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|letters by=[[Tom B. Long]]
|letters by=[[Tom B. Long]]
|edits by=[[Chris Ryall]] & [[Dan Taylor (IDW)|Dan Taylor]]
|edits by=[[Chris Ryall]] & [[Dan Taylor (IDW)|Dan Taylor]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|continuity=[[2005 IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Infiltration]]
|chronology=[[2005 IDW timeline#2006-7|2006-7]]
}}
}}


'''Ratchet and Bumblebee protect their human friends while a new player arrives on Earth.'''
'''Ratchet and Bumblebee contend with a Decepticon attack while the humans explore the abandoned Decepticon base.'''


== Synopsis ==
==Synopsis==
''A young [[Verity Carlo]] meets with a guidance counselor after running away from yet another foster home. The counselor dismisses Verity's tough facade, stating that all she sees is a young girl "in a world of hurt".''
[[File:Infiltration 4 Blitzwing&Skywarp.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]
''Three years ago, a young [[Verity Carlo]] meets with a social worker after running away from yet another foster home. Her social worker sees right through Verity's tough façade and states that all she sees is a girl "in a world of hurt and pain".''


Verity, [[Hunter O'Nion]], and [[Jimmy Pink]] explore the abandoned [[Decepticon Command Bunker]] in [[Nebraska]] on behalf of [[Ratchet (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ratchet]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Bumblebee]]. The two [[Autobot]]s are reluctant to risk the humans, but Bumblebee ultimately justifies the three as expendable at this point.
In the present day, [[Hunter O'Nion]], and [[Jimmy Pink]] watch as Verity rappels into the depths of an abandoned [[Decepticon Command Bunker|Decepticon fortress]] in the wilderness of [[Nebraska]]. Using their [[holomatter]] avatars, [[Ratchet (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ratchet]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Bumblebee]] watch on; Ratchet is adamant that when this escapade is over, the humans are going home, while Bumblebee warns the trio to watch for booby traps.


In [[Dallas]], [[Texas]], [[Drake (G1)|Drake]] meets with the leadership of the [[Machination]] at the [[Epsilon Holdings]] building. Drake is assigned a team and told to investigate the recent [[Decepticon]] activities and hunt down the robots. They desire to "appropriate" Cybertronian technology, and have discovered the location of ''[[Ark-19]]'' under the lake via the [[SM-40]]'s homing signal
As the two boys follow Verity into the shaft and split up to investigate, Bumblebee confides to Ratchet that he thinks that the Autobot medic might be right—but to change [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]]'s mind, they'll need hard evidence that something's wrong... and the humans fall into the "acceptable losses" category if it means ''getting'' that evidence.


At the Decepticon Command Bunker, Verity wanders around, discovering a [[Facsimile construct|stasis tube]]. Inside, she discovers a months-old human corpse in military uniform and almost has a nervous breakdown, but composes herself and moves on. Topside, the waiting Bumblebee and Ratchet are suddenly confronted by [[Skywarp (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Skywarp]] and [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]], who pay no heed to the Autobots and bomb the base. The Autobots order the humans to evacuate the base, but Verity ignores their concern and explores deeper into the base. Forced into battle, Bumblebee is able to shoot down Skywarp, his processor speed outmatching the Decepticon's, but Ratchet is taken out by Blitzwing in his tank mode.
In [[Dallas]], [[Texas]], [[Drake (G1)|Drake]] meets with a group of humans in the [[Epsilon Holdings]] building—a front for the shadowy group known as the [[Machination]] led by [[Abraham Dante]]. Jolly reports on recent events: a series of anomalous vehicle attacks throughout the southwest United States have led the group to conclude that the "visitors" are moving into the next stage of their operations. Having received a homing signal from their deceased operative [[Stoker]], Drake and his team of operatives are dispatched to "accelerate" their "acquisition strategy..."


Underground, Verity discovers that they are not alone in the Bunker as she comes face to face with [[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]] himself.
[[File:Infiltration4-BumblebeeAltmodeGun.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]
 
Deep inside the Decepticon bunker, Verity discovers a strange sight: a jumbled series of [[Facsimile construct|glowing green tubes]], each one big enough to hold a human. Ignoring Jimmy's warnings, Verity goes ahead and opens one... and is immediately confronted by the gruesome sight of a rotted corpse wearing a military uniform. Despite the shock, Verity manages to compose herself and move on; as she does so, however, she's unaware that, topside, the two Autobots have visitors of their own in the shape of [[Skywarp (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Skywarp]] and [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]]. Paying no heed to the Autobots, the two fliers launch a massive bombing run on the base, forcing the two Autobots to outrun the explosions!
 
