Totaled!

2015-11-06T22:25:23Z

Tom H12:

{{featured}}
{{comicstory|seriesissue=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|''The Transformers'' (US)]] #41
|prev=Pretender to the Throne!
|next=People Power!
|title="Totaled!"
|seriesissue2=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|''The Transformers'' (UK)]] #174–175
|prev2=Wrecking Havoc
|next2=People Power!
|image=MarvelUS-41.jpg
|caption=My money's on Cosmos.
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|date=February [[1988]]
|coverdate=June 1988
|writer=[[Bob Budiansky]]
|pencils=[[José Delbo]]
|inks=[[Danny Bulanadi]]
|colorist=[[Nelson Yomtov|Nel Yomtov]]
|letterer=[[Bill Oakley]]
|editor=[[Don Daley]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
}}
'''It starts with Grimlock vs. Fruitloop Multipuck, but things never end that simply, do they?'''

==Synopsis==
[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] explodes! Having acquired Prime's [[core consciousness|mind]] on a [[floppy disk]], the [[Autobot]]s on the ''[[Steelhaven]]'' have initiated [[Project Prime]], an attempt to build a new body for the Autobot leader. [[Project Prime team|The team]] isn't having much luck, as the ship's resources have been depleted by reconstructing [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Goldbug]] and creating the Autobot [[Pretender]]s. [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]], however, has tracked down the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]]; Fortress Maximus decides to approach [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]], leader of the Autobots on [[Earth]], for help.

[[File:Snarladjustscrown.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Grimlock: Tyrant, bully, metrosexual.]]
Grimlock doesn't want to help, and instead demands Fortress Maximus hand over the fugitive Goldbug. Maximus refuses, but to avoid a conflict, Goldbug surrenders. Grimlock is still not satisfied; he challenges Fortress Maximus to one-on-one battle for the leadership of the Autobots under the archaic [[Code of Combat]].

In the brig, Goldbug finds [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]], strapped to an energy-sucking [[variable voltage harness]]. Blaster has become apathetic from his time wasting away, but Goldbug talks him into fighting in the injured Fortress Maximus's place.

Elsewhere, [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] has been tracking the ''Steelhaven''... which has led him to the Ark as well. [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] is pleased at the chance to destroy all of Earth's Autobots at once.

The two ships land on the [[Moon (moon)|Moon]]. The crews from both the Ark and the ''Steelhaven'' assemble to watch Grimlock and Blaster fight it out.

The battle soon draws Blaster and Grimlock away from the rest of the Autobots. In their absence, Ratbat's [[Decepticon]]s unleash their attack. [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] leads the Decepticon assault on the Autobots, while [[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] leads the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] in an attack on the unmanned Ark, to retrieve Decepticon prisoners.

Without strong leadership, the Autobots are losing the battle, so (rather than taking command) Fortress Maximus orders Goldbug to take the skeleton crew on the ''Steelhaven'' and leave the scene.

[[File:Grimlockokeydokeyblaster.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|Grimlock goes from brutal tyrant to doofus in 22 pages.]]
[[File:Omegasupreme-blasterandgrimlock.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|So much for democracy!]]
Grimlock and Blaster are still fighting when Blaster notices the battle going on far in the distance. Setting their differences aside, the two Autobots rejoin the battle. Working together, Grimlock and Blaster manage to turn back the Decepticons and damage their ship enough to force a full Decepticon retreat.

