|chronology=[[2005 IDW timeline|Current era (2010)]]
}}
}}
'''The Autobots are on the run and are forced to deal with the loss of one of their own.'''
'''The Autobots are on the run and are forced to deal with the loss of one of their own.'''
==Synopsis==
==Synopsis==
[[File:Ongoing Issue 1-Optimus Surrenders.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Just throw your hands in the air and wave 'em like you just don't care!]]
[[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]] reflects on the responsibilities of all advanced races to spread freedom and peace, and laments that all the [[Transformer|Cybertronians]] have spread is war. The [[Autobot]]s have been in hiding amongst the [[human]]s for the last two years as [[Earth]]'s cities were rebuilt following [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]]'s planet-wide assault. [[Ratchet (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ratchet]], [[Streetwise (G1)|Streetwise]] and [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]] are in their [[alternate mode]]s, watching for signs of any trouble: trouble that comes as [[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]] destroys a power station in search of [[energon]].
[[Image:Ongoing Issue 1-Optimus Surrenders.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Just throw your hands in the air and wave 'em like you just don't care!]]
The attack is monitored by [[Skywatch]] control, and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Spike Witwicky]] orders his forces to capture the invader. Breakdown is set upon by Spike and several other personnel in armored [[crash suit]]s, built using stolen Cybertronian technology. Prowl and [[Streetwise (G1)|Streetwise]] are amongst the human police on the scene, and watch as Breakdown is immobilized and forced into his alternate mode by Skywatch forces. When they bring out their lethal particle cannons, apparently to destroy the [[Decepticon]], Prowl can watch no longer and transforms, only to be brought down in turn: Spike had intended to draw him out all along. As he and Breakdown are driven away, Streetwise contacts the other Autobots...
[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] reflects on the responsibilities of all advanced races to spread freedom and peace, and laments that all the [[Transformer|Cybertronians]] have spread is war. The [[Autobot]]s have been in hiding amongst the [[human]]s for the last two years as [[Earth]]'s cities were rebuilt following [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s planet-wide assault. [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] and [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] are in their alternate modes, watching for signs of any trouble: trouble that comes as [[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]] destroys a power station in search of [[energon (fuel)|energon]].
At Autobot base, [[Wheeljack (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Wheeljack]] has engineered a counter to the inhibitors, and Optimus Prime orders him to fit them to their remaining forces. [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Hot Rod]] questions Prime's leadership, particularly their presence on Earth and the corresponding loss as more of their number are captured. Prime reiterates the need to protect Earth in case of possible Decepticon attack, but allows Hot Rod to stage a rescue mission to retrieve Prowl; he assigns [[Ironhide (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ironhide]] to go with him.
The attack is monitored by [[Skywatch]] control, and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] orders his forces to capture the invader. Breakdown is set upon by Spike and several other personnel in armored [[crash suit]]s, built using stolen Cybertronian technology. Prowl and [[Streetwise (G1)|Streetwise]] are amongst the human police on the scene, and watch as Breakdown is immobilized and forced into his alternate mode by Skywatch forces. When they bring out their lethal particle cannons, apparently to destroy the [[Decepticon]], Prowl can watch no longer and transforms, only to be brought down in turn: Spike had intended to draw him out all along. As he and Breakdown are driven away, Streetwise contacts the other Autobots...
At Autobot base, [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] has engineered a counter to the inhibitors, and Optimus Prime orders him to fit them to their remaining forces. [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] questions Prime's leadership, particularly their presence on Earth and the corresponding loss as more of their number are captured. Prime reiterates the need to protect Earth in case of possible Decepticon attack, but allows Hot Rod to stage a rescue mission to retrieve Prowl; he assigns [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] to go with him.
The rescue attempt goes poorly when it is revealed that Prowl was bait in a Skywatch trap; although Hot Rod's team rescues him, Ironhide dies leaping into a blast meant for Hot Rod. Optimus Prime grieves for his friend, and in a speech to his fellow Autobots removes himself as active commander.
The rescue attempt goes poorly when it is revealed that Prowl was bait in a Skywatch trap; although Hot Rod's team rescues him, Ironhide dies leaping into a blast meant for Hot Rod. Optimus Prime grieves for his friend, and in a speech to his fellow Autobots removes himself as active commander.
