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|caption= | |caption= | ||
|title="Race Against the Light" | |title="Race Against the Light" | ||
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|letters by=[[Tom B. Long]] | |letters by=[[Tom B. Long]] | ||
|editor=[[John Barber]] | |editor=[[John Barber]] | ||
|continuity=[[2005 | |continuity=[[2005 IDW continuity]] | ||
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era (2015)]] | |chronology=[[2005 IDW timeline|Current era (2015)]] | ||
}} | }} | ||
'''In a vicious race without rules, Blurr's going to need a little Titan-manipulating help from Windblade in order to win.''' | '''In a vicious race without rules, Blurr's going to need a little Titan-manipulating help from Windblade in order to win.''' | ||
==Synopsis== | ==Synopsis== | ||
Windblade realizes that the wall of fire chasing the [[Velocitron]]ian city is actually the light of the planet's sun scorching its surface, and that this is the reason Velocitron's cities have to constantly move. Desperately trying to keep up with the city as the burning dawn nips at their heels, the team radios [[Moonracer (G1)|Moonracer]], who directs them to an access hatch that will allow them to safely enter the mobile metropolis. [[Ironhide (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ironhide]] almost doesn't make it, but [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]]'s refusal to leave his side gives him the encouragement to make the final leap through the hatchway. Once everyone is inside, they are met by Moonracer, who explains that she earned her position as ambassador by keeping pace with the city—actually the planet's capital, [[Delta]]—for an entire day. An incredulous Ironhide wonders what being fast has to do with being suited for politics; Moonracer wearily agrees that it's a nonsensical system of government, but she can't change the way the planet works. She details the three unofficial tiers of Velocitronian society—the racers, who rule everything; the well-respected "direct support" who aid the racers physically and medically; and everyone else—then introduces them to her assistant, [[Clocker (G1)|Clocker]]. Matters then turn to the race [[Blurr (G1) | Windblade realizes that the wall of fire chasing the [[Velocitron]]ian city is actually the light of the planet's sun scorching its surface, and that this is the reason Velocitron's cities have to constantly move. Desperately trying to keep up with the city as the burning dawn nips at their heels, the team radios [[Moonracer (G1)|Moonracer]], who directs them to an access hatch that will allow them to safely enter the mobile metropolis. [[Ironhide (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ironhide]] almost doesn't make it, but [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]]'s refusal to leave his side gives him the encouragement to make the final leap through the hatchway. Once everyone is inside, they are met by Moonracer, who explains that she earned her position as ambassador by keeping pace with the city—actually the planet's capital, [[Delta]]—for an entire day. An incredulous Ironhide wonders what being fast has to do with being suited for politics; Moonracer wearily agrees that it's a nonsensical system of government, but she can't change the way the planet works. She details the three unofficial tiers of Velocitronian society—the racers, who rule everything; the well-respected "direct support" who aid the racers physically and medically; and everyone else—then introduces them to her assistant, [[Clocker (G1)|Clocker]]. Matters then turn to the race [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] is here to participate in: the [[Benefit 500]], a race in which there are no rules, and one which he will have to not just win, but win ''spectacularly'' in order to get the planet's people on his side. This is especially necessary because the planet leader [[Override (BWU)|Override]]'s power is tenuous at the moment, with her rival [[Ransack (IDW)|Ransack]] vying for control, and massive public support will be necessary for any decision she makes based on Blurr's win. | ||
