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|prev2=Dry Run!
|prev2=Dry Run!
|next2=Ca$h and Car-nage!
|next2=Ca$h and Car-nage!
|title=Monstercon from Mars!
|title="Monstercon from Mars!"
|image=MarvelUS-45.jpg
|image=MarvelUS-45.jpg
|caption=Shouldn't this magazine be wrapped in brown paper, and be ''behind'' the cash register?
|caption=Shouldn't this magazine be wrapped in brown paper, and be ''behind'' the cash register?
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|date=
|shippingdate=[[June 28]], [[1988]]
|onsaledate=[[July 19]], 1988
|coverdate=October 1988
|coverdate=October 1988
|writer=[[Bob Budiansky]]
|writer=[[Bob Budiansky]]
Line 21: Line 22:
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
}}
}}
'''...and weirder!'''
'''...and weirder!'''


==Synopsis==
==Synopsis==
On the set of a really, [[Creepozoids_of_the_Crab_Nebula|really bad alien-monster movie]], the FX monster suddenly shorts out and explodes. Director [[Rollie Friendly]] isn't far behind, as this set-back will cost him weeks of filming. In a meeting with his PR expert [[Mitch Keno]] later that day, Rollie is looking for new ideas when Keno tunes him into a local broadcast by reporter [[Brad Emory]] relating to the [[Transformer]]s.
On the set of a really, [[Creepozoids of the Crab Nebula|really bad alien-monster movie]], the FX monster suddenly shorts out and explodes. Director [[Rollie Friendly (G1)|Rollie Friendly]] isn't far behind, as this set-back will cost him weeks of filming. In a meeting with his PR expert [[Mitch Keno]] later that day, Rollie is looking for new ideas when Keno tunes him into a local broadcast by reporter [[Brad Emory]] relating to the [[Transformer]]s.


The [[Autobot]] Sky Lynx is finally returning to [[Earth]] with his passengers, the human children nicknamed the [[Spacehikers]]. After setting down at a pre-arranged landing site, Sky Lynx releases his friends to their waiting parents. At first, Sky Lynx is willing to stick around, answer a few questions and pose for pictures. But the anti-robot hysteria of some members in the crowd quickly turns it into a mob, and he is chased away into the sky.
The [[Autobot]] [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] is finally returning to [[Earth]] with his passengers, the human children nicknamed the [[Spacehikers]]. After setting down at a pre-arranged landing site, Sky Lynx releases his friends to their waiting parents. At first, Sky Lynx is willing to stick around, answer a few questions and pose for pictures. But the anti-robot hysteria of some members in the crowd quickly turns it into a mob, and he is chased away into the sky.


Keno's public relations standpoint is that, even as the villain, robot monsters will not be good for business in movies anytime soon. Instead, he suggest that Rollie check out a mysterious [[Bigfoot]] sighting from ''[[The Inquisitor]]''. With nothing to do until his ''[[Creepozoid]]'' prop is fixed, Rollie enlists a camera crew and his two stars, [[Jake Colton]] and [[Carissa Carr]], to go creature hunting. After grabbing a local guide in [[North Carolina]] and slipping past the National Guard, Rollie and company run right into the giant Skullgrin, inside his [[pretender|organic shell]].
Keno's public relations standpoint is that, even as the villain, robot monsters will not be good for business in movies anytime soon. Instead, he suggests that Rollie check out a mysterious [[Bigfoot]] sighting from ''[[The Inquisitor]]''. With nothing to do until his [[Creepozoid]] prop is fixed, Rollie enlists a camera crew and his two stars, [[Jake Colton (G1)|Jake Colton]] and [[Carissa Carr (G1)|Carissa Carr]], to go creature hunting. After grabbing a local guide in [[North Carolina]] and slipping past the [[National Guard]], Rollie and company run right into the giant [[Skullgrin]], inside his [[pretender|organic shell]].


After a brief "fight", Rollie gets to talking with Skullgrin and offers to pay him in exchange for a movie deal. Thinking back, Skullgrin remembers that he was sent to Earth alone by his commander to establish a secret fuel depot for his [[Decepticon]] comrades. With this in mind, he makes the arrangement with Rollie to be paid in fuel for his time. After squaring things over with the National Guard, Rollie and company bring Skullgrin back to [[Hollywood]] for [[Monster_from_Mars|his big break]].
After a brief "fight", Rollie gets to talking with Skullgrin and offers to pay him in exchange for a movie deal. Thinking back, Skullgrin remembers that he was sent to Earth alone by [[Scorponok (G1)|his commander]] to establish a secret fuel depot for his [[Decepticon]] comrades. With this in mind, he makes the arrangement with Rollie to be paid in fuel for his time. After squaring things over with the National Guard, Rollie and company bring Skullgrin back to [[Hollywood]] for [[Monster from Mars|his big break]].


