MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

Wrecking Havoc

2013-02-11T15:38:04Z

Skylynx:

{{comicstory|seriesissue=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|''The Transformers'' (UK)]] #172–173
|prev=Deadly Games!
|next=Totaled!
|image=TFUK 172 COVER.JPG
|title="Wrecking Havoc"
|caption=Cyclonus and Scourge hate Tom Cruise too!
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|date=[[June 25]]– [[July 2]], [[1988]]
|coverdate=July 2–9, 1988
|script=[[Simon Furman]]
|art=[[Bryan Hitch]]
|colour=[[Euan Peters]]
|letters=[[Steve Parkhouse]] (#172) [[Annie Halfacree]] (#173)
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
}}

'''The Wreckers find out that humans always get in the way.'''

==Synopsis==
Northern [[Oregon]]: A group of [[United States Air Force|USAF]] pilots on a routine exercise are attacked by [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] and [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]], who are looking for some target practice. Although the two [[Decepticon]]s down most of the fighters, Cyclonus is nearly tricked into flying into a mountain and the pair are forced to flee from a counter-attack. Scourge notes it bodes ill for their forthcoming meeting with their old commander, [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]].

The city-state of [[Kalis]], [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]: [[Twin Twist]] is drilling the [[Wrecker]]s for their forthcoming mission against Galvatron whilst [[Emirate]] [[Xaaron]] and [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] look on in concern as they will be undertaking the mission without [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]].

[[Earth]], the Decepticon [[Fortress Sinister|fortress base]]: [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] reflects on his recent meeting with Cyclonus and Scourge. The pair aim to defeat Galvatron and reclaim the [[Time-jump trigger device|trigger device]] which could return them to their own time but have asked Shockwave for sanctuary if they fail. In return, they will serve him.

Cyclonus and Scourge arrive in the middle of a [[human]] settlement, where they had arranged to meet Galvatron. Their former commander had intended to invite them to serve him and is amused to learn of their plans. Even though he no longer has the trigger device, he doesn't inform them of that fact but all their plans are interrupted by the arrival of the Wreckers through the [[dimensional portal]]. Springer is horrified to realize they have arrived in an area full of humans, fearing their mission is doomed.

Reluctantly, the Wreckers engage all three Decepticons, while [[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]] attempts to usher the humans to safety. [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] and [[Rack'n'Ruin]] engage Galvatron, who mentions the fact Cyclonus and Scourge are after a trigger device that no longer exists. Springer overhears the comment and, after overpowering Cyclonus and lifting a human straggler to safety, he knocks Galvatron to the ground and runs off, shouting that he has the time jump trigger. As he hoped, Scourge (who has been battling the [[Jumpstarter]]s) and Cyclonus both chase after him, away from the humans. Galvatron instantly realizes what Springer is doing and tells the other Wreckers they have a choice of trying to capture him or saving their leader, who won't last long on his own against Cyclonus and Scourge.

Cyclonus and Scourge quickly take down Springer and realize he doesn't have the trigger device, at which point the other Wreckers arrive and force them to flee. Broadside notes that, in the confusion, Galvatron has disappeared, presumably transformed to his minuscule pistol form. Springer is forced to concede defeat, vowing to return to Cybertron and plan anew.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]] (6)
* [[Twin Twist]] (7)
* [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] (8)
* [[Topspin (G1)|Topspin]] (9)
* [[Rack'n'Ruin]] (10)
* [[Xaaron]] (11)
* [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] (12)
|c2=
* [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] (2)
* [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] (3)
* [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] (13)
* [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] (15)

|c3=
* Various Air Force pilots (1)
* Various city residents (14)

|h4=[[Nebulan|Nebulons]]|c4=
* [[Nightstick (Cyclonus)|Nightstick]] (4)
* [[Fracas]] (5)
}}

==Notes==
* Galvatron's trigger jump device was dismantled by [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] in "[[Fire on High!]]".
* Neither Galvatron nor the Wreckers seem to be familiar with the concept of [[Targetmaster]]s. This actually creates a minor continuity issue, as Rodimus Prime is shown to have been a former Targetmaster in "[[Headhunt]]", indicating that the technology existed in the Marvel UK future timeline (and that Galvatron should be familiar with it).
* The Wreckers would keep their promise to return for Galvatron in "[[Time Wars]]" (and sort of succeed, albeit with a lot of help).
* By an unspecified method of coercion, Galvatron persuades an anonymous human to carry him to his rendezvous in gun mode. This is the second of only two occasions when he is shown in this mode (the other being "[[Target: 2006]]" part 1).
* This is one of the rare stories that feature Springer using the ability his name derives from: he jumps hella high to lure Cyclonus and Scourge away from the human settlement.
* Having arrived on Earth, Cyclonus and Scourge have apparently deserted their commander, [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]. They're never seen with his troops after the ''[[The Transformers: Headmasters|Headmasters]]'' limited series, not even in the US issues. This may be why they seek sanctuary from Shockwave, instead of their own forces... but the issue of their desertion is never directly addressed.
*Issue subtitles:
**Issue #172—
**Issue #173—Smalltown Nightmare!
** The ''[[Transformers Collected Comics]]'' reprint was modified to remove a footnote explaining the absence of [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]. It originally linked to the previous "[[Deadly Games!]]".

===Errors===
* Cyclonus is drawn with his shoulder wings pointed inward when drawn from the front, and pointed outward when his back is turned.
* On page 7 of part 1, one of Xaaron's speech bubbles is attributed to Springer.

===Covers(7)===
{{picsneeded|other covers}}
<gallery>
Image:TFUK 172 COVER.JPG|He blew up real good! 172
Image:MarvelUK-173.jpg|Galvatron sucks at Jenga. 173
Image:Tf commag 24.JPG|'''Transformers Comic-Magazin issue #24'''
Image:Tfcolcom16.jpg|''Collected Comics'' #16
</gallery>
* '''UK issue 172:''' Cyclonus and Scourge destroy an Earth jet; art by [[Bryan Hitch]].
* '''UK issue 173:''' Galvatron busts through wall; art by [[Jeff Anderson]].
* '''[[Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 24|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue #24]] cover''' Springer, Scourge and a strange-looking Cyclonus
* '''''Collected Comics'' #16 cover:'''
* '''Titan's ''Space Pirates'' cover:'''
* '''''Best of UK: Space Pirates'' #5 cover A:''' Galvatron, Cyclonus and Scourge among frightened humans — actually a redrawing of the RI cover but including Galvatron; art by [[Dan Khanna]] (art) and [[Liam Shalloo]] (colors)
* '''''Best of UK: Space Pirates'' #5 cover RI:''' "Retro" Incentive cover — panel from page 9 of part 1.
* '''''Best of UK: Space Pirates'' TPB cover:'''

===UK printing===
* No items yet identified.

===Reprints===
* 1990 — ''[[Transformers Collected Comics]]'' 16
*1992 — [[Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 24|''Transformers Comic-Magazin'' #24]]
* 2003 — ''[[Transformers: Space Pirates]]''
* 2007 — ''[[The Transformers: The Best of Simon Furman]]''
* 2008 — ''[[The Transformers: Best of UK: Space Pirates]]'' #5
* 2008 — ''[[The Transformers: Best of UK: Space Pirates]]''

[[Category:Marvel UK issues]]

Time Wars

2013-02-11T15:32:01Z

Skylynx:

{{disambig2|the comic story|the trade paperback named after it|Transformers: Time Wars}}
{{comicstory
|seriesissue=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|''Transformers'' (UK)]] #199–205
|prev=Cold Comfort and Joy!
|prev2=Altered Image!
|next=Cold War!
|title="Time Wars"
|image=MarvelUK-202.jpg
|caption=Oh shit.
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|coverdate=[[January 7|7th January]] [[1989]]—[[February 18|18th February]] 1989
|writer=[[Simon Furman]]
|art=[[Robin Smith]] (#200, #201) [[Dan Reed]] (#202, #203) [[Lee Sullivan]] (#204, #205)
|pencils=[[Andrew Wildman]] (#199)
|inks=[[Stephen Baskerville]] (#199)
|colours=[[Euan Peters]]
|lettering=[[Gary Gilbert|GLIB]] (#199, #203, #205) [[Annie Halfacree]] (#200, #201) [[Gordon Robson|GLOP]] (#202, #203) [[Peter Knight]] (#204)
|editor=[[Euan Peters]]
}}
'''The combined forces of the Autobots and Decepticons must battle both Megatron and Galvatron to save the present and the future from a rift in space and time.'''

==Synopsis==
{{note|This story follows directly from the UK Annual stories "[[All in the Minds!]]" and "[[Altered Image!]]".}}
A [[time rift]] has destroyed the planet [[Quintessa|Quintesson]] and is now threatening to consume both [[Earth]] and [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Analysing the source of the disturbance, [[2009]]'s [[Autobot]] scientists find the source of the rift to be the year [[1989]]. They correctly deduce that [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]], and [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] are somehow the cause. In an attempt to solve the problem, a small group of Autobots travel back in time to 1989.

In 1989, the rift is also threatening modern day Earth, causing natural disasters. An earthquake awakens [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]], who has lain inactive since falling down a mine shaft. He attempts to escape back to the surface, but instead discovers the [[Galvatron's subterranean base|underground base of Galvatron]].

[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] is giving a briefing to the other Autobots, in which he outlines his belief that the time storm is related to Galvatron. Meanwhile, outside the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] is fretting over what to do with the head of [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] that he had captured. He wishes to end the threat of Scorponok, but is unwilling to kill him in cold blood.

Before he can make a decision, he is attacked by the [[Decepticon]] [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] and [[Targetmaster]]s in an attempt to recover the head. They capture the head, but before they can destroy Highbrow, the other Autobots come to his rescue and a major battle ensues.

In the midst of the battle, the future Autobots arrive, causing Optimus Prime, [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]], Highbrow, [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]], [[Brainstorm]], and [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] to be transported to [[limbo]] as part of the time travel process. Thinking their friends have been killed by the newcomers, [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] leads an attack on the future Autobots.

At the same time, a [[Decepticon heavy transport|spacecraft]] from Cybertron arrives on Earth carrying the combined forces of the Autobot [[Wrecker]]s and the Decepticon [[Mayhem Attack Squad]]. They have joined forces in an attempt to force Galvatron to return to his own time.

The Autobot battle is eventually stopped when [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Goldbug]], who has seen the results of time travel before and believes the newcomers are friends, is injured. Using the [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]] that resides in both Optimus Prime and [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]], the present and future leaders are able to communicate with each other and resolve the battle peacefully.

The Wreckers and the Mayhem Attack Squad meanwhile enter Galvatron's base and confront the future Decepticon. They are shocked to discover, however, that Galvatron and [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] have now joined forces. The two of them soon leave the ranks of the Wreckers and Mayhem Attack Squad trounced, forcing them to retreat and regroup.

Optimus Prime explains that the rift is caused by Cyclonus and Scourge being in the present because they bypassed the usual mass transfer system when they travelled back in time using [[Unicron]]'s [[time portal]]. As a result, the balance of spacetime has been upset. The situation has been made worse by Cyclonus's death twenty years before his creation. They deduce that if Cyclonus and Scourge are returned to the future, the rift will seal itself.

Galvatron and Megatron follow the Wreckers and the Mayhem Attack Squad and continue the battle outside, bringing the other Autobots into the fray. Galvatron has now become totally insane and is fighting blindly and slaughtering all in his path.

[[Image:MarvelUKTimeRift.jpg|right|180px|thumb|I guess we're not in [[Kansas]] anymore.]]
Scourge, who is beginning to have doubts about his alliance with Galvatron, decides to take action and flies to the Decepticon fortress to retrieve Cyclonus's body. There, he finds [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] in a state of mental breakdown after learning that he is due to die at Cyclonus and Scourge's hands in [[2008]]. Unwilling to let Scourge take Cyclonus's body, he blasts the future Decepticon unconscious.

The battle with Galvatron goes badly and all are falling before him. Half his face has been blasted off in events that are different from how he remembers them as Megatron, pushing him even further from sanity at the same time as changing the course of history. Optimus Prime, trapped in limbo, can only watch through the Matrix link. As the Autobots continue to fall, however, he decides to take drastic action and uses the power of the Matrix to return to reality and confront Galvatron. However, because he is now in the same period as Rodimus Prime, also the bearer of the Matrix, the effects of the time rift increase.

Scourge, recovering, appeals to Ravage to get Cyclonus's body, and wanting the madness to end, he sacrifices himself by throwing himself into the rift. Ravage manages to convince Shockwave that because he has foreknowledge, he has time to prevent his fate. This snaps Shockwave from his mental decline.

Galvatron, still fighting madly, fights Optimus Prime to a standstill, but before a winner is revealed the time rift rips Galvatron apart. However, the rift continues to worsen as it needs Cyclonus as well. Just as the rift is about to rip the Earth apart, Shockwave arrives and throws the body of Cyclonus into the rift, causing it to close itself.

