The War Against the Destructons, Chapter 1 of 3

	{{#if: Optimus Prime and Galvatron! Together again for the first time!...Wait, what? \|; Optimus Prime and Galvatron! Together again for the first time!...Wait, what?}}}}
	"The War Against the Destructons, Chapter 1 of 3" {{#if: \| {{#if: \|; (')}} {{#if:\|; ""}}}}
Publisher	Blackthorne Publishing}}
Published by	}}
Imprint	}}
Published in	}}
First published	}}
Shipping date	}}
On-sale date	}}
Cover date	March 1988}}
Credits	"Noodles"<ref>The creators were simply listed all together as "Williams, Fuget, Haxo, 'Noodles' and Stephenson". Their respective roles in production were later clarified by Fuget, but the identity and role of "Noodles" remains a mystery. Haxo suggests "Noodles" may have been an alias used by fill-in letterer Peter Iro, due to no one else at Blackthorne working on the issue; given all other roles save for letters have been identified, the odds of Noodles being the letterer seem relatively likely. Solicitations in Amazing Heroes #133 also list a Vicki Reickman as editor (alongside Stephenson), providing another possible candidate.</ref>}}
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	Alfred Williams}}
Writers	}}
Writing	}}
Written by	}}
Written & art	}}
Plotter	}}
Plotters	}}
Plot	}}
Plot by	}}
Plot/Script	}}
Scripter	}}
Scripters	}}
Script	}}
Scripting	}}
Script by	}}
Script and art	}}
Sript [sic] consultant	}}
Translation by	}}
Artist	Dante Fuget}}
Comic artist	}}
Artists	}}
Art	}}
Art by	}}
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	Philip Haxo}}
Guest inker	}}
Inkers	}}
Inks	}}
Inks by	}}
Ink finishes	}}
Ink assist by	}}
Additional inks	}}
Inking	}}
Backgrounds	}}
Backgrounds by	}}
Colorist	}}
Colorists	}}
Colourist	}}
Colourists	}}
Color	}}
Colors	}}
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	}}
Lettered by	}}
Lettering\|Production	}}
To}}	}}
Collaborators	}}
Contributors	}}
Editor	John Stephenson}}
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	}}
Chronology	}}
ISBN	}}
TPB ISBN	ISBN }}
UPC	}}
Page count	}}
Price	}}
Packaged with	}}
Printed in	}}
Animation	}}
Music	}}

{{#if: TF3D-3.jpg | {{#if: Blackthorne Publishing | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: March 1988 | {{#if: "Noodles"<ref>The creators were simply listed all together as "Williams, Fuget, Haxo, 'Noodles' and Stephenson". Their respective roles in production were later clarified by Fuget, but the identity and role of "Noodles" remains a mystery. Haxo suggests "Noodles" may have been an alias used by fill-in letterer Peter Iro, due to no one else at Blackthorne working on the issue; given all other roles save for letters have been identified, the odds of Noodles being the letterer seem relatively likely. Solicitations in Amazing Heroes #133 also list a Vicki Reickman as editor (alongside Stephenson), providing another possible candidate.</ref> | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: Alfred Williams | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: Dante Fuget | {{#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: Philip Haxo | {{#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 Stephenson | {{#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: | {{#if: | {{#if: |

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

The universe is under threat by an ancient force. Same song, different verse...

Synopsis

On a distant world, a scientist frees a group of imprisoned entities in a desperate attempt to save himself from enemy soldiers. These entities, the Destructons, make short work of the enemy soldiers, but also turn around and destroy the scientist as well. However, a warning message survives, and although one of the four Destructons attempts to destroy it, the dim-witted being only manages to send it out into the depths of space.

The beacon containing the message eventually lands on the planet of Tau-Ursa, where it is dismissed by the native who finds it. Monitorus heads back to the city and presents his latest invention, the Intergon Device, which can increase the potency of Energon...or decrease it. Naturally, this device has drawn the attention of Galvatron, who steals it for his Nullification Cannon.

Monitorus seeks the aid of the Autobots, and Optimus Prime promises to help rebuild Tau-Ursa, but the meeting is interrupted by a Decepticon attack. Prime quickly realises that Sixshot is merely creating a diversion while Galvatron uses his new cannon on the energon plant, but by the time Optimus reaches the plant, it's too late—Cybertron's energon reserves are destroyed.

