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While his mentor meets with Straxxus, [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] tries to entertain [[Gears (G1)|Gears]] by telling him about some of the flora and fauna they recovered from the [[A'ovan habitat]] during the evacuation; though the older Autobot mourns the fact that most of the A'ovans have been born on Cybertron and never even ''knew'' their homeworld, Gears gets distracted by the sight of [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] supervising repairs on [[Leviathan (G1)|Leviathan]] and runs off to help with the welding, leaving Hound to order [[Cromar]] to run an air patrol.
While his mentor meets with Straxxus, [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] tries to entertain [[Gears (G1)|Gears]] by telling him about some of the flora and fauna they recovered from the [[A'ovan habitat]] during the evacuation; though the older Autobot mourns the fact that most of the A'ovans have been born on Cybertron and never even ''knew'' their homeworld, Gears gets distracted by the sight of [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] supervising repairs on [[Leviathan (G1)|Leviathan]] and runs off to help with the welding, leaving Hound to order [[Cromar]] to run an air patrol.


Inside the Titan, Rage picks up a signal on the tracker and leaps down an exposed maintenance shaft to follow the signal, moments before an [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]] pounces on him! The monstrous insect Transformer nearly pins Rage to the ground before the Decepticon warrior pulls himself free; Hydradread drenches the Insecticon in corrosive acid, and Rage delvers the finishing blow by punching clean through the monster's half-melted armor and crushing his internals. Hydradread's pleased that his experimental concoction proved potent, notes that his acid mixture was strong enough to melt straight through his victim's armor and destroy his [[spark]] chamber, and tells Rage that they can take [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] off the list... until Hydradread analyzes the corpse and realizes that the monster doesn't ''have'' a spark chamber. At that moment, Rage gets his attention by pointing down the corridor... which is now crawling with ''dozens'' of equally ravenous [[Insecticon clone]]s!
Inside the Titan, Rage picks up a signal on the tracker and leaps down an exposed maintenance shaft to follow the signal, moments before an [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]] pounces on him! The monstrous insect Transformer nearly pins Rage to the ground before the Decepticon warrior pulls himself free; Hydradread drenches the Insecticon in corrosive acid, and Rage delvers the finishing blow by punching clean through the monster's half-melted armor and crushing his internals. Hydradread's pleased that his experimental concoction proved potent, notes that his acid mixture was strong enough to melt straight through his victim's armor and destroy his [[spark]] chamber, and tells Rage that they can take [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] off the list... until Hydradread analyzes the corpse and realizes that the monster doesn't ''have'' a spark chamber. At that moment, Rage gets his attention by pointing down the corridor... which is now crawling with ''dozens'' of equally ravenous [[Insecticon clone]]s!


While Highbrow returns to [[Crystal City]] to consult with his fellow academics regarding Straxxus's dire predictions of planetary collapse, Nautica and Wheeljack get Hound up to speed on their recent meeting. Wheeljack insists that the Senator can't be trusted, while and Hound grimly notes that Straxxus can't just ignore the thousands of unaligned civilians who are already pouring into the city, for such treatment will only give these vulnerable organics ''more'' reasons to fear the Cybertronian race. At that moment, however, the conversation stops; organics and Cybertronians alike take in the sight of an enormous starship—the Titan [[Emissary (IDW)|Emissary]] coasts overhead, burning with the heat of atmospheric reentry, and violently buries itself in the Cybertronian Mountains, just as Hydradread and Rage do their best to outrun the Insecticon swarm. Emissary's crash sends tremors across the range and caves in the tunnel behind the two Decepticons, blocking the Insecticons from reaching them—with no time to gently free Hydradread from the rubble, however, Rage simply uses his blaster to melt Hydradread's leg off and pull him free. The pair safely make it back to their entrance... just in time to see the entire Insecticon swarm burst from the mouth of the dead Titan and take to the sky.
While Highbrow returns to [[Crystal City]] to consult with his fellow academics regarding Straxxus's dire predictions of planetary collapse, Nautica and Wheeljack get Hound up to speed on their recent meeting. Wheeljack insists that the Senator can't be trusted, while and Hound grimly notes that Straxxus can't just ignore the thousands of unaligned civilians who are already pouring into the city, for such treatment will only give these vulnerable organics ''more'' reasons to fear the Cybertronian race. At that moment, however, the conversation stops; organics and Cybertronians alike take in the sight of an enormous starship—the Titan [[Emissary (IDW)|Emissary]] coasts overhead, burning with the heat of atmospheric reentry, and violently buries itself in the Cybertronian Mountains, just as Hydradread and Rage do their best to outrun the Insecticon swarm. Emissary's crash sends tremors across the range and caves in the tunnel behind the two Decepticons, blocking the Insecticons from reaching them—with no time to gently free Hydradread from the rubble, however, Rage simply uses his blaster to melt Hydradread's leg off and pull him free. The pair safely make it back to their entrance... just in time to see the entire Insecticon swarm burst from the mouth of the dead Titan and take to the sky.


