Editing Generation 2: Redux

{{comicstory|seriesissue=''[[Timelines (fiction)|Transformers Timelines]]'' #5
|prev=Wings of Honor
|next=
|seriesissue2=[[Wings of Honor continuity|Wings of Honor]]
|prev2=The Coming Storm: Part 6
|title="Generation 2: Redux"
|image=G2Redux BotCon.jpg
|caption=Now watch as our after market toy prices quadruple!
|publisher=[[Fun Publications]]
|date=[[June 24]], [[2010]]
|writers=[[Greg Sepelak]] and [[Trent Troop]]
|pencils=[[Robby Musso]]
|inks=[[Robby Musso]] and [[Frank Milkovich]]
|colors=[[Evan Gauntt]], Trent Troop, and [[Jesse Wittenrich]]
|letters=Jesse Wittenrich
|editor=[[Pete Sinclair]]
|price=
|continuity=[[Wings of Honor continuity|Wings of Honor]]
}}
''' '''

==Synopsis==
{{note|''Wings of Honor'' continuity takes place in a variant [[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]] timestream.}}

Following the events of [[The Rebirth]], [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] and [[Zarak (Nebulan)|Zarak]] had traveled out into the universe to try to reconquer [[Nebulos]] and other worlds beyond. [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and his [[Autobot]]s chased after, leaving only a small crew behind at [[Autobot City]] to guard against future [[Decepticon]] appearances.

In the meantime, new Transformers were created in earthen Cyberfactories. These Earth natives dubbed themselves [[Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]] Transformers, and although they initially didn’t identify with either side of the Cybertronian War, they eventually began to migrate to opposing factions. There were those like [[Spark]], who formed a task force of Generation 2 Autobots dedicated to protecting life, and those like [[Clench (G2)|Clench]], who formed an outlaw [[Decepticon Syndicate]] with other like-minded Transformers and remaining Decepticons such as [[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]] and the [[Firecon]]s. 

Some time in [[2010]], Clench and his Decepticons attack the Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland. Spark and his Autobots confront them, but are overwhelmed, thanks to Clench's forces being bolstered with a new version of [[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticon]]s sent by the [[Quintesson]]s as part of an alliance. The Autobots have to retreat, and Spark is taken prisoner along with the human workers.

[[Streetwise (G1)|Streetwise]], from Autobot City, meets up with the Generation 2 Autobots to assess the current situation and formulate a battle plan. At the Hadron Collider, Clench is working with the Sharkticon general [[Sky-Byte (Timelines)|Sky-Byte]]  to make the chemical [[forestonite]] usable.   Sky-Byte determines that in its natural state, forestonite is just a sub-grade fuel, but when bombarded with high energy particles, it can alter Transformers, giving them heightened abilities. After an initial test with [[Cindersaur]] yields some unexpected results, Sky-Byte is able to refine his formula successfully.

Outside, [[Double Punch]] is confusing everyone with his accent as he tries to express his “disinterest” with binary bonding when the Autobots attack. While [[Scorch]] leads the initial assault with more Autobots on the way, Clench rushes out to repel the attack with some of his newly forestonite-powered Decepticons.

Meanwhile, Streetwise, [[Rapido]], and [[Meanstreak]] sneak in through a back door, trying to find Spark and the hostages. Fighting through Sharkticons, they locate the chamber with the forestonite and their captive leader. They are also met by Sky-Byte, Breakdown, and [[Dirtbag]], who have also been improved by the effects of the forestonite. With their new powers, the Decepticons are able to hold back the Autobots for a while, until Rapido is able to break Spark free of his restraints. In an attempt to keep the forestonite from their enemies, Breakdown shoots the supply. It doesn’t explode as he anticipated, but instead spreads out in gaseous form over everyone and mutates the Autobots with their own powers. 

