Shockpoint

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« The Transformers: Robots in Disguise #21
"Shockpoint"
Publisher IDW Publishing
First published October 9, 2013
Cover date September 2013
Written by John Barber
Art by Andrew Griffith (present)
Livio Ramondelli (past)
Colors by Priscilla Tramontano (present)
Livio Ramondelli (past)
Letters by Shawn Lee
Editor Carlos Guzman
Continuity IDW continuity
Chronology Current era (2013)

Soundwave's history with Shockwave unfolds as the two come to blows over the future of Cybertron and the Decepticons.

Synopsis

Months ago, immediately following the dissolution of the Deceptigod, Soundwave watches as his fellow Decepticons extricate themselves from the pile of deactivated Sweeps that now litter the landscape, synesthetically perceiving their emotions. When Ratbat surrenders on behalf of the faction and is taken away by the Autobots, Bombshell proposes to Soundwave that they flee, at which point the ever-unreadable Shockwave appears from the mists with a message that sparks hope in Soundwave's heart: Megatron lives.

In the present day, in the subterranean Crystal City, Dreadwing marvels at the healing properties of Shockwave's Ore-14, while Shockwave himself communicates with Jhiaxus. Listening in on their discussion from afar is Soundwave, up on the planet's surface, now entirely aware of the extent of the cyclopean Decepticon's betrayal, and apologetic to Ravage for convincing him to follow his plans. Astrotain and Blitzwing are suitably more angry than Ravage, however, and want to go back to Iacon for revenge on Starscream. Soundwave is having none of it, declaring Shockwave the true enemy and making it clear that he is in charge... which promptly causes a battle to break out between the Triple Changers and his cassettes. Surprisingly, it is Needlenose who steps in to end the brawling, speaking for the other Decepticons: they trusted the chain of command before, in Iacon, and it lost them both the war and their chance for peace. The Decepticons are done being soldiers.

Abandoned and alone, Soundwave ventures into the planet's depths, still intent on ending Shockwave's life. As he goes, he remembers the inspirational leadership of Megatron, and the strength of his will: a strength so great that he was able to resist becoming part of the Deceptigod when all the other Decepticons' succumbed to its pull, and in turn defeated it. But there was one other who did not become part of the Decepticon, who stood apart from the unity of purpose that allow the being's creation—Shockwave. Approaching Crystal City, Soundwave calls Shockwave out, but is met in battle by Dreadwing, who ignores his please for alliance.

Years ago, as the energy-deprived Decepticons languish on their asteroid, Shockwave returns to their ranks at last and confers on current events with Soundwave. The two unite their resources to repair the shattered Megatron, with Shockwave using the venture to complete his dual goal of perfecting space bridge technology.

As the battle continues, Soundwave shreds Dreadwing with his shoulder cannon, leaving a smoking corpse. Shockwave strides from the darkness to face Soundwave, just as he did once before...

Years in the past, Shockwave approaches the mode-locked Soundwave with a deal to free him from his alternate mode if he deactivates the bomb planted within him by Skywatch. Soundwave agrees on one condition: that Shockwave tell him about the true behind his Regenesis program. Shockwave refuses, presenting the logical argument that Soundwave will any of hope of gaining the information if the spymaster does help prevent the bomb from destroying him. Soundwave professes that the acquisition of information is not his only goal, but that he does it believe he truly believe in Megatron's cause. All the more reason, Shockwave claims, for them to work together...

Soundwave watches Ore-14's healing effect restore Dreadwing, and believes that it can be used to revive Megatron. Shockwave has no such plans for his ultimate creation, however, considering Megatron's failures a betrayal of the Decepticon cause, and his lack of trust in Shockwave his final undoing...

Thousands of years in Cybertron's past, Megatron assigns Bludgeon the task of looking into the absent Shockwave's projects. Soundwave, in turn, is tasked with watching over Bludgeon: it is clear to Megatron that Shockwave had a far-reaching plan in motion when he disappeared, and it will be Soundwave's task to discover and exploit it for the Decepticon cause. Even though Soundwave's mind-reading powers allow him to sense Megatron's mistrust of him, born of the hardships suffered throughout his life, he can also sense the honesty of his leader's spark, and so he serves with a loyalty born of true hope for the future Megatron will make for them.

And if Shockwave bars the way to that future, Soundwave's hope will crush him.

Characters in italic text appear only in flashbacks. (Numbers indicate order of appearance.)

Autobots Decepticons Others

Quotes

Notes

Continuity notes

Transformers references

Errors

Livio Ramondelli draws Soundwave in the altered body he received following his reappearance in "The Verge" (with the extra little shoulder guns), rather than the unaltered version of the War for Cybertron body he actually had at the time the story takes place.
Buzzsaw is routinely colored like Laserbeak.

Covers (3)

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