Target: 2006

« The Transformers (UK) #78–88 »
They have better things to do tonight than die!
"Target: 2006"
Publisher	Marvel Comics
Script	Simon Furman
Art	Jeff Anderson (78-79, 81, 87), Ron Smith (82), Geoff Senior (83-84, 86)
Pencils	Will Simpson (80, 85, 88)
Inks	Tim Perkins (80, 85, 88)
Colours	Tony Jozwiak (78-81, 85, 87), John Burns (82), Gina Hart (84,86,88)
Letters	Richard Starkings (78,82-85,88), Annie Halfacree (79-81,86-87)
Editor	Ian Rimmer
Continuity	Marvel Comics continuity

Galvatron, Cyclonus and Scourge travel back in time with a plan to destroy Unicron.

Synopsis

Prologue

PRIME SMASH!

Optimus Prime is hunting the Dinobots and is growing frustrated. So frustrated, in fact, that he is indiscriminately knocking over trees and wrecking woodland habitats. Prowl manages to get through to Prime about the damage he is causing, and also questions whether the Dinobots are worth the trouble they cause. Optimus wonders if Prowl might be right, but doesn't want the Autobot forces on Earth to be any more depleted than they have to be.

Meanwhile, below the surface of Cybertron, Emirate Xaaron is running late for a briefing with Impactor about the forthcoming Operation: Volcano and whether Ultra Magnus will be a part of it.

Sic semper proditor

On the surface city of Polyhex, phase one of Operation Volcano is going into effect as Shrapnel tortures a treacherous Autobot into revealing Emirate Xaaron's whereabouts, before killing said traitor. Unknown to the Insecticon the information is false, having been deliberately leaked by Roadbuster.

Back on Earth, Optimus Prime is briefing the Autobots on the reasons they fight and the importance of protecting the human race from the Decepticon menace when he, Ratchet and Prowl are wracked by pain and suddenly disappear. The remaining Earthbound Autobots are distraught.

Fire (doo, doo do), I want you to burn

On Cybertron, Emirate Xaaron is in the chamber of the Matrix Flame, which, with its connection to Optimus Prime severed, gutters and dies. Xaaron does not take this well.

It took 1.21 jiggawatts to get this image

At a cereal farm in Oregon, the weather takes a turn for the worse as three shadowy figures arrive, trying to figure out where, and more importantly, when they are. Soon, the locals are investigating the noise made by the figures arrival. After one of the figures discovers that it's 1986, he is revealed as Galvatron!

Apocalypse Then...Now!

Catch that pigeon NOW

Scourge & Cyclonus (who has Galvatron on board) are flying over Wyoming and testing out the destructive capabilities of their new forms by destroying first a locomotive and then a gas station. The Decepticons discuss how easy it would be topn conquer the planet with their upgraded weaponry until Galvatron reminds them that their purpose in the past is to prepare for the future. Galvatron orders them to seek out Megatron.

File:Target 2006 Part 1 Smokescreen's smart.jpg

Smokescreen has an excellent idea

Down at ground level, Jazz is leading a team of Autobots in a reconnaissance mission, hoping to discover what happened to Optimus, Prowl & Ratchet by spying on Megatron, who is accompanied by the Constructicons. As the Autobots continue to watch, Galvatron, Scourge & Cyclonus arrive, transforming to robot mode and introducing themselves to Megatron as fellow Decepticons. Ever suspicious, Megatron has Soundwave scan the new arrivals and confirm that they are, indeed, Decepticons but something seems to be blocking any deeper scan.

I don't think so

A wary Megatron asks if Galvatron works for Straxus, and is surprised when Galvatron claims to be the Decepticon leader of 2006. Galvatron asks Megatron to put aside his considerable doubts, and surrender command of the Constructicons (temporarily) to him. Galvatron asks Megatron to trust in him, and megatron replies in traditional style by blasting Galvatron in the face with his fusion cannon. The future Decepticon shrugs off the shot and his lieutenants aim their weaponry at Megatron. Galvatron orders Scourge and Cyclonus not to fire as Megatron can not be allowed to die.

Instead, Scourge & Cyclonus bull-rush Megatron & Soundwave respectively rendering them unconscious before Galvatron uses his particle cannon to bury the prone decepticons under a rock pile. At that point, Galvatron's leadership is confirmed when Laserbeak perches on his shoulder. Galvatron orders the Constructicons to accompany him.

