Editing King Con!

{{comicstory|seriesissue=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|''The Transformers'' (US)]] #54
|prev=Recipe for Disaster!
|next=The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!
|title="King Con!"
|seriesissue2=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|''The Transformers'' (UK)]] #232–235
|prev2=The Big Shutdown!
|next2=A Small War!
|image=MarvelUS-54.jpg
|caption=A big ape is rolling in his grave...
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|date=March [[1989]]
|coverdate=July 1989
|writer=[[Bob Budiansky]]
|pencil breakdowns=[[José Delbo]]
|ink finishes=[[Danny Bulanadi]]
|colorist=[[Nelson Yomtov|Nel Yomtov]]
|letterer=[[Jim Massara]]
|editor=[[Don Daley]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
}}
'''It's the latest craze—young, crass heroes with no time for the adults' rules!'''

==Synopsis==
Three men head into the [[New Jersey (Earth)|New Jersey]] swamps in the dead of night, in order to deal with alleged "creature sightings" that have been plaguing their community. They thought it would be a bear—they were wrong. The [[Decepticon]] [[Pretender]] known as [[Iguanus (G1)|Iguanus]] steps out of the marsh, and blows the would-be hunters away with his [[hurricane air blaster]]. They take off on foot as fast as their puny human legs can carry them.

A few days later, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] and [[Hi-Q]] pull into an abandoned gas station. Because of the recent losses they suffered at the hands of [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]], the [[Autobot]]s of [[Earth]] have requested reinforcements be sent from [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] by [[Trans-time dimensional portal|Trans-Dimensional Warp]]. Those reinforcements arrive in the form of eight [[Micromaster]] [[Transformer]]s—the [[Off Road Patrol]] and [[Race Car Patrol]], commanded by [[Powertrain]] and [[Roadhandler (G1)|Roadhandler]] respectively. After the Micromasters and Hi-Q toss several clichés back and forth about size, discipline, and the overconfidence of youth, Optimus proceeds with the mission briefing the Micromasters have been selected for.

Two seemingly unrelated stories have caught Optimus Prime's attention. One, the creature sightings now being substantiated by interviews with the erstwhile hunters, and second, a bizarre weather phenomena causing massive storm fronts to gather and hold steady over [[New York City|Manhattan]], [[New York (state)|New York]], and the surrounding [[New Jersey (Earth)|New Jersey]] swamplands where the three men supposedly saw their "creature". Fearing Decepticon activity, Prime sends the Micromasters to investigate the situation.

At the same time, [[Cecilia Santiago]]—the reporter who interviewed the hunters—has entered the swamp in the hopes of finding the creature for herself.

In the new [[New Jersey base|Decepticon underground base]] in New Jersey, [[Scorponok (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Scorponok]] is outlining their latest energy-gathering plan for the [[Pretender]]s. They have constructed a massive energy conversion device within their base, and the [[Stormmaker Station]] in the nearby swamps has been responsible for the growing weather problems. Scorponok plans to gather the full electrical power of the storm he has created. While [[Skullgrin]] guards the Stormmaker Station, [[Finback]] and [[Submarauder (G1)|Submarauder]] lay an extended cable underwater from the base to Manhattan, in order to absorb and conduct the electricity back to the base. Iguanus is to place their [[electrostator]] device at the proper place as a high-tech lightning rod, gathering the total electrical potential of the storm and channeling it down through the ground and the conductor cables. [[Bugly (G1)|Bugly]] and [[Bomb-Burst (G1)|Bomb-Burst]] are charged with retrieving Iguanus before the electrical surge strikes the electrostator and overwhelms him. As the Pretenders disperse to carry out their duties, Iguanus has a little fun at Skullgrin's expense, taunting him as a "fleshling lover" thanks to his [[Monstercon from Mars!|recent movie career]].

Back in the swamp, Cecilia has wandered into sight of the Stormmaker Station. After overhearing the Decepticons' plans, she tries to escape but makes too much noise and is captured by Iguanus. The reptilian Pretender is prepared to exterminate her right there, but Skullgrin tries to convince him to give the woman over to him. As they grapple with one another, [[Mudslinger (G1)|Mudslinger]] arrives on the scene. As he and the rest of the Off Road Patrol jump into battle with the two Pretenders, Cecilia runs off to safety. Powertrain radios the Race Car Patrol to intercept the human as she emerges from the swamp, in case she has any information.

