IDW - Beast Hunters #8

Story by: Mike Johnson & Mairghread Scott

Written by: Mike Johnson

Art by: Agustin Padilla

Colours by: Priscilla Tramontano

Letters by: Tom B. Long

Editor: Carlos Guzman

Plot

The Autobots and Dinobots team up to take down the Forged members who are attacking them, and afterwards share some stories about what's happened since they last saw each other, which includes Arcee telling them about Optimus' sacrifice to restore the Allspark to Cybertron and allow a new generation to be born.

Before they head back to Kaon however, the rogue Predacon attacks again, and flies off with some of the random Autobots in the group (no one with a name, don't worry!). Grimlock however has a plan to deal with the Predacon before he can pick them all off one by one.

As part of Grimlock's plan, the group splits up into smaller groups and starts heading to Kaon separately. The Predacon soon appears and attacks one of the groups. Swoop baits the Predacon into following him and lead shim back underground into an old Decepticon bunker. Grimlock and Bumblebee then attack him, and trap him in the bunker (which is built to last). Bumblebee asks why Grimlock didn't just kill the Predacon, but he says there's been enough destruction for him.

The groups make it to Kaon City, and the Dinobots feel out of place (due to their animalistic modes) and start to leave, but are stopped by Arcee and the others, who explain that Optimus wanted Cybertron to be a haven for ALL Cybertronians.

Before long Arcee and the others are preparing plans to rebuild Kaon and the rest of Cybertron, but Grimlock says they can't help as they have a city of their own to build, a replacement to Last Spark called "New Spark".

The end...for now!

Characters

Autobot

Grimlock - Tyrannosaurus Rex

Slug - Triceratops

Swoop - Pteranodon

Sludge - Apatosaurus

Snarl - Stegosaurus

Arcee - Motorcycle

Bumblebee - Sports Car

Bulkhead - Off Road Vehicle

Firestar - Hover Pick Up Truck

Chromia - Sports Car (Maybe?!)

Autobot Survivors

Optimus Prime - Truck (Fantasy) Dead

Decepticon

The Forged Defeated by the Autobots and Dinobots

Megatron - Space Shuttle (Mentioned)

Shockwave - Tank (Mentioned)

Predacon

"Rusty" - Winged Dragon Trapped in Old Decepticon Bunker

Predaking - Dragon (Mentioned)

Other

Unicron (Mentioned)

Primus (Mentioned)

Notes

• This is the last issue in the Beast Hunters comic series, though from the "The End...for now!" line at the end, we can assume that there may be a future series in the Aligned continuity
• With the remarks of Optimus' sacrifice here, the episode can be clearly placed AFTER Predacons Rising.
• Arcee mentions that she thought Predaking would be the last Predacon they'd see...what about Darksteel and Skylynx?!
• Ratchet's no where to be seen here, so presumably he returned to Earth following the events of the movie (though then again, Smokescreen, Magnus, Wheeljack and Knock Out aren't shown either...)
• The end states that New Spark is being used to replace Last Spark for it's civilians...but the only person from Last Spark who should be alive still is Firestar! Wow that'll be a lonely city!!
• The Arcee shaped person on the last page COULD be Chromia, as otherwise Arcee just went with Grimlock to the New Spark construction zone without any of the others and hung out with Grimlock and Firestar (and Chromia is unaccounted for otherwise)

Titan - Transformers Prime #4.18

Title: Power Outage

Script: Chris Cooper

Art: Horacio Domingues

Colours: Nestor Pereyra

Lettering: Comicraft

Cover Date: Jan/Fed 2014

Cover Price: £3.99

Poster: Optimus looms behind the three kids!

Plot

Jack is staying up late playing video games on a school-night, leading to his mother shouting at him, but before he can give a good excuse the power goes out, but not just for his room (as he thinks his mother cut the power as punishment) but in the entire town.

At the Autobot base the Autbots have detected this incident, but it's much worst than Jack believed, the entirety of the USA has lost it's power due to an EMP. Elsewhere, Starscream and Soundwave are finishing their work on the EMP's in three locations. The Autobots detect the locations (as the signals are stronger in three places) and head out to disable them.

When separated and all working on the devices, the Autobots are separately attacked by the three Predacons, Predaking, Darksteel and Skylynx, and are all pinned down by the much larger and more powerful beasts, however after a short time the teams manage to defeat the beasts and disable the devices, returning power the the US.

Back at Jack's home he and his mother are glad the power's back on, Jack later calls Raf and wonders if they should contact the Autobots about the blackout, but decide against it as it was probably nothing.

Jack soon goes back to his game, but gets annoyed when it's revealed that the blackout wiped out his saved game as well. June screams at him for not going to bed again.

Characters

Autobot

Optimus Prime - Truck

Arcee - Motorcycle

Ratchet - Ambulance

Bumblebee - Sports Car

Bulkhead - Off Road Vehicle

Wheeljack - Race Car

Smokescreen - Race Car

Ultra Magnus - Truck Cab

Decepticon

Starscream - Fighter Jet

Soundwave - UAV

Vehicons - Cars

Megatron - Space Shuttle (Mentioned)

Predacon

Predaking - Dragon

Darksteel - Ursagryph

Skylynx - Winged Dragon

Human

Jack

June

Raf

Agent Fowler

Jasper Residents

Notes

• This issue is a continuity headache - Bumblebee still has no voice, Optimus is alive, yet the Predacons introduced in Prredacons Rising are up and about, and seem to be on the Decepticon's side!! AHHH!!
• At least Optimus looks like he's in his proper body this time around.
• Ultra Magnus and Smokescreen are actually seen here! Only took them a few issues!!
• Soundwave speaks freely in this issue...
• At one point Magnus is seen with a bot that looks like a combination of Wheeljack and Bumblebee, we can assume that it's meant to be Wheeljack due to context though
• Hey look! It's a Christmas tree!! It only appears in one panel though and shoved in a window, and added with the mention of Christmas holidays before, it seems likely they were just added to make this a festive story(ish) due to it's release date.
• The next issue is marked as "Introducing Skylynx" a character who appears quite a lot in this issue, and is even name-dropped at least once! Silly Titan!!
• Shouldn't June have called it "Christmas Vacation" rather than "Holidays" since they're American?

