook]] to prevent the Protectobots from forming Defensor; however, Riptide, who survived his dip in the oil reservoir, awakens the comatose Autobots to help them escape. The Protectobots retrieve the corpse of Ambulon from the ship's morgue to use as the combiner's leg, but even the combined might of Thunderclash, Mirage and Defensor is no match for Star Saber, who cuts them down where they stand. Thunderclash, Riptide and First Aid are able to escape the ship thanks to Atomizer turning on Getaway, but the captain murders Atomizer with his bare hands in response before the ship emerges from the Warren at its destination.<ref name="LLTimeline"/> {{storylink|The Plotters' Club (Part 3): Journey's End|Journey's End}}

The body of [[Astrotrain (G1)/toys|Astrotrain]], sliced into pieces in Jupiter's orbit, falls to Earth infected with a techno-virus that Earth's villains take an interest in; however, M.A.S.K. and G.I. Joe are together able to secure the body. {{istorylink|The Deathstone}} A subsequent battle with a [[Shawn Berger|Dire Wraith sorcerer]] by M.A.S.K. is thrown into jeopardy when V.E.N.O.M. attacks, forcing Matt Trakker to surrender to Mayhem so that they can stop the Wraith's plans. The team is able to disrupt the Wraith's mutagenic magic, but the team loses faith in Matt's leadership and breaks apart. {{istorylink|M.A.S.K. issue 10|M.A.S.K. #10}}

Meanwhile, a bunch of people are manipulated into murdering each other in a mansion. {{istorylink|Clue (comic)|Clue}}

During a misadventure on the planet [[Frayus]], the Scavengers are caught in a three-way fight between the Galactic Council, the Black Block Consortia, and Deathsaurus and Nickel's Decepticons. They are rescued by Agonizer, who uses a portal to bring them to Troja Major, with Nickel inadvertently being brought with them. {{storylink|The Plotters' Club (Part 3): Journey's End|Journey's End}} Agonizer hires the Scavengers to retrieve the Magnificence from Flame on the planet [[Confluence]], but after they arrive they are captured by Flame's master Scorponok; {{storylink|The Ties That Bind (issue)|The Ties That Bind}} however, the group is able to escape after Nickel and Spinister manage to treat the symptoms of Grimlock's brain damage, restoring the Dinobot to his "old self". Discovering that Scorponok has created an organic baby called the [[Firstborn]], the first of a race of "organic Decepticons" containing Cybertronian sparks, the Scavengers take the baby and the Magnificence and flee; Grimlock takes the Firstborn and fights his way out, while the other Scavengers and the Magnificence are sent through Scorponok's transmat portal.<ref name="LLTimeline"/> {{storylink|Kill All 'Cons}} Grimlock is picked up by First Aid and crew, who drop the Firstborn off at Troja Major and repair Thunderclash before setting off in search of the Lost Light on a ship chartered from [[Wipe-Out]]. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 1): A Dance Before Dying|A Dance Before Dying}}
[[File:Salvation - Trypticon.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.5|With a purposeful grimace and a terrible sound, he pulls the spitting high-tension wires down.]]
On Cybertron, Starscream—increasingly "haunted" by the "ghost" of Bumblebee {{storylink|Ghost Stories}}—picks up the pieces from the leftover Titan crisis; as part of a deal between himself and the Mistress of Flame, he releases Chromia into the Mistress's custody so that she can hunt down and kill Liege Maximo. {{storylink|Heavy}} He subsequently has Airachnid alter the memories of the Combaticons and turn them into loyal bodyguards for his own purposes. {{storylink|The Price of You}} Meanwhile, Bludgeon reawakens Trypticon, intending to lay waste to the galaxy in the name of Cybertron; the Dinobots, Sandstorm, and Trypticon defeat him, sparks Bludgeon had harvested from the Alyon hotspot subsequently developing into a wave of newborn protoforms within the belly of the beastial Titan. Starscream takes Bludgeon into custody, and manages to revive Slug—who was killed by Sandstorm while hunting Bludgeon—using a corrupted Sweep spark. {{storylink|The Transformers: Salvation|Salvation}} {{storylink|The Dead Come Home, Part 1 (of 2)|The Dead Come Home, Part 1}}

[[Windblade's doctor]] informs Starscream of his discovery that Vigilem downloaded his mind into Windblade's before his death, and that it is slowly killing her. After some deliberation, Starscream has Airachnid connect his mind to Windblade's so that he can save her, despite the risk to his own life. {{storylink|If I Know You}} Entering Windblade's mind, he intervenes to stop Vigilem from killing her, but Vigilem begins to take control of Starscream's body. However, on looking into Starscream's memories, Windblade sees his creation through cold construction; in response, she "forges" Starscream's spark to create a projection of his"true form"—the form he would have taken had he been forged, rather constructed cold. With Starscream forcing Vigilem back into Windblade's mind, she destroys the Titan within her spark, allowing the two to awaken. {{storylink|Your First Mistake}}

With Sideswipe's health increasingly deteriorating, the Autobots humanely shut down his CR chamber. {{storylink|The Life of Sideswipe}} Soon afterwards, Alpha Trion recounts the origin of the Autobot symbol to Optimus Prime, Starscream and Pyra Magna before the President calls to announce that [[Marissa Faireborn]] has been chosen to represent Earth on the Council of Worlds. {{storylink|Origin Myths}}

[[File:FirstStrike6-Merklynn.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|"I turned myself into an alien wizard, Colton! Boom! Big reveal!"]]
At the official induction ceremony, Colton's alliance attacks {{storylink|First Strike issue 1|First Strike #1}} before heading into the depths of [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] to deploy the Talisman, {{storylink|First Strike issue 2|First Strike #2}} leaving behind their army of [[Iron Grenadier]]s, [[Dreadnok]]s and [[Red Shadows]], with [[Doctor Mindbender]] in the Baron Ironblood costume as a distraction. {{storylink|First Strike issue 3|First Strike #3}} During the attack, the mercenary [[Colditz]] and a trio of Red Shadows are sent to retrieve the Centurion/Mike Power hybrid, who apparently willingly rejoins his side, kidnapping Blackrock in the process. Arcee and the remaining "[[Revolutionaries (team)|Revolutionaries]]" head into the Cybertronian wilderness after them. {{storylink|Unification Day: Dawn}} Centurion actually intends to take revenge on Kreiger, but Colditz has actually been ordered to take him into the wilderness to ensure that he doesn't interfere with the villain's plans with his connection to the Talisman. The Revolutionaries manage to talk the overloading Centurion down, but he is left in [[stasis lock]] and unable to help them against the Iron Ring. {{storylink|Unification Day: Dusk}}

Meanwhile, on Earth, [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] and [[M.A.S.K.]] contact [[Soundwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Soundwave]] to reach Cybertron and stop Colton, {{storylink|First Strike issue 2|First Strike #2}} only to be thrown in jail under charges of suspicion by Starscream. Sunstreaker and Ironhide head underground to try and kill Colton but the human general manages to outmaneuver them and escape Metroplex. {{storylink|First Strike issue 4|First Strike #4}} Optimus Prime breaks the Joes out of prison, to Windblade's disappointment, and—along with Soundwave and a returning Arcee—head to the core of Cybertron, managing to beat the villains there. {{storylink|First Strike issue 5|First Strike #5}} Despite the intervention of Starscream, Elita One and Obsidian, who attempt to arrest or kill everyone present, Colton's alliance is prevented from reaching the core; however, Kreiger—actually the alien wizard Merklynn—activates the device where they are, using it to magically alter the whole planet's energon and transform a portion of Cybertron into [[New Prysmos|a replica]] of his lost homeworld [[Prysmos]], from which he intends to conquer the galaxy. A broken, defeated Colton and his allies are taken into custody on Cybertron. {{storylink|First Strike issue 6|First Strike #6}}

In response to Merklynn's actions, Cybertron uses almost half its energy to beam a signal—"Welcome. Death."—into space, where it finds its target in the orbit of a black hole: [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]. {{storylink|First Strike issue 6|The Signal}}

[[File:OP13 prowl and the gang.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.85|There's a war going on! And it's time that you knew Every lad in this land has his duty to do.]]
While G.I. Joe and the Cybertronians deal with Colton's attack, [[Aileron]] leads a team of colonists to search for the missing Jazz on Earth, eventually finding him under attack by humans in [[Oaxaca]]. {{storylink|Primeless, Part 1}} Though Jazz and the colonists succeed in tracking the Cybertronian weapons the humans were using to their source ([[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] and [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]], posing as humans via [[holomatter]] avatars), Jazz is angry and upset that Optimus Prime didn't attempt to find him or deal with the weapons, and heads off on his own once more. {{storylink|Primeless, Part 2}} Meanwhile, other villains take advantage of the absence of G.I. Joe and Autobot City's leadership, such as [[V.E.N.O.M.]] (now under the employ of Cobra) {{storylink|G.I. Joe: First Strike}} and the Dire Wraiths. {{istorylink|Micronauts: First Strike}}

Discovering from Centurion that protoforms once again exist on Cybertron, Optimus and his allies confront Starscream over his knowledge of the active hot spot. Starscream takes Prime to see the resurrected Slug, who agrees to help track down the Dinobots and the protoforms; however, when Optimus's team finds Centurion, the Dinobots and Sandstorm in the wilderness, Bludgeon uses his [[Void Scepter]] from afar to drive Slug into a murderous rage over his teammates working with his killer. {{storylink|The Dead Come Home, Part 1 (of 2)|The Dead Come Home, Part 2}} After Slug is calmed down, Trypticon, wishing to protect the protoforms, emerges from the ground to demand an end to the fighting; this prompts Optimus to declare Trypticon to be the Earth embassy on Cybertron, preventing him from having to turn the protoforms over to Starscream's government. Meanwhile, Prowl and his allies rescue the surviving Throttlebots on Regalis V from Onyx Prime's beast army in the ''[[Peaceful Revolution]]'', acting on intelligence provided by Pyra Magna. {{storylink|The Dead Come Home, Part 2 (of 2)|The Dead Come Home, Part 2}}

{{-}}

===2018===
[[File:TheChosenOne-imsorry.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Spoiler: this didn't end well.]]
Thundercracker's attempts to write a biopic of G.I. Joe agent [[Chuckles]] are interrupted by Starscream, who asks Thundercracker to make a film about his life. Thundercracker eagerly sets to the task, though he is stymied by the seemingly impossible task of portraying Starscream both positively and honestly. {{storylink|Starscream: The Movie (comic)|Starscream: The Movie}}

On returning to her seat on the Council of Worlds, Windblade is outraged to learn that the council have not yet told the public about Liege Maximo's escape, and informs the planet of the truth herself. Though she is expelled from the council, when Starscream calls free elections as demanded by Elita One, she agrees to run for office. Starscream, meanwhile, is haunted by his experience within Windblade's mind and the vision of what he could have been, and when the electoral debate comes, he confesses to his crimes in full for all to hear. Starscream, along with his co-conspirators Airachnid, Rattrap and the Combaticons, are all arrested, and Windblade goes on to win the election and be declared the "first delegate", the new ruler of Cybertron. {{storylink|The Chosen One}}

Thundercracker, on learning of Starscream's arrest, is not dissuaded from his filmmaking, seeing it as the perfect ending to the movie. Not wanting the fairly-accurate-but-kind-of-terrible film released, the imprisoned Starscream has a message sent to two Badgeless, who attempt to kill Thundercracker to prevent the film's release. Thundercracker manages to kill his two attackers, and returns to Earth... where he finds out that all interest in the film is dead in the water. {{storylink|Starscream: The Movie (comic)|Starscream: The Movie}}

Baron Karza joins forces with the Dire Wraiths, intending to channel the Entropy Cloud destroying Microspace to accelerate the awakening of the Presence. The Micronauts recruit Rom and his allies to help them, and — following a detour to Microspace — are able to use the Cloud's power to kill the Presence instead, though it costs Orphion's life to do so. Though the Wraiths are defeated, a more-than-happy Karza returns to Microspace a hero, and the Micronauts pursue him to prevent him from conquering the now-saved dimension. {{istorylink|Rom & The Micronauts}}

Using intelligence gained from {{i|Cesspool II|Cesspool}}, G.I. Joe track Cobra to their new base: a mysterious, verdant jungle populated by [[dinosaur (dinosaur)|dinosaurs]] at the [[Arctic|North Pole]]. The Joes make it past Cobra's defenses, but their killing of the {{i|Viper (mutant)|Viper}} army plays into Cobra's hands, fueling Crystal Ball's blood-magic and allowing the birth of a new "Cobra Moon". At the same time, Roadblock breaks ties with Duke, but Skywarp offers to defect to Duke's side instead, and breaks Snake Eyes and Helix out of the brig to join him. {{storylink|Scarlett's Strike Force}}

[[File:OP17 Everything is Shockwave's fault.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.6|"IT'S ME, OPTIMUS! IT'S ME, OPTIMUS! IT WAS ME ALL ALONG, OPTIMUS! YOU ALL BOUGHT IT! YOU ALL BOUGHT IT—HOOK, LINE, AND SINKER! EVEN [[Liege Maximo|MY FAMILY]]—EVEN [[The Fallen|MY IMMEDIATE FAMILY]] BOUGHT IT!"]]
Optimus Prime, Marissa Faireborn and the President of the United States inaugurate an Ore-13 mine in Kentucky, staffed by human, Cybertronian, and Junkion alike; the ore is refined into energon and shipped to Cybertron, compensating for Merklynn's magical tainting of their fuel supply. However, the arrival of the first shipment is overshadowed—quite literally—by the arrival of Onyx Prime's enormous eyeball-shaped ship [[Nemesis (BWII)|''Nemesis'']] in the skies above Iacon. Onyx Prime, with a chained Liege Maximo at his feet, demands to speak to Optimus Prime, who he calls "the Arisen". {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 1: Surfeit of Primes|Surfeit of Primes}} While Soundwave attempts and fails to read the mind of Liege Maximo, arguing breaks out between Onyx, the Council of Worlds, and Optimus; things reach a head when Soundwave enters the council chambers, and is enraged to see Optimus defending Onyx. Just as Alpha Trion realises the truth of Onyx's identity, an explosion rips through the [[Spire]] and kills Trion, which Onyx blames on Soundwave. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 2: Another Mine|Another Mine}} Liege Maximo vanishes from captivity in the chaos, while Onyx stokes dissent and confusion by impugning Optimus's allies, revealing the truth that Soundwave killed Horri-Bull to the furious Decepticons.

With fighting breaking out in the city streets, Onyx boards his skiff to return to the ''Nemesis''; meanwhile, Devastator forms to forcibly "rescue" Starscream from prison, while Metrotitan travels from Earth to Cybertron and submits to the command of the "chosen one", firing on Onyx's vessel. As the situation gets further out of control, Metrotitan refuses to obey Optimus's orders to stand down and fires on him and Windblade, sending Optimus falling to the ground; Onyx catches him aboard the skiff and has the ''Nemesis'' return fire, knocking Metrotitan to the ground. After subduing the furious Optimus, Onyx tears his "face" off, revealing his true identity as Shockwave. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 3: The Ground|The Ground}}

Explaining what happened to him and how he became "Onyx" to Optimus, Shockwave has the ''Nemesis'' take them to the Crystal City singularity and throws Optimus in so that he may share Shockwave's enlightenment. {{storylink|The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|The First Who Was Named}} With the discovery of his "true self" and the prophecies surrounding him seemingly adding up into a chance to become the savior Cybertron needs, Starscream has Devastator carry him to the fallen Metrotitan, where for one moment he believes he really ''does'' have some grand destiny... only for Shockwave to show up and mock him with the revelation that the entire prophecy was the result of his manipulations to place a fool like Starscream on the throne of Cybertron, before murdering Metrotitan. Within the singularity, Optimus — now finding himself in [[infraspace]] once more — reunites with Bumblebee, whose ghostly form is dragged away from Starscream to meet with his old leader. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 4: The Hallowing|The Hallowing}}

[[File:Schismatic-KupDies.jpg|thumb|Or: How Not To Sell Fans On A Crossover.]]
With Shockwave's machinations having sowed chaos across Iacon, Scoop's religious faith drives him and the other Constructicons on as Devastator, taking on Victorion out of a sheer single-minded intent to prove that Starscream is a reincarnation of the treacherous [[The Fallen|Megatronus]]. In the meantime, Optimus devises a means of escaping from Infraspace, using the Matrix as a means of generating an escape back to the real world. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 5: Endless Forever|Endless Forever}} Ultimately, Arcee succeeds in killing Liege Maximo, Victorion triumphs over Devastator, and the minds of Optimus and Bumblebee come to inhabit Pyra Magna's body; Shockwave is taken prisoner, and Pyra is treated to disentangle the minds of Optimus and Bumblebee from her own. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 6: Unforgivable|Unforgivable}}

During Optimus's convalescence, Ironhide and Kup are sent to attempt diplomatic negotiations with the [[Prysmosian]] inhabitants of [[New Prysmos]]. While Wheeljack discovers that the Talisman is tunnelling towards Cybertron's core and threatening to finish what Merklynn started, a faction of Visionaries called the [[Darkling Lord]]s—covertly urged on by Merklynn—attempt to conquer Cybertron for themselves, their leader [[Virulina]] murdering Kup with magic. [[Leoric]] and his [[Spectral Knight]]s oppose Virulina's plan, and ally with Ironhide's team to stop them; though they succeed in preventing the Darkling Lords' conquest, a reaction between [[Galadria]]'s magics and Wheeljack's bomb rockets New Prysmos to the surface of Cybertron and surrounds it with a swathe of organic grass. Merklynn is imprisoned for his misdeeds, and is left dejected and fatalistic by his realisation that all he did was for naught, as his actions have summoned Unicron. {{storylink|Transformers vs. Visionaries}}

Learning of Kup's death, Springer and Verity Carlo attempt to meet up with Impactor, but are embroiled in Mayhem's anti-faction scheme in the process — which, in turn, causes Verity's kidnapping by Overlord, who has been working on Earth with Tarantulas on the [[Timemaze]], a gateway allowing access to other times and alternate timelines. Though Impactor sacrifices himself to save Springer and Verity, Overlord is dealt with by sending the two halves of his body into different time periods, and Tarantulas dies in the arms of his "son". Leaving a message to the surviving Wreckers and their allies asking that they make sure nobody has to do what the Wreckers did again, Springer departs into the Timemaze in the hope of changing history for the better by preventing the war. {{storylink|Transformers: Requiem of the Wreckers|Requiem of the Wreckers}}

The Lost Light's final Warren jump brings them to what they believe to be Cyberutopia; {{storylink|The Plotters' Club (Part 3): Journey's End|Journey's End}} however, the paradise world is actually [[Mederi]], an ancient medical facility designed to allow terminally ill patients to die happy through an telepathic "happy ending". {{storylink|The Everlasting Voices (3): You Are Here|You Are Here}} Due to a lack of a cohesive idea of what Cyberutopia "should" be, however, the crew finds the planet empty; when they are subsequently attacked by the Grand Architect's fleet, Getaway strikes a deal, allowing Scorponok to transform the crew into sparkeaters in exchange for a position among the Grand Architect's followers. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 2): Lūstrāre|Lūstrāre}} Scorponok's transmat portal also brings the Scavengers to Mederi, the illusion causing them to perceive the facility as Grimlock's cell in Garrus-9.<ref name="LLTimeline"/> {{storylink|Kill All 'Cons}} {{storylink|The Everlasting Voices (3): You Are Here|You Are Here}}
[[File:LL20 Rodimus saves Getaway.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|After the [[Contrivance Engine]], Brainstorm's next invention was an Incredibly On-The-Nose Symbolism Engine.]]
Skip's travel through the Warren to Mederi is interrupted when the mass-displacement fails and the Autobots are exposed to the [[compressed space]] outside, causing them to crash on the artificial moon; because of Cyclonus's desire to see Tailgate again, the facility presents itself to them as the [[Transformer afterlife|Afterspark]], complete with illusory versions of their dead friends to welcome them.<ref name="LLTimeline"/> {{storylink|The Everlasting Voices (1): Metastasis|Metastasis}}

However, the Mederi illusion is imperfect; Nautica's loss of her connection to Skids allows her to walk into the Scavengers (causing the illusion to fail when they see conflicting environments), while Ratchet's scepticism leads him, Rodimus, Drift and Ultra Magnus to the device controlling the illusion, which they destroy. {{storylink|The Everlasting Voices (2): The God War}} {{storylink|The Everlasting Voices (3): You Are Here|You Are Here}} Realizing where they are, Rodimus's group figures out what happened, and Rodimus comes to the conclusion that Mederi ''is'' Cyberutopia, the dying Knights having been fooled by the illusion into believing that they had found a new, perfect Cybertron. Ultra Magnus manages to inform the crew of the truth in time to prevent all of them except for Nightbeat and Ten from being killed by "ascension", causing all of the "ghosts" to fade away — except Tailgate, who had been secretly teleported to Mederi from Necroworld by the Omega Guardians — but as soon as the three groups reunite with the intention of returning to Cybertron, they are set upon by the Sparkeater army transformed from the ''Lost Light'' crew. {{storylink|The Everlasting Voices (3): You Are Here|You Are Here}}

Joined by Grimlock, First Aid and their team, the combined group comes flees the Sparkeaters, only to be attacked by the ''Lost Light'' itself, under the command of the Grand Architect's forces; under Rodimus's direction, the majority of the crew barricades themselves in Mederi's Ward Zero to find a cure for the Sparkeaters, while he and a small team board the ''Lost Light'' aboard Wipe-Out's ship. Rodimus and Cyclonus confront Star Saber and Getaway, killing the former and preventing the latter from committing suicide by destroying the ship in a [[nucleon (fuel)|nucleon]] explosion; Getaway instead tries to stab Rodimus in the back, but is killed by the oil reservoir scraplets, under the control of the scraplet colony that Whirl had previously bonded with.
[[File:LL22 Functionist Primus.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.6|Oooh, 'e's a big 'un!]]
Though the medics on the ground manage to cure the sparkeaters through "concussive medicine", as everything else is going on, a giant rift is formed in space, {{storylink|Crucible (Part 2): Lūstrāre|Lūstrāre}} pulling Mederi and the ''Lost Light'' through to the Benzene Cluster, now home to the five false Cybertrons created by the Grand Architect. Rodimus persuades the Grand Architect to let his entire team come aboard the Architect's Worldsweeper, angering Scorponok, who has Sunder attempt to probe the Architect's mind; however, the Grand Architect is able to force Sunder out, and kills Scorponok in response. The God Gun is activated with the intent to form an interdimensional portal to banish the Architect's foreseen threat through, {{storylink|Crucible (Part 3): Farsickness|Farsickness}} but in fact, the false Primus that the Architect had seen so long ago was the Cybertron of the Functionist Universe, transformed and controlled by the Functionist Council, which used the portal to enter the mainline universe — with Megatron and the Anti-Vocationist League fleeing ahead of it.
[[File:LL24 Matrix Opening Pt2.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|Now, light our second-darkest hour!]]
Split up between the Worldsweeper and Megatron's ''[[Last Light (ship)|Last Light]]'', the ''Lost Light''ers have both the Functionists' plan and the true history of the Guiding Hand revealed to each other; {{storylink|Crucible (Part 4): The Return of the King|The Return of the King}} the latter prompts the enraged Solomus to kill Adaptus, though he is fatally wounded himself. The crews of the ''Lost Light'' and ''Last Light'' reunite on the former ship to plan a way to stop the Functionist Primus, currently laying waste to the replica Cybertrons; the Magnificence proposes having Rung create three Matrices as bombs to destroy the planet, but instead, the crew propose using ''twelve'' Matrices to destroy Vector Sigma and the Functionist Council while leaving the planet unharmed. The Magnificence, angered, reveals its "wisdom" to actually be the voices of the Omega Guardians, who want Primus destroyed to blow the Benzene rift open wide enough for them to return and "eat everything"... so Nickel smashes the Magnificence, stopping their plans short. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 5): The Unremembering|The Unremembering}}

Rung uses his alternate mode to create twelve Matrix replicas, but the effort kills him in the process. To forcibly transform "Primus" back to planet mode, Fortress Maximus and Red Alert — on the instructions of a future Rodimus — pilot Luna 1 through the Warren, back in time and into the back of the robot's neck, forcing transformation and ensuring the crew can use the planet's hot spots to channel the Matrix energy. The crew land on the hot spots, but thanks to the [[morality lock]], are unable to open the Matrices until an encouraging speech from Rodimus gives them the self-belief they need to do so — though Megatron remains unable to do it, forcing Rodimus to open his Matrix instead. The released energy obliterates the Functionist Council for good before radiating back out, igniting the Luna 1 hot spot and giving life to a new generation of sparks; together, they form the shape of a message from Rung: "DON'T FORGET ME". {{storylink|Crucible (Part 6): A Spark Among Embers|A Spark Among Embers}} Tragically, within a matter of days, the crew give into information creep and lose all their memories of Rung. {{storylink|How To Say Goodbye And Mean It: Part 2}}

[[File:Unicron4 Unicron Arrives.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"Yes, ma'am, Earth is literally under siege by planet fragging Jupiter."]]
On Cybertron, Optimus Prime and Bumblebee are revived to help against Unicron, now in the process of consuming Cybertron's colony worlds. {{storylink|Unstopped and Unstoppable}} Though Prime and his allies are able to save much of the populations of Elonia {{storylink|Our Darkest}} and Caminus, they are unable to find a way to stop Unicron within the monster-planet, and are forced to retreat. {{storylink|Last Stand (Unicron)|Last Stand}} Starscream's plan, to have Bludgeon's "[[Decepticon Vengeance Division]]" trap Unicron in a [[stasis web]], proves a miscalculation; Bludgeon has changed loyalties to Unicron, and allows his fleet to be corrupted and transformed by the chaos-bringer. Meanwhile, Bumblebee seeks out Omega Supreme, who was part of the original invasion of Antilla, for answers; the comatose Omega Sentinel projects a vision of Unicron's origins into Bumblebee's mind before dying, just in time for Unicron to appear over Cybertron, transforming into a robot mode in the image of Cybertron's mythical Uncreator, gained from the integration of the Titan Nemesis and its transformation cog. {{storylink|Stranger Eons}} Meanwhile, Earth comes under attack by an advance party of Maximals, who target ''Lemuria''; G.I. Joe and the refugees they have taken in are saved by Skywarp, Snake Eyes and Helix, who return to rescue their old comrades. {{storylink|Last Stand (G.I. Joe)|Last Stand}}
[[File:Unicron6 Spirits of the Dead.jpg|thumb|upright=0.9|left|Press F to pay respects.]]
The Cybertronian fleet rallies to defend Cybertron while its leaders debate what to do; Victorion attempts to break into Unicron's interior and kill the planet-eater from the inside, but is stopped by Monstructor, who — under Bludgeon's command — tears [[Stormclash]] in half and breaks the Torchbearer combiner apart. Starscream advocates having Metroplex space bridge to Earth so that a ''portion'' of the population can survive, but is convinced to allow Windblade to execute an alternative plan: {{storylink|Our Finest}} appealing to the Visionaries and their magic for help. Using the Talisman, the Visionaries use a wave of magic to teleport the Cybertronians and refugees to Earth, though only the sacrifice of Blurr and a suicide attack on Unicron by Elita One lets everyone get to safety. The Transformers and Elonians are teleported to Earth, moments before Unicron tears Cybertron in two and consumes it, {{storylink|Road's End}} while the Visionaries themselves are sent back in time to the earliest days of Prysmos. {{istorylink|A World and a Future}} Meanwhile, a confrontation between Slide's colonists and the Dinobots at Mount Rushmore ends in the death of Gimlet and G.I. Joe agent Mainframe. {{storylink|Time Will Rust}}

Shockwave — teleported to [[Toronto]] to begin his conquest — is horrified to realise Unicron has survived the destruction of Cybertron, and contacts Bludgeon to initiate his backup plan, unaware that his agent and the Maximal army have switched their loyalties from Shockwave to Unicron himself. Sanctuary Station is evacuated in light of the approaching Maximals, with a small number of its residents laying down their lives to buy time. {{storylink|Road's End}} Putting aside their history and enimities, all of Earth's heroes and villains join together to hold the attackers back, with Destro's M.A.S.S. device allowing Trypticon, Metroplex and a full army of Cybertronians to teleport into the midst of Bludgeon's fleet. {{storylink|Assembly (Unicron)|Assembly}} Starscream, Skywarp and Thundercracker carry Optimus Prime, Arcee and the Talisman down to Unicron's surface, but Skywarp and Thundercracker are waylaid by Maximals, preventing Skywarp from teleporting them into the planet-eater's interior; instead, Starscream chooses to give up his life to activate the Talisman, which burns its way down into Unicron. Optimus and Arcee follow it into the interior where it enters the black hole at Unicron's core, with Optimus jumping in after it.
[[File:Unicron6 The Last Hug.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|The power of love might just save your life.]]
On Earth, Shockwave is betrayed by his follower [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]], but is "rescued" by Prowl, who has Stardrive use her Dire Wraith powers to link with Shockwave's mind; in turn, Jetfire connects her to Soundwave, wielding the Enigma of Combination in conjunction with Superion and the Earth Enigma. Victorion, who uses the Enigma energies to combine with Slide as a replacement limb, kills Monstructor while the Dinobots sacrifice themselves to kill Bludgeon and destroy his Worldsweeper; but Soundwave's true intent is to unite the spirits of those who have fallen with Shockwave's memories and send them through to Optimus to give him the strength he needs, though Soundwave crumbles to dust as he uses its power. In Infraspace, Optimus encounters the spirit of Unicron's creator, whose rage and grief animates the superweapon; rather than fight him, however, Optimus owns up to the legacy of Cybertron and the Primes, and offers the Antillan peace and compassion instead. Remembering his daughter who was killed so long ago, the scientist allows the Talisman to consume Unicron; the giant collapses into its own singularity, which settles in as a second, dark sun for Earth.

{{anchor|QuantumJump}}
[[File:Unicron6 Peace At Last.jpg|thumb|left|And they all lived happily ever after.]]
In the aftermath, the survivors take stock. Arcee celebrates with her love on Earth's moon, while Thundercracker carries Skywarp back to Earth and reunites with Marissa Faireborn and Buster. Windblade and the President of the United States begin making plans for a future for Cybertronian and human alike; the surviving Dinobots are rescued from the ruins of the White House; and Pyra Magna takes up the mantle of the deceased Mistress of Flame, inviting the remorseful Slide to serve as one of her new Torchbearers. {{storylink|Ceremony}} Prowl makes contact with the ''Lost Light'' crew on "New Cybertron", where he insists that Megatron face trial once more, with the Galactic Council presiding in lieu of the long-dead Knights of Cybertron. In order to increase the planet's energon reserves and bring the new generation of sparks online, he also requisitions the ''Lost Light''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> quantum generators; Rodimus reluctantly agrees, on the condition that he and the crew are allowed one last trip aboard the ship before it's decommissioned. After a one-day "victory lap", the crew returns to Cybertron, but not before the scientists propose attempting to recreate the quantum accident that duplicated the ''Lost Light'' at the beginning of their quest, shunting the "duplicate" ship into another universe so that they can continue their quest on their own terms. With the agreement of the crew, they do so — and though the version of the crew that returns to Cybertron is unaware, they are successful in the attempt, their duplicates setting out on a new adventure.

The "main universe" Megatron is tried by the Galactic Council, and — despite Rodimus lying on his behalf by claiming that Megatron was able to open the Matrix — he is sentenced to either death or permanent solitary confinement. {{storylink|How To Say Goodbye And Mean It: Part 2}} The trial marks the start of a better working relationship between Cybertronians and the Council: Bumblebee is selected as the Transformers' ambassador, accompanied — unbeknownst to anyone but him — by the spirit of Starscream, who has traded roles with Bumblebee to become a "ghost" only he can see.

Life goes on. A funeral is held for Optimus Prime, with Windblade reflecting on his flaws and virtues alike, and opining that the most important thing about him was his willingness to challenge himself. Transformers, Elonians and humans alike help to rebuild on Earth. Pyra makes an effort to settle into her new role as a spiritual leader. Buzzsaw hunts down human poachers in Soundwave's name. Thundercracker's film, ''[[Last Laugh: The Life and Death of Chuckles]]'', is nominated for "Best Original Screenplay" at an awards show. Shockwave is imprisoned in ''Lemuria'', left immobile to reflect how his lack of faith led to his failure. Aileron and her colonist allies take to the stars to explore. And Arcee becomes a mentor and teacher to a new generation of three races on Earth, using the story of Optimus Prime and his life to inspire them to build a better future. {{storylink|Post}}
{{-}}
[[File:LL25 - Ratchet's funeral.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.2|"I was here at the start of it all, Miss Carlo. I'm not going to miss the end."]]

===Many years later===
Years pass. Minimus Ambus, having destroyed the Magnus Armor at Megatron's urging, helps with resettle the new "[[Lunarian]]" 'bots born from Luna-1, unaware that they all resemble Rung. Swerve's becomes a franchise, but eventually its owner is forced to close all but one location. Rewind's quest to learn all he can about the Functionist Universe causes him to contract [[Delta's Malady]] and becomes stuck as a mass-shifted data stick, though he and Chromedome continue to live happily together. Brainstorm, injured in a lab accident, adapts his briefcase as a mobile life support system. Whirl, directionless, ends up in and out of prison for various crimes. Rodimus signs onto the crew of Thunderclash's new ship, the ''[[Exitus]]''. Nautica writes a memoir of the crew's travels. Ratchet and Drift become conjunx endurae, and share many years together.

Eventually, Ratchet dies of age-related burnout; his components are sent to medical centers across the planet, and a funeral is held for him on the Rivets Field of the Functionist Cybertron. The crew reunites after many years, catching each other up on what has become of them. Cyclonus and Tailgate, concerned by what has become of Whirl, invite him to live with them when he is released; and, when Whirl is offered Ratchet's hands by Drift to replace his own lost ones, refuses, as he doesn't consider himself broken. Drift and Rodimus reflect on whether their attempt to duplicate the ship so long ago worked before going their separate ways, promising to keep in touch. {{storylink|How To Say Goodbye And Mean It: Part 2}}
{{-}}

==Alternate timelines==
===''Spotlight: Mirage''===
[[File:SLMirage prime stabbed.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"Megatron's greatest mistake was in ever allowing you to ''live'', Prime!"]]
The [[Decepticon]] [[Mirage (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Mirage]] tracks the ailing Autobots to the [[Pegasus Star Cluster]], where he briefly succeeds in taking Optimus Prime hostage before perishing. {{storylink|Spotlight: Mirage}}

{{note|The issue is vague on whether this sequence of events is merely a dream by the "real" Mirage or a supernatural glimpse into a true alternate timeline. [[Mistakes and Mayhem|A later issue]] would go on to explain Mirage’s hallucination as a side-effect from a long-running medical condition. However, in that same issue, he experiences several accurate premonitions of future events, which leaves the original question up in the air.}}
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===Hail and Farwell===
====2008====
Two years after becoming a Headmaster, [[Hunter O'Nion]] continues to have adventures with his partner Sunstreaker, their minds permanently fusing into a new, singular entity. {{storylink|Hail and Farewell}}

{{note|"Hail and Farewell" was declared canonical when it was first published online. However, the subsequent truncation of author [[Simon Furman]]'s intended story arcs and the subsequent ''All Hail Megatron'' storyline, which among other things, saw Hunter horribly tortured and killed, means that this sequence of events is incompatible with the mainstream timeline.}}
{{-}}

===Pax Cybertronia===
====15 million CE====
[[File:PaxCybertronia-IronhideAndKids.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|And stay off his lawn.]]
In a far-distant future, the Great War is over and the Decepticons have perished. An ancient [[Ironhide (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ironhide]], the last surviving veteran of the Great War, tells war stories to a [[Autobot youth|new generation]] of Cybertronians on [[Gorlam Prime]] alongside [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]]. {{storylink|Pax Cybertronia (issue)|Pax Cybertronia}}

{{note|This sequence of events was later established to be a vision that both Ironhide and Jhiaxus experienced during the reformation of Cybertron following the events of the ''Chaos'' miniseries, calling into question if it was a definite glimpse of the future or merely a vision of what might be. Ironhide would later come to believe it was a vision of the world he would have liked to have seen, rather than a true future. This is seemingly confirmed by the destruction of Gorlam Prime as well as the deaths of Alpha Trion and Ironhide himself.}}
{{-}}

===Functionist timeline===
{{main|Functionist Universe}}
====5 million BCE====
[[File:AWorldMisplaced-TheTakeover.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|"So this is how liberty dies; with thunderous applause."]]
Megatron perishes on the date of his cold construction. Without Megatron's writings to upheave Cybertronian society, the Senate grows increasingly controlling, and eventually clashes with the Functionist Council regarding the use of Nova Prime's spark stockpiles. When the Senate seals [[Vector Sigma]] behind a wall of impenetrable [[ununtrium]], the Council overthrows the Senate, kills Nominus Prime, and institutes hardline Functionism across Cybertron, {{storylink|Dissolution Part 3: A World Misplaced|A World Misplaced}} periodically altering the [[Grand Cybertronian Taxonomy]] to declare "[[mass recall]]s" of "obsolete" Transformers. {{storylink|The Custom-Made Now - An Elegant Chaos Prologue|The Custom-Made Now}}

====2014====
Following the dissolution of the [[Primal Vanguard]], Minimus Ambus returns to Cybertron to find [[Dominus Ambus|his brother]] an [[empurata]] victim. Rewind dies in a mass recall. {{storylink|The Custom-Made Now - An Elegant Chaos Prologue|The Custom-Made Now}}

====2016====
[[File:ThisMachineKillsFascists-GiantRung.jpg|thumb|left|Rung digs giant robots.]]
A [[geobomb]] accident sends the crew of the ''Lost Light'' to Functionist Cybertron. {{storylink|Dissolution Part 1: Some Other Cybertron|Some Other Cybertron}} They battle the forces of the Council with the [[Anti-Vocationist League]] in their quest to return home, as the Council deploys [[Moonbase Two|Luna 2]] to "harvest" Cybertronians for reforging into [[M.T.O.|crusaders]] to cleanse the universe of everything not having a role in the eyes of Primus. {{storylink|Dissolution Part 5: Modes of Production|Modes of Production}} The crew manages to return to the main timeline victorious, but the Functionist Universe Rung is killed and Megatron and Terminus are accidentally left behind. Megatron takes command of the League and prepares to start his revolution anew, as it always ''should'' have been. {{storylink|Dissolution Part 6: This Machine Kills Fascists|This Machine Kills Fascists}}

Despite the loss of Luna 2, the Council continues their plans, instead turning Cybertron itself into their weapon of genocide, augmenting it with a robot mode in the image of Primus after Megatron thwarts their plans one time too many. Over centuries, the Council — now merged with Vector Sigma — carry out their campaign of "sterilization", with Megatron and the Anti-Vocationist League fighting them at every turn. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 4): The Return of the King|The Return of the King}}

====2833====
After centuries, the Council pursue the ''[[Last Light (ship)|Last Light]]'', the AVL's ship, through a rift in space; this brings them to the present-day Benzene of Megatron's native universe, which [[Twelve-of-Twelve]] declares to be a gift from Primus in the form of a new universe to purify. {{storylink|Crucible (Part 4): The Return of the King|The Return of the King}}
{{-}}

===Quantum jump universe===
[[File:LL25 It Never Ends.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|And to all, a good night.]]