Outside, more Autobots are joining the attack: a battalion of [[Go-Bot (G2)|Go-Bot]]s and a group of [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] Autobots from Autobot City. Eventually, the battle inside and the battle outside smash down the walls of the facility, and the forestonite gas escapes, affecting the rest of the Transformers. Realizing they’ve lost their advantage, Sky-Byte flees with his Sharkticons, with Clench and his men following. 

As the Autobots clean up the remains of the battle, Streetwise elects to remain among Spark's forces rather than return to Autobot City. Spark postulates that these changes have truly created a second generation of Transformers as he hands out his Generation 2 Autobot symbols to the group. He also informs Streetwise that there are still some unaccounted-for canisters of forestonite that have to be tracked down in future adventures. 

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters|c1=
* [[Pyro]] (5)
* [[Scorch]] (12)
* [[Rapido]] (13)
* [[Streetwise (G1)|Streetwise]] (14)
* [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]] (15)
* [[Road Rocket (G2)|Road Rocket]] (24)
* [[Motormouth]] (26)
* [[Windbreaker]] (27)
* [[Skram]] (28)
* [[Turbofire]] (29)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (35)
* [[Aquafend]] (36)
* [[Meanstreak]] (37)
* [[Leadfoot (G2)|Leadfoot]] (42)
* [[Gobots (G2)|Gobots]] (43)
* [[Electro]] (44)
* [[High Beam]] (46)
* [[Firecracker]] (47)
* [[Gearhead]] (48)
* [[Double Clutch (G2)|Double Clutch]] (49)
* [[Blowout]] (50)
* [[Fizzle]] (51)
* [[Manta Ray (G2)|Manta Ray]] (52)
* [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] (53)
* [[Hubcap (G1)|Hubcap]] (54)
* [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] (55)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (56)
* [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (57)
* [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (57)
* [[Volt]] (58)
|c2=
* [[Skyjack]] (2)
* [[Powerdive]] (3)
* [[Double Punch]] (4)
* [[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]] (7)
* [[Clench (G2)|Clench]] (8)
* [[Staxx]] (9)
* [[Cindersaur]] (10)
* [[Slicer]] (11)
* [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] (16)
* [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] (17)
* [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] (18)
* [[Zarak (Nebulan)|Zarak]] (19)
* [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] (20)
* [[Runabout]] (21)
* [[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]] (22)
* [[Dirtbag]] (23)
* [[Sizzle (G2)|Sizzle]] (25)
* [[Eagle Eye (G2)|Eagle Eye]] (30)
* [[Windrazor (G2)|Windrazor]] (31)
* [[Afterburner (G2)|Afterburner]] (32)
* [[Terradive (G2)|Terradive]] (33)
* [[Space Case]] (34)
* [[Roadblock (G2)|Roadblock]] (38)
* [[Flamefeather]] (39)
* [[Sparkstalker]] (40)
* [[Calcar]] (41)
* [[Road Pig (G2)|Road Pig]] (45)
* [[Ransack (G2)|Ransack]] (60)
* [[Deluge (Decepticon)|Deluge]] (61)
* [[Jetstorm (G2 Decepticon)|Jetstorm]] (62)
* [[Jolt (G2)|Jolt]] (63)
|h3=[[Quintesson]]s|c3=
* [[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticon]]s (1)
* [[Sky-Byte (Timelines)|Sky-Byte]] (6)
}}

==Quotes==
"So I' sez to 'im, you fink I'm gonna tear off me '''head''' and let some '''squishy''' live n'it, you got another fink comin'."<br>
"I don't know what you're saying."<br>
"I was expressin' my disinterest i--"<br>
"No, I mean I '''can't understand you.'''"<br>
:—'''Double Punch''' has an accent that '''Calcar''' can't penetrate.


"Om nom nom nom nom!"
:—'''Cindersaur''' eats a canister of forestonite.


"Well, this is '''embarrassing'''.  This has never happened before, I swear."
:—'''Rapido''' has impotent photon missiles.


