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'''Megatron comes face to face with Action Force, the international arm of G.I. Joe.'''
'''Megatron comes face to face with the finest counter-terrorist unit in the Western world!<ref>According to Scarlett in Part 1!</ref>'''


==Synopsis==
==Synopsis==
Archaeologist Susan Hoffman is exploring ancient Roman sewers under London when she and her associates are attacked by the ex-Decepticon leader Megatron. Susan manages to escape but her friends are left behind. In an attempt to find them she returns with a team from [[G.I. Joe|Action Force]], an international special mission force.
Archaeologist Susan Hoffman is exploring ancient Roman sewers under [[London]] when she and her associates are attacked by the ex-Decepticon leader Megatron. Susan manages to escape but her friends are left behind...


At the same time, the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobot]] Blades is in [[London]] investigating an unknown Transformer signal, as the Autobots continue to hunt for the deserters [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)|Goldbug]]. He enters the tunnels looking for the source of the signal and is attacked by Action Force, who have mistaken him for Susan’s attacker. Blades manages to convince them that he doesn’t mean them any harm, but the noise has attracted the attention of Megatron, who launches an enraged attack on Blades and Action Force.
Meanwhile, in [[Oregon]], Autobot commander [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] is wondering why nobody's turned up to his meeting for all available Autobots. [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] snarkily points out that there ''are'' no available Autobots, they're all either chasing after the deserters [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)|Goldbug]] or tied up with pointless tasks Grimlock's dumped on them. Wheeljack is particularly miffed about having to repair the Dinobot's friend [[Centurion (G1)|Centurion]], actually saying in Centurion's earshot that he's an ancient relic being repaired at the expense of offline Autobots. (What a dick!)


Action Force and Susan manage to make their way out of the sewer, only to meet Grimlock and the newly rebuilt Centurion, who have arrived to capture what they think is Blaster and Goldbug.
The [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobot]] Blades is in London investigating an unknown Transformer signal, which Grimlock believes is the deserters. Fed up with the Dinobot's comment, Blades briefly muses on joining the deserters. At the same time, down in the tunnels, Susan has returned with a team from [[G.I. Joe|Action Force]], an international special mission force. Operative [[Scarlett]] can't believe they're looking for some "monster" and openly insults Susan, when Blades enters the tunnels looking for the source of the signal.  


Megatron breaks through the ground hunting for his prey and then attacks Grimlock and Centurion, quickly overcoming them. Flint calls in reinforcements from Action Force, who attack Megatron. Enraged, Megatron lashes out at his attackers, making short work of them.
Mistaking him for the monster, Action Force attack; Blades, briefly tempted to kill them before he remembers the Autobot Code, manages to convince them that he doesn’t mean them any harm, but the noise has attracted the attention of Megatron! With the Protectobot taken down with one shot, Flint orders an immediate <strike>running away</strike> withdrawal to the surface, where Action Force are surprised by the arrival of Grimlock and Centurion.  


Centurion, who has been wracked with doubts and guilt since he was rebuilt by Wheeljack at the expense of other Autobots, launches a suicidal attack on Megatron and holds him at bay long enough for an Action Force air strike to detonate a cluster of fuel storage containers. Megatron and Centurion are engulfed in flames. A burning shape is seen leaving the conflagration and leaping into the river Thames. Blades and Flint salute the courage of Centurion and the sacrifice he made.
Megatron breaks through the ground hunting for his prey and then attacks Grimlock and Centurion, quickly overcoming them. Flint calls in Action Force's Dragonfly choppers and Mauler tanks, and [[Wild Bill]] leads the choppers in attacking Megatron. Enraged, Megatron lashes out at his attackers, making short work of them. Centurion tries and ''fails'' to save the downed Wild Bill, with a recovered Blades succeeding where he failed; Centurion is left wracked with doubts, not knowing if he can do ''anything'' to help.
 
