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maximum dinobots|transformers maximum dinobots|transformers: maximum dinobots|the transformers maximum dinobots|the transformers: maximum dinobots=The Transformers: Maximum Dinobots
premierecollection|premiere collection|the transformers: the premiere collection=The Transformers: The Premiere Collection
all hail megatron|transformers all hail megatron|transformers: all hail megatron|the transformers all hail megatron|the transformers: all hail megatron=The Transformers: All Hail Megatron
the idw collection|the transformers: the idw collection=The Transformers: The IDW Collection
the transformers|the transformers (ongoing)=The Transformers (IDW)|The Transformers vol. 1
wreckers|last stand of the wreckers|transformers last stand of the wreckers|transformers: last stand of the wreckers|the transformers last stand of the wreckers|the transformers: last stand of the wreckers=The Transformers: Last Stand of the Wreckers
the idw collection|g.i. joe: the idw collection=G.I. Joe: The IDW Collection
infestation=Infestation (IDW)|Infestation
infestation 2=Infestation 2
heart of darkness|transformers heart of darkness|transformers: heart of darkness|the transformers heart of darkness|the transformers: heart of darkness=The Transformers: Heart of Darkness
tdoop|death of optimus prime|the death of optimus prime|transformers: the death of optimus prime=Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime
more than meets the eye|transformers: more than meets the eye|the transformers: more than meets the eye=The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye
robots in disguise|transformers: robots in disguise=The Transformers: Robots in Disguise
dark cybertron=Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Cybertron
drift:eos|drift: empire of stone|transformers drift: empire of stone|transformers: drift: empire of stone|the transformers drift: empire of stone|drift: empire of stone=The Transformers: Drift - Empire of Stone
the transformers: windblade=The Transformers: Windblade
sins of the wreckers|transformers sins of the wreckers|transformers: sins of the wreckers|the transformers sins of the wreckers|the transformers: sins of the wreckers=The Transformers: Sins of the Wreckers
gijoe5|gijoevol5|g.i. joe vol. 5|gi joe vol 5=G.I. Joe vol. 5
hasbro heroes sourcebook=Hasbro Heroes Sourcebook
micronauts=Micronauts (comic)|Micronauts
wrath of karza|micronauts wrath of karza|micronauts: wrath of karza=Micronauts: Wrath of Karza
first strike=First Strike
ROM
rom dire wraiths|rom: dire wraiths=Rom: Dire Wraiths
romamn|rom&mn|rom and the micronauts|rom & the micronauts=Rom & the Micronauts
rom vs transformers|shining armor|rom vs. transformers|rom vs transformers: shining armor|rom vs transformers: shining armor=Rom vs. Transformers: Shining Armor
m.a.s.k.|m. a. s. k.|mask mobile armored strike kommand|m.a.s.k. mobile armored strike kommand|mask: mobile armored strike kommand|m.a.s.k.: mobile armored strike command=M.A.S.K.: Mobile Armored Strike Kommand
scarletts strike force|scarlett's strike force=Scarlett's Strike Force
transformers vs visionaries|transformers vs. visionaries=Transformers vs. Visionaries
requiem of the wreckers|transformers requiem of the wreckers|transformers: requiem of the wreckers=Transformers: Requiem of the Wreckers
war for cybertron|warforcybertron|transformers: war for cybertron|transformers: war for cybertron (comic)=Transformers: War for Cybertron (comic)
fall of cybertron|fallofcybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron (comic)=Transformers: Fall of Cybertron (comic)
transformers: prime|transformers: prime (comic)=Transformers: Prime (graphic novel)
prime adaptation|transformers: prime (comic series)=Transformers: Prime (comic series)
primerage|ragedinobots|rage of the dinobots|rageofthedinobots|primeragedinobots|transformers prime: rage of the dinobots=Transformers Prime: Rage of the Dinobots
fulloffire|full of fire|full of fire!=Full of Fire!
rid2015|robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015 comic)=Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 comic)
{{{series}}}
[[{{#switch:{{{series}}}
war for cybertron|warforcybertron|transformers: war for cybertron|transformers: war for cybertron (comic)=Transformers: War for Cybertron (comic)
fall of cybertron|fallofcybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron (comic)=Transformers: Fall of Cybertron (comic)
transformers: prime|transformers: prime (comic)=Transformers: Prime (graphic novel)
prime adaptation|transformers: prime (comic series)=Transformers: Prime (comic series)
primerage|ragedinobots|rage of the dinobots|rageofthedinobots|primeragedinobots|transformers prime: rage of the dinobots=Transformers Prime: Rage of the Dinobots
fulloffire|full of fire|full of fire!=Full of Fire!