====2018====
Having pulled the "magic trick" of [[#QuantumJump|duplicating themselves into another universe]], the ''Lost Light'' crew finds themselves in completely uncharted space, further than they've ever been. Jubilant, the crew sets out to chart the new universe, an adventure that could well take forever. {{storylink|How To Say Goodbye And Mean It: Part 2}}
{{-}}

==Footnotes==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Chronologies]]
[[Category:Generation 1 history]]
[[Category:IDW (2005)| ]]

Enemy of My Enemy Part Three

2020-08-20T14:22:42Z

Silver: /* Errors */

{{disambig3|Enemy of My Enemy}}

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Transformers vs. The Terminator]]'' #3
|prev=Enemy of My Enemy Part Two
|next=Enemy of My Enemy Part Four
|image=TFTerminator 3 cvrB.jpg
|title="Enemy of My Enemy Part Three"
|caption=
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]] and [[Dark Horse Comics]]
|date=[[August 19]], [[2020]]
|coverdate=August 2020
|story by= [[David Mariotte]], [[Tom Waltz]] and [[John Barber]]
|written by=[[David Mariotte]] and [[John Barber]]
|art by=[[Alex Milne]]
|colors by=[[David García Cruz]]
|letters by=[[Jake M. Wood]]
|editor=[[Tom Waltz]] and [[Riley Farmer]]
}}

'''Sarah Connor assists the Autobots as they search for the Decepticons, but the Terminator has his own agenda...'''

==Synopsis==
Inside the crashed ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'', [[Sarah Connor]] does what she can to help the [[Autobot]]s get their base up and running. Although [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] have reactivated several more Autobots—[[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]], [[Velocity (G1)|Velocity]], and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]]—there's still a lot to do, and the heroes work together to move [[stasis lock]]ed bodies and get the ''Ark'' operational; despite the nominal truce that exists between him and the Autobots, however, the [[T-800]] Terminator refuses to contribute to the repair effort: he is only programmed to ''eliminate'' Cybertronians, not help them. Ratchet informs Prime that the other, still-deactivated Autobots will require extensive repairs, time, and [[energon]] to get into fighting shape, while Wheeljack chimes in to report that the ''Ark'' won't be able to fly anytime soon. Undaunted, Prime rallies his troops and lays down his orders: Ratchet and Wheeljack will remain behind to continue repairs and monitor local transmissions for any sightings of [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], while the other Autobots will split up. Prime and Velocity will search for possible energon sources, Arcee and the Terminator will sweep the immediate area for any signs of Decepticon activity, and Bumblebee will take Sarah home.

At the [[Cyberdyne Systems]] manufacturing plant in [[California]], [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] reports on their progress [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]. Already, [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] has taken Cyberdyne's scientists hostage to interrogate them for any information about their mysterious robotic foe; [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] and [[Reflector (G1)|Refraktor]] have harnessed the factory's on-site nuclear reactor to produce [[energon cube]]s, while the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]]s literally tear the factory apart in search of any sign of advanced robotic technology. Megatron demands answers regarding the mystery robot—he will ''not'' allow a foe capable of exploiting all of their weak spots to run amok.

On [[Oregon]]'s west coast, Prime and Velocity follow the trail of the Decepticons to a nearby beach, where Velocity finds the discarded optic casing on the ground. The sight of the blasted dune buggy leaves Prime in a somber mood, however; already, he notes, the Decepticons have brought death and terror to another innocent world, and they ''must'' find and stop Megatron before he can do any more damage. Far to the south, in the city of [[Stockton]], Bumblebee waits in the parking lot while Sarah goes shopping for street clothes, eager to get rid of the tattered remains of her waitress outfit. As Bumblebee drives her home, Sarah wonders just where she can go now: she can't go back to her old life, but when Bumblebee suggests helping the Autobots, Sarah refuses: she doesn't want to become a warrior, either. But when Sarah turns on Bumblebee's radio, a sudden newsflash warns listeners about a mysterious terrorist attack in [[Sunnyvale]]...

In the ''Ark''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s armory, Arcee offers the T-800 some Cybertronian-caliber firepower, pointing out that Optimus obviously trusts the machine warrior—but warns him that if he ''ever'' turns their own weapons on the Autobots, he'll immediately regret it. The Terminator gladly accepts a heavy-duty Cybertronian blaster and an explosive detonator... but as they turn to leave, neither Arcee, Ratchet, nor Wheeljack notice him placing a Cybertronian explosive next to Wheeljack's workstation. As Arcee and the Terminator make their patrol, the Terminator surreptitiously scatters more bombs around the ''Ark''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s perimeter when his partner isn't looking. Finally, the two stop by the [[Sky Spy]] probe that the Terminator shot down, and while the Terminator investigates the wrecked machine, Arcee gets a transmission from Bumblebee: they've found the Decepticons!

Observing what remains of the Cyberdyne factory from a nearby ledge, Sarah and Bumblebee keep their distance as the Decepticons ransack the factory; not wanting her to come to any harm, Bumblebee tells Sarah to keep a lookout while he gets a closer look. Unfortunately [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] spies the two from above, and promptly teleports in to attack! Thinking quickly, Bumblebee scoops up Sarah and makes a run for it, heading ''toward'' Megatron in the hopes that Skywarp will collide with his allies. Skywarp's too smart to take the bait; it seems like the end for Bumblebee, but his stunt has bought time for Optimus, the other Autobots, and the Terminator to arrive and turn the tide! Autobots and Decepticons clash amidst the wreckage of Cyberdyne while Bumblebee shouts for Sarah to get to safety and contact Wheeljack and Ratchet. As Optimus and Megatron have it out, Refraktor advances on the Terminator—but the Terminator pinpoints the weak point on Refraktor's face, hurls an explosive charge at the Decepticon, then thumbs the detonator...

Wheeljack and Ratchet anxiously monitor the fight as they do what they can to try and bring their fellow Autobots back online. As they discuss strategies, however, a beeping noise catches their attention—then, all at once, the bombs the Terminator had planted around the ''Ark'' simultaneously detonate—for the second time that day, [[Mount St. Hilary]] erupts as a massive explosion consumes the ''Ark''!

Back at Cyberdyne Systems, none of the Autobots realize they've been double-crossed as Velocity commends the Terminator for taking down Refraktor. Before the Terminator can respond, however a null-ray blast lances over his head—a blast courtesy of Starscream, who's finally worked out the truth behind the Terminator's existence. If Starscream shoots his Cyberdyne hostages, then [[Skynet]] will never be... so Starscream wants to cut a deal!

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (1)
* [[Velocity (G1)|Velocity]] (2)
* [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] (3)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (5)
* [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (6)
* [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (7)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (9)
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (10)
* [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (22)
* [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] (23)

|c2=
* [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (11)
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (12)
* [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (13)
* [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (15)
* [[Reflector (G1)|Refraktor]] (16)
* [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (17)
* [[Shrapnel (G1)|Skrapnel]] (18)
* [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] (19)
* [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] (20)
* [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (21)

|c3=
* [[Sarah Connor]] (4)
* [[Cyberdyne Systems|Cyberdyne]] employees (14)

|h4=[[Skynet]]|c4=
* [[T-800]] (8)
}}

==Quotes==
"'''Hello!''' Earth to whatever your name is?" 
"Cyberdyne Systems model 101 series 800..." 
"Oh! Really rolls off the tongue, huh?"
:—'''Sarah Connor''' and the '''Terminator'''

"What's '''your''' job, Sarah? Are you a warrior like Arcee?" 
"No, I'm a waitress... why would I be a warrior?" 
"I'm spitballin'! Your outfit just reminds me a lot of her. So, a waitress... whazzat?" 
"I take orders from people, and—" 
"Sounds like a warrior to me." 
:—'''Bumblebee''' and '''Sarah Connor'''

"Y'know, I think you've picked up on the fact that most of the Autobots aren't soldiers—they're doctors, engineers, bots who want to do the right thing. But that doesn't mean that we aren't well-armed for when we '''need''' to be."
:—'''Arcee''' to the Terminator

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* Arcee and the Terminator revisit the crashed [[Sky Spy]] probe, which the Terminator shot down in [[Enemy of My Enemy Part One|issue #1]]. The Terminator notes that the device [[scanning|scanned]] ''him'', not just the truck he was driving at the time, a revelation which might have some interesting ripples on the timeline...
* History finds new ways to repeat itself—[[Enemy of My Enemy Part Two|once again]], Refraktor gets himself killed by a Terminator. Poor dude.
* The previous issue featured the Terminator's secret directive, which he didn't reveal to Optimus Prime: ensure the creation of [[Skynet]] by any means necessary, a step which evidently involves the destruction of all Cybertronians, truce or no truce. At any rate, the Terminator's surreptitious betrayal in this issue suggests that he's not interested in playing by the rules of your average crossover teamup!

===Transformers references===
* In a move that took ''everyone'' by surprise, [[Velocity (G1)|Velocity]] makes her return to IDW's ''Transformers'' comics! This turquoise Autobot debuted in the pages of ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' as a medic, a role that Optimus Prime mentions here. She's been slightly redesigned in this comic—not only does she now transform into a 1977 {{w|Pontiac Firebird}} rather than an alien car, but she also sports a different head shape and an orange, rather than gray, face.
* Continuing the readout gags from last issue, the T-800 identifies [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] as "MODEL 11^C56", the Japanese ID numbers of [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#The_Transformers|Bumblebee's original G1 toy]] (one from 1985, another from 1986); he also recognizes Arcee as "MODEL 02^021", the Hasbro ID number for her [[Arcee (G1)/toys#Thrilling_30|2014 ''Thrilling 30'' figure]], and classifies her threat level at "maximum" in what's probably a reference to her [[Arcee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|2005 IDW counterpart]]'s reputation as a scary-strong warrior. Finally, he recognizes [[Reflector (G1)|Refraktor]] as "MODEL SG^26" after terminating him—Refraktor's ''[[Reflector (G1)#War for Cybertron: Siege|War for Cybertron]]'' toy goes by the number "SG-2''8''", but since there are at least three of him running around in the comic, maybe each Refraktor gets its own number in [[Skynet]]'s reference book?
* Bumblebee notes that he used to do search and rescue operations; in the [[2019 IDW continuity]], this was the profession of [[Bumblebee (G1)#2019 IDW continuity|that universe's Bumblebee]] until he later joined the [[Ascenticon Guard]].
* Similarly, while the other Cybertronians all use regular word balloons, Soundwave's dialogue uses the blue, "electronic" speech bubbles that his 2019 IDW counterpart uses over in [[2019 IDW continuity|IDW's current ''Transformers'' comic universe]].
* Soundwave and Refraktor work to create [[energon cube]]s, and Soundwave extrudes the hollow cubes from his chest as he did in the ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]'' episodes "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]" and "[[Megatron's Master Plan, Part 1]]".
* Megatron declares "'''nothing's''' going to stand in my way!" on page seven, referencing the [[Spectre General]] [[Nothin's Gonna Stand in Our Way|song]] that appeared in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''.
* While working to reactivate the Autobots, Wheeljack proclaims "all we need is a little energon, and a lotta luck", which [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] famously proclaimed in ''The Movie''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s opening scene. On page sixteen, Prime and Megatron do the "one shall stand, one shall fall" routine from the film's first-act throwdown, and Megatron continues the homage by pointing out that Prime "throw[s] his life away so recklessly".
* In a bit of non-movie reference, Optimus Prime and Megatron use their [[energon-axe]] and [[Energon mace|mace]], respectively, in reference their [[Sherman Dam]] confrontation in "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 2]]". Just like in that episode, Optimus Prime taunts Megatron by calling him "yesterday's model [...] ready for the scrap heap."

===Terminator references===
* The Terminator describes himself as a "Cyberdyne Systems Model 101 T-800" unit; [[wikia:terminator:Kyle Reese|Kyle Reese]] first described the antagonistic Terminator from {{w|The Terminator|original ''Terminator'' film}} as such, and this Terminator model went on to appear in {{w|Terminator 2: Judgement Day|the first sequel}} and many other spinoffs and adaptations.
* While contemplating her future with Bumblebee, Sarah notes that she "[doesn't] want [her] life defined by escaping death at the hands of evil robots"... unfortunately, as the closest thing to a recurring protagonist in the ''Terminator'' franchise, this is, of course, what Sarah's life largely devolves into across multiple works of ''Terminator'' fiction.
* In what's either a running gag or some kind of foreshadowing, the phrase "[[wikia:terminator:Judgement Day|Judgement Day]]" shows up again, this time on the emergency newsflash Bumblebee picks up on his radio.
* After killing Refraktor, the Terminator mimics Velocity by flashing a thumbs-up, which might be a reference to the T-800's famous "self-termination" scene in ''Judgement Day''.

===Errors===
* On the last panel on page seven, "impertinence" is misspelled as "impertenence".
* On page eleven, Skywarp's line—"'''head's up!'''" contains an unnecessary apostrophe.

===Other trivia===
* Originally solicited for May, this comic was deliberately pushed back to July due to IDW Publishing temporarily suspending operations, then slipped to late August.
* Backmatter for this issue includes [[Alex Milne]]'s concept art for Velocity and Arcee: although Arcee ''did'' make a brief cameo in [[Enemy of My Enemy Part Two|the previous issue]] sporting her traditional design and proportions, this issue gives her a beefy new Earth mode based on a 1983 {{w|Ford Mustang|Ford Mustang}}.

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A''': Sarah and the Terminator ride on the Terminator’s motorcycle from the first ''Terminator'' film alongside Optimus and Bumblebee, by [[Gavin Fullerton]]
* '''Cover B''': Optimus, Megatron, and the Terminator, by [[Andrew Griffith]]
* '''Retailer incentive cover''': Megatron and an army of Terminators, by [[Freddie E. Williams]] and [[Jeremy Colwell]]

<gallery>
File:TFTerminator 3 cvrA.jpg
File:TFTerminator 3 cvrB.jpg
File:TFTerminator 3 cvrRI.jpg
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* ''The Last Ronin''
* Joe Hill novels
* IDW digital comics

==External links==
[https://graphicpolicy.com/2020/08/18/preview-transformers-vs-terminator-3-of-4/ Preview]

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

Gauging the Truth, Part Two: A Truth for a Truth

2020-08-15T13:24:21Z

Silver: /* Real-life references */

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Transformers: Galaxies]]'' #8
|prev=Gauging the Truth: Part One
|next=Gauging the Truth: Part Three
|caption=''Who do you serve, and who do you trust?''
|image=TFGalaxies 8 cvrRI.jpg
|title="Gauging the Truth, Part Two: A Truth For a Truth"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[August 12]], 2020
|coverdate=August 2020
|written by=[[Sam Maggs]]
|art by=[[Beth McGuire-Smith]] (pages 1-3, 8-20) [[Umi Miyao]] (pages 4-7)
|colors by=[[Josh Burcham]]
|letters by=[[Jake M. Wood]]
|editor=[[David Mariotte]], [[Tom Waltz]], and [[Riley Farmer]]
|continuity=[[2019 IDW continuity]]
|chronology=
}}

'''Caught between the life she thought she knew and the Transformers who claim to be her mentors, Gauge must decide—is she a Reversionist, or a Cybertronian?'''

==Synopsis==
In the depths of the starship ''[[Exodus (G1 ship)|Exodus]]'', [[Gauge]] can't believe what she's seeing: although she's never met the two 'bots imprisoned in the ship's brig, [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] and [[Greenlight]] claim to know ''her''! Arcee quickly recognizes the symptoms of a memory wipe and proffers a [[cortical psychic patch|psychic patch]], but Gauge remains skeptical and demands to know why they led her here. According to Arcee, the Reversionists have altered Gauge's memory: Gauge, remembering all the times when she didn't fit in with her fellow Reversionists, wonders what else she has to lose and promptly plugs herself into the mental network. In a flash, Gauge finds herself in the city of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], watching her own forging ceremony at the [[Pyramid (Cybertron)|Pyramid]] and her original introduction to Arcee and Greenlight. With help from her mentors, Gauge slowly begins to navigate her buried memories, soon remembers what happened to her family after the collapse of the [[Tether]] and their narrow escape aboard the ''Exodus''. But the Reversionists aboard were planning something that they didn't want heretical stowaways like Arcee and her family to know about; after first imprisoning Gauge's guardians, Accelerator tampered with Gauge's memories to ensure that the young Cybertronian would believe she had ''always'' been a devout Reversionist...

Overtaken by emotion, Gauge rips off the psychic patch and returns to reality, convinced that Arcee's telling the truth—Gauge really ''is'' a native Cybertronian, ''not'' a Reversionist. However, Gauge isn't sure that she can free the pair; she suspects that the command to deactivate their energy cage is probably hardcoded to the ship's central mainframe... which also happens to occupy Plenary [[Heretech]]'s private quarters. Greenlight warns Gauge to hurry; whatever the Reversionists are planning, they're going to execute it soon, and Gauge is the only one who can stop them. Determined to free her mentors, Gauge returns to the upper decks of the ''Exodus'', and ignores Accelerator's scolding as she settles back into the normal routine. But Gauge can't ignore the question percolating in the back of her mind: forged Cybertronian but raised Reversionist, which is the ''real'' Gauge—the previous self that now only exists in memories, or her current self, the product of lies and manipulation?

Gauge tries to smooth-talk Accelerator into letting her clean Heretech's private chamber under the pretense of atonement for her disappearance, but to no avail; as the day wears on, Gauge cycles through the traditional routines of mindless labor and mass devotions... and, as time runs out, Gauge begins to wonder—what if Arcee and Greenlight are using her, just like the Reversionists? Finally, at the last devotion, Heretech makes a grandiose speech to his followers to announce that the "time of prophecy" is nearly upon them: if they perform their duties correctly, then tonight the faithful will "ascend". Whatever Heretech's been planning, his endgame is fast approaching... and Gauge is completely out of time. With no way to fabricate a convincing cover story, Gauge just breaks into Heretech's chambers while the crowd is distracted, but when she comes face-to-face with the mainframe itself, she hesitates. Gauge is tired of being used and pushed around; she wants to find out the truth—''her'' truth, and does so by directly interfacing with the mainframe. The moment costs her dearly, though; when Accelerator finds her, she immediately calls for the guards!

With security bearing down on her, Gauge races back through the underbelly of the ship and reunites with a newly-freed Arcee and Greenlight as they tear into the guards sent to contain them. The family reunites, but Gauge admits that she nearly ''didn't'' free her mentors, unsure if they were also manipulating her for her own purposes... when she realized that they never ''told'' her to do anything, and left the choice to help up to her and her alone, Gauge had a change of heart. But this tender moment is cut short when the ship's speakers activate to broadcast Heretech's grand announcement. At long last, he declares, their ultimate dream is at hand: Primus has promised them a world of their own, a promised land free from the squabbles of lesser factions. Now that they have arrived, the faithful Reversionists will cleanse the planet and, by morning, transform it into a paradise. When Arcee, Greenlight and Gauge scramble to the nearest porthole, they are horrified by the metallic vista below them—Heretech's "prophesied planet" is ''[[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]''!

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks. 
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* ''[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Orion Pax]]'' (7)

|h4=[[Reversionist]]s|c4=
* [[Accelerator]] (8)
* [[Heretech]] (9)
* [[Hauler]]? (10)

|h5=Others|c5=
* [[Gauge]] (1)
* [[Greenlight]] (2)
* [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (3)
* ''Tall green official'' (4)
* ''Tall yellow official'' (5)
* ''[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]]'' (6)
}}

==Quotes==
"To be entrusted with the care of a new Cybertronian... it's the '''highest''' honor. To be entrusted with '''you'''... we could never have asked for better."
:—'''Arcee''' to '''Gauge'''

"She's a '''genius'''. It's why I love her." 
"Just that-?" 
"Okay, '''one''' of the reasons." 
:—'''Arcee''' on '''Greenlight'''

"Just a few cycles ago, I would have been one-hundred percent convinced that breaking into the mainframe meant I would burn in the fires of a molten planetary core for eternity. Now I'm only about sixty percent certain."
:—'''Gauge'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* Arcee notes that Gauge was forged "demicycles" ago. According to ''[[Transformers (2019 comic)|Transformers]]'' author [[Brian Ruckley]], Transformers in this universe organize [[units of time]] into "cycles", (one day) "kilocycles", (one year) and "megacycles" (one thousand kilocycles).<ref>[https://twitter.com/Brian_Ruckley/status/1134770533759950850 Brian Ruckley on Twitter]</ref> Given the context of the remark and the timeframe of the story, a demicycle might be something like a week?
* Gauge remembers her forging ceremony at the [[Pyramid (Cybertron)|Pyramid]], which [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] and [[Rubble]] attended in [[The World In Your Eyes Part Four|''Transformers'' #4]]. The flashback accurately depicts [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Orion Pax]], [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]], and two larger Cybertronians who officiated her ceremony, and the second half of the sequence features a brief retelling the events of [[Arcee/Greenlight: Run|''Transformers'' #18]], including the fall of the [[Tether]], the scene of Arcee clearing a path for the three during their escape from Cybertron, and Arcee only just managing to squeeze aboard the ''Exodus'' as it lifted off.

===Transformers references===
* Arcee uses a "[[Cortical psychic patch|psychic patch]]" on Gauge, a device that originally appeared in the ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' episode "[[Sick Mind]]" and made several other appearances throughout the show. More recently, however, the device played a major role in the first season of the ''[[Transformers: Cyberverse (cartoon)|Cyberverse]]'' cartoon as the mechanism by which [[Bumblebee (Cyberverse)|Bumblebee]] pieced together his scrambled memories, much like Gauge does here.
* One of the guards aboard the ''Exodus'' is drawn and colored to resemble [[Hauler]].

===Real-life references===
* The story's title is, of course, a reference to the ancient aphorism "{{w|Eye for an eye|an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth}}".
* In what's both a real-life reference ''and'' a continuity callback, Gauge's memories of boarding the ''Exodus'' include a pair of Cybertronians based on [[wikia:jojo:Crazy Diamond|Crazy Diamond]] and [[wikia:jojo:Rohan Kishibe|Rohan]] from ''{{w|JoJo's Bizarre Adventure}}'', both of whom previously appeared in ''Transformers'' #18 as extras in a crowd scene.

===Other trivia===
* Originally solicited for April 8, this comic slipped to May and was then deliberately pushed back to August as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A''': Gauge in crisis, by [[Umi Miyao]]
* '''Cover B''': Arcee, Greenlight, and Gauge aboard the ''Exodus'', by [[Winston Chan]]
* '''Retailer incentive cover''': Heretech's got an evil plan, by [[Beth McGuire-Smith]]

<gallery>
File:TFGalaxies 8 cvrA.jpg
File:TFGalaxies 8 cvrB.jpg
File:TFGalaxies 8 cvrRI.jpg
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* ''[[Transformers vs. The Terminator]]''
* ''Voyage to the Stars''
* IDW digital comics

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.comiccrusaders.com/preview-transformers-galaxies-8/ Preview]

[[Category:Galaxies issues]]

Arcee/Greenlight: Run

2020-08-15T13:23:47Z

Silver: /* Real-world references */

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Transformers (2019 comic)|Transformers]]'' #18
|prev=The Change In Your Nature Part Five
|next=Rise of the Decepticons: All Fall Down
|caption=
|image=TF2019 18 cvrA.jpg
|title="Arcee/Greenlight: Run"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[March 11]], 2020
|coverdate=February 2020
|written by=[[Brian Ruckley]]
|art by=[[Umi Miyao]] (pages 1-5, 10-13, 18) [[Beth McGuire-Smith]] (pages 6-9, 14-17, 19-20)
|colors by=[[Josh Burcham]]
|letters by=[[Jake M. Wood]]
|editor=[[David Mariotte]], [[Tom Waltz]] and [[Riley Farmer]]
|continuity=[[2019 IDW continuity]]
|chronology=
}}

'''In the face of unimaginable catastrophe, Arcee and Greenlight make a crucial decision... one that will define the future of the youngest Cybertronian.'''

==Synopsis==
Since her forging, [[Gauge]] has happily settled into life on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] with [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] and [[Greenlight]] and begun exploring all the different professions available to her. Today, Gauge is trying her hand at architectural design under [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]]'s supervision, and so engrossed in her work that she's completely oblivious to the terse conversation between Arcee and Greenlight just out of earshot. Worried about rising tensions and an increasingly uncertain future on the planet—and remembering what happened to [[Rubble]]—Greenlight wants to up stakes and leave the planet completely aboard an outbound [[Reversionist]] starship that'll be leaving soon... but Arcee wants to stick it out, arguing that their mentee is already beginning to find her own talents; uprooting her at this vulnerable stage might undo all of her progress.

When Greenlight asks why Gauge looks so upset at the end of her shift, Gauge reveals she overheard a conversation between two of her coworkers, suggesting that she's only alive because [[Brainstorm (G1)|Brainstorm]] died—a comment that immediately incenses Arcee. While Arcee stalks over to chew out the 'bot responsible for the remark, Greenlight tries to soothe hurt feelings: there ''is'' some truth to the remark, she admits, and Gauge concedes that she should keep the comment in mind for the future. Arcee reassures Gauge that she's sorted the problem, but Gauge's attention is distracted by the shadow of something huge, blotting out the light and looming over [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]'s skyline... a shape that Arcee immediately recognizes as the [[Tether]], severed from the [[Winged Moon]] and toppling onto Cybertron!

The massive space elevator levels block after block as it crashes into Iacon; Arcee grabs Gauge and the three take shelter in a nearby doorway to weather the first shock wave of dust and debris that buffets the city. As the dust settles, Arcee orders Greenlight to get Gauge to safety while she helps with the rescue effort, but Gauge refuses: ''she'' wants to help as well. With no other option, the three of them join in the ad-hoc operation to do what they can, as they help to shift rubble, dig out stranded 'bots, and tend to the wounded.

Amidst the chaos, however, Gauge's curiosity gets the better of her when a stray sound catches her attention; ignoring Arcee's warnings to be careful, she dashes off to the remains of an [[energon]] storage facility to investigate. Officer [[Strongarm (BWU)|Strongarm]] shouts for her to get down—but Gauge doesn't listen, and is promptly knocked off her feet by a blast of energy! Strongarm explains that a group of opportunistic looters have taken advantage of the chaos to steal some extra fuel for themselves, and although [[Bumper (G1)|Bumper]] assures Arcee and Greenlight that the perps are only packing nonlethal weapons, Arcee doesn't care: they shot Gauge, and Gauge's safety comes first.

Determined to make the criminals pay, Arcee singlehandedly storms the enemy position, jumps the [[Singe|first looter]], and quickly drops him... but not quickly enough, as he's able to shout a warning to his partner-in-crime [[Gutcruncher (G1)|Gutcruncher]], who shoots Arcee in the face while she's distracted! The pair trade shots before Gutcruncher can make his escape, throwing some empty energon cubes at his opponent and then bolting just before Strongarm and Bumper burst into the ruined facility. Bumper arrests the first looter, and Strongarm heads off in pursuit of Gutcruncher... but the experience has emphatically changed Arcee's mind: they're ''all'' leaving Cybertron with the Reversionists immediately.

With Gauge still unable to transform, Arcee carries her atop her own [[alternate mode]] as she and Greenlight race through the ravaged vistas of Iacon, outrunning more shock waves and swerving around collapsing buildings as the Tether continues its lethal fall. Their path takes them through the [[energon storage fields]], where [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] and [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] work to extinguish the flames that threaten to ignite the city's vast fuel reserves, but Red Alert's shouted warnings for them to get off the street go unheeded. Instead, the pair simply swerve around him and race directly into the danger zone, moments before the energon itself ignites and explodes!

Only just managing to clear a falling girder, the pair arrive at the takeoff site for the ''[[Exodus (G1 ship)|Exodus]]''... only to learn that they're far from the only Cybertronians to have had this idea: the ship is surrounded by frantic refugees trying to get aboard as the ship prepares for take-off, while security officers desperately try to keep the mob at bay. The three push their way through the crowds to the security perimeter, and although the officers immediately tell them to get back, that kind of thing has never stopped Arcee. Arcee promptly tackles the first security guard and is promptly rushed by the entire security staff. Though she's pinned down, electrocuted and stunned for her pains, she's ''also'' distracted the staff long enough for Greenlight and Gauge to slip through the cordon and race onto the ship's boarding ramp, where they're greeted by a Reversionist crewmember who informs them that they need to leave now before the [[Autobot]]s close down system space entirely—no time to wait for Arcee.

It's a somber moment as Greenlight watches the ramp slowly close, acknowledging Arcee's own sacrifice for her mentee... until a battered but still-functional Arcee squeezes through the narrowing gap and slides down the ramp into Greenlight's waiting arms! Greenlight confesses that she could never have left Cybertron without Arcee by her side, and as the ship lifts off the three of them gratefully embrace. No matter what happens to them as they begin this new life, they'll face it as they've faced everything... together.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=

|c2=

|h4=Cybertronians|c4=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
* [[Gauge]] (1)
* [[Lug (IDW)|Lug]] (2)
* [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]] (3)
* [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (4)
* [[Greenlight]] (5)
* [[Strongarm (BWU)|Strongarm]] (6)
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
* [[Bumper (G1)|Bumper]] (8)
* [[Singe]] (9)
* [[Gutcruncher (G1)|Gutcruncher]] (10)
* [[Fixit (G1)|Fixit]] (11)
* [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] (12)
* [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] (13)
{{!}}}
}}

==Quotes==
"My first deployment! Isn't it incredible?" 
"Well, my first deployment was that immersant Titan, and if you'd been '''there''', you'd not call getting shot at 'incredible,' Bumper."
:—'''Bumper''' and '''Strongarm'''

"I don't think we can '''make''' it!" 
"This would be so much easier if I'd tried a few alternate modes before."
:—'''Greenlight''' and '''Gauge'''

"Warms my inners whenever I see yer authority so '''thoroughly''' respected, Red Alert. Really does. Warms them '''right up'''."
:—'''Inferno'''

"We get to start our new life together. Just the '''three''' of us."
:—'''Arcee''' probably speaks too soon...

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* We last saw Gauge almost a year ago, when [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] and [[Rubble]] watched her forging ceremony in [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] back in [[The World In Your Eyes Part Four|issue #4]]. As she points out here, Bumblebee believed that her forging was a political move, one that aimed to distract Cybertron's attention from the then-recent murder of [[Brainstorm (G1)|Brainstorm]].
* In addition to following up on the events of the [[The Change In Your Nature Part Five|previous issue]] from a different perspective, this comic also serves as a prequel to the [[Gauging the Truth: Part One|third arc]] of ''[[Transformers: Galaxies]]'', which will focus on Gauge and her adopted family after their escape from Cybertron. Gauge will ''also'' be appearing in the upcoming ''[[My Little Pony/Transformers]]'' crossover miniseries, so it seems like somebody has high hopes for the character...
* Much like the previous two interstitial issues, this comic features an excerpt from a work of Cybertronian literature. The passage, "How to be a Good Mentor" by head archivist [[Proxima (G1)|Proxima]], reveals some more details about the mentoring process, noting that prospective mentors need the approval of both a "nominator" and an "assessment council" to care for a newly born Cybertronian. The document describes that the process of mentoring a new [[Titan (group)|Titan]] is very different from caring for a normal Transformer, although it does note that the [[Well of All Sparks]] has not produced a "Titanspark" for millennia.
* Greenlight alludes to "what happened to [[Rubble]]"; she saw Rubble's dead body in [[The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part One|issue #7]] as part of a police investigation regarding his murder.
* In her conversation with Arcee, Greenlight refers to the destruction of the [[Iacon Memorial Crater]], which occurred in [[The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Three|issue #9]], and the decapitation of an immersant Titan, which we saw in [[The Change In Your Nature Part Two|issue #14]].
* The ship that Greenlight has found is (presumably) owned by [[Heretech]]; leader of Cybertron's [[Reversionist]] faction, he had previously announced his intentions to abandon Cybertron with his devout followers in [[The Change In Your Nature Part Four|issue #16]]. In the interim, he's either built or obtained a massive starship shaped like the [[Matrix of Leadership]], although the actual talisman has yet to appear in this particular universe.
* [[Strongarm (BWU)|Strongarm]] was last seen in issue #14 as one of the many officers called into deal with [[Ruckus (G1)|Ruckus]]'s group of [[The Rise|Risers]]; this issue confirms that it was her first deployment.
* Like several other characters in the series, Arcee is revealed to be a veteran of the [[War of the Threefold Spark]], and was apparently responsible for assassinating one of [[Exarchon]]'s many iterations during the conflict.
* Rubble visited Iacon's [[energon storage field]]s in [[The World In Your Eyes Part Five|issue #5]]. [[Orion Pax: Free Fall|Issue #6]] noted that these energon reserves would always need to be kept up above a certain level to supply Cybertron in case of emergency... so the destruction of at least ''two'' such facilities probably doesn't bode well for anybody.

===Transformers references===
* As a reminder, Arcee in this continuity uses [[:File:Synergy-Coralus-Arcee.jpg|her design]] that debuted in [[An Arcee Sort of Day|a ''Synergy'' anthology strip]], recognizable by the square on the sternum and twin hexagons inset on the front of her backpack. Appropriately, this interpretation was created by none other than Umi Miyao, one of the line-artists of this issue.
* Umi Miyao gives [[Lug (IDW)|Lug]], a supporting character from ''[[The Transformers: Lost Light|Lost Light]]'', a cameo as an architect under Grapple's supervision.<ref>[https://twitter.com/Brian_Ruckley/status/1240313774118244352 Brian Ruckley on Twitter, 18 March 2020]</ref>
* Our first real glimpse of Arcee's characterization reveals that she hews fairly closely to [[Arcee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|her counterpart from the 2005 IDW continuity]]; much like her, this iteration of Arcee is established to be a fierce warrior and a veteran of a prior war, with a volatile temper and preference for up-close physical combat.
* Inferno is drawn in a somewhat-Cybertronized version of his [[Power of the Primes (toyline)|''Power of the Primes'']] Voyager Class [[Inferno (G1)/toys#Generations|toy]].
* [[Bumper (G1)|Bumper]] returns to fiction since his last appearance almost thirteen years ago in the pages of ''[[The Transformers: Megatron Origin|Megatron: Origin]]''. He's working as a member of Security Operations here, just as his original IDW and [[Bumper (WFC)|"Aligned"]] counterparts served Cybertron's law enforcement divisions.
* One of the robots in the crowd on page eighteen sports [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]]'s head from ''More than Meets the Eye''.
* On page 19, the crewmember who greets Greenlight and Gauge is wearing a Matrix of Leadership necklace like [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] did with the real Matrix in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''.

===Real-world references===
* Among the many Cybertronian refugees trying to board the ''Exodus'' on page 18 are a pair of robots based off [[wikia:jojo:Crazy Diamond|Crazy Diamond]] and [[wikia:jojo:Rohan Kishibe|Rohan]] from ''{{w|JoJo's Bizarre Adventure}}''.

===Errors===
* On page nineteen, the "the" in "The ''Exodus''" is erroneously italicized (unless the starship is called "the ''The Exodus''"... but, uh, we doubt that).

===Other notes===
* Originally solicited for mid-February, this issue arrives three weeks late and lands in the second week of March instead. Unfortunately, this delay also meant that future ''Galaxies'' solicits would spoil the ending of this comic by revealing that Gauge and her family successfully escaped Cybertron.

===Covers (5)===
* '''Cover A''': Greenlight and Gauge reach for Arcee, by [[Umi Miyao]]
* '''Cover B''': Gauge and the Winged Moon, by [[Beth McGuire-Smith|Bethany McGuire-Smith]]
* '''Retailer incentive cover''': Arcee and Greenlight amidst the ruins, by [[Kei Zama]]
* '''Convention exclusive cover A''': Megatron stands triumphant, by [[Livio Ramondelli]], produced for [https://www.sdrocketcon.com/ San Diego Rocket-Con 2020]
* '''Convention exclusive cover B''': [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] and friends cosplay as ''[[My Little Pony]]'' characters, by [[Priscilla Tramontano]], produced for the cancelled WonderCon 2020

<gallery>
File:TF2019 18 cvrA.jpg
File:TF2019 18 cvrB.jpg
File:TF2019 18 cvrRI.jpg
File:TF2019 18 cvrRE A.jpg
File:TF2019 18 cvrRE B.jpg
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* ''[[Transformers: Galaxies]]'' [[Wannabee, Part 1|#5]]
* ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer'' and ''Angel''
* ''Locke & Key''

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://majorspoilers.com/2020/03/10/preview-transformers-18/ Preview]

[[Category:Transformers (2019) issues]]

Rise of the Decepticons: Swindle's

2020-06-21T20:22:14Z

Silver: /* Transformers references */ typo

{{disambig3|Swindle}}
{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Transformers (2019 comic)|Transformers]]'' #20
|prev=Rise of the Decepticons: All Fall Down
|next=Rise of the Decepticons: Tremors
|caption=
|image=TF2019 20 cvrA.jpg
|title="Rise of the Decepticons: Swindle's"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[June 17]], 2020
|coverdate=April 2020
|written by=[[Brian Ruckley]]
|art by=[[Anna Malkova]]
|colors by=[[Joana Lafuente]]
|letters by=[[Jake M. Wood]]
|editor=[[David Mariotte]], [[Tom Waltz]] and [[Riley Farmer]]
|continuity=[[2019 IDW continuity]]
|chronology=
}}

'''The search for The Rise leads the 'bots of Security Operations into Iacon's criminal underbelly, but who's hunting who amidst Swindle's hive of scum and villainy?'''

==Synopsis==
In his quarters, a dejected [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] tunes into [[Andromeda (G1)|Andromeda]]'s latest news broadcast: since the fall of the [[Tether]], [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]] has denounced the [[Decepticon|Ascenticon]]s and put out a bounty on several key members of [[The Rise]] accused of involvement in the recent attacks, but the Ascenticons are now openly questioning the effectiveness of [[Security Operations]] against The Rise and the failure of the [[Autobot]]s to effectively govern. Not even the arrival of Prowl's old colleague [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] shakes him out of his funk; as tensions heighten and civil unrest sweeps [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Prowl admits that his inability to prevent the crisis has made him feel like a failure. Nightbeat tries to cheer up his friend by telling him that they might still have a chance to turn things around—there's someone in custody that Prowl might like to speak with...

Elsewhere, in [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]'s [[Xeno-Quarter]], [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] assesses the damage to the city's [[A'ovan habitat]]. [[A'ovan]] representative [[Pra'tyne]] reports that they may have lost a tenth of the arcology's native species during the Tether's destruction. Hound finds his somber condolences cut off when [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] bounds onto the scene to demand a place in Hound's new counterterrorism unit. Already turned down by [[Firestar (G1)|Novastar]], Sideswipe's crestfallen when Hound tactfully explains that he lacks the experience and discipline Hound requires from his troops, and warns him not to push himself into being something he's not ready to be. As Hound walks off, Sideswipe grumbles that he ''does'' want to be something: something ''useful''.

[[Strongarm (BW)|Strongarm]] and [[Bumper (G1)|Bumper]] watch as Nightbeat introduces Prowl to [[Singe]], arrested for stealing energon during the Tether's collapse. Prowl's angry and straightforward tactics toe the line of what's acceptable, but Nightbeat assures a concerned Strongarm that Prowl knows what he's doing. Indeed, the interrogation proves fruitful; as Bumper and Strongarm gear up for their next major operation, Strongarm worries for her safety and the increasingly fraught political situation on Cybertron. With Security Operations overstretched so, hundreds of Ascenticons have formed a blockade around [[Ascenticon Headquarter]]s to keep out [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]]'s officers; thousands of protesters have convened outside of the [[Senate]], [[Lodestar (Titan)|Lodestar]] remains injured and unable to fly, the [[Winged Moon]]'s orbital trajectory has sent it spinning towards Cybertron's sun, and fighting between Autobot and Ascenticon supporters threatens to consume the [[Tagan Heights]]. But, as Sideswipe pulls up to join the team on their raid, Prowl encourages Strongarm to keep faith: thanks to Singe's tipoff, Security Operations might finally get the chance to get on the trail of The Rise to hit them ''before'' they strike... and that trail starts at [[Swindle's]], whose shady proprietors employed Singe as part of an energon fencing operation, and who might have willingly supplied Rise members with stolen energon. Prowl lays out the plan: the inconspicuous Bumper will infiltrate the clientele, Sideswipe will take watch on the roof, while he, Strongarm, and Nightbeat will stay in reserve until needed—overriding Sideswipe's moaning and Bumper's concerns, Prowl tells the two to get into position.