While Moonracer leads Blurr and Ironhide to the racetrack, Windblade and Chromia have Clocker take them to the brain of [[Navitas]], the [[Titan (group)|Titan]] upon whose body Delta is built. Perturbed by the decadence of Velocitron society, Windblade is even more appalled to discover how neglected Navitas is, his brain chamber having gone undisturbed for years. Using her [[cityspeaker|cityspeaking]] talents, Windblade converses with Navitas, explaining her origins and the reasons for her presence on Velocitron, but soon discovers that Navitas's mind is impaired from countless years of neglect when he immediately forgets who she is in mid-conversation. Lacking the time to fix him or merge with him, Windblade begins examining the inner workings of his brain, searching for the connections that control the racetrack... | While Moonracer leads Blurr and Ironhide to the racetrack, Windblade and Chromia have Clocker take them to the brain of [[Navitas]], the [[Titan (group)|Titan]] upon whose body Delta is built. Perturbed by the decadence of Velocitron society, Windblade is even more appalled to discover how neglected Navitas is, his brain chamber having gone undisturbed for years. Using her [[cityspeaker|cityspeaking]] talents, Windblade converses with Navitas, explaining her origins and the reasons for her presence on Velocitron, but soon discovers that Navitas's mind is impaired from countless years of neglect when he immediately forgets who she is in mid-conversation. Lacking the time to fix him or merge with him, Windblade begins examining the inner workings of his brain, searching for the connections that control the racetrack... | ||
Ironhide, Blurr, and Moonracer are stopped by a pair of guards when they try to enter the track, but Blurr's speed quickly puts them to shame and the trio are allowed access. Blurr heads down to the starting line, where he meets the arrogant [[Rapido|Racemaster]], and soon, Override—watching from a spectator's box overhead—calls for the race to begin. Blurr gets a taste of Velocitronian dedication to victory almost immediately when Racemaster rakes him with blades protruding from his side, but Blurr's refusal to play dirty by fighting back despite the fact the race is specifically "no holds barred" intrigues Override. | Ironhide, Blurr, and Moonracer are stopped by a pair of guards when they try to enter the track, but Blurr's speed quickly puts them to shame and the trio are allowed access. Blurr heads down to the starting line, where he meets the arrogant [[Rapido|Racemaster]], and soon, Override—watching from a spectator's box overhead—calls for the race to begin. Blurr gets a taste of Velocitronian dedication to victory almost immediately when Racemaster rakes him with blades protruding from his side, but Blurr's refusal to play dirty by fighting back despite the fact the race is specifically "no holds barred" intrigues Override. [[Knock Out (G1)|Knock Out]], meanwhile, is disgusted when he realizes who Blurr is, but Moonracer smiles and informs the pair not to count the Cybertronians out yet. Her words prove prophetic, as Windblade manipulates Navitas's brain to control the surface of the racetrack, re-shaping it and hurling obstacles in the path of all the other racers, while providing Blurr with the ramps and jumps he needs to soar to the finish line. The victorious Blurr introduces himself to the frenzied audience and invites them to experience the thrill of racing on all new worlds by joining with Cybertron; Override calls for a vote on his proposal, and thunderous applause from the stands ensures that the Cybertron/Velocitron alliance is now a certainty. Windblade barely has a moment to enjoy the win, however, as [[Wheeljack (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Wheeljack]] radios her to let her know that [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]] is about to meet with ambassadors from [[Devisiun (planet)|another]] of the colony worlds... | ||
==Featured characters== | ==Featured characters== | ||
{{Featuredcharacters | {{Featuredcharacters | ||
|c1= | |c1= | ||
*[[Blurr (G1) | * [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] (1) | ||
*[[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] (2) | * [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] (2) | ||
*[[Ironhide (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ironhide]] (3) | * [[Ironhide (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ironhide]] (3) | ||
*[[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]] (4) | * [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]] (4) | ||
*[[Wheeljack (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Wheeljack]] (14) | * [[Wheeljack (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Wheeljack]] (14) | ||
