New Cybertron Part 4: Dance Among the Shadows: Difference between revisions
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|letters by=[[Tom B. Long]] | |letters by=[[Tom B. Long]] | ||
|editor=[[Carlos Guzman]] | |editor=[[Carlos Guzman]] | ||
|continuity=[[ | |continuity=[[2005 IDW continuity]] | ||
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era]] | |chronology=[[2005 IDW timeline|Current era]] | ||
}} | }} | ||
| Line 21: | Line 21: | ||
==Synopsis== | ==Synopsis== | ||
[[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]], [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]], and [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] desperately try to fight off the [[Sharkticon ( | [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]], [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]], and [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] desperately try to fight off the [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]] that rain down upon them, but they are horrendously outnumbered, unable to get a signal out to call for help, and are soon swarmed by the beasts. Their defeat is watched over a bank of monitors by [[Rum-Maj]] and [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]], the latter of whom is still keen to make a deal with [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]] for [[Ore-13]] despite this act of deceit, while the former takes it as proof that they cannot work together and begins plotting reprisal. | ||
''Four million years ago, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW | ''Four million years ago, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Orion Pax]] stands alongside [[Zeta Prime (G1)|Zeta Prime]] and watches as a pre-recorded announcement from Zeta is played for the populace promising that the questions about the integrity of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s police force will soon be put to rest. Orion is uncomfortable over Zeta's statements regard [[Hefter]]'s guilt and the potential effects such claims will have, but Zeta waves off his concerns, pointing out that everything he is doing is pageantry in the name of the greater good a point he punctuates by revealing his phony [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]], and promising Orion that one day, everything Zeta has built might become his...'' | ||
Optimus Prime and [[Aileron]] return to [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]] from Cybertron through the [[Space bridge|spacebridge]] and are immediately met by the colonist soldiers, whose persistent genuflection before Optimus continues to test Aileron's nerves. After receiving an update on current events from [[Jetfire (G1)/IDW | Optimus Prime and [[Aileron]] return to [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]] from Cybertron through the [[Space bridge|spacebridge]] and are immediately met by the colonist soldiers, whose persistent genuflection before Optimus continues to test Aileron's nerves. After receiving an update on current events from [[Jetfire (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Jetfire]], Optimus requests that he contact [[Soundwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Soundwave]] and have him invite the leaders of Earth to Autobot City the next morning. Soundwave, still visiting the [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] encampment on the [[Matterhorn]], agrees, though his reluctance to mention his current activities to his fellow Cybertronians tips [[Zilong Qian|Talon]] off to the fact that he is acting without Optimus's approval. | ||
In [[Cairo]], [[Thundercracker (G1)/IDW | In [[Cairo]], [[Thundercracker (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Thundercracker]], [[Marissa Faireborn|Marissa]], and [[Buster (IDW)|Buster]] take in the sights at a bazaar, while Thundercracker wheedles more information out of Marissa about her estranged father, [[Flint (G.I. Joe)|Flint]]. He eventually convinces her that Flint's offer for her to join G.I. Joe was just a way to get to know her better, and, giving her little choice in the matter, carries her after Flint and [[Chameleon (G.I. Joe)|Chameleon]]'s departing [[Sky Hawk]]. Their fly-by interrupts a very similar awkward conversation going on between the two Joes, and they follow Marissa's directions to land in [[Sicily]], where father and daughter finally talk a little more openly about their complicated relationship. Marissa explains that she didn't turn down Flint's offer because she didn't want to work with him: she did it because she genuinely doesn't believe there's any way to win against the Transformers, and she just wants to enjoy life before the Earth pays the price for their presence. | ||