'''Skullgrin mania sweeps the country!'''
[[File:MonsterconFromMars Skullgrinmania.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|Bigger than Optimus!]]
[[Image:SkullgrinMonconMars.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Queer Eye for the Straight 'Con]]
Skullgrin mania sweeps the country, and as he adjusts to his new role, Skullgrin prepares for his first live press conference. Things go a little crazy when the fleshlings actually ask him questions, but Carissa manages to calm him down in a classic ''[[King Kong]]''/''[[Beauty and the Beast]]'' moment. After the show, Carissa happens across a wheelchair-bound woman who is depressed about not seeing more of Skullgrin, so Carissa lets her in on a little secret: they'll be traveling to the [[Grand Canyon]] for more filming.
As he adjusts to his new role, Skullgrin prepares for his first live press conference. Things go a little crazy when the fleshlings actually ask him questions, but Carissa manages to calm him down in a classic [[King Kong|''King Kong'']] / ''Beauty and the Beast'' moment. After the show, Carissa happens across a wheelchair-bound woman who is depressed about not seeing more of Skullgrin, so Carissa lets her in on a little secret: they'll be traveling to the [[Grand Canyon]] for more filming.


As the shooting continues at the Grand Canyon, Rollie calls a break and Skullgrin goes off to talk with Carissa. Once she confesses the sheer horror of her real name, Ethal Stankiewicz, Skullgrin feels the need to confide in her as well, and removes his Pretender shell for the first time. Unfortunately, the "poor woman in the wheelchair" has followed them to the Grand Canyon, and reveals herself as the robot-hating Circuit Breaker.
As the shooting continues at the Grand Canyon, Rollie calls a break and Skullgrin goes off to talk with Carissa. Once she confesses the sheer horror of her real name, Ethel Stankiewicz, Skullgrin feels the need to confide in her as well, and removes his Pretender shell for the first time. Unfortunately, the "poor woman in the wheelchair" has followed them to the Grand Canyon, and reveals herself as the robot-hating [[Circuit Breaker (G1)|Circuit Breaker]].


As Skullgrin and Circuit Breaker begin to spar with one another, Rollie catches sight of the battle and begins setting up cameras to catch it all on film. Skullgrin swipes his fleshling foe with his vibro saber, and prepares to shrapnel-blast her into oblivion until she manages to radio-override his shell and turn it against Skullgrin. The shell's strike knocks his cannons off-target, shattering the cliffside under Carissa's feet. While Rollie just continues to roll film, the poor actress is about to fall to her death. Skullgrin is willing to let her, as he feels betrayed by Carissa telling Circuit Breaker where to find him, but Josie does her good deed for the millennium and tells him Carissa never did anything to harm him.
As Skullgrin and Circuit Breaker begin to spar with one another, Rollie catches sight of the battle and begins setting up cameras to catch it all on film. Skullgrin swipes his fleshling foe with his vibro saber, and prepares to shrapnel-blast her into oblivion until she manages to radio-override his shell and turn it against Skullgrin. The shell's strike knocks his cannons off-target, shattering the cliffside under Carissa's feet. While Rollie just continues to roll film, the poor actress is about to fall to her death. Skullgrin is willing to let her, as he feels betrayed by Carissa telling Circuit Breaker where to find him, but Josie does her good deed for the millennium and tells him Carissa never did anything to harm him.
Line 44: Line 43:


==Featured characters==
==Featured characters==
(Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks.)<br>
{{featuredcharacters
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
|c1=
* [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] (6)
*[[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] (6)
|c2=
|c2=
* [[Skullgrin]] (12)
*''[[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]]'' (13)
* [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] (13)
*[[Skullgrin]] (14)
*[[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] (17)
|c3=
|c3=
* [[Carissa Carr]] (1)
{{collist|2|
* [[Jake Colton]] (2)
*[[Carissa Carr (G1)|Carissa Carr]] (1)
* [[Rollie Friendly]] (3)
*[[Jake Colton (G1)|Jake Colton]] (2)
* [[Mitch Keno]] (4)
*[[Rollie Friendly (G1)|Rollie Friendly]] (3)
* [[Brad Emory]] (5)
*[[Mitch Keno]] (4)
* [[Circuit Breaker]] (11)
*[[Brad Emory]] (5)
'''[[Spacehikers]]'''
*[[Robin Lindley (G1)|Robin Lindley]] (8)
* [[Sammy Wainwright|Samuel Wainwright]] (7)
*[[Jed Lindley]] (9)
* [[Allan Silver]] (8)
*[[Sammy Wainwright|Samuel Wainwright]] (10)
* [[Robin Lindley (G1)|Robin Lindley]] (9)
*[[Allan Silver]] (11)
* [[Jed Lindley]] (10)
*[[Circuit Breaker (G1)|Circuit Breaker]] (12)
*[[Ralph (cameraman)|Ralph]] (15)
*[[Fred (cameraman)|Fred]] (16)
*[[Herb]] (18)
}}
}}
|c4=
*[[Daisy]] (7)
}}
==Quotes==
"You can't even believe the '''page numbers''' in this rag, Mitch!"
:—'''Rollie Friendly''' doesn't have a high opinion of ''[[The Inquisitor]]''


