Things Fall Apart, Part 3: "Seasons in Flight"

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Peripheral vision is overrated.
"Seasons in Flight"
Publisher IDW Publishing
First published February 24, 2010
Cover date January 2009
Written by Mike Costa
Art by Don Figueroa
Colors by James Brown
Letters by Robbie Robbins
Editor Andy Schmidt
Continuity IDW continuity
Chronology Current era (2010)

Thundercracker develops some unique thoughts on humanity while Ultra Magnus meets "Rodimus Prime".

Synopsis

He chose his name for himself. His name is a word that can tear apart the day. His name… is Thundercracker. He was once an elite Decepticon Seeker. But he was cast out, and has been grounded on Earth for three years. At first, he was disgusted at the amount of organic life on Earth. His beaten-up state meant that plants started growing on him. This disgusted him, but he was intrigued by how life adapted and changed without plans or schematics. It took Thundercracker days to find shelter in the ruins of New York City, and two weeks to construct a distress beacon. For eighteen months, he waited and watched television, fascinated by the humans' ways of reminding themselves of their culture. Then, finally, a ragtag bunch of stranded Decepticons found him—Tankor, Scrapper, Drag Strip, and Spyglass. Thundercracker tried to lead, but found he had no desire to. He hardly knew what being a Decepticon meant anymore. So leadership passed to Swindle.

Back in the present, Swindle and Hot Rod discuss the slow construction of their spaceship. Swindle suggests he get a couple more Constructicons out of human captivity, but Hot Rod is having none of it (after the Autobots' previous experience with them). Swindle praises Hot Rod for his revolutionary actions with the group, saying that the others have started calling him Rodimus Prime. Hot Rod thinks it's a bit much but Swindle reminds him of what he did, as opposed to Optimus Prime—he just surrendered. Swindle eventually convinces Hot Rod to allow him to rescue another Stunticon.

At Skywatch, Spike Witwicky is depressed at the lack of progress he's had with Optimus Prime—nothing will get him to reveal anything on the other Autobots. He feels pressure from his father's arrival the next day.

Back at Hot Rod's camp, Motormaster and the other Stunticons spot something on the horizon—something that turns out to be Ultra Magnus. Magnus plays policeman, attempting to find out the details of Ironhide's death and make Hot Rod disassemble the craft they’re building. Magnus then spots Swindle and attempts to arrest him. Hot Rod stops Magnus and is accused of "colluding with the enemy". Prowl explains the current situation, and is revealed to be the reason that Magnus came to Earth—to investigate Ironhide's death. Outraged at Hot Rod and Prowl's actions, Magnus transforms and drives away. Swindle is amazed at Hot Rod’s support, to which Hot Rod reminds him of them being on the same side now.

Thundercracker suspects Swindle is planning something, noticing the confusion and anticipation from the others—especially the Autobots. He feels remorseful for the Autobots, of how lost they are. Thundercracker reminisces of how all the Transformers are so old. He ponders what the purpose of their race is if they don't adapt to situations. He used to laugh at and detest the way the humans change so often. He thinks he's finally coming to terms with the meaning of… beautiful. He marvels at how, in three years, the humans have rebuilt Earth and have the Transformers in hiding. "We have so much to learn here", he says. "Yet all they want to do is fly away."

(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)

Autobots Decepticons Humans

Notes

  • Includes a Decepticomments section featuring exposition from writer Mike Costa, plus a contest to identify the BBC documentaries referenced in the issue.
  • Thundercracker is now back to an F-22, after being an F-15 in All Hail Megatron, and is a stylized version of E. J. Su's design.
  • Hot Rod's and Swindle's build site closely resembles the original Decepticon construction site spied on by Hound and Cliffjumper in "More than Meets the Eye, Part 1".
  • After 26 years of Transformers fiction, this issue contains the first visual representation of Jesus.

Errors

  • Thundercracker states that the events of All Hail Megatron were three years ago, but in issue #1, Optimus states is was only two years ago, so one of these is incorrect. Most solicitations before the first issue repeatedly stated it was three years ago so your guess is as good as ours.

Covers (3)

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