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{{Nav-CombinerWars}}
{{Nav-CombinerWars}}


[[File:IDW Combiner Wars promo.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|]]
[[File:IDW Combiner Wars promo.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|More of a Combiner Scuffle, really. Maybe a Combiner Oh We Came To Fisticuffs A Couple Of Times.]]


"'''Combiner Wars'''" is an "event" storyline published in early 2015 by [[IDW Publishing]], tying into the concurrent release of the ''Combiner Wars'' [[Transformers: Generations#Combiner Wars|toyline]]. The storyline takes place in alternating issues of the ''[[The Transformers: Windblade|Windblade]]'' miniseries and the ''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|The Transformers]]'' ongoing, followed by a one-shot comic. ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' was going to be part of it (hence the Protectobots being on the ''[[Lost Light]]'') but IDW felt this would undermine the book's direction.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pVvISkgzDQ TFcon 2015 - Interview with James Roberts (Transformers MTMTE)], 08:40 to 12:12</ref>
"'''Combiner Wars'''" is an "event" storyline published in early 2015 by [[IDW Publishing]], tying into the concurrent release of the ''Combiner Wars'' [[Transformers: Generations (toyline)#Combiner Wars|toyline]]. The storyline takes place in alternating issues of the ''[[The Transformers: Windblade|Windblade]]'' miniseries and the ''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|The Transformers]]'' ongoing, followed by a one-shot comic. ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' was going to be part of it (hence the Protectobots being on the ''[[Lost Light]]'') but IDW felt this would undermine the book's direction.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pVvISkgzDQ TFcon 2015 - Interview with James Roberts (Transformers MTMTE)], 08:40 to 12:12</ref>


{{chapters
{{chapters
Line 11: Line 11:
|content=
|content=
<div class="list-header">Superion/"Prowlastator" origin</div>
<div class="list-header">Superion/"Prowlastator" origin</div>
*[[Dinobot Hunt (IDW)|#8]]
* [[Dinobot Hunt (IDW)|#8]]
*[[Night and the City|#9]]
* [[Night and the City|#9]]
*[[The End of the Beginning of the World|#11]]
* [[The End of the Beginning of the World|#11]]
*[[City on Fire|#12]]
* [[City on Fire|#12]]
*[[The Verge|#13]]
* [[The Verge|#13]]
*[[Before the Dawn|#14]]
* [[Before the Dawn|#14]]
*[[Plan for Everything|#15]]
* [[Plan for Everything|#15]]
*[[Heavy Is the Head|#16]]
* [[Heavy Is the Head|#16]]
<br/><div class="list-header">"First Strike"</div>
<br/><div class="list-header">"First Strike"</div>
*[[The World of Tomorrow|#33]]
* [[The World of Tomorrow|#33]]
*[[The Crucible|#34]]
* [[The Crucible|#34]]
*[[Onyx Interface Part One: Signals, Calls, and Marches|#35]]
* [[Onyx Interface Part One: Signals, Calls, and Marches|#35]]
*[[Onyx Interface Part Two: Vs.|#36]]
* [[Onyx Interface Part Two: Vs.|#36]]
*[[Onyx Interface Part Three: ONoffON|#37]]
* [[Onyx Interface Part Three: ONoffON|#37]]
*[[The Onyx Interface Conclusion: The Obliterati|#38]]
* [[The Onyx Interface Conclusion: The Obliterati|#38]]
<br/><div class="list-header">"Combiner Wars"</div>
<br/><div class="list-header">"Combiner Wars"</div>
*[[First Contact (IDW)|Opening Salvo]]
* [[First Contact (IDW)|Opening Salvo]]
*[[The Sum and Its Parts|Part 1]]
* [[The Sum and Its Parts|Part 1]]
*[[The Possible Light|Part 2]]
* [[The Possible Light|Part 2]]
*[[Mistakes and Mayhem|Part 3]]
* [[Mistakes and Mayhem|Part 3]]
*[[You, Me, and the Universe|Part 4]]
* [[You, Me, and the Universe|Part 4]]
*[[All That Remains|Part 5]]
* [[All That Remains|Part 5]]
<br/><div class="list-header">"Epilogue"</div>
<br/><div class="list-header">"Epilogue"</div>
*[[Now and On Earth|#42]]
* [[Now and On Earth|#42]]
*[[Windblade vol. 2 issue 4|#4]]
* [[Windblade vol. 2 issue 4|#4]]
<br/><div class="list-header">"Combiner Hunters"</div>
<br/><div class="list-header">"Combiner Hunters"</div>
*[[An Uneventful Night|#1]]
* [[An Uneventful Night|#1]]
----
<div class="list-header">Toy pack-in numbering</div>
* [[Dinobot Hunt (IDW)|#1]]
* [[Night and the City|#2]]
* [[The End of the Beginning of the World|#3]]
* [[City on Fire|#4]]
* [[The Verge|#5]]
* [[Before the Dawn|#6]]
* [[Plan for Everything|#7]]
* [[Heavy Is the Head|#8]]
* [[The World of Tomorrow|#9]]
* [[The Crucible|#10]]<br>
* [[Onyx Interface Part One: Signals, Calls, and Marches|#11]]
* [[Onyx Interface Part Two: Vs.|#12]]
* [[Onyx Interface Part Three: ONoffON|#13]]
* [[The Onyx Interface Conclusion: The Obliterati|#14]]
* [[First Contact (IDW)|#15]]
* [[The Sum and Its Parts|#16]]
* [[The Possible Light|#17]]
* [[Mistakes and Mayhem|#18]]
* [[You, Me, and the Universe|#19]]
* [[All That Remains|#20]]
}}
}}
<br>
{{IDWEvent}}


