Transformers I.Q. issue 8

« Transformers I.Q. »
Publisher	Fun Publications
Published in	Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club #50
First published	April/May2013
Script	Jesse Wittenrich
Art	various
Continuity	TransTech

More about Beast Mode Transformers, and an review over the Predacon Starscream.

Synopsis

I-QUEUE notes that there are a wide variety of beast mode Transformers, with origins as diverse as their forms, and proceeds to explore some of these categories of beasts:

1. From which genetics laboratory did the Predacons steal the DNA for their beast modes? A. Cyberdine Industries B. Sumdac Tower C. Fusion Building D. Griffin Bacal Facility

2. How did the Cyborg Beasts-Dirgegun, Thrustor, Hellscream, and Max-B-gain their forms? A. A DNA scanner malfunction B. An alien experiment C. Side effects from a TransWarp Wave D. Exposure to the Angolmois Energy

3. Before Megatron turned them into Mutants, what type of Transformer did Icebird, Poison Bite, Razor Claw, and Soundwave use to be? A. Transmetals B. Fuzors C. Animorphs D. Synthoids

4. Who constructed the Datasphere, AKA the Transmetal driver, which was used to evolve Transmetals into Transmetals 2? A. The Vok B. Tarantulas C. Megatron D. Rhinox

5. How was the Beast Changer, AKA Noble/Savage, created? A. Attempts by Megatron to purge his beast form B. Megatron's Transformation virus C. Technology salvaged from the Vok D. An Angolmois Capsule.

After this, I-QUEUE goes into the history of one of the Cyborg Beasts, Hellscream of Primax 498.1 Alpha. Originally known as Starscream, he was like most to bear the name; his loyalty to Galvatron strained by his desire to move up the chain of command. After upgrading into Hellscream, his lust for power remained, and continued to covet Predacon leadership, despite his many failures and derision from his commanders.

Featured characters

(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)

TransTech A.I.
I-QUEUE (1)

Notes

Transformers references

• The first question goes over the events from the "Optimus Primal vs Megatron! pack-in comic", available with the Basic class versus pack of Optimus Primal and Megatron, using a panel of Megatron standing over bat-mode Optimus from the comic (art by unknown). Set in the original Beast Wars toy bio continuity, setting the action on 1990's Earth, the correct answer for this question is C. Sumdac Tower comes from Transformers: Animated, while Griffin Bacal was an advertising agency that worked on developing the original The Transformers toyline.
• The second question goes over the Cyborg Beast from Beast Wars II, using a screencap of Thrustor and Max-B from "Lio Convoy in Imminent Danger!". The correct answer is D; malfunctioning DNA scanners was the origin for the Fuzors, and the Transwarp wave was caused by Optimus Primal destroying the Planet Buster in Beast Wars season 1 finale, "Other Voices, Part 2".
• The Mutant's backstory was seen in their packaging bios, which explained they were originally Fuzors. The question is illustrated with a panel from Transformers: Enter the Wreckers issue #2 (pencils by Dan Khanna, inks by Chuck Gibson, Terry Pallot, and Hi-Fi Design, colors by Hi-Fi Design), as the Sharkticons prepare to feast on them. Animorphs was a Transformers toyline based on the young adult series of novellas, and the Mutants were originally designed for said toyline. Synthoids, meanwhile, were artificial humans created by Cobra in the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero cartoon, which would later be seen in various piece of Transformers fiction, including season 3 The Transformers episode "Only Human".
• Question 4 is illustrated with a screencap of the Transmetal Driver from Beast Wars episode "Crossing the Rubicon". The Vok are the creators of the device; their name for it, the Datasphere, was revealed in the "Primeval Dawn" back-up stories of the 3H Wreckers comics.
• Question 5 is illustrated with Beast Machines Noble from "Savage Noble". The "Beast Changer" moniker comes from his toy, which had to use the name Beast Changer due to trademark reasons. The correct answer is A.
• The trivia bonus goes over the history of Beast Wars II Starscream/Hellscream, describing his exploits from the cartoon, which is given the universal stream designation of Primax 498.1 Alpha. The question is illustrated with art of Starscream from volume 6 of the Beast Wars II DVDs (art by Takahiro Yamada), and a variety screencaps, including: Starscream with Copy Convoy, from "The Black Lio Convoy"; Starscream laughing from "Bighorn's Rage"; Starscream in the forest from "Galvatron Rampages"; and two screencaps of Hellscream from "Lio Convoy in Imminent Danger!"

Real-world references

• Cyberdine Industries is a reference to Cyberdyne Systems, creators of Skynet from the Terminator films.

Errors

• Cyberdine should be spelt "Cyberdyne".
• The Transwarp wave probably meant to refer to the Quantum surge instead, which upgraded some of the Maximals and Predacons into Transmetals.