Briefly believing Bill to be dead, an angry Flint orders in the Mauler tanks. They fail utterly, and Flint is left horrified when he realises several drivers may have been killed when Megatron tears through them. However, the tanks have distracted the Decepticon from killing Grimlock; the Dinobot, owing them a debt, repays the favour and relaunches his attack, taking Megatron into a gas refinery. Since he won't hold Megatron back for long, Flint calls in an air strike on the refinery, hoping to blow up Megatron before he leaves and heads into central London: Grimlock's life for thousands of others.
 
Centurion, still wracked with doubts and guilt for being repaired at the expense of others, launches a suicidal attack on Megatron and holds him at bay long enough for a wounded Grimlock to be pulled free and the Action Force air strike to be launched. Megatron and Centurion are engulfed in flames. A burning shape is seen leaving the conflagration and leaping into the river Thames.
 
After hearing from Blades about Centurion's concern about being an "ancient relic" and wanting to make amends for denying life to others, Flint replies that the mechanoid was more like an old soldier. Blades and Flint salute the courage of Centurion and the sacrifice he made.




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==Errors==
==Errors==
*Centurion was originally created as a mindless automaton by the [[Intelligence and Information Institute]] to be controlled by [[Professor Morris]]. He was later destroyed by [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] in "[[Fallen Angel (issue)|Fallen Angel]]". Here he is rebuilt by Wheeljack but appears to be a sentient being with no reference to Professor Morris. [[Simon Furman]] would later admit this is unclear.<ref>Simon Furman: "We 'assume' that's him [Morris] communicating through Centurion later in 'Ancient Relics' (though I confess it's not clear)." [http://idwpublishing.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=42871#42871 IDW Publishing Forum: Simon Furman Q&A Volume 2 LIVE!]</ref>
*Centurion was originally created as a mindless automaton by the [[Intelligence and Information Institute]] to be controlled by [[Professor Morris]]. He was later destroyed by [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] in "[[Fallen Angel (issue)|Fallen Angel]]". Here he is rebuilt by Wheeljack but appears to be a sentient being with no reference to Professor Morris. [[Simon Furman]] would later admit this is unclear.<ref>Simon Furman: "We 'assume' that's him [Morris] communicating through Centurion later in 'Ancient Relics' (though I confess it's not clear)." [http://idwpublishing.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=42871#42871 IDW Publishing Forum: Simon Furman Q&A Volume 2 LIVE!]</ref>
*Blades wasn't ''there'' when Wheeljack dissed Centurion. How does he know what happened?


==Items of note==
==Items of note==
*This story involved a cross over with the UK ''Action Force'' comic. The first part was published in ''Transformers'' #125 while the remaining issues were published in ''Action Force ''#24–27. This was an attempt to boost interest in ''Transformers''' sister title. The plan didn't work however as the ''Action Force'' comic folded less than six months later. Ironically after this it merged with ''Transformers'' from issue [[Enemy Action!|#153]].
 
*At this stage the US ''[[G.I. Joe and the Transformers]]'' had not been published in the UK, making this the Transformers' first meeting with the anti-terrorist unit.
*For the confused among you, ''Action Force'' was a European brand of international soldiers who fought supervillains; Hasbro used this pre-existing brand to introduce G.I. Joe toys, many repurposed as international soldiers. Marvel UK's tie-in comic reprinting ''G.I. Joe'' issues and ran short original strips, which the comic presented as the Yank and European branches of Action Force respectively.
*This story was a crossover with the ''Action Force'' comic. The first part was published in ''Transformers'' #125 while the remaining issues were published in ''Action Force ''#24–27. This was an attempt to boost interest in ''Transformers''' sister title. The plan didn't work however as the ''Action Force'' comic folded less than six months later. Ironically after this it merged with ''Transformers'' from issue [[Enemy Action!|#153]].
*At this stage the US ''[[G.I. Joe and the Transformers]]'' had not been published in the UK, and when it ''was'' it would be out of continuity.
*Whereas the American crossover has the Joes as equal partners to the Autobots and able to take Transformers down, ''this'' story prevents the Transformers as being beyond Action Force's capabilities, especially Megatron.
*Like in ''[[King of the Hill!]]'', Grimlock is impressed by human bravery.
*This is one of the few Marvel UK stories that ties into the Grimlock-as-leader story (the other being [[Grudge Match!]]), and shows Autobot dissent. ''Why'' Blades didn't go on to defect is a question for the ages.  
*Susan Hoffman would return in "[[Ladies' Night]]" and again in "[[Race with the Devil]]".
*Susan Hoffman would return in "[[Ladies' Night]]" and again in "[[Race with the Devil]]".
*Despite what is said in this story and the following 119 issues the "Megatron" found in this story is not the real Megatron deposited here by the space bridge after "[[Gone but Not Forgotten!]]", but a clone created by Lord [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]]. See "[[Two Megatrons!]]" for more information.
*Despite what is said in this story and the following 119 issues the "Megatron" found in this story is not the real Megatron deposited here by the space bridge after "[[Gone but Not Forgotten!]]", but a clone created by Lord [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]]. See "[[Two Megatrons!]]" for more information.