==Prequels==
==Prequels==
Combiners and the technology behind them were an important part of ''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|Robots in Disguise]]'' since its early stages, underpinning much of the book's initial 16-issue story arc. Eight issues covering the creation of [[Superion (G1)#IDW Generation 1 continuity|Superion]] and the new incarnation of [[Devastator (G1)#IDW Generation 1 continuity|Devastator]] were reprinted with the ''Combiner Wars'' Deluxe Class [[Aerialbot (G1)#Generations|Aerialbot]] and [[Stunticon (G1)#Generations|Stunticon]] toys, rebranded as ''Combiner Wars'' #1-8. Due to production timing issues, however, issues #1 and #2 were not released in these initial waves, whilst #3 was available only with the limited-release [[Slingshot (G1)#Generations|Quickslinger]] figure. Issues #1 and #2 (and reprints of #3 and #4) would later be released with the ''Combiner Wars'' Deluxe Class [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]] toys.
Combiners and the technology behind them were an important part of ''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|Robots in Disguise]]'' since its early stages, underpinning much of the book's initial 16-issue story arc. Eight issues covering the creation of [[Superion (G1)#2005 IDW continuity|Superion]] and the new incarnation of [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] were reprinted with the ''Combiner Wars'' Deluxe Class [[Aerialbot (G1)#Generations|Aerialbot]] and [[Stunticon (G1)#Generations|Stunticon]] toys, rebranded as ''Combiner Wars'' #1-8. Due to production timing issues, however, issues #1 and #2 were not released in these initial waves, whilst #3 was available only with the limited-release [[Slingshot (G1)#Generations|Quickslinger]] figure. Issues #1 and #2 (and reprints of #3 and #4) would later be released with the ''Combiner Wars'' Deluxe Class [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]] toys.


Explicit buildup for the event began in ''Robots in Disguise'' [[The World of Tomorrow|#33]], which introduced the notion of a combiner arms race, as well as setting the stage for Superion's new team members. The next five issues would go on to tell a story about the [[Enigma of Combination]], an ancient Cybertronian artifact holding the key to successful combiners. Whilst not billed as such in their initial release, the trade paperback collecting these issues was labeled ''Combiner Wars—First Strike'', and they were reprinted as ''Combiner Wars'' #9-14 with the third and fourth waves of Deluxe Class figures.
Explicit buildup for the event began in ''Robots in Disguise'' [[The World of Tomorrow|#33]], which introduced the notion of a combiner arms race, as well as setting the stage for Superion's new team members. The next five issues would go on to tell a story about the [[Enigma of Combination]], an ancient Cybertronian artifact holding the key to successful combiners. Whilst not billed as such in their initial release, the trade paperback collecting these issues was labeled ''Combiner Wars—First Strike'', and they were reprinted as ''Combiner Wars'' #9-14 with the third and fourth waves of Deluxe Class figures.


