Derelicts
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| "Derelicts" | |||||||||||||
| Publisher | IDW Publishing | ||||||||||||
| First published | March 1, 2013 | ||||||||||||
| Story by | Chris Metzen & Flint Dille | ||||||||||||
| Art by | Livio Ramondelli | ||||||||||||
| Letters by | Tom B. Long | ||||||||||||
| Editor | John Barber | ||||||||||||
| Continuity | IDW continuity | ||||||||||||
| Chronology | Before the war | ||||||||||||
Whilst Optimus Prime tries to rebuild Cybertronian society, Scorponok has plans for the deposed Megatron...
Synopsis
In an abandoned part of Kaon, Strongbox and Nightshift are en route to Iacon with a shipment of goods when they are caught in a huge explosion. The culprits are the Dynobots, who had been tipped onto shipment by Swindle and are looking to gather the funds needed to leave Cybertron. Blowing open the trailer, however, they find a paltry amount compared to what had been promised. With police inbound, the Dynobots are forced to take what they can and flee.
Before returning to their safe house, Grimlock's team pays a visit to their informant at The Raw Deal Pawn Broker, who, under duress, admits that the quality of Decepticon intel has gone downhill since the defeat of Megatron. Reasoning that he might be useful later, the Dynobot leader lets Swindle go free, before ruminating on the fact that the longer his team stays on Cybertron, the more all its inhabitants are in danger...
Meanwhile, at Metroplex, Optimus Prime is holding the very first meeting of the Grand Convocation, a gathering of various Cybertronian guilds and faction, with the aim of rebuilding a stable society. Despite Prime's good intentions, Dai Atlas of the Circle of Light cannot see past his history as an enforcer for Zeta Prime and sees him as just another tyrant. Atlas is talked down by Bulkhead of the Engineering Guild, who believes that Optimus's defeat of Zeta and Megatron is proof enough of his worth. Unconvinced, Atlas cites the global energon shortage and increasing Decepticon attacks as problems the new Prime has failed to solve, and only agrees to remain in the meeting out of respect for his being chosen by the Matrix of Leadership.
In deep space, Astrotrain is shuttling Scorponok, Starscream and the gravely wounded Megatron to the remote planet of Junkion, a nightmarish world subject of myths and superstition. Having seized control of the Decepticons, Scorponok seeks to make a legendary example of his predecessor by casting him into a metaphorical hell. Despite Starscream's complaints that the excursion is a waste of time, they arrive above the planet, and Scorponok throws Megatron from orbit to the planet below.
Back in Metroplex, Optimus, after reflecting with Bumblebee on the Convocation, returns to his quarters to find Alpha Trion waiting for him. The philosopher shares his approval of Prime's plan for peace, and reassures him that the question of whether he is worthy of the Matrix is something only Optimus himself can answer.
On Junkion, Megatron falls to the ground, and the planet's inhabitants begin to draw close. Rising from his crater, the former leader of the Decepticons prepares to do battle.
Featured characters
(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)
| Autobots | Decepticons | Others |
|---|---|---|
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Notes
- A crippled Megatron being deposed and thrown out of Astrotrain in spite of protesting that he still functions is a big ol' The Transformers: The Movie reference. To have such a reference be then followed by Megatron winding up on Junkion in the company of Wreck-Gar has also happened before, back in Dreamwave's "War and Peace" mini-series, but we'll be generous and assume that's an unfortunate coincidence, rather than a deliberate homage.
- Optimus Prime's quarters is decorated with busts of previous Primes, though Zeta's spot is empty.
Errors
- Grimlock's name is misspelled "Grimlok" on page 2, panel 5.