|c4= | |c4= | ||
{{collist|2| | {{collist|2| | ||
*[[Moonracer (G1)|Moonracer]] (5) | * [[Moonracer (G1)|Moonracer]] (5) | ||
*[[Override ( | * [[Override (BWU)|Override]] (6) | ||
*[[Ransack (IDW)|Ransack]] (7) | * [[Ransack (IDW)|Ransack]] (7) | ||
*[[Clocker (G1)|Clocker]] (8) | * [[Clocker (G1)|Clocker]] (8) | ||
*[[Navitas]]'s brain (9) | * [[Navitas]]'s brain (9) | ||
*[[Rapido|Racemaster]] (10) | * [[Rapido|Racemaster]] (10) | ||
*[[Knock Out (G1)|Knock Out]] (11) | * [[Knock Out (G1)|Knock Out]] (11) | ||
*[[Breakdown (IDW)|Breakdown]] (12) | * [[Breakdown (IDW)|Breakdown]] (12) | ||
*[[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]] (13) | * [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]] (13) | ||
}} | }} | ||
}} | }} | ||
| Line 68: | Line 69: | ||
==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
===Continuity notes=== | ===Continuity notes=== | ||
*Knock Out's [[Conjunx Endura]], mentioned last issue, appears in the crowd at the race. We know it's him because, per Mairghread Scott's comments after last issue, he looks like [[Breakdown (WFC)|''Prime'' Breakdown]], but we don't know what his name is, because there's [[Breakdown (G1)|already a Breakdown]] in this continuity. | * Knock Out's [[Conjunx Endura]], mentioned last issue, appears in the crowd at the race. We know it's him because, per Mairghread Scott's comments after last issue, he looks like [[Breakdown (WFC)|''Prime'' Breakdown]], but we don't know what his name is, because there's [[Breakdown (G1)|already a Breakdown]] in this continuity. | ||
**It wouldn't be until the preview for ''[[Transformers vs. Visionaries]]'' [[Schismatic|#1]] that we'd learn he is, in fact, ''also'' named Breakdown. | ** It wouldn't be until the preview for ''[[Transformers vs. Visionaries]]'' [[Schismatic|#1]] that we'd learn he is, in fact, ''also'' named Breakdown. | ||
*Ransack appeared in a montage of Velocitron last issue, but with a different color scheme. | * Ransack appeared in a montage of Velocitron last issue, but with a different color scheme. | ||
*In another example of Windblade's developing underhanded nature, after scolding Clocker over the Velocitronians using Navitas to suit their own ends, she turns around and rewires him to do the exact same thing. One could argue however that she knew Navitas would not get help if Blurr did not win the race. | * In another example of Windblade's developing underhanded nature, after scolding Clocker over the Velocitronians using Navitas to suit their own ends, she turns around and rewires him to do the exact same thing. One could argue, however, that she knew Navitas would not get help if Blurr did not win the race. | ||
===Transformers references=== | ===Transformers references=== | ||
*Delta was first named as a major city on Velocitron in the ''[[Transformers: Exiles]]'' novel. | * Delta was first named as a major city on Velocitron in the ''[[Transformers: Exiles]]'' novel. | ||
*Ransack was just a troublemaking shmuck in the [[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|''Cybertron'' cartoon]]; his position of importance in Velocitronian society originates with the [[Ransack (Prime)|version of the character]] from the ''Exiles'' novel. | * Ransack was just a troublemaking shmuck in the [[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|''Cybertron'' cartoon]]; his position of importance in Velocitronian society originates with the [[Ransack (Prime)|version of the character]] from the ''Exiles'' novel. | ||
*Chromia shows off an unshakeable dedication to saving Ironhide's life, another moment referencing their romantic relationship in [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original ''The Transformers'' cartoon]]. | * Chromia shows off an unshakeable dedication to saving Ironhide's life, another moment referencing their romantic relationship in [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original ''The Transformers'' cartoon]]. | ||
*Clocker is based on the [[Transformers (2007 toyline)|live-action movie toyline]] [[Clocker (Movie)|Clocker]], who was a redeco of the ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' Velocitronian [[Clocker (Cybertron)|Clocker]] and was later re-released (as the ''Cybertron'' character, but in his movieverse counterpart's deco) under the [[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|2008 Universe'' line]]. | * Clocker is based on the [[Transformers (2007 toyline)|live-action movie toyline]] [[Clocker (Movie)|Clocker]], who was a redeco of the ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' Velocitronian [[Clocker (Cybertron)|Clocker]] and was later re-released (as the ''Cybertron'' character, but in his movieverse counterpart's deco) under the [[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|2008 Universe'' line]]. | ||