In Darkmount, the Autobots take a moment to unwind as [[Tote]] gives rides to a group of A'ovan children. This peaceful scene is suddenly shattered by the arrival of a terrified Cromar, who returns from patrol with dire news—something is coming! Dai Atlas immediately recognizes the clone swarm for what it is, and Hound makes one last attempt to reach out to the ex-warrior: Dai Atlas's journey through the [[Transformer afterlife|afterlife]] might have opened his eyes to the essential immortality of the Cybertronian spark... but organics might have just ''one'' life to live. Dai Atlas returned to the waking world to ''save'' these friends from extinction, and now is his moment to live up to that promise by defending them from a mindless, all-consuming swarm, extinction personified. Dai Atlas considers this—and then, his decision clear, tells Speeder to hand him his sword. Unsheathing the weapon one last time, the general prepares to make his stand...
In Darkmount, the Autobots take a moment to unwind as [[Tote]] gives rides to a group of A'ovan children. This peaceful scene is suddenly shattered by the arrival of a terrified Cromar, who returns from patrol with dire news—something is coming! Dai Atlas immediately recognizes the clone swarm for what it is, and Hound makes one last attempt to reach out to the ex-warrior: Dai Atlas's journey through the [[Transformer afterlife|afterlife]] might have opened his eyes to the essential immortality of the Cybertronian spark... but organics might have just ''one'' life to live. Dai Atlas returned to the waking world to ''save'' these friends from extinction, and now is his moment to live up to that promise by defending them from a mindless, all-consuming swarm, extinction personified. Dai Atlas considers this—and then, his decision clear, tells Speeder to hand him his sword. Unsheathing the weapon one last time, the general prepares to make his stand...
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* [[Tote]] (20)
* [[Tote]] (20)
* [[Mudslinger (G1)|Mudslinger]] (21)
* [[Mudslinger (G1)|Mudslinger]] (21)


|c2=
|c2=
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* [[Leviathan (G1)|Leviathan]] (15)
* [[Leviathan (G1)|Leviathan]] (15)
* [[Insecticon clone]]s (17)
* [[Insecticon clone]]s (17)
*[[Emissary (IDW)|Emissary]] (19)
* [[Emissary (IDW)|Emissary]] (19)
 
