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|letters by=[[Tom B. Long]]
|letters by=[[Tom B. Long]]
|editor=[[David Mariotte]]
|editor=[[David Mariotte]]
|continuity=[[2005 IDW continuity|IDW continuity]]
|continuity=[[2005 IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[2005 IDW timeline|Current era]]
|chronology=[[2005 IDW timeline|Current era]]
}}
}}
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''Slide remembers the colonization of Devisiun less morbidly. In her memory, the natives were a poor people with little to live for, who the colonists saved from their feral existence. She remembers her happy life there, playing with the natives with her bonded partner [[Oiler]]... and how that life was taken away from her when Oiler died on Earth, thanks to following the words of Optimus Prime.''
''Slide remembers the colonization of Devisiun less morbidly. In her memory, the natives were a poor people with little to live for, who the colonists saved from their feral existence. She remembers her happy life there, playing with the natives with her bonded partner [[Oiler]]... and how that life was taken away from her when Oiler died on Earth, thanks to following the words of Optimus Prime.''


In [[Little Cybertron]] on [[Marshall Islands|Bikini Atoll]], [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] and [[Rum-Maj]] eavesdrop on Marissa's phonecall to Thundercracker. Rum-Maj reflects that cyclical violence seems to be the way of Cybertronians, worsening now as the enormity of the threat of [[Unicron]] hastens everything on the way to its end. Neither of the two want to see another world they've come to call home die, but Wreck-Gar has no idea how to prevent it. Fortunately, Rum-Maj tells him as she looks over over the shoal of [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]] swimming in the waters below, ''she'' does...  
In [[Little Cybertron]] on [[Marshall Islands|Bikini Atoll]], [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] and [[Rum-Maj]] eavesdrop on Marissa's phonecall to Thundercracker. Rum-Maj reflects that cyclical violence seems to be the way of Cybertronians, worsening now as the enormity of the threat of [[Unicron]] hastens everything on the way to its end. Neither of the two want to see another world they've come to call home die, but Wreck-Gar has no idea how to prevent it. Fortunately, Rum-Maj tells him as she looks over over the shoal of [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]] swimming in the waters below, ''she'' does...


Jazz reflects on his first trip to Earth, sent by Optimus Prime as an advance scout on a mission of infiltration; on the escalation that followed as he called in the other Autobots; and on the devastation that resulted as the [[Decepticon]]s unleashed their fury upon the planet. Lost in thought, he does not notice the noise of battle outside until Spike brings it to his attention by cautioning him that it is not his problem. But as far as Jazz is concerned, it's ''absolutely'' his problem; he is responsible both for bringing the Autobots to Earth in the first place, and for the colonists being here, now, trying to rescue him. Revealing that he was only a prisoner because he allowed himself to be one, Jazz stands, easily snaps his chains, and smashes his way through the door outside, determined to stop the fighting.
Jazz reflects on his first trip to Earth, sent by Optimus Prime as an advance scout on a mission of infiltration; on the escalation that followed as he called in the other Autobots; and on the devastation that resulted as the [[Decepticon]]s unleashed their fury upon the planet. Lost in thought, he does not notice the noise of battle outside until Spike brings it to his attention by cautioning him that it is not his problem. But as far as Jazz is concerned, it's ''absolutely'' his problem; he is responsible both for bringing the Autobots to Earth in the first place, and for the colonists being here, now, trying to rescue him. Revealing that he was only a prisoner because he allowed himself to be one, Jazz stands, easily snaps his chains, and smashes his way through the door outside, determined to stop the fighting.


''[[Gimlet]] thinks back on his life on [[Jungle Planet (colony)|Eukaris]], a world founded as a haven for beastformers by [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity#Onyx Prime|a Prime]] who worked to have his kind accepted by other Transformers. It was in the spirit of that noble goal that Gimlet and his friend [[Bump]] volunteered to join Optimus Prime and help bring peace to another organic world, Earth.''
''[[Gimlet]] thinks back on his life on [[Jungle Planet (colony)|Eukaris]], a world founded as a haven for beastformers by [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity#Onyx Prime|a Prime]] who worked to have his kind accepted by other Transformers. It was in the spirit of that noble goal that Gimlet and his friend [[Bump (BW)|Bump]] volunteered to join Optimus Prime and help bring peace to another organic world, Earth.''


Frustrated at being repeatedly shot by Mainframe, Gimlet crushes the [[VAMP]] he is driving. Too late, Gimlet realizes that in doing so, he has grievously wounded Mainframe himself—but that realization only lasts a moment before Slug, driven to a berserker fury by the young colonist's act, cleaves Gimlet in two with his sword, killing him. Lying in Hi-Tech's arms, Mainframe recalls how he blamed all Cybertronians for the destruction they brought to Earth, and how he learned the error of his ways upon getting to know some of them personally, realizing they were all individuals, just like humans. It is with this thought in his mind that Mainframe dies, using his last words to urge Hi-Tech not to let the entire Earth/Cybertron alliance fall apart because of what has happened.
Frustrated at being repeatedly shot by Mainframe, Gimlet crushes the [[VAMP]] he is driving. Too late, Gimlet realizes that in doing so, he has grievously wounded Mainframe himself—but that realization only lasts a moment before Slug, driven to a berserker fury by the young colonist's act, cleaves Gimlet in two with his sword, killing him. Lying in Hi-Tech's arms, Mainframe recalls how he blamed all Cybertronians for the destruction they brought to Earth, and how he learned the error of his ways upon getting to know some of them personally, realizing they were all individuals, just like humans. It is with this thought in his mind that Mainframe dies, using his last words to urge Hi-Tech not to let the entire Earth/Cybertron alliance fall apart because of what has happened.


Sky Lynx turns on Slug, blasting him with his flame breath, while Slide charges into the Dinobot from behind, angrily declaring him "the same as Optimus Prime." The words cut deep; Slug has long had issues with Prime and the way Slug believes he has used the Dinobots to do the Autobots' dirty work and keep his own hands clean. Slug is reminded of the ''new'' purpose the Dinobots now have—defending the next generation of [[protoform]]s born within [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]—and the red mist lifts, leaving him horrified and numb at what he has done to Gimlet. Still the fighting rages on as Slide and Strafe grapple, and things seem poised to get even worse when Rum-Maj and Wreck-Gar descend from the heavens, riding at the front of the Sharkticon swarm. Fortunately, Jazz is able to get between the [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]] and everyone else and confirms that they are here as friends. Slide, of course, doesn't want to hear it; the Junkions killed Oiler, after all, and she still hates Optimus Prime for allying with them—just as he allied with killers like the Decepticons, and just as Slide believes he is now standing by and allowing the ultimate killer, the planet-eating Unicron, to destroy the colonies.  
Sky Lynx turns on Slug, blasting him with his flame breath, while Slide charges into the Dinobot from behind, angrily declaring him "the same as Optimus Prime." The words cut deep; Slug has long had issues with Prime and the way Slug believes he has used the Dinobots to do the Autobots' dirty work and keep his own hands clean. Slug is reminded of the ''new'' purpose the Dinobots now have—defending the next generation of [[protoform]]s born within [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]—and the red mist lifts, leaving him horrified and numb at what he has done to Gimlet. Still the fighting rages on as Slide and Strafe grapple, and things seem poised to get even worse when Rum-Maj and Wreck-Gar descend from the heavens, riding at the front of the Sharkticon swarm. Fortunately, Jazz is able to get between the [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]] and everyone else and confirms that they are here as friends. Slide, of course, doesn't want to hear it; the Junkions killed Oiler, after all, and she still hates Optimus Prime for allying with them—just as he allied with killers like the Decepticons, and just as Slide believes he is now standing by and allowing the ultimate killer, the planet-eating Unicron, to destroy the colonies.