==Transmissions==
==Notes==
*Instead of a regular letters page, this issue listed the names of a bunch of contestants from the [[Bot Roster]] and [[Spot the Shingo|Spot Shingo]] contests. The list started last issue and continued into the next issue.
===Artwork and technical errors===
*Skullgrin never once shuts his mouth.


==Errors==
===Continuity errors===
* Uncharacteristically, Skullgrin's favorite part about this plan was that no one was going to get hurt.
*Skullgrin travels from the [[Semper Tyrannis|Decepticons' ship]] to Earth by just sort of floating out the door in his pretender shell. This carries on the bizarre trend of Fortress Maximus and Scorponok's crews flying to and from planetary surfaces without shuttle craft.


==Items of note==
===Continuity notes===
* Skullgrin travels from the [[Semper Tyrannis|Decepticons' ship]] to Earth by just sort of floating out the door in his pretender shell.
* Ridiculous as it sounds, it's entirely possible that Skullgrin mania swept the country without the Autobots knowing about it. As of US issue #44, all the Autobots of Earth were still trapped on the moon following the departure of ''[[Steelhaven (G1)|Steelhaven]]'' for [[Nebulos]].
* Ridiculous as it sounds, it's entirely possible that Skullgrin mania swept the country without the Autobots knowing about it. As of US issue #44, all the Autobots of Earth were still trapped on the moon following the departure of ''[[Steelhaven]]'' for [[Nebulos]].  
* The Spacehikers joined the Transformers cast in "[[Child's Play (issue)|Child's Play]]" and began their return journey to earth in "[[The Cosmic Carnival]]".
* Placards brought to protest Sky Lynx's landing include, "Let 'em Rust", "DOWN with the ROBOT" and "DIE, Robots!" There was also the slightly more creative "Reck the Robots", with the r of 'Reck' also serving as the r for robots.
* Placards brought to protest Sky Lynx's landing include, "Let 'em Rust", "DOWN with the ROBOT" and "DIE, Robots!" There was also the slightly more creative "Reck the Robots", with the r of 'Reck' also serving as the r for robots.
* In the previous issue, [[Berko]] was a passenger on Sky Lynx along with the Spacehikers, and he expressed some interest in returning to Earth. [[Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?|When we next encounter Berko]], he and Sky Lynx are working as partners, and Berko is contemptuous of humans. It's safe to assume he's on board Sky Lynx during this issue (and just chooses to stay there). One might speculate that the abuse Sky Lynx receives here convinces Berko not to stay on Earth, but this is not explicitly supported by the text.
* In the previous issue, [[Berko]] was a passenger on Sky Lynx along with the Spacehikers, and he expressed some interest in returning to Earth. [[Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?|When we next encounter Berko]], he and Sky Lynx are working as partners, and Berko is contemptuous of humans. It's safe to assume he's on board Sky Lynx during this issue (and just chooses to stay there). One might speculate that the abuse Sky Lynx receives here convinces Berko not to stay on Earth, but this is not explicitly supported by the text.
* Sky Lynx leaving Earth was very fortunate for him, since it means he doesn't get offed during the imminent [[Underbase Saga]].
* Sky Lynx leaving Earth was very fortunate for him, since it means he doesn't get offed during the imminent [[Underbase Saga]].
* This story is recalled in "[[King Con!]]" when [[Iguanus (G1)|Iguanus]] makes fun of Skullgrin for his time as a movie star and calls him a "fleshling-lover" over and over.
* This story is recalled in "[[King Con!]]" when [[Iguanus (G1)|Iguanus]] makes fun of Skullgrin for his time as a movie star and calls him a "fleshling-lover" over and over.
 
