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|caption=Me Grimlock no like taggers! | |caption=Me Grimlock no like taggers! | ||
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]] | |publisher=[[Marvel Comics]] | ||
| | |shippingdate=[[August 22]], [[1989]] | ||
|onsaledate=[[September 12]], 1989 | |||
|coverdate=Mid November 1989 | |coverdate=Mid November 1989 | ||
|story=[[Simon Furman]] | |story=[[Simon Furman]] | ||
| Line 19: | Line 20: | ||
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]] | |continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]] | ||
}} | }} | ||
'''Why would anyone EVER rehire Starscream?''' | '''Why would anyone EVER rehire Starscream?''' | ||
==Synopsis== | ==Synopsis== | ||
[[ | [[File:Bumblebeeskindeep.jpg|left|thumb|Ratchet cares not for your maturation and [[GEEWUN|wishes you were more like 1984]].]] | ||
[[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] has never been one to mince words—only metal. No sooner is he reactivated that he goes right for the kill, tackling [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] in his dino-mode. Still reeling from his recovery, though, he is easily dispatched by Megatron. The [[Decepticon]] laughs at [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]]'s meager attempt at treachery, but the surgeon taunts him back with the assertion that his little mindless engine of destruction, [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], isn't quite as perfect as he'd like. | [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] has never been one to mince words—only metal. No sooner is he reactivated that he goes right for the kill, tackling [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] in his dino-mode. Still reeling from his recovery, though, he is easily dispatched by Megatron. The [[Decepticon]] laughs at [[Ratchet (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ratchet]]'s meager attempt at treachery, but the surgeon taunts him back with the assertion that his little mindless engine of destruction, [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]], isn't quite as perfect as he'd like. | ||
Before he can push the issue further, Megatron is interrupted by [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], who manages to delay the fiend temporarily by blowing several neat holes in his chest. After catching up with Bumblebee and informing [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] of the extent of his new [[Pretender]] powers, Ratchet takes off to deal with the situation on the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]]. | Before he can push the issue further, Megatron is interrupted by [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]], who manages to delay the fiend temporarily by blowing several neat holes in his chest. After catching up with Bumblebee and informing [[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]] of the extent of his new [[Pretender]] powers, Ratchet takes off to deal with the situation on the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]]. | ||
Meanwhile on [[Earth]], Starscream has begun to destroy [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]'s Decepticons in the glorious name of Megatron. As [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] finally starts to wise up on everything that's been happening over the past few hours, Starscream sends his new, invincible Pretender shell to destroy the Autobot. At [[Zarak (G1)|Zarak]]'s bidding, the remaining Decepticons leap into the fray as well, only now on Prime's side. | Meanwhile on [[Earth]], Starscream has begun to destroy [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]'s Decepticons in the glorious name of Megatron. As [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] finally starts to wise up on everything that's been happening over the past few hours, Starscream sends his new, invincible Pretender shell to destroy the Autobot. At [[Zarak (G1)|Zarak]]'s bidding, the remaining Decepticons leap into the fray as well, only now on Prime's side. | ||