[[File:Infiltration4 enter megatron.jpg|thumb|right|200px]]
 
Ratchet yells for the humans to evacuate the base as fast as possible; while Jimmy and Hunter comply, Verity, determined to make up for losing her cool earlier, ignores Ratchet's orders and goes to investigate the last section of the base. As she does so, battle breaks out as the Autobots try to buy time for the humans—Bumblebee pits his superior processor speed against Skywarp's [[teleportation]] power and comes out on top, while Ratchet shoots Blitzwing out of the sky. When the medic goes to make sure that his opponent is downed for good, however, he's not so lucky, and is quickly taken out by a volley from his opponent's tank mode...
 
...and, underground, Verity discovers that she's not the only occupant of the Decepticon fortress as she enters the last room of the base and comes face to face with its ''other'' occupant: [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]]!
{{--}}


==Featured characters==
==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks.<br>
{{featuredcharacters
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
|c1=
*[[Ratchet (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ratchet]] (4)
* [[Ratchet (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ratchet]] (5)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Bumblebee]] (5)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Bumblebee]] (6)
|c2=
|c2=
*[[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] (11)
* [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] (12)
*[[Skywarp (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Skywarp]] (12)
* [[Skywarp (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Skywarp]] (13)
*[[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]] (13)
* [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]] (14)
|c3=
|c3=
*[[Verity Carlo]] (1)
* ''Social worker'' (1)
*[[Hunter O'Nion]] (2)
* [[Verity Carlo]] (2)
*[[Jimmy Pink]] (3)
* [[Hunter O'Nion]] (3)
*[[Drake (G1)|Drake]] (6)
* [[Jimmy Pink]] (4)
*[[Abraham Dante]] (7)
* [[Drake (G1)|Drake]] (7)
*[[Svenson]] (8)
* [[Abraham Dante]] (8)
*[[Jolly]] (9)
* [[Svenson]] (9)
*[[Stoker]] (10)
* [[Jolly]] (10)
* [[Stoker]] (11)
}}
}}


==Quotes==
"Autobots. What are '''they''' doing here?" <br>
"Who cares?" <br>
"MM. Good point." <br>
:—'''Blitzwing''' and '''Skywarp''' talk tactics
"This is the bit where I wish I had a really big gu-nuuugh!"<br>
"Lock... and load."
:-'''Ratchet''' and '''Blitzwing'''
==Notes==
==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
===Continuity notes===
*Megatron is talking to [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]]. The full conversation appears in [[Stormbringer issue 3|''Stormbringer'' #3]].
* The prologue to the story mentions that Verity ran away from home at least three years ago.
*The Machination's plot and the purpose of the SM-40 is revealed in [[Devastation issue 1|''Devastation'' #1]]—a preview with the relevant pages is printed in "[[Spotlight: Optimus Prime]]".
* The purpose of the human corpse isn't immediately elaborated on here, but later installments in the IDW continuity will shine light on the concept of [[facsimile construct]]s and their use in the [[infiltration protocol]].
*The human corpse is that of a human abducted and replaced by a Decepticon [[facsimile construct]]; the pod it was in is a life support vessel, keeping it alive in case a new facsimile needs to be grown, but which was abandoned and allowed to fail. This is explained in [[Escalation issue 2|''Escalation'' #2]].
* Oh snap, it's Megatron! ''Who'' he's talking to on the other end of the screen isn't made clear, but [[Stormbringer issue 3|''Stormbringer'' #3]], which is set just before this issue, will reveal that he's having a chat with [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]].
* '''First appearances:''' Megatron!
 
===Transformers references===
*


===Real-life references===
===Real-life references===
*Some of the binary on Bumblebee's windshield on page 17 reads 'idw', 't' and 'f'.  
* Some of the binary on Bumblebee's windshield on page 17 reads 'idw', 't' and 'f'.
* The bunker is in [[Nebraska]]; the Machination's evil headquarters is in [[Dallas]], [[Texas]].
* Hunter mentions "Snappy-Meal cartons," which seem like a legally-safe reference to McDonalds' Happy Meals.


===Errors===
===Errors===
*This issue has the same publish date as [[Infiltration issue 3|issue #3]].
* This issue has the same publish date as [[Infiltration issue 3|issue #3]].
*Drake's team is assembled. None of them particularly resemble any of the members of the team as seen in ''[[The Transformers: Escalation|Escalation]]''.
* Drake's team is assembled. None of them particularly resemble any of the members of the team as seen in ''[[The Transformers: Escalation|Escalation]]''.