* Instead of a regular Transmissions letters page, this issue listed the names of a bunch of contestants from the [[Bot Roster]] and [[Shingo|Spot Shingo]] contests. The list started last issue and continued into the next issue.
===Transformers references===
* Circuit Breaker's flashback references events primarily from issues [[The Worse of Two Evils!|#6 ("The Worse of Two Evils!")]] and [[DIS-Integrated Circuits!|#9 ("DIS-Integrated Circuits!")]]; the art is copied from issues #6, #8, #9, and #22.
* The Spacehikers joined the Transformers cast in "[[Child's Play (issue)|Child's Play]]" and began their return journey to earth in "[[The Cosmic Carnival]]".
* For some reason, Circuit Breaker rolls around in her wheelchair without her "costume" on - meaning she can only move her head and (partially) one arm. Then when she dons the circuit-tape costume and bursts out of her trenchcoat... there's no other clothes there! Was she just running around in nothing but a trenchcoat like a quadriplegic flasher?
* Circuit Breaker's flashback references events primarily from issues [[The Worse of Two Evils!|#6 ("The Worse of Two Evils!")]] and [[DIS-Integrated Circuits!|#9 ("DIS-Integrated Circuits!")]].
* Sky Lynx mentions [[scraplet]]s.
* Sky Lynx mentions [[scraplet]]s.
* Skullgrin is paid in [[G.B. Blackrock|Blackrock]] oil.
* Skullgrin is paid in [[G.B. Blackrock|Blackrock]] [[oil]].
* The story ends pretty abruptly, with no real resolution for Skullgrin's career or the human cast. Though since Skullgrin ends the story alive, pissed, and within firing range of Friendly, it probably didn't end well for that guy.


===Real world references===
===Real-life references===
* A soldier suggests that a farmer take his complaints to Frank Perdue, a real-life CEO of a chicken business.
[[File:MonsterconFromMars-BigBroadcast.jpg|right|thumb|This must've been the comic book Wreck-Gar read before retelling it to the Quintessons.]]
* One of the reporters at Skullgrin's press conference is reading an issue of ''Marvel Universe''.
*A soldier suggests that a farmer take his complaints to [[Frank Perdue]], a real-life CEO of a chicken business.
*Skullgrin is the cover star of ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'', ''[[Newsweek]]'', and ''[[People]]''.
*One of the reporters at Skullgrin's press conference is reading #43, "[[The Big Broadcast of 2006 (issue)|The Big Broadcast of 2006]]," the issue 2 months prior.  The reporter may be [[Bob Budiansky]] himself.
*Sky Lynx returns the children at an unspecified location in [[California]]; the movie crew finds Skullgrin in the Great Smoky Mountains in North Carolina; the battle with Circuit Breaker occurs at the south rim of the Grand Canyon.
*The implication is that Ethel Stankiewicz, like a number of real-world actors (and Marvel comic creators), has changed her name because it was Jewish and you're not going to get ahead with a name like ''that''...
*Mr. Friendly hopes his movie will be bigger than something called "[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]".


===UK printing===
===UK printing===
====Issue #190====
'''Issue #190'''
* '''Backup strips:''' ''[[Visionaries]]'' and ''[[Combat Colin]]''
*'''Back-up strips:''' ''[[Visionaries]]'' - "Wings" and ''[[Combat Colin]]''
* Unusually this issue's opening splash page was edited to make it larger for the UK comics' larger pages. This amounted to just making the shadow at the bottom of the page larger and giving the Creepozoid a finished toe.  
*'''[[Transformers AtoZ|AtoZ]]:''' [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] and [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]]
* An editorial note was added to Circuit Breaker's flashback.
*In ''[[Letters page (Marvel UK)|Dread Tidings]]'', [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]] clears up confusion about who is named who in the Powermasters' ad in the UK comics, as well as answering the question of whether Transformers go to sleep.
* Several lines of dialog in this issue were changed from the US version for the UK audience. "Nix the close-ups" became "FORGET close-ups" and references to Skullgrin being paid "points" was changed to "bonuses" for the UK version.
*An editorial note was added to Circuit Breaker's flashback.
* In the [[Letters page (Marvel UK)|Dread Tidings]] for issue #190, Dreadwind clears up confusion about who is named who in the Powermaster's ad in the UK comics, as well as answering the question of whether Transformers go to sleep.
*Several lines of dialog in this issue were changed from the US version for the UK audience. "Nix the close-ups" became "FORGET close-ups" and references to Skullgrin being paid "points" was changed to "bonuses" for the UK version.
* This issue features ''[[Transformers AtoZ]]'' profiles on [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] and [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]].
 