Inside Swindle's, Cybertronians mingle, enjoy contraband energon, and place extravagant bets on the rowdy [[skitter]] races. [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] officiates the latest such race from his skybox, [[Headlock (G1)|Headlock]] runs numbers, and [[Trickdiamond]] works the crowd, but their new business partner [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] and his compatriot [[Whisper (G1)|Visper]] have little patience for their black-market sleaze—they're just here for the stolen energon Swindle promised. Unfortunately for them, Swindle explains that he doesn't ''have'' the goods, not after Singe's arrest partway into the heist. Correctly deducing that the police must be onto him, Mindwipe promptly lays into Swindle for foolishly inviting him here despite the danger, and his suspicions are vindicated when he spies Bumper in the crowd below, intently watching Visper's every move. On his private comms channel, Bumper reports his findings back to Prowl—when he mentions that Visper's winged compatriot might be on to him, Prowl immediately recognizes Bumper's description of the suspect and warns him to keep his distance; Mindwipe's ability to emit data-loaded light pulses makes him an extremely dangerous foe. Bumper asks for more information, before a quiet voice from over his shoulder cuts him off: Mindwipe has taken advantage of his distraction to ambush him from behind!

Nightbeat, Prowl, and Strongarm promptly kick down the door, and, as the other patrons panic, Visper transforms and nails Nightbeat in the chest with his [[alternate mode]] while Mindwipe takes advantage of the sudden chaos to first order a hypnotized Bumper to kill Prowl, then call in [[Storm Cloud (G1)|Storm Cloud]] to scramble all nearby communications. Storm Cloud does so, then dives straight through the building's roof—but Sideswipe promptly leaps after Storm Cloud and stuns the Riser with a single jab of his [[thermal lance]]. Swindle, [[Gutcruncher (G1)|Gutcruncher]], and Trickdiamond feign innocence as Prowl and Strongarm struggle to pin down the brainwashed Bumper; Visper takes advantage of the distraction to escape, followed by Mindwipe. As the pair soar away, Mindwipe puts through a call to [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], cutting through his superior's furious bluster to warn him that Storm Cloud's capture might further compromise the Rise. With the situation now mostly under control, Prowl instructs Strongarm to keep Bumper pinned down until the hypnosis wears off, then storms off to confront Swindle. Brushing aside Swindle's fake outrage, Prowl warns him that, with a confirmed Riser now in police custody, Swindle's going away for a long time: Prowl ''will'' convince Storm Cloud to tell him everything he knows... and he's certain that the info will include the fact that Swindle's cut a deal with the terrorists.

At Rise headquarters, [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]] unlocks a secure room, and informs [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] and [[Quake (G1)|Quake]] that they're getting ready to scuttle their current base in anticipation of another security crackdown. With all of Cybertron out for their blood, Sixshot reminds them they'd ''better'' not give him any trouble during the move...

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]] (16)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Orion Pax]] (18)

|h2=[[Decepticon|Ascenticon]]s|c2=
* [[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]] (11)
* [[Flywheels|Skytread]] (12)
* [[Runabout (G1)|Runabout]] (12)
* [[Whisper (G1)|Visper]] (45)
* [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] (46)
* [[Storm Cloud (G1)|Storm Cloud]] (47)
* [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]] (48)
* [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] (49)
* [[Quake (G1)|Quake]] (50)

|h4=Cybertronians|c4=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
* [[Andromeda (G1)|Andromeda]] (1)
* [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] (3)
* [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] (4)
* [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (5)
* [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (7)
* [[Bumper (G1)|Bumper]] (8)
* [[Strongarm (BW)|Strongarm]] (9)
* [[Singe]] (12)
* [[Pointblank]] (13)
* [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]] (14)
* [[Vibes]] (15)
* [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] (17)
* [[Lightbright (G1)|Lightbright]] (19)
* [[Lodestar (Titan)|Lodestar]] (20)
* [[NAIL#Beige two-headed NAIL|"Two-headed NAIL"]] (21)
* [[Vanquish (G1)|Vanquish]] (22)
* [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] (23)
* [[Hubcap (G1)|Hubcap]] (24)
*"[[Starscream (MW)|''Machine Wars'' Starscream]]" (25)

{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}

* [[Megaplex]] (26)
* [[Photon (G1)|Photon]] (27)
* [[Anode]] (28)
* [[Nucleon (Generations)|Nucleon]] (29)
* [[Headlock (G1)|Headlock]] (30)
* [[Gutcruncher (G1)|Gutcruncher]] (31)
* [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (32)
* [[Trickdiamond]] (33)
* [[Tentakil (G1)|Tentakil]] (34)
* [[Nautilator]] (35)
* [[Trip-Up]] (36)
* [[Big Daddy (G1)|Big Daddy]] (37)
* [[Hubs]] (38)
* [[Riptide (G1)|Riptide]] (39)
* [[Misfire (G1)|Misfire]] (40)
* [[Sledge (G1)|Sledge]] (41)
* [[Pipes (G1)|Pipes]] (42)
* [[Sharpclaw]] (43)
* [[Twirl (G1)|Twirl]] (44)
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
{{!}}}

|h5=Others|c5=
* [[Green]] (2)
* [[Pra'tyne]] (6)
}}

==Quotes==
"I used to start every cycle wondering what I didn't know. Thinking about how I could find out. Now, I start each cycle wondering what I haven't done. And who'll '''die''' because of it."
:—'''Prowl'''

"I'm just saying, I've had two deployments since I graduated and on '''both''' of them I wound up getting shot at. '''I'm cursed, Bumper.'''" 
"Nah. Streetwise gave you a '''commendation''', didn't he? Primus just knows you can '''take''' getting shot at." 
"And how would that be different from a curse?"
:—'''Strongarm''' and '''Bumper'''

"Oh, no." 
"What's the problem?" 
"Sideswipe's here. I'm '''definitely''' going to get shot at again." 
:—'''Strongarm''' and '''Bumper'''

"That's against the natural order of things, Headlock. In a time of crisis, everyone should be looking for a '''escape'''. Trickdiamond, throw out some '''bargains'''. Gotta stamp on caution's shameful, unprofitable face whenever it shows itself."
:—'''Swindle'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* The Decepticons are rising! [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]] has followed through on his threat to denounce the Ascenticons as liars—"''Decept''icons"—a threat he made in the [[Rise of the Decepticons: All Fall Down|previous issue]]. In [[The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Four|#10]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Orion Pax]] had previously encouraged the Senate to rebrand [[The Rise]] with a new name, although all he only got as far as "Dece-" before he got cut off.
* After more than a year, Prowl's pet returns; last seen in [[The World In Your Eyes Part Five|issue #5]], this issue dubs her "[[Green]]" and notes that Prowl purchased her egg from a [[Voin]] trader. Prowl explains that her species, the [[flyt]]s, attach their egg strands to [[Leviathan (G1)|Leviathan]]; this is consistent with Leviathan's appearance in [[The World In Your Eyes Part Three|issue #3]], which saw the massive crawler surrounded by a flock of flyts as she trundled along.
* [[Rubble]] briefly passed by the [[A'ovan habitat]] in issue #5, while [[The World In Your Eyes Part Two|issue #2]] had [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] mention that the [[skitter]]s who appear here at an illegal (but also very cute!) gambling racetrack stowed away in [[A'ovan]] refugee ships and subsequently turned invasive after arriving on the planet.
* [[Singe]] last appeared in [[Arcee/Greenlight: Run|issue #18]], where he and [[Gutcruncher (G1)|Gutcruncher]] raided an energon storage yard; while Gutcruncher escaped, Singe got the snot knocked out of him after he shot at [[Gauge]] and attracted [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]]'s unwanted attention, leading to his arrest. ''This'' issue reveals that the pair weren't just randomly looting: they were deliberately trying to procure extra energon for [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]]'s under-the-table operations.
* Strongarm mentions that she's seen action twice since joining Security Operations; her first mission took place in [[The Change In Your Nature Part Two|issue #15]], where she helped provide covering fire during a standoff in the [[Cybertronian Mountains]], and her second adventure occurred in issue #18, where she helped bring in Singe after Arcee took him down.
* Strongarm mentions receiving a commendation from [[Streetwise (G1)|Streetwise]]; he received a previous namedrop in the last issue, which established that he ran one of Cybertron's police academies.
* Following her battle with [[Vigilem]] in [[The Change In Your Nature Part Five|issue #17]], [[Lodestar (Titan)|Lodestar]] remains wounded. Orion Pax tells [[Lightbright (G1)|Lightbright]] to prepare her Titan for a weaponized refit to pursue Vigilem, whom [[Skystalker (G1)|Skystalker]] observed had gone missing in the last issue.
* Sideswipe previously wielded his [[thermal lance]] in [[The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Three|issue #9]].
* [[Headlock (G1)|Headlock]]'s last chronological appearance was also in issue #9; however, it's not clear if he's ''always'' worked for Swindle or if this is a more recent job he's taken on since Prowl busted him. Either way, when Sideswipe takes down Storm Cloud, Headlock is shown to have already made his escape through a nearby door... presumably so that he doesn't repeat his encounter with Cybertronian law enforcement.
* Ever since his infamous run-in with [[Rubble]] in issue #5, [[Quake (G1)|Quake]]'s absence has proven conspicuous; confirming what prior issues implied, this issue reveals that he's under the clandestine protection of The Rise along with [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]], the 'bot suspected of killing [[Brainstorm (G1)|Brainstorm]] just before the events of [[The World In Your Eyes Part One|issue #1]].
* An old poster in Frenzy's room reads "IACON ARENA: [[Apeface|APEFACE]] vs. [[Lugnut (TF 2010)|LUGNUT]]." The ''[[Transformers Valentine's Day Special]]'' one-shot touched upon Apeface's former [[gladiatorial combat|gladiator]] career, while [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] remembered a bout with Lugnut during a flashback in [[The Change In Your Nature Part Three|issue #16]].

===Transformers references===
* Prowl watches a news broadcast that features [[Andromeda (G1)|Andromeda]]; although her [[Andromeda (TransTech)|original incarnation]] hailed from the multiversal city of [[Axiom Nexus]], subsequent ''[[Transformers: Wings Universe|Wings Universe]]'' tales eventually established the existence of a nigh-identical "[[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]]" version of the character. Continuing this unexpected [[Fun Publications]] homage, Andromeda specifically describes [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] and the other members of The Rise as "Cybertron's most wanted," in what's assuredly a reference to the [[Cybertron's Most Wanted|2015 BotCon comic of the same name]] (a comic in which, coincidentally, ''TransTech'' Andromeda appeared).
* Obscure female Autobot [[Vibes]], who last appeared in [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]]'s ''[[Transformers: The War Within|The War Within]]'' miniseries, makes a cameo in this issue as a Security Operations member alongside [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]] and [[Pointblank]] during a standoff with the [[Ascenticon Guard]].
* Features of Cybertron alluded to in this issue include the [[Tagan Heights]], which played a major role in the ''[[Transformers: War Within: The Dark Ages|The Dark Ages]]'', and the [[Rust Sea]].
* The riot at the Tagan Heights include a pair of dragon-ish Transformers who appear to be based on [[Doublecross]] and [[Grotusque]]. What's not clear is if they're actually meant to ''be'' these characters, as "Doublecross" is green and "Grotusque" is blue. Another robot in the same scene, meanwhile, sports [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]'s head, but isn't immediately recognizable as a pre-existing character.
* The splash panel on page ten features a ''huge'' variety of Transformers watching the skitter race. ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' original characters [[Anode]], [[Photon (G1)|Photon]], and [[Riptide (G1)|Riptide]] appear, and other prominent characters from the [[2005 IDW continuity|prior IDW universe]] include [[Misfire (G1)|Misfire]], [[Pipes (G1)|Pipes]]—drawn specifically to resemble [[Nick Roche]]'s concept art for the character as he appeared in ''More than Meets the Eye''—[[Hubcap (G1)|Hubcap]], based on his appearance in the ''[[The Transformers: Sins of the Wreckers|Sins of the Wreckers]]'' miniseries, [[Vanquish (G1)|Vanquish]], who featured in ''[[The Transformers: Till All Are One|Till All Are One]]'', and a [[NAIL#Beige two-headed NAIL|two-headed Transformer]] who cameoed in the earliest issues of ''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|Robots in Disguise]]''. Other faces in the crowd include [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]], the [[Seacon (G1)|Seacon]]s [[Tentakil (G1)|Tentakil]] and [[Nautilator]], a mini-Megatron lookalike that's undoubtedly ''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' character [[Nucleon (Generations)|Nucleon]], [[Megaplex]], who is modeled upon [[Starscream (Armada)|''Armada'' Starscream]]'s [[Starscream (Armada)/toys#Energon|''Energon'' toy]] based on a [https://i.pinimg.com/originals/be/7f/e6/be7fe653043cad56e7b4d7271c7ec271.jpg digital mockup], and the [[Micromaster]]s [[Big Daddy (G1)|Big Daddy]], [[Trip-Up]], [[Hubs]], [[Sledge (G1)|Sledge]], and [[Twirl (G1)|Twirl]] (phew!) Finally, the red dog-faced bot sitting next to Sledge on the bottom right is [[Sharpclaw]], an original ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]'' character created by the daughter of prominent ''Transformers'' artist and writer [[Nick Roche]].<ref>[https://twitter.com/NickRoche/status/1113496674540953600 Nick Roche on Twitter, 3 April 2019]</ref>
* Non-specific characters in the crowd includes a character based [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]'s [[Starscream (G1)/toys#Machine Wars|''Machine Wars'' body]]; below them is an off-white Transformer who appears to sport [[Quark]]'s head. Another face in the crowd on page thirteen resembles [[Rung (G1)|Rung]], although he shares [[Toxitron (Universe)|Toxitron]]'s lime and purple paint job.
* [[Trickdiamond]] debuted in the ''[[Transformers Unite Warriors|Unite Warriors]]'' manga as part of [[Megaempress]]'s [[4 Guards]]. Although her [[bio]] noted that she possessed a connection to Swindle, this never really played a role in any of her adventures in the ''[[Transformers Unite Warriors|Unite Warriors]]'' or ''[[Transformers Legends (comic)|Legends]]'' comics, but her appearance here takes direct inspiration from her original profile and reimagines her as one of Swindle's business partners.
* Trickdiamond hawks double measures of [[engex]], an intoxicating beverage that appeared throughout the [[2005 IDW continuity]], [[K-Juice]], [[Roller (IDW)|Roller]]'s drink of choice in ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'', and illicit "multiworld simulations," a reference to [[Multi-World|the computer game]] that appeared in [[Afterdeath!|issue #26]] of the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|US Marvel comic]].
* Mindwipe sardonically notes that Swindle probably pushes [[Nucleon (substance)|nucleon]], which in addition to its more famous [[Action Master]]-creating properties, has been used as a narcotic in various ''Transformers'' stories such as ''[[Beast Wars: Uprising]]'', and [[syk]], an illegal circuit booster that debuted in Marvel UK's [[Earthforce]] stories.
* When Storm Cloud lands in front of Swindle and Trickdiamond, "[[Vortex_(G1)|Vortex]] Rulez" is scrawled on the wall behind him.

===Real-life references===
* One of the protest signs at the Senate reads "No Justice, No Rule," a variant on the "{{w|No justice, no peace}}" slogan often used during anti-racism protests.

===Errors===
* The credits page for this issue accidentally misspells artist [[Anna Malkova]]'s name as "Asnna Malkova."
* Issue #18 depicted Singe as all-black in keeping with his [[Singe#War for Cybertron: Siege|''Siege'' toy]]; ''this'' issue, however, colors him to resemble his [[Singe#The Transformers|original 1988 figure]], with white forearms and blue thighs. However, this issue ''also'' takes the liberty of depicting him with a white helmet and blue crest, a trait that none of his toys possess.
* On page 8, Prowl's line "Bumper take a look" is missing a comma.

===Other notes===
* Originally solicited for April 1st, this issue was deliberately pushed back to mid-June as part of [[IDW Publishing]]'s response to the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. Unfortunately, however, this meant that the comic ''also'' landed smack-dab in the middle of the historic {{w|George Floyd protests|George Floyd protests}}, an event that has led to many real-world institutions taking a frank look at issues of police brutality and race. While ''Transformers'' is no stranger to [[The Transformers: Autocracy|morally-questionable depictions of the police]], some of the imagery in this comic—which include Prowl implicitly abusing the limits of his power by roughing up a suspect in police custody, a later panel that depicts him pointing a gun at a prone, handcuffed Storm Cloud, and a sign at the Senate protests that reads "no justice, no rule"—provoked backlash due to the comic's (unintentional, but admittedly poor) timing. [[Brian Ruckley]] later apologized on Twitter; although he clarified that the issue had been finalized months in advance and that he did not intend his story to parallel real-world issues, he understood the criticism and promised to take it into account when writing. <ref>[https://twitter.com/brian_ruckley/status/1273536889237143552 Brian Ruckley on Twitter, 18 June 2020]</ref> Malkova apologized for including the sign, which was not a part of Ruckley's script. <ref>[https://twitter.com/anna__malkova/status/1273604045626839040 Anna Malkova on Twitter, 18 June 2020]</ref> Finally, editor [[David Mariotte]] issued a formal apology and promised to review future issues more stringently. <ref>[https://twitter.com/IDW_David_M/status/1273724000309370880 David Mariotte on Twitter, 18 June 2020]</ref>

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A''': The shadow of Mindwipe looms over Nightbeat, Strongarm, and Bumper, by [[Ed Pirrie]] and [[John-Paul Bove]]
* '''Cover B''': Hound makes a friend, by [[Jack Lawrence]] and [[Josh Perez]]
* '''Retailer incentive cover''': Prowl and Nightbeat make a raid on Swindle's, by [[Blacky Shepherd]] and [[Josh Burcham]]

<gallery>
File:TF2019 20 cvrA.jpg
File:TF2019 20 cvrB.jpg
File:TF2019 20 cvrRI.jpg
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* ''[[The Transformers: The IDW Collection]]'' [[The Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 11|#11]]
* ''[[Transformers vs. The Terminator]]''
* ''[[Transformers '84: Secrets & Lies]]''

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://www.allspark.com/2020/06/idw-transformers-20-full-preview/ Preview]

[[Category:Transformers (2019) issues]]

Wannabee, Part 2

2020-03-26T23:44:37Z

Silver: /* Featured characters */

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Transformers: Galaxies]]'' #6
|prev=Wannabee, Part 1
|next=Gauging the Truth, Part 1
|caption=
|image=TFGalaxies 6 cvrA.jpg
|title="Wannabee, Part 2"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[March 25]], 2020
|coverdate=February 2020
|written by=[[Kate Leth]] and [[Cohen Edenfield]]
|art by=[[Alex Milne]]
|colors by=[[David Garcia Cruz]]
|letters by=[[Jake Wood]] and [[Val Lopez]]
|editor=[[David Mariotte]] and [[Tom Waltz]]
|continuity=[[2019 IDW continuity]]
|chronology=
}}

'''Exposed as an impostor and framed for a crime he didn't commit, it's up to Cliffjumper to save the people of Probat, who all want him dead!'''

==Synopsis==
''[[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] has spent his entire life living in [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]'s shadow; while Bumblebee's forging in [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] was marked by joyful celebration and a warm introduction to his mentor [[Shutter]], Cliffjumper, an unprecedented accidental forging, emerged from the [[Pyramid (Cybertron)|Pyramid]] mere hours later, alone, unwelcome, and unloved save for the brusque ministrations of [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel]] and an unfriendly [[Voin]].''

Now, on the planet [[Probat (planet)|Probat]], all of these past problems pale in comparison to Cliffjumper's current dilemma: [[Deathsaurus (Victory)|Deathsaurus]] towers over his much smaller compatriot, but suddenly shows a moment of uncharacteristic concern for the panicked Cliffjumper's well-being by inviting him to help himself to whatever [[energon]] he can get in the refinery while Deathsaurus goes out to "refine" some more from the homespires of the native [[Probat (species)|Probat]], rich in flammable, energon-catalyzing guano. But when Cliffjumper—the murder of [[Natalus]] still fresh in his mind—asks what will happen to the inhabitants of those spires, Deathsaurus drops the charitable act and coldly tells him that the Probat can either get out of the way or burn where they stand. Cliffjumper protests that Probat is a Cybertronian colony world, under the protection of the [[Senate]], but Deathsaurus just laughs off his concerns; with Sentinel Prime offworld, the [[Senate]] will be rent by infighting and paralyzed by indecision, powerless to prevent Deathsaurus from taking whatever he wants. Cliffjumper doesn't pick up on the sarcasm, however, and boldly tells Deathsaurus that he'll report the ambassador to the Senate... at which point Deathsaurus, tired of having to make nice with Cliffjumper, simply picks up the smaller 'bot and piledrives him straight through the nearest wall. Taking only a moment to wipe his face clean of sprayed energon, Deathsaurus steps outside to deliver the terrible news to the throngs of adoring Probat gathered around the refinery: their hero "Bumblebee" has been unmasked as a villainous impostor and, worse, a ''murderer'', as evidenced by Natalus's charred skull. It doesn't take much of this off-the-cuff slander to properly rile the crowd and unite them in hatred against the "false Bee"—and thus, when Cliffjumper finally pulls himself free from the wall, he's immediately beset by a tide of bloodthirsty Probats bent on avenging their fallen leader!

Unable to reason with the angry mob, Cliffjumper flees through the abandoned refinery, then transforms and zooms out of the nearest window—but the mob soon catches up with him on the ground below. Although he's initially confused by their sudden change of opinion, Cliff quickly puts the pieces together when one of the Probat accuse ''him'' of killing Natalus; realizing that he's been framed, Cliff swerves into a deserted section of the Probat city to try and calm his nerves... only for a little voice to pipe up, praising him for his skill. That voice, it turns out, belongs to a young Probat child, who stowed away in his passenger compartment. Although the Probat child means Cliffjumper no harm, this revelation could not have come at a worse time—when the mob catches up with Cliffjumper, they accuse him of having ''kidnapped'' the child, just as Deathsaurus foretold! Cliffjumper panics and swerves into the nearest cave, where the pair take shelter behind a boulder that conceals them from the sonar of their pursuers. The other Probat assume that the trail's gone cold and leave, and Cliffjumper warns his new friend to fly away before the aliens come back before correcting himself, remembering that all Probat have their wings shorn. He's quite surprised when the child reveals that she ''does'' have her wings intact, only because she's not old enough—once she grows up, however, her wings will be taken from her. Cliffjumper asks why, and the girl explains: once, all Probat flew... but when the Cybertronians uplifted their race and appointed Natalus head foreman of their new energon refinery, Natalus claimed that the Transformers told him only ''he'' should be able to fly, and ordered that all other Probat be stripped of their wings. Cliffjumper swears that he didn't kill Natalus, and the girl agrees with him—not only because she doesn't think a 'bot like him could be capable of murder... but also because she can sense the presence of the ''other'' Cybertronian.

As Probats flee from his monstrous [[beast mode]], Deathsaurus begins his rampage and torches the first of many homespires with his fiery breath; although Cliffjumper orders his new friend to stay put, the little Probat cajoles Cliff into taking her with him, and Cliffjumper grudgingly obliges. Transforming into his vehicle mode, the child climbs aboard as the two race towards the inferno while Cliffjumper explains: sufficient heat catalyzes the sacred Probat "substance" into energon. Cliffjumper shouts for Deathsaurus to stop, but his pleas are ignored; Deathsaurus doesn't ''want'' to kill every Probat. Once he's burned down their city and stolen their energon, he'll let them rebuild... then come back every megacycle to conduct this grisly "harvest" all over again. As the first homespire crystallizes into a skyscraper-sized mass of energon, Cliffjumper races up its side, while his Probat passenger grabs a chunk of the crystal and jams it into Cliffjumper's dashboard. Deathsaurus quickly realizes that he's miscalculated, and fumbles for Cliffjumper's name to try and talk him down... but the overenergized Cliffjumper triumphantly shouts his name as he rams into Deathsaurus at full speed, transforms, and impales the monstrous Transformer on his own energon spire!

Back on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], an incredulous [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]] grill Cliffjumper about the bizarre failure of what should have been a routine diplomatic mission, one that's ended with a comatose Deathsaurus and no energon to show for their troubles. Cliffjumper lies that he and Deathsaurus had to scuttle the refinery after the planet's energon dried up, and Deathsaurus sustained an injury after the leftover energon exploded; with the exhaustion of the planet's resources, there's no reason for ''any'' Cybertronian to go back there. The conversation is interrupted when a group of Cybertronians cheer for a passing Bumblebee, and Chromia grudgingly lets Cliffjumper go, but warns him that this investigation isn't over. Although Chromia can't remember his name, the red Cybertronian doesn't mind; after all, ''he'' knows who he is... and so do the grateful inhabitants of the planet Probat, who now soar free, on newly healed wings, over a massive statue of their ''new ''savior: Cliffjumper.

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks. 
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* ''[[Nominus Prime]]'' (9)
* ''[[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel]]'' (12)

|h2=[[Decepticon|Ascenticon]]s|c2=
* ''[[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]'' (4)
* ''[[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'' (5)
* ''[[Elita One (G1)|Elita-1]]'' (6)

|h4=Cybertronians|c4=
* ''[[Brainstorm (G1)|Brainstorm]]'' (1)
* ''[[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]]'' (2)
* ''[[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]'' (3)
* ''[[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]]'' (7)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (10)
* ''[[Shutter]]'' (11)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (13)
* [[Deathsaurus (Victory)|Deathsaurus]] (14)
* [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] (16)
* [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]] (17)

|h5=Others|c5=
* ''[[Voin]]'' (8)
* [[Probat (species)|Probat]] child (15)
}}

==Quotes==
"H-hello? I exist, I guess? Sorry..."
:—'''Cliffjumper's''' first words

"Oh, please '''do'''. Please whine to the Senate. Sentinel is playing with the organics, so... Orion Pax will dither, Megatron will pontificate, and the other factions will whisper while the big boys flirt."
:—'''Deathsaurus'''

"The horned menace of Cybertron...'''Clogjammer!''' He's here to, hmm...steal your young? Yes. Better kill him first! '''For Natalus'''!"
:—'''Deathsaurus''' knows how to work a crowd!

"You'd be safer here." 
"Oh, yes, I'm sure I will be able to find my way home. And that my home is not on fire. After all, it is not that far to walk, even with legs as small as mine..." 
"Okay! Okay! Weeping spark, you should be on the Senate!" 
"Yes. I should."
:—'''Cliffjumper''' and his '''Probat friend'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* It's not entirely clear when this story takes place: Deathsaurus notes that Sentinel Prime is off "playing with the organics" in what seems like a reference to his tour of Cybertron's colonies that occurred over in [[Transformers (2019 comic)|the main ongoing]], leaving [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Orion Pax]] and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] in control of the [[Senate]]; however, [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] shows up in the final scene, seemingly as a member of [[Security Operations]]—when [[The World In Your Eyes Part Five|''Transformers'' issue #5]] revealed that Bumblebee had been expelled from that organization. With that in mind, it's possible that Sentinel has taken multiple offworld trips, and that this comic took place while he was away on some prior tour of the Cybertronian commonwealth.
* Bumblebee previously alluded to his time with his own mentor way back in ''[[The World In Your Eyes Part Three|''Transformers'' #3]]''; although Shutter's gender is not revealed in this issue, ''Transformers'' had Bumblebee describe her as female to [[Rubble]].
* The crowd who turns out to attend Bumblebee's forging includes [[Brainstorm (G1)|Brainstorm]], [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], [[Elita One (G1)|Elita-1]], and, most intriguingly, [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]], who, in the present day, has become a reclusive hermit. Evidently, something must have happened between then and now to push him out of Cybertronian society...
* Shutter is shown with a wrist-based communicator similar to the one that Bumblebee tried to set up for [[Rubble]] in [[The World In Your Eyes Part Three|''Transformers'' issue #3]].
* The flashback also features the earliest chronological appearance of [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]] as just "Sentinel;" much like his counterpart in the [[2005 IDW continuity]], he appears to be acting on behalf of the [[Senate]] before his ascension to the rank of Prime.

===Transformers references===
* As he attempts to steady his jangled nerves, Cliffjumper mumbles that "he's got the touch" in reference to [[Stan Bush]]'s [[The Touch|song of the same name]].

===Real-life references===
* While trying to remember Cliffjumper's name, Deathsaurus accidentally calls him "{{w|Clickbait|Clickbaiter}}."

===Errors===
* In the flashback sequence, both Bumblebee and Cliffjumper are drawn identically to their present day selves, complete with vehicle mode [[kibble]]. In this new universe, however, it's something of a key plot point that newly born Cybertronians, such as [[Rubble]] and [[Gauge]], don't ''have'' [[alternate mode]]s when they're newly forged, and must voluntarily choose a shape for themselves as part of their development.

===Other notes===
* Originally solicited for February 26, this comic arrives a month late.

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A''': Cliffjumper in front of a stained-glass panel of Deathsaurus, by [[Alex Milne]] and [[Josh Perez]]
* '''Cover B''': Cliffjumper is Probat's Most Wanted, by [[Bethany McGuire-Smith]]
* '''Retailer incentive cover ''': Deathsaurus vs. Cliffjumper, by [[George Caltsoudas]]

<gallery>
File:TFGalaxies 6 cvrA.jpg
File:TFGalaxies 6 cvrB.jpg
File:TFGalaxies 6 cvrRI.jpg
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* ''[[The Transformers: The IDW Collection]]'' [[The Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 11|#11]]
* ''[[Transformers Valentine's Day Special]]''
* ''Locke & Key''

==External links==
* [https://popculthq.com/2020/03/24/preview-idws-3-25-release-transformers-galaxies-6/ Preview]

[[Category:Galaxies issues]]

Enemy of My Enemy Part One

2020-03-26T23:40:27Z

Silver: /* Errors */

{{disambig3|Enemy of My Enemy}}

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

===Errors===
* On page 9, Mount St. Hilary’s name is misspelled as "Mount St. Hillary," with an extra L.
* On the last panel on page 14, "prerogative" is misspelled as "perogative".

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

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

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

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

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

Enemy of My Enemy Part One

2020-03-26T23:32:26Z

Silver: /* Continuity notes */ typo

{{disambig3|Enemy of My Enemy}}

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Change In Your Nature Part Five

2020-02-23T00:39:01Z

Silver: /* Continuity notes */ typo

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Transformers (2019 comic)|Transformers]]'' #17
|prev=The Change In Your Nature Part Four
|next=Transformers issue 18
|caption=
|image=TF2019 17 cvrA.jpg
|title="The Change In Your Nature Part Five"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[February 19]], 2020
|coverdate=January 2019
|written by=[[Brian Ruckley]]
|art by=[[Anna Malkova]] (pages 1, 8-20) [[Beth McGuire-Smith]] (pages 2-7)
|colors by=[[Joana Lafuente]] (pages 1, 8-20) [[John-Paul Bove]] (pages 2-7)
|letters by=[[Jake M. Wood]] and [[Neil Uyetake]]
|editor=[[David Mariotte]] and [[Tom Waltz]]
|continuity=[[2019 IDW continuity]]
|chronology=
}}

'''Faced with a rogue Titan, a pair of unlikely heroes must lay everything on the line to defend the Winged Moon.'''

==Synopsis==
Their raid on the abandoned [[Titan Net]] subsidiary hub complete, [[Slipstream (G1)|Slipstream]] and her cadre of [[Decepticon|Ascenticon]] operatives slip away aboard [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]]. Although Astrotrain is more interested in taking on some more security 'bots, Slipstream warns him that it won't be needed. There's no way for the Autobots to undo what they've just done; all that matters now is that they go to ground as fast as possible.

In the wreckage of the [[Memorial Crater]] beyond [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] continues to sit and stew in his own anger. He brushes off the ceaseless bickering of his ghostly compatriots, ignoring their ideas as to how how he should best deal with his emotions...and whether or not he should get [[Paragon]] involved. Only the arrival of [[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]] shakes the old warrior from his visions; the rescue specialist tells Cyclonus he needs to leave. Cyclonus obliges, but has one question for Hot Spot: who did this? The way Hot Spot's heard it, it's [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]] who's to blame; at this, Cyclonus stalks off, grimly announcing that he has a decision to make.

Above Cybertron, on the [[Winged Moon]], [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] updates [[Lancer]] on his investigations into [[The Rise|Rise]] sabotage: someone illicitly installed an [[energon siphon]] and transmitter and diverted a portion of the moon's output to the now-destroyed Rise base beneath the crater. [[Gears (G1)|Gears]] attempts to disassemble the transmitter, but the explosion accidentally catapults him into space, forcing his mentor [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] and a grudging [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] to leap after him and drag him back to the surface. When [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] arrives a moment later, Wheeljack automatically assumes that he's come to rescue Gears too late, but the Chief of Space Security has instead come to ask why there's a [[Titan (group)|Titan]] approaching the Winged Moon. Wheeljack initially believes it to be [[Lodestar]], the only currently active Titan in Cybertron's fleet... but Cosmos warns Wheeljack that it's ''not'' Lodestar; worse yet, their mystery Titan is coming in fast and picking up speed on a direct collision course with the moon.

Down below, pandemonium reigns in Iacon's central Titan Net hub as [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] tries to ascertain the extent of the damage. The [[data-bomb]] has scrambled the network, knocking out all communication relays between Cybertron and its fleet of slumbering Titans in orbit... all of them except [[Vigilem]], who's somehow come back online and is on a direct course towards the Winged Moon. As [[Gizmo]] runs diagnostics, [[Playback]] points out that there's ''one'' Titan who's still awake and not linked into the network... a Titan who might now be their only chance of stopping Vigilem.

Their tour of Cybertron's colonies cut short, the [[Cityspeaker]] [[Lightbright (G1)|Lightbright]] and her Titan Lodestar enjoy some downtime in Cybertron's orbit, until an urgent transmission from Blaster interrupts Lightbright's music. Blaster gets the pair up to speed: with Vigilem's own Cityspeaker [[Skystalker (G1)|Skystalker]] missing in action, Lodestar and her Cityspeaker are now the only Cybertronians capable of talking him down... or, if necessary, taking proactive measures to protect the Winged Moon. As Lightbright races to her Titan's bridge, Lodestar confesses her own doubts: Vigilem is an ancient Titan, a veteran of many wars during Cybertron's [[Expansion|Age of Expansion]] who boasts the heavy weapons and combat knowledge to prove it—and there's nothing in her arsenal capable of matching his firepower. Lightbright remains confident as she patches herself into Lodestar's systems; after all, she's ''sure'' that this is all some mistake...

Lodestar catches up with Vigilem as the other Titan continues along his course towards the Winged Moon, but her hails go unanswered: Vigilem is preoccupied with his own ramblings, quoting long screeds that Lodestar immediately recognizes as excerpts from one of [[Codexa]]'s writings. Interpreting this as an ominous sign that Vigilem may be beyond reason, Lightbright orders Lodestar to stand by and prepare to escalate hostilities. Lodestar's more forceful warnings ''do'' finally pre-empt a response from Vigilem... but his response is to ponderously change course and fire on Lodestar! Lodestar struggles to withstand the barrage; as Wheeljack and his fellow engineers glimpse the deadly lightshow and sound the alarm, Lightbright tries to use Lodestar's masers to burn out his sensors and blind their foe. The desperate last-ditch maneuver doesn't work, and in retaliation, Vigilem fires a barrage of missiles that quickly overwhelm Lodestar's point defenses.

Fire erupts across the bridge as Lightbright tries to get Lodestar's propulsion systems back online—it only takes a few seconds for Lightbright to activate Lodestar's auxiliary atmospheric jets... but a second is all it takes for Vigilem to transform and touch down on the surface of the Winged Moon, and Wheeljack watches in horror as Vigilem unleashes the full fury of his weapons on the great [[Tether]] that connects the moon to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]!

Wounded but not defeated, Lodestar regains control... but Lightbright has no other choice but to urge her partner into action for one final, do-or-die attack. Fully aware that she most likely won't survive the battle, Lodestar thanks Lightbright for her companionship as the pair swoop in over the Winged Moon—only for a single blast from Vigilem to rupture Lodestar's hull and knock Lightbright off her feet. The second blows the bridge to pieces... Lightbright is unharmed, but her Titan partner is gravely wounded. Surrounded by smouldering debris, Lightbright is paralyzed by horror—not just at the grisly sight around her, but what she hears as Lodestar musters the last of her strength to give one final, urgent warning.

The Tether is collapsing.

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in hallucinatory form. 
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=

|h2=[[Decepticon|Ascenticon]]s|c2=
* [[Tracer (G1 Decepticon)|Tracer]] (1)
* [[Slipstream (G1)|Slipstream]] (2)
* [[Skystalker (G1)|Skystalker]] (3)
* [[Blackjack]] (4)
* [[Shadow Striker (G1)|Shadow Striker]] (5)
* [[Flamewar (G1)|Flamewar]] (6)
* [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] (7)

|c4=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
* ''[[Gridlock (G1)|Gridlock]]'' (8)
* ''[[Highfire (G1)|Highfire]]'' (9)
* [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] (10)
* [[Neutro|Groundbuster]] (11)
* ?? (12)
* ?? (13)
* ''[[Provoke]]'' (14)
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
* ''[[Grudge]]'' (15)
* [[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]] (16)
* [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] (17)
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (18)
* [[Lancer]] (19)
* [[Gears (G1)|Gears]] (20)
* [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] (21)
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
* [[Vigilem]] (22)
* [[Playback]] (23)
* [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] (24)
* [[Wavelength (G1)|Wavelength]] (25)
* [[Gizmo]] (26)
* [[Lightbright (G1)|Lightbright]] (27)
* [[Lodestar]] (28)
{{!}}}
}}

==Quotes==
"What a mess." 
"You talking external or internal, Gridlock? I'm picking up a '''lot''' of anger. Real seething stuff."
:—'''Gridlock''' and '''Highfire'''

"How long you've been this clunker's mentor now? We two orders of magnitude beyond '''normal''' yet?"
:—'''Huffer'''

"Titans built our colonies. They fought our battles. They died for us. They '''were''' us. All our potential possibilities, abilities, continued out of our deepest past into the present. Expressed. Beautiful. But terrible, too. I understand that now. We were too slow to see that not all of the past belongs in the present. Perhaps we always should have been more afraid of ourselves."
:—'''Vigilem''' quotes Codexa

"I have been grateful for your companionship and guidance through all these megacycles." 
"Oh, and I for yours, Lodestar. We've seen some things, no? Maybe more to see if the '''Thirteen''' fly with us."
:—'''Lodestar''' and '''Lightbright'''

"Some say we are lesser for the Titans' absence, and for their sleep. But we should fear what terrible circumstance brings their '''waking'''. And what terrible circumstance might '''follow''' it."
:—'''Vigilem'''

==Notes==
*'''First appearances:''' [[Lancer]], [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]], [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]]
*'''Mentioned but not seen''': [[Paragon]]

===Continuity notes===
* Cyclonus's ghostly hallucinations talk about Cyclonus's relationship with the mysterious [[Paragon]] and his time with [[Froid]], which had previously been alluded to in [[The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Two|issue #8]].
* Hot Spot blames [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]] for the destruction of the [[Memorial Crater]]; this occurred in [[The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Three|issue #9]] as part of [[The Rise]]'s efforts to scuttle a bunker underneath the surface (although if we're being picky we'd point out that it was really ''[[Shadow Striker (G1)|Shadow Striker]]'' who did most of the demolitions work).
* Wheeljack has found an [[energon siphon]] attached to the Winged Moon, and revealed that it was set to transmit a certain amount of energon to the aforementioned bunker; in issue #9, [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] and [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]] discovered the other end of this operation—several dozen fuelling chambers—although at the time Chromia wasn't sure where they were getting the fuel from.
* [[Gears (G1)|Gears]] first appeared as a worker on the Tether back in [[The World In Your Eyes Part Two|issue #2]]. This issue reveals that [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] is his mentor, although [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] flags up the fact that he's been a mentee for longer than is customary.
* [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] makes a cameo in this issue, and Wheeljack assumes that he's there to rescue Gears. Gears and his unlucky habit of drifting off into space (and his need to be rescued by Cosmos) was a running gag in "[[Open Comms]]", which came out only a week before this issue.
* Lodestar previously made an appearance in issues [[The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Four|#10]] and [[Nautica: Home|#12]]; although she wasn't named at the time, she was the ship that [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]] and his diplomatic retinue commissioned for their tour of Cybertron's colonies. Lightbright also put in an appearance in that issue and used her skills to help [[Nautica (G1)|Nautica]] and [[Road Rage (G1)|Road Rage]] capture a [[Thraal]] saboteur, though this is the first issue that explicitly confirms that she is a [[Cityspeaker]].
* Vigilem's ramblings are derived from a piece of writing by [[Codexa]], entitled ''[[The Way We Were, by One Who Saw It]]''; notably, this work takes a very different look at the past from [[Termagax]]'s rosier perspective and reveals that Codexa held a much more critical opinion of the [[Expansion|Age of Expansion]] that marked Cybertron's heyday.