The [[Autobot]] shuttle has successfully redocked with the Ark, but even with the full allotment of Autobots available, they are having little success disarming the bomb. Their prisoner, [[Blackjack]], is less than helpful, as he says the timing sequence simply cannot be stopped once it's begun. Knowing that they'd be unable to escape the blast radius in time, much less evacuate all their wounded from the medical bay and stasis chambers, [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] continues working on the bomb in a desperate attempt to bypass the booby-traps and disarm it. | The [[Autobot]] shuttle has successfully redocked with the Ark, but even with the full allotment of Autobots available, they are having little success disarming the bomb. Their prisoner, [[Blackjack (G1)|Blackjack]], is less than helpful, as he says the timing sequence simply cannot be stopped once it's begun. Knowing that they'd be unable to escape the blast radius in time, much less evacuate all their wounded from the medical bay and stasis chambers, [[Kup (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Kup]] continues working on the bomb in a desperate attempt to bypass the booby-traps and disarm it. | ||
On [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Megatron removes the threat of the Autobots by tossing each of them out through the side of [[Megatron's base|his fortress]], one at a time. Bidding his [[Powermaster]] and [[Micromaster]] servants to go after the Pretenders and keep them occupied, Megatron devotes his time to searching out the missing Ratchet and whatever other little surprises the medic might have in store. At that moment, Ratchet is trying to make contact with the Ark, in the hopes of helping them with their little "exploding" problem. | On [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Megatron removes the threat of the Autobots by tossing each of them out through the side of [[Megatron's base|his fortress]], one at a time. Bidding his [[Powermaster]] and [[Micromaster]] servants to go after the Pretenders and keep them occupied, Megatron devotes his time to searching out the missing Ratchet and whatever other little surprises the medic might have in store. At that moment, Ratchet is trying to make contact with the Ark, in the hopes of helping them with their little "exploding" problem. | ||
The battle against Starscream is not faring very well at all, as he disables the last of the operational Transformers besides Optimus and Zarak. However, one of his earlier victims, the Autobot [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]], manages to regain his senses long enough to photon-blast Starscream's Pretender shell, and the impact is strong enough to send sympathetic waves of pain back to the owner. As Scorponok joins in, a circuit is completed, and suddenly Starscream's personality [[shell program]] gives way, just as Ratchet intended. The whiny coward is back, and he quickly assesses the situation and begs Scorponok for lenience and sanctuary. | [[File:Ratchetbroughtthemhere.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Ratchet likes to bring the house down.]] | ||
The battle against Starscream is not faring very well at all, as he disables the last of the operational Transformers besides Optimus and Zarak. However, one of his earlier victims, the Autobot [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]], manages to regain his senses long enough to photon-blast Starscream's Pretender shell, and the impact is strong enough to send sympathetic waves of pain back to the owner. As Scorponok joins in, a circuit is completed, and suddenly Starscream's personality [[shell program]] gives way, just as Ratchet intended. The whiny coward is back, and he quickly assesses the situation and begs Scorponok for lenience and sanctuary. | |||
In his fortress, Megatron catches Ratchet fiddling with the [[trans-time dimensional portal]]. Believing the Autobot is attempting to escape, he bats him aside and begins to gloat over the sprawled body that all his enemies will soon be dead. Ratchet corrects him, informing Megatron about the glitch he installed in Starscream's new software. Furthermore, as Megatron sees with his own eyes, Ratchet wasn't trying to escape, he was bringing the Ark's explosives to the fortress. Panicking, Megatron attempts to throw himself through the portal to safety, but Ratchet tackles him. Outside, the Autobots and Decepticons cease fighting as a sudden, massive explosion consumes the entire base, and apparently Ratchet and Megatron along with it. | In his fortress, Megatron catches Ratchet fiddling with the [[trans-time dimensional portal]]. Believing the Autobot is attempting to escape, he bats him aside and begins to gloat over the sprawled body that all his enemies will soon be dead. Ratchet corrects him, informing Megatron about the glitch he installed in Starscream's new software. Furthermore, as Megatron sees with his own eyes, Ratchet wasn't trying to escape, he was bringing the Ark's explosives to the fortress. Panicking, Megatron attempts to throw himself through the portal to safety, but Ratchet tackles him. Outside, the Autobots and Decepticons cease fighting as a sudden, massive explosion consumes the entire base, and apparently Ratchet and Megatron along with it. | ||
