IDW - More Than Meets The Eye #18

Title: Remain in Light 2 of 5: House of Ambus

Written by: James Roberts

Pencils by: Alex Milne

Inks by: Brian Shearer

Colours by: Josh Burcham

Letters by: Tom B. Long

Editorial Assistant: Toni Korde

Editor: John Barber

Plot

Swerve is attacked by a Legislator in his bar, but manages to set off the bar's new weapon's system to weaken him, then finishes him off with his new blaster weapon. Meanwhile, the rest of the ship is under similar attacks, with everyone fighting off the Legislators, with Skids being hit the hardest for some reason in the Oil Reservoir.

On Luna-1, Pharma has taken Ratchet prisoner whilst Lockdown and his team hunt down the Autobots across the moon in the air. The Autobots fly away, but find themselves in a graveyard of Metrotitans and decide to use them to hide in and use them against the Decepticons. They manage to evade them for a short while, but are soon all captured (except Cyclonus and Whirl). 

The Autobots are taken away, and pass an inert Ultra Magnus who seems to ignore them, and then come face to face with Chief Justice Tyrest, the commander of the Legislators, who tells them they're  under arrest for crimes against Creation. Brainstorm and Perceptor notice that there's a prototype space bridge in the room too, and wonder why. Rodimus starts swearing at Tyrest, and before long they're all in a cell with Minimus Ambus (Dominus Ambus' spark brother).

The group talk to Ambus and Rung offers him his Autobot badge as he claims to have misplaced his own. Tailgate starts to panic as he's wasting his last few days in prison. Elsewhere in the facility Pharma wakes up Ratchet and shows off that his new hands have the ability to turn into anything, then asks him to play a game with him, and shows him a box for him to guess what's inside! (Horray FUN!)

Back on the Lost Light, Swerve runs through the ship, passing Deftwing's corpse and approaches the Oil Reservoir where he finds Skids just leaving it, exhausted, but victorious, until Stars Saber teleports in and skewers him, then knocks out Swerve as well.

On Luna-1, Ratchet maintains that he doesn't want to play the game, but Pharma continues anyway, opens it and reveals Ratchet's alternate mode inside, revealing that Ratchet is in fact just a head attacked to his spark right now!!

Inside the jail cell Rung is giving out energon sticks and explains to Tailgate that Chief Justice Tyrest is the same Chief Engineer Tyrest that was around during the time of Nova Prime, and that he became Chief Justice after making some treaties between the Autobots and Decepticons. Rodimus adds that Tyrest went off the grid after the Aequitas trials on Garrus-9 were suspended, on his own orders.

Rung offers Ambus some of the energon sticks, but drops them and makes a mess, annoying Ambus, leading Rung to confirm his theory, as all of Ambus' traits are similar to someone elses, leading him to force Ambus to reveal the truth, that somehow, he is in fact Ultra Magnus! (DUN DUN DUH!!)

Characters

Autobot

Rodimus - Car

Chromedome - Car

Rung - Maintenance Buggy

Perceptor

Brainstorm - Jet

Whirl - Osprey Helicopter

Swerve - Small Van Head Conked by Star Saber

Skids - Van Skewered by Star Saber

Minimus Ambus

Ratchet - Ambulance Head and Spark detached from Body by Pharma

Pharma - Jet

Star Saber

Fortress Maximus - Tank

Blaster Injured by Legislators

First Aid - Ambulance

Ambulon - Leg

Hound - Jeep

Gears

Huffer

Inferno

Smokescreen

Hoist - Crane

Dipstick - Car Injured by Legislators

Trailbreaker - Van

Deftwing Killed by Legislators

Ultra Magnus Body Inactive

Optimus Prime (Mentioned)

Dominus Ambus (Mentioned)

Decepticon

Lockdown

Chop Shop

Venom

Ransack

Barrage

"Hardshell" - Insect

Vehicons - Cars and Jets

Megatron (Flashback)

