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[[Image:MarvelUS-24.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Playstation 3... thousand]]
{{comicstory|seriesissue=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|''The Transformers'' (US)]] #24
{{Template:Comicnav | Generation 1 (Marvel Comics) | 24 | seriesname=Marvel U.S. | prev=Decepticon Graffiti! | next=Gone but Not Forgotten! | series2=Generation 1 (Marvel Comics)#Marvel UK | seriesname2=Marvel UK | issuenumber2=Issue #105{{n-}}106 | prev2=Resurrection! | next2=Gone but Not Forgotten! }}
|prev=Decepticon Graffiti!
'''Optimus Prime kills himself over a video game. Seriously.'''
|next=Gone but Not Forgotten!
|title="Afterdeath!"
|seriesissue2=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|''The Transformers'' (UK)]] #105–106
|prev2=Resurrection!
|next2=Gone but Not Forgotten!
|image=MarvelUS-24.jpg
|caption=[[PlayStation]] 3... thousand
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|shippingdate=[[September 23]], 1986
|onsaledate=[[October 14]], 1986
|coverdate=January 1987
|writer=[[Bob Budiansky]]
|penciler=[[Don Perlin]]
|inkers=[[Ian Akin]] & [[Brian Garvey]]
|colorist=[[Nelson Yomtov|Nel Yomtov]]
|letterer=[[Janice Chiang]]
|editor=[[Don Daley]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
}}
'''Optimus Prime kills himself over a video game. Seriously.'''


==Synopsis==
[[Ethan Zachary]] is a programmer at [[Energy Futures Industries]] who works on a device called a [[hydrothermocline]]. The hydrothermocline is intended to draw energy from the different thermal layers of the ocean, and is seen as a potentially inexhaustible power supply for the world. 
[[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] wants to steal the hydrothermocline, and takes [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] to the laboratory where the hydrothermocline is being stored. [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] and the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] show up to stop them. After a bit of grandstanding, during which Ethan is captured, it becomes clear that if the [[Autobot]]s and [[Decepticon]]s continue to fight, they will end up destroying the very thing the Decepticons have come to steal. Ethan offers a compromise: the [[Transformer]]s fight their battle in a [[computer-generated imagery|computer-generated]] virtual world—a computer game called ''[[Multi-World]]''.
[[File:Protectobots-marvel24.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Groove is already not paying attention.]]
Megatron agrees, but only if the stakes are increased to include not only the hydrothermocline, but also the life of the losing leader. Optimus agrees to these terms, and the game is played. The Protectobots must fight the Combaticons while remaining true to their principles, assisting and sparing the lives of the inhabitants of the computer world while the Combaticons attempt to destroy them. This gains the trust and assistance of these computer characters, who help the Protectobots defeat the Combaticons. 
At last, Megatron and Optimus face off, but while Megatron has lost the assistance of his Combaticons, Optimus still has the Protectobots, now in the form of [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]]. Defensor kills Megatron, and himself, in the game by destroying the platform they're standing on. But, Megatron cheats by using a "back door" password, enabling himself to be recreated in the game at any point he chooses; in this case, right behind Optimus, from which point he shoots the Autobot leader in the back. Prime manages to avoid falling by holding on to a ledge, but defeats Megatron only at the cost of the lives of the computer-generated characters.
Although this earns him victory in the game, Optimus feels that he has "cheated" by sacrificing his principles (unaware of how Megatron has already cheated previously). Prime tells Ethan to destroy him instead. Ethan presses the button and [[The many deaths of Optimus Prime|Optimus is destroyed]].
The Decepticons leave with the hydrothermocline, and the Protectobots gather up the shattered body of the Autobot leader. As they leave, Ethan Zachary reveals that he has saved a copy of Optimus's character on a five-and-a-quarter-inch [[floppy disk]].
==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] (5)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Wheeljack]] (6)
*[[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]] (12)
*[[Streetwise (G1)|Streetwise]] (13)
*[[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] (14)
*[[Groove (G1)|Groove]] (15)
*[[Blades (G1)|Blades]] (16)
*[[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]] (18)
|c2=
*[[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]] (7)
*[[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] (8)
*[[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]] (9)
*[[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (10)
*[[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] (11)
*[[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]] (17)
*[[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]] (19)
|c3=
*[[Ethan Zachary]] (3)
*[[Margaret]] (4)
|c4=
*[[Formulak the Compuzoid]] (1)
*[[Hordes of Hazzak]] (2)
*[[Cloud-Stepper]]s (20)
}}
==Quotes==
"What is this?"<br>
"A native of the planet -- a fleshling. Careful, they're slimy."<br>
"Can I crush it, Megatron? Can I?"
:—'''Bruticus''' and '''Megatron''' on humans.
"S-Stop! I -- I've got a... suggestion!"<br>
"Silence! The condemned has no right to speak!"<br>
"I... I have a way for you to fight it out... without destroying the hydrothermocline in the process!"<br>
"Oh? In that case, you have my permission to continue..."
:—'''Ethan Zachary''' knows what '''Megatron''' wants to hear.
"Make sure you do understand, fleshling. A Decepticon needs no button to destroy a fleshling. The heel of his foot will do."
:—'''Megatron'''
'''Megatron''': "... Where are my Combaticons?!"<br>
'''Vortex''': "I... uh, was incinerated..."<br>
'''Blast Off''': "I crashed..."<br>
'''Swindle''': "I crumbled..."<br>
'''Brawl''': "I..."
"I violated the Autobots' most cherished principle -- I knowingly harmed innocents because of our conflict with the Decepticons."<br>
"But the element of surprise, Optimus -- you had no choice!"<br>
"Each of us '''always''' has a choice. I chose to '''cheat'''."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' justifies his decision to '''Blades'''