}}
}}


==Quotes==
==Quotes==
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==Notes==
==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
===Continuity notes===
* This issue takes place almost simultaneously with ''[[Transformers (2019 comic)|Transformers]]'' [[War World: Titans|#29]], which ended with the Decepticons forcibly de-orbiting all of the Titans orbiting Cybertron. In keeping with this, Emissary's fatal descent is drawn and written to resemble the deaths of [[Cargohold]], [[Chela]], and [[Citadel (Titan)|Citadel]] in that issue.  
* This issue takes place almost simultaneously with ''[[Transformers (2019 comic)|Transformers]]'' [[War World: Titans|#29]], which ended with the Decepticons forcibly de-orbiting all of the Titans orbiting Cybertron. In keeping with this, Emissary's fatal descent is drawn and written to resemble the deaths of [[Cargohold]], [[Chela]], and [[Citadel (Titan)|Citadel]] in that issue.
* Speeder made a brief cameo in [[Escape Part Three|the previous issue]] during a one-panel flashback to the battle against [[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]].
* Speeder made a brief cameo in [[Escape Part Three|the previous issue]] during a one-panel flashback to the battle against [[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]].
* While showing Gears some of the inhabitants of the [[A'ovan habitat]], Hound shows him a [[luminar]], and notes that he once saw an entire cloud of the creatures on the moon's southern continent. It's not ''explicitly'' stated, but from context, it seems likely that these are the same animals he glimpsed in [[Escape Part Two|issue #2]], when he and [[Meteorfire (G1)|Meteorfire]] witnessed their mating cycle during a visit to the original A'ovan homeworld.
* While showing Gears some of the inhabitants of the [[A'ovan habitat]], Hound shows him a [[luminar]], and notes that he once saw an entire cloud of the creatures on the moon's southern continent. It's not ''explicitly'' stated, but from context, it seems likely that these are the same animals he glimpsed in [[Escape Part Two|issue #2]], when he and [[Meteorfire (G1)|Meteorfire]] witnessed their mating cycle during a visit to the original A'ovan homeworld.
* Dai Atlas immediately recognizes the clone swarm on the horizon; he and the other Great Generals faced off against [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]'s army of clones, created using the same technology, during the [[War of the Threefold Spark]].
* Dai Atlas immediately recognizes the clone swarm on the horizon; he and the other Great Generals faced off against [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]'s army of clones, created using the same technology, during the [[War of the Threefold Spark]].
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* While Dai Atlas's swordsmanship is a trait lifted straight from his first appearance in the [[Enter the New Supreme Commander, Dai Atlas!|''Transformers Zone'' OVA]], the blade he uses here more closely resembles the mystical [[Great Sword]]s he and the other members of the [[Circle of Light]] wielded in IDW's ''[[The Transformers: Drift|Drift]]'' miniseries.
* While Dai Atlas's swordsmanship is a trait lifted straight from his first appearance in the [[Enter the New Supreme Commander, Dai Atlas!|''Transformers Zone'' OVA]], the blade he uses here more closely resembles the mystical [[Great Sword]]s he and the other members of the [[Circle of Light]] wielded in IDW's ''[[The Transformers: Drift|Drift]]'' miniseries.
* On page eight, a trio of [[stasis pod]]s parked next to Leviathan depict [[Chase (RB)|Chase]], [[Blades (RB)|Blades]], and [[Boulder (RB)|Boulder]] in their Cybertronian bodies, as they appeared in the first episode of the ''[[Transformers: Rescue Bots (cartoon)|Rescue Bots]]'' cartoon.
* On page eight, a trio of [[stasis pod]]s parked next to Leviathan depict [[Chase (RB)|Chase]], [[Blades (RB)|Blades]], and [[Boulder (RB)|Boulder]] in their Cybertronian bodies, as they appeared in the first episode of the ''[[Transformers: Rescue Bots (cartoon)|Rescue Bots]]'' cartoon.
* Making his (supposed) fictional debut in this issue is [[Overair (facility)|Overair]], the Airport Base commanded by [[Overair (Micromaster)|Overair]] in ''[[Transformers: Zone (franchise)|Transformers: Zone]]''. Much like [[Airwave (facility)|Airwave]] before him, he is portrayed as a sentient [[A.I.R. Lock System|Modulator]] in this continuity as per the ''[[War for Cybertron: Earthrise]]'' toy.
* Making his (supposed) fictional debut in this issue is [[Overair (facility)|Overair]], the Airport Base commanded by [[Overair (Micromaster)|Overair]] in ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (franchise)#Transformers: Zone|Transformers: Zone]]''. Much like [[Airwave (facility)|Airwave]] before him, he is portrayed as a sentient [[A.I.R. Lock System|Modulator]] in this continuity as per the ''[[War for Cybertron: Earthrise]]'' toy.
* [[Emissary (IDW)|Emissary]] is based on the Titan that first appeared in IDW's ''[[Optimus Prime (comic)|Optimus Prime]]'' comic series, who was himself named in reference to the name of the [[Emissary (RID)|mid-stage head module]] of [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|''Robots in Disguise'' Fortress Maximus]].  
* [[Emissary (IDW)|Emissary]] is based on the Titan that first appeared in IDW's ''[[Optimus Prime (comic)|Optimus Prime]]'' comic series, who was himself named in reference to the name of the [[Emissary (RID)|mid-stage head module]] of [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|''Robots in Disguise'' Fortress Maximus]].
* Emissary is noted to have once visited the [[Urtuskian]] homeworld in prehistoric times and commanded their respect, a race that debuted in [[Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?|Marvel US #52]] and later appeared in [[2005 IDW continuity|IDW's first ''Transformers'' continuity]]. These pig-like aliens appear in this issue after making cameos in [[Escape Part One|issue #1]] and once or twice over in the main ''Transformers'' ongoing.
* Emissary is noted to have once visited the [[Urtuskian]] homeworld in prehistoric times and commanded their respect, a race that debuted in [[Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?|Marvel US #52]] and later appeared in [[2005 IDW continuity|IDW's first ''Transformers'' continuity]]. These pig-like aliens appear in this issue after making cameos in [[Escape Part One|issue #1]] and once or twice over in the main ''Transformers'' ongoing.


