Editing Target: 2006

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{{featured}}
{{disambig2|the original Marvel UK storyline|the Titan Books trade paperback collecting this storyline|Transformers: Target: 2006}}
{{comicstory
|seriesissue=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|''The Transformers'' (UK)]] #78–88
|prev=In the National Interest
|title="Target: 2006"
|next=Cybertron: The Middle Years!
|image=MarvelUK-088.jpg
|caption=They have better things to do tonight than die!
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|coverdate=[[September 13|13th September]] – [[November 22|22nd November]] [[1986]]
|script=[[Simon Furman]]
|art=[[Jeff Anderson]] (#78-79, #81, #87), [[Ron Smith]] (#82), [[Geoff Senior]] (#83-84, #86)
|pencils=[[Will Simpson]] (#80, #85, #88)
|inks=[[Tim Perkins]] (#80, #85, #88)
|colours=[[Tony Jozwiak]] (#78-81, #85, #87), [[John Burns]] (#82), [[Gina Hart]] (#84, #86, #88)
|letters=[[Richard Starkings]] (#78, #82-85, #88), [[Annie Halfacree]] (#79-81, #86-87)
|editor=[[Ian Rimmer]]
|chronology=[[Marvel Comics timeline#1986|1986]]/[[Marvel Comics timeline#Original future|Original future (2006)]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]] (Marvel UK)
}}
'''Galvatron, Cyclonus, and Scourge travel back in time with a plan to destroy Unicron.'''

==Synopsis==
===Prologue===
[[File:Primewoods.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|PRIME '''''SMASH!''''']]
[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] is hunting the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]]s and is growing frustrated. So frustrated, in fact, that he is indiscriminately knocking over trees and wrecking woodland habitats. [[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]] manages to get through to Prime about the damage he is causing, and also questions whether the Dinobots are worth the trouble they cause. Optimus wonders if Prowl might be right, but doesn't want the [[Autobot]] forces on [[Earth]] to be any more depleted than they have to be.

Meanwhile, below the surface of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], [[Emirate]] [[Xaaron]] is running late for a briefing with [[Impactor (G1)|Impactor]] about the forthcoming [[Operation: Volcano]] and whether [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]] will be a part of it.

On the surface city of [[Polyhex]], phase one of Operation: Volcano is going into effect as [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] tortures a treacherous Autobot into revealing Emirate Xaaron's whereabouts, before killing said traitor. Unknown to the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]], the information is false, having been ''deliberately'' leaked by [[Roadbuster (G1)|Roadbuster]].

Back on [[Earth]], Optimus Prime is briefing the Autobots on the reasons they fight and the importance of protecting the [[human]] race from the [[Decepticon]] menace when he, [[Ratchet (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ratchet]] and Prowl are wracked by pain and suddenly disappear. The remaining Earthbound Autobots are distraught.

On Cybertron, an Autobot "priest" is tending the chamber of the [[Matrix Flame]], which, with its connection to Optimus Prime severed, sputters out and dies. The priest does not take this well.

[[File:Target 2006 Prologue Galvatron, Scourge & Cyclonus.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|It took 1.21 jiggawatts to get this image.]]
At a cereal farm in [[Oregon]], the weather takes a turn for the worse as three shadowy figures arrive, trying to figure out where, and more importantly, [[Time travel|when]] they are. Soon, the locals are investigating the noise made by the figures arrival. After one of the figures discovers that it's [[1986]], he is revealed as [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]!

===Part 1: "Apocalypse Then...Now!"===
[[File:Target 2006 Part 1 Scourge & Cyclonus.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|left|Catch that pigeon NOW.]]
[[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] and [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] (who has Galvatron on board) are flying over [[Wyoming]] and testing out the destructive capabilities of their [[New body|new forms]] by destroying first a locomotive and then a [[Joe's Garage|gas station]]. The Decepticons discuss how easy it would be to conquer the planet with their upgraded weaponry until Galvatron reminds them that their purpose in the past is to prepare for the future. Galvatron orders them to seek out [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]].

Down at ground level, [[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]] is leading a team of Autobots in a reconnaissance mission, hoping to discover what happened to Optimus, Prowl, and Ratchet by spying on Megatron, who is accompanied by the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]]s. As the Autobots continue to watch, Galvatron, Scourge, and Cyclonus arrive at the [[Wyoming base|Decepticon base]], transforming to [[robot mode]] and introducing themselves to Megatron as fellow Decepticons. Ever suspicious, Megatron has [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] scan the new arrivals and confirm that they are, indeed, Decepticons but something seems to be blocking any deeper scan.

[[File:Target 2006 Megatron fusions Galvatron.jpg|thumb|upright=1|I don't think so.]]
A wary Megatron asks if Galvatron works for [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]], and is surprised when Galvatron claims to be the [[Decepticon leader]] of [[2006]]. Galvatron asks Megatron to put aside his considerable doubts, and surrender command of the Constructicons (temporarily) to him. Galvatron asks Megatron to trust in him, and Megatron replies in traditional style by blasting Galvatron in the face with his [[fusion cannon]]. The future Decepticon shrugs off the shot and his lieutenants aim their weaponry at Megatron. Galvatron orders Scourge and Cyclonus ''not'' to fire as Megatron can not be allowed to die.

Instead, Scourge and Cyclonus bull-rush Megatron and Soundwave respectively rendering them unconscious before Galvatron uses his [[particle cannon]] to bury the prone Decepticons under a rock pile. At that point, Galvatron's leadership is confirmed when [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] perches on his shoulder. Galvatron orders the Constructicons to accompany him.

[[File:Target 2006 Ultra Magnus splash.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.85|Deal with ''this''.]]
Witnessing all this, the Autobots split up, with Jazz and [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] following Galvatron's party, [[Ironhide (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ironhide]] observing Megatron's group and [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] reporting back to the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]].

On Cybertron, Impactor is furious that Ultra Magnus is no longer part of Operation: Volcano, and pleads his case to Emirate Xaaron. Xaaron states that the extinguished Matrix Flame has priority over Volcano, and informs Impactor to take it up with Ultra Magnus himself. Magnus declares that he must travel to Earth.

===Part 2: "Construction Time Again!"===
[[File:Target 2006 Galvagun.jpg|thumb|upright=0.9|Anything [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|you]] can do, I can do better.]]
On Earth, specifically in Northern [[Oregon]], Jazz and Hound are spying on the Constructicons. Galvatron is leading the Constructicons as they build a massive and presumably powerful device of some sort, utilising enough solar panels to "level a small planet". This leads the Autobots to speculate that it might be some sort of power source for future Cybertron, but if so, why build it in the past?

One thing the Autobots ''are'' sure of is that if they don't find out more about the structure, it'll be the death of all of them. As Hound and Jazz turn and head back to the Ark, Cyclonus attacks, seriously wounding Jazz, and gloating over an obviously upset Hound.

Elsewhere, Ultra Magnus arrives on Earth, somewhat disorientated after travelling via [[Spanner (G1)|Spanner]]'s unstable prototype [[space bridge]]. As Magnus fights off the after-effects of travel, he recalls Impactor's fury at the disruption of Volcano and notes that he only has five [[units of time|ten cycles]]—five days Earth time—to get to the bottom of the Matrix Flame mystery and set things right on Earth.

[[File:Target 2006 Hound vs wood.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.8|For when lumberjacks are just too slow.]]
For Hound, it seems that time has already run out as Cyclonus tosses him around like a rag doll. Cyclonus then gloats that when [[Life Spark]] was as injured as Hound currently is, Unicron sculpted him into the powerful form of Cyclonus, but for the Autobot, no such opportunity will arise. As Cyclonus brings his oxidating laser to bear for the coup de grace, it is shot out of his hand by the imposing Ultra Magnus.

[[File:Target 2006 Creepy Galvatron Prone Jazz.jpg|thumb|upright=0.5|Ooh 'eck!]]
Ultra Magnus is surprised that Cyclonus appears to recognise him, leading the Decepticon to realise that this must be the Ultra Magnus of 1986, and that the Autobot's presence on Earth needs to be reported to Galvatron. Magnus believes that it will take some time for that report to reach Galvatron, but Cyclonus disagrees, tossing Hound into Magnus to punctuate the point before flying off.

