Editing Space Pirates!

{{comicstory|seriesissue=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|''The Transformers and Visionaries'']] #182–187
|prev=The Big Broadcast of 2006 (issue)
|next=Firebug!
|title=Space Pirates!
|image=MarvelUK-187.jpg
|caption=Arise, Ghyrikius Prime!
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|date=[[September 10|10th September]]–[[October 15|15th October]] 1988
|coverdate=10th September–15th October 1988
|script=[[Simon Furman]]
|art=[[Dan Reed]] (#182–183)<br/>[[Lee Sullivan]] (#186–187)
|pencils=[[Dougie Braithwaite]] (#184–185)
|inks=[[Dave Harwood]] (#184–185)
|colour=[[Euan Peters]] (#182–186)<br/>[[Steve White]] (#187)
|letters=[[Glib]]
|edits by=[[Denton J. Tipton]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
}}
'''Death and destruction reign supreme as the Quintessons embark on their master plan to eliminate the Transformers species.'''

==Synopsis==
The [[Quintesson]]s are not having a good year. Space-time itself has been seriously ruptured, and the feedback from the disruption has altered the orbit of the Quintessons' homeworld [[Quintessa|Quintesson]], such that it is in imminent danger of falling into its [[sun]].

The Quintessons' original plan of response to this crisis was to find an alternative homeworld to move to; to that end, Quintesson spies/explorers surveyed a number of machine worlds (including [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]) and recorded their findings in the [[Quintesson Journal]].  Unfortunately, the journal fell into the hands of Wreck-Gar, who withstood all attempts to wring its location from him.  {{storylink|The Big Broadcast of 2006 (issue)|The Big Broadcast of 2006}}

[[Image:Generalghyrik.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Um, Mr. Ghyrik, the capture of the hero comes before the "Villain's Exposition"...]]

As such, the Quintessons move to Plan B—direct conquest of Cybertron and elimination of the [[Transformer]]s.  Fear of the [[Creation Matrix]] has made them hold off to this point, but without any other option, they proceed.

The plan they execute is two-pronged: simultaneously, a Quintesson fleet commanded by General Ghyrik assaults and occupies [[Autobot City]] on Earth, killing many [[Autobot]]s, while the remainder of the Quintesson army ambushes the massed forces of the [[Decepticon]]s on Cybertron, commanded by Soundwave.

Rodimus Prime and a contingent of Autobot warriors are ambushed at Autobot City when they arrive to investigate why the facility has gone silent; the Matrix is stolen by General Ghyrik.

[[Image:Metroplex-UK.jpg|left|200px|thumb|I'm here to kick ass and chew bubble gum. And I'm all out of bubble gum.]]
Then the plan begins to fall apart. In his juvenile form of Hot Rod, Prime manages to reactivate Metroplex, the giant Autobot sleeping within Autobot City, who unloads a can of whoopass on the occupying Quintessons.

Meanwhile, on Cybertron, Soundwave sends a distress call to the remaining Autobots there, commanded by Ultra Magnus, who reluctantly come to the aid of their ancient foes.

Their combined forces overwhelm the Quintessons on Cybertron, and Soundwave even briefly considers the notion of a truce—but the two factions have been through too much to ever resolve their differences.

On Earth, Hot Rod manages to recover the Matrix by using a child's trick, and throws Ghyrik off a rooftop, thus winning the battle there.

Meanwhile, Wreck-Gar manages to escape Quintesson with the help of Wheelie, and makes his way to the Quintesson Journal's hiding place, where he transmits its contents to the galaxy at large. A large number of robotic species discover their worlds had been slated for potential colonisation. As a result, those Quintessons who managed to escape the death of their world will be galactic fugitives, hated and hunted by the machine races of the galaxy.

I love it when a plan comes together.

[[Image:SpacePiratesSoundwaveLeader.JPG|right|250px|thumb|Not quite the uncharismatic bore that nobody would follow. Somebody's eating humble pie.]]
{{-}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] (10)
* [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (11)
* [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]] (12)
* [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] (13)
* [[Hopper]] (14)
* [[Chase (G1)|Chase]] (15)
* [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (16)
* [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] (17)
* [[Air Raid (G1)|Air Raid]] (18)
* [[Rodimus Prime (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] (19)
* [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] (21)
* [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] (30)
* [[Eject]] (32)
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (33)
* [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] (35)
* [[Steeljaw (G1)|Steeljaw]] (36)
* [[Rewind]] (37)
* [[Ramhorn]] (38)
* [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] (39)
|c2=
* [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (22)
* [[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (23)
* [[Hun-Gurrr|Hun-Grrr]] (24)
* [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] (25)
* [[Motormaster]] (26)
* [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] (27)
* [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] (28)
* [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] (29)
* [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] (31)
* [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (34)
|c4=
* [[General Ghyrik]] (1)
* [[Jolup]] (2)
* [[Lord Kledji]] (3)
* [[Sevax]] (4)
* [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] (5)
* various [[Quintesson]] guards (6)
* Quintesson judge (7)
* "innocent" victim (8)
* [[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticons]] (9)
* [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]] (20)
}}

==Errors==
* In part 2, [[Chase (G1)|Chase]] is colored like [[Rollbar (G1)|Rollbar]], and (as is often the case) drawn with [[Searchlight (G1)|Searchlight]]'s head.

