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{{disambig2|the comic issue|the Titan Books collection|Primal Scream (Titan)}}
{{disambig3|Primal Scream}}
 
{{comicstory|seriesissue=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|''The Transformers'' (US)]] #61
{{comicstory|seriesissue=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|''The Transformers'' (US)]] #61
|prev=Yesterday's Heroes!
|prev=Yesterday's Heroes!
|next=Bird of Prey!
|next=Bird of Prey!
|title=Primal Scream
|title="The Primal Scream"
|seriesissue2=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|''The Transformers'' (UK)]] #259–261
|seriesissue2=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|''The Transformers'' (UK)]] #259–261
|prev2=Perchance to Dream
|prev2=...Perchance to Dream
|next2=Starting Over!
|next2=Starting Over!
|image=MarvelUS-61.jpg
|image=MarvelUS-61.jpg
|caption=I am Oz! The great and powerful!
|caption=I am Oz! The great and powerful!
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|date=October 1989
|shippingdate=[[October 24]], [[1989]]
|onsaledate=[[November 14]], 1989
|coverdate=Mid December 1989
|coverdate=Mid December 1989
|writer=[[Simon Furman|Simon Furman Maximus]]
|writer=[[Simon Furman|Simon Furman Maximus]]
Line 23: Line 23:


==Synopsis==
==Synopsis==
Well, yes. So it turns out that when Bludgeon sabotaged the [[Autobot|Autobots]]' trip to [[Earth]], everyone ended up instead in the middle of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. And it also turns out that this was where an old dude in metal robes called the Keeper lives. He was guarding, sorta, the head of Primus. Primus — the [[Transformer]]s' god.
Well, yes. So it turns out that when [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] sabotaged the [[Autobot]]s' trip to [[Earth]], everyone ended up instead in the middle of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. And it also turns out that this is where an old dude in metal robes called the [[Keeper (Transformer)|Keeper]] lives. He is guarding, sorta, the head of [[Primus]]. Primus—the [[Transformer]]s' god.


Grimlock didn't think much of the Keeper, or Primus. He thought the whole thing was a load of bunk. So to prove to Grimlock that it was real, the Keeper recounted the origin of the Transformers. (It's this sort of logic that leads to telling the difference between a clone and the real thing by having a [[A Prime Problem|race]].)
[[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] doesn't think much of the Keeper, or Primus. He thinks the whole thing is a load of bunk. So, to prove to Grimlock that it is real, the Keeper recounts the origin of the Transformers.


The origin went a little something like this — at the dawn of time, two gods — Primus and Unicron — fought. Unicron beat the crap out of Primus on a physical plane, then on the astral plane. In a last desperate ploy, Primus escaped the astral plane into a massive metal asteroid. Unicron did the same, thinking Primus was onto something, and as a result they were both trapped.
At the dawn of time, two gods—Primus and [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]—fight. Unicron beats the crap out of Primus on a physical plane, then on the astral plane. In a last desperate ploy, Primus escapes the astral plane into a massive metal asteroid. Unicron does the same, thinking Primus is onto something, and as a result they are both trapped.


Primus eventually learned to shape his prison, and made it into Cybertron. Unicron shaped his prison into a giant planet-devouring planet that could change into a robot. To combat this Primus made a race of little robots called the Transformers. And now Unicron searches the cosmos for Primus, while Primus sleeps to hide from his enemy.
Primus eventually learns to shape his prison, and makes it into Cybertron. Unicron shapes his prison into a giant planet-devouring planet that can change into a robot. To combat this, Primus makes a race of little robots called the Transformers. And now Unicron searches the cosmos for Primus, while Primus sleeps to hide from his enemy. The Keeper has just gotten to tell his whole story when suddenly, the [[Mayhem Attack Squad]] burst in, shooting him. The Autobots are left at an disadvantage; they have to hold back, to prevent Primus being awoken.  