Deal with this.

Witnessing all this, the Autobots split up, with Jazz & Hound following Galvatron's party, Ironhide observing Megatron's group and Smokescreen reporting back to the Ark.

On Cybertron, Impactor is furious that Ultra Magnus is no longer part of Operation: Volcano, and pleads his case to Emirate Xaaron. Xaaron states that the extinguished Matrix flame has priority over Volcano, and informs Impactor to take it up with Ultra Magnus himself. Magnus declares that he must travel to Earth.

Construction Time Again!

Anything you can do, I can do better

On Earth, specifically in Northern Oregon, Jazz and Hound are spying on the Constructicons. Galvatron is leading the Constructicons as they build a massive and presumably powerful device of some sort, utilizing enough solar panels to "level a small planet." This leads the Autobots to speculate that it might be some sort of power source for future Cybertron, but if so, why build it in the past?

One thing the Autobots are sure of is that if they don't find out more about the structure, it'll be the death of all of them. As Hound and Jazz turn and head back to the Ark, Cyclonus attacks, seriously wounding Jazz, and gloating over an obviously upset Hound.

Elsewhere, Ultra Magnus arrives on Earth, somewhat disorientated after traveling via Spanner's unstable prototype space bridge. As Magnus fights off the after-effects of travel, he recalls Impactor's fury at the disruption of Volcano and notes that he only has 5 solar cycles to get to the bottom of the matrix flame mystery and set things right on Earth.

For when lumberjacks are just too slow

For Hound, it seems that time has already ran out as Cyclonus tosses him around like a rag doll. Cyclonus gloats then when Life Spark was as injured as Hound currently is, Unicron sculpted him into the powerful form of Cyclonus but for the Autobot, no such opportunity will arise. As Cyclonus brings his oxidating laser to bear for the coup de grace, it is shot out of his hand by the imposing Ultra Magnus.

Ooh 'eck!

Magnus is surprised that Cyclonus appears to recognize him, leading the Decepticon to realize that this must be the Ultra Magnus of 1986, and that the Autobot's presence on Earth needs to be reported to Galvatron. Magnus believes that it will take some time for that report to reach Galvatron, but Cyclonus disagrees, tossing Hound into Magnus to punctuate the point before flying off.

Understanding that Hound is too gravely injured to report to the Ark under his own power, Ultra Magnus transforms to his car carrier mode and transports the stricken Autobot back to base. Upon hearing Cyclonus' report that Ultra Magnus is unexpectedly present on Earth, Galvatron realizes that his Decepticons are going to have to improvise. The future Decepticon decides that the best course of action would be to goad the Autobots into a hasty, ill-planned attack so that defeat will demoralize them. Furthermore, Jazz will be used as bait.

Back at the Ark, Grapple is repairing Hound, who is briefing the Autobots on the threat of Galvatron. Jetfire wants to investigate immediately but is stopped by Ultra Magnus, who insists that Jetfire and the other Autobots need to assist in the quest to find out what's happened to Optimus Prime before concerning themselves about Galvatron. Jetfire is skeptical, and points out that much of Magnus' story doesn't quite add up.

The bickering Autobots are interrupted by Smokescreen who displays a communication from Galvatron on the views creen. The future Decepticon gloats mockingly at the Autobots as he displays his brutally tortured prisoner, Jazz.

Defeat!

Ironhide gets his rocks off

Ironhide is digging through rubble, pondering the nature of defeat. He notes that some defeats can be overcome easily, but some cannot. Ironhide thinks back to the Autobots recent battle with Galvatron

He really can't deal with it right now

On the Ark, a distracted Ironhide's reverie is interrupted by Jetfire who, together with Smokescreen, are preparing to go kick Galvatron's butt back to 2006 in order to rescue Jazz. Hound disagrees, saying that without extra 'bot-power and as Galvatron is clearly out of their league.

A less-than-trusting Jetfire realizes that they are referring to Ultra Magnus and tells Hound and Ironhide to ask the newly-arrived Autobot to accompany them. Ultra Magnus backs up that lack of trust by refusing, stating that his priority has to be finding Optimus Prime and the Creation Matrix. Magnus begs for forgiveness from the remaining Autobots, who for their part would rather be Earth-bound if Magnus' lack of compassion is standard Cybertronian issue.