===Other trivia===
===Other trivia===
*The "Decepticomments" section featured mail answered by Chris Ryall and short ads for next month's issues: [[Infiltration issue 5|''Infiltration'' #5]], [[The Gathering issue 4|''The Gathering'' #4]], [[The Transformers: Generations|''Generations'' #3]].
* The "Decepticomments" section featured mail answered by Chris Ryall and short ads for next month's issues: [[Infiltration issue 5|''Infiltration'' #5]], [[The Gathering issue 4|''The Gathering'' #4]], [[The Transformers: Generations (comic)|''Generations'' #3]].


===Covers (13)===
===Covers (8)===
<gallery>
<gallery>
Image:Infiltration 4a.jpg|'''''Infiltration'' #4 cover A''' - Starscream shoots his shot... ewwww!
Image:Infiltration 4a.jpg|'''''Infiltration'' #4 cover A''' - Starscream shoots his shot... ewwww!
Image:Infiltration 4b.jpg|'''''Infiltration'' #4 cover B''' - Skywarp likes it when bad things happen to Bumblebee. So do we!
Image:Infiltration 4b.jpg|'''''Infiltration'' #4 cover B''' - Skywarp likes it when bad things happen to Bumblebee. So do we!
Image:Infiltration 4c.jpg|'''''Infiltration'' #4 cover C''' - Transformers equivalent of the Big Johnson shirt.
Image:Infiltration 4c.jpg|'''''Infiltration'' #4 cover C''' - Transformers equivalent of the Big Johnson shirt.
Image:Infiltration 4d.jpg|'''''Infiltration'' #4 cover D''' - Hunter looks a little less goofy here.
Image:Infiltration 4d.jpg|'''''Infiltration'' #4 cover D''' - Hunter looks a little less goofy here.
</gallery>
</gallery>
*'''''Infiltration'' #4 cover A:''' Starscream by [[E. J. Su]], would later become part of the wraparound cover RI-A for [[Infiltration issue 5|issue #5]].
 
*'''''Infiltration'' #4 cover B:''' Bumblebee on Blitzwing's turret, by [[Guido Guidi]].
* '''''Infiltration'' #4 cover A:''' Starscream by [[E. J. Su]], would later become part of the wraparound cover RI-A for [[Infiltration issue 5|issue #5]].
*'''''Infiltration'' #4 cover C:''' Bumblebee with giant-ass gun, by [[Andrew Wildman]].
* '''''Infiltration'' #4 cover B:''' Bumblebee on Blitzwing's turret, by [[Guido Guidi]].
*'''''Infiltration'' #4 cover D:''' Humans, by [[James Raiz]].
* '''''Infiltration'' #4 cover C:''' Bumblebee with giant-ass gun, by [[Andrew Wildman]].
* '''''Infiltration'' #4 cover D:''' Humans, by [[James Raiz]].
 
<gallery>
<gallery>
Image:Infiltration 4ria.jpg|'''''Infiltration'' #4 cover RI-A''' - Very Freudian
Image:Infiltration 4ria.jpg|'''''Infiltration'' #4 cover RI-A''' - Very Freudian
Image:Infiltration 4rib.jpg|'''''Infiltration'' #4 cover RI-B''' - Trigger crotch, yeessssss!
Image:Infiltration 4rib.jpg|'''''Infiltration'' #4 cover RI-B''' - Trigger crotch, yeessssss!
Image:Infiltration 4ric.jpg|'''''Infiltration'' #4 cover RI-C''' - Top o'the mornin' to ya!
Image:Infiltration 4ric.jpg|'''''Infiltration'' #4 cover RI-C''' - Top o'the mornin' to ya!
Image:Infiltration 4rea.jpg|'''''Infiltration'' #4 cover RE-A''' - What are Prime and Megs doing? I don't think I want to know!
Image:Infiltration 4rea.jpg|'''''Infiltration'' #4 cover RE-A''' - What are Prime and Megs doing? I don't think I want to know!
</gallery>
</gallery>
*'''''Infiltration'' #4 cover RI-A:''' Foil stamp of cover C, without the background.
 
*'''''Infiltration'' #4 cover RI-B:''' (Mostly) toy-accurate Megatron, by Guido Guidi.
* '''''Infiltration'' #4 cover RI-A:''' Foil stamp of cover C, without the background.
*'''''Infiltration'' #4 cover RI-C:''' Saluting Bumblebee, by Guido Guidi (includes 3 mini-prints).
* '''''Infiltration'' #4 cover RI-B:''' (Mostly) toy-accurate Megatron, by Guido Guidi.
*'''''Infiltration'' #4 cover RE-A:''' Megatron and [[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Optimus Prime]], by Andrew Wildman (drawtheworldtogether.com exclusive).
* '''''Infiltration'' #4 cover RI-C:''' Saluting Bumblebee, by Guido Guidi (includes 3 mini-prints).
* '''''Infiltration'' #4 cover RE-A:''' Megatron and [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]], by Andrew Wildman (drawtheworldtogether.com exclusive).
 