The future Autobots return to their own time, pledging to destroy all their time machines. Optimus Prime and Shockwave agree to a truce until they next meet.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] (11)
* [[Blaster (G1)|2009 Blaster]] (14)
* [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] (15)
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (16)
* [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (17)
* [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] (19)
* [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] (20)
* [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] (23)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] (24)
* [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] (25)
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (26)
* [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] (27)
* [[Brainstorm]] (28)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Goldbug]] (29)
* [[Scattershot (G1)|Scattershot]] (30)
* [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] (31)
* [[Blaster (G1)|1989 Blaster]] (32)
* [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] (33)
* [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] (34)
* [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] (35)
* [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] (42)
* [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]](43)
* [[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]] (44)
* [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] (48)
* [[Slag (G1)|Slag]] (49)
* [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] (52)
* [[Rack'n'Ruin]] (57)
* [[Twin Twist]] (60)
* [[Topspin (G1)|Topspin]] (61)
* [[Roadbuster (G1)|Roadbuster]] (62)
* [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] (64)

|c2=
* [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] (1)
* [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] (2)
* [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] (3)
* [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]]-[[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] (4)
* [[Rippersnapper (G1)|Rippersnapper]] (5)
* [[Sinnertwin (G1)|Sinnertwin]] (6)
* [[Blot (G1)|Blot]] (8)
* [[Cutthroat (G1)|Cutthroat]] (9)
* [[Hun-Gurrr|Hun-Grr]] (10)
* [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (18)
* [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (21)
* [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] (37)
* [[Slugslinger (G1)|Slugslinger]] (38)
* [[Misfire]] (39)
* [[Triggerhappy]] (40)
* [[Snapdragon (G1)|Snapdragon]] (41)
* [[Weirdwolf]] (45)
* [[Skullcruncher]] (46)
* [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] (47)
* [[Horri-Bull]] (50)
* [[Fangry]] (51)
* [[Carnivac (G1)|Carnivac]] (53)
* [[Catilla (G1)|Catilla]] (54)
* [[Venom (G1)|Venom]] (55)
* [[Battletrap]] (56)
* [[Flywheels]] (58)
* [[Chop Shop]] (59)
* [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] (63)

|c3=
* Terrified humans, including [[Alan (G1)|Alan]] (7)
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (12)
* [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]] (13)

|h4=[[Nebulan]]s|c4=
*[[Fracas]] (22)
*[[Zarak (G1)|Zarak]] (37)
}}

==Notes==
[[Image:RobinSmithGrimlockOptimusFortMax.jpg|thumb|250px|right|You're doing it wrong, Fort Max.]]
*This marks the end of the story arc that began 121 issues ago in "[[Target: 2006]]".
*This was the last of the UK comic's 'epic' storylines. By issue [[The Fall and Rise of the Decepticon Empire.|#213]] falling sales meant that the page count of the UK originated strip was reduced from 11 to 6. The constant threat of the comic's cancellation meant that [[Simon Furman]] kept the story arcs limited to a few issues at most.
*The present day Ultra Magnus was going to get a rematch with Galvatron here, but the upcoming switch to black-and-white strips forced Furman to wrap up everything in Time Wars; poor ol' Magnus got lost in the shuffle.<ref>http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?p=42871</ref> Insult to injury, his 2009 incarnation is never seen after this strip and, considering the state the Decepticons were making of him, could have ''died'' with barely a mention!
*As if the high death count was bad enough, keep in mind that this is right in the middle of the [[Underbase Saga]], which had many more deaths.
*Cyclonus was killed in issue #189 "[[Dry Run!]]". The initial effects of the time rift were shown in issues #182–187 "[[Space Pirates!]]" with the destruction of the planet [[Quintessa|Quintesson]].
*Here Ravage recovers from his fall down a mine shaft after a battle with [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] in issues #72–73 "[[Showdown!]]" (US issue #20).
*The future Decepticons don't really add anything to the story. They just turn up, watch for a bit and then leave.
*The Wrecker/Mayhem strategy is laughable - they simply walk into Galvatron's base, arguing loudly.
**Speaking of them, the high death count mainly applies to them. The only Wreckers that survive this story are Springer, Whirl, Inferno, and Broadside. The only Mayhems that make it out alive are Carnivac and Catilla. Flywheels comes close to making it out (he survives the initial attack) but gets killed off panel shortly after.
*It's a recurring problem with the rotating artists on the UK comic, but the height of characters changes drastically over the course of the story. Fortress Maximus goes from being a shade taller than Rodimus to almost half again as tall between issues.
*Galvatron actually starts off this story in a fairly sane state of mind (as he had in "[[Altered Image!]]") By the end of it he's attempting to destroy every Transformer that exists and screaming his defiance at the universe itself. [[A Savage Circle|Hanging out with Megatron]] seems to have this effect on him (although to be fair, having half his face blasted off probably didn't help matters).
*Finally, Galvatron stays dead. Hard to miraculously recover from being erased from history. Except that he [[Aspects of Evil!|does]], sort of.
*Where does [[Fracas]] go?
*During the first issue when humans are fleeing from the Terrorcons on New Year's Day 2009, a dropped copy of ''Dragon's Claws'' can be seen. This prediction of the title's longevity was optimistic as the real ''Dragon's Claws'' comic folded a few months into 1989; however just a few months before the real New Year's Day 2009 a trade paperback of ''Dragon's Claws'' was published.
*The future Autobots last appeared in "[[Space Pirates!]]". Their story continues in the second segment of "[[Aspects of Evil!]]", then "[[The Void! (UK)|The Void!]]".
[[Image:RobinSmithLotsaCharacterModels.jpg|thumb|200px|right|See? That's better. Now for you, Arcee...]]
*When this story was written, it was with the intention that Megatron was the same guy we saw being blown up with the [[space bridge]] at the end of "[[Gone but Not Forgotten!]]". However, a few months later, the story "[[Two Megatrons!]]" would [[retcon]] him into actually being a [[cloning|clone]] bearing the [[Spark|mind]] of [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]] who ''thinks'' he's Megatron. Consequently, the events of this story leave open the (originally unintended) possibility that, in the original timeline, it was actually this Straxus-Megatron who was rebuilt into Galvatron by Unicron, rather than the genuine article.
*Several panels in the two issues drawn by Robin Smith feature characters in poses directly drawn from their [[character model]]s. Most of them can be found in issue #200: Ravage on page 1, panel 2 (the same pose is used ''again'', albeit mirrored, in panel 1 on the subsequent page, with a slightly redrawn pose appearing in panel 3); The [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] on page 4, panel 2; Grimlock and Powermaster Optimus Prime (minus his handguns) on page 4, panel 3 (Fortress Maximus in the same panel appears to be an original pose); Galvatron on page 7, panel 3; Snapdragon on page 8, panel 2 (with a slightly redrawn leg); Weirdwolf and Skullcruncher (both of them slightly redrawn) on page 9, panel 1; Fortress Maximus (with a different facial expression), Rodimus Prime and Blurr on page 10 (Arcee, Kup, Ultra Magnus and Red Alert appear to be original poses); possibly Fortress Maximus on page 11, panel 3 (downscaled and with less details); and Rodimus Prime in the subsequent panel (albeit with a different facial expression and one arm redrawn to be raised). Some more can be found in issue #201: Misfire (with a redrawn hand to include his gun), Skullcruncher, Fangry and Slugslinger on page 5, panel 2 (Horri-Bull and Weirdwolf appear to be original poses); Soundwave (with his hand redrawn and lacking his gun) and Cutthroat on page 6, panel 5 (Blot appears to be an original pose); Fortress Maximus on 9, panel 4 (with an arm redrawn to be raised, and a hand redrawn to be opened). Uncertain are Scorponok on page 5, panel 5 and Rippersnapper, Hun-Gurrr and Sinnertwin on page 6, panel 5, who never had ''[[The Transformers Universe|Universe]]'' profiles.
*Issue #200 marks the advent of the new logo that would remain with the series till its cancellation. Although the new logo drops the "The" from the cover title, the indicia still identifies the series as ''The Transformers''.

===Errors===
[[Image:Timewars colourerror uk201.JPG|right|150px|thumb|The Fortress Maximus repaint we've all been waiting for!]]
*On page 4 of issue #200, Robin Smith draws Blaster with his Marvel US head. On pages 9 and 11, however, he is drawn with his cartoon head like in all his other Marvel UK appearances.
*The first page of issue #201 was originally printed with the wrong colours. This was corrected in the subsequent ''[[Transformers Collected Comics|Collected Comics]]'' and [[Titan Books]] reprints, though the colors are still slightly off (especially the dark brown-ish red on Rodimus Prime).
*Scourge was pretty mad at Galvatron last time he saw him, to the extent that he was willing to kill him. How we get from that to the look of love he gives Galvatron in issue #200 is unexplained.
*What's left of the [[Wrecker]]s and the [[Mayhem Attack Squad]], having been key characters for much of the story, simply disappear in the closing stages, shunted aside by the big names. The same happens to the rank-and-file present day Autobots such as [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] and [[Scattershot (G1)|Scattershot]] (the latter was going to be killed off [[Dark Star|shortly anyway]])
*The "present" Autobots should recognise most of the "future" Autobots—[[Kup (G1)|Kup]] and [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]], for example, are among their current forces on the Ark. Kinda lucky they didn't make the trip to Earth, really... They should probably recognise Ultra Magnus and Rodimus Prime (he looks just like Hot Rod, after all) as well, and maybe even [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]]. (Similarly isn't it lucky that Scorponok didn't bring the present day Terrorcons with him?)
* Blaster appears in the 2009 timeline but neither does he travel back in time with the other Autobots nor is he present when the Decepticons storm Autobot City. It's lucky he didn't travel back in time as his 1989 incarnation is present as well, or was.
*At least some of the present-day Autobots (such as Ironhide) should recognise the explosive effects of being shunted to limbo, so their immediate declaration that Optimus and company have been killed is a little hysterical.
*The nature of Goldbug's injury shifts all over the place—he's shot in the shoulder by [[Misfire]], but then has a critical chest injury by the time Magnus finds him. His dramatic turn done with, his life-threatening wound reverts to being a shoulder injury that [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] patches up in three seconds flat.
*The plan is to get Cyclonus's body and Scourge back to the future, but it is unclear how they plan on accomplishing that. Nobody in 1989 appears to have the means to transport them into the future.
*Also Rodimus Prime isn't ''really'' Optimus Prime's future self. Optimus Prime and Rodimus Prime in the same era should not cause a time disruption despite what the two Primes believe...yet it is caused by the two holding the Matrix simultaneously. Though, Optimus doesn't have the Matrix, as it is with his other body on VsQs. Head hurt yet?
*And most glaring of all, the opening page of issue #203 claims, "The Underbase Saga takes place in its entirety before Time Wars begins." This is simply an impossibility since several present-day characters involved in "Time Wars" (like Blaster, Grimlock, the Dinobots, Ironhide, Hoist, and Goldbug) all meet their ends at end of the Underbase Saga. For "Time Wars" to have occurred ''after'' the Underbase Saga, these characters would have had to have not perished, or at least have been rebuilt immediately after. Yet, their deaths (along with those of many others) play a crucial role in the proceeding chapters that follow up from this massacre, and none of them die within the events of "Time Wars". The only way to properly fit "Time Wars" into the timeline without conflict would be for it to either take place ''before'' the whole Underbase Saga, or within the middle of it (as it was originally published).

===Covers (8)===
{{picsneeded|Best of UK covers}}
<gallery>
Image:MarvelUK-199.jpg|'''Issue #199 cover'''
Image:MarvelUK-200.jpg|'''Issue #200 cover'''
Image:MarvelUK-201.jpg|'''Issue #201 cover'''
Image:MarvelUK-202.jpg|'''Issue #202 cover'''
Image:MarvelUK-203.jpg|'''Issue #203 cover'''
Image:MarvelUK-204.jpg|'''Issue #204 cover'''
Image:MarvelUK-205.jpg|'''Issue #205 cover'''
Image:TitanTW.jpg|'''Time Wars TPB'''
</gallery>
*'''Issue #199 cover:''' [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] is on fire! by [[Robin Smith]].
*'''Issue #200 cover:''' Wraparound cover, featuring [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]], [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] and [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] bursting out of Powermaster [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]], by [[Lee Sullivan]].
*'''Issue #201 cover:''' [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] fights [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] while [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Goldbug]] is dying, by Robin Smith.
*'''Issue #202 cover:''' [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] and [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] stand on heads, art by [[Andrew Wildman]].
*'''Issue #203 cover:''' [[Carnivac (G1)|Carnivac]] and [[Springer (G1)|Springer]], by Robin Smith.
*'''Issue #204 cover:''' Optimus Prime interrupts Galvatron vs [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]], by [[Jeff Anderson]].
*'''Issue #205 cover:''' Galvatron defeats all the Autobots, by Andrew Wildman.
* '''Time Wars TPB cover:''' Galvatron takes on Optimus Prime, by [[Geoff Senior]] and [[Oliver Harud]].

