*With ''Classics'' ignoring the UK comics and ''Generation 2'', this is Ultra Magnus and Springer's first appearance in continuity. Joining them is Elita One, who hadn't appeared in any Marvel-related fiction before. Huffer was last seen before the "[[Underbase]] Saga" in Marvel ''The Transformers'' issue [[Totaled!|#41]], while Snarl and Swoop were among the few surviving Autobots at the tail end of the series. Chronologically, Strongarm first appears in "[[The New World]]", for which there is a preview in the Diamond edition comic.
*With ''Classics'' ignoring the UK comics and ''Generation 2'', this is Ultra Magnus and Springer's first appearance in continuity. Joining them is Elita One, who hadn't appeared in any Marvel-related fiction before. Huffer was last seen before the "[[Underbase]] Saga" in Marvel ''The Transformers'' issue [[Totaled!|#41]], while Snarl and Swoop were among the few surviving Autobots at the tail end of the series. Chronologically, Strongarm first appears in "[[The New World]]", for which there is a preview in the Diamond edition comic.
*Chronologically, Bug Bite's appearance here comes after his appearance in "[[Withered Hope]]". Dreadwind and Weirdwolf were last seen with Bludgeon's Decepticons on [[Klo]], while Thundercracker was destroyed by Starscream in issue [[Dark Star|#50]] (an event alluded to here). Thrust was another character who disappeared before the Underbase Saga, and his biocard places him among the casualties of Starscream's rampage. Dirge was destroyed a little bit beforehand, blown up by [[Serpentor]] in issue [[Ashes, Ashes...|#3]] of the ''[[G.I. Joe and the Transformers (comic)|G.I. Joe and the Transformers]]'' miniseries. The Seekers convention toy bios stated they were among those recreated by Megatron, but left because of Starscream.
*Chronologically, Bug Bite's appearance here comes after his appearance in "[[Withered Hope]]". Dreadwind and Weirdwolf were last seen with Bludgeon's Decepticons on [[Klo]], while Thundercracker was destroyed by Starscream in issue [[Dark Star|#50]] (an event alluded to here). Thrust was another character who disappeared before the Underbase Saga, and his biocard places him among the casualties of Starscream's rampage. Dirge was destroyed a little bit beforehand, blown up by [[Serpentor]] in issue [[Ashes, Ashes...|#3]] of the ''[[G.I. Joe and the Transformers (comic)|G.I. Joe and the Transformers]]'' miniseries. The Seekers convention toy bios stated they were among those recreated by Megatron, but left because of Starscream.
*Bumblebee states that satellites detected a chunk of South America sinking; presumably, this was the sinkhole created by Devastator in "Crossing Over".
*Bumblebee states that satellites detected a chunk of South America sinking; presumably, this was the sinkhole created by Devastator in "[[Crossing Over: Part 4]]".
*Rodimus was injured back in "[[Crossing Over: Part 5]]".
*Rodimus was injured back in "[[Crossing Over: Part 5]]".
*Barnett's men engaged with the Decepticons in "Crossing Over" parts [[Crossing Over, Part 1|1]] and [[Crossing Over, Part 2|2]]. Cliffjumper disappeared in part [[Crossing Over: Part 6|6]].
*Barnett's men engaged with the Decepticons in "Crossing Over" parts [[Crossing Over, Part 1|1]] and [[Crossing Over, Part 2|2]]. Cliffjumper disappeared in part [[Crossing Over: Part 6|6]].
*Bombshell is yet another character who disappeared in the run-up to the Underbase Saga. Looks like he's with Bludgeon now.
*Bug Bite mentions having gotten the cerebro-shell design from the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]] Bombshell, yet another character who disappeared in the run-up to the Underbase Saga, who has apparently joined up with Bludgeon's splinter faction of Decepticons.
*Shockwave was among the Transformers who crashed in issue [[A Savage Circle|#78]] of the Marvel comics. His humiliation here, being stripped down to a head connected to wires, mirrors that of Shockwave's imprisonment of Optimus Prime in the earlier issues. Also seen in Megatron's quarters are Ratchet (who is still connected to Megatron, and crashed with the others on the ''Ark'' in issue #78), and [[Galvatron II|Galvatron]]'s cannon (which was still attached to him when he was frozen in issue [[The Last Autobot?|#79]], meaning he must have broken free at some point before meeting Megatron again).
