Editing The Transformers: Headmasters

{{disambig3|Headmaster}}
[[Image:MarvelHeadmasters-1.jpg|right|175px|thumb|No Fort Max, head on! HEAD ON!]]
'''''Headmasters''''' ('''''The Transformers: Headmasters''''' for the first issue) is a four-part mini-series published in 1987 by Marvel Comics, and set in [[Marvel Comics continuity|the same continuity]] as the regular [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel U.S.|US Marvel comic]]. It tells the story of two groups of Transformers led by [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] and [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], and their adventures on the planet [[Nebulos]]; in the process, it introduces the [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] and [[Targetmaster]] [[Gimmick|gimmicks]] to the storyline. In the Marvel UK ''Transformers'' series it was run as a [[Back-up strips|back-up strip]] alongside the regular stories.

The ''Headmasters'' plot merged with the ongoing Marvel storyline in [[Trial by Fire!|Transformers issue #38]]. 


{|style="margin:0 auto;padding:0 auto" align=center id=toc
 !align=center bgcolor=#6699CC|'''<font color="white">''Headmasters'' issues:</font>'''
 |- align="center" 
 || [[Ring of Hate!|#1]] | [[Broken Glass!|#2]] | [[Love and Steel!|#3]] | [[Brothers in Armor!!|#4]]
|}

==Overview==
A group of Autobots, led by Fortress Maximus, leaves [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] for the planet [[Nebulos]] hoping to forge a new, peaceful existence for themselves.  But their arch foes, under the command of Scorponok, follow them, forcing the Autobots to join forces with the natives of that world in the most literal of ways.  Soon Nebulos is being devastated by the Transformers' war, the Decepticons have found their own team of native allies, and the Autobots must leave the planet to keep from destroying it completely.

The mini-series was used [[To sell toys|to introduce the bulk of the 1987 toyline]] to the comics continuity.  Many of those toys did not have Earthen [[Alternate mode|altmodes]], and thus required a different origin than the predominantly Earth-centric forms of the previous three years.  The series also introduced the year's primary toy gimmicks of Headmasters and Targetmasters, whose heads and weapons transformed to armored humanoids.

==Notes==
* Series artist [[Frank Springer]] had the unenviable task of drawing 62 new characters in this series.  With 74 character models between them.  Factoring in transformations that's 132 pieces of reference art to juggle.  There were <strike>occasional</strike>; frequent times when a character was accidentally illustrated looking like someone else.  Perfectly understandable!  Slightly ''less'' understandable was why [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]], the starring character, would change head designs ''between panels on the same page.''  The recreational use of [[wikipedia:Benadryl|Benadryl]] has not been ruled out.
* Series colorist [[Nelson Yomtov|Nel Yomtov]] experienced <strike>a similar</strike> an identical problem.  The two problems combined can make Headmasters a ''mildly'' confusing read ... but it's really not that bad.
* This shows [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] and [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] becoming Targetmasters, even though by [[Rhythms of Darkness!|some accounts]] they don't exist until [[The Transformers: The Movie|2005]]. The [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|Marvel UK]] series would explain this away, but not the US series.
* This limited series was published bi-monthly.
* The US letter column [[Transmissions]] alluded to the possibility of an ongoing Headmasters series several times, most notably in US #37 [[Toy Soldiers!]] and US #38 [[Trial by Fire!]]: "We do have a massive stack of pro-Headmasters fanmail" and "we're still tallying votes." This was around the same time the editors promised a second Transformers: Universe series, in US #42, [[People Power!]]. Bunch of teases, they were.

==Creative Team==
[[Bob Budiansky]], writer for the main Transformers book, also penned ''Headmasters.''  [[Frank Springer]], the artist of the 4-issue miniseries that began ''Transformers'', did pencils.

==Collections==
* [[Titan Books|Titan Books's Trial by Fire]] (2004)
* [[Classic Transformers Volume 6|IDW Classic Transformers Volume 6]] (2010)


[[Category:Generation 1 comic series]]