The Keeper had just gotten to tell his whole story when suddenly the [[Decepticon|Decepticons]] burst in. The Autobots beat them up to stop them from waking Primus. Then, at the last moment, Octopunch shoots Grimlock in the back and the shot ricochets into Primus' face. The shock was enough to wake Primus, causing him to scream. A scream that sent shock waves through the planet.
Meanwhile, [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] finds his place as [[Decepticon leader]] challenged by his men, who are furious [[File:PrimalScream-Octopunchshootsgodintheface.jpg|thumb|left|Oof, that'll leave a mark.]]he's let [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]], of all people, back in with them. [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] in particular brings up how Starscream [[Dark Star|twice]] [[Skin Deep|almost]] wiped them all out. Scorponok insists that this way, he is keeping an <s>eye</s> optic sensor on him, and that he can bolster their depleted forces. Starscream himself, listening in from behind a door, is gleeful when he hears the stony silence of the [[Decepticon]]s, knowing he can use this to his advantage...


A scream that, out in deep space, Unicron heard.
On Cybertron, the Autobots are getting thoroughly thrashed, as the Decepticons aren't holding back. Bumblebee, frustrated at himself, begs Primus for help, asking if he and his friends must die again prevent the coming of Unicron. Suddenly, he gains a new inner strength, refusing to accept this fate, and charges Bludgeon before he can kill [[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]]. Bumblebee, Jazz, and Grimlock, re-galvanised, fight off the Decepticons, with Bludgeon being dragged away by [[Seawatch]], [[Octopunch (G1)|Octopunch]] being headbutted by Grimlock, and tripped into a hole by [[Stakeout (G1)|Stakeout]] and [[Red Hot]], and [[Stranglehold]] being run into wall by Jazz.


Unfortunately, Octopunch's Pretender shell took the brunt of the fall, and he shoots Grimlock in the back. The shot ricochets off his armored back, right into Primus's face. The shock is enough to wake Primus, causing him to scream. A scream that sent shock waves through the planet. Hearing this, Emarite [[Xaaron (G1)|Xaaron]] manages to teleport the Autobots to Earth. Grimlock worries about the consequences, but Bumblebee tries to assure him that no one else heard that scream.
Out in deep space, Unicron hears the scream of Primus. Oh dear.
{{--}}


==Featured characters==
==Featured characters==
(Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks.)<br>
{{featuredcharacters
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
|c1=
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (3)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]] (3)
* [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (4)
*[[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]] (4)
* [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] (5)
*[[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] (5)
* [[Stakeout (G1)|Stakeout]] (6)
*[[Stakeout (G1)|Stakeout]] (6)
* [[Xaaron]] (7)
*[[Fixit (G1)|Fixit]] (7)
* [[Doubleheader]] (8)
*[[Xaaron (G1)|Xaaron]] (8)
* [[Seawatch]] (22)
*[[Doubleheader]] (9)
* [[Red Hot]] (23)
*[[Seawatch]] (23)
*[[Red Hot]] (24)
|c2=
|c2=
* [[Stranglehold]] (9)
*[[Stranglehold]] (10)
* [[Octopunch]] (10)
*[[Octopunch (G1)|Octopunch]] (11)
* [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] (11)
*[[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] (12)
* [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] (14)
*[[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] (15)
* [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] (15)
*[[Misfire (G1)|Misfire]] (16)
* [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (16)
*[[Slugslinger (G1)|Slugslinger]] (17)
* [[Misfire]] (17)
*[[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] (18)
* [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (18)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] (19)
* [[Snapdragon (G1)|Snapdragon]] (19)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] (20)
* [[Slugslinger (G1)|Slugslinger]] (20)
*[[Snapdragon (G1)|Snapdragon]] (21)
* [[Apeface]] (21)
*[[Apeface]] (22)
|c4=
|c4=
* [[Keeper (Transformer)|Keeper]] (1)
*[[Keeper (Transformer)|Keeper]] (1)
* [[Primus]] (2)
*[[Primus]] (2)
* [[Unicron]] (12)
*[[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] (13)
* [[Prima]] (13)
*''[[Prima]]'' (14)
}}
}}