==Synopsis==
Ethan Zachary is a programmer at [[Energy Futures Industries]] who works on a device called a [[hydrothermocline]].  The hydrothermocline is intended to draw energy from the different thermal layers of the ocean, and is seen as a potentially inexhaustible power supply for the world. 


Megatron wants to steal the hydrothermocline, and takes [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]]s to the laboratory where the hydrothermocline is being stored. Optimus Prime and the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobot]]s show up to stop them. After a bit of grandstanding, during which Ethan is captured, it becomes clear that if the [[Autobot]]s and [[Decepticon]]s continue to fight, they will end up destroying the very thing the Decepticons have come to steal. Ethan offers a compromise: the Transformers fight their battle in a computer-generated virtual world {{m-}} a computer game called ''[[Multi-World]]''.
''(Narration)'' "Ethan Zachary is also silenced by what he has just seen. His grief is no less real than the Protectobots'.<br>
 
After all, Optimus Prime was the greatest, most noble being he had ever met in his entire life...or played in a computer game."
[[Image:Protectobots-marvel24.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Groove is already not paying attention.]]
:—{{w|Glossary_of_video_game_terms#GG|GG}}, '''Optimus Prime'''. GG.
 
{{-}}


Megatron agrees, but only if the stakes are increased to include not only the hydrothermocline, but also the life of the losing leader.  Optimus Prime agrees to these terms, and the game is played. The Protectobots must fight the Combaticons while remaining true to their principles, assisting and/or sparing the lives of the inhabitants of the computer world while the Combaticons attempt to destroy them. This gains the trust of assistance of these computer characters, who help the Protectobots defeat the Combaticons.
==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*This issue takes place concurrently with [[Blood on the Tracks|issue #1]] of the ''[[G.I. Joe and the Transformers]]'' crossover mini-series, published the same month. The bulk of that issue's story occurs during the time-skip between panels 5 and 6 on page 5 of this issue, after Optimus and Wheeljack listen in on Megatron's plans, and before they head out to to Energy Futures Industries.
*The Protectobots and the Combaticons make their first appearance with no introduction or origin offered. Under US continuity, it ''seems'' that we are to simply assume that the Protectobots and Combaticons were created just before this story occurs (in the same fashion as the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbot]]s and [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticon]]s in "[[Heavy Traffic!]]"). However, a [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]]-induced dream sequence in the UK story "[[Second Generation!]]" shows the Protectobots being created on Earth prior to this story's events. A brief flashback in "[[Club Con!]]" shows Defensor on Cybertron several centuries ago. This is very likely an error, as he was depicted as "normal" height and is standing next to [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]], who should be on Earth at the time, not to mention that in the same issue, a [[Battlecharger]] is drawn among the Autobots, proving continuity wasn't at its best that day! On the other hand, in ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)|Generation 2]]'', the Combaticon Onslaught is shown to share an unclarified history with the [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian]] [[Mindset (G2)|Mindset]], which is difficult to resolve with his Earthly construction.
*Wheeljack extracts the [[cerebro-shell]] injected by [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] in "[[Heavy Traffic!]]" and uses it to learn of Megatron's plans.
*First Aid and Streetwise use the [[decrystallizer cannon]] and [[Compression cannon|air-compressor cannon]] vehicle mode guns that their toys came with.