*Shockwave was among the Transformers who crashed in issue [[A Savage Circle|#78]] of the Marvel comics. His humiliation here, being stripped down to a head connected to wires, mirrors that of Shockwave's imprisonment of Optimus Prime in the earlier issues. Also seen in Megatron's quarters are Ratchet (who is still connected to Megatron, and crashed with the others on the ''Ark'' in issue #78), and [[Galvatron II|Galvatron]]'s cannon (which was still attached to him when he was frozen in issue [[The Last Autobot?|#79]], meaning he must have broken free at some point before meeting Megatron again).
*With this issue, Laserbeak is the only character from "Crossing Over" unaccounted for. He wouldn't show up again until ''[[Recordicons]]''.
*With this issue, Laserbeak is the only character from "Crossing Over" unaccounted for. He wouldn't show up again until ''[[Recordicons]]''.
maximum dinobots|transformers maximum dinobots|transformers: maximum dinobots|the transformers maximum dinobots|the transformers: maximum dinobots=The Transformers: Maximum Dinobots
premierecollection|premiere collection|the transformers: the premiere collection=The Transformers: The Premiere Collection
all hail megatron|transformers all hail megatron|transformers: all hail megatron|the transformers all hail megatron|the transformers: all hail megatron=The Transformers: All Hail Megatron
the idw collection|the transformers: the idw collection=The Transformers: The IDW Collection
the transformers|the transformers (ongoing)=The Transformers (IDW)|The Transformers vol. 1
wreckers|last stand of the wreckers|transformers last stand of the wreckers|transformers: last stand of the wreckers|the transformers last stand of the wreckers|the transformers: last stand of the wreckers=The Transformers: Last Stand of the Wreckers
the idw collection|g.i. joe: the idw collection=G.I. Joe: The IDW Collection
infestation=Infestation (IDW)|Infestation
infestation 2=Infestation 2
heart of darkness|transformers heart of darkness|transformers: heart of darkness|the transformers heart of darkness|the transformers: heart of darkness=The Transformers: Heart of Darkness
tdoop|death of optimus prime|the death of optimus prime|transformers: the death of optimus prime=Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime
more than meets the eye|transformers: more than meets the eye|the transformers: more than meets the eye=The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye
robots in disguise|transformers: robots in disguise=The Transformers: Robots in Disguise
dark cybertron=Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Cybertron
drift:eos|drift: empire of stone|transformers drift: empire of stone|transformers: drift: empire of stone|the transformers drift: empire of stone|drift: empire of stone=The Transformers: Drift - Empire of Stone
the transformers: windblade=The Transformers: Windblade
sins of the wreckers|transformers sins of the wreckers|transformers: sins of the wreckers|the transformers sins of the wreckers|the transformers: sins of the wreckers=The Transformers: Sins of the Wreckers
gijoe5|gijoevol5|g.i. joe vol. 5|gi joe vol 5=G.I. Joe vol. 5
hasbro heroes sourcebook=Hasbro Heroes Sourcebook
micronauts=Micronauts (comic)|Micronauts
wrath of karza|micronauts wrath of karza|micronauts: wrath of karza=Micronauts: Wrath of Karza
first strike=First Strike
ROM
rom dire wraiths|rom: dire wraiths=Rom: Dire Wraiths
romamn|rom&mn|rom and the micronauts|rom & the micronauts=Rom & the Micronauts
rom vs transformers|shining armor|rom vs. transformers|rom vs transformers: shining armor|rom vs transformers: shining armor=Rom vs. Transformers: Shining Armor
m.a.s.k.|m. a. s. k.|mask mobile armored strike kommand|m.a.s.k. mobile armored strike kommand|mask: mobile armored strike kommand|m.a.s.k.: mobile armored strike command=M.A.S.K.: Mobile Armored Strike Kommand
scarletts strike force|scarlett's strike force=Scarlett's Strike Force
transformers vs visionaries|transformers vs. visionaries=Transformers vs. Visionaries
requiem of the wreckers|transformers requiem of the wreckers|transformers: requiem of the wreckers=Transformers: Requiem of the Wreckers
war for cybertron|warforcybertron|transformers: war for cybertron|transformers: war for cybertron (comic)=Transformers: War for Cybertron (comic)
fall of cybertron|fallofcybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron (comic)=Transformers: Fall of Cybertron (comic)
transformers: prime|transformers: prime (comic)=Transformers: Prime (graphic novel)
prime adaptation|transformers: prime (comic series)=Transformers: Prime (comic series)
primerage|ragedinobots|rage of the dinobots|rageofthedinobots|primeragedinobots|transformers prime: rage of the dinobots=Transformers Prime: Rage of the Dinobots
fulloffire|full of fire|full of fire!=Full of Fire!