===Errors===
===Errors===
* On page one, [[Powerflash]] is colored purple. In the next panel, he's colored red.  
* On page one, [[Powerflash]] is colored purple. In the next panel, he's colored red.
* In the same panel, [[Cromar]] has a different color scheme that gives him a yellow stripe on his chest.
* In the same panel, [[Cromar]] has a different color scheme that gives him a yellow stripe on his chest.
* On two panels of page 20, Rage's chest is coloured the same shade of blue as Hydradread's.
* On two panels of page 20, Rage's chest is coloured the same shade of blue as Hydradread's.
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===Reprints===
===Reprints===
*'''''Transformers Volume 4: Declaration of War''''' <small>([[August 10]], 2021 **''scheduled''**) ISBN 1684058066 / ISBN 978-1684058068</small>
* '''''Transformers Volume 4: Declaration of War''''' <small>([[January 19]], [[2022]]) ISBN 1684058066 / ISBN 978-1684058068</small>
**Hardcover.
** Collects [[Transformers (2019 comic)|''Transformers'' (2019)]] issues [[War World: Prime|#25]]–[[War World: We Are Not Meant To Be Darkness|30]], ''[[Transformers Valentine's Day Special]]'', and ''Escape'' issues #1–5.
**Collects ''Transformers'' issues #25–30, ''[[Transformers Valentine's Day Special]]'', and ''[[Transformers: Escape|Escape]]'' issues #1-5.
** Bonus material includes alternate covers.
**Bonus material currently unknown, most likely alternate covers.
** Hardcover format.


<gallery>
<gallery>
image:TF-IDW-2019v4.jpg|'''''Volume 4: Declaration of War'''''; cover art by [[Cryssy Cheung]]
File:TF-IDW-2019v4.jpg|'''''Volume 4: Declaration of War''''' – cover art by [[Cryssy Cheung]]
</gallery>
</gallery>


