|chronology="[[The Transformers (IDW)|Ongoing]]" era, circa "[[Chaos (IDW)|Police Action]]"
|chronology="[[The Transformers (IDW)|Ongoing]]" era, circa "[[Chaos (IDW)|Police Action]]"
}}
}}
'''His leadership questioned at every turn, Bumblebee sets out on a solo mission to stop the Decepticons returning to Cybertron.'''
'''His leadership questioned at every turn, Bumblebee sets out on a solo mission to stop the Decepticons returning to Cybertron.'''
==Synopsis==
==Synopsis==
With [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]] and the majority of the [[Autobot]] forces on their way back to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], [[Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Bumblebee]] and the small contingent under his command remain on [[Earth]], searching for the [[Decepticon]]s that remain in hiding on the planet. Unfortunately, the search is not going well, and Bumblebee finds himself doubting his own leadership abilities, constantly asking himself what Optimus would do in his place. Returning to [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] following another failure to turn up any hiding 'cons alongside [[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]] and [[Groove (G1)|Groove]], Bumblebee argues with [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]] over the significance of the potential Decepticon threat. The police-bot insists that as a known quantity, the Decepticons come second to the unknown quantity of the possible threat posed by corruption among their [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|human allies]] that he is currently investigating. Prowl requisitions Groove to aid him, annoying Bumblebee enough that the little bot insists that Prowl respect his authority. Prowl snorts, declaring it a matter of who is ''right'', not who is ''in charge'', and leaves with Groove and [[Streetwise (G1)|Streetwise]]. Hot Spot tries to cheer Bumblebee up, but all he does is remind him of his current injuries.
With [[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Optimus Prime]] and the majority of the [[Autobot]] forces on their way back to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] and the small contingent under his command remain on [[Earth]], searching for the [[Decepticon]]s that remain in hiding on the planet. Unfortunately, the search is not going well, and Bumblebee finds himself doubting his own leadership abilities, constantly asking himself what Optimus would do in his place. Returning to [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] following another failure to turn up any hiding 'cons alongside [[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]] and [[Groove (G1)|Groove]], Bumblebee argues with [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] over the significance of the potential Decepticon threat. The police-bot insists that as a known quantity, the Decepticons come second to the unknown quantity of the possible threat posed by corruption among their [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|human allies]] that he is currently investigating. Prowl requisitions Groove to aid him, annoying Bumblebee enough that the little bot insists that Prowl respect his authority. Prowl snorts, declaring it a matter of who is ''right'', not who is ''in charge'', and leaves with Groove and [[Streetwise (G1)|Streetwise]]. Hot Spot tries to cheer Bumblebee up, but all he does is remind him of his current injuries.
Left to his own devices, Bumblebee pays a call on [[Thundercracker (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Thundercracker]], who is the process of packing up his belongings and moving out of his hideaway. Uninterested in helping, Thundercracker tells Bumblebee that he's not cut out for leadership, but the little 'bot insists that both Earth and Cybertron must be protected. The mention of Cybertron causes Thundercracker to remark that getting back there would be no easy task for the Decepticons, following the destruction of their [[space bridge]]... which in turn reminds both 'bots that [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]] can now open space bridges with his new body. They realize that Megatron allowed himself to be taken prisoner to take advantage of this fact, prompting Thundercracker to relent and provide Bumblebee with records of the space bridge radiation signature he obtained in their past meeting with [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]].
Left to his own devices, Bumblebee pays a call on [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]], who is the process of packing up his belongings and moving out of his hideaway. Uninterested in helping, Thundercracker tells Bumblebee that he's not cut out for leadership, but the little 'bot insists that both Earth and Cybertron must be protected. The mention of Cybertron causes Thundercracker to remark that getting back there would be no easy task for the Decepticons, following the destruction of their [[space bridge]]... which in turn reminds both 'bots that [[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]] can now open space bridges with his new body. They realize that Megatron allowed himself to be taken prisoner to take advantage of this fact, prompting Thundercracker to relent and provide Bumblebee with records of the space bridge radiation signature he obtained in their past meeting with [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]].