* Major [[Spike Witwicky (G1)#IDW comics continuity|Spike Witwicky]] (5)
* Major [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Spike Witwicky]] (5)
}}
}}
== Quotes ==
"Single actor. DS-345, self-identifying as "Breakdown.""<br>
"Where do they get these names...?"
:—'''Spike''' is apparently not a fan of [[Bob Budiansky]].
==Notes==
==Notes==
* The title of the issue is on the final page. It refers to the [[Wikipedia:Lunar plaque|plaque]] left on [[Moon (moon)|Earth's moon]] by Apollo 11, which reads in full: "HERE MEN FROM THE PLANET EARTH FIRST SET FOOT UPON THE MOON JULY 1969, A.D. WE CAME IN PEACE FOR ALL MANKIND"
===Continuity notes===
* Not only did Don Figueroa overhaul every Transformer in the comic to have new bodies with a movie-inspired feel, but he also designed reinterpretations of the characters' previous IDW bodies in that same experimental style; these call-back designs can be seen on the covers and in the battle scene spread on pages 2 and 3.
* Prowl's rash, self-sacrificial decision to break cover and help a Decepticon was poorly received by many fans, especially since it came on the heels of [[Everything in Its Right Place|a story]] that showed Prowl taking extreme measures to counteract his fellow Autobots' tendency toward maverick heroism. According to IDW story-editor [[Andy Schmidt]], the change in character was intentional, and IDW was planning on filling in Prowl's backstory later in the ongoing series, but the negative fan-response motivated them to tell the story earlier in the form of ''[[Ride-Along|Spotlight: Prowl]]''.<ref>[http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/1002/19/schmidt.htm Comics Continuum video interview with Andy Schmidt]</ref>
:*Optimus Prime's new body seems to be based on his ''[[Classics (2006)|Classics]]'' form.
* '''First appearances:''' Streetwise
:* Breakdown's design uses the ''[[Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' Sunstreaker/Sideswipe mold, but movie-fied. He also has his name on his license plate.
* The fight scene on pages 2 and 3 seems to be a non-literal image of the conflict on Earth, since it features combatants that could never have met during ''[[All Hail Megatron]]'' (such as [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dynobots]], [[Runabout]] and [[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]], etc.) Interestingly, it seems to have several callbacks to the G1 cartoon, such as [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] bending a cannon or Ratchet kicking Thundercracker in the groin.
===Transformers references===
* Prowl's rash, self-sacrificial decision to break cover and help a Decepticon was poorly received by many fans, especially since it came on the heels of [[All Hail Megatron issue 15|a story]] that showed Prowl taking extreme measures to counteract his fellow Autobots' tendency toward maverick heroism. According to IDW story-editor [[Andy Schmidt]], the change in character was intentional, and IDW was planning on filling in Prowl's backstory later in the ongoing series, but the negative fan-response motivated them to tell the story earlier in the form of "[[Spotlight: Prowl]]".<ref>[http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/1002/19/schmidt.htm Comics Continuum video interview with Andy Schmidt]</ref>
* 12 pages of this issue were released to the public as preview images by the time the issue was released. First there was a 3-page preview that highlighted Ironhide's death. Then there was an eight-page preview that came mostly from the beginning of the issue. And finally, the day the issue came out, the final page of the issue accompanied a ''USA Today'' news article.<ref>[http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/2009-11-18-transformers-optimus-st_N.htm ''USA Today'' article, "Optimus Prime quits!"]</ref>
* A marquee sign in the fourth page's second panel, as Optimus Prime and Megatron battle and destroy the city, seems to read "DARNIT". On the final panel of the same page, a banner reads "[[Headmaster (Animated)|NOOB]]". In the first panel on the next page, a sign reads "SMITHIE". Billboards featuring a smiling woman in sunglasses holding a container of an unspecified product named "Zip", (possibly a sunscreen, or a beverage), are apparently popular advertisements in post-restoration Earth.
* Editor [[Andy Schmidt]] introduces the creative team in the [[Decepticomments]] section.
* This ain't the first time [[Yesterday's Heroes!|Optimus Prime quit the Autobots because his favorite mini-van died!]]