===Reprints===
*[[1991]] — ''[[Transformers Collected Comics]]'' 18 (parts 1–3)
*[[1991]] — ''[[Transformers Collected Comics]]'' 19 (parts 4–5)
*[[2003]] — ''[[Transformers: Time Wars]]''
*[[2008]] — ''[[The Transformers: Best of UK: Time Wars]]'' #2–5
*[[2009]] — ''[[The Transformers: Best of UK: Time Wars]]''

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Marvel UK issues]]

The Fall and Rise of the Decepticon Empire.

2013-02-11T15:27:02Z

Skylynx:

{{comicstory|seriesissue=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|''The Transformers'' (UK)]] #213–214
|prev=Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?
|next=Race with the Devil
|title="The Fall and Rise of the Decepticon Empire."
|image=MarvelUK-213.JPG
|caption=Three great cost-cutting exercises inside!!
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|coverdate=[[April 15|15th April]] - [[April 22|22nd April]] [[1989]]
|writer=[[Simon Furman]]
|art=[[Lee Sullivan]]
|colours=[[Stuart Place]]
|lettering=[[Gary Gilbert|Glib]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
}}

'''Megatron returns to Cybertron intending to rebuild the Decepticon Empire.'''

==Synopsis==
Following the [[Time Wars (event)|Time Wars]], [[Straxus (G1)|Megatron]] and [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] use the [[Mayhem Attack Squad]]'s [[Decepticon heavy transport|ship]] to return to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Disgusted at the lack of [[Decepticon]] control of the planet, Megatron makes his way to [[Helex]], the Decepticon capital. There he confronts the ruling Decepticon [[Triumverate]] of [[Legonis]], [[Octus (G1)|Octus]], and [[Seizer]].

Having grown indolent and complacent, the three have abandoned the idea of conquest, instead preferring to be entertained with gladiatorial combat. They cast Megatron into the area to face a variety of opponents. Megatron dispatches them all easily, reveling in the destruction.

Eventually he realizes the futility of what he is doing and appeals to the crowd of Decepticons to rise up and reclaim their warrior heritage. Inspired to take action, the already dissatisfied [[Triggercon]]s attack and kill the Triumverate and the Decepticons declare Megatron their leader. Megatron declares that this time he intends to do things right... knowing his destiny is to become the unbeatable [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]!

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c2=
* [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]]-[[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] (1)
* [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (2)
* [[Legonis]] (3)
* [[Octus (G1)|Octus]] (4)
* [[Seizer]] (5)
* [[Quake (G1)|Quake]] (6)
* [[Ruckus (G1)|Ruckus]] (7)
* [[Crankcase (G1)|Crankcase]] (8)
* [[Windsweeper]] (9)
}}

==Notes==
* The Triumverate are inspired by the Triumvirate of ancient Rome.
* Issue #213 was the first UK issue to be printed with three strips per issue, a US Reprint, a UK story and a back-up ''[[Visionaries]]'' strip. This was done as a cost-cutting exercise. The story, however, was written before the decision was taken, so it had to be split in two and printed across two issues instead of one. This led to a rather unexciting ‘cliffhanger’ at the end of #213.
* Ironically, the Megatron featured here is later shown in "[[Two Megatrons!]]" to be a clone of the previous ruler of Cybertron, [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]].
* "[[Trigger-Happy!]]" is the only other story where Megatron changed his behaviour and actions due to the secure knowledge he'd become Galvatron.
* This was the last UK strip to be originally printed in colour due to falling sales.
* Octus is based on a [[Dalek]] from ''Doctor Who''.
* The title of this story was most likely inspired by ''[[wikipedia:The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin|The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin]]'' and ''[[wikipedia:The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire|The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire]]''.

===Errors===
* [[Bob Budiansky]], [[José Delbo]], [[Manny Manos]] and [[Nelson Yomtov|Nel Yomtov]] are accidentally credited for creating the second half of this story; they had created "[[Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?]]", the story running alongside this one.

===Covers===
<gallery>
Image:MarvelUK-213.JPG|'''UK issue #213''' - It's even better if you mix up all the taglines.
Image:MarvelUK-214.jpg|'''UK issue #214''' - ...but are they hungry for Quake's gigantic crotch?
</gallery>
* '''UK issue #213 cover:''' [[Landmine (G1)|Landmine]] and [[Cloudburst]] / Megatron / Visionaries by [[John Stokes]].
* '''UK issue #214 cover:''' [[Mecannibal]]s / Megatron vs Quake by John Stokes.

===Generics===
<gallery>
Image:Megatron generic marvel uk 213.jpg|Megatron beats a [[generic]] Autobot into submission.
Image:Generic autobot 2 marvel uk 213.jpg|Another Autobot attempts to assassinate Megatron. This ends badly for the Autobot.
Image:Generic decepticons marvel uk 214.jpg|Megatron's speech rallies some generic—if colourful—Decepticon troops.
</gallery>

===Reprints===
*[[1993]] — ''[[Transformers Collected Comics|Transformers Holiday Special]]''
*[[2004]] — ''[[Transformers: City of Fear]]''

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fall and Rise of the Decepticon Empire}}
[[Category:Marvel UK issues]]

Race with the Devil

2013-02-11T15:26:15Z

Skylynx:

{{comicstory|seriesissue=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|''The Transformers'' (UK)]] #215–218
|prev=The Fall and Rise of the Decepticon Empire.
|next=Recipe for Disaster!
|title="Race with the Devil"
|image=MarvelUK-215.jpg
|caption=Too busy messing with the 8-track to look in the rear view mirror.
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|date=[[April 22|22nd April]] - [[May 14|14th May]] [[1989]]
|coverdate=[[April 29|29nd April]] - [[May 20|20th May]] [[1989]]
|writer=[[Simon Furman]]
|art=[[Andrew Wildman|Andy Wildman]]
|letterer=[[Gary Gilbert|Glib]] (#215-216) [[Helen Stone|Hel]] (#217-218)
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
}}

'''Can the Triggerbots stop Darkwing and Dreadwind from retrieving Starscream's corpse?'''

==Synopsis==
[[Darkwing]] and [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]] have been hired to collect something for a [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|mysterious employer]], and the [[Triggerbot]]s have been dispatched to shadow them. Since the [[Decepticon]]s have noticed and are firing on them, they did a crap job. A vicious dogfight erupts around [[Earth]]'s [[Moon (moon)|Moon]], ending when the [[Autobot]]s fake their death. They're now able to follow the Decepticons without a problem.

The Decepticons land in southern [[Peru]], where archaeologist [[Susan Hoffman]] and [[Susan Hoffman#Related characters|her assistants]] are searching for the shrine of the [[Juluth]], a tribe unchanged since the days of the [[Inca]]. The Decepticons search for what they came for, only to be gunned down. [[Hi-Test]] and [[Throttle (G1)|Throttle]] run in terror and are intercepted by both the Autobots and Susan (who is annoyed to find herself dealing with robots ''again''). They spill the beans: they were hired to find the dead body of [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]]... and that body is now walking around!

[[Image:ZombieScream1.jpg|left|200px|thumb|He lives his life like there's no tomorrow, and everything he's got, he had to steal.]]
While they have a clear shot at the [[zombie]], [[Backstreet (G1)|Backstreet]] first makes sure the [[human]]s are evacuated—giving Starscream time to disarm the other Triggerbots and injure Backstreet. With low [[energon]] levels, [[Dogfight]] can't battle it in jet mode, so they run away instead. Backstreet tells them to leave without him (and Dogfight says he deserves to be left behind for what he did). Eventually, he convinces them to go to protect the humans while he holds the zombie back. Meanwhile, Hi-Test and Throttle return to their Powermasters and bring them back online with an energy boost; Dreadwind knows they have to complete their job, and realises the [[Nebulan]]s can defeat the zombie...

[[Override (G1)|Override]] goes to protect the humans, while Dogfight decides to use his jet mode to fight Starscream after all—by attempting to ram it! When he gets brushed aside, Backstreet tries to reason with the zombie, realising that there's an intelligence behind it: the [[Underbase]]. Starscream's murderous impulse is driving it, but he convinces the Underbase to fight it. It takes control... at which point the Nebulans run out and absorb all its energy until it falls dead. The Decepticons take the corpse, not caring they've killed the Underbase, but Backstreet feels it won by taking control.

While all this has gone on, Susan and her team found the Juluth, who believe Starscream's corpse to be their death-god [[Myaz]] and plan to sacrifice them to appease it. Susan escapes and is rescued by Override; he's forced to let the Decepticons leave with Starscream in order to save her friends. The Triggerbots later worry what this may result in, but Susan reminds them they did a good job here today and should deal with the future when it happens.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Backstreet (G1)|Backstreet]] (3)
* [[Dogfight]] (4)
* [[Override (G1)|Override]] (5)

|c2=
* [[Darkwing]] (1)
* [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]] (2)
* [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] (9)

|c3=
* [[Susan Hoffman]] (8)

|h4=[[Nebulan]]s|c4=
* [[Hi-Test]] (6)
* [[Throttle (G1)|Throttle]] (7)
}}

==Notes==
*This was the first UK story to be printed in black and white since "[[Raiders of the Last Ark]]" nearly 200 issues previously. The unannounced change caused some readers to think there had been a printing error. The resulting anger when it became clear that the change was permanent dominated the [[letters page (Marvel UK)|letters page]] for several weeks.
*This was originally meant to be a 2-parter, but the change in format in #213 led to it being hacked into four parts.
*[[Susan Hoffman#Related characters|Susan Hoffman's assistants]] resemble the [[wikia:c:ghostbusters:The_Real_Ghostbusters|Real Ghostbusters]], an in-joke as Wildman was drawing the title for Marvel UK at the time.
*Through his dialogue in Parts 1 and 3, it seems Dogfight doesn't like Backstreet at all.

===Continuity notes===
*This foreshadows the upcoming "[[Back from the Dead]]", Furman's first US story, where we'll discover Darkwing and Dreadwind's employer was Megatron and Starscream will be brought to life again.
*It follows on from the then-recent events of "[[Dark Star]]".
*Susan Hoffman has run into the Transformers twice before: "[[Ancient Relics!]]" and "[[Ladies' Night (issue)|Ladies' Night]]".

===Covers===
<gallery>
Image:MarvelUK-215.jpg|'''Issue #215''' - Move along, nothing to see here...
Image:MarvelUK-216.jpg|'''Issue #216''' - Death looks like a red ball with teeth, apparently.
Image:MarvelUK-217.jpg|'''Issue #217'''
Image:Titan B&W Compilation-Fallen Star.jpg|'''Titan TPB''' - Let's wrassle!
</gallery>
* '''Issue #215 cover:''' Triggerbots vs Dreadwing by [[Jeff Anderson]].
* '''Issue #216 cover:''' The [[Mecannibal]]s and [[Landmine (G1)|Landmine]] / Backstreet and Susan by [[Art Wetherell]].
* '''Issue #217 cover:''' Dreadwind accuses an unseen aggressor of attacking Darkwing and being dead by [[Jez Hall]].
* '''Titan TPB cover:''' Megatron and Shockwave fight at [[Memphis]] airport, by [[Staz|Stewart Johnson]].

===Reprints===
*2005 — ''[[Transformers: Fallen Star]]''

[[Category:Marvel UK issues]]

Front Line! (issue)

2013-02-11T14:53:52Z

Skylynx:

{{disambig2|the Marvel UK comic story|the fictional newspaper featured within|Front Line! (newspaper)}}
{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|''The Transformers'' (UK)]] #288
|prev=Inside Story!
|title="Front Line!"
|next=End of the Road! (UK)
|image=MarvelUK-288.jpg
|caption=
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|date=[[September 15|15th September]] [[1990]]
|coverdate=[[September 22|22th September]] 1990
|writer=[[Simon Furman]]
|pencils=[[Pete Knifton]]
|inks=[[Pete Venters]]
|lettering=[[Stuart Bartlett]]
|editor=
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]/[[Earthforce]]
}}
'''Both the Autobots and Decepticons try their hand at spin doctoring.'''

==Synopsis==
{{Earthforcefiction}}

At the [[Decepticon]] [[Decepticon Louisiana bayou base|base]], [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] shows [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] a copy of the newspaper ''[[Front Line! (newspaper)|Front Line!]]'' and explains that [[Project Smear|Project: Smear]] has gone wrong. Unless action is taken quickly, the [[Autobot]]s will be seen by the humans as the heroes they are.