===Transformers references===
* Blaster's coworkers at the Titan Net hub include [[Playback]], drawn to resemble the unnamed [[Paradron]]ian communications specialist in the ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]'' episode "[[Fight or Flee (episode)|Fight or Flee]]" and later named via "[[Ask Vector Prime]]", [[Gizmo]], a one-off character from the [[2005 IDW continuity]]'s ''[[Spotlight: Hot Rod]]'', and [[Wavelength (G1)|Wavelength]], who appeared in ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' as one of the many "[[Disappeared]]" bots abducted by a time-travelling [[Mortilus|Necrobot]].
* Lightbright dances along to a song about [[Velocitron]], a colony planet that originated in the ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Transformers: Cybertron]]'' franchise and went on to feature in the [[Aligned continuity family|"Aligned" continuity family]], [[2005 IDW continuity|the original IDW continuity]], and the ''[[Transformers: Cyberverse (cartoon)|Cyberverse]]'' cartoon.
* Vigilem's ramblings namedrop [[Chela]] and [[Tempo]] as Titans from Cybertron's past, who both appeared in the original IDW continuity. Additionally, the issue introduces a new Titan, [[Waypoint]], whose defeat of the [[Szorian]] empire references the race of the same name from [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]]'s [[Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)|Generation 2]] comics.
* Tempo is noted to have carried the "Knights off into legend"; it's a sure bet that Codexa is talking about the [[Knights of Cybertron]], a semi-mythical group that originated in the pages of ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]''. In that comic, the Knights were prominently affiliated with Titans and left the planet aboard a fleet of the giants. In the previous IDW continuity, Tempo was not one of these Titans, however; he was affiliated with [[Vector Prime]], left Cybertron after the Knights, and met with an uncertain fate sometime before the present day.
* As she and Lodestar make their approach to the moon, Lightbright mentions the [[Thirteen]]; their existence had previously been inferred through a set of stained-glass windows in [[The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Five|issue #10]] and the existence of the [[Enigma of Combination]] over in ''[[Transformers: Galaxies]]'', this is the first time that they've been specifically named as such.

===Errors===
* On page 15, Lodestar’s speech bubble reads “The is reciting some of Codexa’s writings.”

===Other notes===
* Originally solicited for January 22, this issue arrives almost a month late, arriving instead in mid-February.
* Similar to [[The Change In Your Nature Part Four|#16]], the original solicitation for this issue<ref>https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/10/25/idw-transformers-comic-solicitations-for-january-2020-399151</ref> featured a completely different plot. It focused on Megatron, who doesn't even appear in this issue.

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A''': Megatron and Cybertron, by [[Livio Ramondelli]]
* '''Cover B''': Megatron at a tipping point, by [[Brendan Cahill]] and [[Josh Burcham]]
* '''Retailer incentive cover''': Megatron unmasked, by [[Marcelo Martere]]

<gallery>
File:TF2019 17 cvrA.jpg
File:TF2019 17 cvrB.jpg
File:TF2019 17 cvrRI.jpg
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* ''[[Transformers: Galaxies]]'' [[Wannabee, Part 1|#5]]
* ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer'' and ''Angel''
* ''Locke & Key''

==External links==
*[https://popculthq.com/2020/02/11/preview-idws-2-12-release-transformers-17/ Preview]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Transformers (2019) issues]]

Shadow Striker (G1)

2020-02-08T22:03:34Z

Silver: typo

{{faction|ascenticon}}
{{disambig3|Shadow Striker}}
:''Shadow Striker is an [[Decepticon|Ascenticon]] from the [[Transformers (2019 comic)|2019 IDW portion]] of the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''

[[File:AnnaMalkovaShadowStriker.jpg|thumb|right|200px|You mean that the purple robot with five glowing red eyes and a monocle is EVIL?]]

A tough and competent warrior-slash-middle manager, '''Shadow Striker''' brooks no nonsense from anyone, whether it's her impulsive compatriot [[Flamewar (G1)|Flamewar]] or her commanding officer [[Sixshot]]. Indeed, the [[Decepticon|Ascenticon]] commander has discovered—much to his chagrin—that his usual methods of leading through intimidation have little effect on her... and that she's just as likely to deliver some intensely painful retribution if he pushes her too far.

==Fiction==
===2019 IDW continuity===
A member of the terrorist group known as [[the Rise]], Shadow Striker was one of a number of "Risers" who had abandoned Cybertronian society and decamped to a secluded bunker underneath [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]'s [[Memorial Crater]]. One evening, the neutral hermit [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] inadvertently discovered evidence of their presence, and Shadow Striker supervised Flamewar as the younger Ascenticon investigated the disturbed wiring. After Flamewar bumped into Cyclonus, Shadow Striker was forced to drop her cover and join the fight, but, despite wounding him with a rocket launcher, was unable to stop Cyclonus from blasting off towards Iacon. {{storylink|The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Two}}

With their presence now known to the 'bots of [[Security Operations]], Flamewar, Shadow Striker, and Sixshot stayed behind to scuttle the base while the other members of their cell fled, and wound up battling against [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]] and [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] when they went to investigate. Defying her commander, Shadow Striker made it clear that she wouldn't be pushed around like Flamewar, and was able to successfully rig the base to explode before she and the other two Ascenticons made good their escape. {{storylink|The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Three}}

==Notes==
* While this version of Shadow Striker isn't the first female Decepticon from the [[Generation 1 continuity family]] to be named this—that honor goes to [[Shadow Striker (Universe)|the Dodge Viper Transformer]] from the ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 franchise)|Universe]]'' franchise—''this'' version of the character is pretty much a straight cross-continuity transplant of the [[Shadow Striker (Cyberverse)|Decepticon]] from the ''[[Transformers: Cyberverse (franchise)|Cyberverse]]'' cartoon, so we've opted to give her her own page. Whether or not she'll meet with a gruesome accident, as per her ''Cyberverse'' counterpart, is anyone's guess...

[[Category:Comic-only Decepticons]]
[[Category:IDW (2019) Decepticons]]

Nautica: Home

2019-09-22T14:17:01Z

Silver: /* Other notes */

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Transformers (2019 comic)|Transformers]]'' #12
|prev=The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Five
|next=The Change In Your Nature Part One
|caption="Nautica, that's your solution to everything: to move under the sea. It's not gonna happen!"
|image=TF2019 12 cvrB.jpg
|title="Nautica: Home"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[September 18]], 2019
|coverdate=August 2019
|written by=[[Brian Ruckley]]
|art by=[[Sara Pitre-Durocher]]
|colors by=[[Joana Lafuente]]
|letters by=[[Tom B. Long]]
|editor=[[David Mariotte]] and [[Tom Waltz]]
|continuity=[[2019 IDW continuity]]
|chronology=
}}

'''When Head of Xenorelations Nautica and her bodyguard uncover a sinister plot while returning to Cybertron, she'll have to rely on her diplomatic skills and cultural knowledge to save the day.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Nautica (G1)|Nautica]] has always been fascinated by organic life, a lifelong obsession that led her into a career in xenorelations, and, eventually, becoming head of the department and landing a seat in [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]'s innermost retinue. But as Cybertron grows increasingly factionalized, and years of long-buried histories threaten to boil back over, Nautica has spent more and more time offworld, doing what she loves. Even now, she remembers her solitary voyage beneath the ice of [[Aeglus IV]], learning the language of the bioluminescent natives, before the words of a furious Sentinel Prime drags her back to reality. Having learned of the deaths of both [[Rubble]] and [[Brainstorm (G1)|Brainstorm]], the First Senator has cancelled his tour of the [[Cybertronian colonies|colonies]], a journey that's taken him and his retinue to the remote asteroid city of [[Hexagon]], and will return home as soon as all visiting delegations depart their [[Titan (group)|Titan]].

As the various Cybertronians go their separate ways, [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] catches up with Nautica; while she's perturbed by the news of murder on her peaceful homeworld, she's ''more'' concerned by the thought of a dead [[Voin]], worrying how it might affect Cybertron's Voin population. Nautica tries to brush off the Head of Intelligence, but Starscream has more important news for her, and shows her a transmission from the local [[Thraal]] embassy. The secretive, warlike Thraal have long been an unknown quantity in the politics of Cybertronian space, but Starscream is happy to report that he and his team have finally managed to penetrate their complex anti-surveillance system. Starscream doesn't speak Thraalese, so he's unaware that there's anything amiss from the recorded footage of the Thraal delegation taking leave of the colony's Thraal ambassador... but Nautica, who ''does'', immediately takes her leave, putting in a call to her bodyguard [[Road Rage (G1)|Road Rage]] as she does.

As the pair head towards the Thraal embassy, Nautica fills Road Rage in on everything that's wrong with the picture. Obsessed with rank and hierarchy, the local delegate was showing great respect to a low-ranking junior advisor, and her odd goodbye suggested that this advisor was being sent on a journey—a ''final'' journey, even—of great cultural significance. Road Rage wonders if they should get Colonial Security officer [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] involved, or Sentinel Prime, or even Starscream, but Nautica brushes them all off, one by one. Sentinel Prime is too brash, Hound's good judgement fails in the face of the belligerent Thraal, and Starscream is amoral and self-serving.

''Nautica remembers her days with the Voin in their verdant aquatic gardens, learning everything she could about their strange culture and ethics, her megacycle with [[Crosscut (Autobot)|Crosscut]], negotiating a ceasefire between the Thraal and the [[Occulted Dremden]], and muses that, for her, a life on quiet, static Cybertron just doesn't hold the same appeal that it used to.''

Nautica's mastery of the Thraal language allows her and Road Rage access to the main embassy aboard the ship, where the Thraal ambassadors to Cybertron are getting ready for the voyage... but the mystery advisor isn't there. Nautica is able to quickly spin the situation and lies that they've merely been sent to confirm the number of Thraal that will be travelling with them; the moment they're out of the embassy, however, Nautica calls [[Lightbright (G1)|Lightbright]] and asks her to run a scan for any organics outside their usual zones. While they wait for the information, Nautica fills in Road Rage on the Thraal: every so often, the Thraal embassy petitions Sentinel Prime to expel Cybertron's population of [[A'ovan]] refugees, a political move designed to appease the hardline Thraal extremists bent on finishing their extermination of the species.

The impromptu political discussion comes to an end when Lightbright gets back in contact with Nautica, informing her that she's found a faint signature in the improvised cold store set up for the benefit of their organic diplomats. Road Rage puts on an excellent show of intimidation, easily battering the door down... but discovers that the larder has already been ransacked and abandoned. Nautica identifies the small corpses strewn everywhere as [[frem]]s, a Thraal delicacy, but correctly deduces that there's a layer of subterfuge: something was disassembled, component-by-component, smuggled aboard the ship ''inside'' their bodies, then reassembled in the cold store. Whatever it is has already been reassembled and carried out, or, Nautica notes, ''climbed'' out, as most Thraal weapons take the form of autonomous, semi-sentient machinery. Ignoring her bodyguard's pleas to let her take the fore, Nautica instructs her to call [[Firestar (G1)|Firestar]], in the hopes that she'll be able to discreetly handle the problem. As the pair reach an intersection, however, they stumble across their mystery Thraal and his robotic creation!

Road Rage immediately takes the fore; when she tackles the Thraal, he stays down, but he's already given a command to his machine, who promptly scuttles off. Road Rage transforms and gives chase, but is unprepared when the device promptly teleports outside of the tube they're in. The two Cybertronians are right behind it, however, and head for the nearest airlock. Nautica reveals that they're dealing with an [[autonomous artificial-life bomb]], a purpose-built suicide bomber that will crawl to the weakest point of the ship and explode. Disarming it, Nautica grimly realizes, is completely out of the question, as even the gentlest touch will immediately trigger its detonation sequence.

Of the two, Road Rage's flight mode means that she can operate in zero-gravity better than her charge, who nevertheless crawls towards the dogged machine—though her attempts to negotiate with the AI in Thraalese are for naught, as the device is fanatically devoted to its guiding purpose. Nautica looks over her shoulder to see Road Rage finishing her adjustments: with Lightbright's help, she's hatched a plan to stop the bomb, and turned a hatch on the Titan's hull into an impromptu bomb shelter for Nautica. Road Rage transforms and zooms off, just as Lightbright pulls the release on a deliberately overpressurized valve. The burst sends the bomb flying off the ship, while Road Rage takes aim and fires her missiles at the device. As Nautica watches, the bomb is consumed by a massive explosion, while Road Rage's body slowly drifts away...

Some time later, Nautica has finished informing Sentinel Prime of the incident, gratefully noting that Road Rage will make a full recovery in a cycle or two. The same can't be said of the Thraal saboteur, however, who's been slowly dying since Road Rage landed on him. The Thraal ambassador, she reports, is horrified by this news, and although Nautica is sure that he's innocent, it's clear that this was a very deliberate, well-orchestrated terrorist attack. The Thraal hardliners who masterminded the crime wanted to send a message to Cybertron, a warning that their contiued protection of what remains of the A'ovan will not be tolerated. Sentinel grumbles that news of this attack ''cannot'' be allowed to spread; they have enough troubles at home already. Nautica agrees to keep this dark, but warns her leader that this is not an entirely unanticipated development. Privately, Nautica wonders what new problems she'll find when she returns home... and if Cybertron even ''is'' her home anymore.

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks. 
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]] (5)
|c4=
* [[Nautica (G1)|Nautica]] (1)
* [[Lightbright (G1)|Lightbright]] (2)
* [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (3)
* [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (4)
* Female [[Titan (group)|Titan]] (6)
* [[Road Rage (G1)|Road Rage]] (7)
* ''[[Crosscut (Autobot)|Crosscut]]'' (7)
* [[Thraal]] ambassador (8)
* Thraal saboteur (9)
}}

==Quotes==
"Did you tell Starscream, at least?" "No. Why would I?" 
"Well, he '''is''' the head of intelligence. And he's generally considered quite clever." 
"'''I''' generally consider most Cybertronians as incapable of distinguishing amoral self-interest from cleverness."
:— '''Road Rage''' and '''Nautica'''

"Somehow, everything that has Cybertron in its grip—the megacycles of stratified, unforgotten history, the intricacies of doctrinal differences... somewhere along the way I slipped free and the '''rest''' of the universe got a grip instead."
:— '''Nautica'''

"Bodyguard moment, Road Rage! '''Bodyguard moment!'''"
:— '''Nautica'''

"You can't teleport, can you? 
"'''What?''' You don't think I would have mentioned it before now, if I could teleport?" 
: '''Nautica''' and '''Road Rage''' get frank

==Notes==
*'''First appearances:''' [[Lightbright (G1)|Lightbright]]

===Continuity notes===
* As per the note on page 1, this story is set before [[The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Four|issue #10]]. As such, most of the comic is set aboard the as-yet unnamed female Titan as she prepares to head back to Cybertron with Sentinel Prime and his inner retinue.
* The issue begins with an excerpt from a fictional book titled "[[Introductory Principles for New Recruits to Xenorelations]]," which highlights several alien species alluded to in the series thus far and outlines the nature of their civilizations. In addition to the [[Voin]], [[Thraal]], and [[A'ovan]], which have all appeared in a semi-major capacity, the [[Aklutheen]], who were mentioned by [[Rubble]] to be one of the many races living in [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]'s [[Xeno-Quarter]], the text also introduces a new race to the ''Transformers'' canon, the [[Occulted Dremden]].
* First alluded to in [[The World In Your Eyes Part Two|issue #2]], the [[A'ovan]] had previously appeared in [[The World In Your Eyes Part Five|issue #5]] as refugees, living in a [[A'ovan habitat|custom-built arcology]] designed to replicate their natural biosphere after the Thraal used nuclear weapons against their homeworld. This issue reveals that their planet was deliberately "sterilized" by the Thraal, and the text suggests that the conflict between the two races is much less of an active war (as per their prior appearance in [[Transformers Comic issue 3|issue #3 of Titan's ''Transformers'' magazine]]) and something closer to a deliberate, targeted genocide, carried out for reasons unknown.
* Several Voin representatives appear aboard the Titan; unlike their prior appearances, where the Voin all used the same ape-like creature as their "slaved organics", ''these'' Voin are also shown controlling another organism, a tripodal crustacean, alongside the familiar primates.
* The previous few issues revealed the jobs of some of Sentinel's staff: in addition to Head of Xenorelations Nautica and Head of Intelligence Starscream, this issue reveals that [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] and [[Firestar (G1)|Firestar]] are part of [[Colonial Security]].

===Transformers references===
* [[Road Rage (G1)|Road Rage]] receives her first major role in.... well, ''ever'', as Nautica's bodyguard. This [[function]] originated in her original toy's bio, which depicted her as the loyal, talented bodyguard and aide to the Autobot diplomat [[Crosscut (Autobot)|Crosscut]]. In reference to this, a flashback shows Nautica and Road Rage working with Crosscut during a prior diplomatic mission.
* [[Lightbright (G1)|Lightbright]] also makes her debut in the new continuity; originally a [[Lightbright (Animated)|one-off background character]] in ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Transformers Animated]]'', the character was brought into the [[2005 IDW continuity|original IDW continuity]] as a [[Caminus (planet)|Camien]] [[cityspeaker]]. While she's not ''specifically'' named as a cityspeaker here, it's not hard to deduce that her ability to so deftly manipulate the Titan's various circuits and inner workings suggest that she has a similar range of skills.
* The Thraal of this continuity appear on-panel for the first time, though they've been somewhat redesigned: while the original Thraal were basically humanoid except for their blue skin, this version of the species re-imagines them with pale green skin and thick, hairlike tentacles.

===Real-world references===
* On page 2, a generic Cybertronian in the crowd is coloured to resemble [[Rom]] the [[Space Knight]].

===Other notes===
* Starting from this issue, the series shifts from its usual biweekly release schedule to monthly, largely to accommodate the release of the upcoming ''[[Transformers: Galaxies|Galaxies]]'' comic.
* It wasn't clear at the time if Rubble's memories of the "Aklutheen" as inhabitants of the Xeno-Quarter was him misremembering the name of the similar-sounding [[Akalouthan]]; this issue apparently confirms that they are two separate species.

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A''': Nautica and Road Rage, by [[Alex Milne]] and [[Josh Perez]]
* '''Cover B''': Nautica explores an alien ocean, by [[Andrew Griffith]] and [[Thomas Deer]]
* '''Retailer incentive cover''': Nautica wants YOU (to go exploring), by [[Jeffery Veregge]]

<gallery>
File:TF2019 12 cvrA.jpg
File:TF2019 12 cvrB.jpg
File:TF2019 12 cvrRI.jpg
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* TBD

==External links==
*[http://graphicpolicy.com/2019/09/17/preview-transformers-12/ Preview]

[[Category:Transformers (2019) issues]]

Scarlett's Strike Force issue 4

2019-08-23T15:28:05Z

Silver: /* Continuity notes */

{{apocrypha}}
{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=[[Scarlett's Strike Force]] #4
|prev=Scarlett's Strike Force issue 3
|next=Unreleased Scarlett's Strike Force issues
|image=
|caption=
|title=
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=
|coverdate=March 2018
|written by=[[Aubrey Sitterson]]
|art by=[[Ilias Kyriazis]] (planned)
|continuity=[[2005 IDW continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[2005 IDW timeline|Current era]]
}}
'''The Joes rocket into action to counter Cobra's latest master plan, but find themselves fighting each other instead.'''

==Synopsis==
In a brand-new [[Terrordrome]] base, constructed on the strange new moon that [[Cobra]] have launched into orbit, [[Baroness|Cobra Commander]] consults with [[Crystal Ball]] as to the timeline of "the emergence". The twisted mystic reports that they now require only blood "steeped in chaos and angst" in order to begin proceedings, and promises that [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] will deliver it in short order...

On ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Lemuria]]'', the Joes are indeed readying for a journey to confront Cobra at their moonbase. As they prepare, [[Scarlett]] explains to [[Roadblock (G.I. Joe)|Roadblock]] that she will be taking direct command of the mission, noting that as leaders, responsibility for {{i|Spitfire}} and [[Salvo (G.I. Joe)|Salvo]]'s insubordination and the disappearance of [[Snake-Eyes|Snake Eyes]], [[Agent Helix|Helix]], and [[Skywarp (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Skywarp]] ultimately falls to them. Among the rest of the team, tensions still simmer between [[Grand Slam (G.I. Joe)|Grand Slam]], now equipped with a new field-ready wheelchair, and [[Rock 'n Roll]], while [[Doc (Carla Greer)|Doc]] remarks to [[Quick Kick]] on [[Intruder|Friday]]'s absence—the primitive being hasn't been cleared for the field, and is staying home with a stack of martial-arts movies to "study". After the final team member, [[Gung-Ho]], gives an emotional farewell to [[Shipwreck]], the squad loads up aboard the ''[[Defiant (G.I. Joe)|Defiant]]'' space shuttle, which rockets up out of the ocean and into Earth orbit.

Once in range of the Cobramoon, the team descends from the shuttle using [[JUMP Jet Pack|JUMP Packs]], but are almost immediately confronted by [[Destro]], piloting his Despoiler and backed up by the entire [[Dreadnok]] gang on weaponized [[V.E.N.O.M.]]-tech hover-bikes. Their speed and flight make it impossible for G.I. Joe to land any hits, and Rock 'n Roll, equipped only with his short-range laser shotgun, soon finds himself smashed by [[Road Pig (Dreadnok)|Road Pig]]'s sledgehammer and pinned down under heavy fire. Despite bemoaning that it's Rock who needs saving, Grand Slam steps up to mount a triumphant rescue, his new wheelchair transforming into a treaded battle machine bristling with lasers. The hail of weapons fire makes short work of the Dreadnoks' bikes, while Destro flies off in retreat, refusing to help his underlings. Back at the Terrordrome, he attempts to shirk responsibility for the failure of the Dreadnoks, but is berated by Cobra Commander for his cowardice and poor leadership. With the Joes still at large, she sends [[Storm Shadow]], [[Tempest (Cobra)|Tempest]], and [[Doctor Mindbender]] to deal with them.

Outside, as the Joes dole out handcuffs for their new captives, a grateful Rock 'n Roll tries to thank Grand Slam, but turns the mood sour when he tries to ask for a lift on the weaponized wheelchair. Meanwhile, Gung-Ho sets up a transceiver to make contact with ''Lemuria'', and lets [[Dial-Tone|Dial Tone]] know that they've safely arrived on the moon. The team soon sets out towards Cobra's base, but spot unexpected interlopers observing them from behind nearby rocks: [[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]], [[Snake-Eyes|Snake Eyes]], [[Agent Helix|Helix]], and [[Skywarp (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Skywarp]]! Duke explains that they've been sent by the U.S. military as a "Plan B", but Scarlett is furious, both at the intrusion on her mission and the team members "stolen" from G.I. Joe. The two squads face off, but are interrupted when Doctor Mindbender, standing atop a nearby outcropping, reveals his presence, and proudly announces his Venom Vapor!

The magenta mist pours out of holes in the ground, and quickly envelops the Joes. Doc is able to identify the mist as a psychotropic gas, but it's too late to prevent the substance affecting them. As everyone descends into an angry daze, Snake Eyes and Quick Kick violently resume their rivalry, and soon all of both Duke and Scarlett's team are at each other's throats, fighting and arguing. Even Skywarp, unaffected by the gas, joins the scrum, taking out his ongoing frustrations at being treated like an idiot by the humans. As the scrap continues, Shipwreck attempts to make contact with Gung-Ho via the transceiver, but misinterprets a yell to "gimme some space" as being directed at him, leaving him sad and hurt.

Elsewhere, the Venom Vapor has plunged Rock 'n Roll deep into another of the traumatic visions he has suffered since Crystal Ball placed a mark upon his forehead. The battle around him seems to fade away, replaced by fire and destruction, and Rock finds himself grabbed by the shadowy soldiers of chaos he has glimpsed before. The mysterious figures carry him away, his howls and screams for help going unheard...

==Featured characters==
{{Featuredcharacters
|h1=[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]|c1=
*[[Roadblock (G.I. Joe)|Roadblock]] (7)
*[[Scarlett]] (8)
*[[Dial-Tone|Dial Tone]] (9)
*[[Rock 'n Roll]] (10)
*[[Grand Slam (G.I. Joe)|Grand Slam]] (11)
*[[Quick Kick]] (12)
*[[Doc (Carla Greer)|Doc]] (13)
*[[Gung-Ho]] (14)
*[[Shipwreck]] (15)
*[[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]] (26)
*[[Snake-Eyes|Snake Eyes]] (27)
*[[Agent Helix]] (28)
*[[Skywarp (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Skywarp]] (29)
|h2=[[Cobra]]|c2=
*[[Destro]] (1)
*[[Doctor Mindbender]] (2)
*[[Baroness|Cobra Commander]] (3)
*[[Storm Shadow]] (4)
*[[Tempest (Cobra)|Tempest]] (5)
*[[Crystal Ball]] (6)
*[[Zarana]] (17)
*[[Zandar]] (18)
*[[Road Pig (Dreadnok)|Road Pig]] (19)
*{{i|Crusher}} (20)
*[[Dreadnok|Buzzer]] (21)
*[[Dreadnok|Torch]] (22)
*[[Dreadnok|Ripper]] (23)
*{{i|Burn Out}} (24)
*[[Zanzibar]] (25)
|c4=
*"[[Intruder|Friday]]" (16)
}}

==Quotes==
"The time is '''almost''' upon us. We will '''finally''' make the Earth '''ours.''' And it shall '''all''' begin '''here,''' on my '''moonbase.''' Not '''merely''' a base '''on''' the moon… But a base that '''is''' a '''moon!''' COBRA-LALALALALALALALA!"
:—'''Cobra Commander''' gets into the spirit of the role

"'''We''' didn't do that, Scar. That was '''Spitfire''' and '''Salvo.''' And '''Skywarp.'''" 
"But '''whose''' command were they under? '''Yours''' and '''mine.''' '''Their''' failure was '''yours.''' And '''your''' failure is '''mine.''' Being a '''leader''' means taking '''responsibility,''' Roadblock."
:—'''Roadblock''' and '''Scarlett''' discuss leadership

"Of '''course''' it's you. It could have been '''anyone''' else. All this '''technology,''' all that '''work…''' Just. To save. '''You.''' But I've got a '''role''' to play. And '''heroes… real''' heroes don't get to '''choose''' when
to be '''heroic.''' I'm '''here''' for a '''reason.''' I'm '''here''' because I'm a '''hero.''' <big>'''YOOOOOOOOO JOOOOOOOOOE!'''</big>"
:—'''Grand Slam''' on being a hero

==Notes==
*Although ''Scarlett's Strike Force'' was cancelled before even the release of the first issue (see details [[Scarlett's Strike Force#Notes|here]]), Aubrey Sitterson had completed scripts through to issue #4, which he later released via his Patreon page. According to the script, issue #4 was intended to feature fill-in art from [[Ilias Kyriazis]], who had previously illustrated Sitterson's two-part ''[[First Strike]]'' tie-in.

===Continuity notes===
*Crystal Ball wields the antediluvian dagger and bowl stolen during the events of ''First Strike'', and last seen in [[Scarlett's Strike Force issue 1|issue #1]].
*Crystal Ball first placed the {{w|symbol of Chaos}} upon Rock 'n Roll's forehead in [[G.I. Joe vol. 5 issue 3|''G.I. Joe'' vol. 5 #3]], and he subsequently suffered traumatic visions in [[G.I. Joe vol. 5 issue 5|issue #5]] and the [[G.I. Joe: First Strike|''First Strike'' one-shot]]. In this issue, under the influence of the Venom Vapor, Grand Slam delivers the line "You '''broke''' me! You '''crippled''' me! You '''monster!'''", as seen in the first of those visions.

===G.I. Joe references===
*The [https://www.yojoe.com/vehicles/86/terrordrome/ Terrordrome] is a classic ''G.I. Joe'' playset, and had never previously appeared in this continuity.
*Additionally, a whole host of vehicles from the ''A Real American Hero'' toyline appear, including the ''[[Defiant (G.I. Joe)|Defiant]]'' space shuttle, [[JUMP Jet Pack|JUMP Packs]], [https://www.yojoe.com/vehicles/88/despoiler/ Destro's Despoiler], and the [https://www.yojoe.com/vehicles/86/triplet/ Triple 'T'], which Grand Slam's new wheelchair is revealed to transform into.
*Grand Slam wears a version of his [https://www.yojoe.com/action/82/grandslam.shtml original toy's uniform] for the first time in this continuity.

===Other trivia===
*Sitterson's original outline for the issue called for V.E.N.O.M. themselves to accompany Destro and the Dreadnoks into battle, although they are absent from the completed script.

[[Category: Scarlett's Strike Force issues]]
[[Category: Things that don't exist]]

Transformers vs. Visionaries

2019-08-23T15:26:17Z

Silver: /* Collections */

[[File:TFvsVisionaries4 cvrB.jpg|thumb|right|250px|This is just bad comedy.]]

'''''Transformers vs. Visionaries''''' is a five-issue crossover comic miniseries that ran from January to May [[2018]]. Picking up on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] in the wake of the ''[[First Strike]]'' event, it features the cast of [[IDW Publishing]]'s ''Transformers'' titles interacting with the [[Visionaries]], the newest franchise introduced to the [[Hasbro Universe]].

{{chapters|title=''Transformers vs. Visionaries'' issues|align=center|prev=First Strike|next=Transformers: Unicron|content=
*[[Schismatic|#1]]
*[[Cybertron No More|#2]]
*[[Desperate Measures (Transformers vs. Visionaries)|#3]]
*[[Good Men|#4]]
*[[The Curtain|#5]]
}}

==Overview==
''Transformers vs. Visionaries'' spins off out of the ''First Strike'' miniseries, where, during a climatic battle in the bowels of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], the alien wizard [[Merklynn]] shed his human identity of "Garrison Kreiger" in a bid to use the ancient [[Talisman (G1)|Talisman]] to rebuild his destroyed homeworld of [[Prysmos]]. In the aftermath, Cybertron now hosts the alien city of [[New Prysmos]], home to a band of Merklynn's "Visionaries" of whom the evil [[Darkling Lord]]s are bent on using their [[magic]] to wipe technology from the galaxy — starting with the mechanical world of Cybertron. A group of Visionaries led by [[Leoric]], called the [[Spectral Knight]]s, side with the Transformers to stop Merklynn and the Darkling Lords.

==Creative team==
[[Magdalene Visaggio]] helmed writing the series, while [[Fico Ossio]], main artist of ''[[Revolutionaries]]'', handled artistic duties. <ref>[https://www.avclub.com/this-visionaries-vs-transformers-exclusive-revives-a-f-1802727591 This Visionaries Vs. Transformers exclusive revives a forgotten Hasbro property]</ref>

==Collections==
*'''''Transformers vs. Visionaries''''' TPB ([[July 25]], [[2018]]) ISBN 1684052831 / ISBN 978-1684052837
:* Contains issues #1{{n-}}5 of the ''Transformers vs. Visionaries'' series.
:* Bonus material UNKNOWN.
<gallery>
File:TFvsVisionaries TPB.jpg|Such heroic nonsense.
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{i|Transformers vs. Visionaries}} at the IDW Hasbro Wiki

[[Category:Crossovers]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) comic series]]
[[Category:Transformers vs. Visionaries issues| ]]

Talk:The World In Your Eyes Part Two

2019-03-29T01:17:42Z

Silver:

So I'm pretty sure that's Flywheels/Skytread in the crowd at the Ascenticon rally. [[User:Phantom|Phantom]] ([[User talk:Phantom|talk]]) 16:20, 27 March 2019 (EDT)
:I think so, too. And isn't that Perceptor in Wheeljack's lab? - [[User:Silver|Silvery]] ([[User talk:Silver|talk]]) 21:17, 28 March 2019 (EDT)

Equal Measures

2018-12-30T02:37:21Z

Silver: /* Foreign localization */

{{episode
|series=BWtoon
|ep=4
|image=Equal Measures Cheetor darksyde.jpg
|caption=Later they discovered Cheetor was sitting on the self-destruct button.
|title="Equal Measures"
|production company=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|airdate=[[September 23]], 1996
|written by=[[Greg Johnson]]
|directed by=[[T.W. Peacocke]]
|animation studio=[[Mainframe Entertainment]]
|continuity=[[Beast Wars continuity]]
|packaged with=[[Cheetor (BW)/toys#Beast Wars 10th Anniversary|Cheetor]], [[Megatron (BW)/toys#Beast Wars Telemocha Series|Megatron]]
}}

'''Dinobot manipulates both Maximals and Predacons around a teleporter that Cheetor has unintentionally developed between both bases.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] watches a bolt of lightning shatter a mountain, revealing a cache of [[energon]]. Because of the hazardous conditions, he radios to his team to abort their current operation. The storm garbles the transmission, though, preventing the other [[Maximal]]s from receiving it.

[[File:Dinobotbulliescheetor.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Something we've seen all too often.]]
The mission involves energon monitoring devices designed by [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]], who has just gotten done building the last of them. Impatient to get going, [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] carelessly plays with one of [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]]'s projects, a ''time bomb'', and accidentally drops it out the floor hatch... where it's caught by a returning Optimus, who reiterates his order for the mission to be scrubbed. Everyone's clearly upset over the development, not believing the storm to be that severe yet, but Primal is adamant; it'll have to wait until later. Dejected, everyone returns to quarters to wait out the storm.

In Cheetor's quarters, Dinobot meets with the cat-bot and endorses the mission being continued regardless of the danger from the weather and the energon. He points out that Primal clearly treats Cheetor like a child, even though with his speed, the cat-bot could easily outrun the storm and plant the devices before it hits. This appeal to vanity works, and Cheetor sneaks out to complete the mission.

[[File:Equal Measures Cheetor monitoring device.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|This wireless Broadband box is rubbish!]]
In the field, Cheetor plants survey apparatuses in quick succession, but a bolt of lightning causes the cat accidentally to plant one of the posts dangerously close to an energon vein. He tries to remove the device and correct his mistake, but in the middle of his struggle, a second lightning bolt hits, and he finds himself suddenly teleported — onto a control panel in the [[Darksyde (BW)|Predacon base]]!

[[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]] "welcomes" Cheetor and attacks the Maximal, but Cheetor grabs a hover-platform and tries to escape. After being knocked off the platform, Cheetor lunges at Terrorsaur and pushes the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] onto the control panel he'd just arrived on, causing Terrorsaur to vanish. [[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]] and [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] arrive and chase Cheetor around the Predacon base, but lose him in the ventilation shafts.

[[File:Cheetorsurprised.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Shouldn't have had the vindaloo last night.]]
Meanwhile, Terrorsaur finds himself in the ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]'' command center, where he's given a warm reception by Dinobot. However, the former Predacon is more concerned over how Terrorsaur arrived at the Maximal base, eventually working out that a freak combination of the survey devices, the storm, and the energon created a transporter link between the two bases. Using this to his advantage, Terrorsaur seems to convince Dinobot into forming an alliance, suggesting they scrap the Maximals, then take over the Predacons and rule together... until Dinobot drops the charade and unceremoniously flushes the Pred out of the ''Axalon'' through a waste disposal unit.

Back at the Predacon base, Cheetor continues to flee while avoiding fire from Waspinator. He sneaks away from the two long enough to hack the Predacons' data files, and determines that both bases sit on a common underground Energon vein, so an explosion at one base would cause a chain reaction that would obliterate both ships. Cheetor is discovered as soon as he downloads this data to a disk.

At the Maximal base, Optimus confronts Dinobot on Cheetor's whereabouts. Dinobot tells him about the link and how the cat-bot has "surely" been destroyed by now, but convinces him that they could use the link to annihilate the Predacon base with the bomb, a plan Primal only agrees to as long as the bomb's timer is set with enough time to allow the Preds to evacuate. Just as the bomb is sent, though, Cheetor tosses the disk with the energon vein data onto the console, transporting both items simultaneously.

[[File:Crispyterrorsaur.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|Would you like me original, or extra crispy?]]
The Predacons finally corner Cheetor, but the bomb has magnetically locked itself onto the Pred console, forcing Megatron to let him go so he can release it. With a few seconds left, Cheetor throws it up to Terrorsaur, who flies it out of the base (and is blown up with it), while Cheetor escapes through the link. The Predacons' errant shots destroy the console instead. Furthermore, his return trip to the ''Axalon'' shatters all of the survey posts he's planted, ensuring the link is severed for good.

Afterwards, Rhinox and [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] congratulate Cheetor's prevention of the Maximal base from being destroyed by their own explosive, while Dinobot is in a bad mood as usual and leaves—though Cheetor apparently didn't tell anyone that Dinobot talked him into the whole thing. Primal still commands Cheetor to take more care to obey direct orders. Cheetor says he will—except when he doesn't—and scampers off, leaving Optimus steamed up with Rhinox and Rattrap to have a jolly laugh. But Optimus figures out Cheetor was funny, and gets in the jolly laugh with Rhinox and Rattrap.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|h1=[[Maximal]]s
|c1=
*[[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] (1)
*[[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] (2)
*[[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] (3)
*[[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] (4)
*[[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] (5)

|h2=[[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s
|c2=
*[[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]] (6)
*[[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] (7)
*[[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]] (8)
*[[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (9)
}}

==Quotes==
"Defeating them does not mean we have to ''annihilate'' them. You seem to have trouble understanding that."
:—'''Optimus''' gently chides Dinobot for thinking like a Predacon.

"Shoulda known no Maximal'd be stupid enough to try anything on a day like this."
:—'''Terrorsaur''' underestimates the enemy again.

