MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

File:DreamwaveIssue12Page01.jpeg

2026-04-15T08:28:26Z

WillR113:

{{art|art=[[Guido Guidi]]}}
Page one of [[Unreleased Dreamwave issues|unpublished]] [[Transformers: Generation 1 (Dreamwave)|Transformers: Generation 1]] Vol. 3 (ongoing) #12. Image originally posted as part of Guido Guidi's [https://web.archive.org/web/20050410041818/http://www.transfans.net/interviews_guido.php interview]
with TransFans.Net, then reposted by Seibertron when they [https://www.seibertron.com/transmissions/transfansnet-interview-guido-guidi/5030/ reported] on the interview.
[[Category:Images by Guido Guidi]]

File:DreamwaveIssue12Page03.jpg

2026-04-15T08:28:18Z

WillR113:

{{art|art=[[Guido Guidi]]}}
Page three of [[Unreleased Dreamwave issues|unpublished]] [[Transformers: Generation 1 (Dreamwave)|Transformers: Generation 1]] Vol. 3 (ongoing) #12. Image originally posted as part of Guido Guidi's [https://web.archive.org/web/20050410041818/http://www.transfans.net/interviews_guido.php interview]
with TransFans.Net, then reposted by Seibertron when they [https://www.seibertron.com/transmissions/transfansnet-interview-guido-guidi/5030/ reported] on the interview.
[[Category:Images by Guido Guidi]]

File:DreamwaveIssue12Page07.jpg

2026-04-15T08:28:10Z

WillR113:

{{art|art=[[Guido Guidi]]}}
Page seven of [[Unreleased Dreamwave issues|unpublished]] [[Transformers: Generation 1 (Dreamwave)|Transformers: Generation 1]] Vol. 3 (ongoing) #12. Image originally posted as part of Guido Guidi's [https://web.archive.org/web/20050410041818/http://www.transfans.net/interviews_guido.php interview]
with TransFans.Net, then reposted by Seibertron when they [https://www.seibertron.com/transmissions/transfansnet-interview-guido-guidi/5030/ reported] on the interview.
[[Category:Images by Guido Guidi]]

File:DreamwaveIssue12Page08.jpg

2026-04-15T08:27:58Z

WillR113:

{{art|art=[[Guido Guidi]]}}
Page eight of [[Unreleased Dreamwave issues|unpublished]] [[Transformers: Generation 1 (Dreamwave)|Transformers: Generation 1]] Vol. 3 (ongoing) #12. Image originally posted as part of Guido Guidi's [https://web.archive.org/web/20050410041818/http://www.transfans.net/interviews_guido.php interview]
with TransFans.Net, then reposted by Seibertron when they [https://www.seibertron.com/transmissions/transfansnet-interview-guido-guidi/5030/ reported] on the interview.
[[Category:Images by Guido Guidi]]

Derek Choo-Wing

2026-04-12T11:55:56Z

WillR113: /* Notes */ Replaced a dead link with an archived version

'''Derek Choo-Wing''' (born: ??) served as the "Director of Management" (or not; see below) for now-defunct comic book company [[Dreamwave Productions]].

According to [http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=14968 this entry from comic book rumor blog Lying In The Gutters], he was working as a server in a coffee shop when he was scouted by [[Pat Lee]].

==Guest Appearances==
*[[BotCon 2002]]

==Notes==
*A 2004 ''Duel Masters'' video game includes both Choo-Wing and a handful of other Dreamwave staffers in the credits. Their actual work on the game, if any, is presently unclear.

*According to [[Matt Moylan]], both he and Derek knew about and were "really upset" over the fact that [[Pat Lee]] was credited as doing the infamous Silver Snail variant cover for [[Transformers: Generation 1 (Dreamwave)|''Generation One'' (ongoing)]] [[Night of the Combaticons|issue 1]] rather than actual artist [[Rob Ruffolo]].

*His exact position with the company appears to be somewhat questionable, as different sources give him different titles. Actual Dreamwave issues such as the [[Armada Free Comic Book Day]] special and ''Mega Man'' #1 listed him as "Director of Management". However, the above-mentioned game and the above-mentioned bit from Moylan both referred to him as "Production Manager". "Lying In The Gutters", meanwhile, alternated in referring to him as "Production Manager" and as "Business Manager". Either way, when parties unknown at Dreamwave were upset over a Lying In The Gutters posting from 2003 that referenced alleged comments made by the then-current artist of Dreamwave's "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" title, [https://archive.md/vQvLt it was ''Choo-Wing'' who wrote the "cease and desist" letter that requested the posting be pulled].

==External Links==

*[http://www.answers.com/topic/duel-masters-video-game Duel Masters game credits]

*[http://www.bleedingcool.com/2012/03/21/when-rob-ruffalo-pretended-to-be-pat-lee/ Bleeding Cool.com article on the Pat Lee artwork controversy]

{{creatorstub}}

[[Category:Dreamwave Productions]]

Unreleased Dreamwave issues

2026-04-12T06:24:32Z

WillR113:

When [[Dreamwave Productions]] declared bankruptcy in 2005, several of their series were left hanging without any strong sense of closure. However, various sources have revealed small portions of what might have been, including solicitations sent to retailers before the bankruptcy. At [[New York Comic Con]] 2009 [[IDW Publishing]] revealed that while they do have the artwork from the unfinished/unpublished issues, they will not complete and print the issues as there is significant doubt that the artists and writers were paid for their work during the tail end of Dreamwave's run on the brand.

==''Energon''==
Despite [[No Exit|issue #30]] completing its current storyline, ''[[Transformers: Energon (comic)|Energon]]'' still had many unresolved plot points. Hasbro copywriter [[Forest Lee]] has suggested that the [[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|''Cybertron'' cartoon]] can be considered a follow-up, though it does require some stretching.

In November 2010, [[Simon Furman]] started to reveal the plot of the unreleased issues on his blog.<ref>[http://simonfurman.wordpress.com/2010/11/22/energon-%e2%80%94-revisited/ "Energon Revisited"]</ref> TFWiki has created articles for each of these unreleased issues based on these summaries; links, and the original solicitations for the issues, follow below.

===Issue 31 — "[[Doomsday Redux!]]"===
"REVELATIONS! Just who is (or rather, was) [[Alpha Quintesson]], and what are his true plans for [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], [[Earth]] and [[Unicron]]? While seeming to serve the Chaos Bringer, the multi-faceted alien has been developing a world-shattering agenda of his own, one that bridges worlds and dimensions. Now, at last, Alpha Quintesson begins his ‘endgame’, and first in his sights is the [[Mini-Con]] [[Over-Run (Armada)|Over-Run]]!"

===Issue 32 — "[[Armageddon Part 1]]"===
"Demolished! The next — and final — ''Energon'' story arc gets underway in earnest! It's the beginning of the end as Alpha Quintesson and [[Avalon (Energon)|Councillor Avalon]]'s quest for the mysterious [[Conduit (Energon)|Conduit]] centers once more on the Autobots' human ally, [[Kicker Jones|Kicker]]. The all-new, upgraded [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]] is on the case, and he’ll stop at nothing — literally — to get the job done. Get ready for Armageddon!"

===Issue 33 — "[[Armageddon Part 2]]"===
"INFERNO! What happens when four living Energon powerhouses tackle a being of pure Energon? It's the fighting-mad [[Omnicon]]s —[[Arcee (Energon)|Arcee]], [[Signal Flare (Energon)|Signal Flare]], [[Strongarm (Energon)|Strongarm]] and [[Skyblast (Energon)|Skyblast]] — versus the plainly mad [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]], and the result is an Energon inferno that threatens to consume Cybertron! Plus... the return of [[Unicron's Four Horsemen]] and the shocking secret of the planet [[Nervissa]]!"

===Issue 34 — "[[Armageddon Part 3]]"===

No solicitation.

===Issue 35 — "[[Armageddon Part 4]]"===

No solicitation.

===Issue 36 — "[[Armageddon Part 5]]"===

No solicitation.

==''Energon: More Than Meets The Eye''==
[[File:Energon MTMTE 1.jpg|thumb|200px|Cover for issue #1 by Guido Guidi]]

In keeping with ''[[Transformers: Armada (Dreamwave)|Armada]]'', a three-part ''More Than Meets The Eye'' series of ''Energon'' characters was also planned. Much of the artwork and profiles were completed. [[Alex Milne]] produced artwork for several character's profiles, which he ended up displaying and selling at conventions. These included Alpha Quintesson,<ref>http://s65.photobucket.com/albums/h214/Scaleface/Energon%20MTMTE/?action=view&current=mtmte-alphaquinetssion.jpg</ref> Alpha Trion,<ref>http://s65.photobucket.com/albums/h214/Scaleface/Energon%20MTMTE/?action=view&current=mtmte-alphatrion.jpg</ref> Arcee,<ref>http://s65.photobucket.com/albums/h214/Scaleface/Energon%20MTMTE/?action=view&current=mtmte-arcee.jpg</ref> Avalon,<ref>http://s65.photobucket.com/albums/h214/Scaleface/Energon%20MTMTE/?action=view&current=mtmte-avalon.jpg</ref> Galvatron,<ref>http://s65.photobucket.com/albums/h214/Scaleface/Energon%20MTMTE/?action=view&current=mtmte-galvatron.jpg</ref> Levitacus,<ref>http://s65.photobucket.com/albums/h214/Scaleface/Energon%20MTMTE/?action=view&current=mtmte-leviticus.jpg</ref> and Mirage.<ref>http://s65.photobucket.com/albums/h214/Scaleface/Energon%20MTMTE/?action=view&current=mtmte-mirage.jpg</ref>

Also tasked with doing art for the books was [[Guido Guidi]] who did the full three-part cover piece,<ref>[https://www.deviantart.com/guidoguidi/art/TF-Energon-Profile-book-COVERS-45513397 TF Energon Profile book COVERS] - Guido Guidi's DeviantArt account</ref> as well as character art for Barricade,
<ref>https://www.deviantart.com/guidoguidi/art/Unpublished-TF-Energon-MTMTE-7-45248877</ref> Blackout,
<ref>https://www.deviantart.com/guidoguidi/art/Unpublished-TF-Energon-MTMTE-1-45248275</ref> Blight,
<ref>https://www.deviantart.com/guidoguidi/art/Unpublished-TF-Energon-MTMTE-6-45248697</ref> Cyclonus,
<ref>https://www.deviantart.com/guidoguidi/art/Unpublished-TF-Energon-MTMTE-4-45248456</ref> Doomlock,
<ref>https://www.deviantart.com/guidoguidi/art/Unpublished-TF-Energon-MTMTE-3-45248420</ref> and Command Ravage.
<ref>https://www.deviantart.com/guidoguidi/art/Unpublished-TF-Energon-MTMTE-2-45248398</ref> Given the overlap between the ''Armada'' [[package art]] and the ''Armada'' ''More Than Meets The Eye'' series, it's probable that Guidi's package artwork for Bruticus Maximus<ref>https://www.deviantart.com/guidoguidi/art/Energon-Bruticus-Max-Boxart-128219434</ref> would've also made an appearance.

===Issue 1===
"It's ''Energon''{{'}}s turn to get the ''MTMTE'' treatment! Dreamwave's mega-successful series of official Transformers guidebooks returns with enough ''Energon'' facts, figures and profiles to put a smile on the face of any Trans-fananatic. You'll learn the secrets of Alpha Quintesson, discover the truth behind Kicker, and get even more info on Hot Shot, Jetfire, and dozens more! Brought to you by ''Transformers Energon'' series writer Simon Furman and a plethora of your favorite TF artists."

===Issue 2===
"Optimus Prime! Megatron! Omega Supreme! The heavy hitters are out in full force in book 2 of Dreamwave's official guide to
''Transformers: Energon''. You'll also get the goods on the powerful Energon Saber, the origin of the Omnicons, Unicron's Four
Horsemen, and more. Look for the third and final installment next month!"
{{-}}

==''War Within: The Age of Wrath''==
''[[Transformers: War Within: The Age of Wrath|War Within: The Age of Wrath]]'' would presumably have concluded with the defeat of the [[Air Warrior|Aerospace Extermination Squad]], based on the events of later stories. Many of the major characters — including Grimlock, seemingly killed in issue #1 — appear in later stories as well and therefore must have survived.

Additionally, several pages of art work were published in the [[Unofficial conventions|TransformersCon]] 2005 Program (which had several ex-Dreamwave employees as special guests). The covers to the issues were also seen in solicitations to comic retailers.

Furman would later sell signed copies of the completed issue 4 script at some 2010 conventions, and TFWiki has created [[The Age of Wrath Pt.4|an article]] based on it, and subsequently sold the completed issue 5 script and an outline of issue 6 in similar fashion at 2011 conventions, which TFWiki has also created articles for.

===Issue 4===
{{main|The Age of Wrath Pt.4}}
"ALONE! Stranded on a strange alien world, far, far from Cybertron, Turbomaster Flash is about to realize there really is no place like home... even when home is ruled by arch tyrant Megatron and his legions of clone warriors. The terrible truth behind the invasion and conquest of Cybertron is finally revealed. Now all Flash has to do is stay alive long enough to tell someone!"

* Cover: [[Flash (G1)|Flash]] stranded on an alien planet.
* Pages 1,2,3: Flash on an alien planet being attacked by [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]]. Meanwhile, on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] talks with the other [[Turbomaster]]s.
* Page 4: Perceptor prepares to examine a captured clone warrior from the Aerospace Extermination Squadron.

===Issue 5===
{{main|The Age of Wrath Pt.5}}
"HE'S BACK! Optimus Prime, right? Well... maybe. But then again... maybe not! Blaster's desperate bid to free the enslaved
Autobots lies in ruins, his and his entire team's lives are Megatron's to take at his will. But in their darkest hour, a hero returns to the fray, a force too powerful to be contained even by death's dark dominion. Prepare to be shocked senseless all over again!"

* Cover: [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] held at gunpoint by [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]].
* Page 1: Shockwave's lab, with a studied Clone Trooper over a deactivated [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]].
* Page 2: Two deactivated clone troopers lying in a heavily damaged lab. Also, small, dead [[Piranacon (Quintesson)|Piranacons]] litter the floor amidst the shattered remains of the tank Megatron used to torture Starscream in. Starscream himself is lying there alive but in a great deal of pain, curled into a fetal position.
* Page 5: Blaster fights against Clone Troopers and Megatron, using sound attacks and his [[electro-scrambler]].

===Issue 6===
{{main|The Age of Wrath Pt.6}}
"Last Stand! Finally... the battle you've been waiting for! Optimus Prime returns to take on his archenemy Megatron. But is Prime the 'bot he was? Scarred mentally and physically by his nightmarish exile, Prime plainly may not be up to the job! But if he can't beat Megatron and stop the rise of his second-generation clone army ... who can?"

* Cover: [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] battling [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], as [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] watches in the background.
<gallery>
Image:WW v3-4.jpg|Issue 4 cover
Image:WW v3-5.jpg|Issue 5 cover
Image:WW v3-6.jpg|Issue 6 cover
</gallery>

==''Generation One'' Volume 3==
Several covers of ''[[Transformers: Generation 1 (Dreamwave)|Generation One]]'' were distributed to comic retailers in solicitations. Pages from the unreleased volume 3 issue 11 were published in the fourth issue of ''The Comic Book Digest'' from Lamp Post Publications.<ref>http://lamppostpubs.com</ref> Additional pages leaked onto the internet revealed a great number of [[Exosuit]]s. In all likelihood, these are connected to [[Project Centurion]] mentioned in "[[The Route of All Evil]]".

[[Chris Sarracini]] and [[Guido Guidi]] were to take over from #12.<ref>http://seibertron.com/comics/view.php?comic_id=748</ref>

===Issue 11===
"Because YOU demanded it: The return of the Dinobots! The hot-tempered cavalier Hot Rod finds himself in over his head when a mysterious group of Transformers-like warriors interferes with a standard transfer mission. What are these mysterious agents truly after, and what hope do Hot Rod and his team have of stopping them? Featuring the return of the fan-favorite Dinobots, the first-ever comic book debut of some of Generation One's most desirable characters, and much, much more!"<ref>http://seibertron.com/comics/view.php?comic_id=746</ref>

* Cover: Several female robots, lookin' deadly as [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]'s hand reaches up to them.
* Page 1: Hot Rod looking up at a deactivated [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] being held in a repair chamber.
* Page 2: Hot Rod passing by [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] and [[Gnaw (G1)|Gnaw]] and looking out of a window.
* Page 3: [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] looks out a window towards Cybertron shrinking in the distance, as she, [[Kup (G1)|Kup]], [[Springer (G1)|Springer]], and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] travel on their way to Cybertron's moon. They see a [[Quintesson]] ship in orbit.
* Page 4: Hot Rod, Wheelie, and Gnaw see a [[Female Autobots|female robot]], [[Elita One (G1)|Elita One]], teleport into the facility.
* Page 5: Hot Rod tries to shoot at her, but Elita throws a dagger that knocks the guns out of his hands. She challenges him to hand-to-hand combat. (At a Transformerscon 2005 guest panel, it was mentioned by the writers that the female robots were to be skilled martial artists.)
* Page 6: Hot Rod accepts the challenge, but Elita is more than a match for him. Gnaw urges Wheelie to stay back.
* Page 7: Elita One ducks a punch from Hot Rod and deactivates him before he can sound the alarm. She sends a communication back to [[Quintessa (planet)|Quintessa]], where three other female robots are waiting.
* Page 8: The other three female robots teleport into the facility. Gnaw transforms to fight them off, but [[Moonracer (G1)|Moonracer]] and Elita One take him out with ease. Elita orders [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]] to take Hot Rod back through the portal.
* Page 9: Elita One, Moonracer, and [[Firestar (G1)|Firestar]] proceed further into the facility until they discover Optimus Prime in his repair chamber.
* Page 10: Chromia brings Hot Rod through. Meanwhile, Wheelie leaps down from a hiding place in the ceiling, delivering a kick to the female robots and punching Moonracer while she's down. However, Elita knocks him to the floor with a kick of her own.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Unpublished DWTF G1#11 pg10 #Transformers #Elita1 #Wheelie #ComicArt https://t.co/D5GJwSKEp1|link=https://twitter.com/SketchyFig/status/1568271481746116610|name=Don Figueroa|site=Twitter|year=2022|month=9|day=9|(defunct=)}}</ref>
* Page 11: Elita looms over Wheelie, ready to deliver the killing blow with her blade. But rescue is on its way: the Dinobots, disembarked from the shuttle, charging into action!<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Unpublished DWTF G1#11 pg11 #Transformers #Dinobots #Grimlock #ComicArt https://t.co/kl2gAyAnwV|link=https://twitter.com/SketchyFig/status/1568272119880089600|name=Don Figueroa|site=Twitter|year=2022|month=9|day=9|(defunct=)}}</ref>
* Page 12: As Grimlock's shadow rounds the corner, Elita orders a retreat.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Unpublished DWTF G1#11 pg12 #Transformers #Elita1 #ComicArt https://t.co/PHMQ9MKuYo|link=https://twitter.com/SketchyFig/status/1568272495266119680|name=Don Figueroa|site=Twitter|year=2022|month=9|day=9|(defunct=)}}</ref>
<gallery>
Image:G1Dreamwaveongoing11.jpg|We blame Dreamwave's fall on YOU!
File:DreamwaveIssue11Page01.jpg|
File:DreamwaveIssue11Page02.jpg|
File:DreamwaveIssue11Page03.jpg|
File:DreamwaveIssue11Page04.jpeg|
</gallery>

===Issue 12===
"This is it: the return of the most popular Transformer of all time! Yes, the indomitable Optimus Prime is finally back, ready to chew Energon and kick bumper-and he's all outta Energon! But the question is: where is he? Find out in this thrill-packed anniversary issue, as the greatest Autobots leader ever faces off against the ravenous Sharkticons and their cruel masters, the Quintessons! Don't miss this special birthday issue, a perfect jumping-on point featuring Optimus Prime himself ushering in an all-new era of Transformers greatness. The countdown to 2005 begins now!"

* Cover: Optimus Prime holding the body of [[Elita One (G1)|Elita One]] in a manner reminiscent of ''The Uncanny X-Men'' #136<ref>http://www.comics.org/details.lasso?id=34632</ref> and ''Crisis On Infinite Earths'' #7.<ref>http://www.comics.org/details.lasso?id=40485</ref> There was also going to be a variant cover featuring a drawing of Optimus Prime by [[Pat Lee]]. Ideally, the issue would have been released during December, which Dreamwave was calling their "Optimus Prime Month".
* Page 1: A close up of [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] in a repair chamber. <ref>[https://www.deviantart.com/guidoguidi/art/Unpublished-DW-G1-12-Page-1-38496615 Unpublished DW G1 12 - Page 1 at Guido Guido's Deviantart account]</ref>
* Page 2: [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] and [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] rush in as a healed Prime is released from the repair chamber.<ref>[https://www.deviantart.com/guidoguidi/art/Unpublished-DW-G1-12-Page-2-38496747 Unpublished DW G1 12 - Page 2 at Guido Guido's Deviantart account]</ref>
* Page 3: The two try to stop Prime, but the Autobot leader refuses to listen as he remembers a vision of [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] he had while being repaired.<ref>[https://www.deviantart.com/guidoguidi/art/Unpublished-DW-G1-12-Page-3-38496762 Unpublished DW G1 12 - Page 3 at Guido Guido's Deviantart account]</ref>
* Page 4: Suddenly Prime has a seizure and is forced to his knees. A vision of [[Alpha Trion]] appears before him. Recovering Prime picks up his blaster and leaves.<ref>[https://www.deviantart.com/guidoguidi/art/Unpublished-DW-G1-12-Page-4-38496766 Unpublished DW G1 12 - Page 4 at Guido Guido's Deviantart account]</ref>
* Page 5: On [[Earth]] Colonel [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Witwicky's]] helicopter lands and he is escorted to a waiting jeep.<ref>[https://www.deviantart.com/guidoguidi/art/Unpublished-DW-G1-12-Page-5-38496780 Unpublished DW G1 12 - Page 5 at Guido Guido's Deviantart account]</ref>
* Page 6: The jeep arrives at an underground [[Earth Defense Command|EDC]] base and Witwicky is briefed on the progress of [[Project Centurion]]...<ref>[https://www.deviantart.com/guidoguidi/art/Unpublished-DW-G1-12-Page-6-38496795 Unpublished DW G1 12 - Page 6 at Guido Guido's Deviantart account]</ref>
* Page 7: ...an entire army's worth of [[exosuit|exosuits]]!<ref>[https://www.deviantart.com/guidoguidi/art/Unpublished-DW-G1-12-Page-7-38496816 Unpublished DW G1 12 - Page 7 at Guido Guido's Deviantart account]</ref>
* Page 8: [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] watch the construction of [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]].<ref>[https://www.deviantart.com/guidoguidi/art/Unpublished-DW-G1-12-Page-8-38497055 Unpublished DW G1 12 - Page 8 at Guido Guido's Deviantart account]</ref>
* Page 9: They watch the other Autobots work on the city some more before Prowl leaves.<ref>[https://www.deviantart.com/guidoguidi/art/Unpublished-DW-G1-12-Page-9-38496826 Unpublished DW G1 12 - Page 9 at Guido Guido's Deviantart account]</ref>
* Page 10: Back on Cybertron Prime stands on a cliff overlooking a scrapheap, when another seizure causes him to fall and land in the heap below. He finds a grate hidden beneath the junk.<ref>[https://www.deviantart.com/guidoguidi/art/TF-G1-12-unpublished-page-10-57637406 Unpublished DW G1 12 - Page 10 at Guido Guido's Deviantart account]</ref>
* Page 11: He tears the grate off and leaps down the shaft. At the bottom he finds a locked door which he blasts his way through through.<ref>[https://www.deviantart.com/guidoguidi/art/Unpublished-DW-G1-12-Page-11-38497076 Unpublished DW G1 12 - Page 11 at Guido Guido's Deviantart account]</ref>
* Page 12: On the other side he finds the captive Alpha Trion hooked up to various machines.<ref>[https://www.deviantart.com/guidoguidi/art/Unpublished-DW-G1-12-Page-12-38496873 Unpublished DW G1 12 - Page 12 at Guido Guido's Deviantart account]</ref>
* Page 13: Prime frees Alpha Trion who begins to tell him the secret history of Cybertron the entire series has been building towards....<ref>[https://www.deviantart.com/guidoguidi/art/Unpublished-DW-G1-12-Page-13-38497140 Unpublished DW G1 12 - Page 13 at Guido Guido's Deviantart account]</ref>

<gallery>
Image:G1 ongoing 12a.jpg|If Optimus had tears he'd be crying.
Image:DreamwaveG1Ongoing12Lee.jpg| May or may not have actually been bought to you by [[Pat Lee]]
</gallery>

===Issue 13===
"2005 is here - and the battle for the universe begins! Created by the sinister Unicron, the lone Cyclonus has been dispatched to search the galaxy for the missing Alpha herald, Scourge. But when his mission leads him to a top-secret storage facility on Earth, will Cyclonus find the end of his quest or the business end of several high-caliber EDC-issued blasters? This initial arc - "Detection" kicks off the biggest, baddest Generation One storyline ever! Get in on the ground floor for a front-row seat to the beginning - of the apocalypse!"

Interestingly, the original cover drawn did not show Cyclonus with the head of Scourge, but rather the head of a seeker.

* Cover: [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] holding the head of [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]]

<gallery>
Image:G1 ongoing 13.jpg|Scourge, I knew him, Galvatron...
Image:DWongoing13B&Wcover.jpg|Are you, Scourge?
</gallery>

===Issue 14 - "[[The Enemy Within]]"===
Although originally advertised with this solicitation...

"The humans fight back as the "Contact" arc continues! Recovering from Cyclonus’ violent assault on their facilities, the EDC tries to equalize the odds by activating its top secret defense plan—Project Centurion! Suspecting something sinister, Marissa begins to explore the real motives behind the EDC's newest operation. Fearing the worst, the recently revived Autobot leader Optimus Prime rallies his troops on both Earth and Cybertron for the dark future looming on the horizon."

...this plot was then bumped with intention of being replaced with a one-shot fill-in penned by Simon Furman centering on [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] and [[The Fallen]]. TFWiki has created [[The Enemy Within|an article]] for Furman's story based on a summary posted to his blog in late 2010.

{{--}}

===Generation One 2004 Datatracks Annual===
This low-priced one-shot was to be written by James McDonough and Adam Patyk, with art by Joe Ng and Don Figueroa.

"As Generation One's 20th anniversary celebration comes to a close, Dreamwave pulls out all the stops to reveal the all-new 2004 Datatracks, which boasts an original short story featuring the one and only Optimus Prime fighting alongside his brother, Ultra Magnus! Not only that, but fans can also expect brand-new expanded MTMTE entries for the female Autobots, Sunstorm, and a few more surprises! This exciting one-shot annual is the perfect way to cap off "Optimus Prime Month," while kicking 2005 into overdrive! This comic is priced to move at only $1.95 — so don't miss out!"

* Cover: Optimus Prime and an unarmored [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] stand back to back, with images of Autobots, Decepticons, Quintessons and humans displayed behind them.
<gallery>
Image:DreamwaveG1Annual.jpeg
</gallery>
==="The Rules of Extinction"===

Referenced in a footnote in [[Extermination|issue #8]] of the Generation 1 ongoing, this story would have centered on the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]], apparently revealing how they came to Earth, battled the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] there, and were "rediscovered" in the present day by Optimus Prime's Autobots. Exactly ''how'' it was supposed to be published is unknown, but it's speculated it was to be one of the stories included in the Datatracks Annual covered above.

==''Beast Wars''==
{{main|Shell Game issue 1}}
Although heavily advertised, no issues of ''[[List of Beast Wars comics|Beast Wars]]'': ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars — Shell Game|Shell Game]]'' ever saw print. Scans found on the internet show it would have had strong similarities to the ''[[Transformers, Beast Wars: The Gathering|Beast Wars: The Gathering]]'' by the same creative team, and Simon Furman's original #1 script<ref>http://simonfurman.wordpress.com/2007/12/24/xmas-wrap/</ref> confirms that much of mini-series was recycled into ''Gathering''. A key difference was that the TV cast were to be involved. In addition, this ''Beast Wars'' would have tied in with the Ongoing G1 series.

The solicitation for #2 reveals there would be a flashback to "just after the end of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]] on Cybertron... and witness the trial of Megatron! The verdict and judgment that follow set in motion a truly terrifying chain of events...".<ref>http://seibertron.com/comics/view.php?comic_id=785</ref> The cover showed ''Beast Wars'' Megatron on trial, so that's probably the Megatron they meant.

At Transformerscon 2004, Pat Lee also expressed an interest in possibly doing a complete series of ''[[Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More Than Meets The Eye]]'' profile books for ''Beast Wars'', including all non-show characters. As you can imagine, this never happened, but again, was an idea [[Transformers: Beast Wars Sourcebook|eventually implemented]] by IDW.
<gallery>
Image:ShellGame1a.jpg|Issue 1a cover
Image:ShellGame1b.jpg|Issue 1b cover
Image:ShellGame1c.jpg|Issue 1c cover
Image:ShellGame1ri.jpg|Issue 1 incentive cover
Image:TM2Megatrontrial.jpg|Issue 2 cover
</gallery>

==''Transformers/G.I. Joe: Divided Front''==
Dreamwave's second crossover, ''[[Transformers/G.I. Joe: Divided Front]]'' managed to have one issue released before the company folded. Adam Patyk and James McDonough were scheduled to write issues 2–5, while Chris Sarracini was slated to write issue 6. Pat Lee was to draw all of the remaining issues.

===Issue 2===
"The secrets of G.I. JOE and COBRA'S past are revealed as the greatest arms race in history intensifies, blazing a path across the world. Desperate for an equalizer, the JOES raid a top-secret COBRA bunker located in the Everglades. But when COBRA'S newly hired DREADNOK biker gang intervenes, will the JOES be too late to gain the advantage and-more importantly-save their Autobot allies?!

* Cover: [[Zarana]], the [[Dreadnok]]s, and a deactivated [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]].

===Issue 3===
"FAN-FAVE FIREFLY DEBUTS! Snake Eyes is a hard ninja to kill...which is why COBRA Commander has called in one of his biggest guns to do the job: the assassin Firefly! What is the history behind this COBRA'S rivalry with Snake Eyes? And can the Joes' ninja overcome this deadly saboteur in time to help his teammates retrieve the stolen Transformer technology from COBRA'S secret Arctic base? It's chaos on the ice as the Autobots face off against Destro's deadly COBRA/Decepticon hybrid warriors, with Starscream waiting to pick up the pieces!"

* Cover: [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] under attack from a pair of jets that look suspiciously like [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] and [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]], and [[Snake-Eyes]] facing off against [[Firefly]].

===Issue 4===
"AUTOBOT vs. AUTOBOT! It's a robot riot as the new Cold War over the Transformers really starts to heat up! The G.I. Joes and their Autobot allies try to reconcile their opposing views and unite against COBRA...but can they? They're not the only ones whose tempers are flaring, as members of COBRA prepare to foil their increasingly deranged leader's top-secret project…if the mutineers can make it past Firefly and the elite Crimson Guard, that is!"

* Cover: Ironhide fights against [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]], and [[Shipwreck]] is there too.

===Issue 5===
"What is the terrible secret buried beneath Cobra Island? Whatever it is, Starscream and Soundwave want it bad...bad enough to destroy Cobra Commander if he doesn't give it to them! Flint and the Autobots must prepare an all-out assault of the island themselves to prevent the villains' evil plans, but can the G.I. Joes count on Snake Eyes to help them...or will his vendetta against Firefly doom them all?"

* Cover: [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] and [[Cobra Commander]] stand over a fallen Shipwreck.

===Issue 6===
"COBRA's plans for domination are in full effect and, thanks to Destro, the Autobots and the Joes are now public enemy #1! Even so, will our heroes be able to thwart Destro's plans? Maybe...but you won't believe who going to help them out. The ultimate retro crossover is about to go out with a bang!"
<gallery>
Image:DW GIJoev2i2-cover.jpg|Issue #2
Image:DW GIJoev2i3-cover.jpg|Issue #3
Image:DW GIJoev2i4-cover.jpg|Issue #4
Image:DW GIJoev2i5-cover.jpg|Issue #5
</gallery>

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

[[Category:Dreamwave issues]]
[[Category:Things that don't exist]]

File:DreamwaveIssue12Page08.jpg

2026-04-12T06:02:56Z

WillR113: {{art|art=Guido Guidi}} Page eight of unpublished Transformers: Generation 1 Vol. 3 (ongoing) #12. Image originally posted as part of Guido Guidi's interview [https://web.ar...

{{art|art=[[Guido Guidi]]}}
Page eight of [[Unreleased Dreamwave issues|unpublished]] [[Transformers: Generation 1 (Dreamwave)|Transformers: Generation 1]] Vol. 3 (ongoing) #12. Image originally posted as part of Guido Guidi's interview [https://web.archive.org/web/20050410041818/http://www.transfans.net/interviews_guido.php interview]
with TransFans.Net, then reposted by Seibertron when they [https://www.seibertron.com/transmissions/transfansnet-interview-guido-guidi/5030/ reported] on the interview.
[[Category:Images by Guido Guidi]]

File:DreamwaveIssue12Page07.jpg

2026-04-12T06:01:42Z

WillR113: {{art|art=Guido Guidi}} Page seven of unpublished Transformers: Generation 1 Vol. 3 (ongoing) #12. Image originally posted as part of Guido Guidi's interview [https://web.ar...

{{art|art=[[Guido Guidi]]}}
Page seven of [[Unreleased Dreamwave issues|unpublished]] [[Transformers: Generation 1 (Dreamwave)|Transformers: Generation 1]] Vol. 3 (ongoing) #12. Image originally posted as part of Guido Guidi's interview [https://web.archive.org/web/20050410041818/http://www.transfans.net/interviews_guido.php interview]
with TransFans.Net, then reposted by Seibertron when they [https://www.seibertron.com/transmissions/transfansnet-interview-guido-guidi/5030/ reported] on the interview.
[[Category:Images by Guido Guidi]]

File:DreamwaveIssue12Page03.jpg

2026-04-12T06:00:35Z

WillR113: {{art|art=Guido Guidi}} Page three of unpublished Transformers: Generation 1 Vol. 3 (ongoing) #12. Image originally posted as part of Guido Guidi's interview [https://web.ar...

{{art|art=[[Guido Guidi]]}}
Page three of [[Unreleased Dreamwave issues|unpublished]] [[Transformers: Generation 1 (Dreamwave)|Transformers: Generation 1]] Vol. 3 (ongoing) #12. Image originally posted as part of Guido Guidi's interview [https://web.archive.org/web/20050410041818/http://www.transfans.net/interviews_guido.php interview]
with TransFans.Net, then reposted by Seibertron when they [https://www.seibertron.com/transmissions/transfansnet-interview-guido-guidi/5030/ reported] on the interview.
[[Category:Images by Guido Guidi]]

File:DreamwaveIssue12Page01.jpeg

2026-04-12T05:59:16Z

WillR113: {{art|art=Guido Guidi}} Page one of unpublished Transformers: Generation 1 Vol. 3 (ongoing) #12. Image originally posted as part of Guido Guidi's interview [https://web.arch...

{{art|art=[[Guido Guidi]]}}
Page one of [[Unreleased Dreamwave issues|unpublished]] [[Transformers: Generation 1 (Dreamwave)|Transformers: Generation 1]] Vol. 3 (ongoing) #12. Image originally posted as part of Guido Guidi's interview [https://web.archive.org/web/20050410041818/http://www.transfans.net/interviews_guido.php interview]
with TransFans.Net, then reposted by Seibertron when they [https://www.seibertron.com/transmissions/transfansnet-interview-guido-guidi/5030/ reported] on the interview.
[[Category:Images by Guido Guidi]]

File:DreamwaveIssue11Page012.jpg

2026-04-12T03:02:33Z

WillR113: {{art|art=Don Figueroa}} Page twelve of the unpublished Transformers: Generation 1 Vol. 3 (ongoing) #11. [https://x.com/SketchyFig/status/1568272495266119680 Posted] by Don ...

{{art|art=[[Don Figueroa]]}}
Page twelve of the [[Unreleased Dreamwave issues|unpublished]] [[Transformers: Generation 1 (Dreamwave)|Transformers: Generation 1]] Vol. 3 (ongoing) #11. [https://x.com/SketchyFig/status/1568272495266119680 Posted] by Don Figueroa on his Twitter account.
[[Category:Images by Don Figueroa]]

File:DreamwaveIssue11Page11.jpeg

2026-04-12T02:59:48Z

WillR113: {{art|art=Don Figueroa}} Page eleven of the unpublished Transformers: Generation 1 Vol. 3 (ongoing) #11. Taken from a now deleted [https://web.archive.org/web/20220919094052...

{{art|art=[[Don Figueroa]]}}
Page eleven of the [[Unreleased Dreamwave issues|unpublished]] [[Transformers: Generation 1 (Dreamwave)|Transformers: Generation 1]] Vol. 3 (ongoing) #11. Taken from a now deleted [https://web.archive.org/web/20220919094052/https://twitter.com/SketchyFig post] on Don Figueroa Twitter account archived via the Wayback Machine.
[[Category:Images by Don Figueroa]]

File:DreamwaveIssue11Page10.jpg

2026-04-12T02:58:35Z

WillR113: {{art|art=Don Figueroa}} Page ten of the unpublished Transformers: Generation 1 Vol. 3 (ongoing) #11. Taken from a now deleted [https://web.archive.org/web/20220919094052/ht...

{{art|art=[[Don Figueroa]]}}
Page ten of the [[Unreleased Dreamwave issues|unpublished]] [[Transformers: Generation 1 (Dreamwave)|Transformers: Generation 1]] Vol. 3 (ongoing) #11. Taken from a now deleted [https://web.archive.org/web/20220919094052/https://twitter.com/SketchyFig post] on Don Figueroa Twitter account archived via the Wayback Machine.
[[Category:Images by Don Figueroa]]

Generation 1 issue 0

2026-04-11T22:16:33Z

WillR113: /* Notes */ Actually fixed it properly this time.

{{comicstory|seriesissue=''[[Transformers: Generation 1 (Dreamwave)|Transformers: Generation 1]]'' Volume 3 #0
|prev=Revelation (War and Peace)
|next=Night of the Combaticons
|image=G1 Vol.3 Issue0 1.jpg
|caption=It doesn't get much more awesome than this.
|publisher=[[Dreamwave Productions]]
|date=[[January 2]], [[2004]]
|coverdate=December 2003
|story=[[James McDonough|Brad Mick]]
|pencils=[[Pat Lee]], [[Don Figueroa]], [[Joe Ng]]
|inks=[[Elaine To]], [[Rob Armstrong]], [[Erik Sander]]
|colors=[[Espen Grundetjern]], [[Rob Ruffolo]], [[David Cheung]], [[Jong-im Winterbell Lee|Jong-Im Lee]], [[Elliot Kravchik]], [[Sigmund Torre]]
|letters=[[Ben Lee]]
|chronology=[[Dreamwave timeline|Modern era]]
|continuity=[[Dreamwave Generation One continuity|Dreamwave continuity]]
}}
'''With Cybertron freed from Shockwave's control, events in the rest of the universe gather pace, and more of Cybertron's mysterious past is revealed.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:Superion dreamwave.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Worst... dentists... ever!]]

A collective of seemingly all-knowing entities monitor events and ongoings in the universe.

[[Unicron|A monstrous predator]] travels though space, reawakened and hungry for nourishment, consuming the planet [[Lithone (planet)|Lithone]]. The entities watching this note that it is moving faster than they anticipated, and worse, growing stronger with each planet it consumes. The entities determine it's heading for [[Earth]], doubtless seeking the same thing as they are. In the meantime, it's using the resources it has acquired to create new forms of life, stronger and more dangerous than its previous efforts. Inside the monstrosity, [[Cyclonus (G1)| the first of these]] creations bursts forth from its pod.

One of entities asks after the first wave, the one sent out before "it" went into hibernation. That scattered across the cosmos to cover as much territory as possible, with the Alpha Drone, [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] finding [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], with its inhabitants all deactivated. They determine Scourge was the one who reactivated [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] in an attempt to gain information, only to reveal himself saving Shockwave from an extermination unit of [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]] left behind by their masters, at which point Shockwave shot him in the back. The entities theorize that studying Scourge is how Shockwave managed to acquire so much knowledge about Cybertron and its origins. They also speculate about how Scourge was recently seen on Earth, but are unclear on how he could've escaped Shockwave's clutches. All they know is that it was incapacitated by Shockwave and taken in by the planet's inhabitants, along with the remains of the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] and the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]].

Some of Optimus Prime's forces remain in hiding on Earth, and have recently gotten in contact with Cybertron, where Optimus is still in a weakened state after his battle with Shockwave. One of the entities observes that much has occurred over the last two years, but another notes the benefits for them. The chaos has allowed them to remain hidden, and collect enough data to get close to their real objective, and the chance to strike. The only real loose end is Megatron, missing since his apparent death after Shockwave arrived on Earth. Despite their best efforts, the inhabitants of [[Quintessa (planet)|Quintessa]] have yet to find his corpse. But they aren't too concerned. Sooner or later, Megatron will face the judgement of the Quintessons, no matter where he's hiding.

On the [[Junkion (planet)|Planet of Junk]], [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] recovers [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] bodies for the repaired Megatron.

==Featured characters==
(Characters in ''italic'' text appear only in flashbacks.)

{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Superion (G1)|Superion]] (10)
*[[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (11)
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] (12)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (13)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (14)
*[[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] (15)
*[[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (16)
*[[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (17)
*[[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] (18)
*[[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] (19)
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (20)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (21)
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (22)
*[[Springer (G1)|Springer]] (23)
*[[Kup (G1)|Kup]] (24)
*[[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] (25)
*''[[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]]'' (26)

|c2=
*[[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] (4)
*[[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] (5)
*[[Sweep (G1)|Sweep]]s (6)
*[[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] (8)
*[[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] (9)
*''[[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]]'' (27)
*''[[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]]'' (28)
*[[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (29)
*[[Air Warrior]] (35)

|c4=
*[[Kranix (G1)|Kranix]] (1)
*[[Arblus]] (2)
*[[Unicron]] (3)
*[[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]] (7)
*[[Allicon]]s (30)
*[[Firestar (G1)|Firestar]] (31)
*[[Moonracer (G1)|Moonracer]] (32)
*[[Quintesson]]s (33)
*[[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] (34)
}}

==Notes==
* The letters column of [[Black Sunshine|issue #2]] mentioned that issue #0 will never be reprinted, and, to date, that statement is true—although this has a lot to do with [[IDW Publishing]]'s reluctance to reprint even completed arcs of those series still ongoing when Dreamwave folded due to the bankrupt company's failure to pay creators working on them, meaning ''none'' of the series has been collected! And it looks like they changed their minds since this issue was scheduled to be included in the ''Transformers Generation One Volume 0: Micromasters and More''. <ref>[https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/189710510X/ref=wl_it_dp/103-2749119-9393451?_encoding=UTF8&amp%3Bcoliid=I1EO0C81PAHBZM&amp%3Bv=glance&amp%3Bcolid=1267B51I2TF8H&tag=transformers-20 Transformers 0: Micromasters and More's Amazon Listing]"</ref> (Though since the collection never made it to print the statement is still true)

===Continuity notes===
*Unicron was woken up by Shockwave's machinations back in "[[Countdown to Extinction (issue)|Countdown to Extinction]]". Unlike previous continuities, it seems the planet eater's motivation this time is ''not'' to gnosh on Cybertron, but Earth. Why, and whatever the mysterious "it" that is drawing him to Earth that the Quintessons are after is, is another of those plot points that went unexplained before Dreamwave folded.
* Shockwave's encounter with, and subsequent back-stabbing-of, Scourge was first glimpsed in "[[Cold War (issue)|Cold War]]". Scourge is also the one responsible for reviving Shockwave from the [[Great Shutdown]], previously seen during his flashback in "[[Revelation (War and Peace)|Revelation]]". Scourge appeared on Earth seconds before getting shot by Shockers in "[[New World Order]]". "Cold War" also showed that Scourge had been appropriated by humans, with Jazz's team unaware of this. This issue adds the additional detail that whoever these humans are, they've also got the remains of [[Superion (G1)|Superion]], who flew into a [[Nuclear weapon|nuke]] in "[[Prime Directive issue 6]]", and [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], last seen falling into the water after being blasted in the face by Prime in "[[Prime Directive issue 5]]", as well. It turns out Devastator's not waterproof. Despite ''totally being waterproof.''
**However, ''[[The Transformers Trilogy]]'' revealed Superion's remains to have been collected and taken into custody by [[Hugo Fortuna]], while Devastator, in stasis lock, had been found floating in outer space and brought back to Earth by the secret U.S. government starship ''[[Bounty]]''.
*Additionally, the flashback of Shockwave's attack by Sharkticons at the time never really explained what they were doing on Cybertron. Now we know.
*Shockwave forcibly seized the Matrix from Optimus back in "Countdown to Extinction". Despite the next issue showing Optimus apparently being fine, it turns out his injuries were rather move severe than they looked. He'll be out of action for the remainder of Dreamwave's continuity.
*Among the montage of the chaos of the previous two years is the destruction of the ''Ark II'', as happened in the backstory of ''Prime Directive'', and Ultra Magnus shedding his armor (a dramatized depiction of events from ''War and Peace'')
*The Quints want revenge on Megatron for an unspecified betrayal. The later-published [[Transformers: War Within: The Age of Wrath|War Within: The Age of Wrath]] would show Megatron and the Quintessons had worked together at a point in the past, which ended in some mutual back-stabbing.
*The bodies which Wreck-Gar collects are likely leftover drones from the [[Air Warrior|Aerospace Extermination Squadron]].
*Starscream nearly killed Megatron in "New World Order", but Wreck-Gar found and revived him at the end of "[[Revelation (War and Peace)|Revelation]]". He's doing a lot better now, but with the addition of funky black speech bubbles.

===Transformers references===
* Lithone is destroyed at the start of the issue, much like in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', however it is unknown if there were any survivors in this continuity. Doesn't look like it, though.
*The depiction of Unicron's interior also takes a lot of visual cues from the movie, including his ring and spines lighting up after he's consumed a planet, and the interior having a sphere covered in TV screens.
*The guards of the Quintessons aren't identified by name, but they are Firestar and Moonracer, previously only seen in the ''Transformers'' episode "[[The Search for Alpha Trion]]".

===Real-life references===
* Wreck-Gar is singing the song "Heigh-Ho" from ''{{w|Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937 film)|Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs}}'' and he later quotes {{w|Ricky Ricardo}}. This is the first known example in ''Transformers'' canon of Megatron being referred to as "Lucy".

===Other notes===
* The "[[Wavelengths]]" page has an article from the desk of [[Alan Wang]].
* Reader mail was answered in the "Prime Transmissions" section by writer [[Adam Patyk]] and also included a piece of fan-art from [[Frank Milkovich]].

===Covers (2)===
[[File:G1 Vol.3 Issue0 DI.jpg|thumb|It just got more awesome.]]
* '''Cover A:''' Regular cover with Megatron over Earth by [[Pat Lee]]
* '''Cover B:''' Dealer incentive cover with Galvatron over Cybertron by [[Don Figueroa]]

===Advertisements===
* [[Night of the Combaticons|''Generation One'' ongoing #1]]
* [[Transformers: Energon (comic)|''Energon'' series]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Dreamwave Generation 1 issues]]

James McDonough

2026-04-11T08:18:47Z

WillR113: /* History */

{{disambig3.5|the Dreamwave writer|other people called James|James (disambiguation)|Brad|other people known as Brad}}
{{mainpic}}

'''James McDonough''' (sometimes credited as '''Brad Mick''') is an American comic book writer. He was a writer on some of [[Dreamwave Productions]]' ''Transformers'' comics. At one point, he was also listed as "Creative Director" for the company.<ref>''Mega Man'' #1, September 2013 credits him as such.</ref>

==History==
McDonough's first "official" encounter with the ''Transformers'' was in 1997. By this time, he was running a surf shop in North Carolina when he received a cease-and-desist order for slapping Transformers logos on shirts, hats, surfboards and other things he was selling.<ref>[https://archive.md/bwqfu#selection-560.0-560.1 Comic Book Resources' "The Comic Wire" interviews "Brad Mick"]</ref> Later he worked for ''Wizard: The Comics Magazine'', where he would meet his future writing partner, [[Adam Patyk]]. Both of them tried to push for coverage of Transformers-related materials and eventually established contacts with Dreamwave Productions representatives through magazine-related contacts and conventions.

When Dreamwave wanted to intensify their relationship with a larger, unnamed company, McDonough was hired to act as a "Creative Director" for Dreamwave.<ref name="nrama">[http://web.archive.org/web/20110311040545/http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?threadid=39073 Newsarama interview with McDonough and Patyk] (archive copy)</ref> When it was decided that [[Chris Sarracini]] would not write the [[War and Peace|second ''Generation 1'' volume]], contrary to what had been originally intended, McDonough was asked to write an entirely new story.<ref>[http://tformers.com/article.php?sid=1051 TFormers citing a ''Wizard Edge'' article that hints at the originally proposed plot for Dreamwave's Transformers: Generation 1 vol. 2]</ref> For a while, he would go by the alias "Brad Mick" to distinguish between his double duties, even going so far as referring to his "Brad Mick" persona in the third person in interviews. The "Brad Mick" guise first began to crack at a convention in 2003, when different Dreamwave representatives alternatively referred to McDonough by both names.<ref>[https://archive.md/IUqzX Lying in the Gutters uncovering the true identity of "Brad Mick"]</ref>

With [[Original Sin|issue #5]] of the [[Transformers: Generation 1 (Dreamwave)|third ''Generation One'' volume]] (now an ongoing title), McDonough brought his former ''Wizard'' colleague, Adam Patyk, on board, now forming a writing duo. With the [[Atonement|following issue]], McDonough would start using his real name, initially being credited as "James 'Brad Mick' McDonough", finally dropping the "Brad Mick" alias for good with [[Lost and Found (issue)|issue 9]]. In addition, McDonough and Patyk also wrote the eight-issue ''[[Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More Than Meets The Eye]]'' limited series of profile books for [[The Transformers (franchise)|Generation 1]] characters and the three-issue ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'' [[More than Meets the Eye: Transformers: Armada|counterpart]], the four-issue ''[[Transformers: Micromasters|Micromasters]]'' mini-series and the [[Welcome to the Jungle|''2004 Summer Special'']], as well as various non-Transformers-related titles published by Dreamwave, such as ''Custom Robo'' and ''Devil May Cry''. Lastly, the two were supposed to write the crossover ''[[Transformers/G.I. Joe: Divided Front]]'' (of which ultimately only one issue would be released) and a solicited [[Beast Wars (comic)#Dreamwave Productions|''Beast Wars'' mini-series]].

In late 2003/early 2004, Dreamwave started to delay payments for McDonough and Patyk, initially coming up with various excuses while at the same time assigning the two with additional work. Despite their threats to leave the company, McDonough and Patyk were repeatedly asked to stay in order to resolve the problems at hand. Eventually, Dreamwave's debt with the two writers would total over $40,000. When they threatened legal action in mid-2004, they were fired by Dreamwave,<ref name="nrama"/> with the latter trying to suppress this delicate bit of information.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110702153555/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&col=1&old=1&column=litg&article=2033 Lying in the Gutters reporting on Dreamwave's attempt to contain information about Patyk and McDonough's firing]</ref> Their unpublished stories were supposed to be rewritten by Chris Sarracini (''Generation One'') and [[Simon Furman]] (''Beast Wars''), while McDonough and Patyk filed a lawsuit against Dreamwave.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20111228061648/http://www.tformers.com/article.php?sid=3842 TFormers.com quoting a statement by Patyk and McDonough]</ref>

The case would ultimately never be settled, as Dreamwave officially filed for bankruptcy in early 2005. Meanwhile, McDonough and Patyk refused to offer any kind of public closure to their planned storylines unless they were paid the money they felt they were owed by Dreamwave.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-comics-discussion/89879-dws-g1-story-speculation-thread-3.html#post801894 McDonough and Patyk commenting on the lack of closure to their Dreamwave plotlines at TFW2005]</ref>

The pair continue to do freelance writing, mainly for video games, as "The Enemy".

==Writing credits==
===Comics===

====Single writing credit (as "Brad Mick")====
* ''[[War and Peace|Transformers: Generation 1 vol. 2: War and Peace]]'': [[New World Order|#1]], [[Brothers' Burden|#2]], [[Cold War (issue)|#3]], [[Passive Aggression|#4]], [[Countdown to Extinction (issue)|#5]], [[Revelation (War and Peace)|#6]]
* ''[[Transformers: Generation 1 (Dreamwave)|Transformers: Generation One (vol. 3)]]'': [[Generation 1 issue 0|#0]], [[Night of the Combaticons|#1]], [[Black Sunshine|#2]], [[Skyfire (issue)|#3]], [[Generation One issue 4|#4]]

====Shared writing credit with Adam Patyk====
* ''[[Transformers: More than Meets the Eye]]'' #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8
* ''[[More than Meets the Eye: Transformers: Armada]]'': #1, #2, #3
* ''[[Transformers: Generation 1 (Dreamwave)|Transformers: Generation One (vol. 3)]]'': [[Original Sin|#5]], [[Atonement|#6]], [[Infestation (Dreamwave)|#7]], [[Extermination|#8]], [[Lost and Found (issue)|#9]], [[The Route of All Evil|#10]]
* ''[[Transformers: Micromasters]]'': [[Destined for Nothing|#1]], [[The Gray Race|#2]], [[Recipe for Hate|#3]], [[Victims of the Revolution|#4]]
* ''[[20th Anniversary Transformers Summer Special]]'': Individual stories "[[Welcome to the Jungle]]" (G1), [[Ultra Magnus...to the Rescue?]] ([[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]), [[Ain't No Rat]] (Beast Wars)
* [[Transformers/G.I. Joe: Divided Front]]: [[Targets of Opportunity|#1]]

{{Note|The exact credits for the joint works with Patyk are as follows: "Brad Mick" for ''Generation One'' (vol. 3) #5, ''More Than Meets the Eye'' (G1) #1–8, ''More Than Meets the Eye'' (Armada) #1–3 and the ''Transformers Summer Special''; "James 'Brad Mick' McDonough" for ''Generation One'' (vol. 3) #6–8 and ''Micromasters'' #1–2; and simply "James McDonough" for Generation One (vol. 3) #9–10 and ''Micromasters'' #3–4.}}

===Games===
*''[[Transformers (Glu)|Transformers]]'' (mobile game)
*''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (Glu)|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen]]'' (mobile game)

==Notes==
* McDonough and Patyk wrote for issue #20 of Archie Comics' ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (video game)|Sonic X]]'' series in 2007, in which [[Sonic the Hedgehog (character)|Sonic]] had to battle a very clearly ''Transformers''-inspired [[Robotnik|Eggman]] robot that transformed into a race car.

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

==External links==
*[http://www.theenemystrikes.com/ The Enemy website]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mcdonough, James}}
[[Category:Dreamwave Productions]]
[[Category:Writers]]

James McDonough

2026-04-11T08:14:45Z

WillR113: Updated the dead links with archived versions

{{disambig3.5|the Dreamwave writer|other people called James|James (disambiguation)|Brad|other people known as Brad}}
{{mainpic}}

'''James McDonough''' (sometimes credited as '''Brad Mick''') is an American comic book writer. He was a writer on some of [[Dreamwave Productions]]' ''Transformers'' comics. At one point, he was also listed as "Creative Director" for the company.<ref>''Mega Man'' #1, September 2013 credits him as such.</ref>

==History==
McDonough's first "official" encounter with the ''Transformers'' was in 1997. By this time, he was running a surf shop in North Carolina when he received a cease-and-desist order for slapping Transformers logos on shirts, hats, surfboards and other things he was selling.<ref>[https://archive.md/bwqfu#selection-560.0-560.1 Comic Book Resources' "The Comic Wire" interviews "Brad Mick"]</ref> Later he worked for ''Wizard: The Comics Magazine'', where he would meet his future writing partner, [[Adam Patyk]]. Both of them tried to push for coverage of Transformers-related materials and eventually established contacts with Dreamwave Productions representatives through magazine-related contacts and conventions.

When Dreamwave wanted to intensify their relationship with a larger, unnamed company, McDonough was hired to act as a "Creative Director" for Dreamwave.<ref name="nrama">[http://web.archive.org/web/20110311040545/http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?threadid=39073 Newsarama interview with McDonough and Patyk] (archive copy)</ref> When it was decided that [[Chris Sarracini]] would not write the [[War and Peace|second ''Generation 1'' volume]], contrary to what had been originally intended, McDonough was asked to write an entirely new story.<ref>[http://tformers.com/article.php?sid=1051 TFormers citing a ''Wizard Edge'' article that hints at the originally proposed plot for Dreamwave's Transformers: Generation 1 vol. 2]</ref> For a while, he would go by the alias "Brad Mick" to distinguish between his double duties, even going so far as referring to his "Brad Mick" persona in the third person in interviews. The "Brad Mick" guise first began to crack at a convention in 2003, when different Dreamwave representatives alternatively referred to McDonough by both names.<ref>[https://archive.md/IUqzX Lying in the Gutters uncovering the true identity of "Brad Mick"]</ref>

With [[Original Sin|issue #5]] of the [[Transformers: Generation 1 (Dreamwave)|third ''Generation One'' volume]] (now an ongoing title), McDonough brought his former ''Wizard'' colleague, Adam Patyk, on board, now forming a writing duo. With the [[Atonement|following issue]], McDonough would start using his real name, initially being credited as "James 'Brad Mick' McDonough", finally dropping the "Brad Mick" alias for good with [[Lost and Found (issue)|issue 9]]. In addition, McDonough and Patyk also wrote the eight-issue ''[[Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More Than Meets The Eye]]'' limited series of profile books for [[The Transformers (franchise)|Generation 1]] characters and the three-issue ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'' [[More than Meets the Eye: Transformers: Armada|counterpart]], the four-issue ''[[Transformers: Micromasters|Micromasters]]'' mini-series and the [[Welcome to the Jungle|''2004 Summer Special'']], as well as various non-Transformers-related titles published by Dreamwave, such as ''Custom Robo'' and ''Devil May Cry''. Lastly, the two were supposed to write the crossover ''[[Transformers/G.I. Joe: Divided Front]]'' (of which ultimately only one issue would be released) and a solicited [[Beast Wars (comic)#Dreamwave Productions|''Beast Wars'' mini-series]].

In late 2003/early 2004, Dreamwave started to delay payments for McDonough and Patyk, initially coming up with various excuses while at the same time assigning the two with additional work. Despite their threats to leave the company, McDonough and Patyk were repeatedly asked to stay in order to resolve the problems at hand. Eventually, Dreamwave's debt with the two writers would total over $40,000. When they threatened legal action in mid-2004, they were fired by Dreamwave,<ref name="nrama"/> with the latter trying to suppress this delicate bit of information.<ref>[http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&col=1&old=1&column=litg&article=2033 Lying in the Gutters reporting on Dreamwave's attempt to contain information about Patyk and McDonough's firing]</ref> Their unpublished stories were supposed to be rewritten by Chris Sarracini (''Generation One'') and [[Simon Furman]] (''Beast Wars''), while McDonough and Patyk filed a lawsuit against Dreamwave.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20111228061648/http://www.tformers.com/article.php?sid=3842 TFormers.com quoting a statement by Patyk and McDonough]</ref>

The case would ultimately never be settled, as Dreamwave officially filed for bankruptcy in early 2005. Meanwhile, McDonough and Patyk refused to offer any kind of public closure to their planned storylines unless they were paid the money they felt they were owed by Dreamwave.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-comics-discussion/89879-dws-g1-story-speculation-thread-3.html#post801894 McDonough and Patyk commenting on the lack of closure to their Dreamwave plotlines at TFW2005]</ref>

The pair continue to do freelance writing, mainly for video games, as "The Enemy".

==Writing credits==
===Comics===

====Single writing credit (as "Brad Mick")====
* ''[[War and Peace|Transformers: Generation 1 vol. 2: War and Peace]]'': [[New World Order|#1]], [[Brothers' Burden|#2]], [[Cold War (issue)|#3]], [[Passive Aggression|#4]], [[Countdown to Extinction (issue)|#5]], [[Revelation (War and Peace)|#6]]
* ''[[Transformers: Generation 1 (Dreamwave)|Transformers: Generation One (vol. 3)]]'': [[Generation 1 issue 0|#0]], [[Night of the Combaticons|#1]], [[Black Sunshine|#2]], [[Skyfire (issue)|#3]], [[Generation One issue 4|#4]]

====Shared writing credit with Adam Patyk====
* ''[[Transformers: More than Meets the Eye]]'' #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8
* ''[[More than Meets the Eye: Transformers: Armada]]'': #1, #2, #3
* ''[[Transformers: Generation 1 (Dreamwave)|Transformers: Generation One (vol. 3)]]'': [[Original Sin|#5]], [[Atonement|#6]], [[Infestation (Dreamwave)|#7]], [[Extermination|#8]], [[Lost and Found (issue)|#9]], [[The Route of All Evil|#10]]
* ''[[Transformers: Micromasters]]'': [[Destined for Nothing|#1]], [[The Gray Race|#2]], [[Recipe for Hate|#3]], [[Victims of the Revolution|#4]]
* ''[[20th Anniversary Transformers Summer Special]]'': Individual stories "[[Welcome to the Jungle]]" (G1), [[Ultra Magnus...to the Rescue?]] ([[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]), [[Ain't No Rat]] (Beast Wars)
* [[Transformers/G.I. Joe: Divided Front]]: [[Targets of Opportunity|#1]]

{{Note|The exact credits for the joint works with Patyk are as follows: "Brad Mick" for ''Generation One'' (vol. 3) #5, ''More Than Meets the Eye'' (G1) #1–8, ''More Than Meets the Eye'' (Armada) #1–3 and the ''Transformers Summer Special''; "James 'Brad Mick' McDonough" for ''Generation One'' (vol. 3) #6–8 and ''Micromasters'' #1–2; and simply "James McDonough" for Generation One (vol. 3) #9–10 and ''Micromasters'' #3–4.}}

===Games===
*''[[Transformers (Glu)|Transformers]]'' (mobile game)
*''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (Glu)|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen]]'' (mobile game)

==Notes==
* McDonough and Patyk wrote for issue #20 of Archie Comics' ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (video game)|Sonic X]]'' series in 2007, in which [[Sonic the Hedgehog (character)|Sonic]] had to battle a very clearly ''Transformers''-inspired [[Robotnik|Eggman]] robot that transformed into a race car.

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

==External links==
*[http://www.theenemystrikes.com/ The Enemy website]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mcdonough, James}}
[[Category:Dreamwave Productions]]
[[Category:Writers]]

Adam Patyk

2026-04-11T08:07:38Z

WillR113: Updated the dead links with archived versions

'''Adam Patyk''' is a comic book writer. He was [[James McDonough]]'s writing partner on some of [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]]'s ''Transformers'' comics.

==History==
Patyk was a longtime Transformers fan, even posting at [[alt.toys.transformers]] for a while. Later, he would work for ''ToyFare'' and ''Wizard: The Comics Magazine'' (including editorial work for Wizard Entertainment's sub-label ''Black Bull Comics''), where he would meet his future writing partner, [[James McDonough]]. Both of them tried to push for coverage of Transformers-related materials and eventually established contacts with [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] representatives through magazine-related contacts and conventions.<ref name="nrama">[http://web.archive.org/web/20110311040545/http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?threadid=39073 Newsarama interview with McDonough and Patyk] (archive copy)</ref>

For the eight-issue ''[[Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More Than Meets The Eye]]'' limited series of profile books for [[The Transformers (franchise)|Generation 1]] characters, McDonough (who was writing under the pseudonym "Brad Mick" at that time while acting as Dreamwave's "Creative Director" under his real name) suggested Dreamwave hire Patyk as the primary writer. Following the ''More than Meets the Eye'' mini, Patyk would join McDonough on the [[Transformers: Generation 1 (Dreamwave)|third ''Generation 1'' volume]] starting with [[Original Sin|issue #5]]. In addition, Patyk and McDonough also wrote the three-issue ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'' [[More than Meets the Eye: Transformers: Armada|counterpart of the ''More Than Meets The Eye'' profile books]], the four-issue ''[[Transformers: Micromasters|Micromasters]]'' mini-series and the [[Welcome to the Jungle|''2004 Summer Special'']], as well as various non-Transformers-related titles published by Dreamwave, such as ''Custom Robo'' and ''Devil May Cry''. Lastly, the two were supposed to write the crossover ''[[Transformers/G.I. Joe: Divided Front]]'' (of which ultimately only one issue would be released) and a solicited ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'' mini-series.

In late 2003/early 2004, Dreamwave started to delay payments for Patyk and McDonough, initially coming up with various excuses while at the same time assigning the two with additional work. Despite their threats to leave the company, Patyk and McDonough were repeatedly asked to stay in order to resolve the problems at hand. Eventually, Dreamwave's debt with the two writers would total over $40,000. When they threatened legal action in mid-2004, they were fired by Dreamwave,<ref name="nrama"/> with the latter trying to suppress this delicate bit of information.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20081007043501/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=14818 Lying in the Gutters reporting on Dreamwave's attempt to contain information about Patyk and McDonough's firing]</ref> Their unpublished stories were supposed to be rewritten by [[Chris Sarracini]] (''Generation One'') and [[Simon Furman]] (''Beast Wars''), while Patyk and McDonough filed a lawsuit against Dreamwave.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20111228061648/http://www.tformers.com/article.php?sid=3842 TFormers.com quoting a statement by Patyk and McDonough]</ref>

The case would ultimately never be settled, as Dreamwave officially filed for bankruptcy in early 2005. Meanwhile, Patyk and McDonough refused to offer any kind of public closure to their planned storylines unless they were paid the money they felt they were owed by Dreamwave.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/showpost.php?p=801894&postcount=57 McDonough and Patyk commenting on the lack of closure to their Dreamwave plotlines at TFW2005]</ref>

The pair continue to do freelance writing, mainly for video games, as "The Enemy".

==Writing credits==
===Comics===
* ''[[Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye]]'' #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8
* ''[[More than Meets the Eye: Transformers: Armada]]'': #1, #2, #3
* [[Transformers: Generation 1 (Dreamwave)|''Transformers: Generation One'' (vol. 3)]]: [[Original Sin|#5]], [[Atonement|#6]], [[Infestation (Dreamwave)|#7]], [[Extermination|#8]], [[Lost and Found (issue)|#9]], [[The Route of All Evil|#10]]
* ''[[Transformers: Micromasters]]'': [[Destined for Nothing|#1]], [[The Gray Race|#2]], [[Recipe for Hate|#3]], [[Victims of the Revolution|#4]]
* ''[[20th Anniversary Transformers Summer Special]]'': Individual stories "[[Welcome to the Jungle]]" (G1), "[[Ultra Magnus...to the Rescue?]]" (''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]''), "[[Ain't No Rat]]" (''Beast Wars'')
* ''[[Transformers/G.I. Joe: Divided Front]]'': [[Targets of Opportunity|#1]]

{{Note|Patyk shares a writing credit with James McDonough on all these stories, the latter being also credited as "Brad Mick" or "James 'Brad Mick' McDonough" in some instances.}}

===Games===
*''[[Transformers (Glu)|Transformers]]'' (mobile game)
*''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (Glu)|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen]]'' (mobile game)

==Notes==
* McDonough and Patyk wrote for issue #20 of Archie Comics' ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (video game)|Sonic X]]'' series in 2007, in which [[Sonic the Hedgehog (character)|Sonic]] had to battle a very clearly ''Transformers''-inspired [[Robotnik|Eggman]] robot that transformed into a race car.

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

==External links==
*[http://www.theenemystrikes.com/ The Enemy website]

[[Category:Dreamwave Productions|Patyk, Adam]]
[[Category:Writers|Patyk, Adam]]

Generation 1 issue 0

2026-04-11T07:24:29Z

WillR113: /* Notes */

{{comicstory|seriesissue=''[[Transformers: Generation 1 (Dreamwave)|Transformers: Generation 1]]'' Volume 3 #0
|prev=Revelation (War and Peace)
|next=Night of the Combaticons
|image=G1 Vol.3 Issue0 1.jpg
|caption=It doesn't get much more awesome than this.
|publisher=[[Dreamwave Productions]]
|date=[[January 2]], [[2004]]
|coverdate=December 2003
|story=[[James McDonough|Brad Mick]]
|pencils=[[Pat Lee]], [[Don Figueroa]], [[Joe Ng]]
|inks=[[Elaine To]], [[Rob Armstrong]], [[Erik Sander]]
|colors=[[Espen Grundetjern]], [[Rob Ruffolo]], [[David Cheung]], [[Jong-im Winterbell Lee|Jong-Im Lee]], [[Elliot Kravchik]], [[Sigmund Torre]]
|letters=[[Ben Lee]]
|chronology=[[Dreamwave timeline|Modern era]]
|continuity=[[Dreamwave Generation One continuity|Dreamwave continuity]]
}}
'''With Cybertron freed from Shockwave's control, events in the rest of the universe gather pace, and more of Cybertron's mysterious past is revealed.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:Superion dreamwave.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Worst... dentists... ever!]]

A collective of seemingly all-knowing entities monitor events and ongoings in the universe.

[[Unicron|A monstrous predator]] travels though space, reawakened and hungry for nourishment, consuming the planet [[Lithone (planet)|Lithone]]. The entities watching this note that it is moving faster than they anticipated, and worse, growing stronger with each planet it consumes. The entities determine it's heading for [[Earth]], doubtless seeking the same thing as they are. In the meantime, it's using the resources it has acquired to create new forms of life, stronger and more dangerous than its previous efforts. Inside the monstrosity, [[Cyclonus (G1)| the first of these]] creations bursts forth from its pod.

One of entities asks after the first wave, the one sent out before "it" went into hibernation. That scattered across the cosmos to cover as much territory as possible, with the Alpha Drone, [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] finding [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], with its inhabitants all deactivated. They determine Scourge was the one who reactivated [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] in an attempt to gain information, only to reveal himself saving Shockwave from an extermination unit of [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]] left behind by their masters, at which point Shockwave shot him in the back. The entities theorize that studying Scourge is how Shockwave managed to acquire so much knowledge about Cybertron and its origins. They also speculate about how Scourge was recently seen on Earth, but are unclear on how he could've escaped Shockwave's clutches. All they know is that it was incapacitated by Shockwave and taken in by the planet's inhabitants, along with the remains of the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] and the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]].

Some of Optimus Prime's forces remain in hiding on Earth, and have recently gotten in contact with Cybertron, where Optimus is still in a weakened state after his battle with Shockwave. One of the entities observes that much has occurred over the last two years, but another notes the benefits for them. The chaos has allowed them to remain hidden, and collect enough data to get close to their real objective, and the chance to strike. The only real loose end is Megatron, missing since his apparent death after Shockwave arrived on Earth. Despite their best efforts, the inhabitants of [[Quintessa (planet)|Quintessa]] have yet to find his corpse. But they aren't too concerned. Sooner or later, Megatron will face the judgement of the Quintessons, no matter where he's hiding.

On the [[Junkion (planet)|Planet of Junk]], [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] recovers [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] bodies for the repaired Megatron.

==Featured characters==
(Characters in ''italic'' text appear only in flashbacks.)

{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Superion (G1)|Superion]] (10)
*[[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (11)
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] (12)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (13)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (14)
*[[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] (15)
*[[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (16)
*[[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (17)
*[[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] (18)
*[[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] (19)
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (20)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (21)
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (22)
*[[Springer (G1)|Springer]] (23)
*[[Kup (G1)|Kup]] (24)
*[[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] (25)
*''[[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]]'' (26)

|c2=
*[[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] (4)
*[[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] (5)
*[[Sweep (G1)|Sweep]]s (6)
*[[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] (8)
*[[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] (9)
*''[[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]]'' (27)
*''[[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]]'' (28)
*[[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (29)
*[[Air Warrior]] (35)

|c4=
*[[Kranix (G1)|Kranix]] (1)
*[[Arblus]] (2)
*[[Unicron]] (3)
*[[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]] (7)
*[[Allicon]]s (30)
*[[Firestar (G1)|Firestar]] (31)
*[[Moonracer (G1)|Moonracer]] (32)
*[[Quintesson]]s (33)
*[[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] (34)
}}

==Notes==
* The letters column of [[Black Sunshine|issue #2]] mentioned that issue #0 will never be reprinted, and, to date, that statement is true—although this has a lot to do with [[IDW Publishing]]'s reluctance to reprint even completed arcs of those series still ongoing when Dreamwave folded due to the bankrupt company's failure to pay creators working on them, meaning ''none'' of the series has been collected! And it looks like they changed their minds since this issue was scheduled to be included in the ''Transformers Generation One Volume 0: Micromasters and More''. <ref>[https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/189710510X/ref=wl_it_dp/103-2749119-9393451?_encoding=UTF8&amp%3Bcoliid=I1EO0C81PAHBZM&amp%3Bv=glance&amp%3Bcolid=1267B51I2TF8H&tag=transformers-20 Transformers 0: Minicons and More's Amazon Listing]"</ref> (Though since the collection never made it to print the statement is still true)

===Continuity notes===
*Unicron was woken up by Shockwave's machinations back in "[[Countdown to Extinction (issue)|Countdown to Extinction]]". Unlike previous continuities, it seems the planet eater's motivation this time is ''not'' to gnosh on Cybertron, but Earth. Why, and whatever the mysterious "it" that is drawing him to Earth that the Quintessons are after is, is another of those plot points that went unexplained before Dreamwave folded.
* Shockwave's encounter with, and subsequent back-stabbing-of, Scourge was first glimpsed in "[[Cold War (issue)|Cold War]]". Scourge is also the one responsible for reviving Shockwave from the [[Great Shutdown]], previously seen during his flashback in "[[Revelation (War and Peace)|Revelation]]". Scourge appeared on Earth seconds before getting shot by Shockers in "[[New World Order]]". "Cold War" also showed that Scourge had been appropriated by humans, with Jazz's team unaware of this. This issue adds the additional detail that whoever these humans are, they've also got the remains of [[Superion (G1)|Superion]], who flew into a [[Nuclear weapon|nuke]] in "[[Prime Directive issue 6]]", and [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], last seen falling into the water after being blasted in the face by Prime in "[[Prime Directive issue 5]]", as well. It turns out Devastator's not waterproof. Despite ''totally being waterproof.''
**However, ''[[The Transformers Trilogy]]'' revealed Superion's remains to have been collected and taken into custody by [[Hugo Fortuna]], while Devastator, in stasis lock, had been found floating in outer space and brought back to Earth by the secret U.S. government starship ''[[Bounty]]''.
*Additionally, the flashback of Shockwave's attack by Sharkticons at the time never really explained what they were doing on Cybertron. Now we know.
*Shockwave forcibly seized the Matrix from Optimus back in "Countdown to Extinction". Despite the next issue showing Optimus apparently being fine, it turns out his injuries were rather move severe than they looked. He'll be out of action for the remainder of Dreamwave's continuity.
*Among the montage of the chaos of the previous two years is the destruction of the ''Ark II'', as happened in the backstory of ''Prime Directive'', and Ultra Magnus shedding his armor (a dramatized depiction of events from ''War and Peace'')
*The Quints want revenge on Megatron for an unspecified betrayal. The later-published [[Transformers: War Within: The Age of Wrath|War Within: The Age of Wrath]] would show Megatron and the Quintessons had worked together at a point in the past, which ended in some mutual back-stabbing.
*The bodies which Wreck-Gar collects are likely leftover drones from the [[Air Warrior|Aerospace Extermination Squadron]].
*Starscream nearly killed Megatron in "New World Order", but Wreck-Gar found and revived him at the end of "[[Revelation (War and Peace)|Revelation]]". He's doing a lot better now, but with the addition of funky black speech bubbles.

===Transformers references===
* Lithone is destroyed at the start of the issue, much like in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', however it is unknown if there were any survivors in this continuity. Doesn't look like it, though.
*The depiction of Unicron's interior also takes a lot of visual cues from the movie, including his ring and spines lighting up after he's consumed a planet, and the interior having a sphere covered in TV screens.
*The guards of the Quintessons aren't identified by name, but they are Firestar and Moonracer, previously only seen in the ''Transformers'' episode "[[The Search for Alpha Trion]]".

===Real-life references===
* Wreck-Gar is singing the song "Heigh-Ho" from ''{{w|Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937 film)|Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs}}'' and he later quotes {{w|Ricky Ricardo}}. This is the first known example in ''Transformers'' canon of Megatron being referred to as "Lucy".

===Other notes===
* The "[[Wavelengths]]" page has an article from the desk of [[Alan Wang]].
* Reader mail was answered in the "Prime Transmissions" section by writer [[Adam Patyk]] and also included a piece of fan-art from [[Frank Milkovich]].

===Covers (2)===
[[File:G1 Vol.3 Issue0 DI.jpg|thumb|It just got more awesome.]]
* '''Cover A:''' Regular cover with Megatron over Earth by [[Pat Lee]]
* '''Cover B:''' Dealer incentive cover with Galvatron over Cybertron by [[Don Figueroa]]

===Advertisements===
* [[Night of the Combaticons|''Generation One'' ongoing #1]]
* [[Transformers: Energon (comic)|''Energon'' series]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Dreamwave Generation 1 issues]]

Generation 1 issue 0

2026-04-11T07:19:13Z

WillR113:

{{comicstory|seriesissue=''[[Transformers: Generation 1 (Dreamwave)|Transformers: Generation 1]]'' Volume 3 #0
|prev=Revelation (War and Peace)
|next=Night of the Combaticons
|image=G1 Vol.3 Issue0 1.jpg
|caption=It doesn't get much more awesome than this.
|publisher=[[Dreamwave Productions]]
|date=[[January 2]], [[2004]]
|coverdate=December 2003
|story=[[James McDonough|Brad Mick]]
|pencils=[[Pat Lee]], [[Don Figueroa]], [[Joe Ng]]
|inks=[[Elaine To]], [[Rob Armstrong]], [[Erik Sander]]
|colors=[[Espen Grundetjern]], [[Rob Ruffolo]], [[David Cheung]], [[Jong-im Winterbell Lee|Jong-Im Lee]], [[Elliot Kravchik]], [[Sigmund Torre]]
|letters=[[Ben Lee]]
|chronology=[[Dreamwave timeline|Modern era]]
|continuity=[[Dreamwave Generation One continuity|Dreamwave continuity]]
}}
'''With Cybertron freed from Shockwave's control, events in the rest of the universe gather pace, and more of Cybertron's mysterious past is revealed.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:Superion dreamwave.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Worst... dentists... ever!]]

A collective of seemingly all-knowing entities monitor events and ongoings in the universe.

[[Unicron|A monstrous predator]] travels though space, reawakened and hungry for nourishment, consuming the planet [[Lithone (planet)|Lithone]]. The entities watching this note that it is moving faster than they anticipated, and worse, growing stronger with each planet it consumes. The entities determine it's heading for [[Earth]], doubtless seeking the same thing as they are. In the meantime, it's using the resources it has acquired to create new forms of life, stronger and more dangerous than its previous efforts. Inside the monstrosity, [[Cyclonus (G1)| the first of these]] creations bursts forth from its pod.

One of entities asks after the first wave, the one sent out before "it" went into hibernation. That scattered across the cosmos to cover as much territory as possible, with the Alpha Drone, [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] finding [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], with its inhabitants all deactivated. They determine Scourge was the one who reactivated [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] in an attempt to gain information, only to reveal himself saving Shockwave from an extermination unit of [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]] left behind by their masters, at which point Shockwave shot him in the back. The entities theorize that studying Scourge is how Shockwave managed to acquire so much knowledge about Cybertron and its origins. They also speculate about how Scourge was recently seen on Earth, but are unclear on how he could've escaped Shockwave's clutches. All they know is that it was incapacitated by Shockwave and taken in by the planet's inhabitants, along with the remains of the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] and the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]].

Some of Optimus Prime's forces remain in hiding on Earth, and have recently gotten in contact with Cybertron, where Optimus is still in a weakened state after his battle with Shockwave. One of the entities observes that much has occurred over the last two years, but another notes the benefits for them. The chaos has allowed them to remain hidden, and collect enough data to get close to their real objective, and the chance to strike. The only real loose end is Megatron, missing since his apparent death after Shockwave arrived on Earth. Despite their best efforts, the inhabitants of [[Quintessa (planet)|Quintessa]] have yet to find his corpse. But they aren't too concerned. Sooner or later, Megatron will face the judgement of the Quintessons, no matter where he's hiding.

On the [[Junkion (planet)|Planet of Junk]], [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] recovers [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] bodies for the repaired Megatron.

==Featured characters==
(Characters in ''italic'' text appear only in flashbacks.)