*Clocker mentions that Ransack might beat Override in "the next Speedia race"; the [[ | * Clocker mentions that Ransack might beat Override in "the next Speedia race"; the [[Speedia 500]], seen in the [[Beginning|final episode]] of the ''Cybertron'' cartoon, is the race which decides the overall leader of the planet. The same race also played a similar role in ''Exiles''. | ||
*"Racemaster" takes his name and red-and-gold color scheme from the ''[[Transformers United EX]]'' alias for [[Rapido]]. Does that mean he ''is'' the IDW continuity version of Rapido? We're not sure. | * "Racemaster" takes his name and red-and-gold color scheme from the ''[[Transformers United EX]]'' alias for [[Rapido]]. Does that mean he ''is'' the IDW continuity version of Rapido? We're not sure. | ||
*Navitas refers to Windblade as "[[Caminus (Titan)|Caminus]]' sparkling". The term "sparkling" is used in some parts of the fandom to refer to the idea of a Transformer child, often a literal "baby" robot. This marks its first use in official fiction, carrying a similar connotation as Windblade like all Camiens was born of the hot spot carried within Caminus. | * Navitas refers to Windblade as "[[Caminus (Titan)|Caminus]]' sparkling". The term "sparkling" is used in some parts of the fandom to refer to the idea of a Transformer child, often a literal "baby" robot. This marks its first use in official fiction, carrying a similar connotation as Windblade like all Camiens was born of the hot spot carried within Caminus. | ||
===Errors=== | ===Errors=== | ||
*On page 9, Navitas speaks of "Cybertron's decent into superstition." That ought to be "descent". This was fixed for the trade. | * The lower parts of Windblade's wings are inconsistently colored red or black throughout the issue. | ||
*On page 16, Knock Out calls Blurr a "Cybertonian" rather than "Cybertronian". This was also fixed for the trade. | * On the second panel of page 7, the inner part of Ironhide's arm is colored like a wheel, when it should be plain red. | ||
* On page 9, Navitas speaks of "Cybertron's decent into superstition." That ought to be "descent". This was fixed for the trade. | |||
* On page 16, Knock Out calls Blurr a "Cybertonian" rather than "Cybertronian". This was also fixed for the trade. | |||
===Covers (3)=== | ===Covers (3)=== | ||
*'''Regular cover:''' Windblade, Chromia, and Blurr, [[Priscilla Tramontano]] | * '''Regular cover:''' Windblade, Chromia, and Blurr, [[Priscilla Tramontano]] | ||
*'''Subscription cover:''' Blurr in action, silhouetted by Windblade, by [[Casey Coller]] and [[Joana Lafuente]] | * '''Subscription cover:''' Blurr in action, silhouetted by Windblade, by [[Casey Coller]] and [[Joana Lafuente]] | ||
*'''Retailer incentive cover:''' One of a series of "[[Pan Cybertronian Spaceways]]" travel posters by [[James Biggie]] that make up the Retailer Incentive covers on IDW's July ''Transformers'' titles; this one promotes [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]]. | * '''Retailer incentive cover:''' One of a series of "[[Pan Cybertronian Spaceways]]" travel posters by [[James Biggie]] that make up the Retailer Incentive covers on IDW's July ''Transformers'' titles; this one promotes [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]]. | ||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
File:Windbladev2-5-regcvr.jpg| | File:Windbladev2-5-regcvr.jpg| | ||
| Line 97: | Line 101: | ||
===Advertisements=== | ===Advertisements=== | ||
*''Windblade'' #6 | * ''Windblade'' #6 | ||
*[[An Uneventful Night|''Combiner Hunters'' #1]] | * [[An Uneventful Night|''Combiner Hunters'' #1]] | ||
*''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets The Eye]]'' [[The One Where They Go to Earth|#43]] | * ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets The Eye]]'' [[The One Where They Go to Earth|#43]] | ||
*''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|The Transformers]]'' [[South of Heaven|#43]] | * ''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|The Transformers]]'' [[South of Heaven|#43]] | ||