[[image:Earthbase front line.jpg|thumb|left|200px|[[Elvis]]...according to ''[[Front Line! (newspaper)|Front Line!]]'']]
At the [[Autobot]] [[Earthbase]], [[Irwin Spoon (G1)|Irwin]] is being shown around by [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]], though the latter is having a hard time concealing his disdain for the whole idea in spite of Prowl regularly reminding him how important it is. After seeing the Equipment Room, Irwin asks to see the Combat Room before conducting the interview.

Earthbase has another visitor—[[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]]! The [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] radios Soundwave and Starscream to report that Irwin is going to write about the Autobots in his newspaper. Whilst Bombshell's takeover of [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] was intended to discredit them, this story will have the opposite effect. He requests orders. Soundwave wants to stop the [[human]] writing the story, but Starscream suggests instead making sure he writes it the Decepticons' way!

The Combat Room is incredibly noisy so Irwin suggests conducting the interview somewhere else. Grimlock suggests outside, despite the freezing temperatures, as there's no-one around for miles. But then he is blasted by the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]] as they speed up to the base. Prowl raises his rifle but is rammed by [[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]], who transforms and picks up Irwin...

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] (4)
*[[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] (5)
*[[Superion (G1)|Superion]] (7)
*[[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] (8)
*[[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (9)
|c2=
*[[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (1)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] (2)
*[[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] (6)
*[[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] (10)
*[[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]] (11)
*[[Drag Strip (G1)|Drag Strip]] (12)
*[[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]] (13)
|c3=
*[[Irwin Spoon (G1)|Irwin]] (3)
}}

==Notes==
*This story continues the theme that in the comic continuity the Autobots have never successfully convinced the humans that there are good robots and bad robots.
*The front page of ''Front Line!'' highlights the stories "COMIC CONVENTION SCANDAL!!", "MAN BITES DOG!" and "ELVIS... [[Polar bear|POLAR BEAR]] EXPOSÉ!!" One has to wonder quite why both the Autobots and Decepticons are so concerned about what will appear in a US [[wikipedia:Supermarket tabloid|supermarket tabloid]].
*This issue features ''[[Transformers AtoZ]]'' profiles for [[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]] and [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]].

===Errors===
*Previous stories have stated that the Earthbase has massive surveillance systems to detect any Decepticons. Yet Bombshell is able to fly through unnoticed.
*Why do the Decepticons need to capture Irwin, rather than simply have Bombshell follow him and implant a [[cerebro-shell]] as soon as he's alone?

===Covers (2)===
<gallery>
Image:MarvelUK-288.jpg|'''Issue #288'''
Image:Titan B&W Compilation-Perchance to Dream.jpg|'''Titan TPB'''
</gallery>
*'''Issue #288 cover:''' Grimlock dangles Irwin Spoon by [[Pete Knifton]].
*'''''Perchance to Dream'' TPB cover:''' [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] gets smacked around by [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] - detail from cover of issue [[...Perchance to Dream|#259]] by [[Andrew Wildman]].

===Reprints===
*[[2006]] — ''[[Transformers: Perchance to Dream]]''

[[Category:Marvel UK issues]]

Robot War

2013-02-10T09:15:21Z

Skylynx:

'''''Robot War''''' was an irregular series of text features published in the early years the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|Marvel UK comic]] which recapped events for the benefit of new readers. The features are of subsequent interest as one of the few definitive statements from Marvel as to the chronological placement of several of the earliest UK originated stories.

The features appeared as follows:

* "'''Robot War!'''" in [[The New Order|issue #22]].
* "'''Robot War II'''" in [[The Next Best Thing to Being There!|issue #36]].
* "'''Robot War III'''" in [[Second Generation!|issue #63]].

Each follows the same chronology but differs slightly in the level of detail given.

They are not known to have been widely reprinted and consequently they have sometimes been overlooked in attempts to work out the chronological order of events.

==Synopsis==

{{note|This synopsis is primarily based on "Robot War III" with additional material from "Robot War II".}}

The Transformers were natives of the planet [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], where [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] led the evil Decepticons as they waged war on the peace loving Autobots. {{storylink|The Transformers (issue)|The Transformers}} The Autobots were facing total defeat when [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] emerged as leader and moulded them into an effective force. {{storylink|And There Shall Come...a Leader!}} The war raged, unleashing forces that knocked Cybertron out of its orbit. After a thousand years it was drifting towards an asteroid belt that would destroy it, so the Autobots launched a huge spaceship called [[Ark (G1)|the Ark]] that blasted a path through it. They succeeded but were weakened and the Decepticons attacked. Seeing they could not win, Optimus Prime sent the ship hurtling towards [[Earth|a nearby planet]] where it crashed into a volcano and was buried. {{storylink|The Transformers (issue)|The Transformers}} It was observed from the Decepticon spaceship by [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] who followed it down but radiation belts affected his guidance systems and he landed half a world away in the [[Savage Land]]. The Ark's last functioning systems recognised the threat and used its final power to recreate five Autobots who could transform into likenesses of what it perceived to be the dominant lifeforms of the planet - dinosaurs. The [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] were dispatched to the Savage Land. {{storylink|The Last Stand}} There they fought Shockwave in a battle which ended in the Decepticon buried under tons of rock and the Dinobots in a tar pit. {{storylink|Repeat Performance!}}

Four million years later and the planet became known as Earth, with the volcano now named [[Mount St. Hilary]] in [[Oregon]], [[United States of America|USA]]. In 1984 an eruption stirred the Ark's circuits and it revived & reconstructed the fallen Autobots and Decepticons to transform into likeness of what it now perceived to be Earth's dominant lifeform - machinery. The conflict between the two factions continued as they sought fuel. {{storylink|The Transformers (issue)|The Transformers}} The Autobots met [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]] and his father [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparkpulug]], a motor mechanic who agreed to devise a conversion formula to allow the Autobots to enable them to use Earth fuel. However the Decepticons discovered the plan and captured Sparkplug, with the Autobots too fuel-depleted to follow them. {{storylink|Power Play!}}

Both sides were then distracted by a battle in [[United Kingdom|England]], {{storylink|Man of Iron (issue)|Man of Iron}} and a Decepticon attempt to harness energy from a dam. {{storylink|Decepticon Dam-Busters!}} The Autobots rescued Sparkplug with the aid of the costumed super-hero [[Spider-Man]]. {{storylink|Prisoner of War!}} The Autobots and Decepticons then faced simultaneous crises in their own ranks, {{storylink|The Enemy Within!}} leading to the Decepticons launching a strike on the Ark which failed due to low fuel and the intervention of the Autobot computer [[Aunty]]. {{storylink|Raiders of the Last Ark}} When Sparkplug returned to the Ark the Autobots were horrified to learn he had given the Decepticons the fuel formula and an argument ensued. Sparkplug suffered a heart attack and was taken to hospital by Ratchet. Megatron once more attacked the Ark and the Autobots pooled their dwindling fuel to allow five warriors to make a final stand. They were defeated by the Decepticons; who however immediately collapsed because Sparkplug had made their fuel corrosive. The Autobots' celebrations were short-lived when Shockwave - accidentally revived by an Autobot probe - suddenly arrived and blasted them all unconscious. {{storylink|The Last Stand}}

Shockwave declared Megatron's leadership faulty and usurped command of the Autobots. He had most of the Autobots hung up i the Ark but separated Optimus Prime's head from his body and sought to tap the [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]] force that could give life to new Transformers. Shockwave was unaware that Ratchet was still at large. {{storylink|The New Order}} To frustrate Shockwave' plans, Prime transferred the bulk of the Matrix to Buster Witwicky. Megatron tried to retake the Decepticon leadership but had not fully recovered from previous injuries and was defeated easily. Shockwave captured an oil rig {{storylink|The Worse of Two Evils!}} and [[Blackrock Aerospace Assembly Plant Number One|aerospace plant]] both belonging to [[G.B. Blackrock]] and sought to use the former as a power source and the latter as a new base. Meanwhile Ratchet sought to save his comrades, making a deal with Megatron whereby he would defeat Shockwave and in return Megatron would hand over the Ark. {{storylink|Warrior School!}} Ratchet located and revived the Dinobots then confronted Megatron who admitted he never intended to honour his side of the bargain. Megatron was defeated and disappeared into a deep snowdrift. {{storylink|Repeat Performance!}} Ratchet and the Dinobots returned to the Ark where they were confronted by [[Guardian (Marvel)|Guardian]], an Autobot battle droid reprogrammed by the Decepticons. {{storylink|Decepticon Dam-Busters!}} In the resulting battle [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] seemingly sacrificed his life whe he carried a self-destructing Guardian out of the Ark. The remaining Dinobots chose to leave the Ark alone. Ratchet revived the other Autobots. {{storylink|The Wrath of Guardian!}} {{storylink|The Wrath of Grimlock!}}

The Autobots then faced the threat of [[Circuit Breaker]]. Josie Beller was an employee of Blackrock's who had been seriously injured when Shockwave captured the oil rig, {{storylink|The Worse of Two Evils!}} but she developed a cybernetic exo-skeleton and set out on mission of vengeance to destroy all robots. She would have destroyed [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] but for the intervention of Blackrock who made a deal with the Autobots to provide fuel in exchange for protection from the Decepticons. {{storylink|DIS-Integrated Circuits!}} Meanwhile Shockwave used the last remains of the Creation Matrix within Optimus Prime to create six new Decepticons - the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]]. They aided [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] in sending a message to Cybertron. {{storylink|The Next Best Thing to Being There!}} However Shockwave discovered that Prime had no more Matrix energy and could not give life to the next creation, [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]]. He traced the Matrix to Buster Witwicky and dispatched the mindless Jetfire to capture him; however Buster used the Matrix's power to seize control of the jet and use him to serve the Autobots. {{storylink|Brainstorm!}} They recaptured Optimus Prime's head and reunited it with his body. Prime fought Shockwave, who was lost in a deep swamp. {{storylink|Prime Time!}}

With both Megatron and Shockwave missing, Soundwave took command of the Decepticons. He attempted to use a captured Bumblebee to lure Prime to his doom, but the plan failed. {{storylink|Crisis of Command!}} Swoop was found to be alive but under the control of the human scientist [[Peter Anthony Morris|Professor Morris]]. He was soon freed but it was discovered that four million years in a tar pit had damaged the Dinobots' circuits, reducing their minds to savagery. {{storylink|The Icarus Theory}} The Autobots set out to capture the Dinobots, with the mission complicated by Decepticon manipulation, and although they succeeded casualties were high. {{storylink|Dinobot Hunt!}}

Optimus Prime reactivated five Autobots whose brain waves had been stored in the Ark - [[Grapple]], [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], [[Skids (G1)|Skids]], [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] and [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]], whilst both Shockwave {{storylink|Rock and Roll-Out!}} and Megatron returned to action. Megatron reached a coal mine when his fuel finally gave up and he froze in place. The human government agency [[Intelligence and Information Institute|Triple I]] was seeking to calm public fears about the warring robots and so invented a cover story based on the comic character [[Robot-Master (comic)|Robot-Master]]. The character's creator [[Donny Finkleberg]] was hired to impersonate his creation and claim on television that he was the head of a terrorist organisation controlling the Transformers. However during a broadcast at the coal-mine where the immobile Megatron served as a prop, Finkleberg was caught in a clash between the Autobots and Decepticons. Megatron was freed and he captured Finkleberg, reasoning he could maintain the Robot-Master pretence to portray the Autobots as villains. {{storylink|I, Robot-Master!}} Soundwave kept Megatron's return secret from Shockwave, who meanwhile discovered the Autobots' specific concern for Buster Witwicky. {{storylink|Robot Buster!}} He dispatched Soundwave and the Constructicons to capture Buster. However when Soundwave scanned the unconscious Buster's mind he discovered that inside it were images of a new breed of Transformers. He aborted the mission and both sides returned to their bases. {{storylink|Devastation Derby!}}

==Notes==

* The events of most stories are listed to some degree or other but there is no specific mention of the events of "[[Christmas Breaker!]]" from issue #41, "[[Shooting Star!]]" from issues #51 and #52 or "[[Plight of the Bumblebee!]]" from issues #57 and #58.

* Completely ignored are most of the stories from the [[Transformers Annual 1986|first ''Transformers'' annual]]: "[[Hunted!]]", "[[Missing in Action]]" and "[[Plague of the Insecticons!]]". Where they fit into the chronology, if at all, remains a source of uncertainty.

* Grapple, Hoist, Skids, Smokescreen and Tracks are specifically described as having been ''reactivated'', implying that they didn't have original counterparts still on Cybertron.

==See also==

In later years the job of recapping events was transferred to the annuals, which added a series of framing narratives for the following stories:

* "[[In the Beginning...]]"
* "[[The Saga of the Transformers — So Far!]]"
* "[[The Quest!]]"