Roadhandler succeeds in picking her up on the side of the road, but Cecilia quickly sees through his "mannequin driver" disguise. After a brief conversation to convince her of his good intentions, Cecilia tells Roadhandler what she overheard about the threat to New York City. Roadhandler tries to get rid of her after that, but she proves tough to shake.

Iguanus has moved on from the swamp, and approaches his destination at the [[Empire State Building]]. He plans to place the electrostator at the very top of the antenna, channeling the electrical energy down through the building and out through the conduit cables which Finback and Submarauder have placed by the river. This will feed the Decepticons massive amounts of power, but destroy half the city in the process.

Back at the swamps, the Off Road Patrol manages to delay Skullgrin long enough for Mudslinger to destroy the Stormmaker, but it is too late—the storm has grown too strong on its own, and can no longer be dissipated so easily.

As the Race Car Patrol and Cecilia make their way to the top of the building, King 'Con Iguanus grabs the woman with his tail and dangles her high above the streets below. Iguanus drops her into Roadhandler's waiting arms, and triggers the electrostator on top of the building. Roadhandler uses his projectile fist to knock the device loose, however, forcing Iguanus to leap out into space in a vain attempt to retrieve it. Instead, the lightning strikes down on the device, channeling the full electrical force through Iguanus alone. The electricity disperses, the Decepticons receive no energy, and Iguanus is crispy-fried in the process. As the Pretender crashes to earth, the Micromasters decide to set up residence in the Big Apple...

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] (6)
*[[Powertrain]] (8)
*[[Highjump (G1)|Highjump]] (9)
*[[Mudslinger (G1)|Mudslinger]] (10)
*[[Tote]] (11)
*[[Tailspin]] (12)
*[[Free Wheeler]] (13)
*[[Roadhandler (G1)|Roadhandler]] (14)
*[[Swindler]] (15)
|c2=
*[[Iguanus (G1)|Iguanus]] (5)
*[[Skullcruncher (G1)|Skullcruncher]] (19)
*[[Scorponok (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Scorponok]] (20)
*[[Weirdwolf (G1)|Weirdwolf]] (21)
*[[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] (21)
*[[Finback]] (22)
*[[Submarauder (G1)|Submarauder]] (23)
*[[Bugly (G1)|Bugly]] (24)
*[[Skullgrin]] (25)
*[[Bomb-Burst (G1)|Bomb-Burst]] (26)
|c3=
*[[Gus (hunter)|Gus]] (1)
*[[Morrie]] (2)
*[[Juan (hunter)|Juan]] (3)
*[[Cecilia Santiago]] (16)
*[[Harvey]] (17)
*[[Sid (G1)|Sid]] (18)
|h4=[[Nebulan]]s|c4=
*[[Hi-Q]] (7)
|h5=Others|c5=
*[[Lady]] (4)
}}

==Quotes==
"We '''fight''' differently. And we play by our '''own''' rules."<br>
"Optimus, they answer to ''no one!'' How can we trust them?"
:— '''Roadhandler''' is one outrageous dude! He's totally in '''Hi-Q''''s face!


"They wield their independence like a '''club.''' " 
:— '''Hi-Q''' on the Micromasters


"We don't need your help!"<br>
"'''Everyone''' needs some help some time -- even you. Would you rather still be driving in circles around that swamp?"<br>
"..."<br>
"No, I didn't think so."
:— '''Roadhandler''' gets a little comeuppance from '''Cecelia'''


"Those humans were very agreeable... especially after we suspended them from the lamp pole."
:— '''Swindler''' seems to be fitting in just fine on Earth.


"Can you operate it, Tailspin?"<br>
"I think it's a binary code..."<br>
"Try '''talking''' to it."
:— '''Freewheeler''' and '''Tailspin''' face their greatest foe yet: an elevator.