Understanding that Hound is too gravely injured to report to the Ark under his own power, Ultra Magnus transforms to his car carrier mode and transports the stricken Autobot back to base. Upon hearing Cyclonus's report that Ultra Magnus is unexpectedly present on Earth, Galvatron realises that his Decepticons are going to have to improvise. The future Decepticon decides that the best course of action would be to goad the Autobots into a hasty, ill-planned attack so that defeat will demoralise them. Furthermore, Jazz will be used as bait.

Back at the Ark, [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]] is repairing Hound, who is briefing the Autobots on the threat of Galvatron. [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] wants to investigate immediately but is stopped by Ultra Magnus, who insists that Jetfire and the other Autobots need to assist in the quest to find out what's happened to Optimus Prime before concerning themselves about Galvatron. Jetfire is skeptical, and points out that much of Magnus's story doesn't quite add up.

The bickering Autobots are interrupted by Smokescreen who displays a communication from Galvatron on the view screen. The future Decepticon gloats mockingly at the Autobots as he displays his [[Variable voltage harness|brutally tortured]] prisoner, Jazz.

===Part 3: "Defeat!"===
[[File:Target 2006 Ironhide digs.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.85|Ironhide gets his rocks off.]]
Ironhide is digging through rubble, pondering the nature of defeat. He notes that some defeats can be overcome easily, but some cannot. Ironhide thinks back to the Autobots recent battle with Galvatron.

[[File:Target 2006 Doubting Magnus.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|He really can't deal with it right now.]]
''On the Ark, a distracted Ironhide's reverie is interrupted by Jetfire who, together with Smokescreen, are preparing to go kick Galvatron's butt back to 2006 in order to rescue Jazz. Hound disagrees, saying that without extra Autobot power and as Galvatron is clearly out of their league.''

''A less-than-trusting Jetfire realises that they are referring to Ultra Magnus and tells Hound and Ironhide to ask the newly-arrived Autobot to accompany them. Ultra Magnus backs up that lack of trust by refusing, stating that his priority has to be finding Optimus Prime and the [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]]. Magnus begs for forgiveness from the remaining Autobots, who for their part would rather be Earth-bound if Magnus's lack of compassion is standard Cybertronian issue.''

''The remaining Autobots go to attack anyway, and are almost immediately ambushed by Scourge and Cyclonus. [[Mirage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Mirage]] is the first casualty to the airborne Decepticons, and the Autobots scatter to avoid being blasted by Scourge and Cyclonus's weaponry. Jetfire takes to the skies, colliding with Cyclonus and forcing the Decepticon to the ground, trailing smoke.''

''The other Autobots are blasting Scourge, but the future Decepticon's skiff form proves to be too manoeuvrable and they are unable to hit him. Scourge indulges the Autobots by landing and transforming into [[robot mode]], punching out [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] and [[Wheeljack (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Wheeljack]] as he comes into land. The Autobots respond by surrounding Scourge and clobbering him into unconsciousness.'' 

[[File:2006-1.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|Galvatron indulges in his passion for S&M.]]
''Jetfire pulls Ironhide, Smokescreen and [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] away from the melee and go after Galvatron. The future Decepticon leader seems completely unbothered by their arrival, and is happy that some Autobots got past his lieutenants. Galvatron reveals that the defeats of Scourge and Cyclonus were a mere ruse and that the future Decepticons are unharmed, as are the Constructicons. None of the Decepticons lift a finger to defend Galvatron, who is unperturbed by the Autobot fire-power arrayed against him. The Autobots blast Galvatron, but, unharmed, he merely laughs at their efforts before savagely beating the Autobots down himself.''

''Galvatron leaves the helpless Autobots alive, deeming them not even worth killing.''

Ironhide finishes digging through the rubble, revealing Soundwave and Megatron. Back at the Ark, somebody punches their way out of a stasis pod whilst Grapple is distracted.

===Part 4: "Wreck and Rule!"===
[[File:Impactorfearless.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Dance into the fire.]]
On Cybertron, Impactor's Autobot group, now dubbed "The [[Wrecker]]s" attack Decepticons. Shrapnel is taken out by Impactor's harpoon gun and subsequently used as a weapon to take care of [[Octane]]. [[Rack'n'Ruin]] deal with [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] while the [[Jumpstarter]]s, together with Roadbuster, finish off [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]], [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]], [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]], and [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]].

As Impactor notes, the attack is a success, except without Ultra Magnus's presence to guard their flank, the Wreckers would be quickly overwhelmed by Decepticon reinforcements were this the actual Operation: Volcano instead of a practice run with [[facsimile construct]]s standing in for the Decepticons.

[[File:Jukebot.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.85|FREEBIRD!]]
Impactor once again goes over the painstaking preparations for their mission, and how Emirate Xaaron's sending of Ultra Magnus to Earth has put the mission in jeopardy. Without Magnus's presence, Operation: Volcano is as good as dead, a fact which [[Twin Twist]] affirms, stating that it's "not their fight anymore". Impactor goes to report the abortion of the operation to Xaaron and tells the rest of the Wreckers to relax.

Twin Twist, [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]], and Roadbuster follow their instructions, stopping off at [[Maccadam's Old Oil House]], a black market fuel source that doesn't concern itself with petty details like the customer's faction. The Wreckers aren't in good spirits, as while they realise that calling off Volcano was the logical course of action, they still feel bad about backing out. The depressing mood is broken when an angry Decepticon, [[Fang]], bursts into the Oil House and brutally attacks [[Tusks|the entertainment]] as Fang didn't like the music being played. Twin Twist's mech fluid is boiling and he wants to do something about Fang, but Roadbuster cautions that this "isn't their fight".

[[File:Target 2006 Whirl Roadbuster Do It.jpg|thumb|upright=1.7|Let's fall in love.]]
In the meantime, Impactor is explaining the decision to call off Volcano to Xaaron. Xaaron agrees that if Magnus is unable to return on time, then withdrawing would be the right thing to do, and might lead to an Autobot victory later on. The Emirate muses about what might happen if Volcano is aborted and Ultra Magnus does return to Cybertron on time. Impactor grudgingly takes the hint.

Back at Maccadam's, Fang beats the fluid out of the Piano Transformer and asks if anybody else wants to disagree with him. Twin Twist takes Fang up on his offer, quickly rendering Fang an ex-Decepticon. Defending an innocent Transformer from unprovoked Decepticon attacks acts as an epiphany for the Wreckers, who agree that they must continue to fight, no matter what.

Once the Wreckers reassemble at their base, Impactor announces a change in their plans. Operation: Volcano is a 'go' once more than Impactor asks for volunteers to participate. The Wreckers unanimously vote to re-join the Operation, and begin another combat rehearsal.

===Part 5: "The Devil You Know..."===
[[File:Target 2006 Starscream breaks free.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|left|The Birdbot of Arkatraz.]]
[[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] has awoken aboard the Ark, and has also freed [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] and [[Thundercracker (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Thundercracker]]. Starscream cannot accept the sight he is seeing, that of Megatron commanding the Autobots. 

Megatron tells the Autobots that they need to follow his instructions as closely as possible. Jetfire is in disagreement, claiming that Megatron was rescued by Ironhide merely to advise, not to command. Megatron treats this statement with contempt, pointing out how ''spectacularly'' unsuccessful Jetfire's last attempt at commanding an assault on Galvatron was. Ironhide interjects that Megatron wasn't exactly a resounding success against Galvatron either, and would still be lying under a rock pile if not for the Autobot.

Ironhide concedes that a mutual alliance with Megatron's forces is the Autobots' best bet against Galvatron, and calls for a vote on whether they should follow Megatron's instructions, at least in the short term. The vote carries.

Starscream can't help but smirk as he learns of these events, particularly at the prospect of allying with a being powerful enough to force the Autobots and Decepticons together. Overcome with the idea of power, Starscream leaves to seek out Galvatron.

[[File:Target 2006 Magnus Big head.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|It's like an orange on a toothpick.]]
At the Ark, Ultra Magnus cannot believe the Autobots are willingly going to follow the orders of a monster such as Megatron and berates Hound rather fiercely about committing to rescuing Jazz over seeking out Optimus Prime. Hound comments that they have plenty of time to carry out both objectives. Magnus strenuously disagrees, showing him the countdown to Operation: Volcano—now down to 97:18—and explaining how Magnus's time on Earth is strictly limited by his mission on Cybertron. Hound wonders if that mission can be postponed, and Ultra Magnus flatly states that it can't, as the bait has already been set. Hound understands, but knows he still has to accompany the others to rescue Jazz. Magnus agrees but cautions to watch out for Megatron, who is just as insidiously evil as Galvatron.

