The Transformers: Maximum Dinobots
Maximum Dinobots is a 5-issue miniseries currently being published by IDW Publishing, set in the primary IDW continuity. It features Scorponok, the Machination, Headmasters, Sunstreaker/Hunter, Hot Rod, Skywatch and the Dynobots.[1]
| The Transformers: Maximum Dinobots issues: |
|---|
| #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 |
Preceded by: Revelation
Followed by: All Hail Megatron
Overview
Scorponok manipulates Grimlock and the Dynobots to cause chaos in Fallon, Nevada so he can send in his Headmasters to save the day. He hopes this would give his company the government contracts to protect against extraterrestrial attacks, and eventually worm his way into the secret levels of society, allowing him to take control of Earth. Hot Rod tracks him down and he is beaten to a pulp for his efforts. Sunstreaker and Hunter are also after the Machination to recover Sunstreaker's real head, which would stop the Headmaster army. Scorponok gives the Dynobots too much mental control and they recover their personalities, but the group is overwhelmed by the Headmaster army until help arrives from the Monsterbots, whom Grimlock contacted earlier. Skywatch's Agent Red activates Shockwave to clean up the mess of several uncontrolled Transformers running about. Shockwave connects with Soundwave (who was rescued from his "owner" by Ravage and Laserbeak) and the two come to an agreement. Sunstreaker makes it into Machination HQ and finds his real head, but is blasted by Scorponok, but not before Hunter escapes. As the Dynobots battle the Machination horde, Hunter pulls the plug on Sunstreaker's head, disabling all of the Headmasters. Scorponok blasts Sludge and declares war on Grimlock and the Dynobots for ruining his plans. Shockwave also arrives on the scene for revenge, but Ultra Magnus, who was alerted by a distress call from Hot Rod, is on his way as well, and ready for a reckoning with Scorponok. Scorponok and Shockwave do battle, while Grimlock attempts to resurrect Sludge, the remaining Dinobots fall back to the Monsterbots' ship, and Hot Rod takes Sludge's SLAGGIN' HUGE energy sword inside the Machination HQ. Meanwhile, Agent Red and Skywatch have reacquired Ravage and Laserbeak. Red is holding off on transmitting the disarm code to the bomb inside Shockwave's head. Back in Dallas, Shockwave gains the upper hand against Scorponok, allowing him to escape. Grimlock, seemingly unable to revive Sludge, futilely tries to kill Scorponok. Enraged, he attacks Shockwave, just as Sludge reawakens. A flashback shows Shockwave instructing Soundwave on getting out of his transformation lock. Meanwhile, the Dinobots arrive back at the ship, and Hot Rod discovers Scorponok's original head, and Hunter, but Scorponok arrives, proceeding to continue beating Hot Rod to a pulp. Grimlock, on the verge of Shockwave defeating him, is saved by the Dinobots(including Sludge). Shopckwave's disarm code is transmitted, and Soundwave - cloning the disarm code and using it on himself - reawakens along with Laserbeak and Ravage. Shockwave overpowers Grimlock, walking away from the fight. Grimlock detonates a small bomb, which blows the building they are in - which looks a lot like an ammunition storehouse - sky high. Meanwhile, back at Machination HQ, the Dinobots arrive to stop Scorponok from squishing Hot Rod's head. Sludge severs the connections to Scorponok's original head, immobilising him and shutting him down. Snarl is about to kill him, but is stopped by the arrival of Ultra Magnus, saying Scorponok must stand trial. Three days later, on Ark-32, Sunstreaker is in the CR chamber, repairing. Ratchet was able to sever the connections of him with Hunter. Verity and Jimmy - back to full health - embrace Hunter(they haven't seen him since the beginning of Escalation. No trace of the Transformers remains Fallon, unfortunately for Skywatch. Grimlock's penal sentence has been shortened, and the other Dinobots are free. All is well. At least, for now...
Creative team
Maximum Dinobots is written by Simon Furman and penciled by Nick Roche (with help from James Raiz). Colors were handled by Josh Burcham and Joana Lafuente.
Items of note
- Originally, the series was intended to be issues #27–31 in the IDW overarching "sub-numbering", filling more than half of the previously confirmed eight-issue gap between the four Revelation Spotlights and All Hail Megatron. However, Simon Furman later threw doubt on this plan[2], and Chris Ryall eventually confirmed its' abandonment.[3] The numeration of the TPB now remain the only indication of an actual reading order of the different arcs. Though Revelation was numbered with the other Spotlights, both it and Maximum Dinobots spin directly out of Devastation.
Collections
- Maximum Dinobots TPB (July 29, 2009 scheduled) ISBN 1600104789 / ISBN 978-1600104787
- Bonus material unknown.
References
- ↑ http://simonfurman.wordpress.com/2008/06/26/script-wrap-%e2%80%94-max/
- ↑ http://simonfurman.wordpress.com/2008/06/26/script-wrap-%E2%80%94-max/#comment-3651 Simon Furman: "...those three issues remain very much 'To be confirmed' at the moment. If, indeed, the sub-numbering still applies. Plans should firm up in the next few months."
- ↑ http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?t=4270&start=53#81142 Chris Ryall: "The sub-numbering was just getting too confusing, so we decided it best to stop that before everyone's heads exploded trying to keep track. Overlapping storylines set at different points in the continuity seemed confusing enough."