==Notes==
===Artwork and technical errors===
*José Delbo redrew the packaging art of the Off Road Patrol (particularly Powertrain and Tote) and Race Car Patrol as they introduce themselves and transform. The Race Car Patrol box art was redrawn ''twice''.
*On the second-to-last page, Roadhandler is called "Roadmaster".

===Continuity errors===
*Optimus Prime transforms into [[robot mode]] without his Powermaster engine installed. While not necessarily an error in this continuity, it goes against the [[toy]] [[gimmick]]. Prime's fellow Powermaster, [[Slapdash (G1)|Slapdash]] explicitly cannot transform without his engine according to his toy [[bio]], his ''[[The Transformers Universe|Universe]]'' profile, and the UK story "[[Prime Bomb!]]".

===Continuity notes===
*This issue is the first appearance of the Race Car Patrol, Off Road Patrol, and of the Micromaster concept in general.
*The Decepticon base underneath the New Jersey garbage dump makes its first appearance here. A new base was necessary after Starscream destroyed both [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]]'s island ship and Scorponok's starcruiser in US issue [[Dark Star|#50]]. Also, this was foreshadowed by Scorponok's scouting mission for Skullgrin in issue [[Monstercon from Mars!|#45]].
*This is the third of the four times that Powermaster Optimus Prime is seen in his smaller robot form, and the first time that his forearms are correctly coloured as all blue.
*Optimus Prime mentions the Autobots' recent staggering losses, from US #50, and their failed attempt to repair those warriors from issues [[Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?|#52]]–[[Recipe for Disaster!|#53]].
*Iguanus and Skullgrin argue over how Skullgrin's time as a movie star in issue #45 may have made him too friendly towards humans.
*Iguanus seems to be destroyed at the end of the issue - hit by the city-destroying mega-lighting bolt and then plunging from the top of the Empire State Building - but he's back with the Decepticons just three issues later.
*At least twice, Roadhandler displays the ability to fire his fist off like a rocket.

===Real-life references===
*This story is the second appearance of an overt ''[[King Kong]]'' homage of [[King Kong]] climbing the empire state building in the official Generation 1 fiction, the first being the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|cartoon]] episode "[[City of Steel (episode)|City of Steel]]".
*The action is set in the north New Jersey swamps, and in Manhattan just over the river. There ''are'' a couple of landfills in New Jersey within direct sight of the Midtown Manhattan skyline, along the New Jersey Turnpike.

===Bot Roster===
*Autobots: 21 active; 8 rogue Micromasters; 1 in storage, 31 offline, 27 presumed offline. (88 total)
*Decepticons: 20 active (even after Iguanus's misadventure); 26 offline, 25 presumed offline, 4 offline/missing. (79 total)

===Courtesy of my...===
*Iguanus literally [[Hurricane air blaster|blows the would-be hunters away]].

===UK Printing===
====Issue #232====
*'''Additional ''Transformers'' story:''' "[[A Small War!]]"
*'''Reprint ''Transformers'' story:''' "[[Resurrection!]]"
*'''Other strips:''' ''[[Combat Colin]]''
*'''Free gift:''' magnifying glass
====Issue #233====
*'''Additional ''Transformers'' story:''' "A Small War!"
*'''Other strips:''' ''[[Action Force (comic)|Action Force]]'' - "Airshow" and ''Combat Colin''
*'''[[Transformers AtoZ|AtoZ]]:''' [[Rampage (G1)|Rampage]] and [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]]
*'''Free gift:''' temporary tattoo
====Issue #234====
*'''Additional ''Transformers'' story:''' "[[Prime's Rib!]]"
*'''Other strips:''' ''Action Force'' - "Airshow" and ''Combat Colin''
*'''Classic Covers Calendar:''' September [[Worlds Apart!|#130]]
*'''Free gift:''' temporary tattoo (Autobot and Decepticon [[Insignia|symbols]])
====Issue #235====
*'''Additional ''Transformers'' story:''' "[[Deathbringer (issue)|Deathbringer]]"
*'''Other strips:''' ''Action Force'' - "Airshow" and ''Combat Colin''

