Mechanical Difficulties!: Difference between revisions
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|caption=I think that I shall never see/A weapon as deadly as a tree. | |caption=I think that I shall never see/A weapon as deadly as a tree. | ||
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]] | |publisher=[[Marvel Comics]] | ||
|date=January 1987 | |date=January [[1987]] | ||
|coverdate=May 1987 | |coverdate=May 1987 | ||
|writer=[[Bob Budiansky]] | |writer=[[Bob Budiansky]] | ||
| Line 32: | Line 32: | ||
==Featured characters== | ==Featured characters== | ||
(Characters in ''italic text'' only appear in flashbacks)<br /> | |||
{{featuredcharacters | {{featuredcharacters | ||
|c1= | |c1= | ||
* [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Goldbug]] (3) | *[[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Goldbug]] (3) | ||
* [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] (4) | *[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] (4) | ||
* [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] (9) | *[[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] (9) | ||
* ''[[Ratchet (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ratchet]]'' (10) | *''[[Ratchet (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ratchet]]'' (10) | ||
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (13) | *[[Wheeljack (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Wheeljack]] (13) | ||
|c3= | |c3= | ||
* [[Mechanic (G1)|Mechanic]] (1) | {{collist|2| | ||
* [[Juan (thief)|Juan]] (2) | *[[Mechanic (G1)|Mechanic]] (1) | ||
* [[Deadhead]] (5) | *[[Juan (thief)|Juan]] (2) | ||
* [[Fuzzy]] (6) | *[[Deadhead]] (5) | ||
* [[Altman]] (7) | *[[Fuzzy]] (6) | ||
* [[Greco]] (8) | *[[Altman]] (7) | ||
* [[Stoler]] (11) | *[[Greco]] (8) | ||
* [[Bigelow]] (12) | *[[Stoler]] (11) | ||
*[[Bigelow]] (12) | |||
}} | |||
}} | }} | ||
| Line 71: | Line 71: | ||
==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
===Artwork and technical errors=== | ===Artwork and technical errors=== | ||
* On page 2, Ratchet's [[cryogenic sprayer]]'s beam is colored like a laser, though it's drawn like a frost beam. | *On page 2, Ratchet's [[cryogenic sprayer]]'s beam is colored like a laser, though it's drawn like a frost beam. | ||
* In this issue, Goldbug is drawn consistently as Bumblebee's body with Goldbug's head and colored in Bumblebee's color scheme (although he has the correct [[character model]] on the cover). | *In this issue, Goldbug is drawn consistently as Bumblebee's body with Goldbug's head and colored in Bumblebee's color scheme (although he has the correct [[character model]] on the cover). | ||
* Page 12, panel 6: Blaster's whole visor is colored yellow, rather than just the eyes. | *Page 12, panel 6: Blaster's whole visor is colored yellow, rather than just the eyes. | ||
===Continuity errors=== | ===Continuity errors=== | ||
[[ | [[File:Human.jpg|thumb|Seriously, what is going on?]] | ||
* After displaying normal eloquence in two of his three appearances so far, Grimlock speaks in the manner of his cartoon counterpart in this issue ("Why you not destroy humans?"), and will do so for the rest of the book's run. Until his demise in "[[Dark Star]]", he also displays a much more "buffoonish" and self-centered personality as well. In Marvel UK's 1989 booklet "[[Transformers: The Facts]]", the writer claims that Grimlock's varying speech pattern is a deliberate ruse on his part, because he considers intellectuals weak, though this is never specifically stated in any story. | *After displaying normal eloquence in two of his three appearances so far, Grimlock speaks in the manner of his cartoon counterpart in this issue ("Why you not destroy humans?"), and will do so for the rest of the book's run. Until his demise in "[[Dark Star]]", he also displays a much more "buffoonish" and self-centered personality as well. In Marvel UK's 1989 booklet "[[Transformers: The Facts]]", the writer claims that Grimlock's varying speech pattern is a deliberate ruse on his part, because he considers intellectuals weak, though this is never specifically stated in any story. | ||
* The Mechanic's crippling fear of police officers, so important in his previous appearance, seems to have completely disappeared here. | *The Mechanic's crippling fear of police officers, so important in his previous appearance, seems to have completely disappeared here. | ||
* Page 5: Goldbug asks, "About what, Commander Grimlock?" From context, it's clear Grimlock just asked him something like, "Me want your opinion, Goldbug", but no such dialog balloon exists. This is corrected in the UK edition, with an extra dialog balloon saying "what do you think?" | *Page 5: Goldbug asks, "About what, Commander Grimlock?" From context, it's clear Grimlock just asked him something like, "Me want your opinion, Goldbug", but no such dialog balloon exists. This is corrected in the UK edition, with an extra dialog balloon saying "what do you think?" | ||