==Items of note==
==Quotes==
* The credits listed above replicate the joke credits used for the US printing of this story. The UK printing did not use these pun names for the creative team.
"'''''YOU!''''' You '''dare''' defile this most '''sacred''' of places with your '''unworthy''' presence?! On your knees, trespassers! Prostrate yourself before your creator, your '''living god--!''' '''''PRIMUS!'''''"<br>
* Doubleheader's tech specs indicate that only his left head speaks, but in the comics either or both heads are shown speaking. During the [[Deadly Obsession|Matrix Quest]], Doubleheader's heads even talk over each other, making two different statements at once.
"'''Huh!''' Some creator! Seems to have '''dozed off!'''"
* There are two unnamed red [[generic]] Autobots that are just a little bit too off model to be called [[Fastlane]] and [[Cloudraker (G1)|Cloudraker]].
:— the '''Keeper''' didn't account for '''Grimlock''''s flippancy
* [[Seawatch]] has some really sparkling patter in this issue. Who knew [[Micromaster|Micromasters]] were so funny? Invite the guy to your parties. Seriously.
 
* The "water" in the tunnels around Primus's chamber was explained in [[Letters page (Marvel UK)|Darn 'n' Blast #303]] to be liquid helium.
 
* This is one of three tellings of the origin of the Transformers that appeared throughout the Marvel US and Marvel UK comics series. Each one was told from a different point of view, and this was the only one told by someone who wasn't actually there. The other tellings of the story were by Primus and [[The Legacy of Unicron!|Unicron]]. None of the tellings are quite consistent with each other, despite all having been written by Simon Furman.
"Bumblebee, Jazz -- you not buy this, do you? Maybe Decepticons drugged us, made us hal--hallu-- '''see''' 'our god'!"
:—'''Grimlock'''
 
 
"'''Prattling fool!''' Your warrior's heart is tainted by an '''idiot's''' tongue! Perhaps I shall remove '''both''' for you!"
:—'''Bludgeon''' retaliates against Jazz after a beatdown
 
 
"Seawatch -- '''[[Bludgeon (G1)|he's]] yours!'''"<br>
"Thanks, Bumblebee. Just what I've '''never''' wanted!"<br>
(Seawatch latches a tow cable onto Bludgeon's leg)<br>
"You know how to water-ski, Bludgeon?..."<br>
(Seawatch zooms off down the flooded tunnel, dragging Bludgeon with him.)<BR>
"...'''''ME NEITHER!!'''''"<br>
:—'''Bumblebee''' helps '''Seawatch''' snatch a crowning moment of awesome right in front of a stunned Bludgeon's eyes.
 
==Notes==
===Artwork and technical errors===
 
===Continuity errors===
* "Who elected you ''anyway?''" yells one disgruntled Decepticon. It's a funny line and a good way of selling that Scorponok is still a new-ish leader on Earth. Problem is, the bulk of Scorponok's forces, and ''all'' of them in this scene except Soundwave, are the robots he was in charge of way back in "[[Ring of Hate!]]".
 
===Continuity notes===
[[File:Primusoriginal.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|GOD FIGHT!]]
* This is one of three tellings of the origin of the Transformers that appeared throughout the Marvel US and Marvel UK comics series. Each one was told from a different point of view, and this was the only one told by someone who wasn't actually there. The other tellings of the story were by Primus and [[The Legacy of Unicron!|Unicron]]. None of the tellings are quite consistent with each other, and since Furman wrote all three and each one is said by a different person to different people, that seems intentional.
* The firstborn Transformer, [[Prima]], makes his first appearance in this issue–though he wouldn't receive a name until "[[Dark Creation]]".
* According to "[[Vector Prime: In the Beginning]]" (published many years later) Primus and Unicron's dual awakenings in this story in fact reverberated across the [[Multiverse]], ending a long period of dormancy for both entities in every reality, and making this the single most cataclysmically important Transformers story, ever.
* Bumblebee contemplates his mortality in this issue, mentioning that he died once. This appears to be in reference to his death as Goldbug in US issue [[Dark Star|#50]]. Perhaps he doesn't consider his destruction at the hands of [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]/''[[Death's Head (G1)|Death's Head]]'' (which led to his rebirth as Goldbug) a true death.
* Mindwipe complains to Scorponok about Starscream almost killing the Decepticons twice, references to US issues [[Dark Star|#50]] and [[Skin Deep|#59]]. In a clever move, Mindwipe still has battle damage from the latter story!
* All four members of the [[Rescue Patrol (G1)|Rescue Patrol]] were present in the background at the end of last issue and the beginning of this one, but Fixit never does anything up close.
* The "water" in the tunnels around Primus's chamber was explained in [[Letters page (Marvel UK)|Darn 'n' Blast]] to be liquid helium.<ref>[[Source:Darn 'n' Blast#Issue 303|Darn 'n' Blast, issue 303]]</ref>
* Starscream's [[Classic Pretender]] shell gets its last mention in the comics, when Scorponok acknowledges to his troops that Starscream is more powerful now that he has a Pretender Shell, but he's keeping him on a tight leash. It isn't until issue [[All Fall Down|#66]] that we see Starscream leave the Decepticon base without his shell to go off on his own. The fate of his shell isn't explained.
 