It is then, as if on cue, that Unicron itself appears in the skies over Earth...!
It is then, as if on cue, that Unicron itself appears in the skies over Earth...!
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{{!}}-
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Jazz (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Jazz]] (4)
* [[Jazz (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Jazz]] (4)
*[[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] (10)
* [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] (10)
*[[Slag (G1)|Slug]] (12)
* [[Slag (G1)|Slug]] (12)
*[[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] (14)
* [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] (14)
*[[Gimlet]] (15)
* [[Gimlet]] (15)
*[[Bump]] (16)
* [[Bump (BW)|Bump]] (16)
*[[Roulette (Universe)|Roulette]] (17)
* [[Roulette (Universe)|Roulette]] (17)
*[[Midnight Express (RID)|Midnight Express]] (18)
* [[Midnight Express (RID)|Midnight Express]] (18)
*[[Slide]] (19)
* [[Slide]] (19)
*''[[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]]'' (25)
* ''[[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]]'' (25)
*''[[Aileron]]'' (31)
* ''[[Aileron]]'' (31)
*''[[Grimlock (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Grimlock]]'' (34)
* ''[[Grimlock (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Grimlock]]'' (34)
*''[[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]]'' (35)
* ''[[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]]'' (35)
*''[[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]]'' (36)
* ''[[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]]'' (36)
{{!}}}
{{!}}}


|c2=
|c2=
*''[[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]]'' (24)
* ''[[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]]'' (24)
*''[[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]'' (26)
* ''[[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]'' (26)
*''[[Soundwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Soundwave]]'' (33)
* ''[[Soundwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Soundwave]]'' (33)


|h3=[[Human]]s|c3=
|h3=[[Human]]s|c3=
'''[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]'''
'''[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]'''
*[[Zilong Qian|Talon]] (3)
* [[Zilong Qian|Talon]] (3)
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Spike Witwicky]] (5)
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Spike Witwicky]] (5)
*[[Mainframe (G.I. Joe)|Mainframe]] (7)
* [[Mainframe (G.I. Joe)|Mainframe]] (7)
*[[Flint (G.I. Joe)|Flint]] (8)
* [[Flint (G.I. Joe)|Flint]] (8)
*[[Sanjay Bharwaney|Hi-Tech]] (9)
* [[Sanjay Bharwaney|Hi-Tech]] (9)
*[[Marissa Faireborn]] (13)
* [[Marissa Faireborn]] (13)
*''[[Scarlett]]'' (32)
* ''[[Scarlett]]'' (32)
'''Others'''
'''Others'''
*''[[John Powell]]'' (27)
* ''[[John Powell]]'' (27)


|h4=[[Junkion (species)|Junkions]]|c4=
|h4=[[Junkion (species)|Junkions]]|c4=
*[[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] (21)
* [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] (21)
*[[Rum-Maj]] (22)
* [[Rum-Maj]] (22)
*Various [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]] (23)
* Various [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]] (23)
*[[Vajra]] (37)
* [[Vajra]] (37)


|h5=Others|c5=
|h5=Others|c5=
'''Other Cybertronians'''
'''Other Cybertronians'''
*''[[Devisiun (Titan)|Devisiun]]'' (2)
* ''[[Devisiun (Titan)|Devisiun]]'' (2)
*[[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] (6)
* [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] (6)
*[[Strafe (IDW)|Strafe]] (11)
* [[Strafe (IDW)|Strafe]] (11)
*''[[Oiler]]'' (20)
* ''[[Oiler]]'' (20)
*''[[Tasmania Kid]]'' (28)
* ''[[Tasmania Kid (BW)|Tasmania Kid]]'' (28)
*''[[Longrack (BW)|Longrack]]'' (29)
* ''[[Longrack (BW)|Longrack]]'' (29)
*''[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]]'' (30)
* ''[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]]'' (30)


'''Others'''
'''Others'''
*''[[Native Devisen]]s'' (1)
* ''[[Native Devisen]]s'' (1)
*[[Unicron]] (38)
* [[Unicron]] (38)
}}
}}