{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Superion (G1)|Superion]] (10)
*[[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (11)
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] (12)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (13)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (14)
*[[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] (15)
*[[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (16)
*[[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (17)
*[[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] (18)
*[[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] (19)
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (20)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (21)
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (22)
*[[Springer (G1)|Springer]] (23)
*[[Kup (G1)|Kup]] (24)
*[[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] (25)
*''[[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]]'' (26)

|c2=
*[[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] (4)
*[[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] (5)
*[[Sweep (G1)|Sweep]]s (6)
*[[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] (8)
*[[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] (9)
*''[[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]]'' (27)
*''[[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]]'' (28)
*[[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (29)
*[[Air Warrior]] (35)

|c4=
*[[Kranix (G1)|Kranix]] (1)
*[[Arblus]] (2)
*[[Unicron]] (3)
*[[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]] (7)
*[[Allicon]]s (30)
*[[Firestar (G1)|Firestar]] (31)
*[[Moonracer (G1)|Moonracer]] (32)
*[[Quintesson]]s (33)
*[[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] (34)
}}

==Notes==
* The letters column of [[Black Sunshine|issue #2]] mentioned that issue #0 will never be reprinted, and, to date, that statement is true—although this has a lot to do with [[IDW Publishing]]'s reluctance to reprint even completed arcs of those series still ongoing when Dreamwave folded due to the bankrupt company's failure to pay creators working on them, meaning ''none'' of the series has been collected! And it looks like they changed their minds since this issue was scheduled to be included in the ''Transformers Generation One Volume 0: Minicons and More''. <ref>[https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/189710510X/ref=wl_it_dp/103-2749119-9393451?_encoding=UTF8&amp%3Bcoliid=I1EO0C81PAHBZM&amp%3Bv=glance&amp%3Bcolid=1267B51I2TF8H&tag=transformers-20 Transformers 0: Minicons and More's Amazon Listing]"</ref> (Though since the collection never made it to print the statement is still true)

===Continuity notes===
*Unicron was woken up by Shockwave's machinations back in "[[Countdown to Extinction (issue)|Countdown to Extinction]]". Unlike previous continuities, it seems the planet eater's motivation this time is ''not'' to gnosh on Cybertron, but Earth. Why, and whatever the mysterious "it" that is drawing him to Earth that the Quintessons are after is, is another of those plot points that went unexplained before Dreamwave folded.
* Shockwave's encounter with, and subsequent back-stabbing-of, Scourge was first glimpsed in "[[Cold War (issue)|Cold War]]". Scourge is also the one responsible for reviving Shockwave from the [[Great Shutdown]], previously seen during his flashback in "[[Revelation (War and Peace)|Revelation]]". Scourge appeared on Earth seconds before getting shot by Shockers in "[[New World Order]]". "Cold War" also showed that Scourge had been appropriated by humans, with Jazz's team unaware of this. This issue adds the additional detail that whoever these humans are, they've also got the remains of [[Superion (G1)|Superion]], who flew into a [[Nuclear weapon|nuke]] in "[[Prime Directive issue 6]]", and [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], last seen falling into the water after being blasted in the face by Prime in "[[Prime Directive issue 5]]", as well. It turns out Devastator's not waterproof. Despite ''totally being waterproof.''
**However, ''[[The Transformers Trilogy]]'' revealed Superion's remains to have been collected and taken into custody by [[Hugo Fortuna]], while Devastator, in stasis lock, had been found floating in outer space and brought back to Earth by the secret U.S. government starship ''[[Bounty]]''.
*Additionally, the flashback of Shockwave's attack by Sharkticons at the time never really explained what they were doing on Cybertron. Now we know.
*Shockwave forcibly seized the Matrix from Optimus back in "Countdown to Extinction". Despite the next issue showing Optimus apparently being fine, it turns out his injuries were rather move severe than they looked. He'll be out of action for the remainder of Dreamwave's continuity.
*Among the montage of the chaos of the previous two years is the destruction of the ''Ark II'', as happened in the backstory of ''Prime Directive'', and Ultra Magnus shedding his armor (a dramatized depiction of events from ''War and Peace'')
*The Quints want revenge on Megatron for an unspecified betrayal. The later-published [[Transformers: War Within: The Age of Wrath|War Within: The Age of Wrath]] would show Megatron and the Quintessons had worked together at a point in the past, which ended in some mutual back-stabbing.
*The bodies which Wreck-Gar collects are likely leftover drones from the [[Air Warrior|Aerospace Extermination Squadron]].
*Starscream nearly killed Megatron in "New World Order", but Wreck-Gar found and revived him at the end of "[[Revelation (War and Peace)|Revelation]]". He's doing a lot better now, but with the addition of funky black speech bubbles.

===Transformers references===
* Lithone is destroyed at the start of the issue, much like in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', however it is unknown if there were any survivors in this continuity. Doesn't look like it, though.
*The depiction of Unicron's interior also takes a lot of visual cues from the movie, including his ring and spines lighting up after he's consumed a planet, and the interior having a sphere covered in TV screens.
*The guards of the Quintessons aren't identified by name, but they are Firestar and Moonracer, previously only seen in the ''Transformers'' episode "[[The Search for Alpha Trion]]".

===Real-life references===
* Wreck-Gar is singing the song "Heigh-Ho" from ''{{w|Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937 film)|Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs}}'' and he later quotes {{w|Ricky Ricardo}}. This is the first known example in ''Transformers'' canon of Megatron being referred to as "Lucy".

===Other notes===
* The "[[Wavelengths]]" page has an article from the desk of [[Alan Wang]].
* Reader mail was answered in the "Prime Transmissions" section by writer [[Adam Patyk]] and also included a piece of fan-art from [[Frank Milkovich]].

===Covers (2)===
[[File:G1 Vol.3 Issue0 DI.jpg|thumb|It just got more awesome.]]
* '''Cover A:''' Regular cover with Megatron over Earth by [[Pat Lee]]
* '''Cover B:''' Dealer incentive cover with Galvatron over Cybertron by [[Don Figueroa]]

===Advertisements===
* [[Night of the Combaticons|''Generation One'' ongoing #1]]
* [[Transformers: Energon (comic)|''Energon'' series]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Dreamwave Generation 1 issues]]

Galva Convoy

2026-04-11T04:08:30Z

WillR113: Please feel free to replace this with something better

{{faction|maximal|vehicon}}
:''Galva Convoy is an evil [[Maximal]] from the [[Beast Wars: Uprising]] portion of the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''
[[File:Derailment TitlePage GalvaConvoy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|My insanely awesome body in which I never appear!]]

'''Galva Convoy''' is a mystery to those around him. Burning with emotion within, he focuses these feelings into a quietly intense and unnerving outward demeanor. He carries powerful weapons and bears a mysterious [[Energon Matrix]] in his chest, and exerts these formidable abilities not to acquire power, but simply to quench his thirst for destruction.

==Fiction==
===''TransTech''===
After arriving in [[Axiom Nexus]], Galva Convoy's nature proved an enigma to both the city's [[lowtech]] denizens and its Security Administration. Rumors abounded as to his true nature, from the conspiratorial (that he was a deep-cover agent for the [[Convoy (group)|Convoy]]) to the absurd (that he was the seldom-seen bar owner [[Maccadam]]), but the [[Transcendent Technomorph|TransTech]] authorities settled on the theory that he was a villainous double of the [[Lio Convoy (BW)|Lio Convoy]] of [[Primax 209.0 Gamma]]. Regardless, his suspected involvement in a string of crimes led Officer [[Cheetor (TransTech)|Cheetor]] to target the sinister Maximal for arrest. {{storylink|Galva Convoy#Timelines|Customization class Galva Convoy bio}}

===''Beast Wars: Uprising''===
[[Eject (G1)|Eject]] surreptitiously obtained a sample of Lio Convoy's [[CNA]], with the intention of using it to initiate the "Galva Contingency" should the Guardian of Order go rogue. This plan would see a clone of Lio created, which would possess its own energon matrix. When Lio Convoy joined the [[Resistance (BWU)|Resistance]] and kickstarted the [[Grand Uprising]], the [[Builder Assembly]] approved Eject's motion to go ahead with the Galva Contingency. {{storylink|Broken Windshields}} Furthermore, Eject visited the [[Forever Vaults]] to research the [[G-Virus]], tempering Lio Convoy's CNA with the G-Virus to create a new being who could still access the Matrix. {{storylink|Micro-Aggressions}} {{storylink|Not All Megatrons}}

After many stellar cycles, Eject's research produced a new clone of Lio Convoy who would use his duplicate Matrix to create a new army, a new race of Cybertronians that would replace the [[Maximal]]s and [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s... except for the fact that the newborn Galva Convoy wasn't inclined to do so. Thanks to the efforts of [[Lord Imperious Delirious]], an alien [[Second-born intellect|Second-Born Intellect]] who had found his way onto Cybertron as a packet of sentient data, Galva Convoy's thoughts began moving to darker places. As Delirious expounded on the long, violent history of the Transformers—from [[Autobot]] and [[Decepticon]] through to Maximal and Predacon—Galva Convoy decided that it would all have to go if Cybertron was to truly be saved.

Claiming that he needed to "transcend" to master the Matrix inside of him, Delirious, manifesting as a voice only Galva Convoy could hear, began persuading him to pervert the Builder's plan and create an army of "Terrorcons" instead, powered by corrupted anti-Sparks. From their base in [[Nova Cronum]], Eject argued with his new protégé about their plans before storming off, warning the Maximal that he would need to get a move on soon, or else. Once Eject was off his back, Galva Convoy returned to mediating, unaware that he was being watched by an [[Bisk (BWU)|addled Predacon]] on a mission of his own. As the Predacon thief made off with a [[protoform]], he noticed that a security camera beamed a data transmission to the meditating Maximal. {{storylink|Not All Megatrons}}

After several stellar cycles of work, Galva Convoy's efforts allowed him to create the first three members of a new species: the "[[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicon]]": a race of mindless soldiers that could assimilate every Maximal and Predacon into their collective. Eject and the Builder Assembly subsequently deployed infected [[Micromaster]]s behind enemy lines and allowing the contagion to spread.

The "[[Vehicon Apocalypse]]" soon began to falter, and Galva Convoy watched as an emergency council meeting where [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] bemoaned the chances of Iacon's survival. After some debate, the Builders decided to rescind Order 66 that prevented the Vehicons from accessing the Builder-controlled northern regions, much to Galva Convoy's delight.

As Lio Convoy's Maximals pushed inward towards Iacon, Ratbat demanded Galva Convoy to reroute his troops to the [[High Council Pavilions|High Pavilion]]. Galva Convoy agreed... but only if the Assembly moved their shielded bunker to the surface to watch the show. When the Vehicons hit the Resistance, the Maximals and Predacons were able to overcome their initial assault and demand surrender from the Builder Assembly. Galva Convoy ordered the Vehicons to cease fighting, surround Lio Convoy and [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] with a horde of [[Aero Drone|aero drone]]s... then assimilate the entire Builder Assembly, transforming them into heavily armed [[Copter Drone|copter drone]]s and [[Artillery Drone|artillery drone]]s.

With the Builders and their forces out of the fight, Lio Convoy and the Resistance led a strike on the Grand Mal to finish off Galva Convoy once and for all before Galva Convoy could get the fortress airborne again. The Vehicon leader greeted his "brother" with delight and expounded on how his Vehicons had done what neither the Builders or the Resistance could: creating a truly unified Cybertron with no inequality or discontent. When neither Blackarachnia or Lio Convoy accepted his rationalizations, he turned on them, claiming that he represented the ''true'' aim of the Resistance—victory at any cost. That's when Lio Convoy had a seeming change of heart; offering Blackarachnia up for conversion, he threw himself in the path of the encroaching [[Tank Drone|tank drone]], allowing the Vehicon virus to enter his own body. Though Galva Convoy tried to pry his brother off the drone, their identical spark patterns allowed the virus to spread to Galva Convoy's body as well, transforming him into a mindless drone and effectively ending his life.

Shortly after Galva Convoy's passing, Delirious revealed himself and hijacked control of the Vehicons as he explained his role in the fall of Galva Convoy to the assembled Resistance warriors. {{storylink|Derailment}}

Ten thousand years after his death, much of Galva Convoy's role in the Vehicon Apocalypse was forgotten, with some historians conflating him with the reborn [[Galvatron (BW)|Galvatron]]. {{storylink|Lio Convoy: Unity Through Tyranny}}

==Toys==
===''Timelines''===
[[File:BotCon2015-GalvaConvoy.jpg|thumb|350px|Drive-By Bookmobile]]
<ul="iconlist">{{Bp-m1|'''Galva Convoy''' (Deluxe Class, [[2015]])}}</ul>
:*''Accessories:'' Photon blaster, axe, [[Covenant of Primus]]
:A [[redeco]] of ''[[Transformers Timelines (toyline)|Timelines]]'' [[Lio Convoy (BW)#Timelines 2|Lio Convoy]] (itself a [[retool]] of ''[[Thrilling 30]]'' [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Deluxe|Orion Pax]]), Galva Convoy was the customization class exclusive for [[BotCon 2015]]. He transforms from robot to Cybertronian truck mode, and includes an axe and blaster which can peg into his hands or vehicle sides via [[5 mm post]]s. Although not depicted on the instructions, the Photon Blaster can also peg into the hole in the larger blade of the Energon Axe (seen to the left in the image).

:For those who completed their assembly of Galva Convoy in the class, an additional Covenant of Primus accessory was given to them, based on the tome's appearance in the [[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|''Beast Wars'' cartoon]], and an additional [[Matrix of Conquest]] accessory was raffled during the custom classes (seven winners on Wednesday, nine on Friday). These two items were both handcrafted by Japanese fan Myu, and the included written materials clarified that neither were endorsed by Hasbro. Pre-assembled Galva Convoys were also available for purchase, which did not include the figure's sticker sheet or additional accessories.

:This mold was also used to make [[Optimus Prime (SG)#NovaPrime|Nova Prime]].

==Merchandise==
[[File:FlameToysGalvaConvoy.jpg|thumb|200px|[https://tfwiki.net/wiki/File:HimSwoopHaveLegsThatGoForMiles.jpg But does he have legs which go for miles?]]]
===Flame Toys===
*'''Galva Convoy''' (2026)
**''Number:''
** Accessories: 2 sets of alternative hands, sword, scabbard, shield, shoulder pad with fabric cape
{{toydesigner|[[Masaru Sakamoto]] (concept artist)}}<ref>{{citesocial|quote=風雷模型のビーストウォーズシリーズより、第2弾「レオプライム」が商品化決定！
コンセプトアートはTRIGGERの坂本勝先生に描き起こして頂きました！こちらも今後の進捗をお待ちください！ #FLAMETOYS #TRANSFORMERS #風雷模型 #ACGHK #HKACG #HKACG2019 #坂本勝|link=https://twitter.com/flametoys_staff/status/1154655961623064577|name=flametoys_staff|site=Twitter|year=2019|month=7|day=26}}</ref>

:[[Flame Toys]] released a "Furai Action" figure of Galva Convoy - naturally being a redeco of their prior highly-articulated non-transforming [[Lio Convoy (BW)#Furai Action|Leo Prime]] figure. Promotional materials depicted the character shouting a motto [[Citogenesis|based off this article's mainpic caption]].
{{comingsoontoy}}

==Notes==
[[File:BWII-Toy_LioConvoy_GalvatronLuckyDraw.jpg|upright=1.5|thumb]]
* Galva Convoy is based on the ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars (Japanese toyline)#1998 (Beast Wars II)|Beast Wars II]]'' [[Lio Convoy (BW)#GalvatronColor|Galvatron Color Lio Convoy toy]], a [[Lucky Draw figure]] representing a version of Lio Convoy tainted by [[Angolmois Energy]].
* The top image on this page shows him as a redeco of [[Lio Convoy (BW)#Legends|''Legends'' Leo Prime]], but this body never appeared in the story itself.
*When asked what was up with the unused [[Terrorcon (BWU)|Terrorcon]]s and if there was any [[Unicron]] influence, [[Jim Sorenson]] said that in a version of the story without [[Lord Imperious Delirious]] "the Terrorcons would have been the Builder's secret weapon against the Resistance and would have looked a lot like they did in Energon. Was that Unicron's influence? Who can say? I will say that I'd have found a way to work [[Scorponok (Energon)#Cybertron|Dark Zarak]] into the mix somehow."<ref>[https://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/140167-ama-bish-jesse-jim/?p=3513813 Allspark: AMA: Bish, Jesse, & Jim]</ref>

==See also==
*[[Black Lio Convoy]]
*[[Dark Amber Leo Prime]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Beast Wars: Uprising Maximals]]
[[Category:Beast Wars: Uprising Vehicons]]
[[Category:Convention-original characters]]
[[Category:Convoys]]
[[Category:Customization class toys]]
[[Category:Evil clones]]
[[Category:Timelines characters]]
[[Category:TransTech Maximals]]

File:FlameToysGalvaConvoy.jpg

2026-04-11T03:59:03Z

WillR113: {{merchandisestock}}

Unreleased Dreamwave issues

2026-04-11T01:11:09Z

WillR113: /* Generation One Volume 3 */ Added some other images

When [[Dreamwave Productions]] declared bankruptcy in 2005, several of their series were left hanging without any strong sense of closure. However, various sources have revealed small portions of what might have been, including solicitations sent to retailers before the bankruptcy. At [[New York Comic Con]] 2009 [[IDW Publishing]] revealed that while they do have the artwork from the unfinished/unpublished issues, they will not complete and print the issues as there is significant doubt that the artists and writers were paid for their work during the tail end of Dreamwave's run on the brand.

==''Energon''==
Despite [[No Exit|issue #30]] completing its current storyline, ''[[Transformers: Energon (comic)|Energon]]'' still had many unresolved plot points. Hasbro copywriter [[Forest Lee]] has suggested that the [[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|''Cybertron'' cartoon]] can be considered a follow-up, though it does require some stretching.

In November 2010, [[Simon Furman]] started to reveal the plot of the unreleased issues on his blog.<ref>[http://simonfurman.wordpress.com/2010/11/22/energon-%e2%80%94-revisited/ "Energon Revisited"]</ref> TFWiki has created articles for each of these unreleased issues based on these summaries; links, and the original solicitations for the issues, follow below.

===Issue 31 — "[[Doomsday Redux!]]"===
"REVELATIONS! Just who is (or rather, was) [[Alpha Quintesson]], and what are his true plans for [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], [[Earth]] and [[Unicron]]? While seeming to serve the Chaos Bringer, the multi-faceted alien has been developing a world-shattering agenda of his own, one that bridges worlds and dimensions. Now, at last, Alpha Quintesson begins his ‘endgame’, and first in his sights is the [[Mini-Con]] [[Over-Run (Armada)|Over-Run]]!"

===Issue 32 — "[[Armageddon Part 1]]"===
"Demolished! The next — and final — ''Energon'' story arc gets underway in earnest! It's the beginning of the end as Alpha Quintesson and [[Avalon (Energon)|Councillor Avalon]]'s quest for the mysterious [[Conduit (Energon)|Conduit]] centers once more on the Autobots' human ally, [[Kicker Jones|Kicker]]. The all-new, upgraded [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]] is on the case, and he’ll stop at nothing — literally — to get the job done. Get ready for Armageddon!"

===Issue 33 — "[[Armageddon Part 2]]"===
"INFERNO! What happens when four living Energon powerhouses tackle a being of pure Energon? It's the fighting-mad [[Omnicon]]s —[[Arcee (Energon)|Arcee]], [[Signal Flare (Energon)|Signal Flare]], [[Strongarm (Energon)|Strongarm]] and [[Skyblast (Energon)|Skyblast]] — versus the plainly mad [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]], and the result is an Energon inferno that threatens to consume Cybertron! Plus... the return of [[Unicron's Four Horsemen]] and the shocking secret of the planet [[Nervissa]]!"

===Issue 34 — "[[Armageddon Part 3]]"===

No solicitation.

===Issue 35 — "[[Armageddon Part 4]]"===

No solicitation.

===Issue 36 — "[[Armageddon Part 5]]"===

No solicitation.

==''Energon: More Than Meets The Eye''==
[[File:Energon MTMTE 1.jpg|thumb|200px|Cover for issue #1 by Guido Guidi]]

In keeping with ''[[Transformers: Armada (Dreamwave)|Armada]]'', a three-part ''More Than Meets The Eye'' series of ''Energon'' characters was also planned. Much of the artwork and profiles were completed. [[Alex Milne]] produced artwork for several character's profiles, which he ended up displaying and selling at conventions. These included Alpha Quintesson,<ref>http://s65.photobucket.com/albums/h214/Scaleface/Energon%20MTMTE/?action=view&current=mtmte-alphaquinetssion.jpg</ref> Alpha Trion,<ref>http://s65.photobucket.com/albums/h214/Scaleface/Energon%20MTMTE/?action=view&current=mtmte-alphatrion.jpg</ref> Arcee,<ref>http://s65.photobucket.com/albums/h214/Scaleface/Energon%20MTMTE/?action=view&current=mtmte-arcee.jpg</ref> Avalon,<ref>http://s65.photobucket.com/albums/h214/Scaleface/Energon%20MTMTE/?action=view&current=mtmte-avalon.jpg</ref> Galvatron,<ref>http://s65.photobucket.com/albums/h214/Scaleface/Energon%20MTMTE/?action=view&current=mtmte-galvatron.jpg</ref> Levitacus,<ref>http://s65.photobucket.com/albums/h214/Scaleface/Energon%20MTMTE/?action=view&current=mtmte-leviticus.jpg</ref> and Mirage.<ref>http://s65.photobucket.com/albums/h214/Scaleface/Energon%20MTMTE/?action=view&current=mtmte-mirage.jpg</ref>

Also tasked with doing art for the books was [[Guido Guidi]] who did the full three-part cover piece,<ref>[https://www.deviantart.com/guidoguidi/art/TF-Energon-Profile-book-COVERS-45513397 TF Energon Profile book COVERS] - Guido Guidi's DeviantArt account</ref> as well as character art for Barricade,
<ref>https://www.deviantart.com/guidoguidi/art/Unpublished-TF-Energon-MTMTE-7-45248877</ref> Blackout,
<ref>https://www.deviantart.com/guidoguidi/art/Unpublished-TF-Energon-MTMTE-1-45248275</ref> Blight,
<ref>https://www.deviantart.com/guidoguidi/art/Unpublished-TF-Energon-MTMTE-6-45248697</ref> Cyclonus,
<ref>https://www.deviantart.com/guidoguidi/art/Unpublished-TF-Energon-MTMTE-4-45248456</ref> Doomlock,
<ref>https://www.deviantart.com/guidoguidi/art/Unpublished-TF-Energon-MTMTE-3-45248420</ref> and Command Ravage.
<ref>https://www.deviantart.com/guidoguidi/art/Unpublished-TF-Energon-MTMTE-2-45248398</ref> Given the overlap between the ''Armada'' [[package art]] and the ''Armada'' ''More Than Meets The Eye'' series, it's probable that Guidi's package artwork for Bruticus Maximus<ref>https://www.deviantart.com/guidoguidi/art/Energon-Bruticus-Max-Boxart-128219434</ref> would've also made an appearance.

===Issue 1===
"It's ''Energon''{{'}}s turn to get the ''MTMTE'' treatment! Dreamwave's mega-successful series of official Transformers guidebooks returns with enough ''Energon'' facts, figures and profiles to put a smile on the face of any Trans-fananatic. You'll learn the secrets of Alpha Quintesson, discover the truth behind Kicker, and get even more info on Hot Shot, Jetfire, and dozens more! Brought to you by ''Transformers Energon'' series writer Simon Furman and a plethora of your favorite TF artists."

===Issue 2===
"Optimus Prime! Megatron! Omega Supreme! The heavy hitters are out in full force in book 2 of Dreamwave's official guide to
''Transformers: Energon''. You'll also get the goods on the powerful Energon Saber, the origin of the Omnicons, Unicron's Four
Horsemen, and more. Look for the third and final installment next month!"
{{-}}

==''War Within: The Age of Wrath''==
''[[Transformers: War Within: The Age of Wrath|War Within: The Age of Wrath]]'' would presumably have concluded with the defeat of the [[Air Warrior|Aerospace Extermination Squad]], based on the events of later stories. Many of the major characters — including Grimlock, seemingly killed in issue #1 — appear in later stories as well and therefore must have survived.

Additionally, several pages of art work were published in the [[Unofficial conventions|TransformersCon]] 2005 Program (which had several ex-Dreamwave employees as special guests). The covers to the issues were also seen in solicitations to comic retailers.

Furman would later sell signed copies of the completed issue 4 script at some 2010 conventions, and TFWiki has created [[The Age of Wrath Pt.4|an article]] based on it, and subsequently sold the completed issue 5 script and an outline of issue 6 in similar fashion at 2011 conventions, which TFWiki has also created articles for.

===Issue 4===
{{main|The Age of Wrath Pt.4}}
"ALONE! Stranded on a strange alien world, far, far from Cybertron, Turbomaster Flash is about to realize there really is no place like home... even when home is ruled by arch tyrant Megatron and his legions of clone warriors. The terrible truth behind the invasion and conquest of Cybertron is finally revealed. Now all Flash has to do is stay alive long enough to tell someone!"

* Cover: [[Flash (G1)|Flash]] stranded on an alien planet.
* Pages 1,2,3: Flash on an alien planet being attacked by [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]]. Meanwhile, on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] talks with the other [[Turbomaster]]s.
* Page 4: Perceptor prepares to examine a captured clone warrior from the Aerospace Extermination Squadron.

===Issue 5===
{{main|The Age of Wrath Pt.5}}
"HE'S BACK! Optimus Prime, right? Well... maybe. But then again... maybe not! Blaster's desperate bid to free the enslaved
Autobots lies in ruins, his and his entire team's lives are Megatron's to take at his will. But in their darkest hour, a hero returns to the fray, a force too powerful to be contained even by death's dark dominion. Prepare to be shocked senseless all over again!"

* Cover: [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] held at gunpoint by [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]].
* Page 1: Shockwave's lab, with a studied Clone Trooper over a deactivated [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]].
* Page 2: Two deactivated clone troopers lying in a heavily damaged lab. Also, small, dead [[Piranacon (Quintesson)|Piranacons]] litter the floor amidst the shattered remains of the tank Megatron used to torture Starscream in. Starscream himself is lying there alive but in a great deal of pain, curled into a fetal position.
* Page 5: Blaster fights against Clone Troopers and Megatron, using sound attacks and his [[electro-scrambler]].

===Issue 6===
{{main|The Age of Wrath Pt.6}}
"Last Stand! Finally... the battle you've been waiting for! Optimus Prime returns to take on his archenemy Megatron. But is Prime the 'bot he was? Scarred mentally and physically by his nightmarish exile, Prime plainly may not be up to the job! But if he can't beat Megatron and stop the rise of his second-generation clone army ... who can?"

* Cover: [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] battling [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], as [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] watches in the background.
<gallery>
Image:WW v3-4.jpg|Issue 4 cover
Image:WW v3-5.jpg|Issue 5 cover
Image:WW v3-6.jpg|Issue 6 cover
</gallery>

==''Generation One'' Volume 3==
Several covers of ''[[Transformers: Generation 1 (Dreamwave)|Generation One]]'' were distributed to comic retailers in solicitations. Pages from the unreleased volume 3 issue 11 were published in the fourth issue of ''The Comic Book Digest'' from Lamp Post Publications.<ref>http://lamppostpubs.com</ref> Additional pages leaked onto the internet revealed a great number of [[Exosuit]]s. In all likelihood, these are connected to [[Project Centurion]] mentioned in "[[The Route of All Evil]]".

[[Chris Sarracini]] and [[Guido Guidi]] were to take over from #12.<ref>http://seibertron.com/comics/view.php?comic_id=748</ref>

===Issue 11===
"Because YOU demanded it: The return of the Dinobots! The hot-tempered cavalier Hot Rod finds himself in over his head when a mysterious group of Transformers-like warriors interferes with a standard transfer mission. What are these mysterious agents truly after, and what hope do Hot Rod and his team have of stopping them? Featuring the return of the fan-favorite Dinobots, the first-ever comic book debut of some of Generation One's most desirable characters, and much, much more!"<ref>http://seibertron.com/comics/view.php?comic_id=746</ref>

* Cover: Several female robots, lookin' deadly as [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]'s hand reaches up to them.
* Page 1: Hot Rod looking up at a deactivated [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] being held in a repair chamber.
* Page 2: Hot Rod passing by [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] and [[Gnaw (G1)|Gnaw]] and looking out of a window.
* Page 3: [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] looks out a window towards Cybertron shrinking in the distance, as she, [[Kup (G1)|Kup]], [[Springer (G1)|Springer]], and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] travel on their way to Cybertron's moon. They see a [[Quintesson]] ship in orbit.
* Page 4: Hot Rod, Wheelie, and Gnaw see a [[Female Autobots|female robot]], [[Elita One (G1)|Elita One]], teleport into the facility.
* Page 5: Hot Rod tries to shoot at her, but Elita throws a dagger that knocks the guns out of his hands. She challenges him to hand-to-hand combat. (At a Transformerscon 2005 guest panel, it was mentioned by the writers that the female robots were to be skilled martial artists.)
* Page 6: Hot Rod accepts the challenge, but Elita is more than a match for him. Gnaw urges Wheelie to stay back.
* Page 7: Elita One ducks a punch from Hot Rod and deactivates him before he can sound the alarm. She sends a communication back to [[Quintessa (planet)|Quintessa]], where three other female robots are waiting.
* Page 8: The other three female robots teleport into the facility. Gnaw transforms to fight them off, but [[Moonracer (G1)|Moonracer]] and Elita One take him out with ease. Elita orders [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]] to take Hot Rod back through the portal.
* Page 9: Elita One, Moonracer, and [[Firestar (G1)|Firestar]] proceed further into the facility until they discover Optimus Prime in his repair chamber.
* Page 10: Chromia brings Hot Rod through. Meanwhile, Wheelie leaps down from a hiding place in the ceiling, delivering a kick to the female robots and punching Moonracer while she's down. However, Elita knocks him to the floor with a kick of her own.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Unpublished DWTF G1#11 pg10 #Transformers #Elita1 #Wheelie #ComicArt https://t.co/D5GJwSKEp1|link=https://twitter.com/SketchyFig/status/1568271481746116610|name=Don Figueroa|site=Twitter|year=2022|month=9|day=9|(defunct=)}}</ref>
* Page 11: Elita looms over Wheelie, ready to deliver the killing blow with her blade. But rescue is on its way: the Dinobots, disembarked from the shuttle, charging into action!<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Unpublished DWTF G1#11 pg11 #Transformers #Dinobots #Grimlock #ComicArt https://t.co/kl2gAyAnwV|link=https://twitter.com/SketchyFig/status/1568272119880089600|name=Don Figueroa|site=Twitter|year=2022|month=9|day=9|(defunct=)}}</ref>
* Page 12: As Grimlock's shadow rounds the corner, Elita orders a retreat.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Unpublished DWTF G1#11 pg12 #Transformers #Elita1 #ComicArt https://t.co/PHMQ9MKuYo|link=https://twitter.com/SketchyFig/status/1568272495266119680|name=Don Figueroa|site=Twitter|year=2022|month=9|day=9|(defunct=)}}</ref>
<gallery>
Image:G1Dreamwaveongoing11.jpg|We blame Dreamwave's fall on YOU!
File:DreamwaveIssue11Page01.jpg|
File:DreamwaveIssue11Page02.jpg|
File:DreamwaveIssue11Page03.jpg|
File:DreamwaveIssue11Page04.jpeg|
</gallery>

===Issue 12===
"This is it: the return of the most popular Transformer of all time! Yes, the indomitable Optimus Prime is finally back, ready to chew Energon and kick bumper-and he's all outta Energon! But the question is: where is he? Find out in this thrill-packed anniversary issue, as the greatest Autobots leader ever faces off against the ravenous Sharkticons and their cruel masters, the Quintessons! Don't miss this special birthday issue, a perfect jumping-on point featuring Optimus Prime himself ushering in an all-new era of Transformers greatness. The countdown to 2005 begins now!"

* Cover: Optimus Prime holding the body of [[Elita One (G1)|Elita One]] in a manner reminiscent of ''The Uncanny X-Men'' #136<ref>http://www.comics.org/details.lasso?id=34632</ref> and ''Crisis On Infinite Earths'' #7.<ref>http://www.comics.org/details.lasso?id=40485</ref> There was also going to be a variant cover featuring a drawing of Optimus Prime by [[Pat Lee]]. Ideally, the issue would have been released during December, which Dreamwave was calling their "Optimus Prime Month".
* Page 1: A close up of [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] in a repair chamber. <ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transmissions/transfansnet-interview-guido-guidi/5030/ Seibertron article] -Reposting images from Guido Guidi's interview with [https://web.archive.org/web/20050410041818/http://www.transfans.net/interviews_guido.php TransFans.Net]</ref>
* Page 2: [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] and [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] rush in as a healed Prime is released from the repair chamber.
* Page 3: The two try to stop Prime, but the Autobot leader refuses to listen as he remembers a vision of [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] he had while being repaired.<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transmissions/transfansnet-interview-guido-guidi/5030/ Seibertron article] -Reposting images from Guido Guidi's interview with [https://web.archive.org/web/20050410041818/http://www.transfans.net/interviews_guido.php TransFans.Net]</ref>
* Page 4: Suddenly Prime has a seizure and is forced to his knees. A vision of [[Alpha Trion]] appears before him. Recovering Prime picks up his blaster and leaves.
* Page 5: On [[Earth]] Colonel [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Witwicky's]] helicopter lands and he is escorted to a waiting jeep.
* Page 6: The jeep arrives at an underground [[Earth Defense Command|EDC]] base and Witwicky is briefed on the progress of [[Project Centurion]]...
* Page 7: ...an entire army's worth of [[exosuit|exosuits]]!<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transmissions/transfansnet-interview-guido-guidi/5030/ Seibertron article] -Reposting images from Guido Guidi's interview with [https://web.archive.org/web/20050410041818/http://www.transfans.net/interviews_guido.php TransFans.Net]</ref>
* Page 8: [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] watch the construction of [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]].<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transmissions/transfansnet-interview-guido-guidi/5030/ Seibertron article] -Reposting images from Guido Guidi's interview with [https://web.archive.org/web/20050410041818/http://www.transfans.net/interviews_guido.php TransFans.Net]</ref>
* Page 9: They watch the other Autobots work on the city some more before Prowl leaves.
* Page 10: Back on Cybertron Prime stands on a cliff overlooking a scrapheap, when another seizure causes him to fall and land in the heap below. He finds a grate hidden beneath the junk.
* Page 11: He tears the grate off and leaps down the shaft. At the bottom he finds a locked door which he blasts his way through through.
* Page 12: On the other side he finds the captive Alpha Trion hooked up to various machines.
* Page 13: Prime frees Alpha Trion who begins to tell him the secret history of Cybertron the entire series has been building towards....

<gallery>
Image:G1 ongoing 12a.jpg|If Optimus had tears he'd be crying.
Image:DreamwaveG1Ongoing12Lee.jpg| May or may not have actually been bought to you by [[Pat Lee]]
</gallery>

===Issue 13===
"2005 is here - and the battle for the universe begins! Created by the sinister Unicron, the lone Cyclonus has been dispatched to search the galaxy for the missing Alpha herald, Scourge. But when his mission leads him to a top-secret storage facility on Earth, will Cyclonus find the end of his quest or the business end of several high-caliber EDC-issued blasters? This initial arc - "Detection" kicks off the biggest, baddest Generation One storyline ever! Get in on the ground floor for a front-row seat to the beginning - of the apocalypse!"

Interestingly, the original cover drawn did not show Cyclonus with the head of Scourge, but rather the head of a seeker.

* Cover: [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] holding the head of [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]]

<gallery>
Image:G1 ongoing 13.jpg|Scourge, I knew him, Galvatron...
Image:DWongoing13B&Wcover.jpg|Are you, Scourge?
</gallery>

===Issue 14 - "[[The Enemy Within]]"===
Although originally advertised with this solicitation...

"The humans fight back as the "Contact" arc continues! Recovering from Cyclonus’ violent assault on their facilities, the EDC tries to equalize the odds by activating its top secret defense plan—Project Centurion! Suspecting something sinister, Marissa begins to explore the real motives behind the EDC's newest operation. Fearing the worst, the recently revived Autobot leader Optimus Prime rallies his troops on both Earth and Cybertron for the dark future looming on the horizon."

...this plot was then bumped with intention of being replaced with a one-shot fill-in penned by Simon Furman centering on [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] and [[The Fallen]]. TFWiki has created [[The Enemy Within|an article]] for Furman's story based on a summary posted to his blog in late 2010.

{{--}}

===Generation One 2004 Datatracks Annual===
This low-priced one-shot was to be written by James McDonough and Adam Patyk, with art by Joe Ng and Don Figueroa.

"As Generation One's 20th anniversary celebration comes to a close, Dreamwave pulls out all the stops to reveal the all-new 2004 Datatracks, which boasts an original short story featuring the one and only Optimus Prime fighting alongside his brother, Ultra Magnus! Not only that, but fans can also expect brand-new expanded MTMTE entries for the female Autobots, Sunstorm, and a few more surprises! This exciting one-shot annual is the perfect way to cap off "Optimus Prime Month," while kicking 2005 into overdrive! This comic is priced to move at only $1.95 — so don't miss out!"

* Cover: Optimus Prime and an unarmored [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] stand back to back, with images of Autobots, Decepticons, Quintessons and humans displayed behind them.
<gallery>
Image:DreamwaveG1Annual.jpeg
</gallery>
==="The Rules of Extinction"===

Referenced in a footnote in [[Extermination|issue #8]] of the Generation 1 ongoing, this story would have centered on the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]], apparently revealing how they came to Earth, battled the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] there, and were "rediscovered" in the present day by Optimus Prime's Autobots. Exactly ''how'' it was supposed to be published is unknown, but it's speculated it was to be one of the stories included in the Datatracks Annual covered above.

==''Beast Wars''==
{{main|Shell Game issue 1}}
Although heavily advertised, no issues of ''[[List of Beast Wars comics|Beast Wars]]'': ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars — Shell Game|Shell Game]]'' ever saw print. Scans found on the internet show it would have had strong similarities to the ''[[Transformers, Beast Wars: The Gathering|Beast Wars: The Gathering]]'' by the same creative team, and Simon Furman's original #1 script<ref>http://simonfurman.wordpress.com/2007/12/24/xmas-wrap/</ref> confirms that much of mini-series was recycled into ''Gathering''. A key difference was that the TV cast were to be involved. In addition, this ''Beast Wars'' would have tied in with the Ongoing G1 series.

The solicitation for #2 reveals there would be a flashback to "just after the end of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]] on Cybertron... and witness the trial of Megatron! The verdict and judgment that follow set in motion a truly terrifying chain of events...".<ref>http://seibertron.com/comics/view.php?comic_id=785</ref> The cover showed ''Beast Wars'' Megatron on trial, so that's probably the Megatron they meant.

At Transformerscon 2004, Pat Lee also expressed an interest in possibly doing a complete series of ''[[Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More Than Meets The Eye]]'' profile books for ''Beast Wars'', including all non-show characters. As you can imagine, this never happened, but again, was an idea [[Transformers: Beast Wars Sourcebook|eventually implemented]] by IDW.
<gallery>
Image:ShellGame1a.jpg|Issue 1a cover
Image:ShellGame1b.jpg|Issue 1b cover
Image:ShellGame1c.jpg|Issue 1c cover
Image:ShellGame1ri.jpg|Issue 1 incentive cover
Image:TM2Megatrontrial.jpg|Issue 2 cover
</gallery>

==''Transformers/G.I. Joe: Divided Front''==
Dreamwave's second crossover, ''[[Transformers/G.I. Joe: Divided Front]]'' managed to have one issue released before the company folded. Adam Patyk and James McDonough were scheduled to write issues 2–5, while Chris Sarracini was slated to write issue 6. Pat Lee was to draw all of the remaining issues.

===Issue 2===
"The secrets of G.I. JOE and COBRA'S past are revealed as the greatest arms race in history intensifies, blazing a path across the world. Desperate for an equalizer, the JOES raid a top-secret COBRA bunker located in the Everglades. But when COBRA'S newly hired DREADNOK biker gang intervenes, will the JOES be too late to gain the advantage and-more importantly-save their Autobot allies?!

* Cover: [[Zarana]], the [[Dreadnok]]s, and a deactivated [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]].

===Issue 3===
"FAN-FAVE FIREFLY DEBUTS! Snake Eyes is a hard ninja to kill...which is why COBRA Commander has called in one of his biggest guns to do the job: the assassin Firefly! What is the history behind this COBRA'S rivalry with Snake Eyes? And can the Joes' ninja overcome this deadly saboteur in time to help his teammates retrieve the stolen Transformer technology from COBRA'S secret Arctic base? It's chaos on the ice as the Autobots face off against Destro's deadly COBRA/Decepticon hybrid warriors, with Starscream waiting to pick up the pieces!"

* Cover: [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] under attack from a pair of jets that look suspiciously like [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] and [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]], and [[Snake-Eyes]] facing off against [[Firefly]].

===Issue 4===
"AUTOBOT vs. AUTOBOT! It's a robot riot as the new Cold War over the Transformers really starts to heat up! The G.I. Joes and their Autobot allies try to reconcile their opposing views and unite against COBRA...but can they? They're not the only ones whose tempers are flaring, as members of COBRA prepare to foil their increasingly deranged leader's top-secret project…if the mutineers can make it past Firefly and the elite Crimson Guard, that is!"

* Cover: Ironhide fights against [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]], and [[Shipwreck]] is there too.

===Issue 5===
"What is the terrible secret buried beneath Cobra Island? Whatever it is, Starscream and Soundwave want it bad...bad enough to destroy Cobra Commander if he doesn't give it to them! Flint and the Autobots must prepare an all-out assault of the island themselves to prevent the villains' evil plans, but can the G.I. Joes count on Snake Eyes to help them...or will his vendetta against Firefly doom them all?"

* Cover: [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] and [[Cobra Commander]] stand over a fallen Shipwreck.

===Issue 6===
"COBRA's plans for domination are in full effect and, thanks to Destro, the Autobots and the Joes are now public enemy #1! Even so, will our heroes be able to thwart Destro's plans? Maybe...but you won't believe who going to help them out. The ultimate retro crossover is about to go out with a bang!"
<gallery>
Image:DW GIJoev2i2-cover.jpg|Issue #2
Image:DW GIJoev2i3-cover.jpg|Issue #3
Image:DW GIJoev2i4-cover.jpg|Issue #4
Image:DW GIJoev2i5-cover.jpg|Issue #5
</gallery>

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

[[Category:Dreamwave issues]]
[[Category:Things that don't exist]]

File:DreamwaveG1Ongoing12Lee.jpg

2026-04-11T01:05:35Z

WillR113: {{DreamwaveG1 |description= {{art|line-art=Pat Lee|colors=''unknown''|help=yes}} |series=G1v3 |issueno=12 |cover=Intended but unused alternative cover |storytitle=(unreleased issue) |storylink=Unreleased Dreamwave issues |year=04 |closure=post}} [[...

{{DreamwaveG1
|description=
{{art|line-art=[[Pat Lee]]|colors=''unknown''|help=yes}}
|series=G1v3
|issueno=12
|cover=Intended but unused alternative cover
|storytitle=(unreleased issue)
|storylink=Unreleased Dreamwave issues
|year=04
|closure=post}}
[[Category:Images by Pat Lee]]

File:DreamwaveG1Annual.jpeg

2026-04-11T00:58:21Z

WillR113: Cover to Dreamwaves' delayed and ultimately unpublished Generation One 2004 Datatracks Annual. Cover by Don Figueroa. Image taken from TFArchive's [https://tfarchive.com/comics/dreamwave/gu...

Cover to [[Dreamwave Productions |Dreamwaves']] delayed and ultimately [[Unreleased Dreamwave issues|unpublished]] Generation One 2004 Datatracks Annual. Cover by [[Don Figueroa]]. Image taken from TFArchive's [https://tfarchive.com/comics/dreamwave/guide/?s=g1_vol_3_unpub page] on unreleased Dreamwave material.

[[Category:Images by Don Figueroa]]
[[Category:Dreamwave Generation 1 covers]]

Unreleased Dreamwave issues

2026-04-11T00:46:32Z

WillR113: /* Generation One Volume 3 */ Spread the images between the relevant issues

When [[Dreamwave Productions]] declared bankruptcy in 2005, several of their series were left hanging without any strong sense of closure. However, various sources have revealed small portions of what might have been, including solicitations sent to retailers before the bankruptcy. At [[New York Comic Con]] 2009 [[IDW Publishing]] revealed that while they do have the artwork from the unfinished/unpublished issues, they will not complete and print the issues as there is significant doubt that the artists and writers were paid for their work during the tail end of Dreamwave's run on the brand.

==''Energon''==
Despite [[No Exit|issue #30]] completing its current storyline, ''[[Transformers: Energon (comic)|Energon]]'' still had many unresolved plot points. Hasbro copywriter [[Forest Lee]] has suggested that the [[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|''Cybertron'' cartoon]] can be considered a follow-up, though it does require some stretching.

In November 2010, [[Simon Furman]] started to reveal the plot of the unreleased issues on his blog.<ref>[http://simonfurman.wordpress.com/2010/11/22/energon-%e2%80%94-revisited/ "Energon Revisited"]</ref> TFWiki has created articles for each of these unreleased issues based on these summaries; links, and the original solicitations for the issues, follow below.

===Issue 31 — "[[Doomsday Redux!]]"===
"REVELATIONS! Just who is (or rather, was) [[Alpha Quintesson]], and what are his true plans for [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], [[Earth]] and [[Unicron]]? While seeming to serve the Chaos Bringer, the multi-faceted alien has been developing a world-shattering agenda of his own, one that bridges worlds and dimensions. Now, at last, Alpha Quintesson begins his ‘endgame’, and first in his sights is the [[Mini-Con]] [[Over-Run (Armada)|Over-Run]]!"

===Issue 32 — "[[Armageddon Part 1]]"===
"Demolished! The next — and final — ''Energon'' story arc gets underway in earnest! It's the beginning of the end as Alpha Quintesson and [[Avalon (Energon)|Councillor Avalon]]'s quest for the mysterious [[Conduit (Energon)|Conduit]] centers once more on the Autobots' human ally, [[Kicker Jones|Kicker]]. The all-new, upgraded [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]] is on the case, and he’ll stop at nothing — literally — to get the job done. Get ready for Armageddon!"

===Issue 33 — "[[Armageddon Part 2]]"===
"INFERNO! What happens when four living Energon powerhouses tackle a being of pure Energon? It's the fighting-mad [[Omnicon]]s —[[Arcee (Energon)|Arcee]], [[Signal Flare (Energon)|Signal Flare]], [[Strongarm (Energon)|Strongarm]] and [[Skyblast (Energon)|Skyblast]] — versus the plainly mad [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]], and the result is an Energon inferno that threatens to consume Cybertron! Plus... the return of [[Unicron's Four Horsemen]] and the shocking secret of the planet [[Nervissa]]!"

===Issue 34 — "[[Armageddon Part 3]]"===

No solicitation.

===Issue 35 — "[[Armageddon Part 4]]"===

No solicitation.

===Issue 36 — "[[Armageddon Part 5]]"===

No solicitation.

==''Energon: More Than Meets The Eye''==
[[File:Energon MTMTE 1.jpg|thumb|200px|Cover for issue #1 by Guido Guidi]]

In keeping with ''[[Transformers: Armada (Dreamwave)|Armada]]'', a three-part ''More Than Meets The Eye'' series of ''Energon'' characters was also planned. Much of the artwork and profiles were completed. [[Alex Milne]] produced artwork for several character's profiles, which he ended up displaying and selling at conventions. These included Alpha Quintesson,<ref>http://s65.photobucket.com/albums/h214/Scaleface/Energon%20MTMTE/?action=view&current=mtmte-alphaquinetssion.jpg</ref> Alpha Trion,<ref>http://s65.photobucket.com/albums/h214/Scaleface/Energon%20MTMTE/?action=view&current=mtmte-alphatrion.jpg</ref> Arcee,<ref>http://s65.photobucket.com/albums/h214/Scaleface/Energon%20MTMTE/?action=view&current=mtmte-arcee.jpg</ref> Avalon,<ref>http://s65.photobucket.com/albums/h214/Scaleface/Energon%20MTMTE/?action=view&current=mtmte-avalon.jpg</ref> Galvatron,<ref>http://s65.photobucket.com/albums/h214/Scaleface/Energon%20MTMTE/?action=view&current=mtmte-galvatron.jpg</ref> Levitacus,<ref>http://s65.photobucket.com/albums/h214/Scaleface/Energon%20MTMTE/?action=view&current=mtmte-leviticus.jpg</ref> and Mirage.<ref>http://s65.photobucket.com/albums/h214/Scaleface/Energon%20MTMTE/?action=view&current=mtmte-mirage.jpg</ref>

Also tasked with doing art for the books was [[Guido Guidi]] who did the full three-part cover piece,<ref>[https://www.deviantart.com/guidoguidi/art/TF-Energon-Profile-book-COVERS-45513397 TF Energon Profile book COVERS] - Guido Guidi's DeviantArt account</ref> as well as character art for Barricade,
<ref>https://www.deviantart.com/guidoguidi/art/Unpublished-TF-Energon-MTMTE-7-45248877</ref> Blackout,
<ref>https://www.deviantart.com/guidoguidi/art/Unpublished-TF-Energon-MTMTE-1-45248275</ref> Blight,
<ref>https://www.deviantart.com/guidoguidi/art/Unpublished-TF-Energon-MTMTE-6-45248697</ref> Cyclonus,
<ref>https://www.deviantart.com/guidoguidi/art/Unpublished-TF-Energon-MTMTE-4-45248456</ref> Doomlock,
<ref>https://www.deviantart.com/guidoguidi/art/Unpublished-TF-Energon-MTMTE-3-45248420</ref> and Command Ravage.
<ref>https://www.deviantart.com/guidoguidi/art/Unpublished-TF-Energon-MTMTE-2-45248398</ref> Given the overlap between the ''Armada'' [[package art]] and the ''Armada'' ''More Than Meets The Eye'' series, it's probable that Guidi's package artwork for Bruticus Maximus<ref>https://www.deviantart.com/guidoguidi/art/Energon-Bruticus-Max-Boxart-128219434</ref> would've also made an appearance.

===Issue 1===
"It's ''Energon''{{'}}s turn to get the ''MTMTE'' treatment! Dreamwave's mega-successful series of official Transformers guidebooks returns with enough ''Energon'' facts, figures and profiles to put a smile on the face of any Trans-fananatic. You'll learn the secrets of Alpha Quintesson, discover the truth behind Kicker, and get even more info on Hot Shot, Jetfire, and dozens more! Brought to you by ''Transformers Energon'' series writer Simon Furman and a plethora of your favorite TF artists."

===Issue 2===
"Optimus Prime! Megatron! Omega Supreme! The heavy hitters are out in full force in book 2 of Dreamwave's official guide to
''Transformers: Energon''. You'll also get the goods on the powerful Energon Saber, the origin of the Omnicons, Unicron's Four
Horsemen, and more. Look for the third and final installment next month!"
{{-}}

==''War Within: The Age of Wrath''==
''[[Transformers: War Within: The Age of Wrath|War Within: The Age of Wrath]]'' would presumably have concluded with the defeat of the [[Air Warrior|Aerospace Extermination Squad]], based on the events of later stories. Many of the major characters — including Grimlock, seemingly killed in issue #1 — appear in later stories as well and therefore must have survived.

Additionally, several pages of art work were published in the [[Unofficial conventions|TransformersCon]] 2005 Program (which had several ex-Dreamwave employees as special guests). The covers to the issues were also seen in solicitations to comic retailers.

Furman would later sell signed copies of the completed issue 4 script at some 2010 conventions, and TFWiki has created [[The Age of Wrath Pt.4|an article]] based on it, and subsequently sold the completed issue 5 script and an outline of issue 6 in similar fashion at 2011 conventions, which TFWiki has also created articles for.

===Issue 4===
{{main|The Age of Wrath Pt.4}}
"ALONE! Stranded on a strange alien world, far, far from Cybertron, Turbomaster Flash is about to realize there really is no place like home... even when home is ruled by arch tyrant Megatron and his legions of clone warriors. The terrible truth behind the invasion and conquest of Cybertron is finally revealed. Now all Flash has to do is stay alive long enough to tell someone!"

* Cover: [[Flash (G1)|Flash]] stranded on an alien planet.
* Pages 1,2,3: Flash on an alien planet being attacked by [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]]. Meanwhile, on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] talks with the other [[Turbomaster]]s.
* Page 4: Perceptor prepares to examine a captured clone warrior from the Aerospace Extermination Squadron.

===Issue 5===
{{main|The Age of Wrath Pt.5}}
"HE'S BACK! Optimus Prime, right? Well... maybe. But then again... maybe not! Blaster's desperate bid to free the enslaved
Autobots lies in ruins, his and his entire team's lives are Megatron's to take at his will. But in their darkest hour, a hero returns to the fray, a force too powerful to be contained even by death's dark dominion. Prepare to be shocked senseless all over again!"

* Cover: [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] held at gunpoint by [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]].
* Page 1: Shockwave's lab, with a studied Clone Trooper over a deactivated [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]].
* Page 2: Two deactivated clone troopers lying in a heavily damaged lab. Also, small, dead [[Piranacon (Quintesson)|Piranacons]] litter the floor amidst the shattered remains of the tank Megatron used to torture Starscream in. Starscream himself is lying there alive but in a great deal of pain, curled into a fetal position.
* Page 5: Blaster fights against Clone Troopers and Megatron, using sound attacks and his [[electro-scrambler]].

===Issue 6===
{{main|The Age of Wrath Pt.6}}
"Last Stand! Finally... the battle you've been waiting for! Optimus Prime returns to take on his archenemy Megatron. But is Prime the 'bot he was? Scarred mentally and physically by his nightmarish exile, Prime plainly may not be up to the job! But if he can't beat Megatron and stop the rise of his second-generation clone army ... who can?"

* Cover: [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] battling [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], as [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] watches in the background.
<gallery>
Image:WW v3-4.jpg|Issue 4 cover
Image:WW v3-5.jpg|Issue 5 cover
Image:WW v3-6.jpg|Issue 6 cover
</gallery>

==''Generation One'' Volume 3==
Several covers of ''[[Transformers: Generation 1 (Dreamwave)|Generation One]]'' were distributed to comic retailers in solicitations. Pages from the unreleased volume 3 issue 11 were published in the fourth issue of ''The Comic Book Digest'' from Lamp Post Publications.<ref>http://lamppostpubs.com</ref> Additional pages leaked onto the internet revealed a great number of [[Exosuit]]s. In all likelihood, these are connected to [[Project Centurion]] mentioned in "[[The Route of All Evil]]".

[[Chris Sarracini]] and [[Guido Guidi]] were to take over from #12.<ref>http://seibertron.com/comics/view.php?comic_id=748</ref>

===Issue 11===
"Because YOU demanded it: The return of the Dinobots! The hot-tempered cavalier Hot Rod finds himself in over his head when a mysterious group of Transformers-like warriors interferes with a standard transfer mission. What are these mysterious agents truly after, and what hope do Hot Rod and his team have of stopping them? Featuring the return of the fan-favorite Dinobots, the first-ever comic book debut of some of Generation One's most desirable characters, and much, much more!"<ref>http://seibertron.com/comics/view.php?comic_id=746</ref>

* Cover: Several female robots, lookin' deadly as [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]'s hand reaches up to them.
* Page 1: Hot Rod looking up at a deactivated [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] being held in a repair chamber.
* Page 2: Hot Rod passing by [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] and [[Gnaw (G1)|Gnaw]] and looking out of a window.
* Page 3: [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] looks out a window towards Cybertron shrinking in the distance, as she, [[Kup (G1)|Kup]], [[Springer (G1)|Springer]], and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] travel on their way to Cybertron's moon. They see a [[Quintesson]] ship in orbit.
* Page 4: Hot Rod, Wheelie, and Gnaw see a [[Female Autobots|female robot]], [[Elita One (G1)|Elita One]], teleport into the facility.
* Page 5: Hot Rod tries to shoot at her, but Elita throws a dagger that knocks the guns out of his hands. She challenges him to hand-to-hand combat. (At a Transformerscon 2005 guest panel, it was mentioned by the writers that the female robots were to be skilled martial artists.)
* Page 6: Hot Rod accepts the challenge, but Elita is more than a match for him. Gnaw urges Wheelie to stay back.
* Page 7: Elita One ducks a punch from Hot Rod and deactivates him before he can sound the alarm. She sends a communication back to [[Quintessa (planet)|Quintessa]], where three other female robots are waiting.
* Page 8: The other three female robots teleport into the facility. Gnaw transforms to fight them off, but [[Moonracer (G1)|Moonracer]] and Elita One take him out with ease. Elita orders [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]] to take Hot Rod back through the portal.
* Page 9: Elita One, Moonracer, and [[Firestar (G1)|Firestar]] proceed further into the facility until they discover Optimus Prime in his repair chamber.
* Page 10: Chromia brings Hot Rod through. Meanwhile, Wheelie leaps down from a hiding place in the ceiling, delivering a kick to the female robots and punching Moonracer while she's down. However, Elita knocks him to the floor with a kick of her own.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Unpublished DWTF G1#11 pg10 #Transformers #Elita1 #Wheelie #ComicArt https://t.co/D5GJwSKEp1|link=https://twitter.com/SketchyFig/status/1568271481746116610|name=Don Figueroa|site=Twitter|year=2022|month=9|day=9|(defunct=)}}</ref>
* Page 11: Elita looms over Wheelie, ready to deliver the killing blow with her blade. But rescue is on its way: the Dinobots, disembarked from the shuttle, charging into action!<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Unpublished DWTF G1#11 pg11 #Transformers #Dinobots #Grimlock #ComicArt https://t.co/kl2gAyAnwV|link=https://twitter.com/SketchyFig/status/1568272119880089600|name=Don Figueroa|site=Twitter|year=2022|month=9|day=9|(defunct=)}}</ref>
* Page 12: As Grimlock's shadow rounds the corner, Elita orders a retreat.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Unpublished DWTF G1#11 pg12 #Transformers #Elita1 #ComicArt https://t.co/PHMQ9MKuYo|link=https://twitter.com/SketchyFig/status/1568272495266119680|name=Don Figueroa|site=Twitter|year=2022|month=9|day=9|(defunct=)}}</ref>
<gallery>
Image:G1Dreamwaveongoing11.jpg|We blame Dreamwave's fall on YOU!
File:DreamwaveIssue11Page01.jpg|
File:DreamwaveIssue11Page02.jpg|
File:DreamwaveIssue11Page03.jpg|
File:DreamwaveIssue11Page04.jpeg|
</gallery>

===Issue 12===
"This is it: the return of the most popular Transformer of all time! Yes, the indomitable Optimus Prime is finally back, ready to chew Energon and kick bumper-and he's all outta Energon! But the question is: where is he? Find out in this thrill-packed anniversary issue, as the greatest Autobots leader ever faces off against the ravenous Sharkticons and their cruel masters, the Quintessons! Don't miss this special birthday issue, a perfect jumping-on point featuring Optimus Prime himself ushering in an all-new era of Transformers greatness. The countdown to 2005 begins now!"

* Cover: Optimus Prime holding the body of [[Elita One (G1)|Elita One]] in a manner reminiscent of ''The Uncanny X-Men'' #136<ref>http://www.comics.org/details.lasso?id=34632</ref> and ''Crisis On Infinite Earths'' #7.<ref>http://www.comics.org/details.lasso?id=40485</ref> There was also going to be a variant cover featuring a drawing of Optimus Prime by [[Pat Lee]]. Ideally, the issue would have been released during December, which Dreamwave was calling their "Optimus Prime Month".
* Page 1: A close up of [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] in a repair chamber. <ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transmissions/transfansnet-interview-guido-guidi/5030/ Seibertron article] -Reposting images from Guido Guidi's interview with [https://web.archive.org/web/20050410041818/http://www.transfans.net/interviews_guido.php TransFans.Net]</ref>
* Page 2: [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] and [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] rush in as a healed Prime is released from the repair chamber.
* Page 3: The two try to stop Prime, but the Autobot leader refuses to listen as he remembers a vision of [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] he had while being repaired.<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transmissions/transfansnet-interview-guido-guidi/5030/ Seibertron article] -Reposting images from Guido Guidi's interview with [https://web.archive.org/web/20050410041818/http://www.transfans.net/interviews_guido.php TransFans.Net]</ref>
* Page 4: Suddenly Prime has a seizure and is forced to his knees. A vision of [[Alpha Trion]] appears before him. Recovering Prime picks up his blaster and leaves.
* Page 5: On [[Earth]] Colonel [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Witwicky's]] helicopter lands and he is escorted to a waiting jeep.
* Page 6: The jeep arrives at an underground [[Earth Defense Command|EDC]] base and Witwicky is briefed on the progress of [[Project Centurion]]...
* Page 7: ...an entire army's worth of [[exosuit|exosuits]]!<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transmissions/transfansnet-interview-guido-guidi/5030/ Seibertron article] -Reposting images from Guido Guidi's interview with [https://web.archive.org/web/20050410041818/http://www.transfans.net/interviews_guido.php TransFans.Net]</ref>
* Page 8: [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] watch the construction of [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]].<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transmissions/transfansnet-interview-guido-guidi/5030/ Seibertron article] -Reposting images from Guido Guidi's interview with [https://web.archive.org/web/20050410041818/http://www.transfans.net/interviews_guido.php TransFans.Net]</ref>
* Page 9: They watch the other Autobots work on the city some more before Prowl leaves.
* Page 10: Back on Cybertron Prime stands on a cliff overlooking a scrapheap, when another seizure causes him to fall and land in the heap below. He finds a grate hidden beneath the junk.
* Page 11: He tears the grate off and leaps down the shaft. At the bottom he finds a locked door which he blasts his way through through.
* Page 12: On the other side he finds the captive Alpha Trion hooked up to various machines.
* Page 13: Prime frees Alpha Trion who begins to tell him the secret history of Cybertron the entire series has been building towards....

<gallery>
Image:G1 ongoing 12a.jpg|If Optimus had tears he'd be crying.
</gallery>

===Issue 13===
"2005 is here - and the battle for the universe begins! Created by the sinister Unicron, the lone Cyclonus has been dispatched to search the galaxy for the missing Alpha herald, Scourge. But when his mission leads him to a top-secret storage facility on Earth, will Cyclonus find the end of his quest or the business end of several high-caliber EDC-issued blasters? This initial arc - "Detection" kicks off the biggest, baddest Generation One storyline ever! Get in on the ground floor for a front-row seat to the beginning - of the apocalypse!"

Interestingly, the original cover drawn did not show Cyclonus with the head of Scourge, but rather the head of a seeker.

* Cover: [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] holding the head of [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]]

<gallery>
Image:G1 ongoing 13.jpg|Scourge, I knew him, Galvatron...
Image:DWongoing13B&Wcover.jpg|Are you, Scourge?
</gallery>

===Issue 14 - "[[The Enemy Within]]"===
Although originally advertised with this solicitation...

"The humans fight back as the "Contact" arc continues! Recovering from Cyclonus’ violent assault on their facilities, the EDC tries to equalize the odds by activating its top secret defense plan—Project Centurion! Suspecting something sinister, Marissa begins to explore the real motives behind the EDC's newest operation. Fearing the worst, the recently revived Autobot leader Optimus Prime rallies his troops on both Earth and Cybertron for the dark future looming on the horizon."

...this plot was then bumped with intention of being replaced with a one-shot fill-in penned by Simon Furman centering on [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] and [[The Fallen]]. TFWiki has created [[The Enemy Within|an article]] for Furman's story based on a summary posted to his blog in late 2010.

{{--}}

===Generation One 2004 Datatracks Annual===
This low-priced one-shot was to be written by James McDonough and Adam Patyk, with art by Joe Ng and Don Figueroa.

"As Generation One's 20th anniversary celebration comes to a close, Dreamwave pulls out all the stops to reveal the all-new 2004 Datatracks, which boasts an original short story featuring the one and only Optimus Prime fighting alongside his brother, Ultra Magnus! Not only that, but fans can also expect brand-new expanded MTMTE entries for the female Autobots, Sunstorm, and a few more surprises! This exciting one-shot annual is the perfect way to cap off "Optimus Prime Month," while kicking 2005 into overdrive! This comic is priced to move at only $1.95 — so don't miss out!"

* Cover: Optimus Prime and an unarmored [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] stand back to back, with images of Autobots, Decepticons, Quintessons and humans displayed behind them.

==="The Rules of Extinction"===

Referenced in a footnote in [[Extermination|issue #8]] of the Generation 1 ongoing, this story would have centered on the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]], apparently revealing how they came to Earth, battled the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] there, and were "rediscovered" in the present day by Optimus Prime's Autobots. Exactly ''how'' it was supposed to be published is unknown, but it's speculated it was to be one of the stories included in the Datatracks Annual covered above.

==''Beast Wars''==
{{main|Shell Game issue 1}}
Although heavily advertised, no issues of ''[[List of Beast Wars comics|Beast Wars]]'': ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars — Shell Game|Shell Game]]'' ever saw print. Scans found on the internet show it would have had strong similarities to the ''[[Transformers, Beast Wars: The Gathering|Beast Wars: The Gathering]]'' by the same creative team, and Simon Furman's original #1 script<ref>http://simonfurman.wordpress.com/2007/12/24/xmas-wrap/</ref> confirms that much of mini-series was recycled into ''Gathering''. A key difference was that the TV cast were to be involved. In addition, this ''Beast Wars'' would have tied in with the Ongoing G1 series.

The solicitation for #2 reveals there would be a flashback to "just after the end of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]] on Cybertron... and witness the trial of Megatron! The verdict and judgment that follow set in motion a truly terrifying chain of events...".<ref>http://seibertron.com/comics/view.php?comic_id=785</ref> The cover showed ''Beast Wars'' Megatron on trial, so that's probably the Megatron they meant.

At Transformerscon 2004, Pat Lee also expressed an interest in possibly doing a complete series of ''[[Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More Than Meets The Eye]]'' profile books for ''Beast Wars'', including all non-show characters. As you can imagine, this never happened, but again, was an idea [[Transformers: Beast Wars Sourcebook|eventually implemented]] by IDW.
<gallery>
Image:ShellGame1a.jpg|Issue 1a cover
Image:ShellGame1b.jpg|Issue 1b cover
Image:ShellGame1c.jpg|Issue 1c cover
Image:ShellGame1ri.jpg|Issue 1 incentive cover
Image:TM2Megatrontrial.jpg|Issue 2 cover
</gallery>

==''Transformers/G.I. Joe: Divided Front''==
Dreamwave's second crossover, ''[[Transformers/G.I. Joe: Divided Front]]'' managed to have one issue released before the company folded. Adam Patyk and James McDonough were scheduled to write issues 2–5, while Chris Sarracini was slated to write issue 6. Pat Lee was to draw all of the remaining issues.

===Issue 2===
"The secrets of G.I. JOE and COBRA'S past are revealed as the greatest arms race in history intensifies, blazing a path across the world. Desperate for an equalizer, the JOES raid a top-secret COBRA bunker located in the Everglades. But when COBRA'S newly hired DREADNOK biker gang intervenes, will the JOES be too late to gain the advantage and-more importantly-save their Autobot allies?!

* Cover: [[Zarana]], the [[Dreadnok]]s, and a deactivated [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]].

===Issue 3===
"FAN-FAVE FIREFLY DEBUTS! Snake Eyes is a hard ninja to kill...which is why COBRA Commander has called in one of his biggest guns to do the job: the assassin Firefly! What is the history behind this COBRA'S rivalry with Snake Eyes? And can the Joes' ninja overcome this deadly saboteur in time to help his teammates retrieve the stolen Transformer technology from COBRA'S secret Arctic base? It's chaos on the ice as the Autobots face off against Destro's deadly COBRA/Decepticon hybrid warriors, with Starscream waiting to pick up the pieces!"

* Cover: [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] under attack from a pair of jets that look suspiciously like [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] and [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]], and [[Snake-Eyes]] facing off against [[Firefly]].

===Issue 4===
"AUTOBOT vs. AUTOBOT! It's a robot riot as the new Cold War over the Transformers really starts to heat up! The G.I. Joes and their Autobot allies try to reconcile their opposing views and unite against COBRA...but can they? They're not the only ones whose tempers are flaring, as members of COBRA prepare to foil their increasingly deranged leader's top-secret project…if the mutineers can make it past Firefly and the elite Crimson Guard, that is!"

* Cover: Ironhide fights against [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]], and [[Shipwreck]] is there too.

===Issue 5===
"What is the terrible secret buried beneath Cobra Island? Whatever it is, Starscream and Soundwave want it bad...bad enough to destroy Cobra Commander if he doesn't give it to them! Flint and the Autobots must prepare an all-out assault of the island themselves to prevent the villains' evil plans, but can the G.I. Joes count on Snake Eyes to help them...or will his vendetta against Firefly doom them all?"

* Cover: [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] and [[Cobra Commander]] stand over a fallen Shipwreck.

===Issue 6===
"COBRA's plans for domination are in full effect and, thanks to Destro, the Autobots and the Joes are now public enemy #1! Even so, will our heroes be able to thwart Destro's plans? Maybe...but you won't believe who going to help them out. The ultimate retro crossover is about to go out with a bang!"
<gallery>
Image:DW GIJoev2i2-cover.jpg|Issue #2
Image:DW GIJoev2i3-cover.jpg|Issue #3
Image:DW GIJoev2i4-cover.jpg|Issue #4
Image:DW GIJoev2i5-cover.jpg|Issue #5
</gallery>

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

[[Category:Dreamwave issues]]
[[Category:Things that don't exist]]

Unreleased Dreamwave issues

2026-04-10T05:59:28Z

WillR113: Added a summary for the unpublished pages from issue 12. Pages 2, 4-6 and 9- 13 are from https://www.tfw2005.com/boards/threads/dreamwave-generation-1-read-along-begins-8-5-2022.1235503/page-31

When [[Dreamwave Productions]] declared bankruptcy in 2005, several of their series were left hanging without any strong sense of closure. However, various sources have revealed small portions of what might have been, including solicitations sent to retailers before the bankruptcy. At [[New York Comic Con]] 2009 [[IDW Publishing]] revealed that while they do have the artwork from the unfinished/unpublished issues, they will not complete and print the issues as there is significant doubt that the artists and writers were paid for their work during the tail end of Dreamwave's run on the brand.

==''Energon''==
Despite [[No Exit|issue #30]] completing its current storyline, ''[[Transformers: Energon (comic)|Energon]]'' still had many unresolved plot points. Hasbro copywriter [[Forest Lee]] has suggested that the [[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|''Cybertron'' cartoon]] can be considered a follow-up, though it does require some stretching.

In November 2010, [[Simon Furman]] started to reveal the plot of the unreleased issues on his blog.<ref>[http://simonfurman.wordpress.com/2010/11/22/energon-%e2%80%94-revisited/ "Energon Revisited"]</ref> TFWiki has created articles for each of these unreleased issues based on these summaries; links, and the original solicitations for the issues, follow below.

===Issue 31 — "[[Doomsday Redux!]]"===
"REVELATIONS! Just who is (or rather, was) [[Alpha Quintesson]], and what are his true plans for [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], [[Earth]] and [[Unicron]]? While seeming to serve the Chaos Bringer, the multi-faceted alien has been developing a world-shattering agenda of his own, one that bridges worlds and dimensions. Now, at last, Alpha Quintesson begins his ‘endgame’, and first in his sights is the [[Mini-Con]] [[Over-Run (Armada)|Over-Run]]!"

===Issue 32 — "[[Armageddon Part 1]]"===
"Demolished! The next — and final — ''Energon'' story arc gets underway in earnest! It's the beginning of the end as Alpha Quintesson and [[Avalon (Energon)|Councillor Avalon]]'s quest for the mysterious [[Conduit (Energon)|Conduit]] centers once more on the Autobots' human ally, [[Kicker Jones|Kicker]]. The all-new, upgraded [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]] is on the case, and he’ll stop at nothing — literally — to get the job done. Get ready for Armageddon!"

===Issue 33 — "[[Armageddon Part 2]]"===
"INFERNO! What happens when four living Energon powerhouses tackle a being of pure Energon? It's the fighting-mad [[Omnicon]]s —[[Arcee (Energon)|Arcee]], [[Signal Flare (Energon)|Signal Flare]], [[Strongarm (Energon)|Strongarm]] and [[Skyblast (Energon)|Skyblast]] — versus the plainly mad [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]], and the result is an Energon inferno that threatens to consume Cybertron! Plus... the return of [[Unicron's Four Horsemen]] and the shocking secret of the planet [[Nervissa]]!"

===Issue 34 — "[[Armageddon Part 3]]"===

No solicitation.

===Issue 35 — "[[Armageddon Part 4]]"===

No solicitation.

===Issue 36 — "[[Armageddon Part 5]]"===

No solicitation.

==''Energon: More Than Meets The Eye''==
[[File:Energon MTMTE 1.jpg|thumb|200px|Cover for issue #1 by Guido Guidi]]

In keeping with ''[[Transformers: Armada (Dreamwave)|Armada]]'', a three-part ''More Than Meets The Eye'' series of ''Energon'' characters was also planned. Much of the artwork and profiles were completed. [[Alex Milne]] produced artwork for several character's profiles, which he ended up displaying and selling at conventions. These included Alpha Quintesson,<ref>http://s65.photobucket.com/albums/h214/Scaleface/Energon%20MTMTE/?action=view&current=mtmte-alphaquinetssion.jpg</ref> Alpha Trion,<ref>http://s65.photobucket.com/albums/h214/Scaleface/Energon%20MTMTE/?action=view&current=mtmte-alphatrion.jpg</ref> Arcee,<ref>http://s65.photobucket.com/albums/h214/Scaleface/Energon%20MTMTE/?action=view&current=mtmte-arcee.jpg</ref> Avalon,<ref>http://s65.photobucket.com/albums/h214/Scaleface/Energon%20MTMTE/?action=view&current=mtmte-avalon.jpg</ref> Galvatron,<ref>http://s65.photobucket.com/albums/h214/Scaleface/Energon%20MTMTE/?action=view&current=mtmte-galvatron.jpg</ref> Levitacus,<ref>http://s65.photobucket.com/albums/h214/Scaleface/Energon%20MTMTE/?action=view&current=mtmte-leviticus.jpg</ref> and Mirage.<ref>http://s65.photobucket.com/albums/h214/Scaleface/Energon%20MTMTE/?action=view&current=mtmte-mirage.jpg</ref>

Also tasked with doing art for the books was [[Guido Guidi]] who did the full three-part cover piece,<ref>[https://www.deviantart.com/guidoguidi/art/TF-Energon-Profile-book-COVERS-45513397 TF Energon Profile book COVERS] - Guido Guidi's DeviantArt account</ref> as well as character art for Barricade,
<ref>https://www.deviantart.com/guidoguidi/art/Unpublished-TF-Energon-MTMTE-7-45248877</ref> Blackout,
<ref>https://www.deviantart.com/guidoguidi/art/Unpublished-TF-Energon-MTMTE-1-45248275</ref> Blight,
<ref>https://www.deviantart.com/guidoguidi/art/Unpublished-TF-Energon-MTMTE-6-45248697</ref> Cyclonus,
<ref>https://www.deviantart.com/guidoguidi/art/Unpublished-TF-Energon-MTMTE-4-45248456</ref> Doomlock,
<ref>https://www.deviantart.com/guidoguidi/art/Unpublished-TF-Energon-MTMTE-3-45248420</ref> and Command Ravage.
<ref>https://www.deviantart.com/guidoguidi/art/Unpublished-TF-Energon-MTMTE-2-45248398</ref> Given the overlap between the ''Armada'' [[package art]] and the ''Armada'' ''More Than Meets The Eye'' series, it's probable that Guidi's package artwork for Bruticus Maximus<ref>https://www.deviantart.com/guidoguidi/art/Energon-Bruticus-Max-Boxart-128219434</ref> would've also made an appearance.

===Issue 1===
"It's ''Energon''{{'}}s turn to get the ''MTMTE'' treatment! Dreamwave's mega-successful series of official Transformers guidebooks returns with enough ''Energon'' facts, figures and profiles to put a smile on the face of any Trans-fananatic. You'll learn the secrets of Alpha Quintesson, discover the truth behind Kicker, and get even more info on Hot Shot, Jetfire, and dozens more! Brought to you by ''Transformers Energon'' series writer Simon Furman and a plethora of your favorite TF artists."

===Issue 2===
"Optimus Prime! Megatron! Omega Supreme! The heavy hitters are out in full force in book 2 of Dreamwave's official guide to
''Transformers: Energon''. You'll also get the goods on the powerful Energon Saber, the origin of the Omnicons, Unicron's Four
Horsemen, and more. Look for the third and final installment next month!"
{{-}}

==''War Within: The Age of Wrath''==
''[[Transformers: War Within: The Age of Wrath|War Within: The Age of Wrath]]'' would presumably have concluded with the defeat of the [[Air Warrior|Aerospace Extermination Squad]], based on the events of later stories. Many of the major characters — including Grimlock, seemingly killed in issue #1 — appear in later stories as well and therefore must have survived.

Additionally, several pages of art work were published in the [[Unofficial conventions|TransformersCon]] 2005 Program (which had several ex-Dreamwave employees as special guests). The covers to the issues were also seen in solicitations to comic retailers.

Furman would later sell signed copies of the completed issue 4 script at some 2010 conventions, and TFWiki has created [[The Age of Wrath Pt.4|an article]] based on it, and subsequently sold the completed issue 5 script and an outline of issue 6 in similar fashion at 2011 conventions, which TFWiki has also created articles for.

===Issue 4===
{{main|The Age of Wrath Pt.4}}
"ALONE! Stranded on a strange alien world, far, far from Cybertron, Turbomaster Flash is about to realize there really is no place like home... even when home is ruled by arch tyrant Megatron and his legions of clone warriors. The terrible truth behind the invasion and conquest of Cybertron is finally revealed. Now all Flash has to do is stay alive long enough to tell someone!"

* Cover: [[Flash (G1)|Flash]] stranded on an alien planet.
* Pages 1,2,3: Flash on an alien planet being attacked by [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]]. Meanwhile, on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] talks with the other [[Turbomaster]]s.
* Page 4: Perceptor prepares to examine a captured clone warrior from the Aerospace Extermination Squadron.

===Issue 5===
{{main|The Age of Wrath Pt.5}}
"HE'S BACK! Optimus Prime, right? Well... maybe. But then again... maybe not! Blaster's desperate bid to free the enslaved
Autobots lies in ruins, his and his entire team's lives are Megatron's to take at his will. But in their darkest hour, a hero returns to the fray, a force too powerful to be contained even by death's dark dominion. Prepare to be shocked senseless all over again!"

* Cover: [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] held at gunpoint by [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]].
* Page 1: Shockwave's lab, with a studied Clone Trooper over a deactivated [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]].
* Page 2: Two deactivated clone troopers lying in a heavily damaged lab. Also, small, dead [[Piranacon (Quintesson)|Piranacons]] litter the floor amidst the shattered remains of the tank Megatron used to torture Starscream in. Starscream himself is lying there alive but in a great deal of pain, curled into a fetal position.
* Page 5: Blaster fights against Clone Troopers and Megatron, using sound attacks and his [[electro-scrambler]].

===Issue 6===
{{main|The Age of Wrath Pt.6}}
"Last Stand! Finally... the battle you've been waiting for! Optimus Prime returns to take on his archenemy Megatron. But is Prime the 'bot he was? Scarred mentally and physically by his nightmarish exile, Prime plainly may not be up to the job! But if he can't beat Megatron and stop the rise of his second-generation clone army ... who can?"

* Cover: [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] battling [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], as [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] watches in the background.
<gallery>
Image:WW v3-4.jpg|Issue 4 cover
Image:WW v3-5.jpg|Issue 5 cover
Image:WW v3-6.jpg|Issue 6 cover
</gallery>

==''Generation One'' Volume 3==
Several covers of ''[[Transformers: Generation 1 (Dreamwave)|Generation One]]'' were distributed to comic retailers in solicitations. Pages from the unreleased volume 3 issue 11 were published in the fourth issue of ''The Comic Book Digest'' from Lamp Post Publications.<ref>http://lamppostpubs.com</ref> Additional pages leaked onto the internet revealed a great number of [[Exosuit]]s. In all likelihood, these are connected to [[Project Centurion]] mentioned in "[[The Route of All Evil]]".