At last, Megatron and Optimus Prime face off, but while Megatron has lost the assistance of his Combaticons, Optimus Prime still has the Protectobots, now in the form of Defensor. Defensor kills Megatron, and himself, in the game by destroying the platform they're standing on. But, Megatron cheats by using a "back door" password, enabling himself to be recreated in the game at any point. He chooses, in this case, right behind Optimus Prime, from which point he shoots Prime in the back. Prime manages to avoid falling by holding on to a ledge, but defeats Megatron only at the cost of the lives of the computer generated characters.
===Artwork and technical errors===
[[File:MarvelUS24 Hotspot shoots Onslaught YEOW.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|''Ouch.'']]
*On page 10, Optimus Prime tells Brawl that Autobots don't cheat. The speech bubble appears to be a response, but it is depicted as being spoken by Blades.
*The speech bubble of Onslaught's "YEEOWW!!" is drawn coming from Hot Spot.


Although this earns him victory in the game, Optimus Prime feels that he has "cheated" by sacrificing his principles (unaware of how Megatron has already cheated previously). Prime tells Ethan to destroy him instead. Ethan presses the button, and [[The many deaths of Optimus Prime|Prime is destroyed]].
===Continuity errors===
*Even by today's standards, the ''Multi-World'' is an ''incredible'' computer game. The graphics and AI put even modern games to shame. No wonder Ethan needed cheat codes.
*Brawl somehow knows Groove's name, even though their two teams are new and don't seem to have met before.


The Decepticons leave with the hydrothermocline, and the Protectobots gather up the shattered body of the Autobot leader.  As they leave, we see that Ethan Zachary has saved a copy of Optimus Prime's character on a five-and-a-quarter-inch [[floppy disk]].
===Real-life references===
*The Ark is in rural [[Oregon]], while the energy lab is on the Oregon coast.


==Credits==
===UK printing===
'''Script:''' [[Bob Budiansky]] <br>
'''Issue #105:'''
'''Pencils:''' [[Don Perlin]]<br>
*'''Back-up strips:''' ''[[Inhumanoids|The Inhumanoids]]'' - "The Coming of the Inhumanoids, Part 1" and ''[[Robo-Capers]]''
'''Inks:''' [[Ian Akin]] and [[Brian Garvey]]<br>
*The "Transformation" introductory page for UK issue #105 erroneously claims that "Transformers issues '''104''' and 105 features the final Prime/Megatron conflict", even though it referred to the previous issue as "issue 104" just a few sentences ago.
'''Colors:''' [[Nelson Yomtov]]<br>
* In UK issue #105, the start of Hot Spot's objections to Prime leading the mission in Multi-World was blacked out to make a better [[cliffhanger]] for issue #106.
'''Lettering:''' [[Janice Chiang]]<br>
'''Issue #106:'''
'''Editor:''' [[Don Daley]]<br>
*'''Back-up strips:''' ''The Inhumanoids'' - "The Coming of the Inhumanoids, Part 1" and ''Robo-Capers''
*''Originally published:'' January, 1987


===Major characters===
===Letters pages===
(''Numbers indicate order of appearance.)
{|border=5 cellpadding=5 cellspacing=5 align=center style="border:#800000"
! style="background:#FFEEEE" | [[Autobot]]s
! style="background:#EEEEFE" | [[Decepticon]]s
! style="background:antiquewhite" | [[Human]]s
|-
| style="background:#FFEEEE" valign="top" |
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (4)
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (5)
* [[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]] (10)
* [[Streetwise (G1)|Streetwise]] (11)
* [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] (12)
* [[Groove (G1)|Groove]] (13)
* [[Blades]] (14)
* [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]] (16)


