The Transformers: Maximum Dinobots
The Transformers: Maximum Dinobots is a 5-issue miniseries published by IDW Publishing, set in the primary IDW continuity. The miniseries was originally published from December 2008 to April 2009. It features Scorponok, his Machination and Headmaster army, Sunstreaker/Hunter, Hot Rod, Skywatch, Shockwave, Soundwave and the Dynobots.
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Overview
Scorponok manipulates Grimlock and the Dinobots to cause chaos in Fallon, Nevada so that he can send in his Headmasters in to save the day. He hopes this would give his company the government contracts to protect against extraterrestrial attacks, and eventually worm his way into the secret levels of society, thus allowing him to take control of Earth.
Hot Rod tracks him down and he is beaten to a pulp for his efforts. Sunstreaker and Hunter are also after the Machination to recover Sunstreaker's real head, which would also stop the Headmaster army. Scorponok gives the Dinobots too much mental control and they recover their personalities, but the group is overwhelmed by the Headmaster army until help arrives from the Monsterbots, whom Grimlock contacted earlier.
Skywatch activates Shockwave and, using a bomb implanted in his head, coerces him to hunt down the renegade Transformers. Shockwave doublecrosses them however, tracks down Soundwave and makes a deal to free them both from their respective "prisons". The Dinobots, badly injured, have the Monsterbots take them to Scorponok's base, where a prideful Grimlock leads an attack on the Sunstreaker clones. Sunstreaker himslf meets up with Hot Rod, and breaks in, searching for his head. Scorponok damages his new body, but Hunter escapes, and seemingly sacrifices Sunstreaker to deactivate the clones. The Dinobots are attacked by both Shockwave and Scorponok. Sludge is deactivated
Grimlock is overcome with grief, and orders the other Dinobots to pull out without him. As he tries to revive Sludge, Scorponok and Shockwave battle. Shockwave emerges the victor and allows Scorponok to escape. An enraged Grimlock attacks Shockwave. Sludge revives and the Dinobots return. Grimlock sends them after Scorponok. They meet up with Hot Rod and disable Scorponok. Shockwave is freed from Skywatch's control by Soundwave, who is in turn released from his transformation lock. Shockwave attempts to abandon the battle, but Grimlock disables both himself and Shockwave with a grenade. Ultra Magnus arrives on the scene, taking Grimlock and the Decepticons into custody. Sunstreaker survives, and Hunter is separated from him by Ratchet. Verity and Jimmy are revealed to be alive and well. The Dinobots repair their ship and Grimlock makes a deal for their continued freedom.
At least, for now...
Creative team
Maximum Dinobots is written by Simon Furman and penciled by Nick Roche (with help from James Raiz). Colors were handled by Josh Burcham and Joana Lafuente.
Items of note
- Originally, the series was intended to be issues #27–31 in the IDW overarching "sub-numbering", filling more than half of the previously confirmed eight-issue gap between the four Revelation Spotlights and All Hail Megatron. However, Simon Furman later threw doubt on this plan[1], and Chris Ryall eventually confirmed its abandonment.[2] The numeration of the TPB now remain the only indication of an actual reading order of the different arcs. Though Revelation was numbered with the other Spotlights, both it and Maximum Dinobots spin directly out of Devastation.
- The series nicely wraps up all of the outstanding plots created by Simon Furman.
- Shane McCarthy has said he heard of Maximum when he was writing #9 of All Hail Megatron, and believes Simon was writing this mini-series with the plot of AHM in mind. [3]
- The Monsterbots finally got some action. About time.
Collections
- Maximum Dinobots TPB (July 9, 2009) ISBN 1600104789 / ISBN 978-1600104787
- Bonus material includes covers from each issue, art of the Dynobots and a Dynobots size comparison page.
References
- ↑ http://simonfurman.wordpress.com/2008/06/26/script-wrap-%E2%80%94-max/#comment-3651 Simon Furman: "...those three issues remain very much 'To be confirmed' at the moment. If, indeed, the sub-numbering still applies. Plans should firm up in the next few months."
- ↑ http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?t=4270&start=53#81142 Chris Ryall: "The sub-numbering was just getting too confusing, so we decided it best to stop that before everyone's heads exploded trying to keep track. Overlapping storylines set at different points in the continuity seemed confusing enough."
- ↑ Shane McCarthy podcast interview