[[Chris Sarracini]] and [[Guido Guidi]] were to take over from #12.<ref>http://seibertron.com/comics/view.php?comic_id=748</ref>

===Issue 11===
"Because YOU demanded it: The return of the Dinobots! The hot-tempered cavalier Hot Rod finds himself in over his head when a mysterious group of Transformers-like warriors interferes with a standard transfer mission. What are these mysterious agents truly after, and what hope do Hot Rod and his team have of stopping them? Featuring the return of the fan-favorite Dinobots, the first-ever comic book debut of some of Generation One's most desirable characters, and much, much more!"<ref>http://seibertron.com/comics/view.php?comic_id=746</ref>

* Cover: Several female robots, lookin' deadly as [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]'s hand reaches up to them.
* Page 1: Hot Rod looking up at a deactivated [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] being held in a repair chamber.
* Page 2: Hot Rod passing by [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] and [[Gnaw (G1)|Gnaw]] and looking out of a window.
* Page 3: [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] looks out a window towards Cybertron shrinking in the distance, as she, [[Kup (G1)|Kup]], [[Springer (G1)|Springer]], and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] travel on their way to Cybertron's moon. They see a [[Quintesson]] ship in orbit.
* Page 4: Hot Rod, Wheelie, and Gnaw see a [[Female Autobots|female robot]], [[Elita One (G1)|Elita One]], teleport into the facility.
* Page 5: Hot Rod tries to shoot at her, but Elita throws a dagger that knocks the guns out of his hands. She challenges him to hand-to-hand combat. (At a Transformerscon 2005 guest panel, it was mentioned by the writers that the female robots were to be skilled martial artists.)
* Page 6: Hot Rod accepts the challenge, but Elita is more than a match for him. Gnaw urges Wheelie to stay back.
* Page 7: Elita One ducks a punch from Hot Rod and deactivates him before he can sound the alarm. She sends a communication back to [[Quintessa (planet)|Quintessa]], where three other female robots are waiting.
* Page 8: The other three female robots teleport into the facility. Gnaw transforms to fight them off, but [[Moonracer (G1)|Moonracer]] and Elita One take him out with ease. Elita orders [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]] to take Hot Rod back through the portal.
* Page 9: Elita One, Moonracer, and [[Firestar (G1)|Firestar]] proceed further into the facility until they discover Optimus Prime in his repair chamber.
* Page 10: Chromia brings Hot Rod through. Meanwhile, Wheelie leaps down from a hiding place in the ceiling, delivering a kick to the female robots and punching Moonracer while she's down. However, Elita knocks him to the floor with a kick of her own.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Unpublished DWTF G1#11 pg10 #Transformers #Elita1 #Wheelie #ComicArt https://t.co/D5GJwSKEp1|link=https://twitter.com/SketchyFig/status/1568271481746116610|name=Don Figueroa|site=Twitter|year=2022|month=9|day=9|(defunct=)}}</ref>
* Page 11: Elita looms over Wheelie, ready to deliver the killing blow with her blade. But rescue is on its way: the Dinobots, disembarked from the shuttle, charging into action!<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Unpublished DWTF G1#11 pg11 #Transformers #Dinobots #Grimlock #ComicArt https://t.co/kl2gAyAnwV|link=https://twitter.com/SketchyFig/status/1568272119880089600|name=Don Figueroa|site=Twitter|year=2022|month=9|day=9|(defunct=)}}</ref>
* Page 12: As Grimlock's shadow rounds the corner, Elita orders a retreat.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Unpublished DWTF G1#11 pg12 #Transformers #Elita1 #ComicArt https://t.co/PHMQ9MKuYo|link=https://twitter.com/SketchyFig/status/1568272495266119680|name=Don Figueroa|site=Twitter|year=2022|month=9|day=9|(defunct=)}}</ref>

===Issue 12===
"This is it: the return of the most popular Transformer of all time! Yes, the indomitable Optimus Prime is finally back, ready to chew Energon and kick bumper-and he's all outta Energon! But the question is: where is he? Find out in this thrill-packed anniversary issue, as the greatest Autobots leader ever faces off against the ravenous Sharkticons and their cruel masters, the Quintessons! Don't miss this special birthday issue, a perfect jumping-on point featuring Optimus Prime himself ushering in an all-new era of Transformers greatness. The countdown to 2005 begins now!"

* Cover: Optimus Prime holding the body of [[Elita One (G1)|Elita One]] in a manner reminiscent of ''The Uncanny X-Men'' #136<ref>http://www.comics.org/details.lasso?id=34632</ref> and ''Crisis On Infinite Earths'' #7.<ref>http://www.comics.org/details.lasso?id=40485</ref> There was also going to be a variant cover featuring a drawing of Optimus Prime by [[Pat Lee]]. Ideally, the issue would have been released during December, which Dreamwave was calling their "Optimus Prime Month".
* Page 1: A close up of [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] in a repair chamber. <ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transmissions/transfansnet-interview-guido-guidi/5030/ Seibertron article] -Reposting images from Guido Guidi's interview with [https://web.archive.org/web/20050410041818/http://www.transfans.net/interviews_guido.php TransFans.Net]</ref>
* Page 2: [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] and [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] rush in as a healed Prime is released from the repair chamber.
* Page 3: The two try to stop Prime, but the Autobot leader refuses to listen as he remembers a vision of [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] he had while being repaired.<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transmissions/transfansnet-interview-guido-guidi/5030/ Seibertron article] -Reposting images from Guido Guidi's interview with [https://web.archive.org/web/20050410041818/http://www.transfans.net/interviews_guido.php TransFans.Net]</ref>
* Page 4: Suddenly Prime has a seizure and is forced to his knees. A vision of [[Alpha Trion]] appears before him. Recovering Prime picks up his blaster and leaves.
* Page 5: On [[Earth]] Colonel [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Witwicky's]] helicopter lands and he is escorted to a waiting jeep.
* Page 6: The jeep arrives at an underground [[Earth Defense Command|EDC]] base and Witwicky is briefed on the progress of [[Project Centurion]]...
* Page 7: ...an entire army's worth of [[exosuit|exosuits]]!<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transmissions/transfansnet-interview-guido-guidi/5030/ Seibertron article] -Reposting images from Guido Guidi's interview with [https://web.archive.org/web/20050410041818/http://www.transfans.net/interviews_guido.php TransFans.Net]</ref>
* Page 8: [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] watch the construction of [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]].<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transmissions/transfansnet-interview-guido-guidi/5030/ Seibertron article] -Reposting images from Guido Guidi's interview with [https://web.archive.org/web/20050410041818/http://www.transfans.net/interviews_guido.php TransFans.Net]</ref>
* Page 9: They watch the other Autobots work on the city some more before Prowl leaves.
* Page 10: Back on Cybertron Prime stands on a cliff overlooking a scrapheap, when another seizure causes him to fall and land in the heap below. He finds a grate hidden beneath the junk.
* Page 11: He tears the grate off and leaps down the shaft. At the bottom he finds a locked door which he blasts his way through through.
* Page 12: On the other side he finds the captive Alpha Trion hooked up to various machines.
* Page 13: Prime frees Alpha Trion who begins to tell him the secret history of Cybertron the entire series has been building towards....

===Issue 13===
"2005 is here - and the battle for the universe begins! Created by the sinister Unicron, the lone Cyclonus has been dispatched to search the galaxy for the missing Alpha herald, Scourge. But when his mission leads him to a top-secret storage facility on Earth, will Cyclonus find the end of his quest or the business end of several high-caliber EDC-issued blasters? This initial arc - "Detection" kicks off the biggest, baddest Generation One storyline ever! Get in on the ground floor for a front-row seat to the beginning - of the apocalypse!"

Interestingly, the original cover drawn did not show Cyclonus with the head of Scourge, but rather the head of a seeker.

* Cover: [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] holding the head of [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]]

===Issue 14 - "[[The Enemy Within]]"===
Although originally advertised with this solicitation...

"The humans fight back as the "Contact" arc continues! Recovering from Cyclonus’ violent assault on their facilities, the EDC tries to equalize the odds by activating its top secret defense plan—Project Centurion! Suspecting something sinister, Marissa begins to explore the real motives behind the EDC's newest operation. Fearing the worst, the recently revived Autobot leader Optimus Prime rallies his troops on both Earth and Cybertron for the dark future looming on the horizon."

...this plot was then bumped with intention of being replaced with a one-shot fill-in penned by Simon Furman centering on [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] and [[The Fallen]]. TFWiki has created [[The Enemy Within|an article]] for Furman's story based on a summary posted to his blog in late 2010.

<gallery>
Image:G1Dreamwaveongoing11.jpg|We blame Dreamwave's fall on YOU!
File:DreamwaveIssue11Page01.jpg|
File:DreamwaveIssue11Page02.jpg|
File:DreamwaveIssue11Page03.jpg|
File:DreamwaveIssue11Page04.jpeg|
Image:G1 ongoing 12a.jpg|If Optimus had tears he'd be crying.
Image:G1 ongoing 13.jpg|Scourge, I knew him, Galvatron...
Image:DWongoing13B&Wcover.jpg|Are you, Scourge?
</gallery>
{{--}}

===Generation One 2004 Datatracks Annual===
This low-priced one-shot was to be written by James McDonough and Adam Patyk, with art by Joe Ng and Don Figueroa.

"As Generation One's 20th anniversary celebration comes to a close, Dreamwave pulls out all the stops to reveal the all-new 2004 Datatracks, which boasts an original short story featuring the one and only Optimus Prime fighting alongside his brother, Ultra Magnus! Not only that, but fans can also expect brand-new expanded MTMTE entries for the female Autobots, Sunstorm, and a few more surprises! This exciting one-shot annual is the perfect way to cap off "Optimus Prime Month," while kicking 2005 into overdrive! This comic is priced to move at only $1.95 — so don't miss out!"

* Cover: Optimus Prime and an unarmored [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] stand back to back, with images of Autobots, Decepticons, Quintessons and humans displayed behind them.

==="The Rules of Extinction"===

Referenced in a footnote in [[Extermination|issue #8]] of the Generation 1 ongoing, this story would have centered on the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]], apparently revealing how they came to Earth, battled the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] there, and were "rediscovered" in the present day by Optimus Prime's Autobots. Exactly ''how'' it was supposed to be published is unknown, but it's speculated it was to be one of the stories included in the Datatracks Annual covered above.

==''Beast Wars''==
{{main|Shell Game issue 1}}
Although heavily advertised, no issues of ''[[List of Beast Wars comics|Beast Wars]]'': ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars — Shell Game|Shell Game]]'' ever saw print. Scans found on the internet show it would have had strong similarities to the ''[[Transformers, Beast Wars: The Gathering|Beast Wars: The Gathering]]'' by the same creative team, and Simon Furman's original #1 script<ref>http://simonfurman.wordpress.com/2007/12/24/xmas-wrap/</ref> confirms that much of mini-series was recycled into ''Gathering''. A key difference was that the TV cast were to be involved. In addition, this ''Beast Wars'' would have tied in with the Ongoing G1 series.

The solicitation for #2 reveals there would be a flashback to "just after the end of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]] on Cybertron... and witness the trial of Megatron! The verdict and judgment that follow set in motion a truly terrifying chain of events...".<ref>http://seibertron.com/comics/view.php?comic_id=785</ref> The cover showed ''Beast Wars'' Megatron on trial, so that's probably the Megatron they meant.

At Transformerscon 2004, Pat Lee also expressed an interest in possibly doing a complete series of ''[[Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More Than Meets The Eye]]'' profile books for ''Beast Wars'', including all non-show characters. As you can imagine, this never happened, but again, was an idea [[Transformers: Beast Wars Sourcebook|eventually implemented]] by IDW.
<gallery>
Image:ShellGame1a.jpg|Issue 1a cover
Image:ShellGame1b.jpg|Issue 1b cover
Image:ShellGame1c.jpg|Issue 1c cover
Image:ShellGame1ri.jpg|Issue 1 incentive cover
Image:TM2Megatrontrial.jpg|Issue 2 cover
</gallery>

==''Transformers/G.I. Joe: Divided Front''==
Dreamwave's second crossover, ''[[Transformers/G.I. Joe: Divided Front]]'' managed to have one issue released before the company folded. Adam Patyk and James McDonough were scheduled to write issues 2–5, while Chris Sarracini was slated to write issue 6. Pat Lee was to draw all of the remaining issues.

===Issue 2===
"The secrets of G.I. JOE and COBRA'S past are revealed as the greatest arms race in history intensifies, blazing a path across the world. Desperate for an equalizer, the JOES raid a top-secret COBRA bunker located in the Everglades. But when COBRA'S newly hired DREADNOK biker gang intervenes, will the JOES be too late to gain the advantage and-more importantly-save their Autobot allies?!

* Cover: [[Zarana]], the [[Dreadnok]]s, and a deactivated [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]].

===Issue 3===
"FAN-FAVE FIREFLY DEBUTS! Snake Eyes is a hard ninja to kill...which is why COBRA Commander has called in one of his biggest guns to do the job: the assassin Firefly! What is the history behind this COBRA'S rivalry with Snake Eyes? And can the Joes' ninja overcome this deadly saboteur in time to help his teammates retrieve the stolen Transformer technology from COBRA'S secret Arctic base? It's chaos on the ice as the Autobots face off against Destro's deadly COBRA/Decepticon hybrid warriors, with Starscream waiting to pick up the pieces!"

* Cover: [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] under attack from a pair of jets that look suspiciously like [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] and [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]], and [[Snake-Eyes]] facing off against [[Firefly]].

===Issue 4===
"AUTOBOT vs. AUTOBOT! It's a robot riot as the new Cold War over the Transformers really starts to heat up! The G.I. Joes and their Autobot allies try to reconcile their opposing views and unite against COBRA...but can they? They're not the only ones whose tempers are flaring, as members of COBRA prepare to foil their increasingly deranged leader's top-secret project…if the mutineers can make it past Firefly and the elite Crimson Guard, that is!"

* Cover: Ironhide fights against [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]], and [[Shipwreck]] is there too.

===Issue 5===
"What is the terrible secret buried beneath Cobra Island? Whatever it is, Starscream and Soundwave want it bad...bad enough to destroy Cobra Commander if he doesn't give it to them! Flint and the Autobots must prepare an all-out assault of the island themselves to prevent the villains' evil plans, but can the G.I. Joes count on Snake Eyes to help them...or will his vendetta against Firefly doom them all?"

* Cover: [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] and [[Cobra Commander]] stand over a fallen Shipwreck.

===Issue 6===
"COBRA's plans for domination are in full effect and, thanks to Destro, the Autobots and the Joes are now public enemy #1! Even so, will our heroes be able to thwart Destro's plans? Maybe...but you won't believe who going to help them out. The ultimate retro crossover is about to go out with a bang!"
<gallery>
Image:DW GIJoev2i2-cover.jpg|Issue #2
Image:DW GIJoev2i3-cover.jpg|Issue #3
Image:DW GIJoev2i4-cover.jpg|Issue #4
Image:DW GIJoev2i5-cover.jpg|Issue #5
</gallery>

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

[[Category:Dreamwave issues]]
[[Category:Things that don't exist]]

File:DreamwaveIssue11Page04.jpeg

2026-04-08T07:30:53Z

WillR113: {{art|art=Don Figueroa}} Page four of the unpublished Transformers: Generation 1 Vol. 3 (ongoing) #11. Taken from a TFW2005 [https://news.tfw2005.com/2010/03/19/first-four-p...

{{art|art=[[Don Figueroa]]}}
Page four of the [[Unreleased Dreamwave issues|unpublished]] [[Transformers: Generation 1 (Dreamwave)|Transformers: Generation 1]] Vol. 3 (ongoing) #11. Taken from a TFW2005 [https://news.tfw2005.com/2010/03/19/first-four-pages-of-dreamwaves-unfinished-transformers-11-revealed-169350 news article] using images Figueroa uploaded to his now deleted Deviantart account.
[[Category:Images by Don Figueroa]]

File:DreamwaveIssue11Page03.jpg

2026-04-08T07:29:57Z

WillR113:

{{art|art=[[Don Figueroa]]}}
Page three of the [[Unreleased Dreamwave issues|unpublished]] [[Transformers: Generation 1 (Dreamwave)|Transformers: Generation 1]] Vol. 3 (ongoing) #11. Taken from a TFW2005 [https://news.tfw2005.com/2010/03/19/first-four-pages-of-dreamwaves-unfinished-transformers-11-revealed-169350 news article] using images Figueroa uploaded to his now deleted Deviantart account.
[[Category:Images by Don Figueroa]]

File:DreamwaveIssue11Page03.jpg

2026-04-08T07:28:35Z

WillR113: {{art|art=Don Figueroa}} Page two of the unpublished Transformers: Generation 1 Vol. 3 (ongoing) #11. Taken from a TFW2005 [https://news.tfw2005.com/2010/03/19/first-four-pa...

{{art|art=[[Don Figueroa]]}}
Page two of the [[Unreleased Dreamwave issues|unpublished]] [[Transformers: Generation 1 (Dreamwave)|Transformers: Generation 1]] Vol. 3 (ongoing) #11. Taken from a TFW2005 [https://news.tfw2005.com/2010/03/19/first-four-pages-of-dreamwaves-unfinished-transformers-11-revealed-169350 news article] using images Figueroa uploaded to his now deleted Deviantart account.
[[Category:Images by Don Figueroa]]

File:DreamWave02.jpg

2026-04-08T07:17:13Z

WillR113: WillR113 moved page File:DreamWave02.jpg to File:DreamwaveIssue11Page02.jpg

#REDIRECT [[File:DreamwaveIssue11Page02.jpg]]

File:DreamwaveIssue11Page02.jpg

2026-04-08T07:17:13Z

WillR113: WillR113 moved page File:DreamWave02.jpg to File:DreamwaveIssue11Page02.jpg

File:DreamwaveIssue11Page02.jpg

2026-04-08T07:15:37Z

WillR113: {{art|art=Don Figueroa}} Page two of the unpublished Transformers: Generation 1 Vol. 3 (ongoing) #11. Taken from a TFW2005 [https://news.tfw2005.com/2010/03/19/first-four-pa...

File:DreamwaveIssue11Page01.jpg

2026-04-08T07:13:14Z

WillR113: {{art|art=Don Figueroa}} Page one of the unpublished Transformers: Generation 1 Vol. 3 (ongoing) #11.Taken from a TFW2005 [https://news.tfw2005.com/2010/03/19/first-four-pag...

{{art|art=[[Don Figueroa]]}}
Page one of the [[Unreleased Dreamwave issues|unpublished]] [[Transformers: Generation 1 (Dreamwave)|Transformers: Generation 1]] Vol. 3 (ongoing) #11.Taken from a TFW2005 [https://news.tfw2005.com/2010/03/19/first-four-pages-of-dreamwaves-unfinished-transformers-11-revealed-169350 news article] made after Figueroa uploaded the page to his now deleted Deviantart account.
[[Category:Images by Don Figueroa]]

Robert Hallo

2026-03-28T10:46:07Z

WillR113: I'd like to thank Chris McFeely for mentioning the mind control part in his Dreamwave timeline and the two people who saved the page to the Internet Archive

{{disambig3|Bob|Robert}}
:''Robert Hallo is a [[human]] from the [[Dreamwave Generation One continuity|Dreamwave portion]] of the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''
[[File:Halloface.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|You say goodbye, and I say Hallo.]]

General '''Robert Hallo''' is the head of Military Development for the United States Army, who plots to control the [[Transformer]]s, and then destroy them.

==Fiction==
===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
Robert Hallo joined the [[United States Marine Corps|Marines]] as a boy, where he was taught to never surrender. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 6|Prime Directive #6}} Eventually, he rose to the rank of General, and was put in charge of Military Development at the U.S. [[United States Department of Defense|Defense Ministry]]. In [[1997]], he hired engineer [[Lazarus|Adam Rook]] to spearhead the [[Lazarus Project]], a program designed to create intelligent robot soldiers. After every prototype failed, Hallo changed tactics, and took advantage of the recent [[Autobot]]/[[human]] defeat of the [[Decepticon]]s to experiment upon the deactivated Decepticons. Eventually, Rook succeeded in creating a program to control Transformers—the program allowed specific objectives to be input into the Transformer's central intelligence, suppressing their free will but retaining a level of intelligence sufficient to make independent decisions while carrying out the mission. In order to acquire the Autobots, Hallo plotted to destroy the ''[[Ark II]]'', a ship carrying the victorious Autobots, their Decepticon prisoners, and several humans back to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. An engineer attached to the Lazarus Project tried to reveal Hallo's plan to the authorities, but Hallo had him killed before he could blow the whistle. The plan initially went off without a hitch—the ''Ark II'' exploded on [[June 24]], [[1998]], killing its human passengers and depositing the Transformers into the [[Arctic|Arctic Ocean]], but Rook disappeared and took the control program with him. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 5|Prime Directive #5}}

Three years later, Hallo became aware that Rook, now calling himself "Lazarus", had recovered and reactivated several Transformers, including [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], using his control program. To combat Lazarus's robots, Hallo covertly recovered [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], but was unable to reactivate him. To do so, Hallo and his bodyguard [[Lou (bodyguard)|Lou]] plucked [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] from his Cleveland home and brought him to the [[Pentagon]]. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 1|Prime Directive #1}} Spike, who had been given a fragment of the [[Matrix of Leadership]] for safekeeping prior to the launch of the ''Ark II'', reluctantly used it to awaken Prime.

Hallo accompanied Prime and Spike to the Arctic with a company of soldiers, and watched as Prime used the Matrix to revive a number of his soldiers. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 2|Prime Directive #2}} Along with the Autobots, Hallo surveyed the ruins of a [[Smitco Oil Refinery]], the latest victim of Lazarus's Transformers. As Spike angrily confronted Prime about the attack, Hallo consoled the Autobot leader, suggesting that Spike simply didn't understand the nature of power. Disturbed by this, Prime violently extracted the location of Lazarus's base from Hallo and left him behind as he took his Autobots to attack it. Undaunted, Hallo revealed his true colors by ordering a missile strike on the battling Autobots and Decepticons. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 3|Prime Directive #3}} Flying back to the Pentagon, Hallo imprisoned a furious Spike and erased all records of the missile strike. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 4|Prime Directive #4}} The Transformers managed to survive the attack, however, and were soon rampaging through [[San Francisco]]. Deciding that an air strike would be insufficient, Hallo initiated a [[Nuclear weapon|nuclear missile]] launch. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 5|Prime Directive #5}} As the missile streaked towards the city, Spike burst into the command room, brandishing information on the Lazarus Project acquired from [[Larry]] (the brother of the Lazarus Project engineer Hallo murdered). Unimpressed, Hallo pulled a gun on him and forced him to watch the imminent destruction of San Francisco and the Transformers.

[[File:Hallodead.jpg|thumb|My crappy plan...ruined!]]
As the seconds passed, Spike accused Hallo of being a lunatic—being more concerned about power and control than saving lives. Hallo agreed with him, screaming that freedom stemmed from power, and that power was the only thing keeping Spike and his family safe. He was interrupted in mid-rant by the arrival of the [[President of the United States]] and the [[United States Secret Service|Secret Service]], who ordered Hallo to surrender. Confronted with the unraveling of his plans and unprepared to go to jail, Hallo pulled his weapon and was gunned down. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 6|Prime Directive #6}}

==Notes==
*In ''[[War and Peace]]'', the sequel to ''Prime Directive'', [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] tells Optimus Prime that he is responsible for the destruction of the ''Ark II'', hoping to prevent Optimus Prime and Megatron from returning to Cybertron before he wanted them to. Considering that Shockwave has a hand in pretty much everything in the [[Dreamwave Generation One continuity|Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity]], this claim seems plausible, but it is never explained in the stories themself how Shockwave was able to manipulate Hallo. In a [https://web.archive.org/web/20031207144821/http://www.transfandomtesting.net/matrix/story.php?story_id=269/ 2003 fan Q&A] writer [[James McDonough|Brad Mick]] implied that some form of mind control was involved.

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hallo, Robert}}
[[Category:Comic-only humans]]
[[Category:Dreamwave Generation 1 humans]]
[[Category:United States military officers]]

Quintesson

2025-12-24T09:03:20Z

WillR113: /* Notes */

{{factions|quintesson|quintessonwfc|unicron|{{factions/icons|custom=PotP-QuintusPrime.png|cSize=40px|cLink=Quintus Prime|cPretty=Quintus Prime}}}}
{{disambig2|the alien race|their home planet which is called "Quintesson" in the Marvel Comic UK continuity|Quintessa (planet)}}
[[File:Quint.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|"Hahahaha—[whir] —hahahahaha—[whir] —–hahahahaha—[whir] ——hahahahahaha—[whir] ——–hahahahahaha!"]]

The '''Quintessons''' are a bizarre and ancient race, whose dark history and shadowy machinations are bound up with the history of the [[Transformer]]s, with connections to both [[Primus]] and [[Unicron]]. They are known galaxy-wide as traders, entrepreneurs and businessmen, but their dealings are very rarely on the level, often laced with intrigue and betrayals. They prefer subtle manipulation, scheming, and advanced technology over brute force, but if those don't work, they can fall back on the legion of deadly [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]] and [[Allicon]]s at their command and a fleet of battle-ready [[Quintesson spacecraft|spaceships]] as well. However, the Quintessons themselves have zero fighting abilities and are absolute cowards if they have nothing to hide behind. For example, they are seen to be powerless against a Sharkticon revolt.

{{quote|[We] are ''Quintessons''! ''Arrogance'' is our life’s blood, ''ambition'' is our food and drink, but most of all, ''hubris is the air we breathe!!''|[[Al-badur]]|"[[Wreckers: Finale Part II]]"}}

{{quote|Deceivers! Betrayers! Five-faced slime of the nebula!|[[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] on the Quintessons|"[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5]]"}}

==Types of Quintessons==
The Quintessons appear to be mostly (if not entirely) mechanical beings. They come in several distinct forms, some of which are identified by their place in the Quintessons' bizarre court system.
*[[Quintesson Judge (G1)|Quintesson Judge]]
*[[Quintesson Bailiff]]
*[[Quintesson Executioner (G1)|Quintesson Executioner]]
*[[Quintesson Prosecutor]]
*[[Quintesson Scientist]]

[[File:Quint two faced.jpg|125px|thumb|My tentacles are on fire!]]
The Judges are not the only Quintessons to have multiple faces, though the only known exception is the '''two-faced scientist''' who was the primary creator of the [[Trans-Organic]]s. One of his faces was grievously damaged, a scar left by the [[Dweller (G1)|Dweller]], which he covered with a mask.

This scientist instigated a plan to get the [[Decepticon]]s to unwittingly release the trans-organics from their prisons deep within [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] so they would wipe out all Transformer life. The plan ultimately backfired; the Dweller killed the other trans-organics, and was launched into space by the [[Autobot]]s... where it smashed into the scientist's ship, which was en-route to Cybertron. Presumably, the scientist finally met his end as the Dweller drained the energy from the ship and everyone within it. {{storylink|The Dweller in the Depths}}

[[File:Quint rentacops.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|"Game over, man! Game over!"]]
'''Security officers''' appear to have been an ancient model of Quintesson, and possibly the only kind with built-in offensive capabilities, some having one set of arm-tentacles replaced with over-sized blasters. These blasters availed them naught, however, against the Trans-Organic beasts. It is unknown if any of this model of Quintesson exist in "modern" times. {{storylink|The Dweller in the Depths}}

[[File:Quint humanoid.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|No one remembers we exist.]]
Non-bailiff, non-executioner '''Humanoid''' Quintessons are exceedingly rare. One accompanied [[Inquirata (G1)|Inquirata]] on his mission to use a [[Time Window]] to change Cybertron's history, stopping the slave revolt that drove the Quintessons off-planet. {{storylink|Forever Is a Long Time Coming (episode)|Forever Is a Long Time Coming}}

And then there's [[Mirdane]]. A rarity among Quintessons, in that he has a name, and that's ''it''. He has only ever been mentioned by others, never seen, so what body type he has/had is unknown. {{storylink|Madman's Paradise}} {{storylink|Wreckers: Finale Part II}}
{{-}}

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 continuity family===
====Generation 1 cartoon continuity====
=====''The Transformers'' cartoon=====
{{voiceactor|[[Regis Cordic]], [[Roger C. Carmel]] and [[Jack Angel]] (English, primary recurring voices), [[Stan Jones]] ("[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2]]"), [[Dick Gautier]] ("[[The Killing Jar (episode)|The Killing Jar]]"), [[Tony Pope]] ("[[Forever Is a Long Time Coming (episode)|Forever Is a Long Time Coming]]" and "[[The Dweller in the Depths]]"), [[Paul Eiding]] ("[[The Quintesson Journal]]"), [[Charlie Adler]] ("[[The Big Broadcast of 2006 (episode)|The Big Broadcast of 2006]]"), [[Corey Burton]] ("[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2]]," "[[Madman's Paradise]]"), [[Aron Kincaid]] ("[[The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 1|The Return of Optimus Prime]]")|[[Paulo Flores]] (Portuguese, "The Movie" TV dub), [[André Filho]], [[Magalhães Graça]] and [[Ronaldo Magalhães]] (Portuguese, "The Movie" VHS dub), [[Fabio Tomasini]] (Portuguese, "The Movie" Fox Kids dub), [[André Luiz Chapéu]], [[Domício Costa]], [[Dario Lourenço]], [[Sílvio Navas]], [[Jomeri Pozzoli]] and [[Márcio Seixas]] (Portuguese, season 3)}}
{{quote|We Transformers have looked into the face of our creators... and seen the face of an enemy.|[[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Rodimus Prime]]|"[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5]]"}}

[[File:FFOD4 Early Quintessons.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|The new Powerpuff Girls series never really got off the ground.]]
In ages long past, a race of aliens called the Quintessons existed on the planet-sized factory known as [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}} Some of their early experiments in creating artificial life resulted in the [[Trans-Organic]]s. {{storylink|The Dweller in the Depths}} Some Quintessons turned to forbidden arts, and were banished to other dimensions. {{storylink|Madman's Paradise}} The Quintessons eventually created two lines of sentient robots: one was a line of robots designed for domestic duties and labor (known as [[Autobot]]s), and the other was a line designed for military use (known as [[Decepticon]]s). {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}} The Quintessons were exceptionally cruel to their creations, eventually leading to wide-spread rebellion, a rebellion started by the Autobot [[Alpha Trion|A-3]]. {{storylink|Forever Is a Long Time Coming (episode)|Forever Is a Long Time Coming}} Forced to flee the planet, the Quintessons eventually settled on the small, twisted planet of [[Quintessa (planet)|Quintessa]], but fostered an undying hatred of all Transformers for the next eleven million years. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}}

They also spent this time productively, selling technology to other races, and often manipulating the political and military climate of regions of space to increase their sales, all the while diligently keeping track of their work by recording it in [[Quintesson Journal|journals]]. {{Storylink|The Quintesson Journal}} Occasionally a race as the [[Zamojin (species)|Zamojin]] would arise that could potentially threaten the Quintessons, and they would deal with it by sealing off whole sections of space with [[quadrant lock]]s. {{storylink|The Face of the Nijika}}

[[File:FFOD2 Quintesson court.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Believe it or not, you really do have better chances in Texas.]]
In 2005, they were shown to capture prisoners for trial and feeding to their army of [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]]. The mock trials held by the Quintesson Court seemed to have no purpose at all, except maybe for the Quintessons' amusement, as defendants were still immediately fed to the ravenous Sharkticons even when the Judge determined them to be innocent. However, the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] managed to rescue the pair of Autobots the Quintessons had captured. Worse, [[Grimlock (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Grimlock]] inspired the Sharkticons to rebel... by stomping his foot on the ground and telling them to do so. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}}
{{note|The Quintessons' involvement in these events, or events mostly similar, were also chronicled in the comic mini-series "[[Transformers: The Animated Movie]]" and the storybook "[[Transformers the Movie (Ladybird adaptation)|Transformers the Movie]]."}}

One year (or possibly five years, [[Japanese Generation 1 cartoon timeline|depending on whom you ask]]) after the defeat of [[Unicron]], the Quintessons reappeared. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1}} They first sent a commando team of Sharkticons to abduct various Autobots (as well as [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]], though that may have been unintentional). Upon capturing the 'bots, the Quintessons seemed more interested in interrogating their prisoners than feeding them to the Sharkticons. However, they eventually did find the captured Transformers to be guilty of the crime of... being Transformers (Spike was guilty by association). {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2}}

[[File:FFOD4 Quintessons raised tentacles and Galvatron.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|"Look out, it's Galvatron! Quick, make yourselves look big and maybe he'll leave us alone!"]]
After [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Rodimus]] and the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] mounted a rescue for their captive friends, the Quintessons attempted to kill the would-be rescuers by destroying the entire planet of Quintessa. After this plan failed, the surviving Quintessons approached the currently leaderless Decepticons, offering them [[energon]] in exchange for attacking the Autobots who had fled to the planet [[Goo Number 8739-B|Goo]]. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 3}} When the newly revived [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] arrived intending to reclaim his army, the Quintessons made an alliance with him to attack Cybertron in return for the [[Decepticon Matrix|Decepticon Matrix of Leadership]], an object which didn't actually exist outside the Quintessons' fertile imaginations. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}}

The Quintessons betrayed Galvatron almost immediately after the battle had been won, sending the Sharkticons to pull a [[Large switch|switch]] which would cause all Transformers the galaxy over literally to freeze where they stood. Though the Sharkticons were fought off, Galvatron pulled the lever anyway. The Quintessons landed on Cybertron, intending to reclaim the planet, however Spike destroyed the switch and the Quintessons were forced to abandon the planet in an escape pod. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5}}

Later plots by the Quintessons were no less nefarious. A rogue Quintesson scientist abducted three Transformers and a [[Marissa Faireborn|human]] for behavioral study, a scheme that nearly killed the entire group after they drifted into a black hole. {{storylink|The Killing Jar (episode)|The Killing Jar}} Later, the Quintessons revived the deceased [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] in an attempt to lure all the Autobots into a trap and destroy them with a supernova. However, the Quintessons did not count upon Hot Rod forcing Optimus Prime to overcome his programming, nor Optimus Prime's ability to sacrifice himself to save the Autobots. {{storylink|Dark Awakening (episode)|Dark Awakening}}

[[File:ForeverLongTimeComing various Quintessons.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|"Damn it! Who ate my yogurt?!"]]
Later still, the Quintessons attempted to rewrite history by preventing their loss of Cybertron, creating a [[Time Window]] on an asteroid, directed at Cybertron eleven million years in the past. The Autobots attacked the asteroid, occupying it as several of their number passed through the Time Window and resulting in the very fabric of reality starting to unravel the longer the window remained open. The Quintessons made several desperate attempts to retake the asteroid before convincing Rodimus Prime to shut the Time Window down, though their plans were still ruined as the time-displaced A-3 returned to the past to take his part in the rebellion. {{storylink|Forever Is a Long Time Coming (episode)|Forever Is a Long Time Coming}}

After a Quintesson journal was lost on [[Junkion (planet)|Junk]], the Quintessons began inserting subliminal messages into the Junkions' [[television]] in an attempt to make them tidy and instill a distrust of other life forms. Unfortunately the equipment sending the subliminal signal was damaged during an attempt to retrieve the journal, resulting in the Junkions transmitting subliminal messages to the rest of the galaxy. In the ensuing battle, the Quintessons again tried to retrieve the journal, only to lose it when a stray shot knocked it loose from their tractor beam. {{storylink|The Big Broadcast of 2006 (episode)|The Big Broadcast of 2006}} The journal resurfaced again in the [[Angarrix sector]] at the same time that the Autobots were conducting peace talks with [[Xetaxxis]] and [[Lanarq]], two planets whom the Quintessons had manipulated into war so that they could sell weapons. Despite the Quintessons' best attempts the journal reached the conference where their interference was exposed, and the Autobots destroyed the Quintesson ship as it tried to deliver two [[omega bomb]]s intended to destroy the planets. {{storylink|The Quintesson Journal}}

The Quintessons would try other schemes to destroy the Autobots. One involved kidnapping [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]] and hooking him to a device which manifested his dreams in real life. Unfortunately the dream constructs turned on them when Rodimus was able to reach Daniel's sleeping mind. {{storylink|Nightmare Planet}} Another was to manipulate Galvatron into releasing the Trans-Organics. Though Galvatron succeeded, releasing the [[Dweller (G1)|Dweller]], the Autobots managed to expel the creature into space, where it attacked the Quintesson ship. {{storylink|The Dweller in the Depths}}

[[File:MadmansParadise Mara-Al-Utha.jpg|thumb|left|240px|''"Why not Zoidberg?!'']]
Finding Galvatron interfering with the quadrant lock sealing [[Quadrant X]], the Quintessons entered the lock, taking a number of Transformers through with them. Unfortunately their [[isolator key]], needed to reopen the lock, was damaged, forcing them to obtain [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]]'s [[universal emulator]]. Perceptor was able to program the emulator so that when the Quintessons used it, it disabled the quadrant lock for good. {{storylink|The Face of the Nijika}} In another dimension on [[Menonia]], the Autobots found the rogue Quintesson scientist [[Mara-Al-Utha]], and defeated him with the help of local wizard named the [[Golden One]]. {{storylink|Madman's Paradise}}

[[File:ReturnOptimusPrime Quintesson holding tool.jpg|thumb|upright=1.45|"Right, where am I sticking this?"]]
The Quintessons suggested to Cyclonus that he take Galvatron to [[Torkulon]], believing the experience would prove fatal for the Decepticons. It didn't. {{storylink|Webworld}} A group of Quintessons based on [[Titan (moon)|Titan]] made a deal with [[Dirk Manus]] to deliver them the [[Recreator]], while also sending the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]] to attack him. Multiple double-crosses ensued until in one final double-cross, Manus set [[Computron (G1)|Computron]] on the Quintessons and they retreated without the Recreator. {{storylink|Money Is Everything (episode)|Money Is Everything}}

When Rodimus asked [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] to find him a Quintesson, Sky Lynx complained that the Quintessons had gone into hiding in the farthest reaches of the galaxy and would be difficult to find. Nonetheless Sky Lynx managed to find [[Klementia|one being chased]] by [[Hate Plague]] infected Sharkticons, and took him to Earth to restore life to the body of Optimus Prime. {{storylink|The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 1}} The lone Quintesson also restored a number of other Autobots to help Optimus retrieve the Matrix from Rodimus. He did his best to hold off the infected Transformers while Optimus journeyed into the Matrix and found a way to cure the Hate Plague. {{storylink|The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2}}
{{--}}

=====Japanese cartoon continuity=====
======''Legends'' comic======
Millions of years ago, the Quintessons arrived on the planet that would become Cybertron and discovered the essence of the [[Oracle (G1)|Oracle]] as well as the [[Matrix of Leadership|vessel]] that had once kept it. They subjugated the Oracle by encasing him within [[Vector Sigma]] and creating the [[Key to Vector Sigma]] to control his powers, which they used to transform the planet into a metallic world. They went on to use Cybertron as a factory for [[Transformer|robotic slaves]] until their creations rebelled and drove them off the planet, claiming the Oracle's vessel and finding it full of malicious energy after years of accumulating the wisdom of its Quintesson owners. They promptly dumped out the Quintesson wisdom, which would one day go on to become [[Devil Z]]. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Grand Maximus)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}}

In need of new territory after being driven off Cybertron, the Quintessons opened a portal to another dimension, the [[Legends World]], and invaded it with an army of [[Overcharge (G1)|Overcharges]] led by a lone Quintesson. They were beaten back by [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]], leading to the Quintessons labeling the Legends World dangerous and sealing away its creators, the [[Zamojin (species)|Zamojin]], with a [[quadrant lock]]. However, the Quintessons were unaware that their portal had in fact spanned time as well as space and led to the far future, and the Legends World would only be created ''after'' the Zamojin were released from the lock. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 59|Bonus Edition Vol. 59}}

======BT World======
The Quintessons monitored [[Binaltech (technology)|Project: Binaltech]] on Earth with great trepidation. When they detected the Autobots moving on towards the enhancement of humans as well, they became afraid of the ramifications and initiated a [[quadrant lock]] on that world. {{storylink|Outlier (comic)|Outlier}}

As a result of the quadrant lock, the planet was frozen in time until the [[Alternity (species)|Alternity]] were born and broke through it 900,000 years later. During the intervening time, however, a tragic fate befell the Quintessons. {{storylink|Alternation}}

======''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers 2010'' story pages======
Teaming up with the Decepticons, the Quintessons began developing new warriors for their "allies". {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers 2010 (story page)|2010 Part 2}} The [[Predacon (G1)|Predacon]]s were constructed by the Quintessons during this alliance. The Sharkticons, also considered to be part of the Predacon faction, were leased to the Decepticons to bolster their ranks. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers 2010 (story page)|2010 Part 3}} The Quintessons evidently consider the Sharkticons to be "the Pride of the Quintessons" and developed [[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]] specifically to outdo all previous Decepticon [[combiner]]s. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers 2010 (story page)|2010 Part 4}}

During [[Dark Awakening (episode)|the time they had Optimus Prime's corpse in their clutches]], the Quintessons copied his schematics. They also received schematics of Megatron from their alliance with the Decepticons and developed the Colossal Cannon Soldier [[Gilthor]]. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers 2010 (story page)|2010 Part 4}}

======''Macrocosmic Seekers''======
The [[Seeker (United)|Seeker]], during the enslavement of Transformers, realized the potential for Transformer evolution and noted that rebellion was imminent. He was laughed at, but the Seeker got the last laugh when he left Cybertron before the rebellion and evolved beyond his Quintesson origins. {{Storylink|A Treasure's True Worth}}

======Controverse======
When [[Primacron]] was taken into custody for unleashing [[Tornedron]] into the cosmos, the galactic council appointed the Quintesson judge [[Adveraros]] to preside over the scientist's trial. To guard the prisoner, the Quintessons brought along several Bailiffs and Sharkticons. Though Adveraros at first seemed to give a sensible ruling (acquittal by reason of insanity) in truth the Quintessons were planning to harvest Primacron's brain once he had been sent to [[Doruka III]], an asylum planet. The plot was foiled by Primacron himself, who fashioned a high-tech whistle out of his mechanical manacles, and took control of all nearby "[[Primitive]]" Transformers. Having restrained Adveraros with his own Sharkticon guards, Primacron revealed that he had once created bacterial machines, which he proposed was the Quintessons' distant ancestors. Adveraros loudly denounced this claim as the Autobots came in to take protective custody of Primacron. {{storylink|Controverse}}

======''Kiss Players''======
[[File:KPQuints.jpg|thumb|This is all kinds of crazy.]]
The [[Kiss Players (singing group)|Kiss Players]] [[Marissa Faireborn]], [[Atari Hitotonari]], and [[Shaoshao Li]], together with the [[Sparkbot]]s [[Angela]], [[Star Dust]], and [[Zangetsu]], were traveling through time aboard [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Brave Maximus]] when the space fortress suddenly went out of control.

The six found themselves on a strange, alien world in the year 2011. With their ship ensnared, they were herded by [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]] to the Space Tribunal, where the Quintessons put them on trial for time-traveling without their permission.

When Shaoshao asked if being cute was a crime, the Quintessons threatened to charge her with contempt of court. Atari suggested using their Kiss Play abilities to transform into cute costumes and ask the "octopusses" nicely to let them go. But turning into a swimsuit-clad elementary school girl and asking the judge's permission to go to the potty only resulted in Atari and her friends being found "not guilty" and dropped into the Sharkticon pit below.

Rescued by [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Goldbug]], they fled back to Brave Maximus and re-entered the time portal. Sucked into the maelstrom along with them, the Quintessons demanded that the process stop, saying that they were the last of their kind. But it was too late, and the aliens were trapped inside the hole in space-time. {{storylink|Kiss Players Picture Story Show}}

======''Generations Selects Special Comic''======
In the universe's early days, the Quintessons were ruled by [[It]]. After developing a cyberforming ray, the Quintessons discovered a barren rocky world at the galaxy's centre. Testing their invention on this world, the Quintessons dubbed it "Cybertron" and enslaved the [[Primus|energy being]] that resided in its core, shackling it within a [[Vector Sigma|supercomputer]] through which they granted life to their Transformer creations. Though the Quintessons had intended to sell the Transformers as slaves, they'd built their robots too well, their creations rebelling and driving them off-world. {{storylink|Generations Selects Special Comic Finale|Finale}}

The Quintessons continued to experiment with creating robotic life, creating the [[Terrorbot]]s. This led to the creation of the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]], an elite form of Terrorbot that would seek out [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]'s energy and allow them to build a second of him with which to conquer the universe. {{storylink|Abominus comic 1}}

In [[2050]], thanks to humanity discovering and evacuating [[Earth]]'s [[Angolmois Energy]] and the unique temporal properties of [[Dinobot Island (G1)|Dinobot Island]], the Quintessons managed to escape from their dimensional prison and immediately set out to subdue the island's [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]] residents to sell as merchandise. The Dinobots weren't keen on this idea, and so the leading Judge released the [[Recreator]] to bring forth a reborn [[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]] when the [[Allicon]]s weren't up to the task. Predaking had the Dinobots on the ropes, but they managed to tap into an [[Energon Matrix]] and Angolmois Energy to combine into [[Volcanicus (POTP)|Volcanicus]]. The Dinosaur combiner was able to easily defeat Predaking, although the Quintessons fled before they could be taken care of. {{storylink|Volcanicus comic 1}}

With the myriad of Cybertronian politics being drawn into the humanity/Selector conflict, Spike took the Judge to the [[Mother Computer]] who advised that the humanity and the Quintessons join forces. {{storylink|Volcanicus comic 2}}

To celebrate this, the Quintesson Judge called down the Terrorcons and the [[Slitherfang]]s. When the Judge explained his race's plans for Angolmois, Spike furiously denounced the aliens, prompting the Judge to shoot him in the chest, laughing that the Quintessons' malignant Angolmois had corrupted the Mother Computer. {{storylink|Abominus comic 1}}

As the Judge continued to laugh at the Quintesson victory, [[Rung (G1)|Rung]] and Spike joined forces, the former being reborn as Neo Autobot X. Working together, the two Earthly species overpowered the Judge and incapacitated him with an [[energon enema]]. When the Decepticons began fighting over the Angolmois Energy, the Judge screamed as, through [[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]]'s defection, another of the Quintessons' creations had turned on them. {{storylink|Abominus comic 2}}

=====''The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers'' manga=====
[[File:2010manga04-title.jpg|left|thumb|200px|"Great Guns", "Colossal Cannons", it's all semantics.]]

The Quintessons feigned to have created Gilthor as a subordinate for Galvatron, but in reality they had allied themselves with the ghost of [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]], who gave the robot life. Gilthor quickly turned on Galvatron during an ambush on Rodimus Prime. He would have won, had Rodimus and Galvatron not worked together to defeat him, foiling the plans of the Quintessons. {{storylink|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 4|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers #4}}
{{--}}

=====''Wings Universe''=====
{{wingsnote}}
Very early in the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], the Autobot ship ''[[Van De Graaff]]'' was shot down over [[Beta-Nine]] while transporting a [[Matrix of Leadership|vital cargo]]. The Autobots initially believed that the crash was the result of a Decepticon attack, but [[Kup (G1)|Kup]], a crewmember of the rescue ship ''[[Eight Track (G1)|Eight Track]]'', discovered the truth when he found green tentacled remains alongside the corpses of the murdered ''Van De Graaff'' crew. {{storylink|Wings of Honor}}

The Quintessons created [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] to lead a new generation of Sharkticons. In [[2010]], they sent Sky-Byte and several Sharkticons to Earth in an alliance with the [[Decepticon Syndicate]]. {{storylink|Generation 2: Redux}}

By [[2984]], Quintesson space had come under the control of the [[Mutant (BW)|Mutant]]s. In that year, the temporally-displaced pirates known as the [[Star Seeker]]s traveled near former Quintesson space on their way to find the immortal spark of the infamous Decepticon [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]]. The Star Seekers eventually gained access to a [[Shut-Up-Tornado-I'm-Trying-To-Think|planetoid]] existing in a pocket of space surrounded by black holes. In a chamber on the planetoid, they encountered a lone Quintesson who claimed to have been betrayed and marooned by Starscream on the planetoid some time earlier. The Star Seekers gave the Quintesson passage off of the planetoid in exchange for telling all that he knew of Starscream's last known destination. However as it turned out, the Quintesson was long dead, and Starscream's immortal spark had been using the Quintesson's body as a puppet. Forming an alliance with the Decepticon Star Seeker [[Flamewar (G1)|Flamewar]], Starscream discarded the Quintesson's body and hijacked Captain [[Cannonball (G1)|Cannonball]]'s body for himself, simultaneously allowing Flamewar to take control of the Star Seekers for herself. {{storylink|Tornado - Decepticon Saboteur}}

=====''Transformers: All Spark''=====
{{groupstub}}
{{storylink|Another Episode, Part 2}} {{storylink|Conclusion}}

=====Ask Vector Prime=====
In an unstable [[Iocus]] universe engineered by the machinations of [[Sideways (AVP)|Sideways]] and [[Renegade#Gong|Gong]], the Quintessons on Quintessa were replaced by the [[Master Renegade]] and the [[Monster GoBot]]s on [[Antares 3|Antares III]] during the events of the [[Unicron War]]. {{storylink|Echoes and Fragments}}

=====''Deviations''=====
A group of Quintessons were presiding over the execution of Kranix when Optimus Prime and the Autobots intervened, forcing the Quintessons to abandon their kangaroo court and flee. Optimus noted a feeling of familiarity towards the aliens and their planet but could not place it. {{storylink|Transformers: Deviations|Deviations}}

====Big Looker storybooks====
[[File:Wildboyofquintessonbattle.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|Rarely do encounters with Autobots work out well for the Quintessons.]]
An Autobot ship crashed on Quintesson, with [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] the only survivor. The Quintessons captured him, throwing him in a dungeon. They intended to execute him, taking him to a Sharkticon pit, however he managed to evade them and escaped into the jungles of Quintesson. When Hot Rod's ship also crashed on the planet, the Quintessons tried to mount a sneak attack, only for Wheelie to appear and fight them off single-handed. The Quintessons returned with Sharkticon backup, stalking the Autobots as Wheelie tried to lead them away from the crash site, however as it turned out even with their Sharkticons, the Quintesson were no match for the Autobots and most of them were killed in the battle that ensued. {{storylink|The Story of Wheelie, the Wild Boy of Quintesson}}

{{--}}

====''Transformers in 3-D''====
A Quintesson sent two [[little informant|aliens]] to spy on the Autobots and Decepticons, and download the contents of their databases. The two aliens were puzzled, but the Quintesson remained cagy about what the data was for. {{storylink|The Test (issue)|The Test}}

{{--}}

====Beast Era====
=====''Beast Machines''=====
The [[Maximal]] [[Beast Rider]] [[Che]] was encased in a unique Quintessian{{sic}} alloy found in the lower levels of Cybertron.<ref>Che's packaging bio</ref>

=====3H comics=====
Millennia ago, the Quintessons were the minions of [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]], send out to locate [[Primus]]. The Quintessons succeeded, but rather than turn Primus over to Unicron, they instead constructed barriers around him, intending to make use of him to create consumer product lines. They eventually succeeded in doing so through [[Vector Sigma]], though some of their number such as [[Al-badur]] warned of the danger of trying to control Primus's creations. {{storylink|Disclosure}}

Out on the arm of the Orion Cluster, [[New Quintessa]] sat awaiting the [[Mutant (BW)|Mutant Beast]]s, Cybertronians without [[robot mode]]s who had been dispatched by the [[Oracle (BM)|Oracle]] of [[Vector Sigma]] to regain what they had lost. [[Icebird]] believed they were on a sacred mission; in truth, it was a fool's errand. The Quintesson Supreme Imperial Magistrate [[Derodomontatus]] fed the Mutants to the Sharkticons before continuing his discussions with the free trader, [[Cryotek (RID)|Cryotek]]. Plans proceeded apace, as both the Mutants and the [[Dinobot (BM)|Dinobot]]s were dealt with by this deadly alliance, and Cryotek assured Derodomontatus that the last Cybertronian team, the [[Wreckers]], would soon be extinguished as well. {{storylink|Betrayal}}

Meanwhile the Wreckers encountered Al-badur on an icy world, and he filled them in on the origin of Cybertron and bargained for his departure from the planet in exchange for information about the [[Divine Light]]. {{storylink|Disclosure}}

The invasion of Cybertron soon began, and [[Snarl (BM)|Snarl]], [[Longhorn]], and [[Skydive (BM)|Skydive]] spotted Quintessons herding mass hordes of Sharkticons towards the Cybertronian settlements.

{{Note|The following is unofficial material for the intended script to the Wreckers #4, never published.}}

Derodomontatus cheered on the advancing troops with his fellow Quintessons, before proceeding with Cryotek and [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] to complete his part of their bargain. The fighting intensified on the surface as [[Devcon (G1)|Devcon]] and the Dinobots arrived, shortly before the Wreckers returned to Cybertron as well. [[Primal Prime]] and [[Apelinq (BM)|Apelinq]] led a contingent after Cryotek and the Quintessons deeper into Cybertron's core. They arrived in time to see Cryotek had successfully mutated himself into a god-like being with the power of the [[Divine Light]]. {{storylink|The Wreckers: Finale Part 1}}

{{note|And now, back to the official material.}}
Derodomontatus, realizing the extent to which Cryotek had now surpassed the Quintessons, begged the free trader to remember their contract and honor it. In response, Cryotek sent his pet [[Chro]] to rip the Quintesson's faces off.

As their Imperial Magistrate faced a hostile takeover beneath the planet's surface, the Quintesson troops on open ground found their advancement equally stymied. Expecting the newly reformatted Cybertron to be filled with docile and disoriented cattle, the Quintessons were ill-prepared for the resistance they faced from all corners of the globe and all sectors of the populace. In [[Ankmor Park|Ankmor]], Judge [[Brinn]]'s patrol were stalked by the Maximal techno-organic, [[Night Viper]]. In a deserted city, a contingent led by Overseer [[Rexian]] were overcome by Decepticons criminals recently restored to their bodies. Overseer [[Vashik]] and [[In-Saba Nur]] assaulted the new Predacon capital of [[Darkmount (Cybertron)|Darkmount]] with predictable results, as Lord [[Galvatron (BW)|Galvatron]] squashed them beneath his heel ([[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] helped). Oh yes, and then there were ''Dinobots''. Admiral [[Krahulik]] was prepared to initiate orbital bombardment from the ''Paradigm'' hovering over [[Polyhex]] before [[Strika (BM)|Strika]] and [[Obsidian (BM)|Obsidian]] brought down the Quintesson warships as well. The Quintessons began to retreat in hordes, returning to their landing ships and launching out into space...right into the path of the planetary defense systems, recently brought back on-line.

All in all, the invasion of Cybertron was an unmitigated disaster. Judge [[Heirodyus]] watched the annihilation from New Quintessa with a mixture of horror and smugness, silently congratulating himself for escaping the fate of his brothers. He hadn't. The Mutant Beasts Icebird and [[Poison Bite]] had survived their dip in the Sharkticon pools, and returned imbued with the light of Primus himself. Heirodyus and the Quintessons were soon wiped from the surface of New Quintessa. Icebird and Poison Bite assumed control of the planet, spreading the techno-organic plant life made from Cybertron's reformatting, and teaching the Sharkticons the ways of peace. {{storylink|Wreckers: Finale Part II}}

=====''Beast Wars: Uprising''=====
Several millennia ago, the Cybertronians bought some surplus [[Terrorbot]] drones from the Quintessons, including the cumbersome and inefficient [[Overcharge (G1)|Overcharge]] drones. {{storylink|Burning Bridges}}

Following the failed [[Great Push]] of [[2033]], a Quintesson court found Galvatron and his compatriots guilty of their many war crimes, sentencing them to death. {{storylink|A Brush With Infamy–Prologue}} By the 24th century, the Quintessons were among the few species still allowed to travel in and out of the [[Allowed Zone]] due to pre-existing contractual relationships with Cybertron; the [[Human Confederacy]] regarded the Quintessons with suspicion.<ref>[http://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/133737-beast-wars-uprising-ama/?p=3361342 Post by Jim S on the Allspark Forums]</ref>

====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics====
=====Marvel UK future timeline=====
{{note|The movie adaptation and Universe bio, originally published by Marvel US, is in italics}}
''Like those creepy little pilotfish that swarm behind sharks, snapping at stray scraps, the Quintessons were vile enforcers for [[Unicron]], savagely hunting down and picking off those who attempted to escape his maw.'' {{storylink|The Transformers Universe (Marvel)#Issue #4|Transformers Universe}}

''In an alternate future of 2005, the Quintessons took Hot Rod, Kup and several other Autobots hostage on their homeworld and chucked them into the Sharkticon pits for punishment. The Autobots were able to escape, however, and the Sharkticons quickly turned on their cruel masters.'' {{storylink|Judgment Day!}}

In 2008, Quintesson scientists realized that their planet, Quintesson, was threatened with destruction by a time rift that was caused by [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]], and [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]]'s time-traveling. Though they scoped out several other worlds to move their civilization to, the [[Quintesson Journal|journal]] containing the records on these planets was lost on the planet [[Junkion (planet)|Junkion]]. {{storylink|Space Pirates!}} In an attempt to retrieve it, they captured [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] and had him interrogated by the [[Mister Regan|Galaxy's greatest torturer]]. After being left to the torturer's tender mercies for some time, Wreck-Gar "confessed," in an elaborate story, that the journal was lost in the void of space. The Quintessons quickly deduced that whole tale had been nothing but [[Quintesson#The Big Broadcast of 2006|a fabrication]], and executed the torturer for failing to deliver the journal's true location. {{storylink|The Big Broadcast of 2006 (issue)|The Big Broadcast of 2006}}

Desperate for their race to survive, they launched a surprise attack on Autobot City, capturing it for themselves. Most of the Autobots were deactivated, except for [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Rodimus Prime]], who was outside the city at the time of the attack, and [[Rewind (G1)|Rewind]], [[Ramhorn (G1)|Ramhorn]] and [[Steeljaw (G1)|Steeljaw]], who were hidden inside [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]]'s cassette compartment.

Using [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] as bait, the Quintessons captured the [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]] from Rodimus, and he reverted to Hot Rod. Out of options, Hot Rod activated the core of Autobot City, a giant Autobot called [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], who transformed and drove the Quintessons off but caused massive damage to the city in the process.

The Quintessons fled, but were ordered by Lord Kledji ''not'' to return to Quintesson, but to roam the stars instead to rebuild their forces and seek revenge on the Transformers, since their home planet was doomed beyond hope. How that went for them is unknown, but as they'd managed to cheese off most of the known metallic species by that point, it probably didn't go too well. {{storylink|Space Pirates!}}

=====The Big Broadcast of 2006=====
{{NoteMarvelBB2006}}
After a [[Quintesson Journal|journal]] of great importance to the Quintessons was lost on the planet Junkion, the Quintessons sent down a school of [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]] planet-side to retrieve it. Though the Sharkticons came close to completing their mission, they were chased off at the last moment by the planet's natives, much to the Quintessons' frustration. Deciding to make another attempt at its retrieval through more surreptitious means, the Quintessons sent down a television set the next day, knowing of the Junkions' fondness for Earth broadcasts. Their television set, however, also broadcasted a subliminal message, which caused the Junkions to act aggressively towards all outsiders, and made compelled them to clean up their planet. The Quintessons hoped this would allow them to more easily find their journal amidst Junkion's heaps of garbage, while keeping any other parties who might interfere at bay.

As soon as the Junkions found the Quintessons' journal, the latter moved in. But the Autobots and Decepticons had caught wind that something was amiss on Junkion by this time, and both factions also became involved, forcing the Quintessons to attack them. The Autobot [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] proved too mighty for them however, and the Quintesson were forced to retreat without their prize in hand. Worse yet, during the Autobots' and the Decepticons' scuffle in Junkion's orbit, the Quintessons' transmitter was damaged, ultimately resulting in its broadcast being sent all around the galaxy. Various species gathered around the planet to duke it out between themselves as a result. Seeing another opportunity to seize their lost journal, the Quintessons sent down a shuttle-craft to retrieve it while everyone else was distracted in the melee. But as the journal was captured in the shuttle-craft's tractor beam, a wild shot hit it, sending the journal off into the void of space, and out of the Quintessons' reach. The Quintesson tasked with retrieving the journal was sentenced to death for failing to fulfill his mission. {{storylink|The Big Broadcast of 2006 (issue)|The Big Broadcast of 2006}}

====''The Invisibility Factor''====
{{notemultipath}}
In one possible scenario, the Quintessons, currently allied with the Decepticons, sent a messenger craft to Earth. They informed Galvatron that they were ready to send in troops to help in a full-scale invasion of the Earth. Without any Autobots around to interfere with the messages they were relaying the Quintessons and the Decepticons soon turned Earth into one giant refuelling station. {{storylink|The Invisibility Factor}}

====Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity====
The Quintessons were an alien race which appeared to have conquered Cybertron at some point, but were driven off. However, they continued to maintain watch over Cybertron, eventually coming to manipulate the [[Council of Ancients]]. [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] claimed this was the reason that he started the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]]. {{storylink|The Route of All Evil}}

Megatron's animosity towards the Quintessons did not stop him from making a deal with the aliens, who provided him with the [[Air Warrior|Aerospace Extermination Squadron]] and a bunch of [[Piranacon (Quintesson)|Piranacons]]. Knowing Megatron and the Quintessons, both were planning to betray each other when the time was right. {{storylink|The Age of Wrath Pt.2}}

{{Unreleased WW comic}}
Megatron had promised to deliver Cybertron's core to the Quintessons in exchange for the army they had provided him, but Megatron forestalled on completing the deal once he had conquered Cybertron. The Quintessons grew annoyed, and began to rightly suspect that Megatron planned to renege on their transaction. Little did they know that [[Flash (G1)|Flash]], having been accidently been transported to Quintessa, was eavesdropping on their conversation, learning the true nature of Cybertron's conquest. {{storylink|The Age of Wrath Pt.4}} The Quintessons discovered Flash spying on them, but he escaped thanks to his superior speed. {{storylink|The Age of Wrath Pt.5}} The Quintessons then attempted to remotely extract Cybertron's core, only for their efforts to be thwarted by Starscream. Though their plans ended in failure, the Quintessons learned that the power they sought was also contained within Optimus Prime, a target much more attainable than Cybertron's core. {{storylink|The Age of Wrath Pt.6}}

The Quintessons began plotting further in earnest against Cybertron after a totalitarian regime headed by [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] was toppled by the Autobots. {{storylink|Generation 1 issue 0|Generation 1 #0}} Noting that [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] might stand in their way, the Quintessons readied to put into use one of their agents on Cybertron, [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], who they could use to "distract" him. {{storylink|Lost and Found (issue)|Lost and Found}} When Arcee informed that Hot Rod would soon be put in a mostly isolated position, the Quintessons excitedly put their plans of conquest in motion ahead of schedule. They called upon [[Elita One (G1)|Elita One]] to ready herself {{storylink|The Route of All Evil}} and her [[Female Autobots|extraction team]] to invade Cybertron. {{storylink|Unreleased Dreamwave issues|Generation One #11}}

{{Unreleased DW G1 comic}}

Under the Quintessons' supervision, the extraction team successfully knocked out Hot Rod and retrieved the unconscious Autobot. {{storylink|Unreleased Dreamwave issues#Issue 11|Generation 1 #11}}

====''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''====
[[File:Historyofcybertron.jpg|upright=0.9|thumb|What order is this read in?!]]
When [[Serpentor|Serpent O.R.]] downloaded information on Cybertron's history from [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]'s databanks, he saw the Quintessons create the [[Trans-Organic|transorganics]] and the Transformers. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 1|The Art of War #1}}
{{-}}

====2005 IDW continuity====
[[File:Last Stand - Quintesson Inscription.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]

An enigmatic Quintesson historian named [[Pentius]] was shipwrecked on [[Junkion (planet)|Junkion]] for centuries until he was freed by [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]], who needed a guide to get off the planet. {{storylink|Faces of Darkness}} During their time together, the Quintesson nurtured Megatron's evil ambitions in order to shape him into a true monster, though his motives for doing so were clouded in mystery. The Decepticon eventually killed Pentius to use his [[spark]]'s energy as fuel, but he was content with his death as it proved Megatron's training was complete. {{storylink|Prey (issue)|Prey}} After inserting Pentius's spark into [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]], Megatron accessed the giant's jumbled memories and saw other Quintessons, which he described as "devils" that preyed upon and destroyed entire civilizations. {{storylink|Primacy issue 1|Primacy #1}}

Some time after [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]]'s [[Ore-1]] [[Regenesis]] missiles struck the planet [[LV-117]], someone painted the Death face of a Quintesson Judge on top of the [[Decepticon]] insignia adorning it. {{storylink|Syndromica (2)}} A strange inscription of a Quintesson judge was also present inside the ruins of some unknown ancient civilization on the planet. Through the cracks in the stone it was carved into, its eerie eyes glowed... {{storylink|Spotlight: Wheelie}}

As [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] began consuming LV-117, [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] and [[Varta]] planned to flee the planet on a [[Quintesson Cruiser|familiar screw-shaped ship]]. {{storylink|Syndromica (2)}} {{storylink|Our Darkest}} After crashing the ship on [[LV-118]], Wheelie claimed to have stolen it from someone, but didn't specify who. {{storylink|Space Opera Act 2: Out of the Silent Planet|Out of the Silent Planet}}

A similar ship - this one chock full of Sharkticons - was used by Wreck-Gar and [[Rum-Maj]]'s group of Junkions to travel to Earth. {{storylink|New Cybertron Part 1: To Walk Among the Chosen|To Walk Among the Chosen}}

When a trio of Autobots entered Unicron's internals, they found the remains of the Quintesson engraving. [[Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Bumblebee]] questioned its significance only for [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]] to point out the painting's presence meant they were nearing Unicron's core. {{storylink|Last Stand (Unicron)|Last Stand}}
{{-}}

====''Kre-O'' online comics====
[[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] attacked a Quintesson and spun it around by the tentacles during his rampage. {{storylink|Enter the New Emperor of Destruction!? Stop Galvatron's Rampage!}}

====''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''====
[[File:Everybody Hates Metroplex - Quintesson Holding Trial.jpg|thumb|right|200px]]
The mysterious fifth dimensional beings known only as "the Makers" created the universe and with it [[Daiakuron]], a living planet which they imbued with the power to create life on its own. They went on to merge together, five at a time, into [[combiner|gestalt]] forms, becoming the Quintessons. {{storylink|Earth: R.I.P.}} Taking up residence in the [[unspace|Void]], the Quintessons were displeased that the life spawned from Daiakuron had developed sentience, something they had not intended. They seized [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimal Prime]], [[Snake-Eyes]], and [[Duke (G.I. Joe)|Duke]], putting them all on trial for theft of the body and the soul. Reviewing their memories: acquiring the [[Matrix of Leadership]] from [[Alpha Trion]], being trained by the Blind Master in martial arts, and living at odds with his step-father, respectively, the trio was found guilty! However, before punishment could be dealt, the trio escaped back into reality. {{storylink|Everybody Hates Metroplex}} After learning the identity of their creators, the Autobots and [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] sent a joint crew to [[Quadrant X]] to find the Quintessons. {{storylink|The War Never Ends}}
{{-}}
====''Transformers/Ghostbusters''====
When [[Gozer]] appeared on Cybertron, the [[Temple of Gozer|temple]] it summoned was adorned with Quintesson visages. {{storylink|Ghosts of Cybertron Part 1}}

====''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' cartoon====
[[File:EarthriseEpisode2-Deseeus.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"As I was your beginning, so shall I be your end."]]

The rulers of the Quintesson Empire, the Quintessons were an ancient enemy of the Cybertronian race, having enslaved Cybertron and sold off its citizenry as property in ages past. The [[Scorponok (G1)#War for Cybertron Trilogy cartoon|Scorponok]] remaining on the [[Nebulos]] space station referred to them as the "creators". The Cybertronians eventually rose up against the Quintessons and drove them off Cybertron. The [[Quintesson Judge|Judge]] [[Deseeus]], who referred to the Cybertronians as his "children", would later claim credit for emancipating the Cybertronians though the veracity of this claim is unknown. By the era of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], the Quintessons had been absent for so long that the younger generations of Cybertronians viewed them as nothing but myths.

Whether Deseeus was a uniquely fractured individual or a representative of the default among Quintesson Judges, each of his faces had a separate personality, who debated among the "council" to reach "consensus" before making a decision. Whether the Quintessons were the enemy driven off by [[Alpha Trion]] is unknown, but by the present age they were remembered enough for Optimus to know of them, and for Megatron to fly into a rage upon being compared to a Judge. {{storylink|Earthrise episode 2}} {{storylink|Earthrise episode 5}}

In the past, the Quintessons ruled over a Cybertronian population that included the last Scorponok on Nebulos, who never rebelled against them, and ultimately all save that single Transformer were destroyed. {{storylink|Earthrise episode 5}}

Sometime around the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s launch, Judge Deseeus would hire out members of the [[Mercenary]] faction, who would bring the crew of the ship to him, where he proclaimed his desire to reunite with his "children", although his threats and arguing faces made his goals unclear. Deseeus' face of Wrath would reach "consensus" by ''slicing off the other faces'' and deciding to slaughter the Autobots. {{storylink|Earthrise episode 2}} Manipulating the body of the Mercenary leader [[Doubledealer]], Deseeus took command of the Mercenary faction, pursuing the ''Ark'' and the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]''. [[Fool's Fortune|The Mercenaries' ship]] was eventually destroyed but it is unknown if Deseeus was still aboard when it exploded. {{storylink|Earthrise episode 6}}

{{--}}

====''My Little Pony/Transformers''====
[[File:Finale-Quintesson.jpg|thumb|right|200px]]

Following the defeat of [[King Sombra]] on Cybertron, a Quintesson Judge observed the [[Pony|Equestrians]] with interest. {{storylink|Finale (The Magic of Cybertron)|Finale}}

{{--}}

====2019 IDW continuity====
[[File:WarsEndPartTwo ExarchonOrigin.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]

During his fateful voyage beyond Cybertronian space, the explorer [[Exarchon]] came into contact with enigmatic beings who dwelt beyond the "Quintessence". Fearing the destructive potential of the Cybertronian race if they were allowed to spread unchecked, the aliens mutated Exarchon into a new form of life entirely, a "living virus" capable of remotely extinguishing the [[spark]]s of other Cybertronians, armed him with the advanced weapons and exotic technologies required to wage war on his homeworld, and showed him a glimpse of a possible future where he ruled Cybertron unopposed. {{storylink|Darkness, Once Gazed Upon: Part One}} Upon returning to Cybertron, Exarchon explained that he'd been sent to permanently curtail the unchecked cycles of violent conquest and colonization that characterized Cybertron's [[Expansion|Age of Expansion]] by destroying the [[AllSpark]] itself. {{storylink|War's End Part Three}}

====''King Grimlock''====
When he found himself in [[Menonia]], [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] made an enemy of the [[Mara-Al-Utha|Red Wizard]], finding him to be a Quintesson whom he quickly overthrow. Menonian lore speculated that the Red Wizard was an exile among his own people. {{storylink|Grimlock the Avenger}}

{{--}}

====Energon Universe====
Native to the planet [[Quintessa (planet)|Quintessa]], {{storylink|Void Rivals issue 5|Void Rivals #5}} the Quintessons were responsible for the [[Age of Wrath]], centuries before the modern day. {{storylink|Void Rivals issue 3|Void Rivals #3}} Already having dominion over the galactic quadrant that [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] lay in, the Quintessons conquered the metallic planet and enslaved its inhabitants. Under the leadership of [[Alpha Trion|Alpha]] and [[Beta (G1)|Zerta Trion]], the Cybertronians managed to expel the occupiers from their world. As a final resort, the Quintessons dispatched their greatest weapon, [[Goliant]], to Cybertron only for Zerta Trion to lead him away to a distant [[star system]]. {{storylink|Void Rivals issue 17|Void Rivals #17}} Even after the Age of Wrath ended, the Quintessons' actions were remembered and they had many enemies. {{storylink|Void Rivals issue 3|Void Rivals #3}} {{storylink|Void Rivals issue 4|Void Rivals #4}}

In the modern day, the [[Quintesson Judge (G1)|Quintesson Judge]] assigned [[Quintesson Prosecutor|a Prosecutor]] to take a [[Quintesson Scorpia]] to the fighting pits of the planet [[Master (planet)|Dominus]]. {{storylink|Void Rivals issue 5|Void Rivals #5}} On his journey, the Prosecutor crossed paths with the [[Skuxxoid]], a financial partner of the species. Discovering that the Prosecutor had a bounty on him, Skuxxoid held him prisoner. During [[Darak]] and [[Solila]]'s quest to return to the [[Sacred Ring]], they briefly joined forces with the Quintesson Prosecutor but ultimately left the alien in Skuxxoid's custody in exchange for a spaceship. {{storylink|Void Rivals issue 3|Void Rivals #3}}

Skuxxoid first took the Prosecutor to Cybertron, hoping to sell him to [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], only to be told to get out in no uncertain terms. {{storylink|Void Rivals issue 4|Void Rivals #4}} Undeterred, the Skuxxoid took the Prosecutor back to Quintessa, finding an even less sympathetic audience from the Judge. Before the Skuxxoid could be prepared for a trial, he managed to save his skin by mentioning that he had a ship made from [[Zertonian]] metals. {{storylink|Void Rivals issue 5|Void Rivals #5}}

Delivered the craft, the Judge ordered it taken to a laboratory to be scanned for any hints that could lead them to [[Zertonia]]. {{storylink|Void Rivals issue 6|Void Rivals #6}} When a [[Quintesson Scientist]] theorized that the craft had a link to Zerta Trion, the Judge executed him for speaking the name. {{storylink|Void Rivals issue 9|Void Rivals #9}}

A [[Quintesson Cruiser]] was dispatched to trace back the trail of the Zertonian craft, finding [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] following the same trail. Following the Autobot, {{storylink|Void Rivals issue 11|Void Rivals #11}} the Quintessons found their way to [[Sacred Ring]], the ship's captain declaring that they would have their revenge. {{storylink|Void Rivals issue 14|Void Rivals #14}}

The Quintessons promptly left the Ring before they were detected, the captain being eager to inform the ruling council of their discovery himself, {{storylink|Void Rivals issue 15|Void Rivals #15}} their quick exit catching the attention of [[Pythona]] who ordered the [[Leviathan (Cobra-La)|Leviathan]] to follow. {{storylink|Void Rivals issue 17|Void Rivals #17}}

===Unicron Trilogy continuity family===
[[File:AlphaQ1.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2]]
'''Alpha Quintesson''' (or simply "'''Alpha Q'''") had varying origins within the [[Aurex]] cluster. In some realities he came from [[Planet Q]] and was the only known Quintesson. {{storylink|Transformers: Energon (cartoon)|''Energon'' cartoon}} While in others, he came from [[Quintessa (planet)|Quintessa]] and was part of a larger race of Quintessons. {{storylink|Transformers: Energon (comic)|''Energon'' comic}} Regardless of his origins, his main motive and driving force remained mostly the same.

{{see|Alpha Quintesson}}
{{--}}

===''Animated'' cartoon===
Three hundred million years ago, give or take, the Autobots, engaged in a major colonization push, had border skirmishes with the [[Quintesson Pan Galactic Co-Prosperity Sphere]]. This conflict ended the Age of [[Expansion]]. The [[Autobot Commonwealth]] and the Co-Prosperity Sphere still border each other, as well as the [[Nebulon Republic]]. {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II|The AllSpark Almanac II}}

[[Swindle (Animated)|Swindle]] received his [[Sonic Jammer 3000]] from the Quintessons. According to him, they are nice folks that give you a good deal and all the oil you can drink. {{storylink|Decepticon Air}}

===Fun Publications ''Shattered Glass'' continuity===
[[File:Quintesson aquarius.jpg|upright=0.85|left|thumb|Dude.]]

{{quote|We are all one or we are all gone.|[[Aquarius (SG)|Aquarius]]|[[Transformers: Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass]]}}

This universe's Quintessons are an enigmatic and benevolent species holding sway over a large section of space known as the '''Quintesson Collective'''. They share technology and cooperate with many other species, whether organic, [[technorganic]], or mechanical, using culture as a unifying notion instead of evolutionary origins. They long ago perfected zero-point energy engines, food and parts replication technologies, and advanced biomedics, allowing any individual to change features, organs, and overall designs, eliminating such things as [[Exclusive|scarcity]], and thus material value, "mortality", and even the concept of "species". These technological advances are shared and freely available to all those who join their "ultra-species".

The Quintessons usually rely on [[Federation|cautious observation before making first contact]] with other unenlightened peoples, demanding years of study and careful cultural guidance before even considering allowing membership into the Collective. They rarely use direct means to steer a culture onto the enlightened path, but have been known to occasionally take [[Fortress Maximus (SG)|more direct action]] to protect their interests, doing the "dirty work" themselves. {{storylink|Transformers: Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass}}
{{-}}

====Shattered Expectations====
When [[Starscream (SG)|Starscream]] and [[Razorclaw (SG)|Razorclaw]] confronted the evil Autobots [[Goldbug (SG)|Goldbug]], [[Jazz (SG)|Jazz]], and [[Grimlock (SG)|Grimlock]], Starscream ordered the Autobots to surrender in the name of the '''[[Quintesson Federation]]'''. {{storylink|Shattered Expectations (SG)|Shattered Expectations}}

===Aligned continuity family===
[[File:Quintessons-CovenantofPrimus.jpg|thumb|right|400px|No one would have believed in the last years of the nineteenth century that this world was being watched keenly and closely by intelligences greater than man's. [...] Yet across the gulf of space, minds that are to our minds as ours are to those of the beasts that perish, intellects vast and cool and unsympathetic, regarded this earth with envious eyes, and slowly and surely drew their plans against us.]]

When the [[Age of Primes]] ended and new Cybertronians began to populate the metallic world, [[Quintus Prime]] chose to leave the planet, hoping to use his [[Emberstone]] on other worlds and create peaceful, space-faring civilizations that would one day contact Cybertron to form friendly alliances. When he reached the planet [[Quintessa (planet)|Quintessa]], Quintus created the Quintessons; a species of small organic squids. Physically frail, easily injured, and extremely cowardly, what the Quintessons lacked in physical strength, they made up for in intelligence and cunning. [[Alpha Trion]] suspected that when the Quintessons found no further use of Quintus Prime, they turned on their creator.

When the Quintessons developed interstellar travel, they began conquering other worlds. They were rarely seen during their conquests, doing most of their dirty work through various proxies, willing or unwilling. When the Quintessons did need to expose themselves to further their own ends, they frequently encased themselves in mechanical suits styled after their various slave races, often claiming to be representatives of other races.

At some point before discovering Cybertron, the Quintessons stole the schematics for [[space bridge]] technology from an unknown source but did not fully understand the science behind the device. They eventually discovered Cybertron toward the end of the planet's Age of Origins. As the first alien beings ever to make contact with the planet, the arrival of their ships awed the young Cybertronian race. {{storylink|Transformers: Retribution|Retribution}} {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus}} The Quintessons claimed to be benevolent entities sent to "uplift" the Cybertronians from their primitive existence, so that they could join the galactic community. By giving Cybertronians the "gift" of transformation and the power to assume [[alternate mode]]s, the Quintessons won Cybertron's public support. In reality, though, the Quintessons had simply learned to remotely trigger the dormant [[Transformation cog (biology)|transformation cog]]s present in every Transformer. The dispersal of Quintesson technology and tutelage turned the feudal, tribe-based planet into a sophisticated spacefaring civilization almost overnight. The Quintessons established rule of law and eventually a global order overseen by the [[Elite Guard]] member [[Sentinel Zeta Prime]] and the [[Autobot High Council|High Council]].

Secretly, the Quintessons aimed to slowly rob the Cybertronians of their individuality, then sell them into slavery as mindless drones. To further this goal, they began implanting various Cybertronians, such as the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]], with cockpits intended to house Quintesson pilots. {{storylink|Transformers: Retribution|Retribution}} {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus}} {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}} The Quintessons organized other Cybertronians into working collectives and attempted to tamper with the Well of All Sparks itself; newborn Transformers began emerging without names or identities, and instead received alphanumeric designations. The Quintesson's twisted, bizarre sense of justice led to the construction of the [[Supreme Court]] on Cybertron, a kangaroo court where innocents could be sentenced to life imprisonment or death. {{storylink|Transformers: Retribution|Retribution}} {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus}}

Eventually, a resistance movement formed, and the Quintessons were defeated in a rebellion led by Sentinel Prime, who led Cybertron into a subsequent [[Golden Age]]. Traces of their rule, such as the cockpits implanted in many Cybertronians, would remain even as Cybertron slowly rid itself of their influence. Some of the Cybertronians who had lived through this disturbing period- including a young librarian named [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Orion Pax]]- suppressed their traumatic memories of Cybertron's occupation, and eventually forgot about the Quintessons almost entirely. {{storylink|Transformers: Retribution|Retribution}} {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus}} Generations later, Orion Pax claimed Sentinel and the [[Autobot High Council|High Council]] had enslaved Cybertron with the [[Functionism|caste system]] instead of having it forced on them by the Quintessons. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}}

The Quintessons never forgot about their humiliating rout at the hands of their former servants, and for many centuries the embittered race enviously regarded the planet and its inhabitants as rightfully theirs. At some point after Cybertron's [[Golden Age]], the Quintessons discovered and colonized the Transformers's ex-colony world of [[Aquatron]], modifying the bodies of its inhabitants to produce techno-organic monstrosities such as the [[Gamekeeper]] and the [[Hydratron]]. Aquatron was eventually subsumed into the Quintesson Imperium, and the Quintessons used their new [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticon]] slaves as aquatic shock troopers.