rid2015|robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015 comic)=Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 comic)
{{{series}}}
[[{{#switch:{{{series}}}
war for cybertron|warforcybertron|transformers: war for cybertron|transformers: war for cybertron (comic)=Transformers: War for Cybertron (comic)
fall of cybertron|fallofcybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron (comic)=Transformers: Fall of Cybertron (comic)
transformers: prime|transformers: prime (comic)=Transformers: Prime (graphic novel)
prime adaptation|transformers: prime (comic series)=Transformers: Prime (comic series)
primerage|ragedinobots|rage of the dinobots|rageofthedinobots|primeragedinobots|transformers prime: rage of the dinobots=Transformers Prime: Rage of the Dinobots
fulloffire|full of fire|full of fire!=Full of Fire!
rid2015|robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015 comic)=Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 comic)
#| }}{{#if: |issues:}}{{#ifeq: | Category
[[Category:IDW {{#switch:{{#switch:{{{series}}}
war for cybertron|warforcybertron|transformers: war for cybertron|transformers: war for cybertron (comic)=Transformers: War for Cybertron (comic)
fall of cybertron|fallofcybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron (comic)=Transformers: Fall of Cybertron (comic)
transformers: prime|transformers: prime (comic)=Transformers: Prime (graphic novel)
prime adaptation|transformers: prime (comic series)=Transformers: Prime (comic series)
primerage|ragedinobots|rage of the dinobots|rageofthedinobots|primeragedinobots|transformers prime: rage of the dinobots=Transformers Prime: Rage of the Dinobots
fulloffire|full of fire|full of fire!=Full of Fire!
rid2015|robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015 comic)=Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 comic)
{{{series}}}}}
{{#switch:prime
war for cybertron|warforcybertron|transformers: war for cybertron|transformers: war for cybertron (comic)=Transformers: War for Cybertron (comic)
fall of cybertron|fallofcybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron (comic)=Transformers: Fall of Cybertron (comic)
transformers: prime|transformers: prime (comic)=Transformers: Prime (graphic novel)
prime adaptation|transformers: prime (comic series)=Transformers: Prime (comic series)
primerage|ragedinobots|rage of the dinobots|rageofthedinobots|primeragedinobots|transformers prime: rage of the dinobots=Transformers Prime: Rage of the Dinobots
fulloffire|full of fire|full of fire!=Full of Fire!
rid2015|robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015 comic)=Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 comic)
{{#switch:primeadaptation
war for cybertron|warforcybertron|transformers: war for cybertron|transformers: war for cybertron (comic)=Transformers: War for Cybertron (comic)
fall of cybertron|fallofcybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron (comic)=Transformers: Fall of Cybertron (comic)
transformers: prime|transformers: prime (comic)=Transformers: Prime (graphic novel)
prime adaptation|transformers: prime (comic series)=Transformers: Prime (comic series)
primerage|ragedinobots|rage of the dinobots|rageofthedinobots|primeragedinobots|transformers prime: rage of the dinobots=Transformers Prime: Rage of the Dinobots
fulloffire|full of fire|full of fire!=Full of Fire!