==Overview==
==Overview==
The series sees tensions surrounding the [[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW universe]]'s combiners come to a head when [[Starscream (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Starscream]]-led [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] re-establishes contact with [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]]'s homeworld: the long-lost colony [[Caminus]]. Using the [[Enigma of Combination]]—recovered from [[Earth]] by [[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]]—Starscream restores [[Menasor]] and [[Superion]] and sends them to play out a scripted "attack" on Caminus. The colony world is "saved" from Menasor by Superion, putting Caminus in Starscream's debt. Fearing that Starscream's control of the colony worlds will herald the beginning of a new Cybertronian empire, but unable to take direct action against him because of Starscream's position as the legal, elected leader of the planet, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Optimus Prime]] and Windblade work against him as best they can, which becomes easier when it turns out that, as a Prime, Optimus is considered divine by the Camiens, leading them to look to him for leadership, rather than Starscream.
The series sees tensions surrounding the [[2005 IDW continuity|IDW universe]]'s combiners come to a head when [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]]-led [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] re-establishes contact with [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]]'s homeworld: the long-lost colony [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]]. Using the [[Enigma of Combination]]—recovered from [[Earth]] by [[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]]—Starscream restores [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] and [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] and sends them to play out a scripted "attack" on Caminus. The colony world is "saved" from Menasor by Superion, putting Caminus in Starscream's debt. Fearing that Starscream's control of the colony worlds will herald the beginning of a new Cybertronian empire, but unable to take direct action against him because of Starscream's position as the legal, elected leader of the planet, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]] and Windblade work against him as best they can, which becomes easier when it turns out that, as a Prime, Optimus is considered divine by the Camiens, leading them to look to him for leadership, rather than Starscream.


Meanwhile, on the ''[[Lost Light]]'', [[Mirage (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Mirage]] has a vision of a terrible future, and is brought to Cybertron by the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]]. They arrive around the same time as [[Prowl (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Prowl]] and the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]]; Prowl also does not want to see Starscream in charge of a new empire, but unlike Optimus, he is willing to sacrifice the colony worlds and Cybertron's safety in order to prevent it. Prowl and the Constructicons merge into [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] with intent to destroy the space bridge between Cybertron and Caminus, but Starscream uses the Engima to turn the Protectobots into [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]], who, with the help of Superion, defeats Devastator. Prowl is locked up, but Starscream then uses the Enigma to have Scoop take his place in Devastator, giving Starscream control of yet another combiner.
Meanwhile, on the ''[[Lost Light]]'', [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] has a vision of a terrible future, and is brought to Cybertron by the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]]. They arrive around the same time as [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]] and the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]]; Prowl also does not want to see Starscream in charge of a new empire, but unlike Optimus, he is willing to sacrifice the colony worlds and Cybertron's safety in order to prevent it. Prowl and the Constructicons merge into [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] with intent to destroy the space bridge between Cybertron and Caminus, but Starscream uses the Enigma to turn the Protectobots into [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]], who, with the help of Superion, defeats Devastator. Prowl is locked up, but Starscream then uses the Enigma to have Scoop take his place in Devastator, giving Starscream control of yet another combiner.


[[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] turns out to have secretly been working for Prowl, and puts his contingency plan into play—he frees Menasor, who makes another attack on Caminus, causing enough chaos that Rattrap is able to steal the Enigma. Starscream sends Devastator to stop Menasor, but the Constructicon combiner soon runs out of control, leading to a four-way combiner battle across the colony worlds via a malfunctioning space bridge. To bring the conflict to an end, Prowl uses the Engima to merge himself, Mirage, [[Ironhide (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ironhide]], [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]], and Optimus Prime together—only to find that the will of his fellow Autobots overpowers his own, forcing him to cede control of the new combiner they have formed, which dubs itself "[[Optimus Maximus (G1)|Optimus Maximus]]." Maximus defeats Devastator, and Prowl and the Enigma are locked away once more.
[[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] turns out to have secretly been working for Prowl, and puts his contingency plan into play—he frees Menasor, who makes another attack on Caminus, causing enough chaos that Rattrap is able to steal the Enigma. Starscream sends Devastator to stop Menasor, but the Constructicon combiner soon runs out of control, leading to a four-way combiner battle across the colony worlds via a malfunctioning space bridge. To bring the conflict to an end, Prowl uses the Enigma to merge himself, Mirage, [[Ironhide (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ironhide]], [[Sunstreaker (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Sunstreaker]], and Optimus Prime together—only to find that the will of his fellow Autobots overpowers his own, forcing him to cede control of the new combiner they have formed, which dubs itself "[[Optimus Maximus (G1)|Optimus Maximus]]." Maximus defeats Devastator, and Prowl and the Enigma are locked away once more.


In the aftermath of the conflict, however, Prowl escapes custody, and [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] steals the Engima with intent to destroy it. A group of visiting Camiens known as the [[Torchbearer]]s are caught up in Windblade and [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]]'s attempt to stop Arcee, and wind up being exposed to the Enigma and merged into [[Victorion]].
In the aftermath of the conflict, however, Prowl escapes custody, and [[Arcee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Arcee]] steals the Enigma with intent to destroy it. A group of visiting Camiens known as the [[Torchbearer]]s are caught up in Windblade and [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]]'s attempt to stop Arcee, and wind up being exposed to the Enigma and merged into [[Victorion]].