When the ''[[Ark (WFC)|Ark]]'' entered the Aquatron system during Optimus Prime's search for the [[AllSpark]], the Quintessons awakened [[Inquirata (Prime)|Inquirata]] and his associate [[Xeros]] to carry out their deception that would eventually lead to the second invasion of Cybertron. Manipulating both Optimus and [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] to the planet's surface under the guise of a peace treaty, the Quintessons were eventually able to place both Autobots and Decepticons under arrest and take them to court. During the trial, the Quintessons claimed that they had colonized Cybertron and literally built the first Transformers; Optimus quickly saw through their deception and maintained that all Cybertronians were creations of [[Primus]] alone. The Quintesson judges found Optimus innocent, and forced him to duel to the death with Megatron; siphoning energy from the two leaders, they powered a Space Bridge to Cybertron and launched a second invasion force to re-colonize and enslave Cybertron. Their genetically engineered leader [[Tyrannicon]] spearheaded the Sharkticon invasion and was able to swiftly overwhelm the weakened planet. The invasion was only defeated after Megatron, forced into a temporary truce with his archenemy, discovered the [[Sharkticon Matrix of Leadership]] and used it to override Tyrannicon's hold on his troops. In the ensuing fight, Xeros, Tyrannicon, and Inquirata were all killed, and Aquatron itself was freed of Quintesson control. {{storylink|Transformers: Retribution|Retribution}}

The [[Mutacon]]s knew of the Quintessons but considered the law-bound Quintesson way of life to be boring and a worse fate than death. {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus}}

===''Cyberverse'' cartoon===
[[File:Cyberverse Judge Judging.jpg|thumb|250px]]
The Quintessons were a strange race of aliens, interdimensional beings who travelled the [[multiverse]] using their [[multiverse drive]] and passed judgement on which universes deserved to live or be destroyed. (spoiler alert: they always get destroyed.) {{storylink|The Trial}} To do so, the Quintessons would create "[[Judge (Cyberverse)|Judges]]", hybrid beings based on the native lifeforms of that universe; if the universe was found guilty, then the Judge would oversee the destruction of the universe by using [[unspace]] to obliterate all matter. {{storylink|The End Of The Universe I}} The [[Scientist (Cyberverse)|Scientist]] traditionally oversaw the process, and in his travels developed a fondness for collecting various iterations of [[Soundwave (Cyberverse)|Soundwave]] he plucked from the various doomed universes his kind had passed judgement upon. {{storylink|The Scientist}} While Judges were hybrids from native lifeforms, the Scientist himself was some kind of organic creature that acted through mechanical proxies. {{storylink|The End Of The Universe III}}

[[File:CyberverseScientistOrganic.jpeg|thumb|left|200px]]
When exactly it is that the Quintessons found this particular universe is not clear; hieroglyphs inside the [[Titan (group)|Titan]] [[Croaton (Cyberverse)|Croaton]] suggested that the aliens had invaded his colony and abducted his inhabitants long before the present day, {{storylink|Ghost Town}} with [[Wheeljack (Cyberverse)|Wheeljack]] referencing the Quintesson reputation for engineering when affecting repairs to a disused [[space bridge]]. {{storylink|The Crossroads}}

Either way, the Quintessons had established an outpost in a distant region of the galaxy at some point before [[2007]]. Having previously encountered the [[Velgrox]] and the [[Gray]], incorporating a member of both races into their latest Judge, the Quintessons discovered that Cybertronians existed in this universe after Croaton, in search of his missing citizens, flew past the outpost, taking the hapless [[Starscream (Cyberverse)|Starscream]] with him. Although the current Judge planned to simply judge and dispose of their new prisoner, the ambitious Seeker tried to win over his captors by revealing the existence of the [[AllSpark|Allspark]] on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Seeing this as a power source to fuel the creation of the new Judge, the Quintessons made for Cybertron and "rewarded" Starscream with their highest honor: assimilation into the next Judge. {{storylink|The End Of The Universe I}}

Arriving shortly after [[Megatron (Cyberverse)|Megatron]]'s defeat, the Quintessons quickly conquered the planet and ensnared the city of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] in the tendrils of their command tower. The Cybertronians were rounded up and placed in a virtual reality simulation designed to keep them happy and docile while the Scientist both drained their [[spark]]s and tapped into the Allspark's energy itself to fuel the creation of this new Judge. {{storylink|The Loop}} {{storylink|The Scientist}} Unfortunately, their machinations were upset by [[Hot Rod (Cyberverse)|Hot Rod]], who the Quintessons had overlooked during their conquest of the planet. The ad hoc Cybertronian resistance he assembled operated out of [[Maccadam's Old Oil House|Maccadam]]'s, invisible to Quintesson sensors, and threatened to undermine their control of the planet. Although the Quintesson forces eventually captured Hot Rod, the Autobot leader proved uncooperative and was found guilty. {{storylink|The Trial}}

Soon, the resistance infiltrated the command tower and clashed with the Scientist himself, their battle putting the unborn Judge at risk and severing their hostages' connection to the virtual reality loop. {{storylink|The Scientist}} Freed of their prison, [[Optimus Prime (Cyberverse)|Optimus Prime]], [[Megatron (Cyberverse)|Megatron]], and their respective forces rebelled against the Quintessons, with the conflict escalating into open war between the two forces. Despite their best efforts, the Cybertronians proved unable to breach the force field that protected the Quintesson headquarters, but the partial activation of [[Iaconus]] pushed their [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticon]] warriors into a retreat. {{storylink|The Alliance}}

The Quintessons eventually gained the advantage, primarily by the Judge's rage at Megatron's theft of their multiverse escape pod, disabling nearly all enemy combatants. However, the Judge was attacked and overwhelmed by the resistance leaders and, in their damage and frenzy, they crashed into the command tower, seemingly perishing as it exploded and collapsed. Although the prior Judge was killed, it had survived long enough for the gestation of their new Judge to finish. {{storylink|The Judge (episode)|The Judge}}

The new Judge Starscream rounded up nearly all his enemies, only to monologue over them while Optimus Prime and Megatron were being located. {{storylink|The End Of The Universe I}} Iaconus was soon awakened and battled the enslaved Croaton under Judge Starscream's command. {{storylink|The End Of The Universe II}} Despite the Scientist being killed off by Wheeljack, Judge Starscream used unspace to slay Iaconus. {{storylink|The End Of The Universe III}}
[[File:Cyberverse EOTU I JudgeStarscream.jpg|230px|thumb|left| Somehow the Quints found the literal WORST person to judge the universe. It's impressive, really.]]

Despite his victory over Iaconus, Judge Starscream soon lost control of Croaton. As his enemies broke free and rallied, he was soon overwhelmed and seemingly destroyed by the dual [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrices]] of Optimus Prime and a returned Megatron. The Quintesson invasion was effectively overthrown, and the remainder of their forces were subsequently dealt with by the Autobots and Deceptions. No trace of their occupation remained by the time of the factions' split control of the planet. {{storylink|The End Of The Universe IV}}

====Alternate universe====
In the universe from which [[Megatron X (Cyberverse)|Megatron X]] hailed from, the tyrant used a [[laser snare]] to destroy the Quintesson flagship as it descended onto Cybertron before salvaging its technology for his own ends. {{storylink|The Other One}}

===''EarthSpark'' cartoon===
The Quintessons were the first creations of Quintus Prime following his departure from Cybertron. After creating them, Quintus eventually returned to space. When the Quintessons developed space travel, they followed their creator, seeking to know the purpose of their existence. Finding that they were just one of many creations of Quintus, the embittered Quintessons sought to destroy Quintus and all his creations, and take the power of the [[Emberstone]] for themselves. The Quintessons chased Quintus to a primordial [[Earth]], detecting their creator launching away. Unaware that this was a ruse, the Quintessons left behind a force to breach the [[Titan (group)|Titan]] [[Terratronus]] and claim the Emberstone while they pursued what they thought to be Quintus. {{storylink|Witwicky, Part 1}}

Millennia later, the Quintessons would begin appearing on Earth. A [[Quintesson Executioner (ES)|Quintesson Executioner]] was reactivated in a hidden chamber near [[Witwicky (town)|Witwicky]], with [[Mo Malto]] initially believing that the Quintesson was a friendly being associated with Quintus. The Executioner would grab Mo's [[Cyber-sleeve]], drawing energy from it to grow bigger. It attempted to capture Mo to stand trial before the Quintessons as Quintus's proxy, but Mo would seal the Quintesson back in its pod, which rocketed upwards toward the sky. {{storylink|In Ruins}} Not long after, a Quintesson shapeshifter infiltrated Witwicky as a human girl named "[[Izzy (ES)|Izzy]]", becoming [[Robby Malto]]'s love interest. {{storylink|The Butterfly Effect}}

After the mysterious spread of the [[Hate Plague]] {{storylink|Fire and Ice}}, Izzy's identity as a Quintesson would be revealed, and she would claim that the Cyber-sleeves, as gifts of Quintus Prime, rightfully belonged to the Quintessons. {{storylink|The Truth Is Out There}} A Quintesson ship would later appear above the [[Chaos Dome]], with a hologram of a [[Quintesson Judge (ES)|Quintesson Judge]] offering to "usher forth a new era of harmony for all". After [[Elita-1 (ES)|Elita-1]] questioned why they should trust the Quintessons, the Judge responded by destroying the Dome. Quintesson Executioners would capture [[Robby Malto]] and Mo, taking them to the Pit of Judgement, full of [[Sharkticon (species)#EarthSpark cartoon|Sharkticons]]. The Judge attempted to convince the children to give the sleeves to him, but they refused. The Maltos escaped the chamber and were pursued by more Executioners {{storylink|Judgment Day, Part 1}}, reuniting with the captured [[Twitch]] and [[Thrash (ES)|Thrash]]. The return of Terratronus would ultimately be the key to victory, with Terratronus destroying the Judge and his ship. {{storylink|Judgment Day, Part 2}}

===''One'' film===
[[File:QuintessonHighCommander.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Tell your people, as of today, their workload has been doubled, thanks to your [[Primus|god]]. Or is it thanks to [[Sentinel Prime (One)|you?]]]]
For thousands of cycles, the Quintessons fought the Cybertronians for control of their planet. The war was at a stalemate until [[Sentinel Prime (One)|Sentinel]], the chief advisor of the [[Thirteen]] Primes, brokered a deal with the Quintessons: if he led the Primes into an ambush to be slaughtered, the Quintessons would allow him to appoint himself the new leader of Cybertron under their thumb, so long as he provided them with a constant supply of [[energon]]. Sentinel reported to the Primes that he'd intercepted a message about an important meeting of the high command of the Quintessons in [[Mouth of Unicron|a distant cave]] on the planet's surface. The Primes, eager to bring the war to an end by eliminating the Quintesson leadership in a single strike, followed Sentinel to the cave, only to be besieged by the aliens. The Primes nearly triumphed over their attackers until Sentinel turned on his superiors, slaying most of them himself. With the battle over, Sentinel tore open [[Zeta Prime (One)|Zeta Prime]]'s chest to claim the [[Matrix of Leadership]], but having proven himself unworthy it crumbled to dust in his hands. Undeterred, Sentinel declared himself Prime and announced to Cybertron that the Quintessons were defeated and that he was the last survivor of the Primes. With the planet failing to produce fresh energon in the absence of the Matrix, Sentinel removed the [[Transformation cog (biology)|transformation cog]]s of most of Cybertron's lower classes and put them to work mining for energon to produce a tribute to the Quintessons. Sentinel and his retinue made periodic trips to the surface to deliver the energon, telling the populace that they were searching for the Matrix.

Fifty cycles later, the Quintessons maintained control over Cybertron's surface, their ships obliterating any lifeforms that they detected. On one particular delivery, after Sentinel bowed before the [[Quintesson High Commander]] and presented his offering of energon, the High Commander noticed the tribute was light and grew hostile, grabbing and restraining Sentinel with his tentacles. Sentinel begged for mercy, insisting that Cybertron's mines were depleted, and the High Commander only begrudgingly spared Sentinel's life and departed when he pleaded for more time to collect the rest of the tribute. The High Commander departed with his forces, and Sentinel vowed to work the miners even harder. However, the altercation was witnessed by [[Optimus Prime (One)|a]] [[Megatron (One)|group]] [[Bumblebee (One)|of]] [[Elita-1 (One)|miners]]. Having discovered that the history they had been told was a lie, they brought down Sentinel Prime and his regime. The newly-raised Optimus Prime, now in possession of the Matrix, used it to reignite the flow of energon and sent a warning to the Quintessons not to return.
{{storylink|Transformers One (film)|Transformers One}}
{{-}}

==Games==
===''Transformers Legends''===
[[File:TFLegends Quintesson.jpg|thumb|upright=2.2|You spin me right round baby, right round.]]
The Quintessons put [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]] and [[Kup (G1)|Sergeant Kup]] on trial. Unfortunately [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] arrived and promptly turned the [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]] on their masters. {{storylink|Mockery of Justice}} Intending to disrupt the [[Galactic Olympics|Galactic Games]], the Quintessons allied with [[Slipstream (G1)|Slipstream]] and sent her in to cause trouble. {{storylink|The Galactic Games}} They also send [[Skuxxoid]]s to the games to kidnap [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], [[Kup (G1)|Kup]], and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]]. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness: Part 1}} When the trio were rescued post-sentencing by the other Autobots, the Quintessons destroyed their own home planet, Quintesson, in an attempt to eliminate them. The Quints then tried to enlist the help of the Decepticons to wipe out the Autobots, only for [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] to arrive and reclaim his troops. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness: Part 2}} They soon struck an alliance with Galvatron and attacked Cybertron, with the end result that they activated an ancient device to deactivate all Transformers. After the device was destroyed by Spike, the Quintessons were forced to retreat. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness: Part 3}}

The Quintessons observed from afar Ultra Magnus and his Autobots celebrated the activation of a new power core. Enraged by the sight, the Quintessons plotted to get revenge on both Autobots and Decepticons. They then approached Galvatron and gave the Decepticon leader false coordinates to a power core. The Quintessons had in truth led Galvatron to the location of their old creations, the Dweller and the Trans-Organics. After the ensuing battle that took place between the Autobots, the Decepticons and the Quintessons' ancient creations, a faint Quintesson cry for help was broadcast from deep underground... {{storylink|Dweller in the Depths (Legends)|Dweller in the Depths}}
{{--}}

===Transformers: Forged to Fight===
[[File:Quintessons-Forged-to-Fight.jpg|thumb|450px|Like a color-changing lamp!]]
{{charstubgames|{{storylink|Transformers: Forged to Fight}}}}

===''Transformers: Earth Wars''===
{{charstubgames|{{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars}}}}

===''Transformers Roleplaying Game''===
The Quintessons were mechanoids with powerful psionic abilities that manipulated all Transformers factions as they saw fit. {{storylink|Field Guide to Action and Adventure}} Ancient and mysterious, sometimes too much for their own good, they maintained an uneasy alliance with the Decepticons, often exchanging prisoners and Sharkticon and Allicon drones. In ages past, the Quintessons tried to colonize [[LV-117]], figuring their drones' mechanical nature would protect them from the planet's hostile lifeforms, an assumption that turned out to be incorrect. {{storylink|Decepticon Directive}} According to some legends, the Quintessons were the creation of Quintus Prime, but no-one was sure if this was true or just something they'd made up. {{storylink|Transformers One Sourcebook}}
{{charstubgames}}

==Toys==
===''Energon''===
*'''[[Alpha Quintesson]]''' (Mega, [[2005]])
**''Accessories:'' Missile launcher, missile, base, three tentacles
[[File:En-toy AlphaQuintesson.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|I do hope you'll bring these gadgets back in one piece, 007.]]

:One of the last toys in the [[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|''Energon'' line]], Alpha Quintesson is fairly unique in that he is one of the only toys in the history of the main ''Transformers'' line that does not transform in any manner or even come with any kind of transforming accessory (like the [[Action Master]]s).

:Alpha Quintesson requires quite a bit of assembly out of the box, coming in six separate pieces: his main body, a solid "bed of tentacles" that serves as a wheeled base that the body plugs into, a firing missile launcher which plugs into his back (via a standard 5mm peg that also allows other characters to wield it) and points up over his head, and three rubber, wire-poseable tentacles which attach to the base. The tentacles end in a large yellow clamp, a red chainsaw, and a purple energy arc, and spin around via a gear-wheel system when the base is rolled back and forth. The figure features nine circular ports (three on each arm and three on the base), to which either [[Energon star|energon chip]]s or any weapons featuring 5mm pegs can be attached.

:The main body is notably very [[Show-accuracy|accurate]] to the CGI model from the animated series, save for its coloration and the addition of the missile launcher. As a toy that was entirely dull green from top to bottom would not have been a very interesting sight, the figure features several shades of green with yellow highlights, plus a red paint wash on its "underbelly" and arms. The main body contains its own gimmick, involving Alpha Q's spinning faces as seen in the cartoon. Opening the armor's jaws reveals Alpha Q's head, recessed within the body (though unable to move forward into a more prominent position as seen in the show), and pressing the trigger on the back of the body, disguised as one of the spinal fins, causes the head to spin from face to face. The toy only features the character's first three faces (Angry, Whiny and Crazy); the purple, calm face is not featured.

:As an allegiance was needed to brand the figure with for marketing purposes, Alpha Quintesson's toy is sold as a Decepticon, despite that faction not really being where his loyalties lie. There were also many reports of the toy coming misassembled, missing the hard point where the figure connected to the base, making it nigh impossible for the toy to stand up on its own.
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2005/Decepticon/AlphaQuintesson/alphaquintesson.htm More information on Alpha Quintesson at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Cyberverse''===
[[File:CV-toy QuintessonJudge.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|The Big Surprise of 2019]]
*'''Quintesson Invasion''' (Multi-pack, [[2019]])
**''Accessories'': 2 mind-control helmets

:The ''[[Transformers: Cyberverse (toyline)|Cyberverse]]'' [[Judge (Cyberverse)|Quintesson Judge]] is a roughly deluxe-sized, non-transforming mold, with five different faces that rotate when the top of the body is pushed down and released. The molded tentacle base/body has four ball-jointed tentacles that can pose freely, but are hard-plastic so there's no bendy-bendy happening. As the Judge is supposed to be freakin' huge, it works better when set next to the ''Cyberverse'' [[Tiny Turbo Changers]].

:It was only available in a store-exclusive three-pack. Also included in the set are the Spark Armor [[Prowl (Cyberverse)#BattleForCybertron3Pack|Prowl]] and [[Shockwave (Cyberverse)#BattleForCybertron3Pack|Shockwave]] figures, now ''sans'' the spark armor and with new mind control helmet accessories. Additionally, the mind control helmets can plug into any Battle Class spark armor figure. Ironically, Shockwave and Prowl both died before encountering the Quintessons in the actual cartoon.

:The set was [[exclusive]] to [[Target]] in the United States and [[Toys"R"Us]] in Canada, and appeared at retail in December 2019 with no prior announcement by [[Hasbro]].
{{-}}

===''War for Cybertron: Earthrise''===
[[File:ER-toy QuintessonJudge.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|"It is a day so long in coming that I am uncertain how to celebrate it."]]
*'''Quintesson Judge''' (Voyager Class, [[2020]])
**''Hasbro ID number'': '''WFC-E22'''
**''TakaraTomy ID number'': '''ER EX-08'''
**''TakaraTomy release date'': [[August 29]], 2020
**''Accessories:'' Blaster, cage, throne, levitation beam
{{toydesigner|[[Ken Christiansen]] (concept artist)}}

:The ''[[War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Earthrise]]'' Quintesson Judge is the first release of a "Generation 1" Quintesson toy. A trigger on his "back" activates a face-spinning gimmick. The faces of Death, Wisdom, and Wrath have opening jaws; the faces of Wrath and Doubt come detached in the package, requiring owners to clip them into their respective sides, with Wrath reported by many owners to be quite a challenge to attach correctly.

:The order of the faces matches the arrangement from ''The Transformers: The Movie'', with Wisdom and Wit surrounding Death, which is slightly different from that used in the cartoon, which flanked Death with Wrath and Doubt. Unscrewing and detaching every face except Wrath can be used to replicate [[Deseeus]] cutting off his faces in the [[Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy (cartoon)|Netflix cartoon]], although the bare plastic under the faces can be considered unsightly.

: To replicate the ability of the Judge to levitate, the figure also includes a transparent "levitation beam", which pegs onto the throne via a 5mm post-hole, then attaches to the Judge's underside via a clip; it does not function as an effects part. Promotional renders color the beam in translucent yellow, but on the finalized figure, it is instead sculpted in clear plastic and is therefore uncolored.

:The lower body's five soft-plastic tentacles are on swivel joints to raise and lower, and each has three 3mm effects pegs designed to accommodate ''War for Cybertron'' blast effects parts. Using these pegs, the Quintesson can hold its blaster accessory, and the tentacles can also be pegged into specifically-positioned holes on the Judge's body to better "aim" the weapon forward. If one so wishes, the blaster can also be plugged into one of two ports underneath the throne for... sneakier judgement passing.

:Because it has to transform into ''something'', the Judge converts via [[partformer|partforming]] into a tower with a prison cage in 16 steps. The top of the tower and the cage do not actually attach to the base; they only balance on it. The cage and the tower are large enough to fit a [[Battle Master#Toys|Battle Master]] (or other similarly-sized figures). Additionally, the cage also has two ports into which the blaster can be fitted. One on the top, as well as another in its interior. The latter might be preferable as a form of storage if one is wary of misplacing the blaster, as it is a small accessory that does not peg well into the figure's arms. The throne/platform and the panel under the Death face have [[A.I.R. Lock System]] ramp connections, allowing it to connect to ramps from other compatible toys, notably the Quintesson-allied [[Slitherfang#Toys|Slitherfang]].

:Like all ''Earthrise'' toys, the inside of the back of the Judge's package includes an exclusive clip-and-save piece of a larger star map. Also in the box is a thin red piece of transparent plastic with which to read the star map. The Judge's piece of the map contains the labeled location of the planet "[[Quintessa (planet)|QUINTESSA]]". Like most ''Earthrise'' figures from wave 2 onward, however, it is misprinted, and overlays the "decodable" red graphics from the map piece included with [[Starscream (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron: Earthrise|''Earthrise'' Starscream]] on top of the details unique to the Judge's piece.

:The Judge was originally supposed to be released in the second wave, but was pushed back to the third for unknown reasons, with Starscream taking his place in wave 2 cases. In Japan, the Quintesson Judge was released as a [[TakaraTomy Mall]] exclusive.
{{-}}

===''War for Cybertron Trilogy''===
[[File:QuintPitOfJudgment.jpeg|upright=1.66|thumb|They've got this case all wrapped up.]]
*'''Quintesson Pit of Judgement''' (Multi-pack, 2020)
**''Accessories:'' Judge's blaster, cage, seat, blast effect; Bailiff's staff; Sharkticon's tail/mace
{{toydesigner|[[Ken Christiansen]] (concept artist), [[Mario Carreiro]] and [[AJ Piejko-Brown]] (packaging)}}

:This [[giftset]] represents the "trial" of [[Kranix (G1)|Kranix]] during ''The Transformers: The Movie''. The set includes a Quintesson Judge (a brighter [[redeco]] of the ''Earthrise'' toy above, now packaged with all its faces attached); a [[Quintesson Bailiff|Bailiff]] (a [[retool]] of the ''Earthrise'' [[Allicon#Toys|Allicon]] with a new head, chest, shoulders, and axe); a non-transforming [[Quintesson Prosecutor|Prosecutor]]; a [[Sharkticon (species)#War for Cybertron Trilogy|Sharkticon]] (a redeco of ''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' [[Gnaw (G1)#Titans Return|Gnaw]]); and a non-transforming Kranix. The interior packaging forms the Sharkticon execution pit.

:This piece was [[exclusive]] to [[Hasbro Pulse]] in the United States. It was announced to the public before the "standard" versions of the Judge and Allicon were released, and was available first for people who attended the Hasbro Fans Expo in [[Hong Kong]] and preordered the set. The box was designed by [[AJ Piejko-Brown]].

{{-}}

===''Buzzworthy Bumblebee''===
[[File:Legacy-toy QuintessonTrooper.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Troop Builder Multipack''' (4-pack, 2023)
**''Accessories:'' Axe, mace, tail-sword, [[Allicon]] head
{{toydesigner|[[Mark Maher]]}}

:One of four figures in the ''[[Buzzworthy Bumblebee]]'' "[[Army-building|Troop Builder]] Multipack", the Quintesson Trooper is a redeco of the ''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' Quintesson Bailiff in a more cartoon-accurate color scheme, retaining that figure's accessories. Additionally, the Trooper also includes a copy of the ''Earthrise'' Allicon's head, with additional paint compared to the original release. While the multipack's packaging and instructions suggest optionally swapping this head onto the Quintesson Trooper to create a sort of Bailiff/Allicon hybrid, a savvy purchaser can instead substitute it onto an original ''Earthrise'' Allicon toy to give it a more cartoon-accurate head... if they don't mind the plastic colors not matching. Due to sitting up higher than the Allicon release of the mold, you should turn the Allicon head so the fin rests in the gap of the chest when transforming to avoid the fin becoming bent.

: This is also the first ever Hasbro-initiated toy<ref>Takara & e-HOBBY released [[Overcharge (G1)|Overcharge]] in 2004, which included a Quintesson sticker</ref> to feature the Quintesson insignia (albeit very small). Nice!

:The Troop Builder Multipack also included a [[Air Warrior#Buzzworthy Bumblebee|Decepticon Seeker]], a [[Cybertronian (faction)#Buzzworthy Bumblebee|G2 Universe Cybertronian Trooper]], and an [[Autotrooper (Animated)#Buzzworthy Bumblebee|Animated Universe Autotrooper]].

{{-}}

===''One''===
*'''Quintesson High Commander''' (Prime Changers, [[2024]])
**''Accessories:'' [[Energon cube]]

[[File:Quintesson-High-Commander-Toy.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|"Death mocks life! Mocks Skeksis! But no more! Skeksis conquer death!"]]
: A Walmart-exclusive, the Quintesson High Commander is a Deluxe Class-ish figure that transforms into a Quintesson space cruiser in 18 steps. The toy features ball-jointed shoulders and elbows, though the chest molding makes it impossible for the figure's arms to point forward. The toy lacks [[5 mm post|5 mm]] compatible hands, or ''any'' hands for that matter. In lieu of legs, the robot mode rests atop a structure sculpted to look like a mass of tentacles, which is fleshed out with additional soft-plastic tentacles flowing out from hinges beneath the torso.

:The figure's only accessory is a single rubberized Energon cube which can be stored in a square recess inside the Quintesson's torso. Interestingly, the Energon cube in question is pink, even though Energon is consistently blue in the movie.
{{-}}

==Merchandise==
===''ReAction''===
[[File:ReAct-toy Quintesson.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Quintesson''' (2023)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Repair tool

: Released in the sixth wave of [[Super7]]'s line of multi-property 3.75-inch "retro" action figures, ''[[Super7#ReAction|ReAction]]'' Quintesson is a non-converting figure of a Quintesson Judge. It does feature face-turning articulation, though that joint is notably tighter than the connection between the body and the clear-red "energy beam" stand. (The beam is not removable, it just rotates much easier.) Stock renders show this articulation as a midway-up rotating "ring" the faces are mounted on, presumably leaving the upper and lower portions connected, but the final toy has the entire upper half of its body rotate.

: Unusual for ''ReAction'' figures, its four tentacles are actually on balljoints, though their range of motion is pretty limited and the tightness of the connection makes them even more difficult to move. Two of these tentacles end in loops, enabling him to hold the "repair tool" the [[:File:ReturnOptimusPrime_Quintesson_holding_tool.jpg|Judge carries]] in "[[The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2]]".

: As with all releases in the ''ReAction'' toyline, Quintesson comes packaged on a small cardback that emulates the nostalgic packaging style of [[Kenner]]'s ''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' action figures from the late 1970s to early '80s.
{{-}}

==Notes==
[[File:FloroDery originalquintesson.jpg|thumb|Touch the Rainbow, Taste the Rainbow!]]
*The Quintessons were named after a store called "Quintessence" near the Westwood office for [[Sunbow Productions]].<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transmissions/inside-the-minds-behind-transformers-exclusive-roundtable-with-budiansky-friedman-dille/48621/ Flint Dille interview at Seibertron]</ref><ref>''The Gamesmaster'', Flint Dille (p. 296)</ref>
*In the [[The Transformers: The Movie (first draft)|original 1984 draft]] of The Transformers: The Movie, the Quintessons had a radically different appearance having spindly bipedal bodies with large heads. At this point they also had psychic abilities, creating a swarm of Sharkitcons from a pile of scrap. After escaping from them, Hot Rod forced their leader to use his "mind scan" to create a holographic space map to locate his friends. While these abilities were removed for the [[The Transformers: The Movie (second draft)|second draft]] their appearance would stay the same. Per this draft, it would have been revealed that, in reality, they were all head; when Hot Rod grabbed one, its head would disconnect from its body, fly off, and link up to another body in waiting. Ultimately, the design changed, but not before designer [[Floro Dery]] produced art of this early idea, seen at right, revealed on his [https://comicsillustration.blogspot.com/2012/05/chapter-75-principles-of-linear-and.html blog] in 2012.
**The mini-series "[[Five Faces of Darkness]]" which had several allusions to this early draft, appeared to reference this in a scene where one of [[Deliberata]]'s faces detaches—seemingly derived from the idea of a removable head. But this detail is not mentioned in the episode script suggesting that it's an animation/storyboarding mistake.
* According to Dery's concept art each of the Judges' five faces have a specific inspiration: "Death" is based on an Egyptian Pharaoh (it's possible he meant a death mask) to "suggest kingly authority and death"; "Smiling" is a "fat face with a sun-like-rays headgear" to create the appearance of a smile, "Angry" is based on a devil, "Grimacing" a stern barbarian, and "Suspicion" on an old woman.
*Dery's final Quintesson design was based on a revolving cylindrical toy he designed in the 70s.<ref>[http://transformersph.blogspot.com/2007/06/interview-with-floro-dery.html TransFormers Philippines: Interview With Floro Dery]</ref> <ref>Zobovor's [http://web.archive.org/web/20060625115408/http://members.aol.com/tfencyc/interview_dery.html Interview with Floro Dery]</ref>
*The Quintessons' role as the creators of the Transformers originated in [[The Secret of Cybertron]], a proposed script by [[Flint Dille]] and [[Jay Bacal]]. When the movie's first draft was rejected they were tasked with reworking it, though they found it unusable and instead wrote a new script based on it. Despite the aliens' minor role, Dille found them to be "ancient", "proceed everything else", and "all knowing", deciding to make them the new antagonists of the story<ref>Sony BMG Transformers The Movie 20th Anniversary Special Edition commentary 51.50-52.48</ref>, later recalling "They were so different than the Transformers that they had to have some relationship." <ref>[https://toddmatthy.com/2011/04/06/an-interview-with-transformers-writer-flint-dille/ Flint Dille interview at ToddMatthy.com]</ref> While their script was rejected, Dille would reuse this backstory for Five Faces of Darkness.
*Since [[The Transformers: The Movie|the movie]] never explains what the characters are being charged with, and offers no logical progression to a verdict, it's often interpreted that Quintesson justice simply operates on reverse terminology for the sake of humor—that the Quintessons ''say'' "innocent", but dohohoho, they're aliens, and to them, that ''means'' "guilty", so the accused is sentenced to death. This was certainly the assumption [[Simon Furman]] was working off of when he first used the Quintessons in the UK-only framing sequence of "[[The Big Broadcast of 2006 (issue)|The Big Broadcast of 2006]]" and had a Quintesson find [[Mister Regan|an interrogator]] to be "innocent" of things which he is unambiguously guilty of. The 2014 novel ''[[Transformers: Retribution|Retribution]]'' also followed this path, with the note that "innocent" must "mean something different" to the aliens, as the characters on trial are indeed entirely guilty of what they are being accused of. What is consistently overlooked, however, is the one instance in all Transformers canon of the Quintessons actually finding someone guilty, which happens to Kup and Ultra Magnus in "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2]]". And they ''are'' guilty of the charges put before them: being Autobots, the race who stole Cybertron from the Quintessons. While it may have started out that way at some point in the script process of the movie, the cartoon universe made clear very early on that Quintesson justice isn't supposed to operate on reverse terminology for humor's sake; the aliens know the difference between the two terms, and the trials are just trivial, for their own amusement, before they kill you anyway. The iteration of the Quintessons depicted in the ''[[Transformers: Cyberverse (cartoon)|Cyberverse]]'' cartoon do use guilty in its (relatively) correct meaning, destroying those they judge as such. Notably, we never see them pronounce anyone ''innocent''; while they create Judges to deliver verdicts, they seem to view guilty as the only possible result.
*In a Q&A, [[Simon Furman]] said he considered making the [[Epistemus|Magnificence]] a Quintesson artifact but changed his mind.<ref>[http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?t=5032 SIMON FURMAN - Q&A Nov/Dec 2008 at IDW Publishing Forums]</ref> Early in the development of ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'', the [[Knights of Cybertron]] would've eventually become the Quintessons, but this plot thread was eventually dropped as the series evolved.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Early ''More than Meets the Eye'' story bible|link=https://twitter.com/InflatableDalek/status/1561045807951904768|name=Stuart Webb|site=Twitter|year=2022|month=08|day=20}}</ref>
*The ''Animated'' Quintessons are just off-screen mentions, but as their empire's name is near-identical to [[Japan|Imperial Japan]]'s {{w|Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere}}, we can assume they're ''very nasty''.
*For whatever reason, the ''Cyberverse'' pronunciation of Quintesson consistently differs from the original in that the stress is now on the middle syllable ("Quin-TES-son") instead of the last ("Quin-tes-SON") in other media.
*Although the Quintessons weren't named in [[2019 IDW continuity|IDW's rebooted ''Transformers'' continuity]] before its conclusion, multiple lines of dialogue and a single panel in 2022's ''[[Transformers: War's End|War's End]]'' miniseries ''heavily'' imply that the Quintessons are the aliens responsible for mutating [[Exarchon]] into his current-day self. Had the series continued, Ruckley would've expounded on the "Quintessence", which he described as a quarantined region of space populated by Quintessons and barricaded behind a shield of electrical energy;<ref>Brian Ruckley at TFNation 2022</ref> they might have also been somehow connected to the [[Voin]], another race of squid-like creatures.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Not intrinsic, but there was/would have been a connection of some sort - if only because the Voin are my favourite alien babies and part of my original conception was that they tend to get involved, usually as individuals, somehow, sometime, in pretty much everything.|link=https://twitter.com/Brian_Ruckley/status/1556973833353138177|name=Brian Ruckley|site=Twitter|year=2022|month=08|day=09}}</ref>
*Concept art for an unidentified animated movie depicts what seems to be [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] facing a giant Quintesson, it is wrongly attributed online to be from ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight]]'' due to the appearance of Optimus & the date of publication from said artwork. <ref>https://zerply.com/r/29Fe3WvG/transformers-quintesson-chamber Transformers Pitch concept art for an animated movie.</ref> [[File:TLK Quintesson.jpg|thumb]]

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Quintessa-seijin''' (クインテッサ星人, "Planet Quintessa People"), '''Quintesson''' (クインテッサン ''Kuintessan'')
*''Italian:'' '''Quintessenziali''' ("Quintessentials"; initially used only in the G1 cartoon, brought back from ''Cyberverse'' onwards)
*''Mandarin:'' '''Wǔ Miàn Guài''' (五面怪, "Five-faced Monster")
*''Portuguese:'' '''Quintessiano''' ("Quintessian", ''Cyberverse'' dub)

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

[[Category:Alien species]]
[[Category:Cyberverse species]]
[[Category:Earth Wars species]]
[[Category:Energon Universe species]]
[[Category:Generation 1 aliens]]
[[Category:Generation 1 factions]]
[[Category:Generation 1 species]]
[[Category:Generation 1 cartoon species]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) species]]
[[Category:Kiss Players]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 1 species]]
[[Category:Quintessons| ]]
[[Category:Shattered Glass species]]
[[Category:Transformers Roleplaying Game species]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron species]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron: Earthrise subgroups]]
[[Category:Wings Universe species]]

Victory (G1)

2025-11-20T08:57:32Z

WillR113: you have this backwards, they wrote the miniseries before the cbs pitch

{{disambig3.5|the [[Decepticon]] starship built on Earth|the Decepticon flagship that attacked the Ark|Nemesis (G1)|Victory}}
:''The ''Victory'' is a ship from the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|cartoon portion]] of the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''
[[File:Decepticonspacecruiser.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|The sky is the limit... more literally than Megatron had expected.]]
The '''''Victory''''' is a space cruiser that was originally intended to take the [[Decepticon]]s back to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. However, the ''Victory''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s flight history is nothing compared to its history as centerpiece of a Decepticon base of operations on [[Earth]]. The ship carries many weapons, and its hull is able to withstand the crushing water pressure of an ocean... which is exactly where it would end up.

==Fiction==
===''The Transformers'' cartoon===
[[File:MTMTE3 Victory launch site.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4| Ya gotta blend into your surroundings, be part of the landscape...]]
The Decepticons' first objective upon coming back online was to set up a base of operations to support the second objective: getting back to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] selected an unremarkable patch of land in the desert not far from the [[Ark (G1)|Autobot ship]]'s [[Mount St. Hilary|crash site]] as the location of their temporary base-to-be. [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] was put in charge of designing a ship to return to Cybertron with while [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] was tasked with the construction of the temporary base. Early materials were taken from a nearby unmanned power plant and [[Energon cube|energy]] was stolen from a multitude of sources. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 1}}

In the days that followed, a simple base was built out of rocks and metals around the ''Victory'', which was nearing its own completion. Decepticons' efforts were redistributed into amassing [[energon cube]]s for the trip back, for which they needed only 3000 astroliters more. Then Starscream happened. The imprudent [[Air Commander]] wasted a whole stack of cubes to prove their quality, using them to power one of the ''Victory''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s future cannons and shooting a nearby rock formation. In his anger, Megatron added to the setback by destroying the cannon. Soundwave suggested they'd make up for the lost cubes by stealing rocket fuel in addition to [[ruby crystal]]s, a plan that somewhat pacified Megatron and was approved. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 2}}

[[File:G1 cartoon Decepticon underwater base.JPG|upright=1.5|thumb|Sure, it ain't one of them la-de-da aboveground places, but if you like dank, eh, forget about it.]]
Despite Autobot intereference, the Decepticons got everything they needed and prepared to board the ''Victory''. The Autobots made one last desperate assault on the Decepticon base, but the Decepticons escaped the battle and flew off in their ship, destroying the base in the process. [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] made the bold decision to chase after them using [[Sideswipe (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sideswipe]]'s [[Jet pack|rocket pack]], but the weapons on the ''Victory'' shot him down. What nobody knew though, was that [[Mirage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Mirage]] had snuck aboard during the battle. He took advantage of Starscream's latest coup attempt against Megatron to destroy several pieces of equipment. Mirage then escaped the vessel while the Decepticons desperately tried to keep it airborne, until the ''Victory'' crashed into the ocean.

Though it looked like the ''Victory'' and its crew were no more, that was far from the truth. The ''Victory'' landed neatly onto the ocean floor and the Decepticons within remained operational. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 3}} For unknown reasons, the Decepticons did not repair the ''Victory'' for a second attempt to get to Cybertron, but in several months modified it into the main component of [[Decepticon Headquarters (G1 Earth)|their primary base]] on [[Earth]]. {{storylink|Transport to Oblivion (episode)|Transport to Oblivion}}

===''Beast Wars: Uprising''===
In 1984, the ''Victory'' served as the main base of operations for the Decepticons on Earth. It was the site of a meeting for several high ranking Decepticons which involved a transmission from Cybertron and the usage of a Space Bridge. {{storylink|Cultural Appropriation}}

==Games==
===''Transformers Roleplaying Game''===
During the war on Earth, [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] attempted to return to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] to gather reinforcements. With the assistance of the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]]s, Shockwave and his allies set about constructing the ''Victory I'' from a mixture of cannibalized ''Nemesis'' components and fabricated Earth materials. However, Autobot sabotage destroyed the ship on its maiden voyage; the disabled ship splashed down in the [[Gulf of Mexico]], where it became a secondary Decepticon base. Although some Decepticons maintained hope that they could construct a ''Victory II'', advances in [[spacebridge]] technology rendered the need for a second ''Victory'' obsolete. {{storylink|Decepticon Directive}}

{{--}}

==Merchandise==
===Diamond Select===
[[File:DecepticonSnowGlobe.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|"Rosebud..."]]
*'''Decepticon Snow Globe''' (2007)

:The crashed ''Victory'' is sculpted into the base of this Decepticon-themed snowglobe, surrounded by the several small buildings that make it the [[Decepticon Headquarters (G1 Earth)|Decepticon Headquarters]]. This globe was sculpted by [[Art Asylum]] and released by [[Diamond Select Toys]].

==Notes==
* This vessel went nameless for 25 years. It was [[retcon|retroactively]] called the ''Victory'' in the ''[[Transformers: The Complete Ark]]'' reference book.

[[Category:Beast Wars: Uprising starships]]
[[Category:Decepticon bases on Earth]]
[[Category:Decepticon starships]]
[[Category:Generation 1 cartoon locations]]
[[Category:Generation 1 starships]]

The Transformers (CBS pitch)

2025-11-20T08:56:03Z

WillR113: genuine word of advice, if you need to explain a reference it's not a good caption

[[File:CarandCable1.jpg|right|thumb|upright=2.5|]]

Everyone knows ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]''! It was one of the most popular cartoons of the '80s! You don't need us to explain the adventures of the [[Autobot]] spy Muffler and his human friends getting into wacky antics trying to survive and wage guerrilla war on a [[Decepticon]] controlled [[Earth]].

Just kidding, that's obviously not the cartoon we got.

In early [[1984]], though, it was possible that wouldn't be the case. A radically different version of the show was pitched by [[Marvel Productions]], its series bible written before "[[More than Meets the Eye (mini-series)|More Than Meets The Eye]]" even had a final script. For decades, there was no information about this pitch, barring mentions in writer [[Jeffrey Scott (writer)|Jeffrey Scott]]'s resume<ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott (p. 203)</ref> and a brief discussion in a production memo.

Forty years later, that all changed.

==Background==
In [[1981]], animation studio {{w|DePatie-Freleng Enterprises}} was sold to [[Marvel Comics]], becoming Marvel Productions. Both were located on different sides of the country, with Productions in [[California]] and Comics in [[New York (state)|New York]]. Despite this new merger, the two companies didn't get on well at all. In [[1983]], Marvel Productions ignored the work that Comics had created for the unproduced series ''[[Mysterians]]'', rejecting the serious action premise for a goofy, Hanna-Barbera-esque one largely centered on kid supporting characters and a wacky dog.<ref>[http://jimshooter.com/2011/06/secret-origin-of-transformers-part-1.html/ "The Secret Origin of the Transformers - Part 1"]</ref>

By 1984, the same thing happened with ''Transformers''. Fueled by the massive success the ''Transformers'' toyline was projected to be (and ultimately was), Hasbro rushed to expand the still in-production miniseries into a full show, naturally turning to Marvel Productions to do so. However, rather than sell it to syndication as with the miniseries, Marvel Production attempted to sell the show to the network [[CBS]]. One of the network requirements were female characters, but we're not sure if they had others or if the writers just decided to reuse other stock tropes they knew networks liked.

Enter Jeffrey Scott. A former Hanna-Barbera employee most known for his work on ''Super Friends'' at the time, Scott was hired by DePatie-Freleng in 1979 for ''Spider-Woman'' and ''Spider-Man'', by Stan Lee and Lee Gunther<ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott (p. 9)</ref>, the latter which would be delayed to 1981 due to the merger. While at Marvel, Scott worked on ''Dungeons and Dragons'', and story edited the fever dream that was ''Pandamonium''. Besides writing scripts, Scott also developed series bibles for animated series: in 1984 alone, he wrote the unproduced ''The Right Stuff'', ''The Secret Wars'', ''Menudo'', and would later devise the smash hit ''Muppet Babies''. Thus, Scott was tasked with creating a development bible for this new ''Transformers'' series.

==First bible==
[[Image:CarAndCable5.jpg|thumb|150px|No, that's not Bumblebee. He's Toad.]]

On [[February 22]], Scott began work on the series bible, including the basic premise, style of the show, and the characters' personalities. Difficulties arose due to a lack of reference material, seemingly giving him little more than a list of names and altmodes, with Scott specifically requesting 'bio cards'. In fact, he was given so little to work with, [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] isn't even referred to by name. Impressively, he finished the first bible just three days later on [[February 25]]. In this version, the Autobots had finally destroyed the last of the Decepticon rebels after eons of war, bringing peace to their planet. However, they had only destroyed their robot forms, while the Decepticons' "electronic life-entities" had fled into space to try and acquire new bodies. They eventually found their way to Earth and built a base in the [[Bermuda Triangle]], spending the next 50 years hijacking various military crafts to rebuild their forces. The Autobots spent years searching the universe for their enemy, eventually tracking them down to Earth and reigniting their war once again.

The Autobots assume control of various Earth vehicles to blend into the new world, with their leader [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] taking control of a truck owned by the human William 'Duke' Convoy. Unwilling to steal Duke's truck from him, the human is 'drafted' into the war, using his knowledge to help the Autobots. However, Optimus is not the only Autobot to have a human driver: the Autobot Toad (originally meant to be [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] until they decided "NO MINI-CARS") assumed the form of a green VW belonging to a teenage girl named Wendy Fairchild, and now he's stuck with her. The other main Autobots include [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]], [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (the only female Autobot), [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], with [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] as secondary characters rounding out the rest of the cast.

From their underwater headquarters, the Decepticons plot to conquer Earth. The Decepticon leader [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] carries a canister with him which holds the energy forms of an army's worth of Decepticon soldiers. All he needs to do is place one of these energy orbs into his cannon and shoot it at a mechanical object, and it will be transformed into a Decepticon warrior. The other Decepticons are [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (the disloyal second in-command), [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] (used by Soundwave to spy on the Autobots as well as the other Decepticons), [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (a female Decepticon who hates Jazz for destroying her body back on Cybertron), [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]], and [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]. They have also joined forces with Arthur Kroll, a human who aids the invaders so that he may rule over the rest of humanity after the Decepticons have conquered Earth.

The bible includes a list of "story springboards":

{| class="wikitable" style="margin: auto; width: 100%;"
|-
{{Episode list
|Title=Rotten To The Core
|ShortSummary=Megatron takes control of the New York subway system and implants "glowing energy orbs" into the trains, turning them into an army of Deception warriors! Optimus Prime and Duke join forces with a group of teens to help save the day.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=The Titanium Germ
|ShortSummary=When the Autobots try to stop Megatron from converting Alaskan oil rigs into new robot soldiers, Jazz is exposed to a deadly substance that infects and slowly kills him. Now the Autobots have to save their friend and stop Megatron!
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=Anything For A Friend
|ShortSummary= Converting a nuclear submarine into a new warrior, the Decepticons take control of the seas. Optimus is forced to leave his truck body and poses as an old battleship to try and stop the threat. He's nearly destroyed in the ensuing battle, and Duke must form a 'mind-link' with him to try and restore the Autobot leader to life.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=Not On The First Date
|ShortSummary=Wendy is forced to abandon her first date when Megatron plots to bring an army of Japanese electronic devices to life. It's up to her and Toad to stop him!
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=Time For Trouble
|ShortSummary=Kroll reveals the existence of a government time machine to Megatron. With the device transformed into one of their soldiers, the Decepticons can escape into another time—unless the Autobots stop them!
}}
|}

Hasbro and Sunbow would provide feedback on this bible, clarifying that [[Transformer]]s were mechanical beings, not electrical. They also didn't want any pre-existing characters to be female, and suggested that Optimus meet the human hero after being repaired when severely damaged in the desert. As a result, the bible was brought more in line with the preexisting premise. CBS also had input, wanting to tie the pitch into the miniseries as well as give Duke a dog that could sniff out Decepticons. Remember that for later.

==Revised series bible==
[[Image:CarandCable2.jpg|thumb|150px|No, that's not Bug Bite. He's Muffler.]]

Scott completed a revised draft of the bible, now 41 pages long, on [[March 3]]. By this point, he had been provided with [[Bob Budiansky]]'s character profiles and a copy of the first act of "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]". As a result, the pre-existing characters were brought more in line with their bios, and the plot was given the same backstory of the Transformers crashing on Earth and being awoken millions of years later by a volcanic eruption. However, by the year 1988, the Decepticons' superior numbers have allowed them to conquer much of the Earth, taking control of its manufacturing facilities and leaving humanity as little more than slaves, with <s>Megatron</s> Negator giving them only a sliver of control over the remains of the economy to keep society running. Dissent is impossible due a secret police of disguised Decepticons, who keep the human population under constant surveillance. However, the Autobots continue to operate from the shadows, attempting to free humanity and stop the Decepticons for good.

Most of the roster of characters would be carried over from the previous draft, with some minor alterations. The main Autobot lineup now included Optimus Prime, Jazz, Firecycle, Mirage, Muffler (a renamed Toad), and Trailbreaker. The Decepticon roster now featured Negator, Soundwave, Buzzsaw, Starscream, Thundercracker, Skywarp, and Whirlpool.

==Cast==

===Autobots===
*'''Optimus Prime''': Leader of the only six remaining Autobots. His bio is a rework of Budiansky's write-up but with a few new twists. Described as "IMENSELY KIND, AND HIS COMPASSION EXTENDS TO ALL LIVING THINGS, INCLUDING THE "TWO-LEGGED FLESH FORMS" OF EARTH." Views humans "AS NO DIFFERENT THAN AUTOBOTS, EXCEPT THAT THEIR PERSONALITIES ARE CLOTHED IN FLESH INSTEAD OF METAL." Still has that weird three modules aspect of the bio with Roller being present, though he doesn't appear in the script. However, here the Combat Deck trailer is "AUTOBOT HQ" which besides transporting Autobots is "A REPAIR CENTER FOR DAMAGED AUTOBOTS" which can perform "ELECTRO-SURGERY."

*'''Jazzz''': Optimus' cool, happening right hand man. His bio is a very slight reworking of his profile. Uses the early three z's spelling.

*'''Firecycle''': The only female Autobot, she transforms into a red motorcycle and is a skilled mechanic tasked with repairing her fellow Autobots. She's also a robot expert able to create many things, such as turning a toaster into a fighting robot. She has a 'Laser Heat-Ray' and a 'Zero-K Blaster' that can freeze anything. Firecycle loves Optimus Prime, but the Autobot leader fears returning her feelings after all the Autobots he's lost in centuries of war. The medic's main failing is her reluctance to hurt any living thing. She even tries to avoid driving on grass for fear of hurting the plant life. The Decepticons take advantage of this by often pretending to be injured to lure her into traps. While her role as the 'girl Autobot' and crush on Optimus originates with the previous bible's version of Sideswipe, she is otherwise a very different character. Had the proposed name of "Firewheels".

*'''Mirage''': An aristocrat turned reluctant freedom fighter. Like in the final cartoon, he can turn himself invisible. Also has a Twin Tractor Beam. Distrusted by some of the other Autobots who think he could be a spy.

*'''Muffler''': An Autobot spy and messenger, named after his noisy exhaust system. He turns into a VW Beetle (described as yellow or pink at different points in his profile). He adopted this form while trying to escape a Decepticon ambush by hiding in a used car-lot. It worked so well he was bought by Wendy Fairchild. The tenderhearted Autobot, not wanting her to have wasted her money, now serves as her car when he's not on missions. Wendy calls him "Muffy", a nickname he dislikes. Muffler has refused to use a weapon since he shot himself in the foot with a laser cannon. He has issues with his 'elctro-mechanical control functions' which prevent him from transforming properly. For instance, when transforming into robot mode, one of his legs might get stuck as a fender forcing him to comically hop around on one leg. His main strength is his klutziness. He might lose a wheel while fleeing a Decepticon, only for his pursuer to trip over it.

*'''Trailbreaker''': An incredibly fuel-ineffective Autobot, which leads him to view himself as a liability. To counter this he acts as a prankster. Once fused a game cartridge into Muffler's mind. Jerk. Has a "A LASER-GATTLING GUN" which "FIRE 32 PENCIL-THICK BEAMS AT ONCE."

===Decepticons===
*'''Negator''': The Decepticon leader. Yes, he's a renamed Megatron. His name emphasises how he's completely negative with no positive traits (The behind-the-scenes explanation seems to be that CBS weren't okay with Megatron being a handgun, with their "limitations" stating he become a "laser tank," then a "satellite particle beam cannon" in the script. Presumably Hasbro requested a name change when the character no longer resembled the toy). He has dedicated the Decepticons to subjugating all inferior lifeforms, and he views all other life as inferior to him. He's so evil that the Autobots question if he's really sentient, or some sort of empty husk animated by an ancient computer program.

*'''Soundwave''': Negator's scheming Comm-Officer. He's described as red in the script. The only cassette he has is Buzzsaw, a "STAUNCH ALLY AND CONFIDANT."

*'''Starscream''': The most notable change to his profile is the line "NEGATOR OVERLOOKS THE POTENTIAL PERSONAL THREAT STARSCREAM REPRESENTS FOR TWO REASONS: 1. STARSCREAM IS VERY GOOD AT HIS JOB, 2. NEGATOR IS BETTER." (Also, move over [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]], here the Decepticon jets are known as "Strato-Warriors").

*'''Thundercracker''': Just a straight copy of his character profile with no changes.

*'''Skywarp''': "THE LEAST INTELLIGENT OF ALL DECEPTICONS", a prankster that no-one else likes. Teleports by way of a "A SPACE-WARP LOCATION TRANSFER." Carries "HEAT-SEEKING "ACID-WARHEADS" that melt into an Autobots Armour. Still features his early "Olive Drab" colour scheme.

*'''Whirlpool''': The only female Decepticon, she turns into an "AMPHIBIOUS FLYING CRAFT", that is able to fly, jet across ground and water, along with being able to travel underwater, allowing her to reach any depth beneath the waves. She possesses a twin torpedo launcher that fires a special imploding torpedo which sucks anything in range. Her rotors can also create a powerful whirlpool when underwater. Her seductive charms allow her to trick an Autobot into thinking they're on the same side, before she betrays them. Whirlpool is a former Autobot. Optimus Prime seeks to reform her, while she wants to destroy him to prove that the Decepticons are superior.

[[Image:CarandCable4.jpg|thumb|right|Muffler, the human cast and the network mandated dog sidekick.]]

===Others===
*'''Matt Conroy''': (Sunbow didn't think Duke was a good name. Imagine a cartoon where that was the [[Duke (G.I. Joe)|main character's]] name...) A twenty-nine year old truck driver who found a damaged truck by the side of the road. He repaired it planning to replace his old truck that had been repossessed by the bank. But once the repairs were done it transformed into Optimus Prime. Since then Matt has been swept up in the Transformers' war 'bitching and moaning' about the Mechanical Men from Mars who've taken over his life, but like Han Solo he'll always come through for his Autobot friends in the end. When driving Optimus the Autobot talks to him over the truck's CB radio. When Optimus transforms Matt's cab becomes part of Optimus chest and all the human can do during fights is yell "I'LL CREAM YA IF YA DENT MY TRUCK, YOU TIN PIRATE". Optimus overlooks Matt's behavior because his knowledge of Earth is useful to the Autobots. That and he likes him. Matt's mechanical skills also mean that he can jury-rig repairs to help patch the Autobots up.

*'''Burt''': Matt's pet German Shepherd with the unique ability to detect Decepticons via their smell. An otherwise friendly creature he goes wild when he senses a Decepticon. This is useful for revealing Decepticons in disguise (he's fine with Autobots, which has led Matt to wonder if the differences between Autobots and Decepticons go beyond political persuasions).

*'''Wendy Fairchild''': Once she was a normal teenager, like Dominique Dunnne in "Poltergeist" who lived in the suburbs like in "Poltergeist" with her parents and had a little brother like in "Poltergeist" (Seriously, that is the comparison CBS used. They also suggested changing Wendy to be Russian like Nadia Comeniech who, umm, wasn't Russian. This didn't happen.) Now she helps the Autobots with their fight against the Decepticons, while trying to balance her teenage life, having to come up with excuses as to why she has to suddenly ditch her date at the drive-in theater, or explain to her father why her car has laser-shots in the windscreen. As her parents work in one of the Decepticons fabrication plants she worries what would happen to them if her connection to the Autobots was revealed.

*'''Eddie Fairchild''': Wendy's younger brother, his youthful curiosity led him to uncover the secret of his sister's car. Since then lack of fear has resulted in him getting involved in the Autobots fight with the Decepticons, such as the time he hid in Muffler's backseat. He looks up to the small Autobot, pestering him with questions like what happens if you fall into a black hole or if aliens built the pyramids. He wasn't in the first bible, but appeared in Scott's notes.

*'''Arthur Kroll''': An amoral human who allied himself with the Decepticons as a way of obtaining power and wealth. While he provides them with information about the human resistance there is little trust between Kroll and the Decepticons, as ultimately the human only cares about himself. His greed and thoughtlessness often result in him becoming a hindrance to both the Autobots and Decepticons. He does not appear in the pilot script.
[[Image:CarandCable3.jpg|thumb|right|Muffler and Wendy]]

==Episodes==
The series bible reuses the episodes from the previous bible, alongside 9 new ones.

{| class="wikitable" style="margin: auto; width: 100%;"
|-
{{Episode list
|Title=The Erasing of Optimus Prime
|ShortSummary=Negator captures Optimus and takes his memory tapes, giving him the information he needs to destroy the Autobots. Matt must risk his life to steal back the tapes and rescue his friend.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=The Plutonium Plot
|ShortSummary=Negator plans to cut the Autobots off from their fuel supply knowing that it will only be a matter of time until they run out of energy. The Autobots must sneak into a nuclear power reactor to recharge themselves before it's too late!
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=A Coal Day In December
|ShortSummary=Developing a 'Diamond-steeling alloy' Negator takes control of the Pennsylvanian coal fields for a new source of diamonds. The Autobots must take back control of the mines before the coldest winter in years spells the end for the people of the Eastern US.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=Nobody Home
|ShortSummary=Wendy's parents are taken by the Decepticons to work in a factory forced to help create a new, deadlier kind of 'mind controlling' robot. Wendy and Eddie embark on a dangerous mission to save their parents with the Autobots help.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=Operation Alpha Centuri
|ShortSummary=Negator war fleet is complete and he is ready to begin his conquest of the universe! With the help of the human resistance the Autobots build their own ship. In a 'Star Warsian' battle the Autobots manage to destroy the Decepticons fleet.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=The Robot With A Thousand Eyes
|ShortSummary=A Decepticon spy learns of the Autobots plan to hijack a shipment of Decepticon parts. Now they need to stop the spy from reaching Negator.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=A Robots Best Friend Is His Dog
|ShortSummary=Annoyed that Burt the German Shepherd has foiled another scheme, Negator sends a squad of Decepticons to capture the robot detecting dog. The Autobots and Matt plan a raid on Decepticon headquarters to rescue their four legged friend. This episode was chosen as the pilot script to represent the series.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=A New Muffler
|ShortSummary=During battle Muffler is captured and rescued by his friends. But after Autobot plans begin to fail it seems that they have a spy in their midst. And suddenly Muffler isn't such a klutz....What's going on?
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=A Deadly Decision
|ShortSummary=A battle leaves several Autobots wounded. Firecycle tries to repair them, but a lack of supplies means that she can't save everyone. One of the Autobots will die unless she can get the supplies to save them.
}}
|}

==="A Robot's Best Friend Is His Dog"===
Wendy and Eddie Fairchild are getting ready for school, when a "DECEPTICON ROBOT GUARD" passes by their house reminding them of the alien occupation of Earth.
Meanwhile, at a Decepticon run steel mill that's producing new troops, Jazzz and Trailbreaker arrive in vehicle mode sneaking in with inflatable dummies posed as their drivers. They're caught by the guards and have to transform into robot mode, forced to fight their way through the mill. Ultimately they take control of the plant, free the imprisoned workers and set up defences against further Decepticon attacks. A silent Buzzsaw watches this before heading back to Decepticon headquarters. In the Colorado Rockies, Negator plots, when he's interrupted by the spy's arrival. Despite Starscream mockery, Negator announces his plan to destroy all the Autobots.

Elsewhere, the Fairchild's parents are forced to leave for work in a Decepticon factory, as the children leave for school in their friend, the undercover Autobot Muffler. Stopped at a Decepticon roadblock, the Autobot is found out by the guards and the trio are forced to flee as they give chase.
At a roadside diner, trucker Matt's vehicle begins to drive away on its own to everyone else's confusion as he hurries to catch it. On the highway, Matt and the truck, Optimus Prime, follow Muffler's distress signal. Catching up with their friends, Optimus transforms into robot mode and destroys the pursuers. Mirage and Firecycle exit from Prime's trailer, then the Autobots receive a message from Jazzz at the mill. Arriving, they are silently stalked by hidden Decepticons. Entering the building Matt's dog, Burt suddenly starts barking at a forklift, revealing that it's a hidden Decepticon. With the ambush ruined, the Decepticon start their attack. Outnumbered by the enemy forces, Optimus gives them enough time to retreat by blasting open a water tower, the wave washing the Decepticons away. The Autobots manage to escape, but the workers are left behind to be re-enslaved.

Elsewhere, Negator realises that Burt was responsible for ruining his plan and orders the dog to be eliminated. In the woods, the Autobots repair themselves as Wendy and Eddie head to school with Burt, unaware that Soundwave is tracking them. Arriving at the school they make it to class, where a Decepticon sentry watches over them. Upset by the robot Burt starts barking. Hearing the dog from across the city, Soundwave lands at the school, reaches through a window, grabbing Burt and flies off. Back at the base, Firecycle is able to save a critically wounded Jazzz. The children arrive and tell them what happened. Things seem hopeless until Trailbreaker comes up with a plan...

The Autobots rush into the mill, taking care of the guards and freeing the workers. To their confusion Optimus orders them to continue making Decepticon parts. In the Decepticon headquarters, Negator prepares for surgery to find out how Burt is able to detect Decepticons. Suddenly, scanners announce a new shipment of parts from the mill. As the Decepticons start unloading the cargo jet, Matt jumps out of a crate, blasting laser fire. The Autobots are revealed to have used the new parts to disguise themselves as newly constructed Decepticons. Optimus provides covering fire so Matt can make it deeper inside the base as the battle continues.

Matt finds the "electro-surgery room", blowing up the surgeon and rescuing his dog. They return to the hanger, but Starscream keeps them pinned down with his lasers, preventing them from reuniting with their friends. However, Eddie rushes in, grabs a gun from a dead Deception and uses it to down the plane. Hearing Burt's barks, the Autobots prepare to leave by the jet. As it takes off, Negator transforms into "satellite particle beam cannon mode" preparing to shoot them down. However, Optimus, still outside in truck form, fires his laser rifle at him knocking him off target so he instead blows a hole in the hanger ceiling, trapping the Decepticons in rubble, giving them time to escape.
Back at the mill, the workers begin the production of new Autobots, while a grateful Burt licks Optimus as everyone laughs.

==Notes==
This script has various details that wouldn't fit in the summary:
*The series bible describes how the shows title sequence was intended to provide some brief background. It would have shown the sudden appearance of the Decepticons as they took over Earth and enslaved humanity, inter-cut with the Autobots attempts to stop them.
*Scott suggests that when we see a POV from a Transformer it would show a "Hi-tech binocular matte" which features "grid lines and changing LED numbers."
*The Decepticons have regular news broadcasts glorifying their conquest of the planet. Turning them off is illegal.
*All the non-named Decepticons are generics that aren't really described in any way. Just being large.
*During the opening fight at the mill:
**When the guard searches Jazzz's fake driver, he catches it's hand by rolling up his window and then changing into robot mode.
**Trailbreaker knocks a guard into a vat of molten steel.
**Jazzz runs through two guards, smashing them into pieces.
*The Decepticons headquarters is a massive cave carved into the Colorado mountains with a large hangar.
*The Fairchild's parents are transported to work by "a large truck" with a Decepticon standing guard in the back.
*Muffler is able to control his seatbelts and uses it to gag Eddie's mouth at the checkpoint.
*Some details from the chase sequence:
**The roadblock guards chase after them after transforming into "side hacker motor cycles."
**During the chase Muffler nearly runs down another Decepticon, which then chases after them as an army truck.
**Optimus is able to blast one of the pursuers of the road, then burst another's tire which swerves into the army truck, smashing it into pieces before it falls into a ravine.
*At the mill the Decepticons disguise themselves by camouflage rope netting.
*The Decepticons hide at the ambush site in cranes, trucks and forklifts altmodes.
*At the school we met Mr Davenport, the class teacher. He asks his student Johnny for his report of the American independence, only for the classroom's Decepticon guard to stop him as "the subject of freedom is forbidden."
*Soundwave is described as red by Eddie. This isn't an early colour scheme. Soundwave's profile didn't mention his colour scheme and all the reference material Scott had was in black and white. When he had someone describe his appearance he just had to guess.

==Development==
Even with the script, bibles and notes there's a limit to what we can infer about the development of this pitch. A lot of what we could say would just be guesswork.... But, it just so happens that Scott wrote a book about "How To Write For Animation" which includes his advice for successfully pitching a show explaining some of his creative choices.
*As Scott says in his book "your initial audience is not the viewer of the cartoon but the story editor or producer who is going to buy it." He suggests "find out what the buyer wants".<ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott (p. 37)</ref> Likely, this story was inspired by the network's request for a robot detecting dog.
*The pilot's odd backstory is another example of meeting the network's requirements, what with the whole conquest of Earth happening offscreen. In the section "HOW TO WRITE A PILOT", Scott brings up the crucial detail that "99 OUT OF A 100 TIMES THE NETWORK DOESN'T WANT AN "ORIGIN " PILOT."<ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott (p. 172)</ref> The reasoning being that an origin story is usually unrepresentative of the show as a whole, while a random adventure can better demonstrate what the show is going to be like on a week to week basis.
*Another piece of advice is that if "you're trying to sell a show to a network exec, you want to reveal as much of the show as you can in the pilot."<ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott (p. 172)</ref>
*If this pitch had been approved its ideas would have almost certainly been reworked further. In many shows Scott would continue expanding and changing details after production commenced, finding out what worked and what didn't.<ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott (p. 173)</ref> The last page of the script shows this happening here, with him suggesting a rework to the story so that the Fairchild's parents aren't featured and instead the children's quest to find them is a potential series plot point.

==Legacy==
Ultimately, CBS did not produce a ''Transformers'' cartoon in 1984. We can only guess why. While the pitch was passed over, it wasn't quite the end. On the 30th of April, Sunbow staff briefly considered including some aspects into the final show, such as a big brother figure (they didn't) and maybe reusing some the episode premises (they didn't) .<ref>[https://tfarchive.com/cartoons/bible ''The Transformers'' production bible, including internal correspondence from Bryce Malek and Dick Robbins, that refers to Eddie and Matt by name]</ref> Later, the January 1985 issue of ''Comic Features'' would showcased various unproduced cartoons including artwork created for this pitch under the new title of ''Car and Cable''.<ref>[http://starlogged.blogspot.com/2012/01/marvel-productions-in-198485.html Scans of ''Comics Feature'' at the "Starlogged" blog]</ref> For years this was assumed to be Marvel creating a knockoff of their own success with ''Transformers''. We still don't know why this happened. Were Marvel seriously considering reworking this show without the ''Transformers'' elements? Did they publish concept art under a fake name to make it look like they had more shows in development? It's unclear.

And that was the end of this pitch.

Until [[2020]], when Instagram user [https://www.instagram.com/consumercollectibles/ consumercollectibles] uncovered additional concept art which featured a silhouetted Prowl menacing Muffy and his friend in a "garage scene", with the handwritten note "Trans 3 V" and cast list using the names mentioned in the memo, explicitly tying it to ''Transformers''.<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/consumercollectibles/ consumercollectables on Instagram]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20200803141945/https://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/167466-remember-that-concept-art-for-muffy-the-unmade-marvel-cartoon/ AllSpark.com forum post collecting ''Car and Cable'' art (archived)]</ref> This just raised more questions.....

Which were answered in [[2024]], when Jeffery Scott sold off all of the development material for this pitch.

At TFNation 2025, [[Jim Sorenson]] (who purchased Scott's material) and [[Chris McFeely]] hosted a reading of the pilot script which featured actors from various Transformers shows including [[Gregg Berger]] and [[Paul Eiding]] from the original cartoon.<ref> [https://www.patreon.com/posts/tfnation-2025-is-137075459 TFNation 2025 Audio Recording of 'A Robot's Best Friend is his Dog' Script Reading]</ref> The same day, the production material was released online.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qYFePnAgHL9vlhAEF5IY3db59P0WaLwx/view?usp=drive_link First Series Bible]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1r0M_CIdlaEZs5SWmMQhSuO_M2ogZgQxH/view?usp=drive_link Revised Series Bible]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1j-XyM7R3RXwlqScR1l_gstsu7xCI7Ayj/view A collection of Jeffery Scott's network notes]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FkSIH3jScZJvThuUPxCm167I1ur0hp1M/view Story outline for A Robot's Best Friend Is His Dog]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BGi0WlVKs2I617mvIYr41wITfQIF37K6/view Script for A Robot's Best Friend Is His Dog]

[[Category:Television series]]
[[Category:Things that don't exist]]
[[Category:Unproduced scripts]]

Call of the Primitives

2025-09-26T11:07:39Z

WillR113:

{{disambig2|the cartoon episode|the mobile game event|Call of the Primitives (Legends)}}
{{episode
|series=G1toon
|ep=91
|series2=2010
|ep2=26
|prev2=Grimlock's New Brain
|next2=The Face of the Nijika
|image=PrimitiveCall.jpg
|caption=Prim and Proper
|title="Call of the Primitives"
|season=3
|season ep=26
|production code=700-112
|airdate=[[November 18]], 1986
|written by=[[Donald F. Glut]]
|directed by=[[Eiji Suganuma]]
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|animation studio=[[Toei Animation|Toei]], [[Studio Look]] (See [[Call of the Primitives#Trivia|''Notes'']])
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwSfiiZsQrU
|videosite=YouTube
}}
'''All Transformers with animal modes are summoned to battle a being called Tornedron, the little brother of Unicron.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:AutobotsCall.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|They're not dead! Dead is gray. This is white.]]
In an ancient-looking laboratory, a sinister voice describes the process of creation as he brings an energy creature into being: first feeding off flame, then an [[energon cube]], growing in size and power. "[[Tornedron]]" is more than his creator could have hoped; he flies forth into the universe, as his creator gloats that he will succeed where "the other" failed. Touching a comet, Tornedron leaves it dark and bereft of energy. Soon, it attacks [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. The [[Autobot]]s attack it, but it simply drains their energy from them. The creature's creator is pleased with him, saying he's done better than his predecessor, [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]].

[[File:Ejectcall.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|Ravage, why are you running away?]]
On [[Earth]]'s [[Moon (moon)|Moon]], [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Rodimus Prime]] is leading a rather badly outnumbered group of Autobots against the [[Decepticon]]s. However, the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]], [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]], [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]], [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]], [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]], and the animal-form [[Mini-Cassette]]s are all summoned by a mysterious voice. They stop fighting and board Trypticon, who—with Sky Lynx alongside him—rockets off into space, leaving behind a puzzled Rodimus and an infuriated [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]]. As the Decepticons take off in pursuit, Tornedron arrives and drains the energy from the Moon - and the remaining Autobots along with it. Galvatron's Decepticons in space are next, followed by the entire planet Earth.

Aboard Trypticon, it doesn't take long for tempers to flare after [[Headstrong (G1)|Headstrong]] picks a fight with the Dinobots by insulting [[Grimlock (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Grimlock]]. [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] suggests they stomp him. The Preds stick with their teammate and fight the Dinobots, and the Terrorcons decide to fight everyone. At Sky Lynx's suggestion, Trypticon shakes his passengers up a bit to put an end to the squabbling. The group arrives on [[Methuselah|an ancient planet]] near the center of the galaxy. After touching down, Sky Lynx assumes command of the group, despite the objections of [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] and [[Hun-Gurrr (G1)|Hun-Gurrr]]. Finding a cave, they encounter [[Oracle (G1)|a strange entity]]. He explains that he summoned the [[Primitive]]s, all animal-based Transformers, to come to fight Tornedron, the energy being who was created by [[Primacron]]. The entity, who was once Primacron's assistant, explains how Primacron created Unicron but was nearly destroyed by his creation. After Unicron's defeat, Primacron created Tornedron as a replacement. Primacron's assistant hopes that the Primitives' simple instincts will allow them to defeat Primacron's complex plans.

[[File:Terrorconcall.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|How bright are all these guys? Well, the freaking ''Terrorcons'' were the first and only ones to figure out that shooting the energy creature doesn't work and to try something else. So, not real bright.]]
Suddenly, Tornedron arrives and drains Trypticon of his energy. Trypticon crashes, and Grimlock is believed destroyed. Sky Lynx attacks, only to have his energy drained as well. [[Slag (G1)|Slag]] leads the Dinobots in retreat, while the other Primitives split up, believing that Tornedron can't catch up to all of them if they go separate ways. Unfortunately, they prove to be wrong, as Tornedron separates into four parts to track them all down. He easily dispatches the Mini-Cassettes, chewing on [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] in the process. Headstrong declares that it would be better to [[Furmanism|fight and die]], and the Predacons form [[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]], only to have their energy sucked away as well. The Terrorcons try to fight back, but are also drained. The Dinobots ambush Tornedron, but they too are dispatched. Declaring victory against the Primitives, Primacron orders Tornedron to return [[Protos|home back to his lab]]. Unknown to Tornedron and Primacron, however, Grimlock has survived his impact from Trypticon, and he secretly follows them.

[[File:Tornedroncall.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|Two scoops of raisins.]]
At his base, Primacron is having trouble controlling Tornedron, ordering him to stop. Tornedron refuses to take any more orders and declares that he intends to feed on Primacron, and that all of Primacron's failsafes have failed, realizing that Tornedron is rebelling against him. Grimlock breaks into Primacron's lab to find that Primacron is a tiny little monkey-like alien... thing. Grimlock grabs Primacron and orders him to reverse his damage, but Primacron declares that he's tried everything. Grimlock fixes things easily: He throws the reverse switch, which reverses Tornedron's energy polarity, destroying Tornedron and restoring the life energy to the drained Transformers and planets of the galaxy. In celebration, Grimlock destroys Primacron's lab, declaring it the "smartest" thing he's ever done.
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{collist|2|
*[[Springer (G1)|Springer]] (15)
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] (16)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Rodimus Prime]] (17)
*[[Slag (G1)|Slag]] (19)
*[[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] (20)
*[[Grimlock (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Grimlock]] (21)
*[[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] (22)
*[[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]] (23)
*[[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]] (25)
*[[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] (26)
*[[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] (27)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] (28)
*[[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] (29)
*[[Blades (G1)|Blades]] (30)
*[[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]] (31)
*[[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] (32)
*[[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] (36)
*[[Ramhorn (G1)|Ramhorn]] (42)
*[[Steeljaw (G1)|Steeljaw]] (43)
}}
|c2=
{{collist|2|
*[[Sweep (G1)|Sweeps]] (3)
*[[Rampage (G1)|Rampage]] (4)
*[[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] (5)
*[[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] (6)
*[[Cyclonus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cyclonus]] (7)
*[[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] (8)
*[[Hun-Gurrr (G1)|Hun-Gurrr]] (9)
*[[Rippersnapper (G1)|Rippersnapper]] (10)
*[[Sinnertwin (G1)|Sinnertwin]] (11)
*[[Blot (G1)|Blot]] (12)
*[[Cutthroat (G1)|Cutthroat]] (13)
*[[Divebomb (G1)|Divebomb]] (14)
*[[Tantrum (G1)|Tantrum]] (18)
*[[Headstrong (G1)|Headstrong]] (24)
*[[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]] (33)
*[[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]] (34)
*[[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] (35)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (37)
*[[Ravage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ravage]] (38)
*[[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] (39)
*[[Slugfest (G1)|Slugfest]] (40)
*[[Overkill (G1)|Overkill]] (41)
}}
|c4=
*[[Primacron]] (1)
*[[Tornedron]] (2)
*[[Oracle (G1)|The Oracle]] (44)
*[[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] (45)
}}

==Quotes==
[[File:CotP-BlasterEject.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|Whoops, my barn door's open.]]
"What's with the Dinobots?" 
"I'd say they're losing their minds... ''if'' they had any to lose!"
:—'''Rodimus Prime''' and '''Springer'''

"Save your ammunition, Autobots! Superior forces are taking over." 
"Well, well, Commander Modesty's here!"
:—'''Sky Lynx''' and '''Springer''', as Sky Lynx arrives to save the day.

'''Sky Lynx:''' "I'm tracking the waves to the center of the galaxy. Even my advanced technology can't pinpoint the exact destination." 
'''Grimlock:''' "Me Grimlock not know where ''I'' go!" 
'''Headstrong:''' "That's not surprisin'. Grimlock don't know nothin'!"
:— With this crew, it doesn't take much to get a brawl going.

"Now remember, before you do anything, think, 'Is this what Sky Lynx would do in my position?', and you will not go far wrong."
:—'''Sky Lynx's''' sensible instructions to the rest of the Primitives.

[[File:CallofthePrimitives SkyLynx ruetheday.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|So how's that whole 'rue the day' thing workin' out for ya there, Sky Lynx?]]
"Suffer my rage, monster! I will show you no mercy! You will rue the day you crossed Sky—aaahhh!"
:—'''Sky Lynx'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s righteous fury at the deaths of Trypticon and Grimlock.

'''Ramhorn''': Sky Lynx is destroyed! Who will lead us now? 
'''Slag''': I, Slag, lead Dinobots away, till I get better idea. 
'''Hun-Gurrr''': Best idea yet! We run too!
:—Strategy is not their strong suit.

[[File:Predaking primatives.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|He is power. He is fear. He is awe-inspiring might. He is... dead in about 5 seconds.]]
'''Headstrong''': I detest fleeing! I would rather die fighting! 
'''Razorclaw''': He is right! Predacons, unite! 
''[The Predacons combine.]'' 
'''Predaking''': Tornedron... face Predaking! ''To the end!''
:—The Predacons decide that [[Furmanism|it is better to fight and die than live with the knowledge that they ran]].

"Grimlock here to save universe!"
:—'''Grimlock''' has an elegantly simple mission statement

"''[chuckles]'' "''You'' are creator?" 
"Unfortunately... yes." 
"Grimlock laugh at little wimp who cause big trouble!"
:—'''Grimlock''', about to give '''Primacron''' a wedgie.

[[File:CallofthePrimitives Grimlock Primacron.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|Give me Grimlock your lunch money.]]
'''Grimlock''': Grimlock saved universe! Oh, Grimlock hero!! [Grimlock stomps in victory, causing the place to begin to collapse] 
'''Primacron''': Stop it! You stupid—! 
'''Grimlock''': Why you call Grimlock stupid? 
'''Primacron''': You've ruined my lab! 
'''Grimlock''': Me Grimlock think that is smartest thing I ever done!
:—You know, that probably ''is'' the smartest thing he's ever done.

==Notes==
===Production information===
* Final script: 22 September 1986
* Overkill model approved: 14th October 1986
*The premise of this episode came from an outline by story editor [[Flint Dille]] for writer Don Glut to expand into a full script. When asked years later Glut suggested that the Primacron aspect of the plot came from the outline. Glut also revealed that he was confused by what was happening when he saw the final episode despite the fact he wrote it. <ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060702172614/http://members.aol.com/tfencyc/interview_glut.html Don Glut interview]</ref>

===Continuity notes===
[[File:Primacron.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|Grimlock laugh at little wimp who cause big trouble! Unfortunately, so did the audience.]]
[[File:Firecall.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|Me Grimlock like 'cons Cajun style!]]
*We get our first official origin story for Unicron, painting him as the creation of an obsessive scientist guy. It's... a bit lackluster, especially considering the demi-god nature of the character depicted in the contemporaneous Marvel UK comics. That god-style origin would carry over into the Marvel US comics in 1989, and later media would use it almost exclusively, quietly ignoring poor Primacron.
*[[Oracle (G1)|Primacron's assistant]] is an enigma. At the scripting stage, he was given the identifier of "Oracle," but this doesn't make it into the finished episode's dialogue. According to the episodes cast list he is "The "energy force" of a Transformer "Primitive."" Which just raises more questions... In his flashback, after his body is blown to bits by Unicron, the [[Matrix of Leadership]] is shown rising from his body and flying off into space, but the whole thing goes largely unremarked on in dialogue, with the assistant's narration speaking only of his "escape" to the dead world. ''Call of the Primitives'' is one of several Generation 1 episodes that we don't have access to the full original script for (only the dialogue script), so we sadly have no true information about what this scene was meant to imply. We don't even know if the idea of there being a connection between the assistant and the Matrix was an invention of the episode's writer, the story editors, or even something inserted by the animators, either on purpose or by mistake. It would, however, be given clear, in-universe meaning twenty years later as part of a large retcon carried out in Japanese media (see "[[#Foreign localization|Foreign localization]]" below for more).
*"Sweeps 6 and 7" identify themselves at the start of the moon battle, the only time any Sweeps had any sort of individual designation. Fun Publications would later produce toys of these characters.
*[[Laserbeak (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Laserbeak]] and [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] aren't among the Primitives in this episode, since their toys had been discontinued. Instead, Soundwave unleashes two new cassette Decepticons: [[Slugfest (G1)|Slugfest]] and [[Overkill (G1)|Overkill]], who aren't referred to by name, and are completely absent from the rest of the episode, suggesting they were a last-minute addition to the episode. In fact the episode's cast list doesn't even use their final names, instead calling them Crunchback and Gouge.
*When Grimlock uses his [[fire-breath|flame breath]] on the Predacons and Terrorcons, they start to ''[[Humanization#Coughing|cough]]''... cause that's what you do when you're being hit with fire reaching several hundred degrees.
*This is the first and only time in the cartoon Swoop fires his wing blasters.
*This episode seems to resolidify the Dinobots' position as freakishly powerful (which took a beating in Season 3), as Grimlock alone seems to be a match for three Terrorcons and two Predacons, and the only Autobot sent flying is Swoop, who takes a blast to the chest early on.
*Gadgets and powers:
**Grimlock can fly in ''T. rex'' mode! All his past flying has been done in robot mode, apart from some falling-with-style back in ''Transformers: The Movie''.
**Trypticon fires a laser from his head-mounted gun at Tornedron that takes the form of a series of energy rings. This MIGHT be a visual reference to the "hypno-beam" his [[bio]] traditionally claims he wields, however if it is meant to hypnotize Tornedron, it fails miserably.
*This episode marks the last appearance of the Dinobots, Trypticon, Ravage, [[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] (he is seen running by in the background during the red alert on Cybertron), and [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] in the series.
*Neither the Moon nor Earth are mentioned by name. Nor do we see anything to suggest what happens when the entire planet - and every human being on it - is drained of energy; we may surmise that it's non-fatal.

