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maximum dinobots|transformers maximum dinobots|transformers: maximum dinobots|the transformers maximum dinobots|the transformers: maximum dinobots=The Transformers: Maximum Dinobots
premierecollection|premiere collection|the transformers: the premiere collection=The Transformers: The Premiere Collection
all hail megatron|transformers all hail megatron|transformers: all hail megatron|the transformers all hail megatron|the transformers: all hail megatron=The Transformers: All Hail Megatron
the idw collection|the transformers: the idw collection=The Transformers: The IDW Collection
the transformers|the transformers (ongoing)=The Transformers (IDW)|The Transformers vol. 1
wreckers|last stand of the wreckers|transformers last stand of the wreckers|transformers: last stand of the wreckers|the transformers last stand of the wreckers|the transformers: last stand of the wreckers=The Transformers: Last Stand of the Wreckers
the idw collection|g.i. joe: the idw collection=G.I. Joe: The IDW Collection
infestation=Infestation (IDW)|Infestation
infestation 2=Infestation 2
heart of darkness|transformers heart of darkness|transformers: heart of darkness|the transformers heart of darkness|the transformers: heart of darkness=The Transformers: Heart of Darkness
tdoop|death of optimus prime|the death of optimus prime|transformers: the death of optimus prime=Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime
more than meets the eye|transformers: more than meets the eye|the transformers: more than meets the eye=The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye
robots in disguise|transformers: robots in disguise=The Transformers: Robots in Disguise
dark cybertron=Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Cybertron
drift:eos|drift: empire of stone|transformers drift: empire of stone|transformers: drift: empire of stone|the transformers drift: empire of stone|drift: empire of stone=The Transformers: Drift - Empire of Stone
the transformers: windblade=The Transformers: Windblade
sins of the wreckers|transformers sins of the wreckers|transformers: sins of the wreckers|the transformers sins of the wreckers|the transformers: sins of the wreckers=The Transformers: Sins of the Wreckers
gijoe5|gijoevol5|g.i. joe vol. 5|gi joe vol 5=G.I. Joe vol. 5
hasbro heroes sourcebook=Hasbro Heroes Sourcebook
micronauts=Micronauts (comic)|Micronauts
wrath of karza|micronauts wrath of karza|micronauts: wrath of karza=Micronauts: Wrath of Karza
first strike=First Strike
ROM
rom dire wraiths|rom: dire wraiths=Rom: Dire Wraiths
romamn|rom&mn|rom and the micronauts|rom & the micronauts=Rom & the Micronauts
rom vs transformers|shining armor|rom vs. transformers|rom vs transformers: shining armor|rom vs transformers: shining armor=Rom vs. Transformers: Shining Armor
m.a.s.k.|m. a. s. k.|mask mobile armored strike kommand|m.a.s.k. mobile armored strike kommand|mask: mobile armored strike kommand|m.a.s.k.: mobile armored strike command=M.A.S.K.: Mobile Armored Strike Kommand
scarletts strike force|scarlett's strike force=Scarlett's Strike Force
transformers vs visionaries|transformers vs. visionaries=Transformers vs. Visionaries
requiem of the wreckers|transformers requiem of the wreckers|transformers: requiem of the wreckers=Transformers: Requiem of the Wreckers
war for cybertron|warforcybertron|transformers: war for cybertron|transformers: war for cybertron (comic)=Transformers: War for Cybertron (comic)
fall of cybertron|fallofcybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron (comic)=Transformers: Fall of Cybertron (comic)
transformers: prime|transformers: prime (comic)=Transformers: Prime (graphic novel)
prime adaptation|transformers: prime (comic series)=Transformers: Prime (comic series)
primerage|ragedinobots|rage of the dinobots|rageofthedinobots|primeragedinobots|transformers prime: rage of the dinobots=Transformers Prime: Rage of the Dinobots
fulloffire|full of fire|full of fire!=Full of Fire!