===Covers (5)===
*'''US issue #54 cover:''' Iguanus, Micromasters and Cecilia, by [[José Delbo]] and [[Danny Bulanadi]].
*'''UK issue #232 cover:''' [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] and Micromasters, by [[Lee Sullivan]].
*'''UK issue #233 cover:''' Bomb-Burst, Iguanus and a friendly chap, by [[Jeff Anderson]].
*'''UK issue #234 cover:''' [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] vs [[Horri-Bull]], by [[Geoff Senior]].
*'''UK issue #235 cover:''' [[Deathbringer (Marvel)|Deathbringer]] and a defeated Prime, by Geoff Senior.
<gallery>
File:MarvelUS-54.jpg|'''US issue #54''' - They're great! Buy them! Now!
File:MarvelUK-232.jpg|'''UK issue #232''' - Luckily the issue came with a free magnifying glass! (It was rubbish)
File:MarvelUK-233.jpg|'''UK issue #233''' - ''The'' best free gift ever!
File:MarvelUK-234.jpg|'''UK issue #234''' - Not so gentle, really.
File:MarvelUK-235.jpg|'''UK issue #235''' - If only the actual [[Deathbringer (issue)|Deathbringer story]] was [[Less Than Zero|this great]]...
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
====US====
*''Metal Gear Ultra'' video game - inside front cover
*Nintendo games: ''Bubble Bobble'', ''Renegade'', ''Sky Shark'', ''Operation Wolf'' - between pages 4 & 5
*''AD&D Handbook'' - between pages 5 & 6
*Nintendo games: ''Operation Wolf'', ''Renegade'', ''Bubble Bobble'', ''Renegade'', ''Sky Shark'' - between pages 9 & 10
*Tales of the ''Spinjas'' - between pages 12 & 13 (2 pages)
*''F.I.S.T.'' fantasy telephone game - between pages 15 & 16
*Bullpen Bulletins and checklist - between pages 19 & 20
*American Comics / Comic Book conventions - between pages 20 & 21
*Marvel Annuals 1989: Atlantis Attacks
*Marvel subscription service
*Nintendo games: ''Gauntlet'', ''Pac-Man'', ''R.B.I. Baseball'' and ''Tetris'' - inside back cover
*Schwinn bikes (back cover)

====UK====
????

===Reprints===
*'''''[[Transformers: Last Stand]]'' TPB cover:''' [[Swindler]], [[Rippersnapper (G1)|Rippersnapper]], [[Snarler]], [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] and half a Mecannibal, by [[Andrew Wildman]].
*'''''Transformers: Last Stand'' Hardback cover:''' A damaged [[Fortress Maximus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Fortress Maximus]] battling Snarler and [[Carnivac (G1)|Carnivac]], by [[Frank Quitely]].
*'''[[Classic Transformers Volume 4|''Classic Transformers'' Volume 4]] cover:''' Panels from US issues [[Skin Deep|#59]] and [[Yesterday's Heroes!|#60]], pencils by José Delbo, inks by Dave Hunt and colours by Nel Yomtov. 
*'''[[The Transformers Classics, Vol. 5|''The Transformers Classics,'' Vol. 5]] cover:''' [[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]] by [[Guido Guidi]].
*'''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection|''Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection:Volume 15: Time Wars'']]''': [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] profile pic over [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] blasting the [[Wreckers]] from issue #204; art by [[Lee Sullivan]] (pencils #204), [[Stephen Baskerville]] (inks, #204) and [[Don Figueroa]]? (Highbrow).

<gallery>
File:Titan-LastStandSC.jpg|'''''Transformers: Last Stand'' TPB''' (Titan Books, 2005)
File:Titan-LastStandHC.jpg|'''''Transformers: Last Stand'' HC''' (Titan Books, 2005)
File:Classic Transformers Vol4.jpg|'''''Classic Transformers'' Volume 4''' (IDW Publishing, 2009)
File:TFClassicsVol5.jpg|'''''The Transformers Classics,'' Vol. 5''' (IDW Publishing, 2012)
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v15.jpg|'''''The Definitive G1 Collection: Volume 15: Time Wars'''''<br>(Hachette Partworks, 2019)
</gallery>


[[Category:Marvel US issues]]
[[Category:Marvel UK issues]]