Over at the [[Portland Iron and Steel Foundry]] central storehouse, Scourge is struggling with ennui, reduced to carrying the raw materials for Galvatron's weapon. With the [[human]]s not being a match for his considerable fighting prowess, Galvatron's lieutenant is itching to fight. He detects something and brings his weapon to bear, blasting [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] who is trying to sneak in alongside Brawn and Tracks.

[[File:Scourge marvel uk 83.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.85|Even Scourge cannot stop the metal.]]
The sneak attack surprises Scourge, who thought that once the Autobots were beaten, they wouldn't recover. The future Decepticon is nonplussed, though, as a mere three Autobots are no match for his fire-power. Unfortunately for Scourge, five more Autobots arrive from another part of the building and pen him in amongst the maze-like storage areas.

Things get worse for Scourge as his weapon is blasted out of his hand. A second blast hits Scourge, enraging him to the point that he smashes into a pile of steel, burying Smokescreen and Ironhide. Realising that discretion is the better part of valour, Scourge tries to contact Galvatron and escape, but his signal is jammed. 

Scourge's mood is momentarily improved when he catches Grapple unaware and impales the Autobot with a thrown steel plate. With the need to transform into his jet mode becoming more and more pressing, Scourge smashes through an exterior wall. Before he can transform, though, Megatron blasts Scourge with the ol' [[fusion cannon]], temporarily incapacitating the future Decepticon.

Elsewhere, Jazz is struggling with the pain of his torture, but fights through it enough to claim that Galvatron is just as bad as Megatron. Galvatron is amused by Jazz's claim, but makes one small correction. Galvatron is not "as bad as Megatron," Galvatron IS Megatron!

===Part 6: "Trios!"===
[[File:Triplechangerstarget2006.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Oh, ''bugger''.]]
On Cybertron, Impactor is trapped in an [[inhibitor claw]] and is getting his aft handed to him by the [[Triple Changer]] team of [[Springer (G1)|Springer]], [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]], and [[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]]. Unable to transform, Impactor has to rely on his close combat skills to defeat the trio, but it is found wanting. Down but not out, Impactor knows that the stakes are higher than just his life, and if Operation: Volcano has any chance of succeeding, it will be because he fights back. Impactor charges Springer, knocking him to the ground. Reacting instantaneously, Sandstorm draws a bead on Impactor with his sandblaster gun. Springer chides Sandstorm, stating that they don't need to use their guns. Instead, Springer uses his [[jet pack|rocket pack]] to leap over Impactor and backhands the Wrecker to the ground.

Impactor refuses to beg for his life. Springer doesn't seem to care, dismissing Sandstorm and Broadside who transform to their aerial forms and fly off. Springer also transforms to his helicopter mode and tells his fellow Triple Changers that they'll meet at [[Debris]] before flying away. This shocks Impactor as only the Wreckers are supposed to know about the Debris base. The departing Springer tosses a [[communicube]] to Impactor, much to the Wrecker's confusion. The communication turns out to be from Emirate Xaaron who reveals that the Triple Changers are Autobots who Xaaron has drafted in to replace Ultra Magnus on Operation: Volcano. He admits they're not up to Magnus's standard but points out that the beating they just handed out to Impactor proves their worth. A frustrated but convinced Impactor crushes the communicube.

Back on Earth, Galvatron is dispelling Jazz's disbelief about Galvatron being a future version of Megatron. Jazz goads Galvatron into explaining further. [[The Transformers: The Movie|Twenty years from now]], Megatron and Optimus Prime will fight at the very spot Galvatron is occupying now. Megatron will ultimately fall. Though wounded, Megatron would have continued to function if the ever-treacherous Starscream hadn't booted him out into space.

[[File:Target 2006 Unicron.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|A sinister plot device looms.]]
In space, Megatron's broken body is discovered by [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]], a planet-sized living being. Unicron offers Megatron a simple choice: Serve him or die. Being pragmatic, Megatron opts for the first option. Unicron repairs and upgrades Megatron into his new form: that of Galvatron. Still being a Decepticon leader at heart, Galvatron tries to rebel from Unicron's enslavement. Galvatron is instantly (and painfully) punished. Understanding that he needs to be free of Unicron's influence, Galvatron time travelled to 1986 where the Chaos Bringer could not follow and set about building a weapon powerful enough to destroy Unicron which Galvatron plans to fire the moment he returns to 2006.

Cyclonus returns from the steel foundry and reports that there was no sign of Scourge, so he assumes that Scourge is either dead or captive. Cyclonus did come across Starscream, who claimed to have information to share with the winning side in return for their alliance. Having no patience for the [[Seeker (body-type)|Decepticon jet]]'s schemes, Cyclonus instead beat the information out of him. Megatron is currently leading the Autobots. Jazz is amused by the irony of Megatron fighting Megatron and begins to laugh before an upset Galvatron knocks the Autobot unconscious.

[[File:Target2006-BlurrHotRodKup.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|It's just a jump to the left...]]
In the Wyoming desert, [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]], Frenzy, and Thundercracker are confused about why Megatron, Soundwave and the Constructicons are absent. Frenzy and Thundercracker don't recall anything after their earlier beating from [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], which Shockwave despairs at. Meanwhile, in the far-flung future of 2006, [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]], [[Kup (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Kup]], and [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] prepare to travel back to 1986. As the Autobot trio use the mass displacement [[Time-jump mechanism|time travel machine]] to arrive in 1986, Frenzy, Shockwave, and Thundercracker are spirited away in a manner similar to what happened to Optimus Prime, Prowl and Ratchet.

As the future Autobots arrive in the '80s, a malevolent subconscious laughter is heard. The laughter echoes across the coal mine, the surface of Cybertron and even reaches Galvatron, who is suddenly afraid...

===Part 7: "Prisoners of War!"===
[[File:Target 2006 Nemesis.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.2|''Nemesis'' no mo'.]]
In, the inky void of space, the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'' floats above the Earth, protected from detection from highly sophisticated shielding systems. A lance of energy shoots from the Earth and utterly obliterates the Decepticon starship. 

Watching the orbital destruction on a monitor, Galvatron is very pleased with himself. The test firing of his new super weapon was a complete success. Now all the future Decepticon leader has to do is wait for the weapon to recharge, return to the 2006 from whence he came and use the weapon against Unicron and Galvatron will be his own master.

The self-congratulating is interrupted by Cyclonus, reporting that it is time for the prisoner-exchange meeting.with the Autobots. A meeting in which the new recruit, Starscream, is to play a pivotal role. Starscream agrees, but wants to know the reasoning behind destroying a perfectly good starship like the ''Nemesis''. What if the Decepticons wish to leave Earth some day? Galvatron scoffs that there are far better methods of transportation now available.

Noting that Starscream seems rather ill at ease in their presence, Galvatron reassures the jet not to be too concerned about violence-first approach to problems now that Galvatron is in full control of the situation. Starscream transforms and flies off to perform his duties. This gives Cyclonus an opportunity to ask Galvatron why they need Starscream at all. The future Decepticon leader explains that Cyclonus is missing the delicious irony in Starscream using Galvatron to ensure his future when Galvatron is the reason Starscream has ''no'' future. The Decepticons allow themselves some healthy maniacal laughter.

At the Ark, Ultra Magnus is contemplating his failure. With a mere twenty-two hours before the launch of Operation: Volcano, he is no closer to locating Optimus Prime than he was when he was first sent to Earth. Magnus's reverie is interrupted by the arrival of Kup, Blurr, and a genuflecting Hot Rod, who introduce themselves, and then go to leave, explaining that they have to talk to Optimus Prime about Galvatron. Ultra Magnus stops them right there and insists that they compare notes.

[[File:Target 2006 fatally slow.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|This is bad comedy!]]
In Northern Oregon, it is time for the prisoner exchange. Galvatron insists that the Autobots turn Scourge back over to him before he releases Jazz. Jetfire agrees but reminds Galvatron that the [[anti-grav manacles]] restraining Scourge are programmed to fry the Decepticon should Galvatron break his pledge and bring harm to Jazz.

