Used Autobots

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Never buy a used Autobot without a Carfax™ history report.
Used Autobots
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First published	May 1987
Cover date	September 1987
Writer	Bob Budiansky
Pencil breakdowns	Don Perlin
Finishes	Ian Akin & Brian Garvey
Colorist	Nel Yomtov
Letterer	Pat Brosseau
Editor	Don Daley
Continuity	Marvel Comics continuity

When the Throttlebots are captured by a used car salesman, both RAAT and the Combaticons arrive to collect them.

Synopsis

It's nice that you've noticed the traffic violation, but shouldn't you be more concerned about the giant robot legs?

The Throttlebots are under attack from the Combaticon Vortex. Although they are able to fight Vortex off with the help of Blaster riding Chase and Rollbar like roller skates, they attract unwanted human attention. When the Throttlebots stop for fuel at a Blackrock service station, the owner is able to report them to awaiting RAAT troops, who immediately attack. Although the Throttlebots are able to escape from RAAT, the battle gives Vortex the opportunity to track the Throttlebots once again. Meanwhile, Grimlock sends the Protectobots to retrieve Blaster and Goldbug.

Unable to refuel, the Throttlebots stop at a used car lot for the night. When the owner, Big Steve Ludwig, tries to have the damaged Rollbar towed, the Throttlebots reveal themselves to Big Steve to stop him. Big Steve promptly reports the Throttlebots to the authorities and fills the Throttlebots' fuel tanks with soda to immobilize them.

When RAAT arrives to collect the Throttlebots, they are intercepted by the Combaticons, who intend to destroy the Throttlebots themselves. The Protectobots soon arrive on the scene and prepare to do battle. Big Steve attempts to save his lot by proposing that the opposing teams bid on who gets to take the Throttlebots. The auction is short-lived, however, as Onslaught radios Swindle, commanding him to kill Big Steve. Blaster sees Swindle prepare to fire and manages to throw off Swindle's aim just in time. The battle starts anew, and in the confusion, RAAT manages to take the Throttlebots away.

The Combaticons eventually retreat, and Blaster ensures that Big Steve doesn't get to profit from his friends' misfortune by destroying a check RAAT had paid him for the information leading to their capture. Blaster is then arrested by the Protectobots for rebelling against Grimlock's command. He is to be returned to the Ark to be tried and executed...

Featured characters

(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)

Autobots	Decepticons	Humans
Wide Load (1) Searchlight (2) Freeway (3) Chase (4) Goldbug (5) Blaster (6) Rollbar (7) Wheeljack (8) Grimlock (9) Hot Spot (10) Blades (11) Slag (12) First Aid (19) Groove (20) Streetwise (21)	Vortex (8) Brawl (15) Onslaught (16) Blast Off (17) Swindle (18)	Big Steve Ludwig (13) Walter Barnett (14)

Errors

• The cover depicts Brawn standing behind Onslaught. Presumably this should have been Brawl, since Brawn was not only not present at the battle but was actually out of commission at the time.
• Chase and Searchlight switch color schemes when they transform to confront Big Steve.
• When Rollbar is driving on the wrong (left) side of the road, Blaster instructs him to, "Pull over to the left!" to avoid oncoming traffic. Rollbar instead swerves right (probably because going left wouldn't have helped at all).
• At one point Blaster says, "Under no cicumstances reveal your true identities!" The word should be "circumstances". (Also, the Throttlebots completely ignore this order a few hours later.)
• Incorrectly regarded as a goof: The (apparent) owner of the service station reports the Transformers to RAAT as "Autobots." While most civilians would not know this term, he had presumably been briefed by either Blackrock (who provides free gas to Autobots specifically) or RAAT (who have heard the term, even if they don't believe in "good robots").
• Putting sugar in a regular car's gas tank does not actually incapacitate it, and even if it did, it's doubtful that the same tactic would work on an Autobot's more advanced engine.

Items of note

• References to other Transformers continuities/issues:
• This is the last time we see evidence of the Blackrock-Autobot fuel arrangement that was forged in "DIS-Integrated Circuits!".
• On page 7, Grimlock refers to the mission he sent Blaster and Goldbug on in "Mechanical Difficulties!" to retrieve the tools stolen by the Mechanic in "Funeral for a Friend!".
• The UK version has extra dialogue referring to the Throttlebots' encounter with the Combaticons in "Ladies' Night".

Covers (3)

• 
  US issue #32 - Onslaught's only mistake: erecting a gigantic sign explaining his plan.
• 
  UK issue #139 - AAAAAAAAA indeed
• 
  UK issue #140 - Swindle's been scaled up to match Blast-Off's alt. mode!

• US cover: Protectobots vs Combaticons, by Frank Springer.
• UK issue #139 cover: Blaster hitching a ride on the Throttlebots, by Robin Smith.
• UK issue #140 cover: Swindle threatening to drop Big Steve, by Lee Sullivan.

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