Aileron takes Optimus Prime aside to ask him what he is planning, and Prime explains that, inspired by [[Starscream (G1)/IDW | Aileron takes Optimus Prime aside to ask him what he is planning, and Prime explains that, inspired by [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]]'s words, he is going to ''force'' the [[Council of Worlds]] to vote on Earth's membership by actively brokering an unprecedented breach of the [[Tyrest Accord]] between humans and [[Junkion (species)|Junkion]]s. Aileron is distressed to hear that Prime is so willing to bring the two planets so close to a potential war; she accuses him of letting his Prime status go to his head, but Prime once again tells her that he does not pretend to divinity—he merely tries to steer the faith of those who blindly follow him and the Matrix toward "something constructive." Unfortunately, his and Aileron's conversation is overhead by [[Pyra Magna (G1)|Pyra Magna]], who, disgusted by the way she believes Prime toys with the beliefs of his followers, marches right up to Optimus and cracks his faceplate with a powerful punch! The sound of the fight brings all the Autobots in the city running, even though Optimus refuses to strike back. Pyra re-asserts her claim to the Matrix as a true believer in its power, and angrily recants her vow to help Optimus learn how to use it, previously having thought of him as a well-meaning ignorant, but now seeing that he is a ''user'' of others' beliefs, devoid of any of his own. Prime does not counter her arguments, but merely tells all assembled to gather on the deck at dawn to receive their human guests. | ||
''[[Prowl (G1)/IDW | ''[[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]] uncuffs Jetfire and sends him on his way, but the scientist does not leave without a parting sock to the cop's jaw. The punch is observed from the shadows by Decepticons [[Horri-Bull]] and [[Needlenose (G1)|Needlenose]], who take it as evidence of Jetfire's loyalty to their cause, and provide Jetfire with one of the new guns they have smuggled into the city to "defend" himself with in the future. A little later, Pax and Prowl meet at the deserted [[Cosmic Carnival]], where it turns out the scene was all a set up: Prowl and Jetfire's fight was an act, and Jetfire hands over the gun to Pax as evidence to help clear Hefter's name. Pax points out it will take more than this and Soundwave's word about what "true Decepticons" believe to convince anyone, to which Jetfire replies that he knows the time and location of the next gun shipment's arrival...'' | ||
As dawn breaks, the [[President of the United States]] and various other world leaders gather on the deck of Autobot City before Optimus Prime and his forces. Together, they watch as a Junkion shuttle arrives overhead... but no-one is prepared when, rather than landing, the shuttle merely hovers overhead so Rum-Maj can toss Cosmos's battered body out of its hatchway! Panic breaks out among the 'bots and humans as, at Rum-Maj's order, the Sharkticon horde begins pouring out of the Junkions' spacecraft, ready to destroy everything in its path! | As dawn breaks, the [[President of the United States]] and various other world leaders gather on the deck of Autobot City before Optimus Prime and his forces. Together, they watch as a Junkion shuttle arrives overhead... but no-one is prepared when, rather than landing, the shuttle merely hovers overhead so Rum-Maj can toss Cosmos's battered body out of its hatchway! Panic breaks out among the 'bots and humans as, at Rum-Maj's order, the Sharkticon horde begins pouring out of the Junkions' spacecraft, ready to destroy everything in its path! | ||
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|c1= | |c1= | ||
{{Collist|2| | {{Collist|2| | ||
*[[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] (4) | * [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] (4) | ||
*''[[Zeta Prime]]'' (7) | * ''[[Zeta Prime (G1)|Zeta Prime]]'' (7) | ||
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW | * [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime/''Orion Pax'']] (8) | ||
*[[Aileron]] (9) | * [[Aileron]] (9) | ||
*[[Roulette (Universe)|Roulette]] (10) | * [[Roulette (Universe)|Roulette]] (10) | ||
*[[Midnight Express (RID)|Midnight Express]] (11) | * [[Midnight Express (RID)|Midnight Express]] (11) | ||
*[[Oiler]] (12) | * [[Oiler]] (12) | ||
*[[Slide]] (13) | * [[Slide]] (13) | ||
*[[Gimlet]] (14) | * [[Gimlet]] (14) | ||
*[[Bump]] (15) | * [[Bump (BW)|Bump]] (15) | ||
*[[Pyra Magna]] (16) | * [[Pyra Magna (G1)|Pyra Magna]] (16) | ||
*[[Jetfire (G1)/IDW | * [[Jetfire (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Jetfire]] (17) | ||
*[[Arcee (G1)/IDW | * [[Arcee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Arcee]] (18) | ||
*[[Sideswipe (G1)/IDW | * [[Sideswipe (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Sideswipe]] (19) | ||
*[[Metrotitan ( | * [[Metrotitan (G1)|Metrotitan]] (23) | ||
*''[[Prowl (G1)/IDW | * ''[[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]]'' (29) | ||
*[[Skyburst (G1)|Skyburst]] (34) | * [[Skyburst (G1)|Skyburst]] (34) | ||
*[[Rust Dust]] (35) | * [[Rust Dust]] (35) | ||
*[[Stormclash]] (36) | * [[Stormclash]] (36) | ||
*[[Jumpstream]] (37) | * [[Jumpstream]] (37) | ||
*[[Dust Up]] (38) | * [[Dust Up]] (38) | ||
*[[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] (39) | * [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] (39) | ||
}} | }} | ||
|c2= | |c2= | ||
*[[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (1) | * [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (1) | ||
*[[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] (2) | * [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] (2) | ||
*[[Soundwave (G1)/IDW | * [[Soundwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Soundwave]] (21) | ||
*''[[Horri-Bull]]'' (30) | * ''[[Horri-Bull]]'' (30) | ||
*''[[Needlenose (G1)|Needlenose]]'' (31) | * ''[[Needlenose (G1)|Needlenose]]'' (31) | ||
|h3=[[Junkion (species)|Junkions]]|c3= | |h3=[[Junkion (species)|Junkions]]|c3= | ||
*[[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] (5) | * [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] (5) | ||
*[[Rum-Maj]] (6) | * [[Rum-Maj]] (6) | ||
|h4=[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]|c4= | |h4=[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]|c4= | ||