Other Features

Ultimate Smackdown - Airachnid vs Arcee

Megatron's Christmas Conundrums!! - Megatron gets festive....yeah

Competitions and Adverts - Splattered all around!

The Trans Files - Article on Insecticons

Whiizz Band Avenue! - Bumblebee vs Knock Out maze puzzle

Soundwave's Stumpers! - Soundwave gives you more puzzles

Mega Mouth - Arcee and Megatron read the fan mail again

IDW - More Than Meets The Eye #24

Title: Dark Cybertron Chapter 4: Into the Abyss

Written by: James Roberts and John Barber

Art by: Atilio Rojo, James Raiz, Nick Roche, Livio Ramondelli and Robert Gill

Colours by: Romulo Fajardo, JR. and Livio Ramondelli

Letters by: Gilberto Lazcano

Editor: Carlos Guzman

Plot

The Lost Light is surrounded on the floor of the Red Ocean by an army of smaller robots, who the bridge crew determine to have alternate modes, and also seem to be combiners. Perceptor believes that the small robots aren't native to the planet as they don't seem to be outfitted for aquatic performance, but seemed to piggy-back to the ocean with the Lost Light's Quantum Jump. Magnus tries communicating with the robots, but doesn't get a response...at first! Then they attack the ship and blow a hole in the bridge!

Back on Cybertron, the city of Iacon is in ruins following the Necrotitan's energy wave, Scoop and his team are working to save people, whilst Starscream and Rattrap are wandering around trying to work out what exactly happened. Before long however Scoop approaches Starscream, and points out to the population that the black mark on Starscream's chest marks him as the one chosen to destroy the planet, not to save it as initially thought, which starts to turn the crowd against him further!.

Back at the Red Ocean, Magnus has managed to get the bridge crew into the hallway and sealed it shut due to flooding when he comes across Skids and Getaway. Skids identifies the attackers as Ammonites. Magnus orders the crew to engage the Ammonites and protect the ship. Doing so, Magnus and a few others go into Rodimus' personal craft, the Rodpod (being careful not to damage it, or Rodimus will kill them). The battle goes well for the Lost Lighters, as they seem to be capable of dealing with even the Ammonite's larger combinations.

Meanwhile, in the Dead Universe, the team are traveling towards the point of the gravitational pull when the topics of Rodimus potentially taking over full control of the Autobots, Rodimus saving all the cold constructed from death and the progress of his quest are brought up, as well as how Cyebrtron's new status as Starscream's domain is similar to how things were before the Decepticon uprising.

During the conversations, Rodimus notices that Cyclonus' face is leaking black Energon still, but at an alarming rate now. Orion tries to administer some medical aide, but Nightbeat, revealing himself and shocking the others, tells him that would be a bad idea to even touch him right now.

Back on Cybertron, the Transformers at the foot of the Necrotitan are dealing with their injured and wonder what to do next. Bumblebee asks Soundwave if he can pick up any transmissions from the city, but he cannot, however he does hear something unusual...Megatron screaming!

At the Crystal City, Shockwave is operating on the operational Megatron as he's trying to activate the Space Bridge technology he implanted within him. Shockwave reveals that he doesn't care about the goals of Nova Prime, and that he's using them, as well as others. Megatron is offered a chance to work with them for his ultimate goal of equality, but he refuses. Shockwave then actiavtes the Bridge and Nova Prime starts to climb out of a screaming Megatron's chest.

Back on the Red Ocean, the Rodpod is running from a group of Ammonites (in the shape of an actual ammonite) and hides in a cavern they find. However upon inspection, they find some strange compounds in the cavern, and realise what it is....they're inside the eye socket of Metroplex himself!

Characters

Autobot

Ultra Magnus - Vehicle Transport

Ratchet - Ambulance

Mainframe

Blaster

Brainstorm - Jet

Perceptor

Skids - Van

Getaway

Whirl - Osprey Helicopter

Waverider - Aquatic Vehicle

Chromedome - Car

Trailcutter - Van

Cosmos - Orbiter

Sunstreaker - Car

Swerve - Van

Rung

Atomizer

Metroplex - Space Ship Injured in Red Ocean

Rodimus - Car

Orion Pax - Truck Cab

Hardhead - Personnel Carrrier

Nightbeat - Car

Bumblebee - Muscle Car

Ironhide - Van

Prowl - Emergency Car

Arcee - Car Injured

Swoop - Pteranodon

Sludge - Apatosaurus

Slag - Triceratops

Lost Light Crew

Dominus Ambus (Mentioned)

Sentinel Prime (Mentioned)

Zeta Prime (Mentioned)

Thunderclash (Mentioned)

Aquastar - Aquatic Vehicle (Mentioned)

Hydrobots - Aquatic Vehicles (Mentioned)

Decepticon

Megatron Used as Space Bridge by Shockwave

Shockwave - Flying Artillery 

Soundwave - Van

Rumble - Tank

Frenzy - Tank Maybe Dead

Ravage - Cassette

Skywarp - Jet

Cybertronian

Cyclonus - Jet Leaking Black Energon

Nova Prime - Truck

Galvatron - Laser Tank

Metalhawk - Jet

Necrotitan - Space Shuttle

Starscream - Jet

Rattrap - Mole Rat

Scoop - Front End Loader

Holepunch - Gun

Tracer - Gun

Sky Byte - Flying Shark

Iaconians Injured in Necrootitan's energy wave

Construction Patrol (Mentioned)

Primus (Mentioned)

The Senate (Mentioned)

Functionists (Mentioned)

Nominus Prime (Mentioned)

Other

Ammonites (2026 of them)

Paddox (Mentioned)

Galactic Council (Mentioned)

Black Block Consortia (Mentioned)