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==Notes==
==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
===Continuity notes===
*As with last issue, the title of this story is a line from the [[Dark Cybertron (prophecy)|Dark Cybertron prophecy]].
* As with last issue, the title of this story is a line from the [[Dark Cybertron (prophecy)|Dark Cybertron prophecy]].
*The events of [[Last Stand (Unicron)|''Unicron'' #1]]-[[Our Finest|3]] have occurred between last issue and this one; this issue takes place concurrently with [[Road's End|''Unicron'' #4]], released on the same day, which also concludes with Unicron arriving over Earth. Flint notes "the president had more important places to be," with a footnote directing readers to ''Unicron'' #4; as seen in that issue, she's with the larger Joe force in Trinity Bay, [[Texas]].
* The events of [[Last Stand (Unicron)|''Unicron'' #1]]-[[Our Finest|3]] have occurred between last issue and this one; this issue takes place concurrently with [[Road's End|''Unicron'' #4]], released on the same day, which also concludes with Unicron arriving over Earth. Flint notes "the president had more important places to be," with a footnote directing readers to ''Unicron'' #4; as seen in that issue, she's with the larger Joe force in Trinity Bay, [[Texas]].
*The fact that the Titan who brought Cybertronian life to Devisiun did not survive its landing on the planet was originally revealed in [[Windblade vol. 2 issue 6|''Windblade'' vol. 2 #6]]. This Titan's name is never given, but the native Devisens refer to it as the "World Breaker," and all that came from it as the "Unyielding Shimmer."
* The fact that the Titan who brought Cybertronian life to Devisiun did not survive its landing on the planet was originally revealed in [[Windblade vol. 2 issue 6|''Windblade'' vol. 2 #6]]. This Titan's name is never given, but the native Devisens refer to it as the "World Breaker," and all that came from it as the "Unyielding Shimmer."
*Spike recalls the conversation he once had with Optimus Prime in a prison cell, in [[Things Fall Apart, Part 2: "A Rude Awakening"|''Transformers'' vol. 1 #3]].
* Spike recalls the conversation he once had with Optimus Prime in a prison cell, in [[Things Fall Apart, Part 2: "A Rude Awakening"|''Transformers'' vol. 1 #3]].
*The idea that Jazz was the first Autobot sent to Earth by Optimus Prime was introduced in [[Police Action: Part 1|''The Transformers'' vol. 1 #25]] and clarified with more detail in [[What It's Really Like|''Optimus Prime'' #8]].
* The idea that Jazz was the first Autobot sent to Earth by Optimus Prime was introduced in [[Police Action: Part 1|''The Transformers'' vol. 1 #25]] and clarified with more detail in [[What It's Really Like|''Optimus Prime'' #8]].
*Jazz is shown [[scanning]] an [[alternate mode]] on Earth; the mechanism by which Transformers in the IDW continuity assumed their alternate mode has always been somewhat nebulous, with several offhand comments implying manual reconstruction playing a role in the process. This scene finally clarifies that the process is similar to the on-board [[trans-scan]]ning used by Transformers of the live-action movies, involving an on-board set of optical scanners capable of nigh-instantaneously reconstructing a Transformer's alternate mode into an identical shape. Barring an off-panel scene in the now-integrated ''[[Hearts of Steel]]'' miniseries, this is the first time we see a Transformer changing alternate modes in the space of a single issue.
* Jazz is shown [[scanning]] an [[alternate mode]] on Earth; the mechanism by which Transformers in the IDW continuity assumed their alternate mode has always been somewhat nebulous, with several offhand comments implying manual reconstruction playing a role in the process. This scene finally clarifies that the process is similar to the on-board [[scanning]] used by Transformers of the live-action movies, involving an on-board set of optical scanners capable of nigh-instantaneously reconstructing a Transformer's alternate mode into an identical shape. Barring an off-panel scene in the now-integrated ''[[Hearts of Steel]]'' miniseries, this is the first time we see a Transformer changing alternate modes in the space of a single issue.
*Other scenes seen in flashback include Optimus Prime arriving on Earth for the first time (which took place off-panel in [[Infiltration issue 6|''Infiltration'' #6]]), Devastator's rampage (from ''[[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron|All Hail Megatron]]''), and John Powell wielding a Megatron gun (from [[Revenge of the Decepticons Part 4: Burning Chrome|''The Transformers'' vol. 1 #17]]).
* Other scenes seen in flashback include Optimus Prime arriving on Earth for the first time (which took place off-panel in [[Infiltration issue 6|''Infiltration'' #6]]), Devastator's rampage (from ''[[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron|All Hail Megatron]]''), and John Powell wielding a Megatron gun (from [[Revenge of the Decepticons Part 4: Burning Chrome|''The Transformers'' vol. 1 #17]]).
*This is not the first time Gimlet's temper has landed him in trouble; in what might be called foreshadowing, [[Primeless, Part 1|''Optimus Prime'' #11]] had an emotional Gimlet ''almost'' flatten Mainframe.
* This is not the first time Gimlet's temper has landed him in trouble; in what might be called foreshadowing, [[Primeless, Part 1|''Optimus Prime'' #11]] had an emotional Gimlet ''almost'' flatten Mainframe.
*Mainframe recalls working with Soundwave in [[Valley Forge|''Revolution'' #5]].
* Mainframe recalls working with Soundwave in [[Valley Forge|''Revolution'' #5]].
*Slug's longstanding issues with Optimus Prime were explored in ''[[The Transformers: Punishment|Punishment]]''.
* Slug's longstanding issues with Optimus Prime were explored in ''[[The Transformers: Punishment|Punishment]]''.
*Slug flashes back to the Dinobots watching the emergence of the next generation of protoforms, from ''[[The Transformers: Salvation|Salvation]]''.
* Slug flashes back to the Dinobots watching the emergence of the next generation of protoforms, from ''[[The Transformers: Salvation|Salvation]]''.


===Transformers references===
===Transformers references===
*Rum-Maj's description of Unicron (quoted above) as "the black hole at time's end" is certainly very evocative of the [[Unicron Singularity]] from ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Transformers: Cybertron]]'', a black hole created by Unicron's destruction which was, in the episode "[[Guardian (episode)|Guardian]]", even described as "the end of time."  
* Rum-Maj's description of Unicron (quoted above) as "the black hole at time's end" is certainly very evocative of the [[Unicron Singularity]] from ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Transformers: Cybertron]]'', a black hole created by Unicron's destruction which was, in the episode "[[Guardian (episode)|Guardian]]", even described as "the end of time."  
*Wreck-Gar says he fell in love with Rum-Maj on the planet [[Thrull]], a world that first appeared in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]] episode "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1]]."
* Wreck-Gar says he fell in love with Rum-Maj on the planet [[Thrull]], a world that first appeared in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]] episode "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1]]."
*Appearing as Gimlet and Bump's friends on Eukaris are fellow Japanese ''Beast Wars'' characters [[Tasmania Kid]] and [[Longrack (BW)|Longrack]].
* Appearing as Gimlet and Bump's friends on Eukaris are fellow Japanese ''Beast Wars'' characters [[Tasmania Kid (BW)|Tasmania Kid]] and [[Longrack (BW)|Longrack]].


===Other Hasbro franchise references===
===Other Hasbro franchise references===
*The G.I. Joe base near Trypticon is based on the "Headquarters Command Center" playset from the '80s ''G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero'' toyline. The [[Dragonfly]] and [[VAMP]] vehicles from the same line can be seen outside.
* The G.I. Joe base near Trypticon is based on the "Headquarters Command Center" playset from the '80s ''G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero'' toyline. The [[Dragonfly]] and [[VAMP]] vehicles from the same line can be seen outside.