Revision as of 06:56, 17 June 2023

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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 beast hunters|transformers prime: beast hunters (comic)=Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters (comic) 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 beast hunters|transformers prime: beast hunters (comic)=Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters (comic) 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 beast hunters|transformers prime: beast hunters (comic)=Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters (comic) 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 beast hunters|transformers prime: beast hunters (comic)=Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters (comic) 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 beast hunters|transformers prime: beast hunters (comic)=Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters (comic) 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 beast hunters|transformers prime: beast hunters (comic)=Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters (comic) 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 transformers prime: beast hunters (comic)=Prime – Beast Hunters fulloffire|full of fire|full of fire!=Prime – Beast Hunters Special rid2015|robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015 comic)=Robots in Disguise (2015) Aligned}}}} issues{{#if: [[{{#switch:{{{series}}} transformers spotlight|transformers: spotlight|the transformers spotlight|the transformers: spotlight=The Transformers: Spotlight transformers infiltration|transformers: infiltration|the transformers infiltration|the transformers: infiltration=The Transformers: Infiltration transformers stormbringer|transformers: stormbringer|the transformers stormbringer|the transformers: stormbringer=The Transformers: Stormbringer transformers escalation|transformers: escalation|the transformers escalation|the transformers: escalation=The Transformers: Escalation megorigin|megatron origin|transformers megatron origin|transformers: megatron origin|the transformers megatron origin|the transformers: megatron origin=The Transformers: Megatron Origin transformers devastation|transformers: devastation|the transformers devastation|the transformers: devastation=The Transformers: Devastation 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 transformers bumblebee|transformers: bumblebee|the transformers bumblebee|the transformers: bumblebee=The Transformers: Bumblebee 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 transformers ironhide|transformers: ironhide|the transformers ironhide|the transformers: ironhide=The Transformers: Ironhide transformers drift|transformers: drift|the transformers drift|the transformers: drift=The Transformers: Drift 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 exrid|the transformers (idw) vol. 2=The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|The Transformers vol. 2 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 windblade2015|the transformers: windblade vol. 2|the transformers: windblade (2015)=The Transformers: Windblade|The Transformers: Windblade vol. 2 transformers autocracy|transformers: autocracy|the transformers autocracy|autocracy=The Transformers: Autocracy transformers monstrosity|transformers: monstrosity|the transformers monstrosity|monstrosity=The Transformers: Monstrosity transformers primacy|transformers: primacy|the transformers primacy|primacy=The Transformers: Primacy 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 transformers punishment|transformers: punishment|the transformers punishment|the transformers: punishment|punishment=The Transformers: Punishment transformers redemption|transformers: redemption|the transformers redemption|the transformers: redemption|redemption=The Transformers: Redemption transformers salvation|transformers: salvation|the transformers salvation|the transformers: salvation|salvation=The Transformers: Salvation transformers vs gi joe|transformers vs. g.i. joe=Transformers vs. G.I. Joe combiner hunters|combiner hunters (comic)=An Uneventful Night|Combiner Hunters titans return|titans return (comic)=Titans Return (comic)|Titans Return till all are one|transformers: till all are one|the transformers: till all are one=The Transformers: Till All Are One lost light|transformers: lost light|the transformers: lost light=The Transformers: Lost Light optimus prime|optimus prime (comic)=Optimus Prime (comic)|Optimus Prime annual2017|transformers annual 2017=Ghost Stories|Transformers Annual 2017 revolution=Revolution revolutionaries=Revolutionaries action man=Action Man (comic)|Action Man 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 transformers unicron|transformers: unicron=Transformers: Unicron  #| }}{{#if: |issues:}}{{#ifeq: | Category [[Category:{{#switch:{{{series}}} premierecollection|premiere collection|the transformers: the premiere collection|idwcollection|the idw collection|the transformers: the idw collection=IDW Collection transformers spotlight|transformers: spotlight|the transformers spotlight|spotlight=Spotlight transformers infiltration|transformers: infiltration|the transformers infiltration|infiltration=Infiltration transformers stormbringer|transformers: stormbringer|the transformers stormbringer|the transformers: stormbringer=Stormbringer transformers escalation|transformers: escalation|the transformers escalation|escalation=Escalation megorigin|megatron origin|transformers megatron origin|transformers: megatron origin|the transformers megatron origin|the transformers: megatron origin=Megatron Origin transformers devastation|transformers: devastation|the transformers devastation|devastation=Devastation 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 transformers bumblebee|transformers: bumblebee|the transformers bumblebee|bumblebee=Bumblebee 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 ironhide|transformers: ironhide|the transformers ironhide|ironhide=Ironhide Infestation (IDW)=Infestation Infestation2|Infestation 2=Infestation 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 autocracy|transformers: autocracy|the transformers autocracy|autocracy=Autocracy transformers monstrosity|transformers: monstrosity|the transformers monstrosity|monstrosity=Monstrosity transformers primacy|transformers: primacy|the transformers primacy|primacy=Primacy transformers punishment|transformers: punishment|the transformers punishment|the transformers: punishment|punishment=Punishment transformers redemption|transformers: redemption|the transformers redemption|the transformers: redemption|redemption=Redemption transformers salvation|transformers: salvation|the transformers salvation|the transformers: salvation|salvation=Salvation marsattackstransformers|mars attacks: the transformers=Mars Attacks: The Transformers transformers deviations|transformers: deviations=IDW crossover synergy: a hasbro creators showcase=IDW crossover 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 combiner hunters|combiner hunters (comic)=Combiner Hunters titans return|titans return (comic)=Titans Return optimus prime|optimus prime (comic)=Optimus Prime annual2017|2017 Annual|Annual 2017=Transformers Annual 2017 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 transformers unicron=Unicron IDW (2005)}} issues{{#if: *}}]]}}}}}} Transformers: Escape #4}} {{#if: Escape Part Five|»}}
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"Escape Part Four" {{#if: |
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Publisher IDW Publishing}}
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First published June 16, 2021}}
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Art by Beth McGuire-Smith}}
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Editor David Mariotte, Tom Waltz, and Riley Farmer}}
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ist}}{{#if: | by}} }}
and Elements }}by }}
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{{#switch:{{#sub:xx|2|14}}|dark cybertron=}}

As the Autobots and their allies negotiate with an uncooperative Straxxus, Hydradread and Rage discover the full extent of the Insecticons' betrayal.

