Transformers: The Reign of Starscream
Transformers: The Reign of Starscream is IDW Publishing's five-issue comic series which is their official sequel to the 2007 Transformers live-action movie. It was published monthly (more or less, with several minor delays) from May to August 2008.
While originally not intended to tie in with the sequel film, it has since been tied to the Transformers: Destiny comic, which is a direct prequel to Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.
| « | The Reign of Starscream issues: | » | |
|---|---|---|---|
Overview
[edit]The first issue is mostly a recap of events preceding and during the 2007 movie. Much of the actual story takes place in the very immediate aftermath of the movie, literally spanning only hours for the next two issues, covering an encounter between Starscream and Sector Seven at their Hoover Dam base, followed by his return to the Decepticons' temporary base on Mars. There, the Decepticons are ambushed by a group of Autobots, but the Decepticons are able to kill most of them, with Arcee as the only confirmed survivor.
The remaining two issues might cover a longer timespan; the exact time frame is not stated. Upon his return to Cybertron, Starscream attempts to construct a new AllSpark and solidify his position as Decepticon leader. Arcee and another group of Autobots try to stop him, coinciding with a rebellion among the Decepticons lead by Dreadwing. The final issue ends with Starscream and Dreadwing being sent to Mars. There they have a final face off and Starscream kills Dreadwing.
According to the trade paperback, the story went through four revisions. The first was called Starscream's Revenge and Sam Witwicky was a major character. The second was entitled The Search for Starscream. The last two, which settled on the final title, had Soundwave in a major role and killed off Arcee. Mowry also noted that Rumble, Laserbeak, Ravage, Overkill and Devastator were in the early draft in addition to Soundwave.[1]
Creative team
[edit]The Reign of Starscream was written by Chris Mowry and Chris Ryall, and penciled by Alex Milne.
Screenwriter Roberto Orci publicly expressed his regrets about not having been able to contribute to the comic sequel at all due to time constraints.[2]
Collections
[edit]- The Reign of Starscream TPB (November 19, 2008) ISBN 1600102824 / ISBN 978-1600102820
- Transformers Movie Collection Volume 1 HC (March 17, 2010) ISBN 1600106439
International Printings
[edit]Spain
[edit]Transformers: The Reign Of Starscream was translated and released in Spain by NORMA Editorial.
- ISBN 978-84-9814-964
Notes
[edit]- While some of the toy-only characters from the 2007 movie toyline had previously appeared in prequel comics, The Reign of Starscream notably features almost every character from the line in some capacity. The exceptions are Dropkick, Overcast, Evac, Incinerator, Fracture, Jolt, Inferno, Mudflap, Backtrack, Reverb, and Gunbarrel. Chris Mowry later included all of these characters except Mudflap and Backtrack in his Transformers: Destiny prequels for Revenge of the Fallen.
- Thirty-three of the comic's cast members are given short bios and headshots as backmatter for the trade paperback, which goes some way towards helping the reader tell them apart.