===Real-life references===
===Real-life references===
*Wreck-Gar's sounding a little more like his classic self with the number of pop-culture references he makes this issue, including:
* Wreck-Gar's sounding a little more like his classic self with the number of pop-culture references he makes this issue, including:
**"Second verse - same as the first"—a phrase popularized by the band {{w|Herman's Hermits}} in their song "{{w|I'm Henery the Eighth, I Am}}", although Wreck-Gar ''may'' be more directly referencing its later homage in the {{w|Ramones}} song "{{w|Judy Is a Punk}}", given his punk-rock contextualization.
** "Second verse - same as the first"—a phrase popularized by the band {{w|Herman's Hermits}} in their song "{{w|I'm Henery the Eighth, I Am}}", although Wreck-Gar ''may'' be more directly referencing its later homage in the {{w|Ramones}} song "{{w|Judy Is a Punk}}", given his punk-rock contextualization.
**"Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent"—from the opening narration to ''{{w|Dragnet (franchise)|Dragnet}}'' <!--No clue about the "But Garret" that follows it.-->
** "Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent"—from the opening narration to ''{{w|Dragnet (franchise)|Dragnet}}'' <!--No clue about the "But Garret" that follows it.-->
**"No one is innocent"—probably an allusion to the {{w|Sex Pistols}} song {{w|No One Is Innocent (song)|of the same name}}
** "No one is innocent"—probably an allusion to the {{w|Sex Pistols}} song {{w|No One Is Innocent (song)|of the same name}}
**He refers to Rum-Maj as "Honey Bunches of Oats", the name of a breakfast cereal by Post.
** He refers to Rum-Maj as "Honey Bunches of Oats", the name of a breakfast cereal by Post.
*Rum-Maj's Sharkticon steed is given the name "Vajra," a {{w|Vajra|Sanskrit word}} meaning "thunderbolt" and "diamond," which is the name of a clubbed weapon wielded by the Vedic deity {{w|Indra}}.
* Rum-Maj's Sharkticon steed is given the name "Vajra," a {{w|Vajra|Sanskrit word}} meaning "thunderbolt" and "diamond," which is the name of a clubbed weapon wielded by the Vedic deity {{w|Indra}}.


===Errors===
===Errors===
*On page 3, Marissa's surname is misspelled "Fairborne" instead of "Faireborn."  
* On page 3, Marissa's surname is misspelled "Fairborne" instead of "Faireborn."  
*Wreck-Gar refers to Rum-Maj as "mon chère," which is grammatically incorrect French; he ought to be using the feminine determiner, "ma chère" (while the male would be "mon cher").
* Wreck-Gar refers to Rum-Maj as "mon chère," which is grammatically incorrect French; he ought to be using the feminine determiner, "ma chère" (while the male would be "mon cher").
*Swoop's eyes are miscolored as blue instead of their usual yellow.
* Swoop's eyes are miscolored as blue instead of their usual yellow.
*Perhaps not ''strictly'' an error, but during the flashback to Gimlet and Bump's days on Eukaris, Bump is depicted as wearing a faceplate. Unlike Gimlet, who was always be-faceplated, Bump's original toy had a normal mouth and it had also been previously implied he and the other colonists only began wearing faceplates as a tribute to Optimus. By contrast, Slide's flashback depicts both her and Oiler with mouths before they met Optimus. In the same vein, Soundwave's faceplate is drawn slightly differently from his other appearances, having a raised point in the center like his G1 cartoon counterpart instead of sloping down to the center.
* Perhaps not ''strictly'' an error, but during the flashback to Gimlet and Bump's days on Eukaris, Bump is depicted as wearing a faceplate. Unlike Gimlet, who was always be-faceplated, Bump's original toy had a normal mouth and it had also been previously implied he and the other colonists only began wearing faceplates as a tribute to Optimus. By contrast, Slide's flashback depicts both her and Oiler with mouths before they met Optimus. In the same vein, Soundwave's faceplate is drawn slightly differently from his other appearances, having a raised point in the center like his G1 cartoon counterpart instead of sloping down to the center.
*During Gimlet's flashback to his days on Eukaris, a native Devisen can be seen perched on a tree.
* During Gimlet's flashback to his days on Eukaris, a native Devisen can be seen perched on a tree.
*Slug's flashback is something of an anachronism; it depicts the Dinobots in their dinosaur bodies, battling Decepticons during the height of the Great War — when the team only adopted those same dinosaur modes ten thousand years ago on Earth. It's not clear if this is an artist or authorial error!
* Slug's flashback is something of an anachronism; it depicts the Dinobots in their dinosaur bodies, battling Decepticons during the height of the Great War — when the team only adopted those same dinosaur modes ten thousand years ago on Earth. It's not clear if this is an artist or authorial error!


===Other trivia===
===Other trivia===
*Originally solicited for released in August 2018, this issue arrived a little late, in the first week of September.
* Originally solicited for released in August 2018, this issue arrived a little late, in the first week of September.


===Covers (3)===
===Covers (3)===
*'''Cover A:''' Rum-Maj, Wreck-Gar, and the Sharkticons, by [[Kei Zama]] and [[Josh Burcham]]
* '''Cover A:''' Rum-Maj, Wreck-Gar, and the Sharkticons, by [[Kei Zama]] and [[Josh Burcham]]
*'''Cover B:''' The colonist soldiers by [[Priscilla Tramontano]]
* '''Cover B:''' The colonist soldiers by [[Priscilla Tramontano]]
*'''Retailer incentive cover:''' Black-and-white lineart version of Cover A
* '''Retailer incentive cover:''' Black-and-white lineart version of Cover A
 
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:OP23 cvrA.jpg|
File:OP23 cvrA.jpg|
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===Advertisements===
===Advertisements===
*''Optimus Prime'' #24
* ''Optimus Prime'' #24
*''[[Transformers: Unicron]]''
* ''[[Transformers: Unicron]]''
*''TMNT: Bebop and Rocksteady Hit the Road'' mini-series
* ''[[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles|TMNT]]: Bebop and Rocksteady Hit the Road'' mini-series
*''[[Transformers: Bumblebee - Win If You Dare]]'' graphic novel
* ''[[Transformers: Bumblebee - Win If You Dare]]'' graphic novel
*In Memoriam: Harlan Ellison
* In Memoriam: Harlan Ellison
*''Wynonna Earp'' Season 3
* ''Wynonna Earp'' Season 3


===Reprints===
===Reprints===
*'''''Optimus Prime''''' Vol. 5 TPB <small>([[February 6]], [[2019]]) ISBN 1684054117 / ISBN 978-1684054114</small>
* '''''Optimus Prime Volume 5''''' <small>([[February 6]], [[2019]]) ISBN 1684054117 / ISBN 978-1684054114</small>
:*Contains ''Optimus Prime'' issues #22 to #25, along with the [[Starscream: The Movie (comic)|''Optimus Prime'' 2018 Annual]].
** Collects ''Optimus Prime'' issues #22–25 and Annual 2018.
:*Bonus material includes art from most covers.
** Bonus material includes art from most covers.
** Trade paperback format.


*'''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]] Volume 85: The Falling Part 2''''' <small>([[June 3]], [[2020]])</small>
* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]] Volume 85: The Falling Part 2''''' <small>([[June 3]], [[2020]])</small>
:*Contains ''Optimus Prime'' issues #18 to #24.
** Collects ''Optimus Prime'' issues #18–24.
:*Bonus material includes a cover gallery and an intro by [[Simon Furman]].
** Bonus material includes a cover gallery and an intro by [[Simon Furman]].
** Hardcover format.


