Infiltration issue 4: Difference between revisions
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|letters by=[[Tom B. Long]] | |letters by=[[Tom B. Long]] | ||
|edits by=[[Chris Ryall]] & [[Dan Taylor (IDW)|Dan Taylor]] | |edits by=[[Chris Ryall]] & [[Dan Taylor (IDW)|Dan Taylor]] | ||
|continuity=[[ | |continuity=[[2005 IDW continuity]] | ||
|chronology=[[IDW timeline#2006-7|2006-7]] | |chronology=[[2005 IDW timeline#2006-7|2006-7]] | ||
}} | }} | ||
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''Three years ago, a young [[Verity Carlo]] meets with a social worker after running away from yet another foster home. Her social worker sees right through Verity's tough façade and states that all she sees is a girl "in a world of hurt and pain".'' | ''Three years ago, a young [[Verity Carlo]] meets with a social worker after running away from yet another foster home. Her social worker sees right through Verity's tough façade and states that all she sees is a girl "in a world of hurt and pain".'' | ||
In the present day, [[Hunter O'Nion]], and [[Jimmy Pink]] watch as Verity rappels into the depths of an abandoned [[Decepticon Command | In the present day, [[Hunter O'Nion]], and [[Jimmy Pink]] watch as Verity rappels into the depths of an abandoned [[Decepticon Command Bunker|Decepticon fortress]] in the wilderness of [[Nebraska]]. Using their [[holomatter]] avatars, [[Ratchet (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ratchet]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Bumblebee]] watch on; Ratchet is adamant that when this escapade is over, the humans are going home, while Bumblebee warns the trio to watch for booby traps. | ||
As the two boys follow Verity into the shaft and split up to investigate, Bumblebee confides to Ratchet that he thinks that the Autobot medic might be | As the two boys follow Verity into the shaft and split up to investigate, Bumblebee confides to Ratchet that he thinks that the Autobot medic might be right—but to change [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]]'s mind, they'll need hard evidence that something's wrong... and the humans fall into the "acceptable losses" category if it means ''getting'' that evidence. | ||
In [[Dallas]], [[Texas]], [[Drake (G1)|Drake]] meets with a group of humans in the [[Epsilon Holdings]] | In [[Dallas]], [[Texas]], [[Drake (G1)|Drake]] meets with a group of humans in the [[Epsilon Holdings]] building—a front for the shadowy group known as the [[Machination]] led by [[Abraham Dante]]. Jolly reports on recent events: a series of anomalous vehicle attacks throughout the southwest United States have led the group to conclude that the "visitors" are moving into the next stage of their operations. Having received a homing signal from their deceased operative [[Stoker]], Drake and his team of operatives are dispatched to "accelerate" their "acquisition strategy..." | ||
[[File:Infiltration4-BumblebeeAltmodeGun.jpg|thumb|left|250px]] | [[File:Infiltration4-BumblebeeAltmodeGun.jpg|thumb|left|250px]] | ||
Deep inside the Decepticon bunker, Verity discovers a strange sight: a jumbled series of [[Facsimile construct|glowing green tubes]], each one big enough to hold a human. Ignoring Jimmy's warnings, Verity goes ahead and opens one... and is immediately confronted by the gruesome sight of a rotted corpse wearing a military uniform. Despite the shock, Verity manages to compose herself and move on; as she does so, however, she's unaware that, topside, the two Autobots have visitors of their own in the shape of [[Skywarp (G1)/IDW | Deep inside the Decepticon bunker, Verity discovers a strange sight: a jumbled series of [[Facsimile construct|glowing green tubes]], each one big enough to hold a human. Ignoring Jimmy's warnings, Verity goes ahead and opens one... and is immediately confronted by the gruesome sight of a rotted corpse wearing a military uniform. Despite the shock, Verity manages to compose herself and move on; as she does so, however, she's unaware that, topside, the two Autobots have visitors of their own in the shape of [[Skywarp (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Skywarp]] and [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]]. Paying no heed to the Autobots, the two fliers launch a massive bombing run on the base, forcing the two Autobots to outrun the explosions! | ||