Notes

• The Ammonites are referred to here as Mini-Cons at times (as in Miniature Decepticons) before their species name was actuallly identified by Skids (though Magnus does still call them Mini-Cons once afterwards). This could be because the toy set of the Mini-Con Assault Team is supposed to be released with this issue in the future, so it just makes sense from a marketing point of view too.
• The Lost Light is 15 miles long and 10 miles wide, and was not designed to be a submarine.
• It does have spotlights on the outside though!
• Magnus makes reference to his no longer being the Duly Appointed Officer of the Tyrest Accord.
• Rung is shown using a staff weapon for the first time (though he did have one on the cover to the fifth TPB of MTMTE)
• Nightbeat reveals himself to Orion's group! (Look, I'm a Nightbeat fanboy, so every time he so much as has a cameo I'll mention it, 'kay?)
• Frenzy looks a bit dead here....
• Speaking about Frenzy, he and Rumble appear to have been drawn in their cassette bodies originally, but with tank treads added to the arms to try and correct the mistake.
• It' revealed here that Shockwave is also just using Nova Prime and Galvatron as well...wonder what his true aims are?
• The Necrotitan's attack hit the population totally at random, and not to do with being cold constructed etc (like Tyrest's attack was)

IDW - Robots In Disguise #23

Title: Dark Cybertron Chapter 3: Winners & Losers

Written by: John Barber and James Roberts

Art by: Atilio Rojo and James Raiz

Colours by: Josh Perez

Letters by: Tom B. Long

Editor: Carlos Guzman

Plot

Starscream visits Metalhawk's corpse again, and talks too him about the Titan returning, and asks for his silent advice again, unknown to him though, Rattrap is spying on him and overhears him apologizing for killing him once again.

Iacon is soon filled with hysteria as the people have heard about the Dark Cybertron prophecy from someone (Scoop's partners Holepunch and Tracer most likely) and Starscream vows to go speak with the Titan, Rattrap goes to him seemingly out of respect, but Starscream points out that he was in Rattrap's position of being the traitor-to-be for a long time, and advises him to not make his first move unless he's sure about his last, pointing out Megatron's disabled body in the process. Starscream then flies off to meet the Titan.

At the Necrotitan's location, Soundwave's Decepticcons and Bumblebee's Autobots are battling, but stop when they notice Starscream approaching the Titan's shoulder.

Back in Iacon, Rattrap has gone to meet with Scoop, who shows him that Starscream's meeting with the Titan is also part of the prophecy, and that he believes that Starscream is destined to destroy Cybertron, rather than save it. Rattrap seems to agree and begins plotting with Scoop to dethrone their leader.

On the Lost Light, Ultra Magnus is commanding the ship, when he notices that the ship is subtly changing course without being piloted to do so, Brainstorm contacts him and asks him to come to Shuttle Bay 3 with Getaway, as he knows the most about Titans from his time with Tyrest. When they arrive in the Shuttle Bay, they find Trailcutter and Brainstorm with what is believed to be Metroplex's thumb levitating. Brainstorm believes that this may be Metroplex, or another Titan trying to call for help, and that they can use the thumb to locate the source of the activity.

At the Necrotitan's location, Arcee is ready to kill Starscream, but Bumblebee isn't sure what to do, the two factions consider joining forces to stop what is happening, but Prowl is throwing a fit about working with the Decepticons (especially after what happened to him with Soundwave and Bombshell). Meanwhile, Starscream lands on the Necrotitan's shoulder and begins to talk to him, and asks what he's there for, and if he's the same Titan he spoke to before, when suddenly the Titan's eyes light up, and he sends out a massive wave of energy.

Starscream quickly transforms and heads off the shockwave of energy before it reaches Iacon, whilst at ground zero the Autobots and Decepticons are injured in varying ways, Bumblebee orders for them to deal with repairs before going in to attack the Titan, which Prowl hates the idea of.

Starscream just beats the wave back to Cybertron, and warns everyone to get away, but too late as the wave hits and damages the city. In another side-effect though, Metalhawk is revived and attacks Starscream, announcing out loud that he was the one who killed him, but he'll wait for his revenge as he goes into the room Megatron's being held in, de-activates his force-field bubble and abducts him.

A newly escaped Scoop and Rattrap see Metalhawk flying away with Megatron, but decide to help the injured before worrying about that or dethroning Starscream, especially since it seems that the public have turned against Starscream now anyway.

On the Lost Light, Ultra Magnus is deliberating on whether to follow Orion Pax's orders to hunt down Jhiaxus, or go after Metroplex, Perceptor and Brainstorm point out that Meroplex is extremely important, and he wouldn't be calling for help if he didn't need it, and point out that Orion Pax isn't their leader anymore. Magnus agrees and sets course for the signal. The ship Quanttum Jumps into a red ocean, and is surrounded by an army of small robots.

Back on Cybertron, in the Crystal City, Metalhawk has delivered Megatron to Shockwave, who needed him to create a new Space Bridge to the Dead Universe, now that the one created by the Titan is gone.

Characters

Autobot

Bumblebee - Car

Ultra Magnus - Vehicle Transport

Ironhide - Van

Prowl - Emergency Car

Arcee - Car Badly Injured by Dark Energy

Slag - Triceratops Badly Injured by Dark Energy

Swoop - Pteranodon

Sludge - Apatosaurus

Snarl - Stegosaurus

Perceptor

Trailcutter - Van

Ratchet - Ambulance

Mainframe 

Blaster

Highbrow - Helicopter

Brainstorm - Jet

Getaway

Metroplex (Mentioned)

Optimus Prime/Orion Pax - Truck Cab (Mentioned)

Xaaron (Mentioned)

Swerve - Van (Mentioned)

Rung (Mentioned)

Decepticon

Megatron Abducted by Shockwave and Metalhawk

Shockwave - Flying Artillery

Soundwave - Van

Ravage - Cassette

Skywarp - Jet

Needlenose - Jet

Astrotrain - Space Shuttle/Train Badly Injured by Dark Energy

Blitzwing - Jet/Tank

Other Decepticons

Constructicons (Mentioned)

Cybertronian

Starscream - Jet

Metalhawk - Jet Reanimated by Dark Energy

Necrotitan - Battleship

Rattrap - Mole Rat

Scoop - Front End Loader

Holepunch

Tracer

Skybyte - Flying Shark

Blurr - Race Car

Other Cybertronians

Prophecy Titan (Mentioned) Dead

Titans (Mentioned)