*''[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe]]'' [[Pax Megatronus|#8]] | * ''[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe]]'' [[Pax Megatronus|#8]] | ||
*''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 comic)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Robots in Disguise issue 1|#1]] | * ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 comic)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Robots in Disguise issue 1|#1]] | ||
*IDW ''Transformers'' graphic novel library | * IDW ''Transformers'' graphic novel library | ||
*''Walt Disney's Comics and Stories'' #721 (back cover) | * ''Walt Disney's Comics and Stories'' #721 (back cover) | ||
===Reprints=== | ===Reprints=== | ||
* '''''The Transformers: Distant Stars''''' <small>([[April 20]], 2016) ISBN 1631406000 / ISBN 978-1631406003</small> | * '''''The Transformers: Windblade - Distant Stars''''' <small>([[April 20]], [[2016]]) ISBN 1631406000 / ISBN 978-1631406003</small> | ||
* '''''Transformers Windblade | ** Collects ''Windblade'' (2015) issues #4–7, and [[An Uneventful Night|''Combiner Hunters'' #1]]. | ||
** Trade paperback format. | |||
* '''''Transformers: Windblade - The Last City''''' <small>([[February 14]], [[2018]]) ISBN 978-1684052240</small> | |||
** Collects ''Windblade'' (2014) issues #1–4, and ''Windblade'' (2015) issues #1–7, but not the alternating chapters of ''[[Combiner Wars (comic)|Combiner Wars]]'' from ''The Transformers'' vol. 2 needed to complete the story. Um. | |||
** Bonus material includes covers from each issue. | |||
** Trade paperback format. | |||
* '''''[[The Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 9]]''''' <small>([[June 19]], [[2019]]) ISBN 1684054842 / ISBN 978-1684054848</small> | |||
** Collects [[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|''The Transformers'' (2012)]] issues [[First Contact (IDW)|#39]]–[[You, Me, and the Universe|41]], [[Now and On Earth|42]]–[[South of Heaven|43]], ''Windblade'' (2015) issues #1–3 & #4–5, and ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' issues [[The Sensuous Frame|#41]]–[[The Not Knowing|44]]. | |||
** Hardcover format. | |||
* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 68: Empire of Stone''''' <small>([[November 27]], 2019)</small> | |||
** Collects ''[[The Transformers: Drift - Empire of Stone|Drift - Empire of Stone]]'' issues [[Drift - Empire of Stone issue 1|#1]]–[[Drift - Empire of Stone issue 4|4]], and ''Windblade'' (2015) issues #5–7. | |||
** Bonus material includes a cover gallery, and an intro by [[Simon Furman]]. | |||
** Hardcover format. | |||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
File:Windblade-Distant-Stars.jpg|''''' | File:Windblade-Distant-Stars.jpg|'''''Windblade - Distant Stars''''' – cover art by [[Naoto Tsushima]] and [[Jet Enter]]. | ||
File:Windblade-Last-City.jpg|''''' | File:Windblade-Last-City.jpg|'''''Windblade - The Last City''''' – cover art by [[Sara Pitre-Durocher]]. | ||
File:IDWCollectionP2V9.jpg|'''''The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 9''''' – cover art by [[Marcelo Matere]]. | |||
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v68.jpg|'''''The Definitive G1 Collection: Volume 68: Empire of Stone''''' – cover art by [[Guido Guidi]] and [[Dreamwave Productions]]. | |||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
*[http://www.newsarama.com/25337-transformers-exclusive-previews-transformers-more-than-meets-the-eye-43-transformers-combiner-hunters-special-one-shot-transformers-windblade-5.html Preview] | * [http://www.newsarama.com/25337-transformers-exclusive-previews-transformers-more-than-meets-the-eye-43-transformers-combiner-hunters-special-one-shot-transformers-windblade-5.html Preview] | ||
[[Category:Windblade issues]] | [[Category:Windblade issues]] | ||
Latest revision as of 09:34, 21 May 2023
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| "Race Against the Light" | |||||||||||||
| Publisher | IDW Publishing | ||||||||||||
| First published | July 29, 2015 | ||||||||||||
| Cover date | July 2015 | ||||||||||||
| Written by | Mairghread Scott | ||||||||||||
| Art by | Corin Howell | ||||||||||||
| Colors by | Thomas Deer | ||||||||||||
| Letters by | Tom B. Long | ||||||||||||
| Editor | John Barber | ||||||||||||
| Continuity | 2005 IDW continuity | ||||||||||||
| Chronology | Current era (2015) | ||||||||||||
In a vicious race without rules, Blurr's going to need a little Titan-manipulating help from Windblade in order to win.
