IDW - All Hail Megatron Coda

OLD WAYS

Characters

Autobot

Optimus Prime - Truck Cab (Cybertronian Truck in Flashback)

Ironhide - Van (Cybertronian Van in Flashback)

Kup - Cybertronian Pick Up Truck (Flashback)

Springer - Cybertronian Helicopter/Rocket Car (Flashback)

Hubcap - Cybertronian Speeder (Flashback)

Tracks - Cybertronian Car (Flashback)

Undertow - Cybertronian Speeder (Flashback)

Brainstorm - Cybertronian Jet (Flashback)

Tempest - Cybertronian Van (Flashback)

Motorhead - Cybertronian Truck (Flashback)

Crosshairs - Cybertronian Car (Flashback)

Boxcar - Cybertronian Truck (Flashback)

Mirage - F1 Race Car (Mentioned)

Decepticon

Trypticon - Battle Platform (Flashback)

Storyline

Whilst contemplating retirement Ironhide is met by Optimus Prime who remembers with him his first acts as Prime, which Ironhide was present for, where Optimus tries to get Ironhide to help him become a better leader by using his skills. The two Autobots share a flash of Energon whilst remembering an attack from Trypticon which left them dangling off a cliff edge during which Optimus keeps them both safe and earns his loyalty. In the present Optimus has convinced Ironhide to stay on the team.

Notes

• Optimus and Ironhide act like strangers here, yet they were seen working together in Spotlight: Blurr, set before he became Prime
• The flashback scenes are in sepia tone
• Prime's mouth-plate can retract
• Ironhide's attack on Mirage is mentioned here as a reason why he wants to retire

My Thoughts

Art

This comic was the first one to use the Movie style designs for the G1 continuity, whilst it does look good, it just shouldn't have happened, there's no reason to try and make the G1 comics look like the movie designs.

Story

Purely filler, but also gives some background into one of Optimus' first missions as Prime

Continuity

This is set just before Ironhide leaves to go on the Skywatch raid where he dies.

UNEASY LIES THE HEAD

Characters

Autobot

Optimus Prime - Truck Cab (Mentioned)

Decepticon

Megatron - Gun On spark support

Starscream - F-15 Jet

Soundwave - Cassette Player

Buzzsaw - Cassette

Ratbat - Cassette

Rumble - Cassette

Shrapnel - Scarab Beetle

Kickback - Locust

Bombshell - Boll Weevil

Viewfinder

Spectro

Blitzwing - Tank/Jet

Storyline

Whilst on a ship (which looks like Astrotrain) Starscream is told by Shrapnel that there's news of Megatron, so he goes to Soundwave's lab to see his fallen leader where he assumes that he's died, but is corrected and told that his brain activity has grown a small amount which angers Starscream. He asks Soundwave why he doesn't do the logical thing and just kill him so they can use the Energon that's being used on him for other efforts, but Soundwave refuses, Starscream leaves to weigh his options.

Shrapnel offers to have either himself or one of the Insecticons just syphon off his energon so he'd die, but Starscream rejects the idea and Soundwave would never let anyone else near him. Whilst alone Starscream looks at the Matrix which Megatron stole from Optimus before and suddenly gets the urge to dump it out of the airlock, but is stopped by Shrapnel. Shrapnel asks where Starscream got it from and Starscream gets an idea and claims that it chose him as it's next wielder and that means he's a true leader. The Decepticons chant his name, he leaves the crowded room to plan their next moves, but ends up just holding his own head as if unsure what to do next.

Notes

• Starscream is revealed to have the Matrix with him
• The Matrix seems to be trying to return to Earth
• As shown from later issues the Matrix is able to heal Transformers, so technically they could have used it to heal Megatron...
• The ship the Decepticons are on looks like Astrotrain, but later issues will show that it's a separate ship
• Starscream starts wearing the Matrix on a chain here, much like Galvatron did in the G1 movie
• Starscream contemplates just dumping Megatron out of an airlock, but fears that he'd just come back stronger if he did (again like the Movie)
• It seems like Megatron didn't tell any of the other Decepticons that he had the Matrix...that'd be something I'd think he'd want to show off really...