Knights of Cyebrtron (Mentioned)

Chief Justice Tyrest (Mentioned)

Jhiaxus (Mentioned)

Other

Small Robots in Red Ocean

Verity Carlo (Mentioned)

Notes

• Rattrap is shown to be very sneaky here, as he begins spying on Starscream when he's alone (ie when he visits Metalhawk's corpse)
• The crowd of NAIL's shown here includes a few cameos from other continuities, like the Mini-Con Skyblast, and even what looks like Live Action Movie Salvage as well.
• Scoop reveals that he believes Starscream is the Chosen One, but that he is chosen to destroy Cybertron rather than save it.
• Metroplex's thumb was brought on board the Lost Light in Spotlight: Trailcutter.
• It's also pointed out here that it's not clear if the thumb IS Metroplex's or another Titan's.
• The wave of energy from the Necrotitan seems to have affected the Transformers hit by it to differing extents (Prowl was barely injured, but Astrotrain looks dead for instance)
• The re-animated Metalhawk seems to be in contact with Shockwave in some way, as he takes in Megatron as he wished.
• It seems likely that the small robots in the red ocean are the Ammonites and Terrordores, first shown in MTMTE#22.
• Shockwave must have implanted the Space Bridge technology from Megatron's old body into his new one as well (seems a bit odd though, why didn't he just put it inside Dreadwing or someone he could easily control?)
• Ultra Magnus being a small guy in a suit is a conspiracy theory on Cybertron, this is actually true!

IDW - Regeneration One #96

Title: The War to End All Wars: Part 1

Writer: Simon Furman

Penciler: Guidi Guido

Inker/Finisher (Pages 17-22): Stephen Baskerville

Colourist: John-Paul Bove

Letterer: Chris Mowry

Editor: John Barber

Editor-in-Chief: Chris Ryall

Plot

At some point in time, an older looking Rodimus Prime is standing in a fiery and melted room, reflecting on his massive past mistakes....

In the present day, Rodimus leads the Autobots in a rescue mission in Iacon, which has been devastated in the recent war with the Decepticcons, which leads to some guys like Kup wondering if it would have been better if they'd lost instead. Amongst the carnage they find a barely living Bludgeon, who begs Rodimus to finish him off so he can have his honourable death, but Rodimus declines and orders a medic, when available to heal him up, as a punishment.

Rodimus begins plans to do as Primus wished, and fix the remaining mistakes he was shown in his journey through time, beginning with Galvatron. He has Ultra Magnus take a team to apprehend him, as he's gone missing from where Magnus left him following the battle. After that, he barely acknowledges the Dinobots and Demons, and rolls off, leaving the Dinobots feeling a bit annoyed.

On Earth, Optimus is building a Space Bridge, since the humans have agreed to relocate to Nebulos for their survival, but Circuit Smasher isn't happy, and is tempted to "accidentally" destroy the bridge. Optimus touches on a sore subject by mentioning Buster's death, which really pisses off Circuit Smasher.

Optimus receives a message from Cybertron, and is greeted by Rodimus Prime, whom he agrees to pass off leadership to. Rodimus discusses with the assembled Autobots and Optimus about the loose threads Primus showed him, but Optimus isn't sure how Circuit Smasher can be a major problem.

Elsewhere, in Kalis, Ultra Magnus and his team have located Galvatron and engage him in a battle, the battle seems to be going well until the Acolytes of Unicron appear and abduct Galvatron, as they see him as a herald of Unicron and see his return as a sign of his return.

Nightbeat and Bumblebee are looking into the old archives, and manage to find an obscure image of Jhiaxus, but realize that Jhiaxus only wiped out the data on himself from Cybertron''s databanks, not other planets, so they send out a message to all Cybertron's past trade partners for any information, and start waiting.

On Nebulos, the Autobots there are building their side of the pace Bridge for the transfer, whilst the Nebulons are working on rebuilding bodies for the remaining Autobot heads kept in their labs, including Fortress Maximus. However unknown to them, the dark spawn of the corrupted Matrix is on Nebulos and enters the tank that hold's Fortress Maximus' original head.

Back on Cybertron, Nightbeat and Bumblebee are concerned about how there are absolutely no responses of any type from any of Cybertron's past traders, so they send out a probe to find out more.

On the Ark in an asteroid field Starscream is getting fed up of waiting still, when he suddenly gets scared of "him" being there.

All of a sudden Cybertron's sky is filled with strange ships, and Rodimus is greeted on a communications screen by the face of Jhiaxus, who claims to come in peace.

Characters

Autobot

Rodimus Prime - Caravan

Optimus Prime - Truck

Ultra Magnus - Car Carrier

Gunrunner - Jet Shot by Acolytes of Unicron

Skram - Race Car Shot by Galvatron

Rapido - Race Car

Blurr - Race Car

Nightbeat - Sports Car

Bumblebee - VW Beetle

Prowl - Police Car

Perceptor - Microscope

Jetfire - Jet

Kup - Pick Up Truck

Grimlock - Tyrannosaurus Rex

Swoop - Pteranodon

Slag - Triceratops

Sludge - Apatosaurus

Snarl - Stegosaurus

Quickmix - Mixing Truck

Erector - Truck Cab

Groundpounder - Front End Loader

Takedown - Mixing Truck

Neutro - Bulldozer

Crumble - Crane

Hot Spot - Fire Engine

Hosehead - Fire Engine

Streetwise - Police Car

Blades - Rescue Helicopter

Siren - Emergency Car

Drench - Race Car Injured in Iacon attack

Fixit - Ambulance

Powerglide - Jet

Wheeljack - Race Car

First Aid - Ambulance

Grapple - Crane

Hoist - Tow Truck

Mirage - F1 Race Car

Fortress Maximus - Battle Station Being Rebuilt - Head infected by Dark Matrix creature

Chromedome - Car (Flashback)