rid2015|robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015 comic)=Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 comic)
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[[Category:IDW {{#switch:{{#switch:{{{series}}}
war for cybertron|warforcybertron|transformers: war for cybertron|transformers: war for cybertron (comic)=Transformers: War for Cybertron (comic)
fall of cybertron|fallofcybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron (comic)=Transformers: Fall of Cybertron (comic)
transformers: prime|transformers: prime (comic)=Transformers: Prime (graphic novel)
prime adaptation|transformers: prime (comic series)=Transformers: Prime (comic series)
primerage|ragedinobots|rage of the dinobots|rageofthedinobots|primeragedinobots|transformers prime: rage of the dinobots=Transformers Prime: Rage of the Dinobots
fulloffire|full of fire|full of fire!=Full of Fire!
rid2015|robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015 comic)=Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 comic)
{{{series}}}}}
{{#switch:prime
war for cybertron|warforcybertron|transformers: war for cybertron|transformers: war for cybertron (comic)=Transformers: War for Cybertron (comic)
fall of cybertron|fallofcybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron (comic)=Transformers: Fall of Cybertron (comic)
transformers: prime|transformers: prime (comic)=Transformers: Prime (graphic novel)
prime adaptation|transformers: prime (comic series)=Transformers: Prime (comic series)
primerage|ragedinobots|rage of the dinobots|rageofthedinobots|primeragedinobots|transformers prime: rage of the dinobots=Transformers Prime: Rage of the Dinobots
fulloffire|full of fire|full of fire!=Full of Fire!
rid2015|robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015 comic)=Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 comic)
{{#switch:primeadaptation
war for cybertron|warforcybertron|transformers: war for cybertron|transformers: war for cybertron (comic)=Transformers: War for Cybertron (comic)
fall of cybertron|fallofcybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron (comic)=Transformers: Fall of Cybertron (comic)
transformers: prime|transformers: prime (comic)=Transformers: Prime (graphic novel)
prime adaptation|transformers: prime (comic series)=Transformers: Prime (comic series)
primerage|ragedinobots|rage of the dinobots|rageofthedinobots|primeragedinobots|transformers prime: rage of the dinobots=Transformers Prime: Rage of the Dinobots
fulloffire|full of fire|full of fire!=Full of Fire!
rid2015|robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015 comic)=Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 comic)
{{#switch:ragedinobots
war for cybertron|warforcybertron|transformers: war for cybertron|transformers: war for cybertron (comic)=Transformers: War for Cybertron (comic)
fall of cybertron|fallofcybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron (comic)=Transformers: Fall of Cybertron (comic)
transformers: prime|transformers: prime (comic)=Transformers: Prime (graphic novel)
prime adaptation|transformers: prime (comic series)=Transformers: Prime (comic series)
primerage|ragedinobots|rage of the dinobots|rageofthedinobots|primeragedinobots|transformers prime: rage of the dinobots=Transformers Prime: Rage of the Dinobots
fulloffire|full of fire|full of fire!=Full of Fire!
rid2015|robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015 comic)=Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 comic)
ragedinobots}}=Prime
{{#switch:rid2015
war for cybertron|warforcybertron|transformers: war for cybertron|transformers: war for cybertron (comic)=Transformers: War for Cybertron (comic)
fall of cybertron|fallofcybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron (comic)=Transformers: Fall of Cybertron (comic)
transformers: prime|transformers: prime (comic)=Transformers: Prime (graphic novel)
prime adaptation|transformers: prime (comic series)=Transformers: Prime (comic series)
primerage|ragedinobots|rage of the dinobots|rageofthedinobots|primeragedinobots|transformers prime: rage of the dinobots=Transformers Prime: Rage of the Dinobots
fulloffire|full of fire|full of fire!=Full of Fire!
