Transformers Animated Volume 3

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Publisher	IDW Publishing
First published	May 29, 2008
Screenplay by	Michael Ryan ("Home Is Where the Spark Is") Rich Fogel ("Total Meltdown")
ISBN	ISBN 1600102158
Page count	96

Megatron attacks the Autobots using the equipment in their base, and a new super-villain emerges

Synopsis

This book recounts the events of "Home Is Where the Spark Is" and "Total Meltdown", through the use of cartoon screen captures arranged in comic book style panels.

Notes

• TBD

Home Is Where the Spark Is

• As an armored car leaves a bank in the dead of night, the Angry Archer robs it and makes his escape from the cops by snagging onto a fire engine, thinking the police won’t stop a firetruck heading to a fire. It’s the Archer’s mistake, however, because he's hitched a ride on the back of Optimus Prime. Prime, playing hero, subdues the thief easily and smiles for evening news cameras.

The next day, in a local park, Prowl observes a cat stalking a bird and finds it amazing, only to have his nature watch cut short by awestruck humans and camera-bots. He heads back huffily to the new Autobot headquarters, an abandoned car factory. The other Autobots are in the middle of installing the world’s largest flat-panel TV in their new home and sharing their views on their newfound stardom. Prowl returns, upset with the constant interruptions, and goes to his Japanese-decorated room. In his room, Prowl lectures Optimus on his fascination with the Earth's animals, only to have that cut short by Bumblebee's antics. Annoyed again, Prowl leaps off into a tree.

Meanwhile, Sari tries to enter her father's private lab. She uses her AllSpark Key to open the door, but Professor Sumdac leaves with her before she can enter more than a step or two, reminding her no one but he is allowed in there. As they depart, residual energy from the Key floats over and reactivates the head of Megatron. Once his higher functions take control, Megatron is horrified to discover that he is without a body and is hardwired into some sort of primitive computer. As he searches for answers, he brings up video footage of the last battle between the Autobots and Starscream, including the latter’s confession of sabotaging his leader. Megatron is understandably ticked, and not just at Starscream's betrayal, but on the sheer helplessness of his situation. Not only do the Decepticons believe that he is dead, meaning there is no hope of rescue, but the AllSpark is finally within his reach, and he lacks the hands to take it! While lamenting his lack of a body, he discovers his new power to control machines around him. Picking up a discarded, miniature robot, Megatron decides that it's time to get...proactive.

After trashing her Tutor Bot using the AllSpark Key, Sari tells Professor Sumdac she is leaving to the Autobot base for a slumber party. Overhearing this, Megatron sends one of Isaac's pocketbots to hide in her backpack so he can search the base for the AllSpark.

At the Autobot base, Prowl watches a nature show about caterpillars evolving into butterflies, which he finds fascinating. Bumblebee, of course, isn't interested and changes the channel on him. Annoyed yet again, Prowl pounces on Bumblebee like a cat to prove what he has learned from animals before leaping to a high point to meditate. Later, Bumblebee and Bulkhead play high-tech Twister™ with much difficulty; Bumblebee then challenges Prowl to try. Prowl jumps in and easily touches all the spots Sari announces. Having won the game, he leaves to his room. Disgusted that the Autobots could ever get their hands on the AllSpark, Megatron uses the pocketbot to begin searching.

Sari then tells ghost stories to the rest of the Autobots and, with a little help from the AllSpark Key, succeeds in scaring Bumblebee. Meanwhile, since the pocketbot's search for the AllSpark has proven fruitless, Megatron decides to kill the Autobots and extract info on its location from their lifeless shells. He takes control of the assembly line robots and uses pincers, riveters, a big electromagnet and a die press to pummel the Autobots. Prowl shows up and realizes that the machines are detecting the Autobots by use of motion sensors. He instructs everyone to be still, then strike in order to get to the control panel. However, while the motion sensors can't see him, Megatron can, so he gets caught by the machines as well. With Ratchet injured, the only bot left free to move is Bumblebee, who manages to listen to Prowl long enough to outrace the machines and destroy the control panel. Housewarming parties are one of the leading causes of death among Autobots. Right after "Decepticons attack" and rust. Housewarming parties are one of the leading causes of death among Autobots. Right after "Decepticons attack" and rust.

Total Meltdown

• TBD

Trivia

• TBD