Buster Witwicky and the Car Wash of Doom

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When Buster learns that the Decepticons are hypnotizing humans into giving them fuel, only Buster can thwart their plans.


Marvel US issue #31

(Story also appears in: Marvel UK issues #128-129 and IDW Generations #12)

Script: Bob Budiansky
Pencils: Don Perlin
Inks: Jim Fern
Lettering: Rick Parker
Colors: Nelson Yomtov
Editor: Don Daley


Synopsis

Shockwave stages the capture of an oil tanker to demonstrate his superior leadership to Fuel Auditor Ratbat, but is embarrassed to discover that the tanker was emptied before the siege. Ratbat suggests that, rather than having the Decepticons expend their own energy, it would be more fuel efficient to have the humans obtain fuel for the Decepticons. When Shockwave suggests that humans are unpredictable, and they shouldn't be used, Ratbat tells Shockwave that he already is.

Meanwhile, business at Sparkplug Witwicky's service station is booming, thanks in no small part to the installation of a "Wash and Roll" automated car wash at the station. Not all is well with Buster, though. Business is so good that Sparkplug needs his son to help out at the station, and Buster never gets to get away to pursue his own interests, such as spending time with girlfriend Jessie. Not only that, but news of a fuel shortage has him worried.

At the corporate headquarters of Blackrock Enterprises, G.B. Blackrock holds a press conference touting the success of "Wash and Roll" car washes, and announcing the debut of the "Wash and Roll" Mark II. After the members of the press leave, Blackrock pulls out a cassette from his jacket, which promptly transforms into the Decepticon Ratbat.

That evening, Jessie arrives to spend some time with Buster, and to try out the new car wash. While making out with Buster in the middle of the car wash (so that Buster's eyes are averted from the front of the car), Jessie is hypnotized by the flashing lights at the end of the car wash. Buster notices that something is wrong almost immediately, and when Jessie tells him that she has to leave, he decides to follow her. Buster finds himself at a Blackrock Oil Storage facility, where Jessie begins to siphon the fuel from her truck into a silo. Buster is able to snap Jessie out of her trance by flashing his headlights at her, but before they can both leave, they discover that Buster's father Sparkplug is among a group of people arriving at the facility. Buster stays to watch, and sees G.B. Blackrock address the people assembled, explaining to them all that while the current "Wash and Roll" washes only hypnotize people temporarily, the new "Wash and Roll" Mark II will have permanent effects. Before Sparkplug is to become the first "customer" of the new car wash, Buster intervenes, and is confronted by Ratbat. With help from Jessie, Buster is able to escape, and Buster throws a crowbar at a large neon sign, causing a bright flash that wakes up the hypnotized people present. The Decepticons flee, and G.B. Blackrock promises to dismantle all the "Wash and Roll" stations currently in existence, and to use the profits from the stolen gasoline to help the poor.

Errors

  • Why should the hypnotized G.B. Blackrock need to explain the nature of the "Wash and Roll" stations to already hypnotized people?
  • If the "Wash and Roll" Mark II is supposed to have permanent hypnotic effect, why is Buster able to shake off its effect after being exposed to the flashing lights on page 19? (it is possible that since he shielded his eyes with his arms that the lights only partially affected him, and he was able to fight off the effects on sheer willpower)

Items of note

  • Sparkplug Witwicky's service station is a subsidiary of Blackrock Enterprises.
  • This is the only time Buster Witwicky and G.B. Blackrock, two of the comic's most prominent humans, ever meet face-to-face.
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