* This ain't the first time [[Yesterday's Heroes!|Optimus Prime quit the Autobots because his favorite mini-van died!]]
* Starting in this issue, [[Transformer]] speech is rendered in speech bubbles previously used only for [[human]]s. Does this mean they sound less mechanical now?
* An Autobot computer screen displays alien language characters based on the ''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' [http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Aurebesh Aurabesh] [[alphabet]].
===Real-world references===
* The title of the issue is on the final page. It refers to the {{w|Lunar plaque|plaque}} left on [[Moon (moon)|Earth's moon]] by Apollo 11, which reads in full: "HERE MEN FROM THE PLANET EARTH FIRST SET FOOT UPON THE MOON JULY 1969, A.D. WE CAME IN PEACE FOR ALL MANKIND"
* An Autobot computer screen displays alien language characters based on the ''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' [[wikia:starwars:Aurebesh|Aurabesh]] [[alphabet]].
===Errors===
===Errors===
Line 81:
Line 80:
* The prose for the battle scene against Skywatch indicated that it was occurring at night, but James Brown's coloring makes it look like the battle was on during the very early evening.
* The prose for the battle scene against Skywatch indicated that it was occurring at night, but James Brown's coloring makes it look like the battle was on during the very early evening.
* Prowl mentions three crash suits in the fray, but four drop from the jets on the previous page.
* Prowl mentions three crash suits in the fray, but four drop from the jets on the previous page.
===Trivia===
* Mike Costa had originally intended to kill ''Bumblebee'', believing it was the most shocking death he could do. [[Hasbro]] said "NO".<ref>[http://moonbase2.libsyn.com/webpage/the-underbase-reviews-ongoing-31 Moonbase 2 interview with Mike Costa ("Special Guest")]</ref> [[Black Planet: Dark Cybertron Chapter 11|Five years later, though]]...
* Not only did Don Figueroa overhaul every Transformer in the comic to have new bodies with a movie-inspired feel, but he also designed reinterpretations of the characters' previous IDW bodies in that same experimental style; these call-back designs can be seen on the covers and in the battle scene spread on pages 2 and 3.
** Both having been designed by Don Figueroa, Optimus Prime's new body is loosely reminiscent of his ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'' form, but none of the details are quite the same.
** Breakdown's design shares legs with Figueroa's new design for Sideswipe, which iterates on the ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]''-based design from ''All Hail Megatron''. He has his name on his license plate.
* The fight scene on pages 2 and 3 seems to be a non-literal image of the conflict on Earth, since it features combatants that could never have met during ''[[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron|All Hail Megatron]]'' (such as [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dynobots]], [[Runabout (G1)|Runabout]], and [[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]], etc.) Interestingly, it seems to have several callbacks to the G1 cartoon, such as [[Kup (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Kup]] bending a cannon or Ratchet kicking Thundercracker in the groin.
* 12 pages of this issue were released to the public as preview images by the time the issue was released. First there was a 3-page preview that highlighted Ironhide's death. Then there was an eight-page preview that came mostly from the beginning of the issue. And finally, the day the issue came out, the final page of the issue accompanied a ''USA Today'' news article.<ref>[http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/comics/2009-11-18-transformers-optimus-st_N.htm ''USA Today'' article, "Optimus Prime quits!"]</ref>
* A marquee sign in the fourth page's second panel, as Optimus Prime and Megatron battle and destroy the city, seems to read "DARNIT". On the final panel of the same page, a banner reads "[[Headmaster (Animated)|NOOB]]". In the first panel on the next page, a sign reads "SMITHIE". Billboards featuring a smiling woman in sunglasses holding a container of an unspecified product named "Zip", (possibly a sunscreen, or a beverage), are apparently popular advertisements in post-restoration Earth.
* Editor [[Andy Schmidt]] introduces the creative team in the [[Decepticomments]] section.
* Starting in this issue, [[Transformer]] speech is rendered in speech bubbles previously used only for [[human]]s. Does this mean they sound less mechanical now?
* According to Optimus Prime's narration on page 19, Bumblebee is "too small" for Skywatch to hit. Those must be really bad targeting systems if they can't properly hit a robot that turns into a Volkswagen Beetle. Now, if it were a ''[[Buster Witwicky (G1)|human]]'' being [[Brainstorm!|too small to be seen]] by a ''[[Rumble (G1)|Transformer]]''...