rid2015|robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015 comic)=Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 comic)
rid2015}}=Robots in Disguise (2015)
{{#switch:{{{series}}}
war for cybertron|warforcybertron|transformers: war for cybertron|transformers: war for cybertron (comic)=War for Cybertron
fall of cybertron|fallofcybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron (comic)=Fall of Cybertron
transformers: prime|transformers: prime (comic)|primeadaptation|prime adaptation|transformers: prime (comic series)=Prime
primerage|ragedinobots|rage of the dinobots|rageofthedinobots|primeragedinobots|transformers prime: rage of the dinobots=Prime – Rage of the Dinobots
maximum dinobots|transformers maximum dinobots|transformers: maximum dinobots|the transformers maximum dinobots|the transformers: maximum dinobots=The Transformers: Maximum Dinobots
premierecollection|premiere collection|the transformers: the premiere collection=The Transformers: The Premiere Collection
all hail megatron|transformers all hail megatron|transformers: all hail megatron|the transformers all hail megatron|the transformers: all hail megatron=The Transformers: All Hail Megatron
the idw collection|the transformers: the idw collection=The Transformers: The IDW Collection
the transformers|the transformers (ongoing)=The Transformers (IDW)|The Transformers vol. 1
wreckers|last stand of the wreckers|transformers last stand of the wreckers|transformers: last stand of the wreckers|the transformers last stand of the wreckers|the transformers: last stand of the wreckers=The Transformers: Last Stand of the Wreckers
the idw collection|g.i. joe: the idw collection=G.I. Joe: The IDW Collection
infestation=Infestation (IDW)|Infestation
infestation 2=Infestation 2
heart of darkness|transformers heart of darkness|transformers: heart of darkness|the transformers heart of darkness|the transformers: heart of darkness=The Transformers: Heart of Darkness
tdoop|death of optimus prime|the death of optimus prime|transformers: the death of optimus prime=Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime
more than meets the eye|transformers: more than meets the eye|the transformers: more than meets the eye=The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye
robots in disguise|transformers: robots in disguise=The Transformers: Robots in Disguise
dark cybertron=Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Cybertron
drift:eos|drift: empire of stone|transformers drift: empire of stone|transformers: drift: empire of stone|the transformers drift: empire of stone|drift: empire of stone=The Transformers: Drift - Empire of Stone
the transformers: windblade=The Transformers: Windblade
sins of the wreckers|transformers sins of the wreckers|transformers: sins of the wreckers|the transformers sins of the wreckers|the transformers: sins of the wreckers=The Transformers: Sins of the Wreckers
gijoe5|gijoevol5|g.i. joe vol. 5|gi joe vol 5=G.I. Joe vol. 5
hasbro heroes sourcebook=Hasbro Heroes Sourcebook
micronauts=Micronauts (comic)|Micronauts
wrath of karza|micronauts wrath of karza|micronauts: wrath of karza=Micronauts: Wrath of Karza
first strike=First Strike
ROM
rom dire wraiths|rom: dire wraiths=Rom: Dire Wraiths
romamn|rom&mn|rom and the micronauts|rom & the micronauts=Rom & the Micronauts
rom vs transformers|shining armor|rom vs. transformers|rom vs transformers: shining armor|rom vs transformers: shining armor=Rom vs. Transformers: Shining Armor
m.a.s.k.|m. a. s. k.|mask mobile armored strike kommand|m.a.s.k. mobile armored strike kommand|mask: mobile armored strike kommand|m.a.s.k.: mobile armored strike command=M.A.S.K.: Mobile Armored Strike Kommand
scarletts strike force|scarlett's strike force=Scarlett's Strike Force
transformers vs visionaries|transformers vs. visionaries=Transformers vs. Visionaries
requiem of the wreckers|transformers requiem of the wreckers|transformers: requiem of the wreckers=Transformers: Requiem of the Wreckers
maximum dinobots|transformers maximum dinobots|transformers: maximum dinobots|the transformers maximum dinobots|maximum dinobots=Maximum Dinobots
all hail megatron|transformers all hail megatron|transformers: all hail megatron|the transformers all hail megatron|all hail megatron=All Hail Megatron
the transformers|the transformers (ongoing)|the transformers (idw)=IDW The Transformers