'''Issue #191'''
*'''Back-up strips:''' ''[[Action Force (comic)|Action Force]]'' - "Unmaskings" and ''Combat Colin''
*In ''Dread Tidings'', Dreadwind covered that [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]'s lack of UK appearances had been rectified since the letter was written plus stated the citybot was mentioned in the 1987 annual story "[[Ark Duty]]" and continued to tease about the upcoming "[[Time Wars]]".
*This issue includes an ad for ''Death's Head'' #1 that includes a summary of [[Death's Head (G1)|Death's Head]]'s career before he got his own solo series. The ad is worthy of note because it is one of the few times after his leaving its pages that direct reference is made to his adventures in Transformers.


====Issue #191====
===Courtesy of my...===
* '''Backup strips:''' ''[[Action Force (comic)|Action Force]]'' and ''Combat Colin''
*Skullgrin's Pretender shell attacks Circuit Breaker with his [[vibro-sword]], then he moves in to finish her off with his [[Alternate mode|alt mode]]'s [[shrapnel blaster]]s.
* The cover of the comic the reporter at Skullgrin's press conference is reading was changed from an issue of ''Marvel Universe'' to the US cover of this story. The image is only partly angled and not correctly aligned to the outline the reporter is holding.
 
* In the Dread Tidings for issue #191, Dreadwind covered that [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]'s lack of UK appearances had been rectified in the 1987 annual story "[[Ark Duty]]" and continued to tease about the upcoming ''[[Time Wars (issue)|Time Wars]]''.
===Other trivia===
* This issue includes an ad for ''[[Death's Head (G1)|Death's Head]]'' #1 that includes a summary of Death's Head's career before he got his own solo series. The ad is worthy of note because it is one of the few times after his leaving its pages that direct reference is made to his adventures in Transformers.
* This story was originally solicited to run in issue #44, but was moved back to #45 when the fill-in story "[[The Big Broadcast of 2006 (issue)|The Big Broadcast of 2006]]" was printed in issue #43, bumped the story that was meant to run in ''that'' issue, "[[The Cosmic Carnival]]," into issue #44.


===Covers (3)===
===Covers (3)===
*'''US issue #45 cover:''' Circuit Breaker vs Skullgrin, by [[Bob Budiansky]] and [[Dave Hunt]].
*'''UK issue #190 cover:''' Circuit Breaker and a Skullgrin poster, by [[Stephen Baskerville]].
*'''UK issue #191 cover:''' Skullgrin's shell fighting his inner robot, by [[Art Wetherell]] and Stephen Baskerville.
<gallery>
<gallery>
Image:MarvelUS-45.jpg|'''US issue #45''' - If this was made in Japan, it could have gone horribly wrong...
File:MarvelUS-45.jpg|'''US issue #45''' - If this was made in Japan, it could have gone horribly wrong...
Image:MarvelUK-190.jpg|'''UK issue #190''' - The only thing worse than robots — B movies.
File:MarvelUK-190.jpg|'''UK issue #190''' - The only thing worse than robots — B movies.
Image:MarvelUK-191.jpg|'''UK issue #191''' - We always hurt the ones we are.
File:MarvelUK-191.jpg|'''UK issue #191''' - We always hurt the ones we are.
</gallery>
</gallery>
* '''US issue #45 cover:''' Circuit Breaker vs Skullgrin by [[Bob Budiansky]]
* '''UK issue #190 cover:''' Circuit Breaker and a Skullgrin poster by [[Stephen Baskerville]]
* '''UK issue #191 cover:''' Skullgrin's shell fighting his inner robot by [[Art Wetherell]] and Stephen Baskerville


===Advertisements===
===Advertisements===
* Ultra Games - inside front cover
====US====
* Freedom Stick (wireless joystick)
*Ultra Games - inside front cover
* New England Comics
*Freedom Stick (wireless joystick)- between pages 4 & 5
* Westfield Comics Subscription Service
*New England Comics- between pages 5 & 6
* East Coast Comics
*Westfield Comics Subscription Service- between pages 7 & 8
* Olympic (sales catalog)
*East Coast Comics- between pages 8 & 9
* Marvel Comics Subscriptions
*Sketchy ads - between pages 16 & 17
* Forgotten Realms (AD&D campaigns) - inside back cover
*Olympic (sales catalog) - between pages 17 & 18
* Candilicious - back cover
*Bullpen Bulletins and checklist - between pages 19 & 20
*Sketchy ads - between pages 20 & 21
*[[Letters page|Transmissions]]
*Marvel Comics Subscriptions
*''Forgotten Realms'' (''AD&D'' campaigns) - inside back cover
*Candilicious candy - back cover
 