| style="background:#EEEEFE" valign="top" |
===Other trivia===
* [[Vortex]] (3)
*Scenes that take place in ''Multi-World'' are displayed in comic panels with 'cut' corners, matching the corners of the monitor itself.
* [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] (6)
*Optimus Prime's entire mind fits on a five-and-a-quarter-inch floppy disk. ''No, seriously. IT DOES.''
* [[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]] (7)
*Budiansky's intention was to show the high moral standards Optimus lived up to, though he admits "perhaps I was taking it to an absurd extreme". He always planned to bring Optimus back though! <ref>[http://www.metalmachine.net/blog/2009/11/21/todds-take-with-bob-budiansky-the-architect-of-the-transformers/ METALMACHINE.NET  » Blog Archive  » Behind the Scenes with Bob Budiansky on the Transformers]:
* [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (8)
:''Why did you have Optimus Prime die because he cheated in a video game?...''
* [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (9)
:[Budiansky:] Perhaps I was taking it to an absurd extreme, but I wanted to illustrate the high moral standards by which Optimus Prime lived. Even if it meant his departure from the scene, he lived up to his agreement with Megatron about the game. Also, I always planned on bringing him back, so reports of his “death” were greatly exaggerated, at least in hindsight.</ref>
* [[Blast Off]] (15)
*This issue was reprinted as issue #7 of [[IDW Publishing]]'s ''[[The Transformers: Generations (comic)|Generations]]'' series.
* [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]] (17)


| style="background:antiquewhite" valign="top" |
===Bot Roster===
'''Guests'''
*Autobots: 27 active as the Protectobots arrive and Optimus Prime dies; 5 rogue Dinobots, 14 in repair bay. (46 total)
* [[Ethan Zachary]] (1)
*Decepticons: 27 active as the Combaticons arrive; 9 offline. (36 total)
* [[Margaret]] (2)
|}


==Errors==
===Courtesy of my...===
* On page 10, Optimus Prime tells Brawl that Autobots don't cheat. The speech bubble appears to be a response, but it is depicted as being spoken by Blades.
*Swindle calls out his [[Scatter blaster|scatter-blaster]].
*First Aid makes Swindle and Brawl incredibly fragile with his [[decrystallizer cannon]]; Streetwise then shatters them with a [[Compression cannon|gust of compressed air]].
*Blast Off hits Blades with his [[X-ray laser]].
*Groove blinds Vortex with a [[photon pistol]].
*Onslaught ambushes Hot Spot with his [[sonic stun-gun]].
*Hot Spot takes down Onslaught with a [[Fireball cannon|fireball]]; Defensor later takes out the bridge with another fireball.


==Items of note==
===Changes in the IDW ''Transformers Classics'' reprint===
* Prime's entire memory fits on a five-and-a-quarter-inch floppy disk. ''No, seriously. IT DOES.''
*On page 10, panel 2 the tail of the mis-assigned speech bubble has been removed so that it doesn't look like Blades is saying Brawl's line. (Whether this actually works is questionable)
* Even by today's standards, the ''Multi-World'' is an ''incredible'' computer game. The graphics and AI put even modern games to shame. No wonder Ethan needed cheat codes.
*Removal of the zip-tone dots on page 14, panel 5 left behind only blotchy ink splotches thanks to smudging on the original printing of the comic.
* Scenes that take place in ''Multi-World'' are displayed in comic panels with 'cut' corners.
* The Protectobots and the Combaticons make their first appearance with no introduction or origin offered.  A [[Matrix]]-induced dream sequence in the UK story "[[Second Generation!]]" shows the Protectobots being created on Earth, while a flashback in "[[Club Con]]" shows Defensor several centuries ago on Cybertron. (The latter is an error, though, as he was normal height and standing next to [[Sunstreaker]], and in the same issue a [[Battlecharger]] is drawn among the Autobots.) The Combaticon Onslaught shares an unknown history with the Cybertronian [[Mindset]], which is difficult to resolve with an Earthly construction.  Though it ''seems'' the Protectobots and Combaticons were created just prior to this story (in the same fashion as the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbot]]s and [[Stunticon]]s in "[[Heavy Traffic]]"), there is conflicting evidence.
*''References to past issues''  Wheeljack extracts the [[Cerebro-shell]] injected by [[Bombshell]] in "[[Heavy Traffic]]" and uses it to learn of Megatron's plans.
* This issue was reprinted as issue 7 of [[IDW Publishing]]'s ''[[Generations (comic reprints)|Generations]]'' series.
* In UK issue 105, the start of Hot Spot's objections to Prime leading the mission in Multi-World was blacked out to make a better cliffhanger for issue #106.