Shockwave (Flashback)

Other

Tailgate - Car Dying

Cyclonus - Jet

Chief Justice Tyrest

Legislators

Medi-Drone Crushed by Legislators

Metrotitan Graveyard Dead

Knights of Cybertron (Mentioned)

Dai Atlas (Mentioned)

Nova Prime (Mentioned)

Notes

• Swerve's bar has a sign that bans swords, guns and of course...briefcases (guess Brainstorm's unmentionable thing scares Swerve a bit after all!)
• Brainstorm made Swerve a "My First Blaster" so he can be a better shot, most likely due to his incidents with Rung's head and his own face in the past.
• Fort Max still has some serious skills here! He tears off one Legislator's head whilst blasting another with his leg arms, all whilst tending to Blaster and sending out a message to the crew!!!
• OH NO!! Did they just kill the medical drone!!??!!
• Lockdown's crew is now joined by the car and jet Vehicons and Hardshell-Insecticons from the Prime series
• I get the feeling that all those holes on Tyrest, including on his forehead, as well as him repeating some of his words, like he was being listened to by someone...Quintessons maybe? (Especially with the "crimes against creation" thing too, which was their whole thing back in the 80's cartoon)
• Deftwing gets still by a head injury off screen here...much like what happened to his fellow Lightformer Ironfist in Last Stand of the Wreckers (through Ironfist got more screen time first of course)
• Star Saber has what seems to be an ancient sword with him...maybe he has something to do with the Circle of Light?
• The sparks have calmed down again since Rodimus left the surface of the planet, meaning that he must be a catalyst of some sort for it.

IDW - Monstrosity #1

Story by: Chris Metzen & Flint Dille

Art by: Livio Ramondelli 

Letters by: Tom B. Long

Editor: John Barber

Plot

In Kaon, the Dynobots, led by Grimlock lead a raid on some guys expecting a large payload from them, but ending up with nearly nothing. Afterwards they head to Swindle's business and pummels him for giving them bad information, and reveal that they need to get off Cybertron as they fear what'll happen if they lose control of themselves.

Inside Metroplex in Iacon, Optimus Prime hosts the inaugural meeting of the Grand Convocation (basically a replacement for the Senate). During the meeting Dai Atlas, thinking Optimus is no better than Zeta, keeps arguing with him on his policies etc, but stays out of respect for the Matrix inside of Optimus.

Meanwhile, in Deep Space Scorponok, having taken command of the Decepticons after Megatron's defeat at Optimus' hand in Autocracy, is flying Astrotrain towards the Planet Junkion, where he dumps Megatron, intending for him to die humiliated (instead of just martyring him or just killing a weakened leader).

Back on Cybetron Optimus returns to his chambers where he is greeted by Alpha Trion and congratulates him on his joining of the factions with the Convocation and assures him that only he himself can work out if he's truly worthy of his leadership or not (as he was uncertain after Dai Atlas' screaming.

Megatron plummets to Junkion, and is immediately attacked by the Junkions.

At the Rust Bucket bar on Cybertron the Dynobots take on a high profile job, to try and get the supplies to leave Cybertron.

On Junkion Megatron tears through the Junkions with some ease, but eventually collapses due to his injuries. On Cybertron, the Dynobots attack the Toraxxis Mega-Refinery for their prize, and encounter "minimal resistance". At Kolkular Scorponok official takes command of the Decepticons and all the troops seem fine with that except the Terrorcons who intend to head to Junkion to kill Megatron themselves and then go after Scorponok.

Speaking of Junkion, Megatron manages to wake up, and starts cannibalizing the Junkion's parts to repair his damaged body, then continues his journey across the planet, looking for a way to leave.

The Dinobots take the refinery, and start pumping the fuel, but Slag has and argument with Grimlock and leaves the team.

On Junkion again, Megatron comes across a crashed spiral ship and finds a long lost survivor, a Quintesson called Pentius whose been trapped there for a long time, and tells Megatron that to survive on this world he must himself become monstrous.