"YOOOOOW, BULLET TRAAAAAAAIN..." 
''[An explosion sends Cheetor crashing into the wall!]'' 
"Comin' through." 
:—'''Cheetor''' narrowly escapes being turned into a charbroiled cheetah!

"Cheetor! Maximi— did that already."
:—'''Cheetor''' forgets that he already transformed.

"He's gone into the vents! You better report this to Megatron." 
"Me?! ''You're'' second-in-command!" 
"So make it an order!"
:—'''Scorponok''' and '''Waspinator''' establish the chain of command.

"Where'd he go?! Where'd ''I'' go?"
:—'''Terrorsaur''' realises he isn't in [[Kansas]] any more.

"Think of the cosmic magnificence. Together we'll overthrow these low-grade metal knock-offs you've joined, and then rule the Predacons with two iron fists! NOTHING CAN STOP US!"
:—'''Terrorsaur''' has such naive optimism.

"Hey! What are you doing? We're partners!" 
"In case you had not realized, Needlenose... I am ''not'' a team player."
:—'''Terrorsaur''', about to get launched over the horizon by '''Dinobot'''

"OK, OK, I'll never do that again! Until the next time."
:—'''Cheetor''' has learned nothing from this adventure.

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
* The collapsing mountain at the beginning of the episode seems to be sucked into the Energon cache after being hit with lightning.
* When Optimus is tossing the time bomb in one hand, it really doesn't move convincingly.
* The shot of Cheetor descending out of the base, as the "camera" spins around him, is rendered very oddly. Parts of the ''Axalon'' that look like they should be behind the cliff face appear in front of it, and as Cheetor dashes away, he overlaps a metal bar that's much closer to view.
* As Cheetor jumps across the rocks, his feet don't always touch the terrain.
* Cheetor doesn't really grab the Energon post's handle, his fist simply clips through it.
* When the lightning-bolt strikes him, you can tell by his shadow that Cheetor is actually floating a few inches above the ground.
* When Terrorsaur floats closer to the monitor screen on his platform, the tip of his right wing passes between the platform and his foot.
* As he reaches for his gun while dangling from the Predacons' flying platform, Cheetor's left elbow briefly turns inside-out.
* When Cheetor transforms to [[beast mode]] to jump into the vent, his various robot and beast parts all seem to appear and disappear randomly, out of sync with his usual transformation.
* Scorponok's eyes are weirdly distorted as he arrives to the vent. Also in this shot, Waspinator's left wings don't seem to "flap up", only down.
* After Cheetor escapes from the vents, he falls to the ground and his right forehead chevron kind of "twangs" forward. In the next scene he's in, it's back to normal against his head.
* Before Terrorsaur begins pruning his wing, the right side of his pterosaur chest appears to be sunken into his body.
* Scorponok's right claw is clipping though his thigh as he and Waspinator watch the missile chase Cheetor.
* When Optimus asks Dinobot if he's sure about the bomb's timer, his right arm seems to jump position between frames.

===Continuity errors===
* A major plot point is that due to an energon vein running beneath both ships, the destruction of either Predacon or Maximal bases would destroy the other. This is never mentioned again and frequently contradicted due to the repeated explosions at both. While most of the planet's energon was stabilized by the start of Season 2 (and thus wouldn't be an issue), the plot of Season 1 episode "[[Victory (episode)|Victory]]" revolves around... a massive explosion at the Predacon base. Arguably, either side could have harvested some of the energon by then to sever the connection between the bases, but this is never established!
* Despite making a big deal about how they should be killing Predacons when they get the chance, Dinobot doesn't avail himself of the opportunity when he's alone with Terrorsaur, instead harmlessly firing him out of the ship.
* When trying to outrun the explosion chasing him down the vents, for some reason Cheetor decides to transform to his [[robot mode]], even though it's been strongly implied that he's faster in beast mode.

===Continuity notes===
* The weather on prehistoric Earth appears to be ''extremely'' destructive. Two bolts of lightning cause a mountain to implode. This might have something to do with the abundant energon, although there's nothing in the show to back this up.
* This is the first episode where we get to hear Terrorsaur speak (Besides "Terrorsaur, terrorize!" that is).

===Transformers references===
* When Cheetor appears before him, Terrorsaur greets him thus: "Welcome to the dark side!" The episode script reveals that this was simply Terrorsaur being dramatic. However, because [[fandom|Transformers fans]] can be ''incredibly'' literal, some fans speculatively latched on to the idea that Terrorsaur was welcoming Cheetor to the "''Dark Side''", supposedly giving the Predacon ship/base a proper name.
*This bit of [[fanon]] was made official by the video game ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars Transmetals (N64)|Beast Wars Transmetals]]''. Years later, the ship's name was further codified by the [[BotCon 2006]] story "[[Dawn of Future's Past]]", which dodged [[trademark]] issues by giving it the intentional misspelling "[[Darksyde (BW)|Darksyde]]".
* This is what happens when fans are allowed to run things. Seriously.
* Curiously, at no point has anybody interpreted Dinobot's line as suggesting the Maximal ship is meant to be called "Enemy Arms".

===Trivia===
* This episode marks the finalization of most of the Maximals' voices; Cheetor loses most of his whine, Rhinox gains a more expressive range, and Dinobot sounds a fair bit deeper.
* Plenty of alternate transformation schemes in this episode. Most of Cheetor's transformations involve his cheetah mode, splitting in two through the middle (even the tail), and his cheetah head flipping down to be the chest of a fully-formed robot that's curled up within this beast "shell", already wearing most of his beast kibble. Dinobot also shows off a pair of transformations radically different from – and even more cheaty than – his normal one.
* Waspinator speaks in first-person in this episode.

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Dos à Dos'''" ("Back to Back")

:*''Title:'' "'''Dos à Dos'''" (Canada, "Back to Back")

'''Italian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Pari opportunità per i Biocombat'''" ("Equal Opportunities for the Biocombats")

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Jigen Bakudan Tensō Sakusen!'''" (時限爆弾転送作戦!, "Operation: Time Bomb Transfer!")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[October 22|22 October]] [[1997]]
::*Terrorsaur's line, "Welcome to the dark side!" was rendered, "Yōkoso, kaku!" or "Welcome, stranger!" (with plenty of ''caw caw caw'' noises added to the end, as is Terrorsaur's vocal tic in Japan). Thus, any silly ambiguity as to the proper noun status of his line is eliminated (not that it would matter, as the Predacon's ship received an official name in Japan long before it got one in the West: "Terror Crasher").

'''Polish'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Równe szanse'''" ("Equal Chances")

'''Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Medidas Iguais'''" ("Equal Measures")

'''Spanish'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Medidas Equitativas'''" (America, "Equal Measures")

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Yī Mài Xiàng Lián '''" (一脉相连, "In One Vein")

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1997 — ''Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers'' — Cheetus' Crisis ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2001 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — The Beginning: Vol. 1 ([[Universal]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Volume 2 ([[Rhino Entertainment|Rhinomation]])
;{{w|LaserDisc}}
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1998 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Maximal Edition ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — English and Japanese audio.
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2000 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — DVD Box (Pioneer LDC) — English and Japanese audio. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2002 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Volume 1 ([[Rhino Entertainment|Rhinomation]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — The Complete First Season (Rhinomation) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2011 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Season 1 ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2011 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — The Complete Series (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2014 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Chain of Command (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of Canada.png|20px|Canada]] 2005 — ''Beast Wars'' — Classic Episodes — Where the Beasties Began! ([[Alliance Atlantis]]) — English and French audio. 
[[File:Flag of Canada.png|20px|Canada]] 2005 — ''Beast Wars'' — The Complete First Season (Alliance Atlantis) — English and French audio. 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2006 — ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' — Season 1 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers: Beast Wars'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment)

[[Category:Beast Wars episodes]]
[[Category:Beast Wars 10th Anniversary]]
[[Category:Beast Wars Telemocha Series]]
[[Category:Pack-in material]]

Unstopped and Unstoppable

2018-08-08T16:00:11Z

Silver: /* Notes */

{{Comicstory
|series=op|issueno=22
|prev=The Falling, Chapter 6: Unforgivable
|next=Time Will Rust
|seriesissue2=''[[Transformers: Unicron]]''
|next2=Unicron issue 1
|caption=
|image=OP22 cvrA.jpg
|title="Unstopped and Unstoppable"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[August 8]], 2018
|coverdate=Late July 2018
|written by=[[John Barber]]
|art by=[[Sara Pitre-Durocher]]
|colors by=[[Josh Burcham]]
|letters by=[[Tom B. Long]]
|editor=[[David Mariotte]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era]]
}}

'''No sooner are Optimus Prime and Bumblebee back in the land of the living than the threat of Unicron makes itself known.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Wheeljack (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Wheeljack]] sets to work finding a way to restore [[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Optimus Prime]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Bumblebee]] to the physical world, building them new bodies, using photonic material from [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] to grow them new sparks, and finally, transferring their consciousnesses out of [[Pyra Magna]]'s mind. Bumblebee is restored first, and is caught up on current events by [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] while Wheeljack repeats the process with Prime, who awakens with a start from another nightmare about the [[Dark Cybertron (prophecy)|Dark Cybertron prophecy]]. Relieved to see that Bumblebee was not merely a figment of his imagination, Prime embraces his old friend, and begins to tell him about his nightmare, before Windblade interrupts with matters of greater importance.

Windblade plays back a video recording from an hour earlier, showing a three-man team of [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]], [[Subsea]], and [[Rest-Q (G1)|Rest-Q]] departing via [[space bridge|Space Bridge]] for [[Velocitron]] to investigate a loss of contact with the planet. The trio step through the portal to find the the populace of Velocitron scattering in a mad panic in response to the appearance of a huge, horned, planet-size object in the sky, at which point the recording cuts out. The identity of the object is a mystery, but Windblade believes that [[Transformers vs. Visionaries|recent events]] that took place while Optimus was offline hold the answer. A second message was beamed into space by the [[Talisman (G1)|Talisman]], this time containing a word that Windblade translates as "uncreator," the opposite of [[Primus]], which she believes is the name of the monster planet: [[Unicron]].

On [[Earth]], [[Rom]] the [[Space Knight]] engages in battle with a group of humans he believes have recently come into contact with a [[Dire Wraith]]. Presently, [[Jazz (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Jazz]] arrives on the scene, having traced a line of black market Cybertronian technology to the humans, and helps Rom subdue them. Suddenly, Rom's body is wracked with pain; he senses his homeworld of [[Elonia]] is in danger as Unicron approaches it, and further, knows he will be unable to return there in time to defend it. Jazz believes he knows someone who can help...

Back on Cybertron, [[Shockwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Shockwave]] is led through the streets to prison. As he goes, he rambles aloud to no-one in particular, relating the story of how, following the Age of Primes, he and the [[Maximal]]s relocated to the planet [[Antilla]], only to find that it "belonged to another." His escort, [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]], snaps at him to shut up, telling him that nobody is listening to him... but Beachcomber couldn't be more wrong, as among the crowds, Shockwave's ancient servant [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] has heard his words...

Out in space, former Space Knight [[Stardrive]] also senses the threat now faced by Elonia. [[Prowl (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Prowl]] reminds her that she owes Elonia nothing, and that she and the rest of his team are already occupied tracking the [[Maximal]]s. The beast-robots have been hunting down Cybertronians all across the galaxy, and Prowl's team is now on their trail following their flight from Cybertron...

On Earth, [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] has taken up residence in [[South Dakota]], near [[Mount Rushmore]]. While he and [[Slag (G1)|Slug]] chat—with Slug grumbling over the fact that [[Victorion]], rather than the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]], got to be the one to take down [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]—the [[President of the United States]] argues with [[Marissa Faireborn]], determined to have Trypticon sent back to Cybertron to alleviate security concerns. Their debate is interrupted by the arrival of Jazz and Rom; realizing the importance of Rom's mission to protect his homeworld, Jazz, still wanted by human authorities, surrenders himself to military custody in return for Rom being allowed to use Trypticon's space bridge to go to Cybertron and rally aid for Elonia.

In the [[New Cybertron]] refugee commune on [[Marshall Islands|Bikini Atoll]], [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] brings the news of Jazz's arrest and the attacks on the colonies to the Autobot colonist soldiers stationed there. Most of the group take the situation calmly, confident in Optimus Prime's ability to set it right, but of course, [[Slide]] is full of nothing but rancor for Optimus.

[[Our Darkest|Alas, even with the might of the Cybertronian fleet backing Rom up, they are unable to stop Unicron from consuming Elonia]]. Worse yet, news soon comes in that contact has also been lost with [[Eukaris]]. Rom is distraught, but [[Arcee (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Arcee]] is all business, determined to hunt Unicron down and destroy it. Pyra Magna reveals that she has recently been in contact with Prowl, and contacts him so he can join their planning. Prowl teleconferences in live from the midst of a battle between his team and the Maximals over [[Devisiun]], which Unicron is on the cusp of devouring. Learning about the fate of the other colonies, Prowl reasons—much to Stardrive's disgust—that they must abandon Devisiun and follow the fleeing Maximals to Unicron's ''next'' target, in order to set a trap for it there. In short order, Prowl is able to deduce that that target is [[Caminus]], and the Cybertronian space fleet makes ready to defend it. Optimus Prime has a dangerous plan in mind, and warns that the price will be a high one indeed: they will evacuate the entire population of Caminus and ''let'' the planet be destroyed, buying Prime time to venture within Unicron in hopes of learning more about it.

On Cybertron, [[Starscream (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Starscream]] and the [[Decepticon]]s hole up in the corpse of [[Metrotitan (Zone)|Metrotitan]], where Starscream tells his followers about his plans to reunite the various Decepticons cells scattered throughout the galaxy. Presently, Rhinox arrives, and invites Starscream to accompany him to Shockwave's cell.

A news broadcast from [[Circuit (G1)|Circuit]] regarding the destruction of the various colonies and the arrival of surviving refugees on Cybertron reaches New Cybertron on Earth. Having been informed of Prime's plan for Caminus by Pyra Magna, Slide tells her fellow colonists that Prime let ''all'' the colonies be destroyed, and declares it's time to end his reign for good.

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks. 
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Optimus Prime]] (1)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Wheeljack]] (2)
*[[Pyra Magna]] (3)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Bumblebee]] (4)
*[[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] (5)
*[[Subsea]] (6)
*[[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (7)
*[[Rest-Q (G1)|Rest-Q]] (8)
*[[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] (9)
*[[Jazz (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Jazz]] (13)
*[[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] (17)
*[[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] (18)
*[[Prowl (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Prowl]] (21)
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Goldbug (IDW)|Goldbug]] (22)
*[[Slag (G1)|Slug]] (25)
*[[Midnight Express (RID)|Midnight Express]] (32)
*[[Gimlet]] (33)
*[[Bump]] (34)
*[[Roulette (Universe)|Roulette]] (35)
*[[Slide]] (36)
*[[Arcee (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Arcee]] (37)
*[[Metrotitan (Zone)|Metrotitan]]'s corpse (44)
*[[Aileron]] (45)
{{!}}}

|c2=
*[[Shockwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Shockwave/''Onyx Prime'']] (15)
*[[Starscream (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Starscream]] (39)
*[[Needlenose (G1)|Needlenose]] (40)
*[[Acid Storm]] (41)
*[[Tankor (BM)|Fat Tankor]] (42)
*[[Octane|Tall Tankor]] (43)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Soundwave]] (46)

|c3=
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Spike Witwicky]] (26)
*[[President of the United States]] (27)
*[[Marissa Faireborn]] (28)
*[[Zilong Qian|Talon]] (29)

|h4=[[Maximal]]s|c4=
*''"[[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]]"'' (14)
*''"[[Megatron (BW)|''Beast Wars'' Megatron]]"'' (16)
*[[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] (19)
*[[Archadis]] (38)

|h5=Others|c5=
*[[Swift (G1)|Swift]] (10)
*[[Unicron]] (11)
*[[Rom]] (12)
*[[Stardrive]] (20)
*[[Garnak]] (23)
*[[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] (24)
*[[Detritus (G1)|Detritus]] (30)
*[[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] (31)
*[[Circuit (G1)|Circuit]] (47)
}}

==Quotes==
"'''Sitting up''' real fast and '''yelling''' always lets a 'bot know when a procedure '''worked.'''"
:—'''Wheeljack''' cheerfully responds to Optimus Prime awakening from his nightmare

"Selling out the '''living''' for the sake of expediency. I was an '''idiot''' to believe in you. Elonians... Wraiths... Cybertronians... we're '''all''' the same... we '''deserve''' each other."
:—'''Stardrive'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*Optimus Prime once again dreams of the [[Dark Cybertron (prophecy)|Dark Cybertron prophecy]], including the image of himself holding [[Galvatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Galvatron]]'s head on a pike, as he did before in [[All Hail Optimus Part 1: Once Upon a Time on Earth|''The Transformers'' #50]]. The title of this issue, "Unstopped and Unstoppable," is the final line of the prophecy.
*The events of the ''[[Transformers vs. Visionaries]]'' mini-series are revealed to have taken place in the few days between last issue and this one.
*For the last seven years, IDW stories have made occasional reference to "Primus's opposite," an oblique way of referring to Unicron without ever saying his name. This issue confirms that the name "Unicron" is not part of any known Cybertronian legend; Windblade determines the name to mean "uncreator," and concludes that it is Primus's opposite based on that.
*Jazz was last seen in [[Primeless, Part 2|issue #12]], having gone rogue to hunt down humans using Cybertronian-derived tech following the events of [[What It's Really Like|issue #8]].
*Shockwave relates how, after the end of the Age of Primes, he and and his [[Maximal]]s relocated to [[Antilla]]. They were first revealed to have a presence on the planet during that time in [[Ghost Stories|the 2017 ''Transformers'' annual]].
*The caption isn't kidding when it says Rhinox "hasn't shown up for a while"; his sole previously appeared was four years ago, in [[The Crucible|''Robots in Disguise'' #34]]. He was an ancient servant of Onyx Prime's from millions of years ago who was left behind when his master left the planet. It's unclear where he's been in the interim, if he's lived on Cybertron or if he relocated to [[Eukaris]] or elsewhere.
*Prowl's team were last seen in [[The Dead Come Home, Part 2 (of 2)|issue #14]], in which issue it was revealed Prowl was in contact with Pyra Magna.
*The events of [[Our Darkest|''Unicron'' #0]]—including the destruction of both Elonia and Eukaris—take place between pages 13 and 14 of this issue. The audience is intended to have already read that story before this issue, as it was released several months earlier for [[Free Comic Book Day]]. The end of the story leads directly into [[Unicron issue 1|''Unicron'' #1]], which opens with Unicron's attack on Caminus, and includes Starscream meeting with Shockwave following Rhinox's invitation.

===Transformers references===
*As we already knew would be the case thanks to the issues of ''[[Transformers: Unicron|Unicron]]'' that had been released before this, Bumblebee's new body is based on his "[[evergreen]]" design.
*Subsea was a generic "hi-then-die" Autobot from the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel UK]] story "[[Underworld!]]"
*Rest-Q is an Autobot [[Mini Vehicle]] created by [[Fun Publications]] and featured in a few of their "[[Transformers: Wings Universe|Wings Universe]]" stories, based on a protoype version of [[Hubcap (G1)|Hubcap]] and named after [[Rest-Q (GoBots)|a Guardian GoBot]].
*Wreck-Gar's disembodied head is ferried around by a Junkion named Detritus, a character created by [[e-HOBBY]] in 2004 who was a recolor of the original [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] toy. This is literally the first appearance he's ever made in ''Transformers'' media under his own name, in his original body.

===Real-life references===
*After Marissa promises that "no Cybertronians are going to take over this place," the president replies "that's probably exactly what the Lakota said," sarcastically alluding to the unpalatable real-world history of Mount Rushmore; the mountain, originally a site sacred to the {{w|Lakota Sioux}} known as "The Six Grandfathers", was illegally seized from the Lakota by the United States government in 1877 despite the {{w|Treaty of Fort Laramie}} granting the {{w|Black Hills}} to the Sioux in perpetuity — something paralleled in Optimus's annexation of Earth against humanity's wishes. Who says that comic books can't teach you anything?
*Wreck-Gar emulates the [[Christmas]] carol "{{w|Good King Wenceslas}}" when he declares: "Good King Optimus went out to keep the peace or get even."

===Errors===
*Windblade's lower lip remains unpainted for the whole issue.

===Other trivia===
*Originally solicited for late July 2018, as the second of two ''Optimus Prime'' issues to be released that month, this issue arrived late, in the second week of August.

===Covers (3)===
*'''Cover A:''' Optimus Prime and Bumblebee in the shadow of Shockwave and Unicron, by [[Kei Zama]] and [[Josh Burcham]]
*'''Cover B:''' Jazz and Rom, by [[Sara Pitre-Durocher]]
*'''Retailer incentive cover:''' Black-and-white lineart version of Cover A
<gallery>
File:OP22 cvrA.jpg|
File:OP22 cvrB.jpg|
File:OP22 cvrRI.jpg|
</gallery>

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

==External links==
*[https://www.newsarama.com/41248-unicron-arrives-in-optimus-prime-22-preview.html Preview]

[[Category:Optimus Prime issues]]

Crucible (Part 4): The Return of the King

2018-08-08T15:50:17Z

Silver: /* Continuity notes */ typo

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

''Rung'' is.

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks. 
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ultra Magnus]] (1)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Rodimus]] (2)
*[[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]] (6)
*[[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]] (8)
*[[Chromedome (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Chromedome]] (10)
*[[Riptide (G1)|Riptide]] (12)
*[[Grimlock (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Grimlock]] (15)
*[[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] (21)
*[[Brainstorm (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Brainstorm]] (35)
*[[Rung (G1)|Rung]]/[[Primus]] (36)
*[[Ratchet (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ratchet]] (37)
*[[Rewind (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Rewind]] (38)
*[[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] (39)
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Drift (G1)|Drift]] (40)
*[[Nautica (G1)|Nautica]] (41)
*[[Thunder Clash|Thunderclash]] (42)
*[[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] (43)
*[[Velocity (G1)|Velocity]] (47)
{{!}}}
|c2=
*[[Krok (G1)|Krok]] (11)
*[[Scorponok (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Scorponok]]'s corpse (19)
*[[Nickel]] (22)
*[[Fulcrum]] (33)
*[[Spinister (G1)|Spinister]] (44)
*[[Crankcase (G1)|Crankcase]] (48)
*[[Misfire (G1)|Misfire]] (49)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*The Functionist Council list off Megatron's allies, who they have all killed: [[Terminus (G1)|Terminus]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Orion Pax]] (with whom Megatron established radio contact at the end of [[Dissolution Part 6: This Machine Kills Fascists|issue #6]]), Rung, and [[Impactor (G1)|Impactor]] (with whom Megatron was friends in "our" universe before the war, as seen in [[Chaos Theory Part 1|''The Transformers'' vol. 1 #22]]).
*In a bit of misdirection, last issue implied that Tyrest's space bridge from [[Remain in Light 5 of 5: This Calamitous Life|''More than Meets the Eye'' #21]] led into the future, and that Skids and Pharma had caught a glimpse of the events of this story. In reality, the bridge led into the Architect's mind, which means that what Skids saw was only the ''idea'' of the five Cybertrons, before the Architect had made them real, and that the orb of energy Skids encountered was the Architect's consciousness.
*The "[[zero point]]" condition was first introduced in the [[Zero Point|prose story that bore its name]].
*In his centuries away, Megatron has fulfilled his original ambition in life—to become a medic, as he revealed in [[The Becoming: Dark Cybertron Chapter 10|''More than Meets the Eye'' #27]].
*It's logical that the Functionist Universe would have its own version of the ''Lost Light'', since the ship was constructed five million years ago, before the two universe's timelines diverged. Megatron notes that the ship's quantum engines aren't on the same level as "our" universe's ''Lost Light''—which is because that version of the ship's was never upgraded by its time-travelling crew from the future like ours was, as seen in [[Elegant Chaos Part 3: Predestination: An Expert's Guide|''More than Meets the Eye'' #38]]. Consequently, the ship never left Cybertron, and retained its original name, the ''Unitrex-1,'' until Megatron renamed it.
*Chromedome notes that, in-universe, only a month at maximum has passed between ''Lost Light'' #6 and this issue. This means that ''Lost Light'' is actually ''massively'' behind the rest of the IDW universe; release the same week as this issue, [[Unstopped and Unstoppable|''Optimus Prime'' #22]] notes that its events take place "a few ''years''" after events roughly concurrent with the crew's [[The Dying of the Light|adventure on Necroworld]] and trip to Functionist Universe did. However, see "Errors", below.
*With the revelation that the Grand Architect is really Adaptus, "god of transformation," the infamous gear-like symbol that he has been using as his insignia takes on new meaning: it's shaped like a ''[[transformation cog]]!'' Its use by the Knights of Cybertron is explained as them "marching under Adaptus's banner."
*The other four symbols we saw back in [[An Axe to Break the Ice|issue #8]] are explained to each represent one of the other four members of the Guiding Hand; naturally, the symbol that [[Agonizer]] observed on the surface of the Magnificence in [[The Ties That Bind|issue #14]] turns out to be the symbol of Epistemus.

===Transformers references===
*Obscure characters among the ranks of the AVL include [[Flame (Motorvator)|Flame]] and [[Lightspeed (Motorvator)|Lightspeed]], two members of the European-exclusive [[Motorvator]] sub-group from 1991, and [[Decibel]], combined form of the 1987 Japanese-exclusive [[Autobot Mini-Cassette]]s [[Graphy]] and [[Noise]].
*Among the list of Megatron's fallen allies that the Functionist Council list off is a name not heard in the IDW universe before: [[Nightstalker (G1)|Nightstalker]], a Transformer from the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel UK comic]] who briefly worked with Megatron to defend [[Overlord (rank)|Autobot Overlord]] in the seminal story "[[State Games]]."

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

===Errors===
*On page 13, panel 1, Whirl is drawn among the group rescued by Megatron, when he's supposed to be back on the Architect's Worldsweeper with Rodimus and the others, part of the smaller group who didn't manage to escape.
*The idea that it's only been a month since "Dissolution" just... doesn't add up. [[The Dying of the Light: (1) How Bright Their Frail Deeds|''More than Meets the Eye'' #50]] established through a cameo from [[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Optimus Prime]] and [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] that the events of "The Dying of the Light" took place either parallel to or shortly before the "[[All Hail Optimus]]" arc of [[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|''The Transformers'']], and [[After Megatron (A Dissolution Epilogue)|''Lost Light'' #7]] claimed that "The Dying of the Light" and "Dissolution" took place across 7 days. So far, so good... except that this issue has to take place after ''[[Revolution]]'' and its [[Nothing Will Ever Be the Same Again!|''MTMTE'' tie-in]], which, as established by [[Concorde Hymn|''Revolution'' #1]] and ''{{i|Field Test|ROM: Revolution}}'', took place ''six months'' after "All Hail Optimus". (You could ''maybe'' no-prize it that, with all the universe-hopping and Warren travel, it's just been a week from the perspective of the Rod Squad and has been longer in real time, but that'd definitely be an after-the-fact justification.)
*In the latest example of a recurring error, the Necrobot's name, "Censere," is misspelled with an extra "r" as "Censerre." It's happened so often now we'd think that was the intended spelling, except they keep fixing the error for the trade paperbacks!

===Other trivia===
*Originally solicited for release in late July 2018, as the second of two issues of ''Lost Light'' that were supposed to be released that month, this issue arrived late, in the second week of August.

===Soundtrack===
TBC

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

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

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

[[Category: Lost Light issues]]

Stranger Eons

2018-07-25T15:20:00Z

Silver: /* Continuity notes */ typo

{{comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Transformers: Unicron]]'' #2
|prev=Unicron issue 1
|next=Unicron issue 3
|image=TFUnicron2_cvrA.jpg
|caption=
|title="Stranger Eons"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[July 25]], [[2018]]
|coverdate=Late July, 2018
|written by=[[John Barber]]
|art by=[[Alex Milne]]
|colors by=[[Sebastian Cheng]]
|letters by=[[Tom B. Long]]
|editor=[[David Mariotte]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era]]
}}

'''Starscream orchestrates a Decepticon retaliation against Unicron, while Bumblebee goes to Omega Supreme for answers about the planet-eater's origins.'''

==Synopsis==
Disparaging all those leaders who have come before him, [[Starscream (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Starscream]] explains to the assembled populace of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and the survivors of the destroyed colonies his plan to eliminate [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]. Starscream has sent [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] out into the universe to round up the many scattered cells of surviving [[Decepticon]]s who never returned to Cybertron after the war ended. Between them, these Decepticons form a vast communications network that allows them to track down Unicron's location and intercept it. Now, this united "[[Decepticon Vengeance Division]]" surrounds the monster planet with a [[stasis web]] that prevents it from teleporting away...

Still dealing with the loss of [[Caminus]], [[Aileron]] finds no comfort in [[Arcee (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Arcee]]'s stoic assurance that they will be able to get through the threat of Unicron. Before the pair can argue their feelings out, [[Bumblebee (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Bumblebee]] apologetically interrupts to question Arcee; the sight of the [[Guardian robot|Omega Sentinel]] they found inside Unicron clearly unnerved her, and he wants to know why. Aileron is ready to defend Arcee's honor, but Arcee confesses the secret reason: long ago, she fought alongside the Sentinels during the first disastrous attempts at Cybertronian expansion to other worlds. She assumes one of the Sentinels must have found Unicron, long ago, and suspects it could have been sent by [[Shockwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Shockwave]]. Since they obviously can't trust anything Shockwave would tell them, Bumblebee heads off to see the only other 'bot who might have the answer, but when Aileron tries to tag along, 'Bee is reluctant to let her. Aileron explains that she needs something to ''do'' in this time of crisis, an urge Bumblebee himself is very familiar with, and agrees to let her join him as he visits the hangar containing the comatose [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]. Of course, since the giant [[Autobot]] has been offline for years, there's no way 'Bee can actually ''talk'' with Omega; he is just here to scope out the situation, hoping perhaps [[Soundwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Soundwave]] can be called upon to read Omega's mind. That becomes unnecessary, however, when 'Bee rests his hand upon Omega's forehead, and a crackle of dark energy overcomes the little 'bot, darkening his eyes...

The [[Torchbearer]]s watch from afar as [[Pyra Magna]] silently looks out over the horizon, still clutching the deceased [[Mistress of Flame]]'s forgehammer. Pyra thinks the gift of the hammer was one last parting jab from the Mistress, to remind her of what the Mistress believed she should be; bitterly, Pyra stabs the hammer's shaft into the ground, and leaves it standing here as she walks away, angrily certain that she could never forget the Mistress, even if she wanted to.

Starscream joins [[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Optimus Prime]] and the rest of the [[Council of Worlds]] in their war room, though he is far from welcomed by his old political partners. Starscream assures them he's not who he used to be, revealing Shockwave's plan to build a new Decepticon empire after letting Unicron eat Cybertron, and how he has no desire to go along with it. [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] proposes adding the rest of the Cybertronian fleet to the Decepticon armada for the attack on Unicron, but Starscream insists they can do it alone, while Optimus remains confident in his belief that Starscream intends to betray them all. The argument is interrupted by a transmission from [[G Nebula 89]], which turns out to be from the starship ''[[Sabre]]'' captained by the long-absent [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]], who was sent to search for [[Liege Maximo]] months ago. Maximo's reappearance on Cybertron had led all to assume the ''Sabre'' was lost, but it turns out they had a run-in with the [[Maximal]]s and sustained damage to their comms which has only just now been repaired. And none too soon, because the ''Sabre'' has just run across the Decepticon fleet as it begins its attack on Unicron!

Somehow merging minds with Omega Supreme, Bumblebee is granted a glimpse into the distant past, where Unicron's origins are hinted at. Long ago, on a distant, unknown world consumed by war, an alien scientist created a doomsday device that would end the conflict by ending all life. The energies released by this device tore across the cosmos, causing mutations in other races, sweeping across the world of [[Prysmos]], giving birth to the [[Dire Wraith]]s... and obliterating the war-torn world's star system, leaving only a black star, orbited by the now-dead world.

Chromia and her crew watch in awe as the Decepticon fleet unleashes unspeakable mounts of firepower against Unicron, to no apparent avail. Bursting through the conflagration, the Maximal army comes flying up from Unicron's surface, the sight of which is enough for Chromia to call retreat. But the crew of the ''Sabre'' are not the only ones departing the scene; Unicron too warps away, the stars once again winking out in his wake. As the Maximals close on the fleet, the Decepticons think they're in for a fight, but all is not as it seems; Bludgeon reveals that Unicron is his true master, and welcomes the Maximals aboard his ship! There, the [[Eukaris|Eukarian]]-looking Transformers shed their beast-skins to reveal their true forms—spiked devil-robots cast in the image of their progenitor Liege Maximo—as Bludgeon declares that they shall be the final evolution of the Decepticons!

His knowledge imparted, Omega Supreme dies, leaving Aileron to rouse Bumblebee from his trance. The pair race outside in respond to the sounds of chaos, and stare into the sky to see that Unicron has arrived, and has transformed into a titantic robot form that now looms over Cybertron. But Bumblebee has learned what Unicron ''is''... and knows that the only way to stop it is for all the Transformers to ''die!''

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Optimus Prime]] (1)
*[[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] (3)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Bumblebee]] (6)
*[[Arcee (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Arcee]] (12)
*[[Aileron]] (13)
*[[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] (14)
*[[Pyra Magna]] (15)
*[[Stormclash]] (16)
*[[Skyburst (G1)|Skyburst]] (17)
*[[Rust Dust]] (18)
*[[Dust Up]] (19)
*[[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]] (29)
|c2=
*[[Starscream (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Starscream]] (2)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Soundwave]] (4)
*[[Wideload (Classics)|Wideload]] (7)
*[[Broadside (Classics)|Broadside]] (8)
*[[Sledge (Classics)|Sledge]] (9)
*[[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] (10)

|h3=[[Maximal]]s
|c3=
*"[[Megatron (BW)|''Beast Wars'' Megatron]]" (17)
*"[[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]]" (14)
*"[[Inferno (BW)|''Beast Wars'' Inferno]]" (33)

|h4=Other Cybertronians|c4=
*[[Fireshot (G1)|Fireshot]] (21)
*[[Vanquish (G1)|Vanquish]] (22)
*[[Moonracer (G1)|Moonracer]] (23)
*[[Knock Out (G1)|Knock Out]] (24)
*[[Obsidian (BM)|Obsidian]] (25)
*[[Strika (BM)|Strika]] (26)
*[[Elita One (G1)|Elita One]] (27)
*[[Greenlight]] (30)
*[[Lancer]] (31)

|h5=Others|c5=
*[[Rom]] (5)
*[[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] (11)
*[[Marissa Faireborn]] (28)
*''[[Dire Wraith]]s'' (32)
*''[[Prysmosian]]s'' (33)
}}

==Quotes==
"Starscream was '''right''' about me. I pretty much '''never''' know what I'm doing."
:—'''Bumblebee'''

"You didn't know when to stop talking about me, Mistress. You claimed I abandoned the '''Way of Flame'''... but I '''never''' relinquished by duty to Caminus '''or''' her people. I simply refused to serve the Primes' '''hypocrisy'''—or '''yours.''' Did you give me the '''forgehammer''' to remind me of what you thought I should be? To hammer my '''spark''' down a bit? Well, you didn't '''need''' to, Mistress. I will '''never''' forget you... not matter '''how''' hard I try."
:—'''Pyra Magna''' eulogizes the Mistress of Flame

''"The '''star system''' gone... the heart of the storm '''remained'''... the ghosts '''fled'''... no... not ghosts... '''Wraiths'''... spread '''far away'''... power '''coalesced'''... a '''lone planet'''... orbiting a '''black star'''... lifeless... alone... Unicron."''
:—'''Bumblebee''' has a vision

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*Windblade still believes Bludgeon is dead following the events of ''[[The Transformers: Salvation|Salvation]]'', but we learned he was still alive back in [[The Dead Come Home, Part 1 (of 2)|issue #13]]. Starscream must have sent him off into space somewhere between [[The Dead Come Home, Part 2 (of 2)|issue #14]] and his subsequent loss of power in the [[The Chosen One|2017 ''Till All Are One'' annual]].
*Arcee's history with the Omega Sentinels as part of Cybertron's attempted expansion was detailed in [[The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|''Optimus Prime'' #18]].
*As we noted last issue, Omega Supreme has been offline since sustaining severe injuries in [[The End of the Beginning of the World|''Robots in Disguise'' #11]].
*Chromia left Cybertron to pursuit Liege Maximo in [[Heavy|''Till All Are One'' #9]].
*It's not entirely clear from the visuals, but it ''appears'' that the energies released by the alien doomsday weapon were responsible for the destruction of Prysmos, an event which, per [[Schismatic|''Transformers vs. Visionaries'' #1]], the former inhabitants of the planet believe was caused by the de-alignment of its three suns. This makes the narration a little confusing, however, as it implies that the magicks of Prysmos were ''created'' by Unicron's birth.
*The [[Dire Wraith]]s were established to hail from the [[Dark Nebula]] in [[Nothing Will Ever Be the Same Again!|''More than Meets the Eye: Revolution'']]. Is this the region of space that is home to the "black star" left by the activation of the alien device?
*The visual of a "dead world" orbiting a "black star" has been a component of the Onyx Prime/Unicron mytharc since 2015's [[Conquerors Part 2: Lagrange|''Transformers'' #47]]. We still don't have the full picture, but Unicron was shown orbiting a black hole in his debut in [[First Strike issue 6|''First Strike'' #6]], and the [[Ghost Stories|2017 ''Transformers'' annual]] would show that the planet [[Antilla]], home of Shockwave/Onyx Prime following the end of the first Cybertronian Civil War, did the same...
*Bludgeon spoke of the approach of a "master" back in issue #14; the most logical choice at the time was that he was referring to the impending arrival of Onyx Prime (especially since Onyx later turned out to be Shockwave, who actually used to ''be'' Bludgeon's master), but it turns out that, like we speculated, he was indeed referring to Unicron!

===Transformers references===
*The three Decepticons we see Bludgeon recruit are the [[Demolition Team]], a squad of [[Mini-Con]]s released as part of the 2006 ''[[Transformers: Classics]]'' toyline. Unsurprisingly, they're not Mini-Cons here!
*In addition to the [[Worldsweeper]]s, which should be familiar to any longtime IDW readers, other types of ship seen in the Decepticon Vengeance Division fleet include [[Warworld]]s (originally from the [[Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)|Marvel ''Generation 2'' comic]], but which have also shown up in IDW continuity), and multiple ships cast in the image of the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'' from the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]], and the [[Revenge (G1)|''Revenge'']] from ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''.
*Chromia's ship is named the ''[[Sabre]]'', after the [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian]] spacecraft from the Marvel ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)|Generation 2]]'' comics.
*G Nebula 89 is a region of space featured in the [[Transformers: Super-God Masterforce (cartoon)|''Super-God Masterforce'']] and [[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory (cartoon)|''Victory'']] cartoons.

===Other franchise references===
*The airships seen above Prysmos are scaled-up and redesigned versions of the ''Visionaries'' [http://www.thevisionaries.net/characters/sky-claw/sky-claw/18 Sky Claw] chariot.

===Real-world references===
*The title of this issue, "Stranger Eons," is a reference to a quote from the {{w|H. P. Lovecraft}} horror story ''{{w|The Nameless City}}'': "That is not dead which can eternal lie/And with strange aeons, even death may die." The concept of "death dying" goes hand-in-hand with Bludgeon's line that, in killing Unicron, the Decepticons "will kill death."