Hot Rod - Sports Car (Mentioned) Became Rodimus Prime

Decepticon

Shockwave - Ray Gun Hooked to Ark

Starscream - Fighter Jet

Galvatron - Laser Canon Kidnapped by Acolytes of Unicron

Bludgeon Dying - Being fixed

Krok Arrested

Blitz Engines Destroyed

Megatron (Mentioned)

Soundwave (Mentioned) Arrested

Decepticon Heads in Captivity (Mentioned)

Cybertronian

Jhiaxus

Cybertronian Empire

Demons

Acolytes of Unicron

Dead Guys in Iacon

Boltax (Flashback)

Past Senators (Image)

Spannerbots (Mentioned)

Other

Spike Witwicky/Circuit Smasher

Nebulon Senior Scientist

Dark Matrix Creature

Stylor - Chromedome's Head (Flashback)

Unicron (Image)

Deathbringer (Image)

Primus (Mentioned)

Buster Witwicky (Mentioned)

Witwicky Family (Mentioned)

Little America Collective (Mentioned)

Notes

• Bludgeon somehow survived his plummet to Cybertron, albeit only JUST.
• What caused the massive damage shown in the opening scenes? The Warwold exploded too high up to cause massive ground damage, it could have been from the damage caused by the Warworld shooting the planet, but that damage didn't look like this before.
• Rodimus totally snubs off Grimlock and his Demon army, possibly as a reference to Primus doing the same in the past
• How have the Autobots organized the space bridge project so fast? This story seems to have taken place minutes after the end of the battle, but Optimus and Quickmix's team have almost set up new space bridges on Earth and Nebulos already!
• Rodimus Prime is officially made Autobot leader in this issue.
• Is it just a coincidence that Nightbeat makes his first appearance in Regeneration One at the same time he makes his reappearance in IDW's main continuity? Hmmmm....
• The Acolytes of Unicron have been in hiding since their last appearance just before the Unicron war.
• Erector makes a full, completely unmistakeable appearance here! YAY!
• The Nebulons seem to be fully recovered now as well...how long has it been since the end of the Scorponok sctoryline?
• Chromedome and Stylor are revealed to have both survived the wars in the past, but are now separate and reunited with their original head/reintegrated to society (respectively)
• The Decepticons who went to Nebulos' original heads are being kept detained until further notice.
• The dark Matrix creature has somehow made its way to Nebulos.
• The lack of responses from Cybertron's past traders most likely means they've been destroyed by the Cybertronian Empire (Jhiaxus' guys)
• Rooks alternate mode shown a few issues ago is revealed here to be a mass produced body type.
• Starscream is implied to know who Jhiaxus is, possibly as a reference to Jhiaxus being a bulked out Sekker body-type, maybe.

IDW - More Than Meets The Eye #23

Title: Dark Cybertron Chapter 2: Black Metal

Written by: James Roberts and John Barber

Art by: Atilio Rojo, James Raiz and Livio Ramondelli

Colours by: Josh Perez and Livio Ramondelli

Letters by: Gilberto Lazcano

Editor: Carlos Guzman

Plot

On Cybertron, Bumblebee and his team of Autobots are waiting to see what the inactive Necrotiitan is about to do. The Dinobots want to just destroy it, but Bumblebee wants to be cautious.

Meanwhile at the site of the imploding Gorlam Prime, the Lost Light is waiting in the area whilst they decide what to do about the Dead Universe threat. Brainstorm is working on a project using a Cyberwraith he took from a dead Sweep after the Chaos event whilst the others wait.

Back on Cybertron, in Iacon Starscream is arming himself with some weapons he took from Kimia after the Autobots left, when Rattrap doubts that he can stop the Titan with normal weapons, and suggests going to see an "old friend".

Back on the Lost Light, Magnus finds Orion and Rodimus in Swerve's bar waiting for Brainstorm to finish and they discuss how everyone can feel that something terrible is about to happen. Orion also talks about how he's not happy about how Starscream is now ruling Cybertron when Brainstorm contacts them.

In Brainstorm's lab, Optimus and Rodimus are fitted with devices that have some of the Cyberwraith's venom inside it, so they can enter the Dead Universe without being killed instantly by the Universe itself. They manage to recruit Hardhead and Cyclonus to join them as well, since both have spent time in the vicinity, though Cyclonus is VERY reluctant to go. Before long the ship approaches the portal left by Gorlam Prime's destruction, Magnus is left in charge of the ship to hunt down Jhiaxus as Orion is sure he's involved in some way, which Wheelie waits with the Skyroller for them to return. The four Autobots soon depart for the Dead Universe.

Back in Iacon Starscream has come to the jail cells to see Scoop, whom he had arrested under false charges recently, Jazz is reluctant to leave them alone, but does leave. Scoop reveals that he knows there's another Titan outside, and that he knows this because of a prophecy in the Covenant of Primes, that even seems to refer to Cybertron "and stars shall scream" and also includes an image that looks like Shockwave's head.

Elsewhere in the Crystal City, Shockwave is talking with Nova Prime and Galvatron via holo-communicator, but Nova Prime is angry because the portal between the Dead Universe and Cybertron created by the Necrotitan has gone, due to the reaction of the Ores, however Shockwave assures him that he has a plan, whilst looking at a hologram of Megatron.

Orion Pax, Rodimus, Hardhead and Cyclonus have arrived in the Dead Universe, the discover that the rubble from Gorlam Prime is heading further into the Universe, towards a certain point. Before long they realize that Cyclonus is missing, and worry that a group of giant Cyberwraiths may have gotten him when they start attacking them. After a short battle, the Cyberwraiths escape when Cyclonus returns, vomiting black Energon, and not wanting to discuss it. The group head off, following where the debris is heading, unaware that Nightbeat, long thought dead, is behind them, and starts examining the black Energon curiously.

Back on Cybertron, Bumblebee is still unsure what to do with the Titan when suddenly the Decepticons, led by Soundwave appear, and attack!

