The Worse of Two Evils!

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Hum "Ride of the Valkyries" here.
"The Worse of Two Evils!"
Publisher Marvel Comics
First published March 1985
Cover date July 1985
Script Bob Budiansky
Art Alan Kupperberg
Colors Nel Yomtov
Lettering Rick Parker
Editor Jim Owsley
Continuity Marvel Comics continuity

Shockwave captures an oil-drilling platform, then is challenged by Megatron for command of the Decepticons.

Synopsis

Shockwave single-handedly attacks a high-tech oil rig belonging to industrialist G.B. Blackrock. The rig's defenses are largely ineffective, and Shockwave quickly conquers the platform. During the attack, electronics designer Josie Beller is severely injured.

Meanwhile, inside the Ark, Optimus Prime's still-living head instructs Buster to connect two wires from Prime's forehead to Buster's own. This results in an electric shock, knocking Buster unconscious. However, he remains unnoticed by the Decepticons, and returns to Ratchet to report his findings.

Megatron is still fuming when Shockwave announces his conquest to the other Decepticons. Unable to control his temper, he breaks free from his repair systems, and attacks Shockwave, blasting him across the Oregon landscape. But Megatron's injuries are not healed, leaving him vulnerable. Shockwave quickly defeats him, but refuses to grant him an honorable warrior's death, saying he has more value alive than dead... for now.

As witnessed by Ratchet and Buster, Shockwave returns to the Ark carrying Megatron's injured form. Shockwave uses the broken ex-leader as a demonstration to the other Decepticons of what they can expect if they challenge him... while outside, Ratchet and Buster huddle in despair.


(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)

Autobots Decepticons Humans

Errors

  • Josie Beller looks about 10 years older (and about half as bubbly) than she did in the previous issue.
  • The oil rig is already on fire on page 3, before Shockwave has even fired a shot. In the same panel, the "base" of Shockwave's gun mode handle is huge.
  • Shockwave's handle is longer than his gun barrel as the harpoon debris snaps free.
  • The harpoon cables, which should still be speared through Shockwave's gun barrel, have disappeared as he transforms and lands on the rig.
  • Throughout the issue, the Seekers are drawn with the "Van Gogh" ear, later picked up by José Delbo.
  • Skywarp is colored mostly blue on page 9; it's unclear whether this was a genuine mistake or the typical use of blue to represent black from the comics of the time. Also on this page, Frenzy (or Rumble) is depicted as larger than Soundwave.
  • Megatron identifies Soundwave, Frenzy and Rumble as boarding Skywarp, but Laserbeak (or Buzzsaw) is shown with them.
  • As Shockwave flies across the landscape, the spatial physics make it look like he's about an instant away from smashing into the commercial street below him. Instead he somehow flies onward into a football field. In the same panel, the toy-based pegs on his arms are on the outside of his arms; if the toy is transformed correctly, those pegs are on the inside—but they really shouldn't be there at all, not being part of his character model.
  • On page 16, on the third panel, Megatron's speech bubble was likely meant for Shockwave, though the implication that Shockwave is stronger than Megatron is a bit odd.
  • Page 21:
    • First panel: one of the Seekers has a bizarrely inflated head.
    • Second panel: Thundercracker is colored (mostly) like Skywarp, but with a red cockpit and blue face.
    • Frenzy and Soundwave are shown in the assembly, even though they're supposed to be off repairing the oil rig. Shockwave does not list them among the troops.
    • Soundwave is blue now, with a lavender head.
  • As he mopes with Buster, Ratchet has a Decepticon symbol.

Items of note

  • Cameos: Blackrock oil rig employees and security, Vallemont football team.
  • What the hell kind of oil platform is equipped with executive corporate offices, a fleet of open-air attack choppers (at least eight of them) along with the security force to man them, harpoon guns, and freaking mortar cannons? Were they just expecting a Decepticon attack?
Special Guest Artist?
  • The last panel on page 14 (Shockwave being blasted out of Mount St. Hilary and across town) looks like it was drawn by an entirely different artist. Indeed, a photograph of the original line art reveals the last panel has yellowed at a different rate. (This different artist is likely William Johnson, who draws Shockwave in a more toy-accurate style in the next two issues.)


Covers (3)

  • US issue #6 cover: Shockwave blasting Megatron, by Alan Kupperberg.
  • UK issue #24 cover: Shockwave blasting oil rig, by Robin Smith.
  • UK issue #25 cover: reuse of US art.

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