Jetfire claims that it could easily have been Galvatron in the manacles, as they beat Scourge easily. The future Decepticon leader disagrees about the ease of his lieutenant's capture. The prisoners are exchanged, and the Autobots now have a badly-wounded but still living Jazz back in their hands. Galvatron asks after Megatron.

At the site of Galvatron's weapon, Megatron is being choked by Cyclonus, who points out that Megatron was foolish to come snooping around unprotected. Megatron claims it is Cyclonus who is the foolish one and that he is not unprotected just as Soundwave sneaks up on Cyclonus, allowing Megatron to incapacitate the future Decepticon. Knowing that it won't take long for Galvatron to deal with the Autobots, and orders to Soundwave to round up the Constructicons. Before he can acknowledge the order, Soundwave is blasted into unconsciousness. Megatron is slow to react and is also rendered unconscious thanks to Starscream and his [[null-ray]].

[[File:MagnusVGalv2006.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.8|Come and 'ave a go if you think you're 'ard enough.]]
At the Ark, Kup is explaining the principles of time travel using [[mass substitution]] to Ultra Magnus. After realising that Optimus Prime's disappearance must be due to Galvatron's time travel, Magnus berates himself for his idiocy in avoiding the future Decepticons when they were the key to his Prime hunt and charges off to rectify his mistake, ignoring the remainder of Kup's explanation.

Back at the prisoner exchange rendezvous, the Autobots are confused. If Galvatron knew about Megatron, why bother with the exchange at all? Galvatron explains that he has need of Scourge, and feels that the Autobots are in need of a lesson. Using a remote control, the future Decepticon activates Jazz and sends him to attack against his Autobot comrades. Unwilling to attack their cohort, the Autobot group are soon rendered unconscious and Jazz is deactivated once more.

Shortly thereafter, Galvatron visits the site of his weapon, where Starscream is poised to fatally shoot Megatron. Galvatron prevents Starscream from committing the act, and punishes the Seeker for disobeying a direct order to leave Megatron alive in true Decepticon style. Starscream gets punched out. Gloating at the ease in which all his foes are falling to him, Galvatron asks who can truly stand against him. Enter Ultra Magnus...

===Part 8: "You Haveta Ask?!"===
[[File:Target 2006 Galvatron catapult.jpg|thumb|upright=1.8|Like a [[Furmanism|vast, predatory bird]].]]
Galvatron is perched on top of Ultra Magnus's car carrier mode, and is trying to destroy the powerful Autobot. Ultra Magnus is trying to shake off the enraged Decepticon and finally has to resort to the drastic measure of speeding over an incomplete highway overpass and slamming on the brakes hard. Galvatron's momentum sends the future Decepticon leader tumbling off the edge of the overpass and into the ground below, temporarily knocking the fight out of him. Ultra Magnus wonders how the fight got this complex. 

[[File:Target 2006 Part Eight Galvatron.jpg|thumb|left|[[Superman]]!]]
''Earlier, Magnus had confronted Galvatron and offered the Decepticon a simple choice: immediately return to his own time by choice, or Ultra Magnus would force him to, in pieces of necessary. Galvatron reacted in his typical manner, by firing his particle beam cannon. However the shot missed and grazed the edge of Galvatron's super weapon, prompting Galvatron to have to fight Magnus using only his bare hands.''

''Ultra Magnus is able to fend off the initial furious assault from Galvatron, and is able to weather most of the subsequent attacks although the powerful Autobot is taking a lot of damage. Magnus tries to keep Galvatron enraged and not thinking clearly with incessant quips. As Galvatron rants and raves about his Unicron-given indestructibility, Ultra Magnus picks up a message from Kup on his internal communications sensors.'' [[File:Galvatrong1.jpg|thumb|The scariest knee in the Solar System.]] ''Apparently, Kup, Blurr, and Hot Rod have a plan that will send Galvatron back to 2006, and all Magnus has to do is keep the near-indestructible warmonger busy for an hour or two. After a few more blows are exchanged, Ultra Magnus dazzles and disorientates Galvatron using his powerful headlights and drives off. Galvatron scrabbles for a handhold and climbs to the roof of Magnus' trailer.''

Back to the present, Ultra Magnus is happy that he's been able to occupy Galvatron's attention for the length of time that he has, and hopes it's been enough for Kup and company to enact their plan. Before Magnus can check on Kup et al., the overpass he is standing on is blasted away by Galvatron, sending the Autobot hurtling to the ground. Once landed, Ultra Magnus is met by Galvatron's laser cannon mode, which proceeds to blast the Autobot all over the place. In a last, desperate gambit, Ultra Magnus tosses a fuel tanker in the firing line of Galvatron's barrel, causing a massive fire to erupt. The two Transformers continue to fight until a victor steps out of the conflagration—Galvatron!

===Part 9: "Back to the Future!"===
[[File:Target 2006 repaint.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.5|They stole the idea from [[Hasbro]].]]
Hot Rod, Kup, and Blurr are laying the groundwork to their plan. First, they [[repaint|paint]] [[Skywarp (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Skywarp]] to look like Starscream, then they set up explosives all around Galvatron's super weapon. After that, the future Autobots hide the real Starscream and render both Scourge and Cyclonus unconscious. The preparation complete, the Autobots go to their observation area.

Galvatron is dragging Ultra Magnus by the neck to his weapon site so that the Autobot can witness Galvatron's final triumph. When Galvatron discovers that his lieutenants have been recently damaged to ensure unconsciousness, he at first suspects Megatron and Soundwave, but finds them just as deactivated as before. Galvatron then, understandably, assumes that this was some treachery on the part of Starscream, just as the Autobot trio had intended. The Autobots prepare to attack Galvatron, but are unable to get a clear shot as Ultra Magnus has stepped into the firing line. Magnus is determined to do what he can to get Optimus Prime back and still participate in Operation: Volcano, which is kicking off in under an hour.

[[File:Galvatron V Magnus UK87.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Don't stop til you get enough!]]
Not too far away, the Autobots are recovering from their attack at the hands of a remote-controlled Jazz. Smokescreen is determined to take the fight to Galvatron one more time, despite the results from the last few such assaults, as unchecked Galvatron could arrive at any point in time and use his weaponry to stand as an unchallenged ruler.

Ultra Magnus continues to battle Galvatron, simply refusing to give up. Eventually, Magnus is thrown by Galvatron, giving Hot Rod's group a clear bead on Galvatron, which is instantly disrupted by the arrival of Smokescreen, Jetfire, and their group, who are defending Magnus by forcing Galvatron to go through them first. Kup, being practical, realises that going up against Galvatron is likely to mean death for these Autobots, so he goes ahead and detonates the explosives anyway, hoping that the Autobots will have the sense to get clear. The chain reaction of the explosives cause the power source of Galvatron's weapon to detonate, obliterating the weapon completely. As he is being buried by falling shrapnel, Galvatron howls with rage at being denied his victory this late in the game.

[[File:Target 2006 fake Starscream dies.jpg|thumb|left|He done blowed up real good.]]
Minutes later, Galvatron bursts from the wreckage, demanding to know who has the nerve to dare attack him. Skywarp-as-Starscream claims the credit, thanks to some remote control manipulation from the future Autobots. Overcome with rage, Galvatron fires at "Starscream", killing him. Once the red mist clears, Galvatron realises that he will not kill Starscream until 2006, and so, he must be in a parallel dimension to the one he time jumped from initially and thus his actions here will have no bearing on the future, or on his enslavement to Unicron. Taking the setback in his stride, Galvatron uses a [[Time-jump trigger device|hand-held device]] to transport himself, Scourge and Cyclonus back to 2006 whilst the future Autobots consider what to do with Starscream.

===Epilogue: "Aftermath!"===
Unicron is surveying the remains of Galvatron's weapon, and is happy to see that his puppet, Galvatron couldn't escape the Chaos Bringer's control so easily, although the ingenuity of Galvatron's trip to the past did surprise Unicron. Unicron's influence is such that he was able to subtly guide Hot Rod, Blurr, and Kup in their successful plan to thwart Galvatron. Unicron also plants the suggestion to one day build [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]] on the site of Galvatron's weapon complex. The future Autobots return to the future. 

