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==Synopsis== | ==Synopsis== | ||
[[ | Orbiting above Earth, the Autobot ship known as the [[Graviton (Classics)|Graviton]] looks down. On board, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]], arriving on Earth for the first time, marvels at how uneven the planet looks. [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] is grumpy at having to see the planet again, while [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] is glad to reconnect with [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]]. [[Strongarm (Classics)|Strongarm]] locates their target [[Bug Bite (GoBots)|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 (G1)|Snarl]] had obtained from [[Monzo]]. [[Elita One (G1)|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 (G1)|Dreadwind]] moans about his decision to leave [[Darkwing (G1)|Darkwing]] behind, feeling as though everybody else hates him. The chipper Bug Bite tells him he likes him, and that [[Hi-Test (G1)|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 (G1)|Weirdwolf]], disembarking from their craft, annoys [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] with his reemerged odd speech patterns, a side affect of separating from Monzo. [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] informs Bug Bite that [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] has spotted them, just as planned. | ||
Back at [[Autobase Prima]], a damaged [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Rodimus]] is carried by [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]], as [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]] asks what happened. Prime orders for backup from Cybertron, and tells [[Jetfire]] to have [[Walter Barnett (G1)|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 (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Cliffjumper]] sent before disappearing. Grimlock sulks off, receiving a transmission from Springer, who tells him that some of [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]'s Decepticons are here on Earth, and seem to be arranging a meeting with [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]]'s faction. Grimlock heads out to group up with his former crew, but unbeknownst to him, he is followed by an invisible [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]]. | |||
Later, [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]], [[Skywarp (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Skywarp]], and [[Ramjet (G1)|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 (G1)|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 shell]]s stolen from [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]], which he is using to build his own faction of Decepticons. The other Autobots, still watching nearby, have come prepared, with [[Perceptor (G1)|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 (G1)|Swoop]] and Elita One to follow. | |||
[[ | At the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] in the Northern [[Yukon]], Megatron consults with [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|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 (G1)|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 looses 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, and 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 [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]]. 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. | ||
Megatron, | |||
==Featured characters== | ==Featured characters== | ||
Revision as of 17:50, 30 January 2018
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 Hans plays with Lotte, Lotte plays with Jane. | |||||||||||||
| "Games of Deception" | |||||||||||||
| Publisher | Fun Publications | ||||||||||||
| First published | June 27, 2007 (BotCon 2007) July 18, 2007 (Diamond release) | ||||||||||||
| Cover date | Summer '07 | ||||||||||||
| Story | Forest Lee, Pete Sinclair and Benson Yee | ||||||||||||
| Writer | Forest Lee | ||||||||||||
| Pencils | Alex Milne | ||||||||||||
| Inks | Alex Milne | ||||||||||||
| Colors | Drew Eiden and Josh Perez | ||||||||||||
| Letters | Junemoon Studio | ||||||||||||
| Managing editor | Pete Sinclair | ||||||||||||
| Editor-in-chief | Brian Savage | ||||||||||||
| Continuity | Marvel Comics continuity | ||||||||||||
A crew of Autobots arrive on Earth in pursuit of Bug Bite, who seeks to take control of the Decepticons for his own purposes.
Synopsis
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 looses 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, and 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. 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
(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)
| Autobots | Decepticons |
|---|---|
|
Notes
- 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.
Transformers References
- Snarl's in his Action Master body. Presumably Tyrannitron is too, though he never appears on panel. Swoop appears in his Classics Mini-Con body.
- Strongarm makes a surprise appearance as part of Magnus's crew.
- Frenzy (he's blue in this continuity) is present among Megatron's crew. He didn't get a Classics toy.
- The most crucial thing of 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 in that pack, a white Bumblebee redeco.
- Monzo is mentioned, Weirdwolf's old Headmaster partner. Obviously they were separated at some point. Weirdwolf's convention-exclusive toy isn't a Headmaster, as it's a redeco of Cybertron Snarl)
- The events of this comic take place after the conclusion of the 2007 arc of the Fan Club magazine comic.
- Despite the effort that Magnus's crew puts into finding "disguises"... none of them are ever shown transforming.
- Bug Bite's modified shells seem to leave the victim in a normal state most of the time, until he activates a control mechanism. While under the shell's control, Dreadwind continues to moan and complain, Thundercracker is happy to see Skywarp, and Starscream makes threats against Bug Bite.
- In the dark of Megatron's private chamber are Ratchet's chassis and Galvatron's arm-cannon, both presumably salvaged during the interim between the end of the Marvel Generation 1 comics events and the Classics storyline.
- We find out what happened to Bug Bite, Dreadwind, and Weirdwolf after the events of this story in the text story "Withered Hope".
Errors
- 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.
- Mirage shouldn't have the power of invisibility in this Marvel Comics-based story; that was a power exclusive to the original cartoon. (Mirage's bio for BotCon 2007 slightly mitigates this by reporting that he had a few upgrades, and he would use the stealth mode in Crossing Over. This may actually be the most unusual attempt at advertising a character, since transparent Mirage was the FREE FIGURE that year.)
- 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.
- 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."
- 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 as much like a white head with a shadowed side, rather than the blue head with a metallic shine that's intended.
- Strongarm's name is parsed as two words instead of one. Bug Bite has the opposite problem.
- Rodimus is damaged enough that he needed to be carried back to the base. He was not that badly damaged at the end of Crossing Over. We didn't see Skywarp taking the damage to his nosecone shown here, either.
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)
- "The New World" preview (text and illustration by Greg Sepelak, colors by David Willis)
- And some ads.
Covers (2)
- BotCon Edition: Bug Bite's crew, by Alex Milne with colours by Josh Perez
- Diamond Edition: Ultra Magnus's crew, by Alex Milne with colours by Josh Perez
-
BotCon cover -
Diamond Edition cover