rid2015|robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015 comic)=Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 comic)
{{#switch:ragedinobots
war for cybertron|warforcybertron|transformers: war for cybertron|transformers: war for cybertron (comic)=Transformers: War for Cybertron (comic)
fall of cybertron|fallofcybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron (comic)=Transformers: Fall of Cybertron (comic)
transformers: prime|transformers: prime (comic)=Transformers: Prime (graphic novel)
prime adaptation|transformers: prime (comic series)=Transformers: Prime (comic series)
primerage|ragedinobots|rage of the dinobots|rageofthedinobots|primeragedinobots|transformers prime: rage of the dinobots=Transformers Prime: Rage of the Dinobots
fulloffire|full of fire|full of fire!=Full of Fire!
rid2015|robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015 comic)=Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 comic)
ragedinobots}}=Prime
{{#switch:rid2015
war for cybertron|warforcybertron|transformers: war for cybertron|transformers: war for cybertron (comic)=Transformers: War for Cybertron (comic)
fall of cybertron|fallofcybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron (comic)=Transformers: Fall of Cybertron (comic)
transformers: prime|transformers: prime (comic)=Transformers: Prime (graphic novel)
prime adaptation|transformers: prime (comic series)=Transformers: Prime (comic series)
primerage|ragedinobots|rage of the dinobots|rageofthedinobots|primeragedinobots|transformers prime: rage of the dinobots=Transformers Prime: Rage of the Dinobots
fulloffire|full of fire|full of fire!=Full of Fire!
rid2015|robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015 comic)=Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 comic)
rid2015}}=Robots in Disguise (2015)
{{#switch:{{{series}}}
war for cybertron|warforcybertron|transformers: war for cybertron|transformers: war for cybertron (comic)=War for Cybertron
fall of cybertron|fallofcybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron (comic)=Fall of Cybertron
transformers: prime|transformers: prime (comic)|primeadaptation|prime adaptation|transformers: prime (comic series)=Prime
primerage|ragedinobots|rage of the dinobots|rageofthedinobots|primeragedinobots|transformers prime: rage of the dinobots=Prime – Rage of the Dinobots
maximum dinobots|transformers maximum dinobots|transformers: maximum dinobots|the transformers maximum dinobots|the transformers: maximum dinobots=The Transformers: Maximum Dinobots
premierecollection|premiere collection|the transformers: the premiere collection=The Transformers: The Premiere Collection
all hail megatron|transformers all hail megatron|transformers: all hail megatron|the transformers all hail megatron|the transformers: all hail megatron=The Transformers: All Hail Megatron
the idw collection|the transformers: the idw collection=The Transformers: The IDW Collection
the transformers|the transformers (ongoing)=The Transformers (IDW)|The Transformers vol. 1
wreckers|last stand of the wreckers|transformers last stand of the wreckers|transformers: last stand of the wreckers|the transformers last stand of the wreckers|the transformers: last stand of the wreckers=The Transformers: Last Stand of the Wreckers
the idw collection|g.i. joe: the idw collection=G.I. Joe: The IDW Collection
infestation=Infestation (IDW)|Infestation
infestation 2=Infestation 2
heart of darkness|transformers heart of darkness|transformers: heart of darkness|the transformers heart of darkness|the transformers: heart of darkness=The Transformers: Heart of Darkness
tdoop|death of optimus prime|the death of optimus prime|transformers: the death of optimus prime=Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime
more than meets the eye|transformers: more than meets the eye|the transformers: more than meets the eye=The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye
robots in disguise|transformers: robots in disguise=The Transformers: Robots in Disguise
dark cybertron=Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Cybertron
drift:eos|drift: empire of stone|transformers drift: empire of stone|transformers: drift: empire of stone|the transformers drift: empire of stone|drift: empire of stone=The Transformers: Drift - Empire of Stone
