Darkness, Once Gazed Upon: Part Three

	{{#if: \|; }}}}
	"Darkness, Once Gazed Upon: Part Three" {{#if: \| {{#if: \|; (')}} {{#if:\|; ""}}}}
Publisher	IDW Publishing}}
Published by	}}
Imprint	}}
Published in	}}
First published	January 19, 2022}}
Shipping date	}}
On-sale date	}}
Cover date	January 2022}}
Credits	}}
By	}}
Manga	}}
Manga by	}}
Original story	}}
Story & art by	}}
Story and color art	}}
Story	}}
Story by	}}
Story consultants	}}
Story concept	}}
Screenplay by	}}
Screenplay	}}
Adaptation by	}}
Adapted by	}}
Adaptation	}}
Based on	}}
Writer	}}
Writers	}}
Writing	}}
Written by	Brian Ruckley}}
Written & art	}}
Plotter	}}
Plotters	}}
Plot	}}
Plot by	}}
Plot/Script	}}
Scripter	}}
Scripters	}}
Script	}}
Scripting	}}
Script by	}}
Script and art	}}
Sript [sic] consultant	}}
Translation by	}}
Artist	}}
Comic artist	}}
Artists	}}
Art	}}
Art by	Andrew Griffith}}
Additional art by	}}
Flashback art by	}}
Art assistant	}}
Art assist by	}}
Line-art	}}
Line-art by	}}
Line art by	}}
Penciller	}}
Pencillers	}}
Penciler	}}
Pencilers	}}
Pencil art	}}
Pencils	}}
Pencils by	}}
Penciled by	}}
Penciling	}}
Guest penciler	}}
Layouts	}}
Pencil breakdowns	}}
Breakdowns	}}
Breakdowns by	}}
Illustration	}}
Illustrations	}}
Illustrator	}}
Illustrated by	}}
Illustration by	}}
Illustrations by	}}
Finished pencils	}}
Finishes	}}
Finished art	}}
Finishes by	}}
Inker	}}
Guest inker	}}
Inkers	}}
Inks	}}
Inks by	}}
Ink finishes	}}
Ink assist by	}}
Additional inks	}}
Inking	}}
Backgrounds	}}
Backgrounds by	}}
Colorist	}}
Colorists	}}
Colourist	}}
Colourists	}}
Color	}}
Colors	John-Paul Bove}}
Color art	}}
Colour	}}
Colours	}}
Colored by	}}
Color by	}}
Colors by	}}
Color art by	}}
Colors assist by	}}
Color assists	}}
Color assistance by	}}
Additional colors	}}
Additional colors by	}}
Color assist by	}}
Colour/Computer FX	}}
Computer coloring/effects	}}
Color Reconstruction	}}
Flats	}}
Flats by	}}
MTMTE Profiles	}}
Letterer	}}
Letterers	}}
Lettering	}}
Letters	}}
Letters by	Nathan Widick}}
Lettered by	}}
Lettering\|Production	}}
To}}	}}
Collaborators	}}
Contributors	}}
Editor	David Mariotte, Tom Waltz and Riley Farmer}}
Editors	}}
Editing	}}
Edits by	}}
Compiled and Edited by	}}
Original series editor	}}
Original Edits by	}}
Deputy editor	}}
Assistant editor	}}
s}}	}}
Editorial Assistance; provided by	}}
Senior editor	}}
Associate editor	}}
Story consultant	}}
Project manager	}}
Production by	}}
Designer	}}
Design by	}}
Designed by	}}
Design/editorial	}}
Book design by	}}
Collection designer	}}
Collection editor	}}
Collection Edits by	}}
Graphic design	}}
Graphic design by	}}
Collection Design by	}}
/ Layout}}	}}
Contributing editors	}}
s}}	}}
Managing editor	}}
Editor-in-chief\|Editor in chief}}	}}
Editorial consultant	}}
Dinosaur consultant	}}
Publishing manager	}}
Cover	}}
ist}}{{#if: \| by}}	}}
and Elements }}by	}}
Inside cover	}}
Apologies to	}}
Continuity	2019 IDW continuity}}
Chronology	}}
ISBN	}}
TPB ISBN	ISBN }}
UPC	}}
Page count	}}
Price	}}
Packaged with	}}
Printed in	}}
Animation	}}
Music	}}