===Covers (3)===
===Covers (3)===
{{picsneeded|UK cover}}
*'''US cover:''' Megatron shooting Optimus in the game, by [[Herb Trimpe]].
* '''U.S. cover:''' Megatron shooting Optimus in the game by [[Herb Trimpe]]
*'''UK issue #105 cover:''' Defensor vs. Bruticus, by [[Lee Sullivan]].
* '''UK issue 105 cover:''' Defensor vs. Bruticus by [[Lee Sullivan]]
*'''UK issue #106 cover:''' reuse of art from US cover, recolored and cropped, with a new caption to boot by [[Robin Bouttell]].
* '''UK issue 106 cover:''' reuse of art from U.S. cover, recolored and cropped, with a new caption to boot by [[Robin Bouttell]]
<gallery>
File:MarvelUS-24.jpg|'''US issue #24''' - Look, just turn off the screen, we can pretend this never happened.
File:MarvelUK-105.jpg|'''UK issue #105''' - Ah, if only...
File:MarvelUK-106.jpg|'''UK issue #106''' - And one shall CHEAT!
</gallery>


===Advertisements===
===Advertisements===
* None yet identified.
*[[M&M's]] - inside front cover
*''Lazer Tag'' game - between pages 4 & 5
*Brach's candy - between pages 5 & 6
*The Amazing [[Spider-Man]] in the Free the Cap'n (Crunch) Mystery - between pages 7 & 8
*Various comic ads - between pages 9 & 10
*Marvel Super Mart and collectible coins - between pages 16 & 17
*Comics and Sketchy ads - between pages 16 & 17
*Comic book conventions and ''Escape from Tenopia'' game - between pages 19 & 20
*Bullpen Bulletins - between pages 20 & 21
*Marvel subscription service
*Yamaha keyboards - inside back cover
*''Dungeons & Dragons'' set #5: Immortal Rules (back cover)
 
===Reprints===
*'''''[[Transformers: Showdown]]'' TPB:''' [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]], [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]], [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]], [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]], [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] and half of the [[space bridge]], by [[Andrew Wildman]].
*'''''Transformers: Showdown'' hardback:''' Optimus Prime's head, by [[Alan Davis]], [[Mark Farmer]], & [[Chris Blythe]].
*'''''[[The Transformers: Generations (comic)|The Transformers: Generations]]'' #7 cover A:''' Optimus Prime and Megatron fight in the game, by [[Nick Roche]].
*'''''Generations'' #7 cover B:''' line-art version of cover A.
*'''''Generations'' #7 incentive cover:''' reuse of a panel from this issue.
*'''''Generations'' TPB:''' reuse of cover A to ''Generations'' #1, by Nick Roche.
<gallery>
File:Titan-ShowdownSC.jpg|'''''Transformers: Showdown'' TPB'''
File:Titan-ShowdownHC.jpg|'''''Transformers: Showdown'' hardback'''
File:IDW Generations 7 Cover A.jpg|'''''The Transformers: Generations'' #7 cover A'''
File:IDW Generations 7 Cover B.jpg|'''''Generations'' #7 cover B'''
File:IDW Generations 7 Cover RI.jpg|'''''Generations'' #7 incentive cover'''
File:Generations TPB.jpg|'''''Generations'' TPB'''
</gallery>
*'''''[[The Transformers: Greatest Battles of Optimus Prime and Megatron|Greatest Battles of Optimus Prime and Megatron]]'':''' Optimus Prime and Megatron in their ''[[War Within (franchise)|War Within]]'' bodies, by [[Don Figueroa]].
*'''[[Classic Transformers Volume 2|''Classic Transformers'' Volume 2]]:''' panels from US issues [[Showdown!|#20]] and [[Gone but Not Forgotten!|#25]].
*'''''[[The Transformers: Best of Megatron]]'':''' Megatron, by [[Livio Ramondelli]].
*'''[[The Transformers Classics, Vol. 2|''The Transformers Classics,'' Vol. 2]]:''' [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]], by [[Guido Guidi]].
*'''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 7: The Harder They Die:''''' [[Tantrum (G1)|Tantrum]] and a scene of the [[Wreckers]]; cover art by [[Don Figueroa]] and [[Geoff Senior]].
*'''''[[Transformers: Best of Optimus Prime]]:''''' [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] headshot; cover art by [[James Biggie]].
<gallery>
File:GreatestBattles.jpg|'''''Greatest Battles of Optimus Prime and Megatron'''''<br>(IDW Publishing, 2007)
File:Classic Transformers Vol2.jpg|'''''Classic Transformers'' Volume 2'''<br>(IDW Publishing, 2008)
File:BestofMegatron.jpg|'''''Best of Megatron'''''<br>(IDW Publishing, 2010)
File:TFClassicsVol2.jpg|'''''The Transformers Classics,'' Vol. 2'''<br>(IDW Publishing, 2012)
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v7.jpg|'''''The Definitive G1 Collection: Volume 7'''''<br>(Hachette Partworks, Ltd. 2017)
File:BestOfOptimusPrime cvr.jpg|'''''Transformers: Best of Optimus Prime'''''<br>(IDW Publishing, 2022)
</gallery>
 