[[File:Infiltration4 enter megatron.jpg|thumb|right|200px]] | [[File:Infiltration4 enter megatron.jpg|thumb|right|200px]] | ||
Ratchet yells for the humans to evacuate the base as fast as possible; while Jimmy and Hunter comply, Verity, determined to make up for losing her cool earlier, ignores Ratchet's orders and goes to investigate the last section of the base. As she does so, battle breaks out as the Autobots try to buy time for the | Ratchet yells for the humans to evacuate the base as fast as possible; while Jimmy and Hunter comply, Verity, determined to make up for losing her cool earlier, ignores Ratchet's orders and goes to investigate the last section of the base. As she does so, battle breaks out as the Autobots try to buy time for the humans—Bumblebee pits his superior processor speed against Skywarp's [[teleportation]] power and comes out on top, while Ratchet shoots Blitzwing out of the sky. When the medic goes to make sure that his opponent is downed for good, however, he's not so lucky, and is quickly taken out by a volley from his opponent's tank mode... | ||
.. and, underground, Verity discovers that she's not the only occupant of the Decepticon fortress as she enters the last room of the base and comes face to face with its ''other'' occupant: [[Megatron (G1)/IDW | ...and, underground, Verity discovers that she's not the only occupant of the Decepticon fortress as she enters the last room of the base and comes face to face with its ''other'' occupant: [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]]! | ||
{{--}} | |||
{{-}} | |||
==Featured characters== | ==Featured characters== | ||
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{{featuredcharacters | {{featuredcharacters | ||
|c1= | |c1= | ||
*[[Ratchet (G1)/IDW | * [[Ratchet (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ratchet]] (5) | ||
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/IDW | * [[Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Bumblebee]] (6) | ||
|c2= | |c2= | ||
*[[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] (12) | * [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] (12) | ||
*[[Skywarp (G1)/IDW | * [[Skywarp (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Skywarp]] (13) | ||
*[[Megatron (G1)/IDW | * [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]] (14) | ||
|c3= | |c3= | ||
*''Social worker'' (1) | * ''Social worker'' (1) | ||
*[[Verity Carlo]] (2) | * [[Verity Carlo]] (2) | ||
*[[Hunter O'Nion]] (3) | * [[Hunter O'Nion]] (3) | ||
*[[Jimmy Pink]] (4) | * [[Jimmy Pink]] (4) | ||
*[[Drake (G1)|Drake]] (7) | * [[Drake (G1)|Drake]] (7) | ||
*[[Abraham Dante]] (8) | * [[Abraham Dante]] (8) | ||
*[[Svenson]] (9) | * [[Svenson]] (9) | ||
*[[Jolly]] (10) | * [[Jolly]] (10) | ||
*[[Stoker]] (11) | * [[Stoker]] (11) | ||
}} | }} | ||
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==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
===Continuity notes=== | ===Continuity notes=== | ||
*The prologue to the story mentions that Verity ran away from home at least three years ago. | * The prologue to the story mentions that Verity ran away from home at least three years ago. | ||
*The purpose of the human corpse isn't immediately elaborated on here, but later installments in the IDW continuity will shine light on the concept of [[facsimile construct]]s and their use in the [[infiltration protocol]]. | * The purpose of the human corpse isn't immediately elaborated on here, but later installments in the IDW continuity will shine light on the concept of [[facsimile construct]]s and their use in the [[infiltration protocol]]. | ||
*Oh snap, it's Megatron! ''Who'' he's talking to on the other end of the screen isn't made clear, but [[Stormbringer issue 3|''Stormbringer'' #3]], which is set just before this issue, will reveal that he's having a chat with [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]]. | * Oh snap, it's Megatron! ''Who'' he's talking to on the other end of the screen isn't made clear, but [[Stormbringer issue 3|''Stormbringer'' #3]], which is set just before this issue, will reveal that he's having a chat with [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]]. | ||
===Real-life references=== | ===Real-life references=== | ||
*Some of the binary on Bumblebee's windshield on page 17 reads 'idw', 't' and 'f'. | * Some of the binary on Bumblebee's windshield on page 17 reads 'idw', 't' and 'f'. | ||