===Reprints===
*'''''[[Transformers: Maximum Force]]'' TPB:''' [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], a [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmaster]] gun, the ''Steelhaven'' and half of [[Skullgrin]]'s head, by [[Andrew Wildman]].
*'''''Maximum Force'' HC:''' Skullgrin, by [[Peter Snejbjerg]].
*'''[[Classic Transformers Volume 3|''Classic Transformers'' Volume 3]]:''' Panels from this issue and US issues [[Child's Play (issue)|#35]] and [[Spacehikers!|#36]]. Art and pencils by José Delbo, pencils by [[Don Perlin]], finishes by Dave Hunt & Don Hudson, inks by [[Ian Akin]] & [[Brian Garvey]], colours by Nel Yomtov.
*'''[[The Transformers Classics, Vol. 4|''The Transformers Classics,'' Vol. 4]]:''' [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]], by [[Guido Guidi]].
*'''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]] Volume 12: Cosmic Carnival:''''' [[Skullgrin]] and the [[Cosmic Carnival]] by [[Don Figueroa]], [[Frank Springer]] and [[Danny Bulanadi]]
<gallery>
File:Titan-MaximumForceSC.jpg|'''''Maximum Force'' TPB''' (Titan Books, 2004)
File:Titan-MaximumForceHC.jpg|'''''Maximum Force'' HC'''<br>(Titan Books, 2004)
File:Classic Transformers Vol3.jpg|'''''Classic Transformers'' Volume 3'''<br>(IDW Publishing, 2009)
File:TFClassicsVol4.jpg|'''''The Transformers Classics,'' Vol. 4'''<br>(IDW Publishing, 2012)
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v12.jpg|'''''The Definitive G1 Collection Volume 12: Cosmic Carnival''''' (Hachette Partworks, 2018)
</gallery>
 


[[Category:Marvel US issues]]
[[Category:Marvel US issues]]
[[Category:Marvel UK issues]]
[[Category:Marvel UK issues]]

Latest revision as of 16:04, 25 April 2026

« The Transformers (US) #45 »
« The Transformers (UK) #190–191 »

Shouldn't this magazine be wrapped in brown paper, and be behind the cash register?
"Monstercon from Mars!"
Publisher Marvel Comics
Shipping date June 28, 1988
On-sale date July 19, 1988
Cover date October 1988
Writer Bob Budiansky
Breakdowns José Delbo
Finished art Dave Hunt
Colorist Nelson Yomtov
Letterer Bill Oakley
Editor Don Daley
Editor-in-chief Tom DeFalco
Continuity Marvel Comics continuity

...and weirder!

Synopsis

[edit]

On the set of a really, really bad alien-monster movie, the FX monster suddenly shorts out and explodes. Director Rollie Friendly isn't far behind, as this set-back will cost him weeks of filming. In a meeting with his PR expert Mitch Keno later that day, Rollie is looking for new ideas when Keno tunes him into a local broadcast by reporter Brad Emory relating to the Transformers.

The Autobot Sky Lynx is finally returning to Earth with his passengers, the human children nicknamed the Spacehikers. After setting down at a pre-arranged landing site, Sky Lynx releases his friends to their waiting parents. At first, Sky Lynx is willing to stick around, answer a few questions and pose for pictures. But the anti-robot hysteria of some members in the crowd quickly turns it into a mob, and he is chased away into the sky.

Keno's public relations standpoint is that, even as the villain, robot monsters will not be good for business in movies anytime soon. Instead, he suggests that Rollie check out a mysterious Bigfoot sighting from The Inquisitor. With nothing to do until his Creepozoid prop is fixed, Rollie enlists a camera crew and his two stars, Jake Colton and Carissa Carr, to go creature hunting. After grabbing a local guide in North Carolina and slipping past the National Guard, Rollie and company run right into the giant Skullgrin, inside his organic shell.

After a brief "fight", Rollie gets to talking with Skullgrin and offers to pay him in exchange for a movie deal. Thinking back, Skullgrin remembers that he was sent to Earth alone by his commander to establish a secret fuel depot for his Decepticon comrades. With this in mind, he makes the arrangement with Rollie to be paid in fuel for his time. After squaring things over with the National Guard, Rollie and company bring Skullgrin back to Hollywood for his big break.

Bigger than Optimus!

Skullgrin mania sweeps the country, and as he adjusts to his new role, Skullgrin prepares for his first live press conference. Things go a little crazy when the fleshlings actually ask him questions, but Carissa manages to calm him down in a classic King Kong/Beauty and the Beast moment. After the show, Carissa happens across a wheelchair-bound woman who is depressed about not seeing more of Skullgrin, so Carissa lets her in on a little secret: they'll be traveling to the Grand Canyon for more filming.