===Covers (6)===
===Covers (6)===
Line 88:
Line 99:
* '''Cover RE (Graham Crackers Exclusive):''' Classic in characters battle, a [[Hasbro]] marketing stock image last seen on a [[Kinnerton]] 2008 Christmas advent calendar; pencils by Don Figueroa, colours by ???
* '''Cover RE (Graham Crackers Exclusive):''' Classic in characters battle, a [[Hasbro]] marketing stock image last seen on a [[Kinnerton]] 2008 Christmas advent calendar; pencils by Don Figueroa, colours by ???
* '''Cover RE (New Dimension Comics Exclusive):''' Uncolored version of cover B.
* '''Cover RE (New Dimension Comics Exclusive):''' Uncolored version of cover B.
* '''Reprint cover:''' Optimus Prime blasting through a wall; art by Don Figueroa, colors by James Brown.
* '''Reprint cover:''' Optimus Prime blasting through a wall; art by Don Figueroa, colors by James Brown. Art reused for TPB cover.
<gallery>
<gallery>
Image:IDW TF 1A.jpg|Featuring designs not actually seen in the story.
File:TFvol1 1cvrA.jpg|Featuring designs not actually seen in the story.
Image:IDW TF 1B.jpg|''Continuum'' is behind us? Then we go '''this''' way!
File:TFvol1 1cvrB.jpg|''Continuum'' is behind us? Then we go '''this''' way!
** Bonus material includes art from all covers, including design sketches from Don Figueroa.
** Trade paperback format.
* '''''[[The Transformers: The IDW Collection Volume Six]]''''' <small>([[May 9]], [[2012]]) ISBN 1613771835 / ISBN 978-1613771839</small>
** Collects ''The Transformers'' (2009) issues #1–6, ''[[The Transformers: Bumblebee|Bumblebee]]'' issues [[The Hanging Sword|#1]]–[[Wings of Wax|4]], ''[[The Transformers: Last Stand of the Wreckers|Last Stand of the Wreckers]]'' issues [[Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 1|#1]]–[[Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 5|5]], and ''[[The Transformers: Spotlight|Spotlight]]: [[Ride-Along|Prowl]]''.
** Hardcover format.
* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 45: Last Stand of the Wreckers''''' <small>([[May 16]], [[2018]])</small>
** Collects ''Last Stand of the Wreckers'' issues #1–5, ''Spotlight: Prowl'', and ''The Transformers'' (2009) #1.
** Bonus material includes an interview with Nick Roche, pre-production sketches and story drafts.
** Hardcover format.
<gallery>
File:IDW TF vol1.jpg|'''''Volume 1: For All Mankind''''' – cover art by [[Don Figueroa]] and [[James Brown]]
File:IDWCollection6.jpg|'''''The IDW Collection Volume Six''''' – cover art by [[E. J. Su]]
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v45.jpg|'''''The Definitive G1 Collection: Volume 45: Last Stand of the Wreckers''''' – cover art by Don Figueroa, [[Nick Roche]] and [[John Wycough]]
maximum dinobots|transformers maximum dinobots|transformers: maximum dinobots|the transformers maximum dinobots|the transformers: maximum dinobots=The Transformers: Maximum Dinobots
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all hail megatron|transformers all hail megatron|transformers: all hail megatron|the transformers all hail megatron|the transformers: all hail megatron=The Transformers: All Hail Megatron
the idw collection|the transformers: the idw collection=The Transformers: The IDW Collection
the transformers|the transformers (ongoing)=The Transformers (IDW)|The Transformers vol. 1
wreckers|last stand of the wreckers|transformers last stand of the wreckers|transformers: last stand of the wreckers|the transformers last stand of the wreckers|the transformers: last stand of the wreckers=The Transformers: Last Stand of the Wreckers
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infestation 2=Infestation 2
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robots in disguise|transformers: robots in disguise=The Transformers: Robots in Disguise
dark cybertron=Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Cybertron
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the transformers: windblade=The Transformers: Windblade
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hasbro heroes sourcebook=Hasbro Heroes Sourcebook
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ROM
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[[{{#switch:{{{series}}}