*[[Mainframe (G.I. Joe)|Mainframe]] (22) | * [[Mainframe (G.I. Joe)|Mainframe]] (22) | ||
*[[Zilong Qian|Talon]] (24) | * [[Zilong Qian|Talon]] (24) | ||
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)/IDW | * [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Spike]] (25) | ||
*[[Chameleon (G.I. Joe)|Chameleon]] (32) | * [[Chameleon (G.I. Joe)|Chameleon]] (32) | ||
*[[Flint (G.I. Joe)|Flint]] (33) | * [[Flint (G.I. Joe)|Flint]] (33) | ||
*[[Sanjay Bharwaney|Hi-Tech]] ( | * [[Sanjay Bharwaney|Hi-Tech]] (43) | ||
|h5=Others||c5= | |h5=Others||c5= | ||
*[[Sharkticon ( | * [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]] (3) | ||
*[[D.0.C.]] (20) | * [[D.0.C.]] (20) | ||
*[[Thundercracker (G1)/IDW | * [[Thundercracker (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Thundercracker]] (26) | ||
*[[Marissa Faireborn]] (27) | * [[Marissa Faireborn]] (27) | ||
*[[Buster (IDW)|Buster]] (28) | * [[Buster (IDW)|Buster]] (28) | ||
*[[President of the United States]] ( | * [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom]] (40) | ||
* [[President of the United States]] (41) | |||
* [[President of China]] (42) | |||
}} | }} | ||
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==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
===Continuity notes=== | ===Continuity notes=== | ||
*Frenzy generates his signature sonic attack with the wrist-drills unique to the IDW version of the character, which were introduced with his debut in [[All Hail Megatron issue 2|''All Hail Megatron'' #2]], but haven't been seen since 2012's [[The End of the Beginning of the World|''Robots in Disguise'' #11]]. | * Frenzy generates his signature sonic attack with the wrist-drills unique to the IDW version of the character, which were introduced with his debut in [[All Hail Megatron issue 2|''All Hail Megatron'' #2]], but haven't been seen since 2012's [[The End of the Beginning of the World|''Robots in Disguise'' #11]]. | ||
*Pyra Magna's narration in this issue recounts her team's major roles in IDW stories up to now, including their arrival on Cybertron in the [[Rust Sea|Sea of Rust]] ("the worst, most desolate region") in [[An Uneventful Night|the ''Combiner Hunters'' one-shot]], and her meeting with and agreement to help Optimus Prime from [[Conquerors Part 2: Lagrange|''The Transformers'' #47]]. | * Pyra Magna's narration in this issue recounts her team's major roles in IDW stories up to now, including their arrival on Cybertron in the [[Rust Sea|Sea of Rust]] ("the worst, most desolate region") in [[An Uneventful Night|the ''Combiner Hunters'' one-shot]], and her meeting with and agreement to help Optimus Prime from [[Conquerors Part 2: Lagrange|''The Transformers'' #47]]. | ||
*Soundwave considers humans his favorite creatures on Earth, after [[elephant]]s. He was previously seen admiring elephants in [[The Onyx Interface Conclusion: The Obliterati|''The Transformers'' #38]]. | * Soundwave considers humans his favorite creatures on Earth, after [[elephant]]s. He was previously seen admiring elephants in [[The Onyx Interface Conclusion: The Obliterati|''The Transformers'' #38]]. | ||
*A worried Mainframe says there's "more tactical megatonnage than [[Nanzhao]]." That'd be the country that was turned into a smoking crater in the {{i|G.I. Joe vol. 2|second volume}} of IDW's ''Joe'' comics. | * A worried Mainframe says there's "more tactical megatonnage than [[Nanzhao]]." That'd be the country that was turned into a smoking crater in the {{i|G.I. Joe vol. 2|second volume}} of IDW's ''Joe'' comics. | ||
*Marissa mentions how G.I. Joe "pretended to be dead for a while"; this was standard operating procedure for the team in IDW continuity until their existence was made public, with each member abandoning their civilian life, leaving their friends and loved ones to believe them dead, fake funeral and all. | * Marissa mentions how G.I. Joe "pretended to be dead for a while"; this was standard operating procedure for the team in IDW continuity until their existence was made public, with each member abandoning their civilian life, leaving their friends and loved ones to believe them dead, fake funeral and all. | ||
*Marissa also alludes to her mother being an alcoholic; coupled with the obviously young age at which Flint fathered her, this is | * Marissa also alludes to her mother being an alcoholic; coupled with the obviously young age at which Flint fathered her, this is a hint to her mother being {{i|Claire Austin}}, the hard-drinking college girlfriend of Flint mentioned in 2013's {{i|The Boy Most Likely To..., Part 2|''The Cobra Files'' #6}}.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Good eye! Claire Austin is indeed Marissa's mother, and you're the first person I've heard figure it out!|link=https://twitter.com/TheJohnBarber/status/847573594435497984|name=John Barber|site=Twitter|year=2017|month=03|day=30|(defunct=)}}</ref> | ||
*Optimus refers to the Matrix as a "pulsewave generator"; "pulsewaves" were the name used to refer to the waves of life-giving energy released by [[Vector Sigma]] in [[Remain in Light 3 of 5: The Divided Self|''More than Meets the Eye'' #19]], alluding to the Matrix's life-giving capabilities. | * Optimus refers to the Matrix as a "pulsewave generator"; "pulsewaves" were the name used to refer to the waves of life-giving energy released by [[Vector Sigma]] in [[Remain in Light 3 of 5: The Divided Self|''More than Meets the Eye'' #19]], alluding to the Matrix's life-giving capabilities. | ||