The remaining Autobots go to attack anyway, and are almost immediately ambushed by Scourge & Cyclonus. Mirage is the first casualty to the airborne Decepticons, and the Autobots scatter to avoid being blasted by Scourge & Cyclonus' weaponry. Jetfire takes to the skies, colliding with Cyclonus and forcing the Decepticon to the ground, trailing smoke.

The other Autobots are blasting Scourge, but the future Decepticon's skiff form proves to be too maneuverable and they are unable to hit him. Scourge indulges the Autobots by landing and transforming into robot mode, punching out Brawn and Wheeljack as he comes into land. The Autobots respoond by surrounding Scourge and clobbering him into unconsciousness.

File:2006-1.jpg

Galvatron indulges in his passion for S&M.

Jetfire pulls Ironhide, Smokescreen and Tracks away from the melee and go after Galvatron. The future Decepticon leader seems completely unbothered by their arrival, and is happy that some Autobots got past his lieutenants. Galvatron reveals that the defeats of Scourge & Cyclonus were a mere ruse and that the future Decepticons are unharmed, as are the Constructicons. None of the Decepticons lift a finger to defend Galvatron, who is unpeturbed by the Autobot firepower arrayed against him. The Autobots blast Galvatron, but, unharmed, he merely laughs at their efforts before savagely beating the Autobots down himself.

Galvatron leaves the helpless Autobots alive, deeming them not even worth killing.

Ironhide finishes digging through the rubble, revealing Soundwave & Megatron. Back at the Ark, somebody punches their way out of a stasis pod whilst Grapple is distracted.

Wreck and Rule!

Dance into the fire

On Cybertron, Impactor's Autobot group, now dubbed "The Wreckers" attack Decepticons. Shrapnel is taken out by Impactor's harpoon gun and subsequently used as a weapon to take care of Octane. Rack'n'Ruin deal with Thrust while the Jumpstarters , together with Roadbuster finish off Bombshell, Blitzwing, Dirge & Ramjet.

As Impactor notes, the attack is a success, except without Ultra Magnus' presence to guard their flank, the Wreckers would be quickly overwhelmed by Decepticon reinforcements were this the actual Operation: Volcano instead of a practice run with Facsimile Constructs standing in for the Decepticons.

FREEBIRD!

Impactor once again goes over the painstaking preparations for their mission, and how Emirate Xaaron's sending of Ultra Magnus to Earth has put the mission in jeopardy. Without Magnus' presence, Operation: Volcano is as good as dead, a fact which Twin Twist affirms, stating that it's "not their fight. anymore." Impactor goes to report the abortion of the operation to Xaaron and tells the wrest of the Wreckers to relax.

Twin Twist, Whirl and Roadbuster follow their instructions, stopping off at Maccadam's Old Oil House, a black market fuel source that doesn't concern itself with petty details like the customer's faction. The Wrecker's aren't in good spirits, as while they realize that calling off Volcano was the logical course of action, they still feel bad about backing out. The depressing mood is broken when an angry Decepticon, Fang, bursts into the Oil House and brutally attacks the entertainment as Fang didn't like the music being played. Twin Twist's mech fluid is boiling and he wants to do something about Fang, but Roadbuster cautions that this "isn't their fight."

...let's fall in love

In the meantime, Impactor is explaining the decision to call off Volcano to Xaaron. Xaaron agrees that if Magnus is unable to return on time, then withdrawing would be the right thing to do, and might lead to an Autobot victory later on. The Emiraate muses about what might happen if Volcano is aborted and Ultra Magnus does return to Cybertron on time. Impactor grudgingly takes the hint.

Back at Maccadam's, Fang beats the fluid out of the Piano Transformer guy and asks if anybody else wants to disagree with him. Twin Twist takes Fang up on his offer, quickly rendering Fang an ex-Decepticon. Defending an innocent Transformer from unprovoked Decepticon attacks acts as an epiphany for the Wreckers, who agree that they must continue to fight, no matter what.