==Sequels==
==Sequels==
After the event, the June 2015 issues of ''The Transformers'' vol. 2 and ''Windblade'' vol. 2 were branded "Combiner Wars Epilogue". In July 2015, a one-shot comic branded "[[An Uneventful Night|Combiner Hunters]]" was released, focusing on [[Arcee (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Arcee]], [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]], [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]], and [[Victorion]] in the aftermath of the Combiner Wars; it was written by [[Mairghread Scott]] with art by [[Sara Pitre-Durocher]].
After the event, the June 2015 issues of ''The Transformers'' vol. 2 and ''Windblade'' vol. 2 were branded "Combiner Wars Epilogue". In July 2015, a one-shot comic branded "[[An Uneventful Night|Combiner Hunters]]" was released, focusing on [[Arcee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Arcee]], [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]], [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]], and [[Victorion]] in the aftermath of the Combiner Wars; it was written by [[Mairghread Scott]] with art by [[Sara Pitre-Durocher]].


==Creative team==
==Creative team==
''The Transformers'' issues are written and drawn by [[John Barber]] and [[Livio Ramondelli]], respectively, whilst ''Windblade'' sees the return of the first miniseries's writer and artist team of [[Mairghread Scott]] and [[Sarah Stone]]. [[Casey Coller]] draws the regular covers, and Ramondelli provides subscription covers which form larger images in pairs. Retailer incentive covers feature art from ''[[Transformers Legends (mobile game)|Transformers Legends]]'' artist [[Sara Pitre-Durocher]].
''The Transformers'' issues are written and drawn by [[John Barber]] and [[Livio Ramondelli]], respectively, whilst ''Windblade'' sees the return of the first miniseries's writer and artist team of [[Mairghread Scott]] and [[Saren Stone]]. [[Casey Coller]] draws the regular covers, and Ramondelli provides subscription covers which form larger images in pairs. Retailer incentive covers feature art from ''[[Transformers Legends (mobile game)|Transformers Legends]]'' artist [[Sara Pitre-Durocher]]. The profiles on the back of the pack-in versions of the comics were written by [[Mark Weber]]<ref>Although we'd be remiss not to mention ''somewhere'' that these were attributed to [[Rung (G1)#Prime Wars Trilogy marketing material|Rung]] or [[Soundwave (G1)#Prime Wars Trilogy marketing material|Soundwave]] depending on faction.</ref>.


==Collections==
==Collections==
*'''''The Transformers Volume 7: Combiner Wars First Strike''''' <small>([[April 8]], 2015) ISBN 1631402854 / ISBN 978-1631402852</small>
* '''''The Transformers Volume 7: Combiner Wars First Strike''''' <small>([[April 8]], [[2015]]) ISBN 1631402854 / ISBN 978-1631402852</small>
:*Contains issues #33 to #38
** Collects [[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|''The Transformers'' (2012)]] issues #33–38.
:*Bonus content includes covers of each issue.
** Bonus material includes covers from each issue.
** Trade paperback format.


* '''''The Transformers: Combiner Wars''''' <small>([[August 12]], 2015) ISBN 1631403869 / ISBN 978-1631403866</small>
* '''''The Transformers: Combiner Wars''''' <small>([[August 12]], 2015) ISBN 1631403869 / ISBN 978-1631403866</small>
:* Contains ''The Transformers'' issues #39 to #41, as well as the issues #1 to #3 of ''The Transformers: Windblade'' ongoing series.
** Collects ''The Transformers'' (2012) issues #39–41, and [[The Transformers: Windblade|''Windblade'' (2015)]] issues #1–3.
:* Bonus content includes covers of each issue.
** Bonus material includes covers from each issue.
** Trade paperback format.
 
* '''''[[The Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 2]]''''' <small>([[August 4]], 2015) ISBN 1631403648 / ISBN 978-1631403644</small>
** Collects ''[[The Transformers: Autocracy|Autocracy]]'' issues [[Law and Disorder|#1]]–[[Endgame|12]], ''[[The Transformers: Spotlight|Spotlight]]: [[The Reluctant Specialist|Trailcutter]], [[The Waiting Game|Hoist]]'' & ''[[Omega's Conundrum|Orion Pax]]'', ''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|Robots in Disguise]]'' issues [[Interference Patterns|#7]] & #8–9, and ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' issues [[Interiors|#6]]–[[Scavengers (Part 2): Who's Afraid of the DJD?|8]].
** Hardcover format.
 