<gallery>
<gallery>
File:OP_V5_TPB.jpg|'''''Optimus Prime'' Volume Five''' cover by [[Casey Coller]] and [[John-Paul Bove]]
File:OP_V5_TPB.jpg|'''''Volume 5''''' – cover art by [[Casey Coller]] and [[John-Paul Bove]]
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v85.jpg|'''''The Definitive G1 Collection Volume 85: The Falling Part 2''''' cover by [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] and [[Kei Zama]]
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v85.jpg|'''''The Definitive G1 Collection Volume 85: The Falling Part 2''''' – cover art by [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] and [[Kei Zama]]
</gallery>
</gallery>


==External links==
==External links==
*[https://www.comiccrusaders.com/exclusive-preview-optimus-prime-23/ Preview]
* [https://www.comiccrusaders.com/exclusive-preview-optimus-prime-23/ Preview]


[[Category:Optimus Prime issues]]
[[Category:Optimus Prime issues]]

Latest revision as of 18:46, 14 May 2026

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The Art of War{{#if: 23| #23| }}{{#if: |issues:}}[[Category:G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issues{{#if:		 *}}]] joevstfbh=G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers:
Black Horizon{{#if: 23| #23| }}{{#if: |issues:}}[[Category:G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issues{{#if:		 *}}]] tfgijoedf=[[{{#ifeq:op|tfgijoedf|Transformers/G.I. Joe: Divided Front|Transformers/G.I. Joe}}]]{{#if: 23| #23| }}{{#if: |issues:}}[[Category:Transformers/G.I. 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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 transformers unicron|transformers: unicron=Transformers: Unicron op |{{#ifeq:{{#switch:op 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 beast hunters|transformers prime: beast hunters (comic)=Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters (comic) 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) op [[{{#switch:op 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 beast hunters|transformers prime: beast hunters (comic)=Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters (comic) 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)  #23| }}{{#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 beast hunters|transformers prime: beast hunters (comic)=Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters (comic) 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 beast hunters|transformers prime: beast hunters (comic)=Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters (comic) 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 beast hunters|transformers prime: beast hunters (comic)=Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters (comic) 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 beast hunters|transformers prime: beast hunters (comic)=Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters (comic) 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 beast hunters|transformers prime: beast hunters (comic)=Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters (comic) 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 transformers prime: beast hunters (comic)=Prime – Beast Hunters fulloffire|full of fire|full of fire!=Prime – Beast Hunters Special rid2015|robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015 comic)=Robots in Disguise (2015) Aligned}}}} issues{{#if: [[{{#switch:op transformers spotlight|transformers: spotlight|the transformers spotlight|the transformers: spotlight=The Transformers: Spotlight transformers infiltration|transformers: infiltration|the transformers infiltration|the transformers: infiltration=The Transformers: Infiltration transformers stormbringer|transformers: stormbringer|the transformers stormbringer|the transformers: stormbringer=The Transformers: Stormbringer transformers escalation|transformers: escalation|the transformers escalation|the transformers: escalation=The Transformers: Escalation megorigin|megatron origin|transformers megatron origin|transformers: megatron origin|the transformers megatron origin|the transformers: megatron origin=The Transformers: Megatron Origin transformers devastation|transformers: devastation|the transformers devastation|the transformers: devastation=The Transformers: Devastation 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 transformers bumblebee|transformers: bumblebee|the transformers bumblebee|the transformers: bumblebee=The Transformers: Bumblebee 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 transformers ironhide|transformers: ironhide|the transformers ironhide|the transformers: ironhide=The Transformers: Ironhide transformers drift|transformers: drift|the transformers drift|the transformers: drift=The Transformers: Drift 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 exrid|the transformers (idw) vol. 2=The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|The Transformers vol. 2 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 windblade2015|the transformers: windblade vol. 2|the transformers: windblade (2015)=The Transformers: Windblade|The Transformers: Windblade vol. 2 transformers autocracy|transformers: autocracy|the transformers autocracy|autocracy=The Transformers: Autocracy transformers monstrosity|transformers: monstrosity|the transformers monstrosity|monstrosity=The Transformers: Monstrosity transformers primacy|transformers: primacy|the transformers primacy|primacy=The Transformers: Primacy 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 transformers punishment|transformers: punishment|the transformers punishment|the transformers: punishment|punishment=The Transformers: Punishment transformers redemption|transformers: redemption|the transformers redemption|the transformers: redemption|redemption=The Transformers: Redemption transformers salvation|transformers: salvation|the transformers salvation|the transformers: salvation|salvation=The Transformers: Salvation transformers vs gi joe|transformers vs. g.i. joe=Transformers vs. G.I. Joe combiner hunters|combiner hunters (comic)=An Uneventful Night|Combiner Hunters titans return|titans return (comic)=Titans Return (comic)|Titans Return till all are one|transformers: till all are one|the transformers: till all are one=The Transformers: Till All Are One lost light|transformers: lost light|the transformers: lost light=The Transformers: Lost Light optimus prime|optimus prime (comic)=Optimus Prime (comic)|Optimus Prime annual2017|transformers annual 2017=Ghost Stories|Transformers Annual 2017 revolution=Revolution revolutionaries=Revolutionaries action man=Action Man (comic)|Action Man 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 transformers unicron|transformers: unicron=Transformers: Unicron  #23| }}{{#if: |issues:}}{{#ifeq: | Category [[Category:{{#switch:op premierecollection|premiere collection|the transformers: the premiere collection|idwcollection|the idw collection|the transformers: the idw collection=IDW Collection transformers spotlight|transformers: spotlight|the transformers spotlight|spotlight=Spotlight transformers infiltration|transformers: infiltration|the transformers infiltration|infiltration=Infiltration transformers stormbringer|transformers: stormbringer|the transformers stormbringer|the transformers: stormbringer=Stormbringer transformers escalation|transformers: escalation|the transformers escalation|escalation=Escalation megorigin|megatron origin|transformers megatron origin|transformers: megatron origin|the transformers megatron origin|the transformers: megatron origin=Megatron Origin transformers devastation|transformers: devastation|the transformers devastation|devastation=Devastation 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 transformers bumblebee|transformers: bumblebee|the transformers bumblebee|bumblebee=Bumblebee 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 ironhide|transformers: ironhide|the transformers ironhide|ironhide=Ironhide Infestation (IDW)=Infestation Infestation2|Infestation 2=Infestation 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 autocracy|transformers: autocracy|the transformers autocracy|autocracy=Autocracy transformers monstrosity|transformers: monstrosity|the transformers monstrosity|monstrosity=Monstrosity transformers primacy|transformers: primacy|the transformers primacy|primacy=Primacy transformers punishment|transformers: punishment|the transformers punishment|the transformers: punishment|punishment=Punishment transformers redemption|transformers: redemption|the transformers redemption|the transformers: redemption|redemption=Redemption transformers salvation|transformers: salvation|the transformers salvation|the transformers: salvation|salvation=Salvation marsattackstransformers|mars attacks: the transformers=Mars Attacks: The Transformers transformers deviations|transformers: deviations=IDW crossover synergy: a hasbro creators showcase=IDW crossover 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 combiner hunters|combiner hunters (comic)=Combiner Hunters titans return|titans return (comic)=Titans Return optimus prime|optimus prime (comic)=Optimus Prime annual2017|2017 Annual|Annual 2017=Transformers Annual 2017 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 transformers unicron=Unicron IDW (2005)}} issues{{#if: *}}]]}}}}}}
} 		{{#if: A Sunrise Dark|»}}
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|- {{#if: OP23 cvrA.jpg | | colspan="2" style="font-size: 12px; background-color:#ffffff;" align="center" | {{#if: Rum-Maj...the Ever-LIVING! |
Rum-Maj...the Ever-LIVING!}}}} |-