Grimlock finally accepts the possibility of working with others, noting that he and Blaster are an effective team. With the Ark and many Autobots damaged, repair work is urgent. But Fortress Maximus notes that the ''Steelhaven'' will be unable to help; seeing the need for a true great leader, he has sent the ship to [[Nebulos]], the one place with the technology to properly rebuild Optimus Prime.
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{collist|3|*[[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] (1)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Goldbug]] (2)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] (3)
*[[Brainstorm]] (4)
*[[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] (5)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]] (6)
*[[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (7)
*[[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] (8)
*[[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] (9)
*[[Slag (G1)|Slag]] (10)
*[[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] (11)
*[[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] (12)
*[[Pointblank (G1)|Pointblank]] (13)
*[[Scattershot (G1)|Scattershot]] (14)
*[[Landmine (G1)|Landmine]] (15)
*[[Grotusque]] (16)
*[[Cerebros (G1)|Cerebros]] (17)
*[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] (19)
*[[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] (20)
*[[Blades (G1)|Blades]] (21)
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (22)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (23)
*[[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]] (24)
*[[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] (25)
*[[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] (26)
*[[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] (27)
*[[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]] (34)
*[[Gears (G1)|Gears]] (35)
*[[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]] (36)
*[[Air Raid (G1)|Air Raid]] (37)
*[[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] (38)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (39)
*[[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (40)
*[[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]] (41)
*[[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] (42)
*[[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (43)
*[[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] (44)
*[[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (45)
*[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] (46)
*[[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] (47)
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] (48)
*[[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] (49)
*[[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (50)
*[[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (51)
*[[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] (52)
*[[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (53)
*[[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]] (54)
*[[Skids (G1)|Skids]] (55)
*[[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] (56)
*[[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]] (57)
*[[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]] (58)
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (59)
*[[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] (60)
*[[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] (61)
*[[Waverider]] (62)
*[[Lightspeed (G1 Technobot)|Lightspeed]] (63)
*[[Sureshot (G1)|Sureshot]] (64)
*? (65)
*[[Doublecross]] (66)
*? (67)
*[[Crosshairs (G1)|Crosshairs]] (68)
*[[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] (69)
*[[Sky High (Pretender)|Sky High]] (70)
*[[Nosecone (G1)|Nosecone]] (71)
*? (72)
*[[Afterburner (G1)|Afterburner]] (73)
*[[Repugnus (G1)|Repugnus]] (74)
*[[Slapdash (G1)|Slapdash]] (75)
*[[Joyride (G1)|Joyride]] (76)
*[[Getaway]] (77)
*[[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] (78)
*[[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] (80)
}}
|c2=
{{collist|2|
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] (29)
*[[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] (30)
*[[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] (31)
*[[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] (32)
*[[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] (33)
*[[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] (79)
*[[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]] (81)
*[[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]] (82)
*[[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]] (83)
*[[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] (84)
*[[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (85)
*[[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] (86)
*[[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] (87)
*? (88)
*[[Tantrum (G1)|Tantrum]] (89)
*[[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] (90)
*[[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]] (91)
*[[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (92)
*[[Headstrong (G1)|Headstrong]] (93)
*[[Octane]] (94)
*[[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] (95)
*[[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]] (96)
*[[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] (97)
*[[Drag Strip (G1)|Drag Strip]] (98)
*[[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] (99)
*[[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (100)
*[[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] (101)
*[[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (102)
*[[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (103)
*[[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]] (104)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] (105)
*[[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] (106)
*[[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] (107)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (108)
*[[Skywarp (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Skywarp]] (109)
*[[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (110)
}}
|c3=
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (18)
*[[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]] (28)
}}

==Quotes==
==Notes==
===Artwork and technical errors===
* Cover: Red Alert is colored like Sideswipe; Nosecone is block colored orange when everyone around him is colored normally.
* Page 9, panel 5: Ratbat's face panel is colored all-yellow, as if it were a huge eye.
*In what is almost certainly an art error rather than a scripted appearance, [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] and [[Outback (G1)|Outback]] make brief appearances, their first in the US. This is a bit of an oddity since characters tended not to 'just appear' in the Marvel comics without ''some'' explanation of how they got there. Artist [[José Delbo]], who had to draw over 120 ''different'' Transformers for this issue's 3-way battle — many of them in multiple modes — may simply have "oopsied," while trying to cram them all in. In the ''UK'' stories both characters were active on Cybertron, and changes were made when the story was reprinted to accommodate this. (see below)
*A huge crowd of Decepticons is shown surrounding the Autobots... but the combined forces of the Ark and the ''Steelhaven'' should outnumber Ratbat's Decepticons by 2 to 1 or more.
*In the far back of the huge disembarking group shot, Slingshot is drawn with his nosecone on both shoulders. [[:File:Slingshot TFU.jpg|Slingshot's character art]] is drawn from an extreme worms eye angle, putting the nosecone seemingly on Slingshot's left shoulder, and apparently Delbo duplicated one on his other shoulder to make him symmetrical.

===Continuity errors===
*Helicopters should not be able to fly in a vacuum, but obviously no one ever told Vortex.
*None of Fortress Maximus's Autobots are seen after they exit the ''Steelhaven''. It's only the older toys shown getting their butts kicked.