* Page 7: Juan is installing the radar dish ''inside the building''. Later, it's on the roof. | *Page 7: Juan is installing the radar dish ''inside the building''. Later, it's on the roof. | ||
* Blaster's plan is kind of ridiculous. Detective Greco carries Blaster (in altmode) into the hangar full of gangsters, singing scat and dancing to music. He pulls out his badge and turns off the music, which is the signal for the police outside to rush in. It's unclear what any of that accomplished. | *Blaster's plan is kind of ridiculous. Detective Greco carries Blaster (in altmode) into the hangar full of gangsters, singing scat and dancing to music. He pulls out his badge and turns off the music, which is the signal for the police outside to rush in. It's unclear what any of that accomplished. | ||
===Continuity notes=== | ===Continuity notes=== | ||
* The Mechanic acquired his Autobot technology in "[[Funeral for a Friend!]]"; we get a couple of flashback panels to that issue. | *The Mechanic acquired his Autobot technology in "[[Funeral for a Friend!]]"; we get a couple of flashback panels to that issue. | ||
===Real-life references=== | ===Real-life references=== | ||
* That's Little Richard's 1955 rock & roll classic "{{w|Tutti Frutti (song)|Tutti Frutti}}" that the Detective Greco is singing along to. (His gangster quarry, being men of low culture, cannot dig it, so Grego suggests that maybe they prefer [[Sinatra]].) | *That's Little Richard's 1955 rock & roll classic "{{w|Tutti Frutti (song)|Tutti Frutti}}" that the Detective Greco is singing along to. (His gangster quarry, being men of low culture, cannot dig it, so Grego suggests that maybe they prefer [[Sinatra]].) | ||
* Like most of the series, the action is set in and around [[Portland]], [[Oregon]], including [[Portland International Airport]]. Greco and his comrades work for the "[[Portland Police Department]]"; the city actually is policed by the Portland Police Bureau. | *Like most of the series, the action is set in and around [[Portland]], [[Oregon]], including [[Portland International Airport]]. Greco and his comrades work for the "[[Portland Police Department]]"; the city actually is policed by the Portland Police Bureau. | ||
===UK printing=== | ===UK printing=== | ||
'''Issue #121''' | '''Issue #121''' | ||
*''' | *'''Back-up strips:''' ''[[Iron Man]]'' - "Man of the Year" and ''[[Robo-Capers]]'' | ||
*'''[[Transformers AtoZ|AtoZ]]:''' [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] and [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] | *'''[[Transformers AtoZ|AtoZ]]:''' [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] and [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] | ||
* This issue marked the beginning of a trend to only use UK covers. From this point on, very few U.S. covers would be reprinted for UK issues—and only one by a U.S. artist. | * This issue marked the beginning of a trend to only use UK covers. From this point on, very few U.S. covers would be reprinted for UK issues—and only one by a U.S. artist. | ||
* In [[Letters page (Marvel UK)#Grim Grams|Grim Grams]], Grimlock seems to think that there are toys available of individual Junkions in the U.S.! | * In ''[[Letters page (Marvel UK)#Grim Grams|Grim Grams]]'', Grimlock seems to think that there are toys available of individual Junkions in the U.S.! | ||
'''Issue #122''' | '''Issue #122''' | ||
*''' | *'''Back-up strips:''' ''Iron Man'' - "Man of the Year" and ''Robo-Capers'' | ||
*This issue included a bonus 6-page ''[[G.I. Joe (team)|Action Force]]'' strip "Dummy Run!" by [[Steve White]] & [[Geoff Senior]]. It was originally printed in issue #18 of the ''Action Force'' weekly comic. | *This issue included a bonus 6-page ''[[G.I. Joe (team)|Action Force]]'' strip "Dummy Run!" by [[Steve White]] & [[Geoff Senior]]. It was originally printed in issue #18 of the ''Action Force'' weekly comic. | ||
===Other trivia=== | ===Other trivia=== | ||
* This is the first Marvel US issue to be sold for $1.00. | *This is the first Marvel US issue to be sold for $1.00. | ||
* The "[[Formax]] Computer" is ''totally'' a jukebox. | *The "[[Formax]] Computer" is ''totally'' a jukebox. | ||
===Bot Roster=== | ===Bot Roster=== | ||
* Autobots: 32 active, but Blaster and Goldbug strike out on their own; 14 in repair bay. (46 total) | *Autobots: 32 active, but Blaster and Goldbug strike out on their own; 14 in repair bay. (46 total) | ||