==External links==

* Scans of "Robot War III":
**[http://transfans.co.uk/popup.php?id=1796 Page 1]
**[http://transfans.co.uk/popup.php?id=1797 Page 2]
**[http://transfans.co.uk/popup.php?id=1798 Page 3]

[[Category:Chronologies]]
[[Category:Marvel UK issues]]

Transformers: Prime (graphic novel)

2010-12-02T03:25:43Z

Skylynx:

{{comicstory
|seriesissue=''Transformers: Prime''
|prev=
|next=
|image=PrimeGraphicNovel.jpg
|caption=[[Bumblebee (Prime)|I'm]] here to boost sales, as [[Cliffjumper (Prime)|Cliffjumper]] wasn't in the [[Live-action film series|films.]]
|title=
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[October 13]], [[2010]]
|writer=[[Mike Johnson]]
|pencils=[[E. J. Su]] (chapter 1) [[Atilio Martin]] and [[Allan Jefferson]] (chapter 2) [[David Daza]] (chapter 3) [[Joe St. Pierre]] (chapter 4)
|colors=[[Andrew Dalhouse]] [[Estudio Haus]]
|letters=[[Chris Mowry]] [[Robbie Robbins]]
|editor=[[Andy Schmidt]]
|cover=[[Jose Lopez]]
|continuity=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]''
|pagecount=96
|price=$9.99
|ISBN=ISBN 1600108326 ISBN 978-1600108327

}}
'''Cliffjumper and Arcee discover the Decepticons have returned to Cybertron...'''

==Synopsis==
Detecting [[Decepticon]]s on their [[Cybertron (planet)|dead homeworld]], [[Cliffjumper (Prime)|Cliffjumper]] returns to investigate, which in his case means blasting his way through [[Eradicon]]s to retrieve enemy intelligence. Though he's a tough soldier, the Eradicons overwhelm him through sheer numbers. Cliffjumper wakes up, strapped to a board, where an Eradicon forces him to decode an [[Autobot]] signal. Cliffjumper watches in awe at the message, in which [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] speaks of their new battlefield, the planet [[Earth]], but tells his interrogator that the message only says "[[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] smells like [[Unicron]]'s armpit." Just as the Eradicons are about to do away with Cliffjumper, [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] bursts in and saves his life.

Cliffjumper convinces Arcee to receive his help on her mission to [[Kaon]]. There they find [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] overseeing construction of a [[space bridge]]. Cliffjumper distracts Starscream and his Eradicons by feigning defection to the Decepticons while Arcee activates the device, and they jump in together, dodging Decepticon blasts. They land on Earth and [[scanning|scan]] passing vehicles. Starscream lands shortly afterward and scans a fleet of jets before attacking Cliffjumper and Arcee, blowing off the latter's arm. [[Breakdown (Prime)|Breakdown]] appears, and it seems like the end...until Optimus and [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] arrive, fending off the two Decepticons and opening a ground bridge to their base, where [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] repairs Arcee.

==Characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Cliffjumper (Prime)|Cliffjumper]] (1)
* [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] (3)
* [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (4)
* [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] (7)
* [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (8)
* [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (9)
|c2=
* [[Eradicon]]s (2)
* [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] (5)
* [[Breakdown (Prime)|Breakdown]] (6)
}}

==Errors==
* [[Andrew Dalhouse]] is credited with coloring chapter 1. "Andre Dalhouse" is credited with coloring chapter 2.

==Extras==
*Concept art by [[Dave Hartman]], [[Jose Lopez]], [[Vince Toyama]], [[Christophe Vacher]], [[Augusto Barranco]] and [[Jevon Bue]].
*Promotional art by Barranco highlighting Cliffjumper, Arcee and Starscream in front of other characters.
*The four stories will be published individually, beginning in January.[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-news-rumors/329980-idw-hasbro-nycc-panel-news.html]

==External Links==

* [http://www.amazon.co.uk/Transformers-Prime-Robert-Orci/dp/1600108326/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1283882782&sr=1-1#reader_1600108326 Amazon.co.uk (contains preview art)]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Prime (comic)}}
[[Category:IDW titles]]
[[Category:Prime]]

Shooting Star!

2010-07-13T04:54:37Z

Skylynx: /* Items of note */

{{picsneeded|IDW Generations #2 covers}}
{{disambig2|the Marvel comic issue|the Autobot satellite|Shooting Star}}
{{disambig2|the Marvel comic issue|the [[Beast Wars II (cartoon)|Beast Wars II]] theme song|My Shooting Star}}
{{comicstory|
|prev=Prime Time!
|seriesissue=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|''The Transformers'' (US)]] #13
|next=Rock and Roll-Out!
|prev2=Dinobot Hunt!
|seriesissue2=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel_UK|''The Transformers'' (UK)]] #51–52
|next2=Rock and Roll-Out!
|image=MarvelUS-13.jpg
|caption=I '''''am''''' the NRA.
|title="Shooting Star!"
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|date=October 1985
|coverdate=February 1986
|writer=[[Bob Budiansky]]
|penciler=[[Don Perlin]]
|inker=[[Al Gordon]]
|colorist=[[Nelson Yomtov|Nel Yomtov]]
|letterer=[[Janice Chiang]]
|editor=[[Michael Carlin]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
}}
'''A small-time crook's life changes when he finds a special gun.'''

==Synopsis==
A small-time loser named Joey Slick flees through the woods, attempting to escape from thugs trying to kill him. He stumbles across a gun in a stream, but it doesn't work... until the two laughing thugs ''tell'' it to blast them, which it does.

Retreating to an empty warehouse, Joey soon discovers that his gun is a [[Transformer]] called Megatron. Megatron is unable to think for himself, due to damage from his fall during his battle with [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], and can only respond to what he is told or asked.

Crime lord Jake Lomax, the gangster who sent the thugs after Slick because of an unpaid debt, is incensed that they failed. He orders Slick to be killed immediately.

Returning to his run-down apartment in an immigrant neighborhood, Joey is again attacked by thugs. He uses Megatron to delay them long enough to escape, then flees. Needing money, he holds up a convenience store... then uses Megatron's firepower to stop pursuing police cars. Realizing the possibilities, he soon uses Megatron to strike a one-man crime wave.

Redolent in riches, Joey finds himself surrounded by hangers-on and wannabes. Trying to reconnect with the things that matter, he returns to his old neighborhood, only to find himself feared and worshipped for his "super gun". He realizes he has to face up to his problems.

Joey blasts his way into Lomax's compound and confronts the gangster one on one. Despite his earlier bluster, Lomax pleads for his life. No longer afraid of Lomax, Joey tosses the gun away, and punches him out. Joey throws the owed money at his unconscious form. Joey turns to find Megatron looming over him—the impact reconnected his higher brain functions. Megatron is furious at Joey for attempting to command him, and attempts to kill the impudent fleshling. But when Joey shows absolutely no fear before him, Megatron is impressed and spares him. Megatron leaves to rejoin the Decepticons, and Joey is willingly arrested by the civil authorities.

==Quotes==
[''Joey Slick has just trashed Lomax's estate and holds him at gunpoint''] 
'''Jake Lomax:''' "Y-you're not gonna kill me?" 
[''Slick punches him out] ''
'''Joey Slick: ''' "Heck no! I'm just gonna pay you back what I owe
you—six hundred dollars plus interest. Now we're even, slimeball! Spend
some of it to fix up your house, okay?"

==Featured Characters==
{{featuredcharacters|c2=
* [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (3)
|c3=
* [[Joey Slick]] (1)
* [[Marko]] (2)
* [[Jake Lomax]] (4)
* [[Charlene (pool girl)|Charlene]] (5)
* [[Mr. Kim]] (6)
* [[Clyde]] (7)
* [[Mrs. Perez]] (8)
}}
==Errors==
*None identified.

==Items of note==
* ''References to other Transformers continuities/issues:'' Megatron was defeated by Ratchet in US issue [[Repeat Performance!|#8]]. A front page headline on a newspaper reads, "ROBOTS LEAVE PLANE PLANT," a reference to the Decepticons' defeat in [[Prime Time!|#12]].
* This is one of the few issues of the series in which no [[Autobot|Autobots]] appear, other than Ratchet in flashback.
* Although this story is often criticized by fans, it is one of few stories in any continuity to make full use of the fact that Megatron's alternate form is a realistic-looking handgun.
* This issue was reprinted in the [[Titan Books]] collection "[[Cybertron Redux]]".
* This issue was reprinted as issue #2 of [[IDW Publishing]]'s [[Generations (comic reprints)|Generations]] series.
* Joey robs a "6-12" convenience store, a parody of 7-Eleven.

===Covers (5)===
{{picsneeded|Generations covers.}}
<gallery>
Image:MarvelUS-13.jpg|'''US issue #13''' - Look, it's STILL a gun...
Image:MarvelUK-51.jpg|'''UK issue #51''' - A purple Megatron? That is just [[Megatron (BW)|crazy!]]
Image:MarvelUK-052.jpg|'''UK issue #52''' - The UK gets free sticker albums. What do ''you'' get?
Image:Titan-CybertronReduxSC.jpg|'''Titan TPB cover'''
Image:Titan-CybertronReduxHC.jpg|'''Titan HC cover'''
</gallery>

* '''US cover:''' Gun mode Megatron Prime, by [[Don Perlin]].
* '''UK issue #51 cover:''' Megatron and Joey Slick, by [[Geoff Senior]].
* '''UK issue #52 cover:''' reuse of art from US cover.
* '''Titan TPB cover:''' [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]], [[Ramhorn]], [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]], [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]], [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] and half of the [[Space bridge]] by [[Andrew Wildman]].
* '''Titan hardback cover:''' Blaster in the [[Smelting pool]] by [[Don Figueroa]], [[Gary Erskine]] & [[Chris Blythe]].
* '''[[Generations (comic reprints)|Generations]] cover:''' Joey Slick poses with gun-mode Megatron while robot-mode Megatron watches from the shadows, by [[Ashley Wood]].
* '''Generations cover:''' Joey Slick points Megatron at the reader, by [[Nick Roche]].
{{-}}

===Advertisements===
[[Image:ShootingStarQuikGoBotsAd.jpg|right|150px|thumb|I'm sure this is cheating somehow.]]
* The original US printing of this issue features not one, but ''two'' advertisements related to the [[Tonka GoBots]]! One is for a Nestle Quik-sponsored contest to win a "complete set of ''GoBots'' toys" between pages 4 & 5, while another is for the syndicated Hanna-Barbera ''Challenge of the GoBots'' television series between pages 7 & 8. One must assume that Marvel didn't run advertising approvals by [[Hasbro]]...
* G.I. Joe and Transformers on videocassette from Family Home Entertainment, 5 new adventures for each title now $14.95 each - upper half of page between pages 16 & 17

[[Category:Marvel US issues]]
[[Category:Marvel UK issues]]

The PriÂ¢e of Life!

2010-06-14T04:18:00Z

Skylynx: /* Errors */

{{comicstory|seriesissue=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|''The Transformers'' (US)]] #70
|prev=Eye of the Storm
|next=Surrender!
|title="The Pri¢e of Life!"
|seriesissue2=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|''The Transformers'' (UK)]] #309–310
|prev2=Eye of the Storm
|next2=Surrender!
|image=MarvelUS-70.jpg
|caption=What if we don't feel like it?
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|date=July 1990
|coverdate=September 1990
|writer=[[Simon Furman]]
|penciler=[[Andrew Wildman]]
|inker=[[Stephen Baskerville]]
|colorist=[[Nelson Yomtov|Nel Yomtov]]
|letterer=[[Rick Parker]]
|editor=[[Rob Tokar]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
}}

'''The coming of... Ratchetron! Uh, Mega-Chet? Uh...'''

==Synopsis==
Shock. With the hideous fusion of Megatron and Ratchet having been retrieved from [[unspace]] and deposited before them, the only word which can describe the feelings of the assembled [[Autobot]]s is shock. The unreality of the moment ends when Kup enters the room and, seeing the Megatron side of the creature, takes aim with his laser. His distraction gives Megatron an opening to belt Prime in the face, and Kup then fires on the Decepticon. Before any more damage can be done, though, Nightbeat disarms his fellow Autobot and forces him to take a second look—at Ratchet. As Nightbeat explains the situation, Kup has to question whether Ratchet would even WANT to go on living in his current condition. Before the discussion can heat up from there, "Megatron" rams through the Autobots, leaving them stunned.

As Kup gets up to pursue the creature, Prime picks up Nightbeat's side of the conversation and the two begin to debate the survival of Ratchet versus the danger of Megatron. As [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] security officer, Kup insists the creature is too much of a threat to everyone on-board the longer it remains functional, and yet Optimus cannot choose to throw away his friend's life so wantonly after just getting him back, whatever his condition.