|colspan="2" style="font-size: 14px; background-color:#e7d492; color:black;font-weight:bold;" align="center" | "Time Will Rust" {{#if: |

{{#if: |
(')}} {{#if:|
""}}

}}

|- {{#if: IDW Publishing | |Publisher || IDW Publishing}} |- {{#if: | |Published by || }} |- {{#if: | |Imprint || }} |- {{#if: | |Published in || }} |- {{#if: September 5, 2018 | |First published || September 5, 2018}} |- {{#if: | |Shipping date || }} |- {{#if: | |On-sale date || }} |- {{#if: August 2018 | |Cover date || August 2018}} |- {{#if: | |Credits || }} |- {{#if: | |By || }} |- {{#if: | |Manga || }} |- {{#if: | |Manga by || }} |- {{#if: | |Original story || }} |- {{#if: | |Story & art by || }} |- {{#if: | |Story and color art || }} |- {{#if: | |Story || }} |- {{#if: | |Story by || }} |- {{#if: | |Story consultants || }} |- {{#if: | |Story concept || }} |- {{#if: | |Screenplay by || }} |- {{#if: | |Screenplay || }} |- {{#if: | |Adaptation by || }} |- {{#if: | |Adapted by || }} |- {{#if: | |Adaptation || }} |- {{#if: | |Based on || }} |- {{#if: | |Writer || }} |- {{#if: | |Writers || }} |- {{#if: | |Writing || }} |- {{#if: John Barber | |Written by || John Barber}} |- {{#if: | |Written & art || }} |- {{#if: | |Plotter || }} |- {{#if: | |Plotters || }} |- {{#if: | |Plot || }} |- {{#if: | |Plot by || }} |- {{#if: | |Plot/Script || }} |- {{#if: | |Scripter || }} |- {{#if: | |Scripters || }} |- {{#if: | |Script || }} |- {{#if: | |Scripting || }} |- {{#if: | |Script by || }} |- {{#if: | |Script and art || }} |- {{#if: | |Sript [sic] consultant || }} |- {{#if: | |Translation by || }} |- {{#if: | |Artist || }} |- {{#if: | |Comic artist || }} |- {{#if: | |Artists || }} |- {{#if: | |Art || }} |- {{#if: Priscilla Tramontano | |Art by || Priscilla Tramontano}} |- {{#if: | |Additional art by || }} |- {{#if: | |Flashback art by || }} |- {{#if: | |Art assistant || }} |- {{#if: | |Art assist by || }} |- {{#if: | |Line-art || }} |- {{#if: | |Line-art by || }} |- {{#if: | |Line art by || }} |- {{#if: | |Penciller || }} |- {{#if: | |Pencillers || }} |- {{#if: | |Penciler || }} |- {{#if: | |Pencilers || }} |- {{#if: | |Pencil art || }} |- {{#if: | |Pencils || }} |- {{#if: | |Pencils by || }} |- {{#if: | |Penciled by || }} |- {{#if: | |Penciling || }} |- {{#if: | |Guest penciler || }} |- {{#if: | |Layouts || }} |- {{#if: | |Pencil breakdowns || }} |- {{#if: | |Breakdowns || }} |- {{#if: | |Breakdowns by || }} |- {{#if: | |Illustration || }} |- {{#if: | |Illustrations || }} |- {{#if: | |Illustrator || }} |- {{#if: | |Illustrated by || }} |- {{#if: | |Illustration by || }} |- {{#if: | |Illustrations by || }} |- {{#if: | |Finished pencils || }} |- {{#if: | |Finishes || }} |- {{#if: | |Finished art || }} |- {{#if: | |Finishes by || }} |- {{#if: | |Inker || }} |- {{#if: | |Guest inker || }} |- {{#if: | |Inkers || }} |- {{#if: | |Inks || }} |- {{#if: | |Inks by || }} |- {{#if: | |Ink finishes || }} |- {{#if: | |Ink assist by || }} |- {{#if: | |Additional inks || }} |- {{#if: | |Inking || }} |- {{#if: | |Backgrounds || }} |- {{#if: | |Backgrounds by || }} |- {{#if: | |Colorist || }} |- {{#if: | |Colorists || }} |- {{#if: | |Colourist || }} |- {{#if: | |Colourists || }} |- {{#if: | |Color || }} |- {{#if: | |Colors || }} |- {{#if: | |Color art || }} |- {{#if: | |Colour || }} |- {{#if: | |Colours || }} |- {{#if: | |Colored by || }} |- {{#if: | |Color by || }} |- {{#if: Josh Burcham | |Colors by || Josh Burcham}} |- {{#if: | |Color art by || }} |- {{#if: | |Colors assist by || }} |- {{#if: | |Color assists || }} |- {{#if: | |Color assistance by || }} |- {{#if: | |Additional colors || }} |- {{#if: | |Additional colors by || }} |- {{#if: | |Color assist by || }} |- {{#if: | |Colour/Computer FX || }} |- {{#if: | |Computer coloring/effects || }} |- {{#if: | |Color Reconstruction || }} |- {{#if: | |Flats || }} |- {{#if: | |Flats by || }} |- {{#if: | |MTMTE Profiles || }} |- {{#if: | |Letterer || }} |- {{#if: | |Letterers || }} |- {{#if: | |Lettering || }} |- {{#if: | |Letters || }} |- {{#if: Tom B. Long | |Letters by || Tom B. Long}} |- {{#if: | |Lettered by || }} |- {{#if: | |Lettering|Production || }} |- {{#if: | |Special Thanks{{#if: | To}} || }} |- {{#if: | |Collaborators || }} |- {{#if: | |Contributors || }} |- {{#if: David Mariotte | |Editor || David Mariotte}} |- {{#if: | |Editors || }} |- {{#if: | |Editing || }} |- {{#if: | |Edits by || }} |- {{#if: | |Compiled and Edited by || }} |- {{#if: | |Original series editor || }} |- {{#if: | |Original Edits by || }} |- {{#if: | |Deputy editor || }} |- {{#if: | |Assistant editor || }} |- {{#if: | |Editorial assistant{{#if: |s}} || }} |- {{#if: | |Editorial Assistance
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The consequences prove fatal when Slide leads the other colonists in an attempt to rescue Jazz from G.I. Joe.