===Continuity notes===
[[File:Totaledarkdisembark.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Protectobots, where art thou?]]
*Unlike in the cartoon, writer Bob Budiansky always made sure sound didn't travel in space sequences in the ''Transformers'' comic. To this end there's no 'sound effects' during the entire 13-page moon battle sequence. The Transformers used radio to communicate over these pages.
*This even plays a part in the plot—Grimlock and Blaster don't notice the Decepticon attack on their fellows immediately because they can't hear the battle.
*The big group shot of the disembarking Autobots is the first real appearance some characters have had for dozens of issues. Sunstreaker, in particular, was last seen in issue [[The Next Best Thing to Being There!|#10]], still deactivated from [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]'s demonstration in issue [[The New Order|#5]], and hadn't been online since [[The Transformers Four-Issue Limited Series|the original miniseries]]. Many of the other Autobots who are seen exiting the Ark had "disappeared" long ago to make room for newer characters.
*The [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] are curiously absent. The last time they were relevant to the story, they were on [[Earth]], disobeying Grimlock's orders to bring in Blaster for execution... for disobeying orders. With this conspicuous omission from a groupshot that is otherwise so completist, it's tempting to conclude they never returned to the fold!
** It's not clear-cut, however. [[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]], [[Blades (G1)|Blades]] and [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] were all shown on board the Ark in [[Spacehikers!]]. First Aid even seems to get a speaking line in a crowd shot. It's entirely possible that these were art errors: within the story, the Protectobots were last seen watching Blast Off take off from Earth. The Ark immediately starts pursuing Blast Off and takes him on board; shortly thereafter, the various Protectobots are seen on the ship - there's hardly any time for them to get back to the ship.
*There's also no [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] for absolutely no reason.
*The massed Autobots apparently sit around on the Moon licking their wounds until issue [[Club Con!|#47]], at the beginning of which they are all back on Earth. It's implicitly clear that Optimus Prime eventually picks them up using the ''Steelhaven'' (after rescuing [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] from the [[The Cosmic Carnival|Cosmic Carnival]]), re-assumes command, and then they all return to Earth, but it's not depicted outright.
*Though not mentioned, [[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]] and [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] were among the Decepticons in Autobot custody, and may have been retrieved as well. Blast Off had been captured in [[Spacehikers!]], and Dirge (US continuity only) was blown out of the sky in [[Ashes, Ashes...]]. Neither showed up for the remainder of the G1 continuity except for crowd scenes, but it's worth noting.
*This issue marks the last appearance of the Constructicons in the Marvel U.S. continuity.
*The opening splash page of Optimus Prime's would-be new body blowing up is a direct homage to his death scene in US [[Afterdeath!|#24]].
*The Decepticons retrieved by the Constructicons in this issue were captured in battle with Omega Supreme way back in US [[Command Performances!|#19]].
*Optimus Prime was put on a disc after his death in US [[Afterdeath!|#24]].
*There are numerous references to the [[Pretender to the Throne!|previous issue]], including the acquiring of the Prime disc, the rebuilding of Goldbug, and the creation of the Pretenders.
*Fortress Maximus was still recovering from his battle with [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] in issue [[The Desert Island of Space!|#39]].

===UK printing===
*The title was given a second "L." (Because that's the correct spelling in the Queen's English, you colonial fools.)

'''Issue #174'''
*'''Backup strips:''' ''[[Action Force (comic)|Action Force]]'' - "Pit-Fall" and ''[[Combat Colin]]''
*'''[[Transformers AtoZ|AtoZ]]:''' [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] and [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]]
*In [[Letters page (Marvel UK)|Grim Grams]], Grimlock states that he doesn't want a toy of his Cybertronian form to be created and that people should be happy with him as he is!
*A flashback to the events of "[[Spacehikers!]]" (actually re-drawing a panel from that story) again includes an appearance by [[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]], among the Autobots encouraging Blaster to assume leadership of the Autobots. Unfortunately, in the ''UK''-originated material, Sandstorm was with the [[Wrecker]]s on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and could not possibly have been present on the Ark at this time. It's possible that this non-speaking [[Block coloring|block colored]] Autobot was instead a [[Generic]] lookalike (from a pure continuity standpoint,) though artist [[José Delbo]] certainly ''intended'' it to be Sandstorm.