rid2015|robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015 comic)=Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 comic)
{{{series}}}
[[{{#switch:{{{series}}}
war for cybertron|warforcybertron|transformers: war for cybertron|transformers: war for cybertron (comic)=Transformers: War for Cybertron (comic)
fall of cybertron|fallofcybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron (comic)=Transformers: Fall of Cybertron (comic)
transformers: prime|transformers: prime (comic)=Transformers: Prime (graphic novel)
prime adaptation|transformers: prime (comic series)=Transformers: Prime (comic series)
primerage|ragedinobots|rage of the dinobots|rageofthedinobots|primeragedinobots|transformers prime: rage of the dinobots=Transformers Prime: Rage of the Dinobots
fulloffire|full of fire|full of fire!=Full of Fire!
rid2015|robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015 comic)=Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 comic)
#| }}{{#if: |issues:}}{{#ifeq: | Category
[[Category:IDW {{#switch:{{#switch:{{{series}}}
war for cybertron|warforcybertron|transformers: war for cybertron|transformers: war for cybertron (comic)=Transformers: War for Cybertron (comic)
fall of cybertron|fallofcybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron (comic)=Transformers: Fall of Cybertron (comic)
transformers: prime|transformers: prime (comic)=Transformers: Prime (graphic novel)
prime adaptation|transformers: prime (comic series)=Transformers: Prime (comic series)
primerage|ragedinobots|rage of the dinobots|rageofthedinobots|primeragedinobots|transformers prime: rage of the dinobots=Transformers Prime: Rage of the Dinobots
fulloffire|full of fire|full of fire!=Full of Fire!
rid2015|robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015 comic)=Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 comic)
{{{series}}}}}
{{#switch:prime
war for cybertron|warforcybertron|transformers: war for cybertron|transformers: war for cybertron (comic)=Transformers: War for Cybertron (comic)
fall of cybertron|fallofcybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron (comic)=Transformers: Fall of Cybertron (comic)
transformers: prime|transformers: prime (comic)=Transformers: Prime (graphic novel)
prime adaptation|transformers: prime (comic series)=Transformers: Prime (comic series)
primerage|ragedinobots|rage of the dinobots|rageofthedinobots|primeragedinobots|transformers prime: rage of the dinobots=Transformers Prime: Rage of the Dinobots
fulloffire|full of fire|full of fire!=Full of Fire!
rid2015|robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015 comic)=Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 comic)
{{#switch:primeadaptation
war for cybertron|warforcybertron|transformers: war for cybertron|transformers: war for cybertron (comic)=Transformers: War for Cybertron (comic)
fall of cybertron|fallofcybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron (comic)=Transformers: Fall of Cybertron (comic)
transformers: prime|transformers: prime (comic)=Transformers: Prime (graphic novel)
prime adaptation|transformers: prime (comic series)=Transformers: Prime (comic series)
primerage|ragedinobots|rage of the dinobots|rageofthedinobots|primeragedinobots|transformers prime: rage of the dinobots=Transformers Prime: Rage of the Dinobots
fulloffire|full of fire|full of fire!=Full of Fire!
rid2015|robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015 comic)=Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 comic)
{{#switch:ragedinobots
war for cybertron|warforcybertron|transformers: war for cybertron|transformers: war for cybertron (comic)=Transformers: War for Cybertron (comic)
fall of cybertron|fallofcybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron (comic)=Transformers: Fall of Cybertron (comic)
transformers: prime|transformers: prime (comic)=Transformers: Prime (graphic novel)
prime adaptation|transformers: prime (comic series)=Transformers: Prime (comic series)
primerage|ragedinobots|rage of the dinobots|rageofthedinobots|primeragedinobots|transformers prime: rage of the dinobots=Transformers Prime: Rage of the Dinobots
fulloffire|full of fire|full of fire!=Full of Fire!