===Real-world references===
*''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' sound effects:
**''[[Millennium Falcon]]'' engine burst as Trypticon launches into the moon battle, then again as Sky Lynx takes off to answer the call.
**[[Death Star]] superlaser as Galvatron & co. take off after Trypticon.
**[[Lightsaber]] ignition as Tornedron takes off from Earth.
**Seeker ball bolts as Tornedron starts his attack on Trypticon.
**[[TIE Fighter]] roar from Swoop as the Dinobots flee.
**Lightsabers slashing equipment and sparking as Tornedron takes down the cassette crew, and as he approaches the Terrorcons and Dinobots.

===Animation and technical errors===
"Call of the Primitives" is renowned for its highly stylized and often very detailed artwork. Many fans regard it as head and shoulders above every other episode in the series (admittedly not a terribly high bar). More objectively, it is one of the least error-prone episodes of the entire show:
*Rodimus's gun doesn't have the usual Prime rifle sound effect.
*In the second overhead shot of the Autobots during the opening battle, Rodimus is missing his (freakin' huge) spoiler.
*When we first see him, Wheelie is missing his Autobot logo.
*When Blades, Slingshot and Wheelie open fire on Tornedron, the first shots are fired before they even raise their weapons.
*As Tornedron, in the form of a giant bug, steps over the bodies of Blades, Slingshot and Wheelie, its glowing aura is on a lower cel than their bodies, making it appear to pass under them, despite the fact they're lying on the ground.
[[File:Windcharger-COTP01.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|"Look alive, people! Uh, no offense, Windcharger."]]
*[[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] is seen running around on Cybertron, despite having been killed in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''. But hey, that [[Carnage in C-Minor|happens]] [[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|all]] [[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|the]] [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|time]].
*When the Dinobots are being summoned, [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] is referred to as "Sweep," and Sweep #6's voice (performed by [[Jack Angel]] delivers the line "Someone from... ''up there''" which is animated as being spoken by Swoop. Again, without access to the full script, it's not clear what happened here, but somebody goofed somewhere!
*Galvatron's sporting a red Decepticon [[insignia]] when he calls in Trypticon.
*When Ravage and the other animal Mini-Cassettes eject from Soundwave, Cyclonus is shown several heads taller than Galvatron and Soundwave. While some scale guides ''do'' show him as larger than the average Transformer (reflecting his original role as Galvatron's transport), the cartoon generally shows him about the same height as Galvatron.
*Not necessarily an error, but more of a misinterpretation of their [[character model]]s, Slugfest and Overkills' robot modes are drawn without their weapons attached. A lot of the season three and four character models showcased the characters without their weapons/accessories attached to better show off the details that would be hidden by them. Instead they featured dotted lines that pointed towards the places that they should be placed on the body (examples of this can be found with the [[Technobot (G1)|Technobot]]s and [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]]). This appears to have resulted in the pair being depicted as if their weapon placements were optional, unlike the previous Mini-Cassettes that appeared in the show.
*Grimlock's whole neck is supposed to be gold, but the back of it is gray in several shots.
*As Sky Lynx tracks the signal, we see waves of energy expanding out towards him. In the next shot, they're flowing out'' from'' him.
*As the Predacons start firing on the Dinobots while inside Trypticon, one of the glowing effects doesn't quite match up with Headstrong's horn as it should (he moves his horn to the right position a moment later).
[[File:Calloftheprimitives trypticon vs tornedron.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|Pictured: wrong sound effect.]]
*Some of the Decepticon Primitives' lasers have the sound effect of Galvatron's cannon. So does Trypticon's laser later on.
*When the Decepticon Primitives back away declaring that Sky Lynx has died, their walking animation is reversed as they move, as if they were walking forward rather than backstepping.
*When the Primitives rush to peer over the cliff that Grimlock falls off of, they slide statically into the frame.
*When Sky Lynx tells the Dinobots to find the "alien" a star can be seen on his leg.
*When Tornedron drains Predaking's power and fall over, the Predacons transform back to [[robot mode]]... but the image of Predaking is still there, layered beneath them.
*When Grimlock gets out from under Trypticon, his forearms are huge and his chest looks more boxy than usual.
*Restoring the energy to the Moon also appears to rearrange all the craters.
*When Rodimus' team is restored, Rodimus is lying face up (he was face down), Ultra Magnus' shins are blue instead of white, and Blaster's chest is missing its detailing, switches and Autobot logo.

===Continuity errors===
*Sky Lynx asks Grimlock if he's all right ''as he's falling down a cliff.''

===Other errors===
*When Slag declares he will lead the Dinobots due to Grimlock's apparent death, he refers to himself as "I, Slag" as opposed to his usual "Me, Slag".

===Trivia===
[[File:Unicroncall.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|Where am I from?]]
*The art style in this episode is very different from all others in the Generation 1 series, with highly stylized "anime-like" [[character model]]s and proportions. Exactly which studio animated it has long been a subject of speculation by fans, with [[TMS Entertainment|Tokyo Movie Shinsha]] and [[Ashi Productions]] both being suspects. At last, in 2020, the episode's director [[Eiji Suganuma]] explained that it had, in fact, been contracted to regular ''Transformers'' animation studio [[Toei Animation|Toei]], who then—as was common—sub-contracted the work (at least in part) to [[Studio Look]]. They, in turn, employed students from vocational school known as the {{w|lang=ja|国際アニメーション研究所|International Animation Institute}}.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=当時の僕はまだ駆け出しのアニメーターで正確な受注ラインはよく判ってないのですが…。［元請け］（東映動画…かな） ↓ ［スタジオルック］（下請け会社） ↓ ［国際アニメーション研究所原画室］（作画監督と一部の原画を担当）当時の僕はここにお世話になってました。|link=https://twitter.com/LandSoda/status/1281977703504048128|name=Eiji Suganuma|site=Twitter|year=2020|month=7|day=11|(defunct=)}}</ref>
*In the past, it's been popularly claimed that the characters models seen in this episode were those designed by [[Studio OX]] and used in their ''[[TV Magazine]]'' work, but they're not; they're simply more stylized versions of the standard animation models, lacking the additional toyetic touches and copious mecha-greeblies found in the OX designs. However, the money shot of the combined Predaking was animated by [[Shin Matsuo]], who ''was'' a member of Studio OX, and brought much of their artistic aesthetic to the standard animation models.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=@G1_BARI @tf__tf @samehada00 確かな記憶じゃないんですが、橙色のロボは松尾さんが原画で…作監はワタクシです。…多分。（大張さんBINGO、流石です♪）間違ってたらすみません。(´Д｀)|link=https://twitter.com/LandSoda/status/487278887332638721|name=Eiji Suganuma|site=Twitter|year=2014|month=7|day=10|(defunct=)}}</ref>

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''L'appel des primitifs'''" (Canadian French, European French DVD, "Call of the Primitives")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*To date, and although there is probably one in existence, the European French dub of this episode is lost. The French DVD editions use the Canadian French dub instead.
::*Concerning that same Canadian dub:
:::*Strangely, Blades' line "What in the name of-" and Wheelie's answer "Don't inquire! Just fire!" are dubbed by Blades saying "Cybernetic!" and Wheelie answering "Instead of swearing, just fire!".
:::*Again, Sky Lynx is called by his English name instead of his Canadian name "Chaînon".
:::*In the original version, the voice mistakenly refers to Sludge as "Sweep". The dub uses the name "Soupçon" which has never been used before, but could be the name used for the Sweeps.
:::*As usual, Predaking calls himself "King of the Predacons" instead of "Prédaroi" (Predaking).

'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Das geheimnisvolle Orakel'''" ("The Mysterious Oracle")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Italian'''
:*''Title (first dub):'' "'''Tornedron'''"
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*At the beginning of the episode the line: «Sweeps Six and Seven» is mysteriously dubbed in '''English''' (although "sweeps" apparently becomes "sweep").
:*''Title (second dub):'' "'''La chiamata dei primitivi'''" ("Call of the Primitives")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

[[File:TVMagazineOverkill.jpg|right|upright=2|thumb|"Eject—operation: Understudy."]]
'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Genshi no Yobigoe'''" (原始の呼び声, "Primeval Call")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[June 5]], [[1987]]
::*Preview art for this episode published in [[TV Magazine]] inexplicably displayed [[Slugfest (G1)|Slugfest]] and [[Overkill (G1)|Overkill]] as if they were the stars of the episode.
::*A new piece of narration at beginning of the episode referred to Primacron as the "creator of super robot lifeforms". Decades later, this idea would be fully expanded upon by the [[Generations Selects Special Comic Finale|final chapter]] of the ''[[Generations Selects Special Comic]]'' series, which would depict Primacron as the original creator of several robotic alien species, such as the [[Xetaxxan]]s, the [[Lanarq]]ans, the [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]], the [[Lithone (species)|Lithones]], and the inhabitants of [[Twin Star]].
::*Upon approaching the [[Methuselah|ancient planet]] of the [[Oracle (G1)|Oracle]], Sky Lynx's original English line of "And unless I'm wrong, which is, of course, extremely unlikely, we are being called to a very ancient and sacred place," was localized as "Moreover, it feels like we are being called by a voice from the past, as if we're traveling to a hidden world from the past."<ref>{{citesocial|quote=In the Japanese audio, the phrase "Called by voices from the past, I feel as if I am traveling to a secret world of the past" can be interpreted as a time slip.|link=https://twitter.com/hayatoron/status/1765420940089770185|name=[[Hayato Sakamoto]]|site=Twitter|title=|year=2024|month=03|day=06|(defunct=)}}</ref><ref>[https://youtu.be/sgoBLvURJoM?t=611 Transformers 2010 - Episode 26 - Call Of The Primitives] by [https://www.youtube.com/@KaryuudoFansubs Karyuudo Fansubs (狩人ファンサブ)]</ref> While not hugely different on the face of it, the altered dialogue could be interpreted as implying that the Primitives actually travel back in time during their trip to said planet.
::**In [[2007]], that implication became explicit, when it was used as the foundation of a massive [[retcon]] that brought the character of [[Primus]] into the [[Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity]] by combining several originally-unrelated characters and concepts to create a long, convoluted history for this new version of Primus. With the Oracle's planet now being set in the past, that enabled the planet to be an ancient, pre-metallic version of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] itself, in alignment with how ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'' would later declare Cybertron to have originally been an organic planet that was terraformed into the metallic world of the present.
::**Likewise, this retcon also declared the Oracle to be Primus himself, based on the fact that an object strongly resembling the [[Matrix of Leadership]] was seen rising from the Oracle's simian body after being blasted by Unicron. With this object taken literally as the Matrix itself, the Oracle (within the Matrix) would flee from Primacron's lab and take up residence within the organic planet that would later become Cybertron, and call the Primitives from the future to tell them how to defeat Tornedron. The [[Quintesson]]s would later find this planet, terraform it into Cybertron, and trap the Oracle/Primus within [[Vector Sigma]] (who, by ''total'' coincidence, happened to also share [[Toshiro Ishii|the same Japanese voice actor]] as the Oracle), tying all of these plot threads together along with the ''Beast Machines'' [[Oracle (BM)|Oracle]] and the ''[[Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers#Beast Wars Neo|Beast Wars Neo]]'' depiction of Vector Sigma. ''Phew!''
:::However, while the scene of the Primitives following the Oracle's summoning rings to his ancient planet was reinterpreted as time travel, the fact that they also encounter Tornedron and Primacron while still on the same planet means that both of ''them'' had somehow also traveled back in time to specifically follow the Primitives to the distant past, and that Tornedron also somehow traveled ''back'' to the present when he undid all of his prior handiwork after Grimlock reversed his energy polarity, ''and'' that the Primitives and Primacron were all subsequently sent back to the present after the episode ends, and ''wow'', that is a ''lot'' of assumptions to be made for this Primus retcon to work.
::*A "[[Secret Files of Teletraan II]]" segment unique to Japan was attached to the end of this episode. The segment focuses on the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]]s. It replaces the original "Secret Files" segment focusing on the [[Mini-Cassette]]s used in the Western broadcast. That segment was never used in the Japanese broadcast of the series.

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Zhìzūn Tàijūn'''" (至尊太君, "Supreme Great Lord")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Polish'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Wezwanie prehistoryków'''" ("Call of the Prehistorics")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
===Toys inspired by this episode===
*'''[[T-SPARK#Adamas_Machina|Adama Machina]]''' Predaking (T-SPARK, 2026)
:''Adamas Machina'' Predaking is based on a stylized look of the combiner (redesigned by [[Akira Amemiya]]) featured in the episode.

{{-}}

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 1988 — ''Transformers'' — Call of the Primitives / The Girl Who Loved Powerglide ([[Tempo Video]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 1989 — ''Transformers'' — Fight or Flee / Call of the Primitives (Tempo Video) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 1992 — ''Transformers'' — Super Video (Tempo Video)
;{{w|LaserDisc}}
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1999 — ''The Transformers: 2010'' ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2001 — ''The Transformers: 2010'' — DVD Box (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2004 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 3 Part 2 & Season 4 ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Season 3 and Season 4 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 5: Series 3.2 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2005 — ''Transformers'' — Volume 22 ([[Déclic Images]]) — Canadian French audio only. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2006 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2006 — The Best of ''The Transformers'' (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2007 — ''Transformers'' — The Classic Episodes (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season's Three & Four {{sic}} (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection ([[Shout! Studios|Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2010 — ''The Transformers'' — Seasons Three & Four: 25th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2011 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Original Series (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2014 — ''The Transformers'' — Seasons Three & Four: 30th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2014 — ''Transformers'' — The Classic Animated Series (Metrodome)

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://drive.google.com/open?id=1qyhhQsao44hDraQThoUzVRoGylHTElmi Episode dialogue script]

[[Category:The Transformers episodes]]

Transformers (2023) issue 19

2025-09-26T10:56:35Z

WillR113: /* Continuity notes */

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Transformers (2023 comic)|Transformers]]'' #19
|prev=Transformers (2023) issue 18
|next=Transformers Energon Universe 2025 Special story
|image=Transformers 2023 19 Cover A.jpg
|caption=
|title=
|publisher=[[Image Comics]] [[Skybound Entertainment]]
|date=[[April 9]], [[2025]]
|coverdate=April 2025
|written by=[[Daniel Warren Johnson]]
|art by=[[Ludo Lullabi]]
|colors by=[[Adriano Lucas]]
|letters by=[[Rus Wooton]]
|editor=[[Ben Abernathy]]
|publication design=[[Andres Juarez]]
|production=[[Ashby Florence]]
|continuity=[[Energon Universe]]
|chronology=
}}

'''A glimpse into the past shows how Megatron became the great conqueror that bent Cybertron to his will.'''

==Synopsis==

[[File:TF2023 no. 19 - MegatronVsSharkticons.jpg|thumb|200px|left]]
[[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] awakens in a cell on the planet [[Quintessa (planet)|Quintessa]]. Confused, he demands to know where he is, last remembering being on [[Moonbase One|Moonbase 1]] with the rest of his [[clan]]. He is then greeted by the [[Quintesson Prosecutor]] [[Dezimir]], who tells him that he has been brought to undergo a great trial. Megatron tries to defiantly fight back, but Dezimir uses a device to control and subdue him. He is then brought to an arena, where Dezimir unleashes a horde of [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticon]]s on the [[Transformer|Cybertronian]]. However, Megatron is unfazed, and quickly tears through the Sharkticons, even firing a stray shot from his [[fusion cannon]] at his captors, only to earn another shock from Dezimir. The [[Quintesson]] then activates the next part of the trial: the floor opens underneath Megatron to reveal an inferno. Unfazed, Megatron transforms into his tank mode and blasts at Dezimir's platform. Dezimir taunts Megatron, telling him that while he is powerful, he could be much more. He then summons the mechanical shell of the mighty [[Mechanokoar]] and crushes Megatron.

Once more, Megatron awakens in the same cell, confused. Dezimir tells him that failure is not an option, proceeding to drag him out of the cell and back to the Sharkticon pit. Megatron demands to be returned home, but Dezimir tells him to continue fighting. Once again, Megatron defeats the Sharkticons, but is destroyed by the Mechanokoar.

On and on the cycle repeats, hundreds and hundreds of times. Eventually, the strain becomes too much for Megatron, and he breaks down, begging for mercy. Dezimir reveals that this is not only a trial, but a lesson: for as mighty a warrior Megatron may be, compared to the vast universe, he is ''small''—insignificant. Nothing. Just as he is about to finish Megatron with the Mechanokoar once more, a voice from above orders him to stop; his master has declared the trial over. Dezimir reveals that what allowed them to control Megatron was the dark opposite of the [[Matrix of Leadership]], the legendary artifact wielded by the [[Prime (rank)|Prime]]. Through it, Dezimir and his master plan to make Megatron such an opposing force to the Prime. Energy from this dark Matrix surrounds Megatron, granting him a third mode that will allow him to channel its energy to assert his control over others: a gun. The master then orders Dezimir to pick up Megatron, much to the Quintesson's horror. Megatron revels in the power he now has over his captor, forcing him to aim his gun form at the Mechanokoar and destroy the beast.

In the future, Megatron has returned to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and uses his new power to lead the [[Decepticon]]s.

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks. 
{{Featuredcharacters
|c2=
* [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (1)
* [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] (6)
* [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (7)
* [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (8)

||h3=[[Quintesson]]|c3=
* [[Dezimir]] (2)
* [[Quintesson Bailiff]]s (3)
* [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticon]]s (4)
* [[Mechanokoar]] (5)
}}

==Quotes==
"Do not look to the past, THE FUTURE IS WHAT MATTERS NOW!"
:—'''Dezmir'''

"If you won't come down to me-- I shall force you down to my level!"
:—'''Megatron''' to Dezimir

"This is not only a trial. It is a lesson. My master has asked me to show you how small you truly are." 
"'''''I AM NOT SMALL!!!!'''''"
:—'''Dezimir''' and '''Megatron'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* This issue flashes back to give us our earliest look at Megatron's history in the Energon Universe, while also serving to expand on ideas and plot points that have been drip-fed to readers over the course of the series.
** For the majority of this issue, Megatron is seen without the Decepticon insignia on his chest, indicating this is set before the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]] broke out.
** This issue reveals the origin of Megatron's gun form and his ability to seemingly overpower the will of those who wield it, an ability first seen in flashbacks to Starscream's origin in [[Transformers (2023) issue 14|issue #14]].
* While the Quintessons have been a recurring presence in ''[[Void Rivals]]'', this issue marks their first appearance in the ''Transformers'' series. ''Void Rivals'' revealed that the Quintessons used to control Cybertron during the [[Age of Wrath]] until they were overthrown by the resistance led by [[Alpha Trion|Alpha]] and [[Beta (G1)|Zerta Trion]]. However, what connection (if any) Dezimir and his mysterious master have to the rest of the Quints and their plans with [[Goliant]] and Zerta remains to be seen.
* The Matrix of Leadership was first glimpsed in [[Transformers (2023) issue 1|the very first issue of the series]], and became a major plot point towards the end of the first arc.
* At the end of the issue, when Megatron is seemingly returned to Moonbase One, Shockwave and Soundwave are seen sporting their purple Decepticon insignias, yet Megatron is not.

===''Transformers'' references===
*Megatron mentions he was previously on [[Moonbase One]], a Cybertronian moon outpost first introduced in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''.
* Megatron's enslavement by the Quintessons echoes [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|other]] [[Megatron (WFC)|versions]] [[Megatron (One)|of Megatron]] who were similarly enslaved and forced to fight for a living.
* The idea of the Matrix of Leadership having a darker counterpart has recurred throughout ''Transformers'' media, including the [[Matrix of Conquest]], the [[Dark Matrix of Leadership]], and most notably the fictitious [[Decepticon Matrix]], the idea of which the Quintessons used to manipulate [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]] episode “[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4]]”. It seems that in the Energon Universe, such a Matrix might exist after all.
* In another one of the ''deepest'' cuts in this series, the [[Mechanokoar]] Megatron faces during the trial has a design reminiscent of the "[[Dragon Beast|Mechano-Beast]]", which was the combined form of the [[Anibot]]s, a cut [[combiner]] team from the [[The Transformers: The Movie (second draft)|second draft]] of ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''. The creature takes design cues from [[Floro Dery]]'s original concept art, even supporting a similar name as well.

===Other trivia===
*Daniel Warren Johnson provides some more insight on what's to come on the letters page:
:*He and editor Ben Abernathy confirm that [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] has not been forgotten following his crash into the Pacific Ocean back in [[Transformers (2023) issue 9|issue 9]].
:*[[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] will not be included in his run.
:*Though he says he plans to stick to G1 during his run, Johnson states that Skybound plans to do ''Transformers'' for "a VERY long time", leaving plenty of room for future writers to branch out to explore ideas from other eras.
* This issue continues the trend of having stories that focus on past events or flashbacks be drawn in a different art style than the rest of the series. Such as Issues 13 and 14 which tell of Starscream's past and turn to the darkside, the 2024 Energon Universe Special Transformers story which tells what happened before issue 1, and now this issue, which tells a story from Megatron's past.
* While it ''looks'' as though Megatron was merely upgraded by the Quint’s Matrix, it’s worth noting that just last issue he was shown reviving Ravage seemingly just with his own Spark. Hmm…

===Covers (15)===
{{Comicstub|The 616 Comics Cover B, & 2nd Printing Covers}}
* '''Cover A:''' Megatron tears a Sharkticon in half, by Daniel Warren Johnson & [[Mike Spicer]].
* '''Cover B:''' Megatron overwhelmed by Sharkticons, by [[Jorge Corona]] & Mike Spicer.
* '''Cover C (1:10 Copy Incentive):''' Connecting variant, by [[David Nakayama]].
* '''Cover D (1:25 Copy Incentive):''' Megatron walks through a scorched land, by [[Steve Beach]].
* '''Cover E (1:50 Copy Incentive):''' Megatron stands over the bodies of his victims, by [[Frédéric Pham Chuong]].
* '''Cover F (1:100 Copy Incentive):''' Megatron grimaces, by Ludo Lullabi.
* '''Cover G:''' Blank sketch variant.
* '''The 616 Comics Cover A:''' by [[Raymond Gay]].
* '''The 616 Comics Cover B:''' by Raymond Gay.
* '''Unknown Comics Cover:''' by [[Chad Hardin]].
* '''TopShelfComic C2E2 2025 Cover:''' by [[Dicky Maulana]] & [[David Baron]].
* '''ComicTom101 C2E2 2025 Cover:''' by [[Mark Spears]].
* '''ComicXposure C2E2 2025 Cover:''' by [[Matthew Waite]].
* '''High Horse Comics & Games / Prestos Comic Shop C2E2 2025 Cover:''' by Matthew Waite.
* '''Big Time Collectibles C2E2 2025 Cover:''' by [[Freely Abrigo]].
* '''Big Time Collectibles Gold Membership Box Cover:''' by Freely Abrigo.

<gallery>
File:Transformers 2023 19 Cover A.jpg
File:Transformers 2023 19 Cover B.jpg
File:Transformers 2023 19 Cover C.jpg
File:Transformers 2023 19 Cover D.jpg
File:Transformers 2023 19 Cover E.jpg
File:Transformers 2023 19 Cover F.jpg
File:Transformers 2023 19 Cover G.jpg
File:Transformers 2023 19 The 616 Comics Cover A.jpg
=!--File:Transformers 2023 19 The 616 Comics Cover B.jpg-->
File:Transformers 2023 19 Unknown Comics Cover.jpg
File:Transformers 2023 19 Dicky Maulana Cover.jpg
File:Transformers 2023 19 Mark Spears Cover.jpg
File:Transformers 2023 19 Matthew Waite Cover A.jpg
File:Transformers 2023 19 Matthew Waite Cover B.jpg
File:Transformers 2023 19 Freely Abrigo Cover A.jpg
File:Transformers 2023 19 Freely Abrigo Cover B.jpg
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* Energon Universe hardcovers
* Explore the Energon Universe in ''[[G.I. Joe (2024 comic)|G.I. Joe]]'' [[G.I. Joe (2024) issue 6|#6]], ''Void Rivals'' [[Void Rivals issue 18|#18]], and ''Transformers'' #20.
* ''[[G.I. Joe (comic)|G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero]] - Silent Missions''
* ''Blood & Thunder''

===Reprints===
* '''''Transformers Volume 4: Conquer and Control''''' ([[November 26]], [[2025]]) ISBN 1534332588 / ISBN 978-1534332584
** Collects ''Transformers'' issues #19–24 and the [[Transformers Energon Universe 2025 Special story|''Transformers'' story]] from ''[[Energon Universe 2025 Special]]''.
** Trade paperback format.

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

==External links==

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Transformers (2023) issues]]

The Transformers (CBS pitch)

2025-09-16T21:50:30Z

WillR113: /* Notes */

[[File:CarandCable1.jpg|right|thumb|upright=2.5]]

Everyone knows ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]'', it was one of the most popular cartoons of the '80s! You don't need us to explain the adventures of the [[Autobot]] spy Muffler and his human friends getting into wacky antics trying to survive and wage guerrilla war on a [[Decepticon]] controlled [[Earth]].

Just kidding, that's obviously not the cartoon we got.

In early [[1984]], though, it was possible that wouldn't be the case. A radically different version of the show was pitched by [[Marvel Productions]], its series bible written before "[[More than Meets the Eye (mini-series)|More Than Meets The Eye]]" even had a final script. For decades, there was no information about this pitch, barring mentions in writer [[Jeffrey Scott]]'s resume <ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott(p. 203)</ref> and a brief discussion in a production memo.

Forty years later, that all changed.

==Background==
In [[1981]], animation studio DePatie-Freleng Enterprises was sold to [[Marvel Comics]], becoming Marvel Productions. Both were located on different sides of the country, with Productions in [[California]] and Comics in [[New York]]. Despite this new merger, the two companies didn't get on well at all. In [[1983]], Marvel Productions ignored the work that Comics had created for the unproduced series [[Mysterians]], rejecting the serious action premise for a goofy, Hanna-Barbera-esque one largely centered on kid supporting characters and a wacky dog.<ref>[http://jimshooter.com/2011/06/secret-origin-of-transformers-part-1.html/ "The Secret Origin of the Transformers - Part 1"]</ref>

By 1984, the same thing happened with ''Transformers''. Fueled by the massive success the ''Transformers'' toyline was projected to be (and ultimately was), Hasbro rushed to expand the still in-production miniseries into a full show, naturally turning to Marvel Productions to do so. However, rather than sell it to syndication as with the miniseries, Marvel Production attempted to sell the show to the network [[CBS]]. One of the network requirements were female characters, but we're not sure if they had others or if the writers just decided to reuse other stock tropes they knew networks liked.

Enter Jeffrey Scott. A former Hanna-Barbera employee most known for his work on ''Super Friends'' at the time, Scott was hired by DePatie-Freleng in 1979 for ''Spider-Woman'' and ''Spider-Man'', by Stan Lee and Lee Gunther<ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott(p. 9)</ref>, the latter which would be delayed to 1981 due to the merger. While at Marvel, Scott worked on ''Dungeons and Dragons'', and story edited the fever dream that was ''Pandamonium''. Besides writing scripts, Scott also developed series bibles for animated series: in 1984 alone, he wrote the unproduced ''The Right Stuff'', ''The Secret Wars'', ''Menudo'' and would later devise the smash hit ''Muppet Babies''. Thus, Scott was tasked with creating a development bible for this new ''Transformers'' series.

==First Bible==

[[Image:CarAndCable5.jpg|thumb|150px|No, that's not Bumblebee. He's Toad.]]

On [[February 22]], Scott began work on the series bible, including the basic premise, style of the show, and the characters' personalities. Difficulties arose due to a lack of reference material, seemingly giving him little more than a list of names and altmodes, with Scott specifically requesting 'bio cards'. In fact, he was given so little to work with, [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] isn't even referred to by name. Impressively, he finished the first bible just three days later on [[February 25]]. In this version, the Autobots had finally destroyed the last of the Decepticon rebels after eons of war, bringing peace to their planet. However, they had only destroyed their robot forms, while the Decepticons' "electronic life-entities" had fled into space to try and acquire new bodies. They eventually found their way to Earth and built a base in the [[Bermuda Triangle]], spending the next 50 years hijacking various military crafts to rebuild their forces. The Autobots spent years searching the universe for their enemy, eventually tracking them down to Earth and reigniting their war once again.

The Autobots assume control of various Earth vehicles to blend into the new world, with their leader [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] taking control of a truck owned by the human William 'Duke' Convoy. Unwilling to steal Duke's truck from him, the human is 'drafted' into the war, using his knowledge to help the Autobots. However, Optimus is not the only Autobot to have a human driver: the Autobot Toad (originally meant to be [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] until they decided "NO MINI-CARS") assumed the form of a green VW belonging to a teenage girl named Wendy Fairchild, and now he's stuck with her. The other main Autobots include [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]], [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (the only female Autobot), [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], with [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] as secondary characters rounding out the rest of the cast.

From their underwater headquarters, the Decepticons plot to conquer Earth. The Decepticon leader [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] carries a canister with him which holds the energy forms of an army's worth of Decepticon soldiers. All he needs to do is place one of these energy orbs into his cannon and shoot it at a mechanical object, and it will be transformed into a Decepticon warrior. The other Decepticons are [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (the disloyal second in-command), [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] (used by Soundwave to spy on the Autobots as well as the other Decepticons), [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (a female Decepticon who hates Jazz for destroying her body back on Cybertron), [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercraker]], and [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]. They have also joined forces with Arthur Kroll, a human who aids the invaders so that he may rule over the rest of humanity after the Decepticons have conquered Earth.

The bible includes a list of "story springboards":

{| class="wikitable" style="margin: auto; width: 100%;"
|-
{{Episode list
|Title=Rotten To The Core
|ShortSummary=Megatron takes control of the New York subway system and implants "glowing energy orbs" into the trains, turning them into an army of Deception warriors! Optimus Prime and Duke join forces with a group of teens to help save the day.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=The Titanium Germ
|ShortSummary=When the Autobots try to stop Megatron from converting Alaskan oil rigs into new robot soldiers, Jazz is exposed to a deadly substance that infects and slowly kills him. Now the Autobots have to save their friend and stop Megatron!
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=Anything For A Friend
|ShortSummary= Converting a nuclear submarine into a new warrior, the Decepticons take control of the seas. Optimus is forced to leave his truck body and poses as an old battleship to try and stop the threat. He's nearly destroyed in the ensuing battle, and Duke must form a 'mind-link' with him to try and restore the Autobot leader to life.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=Not On The First Date
|ShortSummary=Wendy is forced to abandon her first date when Megatron plots to bring an army of Japanese electronic devices to life. It's up to her and Toad to stop him!
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=Time For Trouble
|ShortSummary=Kroll reveals the existence of a government time machine to Megatron. With the device transformed into one of their soldiers, the Decepticons can escape into another time—unless the Autobots stop them!
}}
|}

Hasbro and Sunbow would provide feedback on this bible, clarifying that [[Transformer]]s were mechanical beings, not electrical. They also didn't want any pre-existing characters to be female, and suggested that Optimus meet the human hero after being repaired when severely damaged in the desert. As a result, the bible was brought more in line with the preexisting premise. CBS also had input, wanting to tie the pitch into the miniseries as well as give Duke a dog that could sniff out Decepticons. Remember that for later.

==Revised Series Bible==
[[Image:CarandCable2.jpg|thumb|150px|No, that's not Bug Bite. He's Muffler.]]

Scott completed a revised draft of the bible, now 41 pages long, on [[March 3]]. By this point, he had been provided with [[Bob Budiansky]]'s character profiles and a copy of the first act of "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]". As a result, the pre-existing characters were brought more in line with their bios, and the plot was given the same backstory of the Transformers crashing on Earth and being awoken millions of years later by a volcanic eruption. However, by the year 1988, the Decepticons' superior numbers have allowed them to conquer much of the Earth, taking control of its manufacturing facilities and leaving humanity as little more than slaves, with <s>Megatron</s> Negator giving them only a sliver of control over the remains of the economy to keep society running. Dissent is impossible due a secret police of disguised Decepticons, who keep the human population under constant surveillance. However, the Autobots continue to operate from the shadows, attempting to free humanity and stop the Decepticons for good.

Most of the roster of characters would be carried over from the previous draft, with some minor alterations. The main Autobot lineup now included Optimus Prime, Jazz, Firecycle, Mirage, Muffler (a renamed Toad) and Trailbreaker. The Decepticon roster now featured Negator, Soundwave, Buzzsaw, Starscream, Thundercracker, Skywarp and Whirlpool.

==Cast==

===Autobots===

*'''Optimus Prime''': Leader of the only six remaining Autobots. His bio is a rework of Budianaky's write-up but with a few new twists. Described as "IMENSELY KIND, AND HIS COMPASSION EXTENDS TO ALL LIVING THINGS, INCLUDING THE "TWO-LEGGED FLESH FORMS" OF EARTH." Views humans "AS NO DIFFERENT THAN AUTOBOTS, EXCEPT THAT THEIR PERSONALITIES ARE CLOTHED IN FLESH INSTEAD OF METAL." Still has that weird three modules aspect of the bio with Roller being present, though he doesn't appear in the script. However, here the Combat Deck trailer is "AUTOBOT HQ" which besides transporting Autobots is "A REPAIR CENTER FOR DAMAGED AUTOBOTS" which can perform "ELECTRO-SURGERY."

*'''Jazzz''': Optimus' cool, happening right hand man. His bio is a very slight reworking of his profile. Uses the early three z's spelling.

*'''Firecycle''': The only female Autobot, she transforms into a red motorcycle and is a skilled mechanic tasked with repairing her fellow Autobots. She's also a robot expert able to create many things, such as turning a toaster into a fighting robot. She has a 'Laser Heat-Ray' and a 'Zero-K Blaster' that can freeze anything. Firecycle loves Optimus Prime, but the Autobot leader fears returning her feelings after all the Autobots he's lost in centuries of war. The medic's main failing is her reluctance to hurt any living thing. She even tries to avoid driving on grass for fear of hurting the plant life. The Decepticons take advantage of this by often pretending to be injured to lure her into traps. While her role as the 'girl Autobot' and crush on Optimus originates with the previous bible's version of Sideswipe, she is otherwise a very different character. Had the proposed name of "Firewheels".

*'''Mirage''': An aristocrat turned reluctant freedom fighter. Like in the final cartoon, he can turn himself invisible. Also has a Twin Tractor Beam. Distrusted by some of the other Autobots who think he could be a spy.

*'''Muffler''': An Autobot spy and messenger, named after his noisy exhaust system. He turns into a VW Beetle (described as yellow and pink at different points in his profile). He adopted this form while trying to escape a Decepticon ambush by hiding in a used car-lot. It worked so well he was bought by Wendy Fairchild. The tenderhearted Autobot, not wanting her to have wasted her money, now serves as her car when he's not on missions. Wendy calls him "Muffy" a nickname he dislikes. Muffler has refused to use a weapon since he shot himself in the foot with a laser cannon. He has issues with his 'elctro-mechanical control functions' which prevent him from transforming properly. For instance, when transforming into robot mode, one of his legs might get stuck as a fender forcing him to comically hop around on one leg. His main strength is his klutziness. He might lose a wheel while fleeing a Decepticon, only for his pursuer to trip over it.

*'''Trailbreaker''': An incredibly fuel-ineffective Autobot, which leads him to view himself as a liability. To counter this he acts as a prankster. Once fused a game cartridge into Muffler's mind. Jerk. Has a "A LASER-GATTLING GUN" which "FIRE 32 PENCIL-THICK BEAMS AT ONCE."

===Decepticons===
*'''Negator''': The Decepticon leader. Yes, he's a renamed Megatron. His name emphasises how he's completely negative with no positive traits (The behind-the-scenes explanation seems to be that CBS weren't okay with Megatron being a handgun, with their "limitations" stating he become a "laser tank," then a "satellite particle beam cannon" in the script. Presumably Hasbro requested a name change when the character no longer resembled the toy). He has dedicated the Decepticons to subjugating all inferior lifeforms, and he views all other life as inferior to him. He's so evil that the Autobots question if he's really sentient, or some sort of empty husk animated by an ancient computer program.

*'''Soundwave''': Negator's scheming Comm-Officer. He's described as red in the script. The only cassette he has is Buzzsaw, a "STAUNCH ALLY AND CONFIDANT."

*'''Starscream''': The most notable change to his profile is the line "NEGATOR OVERLOOKS THE POTENTIAL PERSONAL THREAT STARSCREAM REPRESENTS FOR TWO REASONS: 1. STARSCREAM IS VERY GOOD AT HIS JOB, 2. NEGATOR IS BETTER." (Also, move over [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]], here the Decepticon jets are known as "Strato-Warriors").

*'''Thundercracker''': Just a straight copy of his character profile with no changes.

*'''Skywarp''': "THE LEAST INTELLIGENT OF ALL DECEPTICONS", a prankster that no-one else likes. Teleports by way of a "A SPACE-WARP LOCATION TRANSFER." Carries "HEAT-SEEKING "ACID-WARHEADS" that melt into an Autobots Armour. Still features his early "Olive Drab" colour scheme.

*'''Whirlpool''': The only female Decepticon, she turns into an "AMPHIBIOUS FLYING CRAFT", that is able to fly, jet across ground and water, along with being able to travel underwater, allowing her to reach any depth beneath the waves. She possesses a twin torpedo launcher that fires a special imploding torpedo which sucks anything in range. Her rotors can also create a powerful whirlpool when underwater. Her seductive charms allow her to trick an Autobot into thinking they're on the same side, before she betrays them. Whirlpool is a former Autobot. Optimus Prime seeks to reform her, while she wants to destroy him to prove that the Decepticons are superior.

[[Image:CarandCable4.jpg|thumb|right|Muffler, the human cast and the network mandated dog sidekick.]]

===Others===
*'''Matt Conroy''': (Sunbow didn't think Duke was a good name. Imagine a cartoon where that was the [[Duke (G.I. Joe)|main character's]] name...) A twenty-nine year old truck driver who found a damaged truck by the side of the road. He repaired it planning to replace his old truck that had been repossessed by the bank. But once the repairs were done it transformed into Optimus Prime. Since then Matt has been swept up in the Transformers war 'bitching and moaning' about the Mechanical Men from Mars who've taken over his life, but like Han Solo he'll always come through for his Autobot friends in the end. When driving Optimus the Autobot talks to him over the truck's CB radio. When Optimus transforms Matt's cab becomes part of Optimus chest and all the human can do during fights is yell "I'LL CREAM YA IF YA DENT MY TRUCK, YOU TIN PIRATE". Optimus overlooks Matt's behavior because his knowledge of Earth is useful to the Autobots. That and he likes him. Matt's mechanical skills also mean that he can jury-rig repairs to help patch the Autobots up.

*'''Burt''': Matt's pet German Shepard with the unique ability to detect Decepticons via their smell. An otherwise friendly creature he goes wild when he senses a Decepticon. This is useful for revealing Decepticons in disguise (he's fine with Autobots, which has led Matt to wonder if the differences between Autobots and Decepticons go beyond political persuasions).

*'''Wendy Fairchild''': Once she was a normal teenager, like Dominique Dunnne in "Poltergeist" who lived in the suburbs like in "Poltergeist" with her parents and had a little brother like in "Poltergeist" (Seriously, that is the comparison CBS used. They also suggested changing Wendy to be Russian like Nadia Comeniech who, umm, wasn't Russian. This didn't happen.) Now she helps the Autobots with their fight against the Decepticons, while trying to balance her teenage life, having to come up with excuses as to why she has to suddenly ditch her date at the drive-in theater, or explain to her father why her car has laser-shots in the windscreen. As her parents work in one of the Decepticons fabrication plants she worries what would happen to them if her connection to the Autobots was revealed.

*'''Eddie Fairchild''': Wendy's younger brother, his youthful curiosity led him to uncover the secret of his sister's car. Since then lack of fear has resulted in him getting involved in the Autobots fight with the Decepticons, such as the time he hid in Muffler's backseat. He looks up to the small Autobot, pestering him with questions like what happens if you fall into a black hole or if aliens built the pyramids. He wasn't in the first bible, but appeared in Scott's notes.

*'''Arthur Kroll''': An amoral human who allied himself with the Decepticons as a way of obtaining power and wealth. While he provides them with information about the human resistance there is little trust between Kroll and the Decepticons, as ultimately the human only cares about himself. His greed and thoughtlessness often result in him becoming a hindrance to both the Autobots and Decepticons. He does not appear in the pilot script.
[[Image:CarandCable3.jpg|thumb|right|Muffler and Wendy]]

==Episodes==
The series bible reuses the episodes from the previous bible, alongside 9 new ones.

{| class="wikitable" style="margin: auto; width: 100%;"
|-
{{Episode list
|Title=The Erasing of Optimus Prime
|ShortSummary=Negator captures Optimus and takes his memory tapes, giving him the information he needs to destroy the Autobots. Matt must risk his life to steal back the tapes and rescue his friend.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=The Plutonium Plot
|ShortSummary=Negator plans to cut the Autobots off from their fuel supply knowing that it will only be a matter of time until they run out of energy. The Autobots must sneak into a nuclear power reactor to recharge themselves before it's too late!
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=A Coal Day In December
|ShortSummary=Developing a 'Diamond-steeling alloy' Negator takes control of the Pennsylvanian coal fields for a new source of diamonds. The Autobots must take back control of the mines before the coldest winter in years spells the end for the people of the Eastern US.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=Nobody Home
|ShortSummary=Wendy's parents are taken by the Decepticons to work in a factory forced to help create a new, deadlier kind of 'mind controlling' robot. Wendy and Eddie embark on a dangerous mission to save their parents with the Autobots help.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=Operation Alpha Centuri
|ShortSummary=Negator war fleet is complete and he is ready to begin his conquest of the universe! With the help of the human resistance the Autobots build their own ship. In a 'Star Warsian' battle the Autobots manage to destroy the Decepticons fleet.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=The Robot With A Thousand Eyes
|ShortSummary=A Decepticon spy learns of the Autobots plan to hijack a shipment of Decepticon parts. Now they need to stop the spy from reaching Negator.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=A Robots Best Friend Is His Dog
|ShortSummary=Annoyed that Burt the German Shepherd has foiled another scheme, Negator sends a squad of Decepticons to capture the robot detecting dog. The Autobots and Matt plan a raid on Decepticon headquarters to rescue their four legged friend. This episode was chosen as the pilot script to represent the series.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=A New Muffler
|ShortSummary=During battle Muffler is captured and rescued by his friends. But after Autobot plans begin to fail it seems that they have a spy in their midst. And suddenly Muffler isn't such a klutz....What's going on?
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=A Deadly Decision
|ShortSummary=A battle leaves several Autobots wounded. Firecycle tries to repair them, but a lack of supplies means that she can't save everyone. One of the Autobots will die unless she can get the supplies to save them.
}}
|}

===A Robot's Best Friend Is His Dog===
Wendy and Eddie Fairchild are getting ready for school, when a "DECEPTICON ROBOT GUARD" passes by their house reminding them of the alien occupation of Earth.
Meanwhile, at a Decepticon run steel mill that's producing new troops, Jazzz and Trailbreaker arrive in vehicle mode sneaking in with inflatable dummies posed as their drivers. They're caught by the guards and have to transform into robot mode, forced to fight their way through the mill. Ultimately they take control of the plant, free the imprisoned workers and set up defences against further Decepticon attacks. A silent Buzzsaw watches this before heading back to Decepticon headquarters. In the Colorado Rockies, Negator plots, when he's interrupted by the spy's arrival. Despite Starscream mockery, Negator announces his plan to destroy all the Autobots.

Elsewhere, the Fairchild's parents are forced to leave for work in a Decepticon factory, as the children leave for school in their friend, the undercover Autobot Muffler. Stopped at a Decepticon roadblock, the Autobot is found out by the guards and the trio are forced to flee as they give chase.
At a roadside diner, trucker Matt's vehicle begins to drive away on its own to everyone else's confusion as he hurries to catch it. On the highway, Matt and the truck, Optimus Prime, follow Muffler's distress signal. Catching up with their friends, Optimus transforms into robot mode and destroys the pursuers. Mirage and Firecycle exit from Prime's trailer, then the Autobots receive a message from Jazzz at the mill. Arriving, they are silently stalked by hidden Decepticons. Entering the building Matt's dog, Burt suddenly starts barking at a forklift, revealing that it's a hidden Decepticon. With the ambush ruined, the Decepticon start their attack. Outnumbered by the enemy forces, Optimus gives them enough time to retreat by blasting open a water tower, the wave washing the Decepticons away. The Autobots manage to escape, but the workers are left behind to be re-enslaved.

Elsewhere, Negator realises that Burt was responsible for ruining his plan and orders the dog to be eliminated. In the woods, the Autobots repair themselves as Wendy and Eddie head to school with Burt, unaware that Soundwave is tracking them. Arriving at the school they make it to class, where a Decepticon sentry watches over them. Upset by the robot Burt starts barking. Hearing the dog from across the city, Soundwave lands at the school, reaches through a window, grabbing Burt and flies off. Back at the base, Firecycle is able to save a critically wounded Jazzz. The children arrive and tell them what happened. Things seem hopeless until Trailbreaker comes up with a plan...

The Autobots rush into the mill, taking care of the guards and freeing the workers. To their confusion Optimus orders them to continue making Decepticon parts. In the Decepticon headquarters, Negator prepares for surgery to find out how Burt is able to detect Decepticons. Suddenly, scanners announce a new shipment of parts from the mill. As the Decepticons start unloading the cargo jet, Matt jumps out of a crate, blasting laser fire. The Autobots are revealed to have used the new parts to disguise themselves as newly constructed Decepticons. Optimus provides covering fire so Matt can make it deeper inside the base as the battle continues.

Matt finds the "electro-surgery room", blowing up the surgeon and rescuing his dog. They return to the hanger, but Starscream keeps them pinned down with his lasers, preventing them from reuniting with their friends. However, Eddie rushes in, grabs a gun from a dead Deception and uses it to down the plane. Hearing Burt's barks, the Autobots prepare to leave by the jet. As it takes off, Negator transforms into "satellite particle beam cannon mode" preparing to shoot them down. However, Optimus, still outside in truck form, fires his laser rifle at him knocking him off target so he instead blows a hole in the hanger ceiling, trapping the Decepticons in rubble, giving them time to escape.
Back at the mill, the workers begin the production of new Autobots, while a grateful Burt licks Optimus as everyone laughs.

==Notes==
This script has various details that wouldn't fit in the summary:
*The series bible describes how the shows title sequence was intended to provide some brief background. It would have shown the sudden appearance of the Decepticons as they took over Earth and enslaved humanity, inter-cut with the Autobots attempts to stop them.
*Scott suggests that when we see a POV from a Transformer it would show a "Hi-tech binocular matte" which features "grid lines and changing LED numbers."
*The Decepticons have regular news broadcasts glorifying their conquest of the planet. Turning them off is illegal.
*All the non-named Decepticons are generics that aren't really described in any way. Just being large.
*During the opening fight at the mill:
**When the guard searches Jazzz's fake driver, he catches it's hand by rolling up his window and then changing into robot mode.
**Trailbreaker knocks a guard into a vat of molten steel.
**Jazzz runs through two guards, smashing them into pieces.
*The Decepticons headquarters is a massive cave carved into the Colorado mountains with a large hangar.
*The Fairchild's parents are transported to work by "a large truck" with a Decepticon standing guard in the back.
*Muffler is able to control his seatbelts and uses it to gag Eddie's mouth at the checkpoint.
*Some details from the chase sequence:
**The roadblock guards chase after them after transforming into "side hacker motor cycles."
**During the chase Muffler nearly runs down another Decepticon, which then chases after them as an army truck.
**Optimus is able to blast one of the pursuers of the road, then burst another's tire which swerves into the army truck, smashing it into pieces before it falls into a ravine.
*At the mill the Decepticons disguise themselves by camouflage rope netting.
*The Decepticons hide at the ambush site in cranes, trucks and forklifts altmodes.
*At the school we met Mr Davenport, the class teacher. He asks his student Johnny for his report of the American independence, only for the classroom's Decepticon guard to stop him as "the subject of freedom is forbidden."
*Soundwave is described as red by Eddie. This isn't an early colour scheme. Soundwave's profile didn't mention his colour scheme and all the reference material Scott had was in black and white. When he had someone describe his appearance he just had to guess.

==Development==
Even with the script, bibles and notes there's a limit to what we can infer about the development of this pitch. A lot of what we could say would just be guesswork.... But, it just so happens that Scott wrote a book about "How To Write For Animation" which includes his advice for successfully pitching a show explaining some of his creative choices.
*As Scott says in his book "your initial audience is not the viewer of the cartoon but the story editor or producer who is going to buy it." He suggests "find out what the buyer wants".<ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott(p. 37)</ref> Likely, this story was inspired by the network's request for a robot detecting dog.
*The pilot's odd backstory is another example of meeting the network's requirements, what with the whole conquest of Earth happening offscreen. In the section "HOW TO WRITE A PILOT", Scott brings up the crucial detail that "99 OUT OF A 100 TIMES THE NETWORK DOESN'T WANT AN "ORIGIN " PILOT." <ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott (p.172)</ref> The reasoning being that an origin story is usually unrepresentative of the show as a whole, while a random adventure can better demonstrate what the show is going to be like on a week to week basis.
*Another piece of advice is that if "you're trying to sell a show to a network exec, you want to reveal as much of the show as you can in the pilot."<ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott (p.172)</ref>
*If this pitch had been approved its ideas would have almost certainly been reworked further. In many shows Scott would continue expanding and changing details after production commenced, finding out what worked and what didn't. <ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott(p. 173)</ref> The last page of the script shows this happening here, with him suggesting a rework to the story so that the Fairchild's parents aren't featured and instead the children's quest to find them is a potential series plot point.

==Legacy==

Ultimately, CBS did not produce a Transformers cartoon in 1984. We can only guess why. While the pitch was passed over it wasn't quite the end. On the 30th of April, Sunbow staff briefly considered including some aspects into the final show, such as a big brother figure (they didn't) and maybe reusing some the episode premises (they didn't) .<ref>[https://tfarchive.com/cartoons/bible The Transformers production bible, including internal correspondence from Bryce Malek and Dick Robbins, that refers to Eddie and Matt by name]</ref> Later, the January 1985 issue of Comic Features would showcased various unproduced cartoons including artwork created for this pitch under the new title of Car and Cable.<ref>[http://starlogged.blogspot.com/2012/01/marvel-productions-in-198485.html Scans of ''Comics Feature'' at the "Starlogged" blog]</ref> For years this was assumed to be Marvel creating a knockoff of their own success with Transformers. We still don't know why this happened. Were Marvel seriously considering reworking this show without the Transformers elements? Did they publish concept art under a fake name to make it look like they had more shows in development? It's unclear.

And that was the end of this pitch.

Until [[2020]], when Instagram user [https://www.instagram.com/consumercollectibles/ consumercollectibles] uncovered additional concept art which featured a silhouetted Prowl menacing Muffy and his friend in a "garage scene", with the handwritten note "Trans 3 V" and cast list using the names mentioned in the memo, explicitly tying it to Transformers.<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/consumercollectibles/ consumercollectables on Instagram]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20200803141945/https://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/167466-remember-that-concept-art-for-muffy-the-unmade-marvel-cartoon/ AllSpark.com forum post collecting ''Car and Cable'' art (archived)]</ref> This just raised more questions.....

Which were answered in [[2024]], when Jeffery Scott sold off all of the development material for this pitch.

At TFNation 2025, [[Jim Sorenson]] (who purchased Scott's material) and [[Chris McFeely]] hosted a reading of the pilot script which featured actors from various Transformers shows including [[Gregg Berger]] and [[Paul Eiding]] from the original cartoon.<ref> [https://www.patreon.com/posts/tfnation-2025-is-137075459 TFNation 2025 Audio Recording of 'A Robot's Best Friend is his Dog' Script Reading]</ref> The same day the production material was released online.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qYFePnAgHL9vlhAEF5IY3db59P0WaLwx/view?usp=drive_link First Series Bible]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1r0M_CIdlaEZs5SWmMQhSuO_M2ogZgQxH/view?usp=drive_link Revised Series Bible]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1j-XyM7R3RXwlqScR1l_gstsu7xCI7Ayj/view A collection of Jeffery Scott's network notes]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FkSIH3jScZJvThuUPxCm167I1ur0hp1M/view Story outline for A Robot's Best Friend Is His Dog]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BGi0WlVKs2I617mvIYr41wITfQIF37K6/view Script for A Robot's Best Friend Is His Dog]

[[Category:Television series]]
[[Category:Things that don't exist]]
[[Category:Unproduced scripts]]

User:WillR113/Sandbox

2025-08-31T11:26:41Z

WillR113:

Everyone knows ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]'', it was one of the most popular cartoons of the '80s! You don't need us to explain the adventures of the [[Autobot]] spy Muffler and his human friends getting into wacky antics trying to survive and wage guerrilla war on a [[Decepticon]] controlled [[Earth]].

Just kidding, that's obviously not the cartoon we got.

In early [[1984]], though, it was possible that wouldn't be the case. A radically different version of the show was pitched by [[Marvel Productions]], its series bible written before "[[More than Meets the Eye (mini-series)|More Than Meets The Eye]]" even had a final script. For decades, there was no information about this pitch, barring mentions in writer [[Jeffrey Scott]]'s resume <ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott(p. 203)</ref> and a brief discussion in a production memo.

Forty years later, that all changed.

==Background==
In [[1981]], animation studio DePatie-Freleng Enterprises was sold to [[Marvel Comics]], becoming Marvel Productions. Both were located on different sides of the country, with Productions in [[California]] and Comics in [[New York]]. Despite this new merger, the two companies didn't get on well at all. In [[1983]], Marvel Productions ignored the work that Comics had created for the unproduced series [[Mysterians]], rejecting the serious action premise for a goofy, Hanna-Barbera-esque one largely centered on kid supporting characters and a wacky dog.<ref>[http://jimshooter.com/2011/06/secret-origin-of-transformers-part-1.html/ "The Secret Origin of the Transformers - Part 1"]</ref>

By 1984, the same thing happened with ''Transformers''. Fueled by the massive success the ''Transformers'' toyline was projected to be (and ultimately was), Hasbro rushed to expand the still in-production miniseries into a full show, naturally turning to Marvel Productions to do so. However, rather than sell it to syndication as with the miniseries, Marvel Production attempted to sell the show to the network [[CBS]]. One of the network requirements were female characters, but we're not sure if they had others or if the writers just decided to reuse other stock tropes they knew networks liked.

Enter Jeffrey Scott. A former Hanna-Barbera employee most known for his work on ''Super Friends'' at the time, Scott was hired by DePatie-Freleng in 1979 for ''Spider-Woman'' and ''Spider-Man'', by Stan Lee and Lee Gunther<ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott(p. 9)</ref>, the latter which would be delayed to 1981 due to the merger. While at Marvel, Scott worked on ''Dungeons and Dragons'', and story edited the fever dream that was ''Pandamonium''. Besides writing scripts, Scott also developed series bibles for animated series: in 1984 alone, he wrote the unproduced ''The Right Stuff'', ''The Secret Wars'', ''Menudo'' and would later devise the smash hit ''Muppet Babies''. Thus, Scott was tasked with creating a development bible for this new ''Transformers'' series.

==First Bible==

On [[February 22]], Scott began work on the series bible, including the basic premise, style of the show, and the characters' personalities. Difficulties arose due to a lack of reference material, seemingly giving him little more than a list of names and altmodes, with Scott specifically requesting 'bio cards'. In fact, he was given so little to work with, [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] isn't even referred to by name. Impressively, he finished the first bible just three days later on [[February 25]]. In this version, the Autobots had finally destroyed the last of the Decepticon rebels after eons of war, bringing peace to their planet. However, they had only destroyed their robot forms, while the Decepticons' "electronic life-entities" had fled into space to try and acquire new bodies. They eventually found their way to Earth and built a base in the [[Bermuda Triangle]], spending the next 50 years hijacking various military crafts to rebuild their forces. The Autobots spent years searching the universe for their enemy, eventually tracking them down to Earth and reigniting their war once again.

The Autobots assume control of various Earth vehicles to blend into the new world, with their leader [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] taking control of a truck owned by the human William 'Duke' Convoy. Unwilling to steal Duke's truck from him, the human is 'drafted' into the war, using his knowledge to help the Autobots. However, Optimus is not the only Autobot to have a human driver: the Autobot Toad (originally meant to be [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] until they decided "NO MINI-CARS") assumed the form of a green VW belonging to a teenage girl named Wendy Fairchild, and now he's stuck with her. The other main Autobots include [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]], [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (the only female Autobot), [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], with [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] as secondary characters rounding out the rest of the cast.

From their underwater headquarters, the Decepticons plot to conquer Earth. The Decepticon leader [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] carries a canister with him which holds the energy forms of an army's worth of Decepticon soldiers. All he needs to do is place one of these energy orbs into his cannon and shoot it at a mechanical object, and it will be transformed into a Decepticon warrior. The other Decepticons are [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (the disloyal second in-command), [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] (used by Soundwave to spy on the Autobots as well as the other Decepticons), [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (a female Decepticon who hates Jazz for destroying her body back on Cybertron), [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercraker]], and [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]. They have also joined forces with Arthur Kroll, a human who aids the invaders so that he may rule over the rest of humanity after the Decepticons have conquered Earth.

The bible includes a list of "story springboards":

{| class="wikitable" style="margin: auto; width: 100%;"
|-
{{Episode list
|Title=Rotten To The Core
|ShortSummary=Megatron takes control of the New York subway system and implants "glowing energy orbs" into the trains, turning them into an army of Deception warriors! Optimus Prime and Duke join forces with a group of teens to help save the day.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=The Titanium Germ
|ShortSummary=When the Autobots try to stop Megatron from converting Alaskan oil rigs into new robot soldiers, Jazz is exposed to a deadly substance that infects and slowly kills him. Now the Autobots have to save their friend and stop Megatron!
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=Anything For A Friend
|ShortSummary= Converting a nuclear submarine into a new warrior, the Decepticons take control of the seas. Optimus is forced to leave his truck body and poses as an old battleship to try and stop the threat. He's nearly destroyed in the ensuing battle, and Duke must form a 'mind-link' with him to try and restore the Autobot leader to life.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=Not On The First Date
|ShortSummary=Wendy is forced to abandon her first date when Megatron plots to bring an army of Japanese electronic devices to life. It's up to her and Toad to stop him!
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=Time For Trouble
|ShortSummary=Kroll reveals the existence of a government time machine to Megatron. With the device transformed into one of their soldiers, the Decepticons can escape into another time—unless the Autobots stop them!
}}
|}

Hasbro and Sunbow would provide feedback on this bible, clarifying that [[Transformer]]s were mechanical beings, not electrical. They also didn't want any pre-existing characters to be female, and suggested that Optimus meet the human hero after being repaired when severely damaged in the desert. As a result, the bible was brought more in line with the preexisting premise. CBS also had input, wanting to tie the pitch into the miniseries as well as give Duke a dog that could sniff out Decepticons. Remember that for later.

==Revised Series Bible==

Scott completed a revised draft of the bible, now 41 pages long, on [[March 3]]. By this point, he had been provided with [[Bob Budiansky]]'s character profiles and a copy of the first act of "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]". As a result, the pre-existing characters were brought more in line with their bios, and the plot was given the same backstory of the Transformers crashing on Earth and being awoken millions of years later by a volcanic eruption. However, by the year 1988, the Decepticons' superior numbers have allowed them to conquer much of the Earth, taking control of its manufacturing facilities and leaving humanity as little more than slaves, with <s>Megatron</s> Negator giving them only a sliver of control over the remains of the economy to keep society running. Dissent is impossible due a secret police of disguised Decepticons, who keep the human population under constant surveillance. However, the Autobots continue to operate from the shadows, attempting to free humanity and stop the Decepticons for good.

Most of the roster of characters would be carried over from the previous draft, with some minor alterations. The main Autobot lineup now included Optimus Prime, Jazz, Firecycle, Mirage, Muffler (a renamed Toad) and Trailbreaker. The Decepticon roster now featured Negator, Soundwave, Buzzsaw, Starscream, Thundercracker, Skywarp and Whirlpool.

==Cast==

===Autobots===

*Optimus Prime- Leader of the only six remaining Autobots.His bio is a rework of Bobs but with a few new twists. Described as "IMENSELY KIND, AND HIS COMPASSION EXTENDS TO ALL LIVING THINGS, INCLUDING THE "TWO-LEGGED FLESH FORMS" OF EARTH." Views humans "AS NO DIFFERENT THAN AUTOBOTS, EXCEPT THAT THEIR PERSONALITIES ARE CLOTHED IN FLESH INSTEAD OF METAL." Still has that weird three modules aspect of the bio with Roller being present, though he doesn't appear in the script. However, here the Combat Deck trailer is "AUTOBOT HQ" which besides transporting Autobots is "A REPAIR CENTER FOR DAMAGED AUTOBOTS" which can perform "ELECTRO-SURGERY."
*Jazzz- Optimus cool, happening right hand man. His bio is a very slight reworking of his profile. Uses the early three z's spelling.
*Firecycle- The only female Autobot, she transforms into a red motorcycle and is a skilled mechanic tasked with repairing her fellow Autobots. She's also a robot expert able to create many things, such as turning a toaster into a fighting robot. She has a 'Laser Heat-Ray' and a 'Zero-K Blaster' that can freeze anything. Firecycle loves Optimus Prime, but the Autobot leader fears returning her feelings after all the Autobots he's lost in centuries of war. The medic's main failing is her reluctance to hurt any living thing. She even tries to avoid driving on grass for fear of hurting the plant life. The Decepticons take advantage of this by often pretending to be injured to lure her into traps. While her role as the 'girl Autobot' and crush on Optimus originates with the previous bible's version of Sideswipe, she is otherwise a very different character. Had the proposed name of Firewheels.
*Mirage- An aristocrat turned reluctant freedom fighter. Like in the final cartoon he can turn himself invisible. Also has a Twin Tractor Beam. Distrusted by some of the other Autobots who think he could be a spy.
*Muffler: An Autobot spy and messenger, named after his noisy exhaust system. He turns into a VW Beetle (described as yellow and pink at different points in his profile). He adopted this form while trying to escape a Decepticon ambush by hiding in a used car-lot. It worked so well he was brought by Wendy Fairchild. The tenderhearted Autobot not wanting her to have wasted her money now serves as her car when he's not on missions. Wendy calls him 'Muffy' a nickname he dislikes. Muffler has refused to use a weapon since he shot himself in the foot with a laser cannon. He has issues with his 'elctro-mechanical control functions' which prevent him from transforming properly. For instance when transforming into robot mode one of his legs might get stuck as a fender forcing him to comically hop around on one leg. His main strength is his klutziness. He might lose a wheel while fleeing a Decepticon, only for his pursuer to trip over it.
*Trailbreaker- An incredibly fuel ineffective Autobot which leads him to view himself as a liability. To counter this he acts as a prankster. Once fused a game cartridge into Muffler's mind. Jerk. Has a "A LASER-GATTLING GUN" which "FIRE 32 PENCIL-THICK BEAMS AT ONCE."

===Decepticons===
*Negator: The Decepticon leader. Yes, he's a renamed Megatron. His name emphasises how he's completely negative with no positive traits (The behind the scenes explanation seems to be that CBS weren't okay with Megatron being a handgun, with their "limitations" stating he become a "laser tank," then a "satellite particle beam cannon" in the script. Presumably Hasbro requested a name change when the character no longer resembled the toy). He has dedicated the Decepticons to subjugating all inferior lifeforms, and he views all other life as inferior to him. He's so evil that the Autobots question if he's really sentient, or some sort of empty husk animated by an ancient computer program.
*Soundwave: Negator's scheming Comm-Officer. He's described as red in the script. The only cassette he has is Buzzsaw, a "STAUNCH ALLY AND CONFIDANT."
*Starscream- The most notable change to his profile is the line "NEGATOR OVERLOOKS THE POTENTIAL PERSONAL THREAT STARSCREAM REPRESENTS FOR TWO REASONS: 1. STARSCREAM IS VERY GOOD AT HIS JOB, 2. NEGATOR IS BETTER." Also move over [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]], here the Decepticon jets are known as "Strato-Warriors").
*Thundercraker-Just a straight copy of his character profile with no changes.
*Skywarp- "THE LEAST INTELLIGENT OF ALL DECEPTICONS", a prankster that no-one else likes. Teleports by way of a "A SPACE-WARP LOCATION TRANSFER." Carries "HEAT-SEEKING "ACID-WARHEADS" that melt into an Autobots Armour. Still features his early "Olive Drab" colour scheme.
*Whirlpool: The only female Decepticon she turns into an AMPHIBIOUS FLYING CRAFT, that is able to fly, jet across ground and water, along with being able to travel underwater allowing her to reach any depth beneath the waves. She poses a twin torpedo launcher which fires a special imploding torpedo which sucks anything in range. Her rotors can also create a powerful whirlpool when underwater. Her seductive charms allow her to trick an Autobot into thinking they're on the same side, before she betrays them. Whirlpool is a former Autobot. Optimus Prime seeks to reform her, while she wants to destroy him to prove that the Decepticons are superior.

===Others===
*Matt Conroy- (Sunbow didn't think Duke was a good name. Imagine a cartoon where that was the [[Duke (G.I. Joe)|main character's]] name...) A twenty-nine year old truck driver who found a damaged truck by the side of the road. He repaired it planning to replace his old truck that had been repossessed by the bank. But once the repairs were done it transformed into Optimus Prime. Since then Matt has been swept up in the Transformers war 'bitching and moaning' about the Mechanical Men from Mars who've taken over his life, but like Han Solo he'll always come through for his Autobot friends in the end. When driving Optimus the Autobot talks to him over the truck's CB radio. When Optimus transforms Matt's cab becomes part of Optimus chest and all the human can do during fights is yell "I'LL CREAM YA IF YA DENT MY TRUCK, YOU TIN PIRATE". Optimus overlooks Matt's behavior because his knowledge of Earth is useful to the Autobots. That and he likes him. Matt's mechanical skills also mean that he can jury-rigg repairs to help patch the Autobots up.
*Burt- Matt's pet German Shepard with the unique ability to detect Decepticons via their smell. An otherwise friendly creature he goes wild when he senses a Decepticon. This is useful for revealing Decepticons in disguise (he's fine with Autobots which has led Matt to wonder if the differences between Autobots and Decepticons goes beyond political persuasions).
*Wendy Fairchild- Once she was a normal teenager, like Dominique Dunnne in "Poltergeist" who lived in the suburbs like in "Poltergeist" with her parents and had a little brother like in "Poltergeist" (That is the comparison CBS used. They also suggested changing Wendy to be Russian like Nadia Comeniech who, umm, wasn't Russian. This didn't happen.) Now she helps the Autobots with their fight against the Decepticons, while trying to balance her teenage life, having to come up with excuses as to why she has to suddenly ditch her date at the drive-in theater, or explain to her father why her car has laser-shots in the windscreen. As her parents work in one of the Decepticons fabrication plants she worries what would happen to them if her connection to the Autobots was revealed.
*Eddie Fairchild-Wendy's younger brother, his youthful curiosity led him to uncover the secret of his sister's car. Since then lack of fear has resulted in him getting involved in the Autobots fight with the Decepticons, such as the time he hid in Muffler's backseat. He looks up to the small Autobot, pestering him with questions like what happens if you fall into a black hole or if aliens built the pyramids. He wasn't in the first bible, but appeared in Scott's notes.
*Arthur Kroll-An amoral human who allied himself with the Decepticons as a way of obtaining power and wealth. While he provides them with information about the human resistance there is little trust between Kroll and the Decepticons, as ultimately the human only cares about himself. His greed and thoughtlessness often result in him becoming a hindrance to both the Autobots and Decepticons. He does not appear in the pilot script.

==Episodes==
The series bible reuses the episodes from the previous bible, alongside 9 new ones.

{| class="wikitable" style="margin: auto; width: 100%;"
|-
{{Episode list
|Title=The Erasing of Optimus Prime
|ShortSummary=Negator captures Optimus and takes his memory tapes, giving him the information he needs to destroy the Autobots. Matt must risk his life to steal back the tapes and rescue his friend.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=The Plutonium Plot
|ShortSummary=Negator plans to cut the Autobots off from their fuel supply knowing that it will only be a matter of time until they run out of energy. The Autobots must sneak into a nuclear power reactor to recharge themselves before it's too late!
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=A Coal Day In December
|ShortSummary=Developing a 'Diamond-steeling alloy' Negator takes control of the Pennsylvanian coal fields for a new source of diamonds. The Autobots must take back control of the mines before the coldest winter in years spells the end for the people of the Eastern US.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=Nobody Home
|ShortSummary=Wendy's parents are taken by the Decepticons to work in a factory forced to help create a new, deadlier kind of 'mind controlling' robot. Wendy and Eddie embark on a dangerous mission to save their parents with the Autobots help.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=Operation Alpha Centuri
|ShortSummary=Negator war fleet is complete and he is ready to begin his conquest of the universe! With the help of the human resistance the Autobots build their own ship. In a 'Star Warsian' battle the Autobots manage to destroy the Decepticons fleet.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=The Robot With A Thousand Eyes
|ShortSummary=A Decepticon spy learns of the Autobots plan to hijack a shipment of Decepticon parts. Now they need to stop the spy from reaching Negator.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=A Robots Best Friend Is His Dog
|ShortSummary=Annoyed that Burt the German Shepherd has foiled another scheme, Negator sends a squad of Decepticons to capture the robot detecting dog. The Autobots and Matt plan a raid on Decepticon headquarters to rescue their four legged friend. This episode was chosen as the pilot script to represent the series.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=A New Muffler
|ShortSummary=During battle Muffler is captured and rescued by his friends. But after Autobot plans begin to fail it seems that they have a spy in their midst. And suddenly Muffler isn't such a klutz....What's going on?
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=A Deadly Decision
|ShortSummary=A battle leaves several Autobots wounded. Firecycle tries to repair them, but a lack of supplies means that she can't save everyone. One of the Autobots will die unless she can get the supplies to save them.
}}
|}

===A Robot's Best Friend Is His Dog===
Wendy and Eddie Fairchild are getting ready for school, when a "DECEPTICON ROBOT GUARD" passes by their house reminding them of the alien occupation of Earth.
Meanwhile, at a Decepticon run steel mill that's producing new troops, Jazzz and Trailbreaker arrive in vehicle mode sneaking in with inflatable dummies posed as their drivers. They're caught by the guards and have to transform into robot mode, forced to fight their way through the mill. Ultimately they take control of the plant, free the imprisoned workers and set up defences against further Decepticon attacks. A silent Buzzsaw watches this before heading back to Decepticon headquarters. In the Colorado Rockies, Negator plots, when he's interrupted by the spy's arrival. Despite Starscream mockery, Negator announces his plan to destroy all the Autobots.

Elsewhere, the Fairchild's parents are forced to leave for work in a Decepticon factory, as the children leave for school in their friend, the undercover Autobot Muffler. Stopped at a Decepticon roadblock, the Autobot is found out by the guards and the trio are forced to flee as they give chase.
At a roadside diner, trucker Matt's vehicle begins to drive away on its own to everyone else's confusion as he hurries to catch it. On the highway, Matt and the truck, Optimus Prime, follow Muffler's distress signal. Catching up with their friends, Optimus transforms into robot mode and destroys the pursuers. Mirage and Firecycle exit from Prime's trailer, then the Autobots receive a message from Jazzz at the mill. Arriving, they are silently stalked by hidden Decepticons. Entering the building Matt's dog, Burt suddenly starts barking at a forklift, revealing that it's a hidden Decepticon. With the ambush ruined, the Decepticon start their attack. Outnumbered by the enemy forces, Optimus gives them enough time to retreat by blasting open a water tower, the wave washing the Decepticons away. The Autobots manage to escape, but the workers are left behind to be re-enslaved.

Elsewhere, Negator realises that Burt was responsible for ruining his plan and orders the dog to be eliminated. In the woods, the Autobots repair themselves as Wendy and Eddie head to school with Burt, unaware that Soundwave is tracking them. Arriving at the school they make it to class, where a Decepticon sentry watches over them. Upset by the robot Burt starts barking. Hearing the dog from across the city, Soundwave lands at the school, reaches through a window, grabbing Burt and flies off. Back at the base, Firecycle is able to save a critically wounded Jazzz. The children arrive and tell them what happened. Things seem hopeless until Trailbreaker comes up with a plan...

The Autobots rush into the mill, taking care of the guards and freeing the workers. To their confusion Optimus orders them to continue making Decepticon parts. In the Decepticon headquarters, Negator prepares for surgery to find out how Burt is able to detect Decepticons. Suddenly, scanners announce a new shipment of parts from the mill. As the Decepticons start unloading the cargo jet, Matt jumps out of a crate, blasting laser fire. The Autobots are revealed to have used the new parts to disguise themselves as newly constructed Decepticons. Optimus provides covering fire so Matt can make it deeper inside the base as the battle continues.

Matt finds the "electro-surgery room", blowing up the surgeon and rescuing his dog. They return to the hanger, but Starscream keeps them pinned down with his lasers, preventing them from reuniting with their friends. However, Eddie rushes in, grabs a gun from a dead Deception and uses it to down the plane. Hearing Burt's barks, the Autobots prepare to leave by the jet. As it takes off, Negator transforms into "satellite particle beam cannon mode" preparing to shoot them down. However, Optimus, still outside in truck form, fires his laser rifle at him knocking him off target so he instead blows a hole in the hanger ceiling, trapping the Decepticons in rubble, giving them time to escape.
Back at the mill, the workers begin the production of new Autobots, while a grateful Burt licks Optimus as everyone laughs.

==Notes==
This script has various details that wouldn't fit in the summary.
*Scott suggests that when we see a POV from a Transformer it would show a "Hi-tech binocular matte" which features "grid lines and changing LED numbers."
*The Decepticons have regular news broadcasts glorifying their conquest of the planet. Turning them off is illegal.
*All the non-named Decepticons are generics that aren't really described in any way. Just being large.
*During the opening fight at the mill:
**When the guard searches Jazzz's fake driver, he catches it's hand by rolling up his window and then changing into robot mode.
**Trailbreaker knocks a guard into a vat of molten steel.
**Jazzz runs through two guards, smashing them into pieces.
*The Decepticons headquarters is a massive cave carved into the Colorado mountains with a large hangar.
*The Fairchild's parents are transported to work by "a large truck" with a Decepticon standing guard in the back.
*Muffler is able to control his seatbelts and uses it to gag Eddie's mouth at the checkpoint.
*Some details from the chase sequence:
**The roadblock guards chase after them after transforming into "side hacker motor cycles."
**During the chase Muffler nearly runs down another Decepticon, which then chases after them as an army truck.
**Optimus is able to blast one of the pursuers of the road, then burst another's tire which swerves into the army truck, smashing it into pieces before it falls into a ravine.
*At the mill the Decepticons disguise themselves by camouflage rope netting.
*The Decepticons hide at the ambush site in cranes, trucks and forklifts altmodes.
*At the school we met Mr Davenport, the class teacher. He asks his student Johnny for his report of the American independence, only for the classroom's Decepticon guard to stop him as "the subject of freedom is forbidden."
*Soundwave is described as red by Eddie. This isn't an early colour scheme. Soundwave's profile didn't mention his colour scheme and all the reference material Scott had was in black and white. When he had someone describe his appearance he just had to guess.

==Development==
Even with the script, bibles and notes there's a limit to what we can infer about the development of this pitch. A lot of what we could say would just be guesswork.... But, it just so happens that Scott wrote a book about "How To Write For Animation" which includes his advice for successfully pitching a show explaining some of his creative choices.
*As Scott says in his book "your initial audience is not the viewer of the cartoon but the story editor or producer who is going to buy it." He suggests "find out what the buyer wants".<ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott(p. 37)</ref> Likely, this story was inspired by the network's request for a robot detecting dog.
*The pilot's odd backstory is another example of meeting the network's requirements, what with the whole conquest of Earth happening offscreen. In the section "HOW TO WRITE A PILOT", Scott brings up the crucial detail that "99 OUT OF A 100 TIMES THE NETWORK DOESN'T WANT AN "ORIGIN " PILOT." <ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott (p.172)</ref> The reasoning being that an origin story is usually unrepresentative of the show as a whole, while a random adventure can better demonstrate what the show is going to be like on a week to week basis.
*Another piece of advice is that if "you're trying to sell a show to a network exec, you want to reveal as much of the show as you can in the pilot."<ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott (p.172)</ref>
*If this pitch had been approved its ideas would have almost certainly been reworked further. In many shows Scott would continue expanding and changing details after production commenced, finding out what worked and what didn't. <ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott(p. 173)</ref> The last page of the script shows this happening here, with him suggesting a rework to the story so that the Fairchild's parents aren't featured and instead the children's quest to find them is a potential series plot point.

==Legacy==

Ultimately, CBS did not produce a Transformers cartoon in 1984. We can only guess why. While the pitch was passed over it wasn't quite the end. On the 30th of April, Sunbow staff briefly considered including some aspects into the final show, such as a big brother figure (they didn't) and maybe reusing some the episode premises (they didn't) .<ref>[https://tfarchive.com/cartoons/bible The Transformers production bible, including internal correspondence from Bryce Malek and Dick Robbins, that refers to Eddie and Matt by name]</ref> Later, the January 1985 issue of Comic Features would showcased various unproduced cartoons including artwork created for this pitch under the new title of Car and Cable.<ref>[http://starlogged.blogspot.com/2012/01/marvel-productions-in-198485.html Scans of ''Comics Feature'' at the "Starlogged" blog]</ref> For years this was assumed to be Marvel creating a knockoff of their own success with Transformers. We still don't know why this happened. Were Marvel seriously considering reworking this show without the Transformers elements? Did they publish concept art under a fake name to make it look like they had more shows in development? It's unclear.

And that was the end of this pitch.

Until [[2020]], when Instagram user consumercollectiables uncovered additional concept art which featured a silhouetted Prowl menacing Muffy and his friend in a "garage scene", with the handwritten note "Trans 3 V" and cast list using the names mentioned in the memo, explicitly tying it to Transformers.<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/consumercollectibles/ consumercollectables on Instagram]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20200803141945/https://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/167466-remember-that-concept-art-for-muffy-the-unmade-marvel-cartoon/ AllSpark.com forum post collecting ''Car and Cable'' art (archived)]</ref> This just raised more questions.....

Which were answered in [[2024]], when Jeffery Scott sold off all of the development material for this pitch.

At TFNation 2025, [[Jim Sorenson]] (who purchased Scott's material) and [[Chris McFeely]] hosted a reading of the pilot script which featured actors from various Transformers shows including [[Gregg Berger]] and [[Paul Eiding]] from the original cartoon.<ref> [https://www.patreon.com/posts/tfnation-2025-is-137075459 TFNation 2025 Audio Recording of 'A Robot's Best Friend is his Dog' Script Reading]</ref> The same day the production material was released online.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qYFePnAgHL9vlhAEF5IY3db59P0WaLwx/view?usp=drive_link First Series Bible]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1r0M_CIdlaEZs5SWmMQhSuO_M2ogZgQxH/view?usp=drive_link Revised Series Bible]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1j-XyM7R3RXwlqScR1l_gstsu7xCI7Ayj/view A collection of Jeffery Scott's network notes]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FkSIH3jScZJvThuUPxCm167I1ur0hp1M/view Story outline for A Robot's Best Friend Is His Dog]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BGi0WlVKs2I617mvIYr41wITfQIF37K6/view Script for A Robot's Best Friend Is His Dog]

The Transformers (CBS pitch)

2025-08-31T06:06:05Z

WillR113: Created the article

[[File:CarandCable1.jpg|right|thumb|upright=2.5]]

Everyone knows ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]'', it was one of the most popular cartoons of the '80s! You don't need us to explain the adventures of the [[Autobot]] spy Muffler and his human friends getting into wacky antics trying to survive and wage guerrilla war on a [[Decepticon]] controlled [[Earth]].

Just kidding, that's obviously not the cartoon we got.

In early [[1984]], though, it was possible that wouldn't be the case. A radically different version of the show was pitched by [[Marvel Productions]], its series bible written before "[[More than Meets the Eye (mini-series)|More Than Meets The Eye]]" even had a final script. For decades, there was no information about this pitch, barring mentions in writer [[Jeffrey Scott]]'s resume <ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott(p. 203)</ref> and a brief discussion in a production memo.

Forty years later, that all changed.

==Background==
In [[1981]], animation studio DePatie-Freleng Enterprises was sold to [[Marvel Comics]], becoming Marvel Productions. Both were located on different sides of the country, with Productions in [[California]] and Comics in [[New York]]. Despite this new merger, the two companies didn't get on well at all. In [[1983]], Marvel Productions ignored the work that Comics had created for the unproduced series [[Mysterians]], rejecting the serious action premise for a goofy, Hanna-Barbera-esque one largely centered on kid supporting characters and a wacky dog.<ref>[http://jimshooter.com/2011/06/secret-origin-of-transformers-part-1.html/ "The Secret Origin of the Transformers - Part 1"]</ref>

By 1984, the same thing happened with ''Transformers''. Fueled by the massive success the ''Transformers'' toyline was projected to be (and ultimately was), Hasbro rushed to expand the still in-production miniseries into a full show, naturally turning to Marvel Productions to do so. However, rather than sell it to syndication as with the miniseries, Marvel Production attempted to sell the show to the network [[CBS]]. One of the network requirements were female characters, but we're not sure if they had others or if the writers just decided to reuse other stock tropes they knew networks liked.