Bumblebee takes Thundercracker's records to his human friend [[Sanjay Bharwaney]], who uses the equipment at [[Darkmatter Logic]] to scan the planet for the signature, locating it in the vicinity of an ancient Native American settlement. Heading there as night falls, Bumblebee discovers the Decepticon army gathered around a space bridge terminal, awaiting its opening. Opting for stealth, 'Bee attempts to sneak in and sabotage the bridge before it activates, but no sooner has he reached the terminal than it flares to life, illuminating him for all the Decepticons to see. [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]] orders the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]] to take care of Bumblebee while the other Decepticons go through the bridge; the fight is, unsurprisingly, a brutal and one-sided one, until Bumblebee has a brainwave and jams his cane into one of the bridge's power conduits, disrupting its power flow and causing explosive feedback that destroys the bridge and knocks all five Stunticons out.
Bumblebee takes Thundercracker's records to his human friend [[Sanjay Bharwaney]], who uses the equipment at [[Darkmatter Logic]] to scan the planet for the signature, locating it in the vicinity of an ancient Native American settlement. Heading there as night falls, Bumblebee discovers the Decepticon army gathered around a space bridge terminal, awaiting its opening. Opting for stealth, 'Bee attempts to sneak in and sabotage the bridge before it activates, but no sooner has he reached the terminal than it flares to life, illuminating him for all the Decepticons to see. [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] orders the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]] to take care of Bumblebee while the other Decepticons go through the bridge; the fight is, unsurprisingly, a brutal and one-sided one, until Bumblebee has a brainwave and jams his cane into one of the bridge's power conduits, disrupting its power flow and causing explosive feedback that destroys the bridge and knocks all five Stunticons out.
Bumblebee hauls his prisoners back to Omega Supreme by dawn—much to the shock of all the other Autobots—and takes charge, explaining the threat that Prime's forces now face, and the need to wrap up their mission on Earth. With orders handed out, 'Bee enters Omega, calling for Prowl to follow him for a meeting, and Prowl smiles: Bumblebee is finally doing what Optimus would.
Bumblebee hauls his prisoners back to Omega Supreme by dawn—much to the shock of all the other Autobots—and takes charge, explaining the threat that Prime's forces now face, and the need to wrap up their mission on Earth. With orders handed out, 'Bee enters Omega, calling for Prowl to follow him for a meeting, and Prowl smiles: Bumblebee is finally doing what Optimus would.
"The little guy's got more '''spark''' than I gave him '''credit''' for these last couple million years. Taking down five '''bad guys''' on his own—and '''blaming''' himself for not stopping a '''hundred''' more? And '''then''' coming home and taking '''control'''? That's what Prime would do."
"The little guy's got more '''spark''' than I gave him '''credit''' for these last couple million years. Taking down five '''bad guys''' on his own—and '''blaming''' himself for not stopping a '''hundred''' more? And '''then''' coming home and taking '''control'''? That's what Prime would do."
:—'''Prowl''', on Bumblebee
:—'''Prowl''', on Bumblebee
==Notes==
==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* As the note on the inside front cover says, this story takes place during the events of "Police Action", the story which ran in issues [[Police Action: Part 1|#25]], [[Police Action Part 2: Only Forward|#27]], and [[Police Action Part 3: A Second Chance at Eden|#29]] of the [[The Transformers (IDW)|ongoing series]]. Its precise placement is not detailed, but specifically, it would appear to take place concurrently with #25, with Groove's absence in that part of the story explained here by having Prowl send him off on a mission off-panel. However, #27 had Wheeljack conferring with Prowl via holo-projection while he was still aboard Omega Supreme's rocket, implying that the Autobots hadn't reached Cybertron yet, which would make the timing of the Decepticons space bridge departure problematic, as they didn't arrive on Cybertron until ''after'' the Autobots.
* By that same token, the story also occurs concurrently with the events of "[[Chaos (IDW)|Chaos]]", which ran in the issues of the ongoing that alternated with the "Police Action" chapters. The Decepticons would emerge through the space bridge they are shown entering here in the third chapter of that story, in [[Chaos Part Three: Kings|issue #28]]. The bridge terminal is of the same claw-like curved-pylon design as that seen in ''[[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron|All Hail Megatron]]'' [[All Hail Megatron issue 7|#7]].