Synopsis

The Autobot convoy has arrived on the outskirts of Darkmount, and as Cybertronians and organics alike work to establish a makeshift refugee camp, an excited Speeder races through the streets to reunite with his old commander Dai Atlas. For many kilocycles, Speeder has kept and maintained Dai Atlas's old sword, and initially assumes that the old general will gladly take up arms once again... but when he finally presents the weapon to his former leader, he is shocked when Dai Atlas gently declines the offer and states that he has no further use for violence. Inside the city, Highbrow has finally managed to organize a face-to-face meeting with the reclusive Straxxus, and arranged for fellow intellectuals Nautica and Wheeljack to accompany him. In his office, Straxxus greets the trio, but notes that they have not met under happy circumstances: faced with a fleet of dormant Titans about to crash into Cybertron, groundquakes and other geological disturbances that threaten to shake the planet apart, and a Senate that's fallen to the Decepticons, Straxxus can only do so much with the resources he has... but what he can do is organize an evacuation, and shows them the fruits of his labour: three of the four Ark-class ships, fully refurbished and ready to fly. The fourth ship, however, suffered a debilitating stardrive explosion, leaving it grounded until a new one can be manufactured and fitted. When Wheeljack asks why the Cybertronian work crews below are already loading up the vessels with provisions; Straxxus evades the question and snaps that the Arks were meant to save the populace of Darkmount first—while he will certainly do what he can for the many refugees outside the city limits, he cannot allow the Autobots to betray the trust of his citizens.

Rage and Hydradread use one of Shockwave's inventions to track the errant Insecticons and their stolen equipment all the way to the Cybertronian Mountains, and into one of the many ancient, long-dead Titans merged into the crumbling metal slopes. While Rage simply wants the mission over and done with, Hydradread is far more interested in testing the destructive power of his new weapon; so taken is he with testing its effects on the living metal of Cybertron that Rage has to remind him why they've come: deal with the rogue Insecticons using Hydradread's arsenal of lethal acid weapons.

While his mentor meets with Straxxus, Hound tries to entertain Gears by telling him about some of the flora and fauna they recovered from the A'ovan habitat during the evacuation; though the older Autobot mourns the fact that most of the A'ovans have been born on Cybertron and never even knew their homeworld, Gears gets distracted by the sight of Hoist supervising repairs on Leviathan and runs off to help with the welding, leaving Hound to order Cromar to run an air patrol.

Inside the Titan, Rage picks up a signal on the tracker and leaps down an exposed maintenance shaft to follow the signal, moments before an Insecticon pounces on him! The monstrous insect Transformer nearly pins Rage to the ground before the Decepticon warrior pulls himself free; Hydradread drenches the Insecticon in corrosive acid, and Rage delvers the finishing blow by punching clean through the monster's half-melted armor and crushing his internals. Hydradread's pleased that his experimental concoction proved potent, notes that his acid mixture was strong enough to melt straight through his victim's armor and destroy his spark chamber, and tells Rage that they can take Kickback off the list... until Hydradread analyzes the corpse and realizes that the monster doesn't have a spark chamber. At that moment, Rage gets his attention by pointing down the corridor... which is now crawling with dozens of equally ravenous Insecticon clones!

