Divide and Conquer!

This article is about Marvel UK comic. For the Generation 1 cartoon episode, see Divide and Conquer.

Starscream and Soundwave experiment in ways to avoid treading on each other's toes. Template:Comicnav

Writer: Simon Furman
Pencils: Staz
Inks: Michael Eve
Letters: Glib

• Major characters (in order of appearance): Soundwave, Prowl, Wheeljack, Grimlock, Jazz, Starscream, Oil tanker skipper, Oil tanker radio man, Springer, Inferno, Skids, Carnivac

• Minor characters (in order of appearance): Mixmaster, Dead End, Bombshell, Dirge, Headstrong, Breakdown, Kickback, Octane, Long Haul, Rampage, Thrust, Tantrum, Blitzwing, Runabout, Runamuck, Scrapper, Astrotrain, Drag Strip, Snarl, Swoop, Slag, Rumble, Ravage, Broadside, Hook and Divebomb.

• Originally published: 14th July 1990. Cover date ("off sale") 21st July 1990.

Synopsis

Soundwave leads a huge assault on the new Autobot Earthbase, which is vulnerable after the problems encountered with the defence system, The House that Wheeljack Built! and an early strike prevents Wheeljack reactivating them. Grimlock leads the Dinobots in a counter-attack that holds the line but the Autobots are still pinned down. Prowl wonders if this is the plan.

Soundwave is unhappy. Starscream had devised a divide & conquer strategy, but whilst the Decepticons are risking their necks, Starscream has an easy task.

Near the Gulf of Mexico Starscream has captured an oil tanker. The ship's skipper wants to sink the vessel rather than surrender the fuel, but his radio operator points out the environmental damage a huge oil slick will cause. A distress call is made and they hope someone hears it.

Springer has. Prowl had foreseen the potential for a two-pronged attack and so sent the Survivors on patrol. Springer flies towards the tanker, followed by Inferno, Skids and Carnivac aboard an aircraft carrier. They rapidly overpower Starscream who flees, frustrated that his own tactic is being used against him. He radios the other Decepticons to retreat.

As the Decepticons flee, Soundwave comments on how flawed Starscream's plan was and suggests that perhaps he should lead alone. Some Decepticons express support for this idea and Soundwave thinks how a divide & conquer strategy can work after all...

Reprints

• This story was reprinted in the Titan Books trade paperback "Earthforce".