Two Steps Back!

« The Transformers (UK) #262 »
"Tastes like chicken."
"Two Steps Back!"
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First published	17th March 1990
Cover date	24th March 1990
Writer	Simon Furman
Art	Andy Wildman
Letterer	Stuart Bartlett
Cover	Stephen Baskerville
Continuity	Marvel Comics continuity/Earthforce

Grimlock takes some steps back then contemplates going forward...

Synopsis

These stories do not fit into the normal Marvel continuity. See Earthforce for details.

Grimlock is fighting Shockwave whilst, behind him, Runabout is crawling towards his gun. But Grimlock is aware of this and steps back, crushing the gun. Runabout screams in pain, distracting Shockwave and allowing Grimlock to headbutt him and knock him down. Grimlock looks around as the other Dinobots fight the rest of Shockwave's forces. The Decepticons are trying to discover how Grimlock has revived the Dinobots without the Creation Matrix. Although Swoop gets hit in the wings by Runamuck, Grimlock comes to his aid. The other Dinobots overcome their opponents, and Grimlock comments that nothing can stop the Dinobots.

Optimus Prime has different ideas. He arrives and bluntly tells Grimlock that the Dinobots' tactics endanger humans and threaten the Autobot Code. Prime argues that Autobots only turn to violence as a last resort. Grimlock responds that the Dinobots have achieved their ends and done it their way. Prime responds that whilst the Dinobots are part of his army, they will do things his way, then transforms and rolls out.

Grimlock expresses his annoyance that those who make the rules never know what things are like in the field. Meanwhile, the Decepticons have fled except Runabout, who declares he has volunteered to stay behind. He raises a neutron cannon, which he vows not even Grimlock can survive. Grimlock responds that at this range, Runabout will be caught by the recoil, and he suggests Runabout should take two steps back. The Decepticon does this... and falls down a ravine. Grimlock contemplates withdrawing from the Autobot army...

Featured characters

(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)

Autobots	Decepticons
Grimlock (2) Slag (4) Sludge (6) Snarl (8) Swoop (9) Optimus Prime (12)	Runabout (1) Shockwave (3) Motormaster (5) Starscream (7) Runamuck (10) Ravage (11)

Quotes

"Dumb 'Cons!"

—Grimlock calls Shockwave dumb. Ouch.

"[Thinking] Nothing can stop Dinobots-"
"Stop!"
"Uh?"
"Stop this right now!"

—Grimlock and Optimus Prime

"Me think if Prime not like our methods...it time to take positive steps and say goodbye!"

—Grimlock is at it again.

Notes

Artwork and technical errors

• TBD

Continuity errors

• How is shooting Grimlock dead going to make him reveal his secrets? Either this is a bluff to get Grimlock to talk or Shockwave's decided to cut his losses and make sure Grimlock can't bring more Autobots back, but no motive is given.
• Did you just accuse Optimus Prime of having no idea what it's like in the field?

Continuity notes

• There are a lot of returns by characters not seen for a while in the present day. Shockwave last appeared in the present day in "Time Wars", Runabout and Runamuck last appeared in the present in "Decepticon Graffiti!", Motormaster was last in "Totalled!"; and the Dinobots last appeared in "Dark Star".
• As subsequent issues would show, the Decepticon forces are split between Shockwave and Megatron.
• The Dinobot's resurrection is attributed to an "upcoming US story". Shockwave's force of Starscream, Ravage, Runabout and Runamuck would subsequently appear in the US stories before and after that, but Motormaster would never be seen amongst the force there and Grimlock never got back to Earth with the Dinobots. Reconciling the two continuities is a big nightmare involving Earthforce.
• Because "Break-Away!" refers to the events of "Starting Over!" as still ongoing, this issue may take place before last issue.

Real-life references

• TBD

Other trivia

• In Dread Tidings, Dreadwind wrongly tells a reader that Spinister runs the Mayhem Attack Squad. Probably the editor misread "The Hunting Party".
• The "Next Issue" preview uses pictures of Grimlock from "Victory!" and Prime from "Time Wars" to make a fake face-off scene.

Back-up material

• Additional Transformers story: "Bird of Prey!"
• Other strips: G.I. Joe the Action Force - "Manoeuvring for Position" and Combat Colin
• In Dread Tidings, Dreadwind supplies the missing motto for Micromaster Battle Patrol member Flak, while expressing his dislike of the smaller guys, and debates what Pincher's level 5 endurance rating means.

Cover

• Issue #262 cover: Grimlock chews down on Shockwave, by Stephen Baskerville.

• 
  Issue #262

Reprints

• Transformers: Earthforce TPB (December 14, 2005) ISBN 1845760611
• Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection: Volume 20: End of the Road: (January 10, 2018)

• 
  Transformers: Earthforce; cover art by Stephen Baskerville
• 
  The Definitive G1 Collection: Volume 20; cover art by ??? and Andrew Wildman