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)
#| }}{{#if: |issues:}}{{#ifeq: | Category
[[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 Pinewoodsville, USA, a group of Autobots are forging relationships with humans when a wave of unknown energy washes over them and makes them aggressive, causing them to turn on the humans and wreck the town. A group of Decepticons attacking another town experiences the same effect when the energy hits them and makes them... well, nice!
When both the Autobots and Decepticons have recovered, they track the source of the energy blast to the United Kingdom and set off to find it, each faction believing the other is to blame for it. While searching, Starscream spots Optimus Prime in truck mode and attacks him. Just as he unleashes a missile, another energy wave strikes the Transformers, reversing their personalities again. When Starscream's missile hits Prime's trailer, the Autobots riding within—Jazz, Mirage, Sideswipe, and Prowl—all turn on Prime for failing to protect them. Fortunately, the effect soon fades, but this only causes Starscream to resume his attack. Prime orders the Autobots to scatter and find the source of the energy while he deals with Starscream; the Autobot leader finds that his weaponry has been left non-responsive by the energy's effect on his systems, but luckily, Starscream proves to have been affected in the same way and is forced to pull out. Now realising that the Decepticons are not the responsible party, the injured Prime takes shelter in an old railway tunnel.
The source of the energy is, in fact, an electronic British defense system code-named "PARD." Designed to reverse the trajectories of computer-controlled enemy missiles, the system's effect on the Transformers during its test activations has been unintended and unnoticed by its creator Professor Purnel. Suspicious of his assistant, Zeke Heilmann, the professor leaves a set of fake blueprints out in the open, and catches him in the act of photographing them. Revealed as an agent of a foreign power, Heilmann turns on Purnell and knocks him out, but as the professor slumps over, he strikes the PARD console and activates the machine again, hitting the Transformers with another blast of its energy. The effect is short-lived, as Heilmann steals the machines transistorized core, but allows Jazz to home in on the lab's location. Jazz pulls up outside just as Heilmann comes running out. Seeing the seemingly-normal Porsche as a means of escape, Heilmann "carjacks" Jazz and heads for the coast, contacting his handler for extraction. Still woozy from the energy blast, Jazz lets the human think he's in control for the time being until he decides what to do next.
Meanwhile, Starscream's systems are likewise knocked for a loop by the energy blast, and he accidentally wanders into the middle of a Red Arrows training ground. He is forced to land by the roadside, just as Jazz and Heilmann are passing; Heilmann thinks the landing plane has come to collect him, so he runs over, loudly telling the "pilot" he thinks is inside about PARD. Seeking to acquire PARD for the Decepticons, Starscream takes off with Heilmann aboard, while Jazz transforms and fires a heat seeking missile after him, determined not to let the villains obtain PARD's power. Unable to shift to hyperblast to outrun the missile thanks to his still-scrambled systems, Starscream is forced to transform instead, jettisoning Heilmann from his cockpit as he does so. Without Starscream's jet engines to home in on, the heat-seeking missile redirects and hits Heilmann instead, killing him and destroying the core of PARD. Jazz and Starscream briefly battle, but are forced to disengage when the Red Arrows come swooping in to investigate. Starscream takes refuge in a shipyard, while Jazz hides in a parking lot, both unable to do anything but wait for their systems to self-repair so they can contact their respective factions.
A little later, Jazz rejoins the other Autobots, and, driving three abreast, they carry the wounded robot-mode Optimus Prime atop them as they head for home. A passing family thinks Optimus is a large piece of modern art... so they're more than a little surprised when he waves at them!
Similar to "Plague of the Insecticons!" from last year's annual, "To a Power Unknown!" does not fit smoothly into the continuity of the regular UK comic. At best, it could be argued to fit somewhere between issue #65 (in which Megatron and Shockwave entered into a truce to co-lead the Decepticons, as they are doing in this story, their fighting one another for the position being referenced) and issue #71 (in which Rumble, Frenzy, and the Decepticon jets, who are all active in this story, are taken offline by Omega Supreme). Throwing things off, however, is the presence of Sideswipe, who has been offline since issue #50, and the fact that the human the Decepticons are holding captive at this point in time in the regular series, Robot-Master, is left unaccounted for. Additionally, the Autobots openly interacting with a whole town of human beings is hard to reconcile with the regular series, in which Optimus Prime usually pushes for secrecy, and they traverse the Atlantic ocean by flying in robot mode (pictured above; a "sky jump," Jazz calls it), which is not a power they possess in comic continuity.