* Hunter mentions "Snappy-Meal cartons," which seem like a legally-safe reference to McDonalds' Happy Meals. | * Hunter mentions "Snappy-Meal cartons," which seem like a legally-safe reference to McDonalds' Happy Meals. | ||
===Errors=== | ===Errors=== | ||
*This issue has the same publish date as [[Infiltration issue 3|issue #3]]. | * This issue has the same publish date as [[Infiltration issue 3|issue #3]]. | ||
*Drake's team is assembled. None of them particularly resemble any of the members of the team as seen in ''[[The Transformers: Escalation|Escalation]]''. | * Drake's team is assembled. None of them particularly resemble any of the members of the team as seen in ''[[The Transformers: Escalation|Escalation]]''. | ||
===Other trivia=== | ===Other trivia=== | ||
*The "Decepticomments" section featured mail answered by Chris Ryall and short ads for next month's issues: [[Infiltration issue 5|''Infiltration'' #5]], [[The Gathering issue 4|''The Gathering'' #4]], [[The Transformers: Generations|''Generations'' #3]]. | * The "Decepticomments" section featured mail answered by Chris Ryall and short ads for next month's issues: [[Infiltration issue 5|''Infiltration'' #5]], [[The Gathering issue 4|''The Gathering'' #4]], [[The Transformers: Generations (comic)|''Generations'' #3]]. | ||
===Covers (8)=== | ===Covers (8)=== | ||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
Image:Infiltration 4a.jpg|'''''Infiltration'' #4 cover A''' - Starscream shoots his shot... ewwww! | Image:Infiltration 4a.jpg|'''''Infiltration'' #4 cover A''' - Starscream shoots his shot... ewwww! | ||
Image:Infiltration 4b.jpg|'''''Infiltration'' #4 cover B''' - Skywarp likes it when bad things happen to Bumblebee. | Image:Infiltration 4b.jpg|'''''Infiltration'' #4 cover B''' - Skywarp likes it when bad things happen to Bumblebee. So do we! | ||
Image:Infiltration 4c.jpg|'''''Infiltration'' #4 cover C''' - Transformers equivalent of the Big Johnson shirt. | Image:Infiltration 4c.jpg|'''''Infiltration'' #4 cover C''' - Transformers equivalent of the Big Johnson shirt. | ||
Image:Infiltration 4d.jpg|'''''Infiltration'' #4 cover D''' - Hunter looks a little less goofy here. | Image:Infiltration 4d.jpg|'''''Infiltration'' #4 cover D''' - Hunter looks a little less goofy here. | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
*'''''Infiltration'' #4 cover A:''' Starscream by [[E. J. Su]], would later become part of the wraparound cover RI-A for [[Infiltration issue 5|issue #5]]. | |||
*'''''Infiltration'' #4 cover B:''' Bumblebee on Blitzwing's turret, by [[Guido Guidi]]. | * '''''Infiltration'' #4 cover A:''' Starscream by [[E. J. Su]], would later become part of the wraparound cover RI-A for [[Infiltration issue 5|issue #5]]. | ||
*'''''Infiltration'' #4 cover C:''' Bumblebee with giant-ass gun, by [[Andrew Wildman]]. | * '''''Infiltration'' #4 cover B:''' Bumblebee on Blitzwing's turret, by [[Guido Guidi]]. | ||
*'''''Infiltration'' #4 cover D:''' Humans, by [[James Raiz]]. | * '''''Infiltration'' #4 cover C:''' Bumblebee with giant-ass gun, by [[Andrew Wildman]]. | ||
* '''''Infiltration'' #4 cover D:''' Humans, by [[James Raiz]]. | |||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
Image:Infiltration 4ria.jpg|'''''Infiltration'' #4 cover RI-A''' - Very Freudian | Image:Infiltration 4ria.jpg|'''''Infiltration'' #4 cover RI-A''' - Very Freudian | ||
Image:Infiltration 4rib.jpg|'''''Infiltration'' #4 cover RI-B''' - Trigger crotch, yeessssss! | Image:Infiltration 4rib.jpg|'''''Infiltration'' #4 cover RI-B''' - Trigger crotch, yeessssss! | ||
Image:Infiltration 4ric.jpg|'''''Infiltration'' #4 cover RI-C''' - Top o'the mornin' to ya! | Image:Infiltration 4ric.jpg|'''''Infiltration'' #4 cover RI-C''' - Top o'the mornin' to ya! | ||
Image:Infiltration 4rea.jpg|'''''Infiltration'' #4 cover RE-A''' - What are Prime and Megs doing? | Image:Infiltration 4rea.jpg|'''''Infiltration'' #4 cover RE-A''' - What are Prime and Megs doing? I don't think I want to know! | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
*'''''Infiltration'' #4 cover RI-A:''' Foil stamp of cover C, without the background. | |||
*'''''Infiltration'' #4 cover RI-B:''' (Mostly) toy-accurate Megatron, by Guido Guidi. | * '''''Infiltration'' #4 cover RI-A:''' Foil stamp of cover C, without the background. | ||