Revision as of 15:34, 11 August 2009

This article is about the 1987 Action Force crossover by Marvel UK. For other stories with G.I. Joe, see G.I. Joe crossovers.
« The Transformers (UK) #125 »
Action Force #24–27

BEHIND YOU, FLINT. WHERE THE NOISES ARE COMING FROM.
Ancient Relics!
Publisher Marvel Comics
Cover date 8th August 1987 - 5th September 1987
Script Simon Furman
Pencils Geoff Senior
Inks Dave Harwood
Colours Steve White
Letters Annie Halfacree
Editor Richard Starkings (AF24-27)
Assistant editor Steve White (AF24-27)
Continuity Marvel Comics continuity

Megatron comes face to face with the finest counter-terrorist unit in the Western world![1]

Synopsis

Archaeologist Susan Hoffman is exploring ancient Roman sewers under London when she and her associates are attacked by the ex-Decepticon leader Megatron. Susan manages to escape but her friends are left behind...

Meanwhile, in Oregon, Autobot commander Grimlock is wondering why nobody's turned up to his meeting for all available Autobots. Wheeljack snarkily points out that there are no available Autobots, they're all either chasing after the deserters Blaster and Goldbug or tied up with pointless tasks Grimlock's dumped on them. Wheeljack is particularly miffed about having to repair the Dinobot's friend Centurion, actually saying in Centurion's earshot that he's an ancient relic being repaired at the expense of offline Autobots. (What a dick!)

The Protectobot Blades is in London investigating an unknown Transformer signal, which Grimlock believes is the deserters. Fed up with the Dinobot's comment, Blades briefly muses on joining the deserters. At the same time, down in the tunnels, Susan has returned with a team from Action Force, an international special mission force. Operative Scarlett can't believe they're looking for some "monster" and openly insults Susan, when Blades enters the tunnels looking for the source of the signal.

Mistaking him for the monster, Action Force attack; Blades, briefly tempted to kill them before he remembers the Autobot Code, manages to convince them that he doesn’t mean them any harm, but the noise has attracted the attention of Megatron! With the Protectobot taken down with one shot, Flint orders an immediate running away withdrawal to the surface, where Action Force are surprised by the arrival of Grimlock and Centurion.

Megatron breaks through the ground hunting for his prey and then attacks Grimlock and Centurion, quickly overcoming them. Flint calls in Action Force's Dragonfly choppers and Mauler tanks, and Wild Bill leads the choppers in attacking Megatron. Enraged, Megatron lashes out at his attackers, making short work of them. Centurion tries and fails to save the downed Wild Bill, with a recovered Blades succeeding where he failed; Centurion is left wracked with doubts, not knowing if he can do anything to help.