==References==
{{reflist}}


[[Category:Marvel US issues]]
[[Category:Marvel US issues]]
[[Category:Marvel UK issues]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>
[[Category:Marvel UK issues]]

Latest revision as of 11:51, 4 March 2026

« The Transformers (US) #24 »
« The Transformers (UK) #105–106 »

PlayStation 3... thousand
"Afterdeath!"
Publisher Marvel Comics
Shipping date September 23, 1986
On-sale date October 14, 1986
Cover date January 1987
Writer Bob Budiansky
Penciler Don Perlin
Inkers Ian Akin & Brian Garvey
Colorist Nel Yomtov
Letterer Janice Chiang
Editor Don Daley
Continuity Marvel Comics continuity

Optimus Prime kills himself over a video game. Seriously.

Synopsis

[edit]

Ethan Zachary is a programmer at Energy Futures Industries who works on a device called a hydrothermocline. The hydrothermocline is intended to draw energy from the different thermal layers of the ocean, and is seen as a potentially inexhaustible power supply for the world.

Megatron wants to steal the hydrothermocline, and takes Combaticons to the laboratory where the hydrothermocline is being stored. Optimus Prime and the Protectobots show up to stop them. After a bit of grandstanding, during which Ethan is captured, it becomes clear that if the Autobots and Decepticons continue to fight, they will end up destroying the very thing the Decepticons have come to steal. Ethan offers a compromise: the Transformers fight their battle in a computer-generated virtual world—a computer game called Multi-World.

Groove is already not paying attention.

Megatron agrees, but only if the stakes are increased to include not only the hydrothermocline, but also the life of the losing leader. Optimus agrees to these terms, and the game is played. The Protectobots must fight the Combaticons while remaining true to their principles, assisting and sparing the lives of the inhabitants of the computer world while the Combaticons attempt to destroy them. This gains the trust and assistance of these computer characters, who help the Protectobots defeat the Combaticons.

At last, Megatron and Optimus face off, but while Megatron has lost the assistance of his Combaticons, Optimus still has the Protectobots, now in the form of Defensor. Defensor kills Megatron, and himself, in the game by destroying the platform they're standing on. But, Megatron cheats by using a "back door" password, enabling himself to be recreated in the game at any point he chooses; in this case, right behind Optimus, from which point he shoots the Autobot leader in the back. Prime manages to avoid falling by holding on to a ledge, but defeats Megatron only at the cost of the lives of the computer-generated characters.

Although this earns him victory in the game, Optimus feels that he has "cheated" by sacrificing his principles (unaware of how Megatron has already cheated previously). Prime tells Ethan to destroy him instead. Ethan presses the button and Optimus is destroyed.

The Decepticons leave with the hydrothermocline, and the Protectobots gather up the shattered body of the Autobot leader. As they leave, Ethan Zachary reveals that he has saved a copy of Optimus's character on a five-and-a-quarter-inch floppy disk.

[edit]

(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)

Autobots Decepticons Humans Others

Quotes

[edit]

"What is this?"
"A native of the planet -- a fleshling. Careful, they're slimy."
"Can I crush it, Megatron? Can I?"