==Items of note==
* This story is noticeable influenced from Season 1 of the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|cartoon series]]. Space Pirates was the most cartoon-influenced UK comic story since [[Decepticon Dam-Busters!|Decepticon Dam-Busters]].
**As in the episode [[The Burden Hardest to Bear]], Rodimus Prime has the Matrix stolen from within him, and is 'de-powered' to his previous incarnation Hot Rod, whilst the Matrix thief has enhanced strength.
**[[Autobot City]] resembles strongly its appearance in the 1986 animated movie and season 3 cartoon series, albeit coloured differently. As in the cartoon series, [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] is seen as the 'living core' of the city.
**Characters prominent in Season 3 of cartoon series, but were previously unknown to the Marvel UK comic series, such as the [[Quintesson]s] and [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], also feature heavily.

* '''Cameos:''' 
* Issue #183 contained a special ''[[Robo-Capers]]'' strip entitled "[[The Wind of Change!]]" by [[Simon Furman]] and [[Lew Stringer]] that showed [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] being replaced by [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]] as letters page answerer.
* The future Autobots were last seen in "[[Fire on High!]]".  Their story continues in "[[Time Wars]]".
* We get a look at Soundwave's generals. They're mainly the leaders of sub-teams, such as [[Hun-Gurrr]]. Oddly, ''[[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]]'' is representing the Constructicons these days. 
*Issue subtitles:
**Issue 182—
**Issue 183—Plan of Attack!
**Issue 184—Pursuit!
**Issue 185—The Tender Trap!
**Issue 186—The Awakening!
**Issue 187—The End of the World!

===British Junkionisms===
* As in the cartoon, Wreck-Gar's dialogue is littered with references to TV shows. However, UK comics Wreck-Gar has watched an awful lot more UK TV. This obviously wasn't a problem when the story originally came out, but thanks to the increased availability of UK stories in the US along with the fact that lots of these references are twenty years old, lots of this stuff is now just plain confusing. So, here's a list of exactly what the hell Wreck-Gar is talking about in each issue:

====Part 1:====
* "Great Balls of Fire!"—a 1957 [[wikipedia:Great_Balls_of_Fire|song]] made famous by Jerry Lee Lewis
* "''L.A. Law'' this ain't"—An American [[wikipedia:L.A._Law|legal drama]].
* "No mealtime treat"—?.
* "Tense, nervous headache" and "nothing acts faster than Anadin"—references a British advert for [http://www.anadin.co.uk/ Anadin], a brand name for various headache tablets (yes, it's a real brand).
* "Bite it, crunch it, chew it!"—the jingle used for an advert for [[wikipedia:Boost_(chocolate)|Cadbury's Boost]], a chocolate bar.
* "Tonight on ''The Clothes Show''..."—A [[wikipedia:The_Clothes_Show|television show]] originally shown on BBC 1 that showed you how you too could look great on a budget. Often involved [[wikipedia:Sleeveless_shirt|tank tops]].
* "Top of the Pops on the Quintessons' hit-list was Cybertron"—A popular British [[wikipedia:Top_of_the_Pops|music show]], featuring artists from the Top 40. Ruthlessly crushed by MTV and its ilk.
* "...and it's still not safe to go back in the water!"—Tag line from [[wikipedia:Jaws|some film]] about a [[Overbite (G1)|shark]] or something.

====Part 2:====
* "For up to 20% fewer fillings, use Gibbs Sr!"—Gibbs Sr was a brand of toothpaste. It's also the answer to the question "What was the first advert ever shown on British TV?" Impress your friends with knowledge!
* "...the sweet you can eat between meals!"—Allegedly, a [[wikipedia:Milky_Way_Bar|Milky Way Bar]]. The version sold in the UK lacks the caramel you find in the US version, which is actually closer to a UK Mars bar (and which both used the "work, rest and play" advertising slogan). The UK version will float in water. More sexy knowledge!
* "Shot my bolt, Bernie"—Possibly a reference to a TV show called [http://www.ukgameshows.com/page/index.php?title=The_Golden_Shot The Golden Shot]. Furman is showing his age a bit here. Out of context, it sounds incredibly rude.
* "It'll take more than Five Alive to pep me up"—[[wikipedia:Five_Alive|Juice drink]] still widely available in the UK. Contains 42% fruit juice, 22% sugar and several artificial sweeteners. Yum!
* "Talk about close shaves...I was so impressed, I bought the company!"—Advertising slogan used on Remington Electric Shavers.
* "The needs of the many must take precedence over the needs of the one, Captain"—A generic term, but in this case referencing the [[wikipedia:Star_Trek_II|greatest sci-fi film of all time]].
* "Autobots must be warned of Quintessons' university challenge"—British [[wikipedia:University_Challenge|quiz show]], pitting university students against each other. Oxbridge colleges (who compete individually) usually won.
* "It'll be winner takes all if we don't make our home run now!"—Another [[wikipedia:Winner_Takes_All_(game_show)|quiz show]], notable for having a top prize of £1000 (oooh) and for helping to catch a rapist. Yes.