As the shooting continues at the Grand Canyon, Rollie calls a break and Skullgrin goes off to talk with Carissa. Once she confesses the sheer horror of her real name, Ethel Stankiewicz, Skullgrin feels the need to confide in her as well, and removes his Pretender shell for the first time. Unfortunately, the "poor woman in the wheelchair" has followed them to the Grand Canyon, and reveals herself as the robot-hating Circuit Breaker.

As Skullgrin and Circuit Breaker begin to spar with one another, Rollie catches sight of the battle and begins setting up cameras to catch it all on film. Skullgrin swipes his fleshling foe with his vibro saber, and prepares to shrapnel-blast her into oblivion until she manages to radio-override his shell and turn it against Skullgrin. The shell's strike knocks his cannons off-target, shattering the cliffside under Carissa's feet. While Rollie just continues to roll film, the poor actress is about to fall to her death. Skullgrin is willing to let her, as he feels betrayed by Carissa telling Circuit Breaker where to find him, but Josie does her good deed for the millennium and tells him Carissa never did anything to harm him.

As Skullgrin moves the actress to safety, Circuit Breaker overwhelms him with her electro-bolts and is ready to move in for the kill when Rollie yells that he'll pay her double bucks to kill Skullgrin on film for him. Momentarily more disgusted with her own race rather than the Transformers, Circuit Breaker fries Rollie's equipment and takes off, leaving Skullgrin alive but injured at the bottom of the canyon.

[edit]

(Characters in italic text appear only in flashbacks.)
(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)

Autobots Decepticons Humans Others

Quotes

[edit]

"You can't even believe the page numbers in this rag, Mitch!"

—Rollie Friendly doesn't have a high opinion of The Inquisitor

Notes

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Artwork and technical errors

[edit]
  • Skullgrin never once shuts his mouth.

Continuity errors

[edit]
  • Skullgrin travels from the Decepticons' ship to Earth by just sort of floating out the door in his pretender shell. This carries on the bizarre trend of Fortress Maximus and Scorponok's crews flying to and from planetary surfaces without shuttle craft.

Continuity notes

[edit]
  • Ridiculous as it sounds, it's entirely possible that Skullgrin mania swept the country without the Autobots knowing about it. As of US issue #44, all the Autobots of Earth were still trapped on the moon following the departure of Steelhaven for Nebulos.
  • The Spacehikers joined the Transformers cast in "Child's Play" and began their return journey to earth in "The Cosmic Carnival".
  • Placards brought to protest Sky Lynx's landing include, "Let 'em Rust", "DOWN with the ROBOT" and "DIE, Robots!" There was also the slightly more creative "Reck the Robots", with the r of 'Reck' also serving as the r for robots.
  • In the previous issue, Berko was a passenger on Sky Lynx along with the Spacehikers, and he expressed some interest in returning to Earth. When we next encounter Berko, he and Sky Lynx are working as partners, and Berko is contemptuous of humans. It's safe to assume he's on board Sky Lynx during this issue (and just chooses to stay there). One might speculate that the abuse Sky Lynx receives here convinces Berko not to stay on Earth, but this is not explicitly supported by the text.
  • Sky Lynx leaving Earth was very fortunate for him, since it means he doesn't get offed during the imminent Underbase Saga.
  • This story is recalled in "King Con!" when Iguanus makes fun of Skullgrin for his time as a movie star and calls him a "fleshling-lover" over and over.
  • Instead of a regular Transmissions letters page, this issue listed the names of a bunch of contestants from the Bot Roster and Spot Shingo contests. The list started last issue and continued into the next issue.
  • Circuit Breaker's flashback references events primarily from issues #6 ("The Worse of Two Evils!") and #9 ("DIS-Integrated Circuits!"); the art is copied from issues #6, #8, #9, and #22.
  • For some reason, Circuit Breaker rolls around in her wheelchair without her "costume" on - meaning she can only move her head and (partially) one arm. Then when she dons the circuit-tape costume and bursts out of her trenchcoat... there's no other clothes there! Was she just running around in nothing but a trenchcoat like a quadriplegic flasher?
  • Sky Lynx mentions scraplets.
  • Skullgrin is paid in Blackrock oil.
  • The story ends pretty abruptly, with no real resolution for Skullgrin's career or the human cast. Though since Skullgrin ends the story alive, pissed, and within firing range of Friendly, it probably didn't end well for that guy.