At Kolkular, Scorponok and Starscream are discussing things about leadership when an alarm comes in from the refinery, and they send out a team to investigate.

Meanwhile, at the sparring arena in Metroplex Optimus has asked Dai Atlas to come see him so they can work through some of their issues, and Optimus warns him that the Decepticons may consider his, and his follower's pacifistic ways as a weakness...to which Dai Atlas slices up two sparring droids with ease, and corrects him that he's not a pacifist, he's a patriot for the old ways.

On Junkion Megatron talks with Pentius, and learns that sometimes ships land on the planet for supplies etc, and frees him saying that he needs a guide on this planet, and Pentius will be his prisoner for the time being and plans to take one of the ships to return home.

Back in Toraxxis, the Dinobots are interrupted by the Seekers who attack them, Slag returns to the team during the battle and takes out Thrust and Dirge with ease. Scorponok joins the fight and mocks them that the Dinobots cant possibly fight them all off in their conditions, to which Grimlock agrees, and reveals that he set off an alarm for help, revealing Sky Lynx heading towards them in the sky!

Characters

Autobot

Optimus Prime - Truck

Grimlock

Slag

Snarl

Sludge

Swoop

Bumblebee - Car

Metroplex - City

Sky Lynx

Alpha Trion

Zeta Prime (Mentioned) Dead

Decepticon

Megatron Exiled to Junkion

Scorponok

Starscream - Jet

Swindle - Van

Astrotrain - Space Shuttle

Skywarp - Jet

Thundercracker - Jet

Tankor - Large Jet

Blitzwing - Jet

Ramjet - Jet

Dirge - Jet Injured by Slag

Thrust - Jet Injured by Slag

Hun-Gar - Two Headed Monster

Sinnertwin - Two Headed Monster

Cutthroat - Winged Monster

Rippersnapper - Shark Monster

Blot - Bi-Pedal Monster

Soundwave

Shockwave

Runamuck

Runabout

Bonecrusher

Rumble

Grand Convocation

Dai Atlas

Bulkhead

Traachon

Slinger

Xaaron

Tomaandi

Other

Pentius

Nightshift - Car Injured by Dynobots

Strongbox - Truck Injured by Dynobots

Wreck-Gar

Junkions

Sparring Drones

Sentry Drone Commander Killed by Grimlock

Circle of Light (Mentioned)

Engineering Guild (Mentioned)

Notes

• This is the collected version of issue 1-3 of the digital comic series (unlike how Autocracy made me wait for the Trade edition...)
• Wow the Dinobots sure are getting around a lot in comics lately aren't they? They're main characters in Regeneration One, Robots in Disguise, Beast Hunters AND here!!
• Swindle seems to have been repaired and back to running a business despite his injuries in Autocracy
• Bulkhead appears here in his Prime series body. His Animated series vehicle mode was previously seen in Spotlight Blurr as Blurr's limo, maybe it's the same guy?
• OH WHY?! They homage the Astrotrain scene from the 80's movie AGAIN!!!
• Megatron's new look on Junkion somewhat resembles his DOTM body, with it's clawed hands, capeand slightly demented facial features
• Dai Atlas' attitude towards Optimus COULD also be because of Optimus' former friendship with Shockwave, who attacked and turned against Dai Atlas too.

IDW - Regeneration One #92

Title: Destiny Part Two

Writer: Simon Furman

Penciler: Andrew Wildman

Inker: Stephen Baskerville

Colorist: John-Paul Bove

Letterer: Chris Mowry

Editor: John Barber

Editor-in-Chief: Chris Ryall

Plot

Optimus goes to talk to Circuit Smasher/Spike Witwicky, but is attacked by the super powered human, however Optimus refuses to fight back and insists that he wants to talk. Soon more humans arrive in their battle suits and Spike is ordered to stand down by his wife, Linda Chang who wants to let Optimus have his fair say for now.