====Part 3:====
* "I'm afraid it's time for closedown"—The name given to the period during the bad old days when TV stations would shut down for the night. Abandoned once they realised that people might want to watch TV after midnight, and that they had plenty of music/news/repeats to show them.
* "Only when Bob says Opportunity Knocks!"—A sort of precursor to America/Britain's Got Talent, [[wikipedia:Opportunity_Knocks|this show]] aired off and on from the 50s through to the 90s. Wreck-Gar is referencing the period when it was hosted by [[wikipedia:Bob_Monkhouse|Bob Monkhouse]] - British National Treasure.
* "Until then we follow the Green Cross Code"—The name given to the act of stopping at the side of the road and checking both ways before crossing. The original Green Cross Code man was David Prowse, who later went on to complain about being dubbed in [[Star Wars|some film]].
* "Run silent. Run deep. You know it makes sense."—The former refers to the [[wikipedia:Run_Silent,_Run_Deep|1958 film of the same name]]. The latter, meanwhile, was one of several catchphrases associated with British TV programme "[[wikipedia:Only_Fools_and_Horses|Only Fools and Horses]]".
* "Yeah. Why slowmo...when you can Flymo!"—Tagline to an advert for a really nice [http://www.flymo.co.uk/node1756.aspx lawn mower] that was much faster than contemporay designs. 
* "Need extra strength Daz. Reaches the parts of engines other powers can't stir!"—[http://www.dazwhite.co.uk/ Washing detergent] that is so much more powerful than normal ones that it had adverts proclaiming this power to all. Currently uses old soap stars (you see the joke!) instead.
* "Points mean prizes!"—Catchprase used by [[wikipedia:Bruce_Forsyth|Bruce Forsyth]] - British National Treasure, when he presented [[wikipedia:Play_Your_Cards_Right|Play Your Cards Right]], a quiz show based on the US show Card Sharks.

====Part 4====
* "She flies through the air with the greatest of ease!"—Lyrics from the 19th century song, "[[wikipedia:The_Daring_Young_Man_on_the_Flying_Trapeze|The Daring Young Man on the Flying Trapeze]]". Wreck-Gar was probably more familiar with one of the many cover versions.
* "I'm going to have to offer that to the other side!"—"The other side" was a typical way of referring to the opposing team on various television quiz shows, such as ''[[wikipedia:University_Challenge|University Challenge]]''.
* "Today, the Wish You Were Here Team visits..."—"[[wikipedia:Wish_You_Were_Here...?|Wish You Were Here...?]] was a long-running British travel programme.

====Part 5====
* Wreck-Gar's extended exchange with another Junkion is done in the style of football (that's soccer to the Colonials in the reading audience) commentation, after the British television show ''[[wikipedia:The_Big_Match|The Big Match]]''. Wreck-Gar and his companion refer to each other with the names of the show's presenters, [[wikipedia:Brian_Moore_(commentator)|Brian Moore]] and [[wikipedia:Jimmy_Hill|Jimmy Hill]], respectively.

===UK printing===
* None yet identified.

===Covers===
<gallery>
Image:MarvelUK-182.jpg|182 cover
Image:MarvelUK-183.jpg|183 cover
Image:MarvelUK-184.jpg|184 cover
Image:MarvelUK-185.jpg|185 cover
Image:MarvelUK-186.jpg|186 cover
Image:MarvelUK-187.jpg|187 cover
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* None yet identified.

==Reprints==
* Parts 1–3 were reprinted in ''[[Collected Comics (Marvel)|Collected Comics]]'' #17 in July 1990. However, ''Collected Comics'' #18 did not appear for another ten months and moved onto reprinting "[[Time Wars]]" with no explanation.

* The full story was reprinted in the [[Titan Books]] trade paperback ''[[Space Pirates]]''.

* It was reprinted in 2008 in the first three issues of [[IDW Publishing|IDW Publishing's]] ''[[Best of UK: Space Pirates]]''.


[[Category:Marvel UK issues]]