My Thoughts

Art

The artwork here is quite basic, it seems to use G1 cartoon character models rather than IDW ones and the colours look like they're water coloured. I'm not a fan of it.

Story

This story is basically filler, though it does explain what's happening to Megatron in the aftermath of All Hail Megatron.

Continuity

This continues from when the Decepticons leave Earth in All Hail Megatron. This story is continued during the Third series of stories

REPLAY

Characters

Autobot

Sunstreaker - Lamborghini Gallardo (former Cybertronian Speeder and Sports Car) Near Dead

Sideswipe - Cybertronian Speeder (Flashback)

Blurr - Cybertronian Race Car (Flashback)

"Clocker" (Flashback)

"Bulkhead" (Flashback)

"Airazor" (Flashback)

"Side Burn" (Flashback)

Other Members of Sunstreaker's Team (Flashback)

Optimus Prime (Flashback, Mentioned)

Ratchet - Ambulance (Flashback)

Bumblebee - VW Beetle (Flashback)

Prowl - Police Car (Flashback)

Jazz - Porsche (Flashback)

Decepticon

The Swarm Dead members seen

Human

Hunter O'Nion (Flashback)

Machination Employees (Flashback)

Douglas (Machination employee) (Flashback)

Storyline

A dying Sunstreaker on Cybertron is flashing back through his life remembering how he used to be. In the past Sunstreaker was a beloved commander and war hero and one of his team mates informs him that he's been repositioned to Earth for an infiltration team there. Sunstreaker flashes forward to him being torn apart by the Machination and reduced to a still living but in pain head and then flashes forward to Hunter forcing him (from his point of view) into joining forces with him and merging with him fully as a Headmaster partner.

Later Ratchet tells a newly recovered Sunstreaker that he's separated him from Hunter successfully and that he's about to finish working on him when Sunstreaker starts to stomp off, Ratchet asks if he's okay, and Sunstreaker lies that he's fine, but ends up running to a dark corner and holding his head in disgust.

The memories start to repeat for him as he lies badly damaged in a pile of The Swarm on Cybertron.

Notes

• Sunstreaker's memories of the past are different to what actually happened, this is to make his actions in All Hail Megatron seem more reasonable. (To an extent)
• Sunstreaker being still alive but unable to move and trapped in a pile of the Swarm is kind of disturbing.
• You can see Sideswipe doing the "LOVE ME!!!" wave at Sunstreaker in the first flashback
• It's implied here that Sunstreaker's actions might be due to the bonding and separation of him and Hunter causing neural damage in him.

My Thoughts

Art

The art here looks very similar to the main comic series and has very bold and well shaded colours

Story

This story explains what happened to Sunstreaker from his point of view, and also reveals that he's still alive on Cybertron in a way.

Continuity

This continues from Sunstreaker's "death" in All Hail Megatron, he returns to the storyline in the Ironhide mini-series. The pre-Earth scenes are set right before Infiltration

Other

Some of Sunstreaker's troops look like previous characters from previous incarnations such as BW Airazor, Cybertron Clocker, TFA Bulkhead and RiD Side Burn

REBIRTH

Characters

Expansion

Galvatron - Laser Cannon

Cyclonus - Space Jet

Scourge - Space Shuttle

Sweeps - Space Shuttles

Expansion Members Dead, reborn as Sweeps

Straxus - Jet (Mentioned) Dying

Jhiaxus - Jet (Mentioned)

Nemesis Prime/Nova Prime - Truck Dead

Storyline

Galvatron pulls himself out of the Solar Pool on Garrus-9 and is in a lot of pain. On Gorlam Prime, Cyclonus has started bringing his dead and dying brothers from the Expansion to the planet so he can kill them with dignity rather than letting them suffer when Galvatron arrives and tells him to stop. Cyclonus asks what's the point and Galvatron conscripts them all into his new team, he blasts the pile of dead/dying Transformers and flings them into a furnace, however rather than killing them, he uses the power of the Heart of Darkness to rebuild them, starting with Scourge who is completely restored and becomes the template for an army of Sweeps created from the now reborn Expansion members. Cyclonus, Scourge and his Sweeps follow Galvatron for the upcoming mission.