{{--}} | {{--}} | ||
| Line 43: | Line 43: | ||
{{featuredcharacters | {{featuredcharacters | ||
|c1= | |c1= | ||
* [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] (1) | *[[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] (1) | ||
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (3) | *[[Ratchet (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ratchet]] (3) | ||
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (4) | *[[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]] (4) | ||
* [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (5) | *[[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]] (5) | ||
* [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] (13) | *[[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]] (13) | ||
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] (17) | *[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] (17) | ||
* [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] (23) | *[[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] (23) | ||
* [[Getaway]] (24) | *[[Getaway]] (24) | ||
* [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] (26) | *[[Kup (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Kup]] (26) | ||
* [[Cloudburst]] (29) | *[[Cloudburst]] (29) | ||
|c2= | |c2= | ||
* [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] (2) | {{collist|2| | ||
* [[Road Hugger (G1)|Road Hugger]] (6) | *[[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] (2) | ||
* [[Hyperdrive (Micromaster)|Hyperdrive]] (7) | *[[Road Hugger (G1)|Road Hugger]] (6) | ||
* [[Detour (G1)|Detour]] (8) | *[[Hyperdrive (Micromaster)|Hyperdrive]] (7) | ||
* [[Triggerhappy]] (9) | *[[Detour (G1)|Detour]] (8) | ||
* [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (10) | *[[Triggerhappy (G1)|Triggerhappy]] (9) | ||
* [[Skullcruncher]] (11) | *[[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] (10) | ||
* [[Skullgrin]] (12) | *[[Skullcruncher (G1)|Skullcruncher]] (11) | ||
* [[Weirdwolf]] (14) | *[[Skullgrin]] (12) | ||
* [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] (15) | *[[Weirdwolf (G1)|Weirdwolf]] (14) | ||
* [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] (18) | *[[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] (15) | ||
* [[Nightflight (G1)|Nightflight]] (19) | *[[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] (18) | ||
* [[Storm Cloud]] (20) | *[[Nightflight (G1)|Nightflight]] (19) | ||
* [[Tailwind (G1)|Tailwind]] (21) | *[[Storm Cloud (G1)|Storm Cloud]] (20) | ||
* [[Whisper (G1)|Whisper]] (22) | *[[Tailwind (G1)|Tailwind]] (21) | ||
* [[Blackjack]] (25) | *[[Whisper (G1)|Whisper]] (22) | ||
* [[Darkwing]] (27) | *[[Blackjack (G1)|Blackjack]] (25) | ||
* [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]] (28) | *[[Darkwing (G1)|Darkwing]] (27) | ||
*[[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]] (28) | |||
}} | |||
|h4=[[Nebulan]]s|c4= | |h4=[[Nebulan]]s|c4= | ||
* [[Zarak (G1)|Zarak]] (16) | *[[Zarak (G1)|Zarak]] (16) | ||
}} | }} | ||
==Quotes== | |||
"Who?"<br> | |||
"I was going to say Goldbug, but it seems I'm back to being Bumblebee again! Ah, well, it doesn't matter! One or the other of me will blow big holes in you if you don't let Ratchet go!"<br> | |||
"'''Hah!'''"<br> | |||
''[shoots big holes in Megatron's chest]'' | |||
"He doesn't '''hear''' as well as he used to, does he?" | |||
:—'''Megatron''' finds that '''Bumblebee''' has gotten a serious upgrade in the firearms department | |||
'''Kup:''' "Getaway, ask the little '''punk''' how to stop the countdown!"<br> | |||
'''Getaway:''' "I've '''tried!''' But the "little punk" won't tell me!"<br> | |||
'''Blackjack:''' "'''Can't''' tell you, '''can't tell you!''' Are you deaf, Autobot? Do you think I want to die?" | |||
"Ohno,ohno!I'monly'''fourmillion'''yearsold! I'mtoo'''young'''todie!" | |||
:—'''Blurr''' | |||
"Oh, and by the way, I '''wasn't''' trying to escape! With Cloudburst's help, I locked onto the explosives Blackjack '''carelessly''' left lying around the Ark -- and brought them '''here!'''"<br> | |||
"'''''NO!''''' You've doomed us '''both!'''"<br> | |||
"Well, as you demonstrated to me at the start of this whole affair, in the final analysis -- '''I'm expendable!'''" | |||