the transformers: windblade=The Transformers: Windblade
sins of the wreckers|transformers sins of the wreckers|transformers: sins of the wreckers|the transformers sins of the wreckers|the transformers: sins of the wreckers=The Transformers: Sins of the Wreckers
gijoe5|gijoevol5|g.i. joe vol. 5|gi joe vol 5=G.I. Joe vol. 5
hasbro heroes sourcebook=Hasbro Heroes Sourcebook
micronauts=Micronauts (comic)|Micronauts
wrath of karza|micronauts wrath of karza|micronauts: wrath of karza=Micronauts: Wrath of Karza
first strike=First Strike
ROM
rom dire wraiths|rom: dire wraiths=Rom: Dire Wraiths
romamn|rom&mn|rom and the micronauts|rom & the micronauts=Rom & the Micronauts
rom vs transformers|shining armor|rom vs. transformers|rom vs transformers: shining armor|rom vs transformers: shining armor=Rom vs. Transformers: Shining Armor
m.a.s.k.|m. a. s. k.|mask mobile armored strike kommand|m.a.s.k. mobile armored strike kommand|mask: mobile armored strike kommand|m.a.s.k.: mobile armored strike command=M.A.S.K.: Mobile Armored Strike Kommand
scarletts strike force|scarlett's strike force=Scarlett's Strike Force
transformers vs visionaries|transformers vs. visionaries=Transformers vs. Visionaries
requiem of the wreckers|transformers requiem of the wreckers|transformers: requiem of the wreckers=Transformers: Requiem of the Wreckers
maximum dinobots|transformers maximum dinobots|transformers: maximum dinobots|the transformers maximum dinobots|maximum dinobots=Maximum Dinobots
all hail megatron|transformers all hail megatron|transformers: all hail megatron|the transformers all hail megatron|all hail megatron=All Hail Megatron
the transformers|the transformers (ongoing)|the transformers (idw)=IDW The Transformers
wreckers|last stand of the wreckers|transformers last stand of the wreckers|transformers: last stand of the wreckers|the transformers last stand of the wreckers|last stand of the wreckers=Last Stand of the Wreckers
transformers drift|transformers: drift|the transformers drift|drifteos|drift:eos|drift: empire of stone|transformers drift: empire of stone|transformers: drift: empire of stone|the transformers drift: empire of stone|drift: empire of stone|transformers drift: origins and empires|transformers drift: origins & empires|origins and empires|origins & empires=Drift
heart of darkness|transformers heart of darkness|transformers: heart of darkness|the transformers heart of darkness|heart of darkness=Heart of Darkness
tdoop|death of optimus prime|the death of optimus prime|transformers: the death of optimus prime=The Death of Optimus Prime
more than meets the eye|transformers: more than meets the eye=IDW More than Meets the Eye
robots in disguise|transformers: robots in disguise|ongoing2|exrid|the transformers (idw) vol. 2=IDW Robots in Disguise (2012)
dark cybertron=Dark Cybertron
the transformers: windblade|windblade2|windblade2015|the transformers: windblade vol. 2|the transformers: windblade (2015)=Windblade
transformers vs gi joe|transformers vs. g.i. joe=Transformers vs. G.I. Joe
sotw|wreckers2|sins of the wreckers|transformers sins of the wreckers|transformers: sins of the wreckers|the transformers sins of the wreckers|the transformers: sins of the wreckers=Sins of the Wreckers
lost light|transformers lost light|the transformers lost light|transformers: lost light|the transformers: lost light=Lost Light
till all are one|Till All Are One|transformers till all are one|transformers: till all are one|the transformers till all are one|the transformers: till all are one=Till All Are One
revolution=Revolution
revolutionaries=Revolutionaries
action man=Action Man
gijoe5|g.i. joe vol 5|g.i. joe vol. 5|g.i. joe volume 5|g.i. joe (vol. 5)|g.i. joe (volume 5)=G.I. Joe vol. 5
g.i. joe idw collection=G.I. Joe: The IDW Collection
first strike=First Strike
hasbro heroes sourcebook=Hasbro Heroes Sourcebook
micronauts=Micronauts
wrath of karza|micronauts wrath of karza|micronauts: wrath of karza=Micronauts: Wrath of Karza
rom=ROM
rom dire wraiths|rom: dire wraiths=Rom: Dire Wraiths
romamn|rom&mn|rom and the micronauts|rom & the micronauts=Rom & the Micronauts