===Real-life references===
 
===Bot Roster===
* Autobots: 27 active as the Rescue Squad goes to Earth to join the Ark crew; 8 rogue Micromasters; 1 in storage, 31 offline, 25 presumed offline. (92 total)
* Decepticons: 23 active as the Mayhems are teleported to Earth and will eventually hook up with Scorponok's crew; 4 rogue Micromasters; 26 offline, 25 presumed offline, 4 offline/missing. (82 total)
 
===UK printing===
'''Issue #259:'''
*'''Additional ''Transformers'' story:''' "[[...Perchance to Dream]]"
*'''Other strips:''' ''[[Action Force (comic)|G.I. Joe the Action Force]]'' - "Going Under" and ''[[Combat Colin]] Meets Combat Kate!''
*'''Free gift:''' ''Transformers'' sticker
'''Issue #260:'''
*'''Additional ''Transformers'' story:''' "[[...Perchance to Dream]]"
*'''Other strips:''' ''G.I. Joe the Action Force'' - "Going Under" and ''Combat Colin''
*'''Free gift:''' Autobot Classic Heroes poster
*This issue featured the first part of a competition to win a set of the [[Classics (Europe)|Classic Heroes]] toys [[Prowl (G1)/toys|Prowl]], [[Sunstreaker (G1)/toys|Sunstreaker]], [[Ironhide (G1)/toys|Ironhide]], [[Wheeljack (G1)/toys|Wheeljack]], [[Jazz (G1)/toys|Jazz]], and [[Inferno (G1)/toys|Inferno]].
'''Issue #261:'''
*'''Additional ''Transformers'' story:''' "[[Starting Over!]]"
*'''Other strips:''' ''G.I. Joe the Action Force'' - "Going Under" and ''Combat Colin''
 
===Other trivia===
* While [[Dan Reed]] was the first UK artist to work on the US series (drawing the cover for issue [[Back from the Dead|#56]]), this is the first US issue to feature interior art by a UK artist. [[Geoff Senior]] penciled and inked the entire strip for this issue.
* While [[Dan Reed]] was the first UK artist to work on the US series (drawing the cover for issue [[Back from the Dead|#56]]), this is the first US issue to feature interior art by a UK artist. [[Geoff Senior]] penciled and inked the entire strip for this issue.
* This issue featured the final Transformers art to be produced for the series by long-time artist [[Don Perlin]], in the form of the issue's cover.
* This issue featured the final Transformers art to be produced for the series by long-time artist [[Don Perlin]], in the form of the issue's cover.
* ''[[Transformers Universe (Marvel comic)|Transformers Universe]]'' profiles for [[Triggerhappy]], [[Landfill (G1)|Landfill]], [[Quickmix (G1)|Quickmix]] and [[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]] are found after the main story.
* ''[[The Transformers Universe (Marvel)|Transformers Universe]]'' profiles for [[Triggerhappy (G1)|Triggerhappy]], [[Landfill (G1)|Landfill]], [[Quickmix (G1)|Quickmix]], and [[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]] are found after the main story.
* According to [[Vector Prime: In the Beginning]] (published many years later,) Primus and Unicron's dual awakenings in this story in fact reverberated across the [[Continuity|Multiverse]], ending a long period of dormancy for both entities in every reality, and making this the single most cataclysmically important Transformers story, ever.
*Doubleheader's tech specs indicate that only his left head speaks, but in the comics either or both heads are shown speaking. During the [[Deadly Obsession|Matrix Quest]], Doubleheader's heads even talk over each other, making two different statements at once.
* Octopunch's actions here not only wake up Primus, but also leads Unicron straight to Cybertron resulting in the deaths of dozens of Transformers and the near devastation of Cybertron. In short, Octopunch destroyed the world.