wreckers|last stand of the wreckers|transformers last stand of the wreckers|transformers: last stand of the wreckers|the transformers last stand of the wreckers|last stand of the wreckers=Last Stand of the Wreckers
transformers drift|transformers: drift|the transformers drift|drifteos|drift:eos|drift: empire of stone|transformers drift: empire of stone|transformers: drift: empire of stone|the transformers drift: empire of stone|drift: empire of stone|transformers drift: origins and empires|transformers drift: origins & empires|origins and empires|origins & empires=Drift
heart of darkness|transformers heart of darkness|transformers: heart of darkness|the transformers heart of darkness|heart of darkness=Heart of Darkness
tdoop|death of optimus prime|the death of optimus prime|transformers: the death of optimus prime=The Death of Optimus Prime
more than meets the eye|transformers: more than meets the eye=IDW More than Meets the Eye
robots in disguise|transformers: robots in disguise|ongoing2|exrid|the transformers (idw) vol. 2=IDW Robots in Disguise (2012)
dark cybertron=Dark Cybertron
the transformers: windblade|windblade2|windblade2015|the transformers: windblade vol. 2|the transformers: windblade (2015)=Windblade
transformers vs gi joe|transformers vs. g.i. joe=Transformers vs. G.I. Joe
sotw|wreckers2|sins of the wreckers|transformers sins of the wreckers|transformers: sins of the wreckers|the transformers sins of the wreckers|the transformers: sins of the wreckers=Sins of the Wreckers
lost light|transformers lost light|the transformers lost light|transformers: lost light|the transformers: lost light=Lost Light
till all are one|Till All Are One|transformers till all are one|transformers: till all are one|the transformers till all are one|the transformers: till all are one=Till All Are One
revolution=Revolution
revolutionaries=Revolutionaries
action man=Action Man
gijoe5|g.i. joe vol 5|g.i. joe vol. 5|g.i. joe volume 5|g.i. joe (vol. 5)|g.i. joe (volume 5)=G.I. Joe vol. 5
g.i. joe idw collection=G.I. Joe: The IDW Collection
first strike=First Strike
hasbro heroes sourcebook=Hasbro Heroes Sourcebook
micronauts=Micronauts
wrath of karza|micronauts wrath of karza|micronauts: wrath of karza=Micronauts: Wrath of Karza
rom=ROM
rom dire wraiths|rom: dire wraiths=Rom: Dire Wraiths
romamn|rom&mn|rom and the micronauts|rom & the micronauts=Rom & the Micronauts
rom vs transformers|shining armor|rom vs. transformers|rom vs transformers: shining armor|rom vs. transformers: shining armor=Rom vs. Transformers: Shining Armor
m.a.s.k.|m. a. s. k.|mask mobile armored strike kommand|m.a.s.k. mobile armored strike kommand|mask: mobile armored strike kommand|m.a.s.k.: mobile armored strike command=M.A.S.K.: Mobile Armored Strike Kommand
scarletts strike force|scarlett's strike force=Scarlett's Strike Force
transformers vs visionaries|transformers vs. visionaries=Transformers vs. Visionaries
requiem of the wreckers|transformers requiem of the wreckers|transformers: requiem of the wreckers=Requiem of the Wreckers
In their "makeshift fortress" headquarters, Shockwave supplies Starscream, Skywarp, and Buzzsaw with technical data on their new objective: Bumblebee. Shockwave has chosen Bumblebee as their target since he is the smallest and weakest Autobot, intending to capture him and enslave him with an electro-calcinator module, turning him into a weapon he can use against the Autobots.
"Time to GET FISTING! Wait, no! I didn't mean - c-can I try again?"
At the Ark, the Autobots are recuperating following their recent battle. Feeling useless due to his inability to help during the fight, Bumblebee is sure that the other Autobots consider him a burden, and decides to take off, feeling that they would be better off without him. From a hill overlooking the nearby town, he observes humans going about their daily lives, and wonders if his life would be different if he were a human. He doesn't have time to wonder for long, however, as Laserbeak—sent by Shockwave to locate their quarry—soon spots Bumblebee and calls the whole Decepticon force down on him. Caught off-guard and damaged, Bumblebee flees into the city and manages to evade his pursuers by hiding among the cars in an auto dealership and shutting down his systems. The ruse works, and the Decepticons withdraw, waiting for him to reactivate.