rom vs transformers|shining armor|rom vs. transformers|rom vs transformers: shining armor|rom vs. transformers: shining armor=Rom vs. Transformers: Shining Armor
m.a.s.k.|m. a. s. k.|mask mobile armored strike kommand|m.a.s.k. mobile armored strike kommand|mask: mobile armored strike kommand|m.a.s.k.: mobile armored strike command=M.A.S.K.: Mobile Armored Strike Kommand
scarletts strike force|scarlett's strike force=Scarlett's Strike Force
transformers vs visionaries|transformers vs. visionaries=Transformers vs. Visionaries
requiem of the wreckers|transformers requiem of the wreckers|transformers: requiem of the wreckers=Requiem of the Wreckers
Orbiting above Earth, the Autobot ship known as the Graviton looks down. On board, Ultra Magnus, arriving on Earth for the first time, marvels at how uneven the planet looks. Huffer is grumpy at having to see the planet again, while Springer is glad to reconnect with Grimlock. Strongarm locates their target Bug Bite's ship near the moon, and with no life signs on board, presumes that they are on the planet, this checks out with the data Snarl had obtained from Monzo. Elita One points out that they need disguises, and as Strongarm prepares them, Ultra Magnus tells Huffer to watch both Tyrannitron and Bug Bite's ship. On Earth, Dreadwind moans about his decision to leave Darkwing behind, feeling as though everybody else hates him. The chipper Bug Bite tells him he likes him, and that Hi-Test did too, to which the former Powermaster rebuffs, his former partner having allowed Grimlock to rip off his arms just to get away from Dreadwind. Weirdwolf, disembarking from their craft, annoys Thundercracker with his reemerged odd speech patterns, a side affect of separating from Monzo. Thrust informs Bug Bite that Soundwave has spotted them, just as planned.
Back at Autobase Prima, a damaged Rodimus is carried by Optimus Prime, as Bumblebee asks what happened. Prime orders for backup from Cybertron, and tells Jetfire to have Barnett keep his men away from the Decepticons. Prime orders Bumblebee to get Rodimus to a CR Chamber, and then to review that data that Cliffjumper sent before disappearing. Grimlock sulks off, receiving a transmission from Springer, who tells him that some of Bludgeon's Decepticons are here on Earth, and seem to be arranging a meeting with Megatron's faction. Grimlock heads out to group up with his former crew, but unbeknownst to him, he is followed by an invisible Mirage.
Later, Starscream, Skywarp, and Ramjet head out to meet up with the Decepticon arrivals. Skywarp and Ramjet complain all the way, having just been damaged in the fight in South America, but Starscream tells them to shut up, arriving at their destination soon after. Thundercracker and Dirge show consternation at Skywarp and Ramjet still serving under Starscream even after he blew them up, but Starscream waves them aside, greeting Bug Bite. Meanwhile, an invisible Mirage, having lost Grimlock's trail, observes the meeting close by. Bug Bite tells the lead Seeker that he is here to discuss terms for a mutual alliance with Bludgeon's faction of Decepticons, wanting to meet Megatron personally. Starscream, ever scheming, tries to convince him to make terms with him, but Dreadwing, having spotted something in the infrared portion of his vision, riles up the Decepticons, causing them to spread out and search. Also observing them is Grimlock and his team; Grimlock is concerned that they have spotted Elita, but Springer assures him that she's too good for that. Starscream thinks that Bludgeon's crew is buggy, but Dreadwind finally finds what he saw, and blasts Mirage, turning him visible. Starscream prepares to execute the Autobot, but he and Megatron's other Seekers are blasted by their former comrades, rendering them immobile. Bug Bite explains that they've been shot with modified cerebro shells stolen from Bombshell, which he is using to build his own faction of Decepticons. The other Autobots, still watching nearby, have come prepared, with Perceptor having prepared a shell jammer for them. Bug Bite orders his newly expanded crew to take him back to Megatron, and has Mirage detained as a peace offering. Grimlock orders Swoop and Elita One to follow.