Characters

Autobot

Orion Pax - Truck Cab

Rodimus - Sports Car

Bumblebee - Muscle Car

Ultra Magnus - Vehicle Transport

Brainstorm - Jet

Hardhead - Personnel Carrier

Nightbeat - Car

Arcee - Car

Prowl - Car

Ironhide - Van

Slag - Triceratops

Sludge - Apatosaurus

Snarl - Stegosaurus

Swoop - Pteranodon

Whirl - Osprey Helicopter

Wheelie - Car

Rung

Chromedome - Car

Swerve - Van

Skids - Van

Mainframe

Atomizer

Other Autobots

Dead Universe Victim - Maybe Leadfoot (Flashback) Dead

Thunderclash (Mentioned on Sign)

Cloudburst (Mentioned)

Waverider (Mentioned)

Decepticon

Shockwave - Flying Artillery

Soundwave - Van

Blitzwing - Jet/Tank

Astrotrain - Train/Space Shuttle

Needlenose - Jet

Ravage - Cassette

Other Decepticons

Megatron (Hologram)

NAIL

Starscream - Jet

Rattrap - Mole Rat

Jazz - Car

Scoop - Front End Loader

Other Cybertronian

Cyclonus - Jet

Nova Prime - Truck

Galvatron - Laser Tank

Necrotitan - Ship Undead

Primus (Mentioned)

Jhiaxus - Jet (Mentioned)

Annual Metrotitan (Mentioned) Dead

Other

Garnak

Baby Cyberwraith Captured by Brainstorm

Adult Cyberwraiths

Notes

• Slag is the only Dinobot to not get named in this story, possibly to avoid contradictions from the cast list that names him his "safe name" Slug.
• Several guys wonder if the Metrotitan on Cybertron is the same one who declared Starscream the "Chosen One". It isn't, but it's still worth noting.
• The corpse shown in Brainstorm's flashback is most likely one of the victims of the Dead Universe's attack in Revelation. Since he was shown to be examined by someone at some point, this is probably Leadfoot.
• The sign in Swerve's bar has Thudnerclash crossed out of it, which means Swerve just reuses for Orion Pax arriving (he also started writing Optimus, before crossing that out too)
• It seems that the Dead Universe denizens ability to kill people with their touch is due to these Cyberwraiths rather than it just being part of their anatomies 
• Despite his betrayal, and him KNOWING he betrayed him, Scoop still believes Starscream is Cybertron's saviour.
• The Covenant of Primes is most likely just a slight rename of the Covenant of Primus from other continuities, just renamed due to Primus' lack of prevalence in this continuity.
• The hieroglyph showing Shockwave's face COULD actually be anyone who underwent Empurata.
• Nova Prime and Galvatron act quite pally for a while, but Nova reveals this to be a lie when he pushes him away violently just for touching him.
• Shockwave's plans are revealed to involve Megatron in some way, possibly meaning that the new body he built for him was something to do with his grand scheme.
• NIGHTBEAT'S ALIVE!!!!!!!
• The Decepticons at the end are most likely attacking the Necrotitan rather than the Autobots as it is implied here.

IDW - Dark Cybertron #1

Title: Dark Dawn

Written by: John Barber and James Roberts

Layouts by: Phil Jimenez

Finished Art by: Andrew Griffith

Prologue Art by: Brendan Cahill

Colours by: Josh Perez

Prologue Colours by: J.P. Bove

Letters by: Tom B. Long

Editor: Carlos Guzman

Plot

Long ago, deep in space the Ark-1 finds a space anomaly in the Benzuli Expanse, which Nova Prime finds interesting, after looking at the equipment Cyclonus determines that it's a portal to another universe, described in legends as a counter to this one, a dead universe. Nova Prime orders Galvatron to send them into the portal, before it's too late however, Jhiaxus sends out a distress call, and contacts Shockwave to tell him to continue his work for him.

Six Million years later, Shockwave has almost completed his mission, he has Jhiaxus send Waspinator through a space bridge with the Metrotitan from Gorlam Prime, upon arrival, the Titan's Ore within his body (from Gorlam Prime) begins to react with the Ore in the Crystal City, and causes a reaction.

In Iacon, Rattrap calls out to Starscream, who has taken on a new body following his coronation, and points out that the sun, which rose earlier is still in the same place, and that it's still hours until sunrise anyway! Starscream has a scan taken of the anomaly and recognizes it, he asks Rattrap to contact the Lost Light as he needs an expert's help.

Gorlam Prime is exploding due to Jhiaxus' actions with the Titan, and Orion Pax's ship isn't able to escape the gravity well, when suddenly the Lost Light Quantum Jumps to the rescue, having picked up Pax's distress signal before, and escapes due to it's stronger engines.

The two ship's crews meet up and find each other weird. Magnus asks Pax if he plans to assuming command of the ship, but he says no, but does want a tour of the ship. During the tour, they end up on the bridge, when Starscream makes contact, after a short annoyance from Orion about Starscream being in contact and learning about his new leadership over Cybertron, Starscream gets down to business and asks for Cyclonus to confirm that the anomaly on Cybertron is a portal to the Dead Universe, which he sadly does, and warns them that it'll be devastating, as it could destroy the whole planet, but Orion thinks it'll be something much worse...

In the wastelands of Cybertron, the Autobots are investigating the anomaly themselves when suddenly the ground in front of them explodes and a now ravenous, zombie-like Titan erupts from the ground and towers over the them.

Shockwave has a quick flash of future visions including Megatron fighting Galvatron, Starscream dissolving, Rodimus being clamped by something large, Alpha Trion flying, Kup in chains, the Lost Light crashing into some water and Orion Pax fighting a mirror image of himself. 

