External Forces!
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| "External Forces!" | |||||||||||||
| Publisher | Marvel Comics | ||||||||||||
| First published | 25th August 1990 | ||||||||||||
| Cover date | 1st September 1990 | ||||||||||||
| Writer | Simon Furman | ||||||||||||
| Pencils | Pete Knifton | ||||||||||||
| Inks | Pete Venters | ||||||||||||
| Lettering | Julie Hughes | ||||||||||||
| Continuity | Marvel Comics continuity/Earthforce | ||||||||||||
Starscream and Soundwave fight as the true plotters are revealed...
Synopsis
Starscream returns to the Decepticon base and attacks Soundwave, demanding to know why he hired the assassins. Soundwave denies doing so and, via a prerecorded message to allow him time to fight, explains that, although he had ample reason, if he had wanted Starscream dead he would have either made it look like an accident or employed professionals—employing amateurs is not his method. Starscream agrees, and they ponder who would benefit the most if one or both died. But before they can think further, the base is invaded by Bludgeon, Octopunch, and Stranglehold. They have been sent to kill the survivor, but realise they can now charge double.
Outside, a squad of Autobots observes the new arrivals and realise it complicates their plans to capture Starscream alive. However, this is at odds with the plans of two further arrivals—Megatron and Shockwave!
Featured characters
(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)
| Autobots | Decepticons |
|---|---|
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Quotes
Notes
Artwork and technical errors
- Despite knowing that a furious Starscream will come after him, Soundwave is not wearing his shoulder cannon.
Continuity errors
Continuity notes
- When Prowl gets frustrated with Grimlock, he literally thinks of a brick.
Real-life references
Other trivia
Back-up material
- Additional Transformers story: "Kings of the Wild Frontier."
- Other strips: G.I. Joe the Action Force - "Into the Breach" and Combat Colin
- AtoZ: Trailbreaker and Trypticon
Covers (2)
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Issue #285 -
Fallen Star
- Issue #285 cover: Starscream prepares to destroy Soundwave, by Stewart Johnson.
- Fallen Star cover: Megatron and Shockwave wrestle at Memphis Airport, also by Stewart Johnson.