*Needlenose and Horri-Bull were a double-act in the [[The Autonomy Lesson (issue)|first issue]] of ''Robots in Disguise'', and their history together was expanded on in [[The Transgressors|''The Transformers'' #44]], in which it was revealed that Horri-Bull had brought Needlenose over to the Decepticon side. Here, Horri-Bull blames Needlenose's brother for him being "uptight"; he's referring to [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]], whose familial connection to Needlenose was revealed in that same issue. | * Needlenose and Horri-Bull were a double-act in the [[The Autonomy Lesson (issue)|first issue]] of ''Robots in Disguise'', and their history together was expanded on in [[The Transgressors|''The Transformers'' #44]], in which it was revealed that Horri-Bull had brought Needlenose over to the Decepticon side. Here, Horri-Bull blames Needlenose's brother for him being "uptight"; he's referring to [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]], whose familial connection to Needlenose was revealed in that same issue. | ||
*When the Joes discuss the build-up of foreign forces, [[People's Liberation Army Mecha Force]] mechs are seen! Evidently the Chinese got them working again or had some spares. | * When the Joes discuss the build-up of foreign forces, [[People's Liberation Army Mecha Force]] mechs are seen! Evidently the Chinese got them working again or had some spares. | ||
* Though art style differences make it difficult to determine, the man to the left of the U.S. President ''appears'' to be the [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom]], who previously appeared in [[To the Victors the Spoils|''Action Man'' #0]]. | |||
* Meanwhile, the President standing on the right is evidently the Chinese President. Though [[Onyx Interface Part Two: Vs.|''The Transformers'' vol. 2 #36]] identified [[Xi Jinping]] as President of China, the man who appears in this issue appears to be a different individual. | |||
* The presence of these three national leaders is presumably due to their nations each wielding weaponized alien technology, as noted in ''[[The Modern World|Action Man: Revolution]]''. | |||
===Transformers references=== | ===Transformers references=== | ||
*Wreck-Gar mentions his "[[Nebulos|Nebulan]] headlights" and "[[Parthus|Parthan]] mudflaps." That last one's a ''Transformers'' reference by virtue of the planet having been named in sources like ''[[Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac|The AllSpark Almanac]]'' and | * Wreck-Gar mentions his "[[Nebulos|Nebulan]] headlights" and "[[Parthus|Parthan]] mudflaps." That last one's a ''Transformers'' reference by virtue of the planet having been named in sources like ''[[Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac|The AllSpark Almanac]]'' and [[Ask Vector Prime]], but it's originally a ''[[GoBots]]'' reference—the planet appeared in the ''{{gb|Challenge of the GoBots (cartoon)|Challenge of the GoBots}}'' episode "{{gb|Et Tu, Cy-Kill}}". The correct adjective should be "Parth''i''an," though! | ||
*One of the civilians watching the broadcast of Zeta Prime's speech has [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]]'s silhouette. | * One of the civilians watching the broadcast of Zeta Prime's speech has [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]]'s silhouette. | ||
*Though its origin isn't expounded on here, the [[Cosmic Carnival]] was a non-Cybertronian business that originated in [[The Cosmic Carnival|issue #44]] of the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|original Marvel Generation 1 comic book]]. Almost everything seen in this issue is a faithful recreation of a feature of the carnival seen in that original story, from the cannon, the red two-wheeled apparatus, the red and yellow podiums, the yellow ramp, the yellow curved units that link up to form the carnival ring, the cylindrical cages, and the high-dive water pit. The carnival is not seen from the outside, but fliers lying on the ground show it as it appeared in the Marvel issue, as a metallic, serpentine spacecraft. | * Though its origin isn't expounded on here, the [[Cosmic Carnival]] was a non-Cybertronian business that originated in [[The Cosmic Carnival|issue #44]] of the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|original Marvel Generation 1 comic book]]. Almost everything seen in this issue is a faithful recreation of a feature of the carnival seen in that original story, from the cannon, the red two-wheeled apparatus, the red and yellow podiums, the yellow ramp, the yellow curved units that link up to form the carnival ring, the cylindrical cages, and the high-dive water pit. The carnival is not seen from the outside, but fliers lying on the ground show it as it appeared in the Marvel issue, as a metallic, serpentine spacecraft. | ||
*Decorations seen on carnival equipment depict the ever-present Milne Easter egg [[Kremzeek]], and a [[Mecannibal]], a kind of metal-eating alien that also appeared in the Marvel series. | * Decorations seen on carnival equipment depict the ever-present Milne Easter egg [[Kremzeek]], and a [[Mecannibal]], a kind of metal-eating alien that also appeared in the Marvel series. | ||
===Real-life references=== | ===Real-life references=== | ||
*As with all chapters of "New Cybertron, | * As with all chapters of "[[New Cybertron (IDW)|New Cybertron]]", this issue's subtitle is taken from the lyrics to the {{w|Covenant (band)|Covenant}} song, "Babel". | ||