rid2015|robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015 comic)=Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 comic)
ragedinobots}}=Prime
{{#switch:rid2015
war for cybertron|warforcybertron|transformers: war for cybertron|transformers: war for cybertron (comic)=Transformers: War for Cybertron (comic)
fall of cybertron|fallofcybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron (comic)=Transformers: Fall of Cybertron (comic)
transformers: prime|transformers: prime (comic)=Transformers: Prime (graphic novel)
prime adaptation|transformers: prime (comic series)=Transformers: Prime (comic series)
primerage|ragedinobots|rage of the dinobots|rageofthedinobots|primeragedinobots|transformers prime: rage of the dinobots=Transformers Prime: Rage of the Dinobots
fulloffire|full of fire|full of fire!=Full of Fire!
rid2015|robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015)|transformers: robots in disguise (2015 comic)=Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 comic)
rid2015}}=Robots in Disguise (2015)
{{#switch:{{{series}}}
war for cybertron|warforcybertron|transformers: war for cybertron|transformers: war for cybertron (comic)=War for Cybertron
fall of cybertron|fallofcybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron|transformers: fall of cybertron (comic)=Fall of Cybertron
transformers: prime|transformers: prime (comic)|primeadaptation|prime adaptation|transformers: prime (comic series)=Prime
primerage|ragedinobots|rage of the dinobots|rageofthedinobots|primeragedinobots|transformers prime: rage of the dinobots=Prime – Rage of the Dinobots
maximum dinobots|transformers maximum dinobots|transformers: maximum dinobots|the transformers maximum dinobots|the transformers: maximum dinobots=The Transformers: Maximum Dinobots
premierecollection|premiere collection|the transformers: the premiere collection=The Transformers: The Premiere Collection
all hail megatron|transformers all hail megatron|transformers: all hail megatron|the transformers all hail megatron|the transformers: all hail megatron=The Transformers: All Hail Megatron
the idw collection|the transformers: the idw collection=The Transformers: The IDW Collection
the transformers|the transformers (ongoing)=The Transformers (IDW)|The Transformers vol. 1
wreckers|last stand of the wreckers|transformers last stand of the wreckers|transformers: last stand of the wreckers|the transformers last stand of the wreckers|the transformers: last stand of the wreckers=The Transformers: Last Stand of the Wreckers
the idw collection|g.i. joe: the idw collection=G.I. Joe: The IDW Collection
infestation=Infestation (IDW)|Infestation
infestation 2=Infestation 2
heart of darkness|transformers heart of darkness|transformers: heart of darkness|the transformers heart of darkness|the transformers: heart of darkness=The Transformers: Heart of Darkness
tdoop|death of optimus prime|the death of optimus prime|transformers: the death of optimus prime=Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime
more than meets the eye|transformers: more than meets the eye|the transformers: more than meets the eye=The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye
robots in disguise|transformers: robots in disguise=The Transformers: Robots in Disguise
dark cybertron=Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Cybertron
drift:eos|drift: empire of stone|transformers drift: empire of stone|transformers: drift: empire of stone|the transformers drift: empire of stone|drift: empire of stone=The Transformers: Drift - Empire of Stone
the transformers: windblade=The Transformers: Windblade
sins of the wreckers|transformers sins of the wreckers|transformers: sins of the wreckers|the transformers sins of the wreckers|the transformers: sins of the wreckers=The Transformers: Sins of the Wreckers
gijoe5|gijoevol5|g.i. joe vol. 5|gi joe vol 5=G.I. Joe vol. 5
hasbro heroes sourcebook=Hasbro Heroes Sourcebook
micronauts=Micronauts (comic)|Micronauts
wrath of karza|micronauts wrath of karza|micronauts: wrath of karza=Micronauts: Wrath of Karza
first strike=First Strike
ROM
rom dire wraiths|rom: dire wraiths=Rom: Dire Wraiths
romamn|rom&mn|rom and the micronauts|rom & the micronauts=Rom & the Micronauts
rom vs transformers|shining armor|rom vs. transformers|rom vs transformers: shining armor|rom vs transformers: shining armor=Rom vs. Transformers: Shining Armor