Meanwhile, on [[Hydrus Four]], Grimlock begins his search for the well of [[Nucleon]]. With a local mechanoid as his guide and comic-relief sidekick, Grimlock is forced to endure another round of blatant exposition until, mercifully, the Dumb Guide is chased off by one of the [[Nucleon guardian|Hydrusian mechanoids]] who has apparently been driven mad by the Nucleon. The creature is rotting away, yet somehow still capable of animation, and gives Grimlock a meager fight before it is too damaged to continue struggling.

Back on the Ark, things have gotten worse. The fusion creature has damaged Sureshot and sealed itself in the engine room, creating serious wreckage out of critical systems just as the Ark is beginning to make planetfall to meet the [[Decepticon]]s for the surrender. Kup lays this all on Prime's head and goes so far as to threaten to invoke the [[Crisis Act]] and relieve him of command; after this incident and Optimus's decision to surrender the Autobots to Scorponok, Kup is sure many of the crew would back him in that action. Turning to look the other Autobots in the eyes, Prime realizes his security officer isn't half wrong. Without another word, he takes the gun offered to him by Kup and bashes his way into the engine room.

The fight is short-lived; despite all its power, the Megatron fusion is in constant agony and totally off-balance. Optimus Prime quickly overwhelms the entity, but as he is staring down the barrel of the gun into its optics, Prime just can't go through with the deed. He's then shocked when the creature (clearly under Ratchet's control at this point) pulls the gun back into line with itself and begs Prime to end its life.

On Hydrus Four, Grimlock is forced to deal with the second guardian of the well the same way he did the first: brutally. Reaching the island where the well of Nucleon sits, he finds the last of the three guardians, who is far more coherent and far less violent than his friends. He tells Grimlock that Nucleon is not the prize he thinks; it revitalizes mechanoids, sure, and truly doesn't affect any two the same way, but it also causes wasting depletion and utter madness. In order to satisfy his doubts, Grimlock exposes himself to the Nucleon first before his fallen Dinobots. He emerges from the well feeling magnificent and prepares to load his comrades into the energy post-haste. The little dying robot can only say, "Time will tell..."

In the Ark's medi-bay, Optimus Prime receives a prognosis on the patient(s) from Fixit. The good news is, the doctor can save Ratchet's life. The bad news is, he cannot do so without also saving Megatron; the two robots have become so tightly entwined with one another that it would be impossible to do otherwise. Under the hard stares of his fellow Autobots, Optimus tells Fixit to preserve the life of both patients...

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] (2)
* [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] (3)
* [[Waverider]] (4)
* [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] (5)
* [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] (6)
* [[Sureshot (G1)|Sureshot]] (8)
* [[Fixit (G1)|Fixit]] (9)
|c4=
* [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]/[[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (1)
* [[Dumb Guide]] (7)
}}

==Errors==
* So why didn't anyone use the Crisis Act on ''Grimlock'' back when he was being a rubbish leader? Well, maybe his leadership suggested such an act.

==Items of note==
* "Defend the well!" Note the double meaning in that phrase.
* A ''[[Transformers Universe (Marvel comic)|Transformers Universe]]'' profile for [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Powermaster Prime]] is found after the main story.
* Kup states there are around thirty active Autobots on the Ark, along with ''sixty'' deactive and in stasis. Since less than sixty have been confirmed as killed on-panel in events like "[[Dark Star (issue)|Dark Star]]", then either characters who've vanished (like the [[Monsterbot]]s) should be assumed dead or the Earth-based Autobots had more troops around than those represented by toys. Or Simon lost count.

==References==
* Nightbeat outlines his theory from last issue again, explaining the events from the end of US issue [[Skin Deep|#59]].
* Prime's announcement that he plans to surrender to the Decepticons also happened last issue.
* The UK #309 cover tagline is derived from "21st Century Schizoid Man", the opening song of King Crimson's 1969 prog rock opus ''[[wikipedia:In_the_Court_of_the_Crimson_King|In the Court of the Crimson King]]''.

===Covers===
<gallery>
Image:MarvelUS-70.jpg|'''US issue #70''' - Ouch.
Image:MarvelUK-309.jpg|'''UK issue #309''' - AND he won't stop dribbling!
Image:MarvelUK-310.jpg|'''UK issue #310''' - Tough love from Grimlock.
</gallery>
* '''US issue #70 cover:''' Ratchet/Megatron fusion by [[Andrew Wildman|Andrew Wildman]].
* '''UK issue #309 cover:''' Ratchet/Megatron fusion by [[Frances Farmer|Frances Farmer]].
* '''UK issue #310 cover:''' Grimlock tests out the nucleon by [[Staz|Stewart Johnson]] and [[Robin Bouttell]].

===Advertisements===
* None yet identified.

{{DEFAULTSORT:Price of Life!}}
[[Category:Marvel US issues]]
[[Category:Marvel UK issues]]

The Gift Horse

2010-03-19T03:38:36Z

Skylynx: /* Advertisements */

{{picsneeded|interiors}}
{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers: Bumblebee]]'' #3
|prev=The Impossible Knot
|next=Wings of Wax
|seriesissue3=
|prev2=
|next4=
|title="The Gift Horse"
|image=Bumbblebee -3B.jpg
|caption="Arrrgh! The sun! It burns!"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[February 17]], [[2010]]
|coverdate=February 2010
|writer=[[Zander Cannon]]
|artist=[[Chee Yang Ong]]
|colorist=[[Moose Baumann]]
|letterer by=[[Neil Uyetake]]
|editor=[[Andy Schmidt]]
|associate editor=[[Denton J. Tipton]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era (2010)]]
}}

'''Bumblebee begins to question the morality of what he is doing as he goes on a solo mission to find the device that will free the Autobots...'''

==Synopsis==
Lieutenant Larsen, Colonel Gordon Horiuchi, and Lieutenant Daniel Klonowski are driving through the New Mexico desert to rendezvous with the [[Autobot]]s to replace Bumblebee's badge, which was damaged by [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] and has trapped Bumblebee in his vehicle mode, at least, that's what the Colonel believes to have happened. Klonowski states that they are running out of loyalists, and that their man at the Phillips site has been transferred to the surveillance team after some "Questionable Energy Allocation." The Colonel interrupts, saying that he is well aware of the situation and the severe punishment that will follow should their secret operation be discovered, but that Skywarp's capture, coupled with a team of obedient robot soldiers suddenly on their side will earn them promotions all around without any questions asked. Klonowski replies that it's the obedient part that bothers him.

At the Autobots' cave, Ratchet welcomes the Colonel and tells him that Bumblebee's state still hasn't changed, and that, regardless of what Bumblebee said yesterday, the rest of them fully support their plan. The Colonel acknowledges and tells Ratchet that they have Bumblebee's new badge, which should correct any problems caused by the damaged one. Ratchet tells the Colonel that they aren't really sure what happened when the Colonel enabled the kill-switch in Bumblebee's damaged badge, but that he's stuck in vehicle mode and is unable to speak. The Colonel seems surprised by this, because the badges weren't designed for that kind of incapacitation, and that his communication systems should still be functional. Ratchet states that they don't know too much about the badges and that the damage could have bypassed a safety or two. The Colonel barely acknowledges this claim and simply tells Klonowski to replace the old badge with the new one.

While Klonowski is replacing the damaged badge, Colonel Horiuchi turns to Ratchet and tells him that with the way things have gone in the past 24 hours, he can understand why the Autobots are upset with [[Skywatch]]. Horiuchi tells him that after they succeed with their mission and go public to both the rest of Skywatch and the rest of the world, then the [[U.S. Government]] might set aside a piece of land for the Autobots, [[Wikipedia: Indian Reservation|a sovereign nation, safely apart from the rest of the humans]]. Ratchet is quick to call this new proposed piece of land a prison, but Horiuchi backpedals stating that it is simply a reward for their loyalty.

While this discussion is going on, Klonowski is hard at work attaching ''not'' Bumblebee's new badge. Klonowski begins to have a conversation with ''not'' Bumblebee when he notices some rust and that he didn't think Autobots [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|got rusty]]. Klonowski also notices that not Bumblebee has also recently acquired a license plate, and is unable to recall if Bamboozlebee has always had a license plate.

Horiuchi punches Bumblebee's call sign into the control panel and nothing happens. The Colonel gives up on the control board and angrily orders Klonowski to tell Sanjay Bharwaney that he needs another one of these control boards. Horiuchi turns to Ratchet and tells him that the badge must have caused more damage to Bumblebee than previously thought. He tells Ratchet that they have to leave and that it's up to him to fix Bumblebee. Klonowski walks over to Bumblebee, and the Colonel asks if he has something to say. Klonowski, unsure if his suspicions are correct, dismisses this and just says that it's been a late night for him, as well. On their way out, Horiuchi temporarily places leadership in the hands of Ratchet and walks out. Wheeljack, via text-only frequency tells Bumblebee that the decoy worked and that they have acquired information on Sanjay Bharwamey, the technician who developed the control board and the Skywatch badges that the Autobots wear and tells him that Sanjay is most likely at home, due to the Horiuchi's informal behavior. Wheeljack also tells Bumblebee that, based on what Col. Horiuchi has said, that Sanjay is working on a second master control board that affects all badges, and that if properly altered, it may disable all kill-switch badges.

Bumblebee texts back to Wheeljack that he has been observing several cases that match the board's dimensions, as well as Sanjay's daughter Serena, who is playing out in the front yard, and that she may be able to help him gain possession of the control board if she were his friend. Bumblebee starts to get Serena's attention by honking his horn, and he notes that it seems to be working so far.

Ratchet tells the other Autobots that Horiuchi has temporarily made him leader and that their obligation to the humans still stands. Unbeknownst to them, Klonowski is listening in on their conversation, immediately growing even more suspicious when he learns that the Autobots have suddenly grown receptive to the idea of hunting down their comrades. Cliffjumper texts Ratchet asking if Bumblebee will be back before the deadline, Ratchet, unaware of Klonowski's eavesdropping simply says that he believes so. Klonowski rewinds the audio and increases the volume, his suspicions slowly being confirmed. Bumblebee drives by the Bharwamey residence and honks his horn again and actually gets Serena to reply. Back at the Skywatch base Klonowski knocks on the door and asks Collins if he is still monitoring the COMM output of the Autobot cave, Collins says yes, but that their hasn't been much time to run any type of decryption on it, but that most of it is mainly code that is generated by their internal systems. Klonowski asks Collins if he can check the last 48 hours or so of these transmissions to which Collins obliges.

Sanjay tells his daughter that he needs to go to work and that their housekeeper, Swati, is in the kitchen if she needs her. Serena turns around and sees Bumblebee drive off, she follows him around the corner, where Bumblebee transforms reveals himself to Serena. Rather than greet Bumblebee with fear, Serena, like any other child is filled with wonder and excitement. They introduce themselves to each other and Serena asks Bumblebee if all cars are robots, Bumblebee simply answers that not all cars are robots, just German ones. Serena pelts Bumblebee with a barrage of questions, to which Bumblebee is not quite sure how to answer in the first place. Swati calls Serena's name and asks her what she's doing. Serena tells her that she is talking to the "funny car" and Swati tells her that lunch will be ready in five minutes. Back at Skywatch, Klonowski is reviewing the COMM data, acknowledging that Collins was right about "this stuff's" ability to induce sleep when he notices Cliffjumper's encrypted message to Ratchet. Astounded by this discovery, Klonowski begins a search for similar transmissions in record, the computer returns with 74 matches.

Back at the house, Swati calls Serena back to the house for lunch. Serena asks her new friend to stay out here while she goes inside for a few minutes. Bumblebee tells Serena that he needs her to do him a favor, he asks her if she would be able to get the case that contains the control board. Serena says that she's not allowed to touch her father's stuff, [[Wikipedia: How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (TV special)#Plot|to which Bumblebee lies to her, claiming that it's broken]], and that her father could get hurt if he tries to use it. Not wanting her father to get hurt, Serena agrees to get the control board for Bumblebee.

Back at Skywatch, Klonowski is still shocked at his discovery, he asks himself what the Autobots have done to them and that they are going to ruin everything. He states that he must tell the Colonel about his discovery when the computer alerts him of a new transmission. Bumblebee, unaware that the text frequency was recently compromised, tells Wheeljack that he feels terrible about sending Serena to get the control board. Wheeljack tells Bumblebee to bring it back to base so that he could alter it, however, the altered board will burn out all badges and the power sources of any non-badged robot, and that both Bumblebee and [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] will need to be out of range when the board is used.

Bumblebee begins to question whether what he is doing is the right thing, and that he feels uncomfortable betraying a friend. Wheeljack gets frustrated with Bumblebee and tells him that Horiuchi used the humans' fear and mistrust to capture them, Bumblebee simply tells Wheeljack that lying to a little girl in order to steal from her father only rationalizes the humans' concerns. This only sets Wheeljack off even more, but Ratchet interjects and tells Bumblebee that he sympathizes, but that there doesn't seem to be any other option.