===Errors===
*Should Firestar be on the cover of this issue? The theme of the scene is Starscream and the council; has Firestar been drawn in place of actual council member Moonracer? She's not in the actual issue!
*On page 2, Sledge calls Wideload "Sledge".

===Deathlist===
*Omega Supreme; finally succumbs to his injuries after mind-melding with Bumblebee

===Other trivia===
*This issue also includes a four-page ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'' back-up strip, "[[Last Stand (G.I. Joe)|Last Stand]]," a short coda for the unfinished ''[[Scarlett's Strike Force]]'' that seems to be set a little further into the future than the events of the main story this issue, as it shows the Maximals attacking [[Earth]]. Since we covered that series on this wiki, it's got its own article here.
*Other backmatter includes the first installment in a series of interviews with creators from IDW's past. This issue, it's the IDW's second-ever writer ''Transformers'' [[Nick Roche]] and ''[[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron|All Hail Megatron]]'' scribe [[Shane McCarthy]].

===Covers (4)===
*'''Cover A:''' Starscream and the council by [[Alex Milne]] and [[Sebastian Cheng]]
*'''Cover B:''' Bumblebee, Starscream, Bludgeon, Chromia, Elita One, [[Virulina]], and [[Matt Trakker]], by [[James Raiz]] and [[David Garcia Cruz]]; connects to Raiz's other covers for the series to form a larger image
*'''Retailer incentive Cover A:''' Optimus, Bumblebee, and Windblade, by [[Casey Coller]] and [[John-Paul Bove]]
*'''Retailer incentive Cover B:''' Bumblebee by [[Francesco Francavilla]]; connects to Francavilla's other covers for the series to form a larger image

<gallery>
File:TFUnicron2_cvrA.jpg
File:TFUnicron2_cvrB.jpg
File:TFUnicron2_cvrRIA.jpg
File:TFUnicron2_cvrRIB.jpg
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*[[Unicron issue 3|''Transformers: Unicron'' #3]]
*''[[Transformers: Unicron]]''
*''Optimus Prime'' #22 (says "on sale this month"; it's not, it's late)
*''Lost Light'' #22 (ditto)
*''Unicron'' checklist

==External links==
*[https://graphicpolicy.com/2018/07/24/preview-transformers-unicron-2-of-6/ Preview]

[[Category:Unicron issues]]

The Falling, Chapter 5: Endless Forever

2018-07-11T22:26:23Z

Silver: /* Continuity notes */

{{Comicstory
|series=op|issueno=20
|prev=The Falling, Chapter 4: The Hallowing
|next=The Falling, Chapter 6
|caption=
|image=OP20 cvrA.jpg
|title="The Falling Chapter 5: Endless Forever"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[July 11]], 2018
|coverdate=June 2018
|written by=[[John Barber]]
|art by=[[Kei Zama]]
|finishes by=[[Casey Coller]] (pg. 14-19)
|colors by=[[Josh Burcham]]
|letters by=[[Tom B. Long]]
|editor=[[David Mariotte]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era]]
}}

'''While chaos reigns on multiple fronts on Cybertron, Optimus Prime and Bumblebee try to escape Infraspace.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Bumblebee (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Bumblebee]] thinks back to the time he first met [[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Orion Pax]], and how he subsequently joined Orion's [[Autobot]] police force as they pushed back against the [[Decepticon]] uprising. As the fight wore on, however, Orion became more and more disillusioned and violent, to the point of physically abusing suspects, as he did to [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] on the day the Autobots raided his weapons-manufacturing warehouse. But still, Bumblebee stayed on Orion's side, because he owed his life to him... and later, when Orion cast off his darkness to rise up against the corrupt [[Zeta Prime]] and became Optimus Prime, Bumblebee knew he'd made the right choice. Four million years later, Bumblebee died by [[Shockwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Shockwave]]'s hand, and his body was sucked into a miniature singularity... but rather than moving on to the next world, 'Bee instead found himself trapped in the limbo realm of [[Infraspace]], between life and death. There, he has remained for years, alone—until right now, as Optimus Prime, thrown into the singularity by Shockwave, appears to join him. Optimus believes that this is the end, that he will be unable to save Cybertron, but 'Bee is confident that, with the Prime at his side, together they can find a way to escape back to reality.

Back on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], [[Arcee (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Arcee]]'s confidence is waning as Shockwave's [[Maximal]] army slowly threatens to overcome her, with one even raking [[Sideswipe (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Sideswipe]]'s [[jet pack]] off her back. She hurls her sword at [[Optimus Primal (BW)|one of her opponents]], but the blade is snatched out of the air by [[Liege Maximo]]. Familiar with the Prime of Lies from her youth, Arcee is surprised to see him fighting alongside the "[[Eukaris|Eukarian]] army," but Maximo is quick to correct her: though the Maximals may ''look'' like the beasts of Eukaris, they are not. Unarmed, Arcee is overwhelmed by the Maximals, but surprisingly, is taken prisoner alive on Shockwave's orders—orders that Maximo hopes he'll soon rescind.

By the dead body of [[Metrotitan (Zone)|Metrotitan]], Shockwave observes [[Victorion]]'s battle with [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], as the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]] combiner's sheer bloody-mindedness gives him the strength to push through the pressure Victorion subjects him to with her gravity-manipulating powers. [[Starscream (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Starscream]], meanwhile, slinks away, having had everything he ever wanted ripped out from under him as the punchline of some grand cosmic joke, while [[Jetfire (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Jetfire]] and [[Aileron]] survey the damage done to Metrotitan, and Jetfire catches the Camien up on Shockwave's history. Aileron manages to find the bright side, concluding that, since "[[Onyx Prime]]" is actually just "some guy" in disguise and not actually a divine Prime, maybe they ''can'' beat him after all.

Elsewhere, [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] rejoins her fellow [[Council of Worlds|council]] members after conducting a futile search for Optimus Prime. [[Elita One (G1)|Elita One]] desires retaliation, ready to order [[Vigilem|Carcer]] to attack, but [[Marissa Faireborn]] advocates caution. The [[Mistress of Flame]] is more concerned with the chaos that has erupted in the streets, as Decepticons and Prime loyalists have come to blows, even as each faction falls to in-fighting over who to actually follow. [[Soundwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Soundwave]], now ''persona non grata'' after his role in the killing of [[Horri-Bull]] was exposed, hides in the shadows as angry Decepticons search for him, but things take a turn when the crowd spots Starscream, who is trying to make his way back to the authorities, so he can surrender, be put back in his cell, and go back to ''not worrying'' about everyone else's problems again. The other Decepticons haltingly suggest that... maybe... he could... be ''their'' leader again? After all, he did a good job leading the planet, and at least they ''know'' they're getting a cheating liar if they choose him. Starscream tries to fight the idea, but starts to realize that maybe the Decepticons genuinely don't have a better choice... which prompts an incensed Soundwave to take action.

In Infraspace, Bumblebee tells Optimus about his inexplicable ability to communicate with Starscream as a "ghost." Having had experience with Infraspace, Prime observes that they do not exist ''physically'' in the realm; they are just free-floating life-forces, untethered and adrift, without bodies. Perhaps, Bumblebee muses, Starscream's sense of not belonging in his own body was enough to bridge the gap between the realms and let them communicate. Whatever the reason, such thinking soon provides a potential avenue of escape. As Bumblebee apologizes to Prime for his failure to build a working government on Cybertron, and Prime tells Bumblebee he has nothing to apologize for, taking the blame onto himself, their conversation shifts to the [[Matrix of Leadership]], and how Bumblebee knows that, despite what devout believers in the Primes may say, it didn't change who Prime was at his core. Prime agrees; the Matrix is "just an idea." But in Infraspace... ''everything'' is "just an idea," a thought without physical form. And while the ''physical'' Matrix may be without power, if the ''idea'' of the Matrix and everything it represents was powerful enough to start the war all those millions of years ago, perhaps, in this realm, the power of that idea may be enough to free them. Prime opens his chest, and the Matrix glows brilliantly within...

Searching for Arcee, Jetfire and Aileron come upon the site of her battle, strewn with Maximal corpses and Sideswipe's jet pack. They fear the worst, but it seems the worst is yet to come, as, on the other side of the battlefield, the once-miniature singularity in the heart of [[Crystal City]] has started to grow, and now, flares with energy that catches Aileron's attention. Then, behind the pair, Shockwave appears, a vial of [[Regenesis]] ore in his hand, and the ''[[Nemesis (BWII)|Nemesis]]'' floating behind him. His plan, he declares, is near completion—but for the final step, Jetfire and Aileron are needed!

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks. 
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Optimus Prime/Orion Pax]] (1)
*''[[Ironhide (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ironhide]]'' (2)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Bumblebee]] (3)
*''[[Prowl (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Prowl]]'' (8)
*[[Jetfire (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Jetfire]] (10)
*''[[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]]'' (13)
*''[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ultra Magnus]]'' (14)
*[[Arcee (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Arcee]] (20)
*[[Victorion]] (33)
*[[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] (35)
*[[Metrotitan (Zone)|Metrotitan]] (36)
*[[Aileron]] (37)
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
{{!}}}
|c2=
*''[[Space Case (G2)|Space Case]]'' (4)
*''[[Road Pig (G2)|Road Pig]]'' (5)
*''[[Snarler]]'' (6)
*''[[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]]'' (7)
*''[[Finback]]'' (9)
*[[Shockwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Shockwave]] (12)
*[[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] (32)
*[[Acid Storm]] (41)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Soundwave]] (43)
*[[Needlenose (G1)|Needlenose]] (44)
*[[Octane|Tall Tankor]] (45)
*[[Flip Sides (G1)|Flip Sides]] (46)
*[[Swift (G1)|Swift]] (48)
*[[G'nur]] (49)
*[[Submarauder (G1)|Submarauder]] (50, see notes)
*[[Skullgrin]] (51, see notes)
*[[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] or [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] (52)

|h3=[[Maximal]]s|c3=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Jawbreaker]] (15)
*[[Archadis]] (16)
*[[Dead End (BWN)|Dead End]] (17)
*[[Apache]] (18)
*[[Cohrada]] (19)
*[[Thunderhoof (BW)|Thunderhoof]] (21)
*[[Steel Jaw]] (22)
*[[Powerhug (BWII)|Powerhug]] (23)
*[[Snapper]] (24)
*[[Diver (BWII)|Diver]] (25)
*[[Scylla]] (26)
*? (27) 
*"[[Soundwave (BW)|''Beast Wars'' Soundwave]]" (28)
*"[[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]]" (29)
*"[[Megatron (BW)|''Beast Wars'' Megatron]]" (31)
*[[Bigmos]] (53)
*[[Icebird]] (54)
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Drill Nuts]] (55)
*[[Lazorbeak]] (56)
*[[Tasmania Kid]] (57)
*[[Mantis]] (58)
*[[Scuba]] (59)
*[[DJ (BWII)|DJ]] (60)
*[[Poison Bite]] (61)
*[[Heinrad (BWN)|Heinrad]] (62)
*[[Moon (BWII)|Moon]] (63)

:''(See notes)''
{{!}}}

|c4=
'''Cybertronians'''
*''[[Zeta Prime]] (11)
*[[Liege Maximo]] (30)
*[[Starscream (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Starscream]] (34)
*[[Mistress of Flame]] (38)
*[[Elita One (G1)|Elita One]] (39)
*[[Roadmaster]] (42)
*[[Tankor (BM)|Fat Tankor]] (47)
'''Humans'''
*[[Marissa Faireborn]] (40)
}}

==Quotes==
"Allow me to introduce Liege Maximo's '''Maximals.'''" 
"I stayed away from the ''Lost Light'' in order to '''avoid''' wordplay."
:—'''Liege Maximo''' and '''Arcee'''

"[Shockwave's] plans are usually quite '''bad''' for everyone." 
"'''Bad's''' a vague word, Jetfire. I mean, Pyra thinks '''Optimus''' is doing bad, but Starscream—" 
"Shockwave once attempt to '''collapse''' all of space and time to a '''point'''—to not only '''destroy''' the universe, but to cause there to have never '''been''' one." 
"Oh, you mean '''bad.''' Got it."
:—'''Jetfire''' and '''Aileron'''

"Enough." 
"'''Ha!''' That's the kind of thing a '''leader''' gets to say. When '''you''' say it, you sound '''pathetic'''. Give me '''one''' reason why that's enought." 
"I have '''six''' reasons '''loaded'''', Needlenose. And another '''eighteen''' in the '''magazine''', if you require '''further''' explanation.'''"
:—'''Soundwave'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s just about had it with '''Needlenose'''

"Those who claim '''living well''' is the '''best revenge''' have never explored the benefits of '''time travel.'''"
:—'''Shockwave'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*This issue's title, "Endless Forever," is paraphrased from a line delivered by Shockwave in [[Dark Dawn: Dark Cybertron Chapter 1|''Dark Cybertron'' #1]]: "A circle within a circle within the same circle... endless and forever." Optimus Prime idly draws a circle in the dirt later in the issue.
*Following the events seen in flashback in [[New Cybertron Part 5: Future Glories Lost|issue #5]], this issue's opening flashback continues to follow Orion Pax's descent from "optimistic hero cop" to "embittered violent lawman," leading in to how he was depicted in ''[[The Transformers: Autocracy|Autocracy]]''.
*As referenced in a footnote, Bumblebee met Orion Pax in the [[Ghost Stories|2017 ''Transformers'' annual]], and learned the lesson about being stronger together than apart.
*Jetfire mentioned the time Orion "stood up to the Senate," as seen in [[Chaos Theory Part 2|''The Transformers'' vol. 1 #23]].
*Swindle claims his license to sell arms was signed by "the mayor of [[Vos (polity)|Vos]]... or something." Undoubtedly, the signer was Starscream, who we know from both [[Starscream: The Movie (comic)|the 2018 ''Optimus Prime'' annual]] and [[The Falling, Chapter 4: The Hallowing|last issue]] served as precinct senator for Vos.
*Page 2, panel 4, recreates [[Overthrown|''Autocracy'' #8]], page 4, panel 2, showing Pax ripping off Zeta Prime's [[vamparc ribbon]].
*We also flash back to the events of ''[[Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Cybertron]]'' [[Black Planet: Dark Cybertron Chapter 11|chapters 11]] and [[...And the Damage Done: Dark Cybertron Finale|12]], to see Bumblebee's death, and Optimus, Megatron, and Ultra Magnus try to outrace the singularity.
*Liege Maximo talks about Arcee "murdering [her] way across the galaxy," which was what she was in the middle of doing all the way back when we first met her in ''[[Spotlight: Arcee]]''.
*Fat Tankor recalls starring in the [[Starscream: The Movie (film)|movie]] about Starscream's life, which a footnote reminds us happened in the 2018 annual.
*On page 17, panel 2, one of the Decepticons visible in the crowd is the Decepticon bartender who appeared in [[The Transgressors|''The Transformers'' vol. 2 #44]]. He was nicknamed "G'nur" by that issue's colorist, [[Josh Perez]]; "[[Rung (G1)|Rung]]" spelled backwards, because of his resemblance to the Autobot psychiatrist.

===Transformers references===
*[[Unicron Trilogy]] characters cameoing in this issue include [[Cyclonus (Armada)|''Armada'' Cyclonus]] and [[Sideways (Armada)|''Cybertron'' Sideways]] among the Decepticons in Swindle's sweatshop, and [[Thrust (Armada)|''Armada'' Thrust]] in the crowd of Decepticons who ask Starscream to lead them.
*More Maximals, more problems! Aside from recurring cameo stars Optimus Primal and Megatron, all the beasts seen in this issue are block-colored, so it's impossible to tell whether they're the American ''Beast Wars'' characters or the Japanese-exclusive characters with whom they share a mold. However, several unique characters are identifiable, including ''[[Beast Wars II: Super Lifeform Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars II]]'' [[Scylla]] and [[Moon (BWII)|Moon]] and ''[[Super Lifeform Transformers: Beast Wars Neo (franchise)|Beast Wars Neo]]'' [[Dead End (BWN)|Dead End]], [[Cohrada]], and [[Heinrad (BWN)|Heinrad]]. For simplicity's sake, we've opted to take the presence of these Japanese-exclusive characters as an indicator and consider ''all'' the other characters to be ''Beast Wars II'' or ''Neo'' characters, for the purposes of our cast list above. We've made exceptions where this is impossible; for instance, since [[Hydra (BWN)|Hydra]] appeared on [[Regalis V]] in [[The Dead Come Home, Part 1 (of 2)|issues #13]]-[[The Dead Come Home, Part 2 (of 2)|14]], the character sharing his mold and striped deco pattern on page 19 must be [[Lazorbeak]].
*Similarly, we're assuming the bat who attacks Arcee on page 6 is [[Soundwave (BW)|''Beast Wars'' "Mutant" Soundwave]] due to the presence of his fellow Mutants [[Icebird]] and [[Poison Bite]] on page 19.
*In addition to intact (or mostly intact) remains characters listed above, on page 19, dismembered ''parts'' of certain Maximals' bodies are visible after Arcee's done with 'em, including a bat wing we'll assume is Soundwave's, and claws that look to belong to [[Razorclaw (BW)|Razorclaw]]/[[Rockbuster]] and [[Sea Clamp]].
*Also appearing among the wrecks of Arcee's defeated Maximals foes on page 6 are 2015 ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]'' characters [[Thunderhoof (RID)|Thunderhoof]] and [[Steeljaw (RID)|Steeljaw]], who have already been reimagined as Generation 1-continuity Maximals by [[Fun Publications]]' series of ''[[Beast Wars: Uprising]]'' prose stories.

===Errors===
*On page 17, panel 2, Skullgrin and Submarauder appear in the crowd. Skullgrin was established to have survived his apparent death in [[Stormbringer issue 3|''Stormbringer'' #3]] over in [[The Ties That Bind|''Lost Light'' #15]], so that's not a big deal—the error is that the pair are drawn to look exactly like their [[Pretender]] shells, which they've never had in IDW continuity.

===Other trivia===
*Originally solicited for release in June, this issue arrives late, in the second week of July.

===Covers (3)===
*'''Cover A:''' Optimus Primal and ''Beast Wars'' Megatron, by [[Kei Zama]] and [[John-Paul Bove]]
*'''Cover B:''' Our cast, within the silhouette of Bumblebee, by [[Casey Coller]] and [[John-Paul Bove]]
*'''Retailer incentive cover:''' Black-and-white lineart version of Cover A
<gallery>
File:OP20 cvrA.jpg|
File:OP20 cvrB.jpg|
File:OP20 cvrRI.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''Optimus Prime'' #21
*''[[Jem|Jem and the Holograms]]: Dimensions'' TPB
*''[[Transformers vs. Visionaries]]'' TPB
*''[[Micronauts: Into the Microspace]]'' TPB
*''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]] vs. The Six Million Dollar Man'' TPB
*''Atomic Robo: The Spectre of Tomorrow'' TPB
*''[[Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' #7
*''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]] Adventures'' Vol. 3 TPB

==External links==
*[https://graphicpolicy.com/2018/07/10/preview-transformers-optimus-prime-20/ Preview]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Falling Chapter 5: Endless Forever, The}}
[[Category:Optimus Prime issues]]

The Falling, Chapter 5: Endless Forever

2018-07-11T22:25:26Z

Silver: /* Other trivia */ typo

{{Comicstory
|series=op|issueno=20
|prev=The Falling, Chapter 4: The Hallowing
|next=The Falling, Chapter 6
|caption=
|image=OP20 cvrA.jpg
|title="The Falling Chapter 5: Endless Forever"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[July 11]], 2018
|coverdate=June 2018
|written by=[[John Barber]]
|art by=[[Kei Zama]]
|finishes by=[[Casey Coller]] (pg. 14-19)
|colors by=[[Josh Burcham]]
|letters by=[[Tom B. Long]]
|editor=[[David Mariotte]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era]]
}}

'''While chaos reigns on multiple fronts on Cybertron, Optimus Prime and Bumblebee try to escape Infraspace.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Bumblebee (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Bumblebee]] thinks back to the time he first met [[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Orion Pax]], and how he subsequently joined Orion's [[Autobot]] police force as they pushed back against the [[Decepticon]] uprising. As the fight wore on, however, Orion became more and more disillusioned and violent, to the point of physically abusing suspects, as he did to [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] on the day the Autobots raided his weapons-manufacturing warehouse. But still, Bumblebee stayed on Orion's side, because he owed his life to him... and later, when Orion cast off his darkness to rise up against the corrupt [[Zeta Prime]] and became Optimus Prime, Bumblebee knew he'd made the right choice. Four million years later, Bumblebee died by [[Shockwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Shockwave]]'s hand, and his body was sucked into a miniature singularity... but rather than moving on to the next world, 'Bee instead found himself trapped in the limbo realm of [[Infraspace]], between life and death. There, he has remained for years, alone—until right now, as Optimus Prime, thrown into the singularity by Shockwave, appears to join him. Optimus believes that this is the end, that he will be unable to save Cybertron, but 'Bee is confident that, with the Prime at his side, together they can find a way to escape back to reality.

Back on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], [[Arcee (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Arcee]]'s confidence is waning as Shockwave's [[Maximal]] army slowly threatens to overcome her, with one even raking [[Sideswipe (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Sideswipe]]'s [[jet pack]] off her back. She hurls her sword at [[Optimus Primal (BW)|one of her opponents]], but the blade is snatched out of the air by [[Liege Maximo]]. Familiar with the Prime of Lies from her youth, Arcee is surprised to see him fighting alongside the "[[Eukaris|Eukarian]] army," but Maximo is quick to correct her: though the Maximals may ''look'' like the beasts of Eukaris, they are not. Unarmed, Arcee is overwhelmed by the Maximals, but surprisingly, is taken prisoner alive on Shockwave's orders—orders that Maximo hopes he'll soon rescind.

By the dead body of [[Metrotitan (Zone)|Metrotitan]], Shockwave observes [[Victorion]]'s battle with [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], as the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]] combiner's sheer bloody-mindedness gives him the strength to push through the pressure Victorion subjects him to with her gravity-manipulating powers. [[Starscream (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Starscream]], meanwhile, slinks away, having had everything he ever wanted ripped out from under him as the punchline of some grand cosmic joke, while [[Jetfire (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Jetfire]] and [[Aileron]] survey the damage done to Metrotitan, and Jetfire catches the Camien up on Shockwave's history. Aileron manages to find the bright side, concluding that, since "[[Onyx Prime]]" is actually just "some guy" in disguise and not actually a divine Prime, maybe they ''can'' beat him after all.

Elsewhere, [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] rejoins her fellow [[Council of Worlds|council]] members after conducting a futile search for Optimus Prime. [[Elita One (G1)|Elita One]] desires retaliation, ready to order [[Vigilem|Carcer]] to attack, but [[Marissa Faireborn]] advocates caution. The [[Mistress of Flame]] is more concerned with the chaos that has erupted in the streets, as Decepticons and Prime loyalists have come to blows, even as each faction falls to in-fighting over who to actually follow. [[Soundwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Soundwave]], now ''persona non grata'' after his role in the killing of [[Horri-Bull]] was exposed, hides in the shadows as angry Decepticons search for him, but things take a turn when the crowd spots Starscream, who is trying to make his way back to the authorities, so he can surrender, be put back in his cell, and go back to ''not worrying'' about everyone else's problems again. The other Decepticons haltingly suggest that... maybe... he could... be ''their'' leader again? After all, he did a good job leading the planet, and at least they ''know'' they're getting a cheating liar if they choose him. Starscream tries to fight the idea, but starts to realize that maybe the Decepticons genuinely don't have a better choice... which prompts an incensed Soundwave to take action.

In Infraspace, Bumblebee tells Optimus about his inexplicable ability to communicate with Starscream as a "ghost." Having had experience with Infraspace, Prime observes that they do not exist ''physically'' in the realm; they are just free-floating life-forces, untethered and adrift, without bodies. Perhaps, Bumblebee muses, Starscream's sense of not belonging in his own body was enough to bridge the gap between the realms and let them communicate. Whatever the reason, such thinking soon provides a potential avenue of escape. As Bumblebee apologizes to Prime for his failure to build a working government on Cybertron, and Prime tells Bumblebee he has nothing to apologize for, taking the blame onto himself, their conversation shifts to the [[Matrix of Leadership]], and how Bumblebee knows that, despite what devout believers in the Primes may say, it didn't change who Prime was at his core. Prime agrees; the Matrix is "just an idea." But in Infraspace... ''everything'' is "just an idea," a thought without physical form. And while the ''physical'' Matrix may be without power, if the ''idea'' of the Matrix and everything it represents was powerful enough to start the war all those millions of years ago, perhaps, in this realm, the power of that idea may be enough to free them. Prime opens his chest, and the Matrix glows brilliantly within...

Searching for Arcee, Jetfire and Aileron come upon the site of her battle, strewn with Maximal corpses and Sideswipe's jet pack. They fear the worst, but it seems the worst is yet to come, as, on the other side of the battlefield, the once-miniature singularity in the heart of [[Crystal City]] has started to grow, and now, flares with energy that catches Aileron's attention. Then, behind the pair, Shockwave appears, a vial of [[Regenesis]] ore in his hand, and the ''[[Nemesis (BWII)|Nemesis]]'' floating behind him. His plan, he declares, is near completion—but for the final step, Jetfire and Aileron are needed!

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks. 
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Optimus Prime/Orion Pax]] (1)
*''[[Ironhide (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ironhide]]'' (2)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Bumblebee]] (3)
*''[[Prowl (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Prowl]]'' (8)
*[[Jetfire (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Jetfire]] (10)
*''[[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]]'' (13)
*''[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ultra Magnus]]'' (14)
*[[Arcee (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Arcee]] (20)
*[[Victorion]] (33)
*[[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] (35)
*[[Metrotitan (Zone)|Metrotitan]] (36)
*[[Aileron]] (37)
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
{{!}}}
|c2=
*''[[Space Case (G2)|Space Case]]'' (4)
*''[[Road Pig (G2)|Road Pig]]'' (5)
*''[[Snarler]]'' (6)
*''[[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]]'' (7)
*''[[Finback]]'' (9)
*[[Shockwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Shockwave]] (12)
*[[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] (32)
*[[Acid Storm]] (41)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Soundwave]] (43)
*[[Needlenose (G1)|Needlenose]] (44)
*[[Octane|Tall Tankor]] (45)
*[[Flip Sides (G1)|Flip Sides]] (46)
*[[Swift (G1)|Swift]] (48)
*[[G'nur]] (49)
*[[Submarauder (G1)|Submarauder]] (50, see notes)
*[[Skullgrin]] (51, see notes)
*[[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] or [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] (52)

|h3=[[Maximal]]s|c3=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Jawbreaker]] (15)
*[[Archadis]] (16)
*[[Dead End (BWN)|Dead End]] (17)
*[[Apache]] (18)
*[[Cohrada]] (19)
*[[Thunderhoof (BW)|Thunderhoof]] (21)
*[[Steel Jaw]] (22)
*[[Powerhug (BWII)|Powerhug]] (23)
*[[Snapper]] (24)
*[[Diver (BWII)|Diver]] (25)
*[[Scylla]] (26)
*? (27) 
*"[[Soundwave (BW)|''Beast Wars'' Soundwave]]" (28)
*"[[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]]" (29)
*"[[Megatron (BW)|''Beast Wars'' Megatron]]" (31)
*[[Bigmos]] (53)
*[[Icebird]] (54)
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Drill Nuts]] (55)
*[[Lazorbeak]] (56)
*[[Tasmania Kid]] (57)
*[[Mantis]] (58)
*[[Scuba]] (59)
*[[DJ (BWII)|DJ]] (60)
*[[Poison Bite]] (61)
*[[Heinrad (BWN)|Heinrad]] (62)
*[[Moon (BWII)|Moon]] (63)

:''(See notes)''
{{!}}}

|c4=
'''Cybertronians'''
*''[[Zeta Prime]] (11)
*[[Liege Maximo]] (30)
*[[Starscream (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Starscream]] (34)
*[[Mistress of Flame]] (38)
*[[Elita One (G1)|Elita One]] (39)
*[[Roadmaster]] (42)
*[[Tankor (BM)|Fat Tankor]] (47)
'''Humans'''
*[[Marissa Faireborn]] (40)
}}

==Quotes==
"Allow me to introduce Liege Maximo's '''Maximals.'''" 
"I stayed away from the ''Lost Light'' in order to '''avoid''' wordplay."
:—'''Liege Maximo''' and '''Arcee'''

"[Shockwave's] plans are usually quite '''bad''' for everyone." 
"'''Bad's''' a vague word, Jetfire. I mean, Pyra thinks '''Optimus''' is doing bad, but Starscream—" 
"Shockwave once attempt to '''collapse''' all of space and time to a '''point'''—to not only '''destroy''' the universe, but to cause there to have never '''been''' one." 
"Oh, you mean '''bad.''' Got it."
:—'''Jetfire''' and '''Aileron'''

"Enough." 
"'''Ha!''' That's the kind of thing a '''leader''' gets to say. When '''you''' say it, you sound '''pathetic'''. Give me '''one''' reason why that's enought." 
"I have '''six''' reasons '''loaded'''', Needlenose. And another '''eighteen''' in the '''magazine''', if you require '''further''' explanation.'''"
:—'''Soundwave'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s just about had it with '''Needlenose'''

"Those who claim '''living well''' is the '''best revenge''' have never explored the benefits of '''time travel.'''"
:—'''Shockwave'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*This issue's title, "Endless Forever," is paraphrased from a Shockwave line delivered in [[Dark Dawn: Dark Cybertron Chapter 1|''Dark Cybertron'' #1]]: "A circle within a circle within the same circle... endless and forever." Optimus Prime idly draws a circle in the dirt later in the issue.
*Following the events seen in flashback in [[New Cybertron Part 5: Future Glories Lost|issue #5]], this issue's opening flashback continues to follow Orion Pax's descent from "optimistic hero cop" to "embittered violent lawman," leading in to how he was depicted in ''[[The Transformers: Autocracy|Autocracy]]''.
*As referenced in a footnote, Bumblebee met Orion Pax in the [[Ghost Stories|2017 ''Transformers'' annual]], and learned the lesson about being stronger together than apart.
*Jetfire mentioned the time Orion "stood up to the Senate," as seen in [[Chaos Theory Part 2|''The Transformers'' vol. 1 #23]].
*Swindle claims his license to sell arms was signed by "the mayor of [[Vos (polity)|Vos]]... or something." Undoubtedly, the signer was Starscream, who we know from both [[Starscream: The Movie (comic)|the 2018 ''Optimus Prime'' annual]] and [[The Falling, Chapter 4: The Hallowing|last issue]] served as precinct senator for Vos.
*Page 2, panel 4, recreates [[Overthrown|''Autocracy'' #8]], page 4, panel 2, showing Pax ripping off Zeta Prime's [[vamparc ribbon]].
*We also flash back to the events of ''[[Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Cybertron]]'' [[Black Planet: Dark Cybertron Chapter 11|chapters 11]] and [[...And the Damage Done: Dark Cybertron Finale|12]], to see Bumblebee's death, and Optimus, Megatron, and Ultra Magnus try to outrace the singularity.
*Liege Maximo talks about Arcee "murdering [her] way across the galaxy," which was what she was in the middle of doing all the way back when we first met her in ''[[Spotlight: Arcee]]''.
*Fat Tankor recalls starring in the [[Starscream: The Movie (film)|movie]] about Starscream's life, which a footnote reminds us happened in the 2018 annual.
*On page 17, panel 2, one of the Decepticons visible in the crowd is the Decepticon bartender who appeared in [[The Transgressors|''The Transformers'' vol. 2 #44]]. He was nicknamed "G'nur" by that issue's colorist, [[Josh Perez]]; "[[Rung (G1)|Rung]]" spelled backwards, because of his resemblance to the Autobot psychiatrist.

===Transformers references===
*[[Unicron Trilogy]] characters cameoing in this issue include [[Cyclonus (Armada)|''Armada'' Cyclonus]] and [[Sideways (Armada)|''Cybertron'' Sideways]] among the Decepticons in Swindle's sweatshop, and [[Thrust (Armada)|''Armada'' Thrust]] in the crowd of Decepticons who ask Starscream to lead them.
*More Maximals, more problems! Aside from recurring cameo stars Optimus Primal and Megatron, all the beasts seen in this issue are block-colored, so it's impossible to tell whether they're the American ''Beast Wars'' characters or the Japanese-exclusive characters with whom they share a mold. However, several unique characters are identifiable, including ''[[Beast Wars II: Super Lifeform Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars II]]'' [[Scylla]] and [[Moon (BWII)|Moon]] and ''[[Super Lifeform Transformers: Beast Wars Neo (franchise)|Beast Wars Neo]]'' [[Dead End (BWN)|Dead End]], [[Cohrada]], and [[Heinrad (BWN)|Heinrad]]. For simplicity's sake, we've opted to take the presence of these Japanese-exclusive characters as an indicator and consider ''all'' the other characters to be ''Beast Wars II'' or ''Neo'' characters, for the purposes of our cast list above. We've made exceptions where this is impossible; for instance, since [[Hydra (BWN)|Hydra]] appeared on [[Regalis V]] in [[The Dead Come Home, Part 1 (of 2)|issues #13]]-[[The Dead Come Home, Part 2 (of 2)|14]], the character sharing his mold and striped deco pattern on page 19 must be [[Lazorbeak]].
*Similarly, we're assuming the bat who attacks Arcee on page 6 is [[Soundwave (BW)|''Beast Wars'' "Mutant" Soundwave]] due to the presence of his fellow Mutants [[Icebird]] and [[Poison Bite]] on page 19.
*In addition to intact (or mostly intact) remains characters listed above, on page 19, dismembered ''parts'' of certain Maximals' bodies are visible after Arcee's done with 'em, including a bat wing we'll assume is Soundwave's, and claws that look to belong to [[Razorclaw (BW)|Razorclaw]]/[[Rockbuster]] and [[Sea Clamp]].
*Also appearing among the wrecks of Arcee's defeated Maximals foes on page 6 are 2015 ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]'' characters [[Thunderhoof (RID)|Thunderhoof]] and [[Steeljaw (RID)|Steeljaw]], who have already been reimagined as Generation 1-continuity Maximals by [[Fun Publications]]' series of ''[[Beast Wars: Uprising]]'' prose stories.

===Errors===
*On page 17, panel 2, Skullgrin and Submarauder appear in the crowd. Skullgrin was established to have survived his apparent death in [[Stormbringer issue 3|''Stormbringer'' #3]] over in [[The Ties That Bind|''Lost Light'' #15]], so that's not a big deal—the error is that the pair are drawn to look exactly like their [[Pretender]] shells, which they've never had in IDW continuity.

===Other trivia===
*Originally solicited for release in June, this issue arrives late, in the second week of July.

===Covers (3)===
*'''Cover A:''' Optimus Primal and ''Beast Wars'' Megatron, by [[Kei Zama]] and [[John-Paul Bove]]
*'''Cover B:''' Our cast, within the silhouette of Bumblebee, by [[Casey Coller]] and [[John-Paul Bove]]
*'''Retailer incentive cover:''' Black-and-white lineart version of Cover A
<gallery>
File:OP20 cvrA.jpg|
File:OP20 cvrB.jpg|
File:OP20 cvrRI.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''Optimus Prime'' #21
*''[[Jem|Jem and the Holograms]]: Dimensions'' TPB
*''[[Transformers vs. Visionaries]]'' TPB
*''[[Micronauts: Into the Microspace]]'' TPB
*''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]] vs. The Six Million Dollar Man'' TPB
*''Atomic Robo: The Spectre of Tomorrow'' TPB
*''[[Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' #7
*''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]] Adventures'' Vol. 3 TPB

==External links==
*[https://graphicpolicy.com/2018/07/10/preview-transformers-optimus-prime-20/ Preview]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Falling Chapter 5: Endless Forever, The}}
[[Category:Optimus Prime issues]]

Crucible (Part 2): LÅ«strÄre

2018-07-11T22:10:55Z

Silver: /* Continuity notes */ typo

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers: Lost Light|The Transformers: Lost Light]]'' #20
|prev=Crucible (Part 1): A Dance Before Dying
|next=Crucible (Part 3)
|image=LL20_cvrA.jpg
|title="Crucible (Part 2): Lūstrāre"
|caption=
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[July 11]], 2018
|coverdate=Late June, 2018
|written by=[[James Roberts]]
|art by=[[Casey Coller]]
|colors by=[[Joana Lafuente]]
|letters by=[[Tom B. Long]]
|editor=[[David Mariotte]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era]]
}}
'''At last: Rodimus vs. Getaway!'''

==Synopsis==

Inside Ward Zero on [[Mederi]], [[Rung (G1)|Rung]] takes an interest in the alien telepaths who power the planet, who are still murmuring "Prepare, confront, repel" in unison. [[Ratchet (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ratchet]] repeats his instruction to ignore them and worry instead about the [[sparkeater (creature)|sparkeaters]] banging on the front door, but fortunately, [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] has found a solution to that problem in Mederi's patient files: "concussive medicine," the delivery of a curative program code via kinetic force. A generator is quickly prepped to deliver the code, but [[Misfire (G1)|Misfire]] questions if it is safe to use in the presence of the organic telepaths. Unsure, First Aid calls a halt to the plan... only for [[Nickel]], not caring a fig for the safety of organics, to jump in and activate the generator herself. The shockwave it emits slams through the walls and into the sparkeaters, knocking them all out, and leaving the telepaths unharmed.

Aboard the ''[[Lost Light]]'', [[Hot Rod (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Rodimus]] and [[Cyclonus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Cyclonus]] confront [[Getaway]], [[Scorponok (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Scorponok]], and [[Star Saber (Victory)|Star Saber]]. Cyclonus immediately transforms to jet mode and appears to flee, with his one-time former adversary Star Saber giving chase. Scorponok, meanwhile, takes on his own old enemy Rodimus, easily overpowering him while Getaway watches. But just before Scorponok can crush Rodimus's head, he suddenly dematerializes—teleported away by [[Tyrest (G1)|Tyrest]], who radios in to inform Getaway that the [[Grand Architect]] has need of Scorponok, in preparation for the approach of "the beast." Composing himself, Rodimus recalls stories [[Drift (G1)|Drift]] used to tell about Cybertronian guardian angels named "[[sliver]]s," and finds himself pretty sure they must be true, since he's just had his fondest wish granted: him and Getaway, one-on-one. Getaway, on the other hand, has a different idea, transforming to vehicle mode and speeding away!

Down in the flooded shuttle bay, the rest of Rodimus's team contends with the menace of the [[scraplet|red scraplets]]. [[Grimlock (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Grimlock]] cleaves the scraplets' combined form in two with his sword, and the critters sink back under the oil... but a moment later, with a speed and intelligence Drift believes they should not be capable of, they recombine into a serpentine form and lunge directly at [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]]. Rather than devour him, however, they reform again... into a giant hand, that gently strokes the side of Whirl's face...!

Elsewhere in the ship, Star Saber continues to pursue Cyclonus, enjoying the chase. But it turns out Cyclonus isn't ''fleeing''... he has merely lured Star Saber into following him. Quick as a flash, Cylconus tranforms to robot mode, and brandishes his [[Great Sword]]. Unable to react fast enough in the narrow corridor, Star Saber plunges headlong into the blade, and is bisected from nosecone to afterburner!