Notes

• Cyclonus and Scourge are revealed to be Seekers
• Scourge was always a member of the Expansion...HONEST!!!
• The Sweeps are coloured blue here and Scourge is a purple colour, I believe this is the only time this happens.
• Galvatron originally intended the Sweeps to look like him, but Scourge became the template instead by accident.
• As Straxus was mentioned as "dying" along with Scourge in this story, it's likely that he was in the pile of Expansion members seen here
• Grindcore is never mentioned here, despite being a main member of the Expansion.

My Thoughts

Art

This comic has a simpler art style than usual but the bright colours more than make up for it if I'm honest.

Story

Galvatron is back and reunites with Cyclonus and Scourge and begins to have his own plans for the universe.

Continuity

This story continues from where Revelation ends and is later continued in Heart of Darkness

EVERYTHING IN ITS RIGHT PLACE

Characters

Autobot

Kup - Cybertronian Pick Up Truck

Springer - Cybertronian Helicopter/Rocket Car

Prowl - Police Car

Perceptor - Cybertronian Treaded Vehicle

Brainstorm - Cybertronian Jet

Optimus Prime - Truck Cab

Hound - Military Jeep

Jazz - Porsche

Ironhide - Van

Ratchet - Ambulance (Monitor Only)

Hot Rod - Cybertronian Sports Car (Monitor Only)

Grimlock - Tyrannosaurus Rex (Monitor Only)

Outback - Cybertronian Van (Flashback) Dead

Cloudburst - Cybertronian Jet (Flashback)

Landmine - Cybertronian ATV (Flashback)

Waverider - Cybertronian Hovercraft (Flashback)

Groundbreaker - Cybertronian Race Car (Flashback)

Blurr - Cybertronian Race Car (Mentioned)

Jetfire - Cybertronian Jet (Mentioned)

Trailbreaker - Camper Van (Mentioned)

Sizzle - Cybertronian Car (Mentioned)

Siren - Cybertronian Car (Mentioned)

Decepticon

Megatron - Gun (Flashback)

Soundwave - Cassette Player (Flashback)

Bludgeon - Cybertronian Tank (Flashback)

Thuderwing - Cybertronian Space Shuttle (Flashback)

Scorponok - Scorpion Tank (Flashback)

Storyline

Springer arrives on Kimia Station looking for Kup and punches Prowl in the chin (he's the one who moved him there from Ark-17) and he just explains that Kup's back now. Springer says that's impossible after all that happened to him on that planet. Prowl explains that he's had the team n Kimia adapt the Pretender Process for Kup and now he's back to a working state, though he needs to use a Cy-Gar to keep his sanity now.

Springer is taken to see Kup and he seems like his old pre-crazed self, except for when he's without his Cy-Gar, which makes him start to see monsters again. Prowl and Perceptor meet up later and Prowl tells him to stay with Kup at all times from now on to both keep him stocked up with Cy-Gars and to maintain his modified personality which is in line with Prowl's. Springer late arrives and suggests that the crew of Ark-17 and all those involved in his rescue attempts should be made to stay quiet about what happened to recover Kup, as he'd never accept it. Prowl accepts that, and then looks out at his new "puppet" Kup.