* The original encounter between Bumblebee, Thundercracker, and Metroplex was detailed in ''[[The Hunting Party (IDW)|Spotlight: Thundercracker]]''. More recently, chronology-wise, Bumblebee petitioned Thundercracker for aid in [[International Incident Part 2: "Ranks of Bronze"|ongoing #10]]; further unsolicited visits to Thundercracker's "man cave" occurred in [[Revenge of the Decepticons Part 2: Altered Carbon|#15]] and [[Revenge of the Decepticons Part 3: Woken Furies|#16]], leading him to pack it up and move, as seen here.
* Bumblebee met Sanjay Bharwaney in his [[The Transformers: Bumblebee|self-titled mini-series]].
* The ongoing series was ''painfully'' vague on why Megatron allowed himself to be captured by the Autobots. This issue finally has someone give the out-and-out explanation in dialogue: Megatron needed a ride back to Cybertron so that his body's Space Bridge tech could open a portal home for the Decepticon army.
* Breakdown comments that he "owes the Autobots a little somethin'," evidently a reference to the scrap with Prowl and Streetwise he has in ongoing #25, which timeline-wise he has probably only just returned from, and is still showing visible signs of damage from.
* After his stunt channelling the space bridge power flow through his cane, Bumblebee quips that he must get [[Wheeljack (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Wheeljack]] to "make him one of these." He would have a zappy-cane in ''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[The World & Everything in It|#2]].
* With the revelation that the Stunticons were left behind on Earth, the Decepticons' decision to rely on a physically crippled [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] during the battle over in "Chaos", rather than a functional [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]], makes a bit more sense.
* The particularly humiliating nature of this defeat would [[First Contact (IDW)|later]] result in [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]] leaving the Stunticons altogether, leaving both his place in the ranks and position as Menasor's leg to be filled by new member [[Offroad (CW)|Offroad]].
*As the note on the inside front cover says, this story takes place during the events of "Police Action", the story which ran in issues [[Police Action: Part 1|#25]], [[Police Action Part 2: Only Forward|#27]] and [[Police Action Part 3: A Second Chance at Eden|#29]] of the [[The Transformers (IDW)|ongoing series]]. Its precise placement is not detailed, but specifically, it would appear to take place concurrently with #25, with Groove's absence in that part of the story explained here by having Prowl send him off on a mission off-panel. However, #27 had Wheeljack conferring with Prowl via holo-projection while he was still aboard Omega Supreme's rocket, implying that the Autobots hadn't reached Cybertron yet, which would make the timing of the Decepticons space bridge departure problematic, as they didn't arrive on Cybertron until ''after'' the Autobots.
===Edits===
*By that same token, the story also occurs concurrently with the events of "[[Chaos (IDW)|Chaos]]", which ran in the issues of the ongoing that alternated with the "Police Action" chapters. The Decepticons would emerge through the space bridge they are shown entering here in the third chapter of that story, in [[Chaos Part Three: Kings|issue #28]]. The bridge terminal is of the same claw-like curved-pylon design as that seen in ''[[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron|All Hail Megatron]]'' [[All Hail Megatron issue 7|#7]].
Two strange minor edits in the version of the issue packed in with Bumblebee's ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]]'' ''[[Thrilling 30]]'' toy:
*The original encounter between Bumblebee, Thundercracker and Metroplex was detailed in ''[[The Hunting Party (IDW)|Spotlight: Thundercracker]]''. More recently, chronology-wise, Bumblebee petitioned Thundercracker for aid in [[International Incident Part 2: "Ranks of Bronze"|ongoing #10]]; further unsolicited visits to Thundercracker's "man cave" occurred in [[Revenge of the Decepticons Part 2: Altered Carbon|#15]] and [[Revenge of the Decepticons Part 3: Woken Furies|#16]], leading him to pack it up and move, as seen here.
* On page 2: Bumblebee's speech bubble in panel 4 has an "only" added to "so I guess there's ''one way'' to find out", with the speech bubble slightly resized to accommodate the extra word.
*Bumblebee met Sanjay Bharwaney in his [[The Transformers: Bumblebee|self-titled mini-series]].
* On page 10: Bumblebee's speech bubble in panel 3 is changed from "It's not '''funny'''." to "That's not '''funny'''.", with the speech bubble itself resized to fit three instead of just two lines of words.
*The ongoing series was ''painfully'' vague on why Megatron allowed himself to be captured by the Autobots. This issue finally has someone give the out-and-out explanation in dialogue: Megatron needed a ride back to Cybertron so that his body's Space Bridge tech could open a portal home for the Decepticon army.