Synopsis

[edit]

Six months ago, on the planet Devisiun, an elder of the planet's native species recounts the planet's history for two children. Once Devisiun was a lush, green world, until what they called the "Unyielding Shimmer" descended upon the planet—a fatally wounded Titan who fell from the sky. Cybertronian colonists emerged from the Titan and took Devisiun for their own, remaking the planet in their mechanical image.

In South Dakota on Earth, Jazz finds himself in chains after surrendering to G.I. Joe in order to secure Rom passage to Cybertron through Trypticon's Spacebridge. While Jazz and his jailer Spike Witwicky trade barbs over the past indiscretions that initially brought them to blows—Spike's illegal stockpiling of Cybertronian weaponry, Jazz's killing of police officer John Powell—senior Joe officer Flint argues outside with teammates Mainframe and Hi-Tech, his own daughter Marissa Faireborn, and the Dinobots about the dangers Cybertronians pose to Earth. Unfortunately, Flint's negative views are only reinforced by what happens next, as Sky Lynx comes swooping out of the skies, and Slide and the other young colonist soldiers leap from his cargo bay! They are here with the intention of rescuing Jazz, as proof that they—unlike, Slide thinks, Optimus Prime—have not abandoned their comrades. While Slug, Swoop, and Strafe engage the impetuous youths, Mainframe and Hi-Tech ready non-lethal rounds in defiance of Flint's lethal force order, and Marissa tries to call Thundercracker in to help.

Slide remembers the colonization of Devisiun less morbidly. In her memory, the natives were a poor people with little to live for, who the colonists saved from their feral existence. She remembers her happy life there, playing with the natives with her bonded partner Oiler... and how that life was taken away from her when Oiler died on Earth, thanks to following the words of Optimus Prime.

In Little Cybertron on Bikini Atoll, Wreck-Gar and Rum-Maj eavesdrop on Marissa's phonecall to Thundercracker. Rum-Maj reflects that cyclical violence seems to be the way of Cybertronians, worsening now as the enormity of the threat of Unicron hastens everything on the way to its end. Neither of the two want to see another world they've come to call home die, but Wreck-Gar has no idea how to prevent it. Fortunately, Rum-Maj tells him as she looks over over the shoal of Sharkticons swimming in the waters below, she does...

Jazz reflects on his first trip to Earth, sent by Optimus Prime as an advance scout on a mission of infiltration; on the escalation that followed as he called in the other Autobots; and on the devastation that resulted as the Decepticons unleashed their fury upon the planet. Lost in thought, he does not notice the noise of battle outside until Spike brings it to his attention by cautioning him that it is not his problem. But as far as Jazz is concerned, it's absolutely his problem; he is responsible both for bringing the Autobots to Earth in the first place, and for the colonists being here, now, trying to rescue him. Revealing that he was only a prisoner because he allowed himself to be one, Jazz stands, easily snaps his chains, and smashes his way through the door outside, determined to stop the fighting.

Gimlet thinks back on his life on Eukaris, a world founded as a haven for beastformers by a Prime who worked to have his kind accepted by other Transformers. It was in the spirit of that noble goal that Gimlet and his friend Bump volunteered to join Optimus Prime and help bring peace to another organic world, Earth.

Frustrated at being repeatedly shot by Mainframe, Gimlet crushes the VAMP he is driving. Too late, Gimlet realizes that in doing so, he has grievously wounded Mainframe himself—but that realization only lasts a moment before Slug, driven to a berserker fury by the young colonist's act, cleaves Gimlet in two with his sword, killing him. Lying in Hi-Tech's arms, Mainframe recalls how he blamed all Cybertronians for the destruction they brought to Earth, and how he learned the error of his ways upon getting to know some of them personally, realizing they were all individuals, just like humans. It is with this thought in his mind that Mainframe dies, using his last words to urge Hi-Tech not to let the entire Earth/Cybertron alliance fall apart because of what has happened.

Sky Lynx turns on Slug, blasting him with his flame breath, while Slide charges into the Dinobot from behind, angrily declaring him "the same as Optimus Prime." The words cut deep; Slug has long had issues with Prime and the way Slug believes he has used the Dinobots to do the Autobots' dirty work and keep his own hands clean. Slug is reminded of the new purpose the Dinobots now have—defending the next generation of protoforms born within Trypticon—and the red mist lifts, leaving him horrified and numb at what he has done to Gimlet. Still the fighting rages on as Slide and Strafe grapple, and things seem poised to get even worse when Rum-Maj and Wreck-Gar descend from the heavens, riding at the front of the Sharkticon swarm. Fortunately, Jazz is able to get between the Junkions and everyone else and confirms that they are here as friends. Slide, of course, doesn't want to hear it; the Junkions killed Oiler, after all, and she still hates Optimus Prime for allying with them—just as he allied with killers like the Decepticons, and just as Slide believes he is now standing by and allowing the ultimate killer, the planet-eating Unicron, to destroy the colonies.

It is then, as if on cue, that Unicron itself appears in the skies over Earth...!

[edit]

Characters in italic text appear only in flashbacks.
{{#if: ||(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)}}

{{#if:{|border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
|

!! style="background:#ffdddd;" | Autobots }}{{#if:* Starscream (24)

!! style="background:#ededff" | Decepticons }}{{#if:G.I. Joe

Others

!! style="background:#fbefde;" | Humans }}{{#if:* Wreck-Gar (21)

!! style="background:#ffeeb8;" | Junkions }}{{#if:Other Cybertronians

Others

!! style="background:#d5e6d5;" | Others }}{{#if:| !! style="background:#fedeb5;" | Misc }} |- {{#if:{|border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent" |- |style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"|

|}|| style="background:#ffdddd;" valign="top" |

}}{{#if:* Starscream (24)

| style="background:#ededff;" valign="top" |

Others

| style="background:#fbefde;" valign="top" | G.I. Joe

Others

| style="background:#ffeeb8;" valign="top" |

Others

| style="background:#d5e6d5;" valign="top" | Other Cybertronians

Others

| style="background:#fedeb5;" valign="top" | 

}}
|}

Quotes

[edit]

"First it was an embassy, then a city, now a giant space dinosaur—the Cybertronians are turning our world into theirs."
"I kinda like the dinosaur."