Notes

• Kup's Cigars are actually "Cy-Gars" which are an outdated device and holds some radiation from the planet Kup landed on before so as to keep him from going insane again
• Kup's new body is actually a Pretender Shell but rather than having an inner body he's controlled by a cerebral interface which Prowl has manipulated to better suit his own life views
• The Kimia Facility is seen for the first time here, this place will be important in Last Stand of the Wreckers and the Chaos storyline. For some reason isn't one of the only stations not hit by the Decepticons during All Hail Megatron
• It's shown here that it was Ironhide's idea for all the Autobots to take part in that ambush at the start of All Hail Megatron
• Ark-17 is a science vessel
• Prowl originally brought Kup to Kimia to try and reverse engineer some experimental weapons from him, luckily that failed.
• Perceptor was put with Kup's team to keep him stocked up on Cy-Gars.
• De to Perceptor's new Sniper status in later issues it seems likely that he hasn't been maintaining Kup's new personality traits, which is why we haven't seen him with Prowl's views etc in fiction.

My Thoughts

Art

As a Nick Roche comic this one has the look of a cartoon episode, and it's good

Story

This story, despite being filler mostly also gives some good revelations to what happened just before All Hail Megatron started

Continuity

This is set before Spotlight: Drift and after Spotlight: Kup, explaining his recovery. Prowl's amoral actions here are finally brought up in Infestation.

LOST & FOUND

Characters

Autobot

Kup - Pick Up Truck

Springer - Helicopter/Rocket Car

Perceptor - Tank

Hot Rod - Sports Car

Blaster - Acoustic Tank

Drift - Speeder

Blurr - Race Car

Roadbuster - Armoured Vehicle

Decepticon

Bludgeon - Tank

Icepick

Scowl

Slog

Birdbrain

Bristleback

Wildfly

Monstructor - Gestalt

Storyline

On the Trion, Blurr and Drift are passing the time by playing some games of Go whilst watching over Perceptor, who is currently in a CR chamber. About a 100 games later Blaster is having problems contacting any other Autobots on the communicators after receiving several distress signals and then nothing when Blurr comes in and says that Perceptor's up and about. Kup, Springer and Drift go to see him in his lab and see him working on some upgrades for himself including a stronger chest plate and some weapons, he thanks Drift for saving him.

Later as Perceptor is finishing his upgrades Kup tells him he doesn't need them as he's a scientist, not a warrior. Blaster appears on a screen and says that he has a signal from Hot Rod and that he's in trouble thanks to Bludgeon and the Monstructor Six. The team go to help him out and Kup tells Perceptor to stay on the ship.

Bludgeon and his team force Hot Rod's ship to crash and then surround him. Kup's team Orbital Jumps onto the planet to help him out and Bludgeon has Monstructor form to take them out. The Autobots are having trouble against him when a now sniper-upgraded Perceptor arrives and shoots Monstructor in his weak point where the torso is connected and blasts him apart. The Autobots have mixed feelings about what Perceptor has done to himself, but the Decepticons are escaping so they get back to the Trion with Hot Rod and go after them.

Notes

• The Monstructor Six are shown to be in the Decepticon fold now, hinting at where the Gestalt technology used for Devastator came from
• The game Go here is based on the Earth game originated in China, though most likely a similar version was created on Cybertron in the past or something as well.
• How Bludgeon has been revived, escaped from Garrus-9 and joined with the Monstructor Six has yet to be revealed
• Hot Rod's shuttle is the one he stole in his Spotlight, just repainted in his colours
• None of the characters from Spotlight: Drift who were with Kup but weren't in All Hail Megatron appear here...it's never shown where they went to.
• It's likely that Bludgeon's ship is the Torment, which is the one that Kup's team are chasing before they are ambushed in All Hail Megatron
• It's quite fitting that Blurr and Drift are in the first few frames together alone because in the real world they share a toy mold.

My Thoughts

Art

The art here is very detailed and well coloured, but nothing too special to talk about

Story

This explains why Perceptor is a sniper in the All Hail Megatron series

Continuity

Set after Spotlight: Drift and leads directly into All Hail Megatron

THE MAN OF STEEL

Characters

Autobot

Decepticon

Thrust - F-15 Jet Injured

Ravage - Cassette Injured by Spike

Human

Major Spike Witwicky

Colonel

Peter Dille (U.N.)