*'''''Infiltration'' #4 cover RI-C:''' Saluting Bumblebee, by Guido Guidi (includes 3 mini-prints). | * '''''Infiltration'' #4 cover RI-B:''' (Mostly) toy-accurate Megatron, by Guido Guidi. | ||
*'''''Infiltration'' #4 cover RE-A:''' Megatron and [[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW | * '''''Infiltration'' #4 cover RI-C:''' Saluting Bumblebee, by Guido Guidi (includes 3 mini-prints). | ||
* '''''Infiltration'' #4 cover RE-A:''' Megatron and [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]], by Andrew Wildman (drawtheworldtogether.com exclusive). | |||
<gallery> | |||
Image:Infiltration4 protocover.jpg|'''''Infiltration'' #4 unused cover''' - Genie feet! | |||
</gallery> | |||
* '''''Infiltration'' #4 unused cover:''' An earlier version of cover A that only showed up in solicitation material. Starscream's design would be refined and redrawn for the final version. | |||
===Advertisements=== | ===Advertisements=== | ||
*Optimus Prime ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators]]'' toy | * Optimus Prime ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators]]'' toy | ||
*[[Infiltration issue 5|''Infiltration'' #5]], 2-page B&W sketch preview | * [[Infiltration issue 5|''Infiltration'' #5]], 2-page B&W sketch preview | ||
*[[The Gathering issue 4|''The Gathering'' #4]] | * [[The Gathering issue 4|''The Gathering'' #4]] | ||
*3-page preview of [[The Gathering issue 3|''The Gathering'' #3]] | * 3-page preview of [[The Gathering issue 3|''The Gathering'' #3]] | ||
*Free comic book day | * Free comic book day | ||
*''[[The Transformers: Stormbringer|Stormbringer]]'' (back cover) | * ''[[The Transformers: Stormbringer|Stormbringer]]'' (back cover) | ||
===Reprints=== | ===Reprints=== | ||
<small>Other than [[The Transformers: Infiltration#Collections|reprints of the full series]]</small> | |||
* N/A | |||
* | |||
Latest revision as of 08:30, 20 April 2023
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|}{{#switch:{{#sub:xx|2|14}}|dark cybertron=}}
Ratchet and Bumblebee contend with a Decepticon attack while the humans explore the abandoned Decepticon base.
Synopsis
[edit]
Three years ago, a young Verity Carlo meets with a social worker after running away from yet another foster home. Her social worker sees right through Verity's tough façade and states that all she sees is a girl "in a world of hurt and pain".
In the present day, Hunter O'Nion, and Jimmy Pink watch as Verity rappels into the depths of an abandoned Decepticon fortress in the wilderness of Nebraska. Using their holomatter avatars, Ratchet and Bumblebee watch on; Ratchet is adamant that when this escapade is over, the humans are going home, while Bumblebee warns the trio to watch for booby traps.
As the two boys follow Verity into the shaft and split up to investigate, Bumblebee confides to Ratchet that he thinks that the Autobot medic might be right—but to change Prowl's mind, they'll need hard evidence that something's wrong... and the humans fall into the "acceptable losses" category if it means getting that evidence.
In Dallas, Texas, Drake meets with a group of humans in the Epsilon Holdings building—a front for the shadowy group known as the Machination led by Abraham Dante. Jolly reports on recent events: a series of anomalous vehicle attacks throughout the southwest United States have led the group to conclude that the "visitors" are moving into the next stage of their operations. Having received a homing signal from their deceased operative Stoker, Drake and his team of operatives are dispatched to "accelerate" their "acquisition strategy..."

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

Ratchet yells for the humans to evacuate the base as fast as possible; while Jimmy and Hunter comply, Verity, determined to make up for losing her cool earlier, ignores Ratchet's orders and goes to investigate the last section of the base. As she does so, battle breaks out as the Autobots try to buy time for the humans—Bumblebee pits his superior processor speed against Skywarp's teleportation power and comes out on top, while Ratchet shoots Blitzwing out of the sky. When the medic goes to make sure that his opponent is downed for good, however, he's not so lucky, and is quickly taken out by a volley from his opponent's tank mode...