*Breakdown comments that he "owes the Autobots a little somethin'," evidently a reference to the scrap with Prowl and Streetwise he has in ongoing #25, which timeline-wise he has probably only just returned from, as is still showing visible signs of damage from.
*After his stunt channelling the space bridge power flow through his cane, Bumblebee quips that he must get [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] to "make him one of these." He would have a zappy-cane in ''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[The World & Everything in It|#2]].
*With the revelation that the Stunticons were left behind on Earth, the Decepticons' decision to rely on a physically crippled [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] during the battle over in "Chaos", rather than a functional [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]], makes a bit more sense.
===Errors===
===Errors===
[[File:SpotlightBumblebeeCoversTypo.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Okay, so some fans on the internet can't spell their beloved characters' names right, but when did these people start working for IDW?]]
* Early promotional images of the covers for this issue misspelled the name of the title character as "Bubmblebee". For the finished edition, the extra "B" has been removed.
* Doctor Bharwaney's name is misspelled "Bharmaney".
* Starscream has his ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (franchise)|War for Cybertron]]'' body way before he gets it in ''Robots in Disguise''.
{{-}}
*Early promotional images of the covers for this issue misspelled it ''Spotlight: Bubmblebee.'' It's fine in the finished edition.
===Covers (7)===
*Doctor Bharwaney's name is misspelled "Bharmaney".
* '''Cover A:''' The shadows of the Stunticons fall over a battered Bumblebee, armed with his cane, by [[David Daza]] and [[Esther Sanz]]
* '''Cover B:''' Bumblebee with a new arm-gun, by [[Livio Ramondelli]]
* '''Cover RI:''' Bumblebee, by [[Clayton Crain]]
* '''Convention Exclusive:''' Mirror-flipped, cropped-in version of cover RI with "convention exclusive" branding, available only at WonderCon 2013
* '''Retailer Exclusive:''' Bumblebee and Thundercracker fight atop {{w|Burj Al Arab}} by [[Agustin Padilla]], available only at Middle East Film & Comic Con 2013.
* '''Hasbro exclusive cover:''' Cropped-in version of cover RI, exclusively available with ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]]'' Deluxe Class [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Deluxe|Bumblebee]]
* '''Micro-Comic Fun Pack cover:''' Bumblebee dual-wielding two pistols, by Livio Ramondelli
===Covers (4)===
* '''Cover A:''' The shadows of the Stunticons fall over a battered Bumblebee, armed with his cane, by David Daza and Esther Sanz
* '''Cover B:''' Bumblebee with a new arm-gun, by [[Livio Ramondelli]]
* '''Cover RI:''' Bumblebee by [[Clayton Crain]]
* '''Convention Exclusive:''' Mirror-flipped, cropped-in version of cover RI, available through (a?) currently-unknown convention(s?).
<gallery>
<gallery>
Image:SLBB_cvrA.jpg|
File:Spotlight Bumblebee cvrA.jpg|Poke poke.
Image:SLBB_cvrB.jpg|
File:Spotlight Bumblebee cvrB.jpg|I am a badass, I swear I am!
Image:SLBB_cvrRI.jpg|
File:Spotlight Bumblebee cvrRI.jpg|Do you tumble for Bumble?
Image:SLBB_cvrCE.jpg|
File:Spotlight Bumblebee cvrCE.jpg|Well, do ya?
File:Spotlight Bumblebee cvrRE.jpg|You already has a ''Spotlight''. It's MY turn!
File:Spotlight Bumblebee cvrHAS.jpg|You need another Bumblebee toy!
File:Spotlight Bumblebee Micro-Comic.jpg|This body again? Dammit!
</gallery>
</gallery>
===Advertisements===
===Advertisements===
*''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Plan for Everything|#15]]
* ''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Plan for Everything|#15]]
*''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' [[Under Cold Blue Stars|#15]]
* ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' [[Under Cold Blue Stars|#15]]
*''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'' #1
* ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'' #1
*''Memorial''
* ''Memorial''
*''[[Doctor|Doctor Who]]'' Vol. 1 TPB
* ''[[Doctor Who]]'' Vol. 1 TPB
*''[[My Little Pony|My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic]] Micro Series'' #2
* ''[[My Little Pony|My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic]] Micro Series'' #2
*''The New Ghostbusters'' #1 (back cover)
* ''The New [[Ghostbusters]]'' #1 (back cover)
===Reprints===
* '''''The Transformers: Dark Prelude''''' <small>([[August 14]], [[2013]]) ISBN 1613777167 / ISBN 978-1613777169</small>
** Collects ''Spotlight: [[Omega's Conundrum|Orion Pax]]'', ''[[The Hunting Party (IDW)|Thundercracker]]'', ''[[Spotlight: Megatron|Megatron]]'', ''Bumblebee'', ''[[The Reluctant Specialist|Trailcutter]]'' and ''[[The Waiting Game|Hoist]]''.