At the Ark in the Northern Yukon, Megatron consults with Shockwave, who has been reduced down to a head. Shockwave does not have much data on Bug Bite, but knows that while he's smart, he's not brilliant, and relies on other's technology. Shockwave attempts to convince Megatron to let him have access to the computers to be of more assistance, but the former Decepticon leader is put back into storage before he can protest. Above, Swoop circles around, transmitting the coordinates to the others, while Elita prepares to take out Ravage. Bug Bite, entering the Ark, attempts to offer Mirage to Megatron, but is told to deliver his message from Bludgeon and get out before he is destroyed. Nonplussed, Bug Bite has his Decepticons fire the cerebro shells Megatron and his remaining forces. Back outside, Elita loses track of Ravage, who attacks from above, impressed by Elita's stealth skills and Circuit-Su. Ravage fires a blast at her, but Elita uses the mimetic alloys in her armor to reflect the laser's light Ravage's sensitive optics, and knocks out the Decepticon cat. Megatron demands an explanations, but Bug Bite silences him with his cerebro shells, and explains to him that this universe, along with a few others, is responsible for much of the chaos and destruction that falls upon the fifteen quadrillion worlds in the multiverse. Strongarm manages to hack his way into the Ark, while Bug Bite continues his monologue inside, explaining he was from one of the worlds doomed by the actions of this world, and that Bug Bite seeks revenge on Megatron personally. As Grimlock's team enters the ship, Bug Bite tells him that he will use Megatron to destroy the Autobots, then kill all the Decepticons, and use the remains of them to go back and to repair what's left of his world. Megatron, however, has heard enough, and grabs Bug Bite by the throat, being immune to mind control. Bug Bite orders his slaves to protect him, but the Autobots activate the jammer, and Bug Bite's and Megatron's Decepticons attack one another. The Autobots join the fight, taking out Thrust and Dirge, recovering Mirage, and attempt to destroy the computers. Megatron orders Soundwave to hold them off. Weirdwolf is blasted in the chest by Megatron, while Dreadwind assaults the Constructicons. Thundercracker, seeing that he's on the losing side, joins in with Megatron's group, firing upon his former comrades. Bug Bite attempts to crawl away, but Megatron blasts the dimension traveler pointblank in the head, apparently killing him. With their primary target neutralized and the computers destroyed, the Autobots withdraw, as Megatron vows to kill them all. Later, Optimus Prime says his goodbyes to Grimlock, who has rejoined with his old crew to hunt down Bludgeon. Magnus tells Prime that it was good to see him, and Prime waves them off, wishing them luck in their hunt.
Featured characters
{{#if: ||(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)}}
This issue was available at BotCon 2007 and promoted the various exclusive toys available at the convention. All of them make an appearance except for Alpha Trion and Beta Maxx.
Characters mentioned in Springer's bio include: Grimlock and Bludgeon.
Characters mentioned in Bug Bite's bio include: the Stunticons.
Continuity notes
This comic takes place after the end of this years storyline, "Crossing Over", which was only halfway completed when this was published.
The Graviton was first mentioned in Grimlock's profile in the Collector's Club magazine.
With Classics ignoring the UK comics and Generation 2, this is Ultra Magnus and Springer's first appearance in continuity. Joining them is Elita One, who hadn't appeared in any Marvel-related fiction before. Huffer was last seen before the "Underbase Saga" in Marvel The Transformers issue #41, while Snarl and Swoop were among the few surviving Autobots at the tail end of the series. Chronologically, Strongarm first appears in "The New World", for which there is a preview in the Diamond edition comic.
Chronologically, Bug Bite's appearance here comes after his appearance in "Withered Hope". Dreadwind and Weirdwolf were last seen with Bludgeon's Decepticons on Klo, while Thundercracker was destroyed by Starscream in issue #50 (an event alluded to here). Thrust was another character who disappeared before the Underbase Saga, and his biocard places him among the casualties of Starscream's rampage. Dirge was destroyed a little bit beforehand, blown up by Serpentor in issue #3 of the G.I. Joe and the Transformers miniseries. The Seekers convention toy bios stated they were among those recreated by Megatron, but left because of Starscream.