...and, underground, Verity discovers that she's not the only occupant of the Decepticon fortress as she enters the last room of the base and comes face to face with its other occupant: Megatron!
Featured characters
[edit]Characters in italic text appear only in flashbacks.
{{#if: ||(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)}}
- Bumblebee (6)|
- Bumblebee (6)|| style="background:#ffdddd;" valign="top" |
- Ratchet (5)
- Bumblebee (6) }}{{#if:* Blitzwing (12)
- Skywarp (13)
- Megatron (14)|
| Autobots }}{{#if:* Blitzwing (12) | Decepticons }}{{#if:* Social worker (1)
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Humans }}{{#if:| | Others }}{{#if:| | Misc }}{{#if:| | Misc }} |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Quotes
[edit]"Autobots. What are they doing here?"
"Who cares?"
"MM. Good point."
- —Blitzwing and Skywarp talk tactics
"This is the bit where I wish I had a really big gu-nuuugh!"
"Lock... and load."
- -Ratchet and Blitzwing
Notes
[edit]Continuity notes
[edit]- The prologue to the story mentions that Verity ran away from home at least three years ago.
- The purpose of the human corpse isn't immediately elaborated on here, but later installments in the IDW continuity will shine light on the concept of facsimile constructs and their use in the infiltration protocol.
- Oh snap, it's Megatron! Who he's talking to on the other end of the screen isn't made clear, but Stormbringer #3, which is set just before this issue, will reveal that he's having a chat with Razorclaw.
Real-life references
[edit]- Some of the binary on Bumblebee's windshield on page 17 reads 'idw', 't' and 'f'.
- Hunter mentions "Snappy-Meal cartons," which seem like a legally-safe reference to McDonalds' Happy Meals.
Errors
[edit]- This issue has the same publish date as issue #3.
- Drake's team is assembled. None of them particularly resemble any of the members of the team as seen in Escalation.
Other trivia
[edit]- The "Decepticomments" section featured mail answered by Chris Ryall and short ads for next month's issues: Infiltration #5, The Gathering #4, Generations #3.
Covers (8)
[edit]-
Infiltration #4 cover A - Starscream shoots his shot... ewwww!
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Infiltration #4 cover B - Skywarp likes it when bad things happen to Bumblebee. So do we!
-
Infiltration #4 cover C - Transformers equivalent of the Big Johnson shirt.
-
Infiltration #4 cover D - Hunter looks a little less goofy here.
- Infiltration #4 cover A: Starscream by E. J. Su, would later become part of the wraparound cover RI-A for issue #5.
- Infiltration #4 cover B: Bumblebee on Blitzwing's turret, by Guido Guidi.
- Infiltration #4 cover C: Bumblebee with giant-ass gun, by Andrew Wildman.
- Infiltration #4 cover D: Humans, by James Raiz.
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Infiltration #4 cover RI-A - Very Freudian
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Infiltration #4 cover RI-B - Trigger crotch, yeessssss!
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Infiltration #4 cover RI-C - Top o'the mornin' to ya!
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Infiltration #4 cover RE-A - What are Prime and Megs doing? I don't think I want to know!
- Infiltration #4 cover RI-A: Foil stamp of cover C, without the background.
- Infiltration #4 cover RI-B: (Mostly) toy-accurate Megatron, by Guido Guidi.
- Infiltration #4 cover RI-C: Saluting Bumblebee, by Guido Guidi (includes 3 mini-prints).
- Infiltration #4 cover RE-A: Megatron and Optimus Prime, by Andrew Wildman (drawtheworldtogether.com exclusive).
-
Infiltration #4 unused cover - Genie feet!
- Infiltration #4 unused cover: An earlier version of cover A that only showed up in solicitation material. Starscream's design would be refined and redrawn for the final version.
Advertisements
[edit]- Optimus Prime Alternators toy
- Infiltration #5, 2-page B&W sketch preview
- The Gathering #4
- 3-page preview of The Gathering #3
- Free comic book day
- Stormbringer (back cover)
Reprints
[edit]Other than reprints of the full series
- N/A