** Each of the characters receiving the Spotlight also had new Deluxe Class toys as part of the 2012–2013 ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]]'' line, '[[Thrilling 30]]'.
** Cover gallery.
** Trade paperback format. New cover art by [[Nick Roche]] and [[Josh Perez]].
* '''''[[The Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 3]]''''' <small>([[February 24]], [[2016]]) ISBN 1631405403 / ISBN 978-1631405402</small>
** Collects ''Spotlight: Thundercracker'', ''Bumblebee'' & ''Megatron'', ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' [[Primus: You, Me, and Other Revelations|Annual 2012]], issues [[Shadowplay, Part 1: Post Hoc|#9]]–[[Shadowplay (Conclusion): An Intimate Beheading|11]], [[Before & After|#12]]–[[Cybertronian Homesick Blues|13]] & "[[Signal to Noise]]", and ''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Primus: All Good Things|Annual 2012]] & issues [[Syndromica (2)|#10]]–[[The End of the Beginning of the World|11]].
** Collects [[The Transformers (IDW)|''The Transformers'' (2009)]] issues [[Police Action: Prologue|#21: "Police Action: Prologue"]], [[Chaos Theory Part 1|#22]]–[[Chaos Theory Part 2|23]], [[Police Action: Part 1|#25]], [[Police Action Part 2: Only Forward|#27]] & [[Police Action Part 3: A Second Chance at Eden|#29]], and ''Spotlight: Bumblebee''.
** Bonus material includes a one-page article exploring the origins of the "[[Chaos (IDW)|Chaos]]" arc and beyond, a cover gallery and an intro by [[Simon Furman]].
** Hardcover format.
<gallery>
File:TFDarkPrelude tpb.jpg|'''''Dark Prelude''''' – cover art by [[Nick Roche]] and [[Josh Perez]]
File:IDWCollectionP2V3.jpg|'''''The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 3''''' – cover art by [[Marcelo Matere]] and [[Tom B. Long]]
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v51.jpg|'''''The Definitive G1 Collection: Volume 51: Chaos Theory''''' – cover art by [[Don Figueroa]] and [[Alex Milne]]
maximum dinobots|transformers maximum dinobots|transformers: maximum dinobots|the transformers maximum dinobots|the transformers: maximum dinobots=The Transformers: Maximum Dinobots
premierecollection|premiere collection|the transformers: the premiere collection=The Transformers: The Premiere Collection
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
the idw collection|g.i. joe: the idw collection=G.I. Joe: The IDW Collection
infestation=Infestation (IDW)|Infestation
infestation 2=Infestation 2
heart of darkness|transformers heart of darkness|transformers: heart of darkness|the transformers heart of darkness|the transformers: heart of darkness=The Transformers: Heart of Darkness
tdoop|death of optimus prime|the death of optimus prime|transformers: the death of optimus prime=Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime
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
war for cybertron|warforcybertron|transformers: war for cybertron|transformers: war for cybertron (comic)=Transformers: War for Cybertron (comic)
fall of cybertron|fallofcybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron (comic)=Transformers: Fall of Cybertron (comic)
transformers: prime|transformers: prime (comic)=Transformers: Prime (graphic novel)
prime adaptation|transformers: prime (comic series)=Transformers: Prime (comic series)
primerage|ragedinobots|rage of the dinobots|rageofthedinobots|primeragedinobots|transformers prime: rage of the dinobots=Transformers Prime: Rage of the Dinobots
fulloffire|full of fire|full of fire!=Full of Fire!