Once the Wreckers re-assemble at their base, Impactor announces a change in their plans. Operation: Volcano is a 'go' once more thenImpactor asks for volunteers to participate. The Wreckers unanimously vote to re-join the Operation, and begin another combat rehearsal.

The Devil You Know...

Cybertron: The Middle Years!

Included in issue #83 was a short text history of Cybertron during the years Optimus Prime and Megatron's crews were lost on Earth. It chronicled the rise of Trannis, the fall of the Council of Autobot Elders, the establishment of the Autobot resistance under the leadership of Xaaron, the fall of Trannis at the hands of the Wreckers, and the rise of Trannis's successor Straxus.

Featured Characters

(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)

Autobots	Decepticons	Humans	Others	Facsimile Constructs
Optimus Prime (1) Prowl (2) Grimlock (3) Sludge (4) Slag (5) Snarl (6) Swoop (7) Emirate Xaaron (9) Skater (10) Impactor (11) Autobot traitor (13) Roadbuster (14) Ratchet (15) Jazz (16) Bumblebee (17) Wheeljack (18) Ironhide (19) Hound (20) Gears (23) Smokescreen (33) Whirl (35) Ultra Magnus (36) Grapple (37) Jetfire (38) Mirage (39) Hoist (40) Trailbreaker (41) Tracks (42) Brawn (43) Topspin (52) Rack'n'Ruin (53) Twin Twist (54) Broadside (59) Springer (60) Sandstorm (61) Kup (65) Hot Rod (66) Blurr (67)	Shrapnel (12) Megatron (21) Starscream (22) Galvatron (24) Scourge (25) Cyclonus (26) Bonecrusher (27) Hook (28) Scrapper (29) Mixmaster (30) Long Haul (31) Laserbeak (32) Soundwave (34) Fang (56) Frenzy (57) Thundercracker (58) Shockwave (63) Skywarp (69) Thrust (70) Blitzwing (71) Octane (72) Macabre (73) Ramjet (74) Bombshell (75) Dirge (76) Astrotrain (77)	Joy Meadows (8)	Piano Transformer guy (55) Unicron (62)	Dirge (44) Kickback (45) Octane (46) Thrust (47) Shrapnel (48) Bombshell (49) Blitzwing (50) Ramjet (51) Starscream (68)

Errors

• It is implied that Galvatron builds his weapon on the site of the future Autobot City so that when the weapon fires in 2006 it will destroy Autobot City and Unicron. He states it will be "hidden underground", but it's not mentioned how it'll get underground - we could be charitable and assume there is a way, but why would the Autobots build their city where they know a slag-off great cannon was buried?
• On page 5 of issue #81, Jetfire's backpack suddenly disappears for a single frame.
• On the first and last pages of issue #82, the Octane facsimile construct is mis-colored as Blitzwing.
• The Autobots do not use Omega Supreme. This would normally be an item of interest and not an error, except that we are reminded that Omega Supreme exists, that he is powerful enough to kill lots of Decepticons, and Smokescreen actually says "Now there's a thought! Why not sic Omega on them?" (referring to the Constructicons, Megatron, Soundwave and Laserbeak when it is assumed they are involved in the disapperance of Prime, Prowl and Ratchet) in Part 1. No reason is ever given why they don't use him against Galvatron and he is not shown in any scenes in the entire story.
• Part 4 has the Wreckers training against nine facsimile constructs that represent the "deadliest killers". Then, the final part establishes Operation: Volcano will kill the ten deadliest killers - while the art only shows nine of them (Astrotrain turns up but doesn't seem to have been expected by the others). Did the tenth just decide to have a lie-in?