{{#if: TF2019 39 cvrA.jpg | {{#if: IDW Publishing | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: January 19, 2022 | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: January 2022 | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: Brian Ruckley | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: Andrew Griffith | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: John-Paul Bove | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: Nathan Widick | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: David Mariotte, Tom Waltz and Riley Farmer | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: 2019 IDW continuity | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: |

{{#switch:{{#sub:xx|2|14}}|dark cybertron=}}

While Smokescreen and his team battle Sixshot's Decepticons, Cyclonus finally discovers the terrible truth about Provoke.

Synopsis

Smokescreen and his crack team of operatives have rescued Ultra Magnus from captivity and retreated back to Swindle's casino... but Swindle, already cranky at having to temporarily close for the day, jeopardizes their entire escape plan when he refuses to give the team the weapons they need to cover their retreat to Crystal City. As Chromia pushes the issue, however, Sixshot and his gang of Decepticon goons—a gang that includes Swindle's former employee Gutcruncher—blast their way into the building, intent on recapturing Ultra Magnus! As the shootout rages, the ever prepared Headlock has already cut his losses and prepared to flee using the secret basement underneath the building... but is confused when he finds "Ruckus", one of Swindle's new regulars, rummaging around in the out-of-bounds area that contains the multiworld simulation chambers. The Decepticon cryptically explains that he's found what he's looking for... but Headlock, who's more preoccupied with making a discreet exit, has no time to chat as "Ruckus" considers his options. Amidst the chaos, a stray blast knocks Smokescreen right through a fake wall and into Swindle's secret armory: while the Autobot agent gladly loads up, Sixshot orders his men to take Magnus alive and kill the others. At that moment, Swindle's employee Roughstuff abruptly has a change of heart and jams a gun to Swindle's head; Sixshot's got the upper hand now, he explains, so maybe it's time he goes back to the Decepticons. As Bumblebee wrestles with Catgut, a heavily armed Smokescreen arrives, toting every gun he could get his hands on and swings into action!

Elsewhere in Iacon, Cyclonus and his ghostly retinue keep an eye on the city's medical center from a nearby rooftop; when "Provoke" leaves the building, Cyclonus leaps from his perch and directly confronts his former comrade, but when she greets him by name, Cyclonus snaps that she always called him "Cyc" and never used his full name. Provoke shrugs and tells him that he's acting obsessed, but Cyclonus tells her that this is just the latest in a string of blatant falsehoods... the real Provoke would never call him obsessed for caring. The jig up, "Provoke" snarls that she's had enough of his interference and pounces—although she momentarily pins Cyclonus he manages to reach for his sword and impale his attacker through her chest. Black energy leaks from her spark chamber as she thrashes in agony; swearing vengeance all the while, she has just enough fight in her to shoot a passing Decepticon officer who tries to interfere. This brief distraction gives Cyclonus—who's finally realized what's really happened to Provoke—the chance to plunge his hands directly into her torso; mortally wounded, Exarchon has just enough time to confirm Cyclonus's suspicions before he rips the spark from her body.

The loss of one iteration is but an inconvenience to Exarchon, who's still got two other bodies in reserve. Even now, "Flatline" has already infiltrated Shockwave's hidden bunker in the wilderness. When he first appears by Shockwave's side, the Decepticon scientist first assumes that he's speaking with his medic and waves him off as he tries to repair the grievously wounded Skywarp... but when "Flatline" begins speaking of the past—the opportunities that he once afforded Shockwave, and the debt that he must repay for his betrayal—Shockwave slowly realizes who he's really speaking too. Pleased, Exarchon informs his old partner that all three of them have some unfinished business to settle...

Amidst the chaotic shootout at Swindle's, Magnus orders Smokescreen to cover their escape with some smoke grenades. Elita-1, hauling a wounded Arcee to safety, shouts that they need to make their escape now; as the others fall back, Chromia grabs one of Smokescreen's guns and stays behind to cover their retreat by blasting the supports and literally bringing down the house. Sixshot transforms into his beast mode and attacks, but Magnus is able to wrestle their attacker into submission and hurls him at his own troops, tangling them up just long enough for the Autobots to flee. A furious Sixshot orders the Decepticons to find the fugitive, but Roughstuff informs his new leader that although the Autobots have sealed their escape tunnel behind them, they do now have Swindle in custody. Sixshot grudgingly accepts Roughstuff's request to return to the Decepticons—but as Swindle tries to slink away amidst the confusion, Sixshot warns him that they're not done yet...