[[File:Target 2006 Magnus too late for Volcano.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|I trust I am not too early.]]
After Starscream is stuffed back into cold storage, Jetfire and Smokescreen are thanking a magnanimous Ultra Magnus on his role in saving both Earth and Cybertron. At the mention of Cybertron, Magnus has a small conniption as he now knows that Operation: Volcano must have already begun—without him!

On Cybertron, Emirate Xaaron is at the [[Imperial Amphitheatre]] giving a speech to twenty-two [[Autobot resistance chief]]s, who, in reality, are expendable facsimile constructs and part of the complicated trap that is Operation: Volcano. After an Insecticon-sized signal is detected by Impactor and the Wreckers, they know phase one of Volcano has been a success. The Decepticons have swallowed the bait. Roadbuster, though, isn't happy. He's worried about the chance of failure, especially as while powerful, the Triple Changers are not a match for Ultra Magnus. Impactor observes that if Magnus is returning to Cybertron to participate in Volcano, his time is extremely limited.

Back on Earth, Laserbeak cuts free Soundwave and Megatron, the latter of whom is thirsting for revenge. Ultra Magnus returns to Cybertron rather than meeting with Optimus Prime, and hopes that one day, Magnus and Prime can fight together side by side, a notion Jetfire agrees with.

[[File:Dirge macabre marvel uk 88.jpg|thumb|left|Anti-climax personified.]]
Back on Cybertron, the [[Ten Deadliest Killers]] gather. They include the Insecticons, Thrust, Blitzwing, Octane, and a tagging-along thug by the name of [[Macabre]]. Unlike his fellow Decepticons, Macabre doesn't seek to interrogate Emirate Xaaron, merely to assassinate him. Impactor gives the signal: "Wreck and Rule!" However, the signal is superfluous as [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] interrupts Dirge with a communicube containing a message from Megatron—the Decepticons must cease all operations in [[Polyhex]] and have the space bridge working well enough to transport the Insecticons to Earth within two cycles, with no questioning of orders.

Impactor steps to the dais and informs Xaaron that the Decepticons have turned back. Uncertain as to the reason, the Wrecker speculates that the Decepticons must have discovered that it was a trap, and so all the preparation work for Operation: Volcano was wasted. Macabre, however, didn't turn back with the other Decepticons, and is determined to go down in history as the Decepticon that killed Xaaron, so he fires his massive studded gun at the Autobot dignitary. Unfortunately for Macabre, Impactor spots the weapon and is able to take the impact himself and is fatally wounded.

[[File:Target 2006 Prime triumphant.jpg|thumb|...most of the time.]]
Macabre steps out of the shadows, bewailing his lost opportunity to finish off Xaaron and is blown to smithereens by the Wreckers' combined fire-power. Xaaron is upset about Impactor's impending death, but Impactor always knew that death was a possibility and nominates Springer for his replacement as Wreckers commander.

On Earth, Optimus Prime is speechifying at the Ark. He talks about the severe injuries that Jazz, Trailbreaker, and Grapple have suffered, and the perhaps even more debilitating mental injuries the other Autobots have acquired having faced total defeat. Prime states that no matter what sufferings they go through in their battles, the Autobots will prevail.
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
(Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks.)<br>
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] (1)
*[[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]] (2)
*''[[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]]'' (3)
*''[[Sludge (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Sludge]]'' (4)
*''[[Slag (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Slag]]'' (5)
*''[[Snarl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Snarl]]'' (6)
*''[[Swoop (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Swoop]]'' (7)
*[[Xaaron]] (12)
*[[Skater]] (13)
*[[Impactor (G1)|Impactor]] (14)
*[[Autobot traitor]] (16)
*[[Roadbuster (G1)|Roadbuster]] (17)
*[[Ratchet (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ratchet]] (18)
*[[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]] (19)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]] (20)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Wheeljack]] (21)
*[[Ironhide (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ironhide]] (22)
*[[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (23)
*[[Gears (G1)|Gears]] (26, see "Errors")
*[[Matrix Flame priest]] (27)
*[[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] (31)
*[[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] (39)
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]] (40)
*[[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]] (42)
*[[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (43)
*[[Mirage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Mirage]] (44)
*[[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] (45)
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (46)
*[[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] (47)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (48)
*[[Topspin (G1)|Topspin]] (54)
*[[Rack'n'Ruin]] (55)
*[[Twin Twist]] (59)
*[[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] (64)
*[[Springer (G1)|Springer]] (65)
*[[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]] (66)
*[[Kup (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Kup]] (69)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]] (70)
*[[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] (71)
*[[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (83, see "Errors")
|c2=
*[[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] (15)
*[[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] (24)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] (25)
*[[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] (28)
*[[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] (29)
*[[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] (30)
*[[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] (32)
*[[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (33)
*[[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (34)
*[[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (35)
*[[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]] (36)
*[[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (37)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] (38)
*[[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] (41)
*[[Fang]] (61)
*[[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] (62)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Thundercracker]] (63)
*[[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] (68)
*[[Skywarp (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Skywarp]] (72)
*[[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] (74)
*[[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] (75)
*[[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] (76)
*[[Octane]] (77)
*[[Macabre]] (78)
*[[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] (79)
*[[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] (80)
*[[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] (81)
*[[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] (82)
|c3=
*''[[Joy Meadows]]'' (8)
*''[[Rick (Marvel)|Rick]]'' (9)
*''[[Tony (G1)|Tony]]'' (10)
|c4=
*''[[Centurion (Marvel)|Centurion]]'' (11)
*[[Tusks|Piano Transformer guy]] (60)
*[[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] (67)
|h5='''[[Facsimile construct]]s'''|c5=
*Dirge (49)
*Kickback (50)
*Thrust (51)
*Octane (52)
*Shrapnel (53)
*Bombshell (56)
*Blitzwing (57)
*Ramjet (58)
*[[Autobot resistance chief]]s (73)
}}

==Quotes==
"Autobots—I'm ''gravely'' disappointed. You come and visit me ''unannounced'' and then—to add insult to injury... ''You leave [[Jazz (G1)|something]] behind you!'' Feel free to pop round and pick him up anytime!"
:—'''Galvatron'''


"''Defeat''. A nasty, ugly word that leaves a nasty, ugly taste in the mouth."
:—'''Ironhide'''


"With the chance of Magnus returning to Cybertron in time being so slim, you have made the right decision. No-one can blame you for dropping out. Unless..."<br>
"Unless ''what''?"<br>
"Nothing, nothing. Just an idle thought really, not worth mentioning."<br>
"Xaaron—unless '''what?'''"<br>
"Well, it occurs to me that if Magnus ''doesn't'' return in time, history will judge you as having made the right decision... perhaps even one that would later give the Autobots their victory. You'd be a hero! However... if Magnus ''was'' to get back to Cybertron in time and ''you'' weren't ready..."<br>
"Enough, ''enough!'' I get the picture... (You wily old ''buzzard''!)"
:—'''Xaaron''' plays '''Impactor''' like a harp


"I only agreed to this ''insanity'' on the condition that yours was purely an advisory role. ''I'm'' in command here!"<br>
"Oh, ''really?'' In that case, perhaps you would like to lead the next strike against Galvatron. It certainly couldn't turn out to be any more ''catastrophic'' than last time."
:—'''Jeftire''' and '''Megatron''' 


"Until, at last, a ''victor'' emerges from the conflagration... '''AND IT IS GALVATRON!'''"



"Does your pathetic [[Autobot Code]] demand ''sacrifices''? Must I destroy you to stop you?"<br>
"Yes."
:—'''Galvatron''' while beating '''Ultra Magnus''' to death


"Tell your leader that someday, Ultra Magnus and Optimus Prime will fight ''side-by-side''!"
:—'''Ultra Magnus''' ain't wrong!


