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{{comicstory|seriesissue=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|''The Transformers'' (UK)]] #261
{{comicstory|seriesissue=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|''The Transformers'' (UK)]] #261
|prev=Primal Scream (issue)
|prev=Primal Scream
|next=Bird of Prey!
|next=Bird of Prey!
|title="Starting Over!"
|title="Starting Over!"
Line 18: Line 18:
==Synopsis==
==Synopsis==
{{Earthforcefiction}}
{{Earthforcefiction}}
On a mountain in the [[Arizona]] desert, an unseen figure orders Soundwave, Drag Strip and Dead End to start the countdown on a [[Global warming satellite|rocket]] to bring the Autobots and humans to their knees.
On a mountain in the [[Arizona]] desert, an unseen figure orders [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]], [[Drag Strip (G1)|Drag Strip]] and [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] to start the countdown on a [[Global warming satellite|rocket]] to bring the [[Autobot]]s and [[human]]s to their knees.


[[Image:Prowllittlemen.jpg|left|250px|thumb|It's not just fans who dislike [[gimmick]]s.]]
[[Image:Prowllittlemen.jpg|left|250px|thumb|It's not just fans who dislike [[gimmick]]s.]]
Below, Prowl and Wheeljack are investigating reports of Decepticon activity. They bemoan how in their day things were simple, but since being revived, {{storylink|Perchance to Dream}} they find the new era chaotic with Transformers with [[Headmaster (technology)|little men for heads]] [[Targetmaster|or guns]], [[Pretender|with outer humanoid shells]], [[Powermaster|with little men for engines]], [[Targetmaster|Double Targetmasters]], [[Micromaster|Micromasters]] and more. It all confuses Prowl, who wishes for some good old-fashioned [[Decepticon |Decepticons]].
Below, [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] are investigating reports of [[Decepticon]] activity. They bemoan how in their day things were simple, but since being revived, they find the new era chaotic with Transformers with [[Headmaster (technology)|little men for heads]] [[Targetmaster|or guns]], [[Pretender|with outer humanoid shells]], [[Powermaster|with little men for engines]], [[Targetmaster|Double Targetmasters]], [[Micromaster]]s, and more. It all confuses Prowl, who wishes for some good old-fashioned Decepticons.


He is not disappointed when the Autobots encounter a patrol made up of Mixmaster and Long Haul. The two [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] give a good fight but are soon subdued. Wheeljack wonders what they were doing out here, and Prowl spots the mountain. They climb to see what is happening at the summit.
He is not disappointed when the Autobots encounter a patrol made up of [[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] and [[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]]. The two [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] give a good fight but are soon subdued. Wheeljack wonders what they were doing out here, and Prowl spots the mountain. They climb to see what is happening at the summit.


At the top, they don't find the Microheadtargetmaster with a Pretender shell that Wheeljack was expecting, but instead Megatron! The ex-[[Decepticon]] leader is about to launch a rocket that will release gases to trap the Sun's heat and raise the Earth's temperature, making it easier to generate [[Energon (fuel)|Energon]]. He is unconcerned that the side effect will be global warming, melting the polar ice caps and widespread flooding. Prowl and Wheeljack whisper that they have to stop Megatron, despite facing overwhelming odds and certain death. "Just like old times!"
At the top, they don't find the Microheadtargetmaster with a Pretender shell that Wheeljack was expecting, but instead [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]! The ex-[[Decepticon]] leader is about to launch a rocket that will release gases to trap the [[Sun]]'s heat and raise Earth's temperature, making it easier to generate [[energon]]. He is unconcerned that the side effect will be global warming, melting the polar ice caps and widespread flooding. Prowl and Wheeljack whisper that they have to stop Megatron, despite facing overwhelming odds and certain death. "Just like old times!"


As Wheeljack knocks out the two Stunticons, Prowl leaps forward on the attack...
As Wheeljack knocks out the two Stunticons, Prowl leaps forward on the attack...
{{-}}
{{--}}


==Featured characters==
==Featured characters==
Line 35: Line 35:
* [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] (5)
* [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] (5)
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (6)
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (6)
|c2=
|c2=
* [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] (1)
* [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] (1)
Line 44: Line 45:
}}
}}


==Errors==
==Notes==
* Prowl and Wheeljack talk of many developments as though they've been offline during them. However, both were deactivated during the [[Underbase Saga]], by which time Headmasters, Targetmasters, Pretenders and Powermasters had all been established.
* Prowl mentions the [[Targetmaster|Double Targetmasters]]. However, this particular gimmick was never shown in the comics, although several of the robots appeared without [[Nebulan]] companions.
 