Underground, the Autobots take a moment to relax while Smokescreen scouts ahead. Although they've successfully liberated Ultra Magnus and recruited both Elita-1 and Bumblebee, their problems are only just beginning: Chromia informs Bumblebee that while Optimus Prime and the Autobots have withdrawn to Crystal City, the bulk of the Decepticons are on the march, and they might not get back to the city in time to turn the tide.

In Iacon, Cyclonus enjoys a moment of repose as the invisible spectre of Provoke rejoins his group. Paragon gently asks if Cyclonus is alright after having to put down his old friend, but the old warrior grimly smiles. For the first time in megacycles, he finally knows why he's here. All he has to do now is find Ruckus, unaware that Exarchon's already one step ahead of his foe. As Swindle stares at the smoking wreckage that was his casino, Sixshot warns the opportunistic mech that this is what he deserves for fraternizing with the enemy. Trickdiamond tries to offer some comfort, but Swindle angrily pushes her away.. and stops when he sees that the destruction of his business has opened a hole into the building's secret basement. More confusing still, someone or something has ripped open one of the immersion couches and seemingly killed Ruckus—but everything becomes clear when a massive draconic form emerges from the shadows and takes flight by smashing through whatever remains of the roof: the 'bot who once called himself Deathsaurus has become Exarchon's newest body!

Featured characters

(Characters in italic text appear only in hallucinatory form.)
{{#if: ||(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)}}

{{#if:* Windblade (4)

Smokescreen (6)
Chromia (7)
Ultra Magnus (19)|| style="background:#ffdddd;" valign="top" |
Windblade (4)
Smokescreen (6)
Chromia (7)
Ultra Magnus (19) }}{{#if:* Treadshot (9)
Cindersaur (10)
Catgut (11)
Gutcruncher (12)
Sixshot (13)
Ravage (14)
Flamefeather (15)
Jolt (16)
Scatterspike (17)
Security officer (25)
Shockwave (27)|

Autobots }}{{#if:* Treadshot (9) Cindersaur (10) Catgut (11) Gutcruncher (12) Sixshot (13) Ravage (14) Flamefeather (15) Jolt (16) Scatterspike (17) Security officer (25) Shockwave (27)\|	Decepticons }}{{#if:* Exarchon (20)\|	Threefold Spark }}{{#if:* Swindle (1) Roughstuff (2) Trickdiamond (3) Elita-1 (5) Bumblebee (8) Headlock (18) Gridlock (21) Highfire (22) Cyclonus (23) Grudge (24) Paragon (26) Skywarp (27) Provoke (28)\|	Others }}{{#if:\|	Misc }}{{#if:\|	Misc }}
Treadshot (9) Cindersaur (10) Catgut (11) Gutcruncher (12) Sixshot (13) Ravage (14) Flamefeather (15) Jolt (16) Scatterspike (17) Security officer (25) Shockwave (27) }}{{#if:* Exarchon (20)\|	Exarchon (20) }}{{#if:* Swindle (1) Roughstuff (2) Trickdiamond (3) Elita-1 (5) Bumblebee (8) Headlock (18) Gridlock (21) Highfire (22) Cyclonus (23) Grudge (24) Paragon (26) Skywarp (27) Provoke (28)\|	Swindle (1) Roughstuff (2) Trickdiamond (3) Elita-1 (5) Bumblebee (8) Headlock (18) Gridlock (21) Highfire (22) Cyclonus (23) Grudge (24) Paragon (26) Skywarp (27) Provoke (28) }}{{#if:\|	}}{{#if:\|	}}

Quotes

"I just made some new friends I'd really like you all to meet!"

—Smokescreen pulls out the big guns

"How long we gotta wait, that's all I want to know."
"Me. Not 'we'. It's not like you've got something else to be doing, Grudge."
"Cyc's not wrong. Death does free up your schedule pretty dramatically."