:—'''Ratchet''' gives '''Megatron''' some long-due comeuppance | |||
"This time -- '''you stay dead!'''" | |||
:—'''Ratchet''''s final sacrifice to stop Megatron | |||
==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
* In an interesting nod to future stories, Bumblebee calls Ratchet "the best surgeon this side of [[Hydrus Four]]!" | ===Artwork and technical errors=== | ||
* The fate of Ratchet and Megatron will be followed up on in US issues [[Eye of the Storm|#69]]–[[The Pri¢e of Life!|70]]. | *Starscream is shown with only one of his helmet's exhaust port things. This is due to José Delbo's [[José Delbo#Notes|consistent misinterpretation of Starscream's profile art]]. | ||
* ''[[The Transformers | |||
* With issue | ===Continuity errors=== | ||
*It's odd to hear Megatron refer to Bumblebee as "Goldbug", since Bumblebee only became Goldbug after Megatron disappeared in the space bridge accident. While Megatron did see Goldbug's deactivated body last issue, he didn't seem particularly curious about it, as at the time he was kicking Grimlock's head off and telling Ratchet to clear up that "mess". There's also something of a [[retcon]] in play, as at the end of the last issue Bumblebee had already emerged from his Pretender shell, but seemingly reveals himself for the first time here. | |||
*As the explosives could be sent into Trans-Time portal, and the Ark's shuttles could be used to evacuate, there's no clear reason the Autobots couldn't simply load the explosives onto a shuttle to get rid of them. | |||
===Continuity notes=== | |||
*In an interesting nod to future stories, Bumblebee calls Ratchet "the best surgeon this side of [[Hydrus Four]]!" | |||
*The fate of Ratchet and Megatron will be followed up on in US issues [[Eye of the Storm|#69]]–[[The Pri¢e of Life!|70]]. | |||
*Directly after this, in the UK continuity, [[Darkwing (G1)|Darkwing]] and [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]] would go to [[Maccadam's Old Oil House]] to drown their sorrows in the previously printed "[[Out to Lunch!]]" and [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] would find his mojo again in the previously printed "[[Fallen Star!]]" | |||
===Real-life references=== | |||
*The cover blurb is a play on the common Marvel excitement-builder "Not a hoax! Not a dream! Not an imaginary tale!", originating with X-Men #42 and revisited on occasion. ("Not an imaginary tale!" was a dig at DC Comics, who did "Imaginary Story" tales where big events like death, marriage etc could be played out for an issue) Future story developments would render the blurb untrue... just as they did for X-Men #42! | |||
===UK printing=== | |||
'''Issue #249:''' | |||
*'''Additional ''Transformers'' story:''' "[[Whose Lifeforce Is It Anyway?]]" | |||
*'''Other strips:''' ''[[Action Force (comic)|G.I. Joe the Action Force]]'' - "The Lower Depths" and ''[[Combat Colin]]'' | |||
*'''[[Transformers AtoZ|AtoZ]]:''' [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] and [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] | |||
*With this issue the cover logo changes from ''Action Force'' to ''[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe the Action Force]]''. This had been explained as a merger between the European and American groups in a mini-comic given away with issue [[Underworld!|#245]] and reflected a change in the toyline packaging. | |||
'''Issue #250:''' | |||
*'''Additional ''Transformers'' story:''' "[[The Greatest Gift of All!]]" | |||
*'''Other strips:''' ''Combat Colin'' | |||
*'''[[Transformers AtoZ|AtoZ]]:''' [[Rewind (G1)|Rewind]] and [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] | |||
*[[Colin Doobrey-Smiff|Combat Colin]] is in a [[Christmas with Combat Colin|full-colour strip]] that references the Transformers' party depicted on the cover. | |||
*This issue also featured a competition where readers could win one of 30 [[Rocket Base|Micro-master pocket bases]]{{sic}} by identifying which six Transformers had been mixed up in the matter transmitter — they were [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]], Optimus Prime, [[Mirage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Mirage]], [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]], [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] and [[Headstrong (G1)|Headstrong]]. | |||
'''Issue #251:''' | |||
*'''Additional ''Transformers'' story:''' "[[The Void! (UK)|The Void!]]" | |||
*'''Other strips:''' ''G.I. Joe the Action Force'' - "The Lower Depths" and ''Combat Colin'' | |||