"''You - ack! - always were... a wily... old... buzzard..."
:—'''Impactor'''

==Notes==
===Production notes===
*"Target: 2006" was conceived to promote tie-in with the ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', an idea seized on by [[Ian Rimmer]] as a way of using the movie to promote the comic to even more people, following the successful cross-media synergy the comic had employed in its promotion of the [[Special Teams]] a few months earlier.<ref>''Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection Vol.6'' "Behind the Scenes"</ref> In defiance of the clear separation that had existed between the comic and [[The Transformers (cartoon)|animated series]] up to that point, "Target: 2006" presented the events of the movie as taking place in the future of the comic's timeline, and featured the film's cast of characters travelling back in time from a point ''during'' the film's events to interact with the present-day comic cast.
*This was all made possible by the fact that US writer [[Bob Budiansky]] was ''not'' going to be featuring the movie's cast or its future setting in the monthly American series, so the UK team had free reign to use them as they saw fit. Before this point, the UK-original stories had simply latched onto characters where they could, weaving between the gaps in the US material, but with the opening up of this whole new world, an entire UK-original ongoing storyline took shape, spanning over one hundred subsequent issues, as the future setting and characters became one of the most distinctive elements of the series. "Target: 2006" became just the first of what fans would later refer to as the Marvel UK "epics": the extra-length "tentpole" serials that formed the backbone of this ongoing narrative, with stories set in both that the future time period, ''and'' the present day, ''and'' with time travel between the two all becoming common, including a handful of stories set ''before'' "Target: 2006" that fill in the backstory of the "future" timeline.
*Context is important to fully understand the way "Target: 2006" tells its story. Though ''The Transformers: The Movie'' had been released in the United States a month before the serial began, it wouldn't arrive in UK cinemas until a month after it concluded. As such, the whole story is really a "mystery box" to hype kids up for the upcoming film, drip-feeding detail after detail which may read as a little odd to anyone not in the know who's reading the story today, years later, with full knowledge of the film's events. That being said, however, the story was written using not the finished film for reference, but an earlier revision of its script, which leads to certain incongruities; most notably, the finished film is set in the year 200''5'', not 2006.<ref>In [[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]], Furman says they didn't know about the change until he'd seen the film.</ref> The series would stick with this date even after the film had been released, advancing the future setting in parallel with the real-life calendar (stories published in 1987 took place in 2007, stories from 1988 took place in 2008, etc).
*Aside from all this movie-related stuff, "Target: 2006" also introduces one of the most famous UK-original concepts, the Autobots' special ops commando team the [[Wrecker]]s. Along with comic-original characters Impactor and Rack'n'Ruin, their ranks are made up entirely of characters from both the 1985 and 1986 toy ranges who were ''also'' not appearing in the US comic; the Autobot [[Deluxe Vehicle]]s, the [[Jumpstarter]]s, and the Autobot [[Triple Changer]]s.

===Continuity notes===
*Emirate Xaaron makes his first appearance in the regular weekly comic, following his introduction in the [[Transformers Annual 1985|1985 Annual]] story, "[[And There Shall Come...a Leader!]]" The establishing shot of Iacon seen in the prologue is directly based on the city as it appeared in that story, and the narration notes that Autobase is located beneath the [[Celestial Spires|Celestial Temple]] also featured in it, from which Xaaron and and the other councilors ruled from.
*The story doesn't specify at what precise point during ''The Transformers: The Movie'', Galvatron, Cyclonus, and Scourge embark on their trip back through time. As it falls after Galvatron has been tortured by Unicron at least once, but at a point when Kup, Hot Rod, and Blurr are still on Earth (from where Unicron spirits them away), that allows us to position it after the destruction of [[Moonbase Two]], but before Galvatron's attack on Autobot City: right after Galvatron orders: "Decepticons, to Earth!"
*With both Optimus Prime's and second-in-command Prowl's disappearance, Autobot leadership falls to Jazz. Though the comic has never really indicated that Jazz possesses such clout in-story, this is in-keeping with the [[Who's Who|Autobot Who's Who]] published in [[Rock and Roll-Out!|issue #53]], which identified him as a member of high command. Likewise, when Jazz is captured by Galvatron, Jetfire inherits command from him, also in accordance with that same Who's Who, despite Jetfire being a very recent addition to the Autobot ranks. 
*Smokescreen recalls [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]'s first time in action, in which he took out half-a-dozen Decepticons, as seen in [[Command Performances!|US issue #19]]. These included Starscream, Thundercracker, and Frenzy, who escape the captivity the Autobots subsequently placed their offlien bodies in during this story. However, regarding Omega, see "Continuity and plotting errors," below.
*Both Megatron and Xaaron reference [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]], the Decepticon leader on Cybertron featured in [[The Smelting Pool!|US issues #17]]-[[The Bridge to Nowhere!|18]]. Straxus appeared to die in the latter of these; Xaaron says in the epilogue he is "gone," but in Part 1, Megatron speaks of him as if he were still alive, as future UK storylines will indeed reveal him to be.
*As the Autobots do not yet possess the ability to free travel between Earth and Cybertron in US issues, Ultra Magnus is specifically noted to make his trip to Earth via an unstable ''prototype'' of the [[space bridge]] designed by the scientist [[Spanner (G1)|Spanner]], featured in US issues #17-18. Evidently Xaaron's Autobots recovered the tech from Spanner's lab at some point after he was taken prisoner by the Decepticons and developed the finished space bridge for them.
*When the Autobots launch their attack on Galvatron's forces in Part 3, Mirage is the first to be taken out, and does not appear again throughout the story. Though he is not explicitly included in the list of Autobot casualties at the end of the serial, this would mark his final appearance in the comic until the many inactive characters were reactivated [[Totaled!|several years later]], indicating his injuries put him on the offline list, reflecting his (unexplained) inactive status in contemporary US stories.
*The Decepticons' "deadliest killers" are made up of the Decepticons who appeared in Straxus's service in US issues #17-18 (the "[[Conehead|conehead]]" jets, the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]], and the Decepticon [[Triple Changer]]s, all from the 1985 toy range). "Target: 2006" adds 1986 Triple Changer [[Octane]] (who will not appear in US stories for almost another year) to their ranks, and comic-original character [[Macabre]], who only appears in the epilogue.
*The fate of Optimus Prime and the other Transformers who disappear is later revealed in [[Distant Thunder!|issue #100]].

===Wibbly wobbly, timey wimey===
*The Autobots don't know this but since Galvatron cannot alter the timeline, he's forced to allow them to live—since he can't let on, his sneer to Ironhide that they aren't worth killing is part of his psyops campaign to demoralise them into giving up. When driven to anger, however, he snarls and rants about killing, much like how being provoked will make him kill 'Starscream'.
*Although he comes to the conclusion for the wrong reasons, Galvatron's theory that he is in a parallel dimension is in fact accurate. After all, Skywarp is around during the [[The Transformers: The Movie|movie]], and so his death shouldn't have any less of an effect than Starscream's (Never mind that it never enters Galvatron's head that "Starscream" might not be dead, as is proven to be the case when Skywarp appears in later issues). The rest of the comics run will include various events that make it almost impossible to have TFTM occur in 2006—with the most prominent being that Unicron is actually going to arrive [[The Void! (US)|several years]] before that! Whether Galvatron has actually jumped timestreams, or whether his arrival in the past is the event that causes the timelines to split is left open to your own interpretation of 4th dimensional travel.

*Wouldn't killing Skywarp still have an adverse effect on the future? Even if he did become Cyclonus or Scourge or what have you, he still appears in later issues of the comic, and the movie adaptation as well. 
*It is implied that Galvatron builds his weapon on the site of the future [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]] so that when the weapon fires in 2006 it will destroy Autobot City ''and'' Unicron. He states it will be "hidden underground", but it's not mentioned ''how'' it'll get underground—we could be charitable and assume there is a way, but ''why'' would the Autobots build their city where they ''know'' a slag-off great cannon was buried?

===Transformers references===
*Part 3 sees Ironhide, last of the Autobots to fall, lying at Galvatron's feet as the Decepticon leader aims his cannon at his head. Is it a deliberate reference to Ironhide's fate at Megatron's hands in the upcoming movie?

===Real-life references===
*Part 2, "Construction Time Again!", takes its name from the {{w|Construction Time Again|1983 album}} by {{w|Depech Mode}}.