===References===
===Foreign Localization===
* Bumblebee contemplates his mortality in this issue, mentioning that he died once. This appears to be in reference to his death as Goldbug in US issue [[Dark Star (issue)|#50]]. Perhaps he doesn't consider his destruction at the hands of [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]/''[[Death's Head (G1)|Death's Head]]'' (which led to his rebirth as Goldbug) a true death.
'''Swedish'''
* Mindwipe complains to Scorponok about Starscream almost killing the Decepticons twice, references to US issues [[Dark Star (issue)|#50]] and [[Skin Deep|#59]].
:* ''Title (1990):'' "'''Hos den sovande guden...'''" ("With the Sleeping God...)
:* ''Title (2019):'' "'''Primus Vaknar'''" ("Primus Awakens")


===Covers===
===Covers (4)===
*'''US issue #61 cover:''' The Classic Pretenders in front of Primus's screaming face, by [[Don Perlin]] and [[Vince Mielcarek]].
*'''UK issue #259 cover:''' [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] vs. [[Superion (G1)|Superion]], by [[Andrew Wildman]].
*'''UK issue #260 cover:''' [[Galvatron II|Galvatron]] with his ''Transformers'' [[chess]] set, by [[Geoff Senior]].
*'''UK issue #261 cover:''' [[Drag Strip (G1)|Drag Strip]], [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]], [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]], [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]], and [[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] vs. [[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]], and [[Wheeljack (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Wheeljack]], by [[Stephen Baskerville]].
<gallery>
<gallery>
Image:MarvelUS-61.jpg|'''US issue #61''' - NOM NOM NOM.
File:MarvelUS-61.jpg|'''US issue #61''' - NOM NOM NOM.
Image:MarvelUK-259.jpg|'''UK issue #259''' - And that's why you don't insult Menasor's ear-things.
File:MarvelUK-259.jpg|'''UK issue #259''' - And that's why you don't insult Menasor's ear-things.
Image:MarvelUK-260.jpg|'''UK issue #260''' - If this was what ''actually'' happened, it would be magical.
File:MarvelUK-260.jpg|'''UK issue #260''' - If this was what ''actually'' happened, it would be magical.
Image:MarvelUK-261.jpg|'''UK issue #261''' - "Guns. Lots of guns."
File:MarvelUK-261.jpg|'''UK issue #261''' - "Guns. Lots of guns."
</gallery>
</gallery>
* '''US issue #61 cover:''' The Classic Pretenders in front of Primus's screaming face, by [[Don Perlin]].
* '''UK issue #259 cover:''' [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] vs. [[Superion (G1)|Superion]], by [[Andrew Wildman]].
* '''UK issue #260 cover:''' [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] with his Transformers chess set, by [[Geoff Senior]].
* '''UK issue #261 cover:''' [[Drag Strip (G1)|Drag Strip]], [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]], [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]], [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], and [[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] vs. [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]], by [[Stephen Baskerville]].


===Advertisements===
===Advertisements===
* None yet identified.
====US====
*Trix cereal - inside front cover
*''[[Star Trek]] V: The Final Frontier'' figures - between pages 4 & 5
*[[Nestlé]] Quick merchandise - between pages 5 & 6
*NBC Saturday Morning Lineup: ''Kissyfur'', ''Camp Candy'', ''Captain N: The Game Master'', ''The Karate Kid'', ''Smurfs'', ''The Chipmunks'', ''Saved by the Bell'', ''Alf Tales'', ''Alf'' - between pages 7 & 8 (2 pages)
*''Airwolf'' engine powered model helicopter - between pages 16 & 17
*Mister Bubble - between between pages 17 & 18
*Star Signals and Checklist - between Triggerhappy and Landfill profiles
*''Duck Tales Magazine'' - between Landfill and Quickmix profiles
*[[Letters page|Transmissions]]
*Marvel subscription service
*Chips Ahoy! cookies - inside back cover
*Lucky Charms cereal (back cover)
 
====UK====
????
 