At the Skywatch Phillips Base, smoke is pouring out of the entrance, Skywarp stares at a computer screen as he retrieves the information regarding the control board. Skywarp talks to himself and tells that if only the humans had cooperated, then their deaths may not have been necessary, having received the information he required, he transforms and flies off into the sky. Back at Sanjay's house, Serena returns to Bumblebee with the control board and Bumblebee states that he can't fix it, but he's talking to someone who knows how. He sends the schematics to Ratchet, who says that the device is simply too complicated and calls to abort the mission, Bumblebee says nay to that and asks if there is any way to hack it, as they only have 15 minutes until Sanjay returns from work. Wheeljack interrupts once more to belittle Bumblebee, with Bumblebee finally taking charge, telling Wheeljack to shut up and help him. Ratchet starts walking Bumblebee through the basic steps, and then calls Wheeljack over to help him.

Wheeljack begins where Ratchet left off, but Bumblebee tells him that he can't keep up with him. Wheeljack informs Bumblebee that time is running out and that he has to try. Swati calls Serena's name and says that Sanjay is about a minute away from the house, and that she should come in and get changed. Bumblebee finishes and hands the case containing the control board back to Serena and tells her to go in through the back and put it back where she found it. Bumblebee transforms and drives off, telling himself that Serena deserved at least a goodbye, and that he feels sorry for lying to her and abusing her trust, but she did him a great favor and that he hopes a day will come when he can repay her, unaware that Skywarp is directly overhead.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (4)
* [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (5)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (6)
* [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] (7)
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (8)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (10)
* [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] (12)

|c2=
* [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (15)

|c3=
* Colonel [[Gordon Horiuchi]] (1)
* Lieutenant [[Larsen]] (2)
* Lieutenant [[Daniel Klonowski]] (3)
* [[Sanjay Bharwaney]] (9)
* [[Serena Bharwaney]] (11)
* Collins (13)
* [[Swati]] (14)
}}

==Quotes==
"After you prove yourselves, and we may go public, both to Skywatch and the rest of the world... Well, who knows? The Government may be able to set aside a piece of land for you. A sovereign nation, safely apart from the humans."
:—'''Col. Gordon Horiuchi''' proposes the <strike>Indian</strike> Autobot Appropriations Act

"Hey... Is that rust? I didn't think you Autobots got rusty."
:—'''Lieutenant Daniel Klonowski''' apparently doesn't know about [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust]]

"Are—Are all cars robots? Ha!" 
"No, not all cars are robots, Serena, just special ones. Just... ...uhh...German ones."
:—'''Serena Bharwaney''' has '''Bumblebee''' explain the technical wonder that is the [[Wikipedia: Volkswagen Beetle|Volkswagen Beetle]]

==Errors==
* Sanjay Bharwaney is a pretty odd name for a white dude, even before considering his red-haired daughter. And don't forget their housekeeper, Swati! Do we blame the colorist or the artist on this one?

==Items of Note==
* The title is a reference to the ancient Greek story of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trojan_Horse Trojan Horse], from which is derived the phrase "don't look a gift horse in the mouth".

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A:''' A close up shot of Bumblebee's face while he is snooping through the shipping yard with [[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] behind him; art by [[Guido Guidi]] with colors by [[Josh Burcham]].
* '''Cover B:''' A full body shot of Bumblebee crouched down and casting a shadow against some rubble; art by [[Chee Yang Ong]] with colors by [[Moose Baumann]]
* '''Cover RI:''' Black and white sketch version of Cover B.

<gallery>
Image:Bumblebee -3A.jpg|''Scavenger's bringing home a baby Bumblebee...''
Image:Bumbblebee -3B.jpg|Next I will make a little birdie!
Image:Bumblebee -3RI.jpg|...Or a giant robot with horns!
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* [[Wings of Wax|The Transformers: Bumblebee #4]]
* Little Adventures in Oz, Vol. 1
* Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
* ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]: Operation Hiss''
* [[Transformers: Movie Collection, vol. 1| Transformers: Movie Collection, vol. 1]]
* ''Star Trek: Movie Adaptation''
* ''Star Trek: Romulans- Pawns of War TPB''
* ''Nanovor: Game Day''
* www.zedge.net
* ''Ghostbusters: Tainted Love''
* ''Dan DeCarlo's Jetta''
* Apple iPhone IDW Digital Comic Book App (Back Cover)

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gift Horse}}
[[Category:IDW Generation 1 issues]]

The Gift Horse

2010-03-19T03:37:35Z

Skylynx: /* Advertisements */

{{picsneeded|interiors}}
{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers: Bumblebee]]'' #3
|prev=The Impossible Knot
|next=Wings of Wax
|seriesissue3=
|prev2=
|next4=
|title="The Gift Horse"
|image=Bumbblebee -3B.jpg
|caption="Arrrgh! The sun! It burns!"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[February 17]], [[2010]]
|coverdate=February 2010
|writer=[[Zander Cannon]]
|artist=[[Chee Yang Ong]]
|colorist=[[Moose Baumann]]
|letterer by=[[Neil Uyetake]]
|editor=[[Andy Schmidt]]
|associate editor=[[Denton J. Tipton]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era (2010)]]
}}

'''Bumblebee begins to question the morality of what he is doing as he goes on a solo mission to find the device that will free the Autobots...'''

==Synopsis==
Lieutenant Larsen, Colonel Gordon Horiuchi, and Lieutenant Daniel Klonowski are driving through the New Mexico desert to rendezvous with the [[Autobot]]s to replace Bumblebee's badge, which was damaged by [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] and has trapped Bumblebee in his vehicle mode, at least, that's what the Colonel believes to have happened. Klonowski states that they are running out of loyalists, and that their man at the Phillips site has been transferred to the surveillance team after some "Questionable Energy Allocation." The Colonel interrupts, saying that he is well aware of the situation and the severe punishment that will follow should their secret operation be discovered, but that Skywarp's capture, coupled with a team of obedient robot soldiers suddenly on their side will earn them promotions all around without any questions asked. Klonowski replies that it's the obedient part that bothers him.

At the Autobots' cave, Ratchet welcomes the Colonel and tells him that Bumblebee's state still hasn't changed, and that, regardless of what Bumblebee said yesterday, the rest of them fully support their plan. The Colonel acknowledges and tells Ratchet that they have Bumblebee's new badge, which should correct any problems caused by the damaged one. Ratchet tells the Colonel that they aren't really sure what happened when the Colonel enabled the kill-switch in Bumblebee's damaged badge, but that he's stuck in vehicle mode and is unable to speak. The Colonel seems surprised by this, because the badges weren't designed for that kind of incapacitation, and that his communication systems should still be functional. Ratchet states that they don't know too much about the badges and that the damage could have bypassed a safety or two. The Colonel barely acknowledges this claim and simply tells Klonowski to replace the old badge with the new one.

While Klonowski is replacing the damaged badge, Colonel Horiuchi turns to Ratchet and tells him that with the way things have gone in the past 24 hours, he can understand why the Autobots are upset with [[Skywatch]]. Horiuchi tells him that after they succeed with their mission and go public to both the rest of Skywatch and the rest of the world, then the [[U.S. Government]] might set aside a piece of land for the Autobots, [[Wikipedia: Indian Reservation|a sovereign nation, safely apart from the rest of the humans]]. Ratchet is quick to call this new proposed piece of land a prison, but Horiuchi backpedals stating that it is simply a reward for their loyalty.

While this discussion is going on, Klonowski is hard at work attaching ''not'' Bumblebee's new badge. Klonowski begins to have a conversation with ''not'' Bumblebee when he notices some rust and that he didn't think Autobots [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|got rusty]]. Klonowski also notices that not Bumblebee has also recently acquired a license plate, and is unable to recall if Bamboozlebee has always had a license plate.

Horiuchi punches Bumblebee's call sign into the control panel and nothing happens. The Colonel gives up on the control board and angrily orders Klonowski to tell Sanjay Bharwaney that he needs another one of these control boards. Horiuchi turns to Ratchet and tells him that the badge must have caused more damage to Bumblebee than previously thought. He tells Ratchet that they have to leave and that it's up to him to fix Bumblebee. Klonowski walks over to Bumblebee, and the Colonel asks if he has something to say. Klonowski, unsure if his suspicions are correct, dismisses this and just says that it's been a late night for him, as well. On their way out, Horiuchi temporarily places leadership in the hands of Ratchet and walks out. Wheeljack, via text-only frequency tells Bumblebee that the decoy worked and that they have acquired information on Sanjay Bharwamey, the technician who developed the control board and the Skywatch badges that the Autobots wear and tells him that Sanjay is most likely at home, due to the Horiuchi's informal behavior. Wheeljack also tells Bumblebee that, based on what Col. Horiuchi has said, that Sanjay is working on a second master control board that affects all badges, and that if properly altered, it may disable all kill-switch badges.

Bumblebee texts back to Wheeljack that he has been observing several cases that match the board's dimensions, as well as Sanjay's daughter Serena, who is playing out in the front yard, and that she may be able to help him gain possession of the control board if she were his friend. Bumblebee starts to get Serena's attention by honking his horn, and he notes that it seems to be working so far.

Ratchet tells the other Autobots that Horiuchi has temporarily made him leader and that their obligation to the humans still stands. Unbeknownst to them, Klonowski is listening in on their conversation, immediately growing even more suspicious when he learns that the Autobots have suddenly grown receptive to the idea of hunting down their comrades. Cliffjumper texts Ratchet asking if Bumblebee will be back before the deadline, Ratchet, unaware of Klonowski's eavesdropping simply says that he believes so. Klonowski rewinds the audio and increases the volume, his suspicions slowly being confirmed. Bumblebee drives by the Bharwamey residence and honks his horn again and actually gets Serena to reply. Back at the Skywatch base Klonowski knocks on the door and asks Collins if he is still monitoring the COMM output of the Autobot cave, Collins says yes, but that their hasn't been much time to run any type of decryption on it, but that most of it is mainly code that is generated by their internal systems. Klonowski asks Collins if he can check the last 48 hours or so of these transmissions to which Collins obliges.

Sanjay tells his daughter that he needs to go to work and that their housekeeper, Swati, is in the kitchen if she needs her. Serena turns around and sees Bumblebee drive off, she follows him around the corner, where Bumblebee transforms reveals himself to Serena. Rather than greet Bumblebee with fear, Serena, like any other child is filled with wonder and excitement. They introduce themselves to each other and Serena asks Bumblebee if all cars are robots, Bumblebee simply answers that not all cars are robots, just German ones. Serena pelts Bumblebee with a barrage of questions, to which Bumblebee is not quite sure how to answer in the first place. Swati calls Serena's name and asks her what she's doing. Serena tells her that she is talking to the "funny car" and Swati tells her that lunch will be ready in five minutes. Back at Skywatch, Klonowski is reviewing the COMM data, acknowledging that Collins was right about "this stuff's" ability to induce sleep when he notices Cliffjumper's encrypted message to Ratchet. Astounded by this discovery, Klonowski begins a search for similar transmissions in record, the computer returns with 74 matches.

Back at the house, Swati calls Serena back to the house for lunch. Serena asks her new friend to stay out here while she goes inside for a few minutes. Bumblebee tells Serena that he needs her to do him a favor, he asks her if she would be able to get the case that contains the control board. Serena says that she's not allowed to touch her father's stuff, [[Wikipedia: How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (TV special)#Plot|to which Bumblebee lies to her, claiming that it's broken]], and that her father could get hurt if he tries to use it. Not wanting her father to get hurt, Serena agrees to get the control board for Bumblebee.

Back at Skywatch, Klonowski is still shocked at his discovery, he asks himself what the Autobots have done to them and that they are going to ruin everything. He states that he must tell the Colonel about his discovery when the computer alerts him of a new transmission. Bumblebee, unaware that the text frequency was recently compromised, tells Wheeljack that he feels terrible about sending Serena to get the control board. Wheeljack tells Bumblebee to bring it back to base so that he could alter it, however, the altered board will burn out all badges and the power sources of any non-badged robot, and that both Bumblebee and [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] will need to be out of range when the board is used.

Bumblebee begins to question whether what he is doing is the right thing, and that he feels uncomfortable betraying a friend. Wheeljack gets frustrated with Bumblebee and tells him that Horiuchi used the humans' fear and mistrust to capture them, Bumblebee simply tells Wheeljack that lying to a little girl in order to steal from her father only rationalizes the humans' concerns. This only sets Wheeljack off even more, but Ratchet interjects and tells Bumblebee that he sympathizes, but that there doesn't seem to be any other option.