* '''''[[The Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 3]]''''' <small>([[February 24]], [[2016]]) ISBN 1631405403 / ISBN 978-1631405402</small>
** Collects ''Spotlight: [[The Hunting Party (IDW)|Thundercracker]], [[The Question|Bumblebee]]'' & ''[[Spotlight: Megatron|Megatron]]'', ''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]]–[[More than Meets the Eye issue 13|13]] & "[[Signal to Noise]]", and ''Robots in Disguise'' [[Primus: All Good Things|Annual 2012]] & issues [[Syndromica (2)|#10]]–11.
** Hardcover format.
 
* '''''The Transformers Volume 8''''' <small>([[March 16]], 2016) ISBN 1631405853 / ISBN 978-1631405853</small>
** Collects ''The Transformers'' (2012) issues #42–[[The Nothing Man|45]].
** Bonus material includes covers from each issue.
** Trade paperback format.
 
* '''''The Transformers: Windblade - Distant Stars''''' <small>([[April 20]], 2016) ISBN 1631406000 / ISBN 978-1631406003</small>
** Collects ''Windblade'' (2015) issues #4–[[The Will of the Few|7]], and ''Combiner Hunters'' #1.
** Trade paperback format.
 
<gallery>
File:RID vol7.jpg|'''''Volume 7: Combiner Wars First Strike''''' – cover art by [[Casey Coller]] and [[Joana Lafuente]]
File:CW-TPB.jpg|'''''Combiner Wars''''' – cover art by Casey Coller and Joana Lafuente
File:IDWCollectionP2V2.jpg|'''''The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 2''''' – cover art by [[Saren Stone]]
File:IDWCollectionP2V3.jpg|'''''The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 3''''' – cover art by [[Marcelo Matere]] and [[Tom B. Long]]
File:RID vol8.jpg|'''''Volume 8''''' – cover art by [[Andrew Griffith]] and [[Josh Perez]]
File:Windblade-Distant-Stars.jpg|'''''Windblade - Distant Stars''''' – cover art by [[Naoto Tsushima]] and [[Jet Enter]]
</gallery>
 
 
* '''''[[The Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 4]]''''' <small>([[October 12]], 2016) ISBN 1631407155 / ISBN 978-1631407154</small>
** Collects ''[[The Transformers: Monstrosity|Monstrosity]]'' issues [[Derelicts|#1]]–[[Belly of the Beast (issue)|12]], ''Robots in Disguise'' issues #12–16 & [[Shockwaves|#17]]–[[Second Exodus|18]], and ''More than Meets the Eye'' issues [[Remembrance Day|#14]]–[[The Gloaming|16]].
** Hardcover format.
 
* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 64: Windblade''''' <small>([[August 9]], [[2017]])</small>
** Collects [[The Transformers: Windblade|''Windblade'' (2014)]] issues [[A 'Bot and Her City|#1]]–[[Windblade issue 4|4]], and ''The Transformers'' (2012) issues #35–38.
** Bonus material includes a bio for [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]], an overview of her conception, pictures of her ''[[Thrilling 30]]'' toy, and early design sketches by Hasbro.
** Hardcover format.
 
* '''''[[The Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 7]]''''' <small>([[March 21]], [[2018]]) ISBN 1684051495 / ISBN 978-1684051496</small>
** Collects ''More Than Meets the Eye'' issues [[World, Shut Your Mouth Part 1: Towards Peace|#28]]–[[World, Shut Your Mouth Part 3: Predestination: A Beginner's Guide|30]], [[Twenty Plus One|#31]]–[[slaughterhouse Part 2: The Road Not Taken|33]] & [[Births, Deaths, and Interventions|#34]], and ''Robots in Disguise'' issues [[Earthfall Part 1: Hello Cruel World|#28]]–[[Earthfall Part 5: I Dream of Wires|32]] & #33–34.
** Hardcover format.
 
* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 62: Earthfall''''' <small>([[August 8]], 2018)</small>
** Collects ''Robots in Disguise'' issues #28–34.
** Bonus material includes the lowdown on the (new) human cast and rare promotional posters for the [[Dawn of the Autobots]] event.
** Hardcover format.
 
* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 65: Combiner Wars''''' <small>([[October 31]], 2018)</small>
** Collects ''The Transformers'' (2012) issues #39–42, and ''Windblade'' (2015) issues #1–4.
** Bonus material includes an article on the [[Prime Wars Trilogy]].
** Hardcover format.
 