rid2015|robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015 comic)=Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 comic)
{{{series}}}
[[{{#switch:{{{series}}}
war for cybertron|warforcybertron|transformers: war for cybertron|transformers: war for cybertron (comic)=Transformers: War for Cybertron (comic)
fall of cybertron|fallofcybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron (comic)=Transformers: Fall of Cybertron (comic)
transformers: prime|transformers: prime (comic)=Transformers: Prime (graphic novel)
prime adaptation|transformers: prime (comic series)=Transformers: Prime (comic series)
primerage|ragedinobots|rage of the dinobots|rageofthedinobots|primeragedinobots|transformers prime: rage of the dinobots=Transformers Prime: Rage of the Dinobots
fulloffire|full of fire|full of fire!=Full of Fire!
rid2015|robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015 comic)=Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 comic)
#| }}{{#if: |issues:}}{{#ifeq: | Category
[[Category:IDW {{#switch:{{#switch:{{{series}}}
war for cybertron|warforcybertron|transformers: war for cybertron|transformers: war for cybertron (comic)=Transformers: War for Cybertron (comic)
fall of cybertron|fallofcybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron (comic)=Transformers: Fall of Cybertron (comic)
transformers: prime|transformers: prime (comic)=Transformers: Prime (graphic novel)
prime adaptation|transformers: prime (comic series)=Transformers: Prime (comic series)
primerage|ragedinobots|rage of the dinobots|rageofthedinobots|primeragedinobots|transformers prime: rage of the dinobots=Transformers Prime: Rage of the Dinobots
fulloffire|full of fire|full of fire!=Full of Fire!
rid2015|robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015 comic)=Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 comic)
{{{series}}}}}
{{#switch:prime
war for cybertron|warforcybertron|transformers: war for cybertron|transformers: war for cybertron (comic)=Transformers: War for Cybertron (comic)
fall of cybertron|fallofcybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron (comic)=Transformers: Fall of Cybertron (comic)
transformers: prime|transformers: prime (comic)=Transformers: Prime (graphic novel)
prime adaptation|transformers: prime (comic series)=Transformers: Prime (comic series)
primerage|ragedinobots|rage of the dinobots|rageofthedinobots|primeragedinobots|transformers prime: rage of the dinobots=Transformers Prime: Rage of the Dinobots
fulloffire|full of fire|full of fire!=Full of Fire!
rid2015|robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015 comic)=Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 comic)
{{#switch:primeadaptation
war for cybertron|warforcybertron|transformers: war for cybertron|transformers: war for cybertron (comic)=Transformers: War for Cybertron (comic)
fall of cybertron|fallofcybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron (comic)=Transformers: Fall of Cybertron (comic)
transformers: prime|transformers: prime (comic)=Transformers: Prime (graphic novel)
prime adaptation|transformers: prime (comic series)=Transformers: Prime (comic series)
primerage|ragedinobots|rage of the dinobots|rageofthedinobots|primeragedinobots|transformers prime: rage of the dinobots=Transformers Prime: Rage of the Dinobots
fulloffire|full of fire|full of fire!=Full of Fire!
rid2015|robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015 comic)=Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 comic)
{{#switch:ragedinobots
war for cybertron|warforcybertron|transformers: war for cybertron|transformers: war for cybertron (comic)=Transformers: War for Cybertron (comic)
fall of cybertron|fallofcybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron (comic)=Transformers: Fall of Cybertron (comic)
transformers: prime|transformers: prime (comic)=Transformers: Prime (graphic novel)
prime adaptation|transformers: prime (comic series)=Transformers: Prime (comic series)
primerage|ragedinobots|rage of the dinobots|rageofthedinobots|primeragedinobots|transformers prime: rage of the dinobots=Transformers Prime: Rage of the Dinobots
fulloffire|full of fire|full of fire!=Full of Fire!
rid2015|robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015 comic)=Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 comic)
ragedinobots}}=Prime
{{#switch:rid2015
war for cybertron|warforcybertron|transformers: war for cybertron|transformers: war for cybertron (comic)=Transformers: War for Cybertron (comic)
fall of cybertron|fallofcybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron (comic)=Transformers: Fall of Cybertron (comic)
transformers: prime|transformers: prime (comic)=Transformers: Prime (graphic novel)
prime adaptation|transformers: prime (comic series)=Transformers: Prime (comic series)
primerage|ragedinobots|rage of the dinobots|rageofthedinobots|primeragedinobots|transformers prime: rage of the dinobots=Transformers Prime: Rage of the Dinobots
fulloffire|full of fire|full of fire!=Full of Fire!