Shockwave pulls himself out of his vision to find Waspinator worrying over him, but Shockwave shrugs off him and Dreadwing as he greets his two cohorts from the Dead Universe via a hologram: Nova Prime and Galvatron!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Characters

Autobot

Rodimus - Sports Car

Bumblebee - Car

Orion Pax - Truck Cab

Ultra Magnus - Vehicle Transport

Swerve - Van

Skids - Van

Brainstorm - Jet

Whilr - Osprey Helicopter

Ratchet - Ambulance

Perceptor

Hound - Jeep

Prowl - Car

Ironhide - Van

Arcee - Car

Snarl - Stegosaurus

Swoop - Pteranodon

Sludge - Apatosaurus

Slag - Triceratops

Hardhead - Personnel Carrier

Wheelie - Car

Cliffjumper - Car (Flashback)

Sideswipe - Car (Flashback)

Alpha Trion (Flash Forward)

Kup - Pick-Up Truck (Flash Forward)

Mirror Orion - Truck Cab (Flash Forward)

Thunderclash (Mentioned)

Decepticon

Shockwave - Flying Artillery 

Dreadwing - Stealth Bomber

Waspinator - Wasp

Megatron (Flash Forward)

NAIL

Starscream - Jet

Rattrap - Z'verein Mole Rat

Swindle - Van

Jazz - Car

Blurr - Race Car

Cybertronian

Cyclonus - Jet

Jhiaxus - Jet

"The Necrotitan" - Space Shuttle Mutated by Ores

Nova Prime - Truck

Galvatron - Tank

Tailpipe - Motorcycle (Flashback)

Grindcore - Anti-Missile Tank (Flashback)

Scourge - Space Shuttle (Flashback)

Ancient Cybertronians (Mentioned)

Knights of Cybertron (Mentioned)

Metrotitans (Mentioned)

Primus (Mentioned)

Other

Garnak

Notes

• This is the start of the big Dark Cybertron event that has been being built up since the relaunch of the comic
• The Previously section features scenes from various MTMTE and RID comics (as if anyone hasn't been following them already anyway!)
• The prologue makes a small retcon that Nova Prime ordered Galvatron to send the Ark into the Dead Universe, unlike how it looked in Spotlight: Galvatron, where he just did it of his own accord.
• Tailpipe, a character mentioned by Cyclonus as being on the Ark is shown here for the first time, here he is shown using the character model of the Tailpipe toy from the Dark of the Moon Human Alliance toyline (one of my favourites by the way)
• The bright light shown in several RID issues recently is revealed to be a portal to the Dead Universe here
• Starscream's new body is based on the upcoming Armada Starscream toy, just without the insignias. Which of course is based on the Starscream from Transformers Armada originally
• Starscream being in contact with the Lost Light was introduced in the prose story included in MTMTE#21
• The Metrotitan shown in previous issues being taken from Gorlam Prime was clearly miscoloured, as he's shown here in both the present and flashbacks in this new colourscheme.
• It's revealed here that Shockwave's whole scheme has been in order to serve his true master, Nova Prime!!
• Nova Prime was last seen in Heart of Darkness where he was possessed by the D-Void and defeated by Galvatron, who in turn was last seen being dissolved by the Dead Universe during Chaos. Kup, who was seen in the future vision was last seen being sent to the Dead Universe during the Infestation crossover where he was zombified.
• It's likely that the Lost Light are looking for Thudnerclash again, because he's had a head-start on the Knight Quest, and they want to learn where he's been already.

IDW - Prime: Beast Hunters #7

HOORAY! I worked out how to use my scanner with Windows 8! Rejoice!! You can now have pictures in these blogs again!

Story by: Mike Johnson & Mairghread Scott

Written by: Mike Johnson

Art by: Agustin Padilla

Colours by: Priscilla Tramontano

Letters by: Tom B. Long

Editor: Carlos Guzman

Plot

Grimlock and Swoop have made their way to the now living surface of Cybertron again and find Snarl and Chromia with the other survivors. Whilst wondering what happened to the planet to wake it up, they receive a transmission from Kaon to have all Autobots regroup there. This makes Grimlock wonder if the war is actually over now.

Beneath the surface Sludge learns from Firestar and Zoom about Last Spark's destruction in the quakes, when suddenly the walls start shaking, and a Predacon smashes his way in. Sludge has the others escape while he fights the beast.

On the surface the Autobots want to head to Kaon, but Grimlock wont let them until all the unaccounted for are located. Just like that, Slug appears and tells them that Blackout is dead (and no-one says "who?!" evn though no-one there met him....). He tells them that Sludge is still down below, however before any sort of rescue mission begins, some of the remaining members of the Forged attack the group.

Underground, Sludge gets soundly beaten by the Predacon, who then goes after the others, and abducts the unsuspecting Zoom as he's climbing to the surface while Firestar can only watch, a short while later, Sludge finds the dying Zoom, and gives him his final wish, by calling him a Dinobot too. Following his death Sludge hears someone behind him, who startles him.

Up on top, the Dinobots take on the Forged while Grimlock tells the others, including a newly resurfaced Firestar to head to Kaon, when the Predacon suddenly smashes out of the ground. The Dinobots concentrate on him and manage to badly injure him and he flies off to safety.

Sludge then reappears on the surface along with three old friends: Bulkhead, Bumblebee and Arcee!

Characters

Autobot

Grimlock - Tyrannosaurus Rex

Swoop - Pteranodon

Snarl - Stegosaurus

Sludge - Apatosaurus

Slug - Triceratops

Chromia - Sports Car

Firestar - Hover Pick-Up Truck

Zoom  Killed by Rusty

Arcee - Motorcycle

Bumblebee - Sports Car

Bulkhead - Off Road Vehicle

Other Autobots

Decepticon

The Forged

Megatron (Mentioned)

Blackout (Mentioned) Dead

Predacon

Rusty - Winged Dragon

Other

Primus (Mentioned)

Notes

• Before I start the notes, I'll just mention that I have a new facebook like page for my comic series, which will of course most likely branch out to my blogs too, so here's a link if you want a little peek/like: https://www.facebook.com/HumanCookies #ShamelessAdvert
• This issue continues the confusingness of this previous two to such an extent that I have to bring out issue 6 just to remember what happened!
• It's not clear WHEN exactly this issue takes place during Predacon's rising. But since the Autobots didn't seem to think there was anyone else on Cybertron during those events, it can be assumed that this is just AFTER the movie, and the last 2 issues happened during it's storyline.
• The transmission heard from Kaon is most likely Team Prime sending out their recall message into space (but since it's so jumbled even so close, let's see how far it gets into the cold vacuum of nothingness!)
• The unnamed Predacon here is based on the Skystaler character model, which could mean that he's a mis-coloured Backbite...but because he's orange and black, I'll name him "Rusty" until something better comes up!
• Yeah so, Blackout died from his injuries in his last panel last issue (couldn't tell at the time) so Slug has abandoned his corpse, and has walked up to the surface very fast...if they were so close to the surface then why did he and Sludge not just head that way (especially considering all the quakes in the underground lately!?!)
• Yeah so Zoom gets killed off very quickly here despite him seeming to have a big plot role to play from his earlier appearances
• It's very strange how they made Chromia look so much like Arcee in her appearances, yet when Arcee actually appears here so looks off-model.
• Grimlock, after making his speech to Swoop about how everyone needs a fresh start now, and how he doesn't want to rule all of Cybertron, takes control of all the Autobots in this issue, and refuses others advice.