m.a.s.k.|m. a. s. k.|mask mobile armored strike kommand|m.a.s.k. mobile armored strike kommand|mask: mobile armored strike kommand|m.a.s.k.: mobile armored strike command=M.A.S.K.: Mobile Armored Strike Kommand
scarletts strike force|scarlett's strike force=Scarlett's Strike Force
transformers vs visionaries|transformers vs. visionaries=Transformers vs. Visionaries
requiem of the wreckers|transformers requiem of the wreckers|transformers: requiem of the wreckers=Transformers: Requiem of the Wreckers
maximum dinobots|transformers maximum dinobots|transformers: maximum dinobots|the transformers maximum dinobots|maximum dinobots=Maximum Dinobots
all hail megatron|transformers all hail megatron|transformers: all hail megatron|the transformers all hail megatron|all hail megatron=All Hail Megatron
the transformers|the transformers (ongoing)|the transformers (idw)=IDW The Transformers
wreckers|last stand of the wreckers|transformers last stand of the wreckers|transformers: last stand of the wreckers|the transformers last stand of the wreckers|last stand of the wreckers=Last Stand of the Wreckers
transformers drift|transformers: drift|the transformers drift|drifteos|drift:eos|drift: empire of stone|transformers drift: empire of stone|transformers: drift: empire of stone|the transformers drift: empire of stone|drift: empire of stone|transformers drift: origins and empires|transformers drift: origins & empires|origins and empires|origins & empires=Drift
heart of darkness|transformers heart of darkness|transformers: heart of darkness|the transformers heart of darkness|heart of darkness=Heart of Darkness
tdoop|death of optimus prime|the death of optimus prime|transformers: the death of optimus prime=The Death of Optimus Prime
more than meets the eye|transformers: more than meets the eye=IDW More than Meets the Eye
robots in disguise|transformers: robots in disguise|ongoing2|exrid|the transformers (idw) vol. 2=IDW Robots in Disguise (2012)
dark cybertron=Dark Cybertron
the transformers: windblade|windblade2|windblade2015|the transformers: windblade vol. 2|the transformers: windblade (2015)=Windblade
transformers vs gi joe|transformers vs. g.i. joe=Transformers vs. G.I. Joe
sotw|wreckers2|sins of the wreckers|transformers sins of the wreckers|transformers: sins of the wreckers|the transformers sins of the wreckers|the transformers: sins of the wreckers=Sins of the Wreckers
lost light|transformers lost light|the transformers lost light|transformers: lost light|the transformers: lost light=Lost Light
till all are one|Till All Are One|transformers till all are one|transformers: till all are one|the transformers till all are one|the transformers: till all are one=Till All Are One
revolution=Revolution
revolutionaries=Revolutionaries
action man=Action Man
gijoe5|g.i. joe vol 5|g.i. joe vol. 5|g.i. joe volume 5|g.i. joe (vol. 5)|g.i. joe (volume 5)=G.I. Joe vol. 5
g.i. joe idw collection=G.I. Joe: The IDW Collection
first strike=First Strike
hasbro heroes sourcebook=Hasbro Heroes Sourcebook
micronauts=Micronauts
wrath of karza|micronauts wrath of karza|micronauts: wrath of karza=Micronauts: Wrath of Karza
rom=ROM
rom dire wraiths|rom: dire wraiths=Rom: Dire Wraiths
romamn|rom&mn|rom and the micronauts|rom & the micronauts=Rom & the Micronauts
rom vs transformers|shining armor|rom vs. transformers|rom vs transformers: shining armor|rom vs. transformers: shining armor=Rom vs. Transformers: Shining Armor
m.a.s.k.|m. a. s. k.|mask mobile armored strike kommand|m.a.s.k. mobile armored strike kommand|mask: mobile armored strike kommand|m.a.s.k.: mobile armored strike command=M.A.S.K.: Mobile Armored Strike Kommand
scarletts strike force|scarlett's strike force=Scarlett's Strike Force
transformers vs visionaries|transformers vs. visionaries=Transformers vs. Visionaries
requiem of the wreckers|transformers requiem of the wreckers|transformers: requiem of the wreckers=Requiem of the Wreckers
{{#if: "I'm sorry, Earth is closed today. You better pack it up and get outta here." | "I'm sorry, Earth is closed today. You better pack it up and get outta here."}}}}
In deep space, aboard the Peaceful Revolution, Prowl regards a stone sculpture of Unicron and swears aloud that he will stop the planet-eater's rampage. Stardrive enters to inform him that contact has been lost with Cybertron—but Prowl merely remarks that Unicron is behind schedule. Prowl has already concluded that the loss of Cybertron was inevitable, and that the Transformers' last stand will come on Earth.
