I, Robot-Master!

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"I'll control the Transformers when I feel like it! GOSH!"
I, Robot-Master!
Publisher Marvel Comics
First published December 1985
Cover date April 1986
Writer Bob Budiansky
Penciler Don Perlin
Inker Keith Williams
Colorist Nel Yomtov
Letterer Janice Chiang
Editor Michael Carlin
Continuity Marvel Comics continuity

Introducing the dorkiest terrorist the world has ever known.

Synopsis

Megatron hungers! The displaced Decepticon, wandering across the landscape in a desperate search for fuel, is rendered immobile in a coal mine when he finally runs out of energy.

The Intelligence and Information Institute scrambles for a way to explain the presence of giant robots to the public that will calm panic, despite the efforts of G.B. Blackrock to convince I.I.I. that the Autobots can be Earth's allies. The agency's staff is sent home to come up with a viable cover story and told not to return to work without a proposal.

I.I.I. agent Walter Barnett is inspired by his son's comic book, Robot Master. I.I.I. prepares to spin their story. Robot Master's writer, Donny Finkelberg, has just lost his job with Marvel Comics. He readily accepts a lunch proposition from Barnett to discuss the idea... and even more readily accepts an offer to actually play the role.

The next day, broadcast television across the continent is interrupted by a ranting costumed supervillain, Robot Master! He claims that all the Transformers are under his control. Reactions are varied; the Autobots are baffled, and turn to Blackrock for answers.

The next day, a second broadcast takes advantage of the inert Megatron, whose presence bolsters the government's claims. This broadcast gains the attention of both the Autobots and the Decepticon Soundwave, who undertakes a mission to free Megatron. The Autobots, knowing the presence of Megatron to be a threat, also roll out to collect him.

The Autobots drive to the coal mine, but are met with resistance from the human military, which does not recognize the Autobots as anything other than a threat. Soundwave, Laserbeak and Ravage arrive at the coal mine with fuel for Megatron, who becomes mobile again. The four Decepticons go on a rampage against the human military; the damaged Autobots are in no condition to help the humans, and are forced to retreat.

Ravage finds Finkelberg; although Megatron wishes to kill "Robot Master" for claiming to control him, Finkleberg is able to convince the Decepticons that, by continuing to convince the humans that the Autobots are as much a threat to them as the Decepticons, the Autobots' efforts might continue to be thwarted. Finkleberg is spared, for now...

Quotes

"I bet the Communists are behind this!"
"I bet the P.L.O. is behind this!"
"I bet the GOVERNMENT is behind this!!

— two average Joes and G.B. Blackrock register their reactions to "Robot Master"


"Are his circuits disconnected? Who is this mad human?"

— Bumblebee reacts to "Robot Master"'s first broadcast


"Transform...and roll out."

—Optimus Prime leading the Autobots out of the Ark (first time used in the comic).


"...Mull this over -- how long do you think the Decepticons are going to tolerate this clown claiming to be their leader? I mean, cigarette smoking isn't going to be the only hazard to this guy's health! I hope he's made out his will!"

— G.B. Blackrock tells Triple-I how it is.


"Do not judge humans too harshly, Autobots. They are only capable of acting upon what they understand... and apparently they do not yet understand us."

—Optimus Prime leads his battered troops away from the attacking humans.

(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)

Autobots Decepticons Humans

Regulars

Guests

Errors

  • The reader is required to assume that the media never notices that Finkleberg's assumed persona is identical to a comic book, that the creator of that comic book is missing, and that he bears a strong resemblance to this "real" Robot-Master. Apparently, the comic is absurdly unpopular.
  • On page 8, Wheeljack has Hoist's color scheme.

Items of note

  • References to other Transformers continuities/issues: I.I.I. has been looking for a way to deal with the issue of the Transformers since last issue.
  • The title is presumably an homage to the classic SF collection I, Robot by Isaac Asimov.
  • The title of Finkleberg's proposed Potato Salad Man graphic novel, "This Man, This Mayonnaise," is a reference to the famous Fantastic Four story, "This Man, This Monster." It could also (theoretically) be taken as a reference to Hasbro's Mr. Potato Head.
  • This issue was reprinted in the Titan Books collection "Cybertron Redux".

Covers (3)

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