*Zeta Prime quotes from the Cybertronian propaganda film ''[[The Birth of Cybertron]]'', a reference to ''{{w|The Birth of a Nation}}'', a real-life U.S. silent film widely denounced for blatant racism and historical revisionism. | * Zeta Prime quotes from the Cybertronian propaganda film ''[[The Birth of Cybertron]]'', a reference to ''{{w|The Birth of a Nation}}'', a real-life U.S. silent film widely denounced for blatant racism and historical revisionism. | ||
*Pax says he could disarm Jetfire in six ways, which may be a nod to similar boasts by [[Batman]] in ''{{w|The Dark Knight Returns}}''. | * Pax says he could disarm Jetfire in six ways, which may be a nod to similar boasts by [[Batman]] in ''{{w|The Dark Knight Returns}}''. | ||
*Wreck-Gar's erratic speech this issue trends a little more toward the traditional Junkion style, using quotes and slogans from popular culture. His references include: | * Wreck-Gar's erratic speech this issue trends a little more toward the traditional Junkion style, using quotes and slogans from popular culture. His references include: | ||
**"They're outta there!" — a baseball umpire's call | ** "They're outta there!" — a baseball umpire's call | ||
**"Now '''that's''' revenge! This time it was '''personal!'''" — alluding to the movie ''{{w|Jaws: The Revenge}}'', and its tagline "This time, it's personal" | ** "Now '''that's''' revenge! This time it was '''personal!'''" — alluding to the movie ''{{w|Jaws: The Revenge}}'', and its tagline "This time, it's personal" | ||
**"Guess you got stuck in the middle with them" — from the {{w|Stealer's Wheel}} song "{{w|Stuck in the Middle with You}}" | ** "Guess you got stuck in the middle with them" — from the {{w|Stealer's Wheel}} song "{{w|Stuck in the Middle with You}}" | ||
**"Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the air..." — another ''Jaws'' reference, this one to the tagline of ''{{w|Jaws 2}}'', "Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water..." | ** "Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the air..." — another ''Jaws'' reference, this one to the tagline of ''{{w|Jaws 2}}'', "Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water..." | ||
===Errors=== | ===Errors=== | ||
| Line 154: | Line 160: | ||
===Covers (4)=== | ===Covers (4)=== | ||
*'''Regular cover:''' Wreck-Gar, by [[Kei Zama]] and [[Josh Burcham]] | * '''Regular cover:''' Wreck-Gar, by [[Kei Zama]] and [[Josh Burcham]] | ||
*'''Subscription cover A:''' Aileron tries to separate Pyra Magna and Optimus Prime, by [[Casey Coller]] and [[Joana Lafuente]] | * '''Subscription cover A:''' Aileron tries to separate Pyra Magna and Optimus Prime, by [[Casey Coller]] and [[Joana Lafuente]] | ||
*'''Subscription cover B:''' Jazz plays [[Aghartan electro-bass]] in front of the {{w|Angel of Independence}} in [[Mexico City]], by [[Andrew Griffith]] and [[Josh Perez]] | * '''Subscription cover B:''' Jazz plays [[Aghartan electro-bass]] in front of the {{w|Angel of Independence}} in [[Mexico City]], by [[Andrew Griffith]] and [[Josh Perez]] | ||
*'''Retailer incentive cover:''' Optimus Prime and Prowl, by [[Nelson | * '''Retailer incentive cover:''' Optimus Prime and Prowl, by [[Nelson Dániel]]; one of a series of robot mode/alt mode covers by Daniel for February's ''Transformers'' titles | ||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
| Line 167: | Line 173: | ||
===Advertisements=== | ===Advertisements=== | ||
*''Optimus Prime'' #5 | * ''Optimus Prime'' #5 | ||
*"The Hasbro Tribune" editorial page promoting February's [[Hasbro Universe]] titles, including [[G.I. Joe vol. 5 issue 3|''G.I. Joe'' #3]], | * "The Hasbro Tribune" editorial page promoting February's [[Hasbro Universe]] titles, including [[G.I. Joe vol. 5 issue 3|''G.I. Joe'' #3]], [[M.A.S.K. issue 4|''M.A.S.K.'' #4]], [[Dissolution Part 3: A World Misplaced|''Lost Light'' #3]], this issue, [[Rubicon|''Till All Are One'' #8]], [[Ghost Stories|''Transformers'' Annual 2017]], [[M.A.S.K. Annual 2017|''M.A.S.K.'' Annual 2017]], [[The Secret of the Mummy's Tomb|''Revolutionaries'' #3]], [[Micronauts issue 10|''Micronauts'' #10]], and [[Reinforcements, Part 4|''ROM'' #8]]. | ||
*''Transformers'' 2017 Annual | * ''Transformers'' 2017 Annual | ||
*''[[Aw Yeah Revolution!]]'' | * ''[[Aw Yeah Revolution!]]'' | ||
* | * [[The Deathstone|''M.A.S.K.'' 2017 Annual]] | ||
*IDW at the NC Comicon | * IDW at the NC Comicon | ||
===Reprints=== | |||
* '''''Optimus Prime Volume 1''''' <small>([[June 21]], [[2017]]) ISBN 1631409697 / ISBN 978-1631409691</small> | |||
** Collects ''Optimus Prime'' issues #1–6. | |||
** Bonus material includes art from most covers. | |||
** Trade paperback format. | |||
* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]] Volume 78: New Cybertron''''' <small>([[November 14]], [[2019]])</small> | |||
** Collects ''Optimus Prime'' issues #1–8. | |||
** Bonus material includes a sketch gallery by [[Kei Zama]], a cover gallery and an intro by [[Simon Furman]]. | |||
** Hardcover format. | |||
* '''''[[The Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase Three: Volume 2]]''''' <small>([[April 6]], [[2022]]) ISBN 1684058775 / ISBN 978-1684058778</small> | |||
** Collects ''[[The Transformers: Till All Are One|Till All Are One]]'' issues [[Heavy|#9]]–[[Your First Mistake|12]], ''Optimus Prime'' issues #1–6, and ''[[The Transformers: Lost Light|Lost Light]]'' issues [[Dissolution Part 1: Some Other Cybertron|#1]]–[[After Megatron (A Dissolution Epilogue)|7]]. | |||
** Hardcover format. | |||
<gallery> | |||
File:OP_V1_TPB.jpg|'''''Volume 1''''' – cover art by [[Kei Zama]] and [[David García Cruz]] | |||