Enter Jeffrey Scott. A former Hanna-Barbera employee most known for his work on ''Super Friends'' at the time, Scott was hired by DePatie-Freleng in 1979 for ''Spider-Woman'' and ''Spider-Man'', by Stan Lee and Lee Gunther<ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott(p. 9)</ref>, the latter which would be delayed to 1981 due to the merger. While at Marvel, Scott worked on ''Dungeons and Dragons'', and story edited the fever dream that was ''Pandamonium''. Besides writing scripts, Scott also developed series bibles for animated series: in 1984 alone, he wrote the unproduced ''The Right Stuff'', ''The Secret Wars'', ''Menudo'' and would later devise the smash hit ''Muppet Babies''. Thus, Scott was tasked with creating a development bible for this new ''Transformers'' series.

==First Bible==

[[Image:CarAndCable5.jpg|thumb|150px|No, that's not Bumblebee. He's Toad.]]

On [[February 22]], Scott began work on the series bible, including the basic premise, style of the show, and the characters' personalities. Difficulties arose due to a lack of reference material, seemingly giving him little more than a list of names and altmodes, with Scott specifically requesting 'bio cards'. In fact, he was given so little to work with, [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] isn't even referred to by name. Impressively, he finished the first bible just three days later on [[February 25]]. In this version, the Autobots had finally destroyed the last of the Decepticon rebels after eons of war, bringing peace to their planet. However, they had only destroyed their robot forms, while the Decepticons' "electronic life-entities" had fled into space to try and acquire new bodies. They eventually found their way to Earth and built a base in the [[Bermuda Triangle]], spending the next 50 years hijacking various military crafts to rebuild their forces. The Autobots spent years searching the universe for their enemy, eventually tracking them down to Earth and reigniting their war once again.

The Autobots assume control of various Earth vehicles to blend into the new world, with their leader [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] taking control of a truck owned by the human William 'Duke' Convoy. Unwilling to steal Duke's truck from him, the human is 'drafted' into the war, using his knowledge to help the Autobots. However, Optimus is not the only Autobot to have a human driver: the Autobot Toad (originally meant to be [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] until they decided "NO MINI-CARS") assumed the form of a green VW belonging to a teenage girl named Wendy Fairchild, and now he's stuck with her. The other main Autobots include [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]], [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (the only female Autobot), [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], with [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] as secondary characters rounding out the rest of the cast.

From their underwater headquarters, the Decepticons plot to conquer Earth. The Decepticon leader [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] carries a canister with him which holds the energy forms of an army's worth of Decepticon soldiers. All he needs to do is place one of these energy orbs into his cannon and shoot it at a mechanical object, and it will be transformed into a Decepticon warrior. The other Decepticons are [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (the disloyal second in-command), [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] (used by Soundwave to spy on the Autobots as well as the other Decepticons), [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (a female Decepticon who hates Jazz for destroying her body back on Cybertron), [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercraker]], and [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]. They have also joined forces with Arthur Kroll, a human who aids the invaders so that he may rule over the rest of humanity after the Decepticons have conquered Earth.

The bible includes a list of "story springboards":

{| class="wikitable" style="margin: auto; width: 100%;"
|-
{{Episode list
|Title=Rotten To The Core
|ShortSummary=Megatron takes control of the New York subway system and implants "glowing energy orbs" into the trains, turning them into an army of Deception warriors! Optimus Prime and Duke join forces with a group of teens to help save the day.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=The Titanium Germ
|ShortSummary=When the Autobots try to stop Megatron from converting Alaskan oil rigs into new robot soldiers, Jazz is exposed to a deadly substance that infects and slowly kills him. Now the Autobots have to save their friend and stop Megatron!
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=Anything For A Friend
|ShortSummary= Converting a nuclear submarine into a new warrior, the Decepticons take control of the seas. Optimus is forced to leave his truck body and poses as an old battleship to try and stop the threat. He's nearly destroyed in the ensuing battle, and Duke must form a 'mind-link' with him to try and restore the Autobot leader to life.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=Not On The First Date
|ShortSummary=Wendy is forced to abandon her first date when Megatron plots to bring an army of Japanese electronic devices to life. It's up to her and Toad to stop him!
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=Time For Trouble
|ShortSummary=Kroll reveals the existence of a government time machine to Megatron. With the device transformed into one of their soldiers, the Decepticons can escape into another time—unless the Autobots stop them!
}}
|}

Hasbro and Sunbow would provide feedback on this bible, clarifying that [[Transformer]]s were mechanical beings, not electrical. They also didn't want any pre-existing characters to be female, and suggested that Optimus meet the human hero after being repaired when severely damaged in the desert. As a result, the bible was brought more in line with the preexisting premise. CBS also had input, wanting to tie the pitch into the miniseries as well as give Duke a dog that could sniff out Decepticons. Remember that for later.

==Revised Series Bible==
[[Image:CarandCable2.jpg|thumb|150px|No, that's not Bug Bite. He's Muffler.]]

Scott completed a revised draft of the bible, now 41 pages long, on [[March 3]]. By this point, he had been provided with [[Bob Budiansky]]'s character profiles and a copy of the first act of "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]". As a result, the pre-existing characters were brought more in line with their bios, and the plot was given the same backstory of the Transformers crashing on Earth and being awoken millions of years later by a volcanic eruption. However, by the year 1988, the Decepticons' superior numbers have allowed them to conquer much of the Earth, taking control of its manufacturing facilities and leaving humanity as little more than slaves, with <s>Megatron</s> Negator giving them only a sliver of control over the remains of the economy to keep society running. Dissent is impossible due a secret police of disguised Decepticons, who keep the human population under constant surveillance. However, the Autobots continue to operate from the shadows, attempting to free humanity and stop the Decepticons for good.

Most of the roster of characters would be carried over from the previous draft, with some minor alterations. The main Autobot lineup now included Optimus Prime, Jazz, Firecycle, Mirage, Muffler (a renamed Toad) and Trailbreaker. The Decepticon roster now featured Negator, Soundwave, Buzzsaw, Starscream, Thundercracker, Skywarp and Whirlpool.

==Cast==

===Autobots===

*Optimus Prime- Leader of the only six remaining Autobots.His bio is a rework of Bobs but with a few new twists. Described as "IMENSELY KIND, AND HIS COMPASSION EXTENDS TO ALL LIVING THINGS, INCLUDING THE "TWO-LEGGED FLESH FORMS" OF EARTH." Views humans "AS NO DIFFERENT THAN AUTOBOTS, EXCEPT THAT THEIR PERSONALITIES ARE CLOTHED IN FLESH INSTEAD OF METAL." Still has that weird three modules aspect of the bio with Roller being present, though he doesn't appear in the script. However, here the Combat Deck trailer is "AUTOBOT HQ" which besides transporting Autobots is "A REPAIR CENTER FOR DAMAGED AUTOBOTS" which can perform "ELECTRO-SURGERY."
*Jazzz- Optimus cool, happening right hand man. His bio is a very slight reworking of his profile. Uses the early three z's spelling.
*Firecycle- The only female Autobot, she transforms into a red motorcycle and is a skilled mechanic tasked with repairing her fellow Autobots. She's also a robot expert able to create many things, such as turning a toaster into a fighting robot. She has a 'Laser Heat-Ray' and a 'Zero-K Blaster' that can freeze anything. Firecycle loves Optimus Prime, but the Autobot leader fears returning her feelings after all the Autobots he's lost in centuries of war. The medic's main failing is her reluctance to hurt any living thing. She even tries to avoid driving on grass for fear of hurting the plant life. The Decepticons take advantage of this by often pretending to be injured to lure her into traps. While her role as the 'girl Autobot' and crush on Optimus originates with the previous bible's version of Sideswipe, she is otherwise a very different character. Had the proposed name of Firewheels.
*Mirage- An aristocrat turned reluctant freedom fighter. Like in the final cartoon he can turn himself invisible. Also has a Twin Tractor Beam. Distrusted by some of the other Autobots who think he could be a spy.
*Muffler: An Autobot spy and messenger, named after his noisy exhaust system. He turns into a VW Beetle (described as yellow and pink at different points in his profile). He adopted this form while trying to escape a Decepticon ambush by hiding in a used car-lot. It worked so well he was brought by Wendy Fairchild. The tenderhearted Autobot not wanting her to have wasted her money now serves as her car when he's not on missions. Wendy calls him 'Muffy' a nickname he dislikes. Muffler has refused to use a weapon since he shot himself in the foot with a laser cannon. He has issues with his 'elctro-mechanical control functions' which prevent him from transforming properly. For instance when transforming into robot mode one of his legs might get stuck as a fender forcing him to comically hop around on one leg. His main strength is his klutziness. He might lose a wheel while fleeing a Decepticon, only for his pursuer to trip over it.
*Trailbreaker- An incredibly fuel ineffective Autobot which leads him to view himself as a liability. To counter this he acts as a prankster. Once fused a game cartridge into Muffler's mind. Jerk. Has a "A LASER-GATTLING GUN" which "FIRE 32 PENCIL-THICK BEAMS AT ONCE."

===Decepticons===
*Negator: The Decepticon leader. Yes, he's a renamed Megatron. His name emphasises how he's completely negative with no positive traits (The behind the scenes explanation seems to be that CBS weren't okay with Megatron being a handgun, with their "limitations" stating he become a "laser tank," then a "satellite particle beam cannon" in the script. Presumably Hasbro requested a name change when the character no longer resembled the toy). He has dedicated the Decepticons to subjugating all inferior lifeforms, and he views all other life as inferior to him. He's so evil that the Autobots question if he's really sentient, or some sort of empty husk animated by an ancient computer program.
*Soundwave: Negator's scheming Comm-Officer. He's described as red in the script. The only cassette he has is Buzzsaw, a "STAUNCH ALLY AND CONFIDANT."
*Starscream- The most notable change to his profile is the line "NEGATOR OVERLOOKS THE POTENTIAL PERSONAL THREAT STARSCREAM REPRESENTS FOR TWO REASONS: 1. STARSCREAM IS VERY GOOD AT HIS JOB, 2. NEGATOR IS BETTER." Also move over [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]], here the Decepticon jets are known as "Strato-Warriors").
*Thundercraker-Just a straight copy of his character profile with no changes.
*Skywarp- "THE LEAST INTELLIGENT OF ALL DECEPTICONS", a prankster that no-one else likes. Teleports by way of a "A SPACE-WARP LOCATION TRANSFER." Carries "HEAT-SEEKING "ACID-WARHEADS" that melt into an Autobots Armour. Still features his early "Olive Drab" colour scheme.
*Whirlpool: The only female Decepticon she turns into an AMPHIBIOUS FLYING CRAFT, that is able to fly, jet across ground and water, along with being able to travel underwater allowing her to reach any depth beneath the waves. She poses a twin torpedo launcher which fires a special imploding torpedo which sucks anything in range. Her rotors can also create a powerful whirlpool when underwater. Her seductive charms allow her to trick an Autobot into thinking they're on the same side, before she betrays them. Whirlpool is a former Autobot. Optimus Prime seeks to reform her, while she wants to destroy him to prove that the Decepticons are superior.

[[Image:CarandCable4.jpg|thumb|right|Muffler, the human cast and the network mandated dog sidekick.]]

===Others===
*Matt Conroy- (Sunbow didn't think Duke was a good name. Imagine a cartoon where that was the [[Duke (G.I. Joe)|main character's]] name...) A twenty-nine year old truck driver who found a damaged truck by the side of the road. He repaired it planning to replace his old truck that had been repossessed by the bank. But once the repairs were done it transformed into Optimus Prime. Since then Matt has been swept up in the Transformers war 'bitching and moaning' about the Mechanical Men from Mars who've taken over his life, but like Han Solo he'll always come through for his Autobot friends in the end. When driving Optimus the Autobot talks to him over the truck's CB radio. When Optimus transforms Matt's cab becomes part of Optimus chest and all the human can do during fights is yell "I'LL CREAM YA IF YA DENT MY TRUCK, YOU TIN PIRATE". Optimus overlooks Matt's behavior because his knowledge of Earth is useful to the Autobots. That and he likes him. Matt's mechanical skills also mean that he can jury-rigg repairs to help patch the Autobots up.
*Burt- Matt's pet German Shepard with the unique ability to detect Decepticons via their smell. An otherwise friendly creature he goes wild when he senses a Decepticon. This is useful for revealing Decepticons in disguise (he's fine with Autobots which has led Matt to wonder if the differences between Autobots and Decepticons goes beyond political persuasions).
*Wendy Fairchild- Once she was a normal teenager, like Dominique Dunnne in "Poltergeist" who lived in the suburbs like in "Poltergeist" with her parents and had a little brother like in "Poltergeist" (That is the comparison CBS used. They also suggested changing Wendy to be Russian like Nadia Comeniech who, umm, wasn't Russian. This didn't happen.) Now she helps the Autobots with their fight against the Decepticons, while trying to balance her teenage life, having to come up with excuses as to why she has to suddenly ditch her date at the drive-in theater, or explain to her father why her car has laser-shots in the windscreen. As her parents work in one of the Decepticons fabrication plants she worries what would happen to them if her connection to the Autobots was revealed.
*Eddie Fairchild-Wendy's younger brother, his youthful curiosity led him to uncover the secret of his sister's car. Since then lack of fear has resulted in him getting involved in the Autobots fight with the Decepticons, such as the time he hid in Muffler's backseat. He looks up to the small Autobot, pestering him with questions like what happens if you fall into a black hole or if aliens built the pyramids. He wasn't in the first bible, but appeared in Scott's notes.
*Arthur Kroll-An amoral human who allied himself with the Decepticons as a way of obtaining power and wealth. While he provides them with information about the human resistance there is little trust between Kroll and the Decepticons, as ultimately the human only cares about himself. His greed and thoughtlessness often result in him becoming a hindrance to both the Autobots and Decepticons. He does not appear in the pilot script.
[[Image:CarandCable3.jpg|thumb|right|Muffler and Wendy]]

==Episodes==
The series bible reuses the episodes from the previous bible, alongside 9 new ones.

{| class="wikitable" style="margin: auto; width: 100%;"
|-
{{Episode list
|Title=The Erasing of Optimus Prime
|ShortSummary=Negator captures Optimus and takes his memory tapes, giving him the information he needs to destroy the Autobots. Matt must risk his life to steal back the tapes and rescue his friend.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=The Plutonium Plot
|ShortSummary=Negator plans to cut the Autobots off from their fuel supply knowing that it will only be a matter of time until they run out of energy. The Autobots must sneak into a nuclear power reactor to recharge themselves before it's too late!
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=A Coal Day In December
|ShortSummary=Developing a 'Diamond-steeling alloy' Negator takes control of the Pennsylvanian coal fields for a new source of diamonds. The Autobots must take back control of the mines before the coldest winter in years spells the end for the people of the Eastern US.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=Nobody Home
|ShortSummary=Wendy's parents are taken by the Decepticons to work in a factory forced to help create a new, deadlier kind of 'mind controlling' robot. Wendy and Eddie embark on a dangerous mission to save their parents with the Autobots help.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=Operation Alpha Centuri
|ShortSummary=Negator war fleet is complete and he is ready to begin his conquest of the universe! With the help of the human resistance the Autobots build their own ship. In a 'Star Warsian' battle the Autobots manage to destroy the Decepticons fleet.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=The Robot With A Thousand Eyes
|ShortSummary=A Decepticon spy learns of the Autobots plan to hijack a shipment of Decepticon parts. Now they need to stop the spy from reaching Negator.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=A Robots Best Friend Is His Dog
|ShortSummary=Annoyed that Burt the German Shepherd has foiled another scheme, Negator sends a squad of Decepticons to capture the robot detecting dog. The Autobots and Matt plan a raid on Decepticon headquarters to rescue their four legged friend. This episode was chosen as the pilot script to represent the series.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=A New Muffler
|ShortSummary=During battle Muffler is captured and rescued by his friends. But after Autobot plans begin to fail it seems that they have a spy in their midst. And suddenly Muffler isn't such a klutz....What's going on?
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=A Deadly Decision
|ShortSummary=A battle leaves several Autobots wounded. Firecycle tries to repair them, but a lack of supplies means that she can't save everyone. One of the Autobots will die unless she can get the supplies to save them.
}}
|}

===A Robot's Best Friend Is His Dog===
Wendy and Eddie Fairchild are getting ready for school, when a "DECEPTICON ROBOT GUARD" passes by their house reminding them of the alien occupation of Earth.
Meanwhile, at a Decepticon run steel mill that's producing new troops, Jazzz and Trailbreaker arrive in vehicle mode sneaking in with inflatable dummies posed as their drivers. They're caught by the guards and have to transform into robot mode, forced to fight their way through the mill. Ultimately they take control of the plant, free the imprisoned workers and set up defences against further Decepticon attacks. A silent Buzzsaw watches this before heading back to Decepticon headquarters. In the Colorado Rockies, Negator plots, when he's interrupted by the spy's arrival. Despite Starscream mockery, Negator announces his plan to destroy all the Autobots.

Elsewhere, the Fairchild's parents are forced to leave for work in a Decepticon factory, as the children leave for school in their friend, the undercover Autobot Muffler. Stopped at a Decepticon roadblock, the Autobot is found out by the guards and the trio are forced to flee as they give chase.
At a roadside diner, trucker Matt's vehicle begins to drive away on its own to everyone else's confusion as he hurries to catch it. On the highway, Matt and the truck, Optimus Prime, follow Muffler's distress signal. Catching up with their friends, Optimus transforms into robot mode and destroys the pursuers. Mirage and Firecycle exit from Prime's trailer, then the Autobots receive a message from Jazzz at the mill. Arriving, they are silently stalked by hidden Decepticons. Entering the building Matt's dog, Burt suddenly starts barking at a forklift, revealing that it's a hidden Decepticon. With the ambush ruined, the Decepticon start their attack. Outnumbered by the enemy forces, Optimus gives them enough time to retreat by blasting open a water tower, the wave washing the Decepticons away. The Autobots manage to escape, but the workers are left behind to be re-enslaved.

Elsewhere, Negator realises that Burt was responsible for ruining his plan and orders the dog to be eliminated. In the woods, the Autobots repair themselves as Wendy and Eddie head to school with Burt, unaware that Soundwave is tracking them. Arriving at the school they make it to class, where a Decepticon sentry watches over them. Upset by the robot Burt starts barking. Hearing the dog from across the city, Soundwave lands at the school, reaches through a window, grabbing Burt and flies off. Back at the base, Firecycle is able to save a critically wounded Jazzz. The children arrive and tell them what happened. Things seem hopeless until Trailbreaker comes up with a plan...

The Autobots rush into the mill, taking care of the guards and freeing the workers. To their confusion Optimus orders them to continue making Decepticon parts. In the Decepticon headquarters, Negator prepares for surgery to find out how Burt is able to detect Decepticons. Suddenly, scanners announce a new shipment of parts from the mill. As the Decepticons start unloading the cargo jet, Matt jumps out of a crate, blasting laser fire. The Autobots are revealed to have used the new parts to disguise themselves as newly constructed Decepticons. Optimus provides covering fire so Matt can make it deeper inside the base as the battle continues.

Matt finds the "electro-surgery room", blowing up the surgeon and rescuing his dog. They return to the hanger, but Starscream keeps them pinned down with his lasers, preventing them from reuniting with their friends. However, Eddie rushes in, grabs a gun from a dead Deception and uses it to down the plane. Hearing Burt's barks, the Autobots prepare to leave by the jet. As it takes off, Negator transforms into "satellite particle beam cannon mode" preparing to shoot them down. However, Optimus, still outside in truck form, fires his laser rifle at him knocking him off target so he instead blows a hole in the hanger ceiling, trapping the Decepticons in rubble, giving them time to escape.
Back at the mill, the workers begin the production of new Autobots, while a grateful Burt licks Optimus as everyone laughs.

==Notes==
This script has various details that wouldn't fit in the summary.
*Scott suggests that when we see a POV from a Transformer it would show a "Hi-tech binocular matte" which features "grid lines and changing LED numbers."
*The Decepticons have regular news broadcasts glorifying their conquest of the planet. Turning them off is illegal.
*All the non-named Decepticons are generics that aren't really described in any way. Just being large.
*During the opening fight at the mill:
**When the guard searches Jazzz's fake driver, he catches it's hand by rolling up his window and then changing into robot mode.
**Trailbreaker knocks a guard into a vat of molten steel.
**Jazzz runs through two guards, smashing them into pieces.
*The Decepticons headquarters is a massive cave carved into the Colorado mountains with a large hangar.
*The Fairchild's parents are transported to work by "a large truck" with a Decepticon standing guard in the back.
*Muffler is able to control his seatbelts and uses it to gag Eddie's mouth at the checkpoint.
*Some details from the chase sequence:
**The roadblock guards chase after them after transforming into "side hacker motor cycles."
**During the chase Muffler nearly runs down another Decepticon, which then chases after them as an army truck.
**Optimus is able to blast one of the pursuers of the road, then burst another's tire which swerves into the army truck, smashing it into pieces before it falls into a ravine.
*At the mill the Decepticons disguise themselves by camouflage rope netting.
*The Decepticons hide at the ambush site in cranes, trucks and forklifts altmodes.
*At the school we met Mr Davenport, the class teacher. He asks his student Johnny for his report of the American independence, only for the classroom's Decepticon guard to stop him as "the subject of freedom is forbidden."
*Soundwave is described as red by Eddie. This isn't an early colour scheme. Soundwave's profile didn't mention his colour scheme and all the reference material Scott had was in black and white. When he had someone describe his appearance he just had to guess.

==Development==
Even with the script, bibles and notes there's a limit to what we can infer about the development of this pitch. A lot of what we could say would just be guesswork.... But, it just so happens that Scott wrote a book about "How To Write For Animation" which includes his advice for successfully pitching a show explaining some of his creative choices.
*As Scott says in his book "your initial audience is not the viewer of the cartoon but the story editor or producer who is going to buy it." He suggests "find out what the buyer wants".<ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott(p. 37)</ref> Likely, this story was inspired by the network's request for a robot detecting dog.
*The pilot's odd backstory is another example of meeting the network's requirements, what with the whole conquest of Earth happening offscreen. In the section "HOW TO WRITE A PILOT", Scott brings up the crucial detail that "99 OUT OF A 100 TIMES THE NETWORK DOESN'T WANT AN "ORIGIN " PILOT." <ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott (p.172)</ref> The reasoning being that an origin story is usually unrepresentative of the show as a whole, while a random adventure can better demonstrate what the show is going to be like on a week to week basis.
*Another piece of advice is that if "you're trying to sell a show to a network exec, you want to reveal as much of the show as you can in the pilot."<ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott (p.172)</ref>
*If this pitch had been approved its ideas would have almost certainly been reworked further. In many shows Scott would continue expanding and changing details after production commenced, finding out what worked and what didn't. <ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott(p. 173)</ref> The last page of the script shows this happening here, with him suggesting a rework to the story so that the Fairchild's parents aren't featured and instead the children's quest to find them is a potential series plot point.

==Legacy==

Ultimately, CBS did not produce a Transformers cartoon in 1984. We can only guess why. While the pitch was passed over it wasn't quite the end. On the 30th of April, Sunbow staff briefly considered including some aspects into the final show, such as a big brother figure (they didn't) and maybe reusing some the episode premises (they didn't) .<ref>[https://tfarchive.com/cartoons/bible The Transformers production bible, including internal correspondence from Bryce Malek and Dick Robbins, that refers to Eddie and Matt by name]</ref> Later, the January 1985 issue of Comic Features would showcased various unproduced cartoons including artwork created for this pitch under the new title of Car and Cable.<ref>[http://starlogged.blogspot.com/2012/01/marvel-productions-in-198485.html Scans of ''Comics Feature'' at the "Starlogged" blog]</ref> For years this was assumed to be Marvel creating a knockoff of their own success with Transformers. We still don't know why this happened. Were Marvel seriously considering reworking this show without the Transformers elements? Did they publish concept art under a fake name to make it look like they had more shows in development? It's unclear.

And that was the end of this pitch.

Until [[2020]], when Instagram user consumercollectiables uncovered additional concept art which featured a silhouetted Prowl menacing Muffy and his friend in a "garage scene", with the handwritten note "Trans 3 V" and cast list using the names mentioned in the memo, explicitly tying it to Transformers.<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/consumercollectibles/ consumercollectables on Instagram]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20200803141945/https://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/167466-remember-that-concept-art-for-muffy-the-unmade-marvel-cartoon/ AllSpark.com forum post collecting ''Car and Cable'' art (archived)]</ref> This just raised more questions.....

Which were answered in [[2024]], when Jeffery Scott sold off all of the development material for this pitch.

At TFNation 2025, [[Jim Sorenson]] (who purchased Scott's material) and [[Chris McFeely]] hosted a reading of the pilot script which featured actors from various Transformers shows including [[Gregg Berger]] and [[Paul Eiding]] from the original cartoon.<ref> [https://www.patreon.com/posts/tfnation-2025-is-137075459 TFNation 2025 Audio Recording of 'A Robot's Best Friend is his Dog' Script Reading]</ref> The same day the production material was released online.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qYFePnAgHL9vlhAEF5IY3db59P0WaLwx/view?usp=drive_link First Series Bible]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1r0M_CIdlaEZs5SWmMQhSuO_M2ogZgQxH/view?usp=drive_link Revised Series Bible]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1j-XyM7R3RXwlqScR1l_gstsu7xCI7Ayj/view A collection of Jeffery Scott's network notes]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FkSIH3jScZJvThuUPxCm167I1ur0hp1M/view Story outline for A Robot's Best Friend Is His Dog]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BGi0WlVKs2I617mvIYr41wITfQIF37K6/view Script for A Robot's Best Friend Is His Dog]

[[Category:Television series]]
[[Category:Things that don't exist]]
[[Category:Unproduced scripts]]

User:WillR113/Sandbox

2025-08-31T06:01:53Z

WillR113: /* Legacy */

[[File:CarandCable1.jpg|right|thumb|upright=2.5]]

Everyone knows ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]'', it was one of the most popular cartoons of the '80s! You don't need us to explain the adventures of the [[Autobot]] spy Muffler and his human friends getting into wacky antics trying to survive and wage guerrilla war on a [[Decepticon]] controlled [[Earth]].

Just kidding, that's obviously not the cartoon we got.

In early [[1984]], though, it was possible that wouldn't be the case. A radically different version of the show was pitched by [[Marvel Productions]], its series bible written before "[[More than Meets the Eye (mini-series)|More Than Meets The Eye]]" even had a final script. For decades, there was no information about this pitch, barring mentions in writer [[Jeffrey Scott]]'s resume <ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott(p. 203)</ref> and a brief discussion in a production memo.

Forty years later, that all changed.

==Background==
In [[1981]], animation studio DePatie-Freleng Enterprises was sold to [[Marvel Comics]], becoming Marvel Productions. Both were located on different sides of the country, with Productions in [[California]] and Comics in [[New York]]. Despite this new merger, the two companies didn't get on well at all. In [[1983]], Marvel Productions ignored the work that Comics had created for the unproduced series [[Mysterians]], rejecting the serious action premise for a goofy, Hanna-Barbera-esque one largely centered on kid supporting characters and a wacky dog.<ref>[http://jimshooter.com/2011/06/secret-origin-of-transformers-part-1.html/ "The Secret Origin of the Transformers - Part 1"]</ref>

By 1984, the same thing happened with ''Transformers''. Fueled by the massive success the ''Transformers'' toyline was projected to be (and ultimately was), Hasbro rushed to expand the still in-production miniseries into a full show, naturally turning to Marvel Productions to do so. However, rather than sell it to syndication as with the miniseries, Marvel Production attempted to sell the show to the network [[CBS]]. One of the network requirements were female characters, but we're not sure if they had others or if the writers just decided to reuse other stock tropes they knew networks liked.

Enter Jeffrey Scott. A former Hanna-Barbera employee most known for his work on ''Super Friends'' at the time, Scott was hired by DePatie-Freleng in 1979 for ''Spider-Woman'' and ''Spider-Man'', by Stan Lee and Lee Gunther<ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott(p. 9)</ref>, the latter which would be delayed to 1981 due to the merger. While at Marvel, Scott worked on ''Dungeons and Dragons'', and story edited the fever dream that was ''Pandamonium''. Besides writing scripts, Scott also developed series bibles for animated series: in 1984 alone, he wrote the unproduced ''The Right Stuff'', ''The Secret Wars'', ''Menudo'' and would later devise the smash hit ''Muppet Babies''. Thus, Scott was tasked with creating a development bible for this new ''Transformers'' series.

==First Bible==

[[Image:CarAndCable5.jpg|thumb|150px|No, that's not Bumblebee. He's Toad.]]

On [[February 22]], Scott began work on the series bible, including the basic premise, style of the show, and the characters' personalities. Difficulties arose due to a lack of reference material, seemingly giving him little more than a list of names and altmodes, with Scott specifically requesting 'bio cards'. In fact, he was given so little to work with, [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] isn't even referred to by name. Impressively, he finished the first bible just three days later on [[February 25]]. In this version, the Autobots had finally destroyed the last of the Decepticon rebels after eons of war, bringing peace to their planet. However, they had only destroyed their robot forms, while the Decepticons' "electronic life-entities" had fled into space to try and acquire new bodies. They eventually found their way to Earth and built a base in the [[Bermuda Triangle]], spending the next 50 years hijacking various military crafts to rebuild their forces. The Autobots spent years searching the universe for their enemy, eventually tracking them down to Earth and reigniting their war once again.

The Autobots assume control of various Earth vehicles to blend into the new world, with their leader [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] taking control of a truck owned by the human William 'Duke' Convoy. Unwilling to steal Duke's truck from him, the human is 'drafted' into the war, using his knowledge to help the Autobots. However, Optimus is not the only Autobot to have a human driver: the Autobot Toad (originally meant to be [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] until they decided "NO MINI-CARS") assumed the form of a green VW belonging to a teenage girl named Wendy Fairchild, and now he's stuck with her. The other main Autobots include [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]], [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (the only female Autobot), [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], with [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] as secondary characters rounding out the rest of the cast.

From their underwater headquarters, the Decepticons plot to conquer Earth. The Decepticon leader [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] carries a canister with him which holds the energy forms of an army's worth of Decepticon soldiers. All he needs to do is place one of these energy orbs into his cannon and shoot it at a mechanical object, and it will be transformed into a Decepticon warrior. The other Decepticons are [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (the disloyal second in-command), [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] (used by Soundwave to spy on the Autobots as well as the other Decepticons), [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (a female Decepticon who hates Jazz for destroying her body back on Cybertron), [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercraker]], and [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]. They have also joined forces with Arthur Kroll, a human who aids the invaders so that he may rule over the rest of humanity after the Decepticons have conquered Earth.

The bible includes a list of "story springboards":

{| class="wikitable" style="margin: auto; width: 100%;"
|-
{{Episode list
|Title=Rotten To The Core
|ShortSummary=Megatron takes control of the New York subway system and implants "glowing energy orbs" into the trains, turning them into an army of Deception warriors! Optimus Prime and Duke join forces with a group of teens to help save the day.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=The Titanium Germ
|ShortSummary=When the Autobots try to stop Megatron from converting Alaskan oil rigs into new robot soldiers, Jazz is exposed to a deadly substance that infects and slowly kills him. Now the Autobots have to save their friend and stop Megatron!
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=Anything For A Friend
|ShortSummary= Converting a nuclear submarine into a new warrior, the Decepticons take control of the seas. Optimus is forced to leave his truck body and poses as an old battleship to try and stop the threat. He's nearly destroyed in the ensuing battle, and Duke must form a 'mind-link' with him to try and restore the Autobot leader to life.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=Not On The First Date
|ShortSummary=Wendy is forced to abandon her first date when Megatron plots to bring an army of Japanese electronic devices to life. It's up to her and Toad to stop him!
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=Time For Trouble
|ShortSummary=Kroll reveals the existence of a government time machine to Megatron. With the device transformed into one of their soldiers, the Decepticons can escape into another time—unless the Autobots stop them!
}}
|}

Hasbro and Sunbow would provide feedback on this bible, clarifying that [[Transformer]]s were mechanical beings, not electrical. They also didn't want any pre-existing characters to be female, and suggested that Optimus meet the human hero after being repaired when severely damaged in the desert. As a result, the bible was brought more in line with the preexisting premise. CBS also had input, wanting to tie the pitch into the miniseries as well as give Duke a dog that could sniff out Decepticons. Remember that for later.

==Revised Series Bible==
[[Image:CarandCable2.jpg|thumb|150px|No, that's not Bug Bite. He's Muffler.]]

Scott completed a revised draft of the bible, now 41 pages long, on [[March 3]]. By this point, he had been provided with [[Bob Budiansky]]'s character profiles and a copy of the first act of "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]". As a result, the pre-existing characters were brought more in line with their bios, and the plot was given the same backstory of the Transformers crashing on Earth and being awoken millions of years later by a volcanic eruption. However, by the year 1988, the Decepticons' superior numbers have allowed them to conquer much of the Earth, taking control of its manufacturing facilities and leaving humanity as little more than slaves, with <s>Megatron</s> Negator giving them only a sliver of control over the remains of the economy to keep society running. Dissent is impossible due a secret police of disguised Decepticons, who keep the human population under constant surveillance. However, the Autobots continue to operate from the shadows, attempting to free humanity and stop the Decepticons for good.

Most of the roster of characters would be carried over from the previous draft, with some minor alterations. The main Autobot lineup now included Optimus Prime, Jazz, Firecycle, Mirage, Muffler (a renamed Toad) and Trailbreaker. The Decepticon roster now featured Negator, Soundwave, Buzzsaw, Starscream, Thundercracker, Skywarp and Whirlpool.

==Cast==

===Autobots===

*Optimus Prime- Leader of the only six remaining Autobots.His bio is a rework of Bobs but with a few new twists. Described as "IMENSELY KIND, AND HIS COMPASSION EXTENDS TO ALL LIVING THINGS, INCLUDING THE "TWO-LEGGED FLESH FORMS" OF EARTH." Views humans "AS NO DIFFERENT THAN AUTOBOTS, EXCEPT THAT THEIR PERSONALITIES ARE CLOTHED IN FLESH INSTEAD OF METAL." Still has that weird three modules aspect of the bio with Roller being present, though he doesn't appear in the script. However, here the Combat Deck trailer is "AUTOBOT HQ" which besides transporting Autobots is "A REPAIR CENTER FOR DAMAGED AUTOBOTS" which can perform "ELECTRO-SURGERY."
*Jazzz- Optimus cool, happening right hand man. His bio is a very slight reworking of his profile. Uses the early three z's spelling.
*Firecycle- The only female Autobot, she transforms into a red motorcycle and is a skilled mechanic tasked with repairing her fellow Autobots. She's also a robot expert able to create many things, such as turning a toaster into a fighting robot. She has a 'Laser Heat-Ray' and a 'Zero-K Blaster' that can freeze anything. Firecycle loves Optimus Prime, but the Autobot leader fears returning her feelings after all the Autobots he's lost in centuries of war. The medic's main failing is her reluctance to hurt any living thing. She even tries to avoid driving on grass for fear of hurting the plant life. The Decepticons take advantage of this by often pretending to be injured to lure her into traps. While her role as the 'girl Autobot' and crush on Optimus originates with the previous bible's version of Sideswipe, she is otherwise a very different character. Had the proposed name of Firewheels.
*Mirage- An aristocrat turned reluctant freedom fighter. Like in the final cartoon he can turn himself invisible. Also has a Twin Tractor Beam. Distrusted by some of the other Autobots who think he could be a spy.
*Muffler: An Autobot spy and messenger, named after his noisy exhaust system. He turns into a VW Beetle (described as yellow and pink at different points in his profile). He adopted this form while trying to escape a Decepticon ambush by hiding in a used car-lot. It worked so well he was brought by Wendy Fairchild. The tenderhearted Autobot not wanting her to have wasted her money now serves as her car when he's not on missions. Wendy calls him 'Muffy' a nickname he dislikes. Muffler has refused to use a weapon since he shot himself in the foot with a laser cannon. He has issues with his 'elctro-mechanical control functions' which prevent him from transforming properly. For instance when transforming into robot mode one of his legs might get stuck as a fender forcing him to comically hop around on one leg. His main strength is his klutziness. He might lose a wheel while fleeing a Decepticon, only for his pursuer to trip over it.
*Trailbreaker- An incredibly fuel ineffective Autobot which leads him to view himself as a liability. To counter this he acts as a prankster. Once fused a game cartridge into Muffler's mind. Jerk. Has a "A LASER-GATTLING GUN" which "FIRE 32 PENCIL-THICK BEAMS AT ONCE."

===Decepticons===
*Negator: The Decepticon leader. Yes, he's a renamed Megatron. His name emphasises how he's completely negative with no positive traits (The behind the scenes explanation seems to be that CBS weren't okay with Megatron being a handgun, with their "limitations" stating he become a "laser tank," then a "satellite particle beam cannon" in the script. Presumably Hasbro requested a name change when the character no longer resembled the toy). He has dedicated the Decepticons to subjugating all inferior lifeforms, and he views all other life as inferior to him. He's so evil that the Autobots question if he's really sentient, or some sort of empty husk animated by an ancient computer program.
*Soundwave: Negator's scheming Comm-Officer. He's described as red in the script. The only cassette he has is Buzzsaw, a "STAUNCH ALLY AND CONFIDANT."
*Starscream- The most notable change to his profile is the line "NEGATOR OVERLOOKS THE POTENTIAL PERSONAL THREAT STARSCREAM REPRESENTS FOR TWO REASONS: 1. STARSCREAM IS VERY GOOD AT HIS JOB, 2. NEGATOR IS BETTER." Also move over [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]], here the Decepticon jets are known as "Strato-Warriors").
*Thundercraker-Just a straight copy of his character profile with no changes.
*Skywarp- "THE LEAST INTELLIGENT OF ALL DECEPTICONS", a prankster that no-one else likes. Teleports by way of a "A SPACE-WARP LOCATION TRANSFER." Carries "HEAT-SEEKING "ACID-WARHEADS" that melt into an Autobots Armour. Still features his early "Olive Drab" colour scheme.
*Whirlpool: The only female Decepticon she turns into an AMPHIBIOUS FLYING CRAFT, that is able to fly, jet across ground and water, along with being able to travel underwater allowing her to reach any depth beneath the waves. She poses a twin torpedo launcher which fires a special imploding torpedo which sucks anything in range. Her rotors can also create a powerful whirlpool when underwater. Her seductive charms allow her to trick an Autobot into thinking they're on the same side, before she betrays them. Whirlpool is a former Autobot. Optimus Prime seeks to reform her, while she wants to destroy him to prove that the Decepticons are superior.

[[Image:CarandCable4.jpg|thumb|right|Muffler, the human cast and the network mandated dog sidekick.]]

===Others===
*Matt Conroy- (Sunbow didn't think Duke was a good name. Imagine a cartoon where that was the [[Duke (G.I. Joe)|main character's]] name...) A twenty-nine year old truck driver who found a damaged truck by the side of the road. He repaired it planning to replace his old truck that had been repossessed by the bank. But once the repairs were done it transformed into Optimus Prime. Since then Matt has been swept up in the Transformers war 'bitching and moaning' about the Mechanical Men from Mars who've taken over his life, but like Han Solo he'll always come through for his Autobot friends in the end. When driving Optimus the Autobot talks to him over the truck's CB radio. When Optimus transforms Matt's cab becomes part of Optimus chest and all the human can do during fights is yell "I'LL CREAM YA IF YA DENT MY TRUCK, YOU TIN PIRATE". Optimus overlooks Matt's behavior because his knowledge of Earth is useful to the Autobots. That and he likes him. Matt's mechanical skills also mean that he can jury-rigg repairs to help patch the Autobots up.
*Burt- Matt's pet German Shepard with the unique ability to detect Decepticons via their smell. An otherwise friendly creature he goes wild when he senses a Decepticon. This is useful for revealing Decepticons in disguise (he's fine with Autobots which has led Matt to wonder if the differences between Autobots and Decepticons goes beyond political persuasions).
*Wendy Fairchild- Once she was a normal teenager, like Dominique Dunnne in "Poltergeist" who lived in the suburbs like in "Poltergeist" with her parents and had a little brother like in "Poltergeist" (That is the comparison CBS used. They also suggested changing Wendy to be Russian like Nadia Comeniech who, umm, wasn't Russian. This didn't happen.) Now she helps the Autobots with their fight against the Decepticons, while trying to balance her teenage life, having to come up with excuses as to why she has to suddenly ditch her date at the drive-in theater, or explain to her father why her car has laser-shots in the windscreen. As her parents work in one of the Decepticons fabrication plants she worries what would happen to them if her connection to the Autobots was revealed.
*Eddie Fairchild-Wendy's younger brother, his youthful curiosity led him to uncover the secret of his sister's car. Since then lack of fear has resulted in him getting involved in the Autobots fight with the Decepticons, such as the time he hid in Muffler's backseat. He looks up to the small Autobot, pestering him with questions like what happens if you fall into a black hole or if aliens built the pyramids. He wasn't in the first bible, but appeared in Scott's notes.
*Arthur Kroll-An amoral human who allied himself with the Decepticons as a way of obtaining power and wealth. While he provides them with information about the human resistance there is little trust between Kroll and the Decepticons, as ultimately the human only cares about himself. His greed and thoughtlessness often result in him becoming a hindrance to both the Autobots and Decepticons. He does not appear in the pilot script.
[[Image:CarandCable3.jpg|thumb|right|Muffler and Wendy]]

==Episodes==
The series bible reuses the episodes from the previous bible, alongside 9 new ones.

{| class="wikitable" style="margin: auto; width: 100%;"
|-
{{Episode list
|Title=The Erasing of Optimus Prime
|ShortSummary=Negator captures Optimus and takes his memory tapes, giving him the information he needs to destroy the Autobots. Matt must risk his life to steal back the tapes and rescue his friend.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=The Plutonium Plot
|ShortSummary=Negator plans to cut the Autobots off from their fuel supply knowing that it will only be a matter of time until they run out of energy. The Autobots must sneak into a nuclear power reactor to recharge themselves before it's too late!
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=A Coal Day In December
|ShortSummary=Developing a 'Diamond-steeling alloy' Negator takes control of the Pennsylvanian coal fields for a new source of diamonds. The Autobots must take back control of the mines before the coldest winter in years spells the end for the people of the Eastern US.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=Nobody Home
|ShortSummary=Wendy's parents are taken by the Decepticons to work in a factory forced to help create a new, deadlier kind of 'mind controlling' robot. Wendy and Eddie embark on a dangerous mission to save their parents with the Autobots help.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=Operation Alpha Centuri
|ShortSummary=Negator war fleet is complete and he is ready to begin his conquest of the universe! With the help of the human resistance the Autobots build their own ship. In a 'Star Warsian' battle the Autobots manage to destroy the Decepticons fleet.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=The Robot With A Thousand Eyes
|ShortSummary=A Decepticon spy learns of the Autobots plan to hijack a shipment of Decepticon parts. Now they need to stop the spy from reaching Negator.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=A Robots Best Friend Is His Dog
|ShortSummary=Annoyed that Burt the German Shepherd has foiled another scheme, Negator sends a squad of Decepticons to capture the robot detecting dog. The Autobots and Matt plan a raid on Decepticon headquarters to rescue their four legged friend. This episode was chosen as the pilot script to represent the series.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=A New Muffler
|ShortSummary=During battle Muffler is captured and rescued by his friends. But after Autobot plans begin to fail it seems that they have a spy in their midst. And suddenly Muffler isn't such a klutz....What's going on?
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=A Deadly Decision
|ShortSummary=A battle leaves several Autobots wounded. Firecycle tries to repair them, but a lack of supplies means that she can't save everyone. One of the Autobots will die unless she can get the supplies to save them.
}}
|}

===A Robot's Best Friend Is His Dog===
Wendy and Eddie Fairchild are getting ready for school, when a "DECEPTICON ROBOT GUARD" passes by their house reminding them of the alien occupation of Earth.
Meanwhile, at a Decepticon run steel mill that's producing new troops, Jazzz and Trailbreaker arrive in vehicle mode sneaking in with inflatable dummies posed as their drivers. They're caught by the guards and have to transform into robot mode, forced to fight their way through the mill. Ultimately they take control of the plant, free the imprisoned workers and set up defences against further Decepticon attacks. A silent Buzzsaw watches this before heading back to Decepticon headquarters. In the Colorado Rockies, Negator plots, when he's interrupted by the spy's arrival. Despite Starscream mockery, Negator announces his plan to destroy all the Autobots.

Elsewhere, the Fairchild's parents are forced to leave for work in a Decepticon factory, as the children leave for school in their friend, the undercover Autobot Muffler. Stopped at a Decepticon roadblock, the Autobot is found out by the guards and the trio are forced to flee as they give chase.
At a roadside diner, trucker Matt's vehicle begins to drive away on its own to everyone else's confusion as he hurries to catch it. On the highway, Matt and the truck, Optimus Prime, follow Muffler's distress signal. Catching up with their friends, Optimus transforms into robot mode and destroys the pursuers. Mirage and Firecycle exit from Prime's trailer, then the Autobots receive a message from Jazzz at the mill. Arriving, they are silently stalked by hidden Decepticons. Entering the building Matt's dog, Burt suddenly starts barking at a forklift, revealing that it's a hidden Decepticon. With the ambush ruined, the Decepticon start their attack. Outnumbered by the enemy forces, Optimus gives them enough time to retreat by blasting open a water tower, the wave washing the Decepticons away. The Autobots manage to escape, but the workers are left behind to be re-enslaved.

Elsewhere, Negator realises that Burt was responsible for ruining his plan and orders the dog to be eliminated. In the woods, the Autobots repair themselves as Wendy and Eddie head to school with Burt, unaware that Soundwave is tracking them. Arriving at the school they make it to class, where a Decepticon sentry watches over them. Upset by the robot Burt starts barking. Hearing the dog from across the city, Soundwave lands at the school, reaches through a window, grabbing Burt and flies off. Back at the base, Firecycle is able to save a critically wounded Jazzz. The children arrive and tell them what happened. Things seem hopeless until Trailbreaker comes up with a plan...

The Autobots rush into the mill, taking care of the guards and freeing the workers. To their confusion Optimus orders them to continue making Decepticon parts. In the Decepticon headquarters, Negator prepares for surgery to find out how Burt is able to detect Decepticons. Suddenly, scanners announce a new shipment of parts from the mill. As the Decepticons start unloading the cargo jet, Matt jumps out of a crate, blasting laser fire. The Autobots are revealed to have used the new parts to disguise themselves as newly constructed Decepticons. Optimus provides covering fire so Matt can make it deeper inside the base as the battle continues.

Matt finds the "electro-surgery room", blowing up the surgeon and rescuing his dog. They return to the hanger, but Starscream keeps them pinned down with his lasers, preventing them from reuniting with their friends. However, Eddie rushes in, grabs a gun from a dead Deception and uses it to down the plane. Hearing Burt's barks, the Autobots prepare to leave by the jet. As it takes off, Negator transforms into "satellite particle beam cannon mode" preparing to shoot them down. However, Optimus, still outside in truck form, fires his laser rifle at him knocking him off target so he instead blows a hole in the hanger ceiling, trapping the Decepticons in rubble, giving them time to escape.
Back at the mill, the workers begin the production of new Autobots, while a grateful Burt licks Optimus as everyone laughs.

==Notes==
This script has various details that wouldn't fit in the summary.
*Scott suggests that when we see a POV from a Transformer it would show a "Hi-tech binocular matte" which features "grid lines and changing LED numbers."
*The Decepticons have regular news broadcasts glorifying their conquest of the planet. Turning them off is illegal.
*All the non-named Decepticons are generics that aren't really described in any way. Just being large.
*During the opening fight at the mill:
**When the guard searches Jazzz's fake driver, he catches it's hand by rolling up his window and then changing into robot mode.
**Trailbreaker knocks a guard into a vat of molten steel.
**Jazzz runs through two guards, smashing them into pieces.
*The Decepticons headquarters is a massive cave carved into the Colorado mountains with a large hangar.
*The Fairchild's parents are transported to work by "a large truck" with a Decepticon standing guard in the back.
*Muffler is able to control his seatbelts and uses it to gag Eddie's mouth at the checkpoint.
*Some details from the chase sequence:
**The roadblock guards chase after them after transforming into "side hacker motor cycles."
**During the chase Muffler nearly runs down another Decepticon, which then chases after them as an army truck.
**Optimus is able to blast one of the pursuers of the road, then burst another's tire which swerves into the army truck, smashing it into pieces before it falls into a ravine.
*At the mill the Decepticons disguise themselves by camouflage rope netting.
*The Decepticons hide at the ambush site in cranes, trucks and forklifts altmodes.
*At the school we met Mr Davenport, the class teacher. He asks his student Johnny for his report of the American independence, only for the classroom's Decepticon guard to stop him as "the subject of freedom is forbidden."
*Soundwave is described as red by Eddie. This isn't an early colour scheme. Soundwave's profile didn't mention his colour scheme and all the reference material Scott had was in black and white. When he had someone describe his appearance he just had to guess.

==Development==
Even with the script, bibles and notes there's a limit to what we can infer about the development of this pitch. A lot of what we could say would just be guesswork.... But, it just so happens that Scott wrote a book about "How To Write For Animation" which includes his advice for successfully pitching a show explaining some of his creative choices.
*As Scott says in his book "your initial audience is not the viewer of the cartoon but the story editor or producer who is going to buy it." He suggests "find out what the buyer wants".<ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott(p. 37)</ref> Likely, this story was inspired by the network's request for a robot detecting dog.
*The pilot's odd backstory is another example of meeting the network's requirements, what with the whole conquest of Earth happening offscreen. In the section "HOW TO WRITE A PILOT", Scott brings up the crucial detail that "99 OUT OF A 100 TIMES THE NETWORK DOESN'T WANT AN "ORIGIN " PILOT." <ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott (p.172)</ref> The reasoning being that an origin story is usually unrepresentative of the show as a whole, while a random adventure can better demonstrate what the show is going to be like on a week to week basis.
*Another piece of advice is that if "you're trying to sell a show to a network exec, you want to reveal as much of the show as you can in the pilot."<ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott (p.172)</ref>
*If this pitch had been approved its ideas would have almost certainly been reworked further. In many shows Scott would continue expanding and changing details after production commenced, finding out what worked and what didn't. <ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott(p. 173)</ref> The last page of the script shows this happening here, with him suggesting a rework to the story so that the Fairchild's parents aren't featured and instead the children's quest to find them is a potential series plot point.

==Legacy==

Ultimately, CBS did not produce a Transformers cartoon in 1984. We can only guess why. While the pitch was passed over it wasn't quite the end. On the 30th of April, Sunbow staff briefly considered including some aspects into the final show, such as a big brother figure (they didn't) and maybe reusing some the episode premises (they didn't) .<ref>[https://tfarchive.com/cartoons/bible The Transformers production bible, including internal correspondence from Bryce Malek and Dick Robbins, that refers to Eddie and Matt by name]</ref> Later, the January 1985 issue of Comic Features would showcased various unproduced cartoons including artwork created for this pitch under the new title of Car and Cable.<ref>[http://starlogged.blogspot.com/2012/01/marvel-productions-in-198485.html Scans of ''Comics Feature'' at the "Starlogged" blog]</ref> For years this was assumed to be Marvel creating a knockoff of their own success with Transformers. We still don't know why this happened. Were Marvel seriously considering reworking this show without the Transformers elements? Did they publish concept art under a fake name to make it look like they had more shows in development? It's unclear.

And that was the end of this pitch.

Until [[2020]], when Instagram user consumercollectiables uncovered additional concept art which featured a silhouetted Prowl menacing Muffy and his friend in a "garage scene", with the handwritten note "Trans 3 V" and cast list using the names mentioned in the memo, explicitly tying it to Transformers.<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/consumercollectibles/ consumercollectables on Instagram]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20200803141945/https://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/167466-remember-that-concept-art-for-muffy-the-unmade-marvel-cartoon/ AllSpark.com forum post collecting ''Car and Cable'' art (archived)]</ref> This just raised more questions.....

Which were answered in [[2024]], when Jeffery Scott sold off all of the development material for this pitch.

At TFNation 2025, [[Jim Sorenson]] (who purchased Scott's material) and [[Chris McFeely]] hosted a reading of the pilot script which featured actors from various Transformers shows including [[Gregg Berger]] and [[Paul Eiding]] from the original cartoon.<ref> [https://www.patreon.com/posts/tfnation-2025-is-137075459 TFNation 2025 Audio Recording of 'A Robot's Best Friend is his Dog' Script Reading]</ref> The same day the production material was released online.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qYFePnAgHL9vlhAEF5IY3db59P0WaLwx/view?usp=drive_link First Series Bible]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1r0M_CIdlaEZs5SWmMQhSuO_M2ogZgQxH/view?usp=drive_link Revised Series Bible]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1j-XyM7R3RXwlqScR1l_gstsu7xCI7Ayj/view A collection of Jeffery Scott's network notes]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FkSIH3jScZJvThuUPxCm167I1ur0hp1M/view Story outline for A Robot's Best Friend Is His Dog]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BGi0WlVKs2I617mvIYr41wITfQIF37K6/view Script for A Robot's Best Friend Is His Dog]

User:WillR113/Sandbox

2025-08-31T06:01:11Z

WillR113: /* Notes */

[[File:CarandCable1.jpg|right|thumb|upright=2.5]]

Everyone knows ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]'', it was one of the most popular cartoons of the '80s! You don't need us to explain the adventures of the [[Autobot]] spy Muffler and his human friends getting into wacky antics trying to survive and wage guerrilla war on a [[Decepticon]] controlled [[Earth]].

Just kidding, that's obviously not the cartoon we got.

In early [[1984]], though, it was possible that wouldn't be the case. A radically different version of the show was pitched by [[Marvel Productions]], its series bible written before "[[More than Meets the Eye (mini-series)|More Than Meets The Eye]]" even had a final script. For decades, there was no information about this pitch, barring mentions in writer [[Jeffrey Scott]]'s resume <ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott(p. 203)</ref> and a brief discussion in a production memo.

Forty years later, that all changed.

==Background==
In [[1981]], animation studio DePatie-Freleng Enterprises was sold to [[Marvel Comics]], becoming Marvel Productions. Both were located on different sides of the country, with Productions in [[California]] and Comics in [[New York]]. Despite this new merger, the two companies didn't get on well at all. In [[1983]], Marvel Productions ignored the work that Comics had created for the unproduced series [[Mysterians]], rejecting the serious action premise for a goofy, Hanna-Barbera-esque one largely centered on kid supporting characters and a wacky dog.<ref>[http://jimshooter.com/2011/06/secret-origin-of-transformers-part-1.html/ "The Secret Origin of the Transformers - Part 1"]</ref>

By 1984, the same thing happened with ''Transformers''. Fueled by the massive success the ''Transformers'' toyline was projected to be (and ultimately was), Hasbro rushed to expand the still in-production miniseries into a full show, naturally turning to Marvel Productions to do so. However, rather than sell it to syndication as with the miniseries, Marvel Production attempted to sell the show to the network [[CBS]]. One of the network requirements were female characters, but we're not sure if they had others or if the writers just decided to reuse other stock tropes they knew networks liked.

Enter Jeffrey Scott. A former Hanna-Barbera employee most known for his work on ''Super Friends'' at the time, Scott was hired by DePatie-Freleng in 1979 for ''Spider-Woman'' and ''Spider-Man'', by Stan Lee and Lee Gunther<ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott(p. 9)</ref>, the latter which would be delayed to 1981 due to the merger. While at Marvel, Scott worked on ''Dungeons and Dragons'', and story edited the fever dream that was ''Pandamonium''. Besides writing scripts, Scott also developed series bibles for animated series: in 1984 alone, he wrote the unproduced ''The Right Stuff'', ''The Secret Wars'', ''Menudo'' and would later devise the smash hit ''Muppet Babies''. Thus, Scott was tasked with creating a development bible for this new ''Transformers'' series.

==First Bible==

[[Image:CarAndCable5.jpg|thumb|150px|No, that's not Bumblebee. He's Toad.]]

On [[February 22]], Scott began work on the series bible, including the basic premise, style of the show, and the characters' personalities. Difficulties arose due to a lack of reference material, seemingly giving him little more than a list of names and altmodes, with Scott specifically requesting 'bio cards'. In fact, he was given so little to work with, [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] isn't even referred to by name. Impressively, he finished the first bible just three days later on [[February 25]]. In this version, the Autobots had finally destroyed the last of the Decepticon rebels after eons of war, bringing peace to their planet. However, they had only destroyed their robot forms, while the Decepticons' "electronic life-entities" had fled into space to try and acquire new bodies. They eventually found their way to Earth and built a base in the [[Bermuda Triangle]], spending the next 50 years hijacking various military crafts to rebuild their forces. The Autobots spent years searching the universe for their enemy, eventually tracking them down to Earth and reigniting their war once again.

The Autobots assume control of various Earth vehicles to blend into the new world, with their leader [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] taking control of a truck owned by the human William 'Duke' Convoy. Unwilling to steal Duke's truck from him, the human is 'drafted' into the war, using his knowledge to help the Autobots. However, Optimus is not the only Autobot to have a human driver: the Autobot Toad (originally meant to be [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] until they decided "NO MINI-CARS") assumed the form of a green VW belonging to a teenage girl named Wendy Fairchild, and now he's stuck with her. The other main Autobots include [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]], [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (the only female Autobot), [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], with [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] as secondary characters rounding out the rest of the cast.

From their underwater headquarters, the Decepticons plot to conquer Earth. The Decepticon leader [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] carries a canister with him which holds the energy forms of an army's worth of Decepticon soldiers. All he needs to do is place one of these energy orbs into his cannon and shoot it at a mechanical object, and it will be transformed into a Decepticon warrior. The other Decepticons are [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (the disloyal second in-command), [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] (used by Soundwave to spy on the Autobots as well as the other Decepticons), [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (a female Decepticon who hates Jazz for destroying her body back on Cybertron), [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercraker]], and [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]. They have also joined forces with Arthur Kroll, a human who aids the invaders so that he may rule over the rest of humanity after the Decepticons have conquered Earth.

The bible includes a list of "story springboards":

{| class="wikitable" style="margin: auto; width: 100%;"
|-
{{Episode list
|Title=Rotten To The Core
|ShortSummary=Megatron takes control of the New York subway system and implants "glowing energy orbs" into the trains, turning them into an army of Deception warriors! Optimus Prime and Duke join forces with a group of teens to help save the day.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=The Titanium Germ
|ShortSummary=When the Autobots try to stop Megatron from converting Alaskan oil rigs into new robot soldiers, Jazz is exposed to a deadly substance that infects and slowly kills him. Now the Autobots have to save their friend and stop Megatron!
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=Anything For A Friend
|ShortSummary= Converting a nuclear submarine into a new warrior, the Decepticons take control of the seas. Optimus is forced to leave his truck body and poses as an old battleship to try and stop the threat. He's nearly destroyed in the ensuing battle, and Duke must form a 'mind-link' with him to try and restore the Autobot leader to life.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=Not On The First Date
|ShortSummary=Wendy is forced to abandon her first date when Megatron plots to bring an army of Japanese electronic devices to life. It's up to her and Toad to stop him!
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=Time For Trouble
|ShortSummary=Kroll reveals the existence of a government time machine to Megatron. With the device transformed into one of their soldiers, the Decepticons can escape into another time—unless the Autobots stop them!
}}
|}

Hasbro and Sunbow would provide feedback on this bible, clarifying that [[Transformer]]s were mechanical beings, not electrical. They also didn't want any pre-existing characters to be female, and suggested that Optimus meet the human hero after being repaired when severely damaged in the desert. As a result, the bible was brought more in line with the preexisting premise. CBS also had input, wanting to tie the pitch into the miniseries as well as give Duke a dog that could sniff out Decepticons. Remember that for later.

==Revised Series Bible==
[[Image:CarandCable2.jpg|thumb|150px|No, that's not Bug Bite. He's Muffler.]]

Scott completed a revised draft of the bible, now 41 pages long, on [[March 3]]. By this point, he had been provided with [[Bob Budiansky]]'s character profiles and a copy of the first act of "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]". As a result, the pre-existing characters were brought more in line with their bios, and the plot was given the same backstory of the Transformers crashing on Earth and being awoken millions of years later by a volcanic eruption. However, by the year 1988, the Decepticons' superior numbers have allowed them to conquer much of the Earth, taking control of its manufacturing facilities and leaving humanity as little more than slaves, with <s>Megatron</s> Negator giving them only a sliver of control over the remains of the economy to keep society running. Dissent is impossible due a secret police of disguised Decepticons, who keep the human population under constant surveillance. However, the Autobots continue to operate from the shadows, attempting to free humanity and stop the Decepticons for good.

Most of the roster of characters would be carried over from the previous draft, with some minor alterations. The main Autobot lineup now included Optimus Prime, Jazz, Firecycle, Mirage, Muffler (a renamed Toad) and Trailbreaker. The Decepticon roster now featured Negator, Soundwave, Buzzsaw, Starscream, Thundercracker, Skywarp and Whirlpool.

==Cast==

===Autobots===

*Optimus Prime- Leader of the only six remaining Autobots.His bio is a rework of Bobs but with a few new twists. Described as "IMENSELY KIND, AND HIS COMPASSION EXTENDS TO ALL LIVING THINGS, INCLUDING THE "TWO-LEGGED FLESH FORMS" OF EARTH." Views humans "AS NO DIFFERENT THAN AUTOBOTS, EXCEPT THAT THEIR PERSONALITIES ARE CLOTHED IN FLESH INSTEAD OF METAL." Still has that weird three modules aspect of the bio with Roller being present, though he doesn't appear in the script. However, here the Combat Deck trailer is "AUTOBOT HQ" which besides transporting Autobots is "A REPAIR CENTER FOR DAMAGED AUTOBOTS" which can perform "ELECTRO-SURGERY."
*Jazzz- Optimus cool, happening right hand man. His bio is a very slight reworking of his profile. Uses the early three z's spelling.
*Firecycle- The only female Autobot, she transforms into a red motorcycle and is a skilled mechanic tasked with repairing her fellow Autobots. She's also a robot expert able to create many things, such as turning a toaster into a fighting robot. She has a 'Laser Heat-Ray' and a 'Zero-K Blaster' that can freeze anything. Firecycle loves Optimus Prime, but the Autobot leader fears returning her feelings after all the Autobots he's lost in centuries of war. The medic's main failing is her reluctance to hurt any living thing. She even tries to avoid driving on grass for fear of hurting the plant life. The Decepticons take advantage of this by often pretending to be injured to lure her into traps. While her role as the 'girl Autobot' and crush on Optimus originates with the previous bible's version of Sideswipe, she is otherwise a very different character. Had the proposed name of Firewheels.
*Mirage- An aristocrat turned reluctant freedom fighter. Like in the final cartoon he can turn himself invisible. Also has a Twin Tractor Beam. Distrusted by some of the other Autobots who think he could be a spy.
*Muffler: An Autobot spy and messenger, named after his noisy exhaust system. He turns into a VW Beetle (described as yellow and pink at different points in his profile). He adopted this form while trying to escape a Decepticon ambush by hiding in a used car-lot. It worked so well he was brought by Wendy Fairchild. The tenderhearted Autobot not wanting her to have wasted her money now serves as her car when he's not on missions. Wendy calls him 'Muffy' a nickname he dislikes. Muffler has refused to use a weapon since he shot himself in the foot with a laser cannon. He has issues with his 'elctro-mechanical control functions' which prevent him from transforming properly. For instance when transforming into robot mode one of his legs might get stuck as a fender forcing him to comically hop around on one leg. His main strength is his klutziness. He might lose a wheel while fleeing a Decepticon, only for his pursuer to trip over it.
*Trailbreaker- An incredibly fuel ineffective Autobot which leads him to view himself as a liability. To counter this he acts as a prankster. Once fused a game cartridge into Muffler's mind. Jerk. Has a "A LASER-GATTLING GUN" which "FIRE 32 PENCIL-THICK BEAMS AT ONCE."

===Decepticons===
*Negator: The Decepticon leader. Yes, he's a renamed Megatron. His name emphasises how he's completely negative with no positive traits (The behind the scenes explanation seems to be that CBS weren't okay with Megatron being a handgun, with their "limitations" stating he become a "laser tank," then a "satellite particle beam cannon" in the script. Presumably Hasbro requested a name change when the character no longer resembled the toy). He has dedicated the Decepticons to subjugating all inferior lifeforms, and he views all other life as inferior to him. He's so evil that the Autobots question if he's really sentient, or some sort of empty husk animated by an ancient computer program.
*Soundwave: Negator's scheming Comm-Officer. He's described as red in the script. The only cassette he has is Buzzsaw, a "STAUNCH ALLY AND CONFIDANT."
*Starscream- The most notable change to his profile is the line "NEGATOR OVERLOOKS THE POTENTIAL PERSONAL THREAT STARSCREAM REPRESENTS FOR TWO REASONS: 1. STARSCREAM IS VERY GOOD AT HIS JOB, 2. NEGATOR IS BETTER." Also move over [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]], here the Decepticon jets are known as "Strato-Warriors").
*Thundercraker-Just a straight copy of his character profile with no changes.
*Skywarp- "THE LEAST INTELLIGENT OF ALL DECEPTICONS", a prankster that no-one else likes. Teleports by way of a "A SPACE-WARP LOCATION TRANSFER." Carries "HEAT-SEEKING "ACID-WARHEADS" that melt into an Autobots Armour. Still features his early "Olive Drab" colour scheme.
*Whirlpool: The only female Decepticon she turns into an AMPHIBIOUS FLYING CRAFT, that is able to fly, jet across ground and water, along with being able to travel underwater allowing her to reach any depth beneath the waves. She poses a twin torpedo launcher which fires a special imploding torpedo which sucks anything in range. Her rotors can also create a powerful whirlpool when underwater. Her seductive charms allow her to trick an Autobot into thinking they're on the same side, before she betrays them. Whirlpool is a former Autobot. Optimus Prime seeks to reform her, while she wants to destroy him to prove that the Decepticons are superior.

[[Image:CarandCable4.jpg|thumb|right|Muffler, the human cast and the network mandated dog sidekick.]]

===Others===
*Matt Conroy- (Sunbow didn't think Duke was a good name. Imagine a cartoon where that was the [[Duke (G.I. Joe)|main character's]] name...) A twenty-nine year old truck driver who found a damaged truck by the side of the road. He repaired it planning to replace his old truck that had been repossessed by the bank. But once the repairs were done it transformed into Optimus Prime. Since then Matt has been swept up in the Transformers war 'bitching and moaning' about the Mechanical Men from Mars who've taken over his life, but like Han Solo he'll always come through for his Autobot friends in the end. When driving Optimus the Autobot talks to him over the truck's CB radio. When Optimus transforms Matt's cab becomes part of Optimus chest and all the human can do during fights is yell "I'LL CREAM YA IF YA DENT MY TRUCK, YOU TIN PIRATE". Optimus overlooks Matt's behavior because his knowledge of Earth is useful to the Autobots. That and he likes him. Matt's mechanical skills also mean that he can jury-rigg repairs to help patch the Autobots up.
*Burt- Matt's pet German Shepard with the unique ability to detect Decepticons via their smell. An otherwise friendly creature he goes wild when he senses a Decepticon. This is useful for revealing Decepticons in disguise (he's fine with Autobots which has led Matt to wonder if the differences between Autobots and Decepticons goes beyond political persuasions).
*Wendy Fairchild- Once she was a normal teenager, like Dominique Dunnne in "Poltergeist" who lived in the suburbs like in "Poltergeist" with her parents and had a little brother like in "Poltergeist" (That is the comparison CBS used. They also suggested changing Wendy to be Russian like Nadia Comeniech who, umm, wasn't Russian. This didn't happen.) Now she helps the Autobots with their fight against the Decepticons, while trying to balance her teenage life, having to come up with excuses as to why she has to suddenly ditch her date at the drive-in theater, or explain to her father why her car has laser-shots in the windscreen. As her parents work in one of the Decepticons fabrication plants she worries what would happen to them if her connection to the Autobots was revealed.
*Eddie Fairchild-Wendy's younger brother, his youthful curiosity led him to uncover the secret of his sister's car. Since then lack of fear has resulted in him getting involved in the Autobots fight with the Decepticons, such as the time he hid in Muffler's backseat. He looks up to the small Autobot, pestering him with questions like what happens if you fall into a black hole or if aliens built the pyramids. He wasn't in the first bible, but appeared in Scott's notes.
*Arthur Kroll-An amoral human who allied himself with the Decepticons as a way of obtaining power and wealth. While he provides them with information about the human resistance there is little trust between Kroll and the Decepticons, as ultimately the human only cares about himself. His greed and thoughtlessness often result in him becoming a hindrance to both the Autobots and Decepticons. He does not appear in the pilot script.
[[Image:CarandCable3.jpg|thumb|right|Muffler and Wendy]]

==Episodes==
The series bible reuses the episodes from the previous bible, alongside 9 new ones.

{| class="wikitable" style="margin: auto; width: 100%;"
|-
{{Episode list
|Title=The Erasing of Optimus Prime
|ShortSummary=Negator captures Optimus and takes his memory tapes, giving him the information he needs to destroy the Autobots. Matt must risk his life to steal back the tapes and rescue his friend.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=The Plutonium Plot
|ShortSummary=Negator plans to cut the Autobots off from their fuel supply knowing that it will only be a matter of time until they run out of energy. The Autobots must sneak into a nuclear power reactor to recharge themselves before it's too late!
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=A Coal Day In December
|ShortSummary=Developing a 'Diamond-steeling alloy' Negator takes control of the Pennsylvanian coal fields for a new source of diamonds. The Autobots must take back control of the mines before the coldest winter in years spells the end for the people of the Eastern US.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=Nobody Home
|ShortSummary=Wendy's parents are taken by the Decepticons to work in a factory forced to help create a new, deadlier kind of 'mind controlling' robot. Wendy and Eddie embark on a dangerous mission to save their parents with the Autobots help.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=Operation Alpha Centuri
|ShortSummary=Negator war fleet is complete and he is ready to begin his conquest of the universe! With the help of the human resistance the Autobots build their own ship. In a 'Star Warsian' battle the Autobots manage to destroy the Decepticons fleet.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=The Robot With A Thousand Eyes
|ShortSummary=A Decepticon spy learns of the Autobots plan to hijack a shipment of Decepticon parts. Now they need to stop the spy from reaching Negator.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=A Robots Best Friend Is His Dog
|ShortSummary=Annoyed that Burt the German Shepherd has foiled another scheme, Negator sends a squad of Decepticons to capture the robot detecting dog. The Autobots and Matt plan a raid on Decepticon headquarters to rescue their four legged friend. This episode was chosen as the pilot script to represent the series.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=A New Muffler
|ShortSummary=During battle Muffler is captured and rescued by his friends. But after Autobot plans begin to fail it seems that they have a spy in their midst. And suddenly Muffler isn't such a klutz....What's going on?
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=A Deadly Decision
|ShortSummary=A battle leaves several Autobots wounded. Firecycle tries to repair them, but a lack of supplies means that she can't save everyone. One of the Autobots will die unless she can get the supplies to save them.
}}
|}

===A Robot's Best Friend Is His Dog===
Wendy and Eddie Fairchild are getting ready for school, when a "DECEPTICON ROBOT GUARD" passes by their house reminding them of the alien occupation of Earth.
Meanwhile, at a Decepticon run steel mill that's producing new troops, Jazzz and Trailbreaker arrive in vehicle mode sneaking in with inflatable dummies posed as their drivers. They're caught by the guards and have to transform into robot mode, forced to fight their way through the mill. Ultimately they take control of the plant, free the imprisoned workers and set up defences against further Decepticon attacks. A silent Buzzsaw watches this before heading back to Decepticon headquarters. In the Colorado Rockies, Negator plots, when he's interrupted by the spy's arrival. Despite Starscream mockery, Negator announces his plan to destroy all the Autobots.

Elsewhere, the Fairchild's parents are forced to leave for work in a Decepticon factory, as the children leave for school in their friend, the undercover Autobot Muffler. Stopped at a Decepticon roadblock, the Autobot is found out by the guards and the trio are forced to flee as they give chase.
At a roadside diner, trucker Matt's vehicle begins to drive away on its own to everyone else's confusion as he hurries to catch it. On the highway, Matt and the truck, Optimus Prime, follow Muffler's distress signal. Catching up with their friends, Optimus transforms into robot mode and destroys the pursuers. Mirage and Firecycle exit from Prime's trailer, then the Autobots receive a message from Jazzz at the mill. Arriving, they are silently stalked by hidden Decepticons. Entering the building Matt's dog, Burt suddenly starts barking at a forklift, revealing that it's a hidden Decepticon. With the ambush ruined, the Decepticon start their attack. Outnumbered by the enemy forces, Optimus gives them enough time to retreat by blasting open a water tower, the wave washing the Decepticons away. The Autobots manage to escape, but the workers are left behind to be re-enslaved.

Elsewhere, Negator realises that Burt was responsible for ruining his plan and orders the dog to be eliminated. In the woods, the Autobots repair themselves as Wendy and Eddie head to school with Burt, unaware that Soundwave is tracking them. Arriving at the school they make it to class, where a Decepticon sentry watches over them. Upset by the robot Burt starts barking. Hearing the dog from across the city, Soundwave lands at the school, reaches through a window, grabbing Burt and flies off. Back at the base, Firecycle is able to save a critically wounded Jazzz. The children arrive and tell them what happened. Things seem hopeless until Trailbreaker comes up with a plan...

The Autobots rush into the mill, taking care of the guards and freeing the workers. To their confusion Optimus orders them to continue making Decepticon parts. In the Decepticon headquarters, Negator prepares for surgery to find out how Burt is able to detect Decepticons. Suddenly, scanners announce a new shipment of parts from the mill. As the Decepticons start unloading the cargo jet, Matt jumps out of a crate, blasting laser fire. The Autobots are revealed to have used the new parts to disguise themselves as newly constructed Decepticons. Optimus provides covering fire so Matt can make it deeper inside the base as the battle continues.

Matt finds the "electro-surgery room", blowing up the surgeon and rescuing his dog. They return to the hanger, but Starscream keeps them pinned down with his lasers, preventing them from reuniting with their friends. However, Eddie rushes in, grabs a gun from a dead Deception and uses it to down the plane. Hearing Burt's barks, the Autobots prepare to leave by the jet. As it takes off, Negator transforms into "satellite particle beam cannon mode" preparing to shoot them down. However, Optimus, still outside in truck form, fires his laser rifle at him knocking him off target so he instead blows a hole in the hanger ceiling, trapping the Decepticons in rubble, giving them time to escape.
Back at the mill, the workers begin the production of new Autobots, while a grateful Burt licks Optimus as everyone laughs.

==Notes==
This script has various details that wouldn't fit in the summary.
*Scott suggests that when we see a POV from a Transformer it would show a "Hi-tech binocular matte" which features "grid lines and changing LED numbers."
*The Decepticons have regular news broadcasts glorifying their conquest of the planet. Turning them off is illegal.
*All the non-named Decepticons are generics that aren't really described in any way. Just being large.
*During the opening fight at the mill:
**When the guard searches Jazzz's fake driver, he catches it's hand by rolling up his window and then changing into robot mode.
**Trailbreaker knocks a guard into a vat of molten steel.
**Jazzz runs through two guards, smashing them into pieces.
*The Decepticons headquarters is a massive cave carved into the Colorado mountains with a large hangar.
*The Fairchild's parents are transported to work by "a large truck" with a Decepticon standing guard in the back.
*Muffler is able to control his seatbelts and uses it to gag Eddie's mouth at the checkpoint.
*Some details from the chase sequence:
**The roadblock guards chase after them after transforming into "side hacker motor cycles."
**During the chase Muffler nearly runs down another Decepticon, which then chases after them as an army truck.
**Optimus is able to blast one of the pursuers of the road, then burst another's tire which swerves into the army truck, smashing it into pieces before it falls into a ravine.
*At the mill the Decepticons disguise themselves by camouflage rope netting.
*The Decepticons hide at the ambush site in cranes, trucks and forklifts altmodes.
*At the school we met Mr Davenport, the class teacher. He asks his student Johnny for his report of the American independence, only for the classroom's Decepticon guard to stop him as "the subject of freedom is forbidden."
*Soundwave is described as red by Eddie. This isn't an early colour scheme. Soundwave's profile didn't mention his colour scheme and all the reference material Scott had was in black and white. When he had someone describe his appearance he just had to guess.

==Development==
Even with the script, bibles and notes there's a limit to what we can infer about the development of this pitch. A lot of what we could say would just be guesswork.... But, it just so happens that Scott wrote a book about "How To Write For Animation" which includes his advice for successfully pitching a show explaining some of his creative choices.
*As Scott says in his book "your initial audience is not the viewer of the cartoon but the story editor or producer who is going to buy it." He suggests "find out what the buyer wants".<ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott(p. 37)</ref> Likely, this story was inspired by the network's request for a robot detecting dog.
*The pilot's odd backstory is another example of meeting the network's requirements, what with the whole conquest of Earth happening offscreen. In the section "HOW TO WRITE A PILOT", Scott brings up the crucial detail that "99 OUT OF A 100 TIMES THE NETWORK DOESN'T WANT AN "ORIGIN " PILOT." <ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott (p.172)</ref> The reasoning being that an origin story is usually unrepresentative of the show as a whole, while a random adventure can better demonstrate what the show is going to be like on a week to week basis.
*Another piece of advice is that if "you're trying to sell a show to a network exec, you want to reveal as much of the show as you can in the pilot."<ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott (p.172)</ref>
*If this pitch had been approved its ideas would have almost certainly been reworked further. In many shows Scott would continue expanding and changing details after production commenced, finding out what worked and what didn't. <ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott(p. 173)</ref> The last page of the script shows this happening here, with him suggesting a rework to the story so that the Fairchild's parents aren't featured and instead the children's quest to find them is a potential series plot point.

==Legacy==

Ultimately, CBS did not produce a Transformers cartoon in 1984. We can only guess why. While the pitch was passed over it wasn't quite the end. On the 30th of April, Sunbow staff briefly considered including some aspects into the final show, such as a big brother figure (they didn't) and maybe reusing some the episode premises (they didn't) .<ref>[https://tfarchive.com/cartoons/bible The Transformers production bible, including internal correspondence from Bryce Malek and Dick Robbins, that refers to Eddie and Matt by name]</ref> Later, the January 1985 issue of Comic Features would showcased various unproduced cartoons including artwork created for this pitch under the new title of Car and Cable.<ref>[http://starlogged.blogspot.com/2012/01/marvel-productions-in-198485.html Scans of ''Comics Feature'' at the "Starlogged" blog]</ref> For years this was assumed to be Marvel creating a knockoff of their own success with Transformers. We still don't know why this happened. Were Marvel seriously considering reworking this show without the Transformers elements? Did they publish concept art under a fake name to make it look like they had more shows in development? It's unclear.

And that was the end of this pitch.

Until [[2020]], when Instagram user consumercollectiables uncovered additional concept art which featured a silhouetted Prowl menacing Muffy and his friend in a "garage scene", with the handwritten note "Trans 3 V" and cast list using the names mentioned in the memo, explicitly tying it to Transformers.<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/consumercollectibles/ consumercollectables on Instagram]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20200803141945/https://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/167466-remember-that-concept-art-for-muffy-the-unmade-marvel-cartoon/ AllSpark.com forum post collecting ''Car and Cable'' art (archived)]</ref> This just raised more questions.....
Which were answered in [[2024]], when Jeffery Scott sold off all of the development material for this pitch.

At TFNation 2025, [[Jim Sorenson]] (who purchased Scott's material) and [[Chris McFeely]] hosted a reading of the pilot script which featured actors from various Transformers shows including [[Gregg Berger]] and [[Paul Eiding]] from the original cartoon.<ref> [https://www.patreon.com/posts/tfnation-2025-is-137075459 TFNation 2025 Audio Recording of 'A Robot's Best Friend is his Dog' Script Reading]</ref> The same day the production material was released online.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qYFePnAgHL9vlhAEF5IY3db59P0WaLwx/view?usp=drive_link First Series Bible]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1r0M_CIdlaEZs5SWmMQhSuO_M2ogZgQxH/view?usp=drive_link Revised Series Bible]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1j-XyM7R3RXwlqScR1l_gstsu7xCI7Ayj/view A collection of Jeffery Scott's network notes]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FkSIH3jScZJvThuUPxCm167I1ur0hp1M/view Story outline for A Robot's Best Friend Is His Dog]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BGi0WlVKs2I617mvIYr41wITfQIF37K6/view Script for A Robot's Best Friend Is His Dog]

User:WillR113/Sandbox

2025-08-31T05:52:40Z

WillR113: /* Decepticons */

[[File:CarandCable1.jpg|right|thumb|upright=2.5]]

Everyone knows ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]'', it was one of the most popular cartoons of the '80s! You don't need us to explain the adventures of the [[Autobot]] spy Muffler and his human friends getting into wacky antics trying to survive and wage guerrilla war on a [[Decepticon]] controlled [[Earth]].