===Reprints===
*'''''[[Transformers: Primal Scream]]'' TPB cover:''' Grimlock, Goldbug, Pretender Starscream, and half of [[Primus]], by Andrew Wildman.
*'''''Primal Scream'' hardback cover:''' Grimlock victorious over the [[Sports Car Patrol]], by [[Dave Gibbons]].
*'''[[Classic Transformers Volume 4|''Classic Transformers'' Volume 4]]cover:''' panels from US issues [[Skin Deep|#59]] and [[Yesterday's Heroes!|#60]], pencils by José Delbo, inks by Dave Hunt and colours by Nel Yomtov.
*'''[[The Transformers Classics, Vol. 5|''The Transformers Classics,'' Vol. 5]] cover:''' [[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]], by [[Guido Guidi]].
*'''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection|''Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection:Volume 16: The Primal Scream'']]''': Optimus Prime by Guido Guidi above an interior scene of the Megatron vs Grimlock.
<gallery>
File:Titan-PrimalScreamSC.jpg|'''''Transformers: Primal Scream'' TPB''' (Titan Books, 2002)
File:Titan-PrimalScreamHC.jpg|'''''Transformers: Primal Scream'' hardback'''<br>(Titan Books, 2002)
File:Classic Transformers Vol4.jpg|'''''Classic Transformers'' Volume 4''' (IDW Publishing, 2009)
File:TFClassicsVol5.jpg|'''''The Transformers Classics,'' Vol. 5'''<br>(IDW Publishing, 2012)
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v16.jpg|'''''The Definitive G1 Collection: Volume 16: The Primal Scream'''''<br>(Hachette Partworks, 2017)
</gallery>


==External links==
==References==
* [http://transfans.co.uk/comics_guide_detail.php?id=447 Transformers #303 Letters Page on Transfans.co.uk]
{{reflist}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Primal Scream}}
[[Category:Marvel US issues]]
[[Category:Marvel US issues]]
[[Category:Marvel UK issues]]
[[Category:Marvel UK issues]]

Latest revision as of 00:08, 8 February 2026

The name or term "Primal Scream" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see Primal Scream (disambiguation).
« The Transformers (US) #61 »
« The Transformers (UK) #259–261 »

I am Oz! The great and powerful!
"The Primal Scream"
Publisher Marvel Comics
Shipping date October 24, 1989
On-sale date November 14, 1989
Cover date Mid December 1989
Writer Simon Furman Maximus
Artist Geoffire Senior
Colorist Shrapnel Yomtov
Letterer Jim Lock Massara
Editor Megadon Daley
Continuity Marvel Comics continuity

Don't wake the sleeping god... whatever you do! Plus: The Honest to Gosh Origin of the Transformers!

Synopsis

[edit]

Well, yes. So it turns out that when Bludgeon sabotaged the Autobots' trip to Earth, everyone ended up instead in the middle of Cybertron. And it also turns out that this is where an old dude in metal robes called the Keeper lives. He is guarding, sorta, the head of Primus. Primus—the Transformers' god.

Grimlock doesn't think much of the Keeper, or Primus. He thinks the whole thing is a load of bunk. So, to prove to Grimlock that it is real, the Keeper recounts the origin of the Transformers.

At the dawn of time, two gods—Primus and Unicron—fight. Unicron beats the crap out of Primus on a physical plane, then on the astral plane. In a last desperate ploy, Primus escapes the astral plane into a massive metal asteroid. Unicron does the same, thinking Primus is onto something, and as a result they are both trapped.

Primus eventually learns to shape his prison, and makes it into Cybertron. Unicron shapes his prison into a giant planet-devouring planet that can change into a robot. To combat this, Primus makes a race of little robots called the Transformers. And now Unicron searches the cosmos for Primus, while Primus sleeps to hide from his enemy. The Keeper has just gotten to tell his whole story when suddenly, the Mayhem Attack Squad burst in, shooting him. The Autobots are left at an disadvantage; they have to hold back, to prevent Primus being awoken.