rid2015|robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015 comic)=Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 comic)
rid2015}}=Robots in Disguise (2015)
{{#switch:{{{series}}}
war for cybertron|warforcybertron|transformers: war for cybertron|transformers: war for cybertron (comic)=War for Cybertron
fall of cybertron|fallofcybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron (comic)=Fall of Cybertron
transformers: prime|transformers: prime (comic)|primeadaptation|prime adaptation|transformers: prime (comic series)=Prime
primerage|ragedinobots|rage of the dinobots|rageofthedinobots|primeragedinobots|transformers prime: rage of the dinobots=Prime – Rage of the Dinobots
maximum dinobots|transformers maximum dinobots|transformers: maximum dinobots|the transformers maximum dinobots|the transformers: maximum dinobots=The Transformers: Maximum Dinobots
premierecollection|premiere collection|the transformers: the premiere collection=The Transformers: The Premiere Collection
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
the idw collection|g.i. joe: the idw collection=G.I. Joe: The IDW Collection
infestation=Infestation (IDW)|Infestation
infestation 2=Infestation 2
heart of darkness|transformers heart of darkness|transformers: heart of darkness|the transformers heart of darkness|the transformers: heart of darkness=The Transformers: Heart of Darkness
tdoop|death of optimus prime|the death of optimus prime|transformers: the death of optimus prime=Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime
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
With Optimus Prime and the majority of the Autobot forces on their way back to Cybertron, Bumblebee and the small contingent under his command remain on Earth, searching for the Decepticons that remain in hiding on the planet. Unfortunately, the search is not going well, and Bumblebee finds himself doubting his own leadership abilities, constantly asking himself what Optimus would do in his place. Returning to Omega Supreme following another failure to turn up any hiding 'cons alongside Hot Spot and Groove, Bumblebee argues with Prowl over the significance of the potential Decepticon threat. The police-bot insists that as a known quantity, the Decepticons come second to the unknown quantity of the possible threat posed by corruption among their human allies that he is currently investigating. Prowl requisitions Groove to aid him, annoying Bumblebee enough that the little bot insists that Prowl respect his authority. Prowl snorts, declaring it a matter of who is right, not who is in charge, and leaves with Groove and Streetwise. Hot Spot tries to cheer Bumblebee up, but all he does is remind him of his current injuries.
Left to his own devices, Bumblebee pays a call on Thundercracker, who is the process of packing up his belongings and moving out of his hideaway. Uninterested in helping, Thundercracker tells Bumblebee that he's not cut out for leadership, but the little 'bot insists that both Earth and Cybertron must be protected. The mention of Cybertron causes Thundercracker to remark that getting back there would be no easy task for the Decepticons, following the destruction of their space bridge... which in turn reminds both 'bots that Megatron can now open space bridges with his new body. They realize that Megatron allowed himself to be taken prisoner to take advantage of this fact, prompting Thundercracker to relent and provide Bumblebee with records of the space bridge radiation signature he obtained in their past meeting with Metroplex.
Bumblebee takes Thundercracker's records to his human friend Sanjay Bharwaney, who uses the equipment at Darkmatter Logic to scan the planet for the signature, locating it in the vicinity of an ancient Native American settlement. Heading there as night falls, Bumblebee discovers the Decepticon army gathered around a space bridge terminal, awaiting its opening. Opting for stealth, 'Bee attempts to sneak in and sabotage the bridge before it activates, but no sooner has he reached the terminal than it flares to life, illuminating him for all the Decepticons to see. Starscream orders the Stunticons to take care of Bumblebee while the other Decepticons go through the bridge; the fight is, unsurprisingly, a brutal and one-sided one, until Bumblebee has a brainwave and jams his cane into one of the bridge's power conduits, disrupting its power flow and causing explosive feedback that destroys the bridge and knocks all five Stunticons out.
Bumblebee hauls his prisoners back to Omega Supreme by dawn—much to the shock of all the other Autobots—and takes charge, explaining the threat that Prime's forces now face, and the need to wrap up their mission on Earth. With orders handed out, 'Bee enters Omega, calling for Prowl to follow him for a meeting, and Prowl smiles: Bumblebee is finally doing what Optimus would.