Just kidding, that's obviously not the cartoon we got.

In early [[1984]], though, it was possible that wouldn't be the case. A radically different version of the show was pitched by [[Marvel Productions]], its series bible written before "[[More than Meets the Eye (mini-series)|More Than Meets The Eye]]" even had a final script. For decades, there was no information about this pitch, barring mentions in writer [[Jeffrey Scott]]'s resume <ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott(p. 203)</ref> and a brief discussion in a production memo.

Forty years later, that all changed.

==Background==
In [[1981]], animation studio DePatie-Freleng Enterprises was sold to [[Marvel Comics]], becoming Marvel Productions. Both were located on different sides of the country, with Productions in [[California]] and Comics in [[New York]]. Despite this new merger, the two companies didn't get on well at all. In [[1983]], Marvel Productions ignored the work that Comics had created for the unproduced series [[Mysterians]], rejecting the serious action premise for a goofy, Hanna-Barbera-esque one largely centered on kid supporting characters and a wacky dog.<ref>[http://jimshooter.com/2011/06/secret-origin-of-transformers-part-1.html/ "The Secret Origin of the Transformers - Part 1"]</ref>

By 1984, the same thing happened with ''Transformers''. Fueled by the massive success the ''Transformers'' toyline was projected to be (and ultimately was), Hasbro rushed to expand the still in-production miniseries into a full show, naturally turning to Marvel Productions to do so. However, rather than sell it to syndication as with the miniseries, Marvel Production attempted to sell the show to the network [[CBS]]. One of the network requirements were female characters, but we're not sure if they had others or if the writers just decided to reuse other stock tropes they knew networks liked.

Enter Jeffrey Scott. A former Hanna-Barbera employee most known for his work on ''Super Friends'' at the time, Scott was hired by DePatie-Freleng in 1979 for ''Spider-Woman'' and ''Spider-Man'', by Stan Lee and Lee Gunther<ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott(p. 9)</ref>, the latter which would be delayed to 1981 due to the merger. While at Marvel, Scott worked on ''Dungeons and Dragons'', and story edited the fever dream that was ''Pandamonium''. Besides writing scripts, Scott also developed series bibles for animated series: in 1984 alone, he wrote the unproduced ''The Right Stuff'', ''The Secret Wars'', ''Menudo'' and would later devise the smash hit ''Muppet Babies''. Thus, Scott was tasked with creating a development bible for this new ''Transformers'' series.

==First Bible==

[[Image:CarAndCable5.jpg|thumb|150px|No, that's not Bumblebee. He's Toad.]]

On [[February 22]], Scott began work on the series bible, including the basic premise, style of the show, and the characters' personalities. Difficulties arose due to a lack of reference material, seemingly giving him little more than a list of names and altmodes, with Scott specifically requesting 'bio cards'. In fact, he was given so little to work with, [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] isn't even referred to by name. Impressively, he finished the first bible just three days later on [[February 25]]. In this version, the Autobots had finally destroyed the last of the Decepticon rebels after eons of war, bringing peace to their planet. However, they had only destroyed their robot forms, while the Decepticons' "electronic life-entities" had fled into space to try and acquire new bodies. They eventually found their way to Earth and built a base in the [[Bermuda Triangle]], spending the next 50 years hijacking various military crafts to rebuild their forces. The Autobots spent years searching the universe for their enemy, eventually tracking them down to Earth and reigniting their war once again.

The Autobots assume control of various Earth vehicles to blend into the new world, with their leader [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] taking control of a truck owned by the human William 'Duke' Convoy. Unwilling to steal Duke's truck from him, the human is 'drafted' into the war, using his knowledge to help the Autobots. However, Optimus is not the only Autobot to have a human driver: the Autobot Toad (originally meant to be [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] until they decided "NO MINI-CARS") assumed the form of a green VW belonging to a teenage girl named Wendy Fairchild, and now he's stuck with her. The other main Autobots include [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]], [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (the only female Autobot), [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], with [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] as secondary characters rounding out the rest of the cast.

From their underwater headquarters, the Decepticons plot to conquer Earth. The Decepticon leader [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] carries a canister with him which holds the energy forms of an army's worth of Decepticon soldiers. All he needs to do is place one of these energy orbs into his cannon and shoot it at a mechanical object, and it will be transformed into a Decepticon warrior. The other Decepticons are [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (the disloyal second in-command), [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] (used by Soundwave to spy on the Autobots as well as the other Decepticons), [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (a female Decepticon who hates Jazz for destroying her body back on Cybertron), [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercraker]], and [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]. They have also joined forces with Arthur Kroll, a human who aids the invaders so that he may rule over the rest of humanity after the Decepticons have conquered Earth.

The bible includes a list of "story springboards":

{| class="wikitable" style="margin: auto; width: 100%;"
|-
{{Episode list
|Title=Rotten To The Core
|ShortSummary=Megatron takes control of the New York subway system and implants "glowing energy orbs" into the trains, turning them into an army of Deception warriors! Optimus Prime and Duke join forces with a group of teens to help save the day.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=The Titanium Germ
|ShortSummary=When the Autobots try to stop Megatron from converting Alaskan oil rigs into new robot soldiers, Jazz is exposed to a deadly substance that infects and slowly kills him. Now the Autobots have to save their friend and stop Megatron!
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=Anything For A Friend
|ShortSummary= Converting a nuclear submarine into a new warrior, the Decepticons take control of the seas. Optimus is forced to leave his truck body and poses as an old battleship to try and stop the threat. He's nearly destroyed in the ensuing battle, and Duke must form a 'mind-link' with him to try and restore the Autobot leader to life.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=Not On The First Date
|ShortSummary=Wendy is forced to abandon her first date when Megatron plots to bring an army of Japanese electronic devices to life. It's up to her and Toad to stop him!
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=Time For Trouble
|ShortSummary=Kroll reveals the existence of a government time machine to Megatron. With the device transformed into one of their soldiers, the Decepticons can escape into another time—unless the Autobots stop them!
}}
|}

Hasbro and Sunbow would provide feedback on this bible, clarifying that [[Transformer]]s were mechanical beings, not electrical. They also didn't want any pre-existing characters to be female, and suggested that Optimus meet the human hero after being repaired when severely damaged in the desert. As a result, the bible was brought more in line with the preexisting premise. CBS also had input, wanting to tie the pitch into the miniseries as well as give Duke a dog that could sniff out Decepticons. Remember that for later.

==Revised Series Bible==
[[Image:CarandCable2.jpg|thumb|150px|No, that's not Bug Bite. He's Muffler.]]

Scott completed a revised draft of the bible, now 41 pages long, on [[March 3]]. By this point, he had been provided with [[Bob Budiansky]]'s character profiles and a copy of the first act of "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]". As a result, the pre-existing characters were brought more in line with their bios, and the plot was given the same backstory of the Transformers crashing on Earth and being awoken millions of years later by a volcanic eruption. However, by the year 1988, the Decepticons' superior numbers have allowed them to conquer much of the Earth, taking control of its manufacturing facilities and leaving humanity as little more than slaves, with <s>Megatron</s> Negator giving them only a sliver of control over the remains of the economy to keep society running. Dissent is impossible due a secret police of disguised Decepticons, who keep the human population under constant surveillance. However, the Autobots continue to operate from the shadows, attempting to free humanity and stop the Decepticons for good.

Most of the roster of characters would be carried over from the previous draft, with some minor alterations. The main Autobot lineup now included Optimus Prime, Jazz, Firecycle, Mirage, Muffler (a renamed Toad) and Trailbreaker. The Decepticon roster now featured Negator, Soundwave, Buzzsaw, Starscream, Thundercracker, Skywarp and Whirlpool.

==Cast==

===Autobots===

*Optimus Prime- Leader of the only six remaining Autobots.His bio is a rework of Bobs but with a few new twists. Described as "IMENSELY KIND, AND HIS COMPASSION EXTENDS TO ALL LIVING THINGS, INCLUDING THE "TWO-LEGGED FLESH FORMS" OF EARTH." Views humans "AS NO DIFFERENT THAN AUTOBOTS, EXCEPT THAT THEIR PERSONALITIES ARE CLOTHED IN FLESH INSTEAD OF METAL." Still has that weird three modules aspect of the bio with Roller being present, though he doesn't appear in the script. However, here the Combat Deck trailer is "AUTOBOT HQ" which besides transporting Autobots is "A REPAIR CENTER FOR DAMAGED AUTOBOTS" which can perform "ELECTRO-SURGERY."
*Jazzz- Optimus cool, happening right hand man. His bio is a very slight reworking of his profile. Uses the early three z's spelling.
*Firecycle- The only female Autobot, she transforms into a red motorcycle and is a skilled mechanic tasked with repairing her fellow Autobots. She's also a robot expert able to create many things, such as turning a toaster into a fighting robot. She has a 'Laser Heat-Ray' and a 'Zero-K Blaster' that can freeze anything. Firecycle loves Optimus Prime, but the Autobot leader fears returning her feelings after all the Autobots he's lost in centuries of war. The medic's main failing is her reluctance to hurt any living thing. She even tries to avoid driving on grass for fear of hurting the plant life. The Decepticons take advantage of this by often pretending to be injured to lure her into traps. While her role as the 'girl Autobot' and crush on Optimus originates with the previous bible's version of Sideswipe, she is otherwise a very different character. Had the proposed name of Firewheels.
*Mirage- An aristocrat turned reluctant freedom fighter. Like in the final cartoon he can turn himself invisible. Also has a Twin Tractor Beam. Distrusted by some of the other Autobots who think he could be a spy.
*Muffler: An Autobot spy and messenger, named after his noisy exhaust system. He turns into a VW Beetle (described as yellow and pink at different points in his profile). He adopted this form while trying to escape a Decepticon ambush by hiding in a used car-lot. It worked so well he was brought by Wendy Fairchild. The tenderhearted Autobot not wanting her to have wasted her money now serves as her car when he's not on missions. Wendy calls him 'Muffy' a nickname he dislikes. Muffler has refused to use a weapon since he shot himself in the foot with a laser cannon. He has issues with his 'elctro-mechanical control functions' which prevent him from transforming properly. For instance when transforming into robot mode one of his legs might get stuck as a fender forcing him to comically hop around on one leg. His main strength is his klutziness. He might lose a wheel while fleeing a Decepticon, only for his pursuer to trip over it.
*Trailbreaker- An incredibly fuel ineffective Autobot which leads him to view himself as a liability. To counter this he acts as a prankster. Once fused a game cartridge into Muffler's mind. Jerk. Has a "A LASER-GATTLING GUN" which "FIRE 32 PENCIL-THICK BEAMS AT ONCE."

===Decepticons===
*Negator: The Decepticon leader. Yes, he's a renamed Megatron. His name emphasises how he's completely negative with no positive traits (The behind the scenes explanation seems to be that CBS weren't okay with Megatron being a handgun, with their "limitations" stating he become a "laser tank," then a "satellite particle beam cannon" in the script. Presumably Hasbro requested a name change when the character no longer resembled the toy). He has dedicated the Decepticons to subjugating all inferior lifeforms, and he views all other life as inferior to him. He's so evil that the Autobots question if he's really sentient, or some sort of empty husk animated by an ancient computer program.
*Soundwave: Negator's scheming Comm-Officer. He's described as red in the script. The only cassette he has is Buzzsaw, a "STAUNCH ALLY AND CONFIDANT."
*Starscream- The most notable change to his profile is the line "NEGATOR OVERLOOKS THE POTENTIAL PERSONAL THREAT STARSCREAM REPRESENTS FOR TWO REASONS: 1. STARSCREAM IS VERY GOOD AT HIS JOB, 2. NEGATOR IS BETTER." Also move over [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]], here the Decepticon jets are known as "Strato-Warriors").
*Thundercraker-Just a straight copy of his character profile with no changes.
*Skywarp- "THE LEAST INTELLIGENT OF ALL DECEPTICONS", a prankster that no-one else likes. Teleports by way of a "A SPACE-WARP LOCATION TRANSFER." Carries "HEAT-SEEKING "ACID-WARHEADS" that melt into an Autobots Armour. Still features his early "Olive Drab" colour scheme.
*Whirlpool: The only female Decepticon she turns into an AMPHIBIOUS FLYING CRAFT, that is able to fly, jet across ground and water, along with being able to travel underwater allowing her to reach any depth beneath the waves. She poses a twin torpedo launcher which fires a special imploding torpedo which sucks anything in range. Her rotors can also create a powerful whirlpool when underwater. Her seductive charms allow her to trick an Autobot into thinking they're on the same side, before she betrays them. Whirlpool is a former Autobot. Optimus Prime seeks to reform her, while she wants to destroy him to prove that the Decepticons are superior.

[[Image:CarandCable4.jpg|thumb|right|Muffler, the human cast and the network mandated dog sidekick.]]

===Others===
*Matt Conroy- (Sunbow didn't think Duke was a good name. Imagine a cartoon where that was the [[Duke (G.I. Joe)|main character's]] name...) A twenty-nine year old truck driver who found a damaged truck by the side of the road. He repaired it planning to replace his old truck that had been repossessed by the bank. But once the repairs were done it transformed into Optimus Prime. Since then Matt has been swept up in the Transformers war 'bitching and moaning' about the Mechanical Men from Mars who've taken over his life, but like Han Solo he'll always come through for his Autobot friends in the end. When driving Optimus the Autobot talks to him over the truck's CB radio. When Optimus transforms Matt's cab becomes part of Optimus chest and all the human can do during fights is yell "I'LL CREAM YA IF YA DENT MY TRUCK, YOU TIN PIRATE". Optimus overlooks Matt's behavior because his knowledge of Earth is useful to the Autobots. That and he likes him. Matt's mechanical skills also mean that he can jury-rigg repairs to help patch the Autobots up.
*Burt- Matt's pet German Shepard with the unique ability to detect Decepticons via their smell. An otherwise friendly creature he goes wild when he senses a Decepticon. This is useful for revealing Decepticons in disguise (he's fine with Autobots which has led Matt to wonder if the differences between Autobots and Decepticons goes beyond political persuasions).
*Wendy Fairchild- Once she was a normal teenager, like Dominique Dunnne in "Poltergeist" who lived in the suburbs like in "Poltergeist" with her parents and had a little brother like in "Poltergeist" (That is the comparison CBS used. They also suggested changing Wendy to be Russian like Nadia Comeniech who, umm, wasn't Russian. This didn't happen.) Now she helps the Autobots with their fight against the Decepticons, while trying to balance her teenage life, having to come up with excuses as to why she has to suddenly ditch her date at the drive-in theater, or explain to her father why her car has laser-shots in the windscreen. As her parents work in one of the Decepticons fabrication plants she worries what would happen to them if her connection to the Autobots was revealed.
*Eddie Fairchild-Wendy's younger brother, his youthful curiosity led him to uncover the secret of his sister's car. Since then lack of fear has resulted in him getting involved in the Autobots fight with the Decepticons, such as the time he hid in Muffler's backseat. He looks up to the small Autobot, pestering him with questions like what happens if you fall into a black hole or if aliens built the pyramids. He wasn't in the first bible, but appeared in Scott's notes.
*Arthur Kroll-An amoral human who allied himself with the Decepticons as a way of obtaining power and wealth. While he provides them with information about the human resistance there is little trust between Kroll and the Decepticons, as ultimately the human only cares about himself. His greed and thoughtlessness often result in him becoming a hindrance to both the Autobots and Decepticons. He does not appear in the pilot script.
[[Image:CarandCable3.jpg|thumb|right|Muffler and Wendy]]

==Episodes==
The series bible reuses the episodes from the previous bible, alongside 9 new ones.

{| class="wikitable" style="margin: auto; width: 100%;"
|-
{{Episode list
|Title=The Erasing of Optimus Prime
|ShortSummary=Negator captures Optimus and takes his memory tapes, giving him the information he needs to destroy the Autobots. Matt must risk his life to steal back the tapes and rescue his friend.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=The Plutonium Plot
|ShortSummary=Negator plans to cut the Autobots off from their fuel supply knowing that it will only be a matter of time until they run out of energy. The Autobots must sneak into a nuclear power reactor to recharge themselves before it's too late!
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=A Coal Day In December
|ShortSummary=Developing a 'Diamond-steeling alloy' Negator takes control of the Pennsylvanian coal fields for a new source of diamonds. The Autobots must take back control of the mines before the coldest winter in years spells the end for the people of the Eastern US.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=Nobody Home
|ShortSummary=Wendy's parents are taken by the Decepticons to work in a factory forced to help create a new, deadlier kind of 'mind controlling' robot. Wendy and Eddie embark on a dangerous mission to save their parents with the Autobots help.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=Operation Alpha Centuri
|ShortSummary=Negator war fleet is complete and he is ready to begin his conquest of the universe! With the help of the human resistance the Autobots build their own ship. In a 'Star Warsian' battle the Autobots manage to destroy the Decepticons fleet.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=The Robot With A Thousand Eyes
|ShortSummary=A Decepticon spy learns of the Autobots plan to hijack a shipment of Decepticon parts. Now they need to stop the spy from reaching Negator.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=A Robots Best Friend Is His Dog
|ShortSummary=Annoyed that Burt the German Shepherd has foiled another scheme, Negator sends a squad of Decepticons to capture the robot detecting dog. The Autobots and Matt plan a raid on Decepticon headquarters to rescue their four legged friend. This episode was chosen as the pilot script to represent the series.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=A New Muffler
|ShortSummary=During battle Muffler is captured and rescued by his friends. But after Autobot plans begin to fail it seems that they have a spy in their midst. And suddenly Muffler isn't such a klutz....What's going on?
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=A Deadly Decision
|ShortSummary=A battle leaves several Autobots wounded. Firecycle tries to repair them, but a lack of supplies means that she can't save everyone. One of the Autobots will die unless she can get the supplies to save them.
}}
|}

===A Robot's Best Friend Is His Dog===
Wendy and Eddie Fairchild are getting ready for school, when a "DECEPTICON ROBOT GUARD" passes by their house reminding them of the alien occupation of Earth.
Meanwhile, at a Decepticon run steel mill that's producing new troops, Jazzz and Trailbreaker arrive in vehicle mode sneaking in with inflatable dummies posed as their drivers. They're caught by the guards and have to transform into robot mode, forced to fight their way through the mill. Ultimately they take control of the plant, free the imprisoned workers and set up defences against further Decepticon attacks. A silent Buzzsaw watches this before heading back to Decepticon headquarters. In the Colorado Rockies, Negator plots, when he's interrupted by the spy's arrival. Despite Starscream mockery, Negator announces his plan to destroy all the Autobots.

Elsewhere, the Fairchild's parents are forced to leave for work in a Decepticon factory, as the children leave for school in their friend, the undercover Autobot Muffler. Stopped at a Decepticon roadblock, the Autobot is found out by the guards and the trio are forced to flee as they give chase.
At a roadside diner, trucker Matt's vehicle begins to drive away on its own to everyone else's confusion as he hurries to catch it. On the highway, Matt and the truck, Optimus Prime, follow Muffler's distress signal. Catching up with their friends, Optimus transforms into robot mode and destroys the pursuers. Mirage and Firecycle exit from Prime's trailer, then the Autobots receive a message from Jazzz at the mill. Arriving, they are silently stalked by hidden Decepticons. Entering the building Matt's dog, Burt suddenly starts barking at a forklift, revealing that it's a hidden Decepticon. With the ambush ruined, the Decepticon start their attack. Outnumbered by the enemy forces, Optimus gives them enough time to retreat by blasting open a water tower, the wave washing the Decepticons away. The Autobots manage to escape, but the workers are left behind to be re-enslaved.

Elsewhere, Negator realises that Burt was responsible for ruining his plan and orders the dog to be eliminated. In the woods, the Autobots repair themselves as Wendy and Eddie head to school with Burt, unaware that Soundwave is tracking them. Arriving at the school they make it to class, where a Decepticon sentry watches over them. Upset by the robot Burt starts barking. Hearing the dog from across the city, Soundwave lands at the school, reaches through a window, grabbing Burt and flies off. Back at the base, Firecycle is able to save a critically wounded Jazzz. The children arrive and tell them what happened. Things seem hopeless until Trailbreaker comes up with a plan...

The Autobots rush into the mill, taking care of the guards and freeing the workers. To their confusion Optimus orders them to continue making Decepticon parts. In the Decepticon headquarters, Negator prepares for surgery to find out how Burt is able to detect Decepticons. Suddenly, scanners announce a new shipment of parts from the mill. As the Decepticons start unloading the cargo jet, Matt jumps out of a crate, blasting laser fire. The Autobots are revealed to have used the new parts to disguise themselves as newly constructed Decepticons. Optimus provides covering fire so Matt can make it deeper inside the base as the battle continues.

Matt finds the "electro-surgery room", blowing up the surgeon and rescuing his dog. They return to the hanger, but Starscream keeps them pinned down with his lasers, preventing them from reuniting with their friends. However, Eddie rushes in, grabs a gun from a dead Deception and uses it to down the plane. Hearing Burt's barks, the Autobots prepare to leave by the jet. As it takes off, Negator transforms into "satellite particle beam cannon mode" preparing to shoot them down. However, Optimus, still outside in truck form, fires his laser rifle at him knocking him off target so he instead blows a hole in the hanger ceiling, trapping the Decepticons in rubble, giving them time to escape.
Back at the mill, the workers begin the production of new Autobots, while a grateful Burt licks Optimus as everyone laughs.

==Notes==
This script has various details that wouldn't fit in the summary.
*Scott suggests that when we see a POV from a Transformer it would show a "Hi-tech binocular matte" which features "grid lines and changing LED numbers."
*The Decepticons have regular news broadcasts glorifying their conquest of the planet. Turning them off is illegal.
*All the non-named Decepticons are generics that aren't really described in any way. Just being large.
*During the opening fight at the mill:
**When the guard searches Jazzz's fake driver, he catches it's hand by rolling up his window and then changing into robot mode.
**Trailbreaker knocks a guard into a vat of molten steel.
**Jazzz runs through two guards, smashing them into pieces.
*The Decepticons headquarters is a massive cave carved into the Colorado mountains with a large hangar.
*The Fairchild's parents are transported to work by "a large truck" with a Decepticon standing guard in the back.
*Muffler is able to control his seatbelts and uses it to gag Eddie's mouth at the checkpoint.
*Some details from the chase sequence
**The roadblock guards chase after them after transforming into "side hacker motor cycles."
**During the chase Muffler nearly runs down another Decepticon, which then chases after them as an army truck.
**Optimus is able to blast one of the pursuers of the road, then burst another's tire which swerves into the army truck, smashing it into pieces before it falls into a ravine.
*At the mill the Decepticons disguise themselves by camouflage rope netting.
*The Decepticons hide at the ambush site in cranes, trucks and forklifts altmodes.
*At the school we met Mr Davenport, the class teacher. He asks student Johnny for his report of the American independence, only for the classroom's Decepticon guard to stop him as "the subject of freedom is forbidden."
*Soundwave is described as red by Eddie. This isn't an early colour scheme. Soundwave's profile didn't mention his colour scheme and all the reference material Scott had was in black and white. When he had someone describe his appearance he just had to guess.
==Development==
Even with the script, bibles and notes there's a limit to what we can infer about the development of this pitch. A lot of what we could say would just be guesswork.... But, it just so happens that Scott wrote a book about "How To Write For Animation" which includes his advice for successfully pitching a show explaining some of his creative choices.
*As Scott says in his book "your initial audience is not the viewer of the cartoon but the story editor or producer who is going to buy it." He suggests "find out what the buyer wants".<ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott(p. 37)</ref> Likely, this story was inspired by the network's request for a robot detecting dog.
*The pilot's odd backstory is another example of meeting the network's requirements, what with the whole conquest of Earth happening offscreen. In the section "HOW TO WRITE A PILOT", Scott brings up the crucial detail that "99 OUT OF A 100 TIMES THE NETWORK DOESN'T WANT AN "ORIGIN " PILOT." <ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott (p.172)</ref> The reasoning being that an origin story is usually unrepresentative of the show as a whole, while a random adventure can better demonstrate what the show is going to be like on a week to week basis.
*Another piece of advice is that if "you're trying to sell a show to a network exec, you want to reveal as much of the show as you can in the pilot."<ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott (p.172)</ref>
*If this pitch had been approved its ideas would have almost certainly been reworked further. In many shows Scott would continue expanding and changing details after production commenced, finding out what worked and what didn't. <ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott(p. 173)</ref> The last page of the script shows this happening here, with him suggesting a rework to the story so that the Fairchild's parents aren't featured and instead the children's quest to find them is a potential series plot point.

==Legacy==

Ultimately, CBS did not produce a Transformers cartoon in 1984. We can only guess why. While the pitch was passed over it wasn't quite the end. On the 30th of April, Sunbow staff briefly considered including some aspects into the final show, such as a big brother figure (they didn't) and maybe reusing some the episode premises (they didn't) .<ref>[https://tfarchive.com/cartoons/bible The Transformers production bible, including internal correspondence from Bryce Malek and Dick Robbins, that refers to Eddie and Matt by name]</ref> Later, the January 1985 issue of Comic Features would showcased various unproduced cartoons including artwork created for this pitch under the new title of Car and Cable.<ref>[http://starlogged.blogspot.com/2012/01/marvel-productions-in-198485.html Scans of ''Comics Feature'' at the "Starlogged" blog]</ref> For years this was assumed to be Marvel creating a knockoff of their own success with Transformers. We still don't know why this happened. Were Marvel seriously considering reworking this show without the Transformers elements? Did they publish concept art under a fake name to make it look like they had more shows in development? It's unclear.

And that was the end of this pitch.

Until [[2020]], when Instagram user consumercollectiables uncovered additional concept art which featured a silhouetted Prowl menacing Muffy and his friend in a "garage scene", with the handwritten note "Trans 3 V" and cast list using the names mentioned in the memo, explicitly tying it to Transformers.<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/consumercollectibles/ consumercollectables on Instagram]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20200803141945/https://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/167466-remember-that-concept-art-for-muffy-the-unmade-marvel-cartoon/ AllSpark.com forum post collecting ''Car and Cable'' art (archived)]</ref> This just raised more questions.....
Which were answered in [[2024]], when Jeffery Scott sold off all of the development material for this pitch.

At TFNation 2025, [[Jim Sorenson]] (who purchased Scott's material) and [[Chris McFeely]] hosted a reading of the pilot script which featured actors from various Transformers shows including [[Gregg Berger]] and [[Paul Eiding]] from the original cartoon.<ref> [https://www.patreon.com/posts/tfnation-2025-is-137075459 TFNation 2025 Audio Recording of 'A Robot's Best Friend is his Dog' Script Reading]</ref> The same day the production material was released online.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qYFePnAgHL9vlhAEF5IY3db59P0WaLwx/view?usp=drive_link First Series Bible]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1r0M_CIdlaEZs5SWmMQhSuO_M2ogZgQxH/view?usp=drive_link Revised Series Bible]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1j-XyM7R3RXwlqScR1l_gstsu7xCI7Ayj/view A collection of Jeffery Scott's network notes]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FkSIH3jScZJvThuUPxCm167I1ur0hp1M/view Story outline for A Robot's Best Friend Is His Dog]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BGi0WlVKs2I617mvIYr41wITfQIF37K6/view Script for A Robot's Best Friend Is His Dog]

User:WillR113/Sandbox

2025-08-31T05:43:57Z

WillR113: /* Legacy */

[[File:CarandCable1.jpg|right|thumb|upright=2.5]]

Everyone knows ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]'', it was one of the most popular cartoons of the '80s! You don't need us to explain the adventures of the [[Autobot]] spy Muffler and his human friends getting into wacky antics trying to survive and wage guerrilla war on a [[Decepticon]] controlled [[Earth]].

Just kidding, that's obviously not the cartoon we got.

In early [[1984]], though, it was possible that wouldn't be the case. A radically different version of the show was pitched by [[Marvel Productions]], its series bible written before "[[More than Meets the Eye (mini-series)|More Than Meets The Eye]]" even had a final script. For decades, there was no information about this pitch, barring mentions in writer [[Jeffrey Scott]]'s resume <ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott(p. 203)</ref> and a brief discussion in a production memo.

Forty years later, that all changed.

==Background==
In [[1981]], animation studio DePatie-Freleng Enterprises was sold to [[Marvel Comics]], becoming Marvel Productions. Both were located on different sides of the country, with Productions in [[California]] and Comics in [[New York]]. Despite this new merger, the two companies didn't get on well at all. In [[1983]], Marvel Productions ignored the work that Comics had created for the unproduced series [[Mysterians]], rejecting the serious action premise for a goofy, Hanna-Barbera-esque one largely centered on kid supporting characters and a wacky dog.<ref>[http://jimshooter.com/2011/06/secret-origin-of-transformers-part-1.html/ "The Secret Origin of the Transformers - Part 1"]</ref>

By 1984, the same thing happened with ''Transformers''. Fueled by the massive success the ''Transformers'' toyline was projected to be (and ultimately was), Hasbro rushed to expand the still in-production miniseries into a full show, naturally turning to Marvel Productions to do so. However, rather than sell it to syndication as with the miniseries, Marvel Production attempted to sell the show to the network [[CBS]]. One of the network requirements were female characters, but we're not sure if they had others or if the writers just decided to reuse other stock tropes they knew networks liked.

Enter Jeffrey Scott. A former Hanna-Barbera employee most known for his work on ''Super Friends'' at the time, Scott was hired by DePatie-Freleng in 1979 for ''Spider-Woman'' and ''Spider-Man'', by Stan Lee and Lee Gunther<ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott(p. 9)</ref>, the latter which would be delayed to 1981 due to the merger. While at Marvel, Scott worked on ''Dungeons and Dragons'', and story edited the fever dream that was ''Pandamonium''. Besides writing scripts, Scott also developed series bibles for animated series: in 1984 alone, he wrote the unproduced ''The Right Stuff'', ''The Secret Wars'', ''Menudo'' and would later devise the smash hit ''Muppet Babies''. Thus, Scott was tasked with creating a development bible for this new ''Transformers'' series.

==First Bible==

[[Image:CarAndCable5.jpg|thumb|150px|No, that's not Bumblebee. He's Toad.]]

On [[February 22]], Scott began work on the series bible, including the basic premise, style of the show, and the characters' personalities. Difficulties arose due to a lack of reference material, seemingly giving him little more than a list of names and altmodes, with Scott specifically requesting 'bio cards'. In fact, he was given so little to work with, [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] isn't even referred to by name. Impressively, he finished the first bible just three days later on [[February 25]]. In this version, the Autobots had finally destroyed the last of the Decepticon rebels after eons of war, bringing peace to their planet. However, they had only destroyed their robot forms, while the Decepticons' "electronic life-entities" had fled into space to try and acquire new bodies. They eventually found their way to Earth and built a base in the [[Bermuda Triangle]], spending the next 50 years hijacking various military crafts to rebuild their forces. The Autobots spent years searching the universe for their enemy, eventually tracking them down to Earth and reigniting their war once again.

The Autobots assume control of various Earth vehicles to blend into the new world, with their leader [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] taking control of a truck owned by the human William 'Duke' Convoy. Unwilling to steal Duke's truck from him, the human is 'drafted' into the war, using his knowledge to help the Autobots. However, Optimus is not the only Autobot to have a human driver: the Autobot Toad (originally meant to be [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] until they decided "NO MINI-CARS") assumed the form of a green VW belonging to a teenage girl named Wendy Fairchild, and now he's stuck with her. The other main Autobots include [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]], [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (the only female Autobot), [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], with [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] as secondary characters rounding out the rest of the cast.

From their underwater headquarters, the Decepticons plot to conquer Earth. The Decepticon leader [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] carries a canister with him which holds the energy forms of an army's worth of Decepticon soldiers. All he needs to do is place one of these energy orbs into his cannon and shoot it at a mechanical object, and it will be transformed into a Decepticon warrior. The other Decepticons are [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (the disloyal second in-command), [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] (used by Soundwave to spy on the Autobots as well as the other Decepticons), [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (a female Decepticon who hates Jazz for destroying her body back on Cybertron), [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercraker]], and [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]. They have also joined forces with Arthur Kroll, a human who aids the invaders so that he may rule over the rest of humanity after the Decepticons have conquered Earth.

The bible includes a list of "story springboards":

{| class="wikitable" style="margin: auto; width: 100%;"
|-
{{Episode list
|Title=Rotten To The Core
|ShortSummary=Megatron takes control of the New York subway system and implants "glowing energy orbs" into the trains, turning them into an army of Deception warriors! Optimus Prime and Duke join forces with a group of teens to help save the day.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=The Titanium Germ
|ShortSummary=When the Autobots try to stop Megatron from converting Alaskan oil rigs into new robot soldiers, Jazz is exposed to a deadly substance that infects and slowly kills him. Now the Autobots have to save their friend and stop Megatron!
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=Anything For A Friend
|ShortSummary= Converting a nuclear submarine into a new warrior, the Decepticons take control of the seas. Optimus is forced to leave his truck body and poses as an old battleship to try and stop the threat. He's nearly destroyed in the ensuing battle, and Duke must form a 'mind-link' with him to try and restore the Autobot leader to life.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=Not On The First Date
|ShortSummary=Wendy is forced to abandon her first date when Megatron plots to bring an army of Japanese electronic devices to life. It's up to her and Toad to stop him!
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=Time For Trouble
|ShortSummary=Kroll reveals the existence of a government time machine to Megatron. With the device transformed into one of their soldiers, the Decepticons can escape into another time—unless the Autobots stop them!
}}
|}

Hasbro and Sunbow would provide feedback on this bible, clarifying that [[Transformer]]s were mechanical beings, not electrical. They also didn't want any pre-existing characters to be female, and suggested that Optimus meet the human hero after being repaired when severely damaged in the desert. As a result, the bible was brought more in line with the preexisting premise. CBS also had input, wanting to tie the pitch into the miniseries as well as give Duke a dog that could sniff out Decepticons. Remember that for later.

==Revised Series Bible==
[[Image:CarandCable2.jpg|thumb|150px|No, that's not Bug Bite. He's Muffler.]]

Scott completed a revised draft of the bible, now 41 pages long, on [[March 3]]. By this point, he had been provided with [[Bob Budiansky]]'s character profiles and a copy of the first act of "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]". As a result, the pre-existing characters were brought more in line with their bios, and the plot was given the same backstory of the Transformers crashing on Earth and being awoken millions of years later by a volcanic eruption. However, by the year 1988, the Decepticons' superior numbers have allowed them to conquer much of the Earth, taking control of its manufacturing facilities and leaving humanity as little more than slaves, with <s>Megatron</s> Negator giving them only a sliver of control over the remains of the economy to keep society running. Dissent is impossible due a secret police of disguised Decepticons, who keep the human population under constant surveillance. However, the Autobots continue to operate from the shadows, attempting to free humanity and stop the Decepticons for good.

Most of the roster of characters would be carried over from the previous draft, with some minor alterations. The main Autobot lineup now included Optimus Prime, Jazz, Firecycle, Mirage, Muffler (a renamed Toad) and Trailbreaker. The Decepticon roster now featured Negator, Soundwave, Buzzsaw, Starscream, Thundercracker, Skywarp and Whirlpool.

==Cast==

===Autobots===

*Optimus Prime- Leader of the only six remaining Autobots.His bio is a rework of Bobs but with a few new twists. Described as "IMENSELY KIND, AND HIS COMPASSION EXTENDS TO ALL LIVING THINGS, INCLUDING THE "TWO-LEGGED FLESH FORMS" OF EARTH." Views humans "AS NO DIFFERENT THAN AUTOBOTS, EXCEPT THAT THEIR PERSONALITIES ARE CLOTHED IN FLESH INSTEAD OF METAL." Still has that weird three modules aspect of the bio with Roller being present, though he doesn't appear in the script. However, here the Combat Deck trailer is "AUTOBOT HQ" which besides transporting Autobots is "A REPAIR CENTER FOR DAMAGED AUTOBOTS" which can perform "ELECTRO-SURGERY."
*Jazzz- Optimus cool, happening right hand man. His bio is a very slight reworking of his profile. Uses the early three z's spelling.
*Firecycle- The only female Autobot, she transforms into a red motorcycle and is a skilled mechanic tasked with repairing her fellow Autobots. She's also a robot expert able to create many things, such as turning a toaster into a fighting robot. She has a 'Laser Heat-Ray' and a 'Zero-K Blaster' that can freeze anything. Firecycle loves Optimus Prime, but the Autobot leader fears returning her feelings after all the Autobots he's lost in centuries of war. The medic's main failing is her reluctance to hurt any living thing. She even tries to avoid driving on grass for fear of hurting the plant life. The Decepticons take advantage of this by often pretending to be injured to lure her into traps. While her role as the 'girl Autobot' and crush on Optimus originates with the previous bible's version of Sideswipe, she is otherwise a very different character. Had the proposed name of Firewheels.
*Mirage- An aristocrat turned reluctant freedom fighter. Like in the final cartoon he can turn himself invisible. Also has a Twin Tractor Beam. Distrusted by some of the other Autobots who think he could be a spy.
*Muffler: An Autobot spy and messenger, named after his noisy exhaust system. He turns into a VW Beetle (described as yellow and pink at different points in his profile). He adopted this form while trying to escape a Decepticon ambush by hiding in a used car-lot. It worked so well he was brought by Wendy Fairchild. The tenderhearted Autobot not wanting her to have wasted her money now serves as her car when he's not on missions. Wendy calls him 'Muffy' a nickname he dislikes. Muffler has refused to use a weapon since he shot himself in the foot with a laser cannon. He has issues with his 'elctro-mechanical control functions' which prevent him from transforming properly. For instance when transforming into robot mode one of his legs might get stuck as a fender forcing him to comically hop around on one leg. His main strength is his klutziness. He might lose a wheel while fleeing a Decepticon, only for his pursuer to trip over it.
*Trailbreaker- An incredibly fuel ineffective Autobot which leads him to view himself as a liability. To counter this he acts as a prankster. Once fused a game cartridge into Muffler's mind. Jerk. Has a "A LASER-GATTLING GUN" which "FIRE 32 PENCIL-THICK BEAMS AT ONCE."

===Decepticons===
*Negator: The Decepticon leader. Yes, he's a renamed Megatron. His name emphasises how he's completely negative with no positive traits (The behind the scenes explanation seems to be that CBS weren't okay with Megatron being a handgun, with their "limitations" stating he become a "laser tank," then a "satellite particle beam cannon" in the script. Presumably Hasbro requested a name change when the character no longer resembled the toy). He has dedicated the Decepticons to subjugating all inferior lifeforms, and he views all other life as inferior to him. He's so evil that the Autobots question if he's really sentient, or some sort of empty husk animated by an ancient computer program.
*Soundwave: Negator's scheming Comm-Officer. He's described as red in the script. The only cassette he has is Buzzsaw, a "STAUNCH ALLY AND CONFIDANT."
*Starscream- Biggest change to the profile is the line "NEGATOR OVERLOOKS THE POTENTIAL PERSONAL THREAT STARSCREAM REPRESENTS FOR TWO REASONS: 1. STARSCREAM IS VERY GOOD AT HIS JOB, 2. NEGATOR IS BETTER." (Move over Seekers, Here the jets are known as "Strato-Warriors").
*Thundercraker-Just a straight copy of his character profile with no changes.
*Skywarp- "THE LEAST INTELLIGENT OF ALL DECEPTICONS", a prankster that no-one else likes. Teleports by way of a "A SPACE-WARP LOCATION TRANSFER." Carries "HEAT-SEEKING "ACID-WARHEADS" that melt into an Autobots Armour. Has the early "Olive Drab" colour scheme.
*Whirlpool: The only female Decepticon she turns into an AMPHIBIOUS FLYING CRAFT, that is able to fly, jet across ground and water, along with being able to travel underwater allowing her to reach any depth beneath the waves. She poses a twin torpedo launcher which fires a special imploding torpedo which sucks anything in range. Her rotors can also create a powerful whirlpool when underwater. Her seductive charms allow her to trick an Autobot into thinking they're on the same side, before she betrays them. Whirlpool is a former Autobot. Optimus Prime seeks to reform her, while she wants to destroy him to prove that the Decepticons are superior.

[[Image:CarandCable4.jpg|thumb|right|Muffler, the human cast and the network mandated dog sidekick.]]
===Others===
*Matt Conroy- (Sunbow didn't think Duke was a good name. Imagine a cartoon where that was the [[Duke (G.I. Joe)|main character's]] name...) A twenty-nine year old truck driver who found a damaged truck by the side of the road. He repaired it planning to replace his old truck that had been repossessed by the bank. But once the repairs were done it transformed into Optimus Prime. Since then Matt has been swept up in the Transformers war 'bitching and moaning' about the Mechanical Men from Mars who've taken over his life, but like Han Solo he'll always come through for his Autobot friends in the end. When driving Optimus the Autobot talks to him over the truck's CB radio. When Optimus transforms Matt's cab becomes part of Optimus chest and all the human can do during fights is yell "I'LL CREAM YA IF YA DENT MY TRUCK, YOU TIN PIRATE". Optimus overlooks Matt's behavior because his knowledge of Earth is useful to the Autobots. That and he likes him. Matt's mechanical skills also mean that he can jury-rigg repairs to help patch the Autobots up.
*Burt- Matt's pet German Shepard with the unique ability to detect Decepticons via their smell. An otherwise friendly creature he goes wild when he senses a Decepticon. This is useful for revealing Decepticons in disguise (he's fine with Autobots which has led Matt to wonder if the differences between Autobots and Decepticons goes beyond political persuasions).
*Wendy Fairchild- Once she was a normal teenager, like Dominique Dunnne in "Poltergeist" who lived in the suburbs like in "Poltergeist" with her parents and had a little brother like in "Poltergeist" (That is the comparison CBS used. They also suggested changing Wendy to be Russian like Nadia Comeniech who, umm, wasn't Russian. This didn't happen.) Now she helps the Autobots with their fight against the Decepticons, while trying to balance her teenage life, having to come up with excuses as to why she has to suddenly ditch her date at the drive-in theater, or explain to her father why her car has laser-shots in the windscreen. As her parents work in one of the Decepticons fabrication plants she worries what would happen to them if her connection to the Autobots was revealed.
*Eddie Fairchild-Wendy's younger brother, his youthful curiosity led him to uncover the secret of his sister's car. Since then lack of fear has resulted in him getting involved in the Autobots fight with the Decepticons, such as the time he hid in Muffler's backseat. He looks up to the small Autobot, pestering him with questions like what happens if you fall into a black hole or if aliens built the pyramids. He wasn't in the first bible, but appeared in Scott's notes.
*Arthur Kroll-An amoral human who allied himself with the Decepticons as a way of obtaining power and wealth. While he provides them with information about the human resistance there is little trust between Kroll and the Decepticons, as ultimately the human only cares about himself. His greed and thoughtlessness often result in him becoming a hindrance to both the Autobots and Decepticons. He does not appear in the pilot script.
[[Image:CarandCable3.jpg|thumb|right|Muffler and Wendy]]

==Episodes==
The series bible reuses the episodes from the previous bible, alongside 9 new ones.

{| class="wikitable" style="margin: auto; width: 100%;"
|-
{{Episode list
|Title=The Erasing of Optimus Prime
|ShortSummary=Negator captures Optimus and takes his memory tapes, giving him the information he needs to destroy the Autobots. Matt must risk his life to steal back the tapes and rescue his friend.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=The Plutonium Plot
|ShortSummary=Negator plans to cut the Autobots off from their fuel supply knowing that it will only be a matter of time until they run out of energy. The Autobots must sneak into a nuclear power reactor to recharge themselves before it's too late!
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=A Coal Day In December
|ShortSummary=Developing a 'Diamond-steeling alloy' Negator takes control of the Pennsylvanian coal fields for a new source of diamonds. The Autobots must take back control of the mines before the coldest winter in years spells the end for the people of the Eastern US.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=Nobody Home
|ShortSummary=Wendy's parents are taken by the Decepticons to work in a factory forced to help create a new, deadlier kind of 'mind controlling' robot. Wendy and Eddie embark on a dangerous mission to save their parents with the Autobots help.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=Operation Alpha Centuri
|ShortSummary=Negator war fleet is complete and he is ready to begin his conquest of the universe! With the help of the human resistance the Autobots build their own ship. In a 'Star Warsian' battle the Autobots manage to destroy the Decepticons fleet.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=The Robot With A Thousand Eyes
|ShortSummary=A Decepticon spy learns of the Autobots plan to hijack a shipment of Decepticon parts. Now they need to stop the spy from reaching Negator.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=A Robots Best Friend Is His Dog
|ShortSummary=Annoyed that Burt the German Shepherd has foiled another scheme, Negator sends a squad of Decepticons to capture the robot detecting dog. The Autobots and Matt plan a raid on Decepticon headquarters to rescue their four legged friend. This episode was chosen as the pilot script to represent the series.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=A New Muffler
|ShortSummary=During battle Muffler is captured and rescued by his friends. But after Autobot plans begin to fail it seems that they have a spy in their midst. And suddenly Muffler isn't such a klutz....What's going on?
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=A Deadly Decision
|ShortSummary=A battle leaves several Autobots wounded. Firecycle tries to repair them, but a lack of supplies means that she can't save everyone. One of the Autobots will die unless she can get the supplies to save them.
}}
|}

===A Robot's Best Friend Is His Dog===
Wendy and Eddie Fairchild are getting ready for school, when a "DECEPTICON ROBOT GUARD" passes by their house reminding them of the alien occupation of Earth.
Meanwhile, at a Decepticon run steel mill that's producing new troops, Jazzz and Trailbreaker arrive in vehicle mode sneaking in with inflatable dummies posed as their drivers. They're caught by the guards and have to transform into robot mode, forced to fight their way through the mill. Ultimately they take control of the plant, free the imprisoned workers and set up defences against further Decepticon attacks. A silent Buzzsaw watches this before heading back to Decepticon headquarters. In the Colorado Rockies, Negator plots, when he's interrupted by the spy's arrival. Despite Starscream mockery, Negator announces his plan to destroy all the Autobots.

Elsewhere, the Fairchild's parents are forced to leave for work in a Decepticon factory, as the children leave for school in their friend, the undercover Autobot Muffler. Stopped at a Decepticon roadblock, the Autobot is found out by the guards and the trio are forced to flee as they give chase.
At a roadside diner, trucker Matt's vehicle begins to drive away on its own to everyone else's confusion as he hurries to catch it. On the highway, Matt and the truck, Optimus Prime, follow Muffler's distress signal. Catching up with their friends, Optimus transforms into robot mode and destroys the pursuers. Mirage and Firecycle exit from Prime's trailer, then the Autobots receive a message from Jazzz at the mill. Arriving, they are silently stalked by hidden Decepticons. Entering the building Matt's dog, Burt suddenly starts barking at a forklift, revealing that it's a hidden Decepticon. With the ambush ruined, the Decepticon start their attack. Outnumbered by the enemy forces, Optimus gives them enough time to retreat by blasting open a water tower, the wave washing the Decepticons away. The Autobots manage to escape, but the workers are left behind to be re-enslaved.

Elsewhere, Negator realises that Burt was responsible for ruining his plan and orders the dog to be eliminated. In the woods, the Autobots repair themselves as Wendy and Eddie head to school with Burt, unaware that Soundwave is tracking them. Arriving at the school they make it to class, where a Decepticon sentry watches over them. Upset by the robot Burt starts barking. Hearing the dog from across the city, Soundwave lands at the school, reaches through a window, grabbing Burt and flies off. Back at the base, Firecycle is able to save a critically wounded Jazzz. The children arrive and tell them what happened. Things seem hopeless until Trailbreaker comes up with a plan...

The Autobots rush into the mill, taking care of the guards and freeing the workers. To their confusion Optimus orders them to continue making Decepticon parts. In the Decepticon headquarters, Negator prepares for surgery to find out how Burt is able to detect Decepticons. Suddenly, scanners announce a new shipment of parts from the mill. As the Decepticons start unloading the cargo jet, Matt jumps out of a crate, blasting laser fire. The Autobots are revealed to have used the new parts to disguise themselves as newly constructed Decepticons. Optimus provides covering fire so Matt can make it deeper inside the base as the battle continues.

Matt finds the "electro-surgery room", blowing up the surgeon and rescuing his dog. They return to the hanger, but Starscream keeps them pinned down with his lasers, preventing them from reuniting with their friends. However, Eddie rushes in, grabs a gun from a dead Deception and uses it to down the plane. Hearing Burt's barks, the Autobots prepare to leave by the jet. As it takes off, Negator transforms into "satellite particle beam cannon mode" preparing to shoot them down. However, Optimus, still outside in truck form, fires his laser rifle at him knocking him off target so he instead blows a hole in the hanger ceiling, trapping the Decepticons in rubble, giving them time to escape.
Back at the mill, the workers begin the production of new Autobots, while a grateful Burt licks Optimus as everyone laughs.

==Notes==
This script has various details that wouldn't fit in the summary.
*Scott suggests that when we see a POV from a Transformer it would show a "Hi-tech binocular matte" which features "grid lines and changing LED numbers."
*The Decepticons have regular news broadcasts glorifying their conquest of the planet. Turning them off is illegal.
*All the non-named Decepticons are generics that aren't really described in any way. Just being large.
*During the opening fight at the mill:
**When the guard searches Jazzz's fake driver, he catches it's hand by rolling up his window and then changing into robot mode.
**Trailbreaker knocks a guard into a vat of molten steel.
**Jazzz runs through two guards, smashing them into pieces.
*The Decepticons headquarters is a massive cave carved into the Colorado mountains with a large hangar.
*The Fairchild's parents are transported to work by "a large truck" with a Decepticon standing guard in the back.
*Muffler is able to control his seatbelts and uses it to gag Eddie's mouth at the checkpoint.
*Some details from the chase sequence
**The roadblock guards chase after them after transforming into "side hacker motor cycles."
**During the chase Muffler nearly runs down another Decepticon, which then chases after them as an army truck.
**Optimus is able to blast one of the pursuers of the road, then burst another's tire which swerves into the army truck, smashing it into pieces before it falls into a ravine.
*At the mill the Decepticons disguise themselves by camouflage rope netting.
*The Decepticons hide at the ambush site in cranes, trucks and forklifts altmodes.
*At the school we met Mr Davenport, the class teacher. He asks student Johnny for his report of the American independence, only for the classroom's Decepticon guard to stop him as "the subject of freedom is forbidden."
*Soundwave is described as red by Eddie. This isn't an early colour scheme. Soundwave's profile didn't mention his colour scheme and all the reference material Scott had was in black and white. When he had someone describe his appearance he just had to guess.
==Development==
Even with the script, bibles and notes there's a limit to what we can infer about the development of this pitch. A lot of what we could say would just be guesswork.... But, it just so happens that Scott wrote a book about "How To Write For Animation" which includes his advice for successfully pitching a show explaining some of his creative choices.
*As Scott says in his book "your initial audience is not the viewer of the cartoon but the story editor or producer who is going to buy it." He suggests "find out what the buyer wants".<ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott(p. 37)</ref> Likely, this story was inspired by the network's request for a robot detecting dog.
*The pilot's odd backstory is another example of meeting the network's requirements, what with the whole conquest of Earth happening offscreen. In the section "HOW TO WRITE A PILOT", Scott brings up the crucial detail that "99 OUT OF A 100 TIMES THE NETWORK DOESN'T WANT AN "ORIGIN " PILOT." <ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott (p.172)</ref> The reasoning being that an origin story is usually unrepresentative of the show as a whole, while a random adventure can better demonstrate what the show is going to be like on a week to week basis.
*Another piece of advice is that if "you're trying to sell a show to a network exec, you want to reveal as much of the show as you can in the pilot."<ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott (p.172)</ref>
*If this pitch had been approved its ideas would have almost certainly been reworked further. In many shows Scott would continue expanding and changing details after production commenced, finding out what worked and what didn't. <ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott(p. 173)</ref> The last page of the script shows this happening here, with him suggesting a rework to the story so that the Fairchild's parents aren't featured and instead the children's quest to find them is a potential series plot point.

==Legacy==

Ultimately, CBS did not produce a Transformers cartoon in 1984. We can only guess why. While the pitch was passed over it wasn't quite the end. On the 30th of April, Sunbow staff briefly considered including some aspects into the final show, such as a big brother figure (they didn't) and maybe reusing some the episode premises (they didn't) .<ref>[https://tfarchive.com/cartoons/bible The Transformers production bible, including internal correspondence from Bryce Malek and Dick Robbins, that refers to Eddie and Matt by name]</ref> Later, the January 1985 issue of Comic Features would showcased various unproduced cartoons including artwork created for this pitch under the new title of Car and Cable.<ref>[http://starlogged.blogspot.com/2012/01/marvel-productions-in-198485.html Scans of ''Comics Feature'' at the "Starlogged" blog]</ref> For years this was assumed to be Marvel creating a knockoff of their own success with Transformers. We still don't know why this happened. Were Marvel seriously considering reworking this show without the Transformers elements? Did they publish concept art under a fake name to make it look like they had more shows in development? It's unclear.

And that was the end of this pitch.

Until [[2020]], when Instagram user consumercollectiables uncovered additional concept art which featured a silhouetted Prowl menacing Muffy and his friend in a "garage scene", with the handwritten note "Trans 3 V" and cast list using the names mentioned in the memo, explicitly tying it to Transformers.<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/consumercollectibles/ consumercollectables on Instagram]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20200803141945/https://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/167466-remember-that-concept-art-for-muffy-the-unmade-marvel-cartoon/ AllSpark.com forum post collecting ''Car and Cable'' art (archived)]</ref> This just raised more questions.....
Which were answered in [[2024]], when Jeffery Scott sold off all of the development material for this pitch.

At TFNation 2025, [[Jim Sorenson]] (who purchased Scott's material) and [[Chris McFeely]] hosted a reading of the pilot script which featured actors from various Transformers shows including [[Gregg Berger]] and [[Paul Eiding]] from the original cartoon.<ref> [https://www.patreon.com/posts/tfnation-2025-is-137075459 TFNation 2025 Audio Recording of 'A Robot's Best Friend is his Dog' Script Reading]</ref> The same day the production material was released online.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qYFePnAgHL9vlhAEF5IY3db59P0WaLwx/view?usp=drive_link First Series Bible]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1r0M_CIdlaEZs5SWmMQhSuO_M2ogZgQxH/view?usp=drive_link Revised Series Bible]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1j-XyM7R3RXwlqScR1l_gstsu7xCI7Ayj/view A collection of Jeffery Scott's network notes]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FkSIH3jScZJvThuUPxCm167I1ur0hp1M/view Story outline for A Robot's Best Friend Is His Dog]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BGi0WlVKs2I617mvIYr41wITfQIF37K6/view Script for A Robot's Best Friend Is His Dog]

User:WillR113/Sandbox

2025-08-30T21:23:35Z

WillR113: /* Legacy */

[[File:CarandCable1.jpg|right|thumb|upright=2.5]]

Everyone knows ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]'', it was one of the most popular cartoons of the '80s! You don't need us to explain the adventures of the [[Autobot]] spy Muffler and his human friends getting into wacky antics trying to survive and wage guerrilla war on a [[Decepticon]] controlled [[Earth]].

Just kidding, that's obviously not the cartoon we got.

In early [[1984]], though, it was possible that wouldn't be the case. A radically different version of the show was pitched by [[Marvel Productions]], its series bible written before "[[More than Meets the Eye (mini-series)|More Than Meets The Eye]]" even had a final script. For decades, there was no information about this pitch, barring mentions in writer [[Jeffrey Scott]]'s resume <ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott(p. 203)</ref> and a brief discussion in a production memo.

Forty years later, that all changed.

==Background==
In [[1981]], animation studio DePatie-Freleng Enterprises was sold to [[Marvel Comics]], becoming Marvel Productions. Both were located on different sides of the country, with Productions in [[California]] and Comics in [[New York]]. Despite this new merger, the two companies didn't get on well at all. In [[1983]], Marvel Productions ignored the work that Comics had created for the unproduced series [[Mysterians]], rejecting the serious action premise for a goofy, Hanna-Barbera-esque one largely centered on kid supporting characters and a wacky dog.<ref>[http://jimshooter.com/2011/06/secret-origin-of-transformers-part-1.html/ "The Secret Origin of the Transformers - Part 1"]</ref>

By 1984, the same thing happened with ''Transformers''. Fueled by the massive success the ''Transformers'' toyline was projected to be (and ultimately was), Hasbro rushed to expand the still in-production miniseries into a full show, naturally turning to Marvel Productions to do so. However, rather than sell it to syndication as with the miniseries, Marvel Production attempted to sell the show to the network [[CBS]]. One of the network requirements were female characters, but we're not sure if they had others or if the writers just decided to reuse other stock tropes they knew networks liked.

Enter Jeffrey Scott. A former Hanna-Barbera employee most known for his work on ''Super Friends'' at the time, Scott was hired by DePatie-Freleng in 1979 for ''Spider-Woman'' and ''Spider-Man'', by Stan Lee and Lee Gunther<ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott(p. 9)</ref>, the latter which would be delayed to 1981 due to the merger. While at Marvel, Scott worked on ''Dungeons and Dragons'', and story edited the fever dream that was ''Pandamonium''. Besides writing scripts, Scott also developed series bibles for animated series: in 1984 alone, he wrote the unproduced ''The Right Stuff'', ''The Secret Wars'', ''Menudo'' and would later devise the smash hit ''Muppet Babies''. Thus, Scott was tasked with creating a development bible for this new ''Transformers'' series.

==First Bible==

[[Image:CarAndCable5.jpg|thumb|150px|No, that's not Bumblebee. He's Toad.]]

On [[February 22]], Scott began work on the series bible, including the basic premise, style of the show, and the characters' personalities. Difficulties arose due to a lack of reference material, seemingly giving him little more than a list of names and altmodes, with Scott specifically requesting 'bio cards'. In fact, he was given so little to work with, [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] isn't even referred to by name. Impressively, he finished the first bible just three days later on [[February 25]]. In this version, the Autobots had finally destroyed the last of the Decepticon rebels after eons of war, bringing peace to their planet. However, they had only destroyed their robot forms, while the Decepticons' "electronic life-entities" had fled into space to try and acquire new bodies. They eventually found their way to Earth and built a base in the [[Bermuda Triangle]], spending the next 50 years hijacking various military crafts to rebuild their forces. The Autobots spent years searching the universe for their enemy, eventually tracking them down to Earth and reigniting their war once again.

The Autobots assume control of various Earth vehicles to blend into the new world, with their leader [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] taking control of a truck owned by the human William 'Duke' Convoy. Unwilling to steal Duke's truck from him, the human is 'drafted' into the war, using his knowledge to help the Autobots. However, Optimus is not the only Autobot to have a human driver: the Autobot Toad (originally meant to be [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] until they decided "NO MINI-CARS") assumed the form of a green VW belonging to a teenage girl named Wendy Fairchild, and now he's stuck with her. The other main Autobots include [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]], [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (the only female Autobot), [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], with [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] as secondary characters rounding out the rest of the cast.

From their underwater headquarters, the Decepticons plot to conquer Earth. The Decepticon leader [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] carries a canister with him which holds the energy forms of an army's worth of Decepticon soldiers. All he needs to do is place one of these energy orbs into his cannon and shoot it at a mechanical object, and it will be transformed into a Decepticon warrior. The other Decepticons are [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (the disloyal second in-command), [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] (used by Soundwave to spy on the Autobots as well as the other Decepticons), [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (a female Decepticon who hates Jazz for destroying her body back on Cybertron), [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercraker]], and [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]. They have also joined forces with Arthur Kroll, a human who aids the invaders so that he may rule over the rest of humanity after the Decepticons have conquered Earth.

The bible includes a list of "story springboards":

{| class="wikitable" style="margin: auto; width: 100%;"
|-
{{Episode list
|Title=Rotten To The Core
|ShortSummary=Megatron takes control of the New York subway system and implants "glowing energy orbs" into the trains, turning them into an army of Deception warriors! Optimus Prime and Duke join forces with a group of teens to help save the day.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=The Titanium Germ
|ShortSummary=When the Autobots try to stop Megatron from converting Alaskan oil rigs into new robot soldiers, Jazz is exposed to a deadly substance that infects and slowly kills him. Now the Autobots have to save their friend and stop Megatron!
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=Anything For A Friend
|ShortSummary= Converting a nuclear submarine into a new warrior, the Decepticons take control of the seas. Optimus is forced to leave his truck body and poses as an old battleship to try and stop the threat. He's nearly destroyed in the ensuing battle, and Duke must form a 'mind-link' with him to try and restore the Autobot leader to life.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=Not On The First Date
|ShortSummary=Wendy is forced to abandon her first date when Megatron plots to bring an army of Japanese electronic devices to life. It's up to her and Toad to stop him!
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=Time For Trouble
|ShortSummary=Kroll reveals the existence of a government time machine to Megatron. With the device transformed into one of their soldiers, the Decepticons can escape into another time—unless the Autobots stop them!
}}
|}

Hasbro and Sunbow would provide feedback on this bible, clarifying that [[Transformer]]s were mechanical beings, not electrical. They also didn't want any pre-existing characters to be female, and suggested that Optimus meet the human hero after being repaired when severely damaged in the desert. As a result, the bible was brought more in line with the preexisting premise. CBS also had input, wanting to tie the pitch into the miniseries as well as give Duke a dog that could sniff out Decepticons. Remember that for later.

==Revised Series Bible==
[[Image:CarandCable2.jpg|thumb|150px|No, that's not Bug Bite. He's Muffler.]]

Scott completed a revised draft of the bible, now 41 pages long, on [[March 3]]. By this point, he had been provided with [[Bob Budiansky]]'s character profiles and a copy of the first act of "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]". As a result, the pre-existing characters were brought more in line with their bios, and the plot was given the same backstory of the Transformers crashing on Earth and being awoken millions of years later by a volcanic eruption. However, by the year 1988, the Decepticons' superior numbers have allowed them to conquer much of the Earth, taking control of its manufacturing facilities and leaving humanity as little more than slaves, with <s>Megatron</s> Negator giving them only a sliver of control over the remains of the economy to keep society running. Dissent is impossible due a secret police of disguised Decepticons, who keep the human population under constant surveillance. However, the Autobots continue to operate from the shadows, attempting to free humanity and stop the Decepticons for good.

Most of the roster of characters would be carried over from the previous draft, with some minor alterations. The main Autobot lineup now included Optimus Prime, Jazz, Firecycle, Mirage, Muffler (a renamed Toad) and Trailbreaker. The Decepticon roster now featured Negator, Soundwave, Buzzsaw, Starscream, Thundercracker, Skywarp and Whirlpool.

==Cast==

===Autobots===

*Optimus Prime- Leader of the only six remaining Autobots.His bio is a rework of Bobs but with a few new twists. Described as "IMENSELY KIND, AND HIS COMPASSION EXTENDS TO ALL LIVING THINGS, INCLUDING THE "TWO-LEGGED FLESH FORMS" OF EARTH." Views humans "AS NO DIFFERENT THAN AUTOBOTS, EXCEPT THAT THEIR PERSONALITIES ARE CLOTHED IN FLESH INSTEAD OF METAL." Still has that weird three modules aspect of the bio with Roller being present, though he doesn't appear in the script. However, here the Combat Deck trailer is "AUTOBOT HQ" which besides transporting Autobots is "A REPAIR CENTER FOR DAMAGED AUTOBOTS" which can perform "ELECTRO-SURGERY."
*Jazzz- Optimus cool, happening right hand man. His bio is a very slight reworking of his profile. Uses the early three z's spelling.
*Firecycle- The only female Autobot, she transforms into a red motorcycle and is a skilled mechanic tasked with repairing her fellow Autobots. She's also a robot expert able to create many things, such as turning a toaster into a fighting robot. She has a 'Laser Heat-Ray' and a 'Zero-K Blaster' that can freeze anything. Firecycle loves Optimus Prime, but the Autobot leader fears returning her feelings after all the Autobots he's lost in centuries of war. The medic's main failing is her reluctance to hurt any living thing. She even tries to avoid driving on grass for fear of hurting the plant life. The Decepticons take advantage of this by often pretending to be injured to lure her into traps. While her role as the 'girl Autobot' and crush on Optimus originates with the previous bible's version of Sideswipe, she is otherwise a very different character. Had the proposed name of Firewheels.
*Mirage- An aristocrat turned reluctant freedom fighter. Like in the final cartoon he can turn himself invisible. Also has a Twin Tractor Beam. Distrusted by some of the other Autobots who think he could be a spy.
*Muffler: An Autobot spy and messenger, named after his noisy exhaust system. He turns into a VW Beetle (described as yellow and pink at different points in his profile). He adopted this form while trying to escape a Decepticon ambush by hiding in a used car-lot. It worked so well he was brought by Wendy Fairchild. The tenderhearted Autobot not wanting her to have wasted her money now serves as her car when he's not on missions. Wendy calls him 'Muffy' a nickname he dislikes. Muffler has refused to use a weapon since he shot himself in the foot with a laser cannon. He has issues with his 'elctro-mechanical control functions' which prevent him from transforming properly. For instance when transforming into robot mode one of his legs might get stuck as a fender forcing him to comically hop around on one leg. His main strength is his klutziness. He might lose a wheel while fleeing a Decepticon, only for his pursuer to trip over it.
*Trailbreaker- An incredibly fuel ineffective Autobot which leads him to view himself as a liability. To counter this he acts as a prankster. Once fused a game cartridge into Muffler's mind. Jerk. Has a "A LASER-GATTLING GUN" which "FIRE 32 PENCIL-THICK BEAMS AT ONCE."

===Decepticons===
*Negator: The Decepticon leader. Yes, he's a renamed Megatron. His name emphasises how he's completely negative with no positive traits (The behind the scenes explanation seems to be that CBS weren't okay with Megatron being a handgun, with their "limitations" stating he become a "laser tank," then a "satellite particle beam cannon" in the script. Presumably Hasbro requested a name change when the character no longer resembled the toy). He has dedicated the Decepticons to subjugating all inferior lifeforms, and he views all other life as inferior to him. He's so evil that the Autobots question if he's really sentient, or some sort of empty husk animated by an ancient computer program.
*Soundwave: Negator's scheming Comm-Officer. He's described as red in the script. The only cassette he has is Buzzsaw, a "STAUNCH ALLY AND CONFIDANT."
*Starscream- Biggest change to the profile is the line "NEGATOR OVERLOOKS THE POTENTIAL PERSONAL THREAT STARSCREAM REPRESENTS FOR TWO REASONS: 1. STARSCREAM IS VERY GOOD AT HIS JOB, 2. NEGATOR IS BETTER." (Move over Seekers, Here the jets are known as "Strato-Warriors").
*Thundercraker-Just a straight copy of his character profile with no changes.
*Skywarp- "THE LEAST INTELLIGENT OF ALL DECEPTICONS", a prankster that no-one else likes. Teleports by way of a "A SPACE-WARP LOCATION TRANSFER." Carries "HEAT-SEEKING "ACID-WARHEADS" that melt into an Autobots Armour. Has the early "Olive Drab" colour scheme.
*Whirlpool: The only female Decepticon she turns into an AMPHIBIOUS FLYING CRAFT, that is able to fly, jet across ground and water, along with being able to travel underwater allowing her to reach any depth beneath the waves. She poses a twin torpedo launcher which fires a special imploding torpedo which sucks anything in range. Her rotors can also create a powerful whirlpool when underwater. Her seductive charms allow her to trick an Autobot into thinking they're on the same side, before she betrays them. Whirlpool is a former Autobot. Optimus Prime seeks to reform her, while she wants to destroy him to prove that the Decepticons are superior.

[[Image:CarandCable4.jpg|thumb|right|Muffler, the human cast and the network mandated dog sidekick.]]
===Others===
*Matt Conroy- (Sunbow didn't think Duke was a good name. Imagine a cartoon where that was the [[Duke (G.I. Joe)|main character's]] name...) A twenty-nine year old truck driver who found a damaged truck by the side of the road. He repaired it planning to replace his old truck that had been repossessed by the bank. But once the repairs were done it transformed into Optimus Prime. Since then Matt has been swept up in the Transformers war 'bitching and moaning' about the Mechanical Men from Mars who've taken over his life, but like Han Solo he'll always come through for his Autobot friends in the end. When driving Optimus the Autobot talks to him over the truck's CB radio. When Optimus transforms Matt's cab becomes part of Optimus chest and all the human can do during fights is yell "I'LL CREAM YA IF YA DENT MY TRUCK, YOU TIN PIRATE". Optimus overlooks Matt's behavior because his knowledge of Earth is useful to the Autobots. That and he likes him. Matt's mechanical skills also mean that he can jury-rigg repairs to help patch the Autobots up.
*Burt- Matt's pet German Shepard with the unique ability to detect Decepticons via their smell. An otherwise friendly creature he goes wild when he senses a Decepticon. This is useful for revealing Decepticons in disguise (he's fine with Autobots which has led Matt to wonder if the differences between Autobots and Decepticons goes beyond political persuasions).
*Wendy Fairchild- Once she was a normal teenager, like Dominique Dunnne in "Poltergeist" who lived in the suburbs like in "Poltergeist" with her parents and had a little brother like in "Poltergeist" (That is the comparison CBS used. They also suggested changing Wendy to be Russian like Nadia Comeniech who, umm, wasn't Russian. This didn't happen.) Now she helps the Autobots with their fight against the Decepticons, while trying to balance her teenage life, having to come up with excuses as to why she has to suddenly ditch her date at the drive-in theater, or explain to her father why her car has laser-shots in the windscreen. As her parents work in one of the Decepticons fabrication plants she worries what would happen to them if her connection to the Autobots was revealed.
*Eddie Fairchild-Wendy's younger brother, his youthful curiosity led him to uncover the secret of his sister's car. Since then lack of fear has resulted in him getting involved in the Autobots fight with the Decepticons, such as the time he hid in Muffler's backseat. He looks up to the small Autobot, pestering him with questions like what happens if you fall into a black hole or if aliens built the pyramids. He wasn't in the first bible, but appeared in Scott's notes.
*Arthur Kroll-An amoral human who allied himself with the Decepticons as a way of obtaining power and wealth. While he provides them with information about the human resistance there is little trust between Kroll and the Decepticons, as ultimately the human only cares about himself. His greed and thoughtlessness often result in him becoming a hindrance to both the Autobots and Decepticons. He does not appear in the pilot script.
[[Image:CarandCable3.jpg|thumb|right|Muffler and Wendy]]

==Episodes==
The series bible reuses the episodes from the previous bible, alongside 9 new ones.

{| class="wikitable" style="margin: auto; width: 100%;"
|-
{{Episode list
|Title=The Erasing of Optimus Prime
|ShortSummary=Negator captures Optimus and takes his memory tapes, giving him the information he needs to destroy the Autobots. Matt must risk his life to steal back the tapes and rescue his friend.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=The Plutonium Plot
|ShortSummary=Negator plans to cut the Autobots off from their fuel supply knowing that it will only be a matter of time until they run out of energy. The Autobots must sneak into a nuclear power reactor to recharge themselves before it's too late!
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=A Coal Day In December
|ShortSummary=Developing a 'Diamond-steeling alloy' Negator takes control of the Pennsylvanian coal fields for a new source of diamonds. The Autobots must take back control of the mines before the coldest winter in years spells the end for the people of the Eastern US.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=Nobody Home
|ShortSummary=Wendy's parents are taken by the Decepticons to work in a factory forced to help create a new, deadlier kind of 'mind controlling' robot. Wendy and Eddie embark on a dangerous mission to save their parents with the Autobots help.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=Operation Alpha Centuri
|ShortSummary=Negator war fleet is complete and he is ready to begin his conquest of the universe! With the help of the human resistance the Autobots build their own ship. In a 'Star Warsian' battle the Autobots manage to destroy the Decepticons fleet.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=The Robot With A Thousand Eyes
|ShortSummary=A Decepticon spy learns of the Autobots plan to hijack a shipment of Decepticon parts. Now they need to stop the spy from reaching Negator.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=A Robots Best Friend Is His Dog
|ShortSummary=Annoyed that Burt the German Shepherd has foiled another scheme, Negator sends a squad of Decepticons to capture the robot detecting dog. The Autobots and Matt plan a raid on Decepticon headquarters to rescue their four legged friend. This episode was chosen as the pilot script to represent the series.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=A New Muffler
|ShortSummary=During battle Muffler is captured and rescued by his friends. But after Autobot plans begin to fail it seems that they have a spy in their midst. And suddenly Muffler isn't such a klutz....What's going on?
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=A Deadly Decision
|ShortSummary=A battle leaves several Autobots wounded. Firecycle tries to repair them, but a lack of supplies means that she can't save everyone. One of the Autobots will die unless she can get the supplies to save them.
}}
|}

===A Robot's Best Friend Is His Dog===
Wendy and Eddie Fairchild are getting ready for school, when a "DECEPTICON ROBOT GUARD" passes by their house reminding them of the alien occupation of Earth.
Meanwhile, at a Decepticon run steel mill that's producing new troops, Jazzz and Trailbreaker arrive in vehicle mode sneaking in with inflatable dummies posed as their drivers. They're caught by the guards and have to transform into robot mode, forced to fight their way through the mill. Ultimately they take control of the plant, free the imprisoned workers and set up defences against further Decepticon attacks. A silent Buzzsaw watches this before heading back to Decepticon headquarters. In the Colorado Rockies, Negator plots, when he's interrupted by the spy's arrival. Despite Starscream mockery, Negator announces his plan to destroy all the Autobots.

Elsewhere, the Fairchild's parents are forced to leave for work in a Decepticon factory, as the children leave for school in their friend, the undercover Autobot Muffler. Stopped at a Decepticon roadblock, the Autobot is found out by the guards and the trio are forced to flee as they give chase.
At a roadside diner, trucker Matt's vehicle begins to drive away on its own to everyone else's confusion as he hurries to catch it. On the highway, Matt and the truck, Optimus Prime, follow Muffler's distress signal. Catching up with their friends, Optimus transforms into robot mode and destroys the pursuers. Mirage and Firecycle exit from Prime's trailer, then the Autobots receive a message from Jazzz at the mill. Arriving, they are silently stalked by hidden Decepticons. Entering the building Matt's dog, Burt suddenly starts barking at a forklift, revealing that it's a hidden Decepticon. With the ambush ruined, the Decepticon start their attack. Outnumbered by the enemy forces, Optimus gives them enough time to retreat by blasting open a water tower, the wave washing the Decepticons away. The Autobots manage to escape, but the workers are left behind to be re-enslaved.

Elsewhere, Negator realises that Burt was responsible for ruining his plan and orders the dog to be eliminated. In the woods, the Autobots repair themselves as Wendy and Eddie head to school with Burt, unaware that Soundwave is tracking them. Arriving at the school they make it to class, where a Decepticon sentry watches over them. Upset by the robot Burt starts barking. Hearing the dog from across the city, Soundwave lands at the school, reaches through a window, grabbing Burt and flies off. Back at the base, Firecycle is able to save a critically wounded Jazzz. The children arrive and tell them what happened. Things seem hopeless until Trailbreaker comes up with a plan...

The Autobots rush into the mill, taking care of the guards and freeing the workers. To their confusion Optimus orders them to continue making Decepticon parts. In the Decepticon headquarters, Negator prepares for surgery to find out how Burt is able to detect Decepticons. Suddenly, scanners announce a new shipment of parts from the mill. As the Decepticons start unloading the cargo jet, Matt jumps out of a crate, blasting laser fire. The Autobots are revealed to have used the new parts to disguise themselves as newly constructed Decepticons. Optimus provides covering fire so Matt can make it deeper inside the base as the battle continues.

Matt finds the "electro-surgery room", blowing up the surgeon and rescuing his dog. They return to the hanger, but Starscream keeps them pinned down with his lasers, preventing them from reuniting with their friends. However, Eddie rushes in, grabs a gun from a dead Deception and uses it to down the plane. Hearing Burt's barks, the Autobots prepare to leave by the jet. As it takes off, Negator transforms into "satellite particle beam cannon mode" preparing to shoot them down. However, Optimus, still outside in truck form, fires his laser rifle at him knocking him off target so he instead blows a hole in the hanger ceiling, trapping the Decepticons in rubble, giving them time to escape.
Back at the mill, the workers begin the production of new Autobots, while a grateful Burt licks Optimus as everyone laughs.

==Notes==
This script has various details that wouldn't fit in the summary.
*Scott suggests that when we see a POV from a Transformer it would show a "Hi-tech binocular matte" which features "grid lines and changing LED numbers."
*The Decepticons have regular news broadcasts glorifying their conquest of the planet. Turning them off is illegal.
*All the non-named Decepticons are generics that aren't really described in any way. Just being large.
*During the opening fight at the mill:
**When the guard searches Jazzz's fake driver, he catches it's hand by rolling up his window and then changing into robot mode.
**Trailbreaker knocks a guard into a vat of molten steel.
**Jazzz runs through two guards, smashing them into pieces.
*The Decepticons headquarters is a massive cave carved into the Colorado mountains with a large hangar.
*The Fairchild's parents are transported to work by "a large truck" with a Decepticon standing guard in the back.
*Muffler is able to control his seatbelts and uses it to gag Eddie's mouth at the checkpoint.
*Some details from the chase sequence
**The roadblock guards chase after them after transforming into "side hacker motor cycles."
**During the chase Muffler nearly runs down another Decepticon, which then chases after them as an army truck.
**Optimus is able to blast one of the pursuers of the road, then burst another's tire which swerves into the army truck, smashing it into pieces before it falls into a ravine.
*At the mill the Decepticons disguise themselves by camouflage rope netting.
*The Decepticons hide at the ambush site in cranes, trucks and forklifts altmodes.
*At the school we met Mr Davenport, the class teacher. He asks student Johnny for his report of the American independence, only for the classroom's Decepticon guard to stop him as "the subject of freedom is forbidden."
*Soundwave is described as red by Eddie. This isn't an early colour scheme. Soundwave's profile didn't mention his colour scheme and all the reference material Scott had was in black and white. When he had someone describe his appearance he just had to guess.
==Development==
Even with the script, bibles and notes there's a limit to what we can infer about the development of this pitch. A lot of what we could say would just be guesswork.... But, it just so happens that Scott wrote a book about "How To Write For Animation" which includes his advice for successfully pitching a show explaining some of his creative choices.
*As Scott says in his book "your initial audience is not the viewer of the cartoon but the story editor or producer who is going to buy it." He suggests "find out what the buyer wants".<ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott(p. 37)</ref> Likely, this story was inspired by the network's request for a robot detecting dog.
*The pilot's odd backstory is another example of meeting the network's requirements, what with the whole conquest of Earth happening offscreen. In the section "HOW TO WRITE A PILOT", Scott brings up the crucial detail that "99 OUT OF A 100 TIMES THE NETWORK DOESN'T WANT AN "ORIGIN " PILOT." <ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott (p.172)</ref> The reasoning being that an origin story is usually unrepresentative of the show as a whole, while a random adventure can better demonstrate what the show is going to be like on a week to week basis.
*Another piece of advice is that if "you're trying to sell a show to a network exec, you want to reveal as much of the show as you can in the pilot."<ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott (p.172)</ref>
*If this pitch had been approved its ideas would have almost certainly been reworked further. In many shows Scott would continue expanding and changing details after production commenced, finding out what worked and what didn't. <ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott(p. 173)</ref> The last page of the script shows this happening here, with him suggesting a rework to the story so that the Fairchild's parents aren't featured and instead the children's quest to find them is a potential series plot point.

==Legacy==

Ultimately, CBS did not produce a Transformers cartoon in 1984. We can only guess why. While the pitch was passed over it wasn't quite the end. On the 30th of April, Sunbow staff briefly considered including some aspects into the final show, such as a big brother figure (they didn't) and maybe reusing some the episode premises (they didn't) .<ref>[https://tfarchive.com/cartoons/bible The Transformers production bible, including internal correspondence from Bryce Malek and Dick Robbins, that refers to Eddie and Matt by name]</ref> Later, the January 1985 issue of Comic Features would showcased various unproduced cartoons including artwork created for this pitch under the new title of Car and Cable.<ref>[http://starlogged.blogspot.com/2012/01/marvel-productions-in-198485.html Scans of ''Comics Feature'' at the "Starlogged" blog]</ref> For years this was assumed to be Marvel creating a knockoff of their own success with Transformers. We still don't know why this happened. Were Marvel seriously considering reworking this show without the Transformers elements? Did they publish concept art under a fake name to make it look like they had more shows in development? It's unclear.

And that was the end of this pitch.

Until [[2020]], when Instagram user consumercollectiables uncovered additional concept art which featured a silhouetted Prowl menacing Muffy and his friend in a "garage scene", with the handwritten note "Trans 3 V" and cast list using the names mentioned in the memo, explicitly tying it to Transformers.<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/consumercollectibles/ consumercollectables on Instagram]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20200803141945/https://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/167466-remember-that-concept-art-for-muffy-the-unmade-marvel-cartoon/ AllSpark.com forum post collecting ''Car and Cable'' art (archived)]</ref> This just raised more questions.....
Which were answered in [[2024]], when Jeffery Scott sold off all of the development material for this pitch.