While Highbrow returns to Crystal City to consult with his fellow academics regarding Straxxus's dire predictions of planetary collapse, Nautica and Wheeljack get Hound up to speed on their recent meeting. Wheeljack insists that the Senator can't be trusted, while and Hound grimly notes that Straxxus can't just ignore the thousands of unaligned civilians who are already pouring into the city, for such treatment will only give these vulnerable organics more reasons to fear the Cybertronian race. At that moment, however, the conversation stops; organics and Cybertronians alike take in the sight of an enormous starship—the Titan Emissary coasts overhead, burning with the heat of atmospheric reentry, and violently buries itself in the Cybertronian Mountains, just as Hydradread and Rage do their best to outrun the Insecticon swarm. Emissary's crash sends tremors across the range and caves in the tunnel behind the two Decepticons, blocking the Insecticons from reaching them—with no time to gently free Hydradread from the rubble, however, Rage simply uses his blaster to melt Hydradread's leg off and pull him free. The pair safely make it back to their entrance... just in time to see the entire Insecticon swarm burst from the mouth of the dead Titan and take to the sky.

In Darkmount, the Autobots take a moment to unwind as Tote gives rides to a group of A'ovan children. This peaceful scene is suddenly shattered by the arrival of a terrified Cromar, who returns from patrol with dire news—something is coming! Dai Atlas immediately recognizes the clone swarm for what it is, and Hound makes one last attempt to reach out to the ex-warrior: Dai Atlas's journey through the afterlife might have opened his eyes to the essential immortality of the Cybertronian spark... but organics might have just one life to live. Dai Atlas returned to the waking world to save these friends from extinction, and now is his moment to live up to that promise by defending them from a mindless, all-consuming swarm, extinction personified. Dai Atlas considers this—and then, his decision clear, tells Speeder to hand him his sword. Unsheathing the weapon one last time, the general prepares to make his stand...

(Characters in italic text appear only in flashback.)

{{#if: ||(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)}}

{{#if:* Overair? (2) {{#if:* Overair? (2)
Autobots }}{{#if:* Hydradread (11) Decepticons }}{{#if:| Humans }}{{#if:* Speeder (1) Others }}{{#if:| Misc }}{{#if:| Misc }} 
}}{{#if:* Speeder (1)

}}{{#if:|

}}

Quotes

"How many residents of Darkmount joined Megatron's little rebellion, do you think? None. How many acts of sabotage or theft or violence did The Rise perpetrate near Darkmount in recent kilocycles? None. This is my domain, and it is a domain of peace and order. Its inhabitants trust me."

—Straxxus


"I remember it so clearly... but most of these A'ovans never knew their home planet. They weren't even born when it was destroyed. Most of them have only ever known Cybertron. Primus. We've failed so completely."

—Hound


"Look. Leviathan's getting a temporary leg. You think Hoist'd let me help with the welding?"
"Uhh... I don't know, Gears. Have you... you know, had a lot of practice at that?"
"Sure. I mean, not on actual bots or anything, but I've gotten a lot better at it since the first time."
"What happened the first time?"
"I welded my hand to a metal plate."

—Gears and Hound


"Look at us, Wheeljack. Look at what we do. Of course they fear us."

—Nautica


"Speeder."
"Yes, General."
"Fetch my sword, please. Let them come, then."

—Dai Atlas and Speeder

Notes

Continuity notes

  • This issue takes place almost simultaneously with Transformers #29, which ended with the Decepticons forcibly de-orbiting all of the Titans orbiting Cybertron. In keeping with this, Emissary's fatal descent is drawn and written to resemble the deaths of Cargohold, Chela, and Citadel in that issue.
  • Speeder made a brief cameo in the previous issue during a one-panel flashback to the battle against Abominus.
  • While showing Gears some of the inhabitants of the A'ovan habitat, Hound shows him a luminar, and notes that he once saw an entire cloud of the creatures on the moon's southern continent. It's not explicitly stated, but from context, it seems likely that these are the same animals he glimpsed in issue #2, when he and Meteorfire witnessed their mating cycle during a visit to the original A'ovan homeworld.
  • Dai Atlas immediately recognizes the clone swarm on the horizon; he and the other Great Generals faced off against Skywarp's army of clones, created using the same technology, during the War of the Threefold Spark.

Transformers references

Errors

  • On page one, Powerflash is colored purple. In the next panel, he's colored red.
  • In the same panel, Cromar has a different color scheme that gives him a yellow stripe on his chest.
  • On two panels of page 20, Rage's chest is coloured the same shade of blue as Hydradread's.

Other trivia

  • Originally solicited for March 24, this issue instead lands in mid-June; it follows only one month after the extremely delayed issue #3, however, and hopefully pushes the series back on track for the finale.

Covers (3)

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