Real-life references

[edit]
This must've been the comic book Wreck-Gar read before retelling it to the Quintessons.
  • A soldier suggests that a farmer take his complaints to Frank Perdue, a real-life CEO of a chicken business.
  • Skullgrin is the cover star of Time, Newsweek, and People.
  • One of the reporters at Skullgrin's press conference is reading #43, "The Big Broadcast of 2006," the issue 2 months prior. The reporter may be Bob Budiansky himself.
  • Sky Lynx returns the children at an unspecified location in California; the movie crew finds Skullgrin in the Great Smoky Mountains in North Carolina; the battle with Circuit Breaker occurs at the south rim of the Grand Canyon.
  • The implication is that Ethel Stankiewicz, like a number of real-world actors (and Marvel comic creators), has changed her name because it was Jewish and you're not going to get ahead with a name like that...
  • Mr. Friendly hopes his movie will be bigger than something called "Star Wars".

UK printing

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Issue #190

  • Back-up strips: Visionaries - "Wings" and Combat Colin
  • AtoZ: Kickback and Laserbeak
  • In Dread Tidings, Dreadwind clears up confusion about who is named who in the Powermasters' ad in the UK comics, as well as answering the question of whether Transformers go to sleep.
  • An editorial note was added to Circuit Breaker's flashback.
  • Several lines of dialog in this issue were changed from the US version for the UK audience. "Nix the close-ups" became "FORGET close-ups" and references to Skullgrin being paid "points" was changed to "bonuses" for the UK version.

Issue #191

  • Back-up strips: Action Force - "Unmaskings" and Combat Colin
  • In Dread Tidings, Dreadwind covered that Metroplex's lack of UK appearances had been rectified since the letter was written plus stated the citybot was mentioned in the 1987 annual story "Ark Duty" and continued to tease about the upcoming "Time Wars".
  • This issue includes an ad for Death's Head #1 that includes a summary of Death's Head's career before he got his own solo series. The ad is worthy of note because it is one of the few times after his leaving its pages that direct reference is made to his adventures in Transformers.

Courtesy of my...

[edit]

Other trivia

[edit]
  • This story was originally solicited to run in issue #44, but was moved back to #45 when the fill-in story "The Big Broadcast of 2006" was printed in issue #43, bumped the story that was meant to run in that issue, "The Cosmic Carnival," into issue #44.

Covers (3)

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  • US issue #45 cover: Circuit Breaker vs Skullgrin, by Bob Budiansky and Dave Hunt.
  • UK issue #190 cover: Circuit Breaker and a Skullgrin poster, by Stephen Baskerville.
  • UK issue #191 cover: Skullgrin's shell fighting his inner robot, by Art Wetherell and Stephen Baskerville.
  • US issue #45 - If this was made in Japan, it could have gone horribly wrong...
    US issue #45 - If this was made in Japan, it could have gone horribly wrong...
  • UK issue #190 - The only thing worse than robots — B movies.
    UK issue #190 - The only thing worse than robots — B movies.
  • UK issue #191 - We always hurt the ones we are.
    UK issue #191 - We always hurt the ones we are.

Advertisements

[edit]

US

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  • Ultra Games - inside front cover
  • Freedom Stick (wireless joystick)- between pages 4 & 5
  • New England Comics- between pages 5 & 6
  • Westfield Comics Subscription Service- between pages 7 & 8
  • East Coast Comics- between pages 8 & 9
  • Sketchy ads - between pages 16 & 17
  • Olympic (sales catalog) - between pages 17 & 18
  • Bullpen Bulletins and checklist - between pages 19 & 20
  • Sketchy ads - between pages 20 & 21
  • Transmissions
  • Marvel Comics Subscriptions
  • Forgotten Realms (AD&D campaigns) - inside back cover
  • Candilicious candy - back cover

Reprints

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  • Maximum Force TPB (Titan Books, 2004)
    Maximum Force TPB (Titan Books, 2004)
  • Maximum Force HC (Titan Books, 2004)
    Maximum Force HC
    (Titan Books, 2004)
  • Classic Transformers Volume 3 (IDW Publishing, 2009)
    Classic Transformers Volume 3
    (IDW Publishing, 2009)
  • The Transformers Classics, Vol. 4 (IDW Publishing, 2012)
    The Transformers Classics, Vol. 4
    (IDW Publishing, 2012)
  • The Definitive G1 Collection Volume 12: Cosmic Carnival (Hachette Partworks, 2018)
    The Definitive G1 Collection Volume 12: Cosmic Carnival (Hachette Partworks, 2018)
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