At TFNation 2025, [[Jim Sorenson]] (who purchased Scott's material) and [[Chris McFeely]] hosted a reading of the pilot script which featured actors from various Transformers shows including [[Gregg Berger]] and [[Paul Eiding]] from the original cartoon. The same day the production material was released online.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qYFePnAgHL9vlhAEF5IY3db59P0WaLwx/view?usp=drive_link First Series Bible]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1r0M_CIdlaEZs5SWmMQhSuO_M2ogZgQxH/view?usp=drive_link Revised Series Bible]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1j-XyM7R3RXwlqScR1l_gstsu7xCI7Ayj/view A collection of Jeffery Scott's network notes]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FkSIH3jScZJvThuUPxCm167I1ur0hp1M/view Story outline for A Robot's Best Friend Is His Dog]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BGi0WlVKs2I617mvIYr41wITfQIF37K6/view Script for A Robot's Best Friend Is His Dog]

User:WillR113/Sandbox

2025-08-30T05:02:32Z

WillR113:

[[File:CarandCable1.jpg|right|thumb|upright=2.5]]

Everyone knows ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Transformers]]'', it was one of the most popular cartoons of the '80s! You don't need us to explain the adventures of the [[Autobot]] spy Muffler and his human friends getting into wacky antics trying to survive and wage guerrilla war on a [[Decepticon]] controlled [[Earth]].

Just kidding, that's obviously not the cartoon we got.

In early [[1984]], though, it was possible that wouldn't be the case. A radically different version of the show was pitched by [[Marvel Productions]], its series bible written before "[[More than Meets the Eye (mini-series)|More Than Meets The Eye]]" even had a final script. For decades, there was no information about this pitch, barring mentions in writer [[Jeffrey Scott]]'s resume <ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott(p. 203)</ref> and a brief discussion in a production memo.

Forty years later, that all changed.

==Background==
In [[1981]], animation studio DePatie-Freleng Enterprises was sold to [[Marvel Comics]], becoming Marvel Productions. Both were located on different sides of the country, with Productions in [[California]] and Comics in [[New York]]. Despite this new merger, the two companies didn't get on well at all. In [[1983]], Marvel Productions ignored the work that Comics had created for the unproduced series [[Mysterians]], rejecting the serious action premise for a goofy, Hanna-Barbera-esque one largely centered on kid supporting characters and a wacky dog.<ref>[http://jimshooter.com/2011/06/secret-origin-of-transformers-part-1.html/ "The Secret Origin of the Transformers - Part 1"]</ref>

By 1984, the same thing happened with ''Transformers''. Fueled by the massive success the ''Transformers'' toyline was projected to be (and ultimately was), Hasbro rushed to expand the still in-production miniseries into a full show, naturally turning to Marvel Productions to do so. However, rather than sell it to syndication as with the miniseries, Marvel Production attempted to sell the show to the network [[CBS]]. One of the network requirements were female characters, but we're not sure if they had others or if the writers just decided to reuse other stock tropes they knew networks liked.

Enter Jeffrey Scott. A former Hanna-Barbera employee most known for his work on ''Super Friends'' at the time, Scott was hired by DePatie-Freleng in 1979 for ''Spider-Woman'' and ''Spider-Man'', by Stan Lee and Lee Gunther<ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott(p. 9)</ref>, the latter which would be delayed to 1981 due to the merger. While at Marvel, Scott worked on ''Dungeons and Dragons'', and story edited the fever dream that was ''Pandamonium''. Besides writing scripts, Scott also developed series bibles for animated series: in 1984 alone, he wrote the unproduced ''The Right Stuff'', ''The Secret Wars'', ''Menudo'' and would later devise the smash hit ''Muppet Babies''. Thus, Scott was tasked with creating a development bible for this new ''Transformers'' series.

==First Bible==

[[Image:CarAndCable5.jpg|thumb|150px|No, that's not Bumblebee. He's Toad.]]

On [[February 22]], Scott began work on the series bible, including the basic premise, style of the show, and the characters' personalities. Difficulties arose due to a lack of reference material, seemingly giving him little more than a list of names and altmodes, with Scott specifically requesting 'bio cards'. In fact, he was given so little to work with, [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] isn't even referred to by name. Impressively, he finished the first bible just three days later on [[February 25]]. In this version, the Autobots had finally destroyed the last of the Decepticon rebels after eons of war, bringing peace to their planet. However, they had only destroyed their robot forms, while the Decepticons' "electronic life-entities" had fled into space to try and acquire new bodies. They eventually found their way to Earth and built a base in the [[Bermuda Triangle]], spending the next 50 years hijacking various military crafts to rebuild their forces. The Autobots spent years searching the universe for their enemy, eventually tracking them down to Earth and reigniting their war once again.

The Autobots assume control of various Earth vehicles to blend into the new world, with their leader [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] taking control of a truck owned by the human William 'Duke' Convoy. Unwilling to steal Duke's truck from him, the human is 'drafted' into the war, using his knowledge to help the Autobots. However, Optimus is not the only Autobot to have a human driver: the Autobot Toad (originally meant to be [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] until they decided "NO MINI-CARS") assumed the form of a green VW belonging to a teenage girl named Wendy Fairchild, and now he's stuck with her. The other main Autobots include [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]], [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (the only female Autobot), [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], with [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] as secondary characters rounding out the rest of the cast.

From their underwater headquarters, the Decepticons plot to conquer Earth. The Decepticon leader [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] carries a canister with him which holds the energy forms of an army's worth of Decepticon soldiers. All he needs to do is place one of these energy orbs into his cannon and shoot it at a mechanical object, and it will be transformed into a Decepticon warrior. The other Decepticons are [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (the disloyal second in-command), [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] (used by Soundwave to spy on the Autobots as well as the other Decepticons), [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (a female Decepticon who hates Jazz for destroying her body back on Cybertron), [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercraker]], and [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]. They have also joined forces with Arthur Kroll, a human who aids the invaders so that he may rule over the rest of humanity after the Decepticons have conquered Earth.

The bible includes a list of "story springboards":

{| class="wikitable" style="margin: auto; width: 100%;"
|-
{{Episode list
|Title=Rotten To The Core
|ShortSummary=Megatron takes control of the New York subway system and implants "glowing energy orbs" into the trains, turning them into an army of Deception warriors! Optimus Prime and Duke join forces with a group of teens to help save the day.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=The Titanium Germ
|ShortSummary=When the Autobots try to stop Megatron from converting Alaskan oil rigs into new robot soldiers, Jazz is exposed to a deadly substance that infects and slowly kills him. Now the Autobots have to save their friend and stop Megatron!
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=Anything For A Friend
|ShortSummary= Converting a nuclear submarine into a new warrior, the Decepticons take control of the seas. Optimus is forced to leave his truck body and poses as an old battleship to try and stop the threat. He's nearly destroyed in the ensuing battle, and Duke must form a 'mind-link' with him to try and restore the Autobot leader to life.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=Not On The First Date
|ShortSummary=Wendy is forced to abandon her first date when Megatron plots to bring an army of Japanese electronic devices to life. It's up to her and Toad to stop him!
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=Time For Trouble
|ShortSummary=Kroll reveals the existence of a government time machine to Megatron. With the device transformed into one of their soldiers, the Decepticons can escape into another time—unless the Autobots stop them!
}}
|}

Hasbro and Sunbow would provide feedback on this bible, clarifying that [[Transformer]]s were mechanical beings, not electrical. They also didn't want any pre-existing characters to be female, and suggested that Optimus meet the human hero after being repaired when severely damaged in the desert. As a result, the bible was brought more in line with the preexisting premise. CBS also had input, wanting to tie the pitch into the miniseries as well as give Duke a dog that could sniff out Decepticons. Remember that for later.

==Revised Series Bible==
[[Image:CarandCable2.jpg|thumb|150px|No, that's not Bug Bite. He's Muffler.]]

Scott completed a revised draft of the bible, now 41 pages long, on [[March 3]]. By this point, he had been provided with [[Bob Budiansky]]'s character profiles and a copy of the first act of "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]". As a result, the pre-existing characters were brought more in line with their bios, and the plot was given the same backstory of the Transformers crashing on Earth and being awoken millions of years later by a volcanic eruption. However, by the year 1988, the Decepticons' superior numbers have allowed them to conquer much of the Earth, taking control of its manufacturing facilities and leaving humanity as little more than slaves, with <s>Megatron</s> Negator giving them only a sliver of control over the remains of the economy to keep society running. Dissent is impossible due a secret police of disguised Decepticons, who keep the human population under constant surveillance. However, the Autobots continue to operate from the shadows, attempting to free humanity and stop the Decepticons for good.

Most of the roster of characters would be carried over from the previous draft, with some minor alterations. The main Autobot lineup now included Optimus Prime, Jazz, Firecycle, Mirage, Muffler (a renamed Toad) and Trailbreaker. The Decepticon roster now featured Negator, Soundwave, Buzzsaw, Starscream, Thundercracker, Skywarp and Whirlpool.

==Cast==

===Autobots===

*Optimus Prime- Leader of the only six remaining Autobots.His bio is a rework of Bobs but with a few new twists. Described as "IMENSELY KIND, AND HIS COMPASSION EXTENDS TO ALL LIVING THINGS, INCLUDING THE "TWO-LEGGED FLESH FORMS" OF EARTH." Views humans "AS NO DIFFERENT THAN AUTOBOTS, EXCEPT THAT THEIR PERSONALITIES ARE CLOTHED IN FLESH INSTEAD OF METAL." Still has that weird three modules aspect of the bio with Roller being present, though he doesn't appear in the script. However, here the Combat Deck trailer is "AUTOBOT HQ" which besides transporting Autobots is "A REPAIR CENTER FOR DAMAGED AUTOBOTS" which can perform "ELECTRO-SURGERY."
*Jazzz- Optimus cool, happening right hand man. His bio is a very slight reworking of his profile. Uses the early three z's spelling.
*Firecycle- The only female Autobot, she transforms into a red motorcycle and is a skilled mechanic tasked with repairing her fellow Autobots. She's also a robot expert able to create many things, such as turning a toaster into a fighting robot. She has a 'Laser Heat-Ray' and a 'Zero-K Blaster' that can freeze anything. Firecycle loves Optimus Prime, but the Autobot leader fears returning her feelings after all the Autobots he's lost in centuries of war. The medic's main failing is her reluctance to hurt any living thing. She even tries to avoid driving on grass for fear of hurting the plant life. The Decepticons take advantage of this by often pretending to be injured to lure her into traps. While her role as the 'girl Autobot' and crush on Optimus originates with the previous bible's version of Sideswipe, she is otherwise a very different character. Had the proposed name of Firewheels.
*Mirage- An aristocrat turned reluctant freedom fighter. Like in the final cartoon he can turn himself invisible. Also has a Twin Tractor Beam. Distrusted by some of the other Autobots who think he could be a spy.
*Muffler: An Autobot spy and messenger, named after his noisy exhaust system. He turns into a VW Beetle (described as yellow and pink at different points in his profile). He adopted this form while trying to escape a Decepticon ambush by hiding in a used car-lot. It worked so well he was brought by Wendy Fairchild. The tenderhearted Autobot not wanting her to have wasted her money now serves as her car when he's not on missions. Wendy calls him 'Muffy' a nickname he dislikes. Muffler has refused to use a weapon since he shot himself in the foot with a laser cannon. He has issues with his 'elctro-mechanical control functions' which prevent him from transforming properly. For instance when transforming into robot mode one of his legs might get stuck as a fender forcing him to comically hop around on one leg. His main strength is his klutziness. He might lose a wheel while fleeing a Decepticon, only for his pursuer to trip over it.
*Trailbreaker- An incredibly fuel ineffective Autobot which leads him to view himself as a liability. To counter this he acts as a prankster. Once fused a game cartridge into Muffler's mind. Jerk. Has a "A LASER-GATTLING GUN" which "FIRE 32 PENCIL-THICK BEAMS AT ONCE."

===Decepticons===
*Negator: The Decepticon leader. Yes, he's a renamed Megatron. His name emphasises how he's completely negative with no positive traits (The behind the scenes explanation seems to be that CBS weren't okay with Megatron being a handgun, with their "limitations" stating he become a "laser tank," then a "satellite particle beam cannon" in the script. Presumably Hasbro requested a name change when the character no longer resembled the toy). He has dedicated the Decepticons to subjugating all inferior lifeforms, and he views all other life as inferior to him. He's so evil that the Autobots question if he's really sentient, or some sort of empty husk animated by an ancient computer program.
*Soundwave: Negator's scheming Comm-Officer. He's described as red in the script. The only cassette he has is Buzzsaw, a "STAUNCH ALLY AND CONFIDANT."
*Starscream- Biggest change to the profile is the line "NEGATOR OVERLOOKS THE POTENTIAL PERSONAL THREAT STARSCREAM REPRESENTS FOR TWO REASONS: 1. STARSCREAM IS VERY GOOD AT HIS JOB, 2. NEGATOR IS BETTER." (Move over Seekers, Here the jets are known as "Strato-Warriors").
*Thundercraker-Just a straight copy of his character profile with no changes.
*Skywarp- "THE LEAST INTELLIGENT OF ALL DECEPTICONS", a prankster that no-one else likes. Teleports by way of a "A SPACE-WARP LOCATION TRANSFER." Carries "HEAT-SEEKING "ACID-WARHEADS" that melt into an Autobots Armour. Has the early "Olive Drab" colour scheme.
*Whirlpool: The only female Decepticon she turns into an AMPHIBIOUS FLYING CRAFT, that is able to fly, jet across ground and water, along with being able to travel underwater allowing her to reach any depth beneath the waves. She poses a twin torpedo launcher which fires a special imploding torpedo which sucks anything in range. Her rotors can also create a powerful whirlpool when underwater. Her seductive charms allow her to trick an Autobot into thinking they're on the same side, before she betrays them. Whirlpool is a former Autobot. Optimus Prime seeks to reform her, while she wants to destroy him to prove that the Decepticons are superior.

[[Image:CarandCable4.jpg|thumb|right|Muffler, the human cast and the network mandated dog sidekick.]]
===Others===
*Matt Conroy- (Sunbow didn't think Duke was a good name. Imagine a cartoon where that was the [[Duke (G.I. Joe)|main character's]] name...) A twenty-nine year old truck driver who found a damaged truck by the side of the road. He repaired it planning to replace his old truck that had been repossessed by the bank. But once the repairs were done it transformed into Optimus Prime. Since then Matt has been swept up in the Transformers war 'bitching and moaning' about the Mechanical Men from Mars who've taken over his life, but like Han Solo he'll always come through for his Autobot friends in the end. When driving Optimus the Autobot talks to him over the truck's CB radio. When Optimus transforms Matt's cab becomes part of Optimus chest and all the human can do during fights is yell "I'LL CREAM YA IF YA DENT MY TRUCK, YOU TIN PIRATE". Optimus overlooks Matt's behavior because his knowledge of Earth is useful to the Autobots. That and he likes him. Matt's mechanical skills also mean that he can jury-rigg repairs to help patch the Autobots up.
*Burt- Matt's pet German Shepard with the unique ability to detect Decepticons via their smell. An otherwise friendly creature he goes wild when he senses a Decepticon. This is useful for revealing Decepticons in disguise (he's fine with Autobots which has led Matt to wonder if the differences between Autobots and Decepticons goes beyond political persuasions).
*Wendy Fairchild- Once she was a normal teenager, like Dominique Dunnne in "Poltergeist" who lived in the suburbs like in "Poltergeist" with her parents and had a little brother like in "Poltergeist" (That is the comparison CBS used. They also suggested changing Wendy to be Russian like Nadia Comeniech who, umm, wasn't Russian. This didn't happen.) Now she helps the Autobots with their fight against the Decepticons, while trying to balance her teenage life, having to come up with excuses as to why she has to suddenly ditch her date at the drive-in theater, or explain to her father why her car has laser-shots in the windscreen. As her parents work in one of the Decepticons fabrication plants she worries what would happen to them if her connection to the Autobots was revealed.
*Eddie Fairchild-Wendy's younger brother, his youthful curiosity led him to uncover the secret of his sister's car. Since then lack of fear has resulted in him getting involved in the Autobots fight with the Decepticons, such as the time he hid in Muffler's backseat. He looks up to the small Autobot, pestering him with questions like what happens if you fall into a black hole or if aliens built the pyramids. He wasn't in the first bible, but appeared in Scott's notes.
*Arthur Kroll-An amoral human who allied himself with the Decepticons as a way of obtaining power and wealth. While he provides them with information about the human resistance there is little trust between Kroll and the Decepticons, as ultimately the human only cares about himself. His greed and thoughtlessness often result in him becoming a hindrance to both the Autobots and Decepticons. He does not appear in the pilot script.
[[Image:CarandCable3.jpg|thumb|right|Muffler and Wendy]]

==Episodes==
The series bible reuses the episodes from the previous bible, alongside 9 new ones.

{| class="wikitable" style="margin: auto; width: 100%;"
|-
{{Episode list
|Title=The Erasing of Optimus Prime
|ShortSummary=Negator captures Optimus and takes his memory tapes, giving him the information he needs to destroy the Autobots. Matt must risk his life to steal back the tapes and rescue his friend.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=The Plutonium Plot
|ShortSummary=Negator plans to cut the Autobots off from their fuel supply knowing that it will only be a matter of time until they run out of energy. The Autobots must sneak into a nuclear power reactor to recharge themselves before it's too late!
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=A Coal Day In December
|ShortSummary=Developing a 'Diamond-steeling alloy' Negator takes control of the Pennsylvanian coal fields for a new source of diamonds. The Autobots must take back control of the mines before the coldest winter in years spells the end for the people of the Eastern US.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=Nobody Home
|ShortSummary=Wendy's parents are taken by the Decepticons to work in a factory forced to help create a new, deadlier kind of 'mind controlling' robot. Wendy and Eddie embark on a dangerous mission to save their parents with the Autobots help.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=Operation Alpha Centuri
|ShortSummary=Negator war fleet is complete and he is ready to begin his conquest of the universe! With the help of the human resistance the Autobots build their own ship. In a 'Star Warsian' battle the Autobots manage to destroy the Decepticons fleet.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=The Robot With A Thousand Eyes
|ShortSummary=A Decepticon spy learns of the Autobots plan to hijack a shipment of Decepticon parts. Now they need to stop the spy from reaching Negator.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=A Robots Best Friend Is His Dog
|ShortSummary=Annoyed that Burt the German Shepherd has foiled another scheme, Negator sends a squad of Decepticons to capture the robot detecting dog. The Autobots and Matt plan a raid on Decepticon headquarters to rescue their four legged friend. This episode was chosen as the pilot script to represent the series.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=A New Muffler
|ShortSummary=During battle Muffler is captured and rescued by his friends. But after Autobot plans begin to fail it seems that they have a spy in their midst. And suddenly Muffler isn't such a klutz....What's going on?
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=A Deadly Decision
|ShortSummary=A battle leaves several Autobots wounded. Firecycle tries to repair them, but a lack of supplies means that she can't save everyone. One of the Autobots will die unless she can get the supplies to save them.
}}
|}

===A Robot's Best Friend Is His Dog===
Wendy and Eddie Fairchild are getting ready for school, when a "DECEPTICON ROBOT GUARD" passes by their house reminding them of the alien occupation of Earth.
Meanwhile, at a Decepticon run steel mill that's producing new troops, Jazzz and Trailbreaker arrive in vehicle mode sneaking in with inflatable dummies posed as their drivers. They're caught by the guards and have to transform into robot mode, forced to fight their way through the mill. Ultimately they take control of the plant, free the imprisoned workers and set up defences against further Decepticon attacks. A silent Buzzsaw watches this before heading back to Decepticon headquarters. In the Colorado Rockies, Negator plots, when he's interrupted by the spy's arrival. Despite Starscream mockery, Negator announces his plan to destroy all the Autobots.

Elsewhere, the Fairchild's parents are forced to leave for work in a Decepticon factory, as the children leave for school in their friend, the undercover Autobot Muffler. Stopped at a Decepticon roadblock, the Autobot is found out by the guards and the trio are forced to flee as they give chase.
At a roadside diner, trucker Matt's vehicle begins to drive away on its own to everyone else's confusion as he hurries to catch it. On the highway, Matt and the truck, Optimus Prime, follow Muffler's distress signal. Catching up with their friends, Optimus transforms into robot mode and destroys the pursuers. Mirage and Firecycle exit from Prime's trailer, then the Autobots receive a message from Jazzz at the mill. Arriving, they are silently stalked by hidden Decepticons. Entering the building Matt's dog, Burt suddenly starts barking at a forklift, revealing that it's a hidden Decepticon. With the ambush ruined, the Decepticon start their attack. Outnumbered by the enemy forces, Optimus gives them enough time to retreat by blasting open a water tower, the wave washing the Decepticons away. The Autobots manage to escape, but the workers are left behind to be re-enslaved.

Elsewhere, Negator realises that Burt was responsible for ruining his plan and orders the dog to be eliminated. In the woods, the Autobots repair themselves as Wendy and Eddie head to school with Burt, unaware that Soundwave is tracking them. Arriving at the school they make it to class, where a Decepticon sentry watches over them. Upset by the robot Burt starts barking. Hearing the dog from across the city, Soundwave lands at the school, reaches through a window, grabbing Burt and flies off. Back at the base, Firecycle is able to save a critically wounded Jazzz. The children arrive and tell them what happened. Things seem hopeless until Trailbreaker comes up with a plan...

The Autobots rush into the mill, taking care of the guards and freeing the workers. To their confusion Optimus orders them to continue making Decepticon parts. In the Decepticon headquarters, Negator prepares for surgery to find out how Burt is able to detect Decepticons. Suddenly, scanners announce a new shipment of parts from the mill. As the Decepticons start unloading the cargo jet, Matt jumps out of a crate, blasting laser fire. The Autobots are revealed to have used the new parts to disguise themselves as newly constructed Decepticons. Optimus provides covering fire so Matt can make it deeper inside the base as the battle continues.

Matt finds the "electro-surgery room", blowing up the surgeon and rescuing his dog. They return to the hanger, but Starscream keeps them pinned down with his lasers, preventing them from reuniting with their friends. However, Eddie rushes in, grabs a gun from a dead Deception and uses it to down the plane. Hearing Burt's barks, the Autobots prepare to leave by the jet. As it takes off, Negator transforms into "satellite particle beam cannon mode" preparing to shoot them down. However, Optimus, still outside in truck form, fires his laser rifle at him knocking him off target so he instead blows a hole in the hanger ceiling, trapping the Decepticons in rubble, giving them time to escape.
Back at the mill, the workers begin the production of new Autobots, while a grateful Burt licks Optimus as everyone laughs.

==Notes==
This script has various details that wouldn't fit in the summary.
*Scott suggests that when we see a POV from a Transformer it would show a "Hi-tech binocular matte" which features "grid lines and changing LED numbers."
*The Decepticons have regular news broadcasts glorifying their conquest of the planet. Turning them off is illegal.
*All the non-named Decepticons are generics that aren't really described in any way. Just being large.
*During the opening fight at the mill:
**When the guard searches Jazzz's fake driver, he catches it's hand by rolling up his window and then changing into robot mode.
**Trailbreaker knocks a guard into a vat of molten steel.
**Jazzz runs through two guards, smashing them into pieces.
*The Decepticons headquarters is a massive cave carved into the Colorado mountains with a large hangar.
*The Fairchild's parents are transported to work by "a large truck" with a Decepticon standing guard in the back.
*Muffler is able to control his seatbelts and uses it to gag Eddie's mouth at the checkpoint.
*Some details from the chase sequence
**The roadblock guards chase after them after transforming into "side hacker motor cycles."
**During the chase Muffler nearly runs down another Decepticon, which then chases after them as an army truck.
**Optimus is able to blast one of the pursuers of the road, then burst another's tire which swerves into the army truck, smashing it into pieces before it falls into a ravine.
*At the mill the Decepticons disguise themselves by camouflage rope netting.
*The Decepticons hide at the ambush site in cranes, trucks and forklifts altmodes.
*At the school we met Mr Davenport, the class teacher. He asks student Johnny for his report of the American independence, only for the classroom's Decepticon guard to stop him as "the subject of freedom is forbidden."
*Soundwave is described as red by Eddie. This isn't an early colour scheme. Soundwave's profile didn't mention his colour scheme and all the reference material Scott had was in black and white. When he had someone describe his appearance he just had to guess.
==Development==
Even with the script, bibles and notes there's a limit to what we can infer about the development of this pitch. A lot of what we could say would just be guesswork.... But, it just so happens that Scott wrote a book about "How To Write For Animation" which includes his advice for successfully pitching a show explaining some of his creative choices.
*As Scott says in his book "your initial audience is not the viewer of the cartoon but the story editor or producer who is going to buy it." He suggests "find out what the buyer wants".<ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott(p. 37)</ref> Likely, this story was inspired by the network's request for a robot detecting dog.
*The pilot's odd backstory is another example of meeting the network's requirements, what with the whole conquest of Earth happening offscreen. In the section "HOW TO WRITE A PILOT", Scott brings up the crucial detail that "99 OUT OF A 100 TIMES THE NETWORK DOESN'T WANT AN "ORIGIN " PILOT." <ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott (p.172)</ref> The reasoning being that an origin story is usually unrepresentative of the show as a whole, while a random adventure can better demonstrate what the show is going to be like on a week to week basis.
*Another piece of advice is that if "you're trying to sell a show to a network exec, you want to reveal as much of the show as you can in the pilot."<ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott (p.172)</ref>
*If this pitch had been approved its ideas would have almost certainly been reworked further. In many shows Scott would continue expanding and changing details after production commenced, finding out what worked and what didn't. <ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott(p. 173)</ref> The last page of the script shows this happening here, with him suggesting a rework to the story so that the Fairchild's parents aren't featured and instead the children's quest to find them is a potential series plot point.

==Legacy==

Ultimately, CBS did not produce a Transformers cartoon in 1984. We can only guess why. While the pitch was passed over it wasn't quite the end. On the 30th of April, Sunbow staff briefly considered including some aspects into the final show, such as a big brother figure (they didn't) and maybe reusing some the episode premises (they didn't) .<ref>[https://tfarchive.com/cartoons/bible The Transformers production bible, including internal correspondence from Bryce Malek and Dick Robbins, that refers to Eddie and Matt by name]</ref> Later, the January 1985 issue of Comic Features would showcased various unproduced cartoons including artwork created for this pitch under the new title of Car and Cable.<ref>[http://starlogged.blogspot.com/2012/01/marvel-productions-in-198485.html Scans of ''Comics Feature'' at the "Starlogged" blog]</ref> For years this was assumed to be Marvel creating a knockoff of their own success with Transformers. We still don't know why this happened. Were Marvel seriously considering reworking this show without the Transformers elements? Did they publish concept art under a fake name to make it look like they had more shows in development? It's unclear.

And that was the end of this pitch.

Until [[2020]], when Instagram user consumercollectiables uncovered additional concept art which featured a silhouetted Prowl menacing Muffy and his friend in a "garage scene", with the handwritten note "Trans 3 V" and cast list using the names mentioned in the memo, explicitly tying it to Transformers.<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/consumercollectibles/ consumercollectables on Instagram]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20200803141945/https://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/167466-remember-that-concept-art-for-muffy-the-unmade-marvel-cartoon/ AllSpark.com forum post collecting ''Car and Cable'' art (archived)]</ref> This just raised more questions.....
Which were answered in [[2024]], when Jeffery Scott sold off all of the development material for this pitch.
==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qYFePnAgHL9vlhAEF5IY3db59P0WaLwx/view?usp=drive_link First Series Bible]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1r0M_CIdlaEZs5SWmMQhSuO_M2ogZgQxH/view?usp=drive_link Revised Series Bible]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1j-XyM7R3RXwlqScR1l_gstsu7xCI7Ayj/view A collection of Jeffery Scott's network notes]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FkSIH3jScZJvThuUPxCm167I1ur0hp1M/view Story outline for A Robot's Best Friend Is His Dog]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BGi0WlVKs2I617mvIYr41wITfQIF37K6/view Script for A Robot's Best Friend Is His Dog]

User:WillR113/Sandbox

2025-08-29T10:32:09Z

WillR113: /* Development */

[[File:CarandCable1.jpg|right|thumb|upright=2.5]]

Everyone knows ''The Transformers'', it was one of the most popular cartoons of the '80s! You don't need us to explain the adventures of the [[Autobot]] spy Muffler and his human friends getting into wacky antics trying to survive and wage guerrilla war on a [[Decepticon]] controlled [[Earth]].

Just kidding, that's obviously not the cartoon we got.

In early [[1984]], though, it was possible that wouldn't be the case. A radically different version of the show was pitched by [[Marvel Productions]], its series bible written before "[[More than Meets the Eye (mini-series)|More Than Meets The Eye]]" even had a final script. For decades, there was no information about this pitch, barring mentions in writer [[Jeffrey Scott]]'s resume <ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott(p. 103)</ref> and a brief discussion in a production memo.

Forty years later, that all changed.

==Background==
In [[1981]], animation studio DePatie-Freleng Enterprises was sold to [[Marvel Comics]], becoming Marvel Productions. Both were located on different sides of the country, with Productions in [[California]] and Comics in [[New York]]. Despite this new merger, the two companies didn't get on well at all. In [[1983]], Marvel Productions ignored the work that Comics had created for the unproduced series [[Mysterians]], rejecting the serious action premise for a goofy, Hanna-Barbera-esque one largely centered on kid supporting characters and a wacky dog.<ref>[http://jimshooter.com/2011/06/secret-origin-of-transformers-part-1.html/ "The Secret Origin of the Transformers - Part 1"]</ref>

By 1984, the same thing happened with ''Transformers''. Fueled by the massive success the ''Transformers'' toyline was projected to be (and ultimately was), Hasbro rushed to expand the still in-production miniseries into a full show, naturally turning to Marvel Productions to do so. However, rather than sell it to syndication as with the miniseries, Marvel Production attempted to sell the show to the network [[CBS]]. One of the network requirements were female characters, but we're not sure if they had others or if the writers just decided to reuse other stock tropes they knew networks liked.

Enter Jeffrey Scott. A former Hanna-Barbera employee most known for his work on ''Super Friends'' at the time, Scott was hired by DePatie-Freleng in 1979 for ''Spider-Woman'' and ''Spider-Man'', by Stan Lee and Lee Gunther<ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott(p. 9)</ref>, the latter which would be delayed to 1981 due to the merger. While at Marvel, Scott worked on ''Dungeons and Dragons'', and story edited the fever dream that was ''Pandamonium''. Besides writing scripts, Scott also developed series bibles for animated series: in 1984 alone, he wrote the unproduced ''The Right Stuff'', ''The Secret Wars'', ''Menudo'' and would later devise the smash hit ''Muppet Babies''. Thus, Scott was tasked with creating a development bible for this new ''Transformers'' series.

==First Bible==

[[Image:CarAndCable5.jpg|thumb|150px|No, that's not Bumblebee. He's Toad.]]

On [[February 22]], Scott began work on the series bible, including the basic premise, style of the show, and the characters' personalities. Difficulties arose due to a lack of reference material, seemingly giving him little more than a list of names and altmodes, with Scott specifically requesting 'bio cards'. In fact, he was given so little to work with, [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] isn't even referred to by name. Impressively, he finished the first bible just three days later on [[February 25]]. In this version, the Autobots had finally destroyed the last of the Decepticon rebels after eons of war, bringing peace to their planet. However, they had only destroyed their robot forms, while the Decepticons' "electronic life-entities" had fled into space to try and acquire new bodies. They eventually found their way to Earth and built a base in the [[Bermuda Triangle]], spending the next 50 years hijacking various military crafts to rebuild their forces. The Autobots spent years searching the universe for their enemy, eventually tracking them down to Earth and reigniting their war once again.

The Autobots assume control of various Earth vehicles to blend into the new world, with their leader [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] taking control of a truck owned by the human William 'Duke' Convoy. Unwilling to steal Duke's truck from him, the human is 'drafted' into the war, using his knowledge to help the Autobots. However, Optimus is not the only Autobot to have a human driver: the Autobot Toad (originally meant to be [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] until they decided "NO MINI-CARS") assumed the form of a green VW belonging to a teenage girl named Wendy Fairchild, and now he's stuck with her. The other main Autobots include [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]], [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (the only female Autobot), [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], with [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] as secondary characters rounding out the rest of the cast.

From their underwater headquarters, the Decepticons plot to conquer Earth. The Decepticon leader [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] carries a canister with him which holds the energy forms of an army's worth of Decepticon soldiers. All he needs to do is place one of these energy orbs into his cannon and shoot it at a mechanical object, and it will be transformed into a Decepticon warrior. The other Decepticons are [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (the disloyal second in-command), [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] (used by Soundwave to spy on the Autobots as well as the other Decepticons), [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (a female Decepticon who hates Jazz for destroying her body back on Cybertron), [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercraker]], and [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]. They have also joined forces with Arthur Kroll, a human who aids the invaders so that he may rule over the rest of humanity after the Decepticons have conquered Earth.

The bible includes a list of "story springboards":

{| class="wikitable" style="margin: auto; width: 100%;"
|-
{{Episode list
|Title=Rotten To The Core
|ShortSummary=Megatron takes control of the New York subway system and implants "glowing energy orbs" into the trains, turning them into an army of Deception warriors! Optimus Prime and Duke join forces with a group of teens to help save the day.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=The Titanium Germ
|ShortSummary=When the Autobots try to stop Megatron from converting Alaskan oil rigs into new robot soldiers, Jazz is exposed to a deadly substance that infects and slowly kills him. Now the Autobots have to save their friend and stop Megatron!
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=Anything For A Friend
|ShortSummary= Converting a nuclear submarine into a new warrior, the Decepticons take control of the seas. Optimus is forced to leave his truck body and poses as an old battleship to try and stop the threat. He's nearly destroyed in the ensuing battle, and Duke must form a 'mind-link' with him to try and restore the Autobot leader to life.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=Not On The First Date
|ShortSummary=Wendy is forced to abandon her first date when Megatron plots to bring an army of Japanese electronic devices to life. It's up to her and Toad to stop him!
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=Time For Trouble
|ShortSummary=Kroll reveals the existence of a government time machine to Megatron. With the device transformed into one of their soldiers, the Decepticons can escape into another time—unless the Autobots stop them!
}}
|}

Hasbro and Sunbow would provide feedback on this bible, clarifying that [[Transformer]]s were mechanical beings, not electrical. They also didn't want any pre-existing characters to be female, and suggested that Optimus meet the human hero after being repaired when severely damaged in the desert. As a result, the bible was brought more in line with the preexisting premise. CBS also had input, wanting to tie the pitch into the miniseries as well as give Duke a dog that could sniff out Decepticons. Remember that for later. They also suggested changing Wendy to be Russian like Nadia Comeniech who, umm, wasn't Russian. This didn't happen.

==Revised Series Bible==
[[Image:CarandCable2.jpg|thumb|150px|No that's not Bug Bite. He's Muffler.]]

Scott completed a revised draft of the bible, now 41 pages long, on [[March 3]]. By this point, he had been provided with [[Bob Budiansky]]'s character profiles and a copy of the first act of "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]". As a result, the pre-existing characters were brought more in line with their bios, and the plot was given the same backstory of the Transformers crashing on Earth and being awoken millions of years later by a volcanic eruption. However, by the year 1988, the Decepticons' superior numbers have allowed them to conquer much of the Earth, taking control of its manufacturing facilities and leaving humanity as little more than slaves, with <s>Megatron</s> Negator giving them only a sliver of control over the remains of the economy to keep society running. Dissent is impossible due a secret police of disguised Decepticons, who keep the human population under constant surveillance. However, the Autobots continue to operate from the shadows, attempting to free humanity and stop the Decepticons for good.

Most of the roster of characters would be carried over from the previous draft, with some minor alterations. The main Autobot lineup now included Optimus Prime, Jazz, Firecycle, Mirage, Muffler (a renamed Toad) and Trailbreaker. The Decepticon roster now featured Negator, Soundwave, Buzzsaw, Starscream, Thundercracker, Skywarp and Whirlpool.

==Cast==

===Autobots===

*Optimus Prime- Leader of the only six remaining Autobots.His bio is a rework of Bobs but with a few new twists. Described as "IMENSELY KIND, AND HIS COMPASSION EXTENDS TO ALL LIVING THINGS, INCLUDING THE "TWO-LEGGED FLESH FORMS" OF EARTH." Views humans "AS NO DIFFERENT THAN AUTOBOTS, EXCEPT THAT THEIR PERSONALITIES ARE CLOTHED IN FLESH INSTEAD OF METAL." Still has that weird three modules aspect of the bio with Roller being present, though he doesn't appear in the script. However, here the Combat Deck trailer is "AUTOBOT HQ" which besides transporting Autobots is "A REPAIR CENTER FOR DAMAGED AUTOBOTS" which can perform "ELECTRO-SURGERY."
*Jazzz- Optimus cool, happening right hand man. His bio is a very slight reworking of his profile. Uses the early three z's spelling.
*Firecycle- The only female Autobot, she transforms into a red motorcycle and is a skilled mechanic tasked with repairing her fellow Autobots. She's also a robot expert able to create many things, such as turning a toaster into a fighting robot. She has a 'Laser Heat-Ray' and a 'Zero-K Blaster' that can freeze anything. Firecycle loves Optimus Prime, but the Autobot leader fears returning her feelings after all the Autobots he's lost in centuries of war. The medic's main failing is her reluctance to hurt any living thing. She even tries to avoid driving on grass for fear of hurting the plant life. The Decepticons take advantage of this by often pretending to be injured to lure her into a trap. While her role as the 'girl Autobot' and crush on Optimus originates with the previous bible's version of Sideswipe, she is otherwise a very different character.
*Mirage- An aristocrat turned reluctant freedom fighter. Like in the final cartoon he can turn himself invisible. Also has a Twin Tractor Beam. Distrusted by some of the other Autobots who think he could be a spy.
*Muffler: An Autobot spy and messenger, named after his noisy exhaust system. He turns into a VW Beetle (described as yellow and pink at different points in his profile). He adopted this form while trying to escape a Decepticon ambush by hiding in a used car-lot. It worked so well he was brought by Wendy Fairchild. The tenderhearted Autobot not wanting her to have wasted her money now serves as her car when he's not on missions. Wendy calls him 'Muffy' a nickname he dislikes. Muffler has refused to use a weapon since he shot himself in the foot with a laser cannon. He has issues with his 'elctro-mechanical control functions' which prevent him from transforming properly. For instance when transforming into robot mode one of his legs might get stuck as a fender forcing him to comically hop around on one leg. His main strength is his klutziness. He might lose a wheel while fleeing a Decepticon, only for his pursuer to trip over it.
*Trailbreaker- An incredibly fuel ineffective Autobot which leads him to view himself as a liability. To counter this he acts as a prankster. Once fused a game cartridge into Muffler's mind. Jerk. Has a "A LASER-GATTLING GUN" which "FIRE 32 PENCIL-THICK BEAMS AT ONCE."

===Decepticons===
*Negator: The Decepticon leader. Yes, he's a renamed Megatron. His name emphasises how he's completely negative with no positive traits (The behind the scenes explanation seems to be that CBS weren't okay with Megatron being a handgun, with their "limitations" stating he become a "laser tank," then a "satellite particle beam cannon" in the script. Presumably Hasbro requested a name change when the character no longer resembled the toy). He has dedicated the Decepticons to subjugating all inferior lifeforms, and he views all other life as inferior to him. He's so evil that the Autobots question if he's really sentient, or some sort of empty husk animated by an ancient computer program.
*Soundwave: Negator's scheming Comm-Officer. He's described as red in the script. The only cassette he has is Buzzsaw, a "STAUNCH ALLY AND CONFIDANT."
*Starscream- Biggest change to the profile is the line "NEGATOR OVERLOOKS THE POTENTIAL PERSONAL THREAT STARSCREAM REPRESENTS FOR TWO REASONS: 1. STARSCREAM IS VERY GOOD AT HIS JOB, 2. NEGATOR IS BETTER." (Move over Seekers, Here the jets are known as "Strato-Warriors").
*Thundercraker-Just a straight copy of his character profile with no changes.
*Skywarp- "THE LEAST INTELLIGENT OF ALL DECEPTICONS", a prankster that no-one else likes. Teleports by way of a "A SPACE-WARP LOCATION TRANSFER." Carries "HEAT-SEEKING "ACID-WARHEADS" that melt into an Autobots Armour. Has the early "Olive Drab" colour scheme.
*Whirlpool: The only female Decepticon she turns into an AMPHIBIOUS FLYING CRAFT, that is able to fly, jet across ground and water, along with being able to travel underwater allowing her to reach any depth beneath the waves. She poses a twin torpedo launcher which fires a special imploding torpedo which sucks anything in range. Her rotors can also create a powerful whirlpool when underwater. Her seductive charms allow her to trick an Autobot into thinking they're on the same side, before she betrays them. Whirlpool is a former Autobot. Optimus Prime seeks to reform her, while she wants to destroy him to prove that the Decepticons are superior.

[[Image:CarandCable4.jpg|thumb|right|Muffler, the human cast and the network mandated dog sidekick.]]
===Others===
*Matt Conroy- (Sunbow didn't think Duke was a good name. Imagine a cartoon where that was the [[Duke (G.I. Joe)|main character's]] name...) A twenty-nine year old truck driver who found a damaged truck by the side of the road. He repaired it planning to replace his old truck that had been repossessed by the bank. But once the repairs were done it transformed into Optimus Prime. Since then Matt has been swept up in the Transformers war 'bitching and moaning' about the Mechanical Men from Mars who've taken over his life, but like Han Solo he'll always come through for his Autobot friends in the end. When driving Optimus the Autobot talks to him over the truck's CB radio. When Optimus transforms Matt's cab becomes part of Optimus chest and all the human can do during fights is yell "I'LL CREAM YA IF YA DENT MY TRUCK, YOU TIN PIRATE". Optimus overlooks Matt's behavior because his knowledge of Earth is useful to the Autobots. That and he likes him. Matt's mechanical skills also mean that he can jury-rigg repairs to help patch the Autobots up.
*Burt- Matt's pet German Shepard with the unique ability to detect Decepticons via their smell. An otherwise friendly creature he goes wild when he senses a Decepticon. This is useful for revealing Decepticons in disguise (he's fine with Autobots which has led Matt to wonder if the differences between Autobots and Decepticons goes beyond political persuasions).
*Wendy Fairchild- Once she was a normal teenager, like Dominique Dunnne in "Poltergeist" who lived in the suburbs like in "Poltergeist" with her parents and had a little brother like in "Poltergeist" (That is the comparison CBS used). Now she helps the Autobots with their fight against the Decepticons, while trying to balance her teenage life, having to come up with excuses as to why she has to suddenly ditch her date at the drive-in theater, or explain to her father why her car has laser-shots in the windscreen. As her parents work in one of the Decepticons fabrication plants she worries what would happen to them if her connection to the Autobots was revealed. At the end of the pilot script Scott suggests finding her parents could be a potential plot point for the series.
*Eddie Fairchild-Wendy's younger brother, his youthful curiosity led him to uncover the secret of his sister's car. Since then lack of fear has resulted in him getting involved in the Autobots fight with the Decepticons, such as the time he hid in Muffler's backseat. He looks up to the small Autobot, pestering him with questions like what happens if you fall into a black hole or if aliens built the pyramids. He wasn't in the first bible, but appeared in Scott's notes.
*Arthur Kroll-An amoral human who allied himself with the Decepticons as a way of obtaining power and wealth. While he provides them with information about the human resistance there is little trust between Kroll and the Decepticons, as ultimately the human only cares about himself. His greed and thoughtlessness often result in him becoming a hindrance to both the Autobots and Decepticons. He does not appear in the pilot script.

==Episodes==
The series bible reuses the episodes from the previous bible, alongside 9 new ones.

{| class="wikitable" style="margin: auto; width: 100%;"
|-
{{Episode list
|Title=The Erasing of Optimus Prime
|ShortSummary=Negator captures Optimus and takes his memory tapes, giving him the information he needs to destroy the Autobots. Matt must risk his life to steal back the tapes and rescue his friend.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=The Plutonium Plot
|ShortSummary=Negator plans to cut the Autobots off from their fuel supply knowing that it will only be a matter of time until they run out of energy. The Autobots must sneak into a nuclear power reactor to recharge themselves before it's too late!
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=A Coal Day In December
|ShortSummary=Developing a 'Diamond-steeling alloy' Negator takes control of the Pennsylvanian coal fields for a new source of diamonds. The Autobots must take back control of the mines before the coldest winter in years spells the end for the people of the Eastern US.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=Nobody Home
|ShortSummary=Wendy's parents are taken by the Decepticons to work in a factory forced to help create a new, deadlier kind of 'mind controlling' robot. Wendy and Eddie embark on a dangerous mission to save their parents with the Autobots help.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=Operation Alpha Centuri
|ShortSummary=Negator war fleet is complete and he is ready to begin his conquest of the universe! With the help of the human resistance the Autobots build their own ship. In a 'Star Warsian' battle the Autobots manage to destroy the Decepticons fleet.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=The Robot With A Thousand Eyes
|ShortSummary=A Decepticon spy learns of the Autobots plan to hijack a shipment of Decepticon parts. Now they need to stop the spy from reaching Negator.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=A Robots Best Friend Is His Dog
|ShortSummary=Annoyed that Burt the German Shepherd has foiled another scheme, Negator sends a squad of Decepticons to capture the robot detecting dog. The Autobots and Matt plan a raid on Decepticon headquarters to rescue their four legged friend. This episode was chosen as the pilot script to represent the series.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=A New Muffler
|ShortSummary=During battle Muffler is captured and rescued by his friends. But after Autobot plans begin to fail it seems that they have a spy in their midst. And suddenly Muffler isn't such a klutz....What's going on?
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=A Deadly Decision
|ShortSummary=A battle leaves several Autobots wounded. Firecycle tries to repair them, but a lack of supplies means that she can't save everyone. One of the Autobots will die unless she can get the supplies to save them.
}}
|}

===A Robot's Best Friend Is His Dog===
Wendy and Eddie Fairchild are getting ready for school, when a "DECEPTICON ROBOT GUARD" passes by their house reminding them of the alien occupation of Earth.
Meanwhile, at a Decepticon run steel mill that's producing new troops, Jazzz and Trailbreaker arrive in vehicle mode sneaking in with inflatable dummies posed as their drivers. They're caught by the guards and have to transform into robot mode, forced to fight their way through the mill. Ultimately they take control of the plant, free the imprisoned workers and set up defences against further Decepticon attacks. A silent Buzzsaw watches this before heading back to Decepticon headquarters. In the Colorado Rockies, Negator plots, when he's interrupted by the spy's arrival. Despite Starscream mockery, Negator announces his plan to destroy all the Autobots.

Elsewhere, the Fairchild's parents are forced to leave for work in a Decepticon factory, as the children leave for school in their friend, the undercover Autobot Muffler. Stopped at a Decepticon roadblock, the Autobot is found out by the guards and the trio are forced to flee as they give chase.
At a roadside diner, trucker Matt's vehicle begins to drive away on its own to everyone else's confusion as he hurries to catch it. On the highway, Matt and the truck, Optimus Prime, follow Muffler's distress signal. Catching up with their friends, Optimus transforms into robot mode and destroys the pursuers. Mirage and Firecycle exit from Prime's trailer, then the Autobots receive a message from Jazzz at the mill. Arriving, they are silently stalked by hidden Decepticons. Entering the building Matt's dog, Burt suddenly starts barking at a forklift, revealing that it's a hidden Decepticon. With the ambush ruined, the Decepticon start their attack. Outnumbered by the enemy forces, Optimus gives them enough time to retreat by blasting open a water tower, the wave washing the Decepticons away. The Autobots manage to escape, but the workers are left behind to be re-enslaved.

Elsewhere, Negator realises that Burt was responsible for ruining his plan and orders the dog to be eliminated. In the woods, the Autobots repair themselves as Wendy and Eddie head to school with Burt, unaware that Soundwave is tracking them. Arriving at the school they make it to class, where a Decepticon sentry watches over them. Upset by the robot Burt starts barking. Hearing the dog from across the city, Soundwave lands at the school, reaches through a window, grabbing Burt and flies off. Back at the base, Firecycle is able to save a critically wounded Jazzz. The children arrive and tell them what happened. Things seem hopeless until Trailbreaker comes up with a plan...

The Autobots rush into the mill, taking care of the guards and freeing the workers. To their confusion Optimus orders them to continue making Decepticon parts. In the Decepticon headquarters, Negator prepares for surgery to find out how Burt is able to detect Decepticons. Suddenly, scanners announce a new shipment of parts from the mill. As the Decepticons start unloading the cargo jet, Matt jumps out of a crate, blasting laser fire. The Autobots are revealed to have used the new parts to disguise themselves as newly constructed Decepticons. Optimus provides covering fire so Matt can make it deeper inside the base as the battle continues.

Matt finds the "electro-surgery room", blowing up the surgeon and rescuing his dog. They return to the hanger, but Starscream keeps them pinned down with his lasers, preventing them from reuniting with their friends. However, Eddie rushes in, grabs a gun from a dead Deception and uses it to down the plane. Hearing Burt's barks, the Autobots prepare to leave by the jet. As it takes off, Negator transforms into "satellite particle beam cannon mode" preparing to shoot them down. However, Optimus, still outside in truck form, fires his laser rifle at him knocking him off target so he instead blows a hole in the hanger ceiling, trapping the Decepticons in rubble, giving them time to escape.
Back at the mill, the workers begin the production of new Autobots, while a grateful Burt licks Optimus as everyone laughs.

==Notes==
Various other aspects of the script that wouldn't fit in the summary.
*Scott suggests that when we see a POV from a Transformer it would show a "Hi-tech binocular matte" which features "grid lines and changing LED numbers."
*The Decepticons have regular news broadcasts glorifying their conquest of the planet. Turning them off is illegal.
*All the non-named Decepticons are generics that aren't really described in any way. Just being large.
*Opening mill fight:
**When the guard searches Jazzz's fake driver, he catches it's hand by rolling up his window and then changing into robot mode.
**Trailbreaker knocks a guard into a vat of molten steel.
**Jazzz runs through two guards, smashing them into pieces.
*The Decepticons headquarters is a massive cave carved into the Colorado mountains with a large hangar.
*The Fairchild's parents are transported to work by "a large truck" with a Decepticon standing guard in the back.
*Muffler is able to control his seatbelts and uses it to gag Eddie's mouth at the checkpoint.
*The roadblock guards chase after them after transforming into "side hacker motor cycles."
*During the chase Muffler nearly runs down another Decepticon, which then chases after them as an army truck.
*Optimus is able to blast one of the pursuers of the road, then burst anothers tire which swerves into the army truck, smashing it into pieces before it falls into a ravine.
*At the mill the Decepticons disguise themselves by camouflage rope netting.
*The Decepticons hide at the ambush site in cranes, trucks and forklifts altmodes.
*At the school we met Mr Davenport, the class teacher. He asks student Johnny for his report of the American independence, only for the classroom's Decepticon guard to stop him as "the subject of freedom is forbidden."
*Soundwave is described as red by Eddie. This isn't an early colour scheme. Soundwave's profile didn't mention his colour scheme and all the reference material Scott had was in black and white. When he had someone describe his appearance he just had to guess.
==Development==
Even with the script, bibles and notes there's a limit to what we can infer about the development of this pitch. A lot of what we could say would just be guesswork.... But, it just so happens that Scott wrote a book about "How To Write For Animation" which includes his advice for successfully pitching a show explaining some of his creative choices.
*As Scott says in his book "your initial audience is not the viewer of the cartoon but the story editor or producer who is going to buy it." He suggests "find out what the buyer wants".<ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott(p. 37)</ref> Likely, this story was inspired by the network's request for a robot detecting dog.
*The pilot's odd backstory is another example of meeting the network's requirements, what with the whole conquest of Earth happening offscreen. In the section "HOW TO WRITE A PILOT", Scott brings up the crucial detail that "99 OUT OF A 100 TIMES THE NETWORK DOESN'T WANT AN "ORIGIN " PILOT." <ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott (p.172)</ref> The reasoning being that an origin story is usually unrepresentative of the show as a whole, while a random adventure can better demonstrate what the show is going to be like on a week to week basis.
*Another piece of advice is that if "you're trying to sell a show to a network exec, you want to reveal as much of the show as you can in the pilot."<ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott (p.172)</ref>
*If this pitch had been approved its ideas would have almost certainly been reworked further. In many shows Scott would continue expanding and changing details after production commenced, finding out what worked and what didn't. <ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott(p. 173)</ref> The last page of the script shows this happening here, with him suggesting a rework to the story so that the Fairchild's parents aren't featured and instead the children's quest to find them is a potential plot point.

==Legacy==

Ultimately, CBS did not produce a Transformers cartoon in 1984. We can only guess why. While the pitch was passed over it wasn't quite the end. On the 30th of April, Sunbow staff briefly considered including some aspects into the final show, such as a big brother figure (they didn't) and maybe reusing some the episode premises (they didn't) .<ref>[https://tfarchive.com/cartoons/bible The Transformers production bible, including internal correspondence from Bryce Malek and Dick Robbins, that refers to Eddie and Matt by name]</ref> Later, the January 1985 issue of Comic Features would showcased various unproduced cartoons including artwork created for this pitch under the new title of Car and Cable.<ref>[http://starlogged.blogspot.com/2012/01/marvel-productions-in-198485.html Scans of ''Comics Feature'' at the "Starlogged" blog]</ref> For years this was assumed to be Marvel creating a knockoff of their own success with Transformers. We still don't know why this happened. Were Marvel seriously considering reworking this show without the Transformers elements? Did they publish concept art under a fake name to make it look like they had more shows in development? It's unclear.

And that was the end of this pitch.

Until [[2020]], when Instagram user consumercollectiables uncovered additional concept art which featured a silhouetted Prowl menacing Muffy and his friend in a "garage scene", with the handwritten note "Trans 3 V" and cast list using the names mentioned in the memo, explicitly tying it to Transformers.<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/consumercollectibles/ consumercollectables on Instagram]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20200803141945/https://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/167466-remember-that-concept-art-for-muffy-the-unmade-marvel-cartoon/ AllSpark.com forum post collecting ''Car and Cable'' art (archived)]</ref> This just raised more questions.....
Which were answered in [[2024]], when Jeffery Scott sold off all of the development material for this pitch.
==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qYFePnAgHL9vlhAEF5IY3db59P0WaLwx/view?usp=drive_link First Series Bible]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1r0M_CIdlaEZs5SWmMQhSuO_M2ogZgQxH/view?usp=drive_link Revised Series Bible]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1j-XyM7R3RXwlqScR1l_gstsu7xCI7Ayj/view A collection of Jeffery Scott's network notes]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FkSIH3jScZJvThuUPxCm167I1ur0hp1M/view Story outline for A Robot's Best Friend Is His Dog]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BGi0WlVKs2I617mvIYr41wITfQIF37K6/view Script for A Robot's Best Friend Is His Dog]

User:WillR113/Sandbox

2025-08-29T02:54:48Z

WillR113:

[[File:CarandCable1.jpg|right|thumb|upright=2.5]]

Everyone knows ''The Transformers'', it was one of the most popular cartoons of the '80s! You don't need us to explain the adventures of the [[Autobot]] spy Muffler and his human friends getting into wacky antics trying to survive and wage guerrilla war on a [[Decepticon]] controlled [[Earth]].

Just kidding, that's obviously not the cartoon we got.

In early [[1984]], though, it was possible that wouldn't be the case. A radically different version of the show was pitched by [[Marvel Productions]], its series bible written before "[[More than Meets the Eye (mini-series)|More Than Meets The Eye]]" even had a final script. For decades, there was no information about this pitch, barring mentions in writer [[Jeffrey Scott]]'s resume <ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott(p. 103)</ref> and a brief discussion in a production memo.

Forty years later, that all changed.

==Background==
In [[1981]], animation studio DePatie-Freleng Enterprises was sold to [[Marvel Comics]], becoming Marvel Productions. Both were located on different sides of the country, with Productions in [[California]] and Comics in [[New York]]. Despite this new merger, the two companies didn't get on well at all. In [[1983]], Marvel Productions ignored the work that Comics had created for the unproduced series [[Mysterians]], rejecting the serious action premise for a goofy, Hanna-Barbera-esque one largely centered on kid supporting characters and a wacky dog.<ref>[http://jimshooter.com/2011/06/secret-origin-of-transformers-part-1.html/ "The Secret Origin of the Transformers - Part 1"]</ref>

By 1984, the same thing happened with ''Transformers''. Fueled by the massive success the ''Transformers'' toyline was projected to be (and ultimately was), Hasbro rushed to expand the still in-production miniseries into a full show, naturally turning to Marvel Productions to do so. However, rather than sell it to syndication as with the miniseries, Marvel Production attempted to sell the show to the network [[CBS]]. One of the network requirements were female characters, but we're not sure if they had others or if the writers just decided to reuse other stock tropes they knew networks liked.

Enter Jeffrey Scott. A former Hanna-Barbera employee most known for his work on ''Super Friends'' at the time, Scott was hired by DePatie-Freleng in 1979 for ''Spider-Woman'' and ''Spider-Man'', by Stan Lee and Lee Gunther<ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott(p. 9)</ref>, the latter which would be delayed to 1981 due to the merger. While at Marvel, Scott worked on ''Dungeons and Dragons'', and story edited the fever dream that was ''Pandamonium''. Besides writing scripts, Scott also developed series bibles for animated series: in 1984 alone, he wrote the unproduced ''The Right Stuff'', ''The Secret Wars'', ''Menudo'' and would later devise the smash hit ''Muppet Babies''. Thus, Scott was tasked with creating a development bible for this new ''Transformers'' series.

==First Bible==

[[Image:CarAndCable5.jpg|thumb|150px|No, that's not Bumblebee. He's Toad.]]

On [[February 22]], Scott began work on the series bible, including the basic premise, style of the show, and the characters' personalities. Difficulties arose due to a lack of reference material, seemingly giving him little more than a list of names and altmodes, with Scott specifically requesting 'bio cards'. In fact, he was given so little to work with, [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] isn't even referred to by name. Impressively, he finished the first bible just three days later on [[February 25]]. In this version, the Autobots had finally destroyed the last of the Decepticon rebels after eons of war, bringing peace to their planet. However, they had only destroyed their robot forms, while the Decepticons' "electronic life-entities" had fled into space to try and acquire new bodies. They eventually found their way to Earth and built a base in the [[Bermuda Triangle]], spending the next 50 years hijacking various military crafts to rebuild their forces. The Autobots spent years searching the universe for their enemy, eventually tracking them down to Earth and reigniting their war once again.

The Autobots assume control of various Earth vehicles to blend into the new world, with their leader [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] taking control of a truck owned by the human William 'Duke' Convoy. Unwilling to steal Duke's truck from him, the human is 'drafted' into the war, using his knowledge to help the Autobots. However, Optimus is not the only Autobot to have a human driver: the Autobot Toad (originally meant to be [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] until they decided "NO MINI-CARS") assumed the form of a green VW belonging to a teenage girl named Wendy Fairchild, and now he's stuck with her. The other main Autobots include [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]], [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (the only female Autobot), [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], with [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] as secondary characters rounding out the rest of the cast.

From their underwater headquarters, the Decepticons plot to conquer Earth. The Decepticon leader [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] carries a canister with him which holds the energy forms of an army's worth of Decepticon soldiers. All he needs to do is place one of these energy orbs into his cannon and shoot it at a mechanical object, and it will be transformed into a Decepticon warrior. The other Decepticons are [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (the disloyal second in-command), [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] (used by Soundwave to spy on the Autobots as well as the other Decepticons), [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (a female Decepticon who hates Jazz for destroying her body back on Cybertron), [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercraker]], and [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]. They have also joined forces with Arthur Kroll, a human who aids the invaders so that he may rule over the rest of humanity after the Decepticons have conquered Earth.

The bible includes a list of "story springboards":

{| class="wikitable" style="margin: auto; width: 100%;"
|-
{{Episode list
|Title=Rotten To The Core
|ShortSummary=Megatron takes control of the New York subway system and implants "glowing energy orbs" into the trains, turning them into an army of Deception warriors! Optimus Prime and Duke join forces with a group of teens to help save the day.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=The Titanium Germ
|ShortSummary=When the Autobots try to stop Megatron from converting Alaskan oil rigs into new robot soldiers, Jazz is exposed to a deadly substance that infects and slowly kills him. Now the Autobots have to save their friend and stop Megatron!
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=Anything For A Friend
|ShortSummary= Converting a nuclear submarine into a new warrior, the Decepticons take control of the seas. Optimus is forced to leave his truck body and poses as an old battleship to try and stop the threat. He's nearly destroyed in the ensuing battle, and Duke must form a 'mind-link' with him to try and restore the Autobot leader to life.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=Not On The First Date
|ShortSummary=Wendy is forced to abandon her first date when Megatron plots to bring an army of Japanese electronic devices to life. It's up to her and Toad to stop him!
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=Time For Trouble
|ShortSummary=Kroll reveals the existence of a government time machine to Megatron. With the device transformed into one of their soldiers, the Decepticons can escape into another time—unless the Autobots stop them!
}}
|}

Hasbro and Sunbow would provide feedback on this bible, clarifying that [[Transformer]]s were mechanical beings, not electrical. They also didn't want any pre-existing characters to be female, and suggested that Optimus meet the human hero after being repaired when severely damaged in the desert. As a result, the bible was brought more in line with the preexisting premise. CBS also had input, wanting to tie the pitch into the miniseries as well as give Duke a dog that could sniff out Decepticons. Remember that for later. They also suggested changing Wendy to be Russian like Nadia Comeniech who, umm, wasn't Russian. This didn't happen.

==Revised Series Bible==
[[Image:CarandCable2.jpg|thumb|150px|No that's not Bug Bite. He's Muffler.]]

Scott completed a revised draft of the bible, now 41 pages long, on [[March 3]]. By this point, he had been provided with [[Bob Budiansky]]'s character profiles and a copy of the first act of "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]". As a result, the pre-existing characters were brought more in line with their bios, and the plot was given the same backstory of the Transformers crashing on Earth and being awoken millions of years later by a volcanic eruption. However, by the year 1988, the Decepticons' superior numbers have allowed them to conquer much of the Earth, taking control of its manufacturing facilities and leaving humanity as little more than slaves, with <s>Megatron</s> Negator giving them only a sliver of control over the remains of the economy to keep society running. Dissent is impossible due a secret police of disguised Decepticons, who keep the human population under constant surveillance. However, the Autobots continue to operate from the shadows, attempting to free humanity and stop the Decepticons for good.

Most of the roster of characters would be carried over from the previous draft, with some minor alterations. The main Autobot lineup now included Optimus Prime, Jazz, Firecycle, Mirage, Muffler (a renamed Toad) and Trailbreaker. The Decepticon roster now featured Negator, Soundwave, Buzzsaw, Starscream, Thundercracker, Skywarp and Whirlpool.

==Cast==

===Autobots===

*Optimus Prime- Leader of the only six remaining Autobots.His bio is a rework of Bobs but with a few new twists. Described as "IMENSELY KIND, AND HIS COMPASSION EXTENDS TO ALL LIVING THINGS, INCLUDING THE "TWO-LEGGED FLESH FORMS" OF EARTH." Views humans "AS NO DIFFERENT THAN AUTOBOTS, EXCEPT THAT THEIR PERSONALITIES ARE CLOTHED IN FLESH INSTEAD OF METAL." Still has that weird three modules aspect of the bio with Roller being present, though he doesn't appear in the script. However, here the Combat Deck trailer is "AUTOBOT HQ" which besides transporting Autobots is "A REPAIR CENTER FOR DAMAGED AUTOBOTS" which can perform "ELECTRO-SURGERY."
*Jazzz- Optimus cool, happening right hand man. His bio is a very slight reworking of his profile. Uses the early three z's spelling.
*Firecycle- The only female Autobot, she transforms into a red motorcycle and is a skilled mechanic tasked with repairing her fellow Autobots. She's also a robot expert able to create many things, such as turning a toaster into a fighting robot. She has a 'Laser Heat-Ray' and a 'Zero-K Blaster' that can freeze anything. Firecycle loves Optimus Prime, but the Autobot leader fears returning her feelings after all the Autobots he's lost in centuries of war. The medic's main failing is her reluctance to hurt any living thing. She even tries to avoid driving on grass for fear of hurting the plant life. The Decepticons take advantage of this by often pretending to be injured to lure her into a trap. While her role as the 'girl Autobot' and crush on Optimus originates with the previous bible's version of Sideswipe, she is otherwise a very different character.
*Mirage- An aristocrat turned reluctant freedom fighter. Like in the final cartoon he can turn himself invisible. Also has a Twin Tractor Beam. Distrusted by some of the other Autobots who think he could be a spy.
*Muffler: An Autobot spy and messenger, named after his noisy exhaust system. He turns into a VW Beetle (described as yellow and pink at different points in his profile). He adopted this form while trying to escape a Decepticon ambush by hiding in a used car-lot. It worked so well he was brought by Wendy Fairchild. The tenderhearted Autobot not wanting her to have wasted her money now serves as her car when he's not on missions. Wendy calls him 'Muffy' a nickname he dislikes. Muffler has refused to use a weapon since he shot himself in the foot with a laser cannon. He has issues with his 'elctro-mechanical control functions' which prevent him from transforming properly. For instance when transforming into robot mode one of his legs might get stuck as a fender forcing him to comically hop around on one leg. His main strength is his klutziness. He might lose a wheel while fleeing a Decepticon, only for his pursuer to trip over it.
*Trailbreaker- An incredibly fuel ineffective Autobot which leads him to view himself as a liability. To counter this he acts as a prankster. Once fused a game cartridge into Muffler's mind. Jerk. Has a "A LASER-GATTLING GUN" which "FIRE 32 PENCIL-THICK BEAMS AT ONCE."

===Decepticons===
*Negator: The Decepticon leader. Yes, he's a renamed Megatron. His name emphasises how he's completely negative with no positive traits (The behind the scenes explanation seems to be that CBS weren't okay with Megatron being a handgun, with their "limitations" stating he become a "laser tank," then a "satellite particle beam cannon" in the script. Presumably Hasbro requested a name change when the character no longer resembled the toy). He has dedicated the Decepticons to subjugating all inferior lifeforms, and he views all other life as inferior to him. He's so evil that the Autobots question if he's really sentient, or some sort of empty husk animated by an ancient computer program.
*Soundwave: Negator's scheming Comm-Officer. He's described as red in the script. The only cassette he has is Buzzsaw, a "STAUNCH ALLY AND CONFIDANT."
*Starscream- Biggest change to the profile is the line "NEGATOR OVERLOOKS THE POTENTIAL PERSONAL THREAT STARSCREAM REPRESENTS FOR TWO REASONS: 1. STARSCREAM IS VERY GOOD AT HIS JOB, 2. NEGATOR IS BETTER." (Move over Seekers, Here the jets are known as "Strato-Warriors").
*Thundercraker-Just a straight copy of his character profile with no changes.
*Skywarp- "THE LEAST INTELLIGENT OF ALL DECEPTICONS", a prankster that no-one else likes. Teleports by way of a "A SPACE-WARP LOCATION TRANSFER." Carries "HEAT-SEEKING "ACID-WARHEADS" that melt into an Autobots Armour. Has the early "Olive Drab" colour scheme.
*Whirlpool: The only female Decepticon she turns into an AMPHIBIOUS FLYING CRAFT, that is able to fly, jet across ground and water, along with being able to travel underwater allowing her to reach any depth beneath the waves. She poses a twin torpedo launcher which fires a special imploding torpedo which sucks anything in range. Her rotors can also create a powerful whirlpool when underwater. Her seductive charms allow her to trick an Autobot into thinking they're on the same side, before she betrays them. Whirlpool is a former Autobot. Optimus Prime seeks to reform her, while she wants to destroy him to prove that the Decepticons are superior.

[[Image:CarandCable4.jpg|thumb|right|Muffler, the human cast and the network mandated dog sidekick.]]
===Others===
*Matt Conroy- (Sunbow didn't think Duke was a good name. Imagine a cartoon where that was the [[Duke (G.I. Joe)|main character's]] name...) A twenty-nine year old truck driver who found a damaged truck by the side of the road. He repaired it planning to replace his old truck that had been repossessed by the bank. But once the repairs were done it transformed into Optimus Prime. Since then Matt has been swept up in the Transformers war 'bitching and moaning' about the Mechanical Men from Mars who've taken over his life, but like Han Solo he'll always come through for his Autobot friends in the end. When driving Optimus the Autobot talks to him over the truck's CB radio. When Optimus transforms Matt's cab becomes part of Optimus chest and all the human can do during fights is yell "I'LL CREAM YA IF YA DENT MY TRUCK, YOU TIN PIRATE". Optimus overlooks Matt's behavior because his knowledge of Earth is useful to the Autobots. That and he likes him. Matt's mechanical skills also mean that he can jury-rigg repairs to help patch the Autobots up.
*Burt- Matt's pet German Shepard with the unique ability to detect Decepticons via their smell. An otherwise friendly creature he goes wild when he senses a Decepticon. This is useful for revealing Decepticons in disguise (he's fine with Autobots which has led Matt to wonder if the differences between Autobots and Decepticons goes beyond political persuasions).
*Wendy Fairchild- Once she was a normal teenager, like Dominique Dunnne in "Poltergeist" who lived in the suburbs like in "Poltergeist" with her parents and had a little brother like in "Poltergeist" (That is the comparison CBS used). Now she helps the Autobots with their fight against the Decepticons, while trying to balance her teenage life, having to come up with excuses as to why she has to suddenly ditch her date at the drive-in theater, or explain to her father why her car has laser-shots in the windscreen. As her parents work in one of the Decepticons fabrication plants she worries what would happen to them if her connection to the Autobots was revealed. At the end of the pilot script Scott suggests finding her parents could be a potential plot point for the series.
*Eddie Fairchild-Wendy's younger brother, his youthful curiosity led him to uncover the secret of his sister's car. Since then lack of fear has resulted in him getting involved in the Autobots fight with the Decepticons, such as the time he hid in Muffler's backseat. He looks up to the small Autobot, pestering him with questions like what happens if you fall into a black hole or if aliens built the pyramids. He wasn't in the first bible, but appeared in Scott's notes.
*Arthur Kroll-An amoral human who allied himself with the Decepticons as a way of obtaining power and wealth. While he provides them with information about the human resistance there is little trust between Kroll and the Decepticons, as ultimately the human only cares about himself. His greed and thoughtlessness often result in him becoming a hindrance to both the Autobots and Decepticons. He does not appear in the pilot script.

==Episodes==
The series bible reuses the episodes from the previous bible, alongside 9 new ones.

{| class="wikitable" style="margin: auto; width: 100%;"
|-
{{Episode list
|Title=The Erasing of Optimus Prime
|ShortSummary=Negator captures Optimus and takes his memory tapes, giving him the information he needs to destroy the Autobots. Matt must risk his life to steal back the tapes and rescue his friend.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=The Plutonium Plot
|ShortSummary=Negator plans to cut the Autobots off from their fuel supply knowing that it will only be a matter of time until they run out of energy. The Autobots must sneak into a nuclear power reactor to recharge themselves before it's too late!
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=A Coal Day In December
|ShortSummary=Developing a 'Diamond-steeling alloy' Negator takes control of the Pennsylvanian coal fields for a new source of diamonds. The Autobots must take back control of the mines before the coldest winter in years spells the end for the people of the Eastern US.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=Nobody Home
|ShortSummary=Wendy's parents are taken by the Decepticons to work in a factory forced to help create a new, deadlier kind of 'mind controlling' robot. Wendy and Eddie embark on a dangerous mission to save their parents with the Autobots help.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=Operation Alpha Centuri
|ShortSummary=Negator war fleet is complete and he is ready to begin his conquest of the universe! With the help of the human resistance the Autobots build their own ship. In a 'Star Warsian' battle the Autobots manage to destroy the Decepticons fleet.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=The Robot With A Thousand Eyes
|ShortSummary=A Decepticon spy learns of the Autobots plan to hijack a shipment of Decepticon parts. Now they need to stop the spy from reaching Negator.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=A Robots Best Friend Is His Dog
|ShortSummary=Annoyed that Burt the German Shepherd has foiled another scheme, Negator sends a squad of Decepticons to capture the robot detecting dog. The Autobots and Matt plan a raid on Decepticon headquarters to rescue their four legged friend. This episode was chosen as the pilot script to represent the series.
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=A New Muffler
|ShortSummary=During battle Muffler is captured and rescued by his friends. But after Autobot plans begin to fail it seems that they have a spy in their midst. And suddenly Muffler isn't such a klutz....What's going on?
}}
{{Episode list
|Title=A Deadly Decision
|ShortSummary=A battle leaves several Autobots wounded. Firecycle tries to repair them, but a lack of supplies means that she can't save everyone. One of the Autobots will die unless she can get the supplies to save them.
}}
|}

===A Robot's Best Friend Is His Dog===
Wendy and Eddie Fairchild are getting ready for school, when a "DECEPTICON ROBOT GUARD" passes by their house reminding them of the alien occupation of Earth.
Meanwhile, at a Decepticon run steel mill that's producing new troops, Jazzz and Trailbreaker arrive in vehicle mode sneaking in with inflatable dummies posed as their drivers. They're caught by the guards and have to transform into robot mode, forced to fight their way through the mill. Ultimately they take control of the plant, free the imprisoned workers and set up defences against further Decepticon attacks. A silent Buzzsaw watches this before heading back to Decepticon headquarters. In the Colorado Rockies, Negator plots, when he's interrupted by the spy's arrival. Despite Starscream mockery, Negator announces his plan to destroy all the Autobots.

Elsewhere, the Fairchild's parents are forced to leave for work in a Decepticon factory, as the children leave for school in their friend, the undercover Autobot Muffler. Stopped at a Decepticon roadblock, the Autobot is found out by the guards and the trio are forced to flee as they give chase.
At a roadside diner, trucker Matt's vehicle begins to drive away on its own to everyone else's confusion as he hurries to catch it. On the highway, Matt and the truck, Optimus Prime, follow Muffler's distress signal. Catching up with their friends, Optimus transforms into robot mode and destroys the pursuers. Mirage and Firecycle exit from Prime's trailer, then the Autobots receive a message from Jazzz at the mill. Arriving, they are silently stalked by hidden Decepticons. Entering the building Matt's dog, Burt suddenly starts barking at a forklift, revealing that it's a hidden Decepticon. With the ambush ruined, the Decepticon start their attack. Outnumbered by the enemy forces, Optimus gives them enough time to retreat by blasting open a water tower, the wave washing the Decepticons away. The Autobots manage to escape, but the workers are left behind to be re-enslaved.

Elsewhere, Negator realises that Burt was responsible for ruining his plan and orders the dog to be eliminated. In the woods, the Autobots repair themselves as Wendy and Eddie head to school with Burt, unaware that Soundwave is tracking them. Arriving at the school they make it to class, where a Decepticon sentry watches over them. Upset by the robot Burt starts barking. Hearing the dog from across the city, Soundwave lands at the school, reaches through a window, grabbing Burt and flies off. Back at the base, Firecycle is able to save a critically wounded Jazzz. The children arrive and tell them what happened. Things seem hopeless until Trailbreaker comes up with a plan...

The Autobots rush into the mill, taking care of the guards and freeing the workers. To their confusion Optimus orders them to continue making Decepticon parts. In the Decepticon headquarters, Negator prepares for surgery to find out how Burt is able to detect Decepticons. Suddenly, scanners announce a new shipment of parts from the mill. As the Decepticons start unloading the cargo jet, Matt jumps out of a crate, blasting laser fire. The Autobots are revealed to have used the new parts to disguise themselves as newly constructed Decepticons. Optimus provides covering fire so Matt can make it deeper inside the base as the battle continues.

Matt finds the "electro-surgery room", blowing up the surgeon and rescuing his dog. They return to the hanger, but Starscream keeps them pinned down with his lasers, preventing them from reuniting with their friends. However, Eddie rushes in, grabs a gun from a dead Deception and uses it to down the plane. Hearing Burt's barks, the Autobots prepare to leave by the jet. As it takes off, Negator transforms into "satellite particle beam cannon mode" preparing to shoot them down. However, Optimus, still outside in truck form, fires his laser rifle at him knocking him off target so he instead blows a hole in the hanger ceiling, trapping the Decepticons in rubble, giving them time to escape.
Back at the mill, the workers begin the production of new Autobots, while a grateful Burt licks Optimus as everyone laughs.

==Notes==
Various other aspects of the script that wouldn't fit in the summary.
*Scott suggests that when we see a POV from a Transformer it would show a "Hi-tech binocular matte" which features "grid lines and changing LED numbers."
*The Decepticons have regular news broadcasts glorifying their conquest of the planet. Turning them off is illegal.
*All the non-named Decepticons are generics that aren't really described in any way. Just being large.
*Opening mill fight:
**When the guard searches Jazzz's fake driver, he catches it's hand by rolling up his window and then changing into robot mode.
**Trailbreaker knocks a guard into a vat of molten steel.
**Jazzz runs through two guards, smashing them into pieces.
*The Decepticons headquarters is a massive cave carved into the Colorado mountains with a large hangar.
*The Fairchild's parents are transported to work by "a large truck" with a Decepticon standing guard in the back.
*Muffler is able to control his seatbelts and uses it to gag Eddie's mouth at the checkpoint.
*The roadblock guards chase after them after transforming into "side hacker motor cycles."
*During the chase Muffler nearly runs down another Decepticon, which then chases after them as an army truck.
*Optimus is able to blast one of the pursuers of the road, then burst anothers tire which swerves into the army truck, smashing it into pieces before it falls into a ravine.
*At the mill the Decepticons disguise themselves by camouflage rope netting.
*The Decepticons hide at the ambush site in cranes, trucks and forklifts altmodes.
*At the school we met Mr Davenport, the class teacher. He asks student Johnny for his report of the American independence, only for the classroom's Decepticon guard to stop him as "the subject of freedom is forbidden."
*Soundwave is described as red by Eddie. This isn't an early colour scheme. Soundwave's profile didn't mention his colour scheme and all the reference material Scott had was in black and white. When he had someone describe his appearance he just had to guess.
==Development==
Even with the script, bibles and notes there's a limit to what we can infer about the development of this pitch. A lot of what we could say would just be guesswork.... But, it just so happens that Scott wrote a book about "How To Write For Animation" which includes his advice for successfully pitching a show explaining some of his creative choices.
*As Scott says in his book "your initial audience is not the viewer of the cartoon but the story editor or producer who is going to buy it." He suggests "find out what the buyer wants".<ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott(p. 47)</ref> Likely, this story was inspired by the network's request for a robot detecting dog.
*The pilot's odd backstory is another example of meeting the network's requirements, what with the whole conquest of Earth happening offscreen. In the section "HOW TO WRITE A PILOT", Scott brings up the crucial detail that "99 OUT OF A 100 TIMES THE NETWORK DOESN'T WANT AN "ORIGIN " PILOT." <ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott (p.172)</ref> The reasoning being that an origin story is usually unrepresentative of the show as a whole, while a random adventure can better demonstrate what the show is going to be like on a week to week basis.
*Another piece of advice is that if "you're trying to sell a show to a network exec, you want to reveal as much of the show as you can in the pilot."
*If this pitch had been approved its ideas would have almost certainly been reworked further. In many shows Scott would continue expanding and changing details after production commenced, finding out what worked and what didn't. <ref>''How To Write For Animation'', Jeffery Scott(p. 173)</ref> The last page of the script shows this happening here, with him suggesting a rework to the story so that the Fairchild's parents aren't featured and instead the children's quest to find them is a potential plot point.
==Legacy==

Ultimately, CBS did not produce a Transformers cartoon in 1984. We can only guess why. While the pitch was passed over it wasn't quite the end. On the 30th of April, Sunbow staff briefly considered including some aspects into the final show, such as a big brother figure (they didn't) and maybe reusing some the episode premises (they didn't) .<ref>[https://tfarchive.com/cartoons/bible The Transformers production bible, including internal correspondence from Bryce Malek and Dick Robbins, that refers to Eddie and Matt by name]</ref> Later, the January 1985 issue of Comic Features would showcased various unproduced cartoons including artwork created for this pitch under the new title of Car and Cable.<ref>[http://starlogged.blogspot.com/2012/01/marvel-productions-in-198485.html Scans of ''Comics Feature'' at the "Starlogged" blog]</ref> For years this was assumed to be Marvel creating a knockoff of their own success with Transformers. We still don't know why this happened. Were Marvel seriously considering reworking this show without the Transformers elements? Did they publish concept art under a fake name to make it look like they had more shows in development? It's unclear.

And that was the end of this pitch.

Until [[2020]], when Instagram user consumercollectiables uncovered additional concept art which featured a silhouetted Prowl menacing Muffy and his friend in a "garage scene", with the handwritten note "Trans 3 V" and cast list using the names mentioned in the memo, explicitly tying it to Transformers.<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/consumercollectibles/ consumercollectables on Instagram]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20200803141945/https://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/167466-remember-that-concept-art-for-muffy-the-unmade-marvel-cartoon/ AllSpark.com forum post collecting ''Car and Cable'' art (archived)]</ref> This just raised more questions.....
Which were answered in [[2024]], when Jeffery Scott sold off all of the development material for this pitch.
==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qYFePnAgHL9vlhAEF5IY3db59P0WaLwx/view?usp=drive_link First Series Bible]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1r0M_CIdlaEZs5SWmMQhSuO_M2ogZgQxH/view?usp=drive_link Revised Series Bible]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1j-XyM7R3RXwlqScR1l_gstsu7xCI7Ayj/view A collection of Jeffery Scott's network notes]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FkSIH3jScZJvThuUPxCm167I1ur0hp1M/view Story outline for A Robot's Best Friend Is His Dog]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BGi0WlVKs2I617mvIYr41wITfQIF37K6/view Script for A Robot's Best Friend Is His Dog]