On Cybertron Prowl and Trailbreaker are watching over the formerly Nucleon-infused Autobots in the Garage to make sure they're safe to leave, and the "inmates" aren't too happy about the situation. Prowl and Trailbreaker soon leave to help calm down a few recent flashpoints of activity across Cybertron.

Across Cybertron the Decepticons are causing havok for the Autobots, who aren't able to keep calm so easily, which is secretly due to Soundwave spreading a red mist that causes unrest. He is receiving a report on this from Spinister when he notices he has an eavesdropper - Blaster in the Garage. He sends out the Mayhem Attack Squad to take him out before he can reveal this to the Autobots.

Back on Earth Optimus has been taken to Little America in Wyoming where he suggests that the remaining humans be taken to planet Nebulos, so that they can live on a more stable planet, and can help to repair the native, still braindamaged Nebulons. The humans seem to be considering the proposal, but Spike looks furious about it since it would require them to be reliant on Cybertronians to do it.

At the Garage again, Blaster breaks free from his tank, followed by the others and learns about Soundwave sending his troops to get to him for eavesdropping on his plans. Roadgrabber, Snarler and Carnivac attack the exterior of the Garage and take down the guards.

Down below Hot Rod is leading the remaining Dinobots through the catacombs, not realizing that the Demons are following them in secret.

Back in the Garage Snarler smashes through the door and goes to ram Huffer, who just smashes him to the floor due to his innate strength, next Carnivac goes to attack the small Auotbot, but Inferno and SIlverbolt blast him with a massive gun recycled from an Energon Siphon. Next Roadgrabber takes aim to kill the Autobots, but keeps missing due to Blaster sending out scrambling signals, Huffer then pummels him a bit, and the other two blast him with the cannon. Carnivac breaks out of his Pretender shell and fires off a flame at Silverbolt, but is soon defeated himself by Blaster. Inferno puts out the fires on Silverbolt.

Later Prowl and the others return to arrest the defeated Decepticons, and Prowl says he's impressed with them, and confirms that the flashpoints seem to be dying down outside, however they've lost most long range communications and surveillance during the attacks.

This leaves them unknowing of two approaching ships, the War World and the Ark, with Bludgeon and Galvatron inside them, planning their own attacks on Cybertron.

Characters

Autobot

Optimus Prime - Truck

Hot Rod - Car

Prowl - Police Car

Trailbreaker - Van

Huffer - Truck

Inferno - Fire Truck

Silverbolt - Jet

Blaster - Boombox 

Swoop - Pteranodon

Snarl - Stegosaurus

Sludge - Apatosaurus

Slag - Triceratops 

Kup - Pick Up Truck

Whirl - Helicopter

Roadbuster - Jeep

Sandstorm - Buggy/Helicopter

Rack 'N' Ruin

Red Alert - Car

First Aid - Ambulance

Other Autobots

Sky Lynx - Space Shuttle (Flashback)

Grimlock (Mentioned) Presumed Dead

Springer (Mentioned) Dead

Decepticon

Galvatron

Bludgeon

Soundwave 

Spinister - Helicopter

Roadgrabber - Jet Defeated by Silverbolt and Inferno - Arrested

Snarler - Boar Defeated by Huffer - Arrested

Carnivac - Wolf Defeated by Blaster - Arrested

Needlenose - Jet

Battletrap - Tank and Jet

Ruckus - Baja Buggy

Windsweeper - Jet

Fang

Other Decepticons

Scorponok (Mentioned) Presumed Dead

Human

Circuit Smasher/Spike Witwicky

G.B. Blackrock

Linda Chang

Gordon Kent

Little America Civilians

Other

Cybertronian Civilians

Demons

Primus (Mentioned)

Nebulons (Mentioned)

Notes

• Looks like Optimus wasn't on Earth with the human's permission after all huh?
• I love how whipped Spike is by his wife
• The formerly Nucleon-infected Autobots are shown here to be still in quarantine, however Inferno was shown doing crowd control last issue...maybe that was Artfire?
• Sky Lynx's feet appear to be extendable
• So they use the already angry Wreckers team as a police force? Not a wise choice...
• It's a bit of a coincidence that Hot Rod keeps going into the tunnels below Cybertron during all these big violent battle events huh?