Frank Shin (U.N.)

Colonel Daniel Witwicky (Mentioned)

Nurses

Military (Flashback)

Rebuilding Teams (Flashback)

Storyline

Some U.N. guys are taken to see Major Spike Witwicky in hospital where they find him in a full body cast and being handled by several scantly clad nurses, they have the nurses leave so they can talk to him officially, but first is asked to explain why he's in a full body vast.

In the time after the invasion Spike was made leader of a team who're going out to hunt down any left over Transformers left on Earth and he takes on Ravage by himself in a building and their fight caused the building to collapse on him.

Back in the present Spike is told that Skywatch is now under U.N. control and that it has a new command structure and they want Spike to be a part of it, and that his father is the new commander of the group.

Notes

• With Thrust appearing here all three of the Coneheads have been seen in IDW now (and as is revealed later in Spotlight Prowl, all three have been killed off)
• Thrust must have been on Earth when the Decepticons invaded
• Talking about Thrust, he's shown here to be found by Spike's team, but in Spotlight: Prowl he's mentioned to be killed by some random humans before a team can arrive...maybe Skywatch just left him unguarded for a while?
• Ravage still being on Earth is the first sign that some Decepticons were accidentally left behind after the Decepticons were forced to leave.
• Despite being shown to be seemingly captured here Ravage is later shown to be free with the other Decepticons, though maybe by "I got him" Spike meant that he injured him?
• Spike was promoted from Commander to Major since AHM
• It's implied that Joshua Red (former head of Skywatch) wasn't American, maybe he's one of us evil Brits you see in every movie?

My Thoughts

Art

The art here is pretty standard for IDW, so there's not much to say about it

Story

This story explains some events set after All Hail Megatron and reveals that the U.N. have taken control of Skywatch and Spike is a commander there now (a bit plot point in the third storyline)

Continuity

Set after All Hail Megatron and before For All Mankind.

HIDDEN

Characters

Autobot

Bumblebee - VW Beetle

Optimus Prime - Truck Cab

Ratchet - Ambulance

Jazz - Porsche

Ironhide - Van

Hound - Military Jeep

Decepticon

Devastator - Constructicon Gestalt Mentioned)

Human

Lopez (Skywatch)

Klonowski (Skywatch)

Collins (Skywatch, Mentioned)

Skywatch Officers

Civilians

Karen's Husband

Karen and Family

Storyline

Bumblebee is looking arounf New York and trying to evade the humans who have started hunting Transformers down (Skywatch). Bumblebee finds a severed Transformer arm and starts to get very scared that he might get killed.

One of the Skywatch officers shoots a car that he thought was a Transformer, but wasn't and watches as a civilian try to stay in their home, but are forced to relocate, however the fire from the car starts to cause the nearby building to collapse, Bumblebee rushes in and keeps the building from collapsing. Skywatch starts shooting at Bumblebee (YAY) despite him trying to save the humans. As the humans leave the building safely Bumblebee lets go, Skywatch goes to make the kill shot when Optimus and his team arrive and recover him.

Later Bumblebee wakes up at base with Ratchet over him, Ratchet explains that they only found him by tapping into the human radio channels since Prime knew that he'd have to try and save some some time, and wouldn't be able to stay hidden, then Bumblebee rests and recharges.

Notes

• This story is mostly about Bumblebee....ZZZZZ
• Why are Skywatch doing missions at night time? wouldn't daylight missions work better?
• Despite Bumblebee's eyes being diamond-like shapes, his vision comes from two circles with a bar between them...it looks odd nonetheless.

My Thoughts

Art

Same art style as in "Uneasy lies the Head"...still not a fan

Story

A bumblebee filler story....BLEH!

Continuity

This is set after the end of All Hail Megatron and some time before the rebuilding process seen at the start of the third storyline. This is the last story from the second storyline from IDW.

Other

The character models are G1 Cartoon based rather than IDW based.