Bumblebee states that satellites detected a chunk of South America sinking; presumably, this was the sinkhole created by Devastator in "Crossing Over: Part 4".
Barnett's men engaged with the Decepticons in "Crossing Over" parts 1 and 2. Cliffjumper disappeared in part 6.
Bug Bite mentions having gotten the cerebro-shell design from the Insecticon Bombshell, yet another character who disappeared in the run-up to the Underbase Saga, who has apparently joined up with Bludgeon's splinter faction of Decepticons.
Shockwave was among the Transformers who crashed in issue #78 of the Marvel comics. His humiliation here, being stripped down to a head connected to wires, mirrors that of Shockwave's imprisonment of Optimus Prime in the earlier issues. Also seen in Megatron's quarters are Ratchet (who is still connected to Megatron, and crashed with the others on the Ark in issue #78), and Galvatron's cannon (which was still attached to him when he was frozen in issue #79, meaning he must have broken free at some point before meeting Megatron again).
With this issue, Laserbeak is the only character from "Crossing Over" unaccounted for. He wouldn't show up again until Recordicons.
Transformers references
Snarl's in his Action Master body, with his partner Tyrannitron making his first appearance. Ultra Magnus and Swoop appear in their Classics bodies. Elita One is a virtual redeco of CybertronThunderblast; she was later made into a toy at BotCon 2009.
The most crucial thing about this sucker is that it strongly implies a GoBots crossover, which was made explicit in the semi-sequel, "Withered Hope" and kicked off an increasing number of GoBots pages on this site. In this, it's running with e-HOBBY's bat as the line planned a toy pack of GoBots infiltrating the Transformers; Bug Bite is among the toys in that pack, a white Bumblebee redeco.
While Dreadwind moans about his infrared vision, he thinks he might have scraplets in his brain.
Mirage's invisibility power comes from his cartoon portrayal; presumably, his upgraded electro-disruptor allows for this power.
Bug Bite mentions the fact that Megatron has "no known weaknesses" in his monologue; a line originally from his tech specs.
Errors
Not quite errors, but the difference in artists between this and "Crossing Over" can cause some confusion. Rodimus was damaged in "Crossing Over", but it seemed to be a minor wound; here's its treated as something he needs urgent attention for. Ramjet had an explosion go off in his face; he's colored as being slightly burned, but it's not readily noticeable.
The Graviton doesn't look anything like any of the ships from the Decepticon battle fleet it was stolen from.
In the second panel of the first page, Springer stands so close to Magnus that Springer's face appears buried in Magnus's arm.
On page 5, Starscream momentarily speaks in a different font.
Alex Milne also drew what appears to be the cartoon's Ark. Though the Ark is still smashed up beyond nearly all recognition, Milne's version still appears to use the cartoon's five rear exhaust ports (versus the four the ship had when it crashed) and the cartoon's rounded hull shape (versus box-like). It has been claimed by Pete Sinclair that these attributes are due to coloring or inking errors, and that Milne referenced the crashed Ark in U.S. #79 in his art.
Frenzy is really off-model in his one-panel appearance—he's block colored blue, he has a mouthplate, and the only detail that really identifies him is his guns on his back.
A dearth of commas in dialog makes for some bumpy reading. For example, on page 16, Bug Bite says, "Those of us who could fled, some seeking a solution."
Whoever he is, he's dead!
Not an error per se, but it's possible to mistake Dirge's deactivated form for Ramjet, as the light-on-metal gleam makes it look like a white head with a shadowed side, rather than the blue head with a metallic shine that's intended.
Strongarm's name is rendered as two words instead of one. Bug Bite has the opposite problem.
Diamond Edition
A slightly expanded version of the comic with a different cover was sold through Diamond, making the comic available through standard comic shops. It lacked the convention information, but added in its place:
A new interior cover credits page with a CGI render of Thrust by Trent Troop
Springer bio (lines by Dan Khanna, colorist unknown)
Bug Bite bio (lines by Marcelo Matere, colorist unknown)
{{#if: Hans plays with Lotte, Lotte plays with Jane. |
BotCon cover
Diamond Edition cover