"Fire and debris fall<br>
ambition has been thwarted<br>
we'll take our cut now."
:—'''Sky-Byte''' departs with a ''haiku''


==Errors==
* In the flashback, Zarak should be drawn like American "The Rebirth" Zarak, not Japanese ''Headmasters'' Scorponok.
* Streetwise is consistently drawn with Rapido's helmet.

==Items of note==
*While previous narratives have placed ''Generation 2'' as simply a continuation of Generation 1 fiction, this story illustrates an actual difference in ''Generation 2'' characters. It initially gives the title to Transformers created on Earth after "The Rebirth", and ultimately categorizes ''Generation 2'' as all Transformers who have been augmented with the forestonite.

*Additionally, this story attempts to explain the perceived gaudy color schemes of many of the Transformers as a mutation caused by exposure to the forestonite. 

* In addition to color contamination, forestonite also grants everyone special powers.
**Firecons: stronger energy blasts
**Clench: can create localized gravity wells.
**Breakdown: Concussive sonic blasts
**Sky-Byte: "Tsunami Blaster" chest-beam attack
**Rapido: superspeed
**Pyro: premonition of imminent future
**Bumblebee: floats like a butterfly
**Sideswipe: uh, spiky wheels?
**Beachcomber: plant life blossoms where he stands

*Both Streetwise and Breakdown are depicted as the last surviving members of their groups, a reference to the fact that the Protectobots and Stunticons missed out on being issued during ''Generation 2''’s initial run (other than Breakdown, who was released via [[BotCon 1994]]).

*While this is meant as a ''Generation 2'' origin story, some of the starring characters weren’t, in fact, officially ''Generation 2'' during the original toyline’s run.  For example, Double Punch and Slicer were Action Masters, and Sky-Byte is based on a character from ''[[Robots in Disguise (franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]'', while some feel that Clench and Spark originally being European Generation 1 toys that were absorbed and reissued as ''Generation 2'' figures disqualifies them as true ''Generation 2'' characters.

*Despite being on the cover, Ultra Magnus doesn’t appear in the comic at all. 

  

===Real-world references===
* Most of the action takes place within and about the [[Large Hadron Collider]] in [[Switzerland]].  It's real!  And it didn't end the universe.
* Streetwise's personality seems to be based on Shaft.  For [[Streetwise (G1)|some reason]].
* Clench is based on character actor Jack Palance.  His quip "Believe it... or not!" refers to ''Ripley's Believe It or Not!'', a television show which Palance hosted.
* Pyro is based on David Tennant's iteration of [[Doctor (G1)|Dr. Who]].

===Transformers references===
* The opening series of flashbacks (which are framed by [[Cybernet Space Cube]]-style graphics) references the end of the American cartoon, specifically Galvatron, Scourge, and Zarak's retreat.  Also, Optimus Prime's mohawk is entirely silver, a nod to the miscoloring present in the final episodes.
* Rapido says that "in an emergency, I outrank '''everybody'''," a nod to Rapido's original rank of 10.  (Optimus Prime's rank was only 9 that year!)
* Streetwise tries the [[Universal Greeting]] on the upgraded Sharkticons.  Whoops, it doesn't work anymore!
* Sky-Byte occasionally speaks in ''haiku''.  Exposure to forestonite also grants him his ''Robots in Disguise'' special attack, the "Tsunami Blaster."
* When the Aquaspeeders and Color Changers battle, Aquafend mentions the two Decepticons were on Cybertron until recently, as they appeared there in "[[The Coming Storm: Part 1]]."  Also, Jetstorm calls Aquafend his "brother," a nod towards them being redecoes of each other.

===Covers===
* '''BotCon Edition:''' Spark and the other G2 Redux Autobots pushing "City Commander" Ultra Magnus out of the way to rush to a situation, and closeups of Breakdown and Clench; art by [[Nick Roche]] and colors by [[Thomas Deer]].
<gallery>
Image:G2Redux BotCon.jpg
</gallery>

[[Category:Generation 2 issues]]
[[Category:Timelines issues]]