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{{{series}}}}}
{{#switch:prime
war for cybertron|warforcybertron|transformers: war for cybertron|transformers: war for cybertron (comic)=Transformers: War for Cybertron (comic)
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{{#switch:primeadaptation
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{{#switch:ragedinobots
war for cybertron|warforcybertron|transformers: war for cybertron|transformers: war for cybertron (comic)=Transformers: War for Cybertron (comic)
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{{#switch:rid2015
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{{#switch:{{{series}}}
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the transformers|the transformers (ongoing)=The Transformers (IDW)|The Transformers vol. 1
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infestation 2=Infestation 2
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more than meets the eye|transformers: more than meets the eye|the transformers: more than meets the eye=The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye
robots in disguise|transformers: robots in disguise=The Transformers: Robots in Disguise
dark cybertron=Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Cybertron
drift:eos|drift: empire of stone|transformers drift: empire of stone|transformers: drift: empire of stone|the transformers drift: empire of stone|drift: empire of stone=The Transformers: Drift - Empire of Stone
the transformers: windblade=The Transformers: Windblade
sins of the wreckers|transformers sins of the wreckers|transformers: sins of the wreckers|the transformers sins of the wreckers|the transformers: sins of the wreckers=The Transformers: Sins of the Wreckers
gijoe5|gijoevol5|g.i. joe vol. 5|gi joe vol 5=G.I. Joe vol. 5
hasbro heroes sourcebook=Hasbro Heroes Sourcebook
micronauts=Micronauts (comic)|Micronauts
wrath of karza|micronauts wrath of karza|micronauts: wrath of karza=Micronauts: Wrath of Karza
first strike=First Strike
ROM
rom dire wraiths|rom: dire wraiths=Rom: Dire Wraiths
romamn|rom&mn|rom and the micronauts|rom & the micronauts=Rom & the Micronauts
rom vs transformers|shining armor|rom vs. transformers|rom vs transformers: shining armor|rom vs transformers: shining armor=Rom vs. Transformers: Shining Armor
m.a.s.k.|m. a. s. k.|mask mobile armored strike kommand|m.a.s.k. mobile armored strike kommand|mask: mobile armored strike kommand|m.a.s.k.: mobile armored strike command=M.A.S.K.: Mobile Armored Strike Kommand
scarletts strike force|scarlett's strike force=Scarlett's Strike Force
transformers vs visionaries|transformers vs. visionaries=Transformers vs. Visionaries
requiem of the wreckers|transformers requiem of the wreckers|transformers: requiem of the wreckers=Transformers: Requiem of the Wreckers
maximum dinobots|transformers maximum dinobots|transformers: maximum dinobots|the transformers maximum dinobots|maximum dinobots=Maximum Dinobots
all hail megatron|transformers all hail megatron|transformers: all hail megatron|the transformers all hail megatron|all hail megatron=All Hail Megatron
the transformers|the transformers (ongoing)|the transformers (idw)=IDW The Transformers
wreckers|last stand of the wreckers|transformers last stand of the wreckers|transformers: last stand of the wreckers|the transformers last stand of the wreckers|last stand of the wreckers=Last Stand of the Wreckers
transformers drift|transformers: drift|the transformers drift|drifteos|drift:eos|drift: empire of stone|transformers drift: empire of stone|transformers: drift: empire of stone|the transformers drift: empire of stone|drift: empire of stone|transformers drift: origins and empires|transformers drift: origins & empires|origins and empires|origins & empires=Drift
heart of darkness|transformers heart of darkness|transformers: heart of darkness|the transformers heart of darkness|heart of darkness=Heart of Darkness
tdoop|death of optimus prime|the death of optimus prime|transformers: the death of optimus prime=The Death of Optimus Prime
more than meets the eye|transformers: more than meets the eye=IDW More than Meets the Eye
robots in disguise|transformers: robots in disguise|ongoing2|exrid|the transformers (idw) vol. 2=IDW Robots in Disguise (2012)