At the end of the story, Jazz mentions that Ratchet is stationed at a UK Autobot base, something that is never seen or mentioned again outside of this story.
If you weren't convinced Zeke Heilmann was a baddie, his name is derived from "Sieg Heil," the real-life [[wikipedia:{{#if:|:}}Nazi salute|{{#if:||Nazi salute}}]]. Too on-the-nose?
When hit by the PARD for the second time, the Decepticon jets all quote [[wikipedia:{{#if:|:}}John Lennon|{{#if:||John Lennon}}]] and want to "[[wikipedia:{{#if:|:}}Give Peace a Chance|{{#if:||Give Peace a Chance}}]]."
The [[wikipedia:{{#if:|:}}Red Arrows|{{#if:||Red Arrows}}]] are a real-life Royal Air Force aerobatics team.
Starscream's errant video scanner first tunes into British television programme [[wikipedia:{{#if:|:}}Coronation Street|{{#if:||Coronation Street}}]], with [[wikipedia:{{#if:|:}}Julie Goodyear|{{#if:||Julie Goodyear}}]] and [[wikipedia:{{#if:|:}}William Roache|{{#if:||William Roache}}]] as [[wikipedia:{{#if:|:}}Bet Lynch|{{#if:||Bet Lynch}}]] and Ken Barlow appearing on-panel (right). Next comes Doctor Who (complete with a mention of the Doctor's enemies, the Daleks, and their "Exterminate" battle-cry), and finally [[wikipedia:{{#if:|:}}Gary Davies|{{#if:||Gary Davies}}]]'s BBC [[wikipedia:{{#if:|:}}BBC Radio 1|{{#if:Radio 1|Radio 1|BBC Radio 1}}]] show, complete with real-life jingle.
When Starscream attacks the Autobots after the energy blast reverses their personalities, why do they not attack Starscream back before starting on Optimus Prime?
It's tough to buy that transforming to robot mode means Starscream is no longer a heat signature.
It's even tougher to buy the very idea of PARD affecting only technology that is not manmade when one considers that 1) Purnel clearly didn't design PARD with the Transformers in mind (as PARD's affect on them is presented as purely by accident), and 2) all Earth-born technology (unrelated to the Transformers or other alien life) is, by its very nature, manmade!
During Jazz and Starscream's fight they are shown barely a couple of metres apart firing at each other (right), but neither takes any damage. Time for some weapon upgrades and some shooting practice, guys....
The colours are all super-wonky throughout this story. Notable consistent deviations from the norm include Prowl's hands being red, Megatron's fusion cannon being grey-white, and Starscream's helmet and cockpit canopy being the same pale white-blue as the rest of his body, except for his lower legs, which are solid dark blue (right).
Page 2:
Panel 2: Optimus Prime is breaking up a fight between two Prowls (pictured above). Presumably one of them was supposed to be Sideswipe as he is the only Autobot present who is not otherwise featured in that panel (Jazz is kicking Mirage in the foreground) and not an off-colour Bluestreak who just happened to stop by.
Panel 6: There are two Starscreams; obviously, one is supposed to be Thundercracker or Skywarp.
Page 3, panel 1: While under the influence of PARD, Shockwave declares Megatron "obviously the right robo for the job" of leading the Decepticons (right). The line works fine as-is, particularly with Shockwave's presently chipper demeanour, but it probably is meant to say "robot," as the y at the end of "obviously" on the line above, and part of the f in "for" on the line below have also been accidentally erased.
Page 7, panel 3: Gary Davies's surname is misspelled "Davis," which is how it's pronounced but not written.
{{#if: Well I'm damned if I can see what's supposed to be happening! |
Transformers Annual 1986
The Transformers Classics UK Volume 2 (IDW Publishing, 2012)
The Definitive G1 Collection, Vol. 4: Second Generation (Hachette Partworks, Ltd., 2018)