Later that night, a couple of joyride-seeking teens, Waldo Dobbs and Ernest, break into the lot and decide to steal Bumblebee, on the basis that a Volkswagen will make a nice, inconspicuous choice of vehicle to abscond with. Ernest's hot-wiring inadvertently overrides Bumblebee's motor functions, reactivating him and thereby allowing the Decepticons to detect him again, and the little Autobot is forced to go along with the theft, if only to keep on the run. When the teens are challenged to a street race by a hot rod driver, however, Bumblebee actually starts enjoying himself, relishing the opportunity to feel useful... but he isn't quite up to the task of winning the race, as his damage causes his engine to sputter out. Waldo performs some quick repairs, restoring Bumblebee to full power—whereupon the Decepticons attack! The ensuing chase leads out of the city, with police cars following the speeding Bumblebee on the ground, and military jets scrambling in response to the Decepticons!
The Autobots, meanwhile, have split up to search for the missing Bumblebee after witnessing a news report about the Decepticon attack earlier that day. When Optimus Prime picks up the military's radio chatter about the chase, he is able to direct the rest of the Autobots to Bumblebee's location. Jetfire is first on the scene, arriving just as Bumblebee transforms to robot mode to make a last stand defending himself and his new human friends. Unfortunately, Jetfire is quickly shot down by the Decepticons, but he does provide enough of a distraction for Bumblebee to save the humans from a collapsing overpass that was damaged in Jetfire's crash. Surrounded by Decepticons, it looks like Bumblebee is out of luck—until Optimus Prime and the other Autobots arrive, along with a surfeit of police cars and military jets! Outnumbered, Shockwave calls a retreat, and Bumblebee quickly returns to vehicle mode, leaving Ernest and Waldo at a loss for words to even begin explaining to the authorities what has happened. Realizing that the Autobots came for him because they truly do care about him, Bumblebee happily comes to accept that his true place is with them, rather than with humans.
"Humans are so lucky. They're weak... they always need each other to get along. I wish I was a human. Then maybe someone would need me."
—Bumblebee shows some signs of depression
"Cheese, Waldo -- I never seen a VW that could do 200 before."
—Ernie is impressed by Bumblebee's speed.
"Lessee, the doohickey is connected to the framistat, which is plugged into the thingamabob... which goes to the whatchamacallit!"
—Waldo works some repair magic.
"Waldo! The flamin' Air Force is after us!"
"What? For pinchin' a lousy Volkswagon?!"
—Ernie and Waldo
"Can't you slow it down, man... I ain't feelin' so good."
"Oh, no! Oh, man! Oh, momma!"
—Ernie and Waldo are impressed by Bumblebee's driving.
Looks like this is it. I can't run any farther. Well, by the Matrix, I'm not going to make it easy for them! I'm going to give them the fight of their lives! Come on, you crankcase sludge - Let's get this over with. I'm ready for you! Well, ready as I'll ever be, anyway. I just wish.... I could say goodbye to the others. At least they'll know I went down fighting.
—Bumblebee gives himself a lengthy pep talk
"Waldo, how are we gonna explain this one?"
"Ernest, my boy, I'm not even going to try."
This issue was produced as what's known in comics as a "fill-in" story, to insert between issues of the regular writer's ongoing story in order to buy them some time, or give them a break. As such, it is the first issue not written by Bob Budiansky since he took up scripting duties on the series with issue #5.
The brief for the story was evidently "Bumblebee has a solo adventure," as comic book writer Peter David recalls penning a draft of his own for this issue with the same basic theme, entitled "The Love Bug," which was to be drawn by William Johnson and inked by Kyle Baker. This version of the story never saw the light of day however, due to William Johnson taking so long to draw it that it ended up being out of date with the toy releases, so Marvel commissioned this story to take its place instead. The David story is likely lost to the mists of time; the Johnson and Baker artwork was reportedly lost soon thereafter.<ref>"The Transformers #16: 'The Love Bug" about the character Bumblebee on a solo adventure. Pencils by William Johnson, inks by Kyle Baker. According to editor Christopher Priest (a.k.a. James Owsley), Johnson took so long to draw it that new Transformers toys came out that made the story out-of-date. A different Bumblebee story by Len Kaminski, perhaps based in part on PAD’s story, ran in its place in issue #16. There are indications that the Johnson/Baker art for the story was lost or misplaced soon after." Usenet posts by Christopher Priest and Peter David</ref>
The "exploded view" artwork of Bumblebee on the story's first page (right), based on his toy rather than his character model, is credited to Eliot Brown, who produced similar technical drawings for the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe.