Briefly believing Bill to be dead, an angry Flint orders in the Mauler tanks. They fail utterly, and Flint is left horrified when he realises several drivers may have been killed when Megatron tears through them. However, the tanks have distracted the Decepticon from killing Grimlock; the Dinobot, owing them a debt, repays the favour and relaunches his attack, taking Megatron into a gas refinery. Since he won't hold Megatron back for long, Flint calls in an air strike on the refinery, hoping to blow up Megatron before he leaves and heads into central London: Grimlock's life for thousands of others.

Centurion, still wracked with doubts and guilt for being repaired at the expense of others, launches a suicidal attack on Megatron and holds him at bay long enough for a wounded Grimlock to be pulled free and the Action Force air strike to be launched. Megatron and Centurion are engulfed in flames. A burning shape is seen leaving the conflagration and leaping into the river Thames.

After hearing from Blades about Centurion's concern about being an "ancient relic" and wanting to make amends for denying life to others, Flint replies that the mechanoid was more like an old soldier. Blades and Flint salute the courage of Centurion and the sacrifice he made.


(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)

Autobots Decepticons Humans Others

Action Force:

Errors

Items of note

  • For the confused among you, Action Force was a European brand of international soldiers who fought supervillains; Hasbro used this pre-existing brand to introduce G.I. Joe toys, many repurposed as international soldiers. Marvel UK's tie-in comic reprinting G.I. Joe issues and ran short original strips, which the comic presented as the Yank and European branches of Action Force respectively.
  • This story was a crossover with the Action Force comic. The first part was published in Transformers #125 while the remaining issues were published in Action Force #24–27. This was an attempt to boost interest in Transformers' sister title. The plan didn't work however as the Action Force comic folded less than six months later. Ironically after this it merged with Transformers from issue #153.
  • At this stage the US G.I. Joe and the Transformers had not been published in the UK, and when it was it would be out of continuity.
  • Whereas the American crossover has the Joes as equal partners to the Autobots and able to take Transformers down, this story prevents the Transformers as being beyond Action Force's capabilities, especially Megatron.
  • Like in King of the Hill!, Grimlock is impressed by human bravery.
  • This is one of the few Marvel UK stories that ties into the Grimlock-as-leader story (the other being Grudge Match!), and shows Autobot dissent. Why Blades didn't go on to defect is a question for the ages.
  • Susan Hoffman would return in "Ladies' Night" and again in "Race with the Devil".
  • Despite what is said in this story and the following 119 issues the "Megatron" found in this story is not the real Megatron deposited here by the space bridge after "Gone but Not Forgotten!", but a clone created by Lord Straxus. See "Two Megatrons!" for more information.
  • Megatron and Centurion are brought out of the Thames in "Salvage!".

Back-Up Stories

Reprints

  • This storyline was reprinted over the first six issues of Action Force Monthly, which was sold in North America as G.I. Joe: European Missions. This makes it the only UK-original Transformers story besides "Man of Iron!" that was available to US readers during the 1980s, although how many Transformers fans would have been picking up G.I. Joe: European Missions is debatable.
  • The story was not included in the Titan Books reprints.

Covers

  • Transformers #125
    Transformers #125
  • Action Force #24
    Action Force #24
  • Action Force #25
    Action Force #25
  • Action Force #26
    Action Force #26
  • Action Force #27
    Action Force #27
  • UK issue #125 cover: Blades being attacked by Action Force, by Jeff Anderson.
  • Action Force #24 cover: Megatron's damaged face, surrounded by AF headshots, by Lee Sullivan.
  • Action Force #25 cover: Wild Bill takes a dive from a helicopter, by Jeff Anderson.
  • Action Force #26 cover: Megatron crushes Heavy Metal's tank, by Jeff Anderson.
  • Action Force #27 cover: Blades, Scarlett, Flint & Wild Bill as Big Damn Heroes, by Jeff Anderson.

References

  1. ↑ According to Scarlett in Part 1!
  2. ↑ Simon Furman: "We 'assume' that's him [Morris] communicating through Centurion later in 'Ancient Relics' (though I confess it's not clear)." IDW Publishing Forum: Simon Furman Q&A Volume 2 LIVE!
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