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v78.jpg|'''''The Definitive G1 Collection Volume 78: New Cybertron''''' – cover art by [[Don Figueroa]] and [[Casey Coller]] | |||
File:IDWCollectionP3V2.jpg|'''''The IDW Collection Phase Three: Volume 2''''' – cover art by [[Sara Pitre-Durocher]] | |||
</gallery> | |||
==References== | |||
{{reflist}} | |||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
*[http://www.newsarama.com/33231-sharkticons-run-wild-in-optimus-prime-4.html Preview] | * [http://www.newsarama.com/33231-sharkticons-run-wild-in-optimus-prime-4.html Preview] | ||
[[Category:Optimus Prime issues]] | [[Category:Optimus Prime issues]] | ||
Latest revision as of 18:35, 14 May 2026
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 I got gadgets and gizmos a plenty. I got who-zzits and what-zzits galore! | |||||||||||||
| "New Cybertron Part 4: Dance Among the Shadows" | |||||||||||||
| Publisher | IDW Publishing | ||||||||||||
| First published | February 22, 2017 | ||||||||||||
| Cover date | February 2017 | ||||||||||||
| Written by | John Barber | ||||||||||||
| Art by | Alex Milne | ||||||||||||
| Colors by | Josh Burcham | ||||||||||||
| Letters by | Tom B. Long | ||||||||||||
| Editor | Carlos Guzman | ||||||||||||
| Continuity | 2005 IDW continuity | ||||||||||||
| Chronology | Current era | ||||||||||||
Pyra Magna and Optimus Prime come to blows when Prime's dangerous gambit to bring Earth and the Junkions together reaches a tipping point.
Synopsis
[edit]Rumble, Frenzy, and Cosmos desperately try to fight off the Sharkticons that rain down upon them, but they are horrendously outnumbered, unable to get a signal out to call for help, and are soon swarmed by the beasts. Their defeat is watched over a bank of monitors by Rum-Maj and Wreck-Gar, the latter of whom is still keen to make a deal with Optimus Prime for Ore-13 despite this act of deceit, while the former takes it as proof that they cannot work together and begins plotting reprisal.
Four million years ago, Orion Pax stands alongside Zeta Prime and watches as a pre-recorded announcement from Zeta is played for the populace promising that the questions about the integrity of Cybertron's police force will soon be put to rest. Orion is uncomfortable over Zeta's statements regard Hefter's guilt and the potential effects such claims will have, but Zeta waves off his concerns, pointing out that everything he is doing is pageantry in the name of the greater good a point he punctuates by revealing his phony Matrix, and promising Orion that one day, everything Zeta has built might become his...
Optimus Prime and Aileron return to Autobot City from Cybertron through the spacebridge and are immediately met by the colonist soldiers, whose persistent genuflection before Optimus continues to test Aileron's nerves. After receiving an update on current events from Jetfire, Optimus requests that he contact Soundwave and have him invite the leaders of Earth to Autobot City the next morning. Soundwave, still visiting the G.I. Joe encampment on the Matterhorn, agrees, though his reluctance to mention his current activities to his fellow Cybertronians tips Talon off to the fact that he is acting without Optimus's approval.
In Cairo, Thundercracker, Marissa, and Buster take in the sights at a bazaar, while Thundercracker wheedles more information out of Marissa about her estranged father, Flint. He eventually convinces her that Flint's offer for her to join G.I. Joe was just a way to get to know her better, and, giving her little choice in the matter, carries her after Flint and Chameleon's departing Sky Hawk. Their fly-by interrupts a very similar awkward conversation going on between the two Joes, and they follow Marissa's directions to land in Sicily, where father and daughter finally talk a little more openly about their complicated relationship. Marissa explains that she didn't turn down Flint's offer because she didn't want to work with him: she did it because she genuinely doesn't believe there's any way to win against the Transformers, and she just wants to enjoy life before the Earth pays the price for their presence.
Aileron takes Optimus Prime aside to ask him what he is planning, and Prime explains that, inspired by Starscream's words, he is going to force the Council of Worlds to vote on Earth's membership by actively brokering an unprecedented breach of the Tyrest Accord between humans and Junkions. Aileron is distressed to hear that Prime is so willing to bring the two planets so close to a potential war; she accuses him of letting his Prime status go to his head, but Prime once again tells her that he does not pretend to divinity—he merely tries to steer the faith of those who blindly follow him and the Matrix toward "something constructive." Unfortunately, his and Aileron's conversation is overhead by Pyra Magna, who, disgusted by the way she believes Prime toys with the beliefs of his followers, marches right up to Optimus and cracks his faceplate with a powerful punch! The sound of the fight brings all the Autobots in the city running, even though Optimus refuses to strike back. Pyra re-asserts her claim to the Matrix as a true believer in its power, and angrily recants her vow to help Optimus learn how to use it, previously having thought of him as a well-meaning ignorant, but now seeing that he is a user of others' beliefs, devoid of any of his own. Prime does not counter her arguments, but merely tells all assembled to gather on the deck at dawn to receive their human guests.
