Prey!
| The name or term "Prey" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see Prey (disambiguation). |
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 You know, we should get our own show! | |||||||||||||
| "Prey!" | |||||||||||||
| Publisher | Marvel Comics | ||||||||||||
| Cover date | 17th January–24th January 1987 | ||||||||||||
| Writer | Simon Furman | ||||||||||||
| Art | Will Simpson (96), Jeff Anderson (97) | ||||||||||||
| Colours | Steve White | ||||||||||||
| Lettering | Annie Halfacree | ||||||||||||
| Editor | Ian Rimmer | ||||||||||||
| Continuity | Marvel Comics continuity | ||||||||||||
Prime decides to fake his death, but Megatron plans to make it all too real.
Synopsis
Following his return from the Limbo dimension, Optimus Prime is disconcerted that the Autobots were so lost without him that they were prepared to forge an alliance with Megatron in order to defeat Galvatron. Afraid that they would be unable to cope if anything happened to him in the future, he decides to test them by faking his own death so that he can observe how they cope. Taking Wheeljack into his confidence, Prime has a facsimile construct made of himself; he then tells the Autobots that he is going out alone on a reconnaissance mission to the Decepticon base, much to their consternation. He plans to destroy his duplicate and send a distress call to the Autobots, who will arrive and discover his 'body'.
Meanwhile, Megatron has become increasingly paranoid about Optimus Prime, even attacking his own troops who dare to suggest that they will be able to defeat the Autobot leader. Alarmed by Megatron's behavior, Soundwave, who is acting as a double agent working for Shockwave to overthrow Megatron, decides it might be time to remove Megatron for good. He persuades Megatron to call in the Predacons from Cybertron to weaken Optimus Prime, so that Megatron may close in for the kill.
Sometime later, while looking for a suitable place to set up his deception, Optimus Prime is attacked by the Predacons. Taken by surprise, he struggles to throw off his pursuers. However, they gradually wear him down until, exhausted, they corner him and close in for the kill.
A short time later, concerned that they haven't heard from their leader, the Autobots set out in search and are aghast to discover his body has been torn to shreds.
Featured characters
(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)
| Autobots | Decepticons | Facsimile constructs |
|---|---|---|
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Notes
- This is the first part of a story arc that continues in "...The Harder They Die!", "Under Fire!", "Distant Thunder!" and "Resurrection!"
- In part 1, Optimus Prime is reviewing events on large monitor screens showing scenes from "Target: 2006" and "Aerialbots over America!" He also flashes back to Decepticon Graffiti!
- It is very convenient that Optimus Prime should choose to go out alone at the exact time that Megatron concocts a plan that requires Prime to be alone.
Back-up stories
Issue #96:
- Spitfire and the Troubleshooters — "Counterattack" Part 2
- Robo-Capers
Issue #97:
- Spitfire and the Troubleshooters — "Counterattack" Part 3
- Robo-Capers
Covers (8)
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Issue #96 -
Issue #97 -
Collected Comics #12 -
Transformers Comic-Magazin issue #7: 'Prey' with 100% extra children! -
Prey TPB -
Best if UK: Prey issue 1 regular cover
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Best if UK: Prey issue 1 RI cover
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Best if UK: Prey TPB
- Issue #96 cover: Optimus Prime attacked by an unseen assailant, by Jeff Anderson.
- Issue #97 cover: Predacons charging, by Geoff Senior.
- Collected Comics #12 cover: The Predacons surround Optimus, by Jeff Anderson.
- Transformers Comic-Magazin issue #7 cover: Optimus Prime being attacked by miscolored Predacons.
- Prey TPB cover: Optimus Prime staves off Razorclaw while Ultra Magnus broods, by Lee Sullivan.
- Best of UK: Prey issue 1 regular cover: Predaking prepares to stomp on Optimus Prime.
- Best of UK: Prey issue 1 RI cover: Cropped image of the first page of part 1.
- Best of UK: Prey TPB cover: Unknown.