==Items of note==
* Prowl states that Megatron is no longer Decepticon leader. Subsequent issues will demonstrate a bitter [[Decepticon Civil War]] in process.
* Prowl states that Megatron is no longer Decepticon leader. Subsequent issues will demonstrate a bitter [[Decepticon Civil War]] in process.


Line 55: Line 52:
* However, it also contributes to the general continuity nightmare that is the [[Earthforce]] storyline. Megatron's return after the events of "[[Skin Deep]]" is not explained.
* However, it also contributes to the general continuity nightmare that is the [[Earthforce]] storyline. Megatron's return after the events of "[[Skin Deep]]" is not explained.


* Has/Tak has since actually developed [[Rollout (Armada)|a Transformers toy]] that is both a Headmaster and a Targetmaster, as well as ([[Mini-Con|sort of]]) a Micromaster. No Pretender shell, though [[Grand Maximus|an earlier toy]] ''did'' combine that with the Headmaster gimmick.
===Errors===
* Prowl and Wheeljack talk of many developments as though they've been offline during them. However, both were deactivated during the [[Underbase Saga]], by which time Headmasters, Targetmasters, Pretenders and Powermasters had all been established.
* Prowl mentions the [[Targetmaster|Double Targetmasters]]. However, this particular gimmick was never shown in the comics, although several of the robots appeared without [[Nebulan]] companions.


==Real-world references==
===Real-world references===
* The dialogue on the cover of this issue may be a reference to the opening credits of '70s Western television series ''[[wikipedia:Alias Smith and Jones|Alias Smith and Jones]]'', which contained a nearly identical exchange.
* The dialogue on the cover of this issue may be a reference to the opening credits of '70s Western television series ''[[wikipedia:Alias Smith and Jones|Alias Smith and Jones]]'', which contained a nearly identical exchange.


==Reprints==
===Reprints===
*This story was reprinted in the [[Titan Books]] trade paperback "Earthforce".
*2005 — ''[[Transformers: Earthforce]]''




[[Category:Marvel UK issues]]
[[Category:Marvel UK issues]]

Revision as of 22:16, 21 November 2011

The Transformers (UK) #261

First he wants "old-fashioned" Decepticons, then he complains when he gets them. Prick.
"Starting Over!"
Publisher Marvel Comics
First published 10th March 1990
Cover date 17th March 1990
Writer Simon Furman
Art Staz
Letterer Stuart Bartlett
Cover Stephen Baskerville
Continuity Marvel Comics continuity/Earthforce

Prowl and Wheeljack find the good old days aren't as old as they thought...

Synopsis

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

On a mountain in the Arizona desert, an unseen figure orders Soundwave, Drag Strip and Dead End to start the countdown on a rocket to bring the Autobots and humans to their knees.

It's not just fans who dislike gimmicks.

Below, Prowl and Wheeljack are investigating reports of Decepticon activity. They bemoan how in their day things were simple, but since being revived, they find the new era chaotic with Transformers with little men for heads or guns, with outer humanoid shells, with little men for engines, Double Targetmasters, Micromasters, and more. It all confuses Prowl, who wishes for some good old-fashioned Decepticons.

He is not disappointed when the Autobots encounter a patrol made up of Mixmaster and Long Haul. The two Constructicons give a good fight but are soon subdued. Wheeljack wonders what they were doing out here, and Prowl spots the mountain. They climb to see what is happening at the summit.

At the top, they don't find the Microheadtargetmaster with a Pretender shell that Wheeljack was expecting, but instead Megatron! The ex-Decepticon leader is about to launch a rocket that will release gases to trap the Sun's heat and raise Earth's temperature, making it easier to generate energon. He is unconcerned that the side effect will be global warming, melting the polar ice caps and widespread flooding. Prowl and Wheeljack whisper that they have to stop Megatron, despite facing overwhelming odds and certain death. "Just like old times!"

As Wheeljack knocks out the two Stunticons, Prowl leaps forward on the attack...

(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)

Notes

  • Prowl states that Megatron is no longer Decepticon leader. Subsequent issues will demonstrate a bitter Decepticon Civil War in process.
  • This story continues the process of the UK comic going "back to basics" and focusing more on the earliest Transformers, in line with the Classic rereleases in the European toyline at the time.
  • However, it also contributes to the general continuity nightmare that is the Earthforce storyline. Megatron's return after the events of "Skin Deep" is not explained.

Errors

  • Prowl and Wheeljack talk of many developments as though they've been offline during them. However, both were deactivated during the Underbase Saga, by which time Headmasters, Targetmasters, Pretenders and Powermasters had all been established.
  • Prowl mentions the Double Targetmasters. However, this particular gimmick was never shown in the comics, although several of the robots appeared without Nebulan companions.

Real-world references

  • The dialogue on the cover of this issue may be a reference to the opening credits of '70s Western television series Alias Smith and Jones, which contained a nearly identical exchange.

Reprints