Back in Ward Zero, the unconscious sparkeaters are brought inside for examination. As Ratchet works, the telepaths again speak as one, this time "saying" the symbol of the [[Knights of Cybertron]]'s coat of arms, which [[Nautica (G1)|Nautica]] is able to recognize thanks to [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] writing down the pronunciation of it for her after he heard it himself. Rung also recognizes the "word," but cannot recall from where, knowing only that it is from "a very long time ago." But that's a mystery for another time, as the telepaths continue speaking, this time counting down from one thousand...

Rodimus follows Getaway to the ship's fuel furnace, where the escapologist attacks him using a pair of [[nucleon (substance)|nucleon]] rods as cudgels. Rodimus punches Getaway off the catwalk they are fighting on, and as he lands, a piece of one of the rods breaks off. Getaway tosses it into the furnace, which flares up violently, shooting flames into the room that slowly begin to spread. As Rodimus closes in, Getaway threatens to smash the remaining rods together, setting off an explosion that will destroy the ship. Rodimus doesn't believe he'll do it; why destroy what he's fought so hard for? Getaway explains by way of relating what happened after the ''Lost Light'' arrived at Mederi, which they found empty, due to the crew lacking any kind of coherent vision of "[[Cyberutopia]]" for the telepaths to form an illusion out of. The Grand Architect's [[Worldsweeper]] fleet then attacked, and to save himself, Getaway struck a deal, claiming that Team Rodimus was on the way to foil the Architect's plans and offering to stop them in return for a position among his followers. To prove his loyalty, he allowed Scorponok to turn the rest of the crew into sparkeaters. But now that it's all ended in failure? With Cyberutopia an illusion, so he will never be able to become a [[Prime (rank)|Prime]]? Getaway has literally nothing left to live for. As a final jab, he accuses Rodimus of caring nothing for the ship or the crew, having only pretended to in order to get revenge on Getaway—an accusation that gives Rodimus just enough pause to provide Getaway with his opening. Just before he can bring the rods together, however, Cyclonus appears behind Getaway and severs his left arm with his sword. Terrified, Getaway flees into the raging inferno behind him... but Rodimus, determined to prove that he is not like Getaway, follows him into the fire. Amid the flames, he finds Getaway's unconscious body and carries him back out to safety, his purple paintjob burning away as he does so, restoring him to his original red.

Rodimus and Cyclonus try to get the sprinklers working to douse the fire, but Getaway, left unattended, reawakens and silently picks up Cyclonus's sword, preparing to stab the ancient Cybertronian in the back. Before he can, the sprinklers burst into life, and an unearthly vision appears through the rain: [[Primus]] himself, who Getaway believes has finally come to make him a Prime. Getaway euphorically takes the hand of god... only for "Primus" to turn out to be another scraplet construct! The mini metal-munchers swarm all over Getaway, devouring him until only a few scraps remain. Rodimus and Cyclonus stare in amazement as Whirl struts up and explains that the scraplet swarm isn't ''just'' made up of red scraplets; it's being led by the [[Moonbase One|Luna 1]] scraplets that snuck onto the ship the previous year, with which he formed a bond. Interfacing with Mederi's euthanasia program, the scraplets killed Getaway with his greatest desire: validation from god.

It seems like everything is over, until Ratchet radios Rodimus to tell him about the countdown, which has reached its end. Ratchet urges Rodimus to find a window a look outside... where space itself has torn open, and a blazing rift now stretches across the stars!

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks. 
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*? (1)
*? (2)
*[[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] (3)
*[[Waverider]] (4)
*[[Siren (G1)|Siren]] (5)
*[[Slamdance (G1)|Slamdance]] (6)
*? (7)
*? (8)
*[[Gears (G1)|Gears]] (9)
*[[Powerflash]] (10)
*[[Rewind (G1)|Rewind]] (12)
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Chromedome (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Chromedome]] (13)
*[[Riptide (G1)|Riptide]] (14)
*[[Rung (G1)|Rung]] (15)
*[[Ratchet (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ratchet]] (18)
*[[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] (20)
*[[Brainstorm (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Brainstorm]] (21)
*[[Velocity (G1)|Velocity]] (24)
*[[Getaway]] (28)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Rodimus]] (29)
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ultra Magnus]] (30)
*[[Drift (G1)|Drift]] (33)
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Thunder Clash|Thunderclash]] (35)
*[[Grimlock (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Grimlock]] (36)
*[[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] (38)
*[[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] (40)
*[[Nautica (G1)|Nautica]] (41)
*''[[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]]'' (42)
*''[[Hound (G1)|Hound]]'' (43)
*''[[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]]'' (44)
*[[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]] (46)
{{!}}}
|c2=
*[[Krok (G1)|Krok]] (11)
*[[Spinister (G1)|Spinister]] (19)
*[[Misfire (G1)|Misfire]] (22)
*[[Nickel]] (23)
*[[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] (27)
*[[Crankcase (G1)|Crankcase]] (34)
*[[Fulcrum]] (45)

|c4=
*[[Wipe-Out]] (16)
*Alien telepaths (17)
*[[Star Saber (Victory)|Star Saber]] (25)
*[[Cyclonus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Cyclonus]] (26)
*[[Anode]] (31)
*[[Lug (IDW)|Lug]] (32)
*[[Roller (IDW)|Roller]] (37)
*[[Tyrest (G1)|Tyrest]] (voice only, 39)
}}

==Quotes==
"Of '''course!''' If the sparkeaters had broken into the ward, they'd have killed the telepaths anyway! You knew you '''had''' to take the risk!" 
"Er... yeah. That's definitely it."
:—'''Velocity''' assumes '''Nickel''' is a good person

"You're overlooking one thing. You can '''lie''' and '''cheat''' and '''kill'''—and you can betray those closest to you in your deranged quest for power—and you can convince yourself and all those stupid enough to follow you that you're display '''the [[Signs of Affinity]].''' You can do all of that, but at the end of the day—even if Cyberutopia had been '''real'''... 'Getaway Prime' will always sound rubbish."
:—'''Rodimus'''

"May Primus forgive your sins... as one day he may forgive mine."
:—'''Cyclonus''' eulogizes Star Saber

"You're obsessed with me." 
"'''Other way around, surely.'''"
:—'''Rodimus''' and '''Getaway'''

"He was terrified." 
"He really thought we were going to kill him." 
"Weren't you?"
:—'''Cyclonus''' and '''Rodimus''' watch as Getaway flees

"I'll tell you who'd know '''exactly''' how the sprinkler system works: Ultra Magnus. He's '''obsessed''' with them! Swerve says he writes sprinkler '''fan fiction.'''" 
"I don't understand half of what Swerve says." 
"I don't '''listen''' to half of what Swerve says."
:—'''Rodimus''' and '''Cyclonus'''

"Y'know-'''cough''' '''cough'''-Drifts always going on about '''silvers'''. Not silvers. '''Slivers!''' Celestial mechs made of dappled light or trapped light or patterns of light or-I dont know. Whatever. Point is, they single out specific bots -the '''special ones'''-and act as their '''Protectors:''' They save their lives and make their dreams come true. I was a skeptic. Not anymore. You know why? Because '''someone''' just made '''my''' dream come true: you and me, one on one, for as long as it takes. '''So buckle up, you son of a bitch.'''"
:—'''Rodimus''' says a naughty word

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*Scorponok refers to his previous clash with Hot Rod, in [[The Transformers: Maximum Dinobots|''Maximum Dinobots'']].
*Tyrest describes the Benzene Cluster as "threadbare"—not a random word choice, as "threadbare space" was one of the phrases Drift mentioned in [[Dissolution Part 2: Anomie|issue #2]] as having heard during the vision he had in [[Dissolution Part 1: Some Other Cybertron|issue #1]].
*While trying to recall what Drift has told him "slivers" are made out of, Rodimus runs through a list: "dappled light, or trapped light, or patterns of light." "Trapped light" is unlikely to be the phrase Drift used, as he did not ascribe any importance to the words when Ratchet found them inscribed over the door of Ward Zero in [[The Everlasting Voices (2): The God War|issue #17]].
*As footnotes remind us, Skids "heard" the Knights' coat of arms "spoken" by the giant ball of energy he encountered in [[Remain in Light 5 of 5: This Calamitous Life|''More than Meets the Eye'' #21]]. He was asked by Nautica to write it phonetically in [[The Dying of the Light: (1) How Bright Their Frail Deeds|issue #50]], hence her ability to recognize it in this issue.
*Also referenced via footnote, the Luna 1 scraplets snuck onboard the ''Lost Light'' and formed a bond with Whirl in ''[[Silent Light|The Transformers Holiday Special]].'' Hope you're not just reading this in trade paperback form, kids, as that's never been included in any of the collections of this series!

===Transformers references===
*The visual of a tear in the fabric of the universe, specifically including a flaming red-orange-yellow color scheme speckled with black "{{w|Kirby Krackle}}" dots, feels like a reference to the rift in space-time that was the central threat of the climactic classic [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel UK]] storyline, "[[Time Wars]]."

===Other trivia===
*Originally solicited for release in late June 2018, as the second of ''two'' issues of ''Lost Light'' that were supposed to be released that month, this issue arrived late, in the second week of July, only a week after the also-delayed previous issue.

===Soundtrack===
TBC

===Covers (3)===
*'''Cover A:''' Rodimus versus Getaway, by [[Jack Lawrence]] and [[Joana Lafuente]]
*'''Cover B:''' Cyclonus versus Star Saber, by [[Jack Lawrence]] and [[Joana Lafuente]]
*'''Retailer incentive cover:''' Lawrence's black and white lineart from Cover A
<gallery>
File:LL20 cvrA.jpg|
File:LL20 cvrB.jpg|
File:LL20 cvrRI.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''Lost Light'' #21
*''[[Transformers: Unicron]]''
*''[[Transformers: Requiem of the Wreckers]]''
*''[[Jem]] and the Holograms: Dimensions'' TPB
*''Atomic Robo: The Spectre of Tomorrow'' TPB
*''Ghostbusters: Answer the Call'' TPB
*''The Infinite Loop: Nothing But the Truth'' TPB
*''Full Bleed'' comics and culture magazine
*''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]] Adventures'' Vol. 3 TPB

==External links==
*[https://graphicpolicy.com/2018/07/10/preview-transformers-lost-light-20/ Preview]

[[Category: Lost Light issues]]

Crucible (Part 1): A Dance Before Dying

2018-07-04T14:25:54Z

Silver: /* Errors */

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers: Lost Light|The Transformers: Lost Light]]'' #19
|prev=The Everlasting Voices (3): You Are Here
|next=Crucible (Part 2)
|image=LL19_cvrA.jpg
|title="Crucible (Part 1): A Dance Before Dying"
|caption=
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[July 4]], 2018
|coverdate=Early June, 2018
|written by=[[James Roberts]]
|art by=[[E. J. Su]]
|colors by=[[Joana Lafuente]]
|letters by=[[Tom B. Long]]
|editor=[[David Mariotte]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era]]
}}
'''Team Rodimus and the Scavengers reunite with former friends just in time to deal with a sparkeater attack orchestrated by Getaway.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Team Rodimus]] and the [[Scavenger (group)|Scavengers]] watch as the mutinous crew of the ''Lost Light''—now somehow converted into [[sparkeater (creature)|sparkeaters]]—land on the surface of [[Mederi]] and start lumbering towards them. The group is unsure of the extent of the threat they pose, but quickly find out when [[Brainstorm (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Brainstorm]] approaches the sparkeater-[[Perceptor (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Perceptor]] and attempts to talk to him, only to be scorched by a stream of acid vomit from his former lab partner. [[Nautica (G1)|Nautica]] tackles the wounded Brainstorm to safety, and the whole group transforms and beats retreat. As the sparkeaters give chase, a small ship appears in the distance, heading right for the group; something drops from its underside, which [[Roller (IDW)|Roller]] initially thinks is a bomb... only for it to turn out to be [[Grimlock (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Grimlock]], who lands in the midst of the sparkeaters, stomping several of them flat. The former [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]] leader hacks the sparkeater-[[Mainframe (G1)|Mainframe]] to bits with his sword, prompting [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] to grab [[Crankcase (G1)|Crankcase]] and zap Grimlock with the Decepticon's guns, just enough to get his attention and stop him from killing any more of their afflicted fellow Autobots. A blast from the ship overhead scatters the remaining sparkeaters, and the craft sets down, revealing who else is on board: [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]], [[Riptide (G1)|Riptide]], [[Thunder Clash|Thunderclash]], and [[Wipe-Out]]. Explanations come thick and fast: after being separated from the Scavengers, Grimlock fought his way out of [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]'s [[Worldsweeper]] and ended up adrift in space, where his distress signal was picked up by First Aid, Riptide, and the injured Thunderclash after they escaped the ''Lost Light''. The group proceeded to travel to [[Troja Major]], where they repaired Thunderclash, left the [[Firstborn]] in the care of [[Agonizer|the Curator]], chartered a small quantum-jump-capable ship from Wipe-Out, and set out in search of the ''Lost Light'' by following a homing beacon they hid on it. As [[Misfire (G1)|Misfire]] and [[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] bond over a love of puns, First Aid relates the atrocities [[Getaway]] has wrought in [[Hot Rod (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Rodimus]]'s absence. Suddenly, just as Rodimus is making plans to search for the ''Lost Light'', a [[proton missile]] impacts nearby. Looking up to the source of the missile, the group sees that the ''Lost Light'' has arrived, now decorated with a huge symbol on its underside: the gear-like coat of arms of the [[Knights of Cybertron]]...

Aboard the ''Lost Light'', Getaway orders [[Star Saber (Victory)|Star Saber]] to fire on the 'bots below again, but it turns out they've run out of missiles, having used up the rest recently battling the [[Phantom Fleet]]. As indicated by the symbol that's been added to the ship, Getaway has joined forces with the mysterious [[Grand Architect]], and worse yet, he's not the only familiar face on the Architect's side: so is Getaway's former captor, [[Tyrest (G1)|Chief Justice Tyrest]]! Communicating via hologram, Tyrest accuses Getaway of playing with the Autobots and urges him to finish things quickly so the final stage of the Architect's plan can begin. Getaway denies it, but as he surveys the oil reservoir full of [[scraplet]]s, it's obvious that he has plans of his own...

Down below, the group watches as the ''Lost Light'' pulls back, disappearing into clouds that are rapidly darkening the sky. But there is no respite for our heroes, as a second wave of sparkeaters suddenly appears; [[Krok (G1)|Krok]] saves the surprised Rodimus by blasting the sparkeater-[[Slapdash (G1)|Slapdash]] to pieces, which angers [[Rewind (G1)|Rewind]], but Krok won't apologize for saving Rodimus. Magnus instructs everyone to shoot to wound rather than kill, but sparkeater physiology makes it a tricky prospect—[[Ratchet (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ratchet]] and Thunderclash wind up killing [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] and [[Jackpot (G1)|Jackpot]] despite their best efforts, but Grimlock has no angst to spare for mutineers and traitors. Realizing that Getaway ''wants'' him to get angry and lash out, Rodimus—inspired by [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]]'s recent attempt to goad him into action, and much to his own chagrin—decides to calm down and think like [[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]], assembling a rational plan of action. He instructs most of the group to barricade themselves inside Ward Zero, luring the sparkeaters after them, while he, Magnus, Thunderclash, Roller, Grimlock, Whirl, [[Drift (G1)|Drift]], [[Cyclonus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Cyclonus]], [[Anode]], and [[Lug (IDW)|Lug]] wedge into Wipe-Out's ship, with Crankcase at the helm, and take off after the ''Lost Light''. Cyclonus, in particular, relishes a reunion with Getaway, intending to kill him ''slowly''.

Weaving through bolts of lighting, Crankcase pilots Wipe-Out's ship after the ''Lost Light'', and the group is able to enter the larger vessel via shuttle bay four, finding that there are no guards or shields up. It is, of course, all part of Getaway's plan; no sooner have they landed and disembarked than all the shields and blast doors in the bay start descending. Rodimus and Cyclonus are able to dart under one before it shuts, but the rest of the group is sealed in. Strategically-placed charges in the ceiling detonate, bringing the contents of the room above—the oil reservoir—flooding down into the bay. Anode, in particular, is gripped with terror as the team find themselves facing the menace of the metal-munching scraplets, who have combined into a massive, tentacled monstrosity!

Rodimus and Cyclonus, meanwhile, make for the bridge of the ship, certain that Getaway is waiting for them. And he is... but what Rodimus has ''not'' expected is for Getaway to be flanked by Star Saber... and Scorponok!

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Velocity (G1)|Velocity]] (4)
*[[Ratchet (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ratchet]] (5)
*[[Brainstorm (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Brainstorm]] (6)
*[[Chromedome (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Chromedome]] (7)
*[[Nautica (G1)|Nautica]] (9)
*[[Drift (G1)|Drift]] (10)
*[[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]] (11)
*[[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] (12)
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ultra Magnus]] (13)
*[[Rung (G1)|Rung]] (16)
*[[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] (17)
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Rodimus]] (20)
*[[Rewind (G1)|Rewind]] (23)
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (24)
*[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] (25)
*[[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] (26)
*[[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (27)
*[[Mainframe (G1)|Mainframe]] (28)
*[[Grimlock (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Grimlock]] (29)
*[[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] (30)
*[[Riptide (G1)|Riptide]] (31)
*[[Thunder Clash|Thunderclash]] (32)
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Getaway]] (34)
*[[Slapdash (G1)|Slapdash]] (35)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (36)
*[[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] (37)
*[[Jackpot (G1)|Jackpot]] (38)
*[[Crosscut (Autobot)|Crosscut]] (39)
*[[Xaaron]] (40)
*? (42) 
{{!}}}
|c2=
*[[Misfire (G1)|Misfire]] (2)
*[[Krok (G1)|Krok]] (3)
*[[Crankcase (G1)|Crankcase]] (8)
*[[Spinister (G1)|Spinister]] (14)
*[[Fulcrum]] (15)
*[[Nickel]] (19)
*[[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] (45)

|c4=
*[[Roller (IDW)|Roller]] (1)
*[[Anode]] (18)
*[[Lug (IDW)|Lug]] (21)
*[[Cyclonus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Cyclonus]] (22)
*[[Wipe-Out]] (33)
*[[Tyrest (G1)|Tyrest]] (41)
*Alien telepaths (43)
*[[Star Saber (Victory)|Star Saber]] (44)

}}

==Quotes==
"Perceptor? Percy? It's Brainstorm—remember me? Your lab partner? Your one-time lab partner? 'Watch out you fool, the ceiling can't support your weight!' That guy."
:—'''Brainstorm''' tries to reach the sparkeater'd Perceptor

"'''Run,''' people! Threat level five! Emergency protocol five! Escape procedure f—" 
"Five?" 
"'''Six''', actually!" 
"Pretty sure you were gonna say—" 
"'''Don't pretend you know the system!'''"
:—'''Ultra Magnus''' and '''Misfire'''

"That's how I like my explanations. Hard, fast, and confusing." 
"Yeah, I used to be in the recap business, and that precis did '''not''' take any prisoners." 
"It was like being beaten to death with a '''Story So Far.'''" 
"A 'summary execution.'" 
"How come we've never met?" 
"The universe hates winners."
:—'''Misfire''' and '''Swerve''' bond

"What was it you said yesterday?" 
"You expect me to remember back that far? I can't even remember how this sentence started."
:—'''Rodimus''' and '''Whirl'''

"I don't care about Getaway. I care about '''you.'''"
:—'''Tailgate''', to Cyclonus

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*The "story so far" segment on the inside front cover is presented as a conversation between Swerve and Misfire, hearkening back to the old "Swerve recap" pages used in ''More than Meets the Eye'' between [[World, Shut Your Mouth Part 2: Words Hang in the Air|issue #29]] and [[The One Where They Go to Earth|#43]].
*Brainstorm's line (quoted above) about the ceiling not being able to hold his weight alludes to an unseen follow-up to a scene from way back in [[Rules of Disengagement (issue)|''More than Meets the Eye'' #7]], in which Brainstorm did science while suspending himself from the ceiling in an attempt to impress Perceptor.
*Brainstorm attempts to tell Perceptor that they are "simpatico," which he did before in [[Into the Abyss: Dark Cybertron Chapter 4|''More than Meets the Eye'' #24]].
*Grimlock and Scorponok were both last seen in [[Kill All 'Cons|issue #15]].
*Grimlock is less than happy to see Ultra Magnus; unsurprising, since Magnus was the one who arrested him way back in [[Maximum Dinobots issue 5|''Maximum Dinobots'' #5]].
*First Aid, Riptide, and Thunderclash were last seen escaping the ''Lost Light'' in [[The Plotters' Club (Part 3): Journey's End|issue #12]].
*Wipe-Out previously appeared in [[An Axe to Break the Ice|issues #8]]-[[Chasing the Infinite|9]].
*Star Saber references an off-panel encounter the ''Lost Light'' has had between issue #12 and this one with the "[[Phantom Fleet]]." This fleet was first mentioned in [[Dissolution Part 2: Anomie|issue #2]], explained to be a group of [[Worldsweeper]]-class ships that were lost in the [[Dark Nebula]] millions of years ago. The Grand Architect's use of Worldsweepers has been flagged up as anachronistic several times, always suggesting there was a connection...
*When the crew observes the change in weather, as the sky darkens and clouds roll in, First Aid notes that conditions were the same on Troja Major. We saw this weather in action there in issue #15, where it was said to be due to the "warping" of the "spiritual ley line" the planet sits on; it was noted last issue that Mederi sits on the same ley line.
*Whirl needled Rodimus into action by asking him "What Would Megatron Do?" back in [[The Everlasting Voices (1): Metastasis|issue #16]].
*Tyrest was last seen in [[Remain in Light 5 of 5: This Calamitous Life|''More than Meets the Eye'' #21]], when the crew stopped his attempt to reach Cyberutopia by killing every [[reproduction|cold-constructed]] Transformer in the universe. The [[The Sound of Breaking Glass|prose story]] published as a back-up in that issue revealed he went on to escape captivity via a teleporter.
*Tyrest notes that "Benzene has been cleared" as part of the Grand Architect's plans. The [[Benzene Cluster]] has been mentioned several times between [[The Plotters' Club (Part 1): Full Circle|issues #10]]-[[Sardines|13]]; in particular, issue #12 mentioned a mysterious party operating out of the cluster.
*Tyrest also says "the pathway has been sterilized," something [[Flame (Marvel)|Flame]] noted preparations were being made for back in issue #9.
*As we observed back in our notes for [[The Plotters' Club (Part 2): Filling in the Blanks|issue #11]], the red scraplets have been on the ''Lost Light'' from the start, as alluded to by [[The Gloaming|''More than Meets the Eye'' #16]]. This issue finally reveals why; Drift explains that Brainstorm brought them on board, hoping he could train them to "eat temporal energy" to prevent his time-travel experiments being discovered.

===Errors===
*Well, doesn't look like anyone provided E. J. Su with reference material for the crew's vehicle mode looks from past issues of the comic, because Chromedome turns into his ''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' toy, Ratchet turns into his ''[[Transformers: Prime (toyline)|Transformers: Prime]]'' toy, and... ''sigh''... Rodimus and Drift turn into the vehicle modes of [[IP infringing item|unofficial "third party" toys]] based on their comic book designs.
*There are two typos on page 9: "mobilze" instead of "mobilize" in the first panel and "make is" instead of "make it" in the third panel.

===Other trivia===
*Originally solicited for release in early June 2018, as the first of ''two'' issues of ''Lost Light'' that were supposed to be released that month, this issue arrived late, in the first week of July.

===Soundtrack===
TBC

===Covers (3)===
*'''Cover A:''' Whirl, Magnus, Rodimus, Brainstorm, Anode, and Lug aim their weapons, by [[Nick Roche]] and [[Josh Burcham]]
*'''Cover B:''' Inferno, Blaster, Bluestreak, Hound, Brawn, and Huffer aim their weapons, by [[Nick Roche]] and [[Josh Burcham]]; a companion piece to Cover A
*'''Retailer incentive cover:''' Roche's black and white lineart from Cover A
<gallery>
File:LL19 cvrA.jpg|
File:LL19 cvrB.jpg|
File:LL19 cvrRI.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''Lost Light'' #20
*''[[Transformers: Unicron]]''
*''[[Transformers: Requiem of the Wreckers]]''
*''[[Jem]] and the Holograms: Dimensions'' TPB
*''Atomic Robo: The Spectre of Tomorrow'' TPB
*''Ghostbusters: Answer the Call'' TPB
*''The Infinite Loop: Nothing But the Truth'' TPB
*''Full Bleed'' comics and culture magazine
*''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]] Adventures'' Vol. 3 TPB

==External links==
*[https://www.comiccrusaders.com/exclusive-preview-transformers-lost-light-19/ Preview]

[[Category: Lost Light issues]]

The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named

2018-05-30T15:22:42Z

Silver:

{{Comicstory
|series=op|issueno=18
|prev=The Falling, Chapter 3: The Ground
|next=The Falling, Chapter 4: The Hallowing
|caption=
|image=OP18 cvrB.jpg
|title="The Falling Interlude: The First Who Was Named"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[April 18]], 2018 (digital, limited print) [[April 25]], 2018 (widespread print)
|coverdate=April 2018
|written by=[[John Barber]]
|art by=[[Sara Pitre-Durocher]] (pgs 1-2, 19-20), [[Livio Ramondelli]] (pgs 3-18)
|colors by=[[Josh Burcham]] (Pitre-Durocher pages)
|letters by=[[Tom B. Long]]
|editor=[[David Mariotte]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era]]
}}

'''The secret history of "Onyx Prime" is revealed.'''

==Synopsis==
The wounded and chained [[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Optimus Prime]] is brought aboard the ''[[Nemesis (BWII)|Nemesis]]'', flagship of [[Onyx Prime]]... or rather, the flagship of ''[[Shockwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Shockwave]],'' who now stands revealed as the true face beneath Onyx's armor. Surrounded by Shockwave's beast legions and [[Liege Maximo]], Optimus demands to know how the 'bot he once thought of as his friend has returned from the dead. Shockwave is only too happy to tell the story...

''In his last confrontation with Optimus Prime, in what had seemed to be the final moments of his life, the emotions that had been reawakened in Shockwave—long lost thanks to the [[shadowplay]] perpetrated upon him by [[Proteus|Senator Proteus]] millions of years prior—led him to an epiphany: ambition directed only by cold logic has limitations. Shockwave believed his moment of clarity had come too late, as he was then consumed by the singularity created by the collapse of his [[chronal drive]]... but rather than die, he found himself flung twelve million years through time, into [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s prehistoric past. Wandering the wilderness for years, he eventually stumbled upon a small nomadic tribe of mostly animal Transformers, led by a shepherd named [[Onyx Prime|Onyx]]. His knowledge of history immediately allowing him to realize who and what he was seeing, Shockwave killed Onyx on the spot. The animals scattered, but one non-bestial 'bot did not: this bold one, Shockwave named "[[The Fallen|Megatronus]]"''.

''Taking Onyx's identity as his own, fashioning an armor from the shepherd's remains that disguised his true face, Shockwave became Onyx ''Prime'', gathering the scattered animals and building them into warriors. No longer did Shockwave have to rely on either logic ''or'' emotion to guide his actions; everything he did, he did because the history he had spent his life studying told him he had ''already'' done it. He unleashed Megatronus on the planet, sending him to carve his way through the scattered tribes, positioning him as a threat that would convince the [[Thirteen|other Primes]] and their tribes to come together and build Cybertronian civilization. Shockwave's foreknowledge meant that he knew the civilization they would build was doomed, but as a scientist, he could use it as a "test model" in hopes of discerning ''why'' Cybertronians always inevitably seem to fall to war with one another.''

''Continuing to ensure that history unfolded as recorded, Shockwave urged [[Prima]] to begin a plan of expansion, spreading the "enlightenment" of Cybertron to other worlds. Accompanied by [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] and his [[Guardian robot|Omega Sentinels]], "Onyx" and Megatronus set forth on the first expedition to leave Cybertron since the [[Knights of Cybertron]], with [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] at their side to record their deeds. They were met with resistance by the inhabitants of the first planet they landed upon, and conflict resulted; thus did the rest of the universe learn of, and learn to ''fear'', Cybertron''.

''Prima blamed Megatronus for the mission's failure, and Liege Maximo—acting on Shockwave's instructions—stoked Megatronus's resentment, leading him to turn on Prima. [[Solus Prime]] came to Prima's rescue, but was slain by Megatronus in the process, impaled on the very [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]] sword she had created. Megatronus fled into space, but Liege Maximo was captured by his fellow Primes and—at Shockwave's suggestion—imprisoned within his [[Titan (IDW)|Titan]], [[Vigilem]], and exiled from the planet. Prima and "Onyx" then set off aboard Prima's Titan [[Emissary (IDW)|Emissary]] to hunt down Megatronus, locating him on the planet [[Tsiehshi]]. History would claim that Prima and Megatronus slew one another in a final battle... but this was merely the story that Shockwave told Alpha Trion upon his return. In truth, Megatronus killed Prima, and was then slain in turn by Shockwave, his usefulness to the once and future Decepticon at an end. Emissary took Prima's body to the stars, but Shockwave ensured that he would crash on [[Elonia|some far-off world]]. Thus did the age of Primes end...''

...and thus does Shockwave's story come to a close, but he explains that there is yet more for Optimus Prime to learn. A darkness has descended upon Cybertron, Shockwave warns, "a darkness that fuels the future", that all his millions of years of "test modelling" and preparation have paved the way for. There is a role Optimus Prime must play in this plan... but first, Optimus must share in Shockwave's insight. The ''Nemesis'' comes to a halt above the ruins of [[Crystal City]], and Shockwave hurls Optimus from the ship, sending him plunging into the miniature singularity below on his own journey of enlightenment...

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks. 
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Metrotitan (Zone)|Metrotitan]] (1)
*[[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] (3)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Orion Pax / Optimus Prime]] (11)

|c2=
*[[Needlenose (G1)|Needlenose]] (4)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Soundwave]] (5)

|c4=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Mistress of Flame]] (2)
*[[Starscream (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Starscream]] (6)
*[[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] (7)
*[[Liege Maximo]] (8)
*[[Shockwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Shockwave]]/"Onyx Prime" (9)
*[[Ramulus]] (10)
*[[Iguanus (BW)|Iguanus]] (12)
*[[Snarl (BM)|Snarl]] (13)
*''[[The Fallen|Megatronus]]'' (14)
*''[[Onyx Prime|Onyx]]'' (15)
*''[[Galvatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Galvatron]]'' (16)
*''[[Arcee (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Arcee]]'' (17)
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*''[[Alchemist Prime]]'' (18)
*''[[Solus Prime]]'' (19)
*''[[Nexus Prime]]'' (20)
*''[[Vector Prime]]'' (21)
*''[[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]]'' (22)
*''[[The Arisen]]'' (23)
*''[[Micronus Prime]]'' (24)
*''[[Prima]]'' (25)
*''[[Quintus Prime]]'' (26)
*''[[Amalgamous Prime]]'' (27)
*''[[Guardian robot|Omega Sentinels]]'' (28)
*''[[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]'' (29)
*''[[Emissary (IDW)|Emissary]]'' (30)
{{!}}}
}}

==Quotes==

"...twelve million years ago. Well. That should prove '''sufficient time''' to plan."
:—'''Shockwave''' arrives in the past

"At the center of everything lies an '''infinite darkness'''. When I was young, I '''fought''' this. But '''then,''' Orion... I realized I must '''become''' it."
:—'''Shockwave'''

"The '''fire''' of progress should '''light''' the '''way,''' Megatronus... not '''incinerate.'''"
:—'''Solus Prime'''

"'''Master'''... I did everything you '''asked.''' I followed your '''guidance,''' for all these eons... and '''this''' is my reward?" 
"You were never more than a '''means''' to an '''end.''' And as for your '''reward'''... Cybertron shall remember your '''name'''. After a '''fashion.'''"
:—'''Megatronus''' is killed by '''Shockwave'''

"You're '''wrong''', Shockwave. It's not '''darkness''' that fuels us. It's '''hope'''. That's what Solus' sword—'''and''' the Matrix held within its hilt—'''represents.'''" 
"Then I hope you have an '''illuminating voyage,''' Orion. As I said, I '''do''' see myself in you... and I think you would '''agree'''... one of me is '''more''' than '''enough.'''"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' is thrown into the singularity by '''Shockwave'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
====Shockwave Did It====
{{quote|Everything... '''falls.''' Everything falls into '''place.''' An endless '''chain.''' No, a circle. A circle '''within''' a circle '''within''' the same circle... endless and forever. I see the '''future.'''|Shockwave|[[Dark Dawn: Dark Cybertron Chapter 1|''Dark Cybertron'' #1]]}}
With the revelation that Shockwave is Onyx Prime, the events of many past issues and story points take on new meaning.
*Soundwave's inability to read Onyx's mind in [[The Falling, Chapter 2: Another Mine|issue #16]] now makes sense; as seen in [[Soundwaves (issue)|''Robots in Disguise'' #22]], the shadowplay Shockwave was subjected to prevents Soundwave from sensing his thoughts. Did Shockwave do something similar to Liege Maximo, whose mind Soundwave also could not read?
*In IDW continuity, Megatronus's name was unknown to Cybertronians until very recently, so it was not possible for [[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]] to have named himself after the fallen Prime, as he did in the [[Aligned continuity family]]. Thus the similarity of their names, first commented on in [[The Crucible|''Robots in Disguise'' #34]], was a dangling mystery, explained this issue by having Shockwave be the one who gave Megatronus his name. Megatronus referred to himself by the title of this issue, "the first who was named", back in [[Origin Myths|issue #10]].
*Speaking of issue #10, we see its events from Shockwave's perspective. It is not specifically detailed here, but the stories we saw him spin in that issue—from the "[[Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Cybertron]]" prophecy (which included an image of his own ''face!''), to Starscream's anointment as the "Chosen One," to the creation of the [[Autobot]] insignia—all now stand revealed as ontological paradoxes that Shockwave deliberately used his knowledge of the future to put in place. It's hard to process just ''how'' many aspects of Cybertronian history like this from throughout IDW's comics may be the work of Shockwave, setting things up for his future self and/or lying to Alpha Trion about things so that history would record them differently to how they actually happened.
*Shockwave compares his use of the Primes' civilization as a test model to the time he conducted similar tests with a [[Axalon (BW)|shipful]] of [[Eukaris|Eukarian]] Transformers, reprogramming them to think they were the classic Generation 1 cast, as seen in [[Strange Visitors|''Revolutionaries'' #5]] (reinterpreting the events of ''[[Hearts of Steel]]''). Of course, now we know that that very ship was sent by Shockwave's own future self, during his Onyx years... which he means he probably chose that ship's crew specifically ''because'' they all looked like his Great War contemporaries!
*On that note, Shockwave was seen in ''Revolutionaries'' #5 commanding the [[Darksyde (BW)|the Predacon starship from ''Beast Wars'']], and in [[The Dead Come Home, Part 2 (of 2)|issue #14]], several Maximals were using the same vessel. Evidently, Shockwave retrieved the ship at some point.
*In ''Revolutionaries'' [[The Secret of the Mummy's Tomb|#3]], hieroglyphs of Shockwave's face appeared within the [[Tomb of Amtoltec]], which housed the mysterious [[Talisman (G1)|Talisman]] — an artifact closely associated with "Onyx Prime."
*Back in ''Robots in Disguise'' #34, it was observed that the planets Shockwave had chosen for his [[Regenesis]] ores to grow upon were the worlds to which the surviving Thirteen had gone. That was always hazy (since many of them were dead or spaceborne) and how Shockwave could have had that knowledge was always questionable, but this issue indicates that the young Shockwave did not ''know'' this about those planets when he chose them, and that his future self, as Onyx, specifically orchestrated it so that the worlds he simply ''happened'' to choose ''became'' the resting places of the Thirteen. Specifically, this issue shows Megatronus dying on Tsiehshi (the world where [[Ore-8]] grew, introduced in ''[[Spotlight: Kup]]'' and named as a Regenesis world in [[Shockwaves|''Robots in Disguise'' #17]]), and Prima's remains ending up on another world (see below for more on this one). Fans questioned how there could be a planet for Alpha Trion when he did not die or leave Cybertron; this issue also resolves that quandary by revealing that Onyx dedicated the first world the Primes made contact with on their expansion mission to Trion.
*Lastly, we'll note that, back in [[The Dead Come Home, Part 2 (of 2)|issue #14]], Bludgeon spoke of the coming of a mysterious "master." Onyx seemed like a good candidate at the time... but who could have guessed he was ''really'' talking about the guy we ''already knew'' was his master, since he's been serving Shockwave for years! The timeline's actually still kinda wonky on that, actually... what're the odds ''that's'' the next big continuity fix?

====Other continuity notes====
*Shockwave's description of Starscream – "Your adversary rises." – is strikingly similar to a line from the version of the [[Dark Cybertron (prophecy)|Dark Cybertron prophecy]] heard in [[All Hail Optimus Part 1: Once Upon a Time on Earth|''The Transformers'' #50]]: "Thus shall the adversary arise."
*In recounting his past, Shockwave recalls his rebuilding of Orion Pax to add a [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] chamber to his chest in [[Chaos Theory Part 2|''The Transformers'' vol. 1 #23]], his subjection to shadowplay by Senator Proteus in [[Shadowplay (Conclusion): An Intimate Beheading|''More than Meets the Eye'' #11]], and his apparent death in a singularity of his own making in [[...And the Damage Done: Dark Cybertron Finale|''Dark Cybertron Finale'']].
*The animal Transformers that make up Onyx's flock consist of the same collection of generics seen in "his" service in past issues.
*Shockwave mentions an event from ancient Cybertronian history known as the "War of the Headmasters." Ancient Headmasters were introduced in [[Heart of Darkness issue 3|''Heart of Darkness'' #3]]; they were a continuity error at the time, but that situation was rectified when their story was revisited and expanded on in ''Robots in Disguise'' #34. The way Shockwave talks in ''this'' issue, though, it sounds as if the war in question is a different conflict that took place prior to the one seen in ''Robots in Disguise'' #34.
*Note the single figure hidden in shadow among the Primes on page 10; this is [[The Arisen]], the mysterious Thirteenth Prime, who many believe is somehow Optimus Prime. This is his first tangible on-panel appearance (having otherwise only appeared in a painterly "fantasy sequence" in [[Heavy|''Till All Are One'' #9]]), which confirms he definitely was a real guy. How he and Optimus are connected... well, we suspect we'll learn that very soon.
*The [[Caminus|Camien]] belief that the Matrix of Leadership was once the crystal on the hilt of Prima's Star Saber (a notion taken from wider ''Transformers'' media, but first expressed in this continuity in [[The Sum and Its Parts|''Windblade'' vol. 2 #1]]) is revealed to be true.
*The concept of Omega Supreme as leader of the Omega Sentinels originates with other Transformers media (see "Transformers references," below) but was first established in IDW continuity in the [[Primus: All Good Things|2012 ''Robots in Disguise'' annual]].
*Solus speaks of the "fire of progress lighting the way" (quoted above), which is a fitting sentiment from the 'bot who would inspire the Camien religion the [[Way of Flame]], which espouses similar beliefs.
*The basics of the story of Megatronus and Liege's betrayal, and Solus's death at Megatronus's hands, were previously laid out in ''Till All Are One'' #9. Art in that issue, reinterpreting an illustration from [[Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|''The Covenant of Primus'']], indicated Megatronus had shot Solus (as in the Aligned continuity family), but this issue reveals he actually stabbed her with the Star Saber.
*The story of Liege Maximo's imprisonment within Vigilem and exile from Cybertron was told in [[Rubicon|''Till All Are One'' #8]] and #9. In particular, Shockwave mentions Vigilem undergoing "a process not unlike shadowplay"; in ''Till All Are One'' #8, [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] mentions "taking Vigilem's mind from him".
*The world on which Prima's remains wind up is not named in dialogue, but there are some clues that allow us to identify it as [[Elonia]], home of [[Rom]] the [[Space Knight]]. Rom's {{i|Space Knight armor|armor}} has been strongly suggested to be made from one of Shockwave's ores in multiple previous stories, and the single panel that shows the planet shows a blue-skinned native; many {{i|Elonian}}s have blue-grey skin. Additionally, this native is carrying a slain animal across his back, porcine in appearance with purple fur and four green eyes. A plush toy based on this animal was owned by [[Stardrive]] in her youth on Elonia, as seen in [[Shining Armor issue 1|''Rom vs. Transformers: Shining Armor'' #1]].

