I, Robot-Master!
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 "I'll control the Transformers when I feel like it! GOSH!" | |||||||||||||
| "I, Robot-Master!" | |||||||||||||
| Publisher | Marvel Comics | ||||||||||||
| First published | December 1985 | ||||||||||||
| Cover date | April 1986 | ||||||||||||
| Writer | Bob Budiansky | ||||||||||||
| Penciler | Don Perlin | ||||||||||||
| Inker | Keith Williams | ||||||||||||
| Colorist | Nel Yomtov | ||||||||||||
| Letterer | Janice Chiang | ||||||||||||
| Editor | Michael Carlin | ||||||||||||
| Continuity | Marvel Comics continuity | ||||||||||||
Introducing the dorkiest terrorist the world has ever known.
Synopsis
Megatron hungers! The displaced Decepticon, wandering across the landscape in a desperate search for fuel, is rendered immobile in a coal mine when he finally runs out of energy.
The Intelligence and Information Institute scrambles for a way to explain the presence of giant robots to the public that will calm panic, despite the efforts of G.B. Blackrock to convince I.I.I. that the Autobots can be Earth's allies. The agency's staff is sent home to come up with a viable cover story and told not to return to work without a proposal.
I.I.I. agent Walter Barnett is inspired by his son's comic book, Robot-Master. I.I.I. prepares to spin their story. Robot Master's writer, Donny Finkleberg, has just lost his job with Marvel Comics. He readily accepts a lunch proposition from Barnett to discuss the idea... and even more readily accepts an offer to actually play the role.
The next day, broadcast television across the continent is interrupted by a ranting costumed supervillain, Robot-Master! He claims that all the Transformers are under his control. Reactions are varied; the Autobots are baffled, and turn to Blackrock for answers.
The next day, a second broadcast takes advantage of the inert Megatron, whose presence bolsters the government's claims. This broadcast gains the attention of both the Autobots and the Decepticon Soundwave, who undertakes a mission to free Megatron. The Autobots, knowing the presence of Megatron to be a threat, also roll out to collect him.
The Autobots drive to the coal mine, but are met with resistance from the human military, which does not recognize the Autobots as anything other than a threat. Soundwave, Laserbeak and Ravage arrive at the coal mine with fuel for Megatron, who becomes mobile again. The four Decepticons go on a rampage against the human military; the damaged Autobots are in no condition to help the humans, and are forced to retreat.
Ravage finds Finkleberg; although Megatron wishes to kill "Robot-Master" for claiming to control him, Finkleberg is able to convince the Decepticons that, by continuing to convince the humans that the Autobots are as much a threat to them as the Decepticons, the Autobots' efforts might continue to be thwarted. Finkleberg is spared, for now...
Featured characters
(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)
| Autobots | Decepticons | Humans |
|---|---|---|
|
Quotes
"I bet the Communists are behind this!"
"I bet the P.L.O. is behind this!"
"I bet the GOVERNMENT is behind this!!"
- —Two average Joes and G.B. Blackrock register their reactions to "Robot Master"
"Are his circuits disconnected? Who is this mad human?"
- —Bumblebee reacts to "Robot Master"'s first broadcast
"Transform...and roll out."
- —Optimus Prime leading the Autobots out of the Ark (first time used in the comic).
"...Mull this over—how long do you think the Decepticons are going to tolerate this clown claiming to be their leader? I mean, cigarette smoking isn't going to be the only hazard to this guy's health! I hope he's made out his will!"
- —G.B. Blackrock tells Triple-I how it is.
"Do not judge humans too harshly, Autobots. They are only capable of acting upon what they understand... and apparently they do not yet understand us."
- —Optimus Prime leads his battered troops away from the attacking humans.
Notes
- I.I.I. has been looking for a way to deal with the issue of the Transformers since last issue.
- The title is presumably an homage to the classic science fiction collection I, Robot by Isaac Asimov. This is not the only Transformers title it has inspired.
- The title of Finkleberg's proposed Potato Salad Man graphic novel, "This Man, This Mayonnaise", is a reference to the famous Fantastic Four story, "This Man, This Monster".
- This issue was reprinted in the Titan Books collection Transformers: Cybertron Redux.
Errors
- The reader is required to assume that the media never notices that Finkleberg's assumed persona is identical to a comic book, that the creator of that comic book is missing, and that he bears a strong resemblance to this "real" Robot-Master. Apparently, the comic is absurdly unpopular.
- On page 8, Wheeljack has Hoist's color scheme.
Covers (3)
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US issue #15 - Donny: International Hero. -
UK issue #55 - They changed the corner box, how sweet. -
UK issue #56 - Make sure you don't let YOUR Megatron swallow netting. -
Transformers Comic-Magazin issue #3: C'mon, how much more awesome would THIS have been! -
Titan TPB cover -
Titan HC cover
- US cover: Robot-Master comic, by Herb Trimpe.
- UK issue #55 cover: reuse of art from US cover, with the top left hand corner box for Robot Master changed to fit the Marvel UK style and price.
- UK issue #56 cover: Megatron blasting coal mine equipment, by Robin Smith.
- Transformers Comic-Magazin issue #3 cover: A strange picture of Optimus Prime crushing things.
- Titan TPB cover: Blaster, Ramhorn, Bombshell, Shrapnel, Kickback and half of the Space bridge by Andrew Wildman.
- Titan hardback cover: Blaster in the smelting pool by Don Figueroa, Gary Erskine & Chris Blythe.
Advertisements
- Sales Leadership Club offering prizes such as the Autoceptor Robot Watch, Diatarn-3 Changeable Robot (Sell Only 12 items for each) and Transformers Race Set (Sell Only 33 items) - between pages 4 & 5
- G.I. Joe Yearbook #2 - between pages 17 & 18
- MASK toys - back cover
Reprints
- 1988 — The Transformers Comics Magazine #8
- 1989 — Transformers Comic-Magazin #3
- 2003 — Transformers: Cybertron Redux
- 2008 — Classic Transformers Volume 1
- 2012 — The Transformers Classics, Vol. 2