As a fill-in story, this issue has a few iffy points of continuity with surrounding stories. Most are addressed in the editing, but check out the "Continuity and plotting errors" below for others. Patched-over goofs include:
The Decepticons have a technological base of operations when at this point in time, they are supposed to be without a headquarters. The opening line of the issue's narration (probably slipped in by the editor) compensates for this by stating that, despite its complex appearance, the base is only a "makeshift fortress." Obviously, these headquarters would never reappear in the US series. However, the next run of original stories published in the UK comic would patch the cracks even further by depicting Shockwave's Decepticons as operating out of the Decepticon fortress created in the original four-issue mini-series, long since abandoned in the US stories, indicating that this fortress was the base involved in "Plight of the Bumblebee!"
Laserbeak and Buzzsaw are part of Shockwave's group along with the Decepticon jets, when they were with Soundwave, Megatron, and Ravage in the previous issue. This will be papered over in issue #18, when it is explained that Megatron sent the two condors to find the jets.
The issue's title is a pun on the famous piece of music, [[wikipedia:{{#if:|:}}Flight of the Bumblebee|{{#if:||Flight of the Bumblebee}}]].
An ad for a Jimmy Buffet concert is visible on page 8.
The US Air Force launches real-like [[wikipedia:{{#if:|:}}General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon|{{#if:F-16 jets|F-16 jets|General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon}}]] in response to the Decepticons' antics (but the art makes them look more like swept-wing Cold War era fighters.)
Prowl came back to life specially to fight in a battle that didn't happen.
As previously noted, this being a fill-in issue, it features some continuity goofs that Budiansky wouldn't have made, including:
None of the new 1985 Autobots, introduced in issue #14, are in evidence.
A news report refers to "yesterday's robot battle," which the footnote says occurred last issue, but the comments the Autobots make—including Ratchet admonishing Wheeljack for "arm-wrestling with Decepticons," (right) and Bumblebee lamenting he was no help in fighting the 'Cons—don't actually fit with what happened in that story, in which the Autobots and Decepticons never actually fought one another, only the forces of Triple-I. This one seems more like an editing gaffe, with the script just including a nebulous reference to an unseen fight that the editor incorrectly footnoted to last issue.
Prowl appears in two panels of this issue (one of which can be seen at right), when he has been offline since issue #12. It's not clear if it's a scripting or art error, but logically, per the current state of the Autobot forces, this ought to have been his lookalike, Bluestreak, who is still currently operational.
Mount St. Hilary is situated near Wisconsin instead of Oregon.
Laserbeak has the power of speech, which he was capable of in early issues of the series, but which Budiansky had ceased writing him as possessing at this point.
The exact nature of Shockwave's plan is never actually revealed. What does he want to do after he's gained control of Bumblebee?
On both the cover, and on page 9, panel 3, Starscream is colored like Thundercracker, who is not otherwise in the issue.
Laserbeak is consistently colored like Buzzsaw throughout this issue, and his name is consistently misspelled "Lazerbeak."
Page 3, panel 4: Jetfire's color scheme is a little wonky, with red wings and forearms; he looks fine in his one other full-colour robot mode appearance in the issue. Also, he's shown as the same height as Ratchet, Wheeljack, and Prowl when he should tower over them.
Page 4, panel 5: The "Mount St. Hilary" misspells the name of the volcano "Hillary".
Page 9, panel 1: Bumblebee's right headlight is filled in yellow instead of being left white.
Pages 13, panel 5 and page 15, panel 5: *"Volkswagen" is misspelled as "Volkswagon".
Back-up strips:Rocket Raccoon ("Masque of the Red Breath," Part 1), Robo-Capers, and Matt and the Cat. This issue's Robo-Capers was a corrected version of the strip originally misprinted in issue #51.
Skywarp, on the right, is identifiable by his slightly different shade of blue and lack of red wing-stripes. Starscream, on the left... is, uh, miscolored as Thundercracker, which helps highlight the difference.
The technical readout on Bumblebee gives his height as 5' and 15' (five feet and fifteen feet). Presumably, these are supposed to be the different heights of his vehicle and robot modes, respectively. The readout also says Bumblebee weighs 2200 lbs—about 400 lbs heavier than the curb weight of a real 1980 Volkswagen Beetle.