Items of note

• This is the epic Transformers story that everyone remembers from the UK comics. Events in this story cause ramifications over the next 150 issues.
• Ladybird Books would borrow the premise of this story for their 1986 books.
• The Movie was originally planned to take place in 2006 but was changed to 2005 very late in production by which time Target 2006 had already been given a title. As a result, all of the UK comics future stories were set twenty years in the future of the 'real' year.
• Galvatron time jumps just at the point in the Movie after he says "Decepticons, to Earth."
• According to Galvatron in issue #78, Earth has a weather control system as of 1995. Our Earth is clearly behind schedule.
• This story has it that Unicron's physical form can be destroyed by weapons technology (albeit really powerful weapons) and not just the Matrix - Unicron himself refers to the cannon being able to destroy him. The idea of Unicron being defeatable by Transformer weaponry has never turned up again.
• The character designs for Galvatron, Cyclonus and Scourge in issue #78 are based on the toys rather than the Movie look as the issue was designed before the artist got to see the Movie designs.
• For this story and all future appearances Galvatron would appear in his grey and purple toy colour scheme rather than the Movie's predominantly purple colour.
• Simon Furman reused issue #78's sequence with Emirate Xaaron and captions about the Autobot movement going literally underground almost verbatim when he took over the US strip some years later.
• The drawing of Galvatron on the cover of issue #84 is a slightly altered tracing of his character model.
• The fate of Optimus Prime and the other Transformers who disappear is revealed in #100's "Distant Thunder!"
• In terms of story chronology, this is the fourth UK "future" story centering on the movie cast. It's preceded by the Shockwave segment of "Aspects of Evil!". The next story, chronologically, is "Wanted:Galvatron — Dead or Alive!" and the subsequent titles.
• Chapter subtitles:
  • Issue #78—Prologue
  • Issue #79—Apocalypse Then...Now!
  • Issue #80—Construction Time Again!
  • Issue #81—Defeat!
  • Issue #82—Wreck and Rule!
  • Issue #83—The Devil You Know...
  • Issue #84—Trios!
  • Issue #85—Prisoners of War!
  • Issue #86—You Haveta Ask?!
  • Issue #87—Back to the Future!
  • Issue #88—Aftermath!

Back-Up Stories

Issue #78:

• Hercules — "Whom the Gods Would Destroy!" Part 1
• Robo-Capers

Issue #79:

• Hercules — "Whom the Gods Would Destroy!" Part 2
• Robo-Capers

Issue #80:

• Hercules — "Whom the Gods Would Destroy!" Part 3
• Robo-Capers

Issue #81:

• Hercules — "Whom the Gods Would Destroy!" Part 4
• Robo-Capers

Issue #82:

• Hercules — "...Not Just Another Galactus Story!" Part 1
• Robo-Capers

Issue #83:

• Cybertron: The Middle Years! (see above)
• Hercules — "...Not Just Another Galactus Story!" Part 2
• Robo-Capers

Issue #84:

• Hercules — "...Not Just Another Galactus Story!" Part 3
• Robo-Capers

Issue #85:

• Hercules — "...Not Just Another Galactus Story!" Part 4
• Robo-Capers

Issue #86:

• Spitfire and the Troubleshooters — "Beginnings" Part 1
• Robo-Capers

Issue #87:

• Spitfire and the Troubleshooters — "Beginnings" Part 2
• Robo-Capers

Issue #88:

• Spitfire and the Troubleshooters — "Beginnings" Part 3
• Robo-Capers

Reprints

• Reprinted as a Trade Paperback by Titan Books in August 2002. A hardback version with an exclusive cover was made available at the Transforce 2002 convention in the UK. However, the convention version was misprinted, with the final eight pages of the story appearing in reverse order. Titan offered a free replacement, but many fans kept the original — partially because of the novelty, but mostly because they had just got it signed by Simon Furman.
• Reprinted in 5 parts by IDW in 2007 as part of their Generations series, with nearly 100 variant covers.
• The IDW reprints were then inevitably collected in a TPB, released January 2008.
• Parts 5 and 6 were reprinted as a single comic book issue as a pack-in (erroneously) included with Universe Ratbat vs. Springer. (It was supposed to be packed in with the Roadbuster vs. Dirge set, which was "Target: 2006"-themed.) This printing altered two uses of the word "damn" to "darn," a word more friendly to American children.