===Transformers references===
*At two new beast Transformers appear among Shockwave/Onyx's shadowed legions on page 2 of this issue: [[Iguanus (BW)|Iguanus]], in his [[Transmetal 2]] form and [[Snarl (BM)|''Beast Machines'' Snarl]].
*The idea of Omega Supreme as a member of a group of mass-produced sentinel robot originates with [[The Transformers (cartoon)|the Generation 1 cartoon]] episode "[[The Secret of Omega Supreme (episode)|The Secret of Omega Supreme]]," though the robots were known only as "[[guardian robot]]s" in the series. [[Dreamwave Productions]] gave them the name "Omega Sentinels"; the red, grey, and blue color scheme they sport in this issue is based on their appearance in Dreamwave's comics, which was in turn inspired by the colors of the guardian robots' predecessors, the [[Dark Guardian]]s, from the Generation 1 cartoon episode "[[Forever Is a Long Time Coming (episode)|Forever Is a Long Time Coming]]."
*The name of Prima's Titan, [[Emissary (disambiguation)|Emissary]], is one used by other characters connected with past incarnations of [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]], who isn't a Titan himself in IDW continuity, but is in others. It [[Emissary (RID)|originated]] as the name of the head module of [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|''Robots in Disguise'' Fortress Maximus]], and was later [[Emissary (Generations)|re-used]] as the name of [[Fortress Maximus (G1)/toys#Generations|''Titans Return'' Fortress Maximus]]'s [[Titan Master]].

===Other trivia===
*This issue was originally intended to come out in the final week of April 2018, one week after the delayed issue #17. However, a scheduling error caused it to be released digitally on the ''same'' week as #17, and copies to be be shipped out to some stores. ''Any'' preview pages from this issue would have spoiled the shock ending of issue #17, but despite a preview being released (linked below) the day before release, Transformers news sites stood in solidarity and did ''not'' report on it, keeping the spoiler under wraps as best as could be accomplished.
*So...we see that the real Onyx was quadrupedal just like he's always been portrayed in the metafiction...so the Onyx Prime we've seen only walking around on his hind legs...is because he's really the bipedal Shockwave...
*John Barber, man.

===Soundtrack===
*"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kszLwBaC4Sw Blackstar]" by {{w|David Bowie}} (Natch.)
*"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRVDAwgsfUU Killing Game]" by {{w|Skinny Puppy}}

===Covers (3)===
*'''Cover A:''' Solus Prime, by [[Kei Zama]] and [[Josh Burcham]]
*'''Cover B:''' Megatronus and "Onyx," by [[Livio Ramondelli]]
*'''Retailer incentive cover:''' Black and white lineart version of Cover A
<gallery>
File:OP18 cvrA.jpg|
File:OP18 cvrB.jpg|
File:OP18 cvrRI.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''Optimus Prime'' #19
*''[[The Transformers: Redemption of the Dinobots|Redemption of the Dinobots]]'' TPB
*''Dungeons & Dragons: Evil at Baldur's Gate''
*''The X-Files: Case Files''
*IDW ''[[Star Trek]]: Discovery'' comic
*CGC Comics
*IDW ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' #1-4

==External links==
*[https://graphicpolicy.com/2018/04/17/preview-transformers-optimus-prime-18/ Preview]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Falling Interlude: The First Who Was Named, The}}
[[Category:Optimus Prime issues]]

Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 66

2018-05-13T16:09:05Z

Silver:

{{comicstory|seriesissue=[[Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club (magazine)|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club]] #66
|prev=Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 65
|next=Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 67
|image=Htcc-66.jpg
|caption="It's... beautiful..."
|publisher=[[Fun Publications|Fun Publications]]
|date=early December
|coverdate=Dec/Jan 2016
|editorinchief=[[Brian Savage]]
|editor=[[Pete Sinclair]]
|creative director=[[Lanny Lathem]]
|associate editor=[[Jesse Wittenrich]]
|proofreaders=[[Heather Choplin]] [[Jeremiah McNatt]]
|MTMTE profile=[[Eryck Webb]]
|vintage articles=[[Andrew Hall]]
|contributors=[[Greg Black]] [[Jim Sorenson]] "New Dad" [[Karl Hartman]] [[Derrick J. Wyatt]] [[Richard Chang]] [[Josh Perez]] [[Ben Yee|Benson Yee]]
}}

'''With every ending, a new beginning...'''

==Contents==
* On the cover: [[Megatron (SG)#Galvatron|Galvatron]], [[Optimus Prime (SG)#NovaPrime|Nova Prime]], [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/toys#Timelines|Ultra Mammoth]] and [[Grimlock (G1)/toys#Beast Wars|Grimlock]] (p. 1)
* Inside cover: "The Bolts Bite Back", "From the Editor's Desk" (p. 2)
* "''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 franchise)|Transformers: Robots in Disguise]]'' Q&A with the voice of [[Windblade (RID)|Windblade]]: [[Kristy Wu]]" (p. 3)
* "Another Time and Place Episode 02: Ahead of the New Direction" by [[Andrew Hall]], a look at the concept art for the third series of the [[The Transformers (toyline)|G1 toyline]] (p. 3)
* ''[[Another Light]]'': "[[The Future Buried...]]" - comic story (pp. 4–14)
* "Teletraanic History Records: Heroic Decepticon Commander Galvatron and former Adversary Optimus Prime" (p. 15)
* <s>Bios</s> Mottos in the style of ''[[Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'':
** ''[[Transformers: Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass]]'' [[Optimus Prime (SG)|Nova Prime]] (p. 15)
** ''[[Transformers: Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass]]'' [[Megatron (SG)|Galvatron]] (p. 15)
* ''[[SD SG]]'' (p. 16)
* "Holiday Sale" advertisement for the online store, still trying to flog those ''[[Machine Wars]]'' exclusives (p. 16)

==Notes==
* This issue's comic story is ''eleven'' pages long!

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

Our Darkest

2018-05-06T16:02:10Z

Silver: /* Errors */

{{comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Transformers: Unicron]]'' #0
|prev=The Curtain
|next=Unicron issue 1
|image=TFUnicron0_cvr.jpg
|caption=
|title="Our Darkest"
|caption=
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[May 5]], [[2018]]
|coverdate=May 2018
|written by=[[John Barber]]
|art by=[[Alex Milne]]
|colors by=[[Sebastian Cheng]]
|letters by=[[Tom B. Long]]
|editor=[[David Mariotte]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era]]
}}

'''The Transformers come to the aid of Elonia when Unicron attacks.'''

==Synopsis==
From across the cosmos, reports reach [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] of a colossal, planet-sized entity roaming the spaceways, consuming other worlds. One by one, planets that are home to both [[Shockwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Shockwave]]'s [[Regenesis]] ores and Cybertron's colonies fall; first the time-tossed [[LV-117]], then the dead worlds of [[Gorlam Prime]] and [[Prion]]'s colony, then the planet of speed, [[Velocitron]], each physically adding to the monster's mass as it devours them. The Transformers are able to deduce that this entity has been summoned by two transmissions recently sent by Cybertron itself into deep space, the second of which identified the planet-eating monster as "[[Unicron]]." And Unicron is not finished dining; now, it appears in the skies over [[Elonia]], home of the [[Solstar Order]], and begins to feed. Optimus Prime leads a team aboard the ''[[Ark-Zero]]'', the only vessel fast enough to get there in time, in a desperate bid to save the planet's population...

Prime's team are met by [[Rom]] the [[Space Knight]], and Prime explains the situation to him. With no idea what Unicron is or why it's doing what it's doing, stopping it seems impossible, but [[Wheeljack (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Wheeljack]] has an alternative: a massive, planet-wide [[space bridge]] to teleport the entire population of Elonia to Cybertron. Rom appreciates the offer, but he and the Space Knights think they can deal with Unicron, and head out to confront it. While Rom and [[Livia]] skim Unicron's surface, discovering it littered with the remains of dead Transformers absorbed along with Velocitron, the rest of their team flies straight into Unicron's maw... only into be immediately destroyed when a blast of energy emerges from it. Rom and Livia are caught in the blast and hurled down to Elonia's disintegrating surface.

The Transformers [[orbital jump|teleport]] down to Elonia and begin setting up space bridge pylons in strategic locations around the planet. As they work, Bumblebee befriends an Elonian girl and her pet. Before long, everything is ready to go, but when Wheeljack flips the switch, nothing happens! [[Soundwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Soundwave]] deduces that a counter-signal is blocking the activation of the space bridge, the source of which Optimus Prime and [[Arcee (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Arcee]] discover when they go the spot where Rom fell: an ancient Cybertronian [[Titan (IDW)|Titan]] named [[Emissary (IDW)|Emissary]], who has lain hidden for millions of years beneath the Thrail Mineral Mine, who has been exposed by the planetary break-up. The mine is source of the metal used to create the Space Knights' armor; examining a handful of the metal, Optimus realizes that it is [[Ore-12|another of Shockwave's Regenesis ores]], confirming that Elonia is being targeted by Unicron because it is another of the thirteen lost "colonies" of Cybertron.

Wheeljack sees no option but to teleport back to the ''Ark-Zero'' before the planet is destroyed, but Bumblebee refuses to leave the Elonians to die, and Wheeljack is justly shamed. Arcee has a drastic solution—she buries her swords in Emissary's brain, killing him, causing the counter-signal he is generating to cease. Wheeljack is briefly alarmed by an energy spike that accompanies the cessation of the signal, but then quickly composes himself and activates the space bridge. Everyone teleports out... except Wheeljack himself, bravely resigned to the fact that he must stay behind to operate the bridge to get everyone away safely. Satisfied, Wheeljack dies with Elonia as Unicron gorges upon it.

As Unicron completes its feeding, it disappears in a flash, teleporting away to somewhere else in the galaxy, leaving only blackness in its wake, the stars winking out from the sky. Aboard ''Ark-Zero'', Soundwave confirms that two-thirds of Elonia's population has been saved. [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] joins the group via teleconference hologram to explain the full extent of Unicron's actions to Rom, and, knowing that this threat is far from over, they begin planning for next time.

But, across the universe, "next time" is already ''now'', as Unicron appears in the skies over [[Eukaris]] and begins to feed...

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Arcee (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Arcee]] (2)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Optimus Prime]] (3)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Bumblebee]] (5)
*[[Pyra Magna]] (7)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Wheeljack]] (8)
*[[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]]'s corpse (13)
*[[Slag (G1)|Slug]] (15)
*[[Aileron]] (17)
*[[Skyburst (G1)|Skyburst]] (18)
*[[Stormclash]] (19)
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Sunstreaker]] (22)
*[[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] (26)

|c2=
*[[Soundwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Soundwave]] (6)
*[[Swift (G1)|Swift]] (21)

|h3=[[Solstar Order]]
|c3=
*[[Rom]] (4)
*[[Nikomi]] (9)
*[[Livia]] (1)
*[[Q'b]] (11)
*[[Prim]] (12)
*[[Sata]] (24)
*[[Guar]] (25)

|c4=
*[[Unicron]] (1)
*[[Override (BW)|Override]]'s corpse (14)
*[[Strafe (IDW)|Strafe]] (16)
*[[Emissary (IDW)|Emissary]] (20)
*[[Bob (IDW)|Bob]] (23)
*[[Manta Ray (BW)|Manta Ray]] (27)
*[[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] (27)
*"[[Prowl II]]" (28)
}}

==Quotes==
"It should '''worked!''' I tell ya, my calculations are '''never''' off! I mean, sure, '''sometimes'''—but not '''now!'''"
:—'''Wheeljack''' reacts to the space bridge's failure to activate

"The '''Titans'''... your kind see them as like unto '''gods.'''" 
"I said it before, knight... I don't '''pray''' much."
:—'''Rom''' is surprised by '''Arcee'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s decision to kill Emissary

"''Heh''. Guess there're are '''worse''' ways to go than savin' an entire-"
:—'''Wheeljack's''' last words.

<big>'''"I HUNGERRR..."'''</big>
:—'''Unicron'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s first words

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*Chronologically, this issue occurs at a point further into the future than other IDW comic books had reached at the time of its publication (in the same month as ''Optimus Prime'' #19). Though it's hardly a ''shocker'', this means it revealed Bumblebee's return to life a few months in advance of the story in which that event took place.
*Optimus refers to Elonia as one of "three grand dominions" in the galaxy. One of the others is definitely the [[Galactic Council]]; it's unclear if the third is the [[Black Block Consortia]], Cybertron itself, or some unknown force.
*The Elonian girl's pet is a purple porcine animal we've seen before; [[Stardrive]] had a plush toy of one in [[Shining Armor issue 1|''Shining Armor'' #1]], and a dead one was glimpsed in [[The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|''Optimus Prime'' #18]].
*Speaking of ''[[Rom vs. Transformers: Shining Armor|Shining Armor]]'', Bumblebee mentions that he's "happy to see [Rom] again," having met him in that mini-series.
*Optimus and Arcee use an [[orbital jump]] to get from ''Ark-Zero'' to Elonia, a form of short-range teleportation from an orbiting craft to a planet's surface introduced waaay back at the start of IDW continuity. But, see "Errors," below.
*Emissary was revealed to have crashed on prehistoric Elonia in ''Optimus Prime'' #18.
*The Thrail Mineral Mine was introduced in {{i|Cold Fire|the 2017 ''ROM'' annual}}. It's previously been strongly implied that the ore found there was one of Shockwave's Regenesis ores (a running gag in the Hasbro Universe even has various humans mistake Rom and his compatriots for Cybertronians); this issue confirms it, identifying the ore as [[Ore-12]]. Optimus observes the ore's "hexagonal lattice"; this has previously been described as a feature of [[Solus Prime]]'s [[Creation Lathe]] in [[Conquerors Part 1: Aphelion|''The Transformers'' #46]], suggesting it is a common feature of Cybertronian metal, or at least ancient and powerful ones.
*When relating that two-thirds of Elonia's population has been saved, Soundwave makes a point of stressing this includes animal life. Soundwave has a fondness for animals; he considers [[elephant]]s his favorite Earth creatures (humans are #2!), as noted in [[New Cybertron Part 4: Dance Among the Shadows|''Optimus Prime'' #4]].
*The first signal was sent to Unicron in [[First Strike issue 6|''First Strike'' #6]], which was the story that introduced the planet-eater into IDW continuity. The second signal was the flare of healing [[Talisman (G1)|Talisman]] energy released in [[The Curtain|''Transformers vs. Visionaries'' #5]]; not that there was any indication in ''that story'' that any signal was being sent, but it's clarified in the recap section at the back of this issue (see "Other trivia," below).
*The destruction of LV-117 took place in [[Syndromica (2)|''Robots in Disguise'' #10]]. The visuals of the planet's destruction strongly suggested Unicron at the time, years before his formal introduction. Optimus Prime was there to witness it; from his perspective, it was years ago, but as Windblade explains, LV-117 moved freely through time, and was only destroyed a week ago.
*The dead colony of Prion was introduced in [[White Heat|''The Transformers'' #57]].
*A little strange to hear that Gorlam Prime has been consumed, given that, when we last saw it in [[Homecoming (IDW)|''Robots in Disguise'' #19]] (when Optimus rose the [[Necrotitan|Titan]] he speaks of here), it collapsed into a portal into the [[Dead Universe]]. Maybe Unicron ate the portal?
*Velocitron was visited by the Transformers in [[Windblade vol. 2 issue 4|''Windblade'' vol. 2 #4]]-[[Race Against the Light|5]]. The body of the planet's leader, [[Override (BW)|Override]], is among the corpses seen in this issue, next to [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]], who Optimus notes took a team to Velocitron when Unicron attacked it and disappeared with it. Cliff's only made [[All Hail Optimus Part 1: Once Upon a Time on Earth|one cameo appearance]] in the last four years, so he was pretty expendable.
*It's been unclear for some time now exactly what the relationship between the planets Shockwave chose for his thirteen Regenesis ores (explained in [[The Crucible|''Robots in Disguise'' #34]] to be the final resting places of the [[Thirteen|Thirteen Primes]]) and the thirteen colony worlds of Cybertron (one for each Prime, founded by a Titan connected with that Prime). We'd initially assumed that they were ''not'' necessarily the the same group of thirteen planets, since multiple ore worlds had no colonies, multiple ''colony'' worlds had no ''ores'', and multiple ''Primes'' either died or never left Cybertron, and so could not have been lain to rest on those worlds. Well, with the explicit identification of Elonia as one of the thirteen Regenesis planets ''and'' one of the thirteen "colony Titan" worlds, and the mentioning of other colonies (Velocitron, Eukaris, Prion) and Regenesis worlds (Gorlam Prime, LV-117) in the same breath, it looks like that's been soft-retconned; they ''are'' the same thirteen planets, and the worlds are not the ''resting places'' of the Primes, just connected with them. This would indicate that the colony worlds we've seen have (or had) ores of their own we never saw, which seems massively coincidental, until you remember that this is ''aaaaall'' being pinpoint-precisely executed as an ontological paradox by the time-travelling [[Shockwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Shockwave]]. Further, this implies: 1) that the [[Necrotitan]] was the colony Titan of Gorlam Prime; 2) that the biomechanical transhuman civilization that existed on Gorlam Prime may therefore have been in Cybertronian origin; and 3) that it's even possible the [[Ardurian roc]]s of the Regenesis world of [[Arduria]] and the [[Varta|shapeshifting natives of LV-117]] have similar Cybertronians connections. The rocs were even ''called'' "cousins" of Cybertronians back in [[Syndromica (1)|''Robots in Disguise'' #6]]! We know we say this a lot, but... John ''friggin<nowiki>'</nowiki>'' Barber, man.

===Transformers references===
*The title of this story is, of course, a reference to the Transformers' "[[darkest hour]]," part of the prophecy surrounding the [[Matrix of Leadership]] and connected with the coming of Unicron, introduced in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''.
*Like Optimus, Soundwave, Windblade, and [[Starscream (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Starscream]] before him, Bumblebee's return to life has seen him redesigned into his "[[evergreen]]" character design.
*In addition to Cliffjumper and Override, a Transformer based on the ''[[Transformers: Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'' version of [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] appears among the dead Velocitronians. But we know this is just a [[generic]], because the ''real'' [[Hot Shot (Henkei!)|Hot Shot]] lives on [[Caminus]]!
*As Unicron opens fire on Elonia, Bumblebee despairs: "Oh Primus... what are we gonna do now?"—a, ahem, ''sanitized'' version of [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]]'s infamous reaction to Unicron in ''The Transformers: The Movie'', "Oh shit, what are we gonna do now?"
*Bumblebee introduces the Transformers to the Elonian girl as "[[Transformers: Rescue Bots (franchise)|rescue bots.]]"
*During Unicron's attack on the planet, the other Eukarian Transforner seen in addition to established Eukarian tribe leaders Cheetor and Manta Ray is the owl known as "[[Prowl II]]." That's probably not his name in ''this'' continuity... and a robot based on him had also previously appeared as a Cybertronian member of [[Mayhem Attack Squad|Mayhem]] in [[Sins of the Wreckers issue 5|''Sins of the Wreckers'' #5]], but it... uh, well, it hardly matters now, does it?

===Real-life references===
*Bumblebee uses the extremely mild swear "Hokey Smokes!" which was the catchphrase of {{w|Rocky the Flying Squirrel}} on ''{{w|The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends}}''.

===Errors===
*Optimus calls the teleport jump he and Arcee take down to Elonia an "orbital bounce," but he should be calling it an "orbital jump." A "bounce" is when one teleports up ''from'' the surface, to the orbiting craft, then is beamed back down to another location right away.
*In the Writers Guide, ''[[The Transformers: Windblade#Collections|Transformers Windblade: The Last City]]'' is misspelled as "Lost City".

===Other trivia===
[[File:TFUnicron0 early cvr.jpg|right|thumb|upright=.75]]
*This issue was released on [[Free Comic Book Day]]. It includes the 16-page main story, summarized above, and numerous additional pieces of backmatter, including:
**A letter from IDW associate editor David Mariotte, describing how ''[[Transformers: Unicron]]'' marks the end of the current IDW Transformers universe.
**The announcement image for the series by [[Sara Pitre-Durocher]] shown at [[San Diego Comic-Con|San Diego Comic Con 2017]], in print for the first time.
**Preview images for [[Alex Milne]] and [[Andrew Griffith]]'s covers to [[Unicron issue 1|issue #1]] and [[Casey Coller]]'s cover to [[Unicron issue 2|issue #2]], and layouts of [[James Raiz]]'s six interlocking covers for the whole series.
**A reprint of the double-page spread of Unicron's first appearance from ''First Strike'' #6.
**"The Writers Guide to Unicron #0" by John Barber, summarizing the events leading up to the series. In the process, it gives away a few more details of Shockwave's scheme over in ''[[Optimus Prime (comic)|Optimus Prime]]'' that hadn't been entirely explained at the time of publication.
**A "Read More About..." section offering an overview of the IDW ''Transformers'' library of graphic novels.
*This issue was originally solicited with a very different logo that obscured much of Unicron himself (see right).
{{--}}

===Covers===
*'''Regular cover:''' Starscream, Arcee, Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, and Windblade stare up at Unicron, by [[Sara Pitre-Durocher]]; Starscream and Arcee are hidden by a white box commonly added to Free Comic Book Day comics where stores can stamp their name.
<gallery>
File:TFUnicron0_cvr.jpg
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*[[Unicron issue 1|''Transformers: Unicron'' #1]]
*''[[The Transformers: Requiem of the Wreckers]]''
*[[Win If You Dare|''Transformers: Bumblebee - Win If You Dare'' graphic novel]]
*''[[Transformers: Unicron]]'' checklist

==External links==
*[https://previewsworld.com/Catalog/Prevue/JAN180006 Preview]

[[Category:Unicron issues]]

Our Darkest

2018-05-06T16:01:10Z

Silver: /* Errors */

{{comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Transformers: Unicron]]'' #0
|prev=The Curtain
|next=Unicron issue 1
|image=TFUnicron0_cvr.jpg
|caption=
|title="Our Darkest"
|caption=
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[May 5]], [[2018]]
|coverdate=May 2018
|written by=[[John Barber]]
|art by=[[Alex Milne]]
|colors by=[[Sebastian Cheng]]
|letters by=[[Tom B. Long]]
|editor=[[David Mariotte]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era]]
}}

'''The Transformers come to the aid of Elonia when Unicron attacks.'''

==Synopsis==
From across the cosmos, reports reach [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] of a colossal, planet-sized entity roaming the spaceways, consuming other worlds. One by one, planets that are home to both [[Shockwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Shockwave]]'s [[Regenesis]] ores and Cybertron's colonies fall; first the time-tossed [[LV-117]], then the dead worlds of [[Gorlam Prime]] and [[Prion]]'s colony, then the planet of speed, [[Velocitron]], each physically adding to the monster's mass as it devours them. The Transformers are able to deduce that this entity has been summoned by two transmissions recently sent by Cybertron itself into deep space, the second of which identified the planet-eating monster as "[[Unicron]]." And Unicron is not finished dining; now, it appears in the skies over [[Elonia]], home of the [[Solstar Order]], and begins to feed. Optimus Prime leads a team aboard the ''[[Ark-Zero]]'', the only vessel fast enough to get there in time, in a desperate bid to save the planet's population...

Prime's team are met by [[Rom]] the [[Space Knight]], and Prime explains the situation to him. With no idea what Unicron is or why it's doing what it's doing, stopping it seems impossible, but [[Wheeljack (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Wheeljack]] has an alternative: a massive, planet-wide [[space bridge]] to teleport the entire population of Elonia to Cybertron. Rom appreciates the offer, but he and the Space Knights think they can deal with Unicron, and head out to confront it. While Rom and [[Livia]] skim Unicron's surface, discovering it littered with the remains of dead Transformers absorbed along with Velocitron, the rest of their team flies straight into Unicron's maw... only into be immediately destroyed when a blast of energy emerges from it. Rom and Livia are caught in the blast and hurled down to Elonia's disintegrating surface.

The Transformers [[orbital jump|teleport]] down to Elonia and begin setting up space bridge pylons in strategic locations around the planet. As they work, Bumblebee befriends an Elonian girl and her pet. Before long, everything is ready to go, but when Wheeljack flips the switch, nothing happens! [[Soundwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Soundwave]] deduces that a counter-signal is blocking the activation of the space bridge, the source of which Optimus Prime and [[Arcee (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Arcee]] discover when they go the spot where Rom fell: an ancient Cybertronian [[Titan (IDW)|Titan]] named [[Emissary (IDW)|Emissary]], who has lain hidden for millions of years beneath the Thrail Mineral Mine, who has been exposed by the planetary break-up. The mine is source of the metal used to create the Space Knights' armor; examining a handful of the metal, Optimus realizes that it is [[Ore-12|another of Shockwave's Regenesis ores]], confirming that Elonia is being targeted by Unicron because it is another of the thirteen lost "colonies" of Cybertron.

Wheeljack sees no option but to teleport back to the ''Ark-Zero'' before the planet is destroyed, but Bumblebee refuses to leave the Elonians to die, and Wheeljack is justly shamed. Arcee has a drastic solution—she buries her swords in Emissary's brain, killing him, causing the counter-signal he is generating to cease. Wheeljack is briefly alarmed by an energy spike that accompanies the cessation of the signal, but then quickly composes himself and activates the space bridge. Everyone teleports out... except Wheeljack himself, bravely resigned to the fact that he must stay behind to operate the bridge to get everyone away safely. Satisfied, Wheeljack dies with Elonia as Unicron gorges upon it.

As Unicron completes its feeding, it disappears in a flash, teleporting away to somewhere else in the galaxy, leaving only blackness in its wake, the stars winking out from the sky. Aboard ''Ark-Zero'', Soundwave confirms that two-thirds of Elonia's population has been saved. [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] joins the group via teleconference hologram to explain the full extent of Unicron's actions to Rom, and, knowing that this threat is far from over, they begin planning for next time.

But, across the universe, "next time" is already ''now'', as Unicron appears in the skies over [[Eukaris]] and begins to feed...

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Arcee (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Arcee]] (2)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Optimus Prime]] (3)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Bumblebee]] (5)
*[[Pyra Magna]] (7)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Wheeljack]] (8)
*[[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]]'s corpse (13)
*[[Slag (G1)|Slug]] (15)
*[[Aileron]] (17)
*[[Skyburst (G1)|Skyburst]] (18)
*[[Stormclash]] (19)
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Sunstreaker]] (22)
*[[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] (26)

|c2=
*[[Soundwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Soundwave]] (6)
*[[Swift (G1)|Swift]] (21)

|h3=[[Solstar Order]]
|c3=
*[[Rom]] (4)
*[[Nikomi]] (9)
*[[Livia]] (1)
*[[Q'b]] (11)
*[[Prim]] (12)
*[[Sata]] (24)
*[[Guar]] (25)

|c4=
*[[Unicron]] (1)
*[[Override (BW)|Override]]'s corpse (14)
*[[Strafe (IDW)|Strafe]] (16)
*[[Emissary (IDW)|Emissary]] (20)
*[[Bob (IDW)|Bob]] (23)
*[[Manta Ray (BW)|Manta Ray]] (27)
*[[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] (27)
*"[[Prowl II]]" (28)
}}

==Quotes==
"It should '''worked!''' I tell ya, my calculations are '''never''' off! I mean, sure, '''sometimes'''—but not '''now!'''"
:—'''Wheeljack''' reacts to the space bridge's failure to activate

"The '''Titans'''... your kind see them as like unto '''gods.'''" 
"I said it before, knight... I don't '''pray''' much."
:—'''Rom''' is surprised by '''Arcee'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s decision to kill Emissary

"''Heh''. Guess there're are '''worse''' ways to go than savin' an entire-"
:—'''Wheeljack's''' last words.

<big>'''"I HUNGERRR..."'''</big>
:—'''Unicron'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s first words

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*Chronologically, this issue occurs at a point further into the future than other IDW comic books had reached at the time of its publication (in the same month as ''Optimus Prime'' #19). Though it's hardly a ''shocker'', this means it revealed Bumblebee's return to life a few months in advance of the story in which that event took place.
*Optimus refers to Elonia as one of "three grand dominions" in the galaxy. One of the others is definitely the [[Galactic Council]]; it's unclear if the third is the [[Black Block Consortia]], Cybertron itself, or some unknown force.
*The Elonian girl's pet is a purple porcine animal we've seen before; [[Stardrive]] had a plush toy of one in [[Shining Armor issue 1|''Shining Armor'' #1]], and a dead one was glimpsed in [[The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named|''Optimus Prime'' #18]].
*Speaking of ''[[Rom vs. Transformers: Shining Armor|Shining Armor]]'', Bumblebee mentions that he's "happy to see [Rom] again," having met him in that mini-series.
*Optimus and Arcee use an [[orbital jump]] to get from ''Ark-Zero'' to Elonia, a form of short-range teleportation from an orbiting craft to a planet's surface introduced waaay back at the start of IDW continuity. But, see "Errors," below.
*Emissary was revealed to have crashed on prehistoric Elonia in ''Optimus Prime'' #18.
*The Thrail Mineral Mine was introduced in {{i|Cold Fire|the 2017 ''ROM'' annual}}. It's previously been strongly implied that the ore found there was one of Shockwave's Regenesis ores (a running gag in the Hasbro Universe even has various humans mistake Rom and his compatriots for Cybertronians); this issue confirms it, identifying the ore as [[Ore-12]]. Optimus observes the ore's "hexagonal lattice"; this has previously been described as a feature of [[Solus Prime]]'s [[Creation Lathe]] in [[Conquerors Part 1: Aphelion|''The Transformers'' #46]], suggesting it is a common feature of Cybertronian metal, or at least ancient and powerful ones.
*When relating that two-thirds of Elonia's population has been saved, Soundwave makes a point of stressing this includes animal life. Soundwave has a fondness for animals; he considers [[elephant]]s his favorite Earth creatures (humans are #2!), as noted in [[New Cybertron Part 4: Dance Among the Shadows|''Optimus Prime'' #4]].
*The first signal was sent to Unicron in [[First Strike issue 6|''First Strike'' #6]], which was the story that introduced the planet-eater into IDW continuity. The second signal was the flare of healing [[Talisman (G1)|Talisman]] energy released in [[The Curtain|''Transformers vs. Visionaries'' #5]]; not that there was any indication in ''that story'' that any signal was being sent, but it's clarified in the recap section at the back of this issue (see "Other trivia," below).
*The destruction of LV-117 took place in [[Syndromica (2)|''Robots in Disguise'' #10]]. The visuals of the planet's destruction strongly suggested Unicron at the time, years before his formal introduction. Optimus Prime was there to witness it; from his perspective, it was years ago, but as Windblade explains, LV-117 moved freely through time, and was only destroyed a week ago.
*The dead colony of Prion was introduced in [[White Heat|''The Transformers'' #57]].
*A little strange to hear that Gorlam Prime has been consumed, given that, when we last saw it in [[Homecoming (IDW)|''Robots in Disguise'' #19]] (when Optimus rose the [[Necrotitan|Titan]] he speaks of here), it collapsed into a portal into the [[Dead Universe]]. Maybe Unicron ate the portal?
*Velocitron was visited by the Transformers in [[Windblade vol. 2 issue 4|''Windblade'' vol. 2 #4]]-[[Race Against the Light|5]]. The body of the planet's leader, [[Override (BW)|Override]], is among the corpses seen in this issue, next to [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]], who Optimus notes took a team to Velocitron when Unicron attacked it and disappeared with it. Cliff's only made [[All Hail Optimus Part 1: Once Upon a Time on Earth|one cameo appearance]] in the last four years, so he was pretty expendable.
*It's been unclear for some time now exactly what the relationship between the planets Shockwave chose for his thirteen Regenesis ores (explained in [[The Crucible|''Robots in Disguise'' #34]] to be the final resting places of the [[Thirteen|Thirteen Primes]]) and the thirteen colony worlds of Cybertron (one for each Prime, founded by a Titan connected with that Prime). We'd initially assumed that they were ''not'' necessarily the the same group of thirteen planets, since multiple ore worlds had no colonies, multiple ''colony'' worlds had no ''ores'', and multiple ''Primes'' either died or never left Cybertron, and so could not have been lain to rest on those worlds. Well, with the explicit identification of Elonia as one of the thirteen Regenesis planets ''and'' one of the thirteen "colony Titan" worlds, and the mentioning of other colonies (Velocitron, Eukaris, Prion) and Regenesis worlds (Gorlam Prime, LV-117) in the same breath, it looks like that's been soft-retconned; they ''are'' the same thirteen planets, and the worlds are not the ''resting places'' of the Primes, just connected with them. This would indicate that the colony worlds we've seen have (or had) ores of their own we never saw, which seems massively coincidental, until you remember that this is ''aaaaall'' being pinpoint-precisely executed as an ontological paradox by the time-travelling [[Shockwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Shockwave]]. Further, this implies: 1) that the [[Necrotitan]] was the colony Titan of Gorlam Prime; 2) that the biomechanical transhuman civilization that existed on Gorlam Prime may therefore have been in Cybertronian origin; and 3) that it's even possible the [[Ardurian roc]]s of the Regenesis world of [[Arduria]] and the [[Varta|shapeshifting natives of LV-117]] have similar Cybertronians connections. The rocs were even ''called'' "cousins" of Cybertronians back in [[Syndromica (1)|''Robots in Disguise'' #6]]! We know we say this a lot, but... John ''friggin<nowiki>'</nowiki>'' Barber, man.

===Transformers references===
*The title of this story is, of course, a reference to the Transformers' "[[darkest hour]]," part of the prophecy surrounding the [[Matrix of Leadership]] and connected with the coming of Unicron, introduced in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''.
*Like Optimus, Soundwave, Windblade, and [[Starscream (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Starscream]] before him, Bumblebee's return to life has seen him redesigned into his "[[evergreen]]" character design.
*In addition to Cliffjumper and Override, a Transformer based on the ''[[Transformers: Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'' version of [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] appears among the dead Velocitronians. But we know this is just a [[generic]], because the ''real'' [[Hot Shot (Henkei!)|Hot Shot]] lives on [[Caminus]]!
*As Unicron opens fire on Elonia, Bumblebee despairs: "Oh Primus... what are we gonna do now?"—a, ahem, ''sanitized'' version of [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]]'s infamous reaction to Unicron in ''The Transformers: The Movie'', "Oh shit, what are we gonna do now?"
*Bumblebee introduces the Transformers to the Elonian girl as "[[Transformers: Rescue Bots (franchise)|rescue bots.]]"
*During Unicron's attack on the planet, the other Eukarian Transforner seen in addition to established Eukarian tribe leaders Cheetor and Manta Ray is the owl known as "[[Prowl II]]." That's probably not his name in ''this'' continuity... and a robot based on him had also previously appeared as a Cybertronian member of [[Mayhem Attack Squad|Mayhem]] in [[Sins of the Wreckers issue 5|''Sins of the Wreckers'' #5]], but it... uh, well, it hardly matters now, does it?

===Real-life references===
*Bumblebee uses the extremely mild swear "Hokey Smokes!" which was the catchphrase of {{w|Rocky the Flying Squirrel}} on ''{{w|The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends}}''.

===Errors===
*Optimus calls the teleport jump he and Arcee take down to Elonia an "orbital bounce," but he should be calling it an "orbital jump." A "bounce" is when one teleports up ''from'' the surface, to the orbiting craft, then is beamed back down to another location right away.
*In the Writers Guide, [[The Transformers: Windblade|Transformers Windblade: The Last City]] is misspelled as "Lost City".

===Other trivia===
[[File:TFUnicron0 early cvr.jpg|right|thumb|upright=.75]]
*This issue was released on [[Free Comic Book Day]]. It includes the 16-page main story, summarized above, and numerous additional pieces of backmatter, including:
**A letter from IDW associate editor David Mariotte, describing how ''[[Transformers: Unicron]]'' marks the end of the current IDW Transformers universe.
**The announcement image for the series by [[Sara Pitre-Durocher]] shown at [[San Diego Comic-Con|San Diego Comic Con 2017]], in print for the first time.
**Preview images for [[Alex Milne]] and [[Andrew Griffith]]'s covers to [[Unicron issue 1|issue #1]] and [[Casey Coller]]'s cover to [[Unicron issue 2|issue #2]], and layouts of [[James Raiz]]'s six interlocking covers for the whole series.
**A reprint of the double-page spread of Unicron's first appearance from ''First Strike'' #6.
**"The Writers Guide to Unicron #0" by John Barber, summarizing the events leading up to the series. In the process, it gives away a few more details of Shockwave's scheme over in ''[[Optimus Prime (comic)|Optimus Prime]]'' that hadn't been entirely explained at the time of publication.
**A "Read More About..." section offering an overview of the IDW ''Transformers'' library of graphic novels.
*This issue was originally solicited with a very different logo that obscured much of Unicron himself (see right).
{{--}}

===Covers===
*'''Regular cover:''' Starscream, Arcee, Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, and Windblade stare up at Unicron, by [[Sara Pitre-Durocher]]; Starscream and Arcee are hidden by a white box commonly added to Free Comic Book Day comics where stores can stamp their name.
<gallery>
File:TFUnicron0_cvr.jpg
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*[[Unicron issue 1|''Transformers: Unicron'' #1]]
*''[[The Transformers: Requiem of the Wreckers]]''
*[[Win If You Dare|''Transformers: Bumblebee - Win If You Dare'' graphic novel]]
*''[[Transformers: Unicron]]'' checklist

==External links==
*[https://previewsworld.com/Catalog/Prevue/JAN180006 Preview]

[[Category:Unicron issues]]

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User:Silver

The Transformers: The Movie (second draft)

The Transformers: The Movie (second draft)

The Transformers: The Movie (second draft)

The Transformers: The Movie (second draft)

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The Transformers: The Movie (first draft)

The Transformers: The Movie (first draft)

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Shattered Glass II issue 4

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Rhinox's Amaze-ing Adventure

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Main Page/featured-series

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War World: Titans

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Strength in Numbers

2005 IDW timeline

Enemy of My Enemy Part Three

Gauging the Truth, Part Two: A Truth for a Truth

Arcee/Greenlight: Run

Rise of the Decepticons: Swindle's

Wannabee, Part 2

Enemy of My Enemy Part One

Enemy of My Enemy Part One

The Change In Your Nature Part Five

Shadow Striker (G1)

Nautica: Home

Scarlett's Strike Force issue 4

Transformers vs. Visionaries

Talk:The World In Your Eyes Part Two

Equal Measures

Unstopped and Unstoppable

Crucible (Part 4): The Return of the King

Stranger Eons

The Falling, Chapter 5: Endless Forever

The Falling, Chapter 5: Endless Forever

Crucible (Part 2): LÅ«strÄre

Crucible (Part 1): A Dance Before Dying

The Falling, Interlude: The First Who Was Named

Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 66

Our Darkest

Our Darkest

Crucible (Part 2): LÅ«strÄre