Meanwhile, on that very planet, the forces of G.I. Joe gather at a field headquarters in Trinity Bay, Texas. Aware of the attacks on Cybertron's colony planets, Scarlett fears that the recent assault on the Joes' Lemuria base by the Maximals is evidence that Earth is next on the list. Still incarcerated after his attempted invasion of Cybertron, Joe Colton reminds Scarlett and the President of the Talisman, suggesting it is what they need to protect Earth.
On Cybertron, Windblade puts her plan into motion. She and Ironhide visit New Prysmos and inform the Visionaries of Shockwave's plan and the danger of Unicron, and appeal to them for help. Recalling how the Talisman was able to move New Prysmos from underground to Cybertron's surface, Leoric suggests that its magics maybe be able to move the Cybertronian populace elsewhere as well...
All hope seems lost as Unicron begins physically tearing Cybertron to shreds, but salvation arrives as a ribbon of the Talisman's magic begins racing across the planet, teleporting everyone it touches away to safety. Blurr uses his super-speed to rescue other 'bots from the destruction exploding around them, hurling them into the magical light to save them—but he isn't fast enough to save himself, and perishes as the very ground explodes beneath his feet.
Unaware of Windblade's gambit, Optimus Prime believes the end has come. Shockwave calmly encourages him to have MetroplexSpace Bridge to Earth, promising that what few survivors the Titan can bring him with him will have a place in the new empire he intends to build there... whereupon the cyclopean Decepticon teleports himself away, having always been ready for this moment. Looking out over the crumbling city, Optimus spots the magic saving the rest of the populace. After ordering Aileron to have Metroplex bridge out, Prime leaps into the magical light and disappears as well.
"You should’ve gone for the head."
In orbit above, Unicron pauses from dismembering the planet long enough to finally turn its attention toward the Cybertronian fleet, whom the magic has not yet reached. And it seems that it never will reach them, as Unicron begins swatting ships out of the sky... until, in one last, defiant sacrifice play, Elita One crashes the flaming remains of Carcer directly into the chaos-bringer's face. The respite is momentary, but the time Elita has bought proves enough for the magic to reach the surviving members of the fleet and whisk them away. Left alone, Unicron finally rends Cybertron in two, and with the planet's death, the stars in surrounding space begin to wink out once more...
Shockwave reappears on Earth in Toronto, Canada, with his Maximals servants Rhinox, Optimus Primal, and Beast Megatron, and orders them to scour the city clean in preparation for the arrival of Bludgeon and the Decepticon fleet. News of the attack soon reaches the Decepticons' Sanctuary Station, but only moments later, Bludgeon's fleet appears and opens fire on the orbiting commune, their loyalties having shifted from Shockwave to Unicron itself. As the station's residents begin to evacuate, Cosmos announces his intent to stay and fight to cover their escape, confident that Optimus Prime will save the day. Laserbeak is incredulous, but Buzzsaw reminds him of what Soundwave has always taught them: that some things must be taken on faith. Together with Sky-Byte, Cosmos and the two birds fly out to meet the attacking Decepticon forces... and one by one, are summarily cut down, sacrificing their lives so that Sanctuary's inhabitants have a chance to survive.
"This will be the end of Cybertron." "Then it will be the noblest ending in history."