Meanwhile, Scorponok finds his place as Decepticon leader challenged by his men, who are furious

Oof, that'll leave a mark.

he's let Starscream, of all people, back in with them. Mindwipe in particular brings up how Starscream twice almost wiped them all out. Scorponok insists that this way, he is keeping an eye optic sensor on him, and that he can bolster their depleted forces. Starscream himself, listening in from behind a door, is gleeful when he hears the stony silence of the Decepticons, knowing he can use this to his advantage...

On Cybertron, the Autobots are getting thoroughly thrashed, as the Decepticons aren't holding back. Bumblebee, frustrated at himself, begs Primus for help, asking if he and his friends must die again prevent the coming of Unicron. Suddenly, he gains a new inner strength, refusing to accept this fate, and charges Bludgeon before he can kill Jazz. Bumblebee, Jazz, and Grimlock, re-galvanised, fight off the Decepticons, with Bludgeon being dragged away by Seawatch, Octopunch being headbutted by Grimlock, and tripped into a hole by Stakeout and Red Hot, and Stranglehold being run into wall by Jazz.

Unfortunately, Octopunch's Pretender shell took the brunt of the fall, and he shoots Grimlock in the back. The shot ricochets off his armored back, right into Primus's face. The shock is enough to wake Primus, causing him to scream. A scream that sent shock waves through the planet. Hearing this, Emarite Xaaron manages to teleport the Autobots to Earth. Grimlock worries about the consequences, but Bumblebee tries to assure him that no one else heard that scream.

Out in deep space, Unicron hears the scream of Primus. Oh dear.

[edit]

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

Autobots Decepticons Others

Quotes

[edit]

"YOU! You dare defile this most sacred of places with your unworthy presence?! On your knees, trespassers! Prostrate yourself before your creator, your living god--! PRIMUS!"
"Huh! Some creator! Seems to have dozed off!"

— the Keeper didn't account for Grimlock's flippancy


"Bumblebee, Jazz -- you not buy this, do you? Maybe Decepticons drugged us, made us hal--hallu-- see 'our god'!"

—Grimlock


"Prattling fool! Your warrior's heart is tainted by an idiot's tongue! Perhaps I shall remove both for you!"

—Bludgeon retaliates against Jazz after a beatdown


"Seawatch -- he's yours!"
"Thanks, Bumblebee. Just what I've never wanted!"
(Seawatch latches a tow cable onto Bludgeon's leg)
"You know how to water-ski, Bludgeon?..."
(Seawatch zooms off down the flooded tunnel, dragging Bludgeon with him.)
"...ME NEITHER!!"

—Bumblebee helps Seawatch snatch a crowning moment of awesome right in front of a stunned Bludgeon's eyes.

Notes

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Artwork and technical errors

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Continuity errors

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  • "Who elected you anyway?" yells one disgruntled Decepticon. It's a funny line and a good way of selling that Scorponok is still a new-ish leader on Earth. Problem is, the bulk of Scorponok's forces, and all of them in this scene except Soundwave, are the robots he was in charge of way back in "Ring of Hate!".

Continuity notes

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GOD FIGHT!
  • This is one of three tellings of the origin of the Transformers that appeared throughout the Marvel US and Marvel UK comics series. Each one was told from a different point of view, and this was the only one told by someone who wasn't actually there. The other tellings of the story were by Primus and Unicron. None of the tellings are quite consistent with each other, and since Furman wrote all three and each one is said by a different person to different people, that seems intentional.
  • The firstborn Transformer, Prima, makes his first appearance in this issue–though he wouldn't receive a name until "Dark Creation".
  • According to "Vector Prime: In the Beginning" (published many years later) Primus and Unicron's dual awakenings in this story in fact reverberated across the Multiverse, ending a long period of dormancy for both entities in every reality, and making this the single most cataclysmically important Transformers story, ever.
  • Bumblebee contemplates his mortality in this issue, mentioning that he died once. This appears to be in reference to his death as Goldbug in US issue #50. Perhaps he doesn't consider his destruction at the hands of G.I. Joe/Death's Head (which led to his rebirth as Goldbug) a true death.
  • Mindwipe complains to Scorponok about Starscream almost killing the Decepticons twice, references to US issues #50 and #59. In a clever move, Mindwipe still has battle damage from the latter story!
  • All four members of the Rescue Patrol were present in the background at the end of last issue and the beginning of this one, but Fixit never does anything up close.
  • The "water" in the tunnels around Primus's chamber was explained in Darn 'n' Blast to be liquid helium.[1]
  • Starscream's Classic Pretender shell gets its last mention in the comics, when Scorponok acknowledges to his troops that Starscream is more powerful now that he has a Pretender Shell, but he's keeping him on a tight leash. It isn't until issue #66 that we see Starscream leave the Decepticon base without his shell to go off on his own. The fate of his shell isn't explained.