—Bruticus and Megatron on humans.


"S-Stop! I -- I've got a... suggestion!"
"Silence! The condemned has no right to speak!"
"I... I have a way for you to fight it out... without destroying the hydrothermocline in the process!"
"Oh? In that case, you have my permission to continue..."

—Ethan Zachary knows what Megatron wants to hear.


"Make sure you do understand, fleshling. A Decepticon needs no button to destroy a fleshling. The heel of his foot will do."

—Megatron


Megatron: "... Where are my Combaticons?!"
Vortex: "I... uh, was incinerated..."
Blast Off: "I crashed..."
Swindle: "I crumbled..."
Brawl: "I..."


"I violated the Autobots' most cherished principle -- I knowingly harmed innocents because of our conflict with the Decepticons."
"But the element of surprise, Optimus -- you had no choice!"
"Each of us always has a choice. I chose to cheat."

—Optimus Prime justifies his decision to Blades


(Narration) "Ethan Zachary is also silenced by what he has just seen. His grief is no less real than the Protectobots'.
After all, Optimus Prime was the greatest, most noble being he had ever met in his entire life...or played in a computer game."

—GG, Optimus Prime. GG.


Notes

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Continuity notes

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  • This issue takes place concurrently with issue #1 of the G.I. Joe and the Transformers crossover mini-series, published the same month. The bulk of that issue's story occurs during the time-skip between panels 5 and 6 on page 5 of this issue, after Optimus and Wheeljack listen in on Megatron's plans, and before they head out to to Energy Futures Industries.
  • The Protectobots and the Combaticons make their first appearance with no introduction or origin offered. Under US continuity, it seems that we are to simply assume that the Protectobots and Combaticons were created just before this story occurs (in the same fashion as the Aerialbots and Stunticons in "Heavy Traffic!"). However, a Matrix-induced dream sequence in the UK story "Second Generation!" shows the Protectobots being created on Earth prior to this story's events. A brief flashback in "Club Con!" shows Defensor on Cybertron several centuries ago. This is very likely an error, as he was depicted as "normal" height and is standing next to Sunstreaker, who should be on Earth at the time, not to mention that in the same issue, a Battlecharger is drawn among the Autobots, proving continuity wasn't at its best that day! On the other hand, in Generation 2, the Combaticon Onslaught is shown to share an unclarified history with the Cybertronian Mindset, which is difficult to resolve with his Earthly construction.
  • Wheeljack extracts the cerebro-shell injected by Bombshell in "Heavy Traffic!" and uses it to learn of Megatron's plans.
  • First Aid and Streetwise use the decrystallizer cannon and air-compressor cannon vehicle mode guns that their toys came with.

Artwork and technical errors

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Ouch.
  • On page 10, Optimus Prime tells Brawl that Autobots don't cheat. The speech bubble appears to be a response, but it is depicted as being spoken by Blades.
  • The speech bubble of Onslaught's "YEEOWW!!" is drawn coming from Hot Spot.

Continuity errors

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  • Even by today's standards, the Multi-World is an incredible computer game. The graphics and AI put even modern games to shame. No wonder Ethan needed cheat codes.
  • Brawl somehow knows Groove's name, even though their two teams are new and don't seem to have met before.

Real-life references

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  • The Ark is in rural Oregon, while the energy lab is on the Oregon coast.

UK printing

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Issue #105:

  • Back-up strips: The Inhumanoids - "The Coming of the Inhumanoids, Part 1" and Robo-Capers
  • The "Transformation" introductory page for UK issue #105 erroneously claims that "Transformers issues 104 and 105 features the final Prime/Megatron conflict", even though it referred to the previous issue as "issue 104" just a few sentences ago.
  • In UK issue #105, the start of Hot Spot's objections to Prime leading the mission in Multi-World was blacked out to make a better cliffhanger for issue #106.

Issue #106:

  • Back-up strips: The Inhumanoids - "The Coming of the Inhumanoids, Part 1" and Robo-Capers

Letters pages

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Other trivia

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  • Scenes that take place in Multi-World are displayed in comic panels with 'cut' corners, matching the corners of the monitor itself.
  • Optimus Prime's entire mind fits on a five-and-a-quarter-inch floppy disk. No, seriously. IT DOES.
  • Budiansky's intention was to show the high moral standards Optimus lived up to, though he admits "perhaps I was taking it to an absurd extreme". He always planned to bring Optimus back though! [1]
  • This issue was reprinted as issue #7 of IDW Publishing's Generations series.