* '''''[[The Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 8]]''''' <small>([[December 19]], 2018) ISBN 1684053722 / ISBN 978-1684053728</small>
** Collects ''More than Meets the Eye'' issues [[The Custom-Made Now - An Elegant Chaos Prologue|#35]]–[[Elegant Chaos Part 3: Predestination: An Expert's Guide|38]] & [[The Permanent Revolution|#39]]–[[Our Steps Will Always Rhyme|40]], ''The Transformers'' (2012) issues #35–38, ''[[The Transformers: Punishment|Punishment]]'' issues [[City of Steel (issue)|#1]]–[[Forever Is a Long Time Coming (issue)|5]], and ''[[The Transformers: Drift - Empire of Stone|Drift - Empire of Stone]]'' issues [[Drift - Empire of Stone issue 1|#1]]–[[Drift - Empire of Stone issue 4|4]].
** Hardcover format.
 
<gallery>
File:IDWCollectionP2V4.jpg|'''''The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 4''''' – cover art by Marcelo Matere and Tom B. Long
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v64.jpg|'''''The Definitive G1 Collection: Volume 64: Windblade''''' – cover art by [[Guido Guidi]] and Saren Stone
File:IDWCollectionP2V7.jpg|'''''The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 7''''' – cover art by Marcelo Matere and Tom B. Long
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v62.jpg|'''''The Definitive G1 Collection: Volume 62: Earthfall''''' – cover art by [[Don Figueroa]] and [[Andrew Griffith]]
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v65.jpg|'''''The Definitive G1 Collection: Volume 65: Combiner Wars''''' – cover art by Don Figueroa and [[Andrew Griffith]]
File:IDWCollectionP2V8.jpg|'''''The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 8''''' – cover art by Marcelo Matere
</gallery>
 
 
* '''''[[The Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 9]]''''' <small>([[June 19]], [[2019]]) ISBN 1684054842 / ISBN 978-1684054848</small>
** Collects ''The Transformers'' (2012) issues #39–41, #42–[[South of Heaven|43]], ''Windblade'' (2015) issues #1–3 & #4–[[Race Against the Light|5]], and ''More than Meets the Eye'' issues [[The Sensuous Frame|#41]]–[[The Not Knowing|44]].
** Hardcover format.
 
* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 67: Conquerors''''' <small>([[July 24]], 2019)</small>
** Collects ''The Transformers'' (2012) issues #43–[[Conquerors Part 4: Perihelion|49]], and ''Combiner Hunters'' #1.
** Bonus material includes development art by Andrew Griffith, a cover gallery and an intro by [[Simon Furman]].
** Hardcover format.
 
* '''''[[The Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 10]]''''' <small>([[January 1]], [[2020]]) ISBN 1684055849 / ISBN 978-1684055845</small>
** Collects ''Windblade'' (2015) issues [[Windblade vol. 2 issue 6|#6]]–[[The Will of the Few|7]], ''The Transformers'' (2012) issues [[The Transgressors|#44]]–[[The Nothing Man|45]], ''Combiner Hunters'' #1, ''[[The Transformers: Sins of the Wreckers|Sins of the Wreckers]]'' issues [[Sins of the Wreckers issue 1|#1]]–[[Sins of the Wreckers issue 5|5]], ''More than Meets the Eye'' issues [[Some Of My Best Friends Are Autobots|#45]]–[[The Lopsided Triangle|47]] & [[Speak, Memory: Part 1|#48]]–[[Speak, Memory! (Part 2)|49]], ''[[The Transformers Holiday Special]]:'' "[[Choose Me]]" & "[[The Thirteenth Day of Christmas]]".
** Hardcover format.
 
* '''''[[Transformers: Best of Arcee]]''''' <small>([[October 5]], [[2022]])</small>
** Collects ''Combiner Hunters'' [[An Uneventful Night|#1: "An Uneventful Night"]], [[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|''The Transformers'' (2012)]] [[All Hail Optimus Part 6: No Fair Fights|#55: "All Hail Optimus Part 6: No Fair Fights"]], [[Optimus Prime (comic)|''Optimus Prime'']] [[The Life of Sideswipe|#9: "The Life of Sideswipe"]], Excerpt from ''Optimus Prime'' [[The Falling, Chapter 6: Unforgivable|#21: "The Falling, Chapter 6: Unforgivable"]], [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|''The Transformers'' (1984)]] [[Aspects of Evil!|#224: "Aspects of Evil!"]], and [[Transformers (2019 comic)|''Transformers'' (2019)]] [[Arcee/Greenlight: Run|#18: "Arcee/Greenlight: Run"]].
** Bonus material includes an art gallery.
** One-shot format.
 