Minutes later, all too late, the Peaceful Revolution appears as well, and Stardrive plunges into the middle of the Maximal horde, using her Dire Wraith powers to slaughter her way through them. But even Stardrive's belief that she and her allies have a chance to win falters when Unicron materializes behind them...
Down on Earth, Shockwave is aghast to realize that Unicron has survived the destruction of Cybertron, concluding that this has only been made possible by the removal of the Talisman from the planet. He is correct; the ancient device now rests in the fields of Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park on the Zambia-Zimbabwe border in central Africa, along with Ironhide and Windblade. Seeing that they are alone, Windblade believes they have failed, but a second later, all the other survivors of Cybertron rescued by the Talisman's magic and Metroplex's Space Bridge (save for the Visionaries, who have mysteriously vanished) appear in a flash of light. Amid happy reunions, Optimus congratulates Windblade on saving everyone—but Starscream is full of nothing but complaints and bitterness, earning him a sock on the jaw from Arcee to shut him up. Prowl radios Optimus to alert him to Unicron's approach, and Prime vows that he will find a way to stop the monster planet and save the Earth.
"We've lost contact with Cybertron."
"Already? Is it five o'clock?"
—Stardrive sets up that trademark Prowl prickery
"For an instant, I was worried—what if the magic was just disintegrating everybody? But it's like what Soundwave was always saying after three or four engex cocktails... you have to take some things on faith."
—Blurr
"You think you can swat us like Insecticons? Well, Unicron—Elita One is no Insecticon!"
—Elita One makes her sacrifice play
"I've lived my whole life alone... I don't care if I die alone, too."
—Cosmos prepares to lay down his life
Laserbeak: "Even if it's hopeless..." Buzzsaw: "We still fight." Cosmos: "You know what, guys—I lied. I'm really glad to finally be part of a crew that sticks together."
The stone sculpture of Unicron was last seen in Prowl's possession in Optimus Prime #14, but first seen way back in Autocracy #12 as one of the artifacts in Zeta Prime's vaults millions of years ago.
Joe Colton is still incarcerated in the same Transformer-scaled energy cell he was locked up in at the end of First Strike, but where that series showed his prison to be on Cybertron, this issue presents him as being in Joe custody on Earth. Assuming this isn't an error, the implicit idea that he was transferred back to his homeworld goes a little way to explaining how Colton's fellow prisoners Destro, Doctor Mindbender, and Tempest all made it back to Earth to appear in Scarlett's Strike Force, though their escape goes unaddressed.
The storytelling gap between First Strike and Transformers vs. Visionaries is also addressed a tiny bit, with the clarification that the Visionaries "appeared" on Cybertron, indicating they were magically teleported in.
As a footnote reminds us, the Talisman raised New Prysmos to the surface of Cybertron in Transformers vs. Visionaries #5. Also, Ironhide makes a remark about Tankor wanting to learn magic, a desire Tankor expressed in that same issue.
A version of Robots in Disguise Strongarm is seen trying to take charge of the panicking crowds on page 4. She was previously established to exist in the IDW universe in Requiem of the Wreckers, but this is the first time she's referred to by name, and is established to have an officious, by-the-book personality that matches her Robots in Disguise counterpart.
Cosmos has been living on Sanctuary Station since The Transformers vol. 2 #55. He most recently appeared in Optimus Prime #12, which intimated he had retired from the Autobots.
Bludgeon explicitly confirms what visuals from last issue implied: that Nemesis has become Unicron's eye. Moreover, it is explained that, in merging with the ship, Unicron has gained a transformation cog, explaining his unexpected transformation to robot mode last issue. Though this suggests he's never had a robot form before (and thus has never had a head for anyone to sculpt a stone statue of), the sculpture does seem to be a more "traditional" Unicron head based on his classic design, which appeared back in Unicron #1 in an imagine spot of the mythical war between Primus and his "opposite". This seems to suggest that Unicron has taken on a form similar to Cybertron's mythical uncreator, though why is unexplained.
Wideload and Sledge turn out to still be alive despite the hacking-up Victorion gave them last issue; seems these new "Maximal-evolved" Decepticons are hardy (though Sledge notes he "still can't feel [his] face").