"The little guy's got more spark than I gave him credit for these last couple million years. Taking down five bad guys on his own—and blaming himself for not stopping a hundred more? And then coming home and taking control? That's what Prime would do."
As the note on the inside front cover says, this story takes place during the events of "Police Action", the story which ran in issues #25, #27, and #29 of the ongoing series. Its precise placement is not detailed, but specifically, it would appear to take place concurrently with #25, with Groove's absence in that part of the story explained here by having Prowl send him off on a mission off-panel. However, #27 had Wheeljack conferring with Prowl via holo-projection while he was still aboard Omega Supreme's rocket, implying that the Autobots hadn't reached Cybertron yet, which would make the timing of the Decepticons space bridge departure problematic, as they didn't arrive on Cybertron until after the Autobots.
By that same token, the story also occurs concurrently with the events of "Chaos", which ran in the issues of the ongoing that alternated with the "Police Action" chapters. The Decepticons would emerge through the space bridge they are shown entering here in the third chapter of that story, in issue #28. The bridge terminal is of the same claw-like curved-pylon design as that seen in All Hail Megatron#7.
The original encounter between Bumblebee, Thundercracker, and Metroplex was detailed in Spotlight: Thundercracker. More recently, chronology-wise, Bumblebee petitioned Thundercracker for aid in ongoing #10; further unsolicited visits to Thundercracker's "man cave" occurred in #15 and #16, leading him to pack it up and move, as seen here.
The ongoing series was painfully vague on why Megatron allowed himself to be captured by the Autobots. This issue finally has someone give the out-and-out explanation in dialogue: Megatron needed a ride back to Cybertron so that his body's Space Bridge tech could open a portal home for the Decepticon army.
Breakdown comments that he "owes the Autobots a little somethin'," evidently a reference to the scrap with Prowl and Streetwise he has in ongoing #25, which timeline-wise he has probably only just returned from, and is still showing visible signs of damage from.
After his stunt channelling the space bridge power flow through his cane, Bumblebee quips that he must get Wheeljack to "make him one of these." He would have a zappy-cane in Robots in Disguise#2.
With the revelation that the Stunticons were left behind on Earth, the Decepticons' decision to rely on a physically crippled Devastator during the battle over in "Chaos", rather than a functional Menasor, makes a bit more sense.
The particularly humiliating nature of this defeat would later result in Wildrider leaving the Stunticons altogether, leaving both his place in the ranks and position as Menasor's leg to be filled by new member Offroad.
Two strange minor edits in the version of the issue packed in with Bumblebee's GenerationsThrilling 30 toy:
On page 2: Bumblebee's speech bubble in panel 4 has an "only" added to "so I guess there's one way to find out", with the speech bubble slightly resized to accommodate the extra word.
On page 10: Bumblebee's speech bubble in panel 3 is changed from "It's not funny." to "That's not funny.", with the speech bubble itself resized to fit three instead of just two lines of words.
Okay, so some fans on the internet can't spell their beloved characters' names right, but when did these people start working for IDW?
Early promotional images of the covers for this issue misspelled the name of the title character as "Bubmblebee". For the finished edition, the extra "B" has been removed.
Doctor Bharwaney's name is misspelled "Bharmaney".
Starscream has his War for Cybertron body way before he gets it in Robots in Disguise.
Convention Exclusive: Mirror-flipped, cropped-in version of cover RI with "convention exclusive" branding, available only at WonderCon 2013
Retailer Exclusive: Bumblebee and Thundercracker fight atop [[wikipedia:{{#if:|:}}Burj Al Arab|{{#if:||Burj Al Arab}}]] by Agustin Padilla, available only at Middle East Film & Comic Con 2013.
Hasbro exclusive cover: Cropped-in version of cover RI, exclusively available with Generations Deluxe Class Bumblebee
Micro-Comic Fun Pack cover: Bumblebee dual-wielding two pistols, by Livio Ramondelli
{{#if: |
Poke poke.
I am a badass, I swear I am!
Do you tumble for Bumble?
Well, do ya?
You already has a Spotlight. It's MY turn!
You need another Bumblebee toy!
This body again? Dammit!
Dark Prelude – cover art by Nick Roche and Josh Perez
The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 3 – cover art by Marcelo Matere and Tom B. Long
The Definitive G1 Collection: Volume 51: Chaos Theory – cover art by Don Figueroa and Alex Milne