On Tau-Ursa, Hot Rod and Blurr encounter Ape Face, who has found the warning beacon. The pair steal the tape from him and return to Cybertron, where it's revealed that the tape contains a message from the Logicons, warning of the Destructons and telling of the Logicon planet of Metascan Alpha, which possesses "vast stores of energon". Prime assigns Hot Rod and Ultra Magnus to head two teams and search for Metascan Alpha, but the information is overheard by the Decepticon Clones, who elude the alerted Autobots. They return to the Decepticon hideout with the information. Zarak mocks Galvatron for his men's failure, and forcibly reminds him that Zarak is now Decepticon leader.

Meanwhile, Ultra Magnus's team is already lost on a desolate moon and facing Cyclonus and the Terrorcons. Magnus realizes that they must ignore the Decepticons and continue with their mission. They fly down to the planet below, which they believe to be their destination, only to find that the Destructons have beaten them there. The Autobots attack the Destructons, but are no match for their foe. After Lord Imperious Delirious blasts Magnus with his Delirious Fire, Magnus calls a retreat, but Kup remains behind to sacrifice himself and allow the others to escape.

Optimus and a small team infiltrate the Decepticon stronghold, seeking to destroy the Nullification Cannon. Prime fights at length with Galvatron, before preparing to blast the cannon. Before he can, Scorponok accidentally destroys it while trying to strike him. The Autobot leader is helped away from the explosion by his men.

The Autobots get back to the barren moon, only for Sky Lynx to run out of energon. Cyclonus and the Terrorcons have fallen afoul of the Destructons and are as heavily outclassed as the Autobots were. Magnus orders his men to help the Decepticons and manages to persuade Cyclonus that the two factions need to work together to overcome the Destructons. As they hastily retreat toward Sky Lynx with the enemy in hot pursuit, Cyclonus reluctantly agrees to a truce.

To be continued.... In theory.

Featured characters

{{#if:*Hoist (17)

First Aid (18)
Optimus Prime (19)
Hot Rod (20)
Blurr (21)
Wreck-Gar (24)
Blaster (26)
Rewind (28)
Ultra-Magnus (30)
Doublecross (35)
Grotusque (36)
Repugnus (37)
Kup (38)
Sky Lynx (45)
Recoil (46)
Fastlane & Cloudraker (48 & 49)<ref>It is impossible to tell which of the Autobot clones appears first, as they both appear only in robot mode, and both go completely unnamed.</ref>
Sureshot (50)|

{{#if:*Hoist (17)

First Aid (18)
Optimus Prime (19)
Hot Rod (20)
Blurr (21)
Wreck-Gar (24)
Blaster (26)
Rewind (28)
Ultra-Magnus (30)
Doublecross (35)
Grotusque (36)
Repugnus (37)
Kup (38)
Sky Lynx (45)
Recoil (46)
Fastlane & Cloudraker (48 & 49)<ref>It is impossible to tell which of the Autobot clones appears first, as they both appear only in robot mode, and both go completely unnamed.</ref>
Sureshot (50)|| style="background:#ffdddd;" valign="top" |
Hoist (17)
First Aid (18)
Optimus Prime (19)
Hot Rod (20)
Blurr (21)
Wreck-Gar (24)
Blaster (26)
Rewind (28)
Ultra-Magnus (30)
Doublecross (35)
Grotusque (36)
Repugnus (37)
Kup (38)
Sky Lynx (45)
Recoil (46)
Fastlane & Cloudraker (48 & 49)<ref>It is impossible to tell which of the Autobot clones appears first, as they both appear only in robot mode, and both go completely unnamed.</ref>
Sureshot (50) }}{{#if:*Laserbeak (9)
Scourge (10)
Fracas (11)
Galvatron (12)
Slugslinger (13)
Cyclonus (14)
Nightstick (15)
Sixshot (16)
Triggerhappy (22)
Misfire (23)
Ape Face (25)
Pounce & Wingspan (29 & 31)<ref>It is impossible to tell which of the Decepticon clones appears first, since they both appear in robot mode first and go unnamed until they reveal their beast modes.</ref>
Unidentified "conehead" (32)
Scorponok (33)
Zarak (34)
Blot (39)
Cutthroat (40)
Sinnertwin (41)
Rippersnapper (42)
Hun-Gurrr (43)
Abominus (44)
Blast Off (47)|