===Continuity and plotting errors===
*"Target: 2006" is pretty careful about precisely which present-day characters appear, with so many different cast members having recently gone offline between both the US and UK storylines. However, with such a huge cast, a few errors were bound to creep through: [[Gears (G1)|Gears]] appears in both the prologue and Part 3, and [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] shows up in a single panel of the epilogue, when both those characters were offlined in [[Dinobot Hunt!|issue #50]].
*Despite Smokescreen suggesting they do so, no reason is ever given for why the Autobots do not unleash Omega Supreme on the Decepticons, and Omega does not appear on-panel during the story.
*Ultra Magnus's clock shows how much time is passing over the five days. About twenty-three hours elapse between Magnus's arrival in Part 3 and the start of Part 5, which is fine, but then, by Part 7, he's suddenly down to twenty-two hours, with not ''nearly'' enough having occurred between those two parts for that to make sense. Further, from there, everything else has to last a full day without the sky changing colour or anyone commenting on it.
*Part 3 concludes with Ironhide uncovering a still-unconscious Megatron and Soundwave and kneeling next to them. In part 5, however, a flashback to this scene instead shows Megatron busting out of the rubble ''during'' Ironhide's rescue attempt and throttling him.
*Part 6 explicitly dates the events of "Target: 2006" to October 1986 (the future Autobots key the date "11th October 1986" into the time machine, which was the publication date of the... ''previous'' issue, so that was probably a goof). However, the story immediately following this one, a reprint of [[Aerialbots over America!|US issue #21]], takes place on ''4th July'', and is not edited to change this fact.
*The epilogue explicitly states that the Wreckers will be going up against "ten" of the Decepticons' deadliest killers, which fits in theory (three coneheads, three Insecticons, three Triple Changers, and Macabre makes ten)... except the art shows only nine of the characters, with [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] arriving to deliver a message, rather than to take part in the attack. If he wasn't the tenth, who was?
*Speaking of these killers; perhaps not an ''error'', but it's certainly ''odd'' to see Dirge leading the group, when one of their number, Shrapnel was presented as a high-ranking officer in US issues #17-18.

===Artwork and technical errors===
*For their first appearance at the end of issue #78, Galvatron, Cyclonus and Scourge are drawn based on the toys, as the finished [[character model]]s had not yet been made available to the artist. In fact, the ''finished'' models would ''never'' make it into the comic; for the rest of "Target: 2006," and all of their future appearances in both UK ''and'' US comics, the future Autobots and Decepticons are drawn based on unfinished character designs and colour schemes that wound up being further revised for the the finished film. All characters affected in some way by this, but the most notable one is Galvatron, who appears in the mostly-grey colour scheme also used for his toy, versus the predominantly purple colours seen in the film and animated series.
*For the first half of the story, Cyclonus appears in a ''very'' early colour scheme with an entirely purple body and silver head, also seen on a prototype shown in the [[Toy Fair 1986]] catalogue. The back half of the story would begin using corrected colours closer to the released toy.
*The drawing of Galvatron on the cover of issue #87 is a slightly altered tracing of his [[character model]].
*On page 5 of issue #81, Jetfire's backpack suddenly disappears for a single frame.
*On the first and last pages of issue #82, the Octane facsimile construct is mis-colored as Blitzwing.

===Other trivia===
*[[Ladybird Books]] would borrow the basic premise of this story (Optimus Prime disappearing and Ultra Magnus coming from Cybertron, and Galvatron travelling back in time to usurp Megatron) for their 1986 books "[[Galvatron's Air Attack]]" and "[[Decepticon Hideout]]." 
*This story's entire premise is rooted in what should rightly be an incorrect belief: Galvatron thinks that the omnipotent Unicron can be destroyed by the cannon he creates, when the Matrix is stated by the film to be the "one thing, the only thing" that can stop Unicron. Unicron's dialogue on the subject is vague enough that it's unclear if the story is written from the position that Galvatron is ''right'', but certainly, future stories would thoroughly abandon the idea that conventional weaponry would be enough to destroy Unicron.
<!--((Simon Furman reused issue #78's sequence with Emirate Xaaron and captions about the Autobot movement going literally underground almost verbatim when he took over the US strip some years later.)) What issue?-->
*According to [http://www.jeffandersonillustrator.co.uk/photo_8932596.html#photos_id=9009576 Jeff Anderson's website], the splash page of Galvatron, Scourge, and Cyclonus in #78 was evidently stolen by parties unknown along with another piece of artwork. If you see it, won't you be a doll and contact him or Simon Furman? 

===Back-up material===
'''Issue #78:'''
*'''Back-up strips:''' ''[[Back-up strips#Hercules|Hercules]]'' ("Whom the Gods Would Destroy!" Part 1) and ''[[Robo-Capers]]''

'''Issue #79:'''
*'''Back-up strips:''' ''Hercules'' ("Whom the Gods Would Destroy!" Part 2) and ''Robo-Capers''

'''Issue #80:'''
*'''Back-up strips:''' ''Robo-Capers'' and ''Hercules'' ("Whom the Gods Would Destroy!" Part 3)

'''Issue #81:'''
*'''Back-up strips:''' ''Robo-Capers'' and ''Hercules'' ("Whom the Gods Would Destroy!" Part 4)
*'''[[Fact File]]:''' [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]]. Rather than a reprinting of his ''[[The Transformers Universe|Universe]]'' profile, as with past Fact Files, this original write-up provides Magnus's backstory, revealing that he was built over the course of several years to boost the Autobot rebels' morale by giving them an inspirational figure to look up to, and was brought to life by the Matrix Flame.

'''Issue #82:'''
*'''Back-up strips:''' ''Robo-Capers'' and ''Hercules'' ("...Not Just Another Galactus Story!" Part 1)

'''Issue #83:'''
*'''Back-up strips:''' ''Robo-Capers'' and ''Hercules'' ("...Not Just Another Galactus Story!" Part 2)
*'''Other features:''' ''[[Cybertron: The Middle Years!]]'', a text piece detailing the history of Cybertron following the departure of Optimus Prime and Megatron's crews, covering the rise and fall of Decepticon warlord [[Trannis]] (an UK-original character first mentioned in the "Target: 2006" prologue), the sacking of of Iacon, Xaaron's formation of the Autobot rebel network, Trannis's assassination by the Wreckers, and Straxus's rise to replace him.

'''Issue #84:'''
*'''Back-up strips:''' ''Hercules'' ("...Not Just Another Galactus Story!" Part 3) and ''Robo-Capers''

'''Issue #85:'''
*'''Back-up strips:''' ''Hercules'' ("...Not Just Another Galactus Story!" Part 4) and ''Robo-Capers''; ''Hercules'' concludes this issue.
*'''Other features:''' Hercules pin-up

'''Issue #86:'''
*'''Back-up strips:''' ''Robo-Capers'' and ''[[Back-up strips#Spitfire and the Troubleshooters|Spitfire and the Troubleshooters]]'' ("Beginnings," Part 1); Spitfire and the Troubleshooters begins this issue.

'''Issue #87:'''
*'''Back-up strips:''' ''Spitfire and the Troubleshooters'' ("Beginnings," Part 2) and ''Robo-Capers''; [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] appears in [[Robo-Capers issue 87|this issue's ''Robo-Capers'']] in a rare example of "real" Transformers featuring in the strip.
*'''[[Fact File]]:''' [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]. A companion piece to Issue #81's Ultra Magnus's Fact File.

'''Issue #88:'''
*'''Back-up strips:''' ''Spitfire and the Troubleshooters'' ("Beginnings," Part 3) and ''Robo-Capers''; [[Robo-Capers issue 88|this issue's ''Robo-Capers'']] features Optimus Prime introducing Transformers who "didn't make the grade."