dark cybertron=Dark Cybertron
the transformers: windblade|windblade2|windblade2015|the transformers: windblade vol. 2|the transformers: windblade (2015)=Windblade
transformers vs gi joe|transformers vs. g.i. joe=Transformers vs. G.I. Joe
sotw|wreckers2|sins of the wreckers|transformers sins of the wreckers|transformers: sins of the wreckers|the transformers sins of the wreckers|the transformers: sins of the wreckers=Sins of the Wreckers
lost light|transformers lost light|the transformers lost light|transformers: lost light|the transformers: lost light=Lost Light
till all are one|Till All Are One|transformers till all are one|transformers: till all are one|the transformers till all are one|the transformers: till all are one=Till All Are One
revolution=Revolution
revolutionaries=Revolutionaries
action man=Action Man
gijoe5|g.i. joe vol 5|g.i. joe vol. 5|g.i. joe volume 5|g.i. joe (vol. 5)|g.i. joe (volume 5)=G.I. Joe vol. 5
g.i. joe idw collection=G.I. Joe: The IDW Collection
first strike=First Strike
hasbro heroes sourcebook=Hasbro Heroes Sourcebook
micronauts=Micronauts
wrath of karza|micronauts wrath of karza|micronauts: wrath of karza=Micronauts: Wrath of Karza
rom=ROM
rom dire wraiths|rom: dire wraiths=Rom: Dire Wraiths
romamn|rom&mn|rom and the micronauts|rom & the micronauts=Rom & the Micronauts
rom vs transformers|shining armor|rom vs. transformers|rom vs transformers: shining armor|rom vs. transformers: shining armor=Rom vs. Transformers: Shining Armor
m.a.s.k.|m. a. s. k.|mask mobile armored strike kommand|m.a.s.k. mobile armored strike kommand|mask: mobile armored strike kommand|m.a.s.k.: mobile armored strike command=M.A.S.K.: Mobile Armored Strike Kommand
scarletts strike force|scarlett's strike force=Scarlett's Strike Force
transformers vs visionaries|transformers vs. visionaries=Transformers vs. Visionaries
requiem of the wreckers|transformers requiem of the wreckers|transformers: requiem of the wreckers=Requiem of the Wreckers
Just throw your hands in the air and wave 'em like you just don't care!
Optimus Prime reflects on the responsibilities of all advanced races to spread freedom and peace, and laments that all the Cybertronians have spread is war. The Autobots have been in hiding amongst the humans for the last two years as Earth's cities were rebuilt following Megatron's planet-wide assault. Ratchet, Streetwise and Prowl are in their alternate modes, watching for signs of any trouble: trouble that comes as Breakdown destroys a power station in search of energon.
The attack is monitored by Skywatch control, and Spike Witwicky orders his forces to capture the invader. Breakdown is set upon by Spike and several other personnel in armored crash suits, built using stolen Cybertronian technology. Prowl and Streetwise are amongst the human police on the scene, and watch as Breakdown is immobilized and forced into his alternate mode by Skywatch forces. When they bring out their lethal particle cannons, apparently to destroy the Decepticon, Prowl can watch no longer and transforms, only to be brought down in turn: Spike had intended to draw him out all along. As he and Breakdown are driven away, Streetwise contacts the other Autobots...
At Autobot base, Wheeljack has engineered a counter to the inhibitors, and Optimus Prime orders him to fit them to their remaining forces. Hot Rod questions Prime's leadership, particularly their presence on Earth and the corresponding loss as more of their number are captured. Prime reiterates the need to protect Earth in case of possible Decepticon attack, but allows Hot Rod to stage a rescue mission to retrieve Prowl; he assigns Ironhide to go with him.
The rescue attempt goes poorly when it is revealed that Prowl was bait in a Skywatch trap; although Hot Rod's team rescues him, Ironhide dies leaping into a blast meant for Hot Rod. Optimus Prime grieves for his friend, and in a speech to his fellow Autobots removes himself as active commander.
Alone and ruminating on the end of the war and the new era in which they find themselves, Optimus Prime drives into the desert and into a Skywatch facility. As soldiers surround him, he raises his hands in surrender...