Prowl uncuffs Jetfire and sends him on his way, but the scientist does not leave without a parting sock to the cop's jaw. The punch is observed from the shadows by Decepticons Horri-Bull and Needlenose, who take it as evidence of Jetfire's loyalty to their cause, and provide Jetfire with one of the new guns they have smuggled into the city to "defend" himself with in the future. A little later, Pax and Prowl meet at the deserted Cosmic Carnival, where it turns out the scene was all a set up: Prowl and Jetfire's fight was an act, and Jetfire hands over the gun to Pax as evidence to help clear Hefter's name. Pax points out it will take more than this and Soundwave's word about what "true Decepticons" believe to convince anyone, to which Jetfire replies that he knows the time and location of the next gun shipment's arrival...
As dawn breaks, the President of the United States and various other world leaders gather on the deck of Autobot City before Optimus Prime and his forces. Together, they watch as a Junkion shuttle arrives overhead... but no-one is prepared when, rather than landing, the shuttle merely hovers overhead so Rum-Maj can toss Cosmos's battered body out of its hatchway! Panic breaks out among the 'bots and humans as, at Rum-Maj's order, the Sharkticon horde begins pouring out of the Junkions' spacecraft, ready to destroy everything in its path!
Featured characters
[edit]Characters in italic text appear only in flashbacks.
(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)
| Autobots | Decepticons | Junkions | G.I. Joe | Others |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Quotes
[edit]"All creatures do is destroy. All living creatures in the galaxy. Do you want to see us? We are the trash that has been built—from what creatures destroyed. That is the meaning of civilization. All it is good for... is spare parts."
- —Rum-Maj
"Sir—it's not real. The Matrix is just a prop."
"Well, I had lights installed."
- —Orion Pax and Zeta Prime
"Flint's some guy who got my mom pregnant, and she's no prize."
"Where is she?"
"The bottom of a bottle, I imagine."
"Is she very tiny, or is the bottle—"
- —Marissa and Thundercracker
"Why shouldn't the Matrix reside with a Camien? With a believer? Why shouldn't it reside with me? This isn't arrogance. I understand the burden of leadership. I have watched mentors and friends die. I know what I ask for, and I don't do it for glory. I believe in the Way of Flame. Whatever disagreements I have with the Mistress... I exist to light the way. There's nothing wrong with wanting to light the entire galaxy."
- —Pyra Magna
"Nice dent. Jetfire?"
"Yeah."
"Well, you deserve it for the interrogation room."
"Oh, I'm sure I deserve it for more than that."
- —Orion Pax and Prowl discuss Prowl's shiner
"The difference between Optimus and me is simple. I am honest about my ambitions. Optimus cloaks his crusade in the trappings of a holy endeavor. Belief is a means to an end for him—a path to victory. But that is not the way of a true Prime. Victory is the path to belief. And I know the path fate demands I walk."
- —Pyra Magna
Notes
[edit]Continuity notes
[edit]- Frenzy generates his signature sonic attack with the wrist-drills unique to the IDW version of the character, which were introduced with his debut in All Hail Megatron #2, but haven't been seen since 2012's Robots in Disguise #11.
- Pyra Magna's narration in this issue recounts her team's major roles in IDW stories up to now, including their arrival on Cybertron in the Sea of Rust ("the worst, most desolate region") in the Combiner Hunters one-shot, and her meeting with and agreement to help Optimus Prime from The Transformers #47.
- Soundwave considers humans his favorite creatures on Earth, after elephants. He was previously seen admiring elephants in The Transformers #38.
- A worried Mainframe says there's "more tactical megatonnage than Nanzhao." That'd be the country that was turned into a smoking crater in the second volume of IDW's Joe comics.
- Marissa mentions how G.I. Joe "pretended to be dead for a while"; this was standard operating procedure for the team in IDW continuity until their existence was made public, with each member abandoning their civilian life, leaving their friends and loved ones to believe them dead, fake funeral and all.
- Marissa also alludes to her mother being an alcoholic; coupled with the obviously young age at which Flint fathered her, this is a hint to her mother being Claire Austin, the hard-drinking college girlfriend of Flint mentioned in 2013's The Cobra Files #6.[1]
- Optimus refers to the Matrix as a "pulsewave generator"; "pulsewaves" were the name used to refer to the waves of life-giving energy released by Vector Sigma in More than Meets the Eye #19, alluding to the Matrix's life-giving capabilities.
- Needlenose and Horri-Bull were a double-act in the first issue of Robots in Disguise, and their history together was expanded on in The Transformers #44, in which it was revealed that Horri-Bull had brought Needlenose over to the Decepticon side. Here, Horri-Bull blames Needlenose's brother for him being "uptight"; he's referring to Tracks, whose familial connection to Needlenose was revealed in that same issue.
- When the Joes discuss the build-up of foreign forces, People's Liberation Army Mecha Force mechs are seen! Evidently the Chinese got them working again or had some spares.