Real-life references

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Bot Roster

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  • Autobots: 27 active as the Rescue Squad goes to Earth to join the Ark crew; 8 rogue Micromasters; 1 in storage, 31 offline, 25 presumed offline. (92 total)
  • Decepticons: 23 active as the Mayhems are teleported to Earth and will eventually hook up with Scorponok's crew; 4 rogue Micromasters; 26 offline, 25 presumed offline, 4 offline/missing. (82 total)

UK printing

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Issue #259:

Issue #260:

Issue #261:

  • Additional Transformers story: "Starting Over!"
  • Other strips: G.I. Joe the Action Force - "Going Under" and Combat Colin

Other trivia

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  • While Dan Reed was the first UK artist to work on the US series (drawing the cover for issue #56), this is the first US issue to feature interior art by a UK artist. Geoff Senior penciled and inked the entire strip for this issue.
  • This issue featured the final Transformers art to be produced for the series by long-time artist Don Perlin, in the form of the issue's cover.
  • Transformers Universe profiles for Triggerhappy, Landfill, Quickmix, and Scoop are found after the main story.
  • Doubleheader's tech specs indicate that only his left head speaks, but in the comics either or both heads are shown speaking. During the Matrix Quest, Doubleheader's heads even talk over each other, making two different statements at once.

Foreign Localization

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Swedish

  • Title (1990): "Hos den sovande guden..." ("With the Sleeping God...)
  • Title (2019): "Primus Vaknar" ("Primus Awakens")

Covers (4)

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  • US issue #61 - NOM NOM NOM.
    US issue #61 - NOM NOM NOM.
  • UK issue #259 - And that's why you don't insult Menasor's ear-things.
    UK issue #259 - And that's why you don't insult Menasor's ear-things.
  • UK issue #260 - If this was what actually happened, it would be magical.
    UK issue #260 - If this was what actually happened, it would be magical.
  • UK issue #261 - "Guns. Lots of guns."
    UK issue #261 - "Guns. Lots of guns."

Advertisements

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US

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  • Trix cereal - inside front cover
  • Star Trek V: The Final Frontier figures - between pages 4 & 5
  • Nestlé Quick merchandise - between pages 5 & 6
  • NBC Saturday Morning Lineup: Kissyfur, Camp Candy, Captain N: The Game Master, The Karate Kid, Smurfs, The Chipmunks, Saved by the Bell, Alf Tales, Alf - between pages 7 & 8 (2 pages)
  • Airwolf engine powered model helicopter - between pages 16 & 17
  • Mister Bubble - between between pages 17 & 18
  • Star Signals and Checklist - between Triggerhappy and Landfill profiles
  • Duck Tales Magazine - between Landfill and Quickmix profiles
  • Transmissions
  • Marvel subscription service
  • Chips Ahoy! cookies - inside back cover
  • Lucky Charms cereal (back cover)

UK

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????

Reprints

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  • Transformers: Primal Scream TPB (Titan Books, 2002)
    Transformers: Primal Scream TPB (Titan Books, 2002)
  • Transformers: Primal Scream hardback (Titan Books, 2002)
    Transformers: Primal Scream hardback
    (Titan Books, 2002)
  • Classic Transformers Volume 4 (IDW Publishing, 2009)
    Classic Transformers Volume 4 (IDW Publishing, 2009)
  • The Transformers Classics, Vol. 5 (IDW Publishing, 2012)
    The Transformers Classics, Vol. 5
    (IDW Publishing, 2012)
  • The Definitive G1 Collection: Volume 16: The Primal Scream (Hachette Partworks, 2017)
    The Definitive G1 Collection: Volume 16: The Primal Scream
    (Hachette Partworks, 2017)

References

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  1. ↑ Darn 'n' Blast, issue 303
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