The Transformers: Escalation

The name or term "Escalation" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see Escalation (disambiguation).

"This is gonna hurt!"

The Transformers: Escalation is a 6-issue mini-series from IDW Publishing, set in the 2005 IDW continuity. It directly follows the previous mini-series, Stormbringer, as the Transformers' cold war on Earth continues to heat up.

It is issues #11–16 in the IDW overarching "sub-numbering" (shown by a number in an Autobot-sigil shaped shield beside the bar code on each issue), and was originally published between November, 2006 and May, 2007.

«	The Transformers: Escalation issues:	»
#1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6

Overview

The story centers on two plot threads: the activities of the human group known as the Machination, and the Decepticons' attempts to exploit the Ore-13 energon discovered by Starscream in the previous series. The Machination kidnaps Sunstreaker, while Ratchet and Ironhide violate orders to try and find him. The Earth-bound operations of the Autobots and Decepticons come into direct and open conflict as the Decepticons initiate Phase Two and the Autobots attempt to counter it, with Megatron and Optimus Prime going toe to toe in battle. What was, not so long ago, just another skirmish in the cold war between the two alien forces heats up very rapidly.

Creative team

The creative team from Infiltration (writer Simon Furman and penciller E. J. Su) reunited for Escalation. Colors were provided by John Rauch on the first issue, assisted by Zac Atkinson & Aaron Myers, and by Atkinson for the remainder of the series.

Collections

• The Transformers: Escalation (May 23, 2007) ISBN 1600100848 / ISBN 978-1600100840
  • Collects Escalation issues #1–6.
  • Bonus material includes images of each colored cover and character sketches by E.J. Su.
  • Trade paperback format. It bears the number #3 on its side.

• The Transformers: Greatest Battles of Optimus Prime and Megatron (June 6, 2007) ISBN 1600100708 / ISBN 978-1600100703
  • Collects The Transformers (1984) issues #4: "The Last Stand" & #24: "Afterdeath!", Generation 2 #6: "The Gathering Darkness", Armada #5, The War Within #4, The Animated Movie #1: "The Gathering Storm", and Escalation #5.
  • Trade paperback format.

• The Transformers: The Premiere Collection Volume 1 (December 5, 2007) ISBN 1600101186 / ISBN 978-1600101182
  • Collects Infiltration issues #0–6, Stormbringer issues #1–4, Escalation issues #1–6, and Spotlight: Shockwave, Nightbeat, Hot Rod, Sixshot & Ultra Magnus.
  • Hardcover format.

• The Transformers: The IDW Collection Volume Two (October 6, 2010) ISBN 978-1600107511
  • Collects Stormbringer issues #1–4, Escalation issues #1–6, and Spotlight: Sixshot, Ramjet, Ultra Magnus, Kup, Mirage & Optimus Prime.
  • Hardcover format.

• The Transformers: Phase One Omnibus (September 10, 2014) ISBN 1631401130 / ISBN 978-1631401138
  • Smaller-sized collection of Infiltration issues #0–6, Escalation issues #1–6, and Devastation issues #1–6.
  • Trade paperback format.

• The Transformers: The IDW Collection Compendium, Vol. 1 (July 6, 2016) ISBN 163140637X / ISBN 978-1631406379
  • Collects The IDW Collection One and Two.
  • Trade paperback format.

• 
  Escalation – cover art by E. J. Su
• 
  The Greatest Battles of Optimus Prime and Megatron – cover art by Don Figueroa and Josh Burcham.
• 
  The Premiere Collection Volume 1 – cover art by Klaus Scherwinski
• 
  The IDW Collection Volume Two – cover art by E. J. Su
• 
  Phase One Omnibus – cover art by Klaus Scherwinski
• 
  The IDW Collection Compendium, Vol. 1 – cover art by Jeffrey Veregge

• Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection: Volume 37: Escalation (March 8, 2017)
  • Collects Escalation issues #1–6, and Spotlight Sixshot & Ultra Magnus.
  • Bonus material includes Sketches by E. J. Su, bios on IDW Ultra Magnus & IDW Sixshot, an article on creating the IDW Spotlights, and an interview with Su.
  • Hardcover format.

• 
  The Definitive G1 Collection: Volume 37: Escalation – cover art by Don Figueroa (Starscream) and E. J. Su (retro)

International Printings

Spain

Transformers: Escalation was translated and released in Spain by NORMA Editorial and released under the name Confrontación; the reason for this name change is unclear, as other Transformers series translated by NORMA Editorial either retained their English titles or had their English titles directly translated over.

• ISBN 978-84-9847-539-5