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:Infiltration_tpb.jpg|'''''Infiltration'' TPB'''
Image:Infiltration4 protocover.jpg|'''''Infiltration'' #4 unused cover''' - Genie feet!
File:Infiltration manga.jpg|'''''Infiltration'' "Manga" TPB'''
File:Premier Collection 1.jpg|'''''Premiere Collection'' Volume 1'''
File:IDWCollection1.jpg|'''''IDW Collection'' Volume One'''
</gallery>
</gallery>
*'''''Infiltration'' TPB cover:''' reuse of [[Infiltration issue 0|issue #0]]'s cover A.
 
*'''''Infiltration'' "Manga" TPB cover:''' reuse of issue #0's cover A.
* '''''Infiltration'' #4 unused cover:''' An earlier version of cover A that only showed up in solicitation material. Starscream's design would be refined and redrawn for the final version.
*'''''Premiere Collection'' Volume 1 cover:''' crop of [[Infiltration issue 6|issue #6]]'s cover C.
*'''''IDW Collection'' Volume One cover:''' Megatron, by E. J. Su.
<gallery>
File:phase-1-omnibus.jpg|'''''Phase One Omnibus'''''
</gallery>
*'''''Phase One Omnibus'' cover:''' reuse of issue #6's cover C.


===Advertisements===
===Advertisements===
*Optimus Prime ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators]]'' toy
* Optimus Prime ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators]]'' toy
*[[Infiltration issue 5|''Infiltration'' #5]], 2-page B&W sketch preview
* [[Infiltration issue 5|''Infiltration'' #5]], 2-page B&W sketch preview
*[[The Gathering issue 4|''The Gathering'' #4]]
* [[The Gathering issue 4|''The Gathering'' #4]]
*3-page preview of [[The Gathering issue 3|''The Gathering'' #3]]
* 3-page preview of [[The Gathering issue 3|''The Gathering'' #3]]
*Free comic book day
* Free comic book day
*''[[The Transformers: Stormbringer|Stormbringer]]'' (back cover)
* ''[[The Transformers: Stormbringer|Stormbringer]]'' (back cover)


===Reprints===
===Reprints===
*'''''[[The Transformers: Infiltration]]''''' TPB <small>([[September 13]], [[2006]]) ISBN 1600100104 / ISBN 978-1600100109</small>
<small>Other than [[The Transformers: Infiltration#Collections|reprints of the full series]]</small>
*'''''The Transformers: Infiltration'' Manga''' TPB <small>([[November 29]], 2006) ISBN 1600100198 / ISBN 978-1600100192</small>
* N/A
*'''''[[The Transformers: The Premiere Collection]]''''' Volume 1 HC <small>([[December 5]], [[2007]]) ISBN 1600101186 / ISBN 978-1600101182</small>
*'''''[[The Transformers: The IDW Collection Volume One]]''''' HC <small>([[May 26]], [[2010]]) ISBN 1600106676 / ISBN 978-1600106675</small>
*'''''[[The Transformers: Phase One Omnibus]]''''' TPB <small>([[September 10]], [[2014]]) ISBN 1631401130 / ISBN 978-1631401138</small>

Latest revision as of 08:30, 20 April 2023

The Transformers: Infiltration #4

"Bumblebee Holding Giant-Ass Gun" #392
Publisher IDW Publishing
First published April 12, 2006
Cover date March 2006
Written by Simon Furman
Art by E. J. Su
Colors by John Rauch
Letters by Tom B. Long
Edits by Chris Ryall & Dan Taylor
Continuity 2005 IDW continuity
Chronology 2006-7

Ratchet and Bumblebee contend with a Decepticon attack while the humans explore the abandoned Decepticon base.

Synopsis

[edit]

Three years ago, a young Verity Carlo meets with a social worker after running away from yet another foster home. Her social worker sees right through Verity's tough façade and states that all she sees is a girl "in a world of hurt and pain".

In the present day, Hunter O'Nion, and Jimmy Pink watch as Verity rappels into the depths of an abandoned Decepticon fortress in the wilderness of Nebraska. Using their holomatter avatars, Ratchet and Bumblebee watch on; Ratchet is adamant that when this escapade is over, the humans are going home, while Bumblebee warns the trio to watch for booby traps.