'''Issue #175'''
*'''Backup strips:''' ''Action Force'' - "Pit-Fall" and ''Combat Colin''
*In Grim Grams, Grimlock identified the [[Generic]] transformer from the opening splash page of UK issue #164 as "[[Chuffer]]".
[[File:Broadsidetotaled.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|In the UK, I was replaced by some other dude!]]
*Issue #175 features some of the most aggressive art edits done to a US story to bring it into line with UK continuity. Because Broadside was a member of the [[Wrecker]]s, (and on Cybertron at this time,) Broadside's close-up had to be edited to turn him a new character; the head partially redrawn and his blue parts colored green, creating a new, generic robot. (detail at right)
*Likewise, [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] was in [[Limbo]] at this point in UK continuity, so the image of him leaving the Ark with the other Autobots was given a new head and headlamps. Ironically his new head resembles that of [[Crosscut (Autobot)|Crosscut]], which is how Skids would come to be portrayed in later UK stories anyway.
*The boxes containing the rescued Decepticons were edited to remove and rearrange the names, since most of the "inactive" Decepticons [[Command Performances!|defeated by Omega Supreme]] had already been revived during the UK's "[[Target: 2006]]" storyline. The Constructicons' mission now only freed Rumble and Buzzsaw (and possibly Blast Off and Skywarp, the latter of whom had been absent since his "destruction" in Target 2006 but back among Ratbat's forces in their next appearance.) Long Haul's dialog to his fellow Constructicons was also altered, discarding a statement about the many Decepticons they had to free and replacing it with a much vaguer "We have a lot more work to do!" In US continuity the rescued Decepticons were: Buzzsaw, Thundercracker, Skywarp, Rumble, Frenzy and Starscream (and possibly Blast Off and Dirge).

===Other trivia===
*How can one not love the nicknames all through this issue? "Doc Ratchet", "Grimbo", and of course Grimlock's constant reworking of Fortress Maximus's name. He calls him "Fruitloop Multipuck", "Forktongue Maxiface", and even the ever-classic "Fullstrength Motleypuss".
*The letters page of this issue featured two competitions, [[Shingo|Spot the Shingo]] and a competition to name all the Transformers pouring from the Ark on page 10 of the issue. The prizes were not really disclosed.
*This was the last issue reprinted in the Danish run of the series published by Atlantic ApS.

===Covers (7)===
<gallery>
File:MarvelUS-41.jpg|'''US issue #41''' - Or: How to give [[José Delbo]] a nervous breakdown
File:MarvelUK-174.jpg|'''UK issue #174''' - Use the FLAT of your blade, Grimlock!
File:MarvelUK-175.jpg|'''UK issue #175''' - Grimlock won't stop dancing for anyone.
File:Titan-MaximumForceSC.jpg|'''''Maximum Force'' TPB'''
</gallery>
*'''US issue #41 cover:''' battle royal by [[José Delbo]]
*'''UK issue #174 cover:''' Grimlock and Spike by [[Jeff Anderson]]
*'''UK issue #175 cover:''' Grimlock and Blaster by [[Lee Sullivan]]
*'''''Maximum Force'' TPB cover:''' [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], a [[Targetmaster]] gun, the ''Steelhaven'' and half of [[Skullgrin]]'s head by [[Andrew Wildman]]
<gallery>
File:Titan-MaximumForceHC.jpg|'''''Maximum Force'' HC'''
File:Classic Transformers Vol3.jpg|'''''Classic Transformers'' Volume 3'''
File:TFClassicsVol4.jpg|'''''The Transformers Classics'' Vol. 4'''
</gallery>
*'''''Maximum Force'' Hardback cover:''' Skullgrin by [[Peter Snejbjerg]]
*'''''Classic Transformers'' Volume 3 cover:''' Panels from US issues [[Child's Play (issue)|#35]], [[Spacehikers!|#36]] and [[People Power!|#42]]. Art and pencils by [[José Delbo]], pencils by [[Don Perlin]], finishes by [[Dave Hunt]] & [[Don Hudson]], inks by [[Ian Akin]] & [[Brian Garvey]], colours by Nel Yomtov.
*'''''The Transformers Classics'' Vol. 4 cover:''' [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] by [[Guido Guidi]].

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

===Reprints===
*[[2004]] — ''[[Transformers: Maximum Force]]''
*[[2009]] — [[Classic Transformers Volume 3|''Classic Transformers'' Volume 3]]
*[[2012]] — [[The Transformers Classics, Vol. 4|''The Transformers Classics'' Vol. 4]]

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

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Totaled!