<gallery>
File:IDWCollectionP2V9.jpg|'''''The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 9''''' – cover art by Marcelo Matere
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v67.jpg|'''''The Definitive G1 Collection: Volume 67: Conquerors''''' – cover art by Don Figueroa and Andrew Griffith
File:IDWCollectionP2V10.jpg|'''''The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 10''''' – cover art by Marcelo Matere
File:BestOfArcee_cvr.jpg|'''''Best of Arcee''''' – cover art by [[James Biggie]]
</gallery>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


[[Category:Combiner Wars| ]]
[[Category:Combiner Wars]]
[[Category:Generation 1 comic series]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) comic series]]
[[Category:IDW Robots in Disguise (2012) issues]]
[[Category:IDW Robots in Disguise (2012) issues]]
[[Category:IDW titles]]
[[Category:Story arcs]]
[[Category:Windblade issues]]
[[Category:Windblade issues]]

Latest revision as of 12:21, 3 October 2025
Prime Wars Trilogy
« Combiner Wars »
More of a Combiner Scuffle, really. Maybe a Combiner Oh We Came To Fisticuffs A Couple Of Times.

"Combiner Wars" is an "event" storyline published in early 2015 by IDW Publishing, tying into the concurrent release of the Combiner Wars toyline. The storyline takes place in alternating issues of the Windblade miniseries and the The Transformers ongoing, followed by a one-shot comic. More than Meets the Eye was going to be part of it (hence the Protectobots being on the Lost Light) but IDW felt this would undermine the book's direction.[1]

« "Combiner Wars" chapters: »
Superion/"Prowlastator" origin

"First Strike"

"Combiner Wars"

"Epilogue"

"Combiner Hunters"
Toy pack-in numbering


IDW Publishing's comic book events
Inter-company crossovers
Transformers events
Hasbro Universe events

Prequels

[edit]

Combiners and the technology behind them were an important part of Robots in Disguise since its early stages, underpinning much of the book's initial 16-issue story arc. Eight issues covering the creation of Superion and the new incarnation of Devastator were reprinted with the Combiner Wars Deluxe Class Aerialbot and Stunticon toys, rebranded as Combiner Wars #1-8. Due to production timing issues, however, issues #1 and #2 were not released in these initial waves, whilst #3 was available only with the limited-release Quickslinger figure. Issues #1 and #2 (and reprints of #3 and #4) would later be released with the Combiner Wars Deluxe Class Combaticon toys.

Explicit buildup for the event began in Robots in Disguise #33, which introduced the notion of a combiner arms race, as well as setting the stage for Superion's new team members. The next five issues would go on to tell a story about the Enigma of Combination, an ancient Cybertronian artifact holding the key to successful combiners. Whilst not billed as such in their initial release, the trade paperback collecting these issues was labeled Combiner Wars—First Strike, and they were reprinted as Combiner Wars #9-14 with the third and fourth waves of Deluxe Class figures.

Overview

[edit]

The series sees tensions surrounding the IDW universe's combiners come to a head when Starscream-led Cybertron re-establishes contact with Windblade's homeworld: the long-lost colony Caminus. Using the Enigma of Combination—recovered from Earth by Scoop—Starscream restores Menasor and Superion and sends them to play out a scripted "attack" on Caminus. The colony world is "saved" from Menasor by Superion, putting Caminus in Starscream's debt. Fearing that Starscream's control of the colony worlds will herald the beginning of a new Cybertronian empire, but unable to take direct action against him because of Starscream's position as the legal, elected leader of the planet, Optimus Prime and Windblade work against him as best they can, which becomes easier when it turns out that, as a Prime, Optimus is considered divine by the Camiens, leading them to look to him for leadership, rather than Starscream.

Meanwhile, on the Lost Light, Mirage has a vision of a terrible future, and is brought to Cybertron by the Protectobots. They arrive around the same time as Prowl and the Constructicons; Prowl also does not want to see Starscream in charge of a new empire, but unlike Optimus, he is willing to sacrifice the colony worlds and Cybertron's safety in order to prevent it. Prowl and the Constructicons merge into Devastator with intent to destroy the space bridge between Cybertron and Caminus, but Starscream uses the Enigma to turn the Protectobots into Defensor, who, with the help of Superion, defeats Devastator. Prowl is locked up, but Starscream then uses the Enigma to have Scoop take his place in Devastator, giving Starscream control of yet another combiner.