Synopsis
[edit]Windblade realizes that the wall of fire chasing the Velocitronian city is actually the light of the planet's sun scorching its surface, and that this is the reason Velocitron's cities have to constantly move. Desperately trying to keep up with the city as the burning dawn nips at their heels, the team radios Moonracer, who directs them to an access hatch that will allow them to safely enter the mobile metropolis. Ironhide almost doesn't make it, but Chromia's refusal to leave his side gives him the encouragement to make the final leap through the hatchway. Once everyone is inside, they are met by Moonracer, who explains that she earned her position as ambassador by keeping pace with the city—actually the planet's capital, Delta—for an entire day. An incredulous Ironhide wonders what being fast has to do with being suited for politics; Moonracer wearily agrees that it's a nonsensical system of government, but she can't change the way the planet works. She details the three unofficial tiers of Velocitronian society—the racers, who rule everything; the well-respected "direct support" who aid the racers physically and medically; and everyone else—then introduces them to her assistant, Clocker. Matters then turn to the race Blurr is here to participate in: the Benefit 500, a race in which there are no rules, and one which he will have to not just win, but win spectacularly in order to get the planet's people on his side. This is especially necessary because the planet leader Override's power is tenuous at the moment, with her rival Ransack vying for control, and massive public support will be necessary for any decision she makes based on Blurr's win.
While Moonracer leads Blurr and Ironhide to the racetrack, Windblade and Chromia have Clocker take them to the brain of Navitas, the Titan upon whose body Delta is built. Perturbed by the decadence of Velocitron society, Windblade is even more appalled to discover how neglected Navitas is, his brain chamber having gone undisturbed for years. Using her cityspeaking talents, Windblade converses with Navitas, explaining her origins and the reasons for her presence on Velocitron, but soon discovers that Navitas's mind is impaired from countless years of neglect when he immediately forgets who she is in mid-conversation. Lacking the time to fix him or merge with him, Windblade begins examining the inner workings of his brain, searching for the connections that control the racetrack...
Ironhide, Blurr, and Moonracer are stopped by a pair of guards when they try to enter the track, but Blurr's speed quickly puts them to shame and the trio are allowed access. Blurr heads down to the starting line, where he meets the arrogant Racemaster, and soon, Override—watching from a spectator's box overhead—calls for the race to begin. Blurr gets a taste of Velocitronian dedication to victory almost immediately when Racemaster rakes him with blades protruding from his side, but Blurr's refusal to play dirty by fighting back despite the fact the race is specifically "no holds barred" intrigues Override. Knock Out, meanwhile, is disgusted when he realizes who Blurr is, but Moonracer smiles and informs the pair not to count the Cybertronians out yet. Her words prove prophetic, as Windblade manipulates Navitas's brain to control the surface of the racetrack, re-shaping it and hurling obstacles in the path of all the other racers, while providing Blurr with the ramps and jumps he needs to soar to the finish line. The victorious Blurr introduces himself to the frenzied audience and invites them to experience the thrill of racing on all new worlds by joining with Cybertron; Override calls for a vote on his proposal, and thunderous applause from the stands ensures that the Cybertron/Velocitron alliance is now a certainty. Windblade barely has a moment to enjoy the win, however, as Wheeljack radios her to let her know that Starscream is about to meet with ambassadors from another of the colony worlds...
Featured characters
[edit](Numbers indicate order of appearance.)
| Autobots | Others |
|---|---|
|
Quotes
[edit]"I raced for a while, and made a name for myself by keeping pace with the city for an entire day. It's why I was made ambassador to Cybertron."
"No offense, but how does bein' fast make you a good ambassador?"
"Between you, me, and the Titan, I agree with you. But that's not how things work here."
- —Moonracer and Ironhide
"This place is huge!"
"No need to be polite, Blurr. The Benefit has always been held on one of our smaller tracks."
- —Blurr is shocked by what Moonracer considers "small" on Velocitron
"They call me... Racemaster."
"Heh... not the most original name I've ever heard."
"Who cares about originality? I've got speed."
- —Racemaster and Blurr
Notes
[edit]Continuity notes
[edit]- Knock Out's Conjunx Endura, mentioned last issue, appears in the crowd at the race. We know it's him because, per Mairghread Scott's comments after last issue, he looks like Prime Breakdown, but we don't know what his name is, because there's already a Breakdown in this continuity.
- It wouldn't be until the preview for Transformers vs. Visionaries #1 that we'd learn he is, in fact, also named Breakdown.
- Ransack appeared in a montage of Velocitron last issue, but with a different color scheme.