*'''[[Transformers AtoZ|AtoZ]]:''' [[Runabout (G1)|Runabout]] and [[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]] | |||
=== | ===Other trivia=== | ||
* | *''[[The Transformers Universe|Transformers Universe]]'' profiles for the [[Seacon (G1)|Seacons]] are found after the main story. | ||
===Covers=== | ===Bot Roster=== | ||
*Autobots: 23 active as Ratchet is lost in an explosion; 8 rogue Micromasters; 1 in storage, 28 offline, 28 presumed offline. (88 total) | |||
*Decepticons: 21 active as Starscream returns to the fold, 4 rogue Micromasters; 26 offline, 25 presumed offline, 4 offline/missing. (80 total) | |||
===Covers (4)=== | |||
*'''US issue #59 cover:''' Grimlock vs the Micromasters while Megatron approaches, by [[José Delbo]] and [[Danny Bulanadi]]. | |||
*'''UK issue #249 cover:''' [[Longtooth]]'s secret, by [[Mario Capaldi]]. | |||
*'''UK issue #250 cover:''' [[Christmas]] celebration, by [[Andrew Wildman]]. | |||
*'''UK issue #251 cover:''' [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] and Kup, by [[Gary Erskine]]. | |||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
File:MarvelUS-59.jpg|'''US issue #59''' - Admit it, who fell for that one? | |||
File:MarvelUK-249.jpg|'''UK issue #249''' - Ooohhh, sparkly! | |||
File:MarvelUK-250.jpg|'''UK issue #250''' - Merry Christmas, everyone! | |||
File:MarvelUK-251.jpg|'''UK issue #251''' - This reminds me of the time... | |||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
===Advertisements=== | ===Advertisements=== | ||
* | ====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 story and Nautilator profile | |||
*Mister Bubble - between Nautilator and Overbite profiles | |||
*Star Signals and Checklist - between Seawing and Skalor profiles | |||
*''Duck Tales Magazine'' - between Skalor and Snaptrap profiles | |||
*Marvel subscription service | |||
*Chips Ahoy! cookies - inside back cover | |||
*Lucky Charms cereal (back cover) | |||
====UK==== | |||
???? | |||
===Reprints=== | ===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 #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> | |||
[[Category:Marvel US issues]] | [[Category:Marvel US issues]] | ||
[[Category:Marvel UK issues]] | [[Category:Marvel UK issues]] | ||
Latest revision as of 13:06, 6 October 2025
| |||||||||||||
 Me Grimlock no like taggers! | |||||||||||||
| "Skin Deep" | |||||||||||||
| Publisher | Marvel Comics | ||||||||||||
| Shipping date | August 22, 1989 | ||||||||||||
| On-sale date | September 12, 1989 | ||||||||||||
| Cover date | Mid November 1989 | ||||||||||||
| Story | Simon Furman | ||||||||||||
| Pencils | José Delbo | ||||||||||||
| Inks | Dave Hunt | ||||||||||||
| Colors | Nel Yomtov | ||||||||||||
| Letters | Jim Massara | ||||||||||||
| Editor | Don Daley | ||||||||||||
| Continuity | Marvel Comics continuity | ||||||||||||
Why would anyone EVER rehire Starscream?
Synopsis
[edit]
Grimlock has never been one to mince words—only metal. No sooner is he reactivated that he goes right for the kill, tackling Megatron in his dino-mode. Still reeling from his recovery, though, he is easily dispatched by Megatron. The Decepticon laughs at Ratchet's meager attempt at treachery, but the surgeon taunts him back with the assertion that his little mindless engine of destruction, Starscream, isn't quite as perfect as he'd like.
Before he can push the issue further, Megatron is interrupted by Bumblebee, who manages to delay the fiend temporarily by blowing several neat holes in his chest. After catching up with Bumblebee and informing Jazz of the extent of his new Pretender powers, Ratchet takes off to deal with the situation on the Ark.
Meanwhile on Earth, Starscream has begun to destroy Scorponok's Decepticons in the glorious name of Megatron. As Optimus Prime finally starts to wise up on everything that's been happening over the past few hours, Starscream sends his new, invincible Pretender shell to destroy the Autobot. At Zarak's bidding, the remaining Decepticons leap into the fray as well, only now on Prime's side.
The Autobot shuttle has successfully redocked with the Ark, but even with the full allotment of Autobots available, they are having little success disarming the bomb. Their prisoner, Blackjack, is less than helpful, as he says the timing sequence simply cannot be stopped once it's begun. Knowing that they'd be unable to escape the blast radius in time, much less evacuate all their wounded from the medical bay and stasis chambers, Kup continues working on the bomb in a desperate attempt to bypass the booby-traps and disarm it.