Rattrap turns out to have secretly been working for Prowl, and puts his contingency plan into play—he frees Menasor, who makes another attack on Caminus, causing enough chaos that Rattrap is able to steal the Enigma. Starscream sends Devastator to stop Menasor, but the Constructicon combiner soon runs out of control, leading to a four-way combiner battle across the colony worlds via a malfunctioning space bridge. To bring the conflict to an end, Prowl uses the Enigma to merge himself, Mirage, Ironhide, Sunstreaker, and Optimus Prime together—only to find that the will of his fellow Autobots overpowers his own, forcing him to cede control of the new combiner they have formed, which dubs itself "Optimus Maximus." Maximus defeats Devastator, and Prowl and the Enigma are locked away once more.

In the aftermath of the conflict, however, Prowl escapes custody, and Arcee steals the Enigma with intent to destroy it. A group of visiting Camiens known as the Torchbearers are caught up in Windblade and Chromia's attempt to stop Arcee, and wind up being exposed to the Enigma and merged into Victorion.

Sequels

[edit]

After the event, the June 2015 issues of The Transformers vol. 2 and Windblade vol. 2 were branded "Combiner Wars Epilogue". In July 2015, a one-shot comic branded "Combiner Hunters" was released, focusing on Arcee, Windblade, Chromia, and Victorion in the aftermath of the Combiner Wars; it was written by Mairghread Scott with art by Sara Pitre-Durocher.

Creative team

[edit]

The Transformers issues are written and drawn by John Barber and Livio Ramondelli, respectively, whilst Windblade sees the return of the first miniseries's writer and artist team of Mairghread Scott and Saren Stone. Casey Coller draws the regular covers, and Ramondelli provides subscription covers which form larger images in pairs. Retailer incentive covers feature art from Transformers Legends artist Sara Pitre-Durocher. The profiles on the back of the pack-in versions of the comics were written by Mark Weber[2].

Collections

[edit]
  • The Transformers Volume 7: Combiner Wars First Strike (April 8, 2015) ISBN 1631402854 / ISBN 978-1631402852
    • Collects The Transformers (2012) issues #33–38.
    • Bonus material includes covers from each issue.
    • Trade paperback format.
  • The Transformers: Combiner Wars (August 12, 2015) ISBN 1631403869 / ISBN 978-1631403866
    • Collects The Transformers (2012) issues #39–41, and Windblade (2015) issues #1–3.
    • Bonus material includes covers from each issue.
    • Trade paperback format.
  • The Transformers Volume 8 (March 16, 2016) ISBN 1631405853 / ISBN 978-1631405853
    • Collects The Transformers (2012) issues #42–45.
    • Bonus material includes covers from each issue.
    • Trade paperback format.
  • The Transformers: Windblade - Distant Stars (April 20, 2016) ISBN 1631406000 / ISBN 978-1631406003
    • Collects Windblade (2015) issues #4–7, and Combiner Hunters #1.
    • Trade paperback format.


  • The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 4 – cover art by Marcelo Matere and Tom B. Long
    The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 4 – cover art by Marcelo Matere and Tom B. Long
  • The Definitive G1 Collection: Volume 64: Windblade – cover art by Guido Guidi and Saren Stone
    The Definitive G1 Collection: Volume 64: Windblade – cover art by Guido Guidi and Saren Stone
  • The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 7 – cover art by Marcelo Matere and Tom B. Long
    The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 7 – cover art by Marcelo Matere and Tom B. Long
  • The Definitive G1 Collection: Volume 62: Earthfall – cover art by Don Figueroa and Andrew Griffith
    The Definitive G1 Collection: Volume 62: Earthfall – cover art by Don Figueroa and Andrew Griffith
  • The Definitive G1 Collection: Volume 65: Combiner Wars – cover art by Don Figueroa and Andrew Griffith
    The Definitive G1 Collection: Volume 65: Combiner Wars – cover art by Don Figueroa and Andrew Griffith
  • The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 8 – cover art by Marcelo Matere
    The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 8 – cover art by Marcelo Matere


  • The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 9 – cover art by Marcelo Matere
    The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 9 – cover art by Marcelo Matere
  • The Definitive G1 Collection: Volume 67: Conquerors – cover art by Don Figueroa and Andrew Griffith
    The Definitive G1 Collection: Volume 67: Conquerors – cover art by Don Figueroa and Andrew Griffith
  • The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 10 – cover art by Marcelo Matere
    The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 10 – cover art by Marcelo Matere
  • Best of Arcee – cover art by James Biggie
    Best of Arcee – cover art by James Biggie

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ TFcon 2015 - Interview with James Roberts (Transformers MTMTE), 08:40 to 12:12
  2. ↑ Although we'd be remiss not to mention somewhere that these were attributed to Rung or Soundwave depending on faction.
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