===Covers (11)===
*'''Issue #78 cover:''' Prowl, Ratchet, and Optimus Prime disappearing into limbo, by [[Alister Pearson]].
*'''Issue #79 cover:''' Galvatron and Ultra Magnus, by [[John Higgins]].
*'''Issue #80 cover:''' Ultra Magnus arrives, by [[John Stokes]].
*'''Issue #81 cover:''' Galvatron stands over vanquished Autobots, by [[Will Simpson]].
*'''Issue #82 cover:''' the [[Wrecker]]s, by [[Phil Gascoine]].
*'''Issue #83 cover:''' Scourge being blasted, by [[Robin Smith]].
<gallery>
File:MarvelUK-078.jpg|'''Issue #78'''
File:MarvelUK-079.jpg|'''Issue #79'''
File:MarvelUK-080.jpg|'''Issue #80'''
File:MarvelUK-081.jpg|'''Issue #81'''
File:MarvelUK-082.jpg|'''Issue #82'''
File:MarvelUK-083.jpg|'''Issue #83'''
</gallery>

*'''Issue #84 cover:''' Galvatron and Unicron, by Phil Gascoine.
*'''Issue #85 cover:''' Jazz is possessed by Galvatron, by Robin Smith.
*'''Issue #86 cover:''' Ultra Magnus fighting Galvatron, by Robin Smith.
*'''Issue #87 cover:''' Galvatron poses by his weapon, by Phil Gascoine.
*'''Issue #88 cover:''' the Wreckers, by [[Geoff Senior]].
<gallery>
File:MarvelUK-084.jpg|'''Issue #84'''
File:MarvelUK-085.jpg|'''Issue #85'''
File:MarvelUK-086.jpg|'''UK issue #86'''
File:MarvelUK-087.jpg|'''UK issue #87'''
File:MarvelUK-088.jpg|'''UK issue #88'''
</gallery>

===Reprints===
<gallery>
File:Tfcolcom15.jpg|'''[[Transformers Collected Comics#15 – Spring Special 1990|''Collected Comics'' #15]]''' (Marvel UK, 1990; reprints prologue and Parts 1-2)
File:TitanTarget2006tpb.jpg|'''''[[Transformers: Target: 2006]]'' TPB''' (Titan Books, 2002)
File:TransforceTitanTarget2006hc.jpg|'''''[[Transformers: Target: 2006]]'' hardcover''' (Titan Books, 2002; Transforce 2002 exclusive)
File:IDWTarget2006 1A.jpg|'''[[The Transformers: Target: 2006|''The Transformers: Target: 2006'' #1]] Cover A''' (IDW Publishing, 2007; reprints prologue & Part 1)
File:IDWTarget2006 1B.jpg|'''[[The Transformers: Target: 2006|''The Transformers: Target: 2006'' #1]] Cover B''' (IDW Publishing, 2007; reprints prologue & Part 1)
File:IDWTarget2006 1RIA.jpg|'''[[The Transformers: Target: 2006|''The Transformers: Target: 2006'' #1]] Cover RI-A''' (IDW Publishing, 2007; reprints prologue & Part 1)
File:IDWTarget2006 1RIB.jpg|'''[[The Transformers: Target: 2006|''The Transformers: Target: 2006'' #1]] Cover RI-B''' (IDW Publishing, 2007; reprints prologue & Part 1)
File:IDWTarget2006 2A.jpg|'''[[The Transformers: Target: 2006|''The Transformers: Target: 2006'' #2]] Cover A''' (IDW Publishing, 2007; reprints Parts 2-3)
File:IDWTarget2006 2B.jpg|'''[[The Transformers: Target: 2006|''The Transformers: Target: 2006'' #2]] Cover B''' (IDW Publishing, 2007; reprints Parts 2-3)
File:IDWTarget2006 2RIA.jpg|'''[[The Transformers: Target: 2006|''The Transformers: Target: 2006'' #2]] Cover RI-A''' (IDW Publishing, 2007; reprints Parts 2-3)
File:IDWTarget2006 2RIB.jpg|'''[[The Transformers: Target: 2006|''The Transformers: Target: 2006'' #2]] Cover RI-B''' (IDW Publishing, 2007; reprints Parts 2-3)
File:IDWTarget2006 3A.jpg|'''[[The Transformers: Target: 2006|''The Transformers: Target: 2006'' #3]] Cover A''' (IDW Publishing, 2007; reprints Parts 4-5)
File:IDWTarget2006 3B.jpg|'''[[The Transformers: Target: 2006|''The Transformers: Target: 2006'' #3]] Cover B''' (IDW Publishing, 2007; reprints Parts 4-5)
File:IDWTarget2006 3RIA.jpg|'''[[The Transformers: Target: 2006|''The Transformers: Target: 2006'' #3]] Cover RI-A''' (IDW Publishing, 2007; reprints Parts 4-5)
File:IDWTarget2006 3RIB.jpg|'''[[The Transformers: Target: 2006|''The Transformers: Target: 2006'' #3]] Cover RI-B''' (IDW Publishing, 2007; reprints Parts 4-5)
File:IDWTarget2006 4A.jpg|'''[[The Transformers: Target: 2006|''The Transformers: Target: 2006'' #4]] Cover A''' (IDW Publishing, 2007; reprints Parts 6-8)
File:IDWTarget2006 4B.jpg|'''[[The Transformers: Target: 2006|''The Transformers: Target: 2006'' #4]] Cover B''' (IDW Publishing, 2007; reprints Parts 6-8)
File:IDWTarget2006 4RIA.jpg|'''[[The Transformers: Target: 2006|''The Transformers: Target: 2006'' #4]] Cover RI-A''' (IDW Publishing, 2007; reprints Parts 6-8)
File:IDWTarget2006 4RIB.jpg|'''[[The Transformers: Target: 2006|''The Transformers: Target: 2006'' #4]] Cover RI-B''' (IDW Publishing, 2007; reprints Parts 6-8)
File:IDWTarget2006 5A.jpg|'''[[The Transformers: Target: 2006|''The Transformers: Target: 2006'' #5]] Cover A''' (IDW Publishing, 2007; reprints Part 9 & epilogue)
File:IDWTarget2006 5B.jpg|'''[[The Transformers: Target: 2006|''The Transformers: Target: 2006'' #5]] Cover B''' (IDW Publishing, 2007; reprints Part 9 & epilogue)
File:IDWTarget2006 5RIA.jpg|'''[[The Transformers: Target: 2006|''The Transformers: Target: 2006'' #5]] Cover RI-A''' (IDW Publishing, 2007; reprints Part 9 & epilogue)
File:IDWTarget2006 5RIB.jpg|'''[[The Transformers: Target: 2006|''The Transformers: Target: 2006'' #5]] Cover RI-B''' (IDW Publishing, 2007; reprints Part 9 & epilogue)
File:BestofSimon.jpg|'''''[[The Transformers: The Best of Simon Furman|The Best of Simon Furman]]''''' (IDW Publishing, 2007; reprints Parts 3 & 8
File:IDWTarget2006tpb.jpg|''''''[[The Transformers: Target: 2006|The Transformers: Target: 2006]]'' TPB''' (IDW Publishing, 2008)
File:UniverseRatbatSpringer T2006 reprint.jpg|Pack-in with ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[Ratbat (G1)#Universe (2008)|Ratbat]] vs. [[Springer (G1)#Universe (2008)|Springer]] (Hasbro, 2008; reprints Parts 4-5)
File:Classicuk3.jpg|'''[[The Transformers Classics UK Volume 3|''The Transformers Classics UK'' Volume 3]]''' (IDW Publishing, 2012)
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v6.jpg|'''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]], Vol. 6: Target: 2006''''' (Hachette Partworks Ltd, 2016)
</gallery>

====Reprint notes====
*Marvel UK intended to reprint all of ''Target: 2006'' in ''Collected Comics'' #15-18, but after the first issue was released, those plans were abruptly curtailed when the master artwork for the next three parts was ''lost in the mail''. Marvel simply shrugged their shoulders and changed gears for #16, printing different stories instead, with no acknowledgement of why the story wasn't continuing. Hinting at the original intent, ''Collected Comics'' #16 still re-uses issue #84's cover, despite its content being unrelated.
*The hardback edition of Titan's graphic novel collection exclusive to the unofficial UK convention Transforce 2002 was misprinted, with the final eight pages of the story appearing in reverse order. Titan offered a free replacement, but many fans kept the original—partially because of the novelty, but mostly because they had just got it signed by [[Simon Furman]].
*The reprint included with the ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[Ratbat (G1)#Universe (2008)|Ratbat]] vs. [[Springer (G1)#Universe (2008)|Springer]] two-pack wasn't actually supposed to come with that set. Rather, it was meant to be included with the "Target: 2006"-themed [[Roadbuster (G1)#Universe (2008)|Roadbuster]] vs. [[Dirge (G1)#Universe (2008)|Dirge]] set, while Springer and Ratbat were supposed to be packaged with [[Escalation|''War Within: The Dark Ages'' #2]], but the two comics were accidentally swapped. This printing altered two uses of the word "damn" to "darn", to be more friendly to American children.
*At some point, CardsOne, a company that deals in vintage comics, trading cards, and collectibles, acquired a large stock of unsold copies of the IDW's ''Target: 2006'' #3 Cover B, and sold them via Dollar Tree stores during the Summer of 2014.

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Marvel UK issues]]
[[Category:Pack-in material]]