—Grudge, Cyclonus, and Highfire

"Gah! You are all such fools! Such pointless fools! I am purpose and fate and you will yield to me this time! You all will!"

—Exarchon

"Burn that, you crazy."

—Windblade takes out Flamefeather

"Exarchon?"
"Yess-s-zzz-"
KRE-E-E-CH
"Welcome back."

—Cyclonus takes out one of Exarchon's bodies

"Well, it's good to have you back anyway, Bee. Try staying attached to the right group of Cybertronians from now on. Okay?"

—Windblade

"Now this is a form worthy of my occupation! Cybertron will fall beneath my shadow. And stay there this time."

—Exarchon bodyjacks Deathsaurus

Notes

Continuity notes

After bursting into the casino, Gutcruncher sardonically greets Swindle by name and asks if he missed him: he used to be one of Swindle's employees, but joined the growing Decepticon movement after the events of issue #20 led to Swindle's brief arrest. Eight issues later, in #28, Swindle replaced him with Roughstuff, an ex-Riser who deserted the Ascenticons after Triggerhappy shot him in #21. As it turns out, however, Roughstuff's defection was just a temporary change of heart...
During the last big dustup in Swindle's casino back in issue #20, Headlock could be seen running for the door even before the other members of Swindle's inner retinue realized what was going on. While poking around the basement, Exarchon-as-Ruckus bumps into him doing the same thing, so it seems like Headlock's got a bit of an instinct for knowing when the shit's about to hit the metaphorical fan.
In his battle against Bumblebee, Catgut mockingly calls him "little yellow", the nickname he used when he and Treadshot went after Bumblebee during issue #19. He's still sporting his laser-eye, which he'd added sometime before issue #29 to replace the one that Bumblebee bashed out with a rock.
Skywarp was badly wounded during the climatic battle in issue #36, after Sky Lynx chomped him and torched whatever was left before he could safely teleport away.
As he reunites with Shockwave, Exarchon reminds him that Shockwave owes him after he opened up a world of "wondrous possibilities" for the scientist to play with. In this continuity, Shockwave's big project appears to be mass cloning, as evidenced by the presence of characters like Soundblaster and his Insecticon clones. Given that we know that some outside force armed Exarchon with the necessary technologies to mass-produce an army from nothing, it's possible that Exarchon also passed some or all of this knowledge on to Shockwave, who's continued to innovate in his absence.
Deathsaurus starred in the second story arc of the Galaxies anthology series as its main villain, although his role here was foreshadowed in Transformers #28, which depicted him as a long-term resident in one of Swindle's virtual reality chambers, endlessly reliving his confrontation with Cliffjumper on the planet Probat.

Transformers references

This issue marks Flamefeather's first speaking role in this universe. His habit of chanting "Burn, burn, burn!" over and over again hearkens back to Bob Budiansky's original bio for the character, which depicted him as a violent lunatic whose only real talent lay in indiscriminate arson.
Continuing a bit of a trend that began in issue #11, a generic Decepticon officer in this issue swears by the Void.

Errors

The speaking order on page six is pretty weird. First, either Highfire or Gridlock speaks. Then Cyclonus replies, but calls the speaker Grudge. Then, Grudge himself replies. In the second panel, Grudge speaks again, but as if he's replying to someone else.
On page eight, Cyclonus impales Exarchon with his sword, which is depicted as a lightsaber-style "laser sword" with a glowing yellow blade. After that, however, the blade's drawn and coloured as though the entire weapon is forged from solid metal.

Covers (3)

Cover A: Megatron’s fist squeezes Cybertron, by Alex Milne
Cover B: Megatron and Ultra Magnus, by Stefano Simeone
Retailer incentive cover: Swindle discovers Exarchon’s scheme, by Blacky Shepherd and John-Paul Bove

Reprints

Transformers Volume 6: War's End (November 16, 2022) ISBN 1684059410 / ISBN 978-1684059416
- Collects Transformers (2019) issues #37–43, War's End issues #1–4, and Fate of Cybertron.
- Bonus material currently unknown, most likely alternate covers.
- Hardcover format.

Volume 6: War's End – cover art by Cryssy Cheung

External links

Preview

Search