—Flint and Mainframe


"This is the nature of Cybertronians. A cycle repeating, only more rapidly, as history approaches its finale. Unicron is the black hole—the singularity—the strange attractor at time's end. Events are recycled, faster and faster. This is, through conspiracy, what Shockwave wrought. This is what, through brashness, Optimus wrought. This is what, through intrigue, Pyra wrought. In their desire to forestall the collapse of all things, they have done little but escalate the chaos. Junkions know of such things as endings. You and I stood by while our homeworld died, my love. I refuse to do so again."

—Rum-Maj


"Prime never wanted the how of it all... he just wanted results. I'm sure it was a lot easier if he didn't know. His finger pulled the trigger. He blamed the bullet for what came next."

—Slug

Notes

[edit]

Continuity notes

[edit]
  • As with last issue, the title of this story is a line from the Dark Cybertron prophecy.
  • The events of Unicron #1-3 have occurred between last issue and this one; this issue takes place concurrently with Unicron #4, released on the same day, which also concludes with Unicron arriving over Earth. Flint notes "the president had more important places to be," with a footnote directing readers to Unicron #4; as seen in that issue, she's with the larger Joe force in Trinity Bay, Texas.
  • The fact that the Titan who brought Cybertronian life to Devisiun did not survive its landing on the planet was originally revealed in Windblade vol. 2 #6. This Titan's name is never given, but the native Devisens refer to it as the "World Breaker," and all that came from it as the "Unyielding Shimmer."
  • Spike recalls the conversation he once had with Optimus Prime in a prison cell, in Transformers vol. 1 #3.
  • The idea that Jazz was the first Autobot sent to Earth by Optimus Prime was introduced in The Transformers vol. 1 #25 and clarified with more detail in Optimus Prime #8.
  • Jazz is shown scanning an alternate mode on Earth; the mechanism by which Transformers in the IDW continuity assumed their alternate mode has always been somewhat nebulous, with several offhand comments implying manual reconstruction playing a role in the process. This scene finally clarifies that the process is similar to the on-board scanning used by Transformers of the live-action movies, involving an on-board set of optical scanners capable of nigh-instantaneously reconstructing a Transformer's alternate mode into an identical shape. Barring an off-panel scene in the now-integrated Hearts of Steel miniseries, this is the first time we see a Transformer changing alternate modes in the space of a single issue.
  • Other scenes seen in flashback include Optimus Prime arriving on Earth for the first time (which took place off-panel in Infiltration #6), Devastator's rampage (from All Hail Megatron), and John Powell wielding a Megatron gun (from The Transformers vol. 1 #17).
  • This is not the first time Gimlet's temper has landed him in trouble; in what might be called foreshadowing, Optimus Prime #11 had an emotional Gimlet almost flatten Mainframe.
  • Mainframe recalls working with Soundwave in Revolution #5.
  • Slug's longstanding issues with Optimus Prime were explored in Punishment.
  • Slug flashes back to the Dinobots watching the emergence of the next generation of protoforms, from Salvation.

Transformers references

[edit]

Other Hasbro franchise references

[edit]
  • The G.I. Joe base near Trypticon is based on the "Headquarters Command Center" playset from the '80s G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline. The Dragonfly and VAMP vehicles from the same line can be seen outside.

Real-life references

[edit]
  • Wreck-Gar's sounding a little more like his classic self with the number of pop-culture references he makes this issue, including:
    • "Second verse - same as the first"—a phrase popularized by the band [[wikipedia:{{#if:|:}}Herman's Hermits|{{#if:||Herman's Hermits}}]] in their song "[[wikipedia:{{#if:|:}}I'm Henery the Eighth, I Am|{{#if:||I'm Henery the Eighth, I Am}}]]", although Wreck-Gar may be more directly referencing its later homage in the [[wikipedia:{{#if:|:}}Ramones|{{#if:||Ramones}}]] song "[[wikipedia:{{#if:|:}}Judy Is a Punk|{{#if:||Judy Is a Punk}}]]", given his punk-rock contextualization.
    • "Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent"—from the opening narration to [[wikipedia:{{#if:|:}}Dragnet (franchise)|{{#if:Dragnet|Dragnet|Dragnet (franchise)}}]]
    • "No one is innocent"—probably an allusion to the [[wikipedia:{{#if:|:}}Sex Pistols|{{#if:||Sex Pistols}}]] song [[wikipedia:{{#if:|:}}No One Is Innocent (song)|{{#if:of the same name|of the same name|No One Is Innocent (song)}}]]
    • He refers to Rum-Maj as "Honey Bunches of Oats", the name of a breakfast cereal by Post.
  • Rum-Maj's Sharkticon steed is given the name "Vajra," a [[wikipedia:{{#if:|:}}Vajra|{{#if:Sanskrit word|Sanskrit word|Vajra}}]] meaning "thunderbolt" and "diamond," which is the name of a clubbed weapon wielded by the Vedic deity [[wikipedia:{{#if:|:}}Indra|{{#if:||Indra}}]].

Errors

[edit]
  • On page 3, Marissa's surname is misspelled "Fairborne" instead of "Faireborn."
  • Wreck-Gar refers to Rum-Maj as "mon chère," which is grammatically incorrect French; he ought to be using the feminine determiner, "ma chère" (while the male would be "mon cher").
  • Swoop's eyes are miscolored as blue instead of their usual yellow.
  • Perhaps not strictly an error, but during the flashback to Gimlet and Bump's days on Eukaris, Bump is depicted as wearing a faceplate. Unlike Gimlet, who was always be-faceplated, Bump's original toy had a normal mouth and it had also been previously implied he and the other colonists only began wearing faceplates as a tribute to Optimus. By contrast, Slide's flashback depicts both her and Oiler with mouths before they met Optimus. In the same vein, Soundwave's faceplate is drawn slightly differently from his other appearances, having a raised point in the center like his G1 cartoon counterpart instead of sloping down to the center.
  • During Gimlet's flashback to his days on Eukaris, a native Devisen can be seen perched on a tree.
  • Slug's flashback is something of an anachronism; it depicts the Dinobots in their dinosaur bodies, battling Decepticons during the height of the Great War — when the team only adopted those same dinosaur modes ten thousand years ago on Earth. It's not clear if this is an artist or authorial error!

Other trivia

[edit]
  • Originally solicited for released in August 2018, this issue arrived a little late, in the first week of September.

Covers (3)

[edit]
  • Cover A: Rum-Maj, Wreck-Gar, and the Sharkticons, by Kei Zama and Josh Burcham
  • Cover B: The colonist soldiers by Priscilla Tramontano
  • Retailer incentive cover: Black-and-white lineart version of Cover A

Advertisements

[edit]

Reprints

[edit]
  • Optimus Prime Volume 5 (February 6, 2019) ISBN 1684054117 / ISBN 978-1684054114
    • Collects Optimus Prime issues #22–25 and Annual 2018.
    • Bonus material includes art from most covers.
    • Trade paperback format.
[edit]
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