Prey!

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The name or term "Prey" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see Prey (disambiguation).
« The Transformers (UK) #96–97 »

You know, we should get our own show!
"Prey!"
Publisher Marvel Comics
Cover date 17th January–24th January 1987
Writer Simon Furman
Art Will Simpson (96), Jeff Anderson (97)
Colours Steve White
Lettering Annie Halfacree
Editor Ian Rimmer
Continuity Marvel Comics continuity

Prime decides to fake his death, but Megatron plans to make it all too real.

Synopsis

Following his return from the Limbo dimension, Optimus Prime is disconcerted that the Autobots were so lost without him that they were prepared to forge an alliance with Megatron in order to defeat Galvatron. Afraid that they would be unable to cope if anything happened to him in the future, he decides to test them by faking his own death so that he can observe how they cope. Taking Wheeljack into his confidence, Prime has a facsimile construct made of himself; he then tells the Autobots that he is going out alone on a reconnaissance mission to the Decepticon base, much to their consternation. He plans to destroy his duplicate and send a distress call to the Autobots, who will arrive and discover his "body".

Meanwhile, Megatron has become increasingly paranoid about Optimus Prime, even attacking his own troops who dare to suggest that they will be able to defeat the Autobot leader. Alarmed by Megatron's behavior, Soundwave, who is acting as a double agent working for Shockwave to overthrow Megatron, decides it might be time to remove Megatron for good. He persuades Megatron to call in the Predacons from Cybertron to weaken Optimus Prime, so that Megatron may close in for the kill.

Sometime later, while looking for a suitable place to set up his deception, Optimus Prime is attacked by the Predacons. Taken by surprise, he struggles to throw off his pursuers. However, they gradually wear him down until, exhausted, they corner him and close in for the kill.

A short time later, concerned that they haven't heard from their leader, the Autobots set out in search and are aghast to discover his body has been torn to shreds.

(Characters in italic text appear only on video screens or in flashbacks.)
(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)

Autobots Decepticons Facsimile constructs
  • Optimus Prime (33)

Quotes

"Without me to lead them, they were forced to deplorable lengths to defeat the future Decepticon - Galvatron. I still find it hard to believe they actually forged an alliance with Megatron - our mortal foe. Time and again, through errors of judgement and blind stupidity, they were defeated. It makes me shudder to think how close Galvatron came to total victory!"

—Optimus doesn't have a lot of confidence in his Autobots.

Notes

Artwork and technical errors

Continuity errors

Continuity notes

  • This is the first part of a story arc that continues in "...The Harder They Die!", "Under Fire!", "Distant Thunder!" and "Resurrection!".
  • In part 1, Optimus Prime is reviewing events on large monitor screens showing scenes from "Target: 2006" and "Aerialbots over America!" He also flashes back to "Decepticon Graffiti!".
  • It is very convenient that Optimus Prime should choose to go out alone at the exact time that Megatron concocts a plan that requires Prime to be alone.
  • Possibly the most Optimus centric story in the UK and US comics up to this point ("Crisis of Command!" comes second). Throughout the story arc Prime repeatedly talks about self-sacrifice - something that would he would have to end up acting upon in the next US story.

Real-life references

Other trivia

Back-up material

Issue #96:

Issue #97:

  • Back-up strips: Spitfire and the Troubleshooters - "Counterattack" Part 3 and Robo-Capers
  • This Robo-Capers strip featured Transformers who didn't quite make the grade.

Covers (9)

  • Issue #96
    Issue #96
  • Issue #97
    Issue #97
  • Collected Comics #12 - the first Collected Comics without a reused cover image.
    Collected Comics #12 - the first Collected Comics without a reused cover image.
  • Transformers Comic-Magazin #7: "Prey" with 100% extra children!
    Transformers Comic-Magazin #7: "Prey" with 100% extra children!
  • Issue #96 cover: Optimus Prime attacked by an unseen assailant, by Jeff Anderson.
  • Issue #97 cover: Predacons charging, by Geoff Senior.
  • Collected Comics #12 cover: the Predacons surround Optimus, by Jeff Anderson.
  • Transformers Comic-Magazin #7 cover: Optimus Prime being attacked by miscolored Predacons.
  • Prey TPB cover: Optimus Prime staves off Razorclaw while Ultra Magnus broods, by Lee Sullivan.
  • Best of UK: Prey #1 regular cover: Predaking prepares to stomp on Optimus Prime, by Andrew Griffith.
  • Best of UK: Prey #1 RI cover: cropped image of the first page of part 1.
  • Best of UK: Prey TPB cover: reuse of this issue's regular cover.
  • The Transformers Classics UK Volume 3: Impactor, Megatron vs Guardian, Straxus's head, Xaaron, Galvatron riding Ultra Magnus and Outback, by Andrew Wildman.

Reprints

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