Bot Roster

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  • Autobots: 27 active as the Protectobots arrive and Optimus Prime dies; 5 rogue Dinobots, 14 in repair bay. (46 total)
  • Decepticons: 27 active as the Combaticons arrive; 9 offline. (36 total)

Courtesy of my...

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Changes in the IDW Transformers Classics reprint

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  • On page 10, panel 2 the tail of the mis-assigned speech bubble has been removed so that it doesn't look like Blades is saying Brawl's line. (Whether this actually works is questionable)
  • Removal of the zip-tone dots on page 14, panel 5 left behind only blotchy ink splotches thanks to smudging on the original printing of the comic.

Covers (3)

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  • US cover: Megatron shooting Optimus in the game, by Herb Trimpe.
  • UK issue #105 cover: Defensor vs. Bruticus, by Lee Sullivan.
  • UK issue #106 cover: reuse of art from US cover, recolored and cropped, with a new caption to boot by Robin Bouttell.
  • US issue #24 - Look, just turn off the screen, we can pretend this never happened.
    US issue #24 - Look, just turn off the screen, we can pretend this never happened.
  • UK issue #105 - Ah, if only...
    UK issue #105 - Ah, if only...
  • UK issue #106 - And one shall CHEAT!
    UK issue #106 - And one shall CHEAT!

Advertisements

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  • M&M's - inside front cover
  • Lazer Tag game - between pages 4 & 5
  • Brach's candy - between pages 5 & 6
  • The Amazing Spider-Man in the Free the Cap'n (Crunch) Mystery - between pages 7 & 8
  • Various comic ads - between pages 9 & 10
  • Marvel Super Mart and collectible coins - between pages 16 & 17
  • Comics and Sketchy ads - between pages 16 & 17
  • Comic book conventions and Escape from Tenopia game - between pages 19 & 20
  • Bullpen Bulletins - between pages 20 & 21
  • Marvel subscription service
  • Yamaha keyboards - inside back cover
  • Dungeons & Dragons set #5: Immortal Rules (back cover)

Reprints

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  • Transformers: Showdown TPB
    Transformers: Showdown TPB
  • Transformers: Showdown hardback
    Transformers: Showdown hardback
  • The Transformers: Generations #7 cover A
    The Transformers: Generations #7 cover A
  • Generations #7 cover B
    Generations #7 cover B
  • Generations #7 incentive cover
    Generations #7 incentive cover
  • Generations TPB
    Generations TPB
  • Greatest Battles of Optimus Prime and Megatron (IDW Publishing, 2007)
    Greatest Battles of Optimus Prime and Megatron
    (IDW Publishing, 2007)
  • Classic Transformers Volume 2 (IDW Publishing, 2008)
    Classic Transformers Volume 2
    (IDW Publishing, 2008)
  • Best of Megatron (IDW Publishing, 2010)
    Best of Megatron
    (IDW Publishing, 2010)
  • The Transformers Classics, Vol. 2 (IDW Publishing, 2012)
    The Transformers Classics, Vol. 2
    (IDW Publishing, 2012)
  • The Definitive G1 Collection: Volume 7 (Hachette Partworks, Ltd. 2017)
    The Definitive G1 Collection: Volume 7
    (Hachette Partworks, Ltd. 2017)
  • Transformers: Best of Optimus Prime (IDW Publishing, 2022)
    Transformers: Best of Optimus Prime
    (IDW Publishing, 2022)

References

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  1. ↑ METALMACHINE.NET  » Blog Archive  » Behind the Scenes with Bob Budiansky on the Transformers:
    Why did you have Optimus Prime die because he cheated in a video game?...
    [Budiansky:] Perhaps I was taking it to an absurd extreme, but I wanted to illustrate the high moral standards by which Optimus Prime lived. Even if it meant his departure from the scene, he lived up to his agreement with Megatron about the game. Also, I always planned on bringing him back, so reports of his “death” were greatly exaggerated, at least in hindsight.
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