* Decepticons: 31 active; 9 offline. (40 total) | *Decepticons: 31 active; 9 offline. (40 total) | ||
===Covers (6)=== | ===Covers (6)=== | ||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
File:MarvelUS-28.jpg|'''US issue #28''' - Guns are one thing, but ''trees''? | |||
File:MarvelUK-121.jpg|'''UK issue #121''' - And people say that [[Transformers Animated (franchise)|''Animated'']]'s villains are goofy! | |||
File:MarvelUK-122.jpg|'''UK issue #122''' - I can't see that being a good business plan | |||
File:Titan-BreakdownSC.jpg|''' | </gallery> | ||
File:Classic_Transformers_Vol2.jpg|'''Classic Transformers Volume 2''' | *'''US cover:''' The Mechanic vs Goldbug and Blaster, by [[Ian Akin]]. | ||
File:TFClassicsVol3.jpg|'''The Transformers Classics, Vol. 3''' | *'''UK issue #121 cover:''' Goldbug, Blaster and the Mechanic, by [[Jeff Anderson]]. | ||
*'''UK issue #122 cover:''' Goldbug, about to be disassembled, by Jeff Anderson. | |||
<gallery> | |||
File:Titan-BreakdownSC.jpg|'''''Breakdown'' TPB''' | |||
File:Titan-BreakdownHC.jpg|'''''Breakdown'' hardback''' | |||
File:Classic_Transformers_Vol2.jpg|'''''Classic Transformers'' Volume 2''' | |||
File:TFClassicsVol3.jpg|'''''The Transformers Classics,'' Vol. 3''' | |||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
*'''''Breakdown'' TPB cover:''' [[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]], [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]], Ratchet and half of [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]], by [[Andrew Wildman]]. | |||
* ''' | *'''''Breakdown'' hardback cover:''' Grimlock fighting [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]], by [[Kev Walker]], [[Simon Coleby]] and [[Chris Blythe]]. | ||
* ''' | * '''''Classic Transformers'' Volume 2 cover:''' panels from US issues [[Showdown!|#20]] and [[Gone but Not Forgotten!|#25]]. | ||
* '' | * '''''The Transformers Classics'', Vol. 3 cover:''' [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]], by [[Guido Guidi]]. | ||
* '''The Transformers Classics, Vol. 3''' | |||
===Advertisements=== | ===Advertisements=== | ||
* None yet identified. | *None yet identified. | ||
===Reprints=== | ===Reprints=== | ||
*2004 — ''[[Transformers: Breakdown]]'' | *[[2004]] — ''[[Transformers: Breakdown]]'' | ||
*2008 — '' | *[[2008]] — [[Classic Transformers Volume 2|''Classic Transformers'' Volume 2]] | ||
*2012 — '' | *[[2012]] — [[The Transformers Classics, Vol. 3|''The Transformers Classics,'' Vol. 3]] | ||
[[Category:Marvel US issues]] | [[Category:Marvel US issues]] | ||
[[Category:Marvel UK issues]] | [[Category:Marvel UK issues]] | ||
Revision as of 19:05, 15 February 2017
| |||||||||||||
 I think that I shall never see/A weapon as deadly as a tree. | |||||||||||||
| "Mechanical Difficulties!" | |||||||||||||
| Publisher | Marvel Comics | ||||||||||||
| First published | January 1987 | ||||||||||||
| Cover date | May 1987 | ||||||||||||
| Writer | Bob Budiansky | ||||||||||||
| Penciler | Don Perlin | ||||||||||||
| Inkers | Ian Akin & Brian Garvey | ||||||||||||
| Colorist | Nel Yomtov | ||||||||||||
| Letterer | Janice Chiang | ||||||||||||
| Editor | Don Daley | ||||||||||||
| Continuity | Marvel Comics continuity | ||||||||||||
Blaster and Goldbug are ordered to catch the Mechanic, at any cost!
Synopsis
Aided by stolen Autobot technology, the Mechanic launches a crime wave, stealing high technology equipment and extorting huge payments from the Portland underworld. Grimlock sends Blaster and Goldbug to find the Mechanic and retrieve their stolen technology, even at the cost of human lives. Meanwhile, members of the Portland Police Department are also attempting to bring the Mechanic to justice. Believing the Mechanic's super-tools to be of Transformer origin, the police have been instructed to deal aggressively with any Transformers they encounter. In one attempt to trap the Mechanic, the police and the Autobots hinder each other's progress, and the Mechanic escapes.
The Mechanic calls a meeting of all the crime bosses of the Pacific Northwest, during which he displays modifications to their cars that equip them with heavy weaponry. The police and the Autobots, having come to an agreement to work together, invade this meeting, capturing the crime bosses and the Mechanic's henchman, Juan, but the Mechanic himself escapes once again.
Believing Grimlock to be an unfit commander, and knowing that Grimlock will see their mission to recover the Mechanic as a failure, Blaster and Goldbug decide to head out on their own.
Featured characters
(Characters in italic text only appear in flashbacks)
(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)
Quotes
"Why you not destroy humans?!"