At the Skywatch Phillips Base, smoke is pouring out of the entrance, Skywarp stares at a computer screen as he retrieves the information regarding the control board. Skywarp talks to himself and tells that if only the humans had cooperated, then their deaths may not have been necessary, having received the information he required, he transforms and flies off into the sky. Back at Sanjay's house, Serena returns to Bumblebee with the control board and Bumblebee states that he can't fix it, but he's talking to someone who knows how. He sends the schematics to Ratchet, who says that the device is simply too complicated and calls to abort the mission, Bumblebee says nay to that and asks if there is any way to hack it, as they only have 15 minutes until Sanjay returns from work. Wheeljack interrupts once more to belittle Bumblebee, with Bumblebee finally taking charge, telling Wheeljack to shut up and help him. Ratchet starts walking Bumblebee through the basic steps, and then calls Wheeljack over to help him.

Wheeljack begins where Ratchet left off, but Bumblebee tells him that he can't keep up with him. Wheeljack informs Bumblebee that time is running out and that he has to try. Swati calls Serena's name and says that Sanjay is about a minute away from the house, and that she should come in and get changed. Bumblebee finishes and hands the case containing the control board back to Serena and tells her to go in through the back and put it back where she found it. Bumblebee transforms and drives off, telling himself that Serena deserved at least a goodbye, and that he feels sorry for lying to her and abusing her trust, but she did him a great favor and that he hopes a day will come when he can repay her, unaware that Skywarp is directly overhead.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (4)
* [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (5)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (6)
* [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] (7)
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (8)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (10)
* [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] (12)

|c2=
* [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (15)

|c3=
* Colonel [[Gordon Horiuchi]] (1)
* Lieutenant [[Larsen]] (2)
* Lieutenant [[Daniel Klonowski]] (3)
* [[Sanjay Bharwaney]] (9)
* [[Serena Bharwaney]] (11)
* Collins (13)
* [[Swati]] (14)
}}

==Quotes==
"After you prove yourselves, and we may go public, both to Skywatch and the rest of the world... Well, who knows? The Government may be able to set aside a piece of land for you. A sovereign nation, safely apart from the humans."
:—'''Col. Gordon Horiuchi''' proposes the <strike>Indian</strike> Autobot Appropriations Act

"Hey... Is that rust? I didn't think you Autobots got rusty."
:—'''Lieutenant Daniel Klonowski''' apparently doesn't know about [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust]]

"Are—Are all cars robots? Ha!" 
"No, not all cars are robots, Serena, just special ones. Just... ...uhh...German ones."
:—'''Serena Bharwaney''' has '''Bumblebee''' explain the technical wonder that is the [[Wikipedia: Volkswagen Beetle|Volkswagen Beetle]]

==Errors==
* Sanjay Bharwaney is a pretty odd name for a white dude, even before considering his red-haired daughter. And don't forget their housekeeper, Swati! Do we blame the colorist or the artist on this one?

==Items of Note==
* The title is a reference to the ancient Greek story of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trojan_Horse Trojan Horse], from which is derived the phrase "don't look a gift horse in the mouth".

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A:''' A close up shot of Bumblebee's face while he is snooping through the shipping yard with [[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] behind him; art by [[Guido Guidi]] with colors by [[Josh Burcham]].
* '''Cover B:''' A full body shot of Bumblebee crouched down and casting a shadow against some rubble; art by [[Chee Yang Ong]] with colors by [[Moose Baumann]]
* '''Cover RI:''' Black and white sketch version of Cover B.

<gallery>
Image:Bumblebee -3A.jpg|''Scavenger's bringing home a baby Bumblebee...''
Image:Bumbblebee -3B.jpg|Next I will make a little birdie!
Image:Bumblebee -3RI.jpg|...Or a giant robot with horns!
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* [[http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Wings_of_Wax|The Transformers: Bumblebee #4]]
* Little Adventures in Oz, Vol. 1
* Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
* ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]: Operation Hiss''
* [[Transformers: Movie Collection, vol. 1| Transformers: Movie Collection, vol. 1]]
* ''Star Trek: Movie Adaptation''
* ''Star Trek: Romulans- Pawns of War TPB''
* ''Nanovor: Game Day''
* www.zedge.net
* ''Ghostbusters: Tainted Love''
* ''Dan DeCarlo's Jetta''
* Apple iPhone IDW Digital Comic Book App (Back Cover)

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gift Horse}}
[[Category:IDW Generation 1 issues]]

Wings of Wax

2010-03-19T03:35:14Z

Skylynx: /* Items of Note */

{{picsneeded|covers and interiors}}
{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers: Bumblebee]]'' #4
|prev=The Impossible Knot
|next=
|seriesissue3=
|prev2=
|next4=
|title="Wings of Wax"
|image=Bumblebee_4A.jpg
|caption=...
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[March 10]], [[2010]]
|coverdate=March 2010
|writer=[[Zander Cannon]]
|artist=[[Chee Yang Ong]]
|colorist=[[Moose Baumann]]
|letterer by=[[Neil Uyetake]]
|editor=[[Andy Schmidt]]
|associate editor=[[Denton J. Tipton]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era (2010)]]
}}

'''Bumblebee learns the true value of friendship.'''

==Synopsis==
{{issuestub}}

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


|c2=


|c3=

}}

==Quotes==
* TBD

==Errors==
* TBD

==Items of Note==
* The title is a references to the Greek myth concerning [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icarus Icarus] whose wax wings melted when he tried to reach the sun.

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A:''' Bumblebee with Serena; art by [[Guido Guidi]] with colors by [[Josh Burcham]].
* '''Cover B:''' "Patriotic" Bumblebee cover; art by [[Chee Yang Ong]] with colors by [[Moose Baumann]]
* '''Cover RI:''' Black and white sketch version of Cover B.

<gallery>
Image:Bumblebee_4a.jpg|...
Image:Bumbblebee_4b.jpg|...
Image:Bumblebee_4c.jpg|...
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* TBD
* TBD (Back Cover)

[[Category:IDW Generation 1 issues]]

Ashes, Ashes...

2010-01-02T04:40:51Z

Skylynx: /* Featured characters */

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=''[[G.I. Joe and the Transformers]]'' #3
|prev=Power Struggle
|next=...All Fall Down!
|title="Ashes, Ashes..."
|image=JoeTF3.jpg
|caption="I shall crush the Earth with my own '''hands'''! ...[[Shockwave (G1)|Since when do I have two hands?]]"
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|date=November 1986
|coverdate=March 1987
|writer=[[Michael Higgins]]
|penciler=[[Herb Trimpe]]
|inker=[[Vince Colletta]]
|colorist=[[Nelson Yomtov]]
|letterer=[[Joe Rosen]]
|consulting editor=[[Don Daley]]
|editor=[[Bob Harras]] and [[Don Daley]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
}}
'''Betrayals fly left and right as Shockwave puts his plans for Power Station Alpha into motion.'''

==Synopsis==
{{note|The events of this issue take place at the same time as #26 of the regular Marvel series, "[[Funeral for a Friend!]].}}

Shockwave shows the [[Decepticon]]s a video presentation of his plans for the [[Power Station Alpha]]. He will use it to extract all conceivable energy from the [[Earth]], and beam said energy to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], leaving the Earth nothing but a lifeless fireball. At the end of his presentation, [[Cobra]] arrives outside their base. The two evil organizations make plans to ally and use Alpha to their mutual benefit, but both are quietly planning to betray the other. Shockwave talks [[Serpentor]] into attacking the [[Autobot]]s at the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] and retrieving a generator the Decepticons need to make adjustments on Alpha. Dirge goes with Cobra; [[Doctor Mindbender]] stays with the Decepticons.

At [[Fort Lewis]] in [[Seattle]], [[G.B. Blackrock]] is telling [[Mainframe (G.I. Joe)|Mainframe]] and [[Crankcase (G.I. Joe)|Crankcase]] that A) that gold robot they blew up is actually an alien, B) he's one of the good guys, and C) it's a crying shame the [[G.I. Joe (team)|Joes]] killed him by blowing him to bits. Mainframe replies that it may be possible to restore him.

Meanwhile, at the Ark, the Autobots are holding the funeral of Optimus Prime. Blaster says a few words, inspiring Omega Supreme to vow to be ever-vigilant as the Ark's last line of defense.

In Washington, D.C., Senator [[Barbara Larkin]] "secretly" meets with the [[Baroness]]. Larkin berates the Baroness for the way Cobra is handling the Alpha situation. Alpha's construction records are being re-examined, and when the details come out, Larkin will be ruined. The Baroness simply smirks and says that Larkin knew the risks. Unfortunately for Larkin, the meeting was observed and photographed. When presented with this evidence, [[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]] feels royally betrayed.

At the Ark, the Cobra airfleet (with Dirge) is approaching. They fire upon Omega Supreme, and he engages them to great effect. Both Dirge and Serpentor hold back, Dirge because he doesn't much care if Cobra gets wiped out, Serpentor due to cowardice. As more Autobots enter the battle, Dirge and Serpentor goad each other into the fight.

Back at the Decepticon base, Bombshell is giving Doctor Mindbender a tour. Simultaneously, [[Doctor McGrath]] is experimenting on one of Bombshell's cerebro-shells, recently removed from the head of [[Anthony Duranti]]. His prodding of the shell makes Bombshell spasm uncontrollably; Mindbender observes this possible weakness with interest.

At Fort Lewis, Mainframe and Crankcase have managed to activate Bumblebee's core processor and speech units. 'Bee promptly starts complaining about having no head, no body, etc.

Hawk confronts Larkin at her hotel regarding her dealings with Cobra. It doesn't go well.

At the ongoing Ark battle, Dirge prepares to fire a huge blast at Omega Supreme, but Serpentor remotely jams his gun, causing Dirge to explode from the backfire. He uses this "act of good faith" to end hostilities with the Autobots.

Hawk is drowning his sorrows when he receives a call (presumably from Mainframe and Crankcase) explaining the whole situation. He berates himself for his "shoot first" stupidity, and sends a full force to the Ark (presumably to help defend it, though his orders are unclear).

At the Decepticon base, Mindbender is woken by the sound of the robots launching Alpha into space. He realizes they have finally explicitly betrayed Cobra, and contacts Serpentor. Serpentor uses this news — that the Decepticons are prepared to destroy the Earth — to seal an alliance with the Autobots. The Joes, having just arrived, intercept this message, and realize they too will have to join this mismatched alliance...

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee (in pieces)]] (6)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime (dead)]] (7)
*[[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] (8)
*[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] (9)
|c2=
*[[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] (1)
*[[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] (2)
*[[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] (3)
*[[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (4)
*[[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (5)
|h3=[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]s|c3=
* [[Mainframe (G.I. Joe)|Main Frame]]
* [[Crankcase (G.I. Joe)|Crank Case]]
* [[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]]
* [[Slip-Stream]]
|h4=[[Cobra]]s|c4=
* [[Serpentor]]
* [[Baroness]]
* [[Doctor Mindbender]]
* [[Zartan]]
* [[Torch (Dreadnok)|Torch]]
* [[Buzzer]]
* [[Ripper]]
* [[Tele-Viper]]
|h5=Other humans|c5=
* [[G.B. Blackrock]]
* [[Mrs. Duranti]]
* [[Doctor McGrath]]
* [[Tony Duranti]]
* [[Barbara Larkin]]
* [[Agent Kruchkow]]
* [[Senator Garcia]]
}}

==Errors==
[[Image:AshesAshes-JetfireJetfire.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Jetfire #2 either forgot to bring his legs, or Ratchet's carrying his torso around.]]
* Both Jetfire and... [[:Image:Jetfire-SkyfireModels.jpg|Jetfire's "Macross" model]] show up at Optimus Prime's funeral.
* And standing behind Jetfire seems to be [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], who's expressly not supposed to be there according to "[[Funeral for a Friend!]]" Though it's hard to tell if that's indeed a chevron on his head or parts of the back of Macross Jetfire's head. If the latter, it could be [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], but Ratchet's definitely there when the issue returns to the Autobots.
* Senator Larkin meets with a known member of a terrorist organization in a public restaurant. Was she ''trying'' to get caught?
* Omega Supreme is extremely gullible. The Cobra jets shoot at him for a while, then say, "Uh, we didn't mean it," and he goes along with this?
* "Mainframe" and "Crankcase" are wrongly parsed as "Main Frame" and "Crank Case".

==Items of note==
*This story also appears in [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|Marvel Transformers UK issues]] #[[Wolf in the Fold!|273]]-[[Bugged!|276]].
* The cover depicts [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] as having two hands.
* Dirge stays [[Death|dead]] until [[Generation 2 (Marvel Comics)|Generation 2]], when he reappears in order to [[:Image:Dirge DeathSwarm.jpg|die again]] . . .

[[Category:Marvel UK issues]]
[[Category:Marvel US issues]]