Optimus foresaw a burning Sanctuary Station falling into Jupiter during his vision in The Transformers vol. 2 #50.
This issue's title, "Road's End", feels like it is deliberately evoking the recurring Transformers series finale title, "End of the Road".
Recurring Beast Wars cameo characters Optimus Primal and Megatron are referred to by name in narrative captions for the first time, revealing that, contrary to our expectations, they do indeed share the names of those two great Cybertronian warriors in this universe — something that isn't completely nonsensical, as the time-travelling Shockwave would have doubtless observed the similarities between the Maximals and his wartime contemporaries! Megatron, in particular, is referred to as "Beast Megatron," which was previously used as a name for the character in the Japanese Robotmasters franchise, to distinguish him from his Generation 1 counterpart.
G.I. Joe's "field headquarters" is based on the Joes' stockade from the original 1980s G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero cartoon, which was itself based upon the "Headquarters Command Center" action figure playset. In front of the HQ, partially obscured by the caption text, is a Killer W.H.A.L.E. vehicle from the same line.
Colton's Prisoner I.D. number is 02021964; February 2, 1964 was the date the original, 12-inch G.I. Joe figures were released.
Blurr's death in this world-ending crossover event is an homage of sorts to DC Comics' [[wikipedia:{{#if:|:}}Flash (DC Comics character)|{{#if:The Flash|The Flash|Flash (DC Comics character)}}]], who famously died in DC's massive world-ending 1986 crossover event, [[wikipedia:{{#if:|:}}Crisis on Infinite Earths|{{#if:||Crisis on Infinite Earths}}]]. Blurr even refers to the events of the story as a "crisis" to sell the reference. Additionally, he calls himself "the fastest Cybertronian alive" in reference to the Flash's well-known "fastest man alive" tagline, and explains his powers as "fun facts", a play on the "Flash Facts" that the Flash used to explain either his powers or a plot point.
Lots of Toronto landmarks appear during Shockwave's attack on the city, in addition to the famous CN Tower. Shockwave and his retinue first materialize on [[wikipedia:{{#if:|:}}Front Street (Toronto)|{{#if:Front Street|Front Street|Front Street (Toronto)}}]], just outside of [[wikipedia:{{#if:|:}}Union Station (Toronto)|{{#if:Union Station|Union Station|Union Station (Toronto)}}]]; the next shot of the city sees the destruction of the city's [[wikipedia:{{#if:|:}}Financial District, Toronto|{{#if:Financial District|Financial District|Financial District, Toronto}}]], including [[wikipedia:{{#if:|:}}First Canadian Place|{{#if:First Canadian Place|First Canadian Place|First Canadian Place}}]] (the "BMO" tower) and the adjacent [[wikipedia:{{#if:|:}}Scotia Plaza|{{#if:Scotia Plaza|Scotia Plaza|Scotia Plaza}}]].
When Windblade and Ironhide materialize on Earth, the latter jokes of them being the only two "in a garden of Earth", obviously referencing the [[wikipedia:{{#if:|:}}Adam and Eve|{{#if:||Adam and Eve}}]] story.
In the third paragraph of the "Story so far" page, "the planet and it's life" should instead use "its".
Continuing an error from last issue, when seen from space, Cybertron is drawn with its classical "city-planet" look, forgetting that most of the globe is actually uninhabitable wilderness at this point in time.
Intended for release in late August as the second two issues of Unicron released that month, this issue arrived a little late in the first week of September.
This issue also includes a four-page Micronauts back-up strip, "Transition", the next in a series of strips serving as "farewells" to the various Hasbro Universe properties as everything heads towards a close. No Transformers appear in the story.
Other backmatter includes the fourth installment in a series of interviews with creators from IDW's past. This issue, it's the Till All Are One creative team of artist Sara Pitre-Durocher and writer Mairghread Scott.
{{#if: "I'm sorry, Earth is closed today. You better pack it up and get outta here." |