Autobots }}{{#if:*Laserbeak (9) Scourge (10) Fracas (11) Galvatron (12) Slugslinger (13) Cyclonus (14) Nightstick (15) Sixshot (16) Triggerhappy (22) Misfire (23) Ape Face (25) Pounce & Wingspan (29 & 31)<ref>It is impossible to tell which of the Decepticon clones appears first, since they both appear in robot mode first and go unnamed until they reveal their beast modes.</ref> Unidentified "conehead" (32) Scorponok (33) Zarak (34) Blot (39) Cutthroat (40) Sinnertwin (41) Rippersnapper (42) Hun-Gurrr (43) Abominus (44) Blast Off (47)\|	Decepticons }}{{#if:*Lord Imperious Delirious (3) Medusa (4) Psychokhan (6) Bruton (7)\|	Destructons }}{{#if:*Doza (1) Charc Dulth (2) Kalkar soldiers (5) Monitorus (8) Logicon messenger (27)\|	Others }}{{#if:\|	Misc }}{{#if:\|	Misc }}
Laserbeak (9) Scourge (10) Fracas (11) Galvatron (12) Slugslinger (13) Cyclonus (14) Nightstick (15) Sixshot (16) Triggerhappy (22) Misfire (23) Ape Face (25) Pounce & Wingspan (29 & 31)<ref>It is impossible to tell which of the Decepticon clones appears first, since they both appear in robot mode first and go unnamed until they reveal their beast modes.</ref> Unidentified "conehead" (32) Scorponok (33) Zarak (34) Blot (39) Cutthroat (40) Sinnertwin (41) Rippersnapper (42) Hun-Gurrr (43) Abominus (44) Blast Off (47) }}{{#if:*Lord Imperious Delirious (3) Medusa (4) Psychokhan (6) Bruton (7)\|	Lord Imperious Delirious (3) Medusa (4) Psychokhan (6) Bruton (7) }}{{#if:*Doza (1) Charc Dulth (2) Kalkar soldiers (5) Monitorus (8) Logicon messenger (27)\|	Doza (1) Charc Dulth (2) Kalkar soldiers (5) Monitorus (8) Logicon messenger (27) }}{{#if:\|	}}{{#if:\|	}}

Notes

This possibly is the first instance ever of an official Transformers tale that promised further installments which never appeared. It wouldn't be the last....
The final text box promises that next issue will feature 'The Union of the Transformers'. Solicitations skip over issue four, but since issue five is listed as 'The War Against The Destructons Part III', it seems that this is a generic description of the upcoming plot rather than an actual title. Part III is summarized as "Optimus Prime and Scorponok undergo the most incredible transformation ever."<ref>Amazing Heroes #138, page 12 (1988)</ref>
Laserbeak is not named, so it's possible that Buzzsaw is featured instead, but Laserbeak is the one usually depicted spying on others.
Though several Targetmasters appear in this issue, only Cyclonus, Scourge, and Kup are shown to be brandishing their Targetmaster partners. No special attention is called to the Nebulans, however.
Hot Rod comments to Optimus Prime, "It is good to have you back", seemingly indicating a resurrection like in "The Return of Optimus Prime" or "People Power!"
Fastlane and Cloudraker are not mentioned by name, and they are barely visible and poorly detailed, but their presence may be inferred by Optimus Prime's comment: "Two can play that game" after the attack by Decepticon clones Pounce and Wingspan. Also, one brother (Who knows which?) calls the other "clone brother" when dispatching Blast Off.

Real-life references

The Kalkars share a name with a race of aliens conquerors from Edgar Rice Burroughs' 1926 novel The Moon Maid. Their warlike nature here means this is probably a deliberate reference (either that or they're named after a town in Germany...)

Errors

Apeface is clearly and consistently spelled as two words. Also, "Ultra-Magnus" should not be spelled with a hyphen.
On page 21, Repugnus calls himself "Grotusque".
In this panel, "definitely" is misspelled as "definately". Ugh.

References

Search