On Cybertron, Megatron removes the threat of the Autobots by tossing each of them out through the side of his fortress, one at a time. Bidding his Powermaster and Micromaster servants to go after the Pretenders and keep them occupied, Megatron devotes his time to searching out the missing Ratchet and whatever other little surprises the medic might have in store. At that moment, Ratchet is trying to make contact with the Ark, in the hopes of helping them with their little "exploding" problem.
The battle against Starscream is not faring very well at all, as he disables the last of the operational Transformers besides Optimus and Zarak. However, one of his earlier victims, the Autobot Hot Rod, manages to regain his senses long enough to photon-blast Starscream's Pretender shell, and the impact is strong enough to send sympathetic waves of pain back to the owner. As Scorponok joins in, a circuit is completed, and suddenly Starscream's personality shell program gives way, just as Ratchet intended. The whiny coward is back, and he quickly assesses the situation and begs Scorponok for lenience and sanctuary.
In his fortress, Megatron catches Ratchet fiddling with the trans-time dimensional portal. Believing the Autobot is attempting to escape, he bats him aside and begins to gloat over the sprawled body that all his enemies will soon be dead. Ratchet corrects him, informing Megatron about the glitch he installed in Starscream's new software. Furthermore, as Megatron sees with his own eyes, Ratchet wasn't trying to escape, he was bringing the Ark's explosives to the fortress. Panicking, Megatron attempts to throw himself through the portal to safety, but Ratchet tackles him. Outside, the Autobots and Decepticons cease fighting as a sudden, massive explosion consumes the entire base, and apparently Ratchet and Megatron along with it.
Featured characters
[edit](Numbers indicate order of appearance.)
| Autobots | Decepticons | Nebulans |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
Quotes
[edit]"Who?"
"I was going to say Goldbug, but it seems I'm back to being Bumblebee again! Ah, well, it doesn't matter! One or the other of me will blow big holes in you if you don't let Ratchet go!"
"Hah!"
[shoots big holes in Megatron's chest]
"He doesn't hear as well as he used to, does he?"
- —Megatron finds that Bumblebee has gotten a serious upgrade in the firearms department
Kup: "Getaway, ask the little punk how to stop the countdown!"
Getaway: "I've tried! But the "little punk" won't tell me!"
Blackjack: "Can't tell you, can't tell you! Are you deaf, Autobot? Do you think I want to die?"
"Ohno,ohno!I'monlyfourmillionyearsold! I'mtooyoungtodie!"
- —Blurr
"Oh, and by the way, I wasn't trying to escape! With Cloudburst's help, I locked onto the explosives Blackjack carelessly left lying around the Ark -- and brought them here!"
"NO! You've doomed us both!"
"Well, as you demonstrated to me at the start of this whole affair, in the final analysis -- I'm expendable!"
- —Ratchet gives Megatron some long-due comeuppance
"This time -- you stay dead!"
- —Ratchet's final sacrifice to stop Megatron
Notes
[edit]Artwork and technical errors
[edit]- Starscream is shown with only one of his helmet's exhaust port things. This is due to José Delbo's consistent misinterpretation of Starscream's profile art.
Continuity errors
[edit]- It's odd to hear Megatron refer to Bumblebee as "Goldbug", since Bumblebee only became Goldbug after Megatron disappeared in the space bridge accident. While Megatron did see Goldbug's deactivated body last issue, he didn't seem particularly curious about it, as at the time he was kicking Grimlock's head off and telling Ratchet to clear up that "mess". There's also something of a retcon in play, as at the end of the last issue Bumblebee had already emerged from his Pretender shell, but seemingly reveals himself for the first time here.
- As the explosives could be sent into Trans-Time portal, and the Ark's shuttles could be used to evacuate, there's no clear reason the Autobots couldn't simply load the explosives onto a shuttle to get rid of them.
Continuity notes
[edit]- In an interesting nod to future stories, Bumblebee calls Ratchet "the best surgeon this side of Hydrus Four!"