Skywarp is quite hard to identify in this issue, as he's never referred to by name, his robot mode only appears block-colored, and in jet mode, his Marvel color scheme makes him almost indistinguishable from Thundercracker (Thundercracker is solid blue, Skywarp is usually a very slightly greener blue; both colors are regularly used in the comic to represent black). Aside from this color difference (which is harder to spot when Thundercracker's not in the comic to compare him to), he's identifiable largely by the lack of red stripes on his wings.
As with issue #13, Titan's Cybertron Redux reprint of this issue accidentally erases the creator credits for this story along with the publisher's indicia, because they were printed outside the artwork in the panel gutter just above the indicia itself.
For The Transformers Classics series of trade paperbacks, IDW Publishing "remastered" the coloring of the series with varying degrees of success. These changes were sometimes to fix errors, but often to alter characters' color schemes to make them resemble their toy and/or cartoon selves, and were rarely applied with consistency. IDW's recolored version was also used for Hachette's Definitive G1 Collection. (n.b. not all the changes made in IDW's The Transformers Classics are present in the Definitive G1 Collectionin this instance. Where they differ, a note has been made below.)
Unusual for the series, the original issue makes extensive use of screentone dots to create shading. Most of these are removed and replaced with color tones instead, if they are replaced at all (right)
As with issue #13, the Classics reprint of this issue has been made using a misprinted copy of the original issue as a starting point.
Page 2, panel 5: Yellow blotches appear over the red, block-colored figures of the Decepticon jets.
Page 3: White blotches that obscure or destroy parts of the lineart are in evidence all over this page, including in panel 1, over Prowl's arm in panel 4, and on the back of Optimus Prime's head in panel 5.
Page 10, panels 1-2: More white blotches appear over parts of the chain-link fence Waldo and Ernest scale (see right also).
Page 22, panel 4: Again, yellow ink spots appear over the block-colored red Jetfire.
The misspelling of "Lazerbeak's" name is corrected throughout the issue, as are the "Volkswagon" misspellings. (change not present in Hachette edition)
As often happens with the Classics reprints, the subtle difference in hue of Skywarp's blue as compared to Thundercracker's or Starscream's is obliterated by the remastering.
Page 6, panel 5: An attempt to correct the slightly off-center printing of the orange on Starscream and Skywarp's cockpit canopies winds up adding orange down their chassis, past the point where the canopy stops.
Page 9, panel 1: Bumblebee's miscolored headlight is corrected to white.
Olympic Sales Club offering "100 Super Prizes" including a Voltron Robot Watch (Sell 10 Items), Voltron Calculator Robot (Sell 16 Items), and Tyco Transformers Race Set (Sell 35 Items) - between pages 4 & 5
Marvel Super Mart and comic book conventions - between pages 5 & 6
Various comic shops, and typical ads from the era - between pages 7 & 8
Westfield Comics - between pages 8 & 9
1961–1986: The Marvel (New) Universe - between pages 16 & 17
Various comic shops, Charles Atlas and typical ads from the era - between pages 17 & 18
{{#if: The most evil of Decepticons, Buzzsaw, aims for the crotch. |
US issue #16 - Woe, woe is me
UK issue #57 - Shockwave sets his sights high...
UK issue #58 - Don't shoot the kid-friendly character!
The Transformers Comics Magazine #8 (Marvel US, 1987)
Transformers Comic-Magazin #4 (Condor Verlag, 1989)
Transformers: Cybertron Redux paperback (Titan Books, 2003)
Transformers: Cybertron Redux hardback (Titan Books, 2003)
The Transformers: Generations #4 cover A (IDW Publishing, 2006)
The Transformers: Generations #4 cover B (IDW Publishing, 2006)
The Transformers: Generations #4 cover RI (IDW Publishing, 2006)
The Transformers: Generations TPB (IDW Publishing, 2007)
Classic Transformers Volume 1 (IDW Publishing, 2008)
The Transformers Classics, Vol. 2 (IDW Publishing, 2012)
The Definitive G1 Collection, Vol. 4: Second Generation (Hachette Partworks, Ltd., 2018)
The Transformers Classics, Vol. 4 (Mediaboy Mook, 2019)
Transformers: Best of Bumblebee (IDW Publishing, 2022)