As the two boys follow Verity into the shaft and split up to investigate, Bumblebee confides to Ratchet that he thinks that the Autobot medic might be right—but to change Prowl's mind, they'll need hard evidence that something's wrong... and the humans fall into the "acceptable losses" category if it means getting that evidence.

In Dallas, Texas, Drake meets with a group of humans in the Epsilon Holdings building—a front for the shadowy group known as the Machination led by Abraham Dante. Jolly reports on recent events: a series of anomalous vehicle attacks throughout the southwest United States have led the group to conclude that the "visitors" are moving into the next stage of their operations. Having received a homing signal from their deceased operative Stoker, Drake and his team of operatives are dispatched to "accelerate" their "acquisition strategy..."

Deep inside the Decepticon bunker, Verity discovers a strange sight: a jumbled series of glowing green tubes, each one big enough to hold a human. Ignoring Jimmy's warnings, Verity goes ahead and opens one... and is immediately confronted by the gruesome sight of a rotted corpse wearing a military uniform. Despite the shock, Verity manages to compose herself and move on; as she does so, however, she's unaware that, topside, the two Autobots have visitors of their own in the shape of Skywarp and Blitzwing. Paying no heed to the Autobots, the two fliers launch a massive bombing run on the base, forcing the two Autobots to outrun the explosions!

Ratchet yells for the humans to evacuate the base as fast as possible; while Jimmy and Hunter comply, Verity, determined to make up for losing her cool earlier, ignores Ratchet's orders and goes to investigate the last section of the base. As she does so, battle breaks out as the Autobots try to buy time for the humans—Bumblebee pits his superior processor speed against Skywarp's teleportation power and comes out on top, while Ratchet shoots Blitzwing out of the sky. When the medic goes to make sure that his opponent is downed for good, however, he's not so lucky, and is quickly taken out by a volley from his opponent's tank mode...

...and, underground, Verity discovers that she's not the only occupant of the Decepticon fortress as she enters the last room of the base and comes face to face with its other occupant: Megatron!

[edit]

Characters in italic text appear only in flashbacks.
(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)

Autobots Decepticons Humans

Quotes

[edit]

"Autobots. What are they doing here?"
"Who cares?"
"MM. Good point."

Blitzwing and Skywarp talk tactics


"This is the bit where I wish I had a really big gu-nuuugh!"
"Lock... and load."

-Ratchet and Blitzwing

Notes

[edit]

Continuity notes

[edit]
  • The prologue to the story mentions that Verity ran away from home at least three years ago.
  • The purpose of the human corpse isn't immediately elaborated on here, but later installments in the IDW continuity will shine light on the concept of facsimile constructs and their use in the infiltration protocol.
  • Oh snap, it's Megatron! Who he's talking to on the other end of the screen isn't made clear, but Stormbringer #3, which is set just before this issue, will reveal that he's having a chat with Razorclaw.

Real-life references

[edit]
  • Some of the binary on Bumblebee's windshield on page 17 reads 'idw', 't' and 'f'.
  • Hunter mentions "Snappy-Meal cartons," which seem like a legally-safe reference to McDonalds' Happy Meals.

Errors

[edit]
  • This issue has the same publish date as issue #3.
  • Drake's team is assembled. None of them particularly resemble any of the members of the team as seen in Escalation.

Other trivia

[edit]

Covers (8)

[edit]
  • Infiltration #4 cover A: Starscream by E. J. Su, would later become part of the wraparound cover RI-A for issue #5.
  • Infiltration #4 cover B: Bumblebee on Blitzwing's turret, by Guido Guidi.
  • Infiltration #4 cover C: Bumblebee with giant-ass gun, by Andrew Wildman.
  • Infiltration #4 cover D: Humans, by James Raiz.
  • Infiltration #4 cover RI-A: Foil stamp of cover C, without the background.
  • Infiltration #4 cover RI-B: (Mostly) toy-accurate Megatron, by Guido Guidi.
  • Infiltration #4 cover RI-C: Saluting Bumblebee, by Guido Guidi (includes 3 mini-prints).
  • Infiltration #4 cover RE-A: Megatron and Optimus Prime, by Andrew Wildman (drawtheworldtogether.com exclusive).
  • Infiltration #4 unused cover: An earlier version of cover A that only showed up in solicitation material. Starscream's design would be refined and redrawn for the final version.

Advertisements

[edit]

Reprints

[edit]

Other than reprints of the full series

  • N/A