- Though art style differences make it difficult to determine, the man to the left of the U.S. President appears to be the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, who previously appeared in Action Man #0.
- Meanwhile, the President standing on the right is evidently the Chinese President. Though The Transformers vol. 2 #36 identified Xi Jinping as President of China, the man who appears in this issue appears to be a different individual.
- The presence of these three national leaders is presumably due to their nations each wielding weaponized alien technology, as noted in Action Man: Revolution.
Transformers references
[edit]- Wreck-Gar mentions his "Nebulan headlights" and "Parthan mudflaps." That last one's a Transformers reference by virtue of the planet having been named in sources like The AllSpark Almanac and Ask Vector Prime, but it's originally a GoBots reference—the planet appeared in the Challenge of the GoBots episode "Et Tu, Cy-Kill". The correct adjective should be "Parthian," though!
- One of the civilians watching the broadcast of Zeta Prime's speech has Bombshell's silhouette.
- Though its origin isn't expounded on here, the Cosmic Carnival was a non-Cybertronian business that originated in issue #44 of the original Marvel Generation 1 comic book. Almost everything seen in this issue is a faithful recreation of a feature of the carnival seen in that original story, from the cannon, the red two-wheeled apparatus, the red and yellow podiums, the yellow ramp, the yellow curved units that link up to form the carnival ring, the cylindrical cages, and the high-dive water pit. The carnival is not seen from the outside, but fliers lying on the ground show it as it appeared in the Marvel issue, as a metallic, serpentine spacecraft.
- Decorations seen on carnival equipment depict the ever-present Milne Easter egg Kremzeek, and a Mecannibal, a kind of metal-eating alien that also appeared in the Marvel series.
Real-life references
[edit]- As with all chapters of "New Cybertron", this issue's subtitle is taken from the lyrics to the Covenant song, "Babel".
- Zeta Prime quotes from the Cybertronian propaganda film The Birth of Cybertron, a reference to The Birth of a Nation, a real-life U.S. silent film widely denounced for blatant racism and historical revisionism.
- Pax says he could disarm Jetfire in six ways, which may be a nod to similar boasts by Batman in The Dark Knight Returns.
- Wreck-Gar's erratic speech this issue trends a little more toward the traditional Junkion style, using quotes and slogans from popular culture. His references include:
- "They're outta there!" — a baseball umpire's call
- "Now that's revenge! This time it was personal!" — alluding to the movie Jaws: The Revenge, and its tagline "This time, it's personal"
- "Guess you got stuck in the middle with them" — from the Stealer's Wheel song "Stuck in the Middle with You"
- "Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the air..." — another Jaws reference, this one to the tagline of Jaws 2, "Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water..."
Errors
[edit]- On page 4, Zeta refers to Orion Pax as "Optimus", before he ever got that name. This was corrected in the trade.
Covers (4)
[edit]- Regular cover: Wreck-Gar, by Kei Zama and Josh Burcham
- Subscription cover A: Aileron tries to separate Pyra Magna and Optimus Prime, by Casey Coller and Joana Lafuente
- Subscription cover B: Jazz plays Aghartan electro-bass in front of the Angel of Independence in Mexico City, by Andrew Griffith and Josh Perez
- Retailer incentive cover: Optimus Prime and Prowl, by Nelson Dániel; one of a series of robot mode/alt mode covers by Daniel for February's Transformers titles
-
"How about I dare to kick your ass?" -
"Come on you two - kiss and make up." -
Play that muthafreakin' bass! -
Roll out!
Advertisements
[edit]- Optimus Prime #5
- "The Hasbro Tribune" editorial page promoting February's Hasbro Universe titles, including G.I. Joe #3, M.A.S.K. #4, Lost Light #3, this issue, Till All Are One #8, Transformers Annual 2017, M.A.S.K. Annual 2017, Revolutionaries #3, Micronauts #10, and ROM #8.
- Transformers 2017 Annual
- Aw Yeah Revolution!
- M.A.S.K. 2017 Annual
- IDW at the NC Comicon
Reprints
[edit]- Optimus Prime Volume 1 (June 21, 2017) ISBN 1631409697 / ISBN 978-1631409691
- Collects Optimus Prime issues #1–6.
- Bonus material includes art from most covers.
- Trade paperback format.
- Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection Volume 78: New Cybertron (November 14, 2019)
- Collects Optimus Prime issues #1–8.
- Bonus material includes a sketch gallery by Kei Zama, a cover gallery and an intro by Simon Furman.
- Hardcover format.
- The Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase Three: Volume 2 (April 6, 2022) ISBN 1684058775 / ISBN 978-1684058778
- Collects Till All Are One issues #9–12, Optimus Prime issues #1–6, and Lost Light issues #1–7.
- Hardcover format.
-
Volume 1 – cover art by Kei Zama and David García Cruz -
The Definitive G1 Collection Volume 78: New Cybertron – cover art by Don Figueroa and Casey Coller -
The IDW Collection Phase Three: Volume 2 – cover art by Sara Pitre-Durocher
References
[edit]- ↑ "Good eye! Claire Austin is indeed Marissa's mother, and you're the first person I've heard figure it out!"—John Barber, Twitter, 2017/03/30
