The War Within issue 2
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 Yes Ravage, Starscream threw your catnip down that hole. For that, he shall PAY! | |||||||||||||
| Publisher | Dreamwave Productions | ||||||||||||
| First published | November 6, 2002 | ||||||||||||
| Cover date | November, 2002 | ||||||||||||
| Story | Simon Furman | ||||||||||||
| Pencils | Don Figueroa | ||||||||||||
| Inks | Elaine To | ||||||||||||
| Colors | Rob Ruffolo | ||||||||||||
| Letters | Dreamer Design | ||||||||||||
| Assistant editor | Matt Moylan | ||||||||||||
| Graphic design | Kevin Lee | ||||||||||||
| Editor-in-chief | Roger Lee | ||||||||||||
| Continuity | Dreamwave continuity | ||||||||||||
| Chronology | Early war | ||||||||||||
The Autobots prepare to evacuate, while Megatron begins his master plan.
Synopsis
Within the Decepticon fortress of Kolkular, Megatron recaps how the now-executed Xeon was bribed into ignoring the Decepticons' development of their underground movement. However, Starscream reviews footage of Laserbeak's last aerial recon, which shows that the Autobots are preparing to abandon the planet. Megatron is unconcerned, saying that while Optimus Prime has impressed him with ordering an evacuation, they aren't going anywhere.
The Autobots prepare the Ark for Autobot evacuation of Cybertron, though Hound and Ironhide are debating the wisdom of the new Prime's decision to retreat from the planet. Grimlock's dissatisfaction distracts him from his work, missing the container Brawn is trying to hand him, and he storms off.
While Starscream is sent on a mission of only superficial importance, Megatron and Soundwave drill beneath Cybertron. In the caverns below, the Constructicons refit a planetary turbine to pump plasma upwards out of Cybertron. Scrapper reports the work is ahead of schedule, and Megatron is interested in what would happen if they turned a turbine on with the exhaust vents still blocked.
Prowl and Optimus stand in the Tower of Pion, discussing how the general public feels about Optimus' idea. When the usually-calculating Prowl tries to explain how some decisions must be made with the spark/heart, their meeting is disturbed. An inferno of plasma incinerates the Forum of Enlightenment. Over in Kaon, Grimlock sees the destruction in the distance, but rather than run to help rescue survivors, he moves deeper into Decepticon territory. Meanwhile, Megatron delivers a solemn speech to Soundwave and the Insecticons.
Optimus and a team of Autobots explore the ruins of the immolated area, unable to find a single survivor. Red Alert suggests that the destruction was intentional, and Prime remembers Umbra's message, causing him to believe Megatron devastated the city as a mere way of calling out the new Autobot leader. He breaks off from his group to explore the deeper depths of the area on his own—even aware the idea is madness. While trying to contact Prowl, he runs into the Insecticons. Though he initially tries to surrender so he can speak to Megatron, Shrapnel intends to take him in dead, and blasts him into a pit. As Optimus picks himself up, Ravage charges to the attack.
Meanwhile, at the Decagon, the Autobots are debating the wisdom of Prime going off by himself, when Shockwave and an army of Decepticons attack!
Featured characters
(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)
| Autobots | Decepticons | Others |
|---|---|---|
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Quotes
"Laserbeak, replay aerial recon file V6.2— Perhaps our suddenly garrulous leader was too busy pontificating to grasp its significance."
- —Starscream
"Wait...wait! If Megatron wants me, I won't resist. Take me to him..."
"Oh, he wants you...He wants your twitching corpse!"
- —Optimus Prime and Shrapnel
Errors
- In the establishing shot of Kolkular, the word "orbital" is misspelled "obirtal".
- Continuity error: Trypticon is visible on one of Megatron's circular monitors, yet wouldn't be created until the Dark Ages.
- Scrapper reports the vents have "been that was for some considerable time."
- On the page following, "pavillions" is misspelled.
Items of note
- "FIRRIB" is visible on one of the platforms as the Autobots load cargo onto the Ark.
- The container Brawn's holding has the Japanese text "Dinosaur Robo", which was the name for the Diaclone figures which would eventually become the Dinobots.
- The drill that Megatron and Soundwave use to get to the underground chamber has a passing similarity to the spire the Decepticons used to launch from their underwater base in the original cartoon—only, of course, upside down.
- Ravage is drawn to transform into a rounded cassette like Laserbeak.
- Cameos: Microchange Lock guy, Cy-Kill (miscolored), Microchange Watch Robo, Pre-Eggbot, Diaclone "Marlboor Wheeljack", Diaclone "jet-helicopter Decepticon" (all in flashback to the arena); Blitzwing and Trypticon on monitor screens, Grapple, Powerglide, Outback, Hoist, Huffer (helping the Autobots load); Mixmaster (with other Constructicons); Diaclone's Multiforce 14 (after the blast); Springer (flying above Prime); Brawl, Astrotrain, Octane, Blast Off (Shockwave's troops)
Covers (1)
- Megatron pontificating with Ravage while Starscream schemes; art by Don Figueroa and Talent Pun.