- The fate of Ratchet and Megatron will be followed up on in US issues #69–70.
- Directly after this, in the UK continuity, Darkwing and Dreadwind would go to Maccadam's Old Oil House to drown their sorrows in the previously printed "Out to Lunch!" and Starscream would find his mojo again in the previously printed "Fallen Star!"
Real-life references
[edit]- The cover blurb is a play on the common Marvel excitement-builder "Not a hoax! Not a dream! Not an imaginary tale!", originating with X-Men #42 and revisited on occasion. ("Not an imaginary tale!" was a dig at DC Comics, who did "Imaginary Story" tales where big events like death, marriage etc could be played out for an issue) Future story developments would render the blurb untrue... just as they did for X-Men #42!
UK printing
[edit]Issue #249:
- Additional Transformers story: "Whose Lifeforce Is It Anyway?"
- Other strips: G.I. Joe the Action Force - "The Lower Depths" and Combat Colin
- AtoZ: Razorclaw and Red Alert
- With this issue the cover logo changes from Action Force to G.I. Joe the Action Force. This had been explained as a merger between the European and American groups in a mini-comic given away with issue #245 and reflected a change in the toyline packaging.
Issue #250:
- Additional Transformers story: "The Greatest Gift of All!"
- Other strips: Combat Colin
- AtoZ: Rewind and Rumble
- Combat Colin is in a full-colour strip that references the Transformers' party depicted on the cover.
- This issue also featured a competition where readers could win one of 30 Micro-master pocket bases[sic] by identifying which six Transformers had been mixed up in the matter transmitter — they were Jetfire, Optimus Prime, Mirage, Onslaught, Megatron and Headstrong.
Issue #251:
- Additional Transformers story: "The Void!"
- Other strips: G.I. Joe the Action Force - "The Lower Depths" and Combat Colin
- AtoZ: Runabout and Runamuck
Other trivia
[edit]- Transformers Universe profiles for the Seacons are found after the main story.
Bot Roster
[edit]- Autobots: 23 active as Ratchet is lost in an explosion; 8 rogue Micromasters; 1 in storage, 28 offline, 28 presumed offline. (88 total)
- Decepticons: 21 active as Starscream returns to the fold, 4 rogue Micromasters; 26 offline, 25 presumed offline, 4 offline/missing. (80 total)
Covers (4)
[edit]- US issue #59 cover: Grimlock vs the Micromasters while Megatron approaches, by José Delbo and Danny Bulanadi.
- UK issue #249 cover: Longtooth's secret, by Mario Capaldi.
- UK issue #250 cover: Christmas celebration, by Andrew Wildman.
- UK issue #251 cover: Red Alert and Kup, by Gary Erskine.
-
US issue #59 - Admit it, who fell for that one? -
UK issue #249 - Ooohhh, sparkly! -
UK issue #250 - Merry Christmas, everyone! -
UK issue #251 - This reminds me of the time...
Advertisements
[edit]US
[edit]- 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 story and Nautilator profile
- Mister Bubble - between Nautilator and Overbite profiles
- Star Signals and Checklist - between Seawing and Skalor profiles
- Duck Tales Magazine - between Skalor and Snaptrap profiles
- Marvel subscription service
- Chips Ahoy! cookies - inside back cover
- Lucky Charms cereal (back cover)
UK
[edit]????
Reprints
[edit]- 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 4cover: panels from US issues #59 and #60, pencils by José Delbo, inks by Dave Hunt and colours by Nel Yomtov.
- The Transformers Classics, Vol. 5 cover: Prowl, by Guido Guidi.
- Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection:Volume 16: The Primal Scream: Optimus Prime by Guido Guidi above an interior scene of the Megatron vs Grimlock.
-
Transformers: Primal Scream TPB (Titan Books, 2002) -
Transformers: Primal Scream hardback
(Titan Books, 2002) -
Classic Transformers Volume 4 (IDW Publishing, 2009) -
The Transformers Classics, Vol. 5
(IDW Publishing, 2012) -
The Definitive G1 Collection: Volume 16: The Primal Scream
(Hachette Partworks, 2017)