"Commander, it's difficult enough to get the trust of the humans without destroying them."
- —Grimlock and Blaster
"Times like this make me wish I agreed with Grimlock about humans! But I don't!"
"I'm not inclined to stomp them either, Blaster!"
- —Blaster and Goldbug patiently endure the assault of the Portland PD
"...Like I said before, some orders are not meant to be followed... and for that matter, neither are some leaders. Which way to the Ark, Goldbug?"
"Behind us, to the east."
"Let's go west."
- —Blaster and Goldbug strike out on their own
Notes
Artwork and technical errors
- On page 2, Ratchet's cryogenic sprayer's beam is colored like a laser, though it's drawn like a frost beam.
- In this issue, Goldbug is drawn consistently as Bumblebee's body with Goldbug's head and colored in Bumblebee's color scheme (although he has the correct character model on the cover).
- Page 12, panel 6: Blaster's whole visor is colored yellow, rather than just the eyes.
Continuity errors
- After displaying normal eloquence in two of his three appearances so far, Grimlock speaks in the manner of his cartoon counterpart in this issue ("Why you not destroy humans?"), and will do so for the rest of the book's run. Until his demise in "Dark Star", he also displays a much more "buffoonish" and self-centered personality as well. In Marvel UK's 1989 booklet "Transformers: The Facts", the writer claims that Grimlock's varying speech pattern is a deliberate ruse on his part, because he considers intellectuals weak, though this is never specifically stated in any story.
- The Mechanic's crippling fear of police officers, so important in his previous appearance, seems to have completely disappeared here.
- Page 5: Goldbug asks, "About what, Commander Grimlock?" From context, it's clear Grimlock just asked him something like, "Me want your opinion, Goldbug", but no such dialog balloon exists. This is corrected in the UK edition, with an extra dialog balloon saying "what do you think?"
- Page 7: Juan is installing the radar dish inside the building. Later, it's on the roof.
- Blaster's plan is kind of ridiculous. Detective Greco carries Blaster (in altmode) into the hangar full of gangsters, singing scat and dancing to music. He pulls out his badge and turns off the music, which is the signal for the police outside to rush in. It's unclear what any of that accomplished.
Continuity notes
- The Mechanic acquired his Autobot technology in "Funeral for a Friend!"; we get a couple of flashback panels to that issue.
Real-life references
- That's Little Richard's 1955 rock & roll classic "Tutti Frutti" that the Detective Greco is singing along to. (His gangster quarry, being men of low culture, cannot dig it, so Grego suggests that maybe they prefer Sinatra.)
- Like most of the series, the action is set in and around Portland, Oregon, including Portland International Airport. Greco and his comrades work for the "Portland Police Department"; the city actually is policed by the Portland Police Bureau.
UK printing
Issue #121
- Back-up strips: Iron Man - "Man of the Year" and Robo-Capers
- AtoZ: Cosmos and Dead End
- This issue marked the beginning of a trend to only use UK covers. From this point on, very few U.S. covers would be reprinted for UK issues—and only one by a U.S. artist.
- In Grim Grams, Grimlock seems to think that there are toys available of individual Junkions in the U.S.!
Issue #122
- Back-up strips: Iron Man - "Man of the Year" and Robo-Capers
- This issue included a bonus 6-page Action Force strip "Dummy Run!" by Steve White & Geoff Senior. It was originally printed in issue #18 of the Action Force weekly comic.
Other trivia
- This is the first Marvel US issue to be sold for $1.00.
- The "Formax Computer" is totally a jukebox.
Bot Roster
- Autobots: 32 active, but Blaster and Goldbug strike out on their own; 14 in repair bay. (46 total)
- Decepticons: 31 active; 9 offline. (40 total)
Covers (6)
-
US issue #28 - Guns are one thing, but trees? -
UK issue #121 - And people say that Animated's villains are goofy! -
UK issue #122 - I can't see that being a good business plan
- US cover: The Mechanic vs Goldbug and Blaster, by Ian Akin.
- UK issue #121 cover: Goldbug, Blaster and the Mechanic, by Jeff Anderson.
- UK issue #122 cover: Goldbug, about to be disassembled, by Jeff Anderson.
-
Breakdown TPB -
Breakdown hardback -
Classic Transformers Volume 2 -
The Transformers Classics, Vol. 3
- Breakdown TPB cover: Predaking, Megatron, Ratchet and half of Ratbat, by Andrew Wildman.
- Breakdown hardback cover: Grimlock fighting Trypticon, by Kev Walker, Simon Coleby and Chris Blythe.
- Classic Transformers Volume 2 cover: panels from US issues #20 and #25.
- The Transformers Classics, Vol. 3 cover: Bumblebee, by Guido Guidi.
Advertisements
- None yet identified.