- In another example of Windblade's developing underhanded nature, after scolding Clocker over the Velocitronians using Navitas to suit their own ends, she turns around and rewires him to do the exact same thing. One could argue, however, that she knew Navitas would not get help if Blurr did not win the race.
Transformers references
[edit]- Delta was first named as a major city on Velocitron in the Transformers: Exiles novel.
- Ransack was just a troublemaking shmuck in the Cybertron cartoon; his position of importance in Velocitronian society originates with the version of the character from the Exiles novel.
- Chromia shows off an unshakeable dedication to saving Ironhide's life, another moment referencing their romantic relationship in original The Transformers cartoon.
- Clocker is based on the live-action movie toyline Clocker, who was a redeco of the Cybertron Velocitronian Clocker and was later re-released (as the Cybertron character, but in his movieverse counterpart's deco) under the 2008 Universe line.
- Clocker mentions that Ransack might beat Override in "the next Speedia race"; the Speedia 500, seen in the final episode of the Cybertron cartoon, is the race which decides the overall leader of the planet. The same race also played a similar role in Exiles.
- "Racemaster" takes his name and red-and-gold color scheme from the Transformers United EX alias for Rapido. Does that mean he is the IDW continuity version of Rapido? We're not sure.
- Navitas refers to Windblade as "Caminus' sparkling". The term "sparkling" is used in some parts of the fandom to refer to the idea of a Transformer child, often a literal "baby" robot. This marks its first use in official fiction, carrying a similar connotation as Windblade like all Camiens was born of the hot spot carried within Caminus.
Errors
[edit]- The lower parts of Windblade's wings are inconsistently colored red or black throughout the issue.
- On the second panel of page 7, the inner part of Ironhide's arm is colored like a wheel, when it should be plain red.
- On page 9, Navitas speaks of "Cybertron's decent into superstition." That ought to be "descent". This was fixed for the trade.
- On page 16, Knock Out calls Blurr a "Cybertonian" rather than "Cybertronian". This was also fixed for the trade.
Covers (3)
[edit]- Regular cover: Windblade, Chromia, and Blurr, Priscilla Tramontano
- Subscription cover: Blurr in action, silhouetted by Windblade, by Casey Coller and Joana Lafuente
- Retailer incentive cover: One of a series of "Pan Cybertronian Spaceways" travel posters by James Biggie that make up the Retailer Incentive covers on IDW's July Transformers titles; this one promotes Caminus.
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[edit]- Windblade #6
- Combiner Hunters #1
- More than Meets The Eye #43
- The Transformers #43
- Transformers vs. G.I. Joe #8
- Robots in Disguise #1
- IDW Transformers graphic novel library
- Walt Disney's Comics and Stories #721 (back cover)
Reprints
[edit]- The Transformers: Windblade - Distant Stars (April 20, 2016) ISBN 1631406000 / ISBN 978-1631406003
- Collects Windblade (2015) issues #4–7, and Combiner Hunters #1.
- Trade paperback format.
- Transformers: Windblade - The Last City (February 14, 2018) ISBN 978-1684052240
- Collects Windblade (2014) issues #1–4, and Windblade (2015) issues #1–7, but not the alternating chapters of Combiner Wars from The Transformers vol. 2 needed to complete the story. Um.
- Bonus material includes covers from each issue.
- Trade paperback format.
- The Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 9 (June 19, 2019) ISBN 1684054842 / ISBN 978-1684054848
- Collects The Transformers (2012) issues #39–41, 42–43, Windblade (2015) issues #1–3 & #4–5, and More than Meets the Eye issues #41–44.
- Hardcover format.
- Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection: Volume 68: Empire of Stone (November 27, 2019)
- Collects Drift - Empire of Stone issues #1–4, and Windblade (2015) issues #5–7.
- Bonus material includes a cover gallery, and an intro by Simon Furman.
- Hardcover format.
-
Windblade - Distant Stars – cover art by Naoto Tsushima and Jet Enter. -
Windblade - The Last City – cover art by Sara Pitre-Durocher. -
The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 9 – cover art by Marcelo Matere. -
The Definitive G1 Collection: Volume 68: Empire of Stone – cover art by Guido Guidi and Dreamwave Productions.