Covers (34)

• UK issue #78
  UK issue #78
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  UK issue #79
• UK issue #80
  UK issue #80
• UK issue #81
  UK issue #81
• UK issue #82
  UK issue #82
• UK issue #83
  UK issue #83
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  UK issue #84
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  UK issue #85
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  UK issue #86
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  UK issue #87
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  UK issue #88
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  Titan Target: 2006 TPB
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  Titan Target: 2006 HC
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  IDW Target: 2006 #1 A
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  IDW Target: 2006 #1 B
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  IDW Target: 2006 #1 RI-A
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  IDW Target: 2006 #1 RI-B
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  IDW Target: 2006 #2 A
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  IDW Target: 2006 #2 B
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  IDW Target: 2006 #2 RI-A
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  IDW Target: 2006 #2 RI-B
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  IDW Target: 2006 #3 A
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  IDW Target: 2006 #3 B
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  IDW Target: 2006 #3 RI-A
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  IDW Target: 2006 #3 RI-B
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  IDW Target: 2006 #4 A
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  IDW Target: 2006 #4 B
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  IDW Target: 2006 #4 RI-A
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  'IDW Target: 2006 #4 RI-B
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  IDW Target: 2006 #5 A
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  IDW Target: 2006 #5 B
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  IDW Target: 2006 #5 RI-A
• 
  IDW Target: 2006 #5 RI-B
• 
  IDW Target: 2006 TPB

• UK issue #78 cover: Prowl, Ratchet & Optimus Prime disappearing into limbo, by Alister Pearson.
• UK issue #79 cover: Galvatron and Ultra Magnus, by John Higgins.
• UK issue #80 cover: Ultra Magnus arrives, by John Stokes.
• UK issue #81 cover: Galvatron stands over vanquished Autobots, by Will Simpson.
• UK issue #82 cover: the Wreckers, by Phil Gascoine.
• UK issue #83 cover: Scourge being blasted, by Robin Smith.
• UK issue #84 cover: Galvatron & Unicron by Phil Gascoine.
• UK issue #85 cover: Jazz is possessed by Galvatron, by Robin Smith.
• UK issue #86 cover: Ultra Magnus fighting Galvatron, by Robin Smith.
• UK issue #87 cover: Galvatron poses by his weapon, by Phil Gascoine.
• UK issue #88 cover: the Wreckers, by Geoff Senior.
• Titan TPB cover: Galvatron in shadow, by Geoff Senior.
• Transforce Titan hardcover: Galvatron shoots at Ultra Magnus by Lee Sullivan.
• IDW issue #1 cover A: Galvatron, Scourge & Cyclonus arrive in 1986, art by Nick Roche, colors by Rob Ruffolo.
• IDW issue #1 cover B: Galvatron, Scourge & Cyclonus arrive in 1986, by Jeff Anderson.
• IDW issue #1 Retail Incentive cover A: sketch of cover A, by Nick Roche.
• IDW issue #1 Retail Incentive cover B: panels of UK issue #78, by Jeff Anderson.
• IDW issue #2 cover A: Cyclonus & Ultra Magnus fight by Hound's prone body, by Nick Roche, colors by Rob Ruffolo.
• IDW issue #2 cover B: Galvatron's ultimate weapon, by Will Simpson colors by Tony Jozwiak.
• IDW issue #2 Retail Incentive cover A: sketch of cover A, by Nick Roche.
• IDW issue #2 Retail Incentive cover B: panels from UK issue #81, by Jeff Anderson.
• IDW issue #3 cover A: the Wreckers, art by Nick Roche, colors by Rob Ruffolo.
• IDW issue #3 cover B: Wreck & Rule!, by Ron Smith.
• IDW issue #3 Retail Incentive cover A: sketch of cover A, by Nick Roche.
• IDW issue #3 Retail Incentive cover B: panels from UK issue #82, by Ron Smith.
• IDW issue #4 cover A: Brawn choked by a zombie-controlled Jazz, by Nick Roche, colors by Rob Ruffolo.
• IDW issue #4 cover B: Galvatron riding Ultra Magnus, by Geoff Senior.
• IDW issue #4 Retail Incentive cover A: sketch of cover A, by Nick Roche.
• IDW issue #4 Retail Incentive cover B: panels from UK issue #86, by Will Simpson.
• IDW issue #5 cover A: Ultra Magnus versus Galvatron, art by Nick Roche, colors by Rob Ruffolo.
• IDW issue #5 cover B: Starscream is obliterated, by Jeff Anderson, colors by Tony Jozwiak.
• IDW issue #5 Retail Incentive cover A: sketch of cover A, by Nick Roche.
• IDW issue #5 Retail Incentive cover B: panels from UK issue #88 by Will Simpson.
• IDW TPB cover: reuse of IDW issue #5 cover A.