Prowl's rash, self-sacrificial decision to break cover and help a Decepticon was poorly received by many fans, especially since it came on the heels of a story that showed Prowl taking extreme measures to counteract his fellow Autobots' tendency toward maverick heroism. According to IDW story-editor Andy Schmidt, the change in character was intentional, and IDW was planning on filling in Prowl's backstory later in the ongoing series, but the negative fan-response motivated them to tell the story earlier in the form of Spotlight: Prowl.<ref>Comics Continuum video interview with Andy Schmidt</ref>
The title of the issue is on the final page. It refers to the [[wikipedia:{{#if:|:}}Lunar plaque|{{#if:plaque|plaque|Lunar plaque}}]] left on Earth's moon by Apollo 11, which reads in full: "HERE MEN FROM THE PLANET EARTH FIRST SET FOOT UPON THE MOON JULY 1969, A.D. WE CAME IN PEACE FOR ALL MANKIND"
An Autobot computer screen displays alien language characters based on the Star WarsAurabeshalphabet.
On page 2, Sludge has a Decepticon insignia on his shoulder.
The prose for the battle scene against Skywatch indicated that it was occurring at night, but James Brown's coloring makes it look like the battle was on during the very early evening.
Prowl mentions three crash suits in the fray, but four drop from the jets on the previous page.
Not only did Don Figueroa overhaul every Transformer in the comic to have new bodies with a movie-inspired feel, but he also designed reinterpretations of the characters' previous IDW bodies in that same experimental style; these call-back designs can be seen on the covers and in the battle scene spread on pages 2 and 3.
Both having been designed by Don Figueroa, Optimus Prime's new body is loosely reminiscent of his Classics form, but none of the details are quite the same.
Breakdown's design shares legs with Figueroa's new design for Sideswipe, which iterates on the Universe-based design from All Hail Megatron. He has his name on his license plate.
The fight scene on pages 2 and 3 seems to be a non-literal image of the conflict on Earth, since it features combatants that could never have met during All Hail Megatron (such as Scorponok, the Dynobots, Runabout, and Runamuck, etc.) Interestingly, it seems to have several callbacks to the G1 cartoon, such as Kup bending a cannon or Ratchet kicking Thundercracker in the groin.
12 pages of this issue were released to the public as preview images by the time the issue was released. First there was a 3-page preview that highlighted Ironhide's death. Then there was an eight-page preview that came mostly from the beginning of the issue. And finally, the day the issue came out, the final page of the issue accompanied a USA Today news article.<ref>USA Today article, "Optimus Prime quits!"</ref>
A marquee sign in the fourth page's second panel, as Optimus Prime and Megatron battle and destroy the city, seems to read "DARNIT". On the final panel of the same page, a banner reads "NOOB". In the first panel on the next page, a sign reads "SMITHIE". Billboards featuring a smiling woman in sunglasses holding a container of an unspecified product named "Zip", (possibly a sunscreen, or a beverage), are apparently popular advertisements in post-restoration Earth.
Starting in this issue, Transformer speech is rendered in speech bubbles previously used only for humans. Does this mean they sound less mechanical now?
According to Optimus Prime's narration on page 19, Bumblebee is "too small" for Skywatch to hit. Those must be really bad targeting systems if they can't properly hit a robot that turns into a Volkswagen Beetle. Now, if it were a human being too small to be seen by a Transformer...
Cover A: Wraparound cover featuring the Autobots running toward the reader in an homage to the original cartoon opening credits; art by Don Figueroa with colors by James Brown.
Cover B: Prime, Hot Rod and Ironhide; art by Don Figueroa, colors by James Brown.
Cover RE (Graham Crackers Exclusive): Classic in characters battle, a Hasbro marketing stock image last seen on a Kinnerton 2008 Christmas advent calendar; pencils by Don Figueroa, colours by ???
Cover RE (New Dimension Comics Exclusive): Uncolored version of cover B.
Reprint cover: Optimus Prime blasting through a wall; art by Don Figueroa, colors by James Brown. Art reused for TPB cover.
{{#if: Autobots, Transform and... ah, you know the drill! |
Featuring designs not actually seen in the story.
Continuum is behind us? Then we go this way!
Change we can believe in.
Graham Crackers Cover
New Dimension Comics Cover
Reprint Cover
Volume 1: For All Mankind – cover art by Don Figueroa and James Brown
The IDW Collection Volume Six – cover art by E. J. Su
The Definitive G1 Collection: Volume 45: Last Stand of the Wreckers – cover art by Don Figueroa, Nick Roche and John Wycough