IDW - Robots in Disguise #22

Title: Soundwaves

Written by: John Barber

Art by: Andrew Griffith (Present Day) and Livio Ramondelli (Past)

Colours by: Priscilla Tranontano (Present Day) and Livio Ramondelli (Past)

Letters by: Shawn Lee

Editor: Carlos Guzman

Plot

Four million years ago, Soundwave is transplanting former Sennator Ratbat's brain module from his body, and taking it into his custody, when Shockwave arrives and asks what he intends to do with Ratbat now, they comment on how the massacre of the Senate is a massive event in history, and Shockwave comments on how Megatron is how battling Sentinel Prime, and offers to create Ratbat's new body for him.

In the present, Soundwave and Shockwave start too battle, with Soundwave disgusted with his lack of loyalty, Shockwave reveals that he knows Soundwave is alone, and tells him that he shouldn't have come here, however Soundwave reveals that all his cassettes are with him, and calls them out.

Before the revolution, Soundwave and Megatron meet up, and discuss the future of the Decepticons and the government in general. Soundwave suggests to Megatron to allow his Decepticons to be captured by the senate and sent to Kaon, where the senate would hold an emergency session, called by Ratbat, at Soundwave's behest, so they can attack them from the inside, and wipe them out.

In the present, Soundwave and his cassettes fight Shockwave and Dreadwing, but due to the Ore-14 in the caverns neither side can win, and everyone who is killed is instantly revived again.

In the past, Megatron welcomes Senator Shockwave to his forces, and has Soundwave act as his handler. Soundwave takes an instant disliking to him and even tells Megatron that one day he'll need to kill him. Further in the past, Megatron meets with Soundwave in the Gladiator pits on Ratbat''s orders to make an alliance with him. Soundwave is having problems with his abilities with so many people near him, but Megatron impresses him with his truthfulness and his attitude towards the cassettes being equal beings, unlike how the rest of the world sees them (with Functionalists being prevalent still). Soundwave understands Megatron's real goal - he want's equality.

In the present again, Soundwave and his friends are allowed to leave, as Shockwave knows how pointless a battle with no possible victor is, and he knows Soundwave cannot stop him anyway. He contacts Jhiaxus and has him transport the Metrotitan from Gorlam Prime to him.

In the distant past, Ratbat finds Soundwave and his cassettes hiding out underground, where Soundwave is trying to isolate himself due to his abilities. Ratbat promises him various things, but in the process insults Ravage and the others.

In the present again, Soundwave returns to the Decepticon camp and tells them of what Shockwave is up to, or at least what he knows about it, and tells them that a major battle is about to start, just as a bright light comes from the Crystal City again.

A long time ago, Ravage, Lasserbeak and Buzzsaw are hanging out when they come across a distraught Soundwave struggling with his abilities. They start to help him by giving him something to focus on, and focus his powers onto as well...forging an eternal bond.

Characters

Autobot/Future Autobot

Grimlock - Armoured Truck (Flashback)

Sentinel Prime - Truck (Flashback - Hologram Only)

Orion Pax - Truck (Mentioned)

Decepticon/Future Decepticon

Soundwave - Van

Ravage - Cassette

Buzzsaw - Cassette

Laserbeak - Data Disk

Rumble - Tank

Frenzy - Tank

Shockwave - Flying Artillery

Dreadwing - Stealth Bomber

Astrotrain - Space Shuttle/Train

Blitzwing - Jet/Tank

Needlenose - Jet

Waspinator - Wasp

Megatron - Tank (Flashback)

Senator Ratbat (Flashback)

Thundercracker - Jet (Flashback)

Skywarp - Jet (Flashback)

Blackwall (Flashback)

Scorponok (Flashback)

Other Decepticons (Flashback)

Other

Jhiaxus

Gorlam Titan

Cybertronian Senate (Flashback) Killed by the Decepticons

Gladiator Audience (Flashback)

Monstructor - Gestalt (Mentioned)

Senator Proteus (Mentioned)

Senator Decimus (Mentioned)

Ratioists (Mentioned)

Functionalists (Mentioned)

Notes

• This is the last prequel story to the Dark Cybertron event
• The flashbacks spliced into this story are in reverse chronological order.
• This story shows that when Soundwave transplanted Ratbat's spark into a cassette he also took the brain module too. It also shows that the cassette wasn't his new body, but just a storage device, as Shockwave says he'll design him a new body.
• Shockwave reveals that the pointless battle between Dreadwing and Soundwave was just to test if he had his cassettes with him, as he assumed he'd call on them if they were.
• It's revealed here that the plan to allow the Decepticons to be captured by the Senate was Soundwave's, and that he was manipulating Ratbat all along as he never liked him.
• Grimlock and Scorponok are shown fighting in the Gladiator pits, showing us a part of their unseen history.
• It's revealed that Soundwave joined Megatron originally because he didn't see his cassettes as inferior, or as beasts, like the others did, but as equals.
• It's also shown here that Soundwave is an Outlier of sorts, but learned his control from Ravage (who is able to smell unlike anyone else), which is why he cares so much for his cassettes, as they saved him.
• Rumble and Frenzy are still able to be stored within Soundwave, despite being tanks now.
• The Ratioists are most likely something to do with the Original Thirteen, as it's been mentioned that all Transformers are descended from them, and that they all represented a different type of Transformer (bestial robots, female etc)