IDW - Beast Hunters #2

Story by: Mairghread Scott & Mike Johnson

Written by: Mairghread Scott

Art by: Agustin Padilla

Colours by: Priscilla Tramontano

Letters by: Tom B. Long

Editor: Carlos Guzman

Plot

Snarl and Sludge fight the Insecticons led by Kickback, during which Kickback taunts Sludge about how he was just used by Shockwave as a test-subject for the Dinobot's and was just abandoned, then forgotten about for some time. All of that of course annoys Sludge to the point that he half kills Kickback, and learns from him that the Insecticons haven't been draining the victims, and they believe it to be the Forged, he also reveals that an aerial Autobot scout witnessed a fight between them over it, so there's proof. Snarl admits that the Insecticons aren't the killers, and Sludge agrees...this time, and subsequently kills Kickback.

Afterwards the two Autobots discuss what happened, recharge and decide to return to Last Spark on a hunch. Inside the city, the two Dinobots meet with Firestar, who takes them to the morgue inside they find some marks on the corpses similar to those on the draining victims and believe that the morgue was used as a practice ground by someone in the city, just then Airwave walks in, and the Dinobots realize that only Airwave has an aerial mode in the city, menaing he must be the attacker.

Airwave, rumbled, attacks Firestar and leaves her for dead, he takes off in jet mode and blames the Dinobots for Firestar's death, leading the city's people to attack the two outsiders. During the following battle Sludge manages to ground Airwave and they argue, as Airwave claims that everyone left on the planet is doomed, that's why he's doing anything to survive. Airwave's about to kill Sludge, when Firestar, who wasn't killed after all skewers him through the chest, slices him in half and finishes him off.

Afterwards, Firestar and the rest of the people in the city decide to remain behind, despite all that's happened, whilst the Dinobots return to their own city. Sludge goes to see Grimlock who says that he's glad he disobeyed his orders, and he needs Sludge to help him do what is right now and again, then proceeds to get ready for the day's duties.

Characters

Autobot

Grimlock - Tyrannosaurus Rex

Sludge - Apatosaurus

Snarl - Stegosaurus

Firestar - Hover Pick Up Truck

Airwave - Fighter Jet Killed by Firestar

Last Spark Denizens

Decepticon

Kickback - Insect Killed by Sludge

Insecticons - Insects

Shockwave (Mentioned)

The Forged (Mentioned)

Other

Primus (Mentioned)

The Thirteen (Mentioned)

Notes

• This issue concludes the story line begun last issue, indicating this series should be more episodic than just one single ongoing story (like the Mini's are)
• Still no sign of Swoop yet...
• This story finally addresses Sludge's absence, and return to the Dinobots, which was somewhat of a continuity burp before now
• I think we all saw that Airwave was going to be revealed to be the bad guy here...I mean he WAS based on a Decepticon after all
• Airwave has a VERY Earth-like alternate mode, despite his team-mate Firestar having a very Cybertronian looking one.

TFCC #51 - Beast Wars Shattered Glass

Writers: Benson Yee & Pete Sinclair with Matt Frank

Pencils & Inks: Matt Frank

Colours: Thomas Deer

Letters: Jesse Wittenrich

Managing Editor: Pete Sinclair

Plot

The Maximals are being chased by the Predacons, but Magnus transforms and stands against the Predacons, along with Depth Charge, who claims that his wing is damaged. The Maximals however are somewhat trapped as the only way back to their ship is across a narrow bridge.

Magnus takes on Megatron alone, whilst the Maximals escape, then smashes up the bridge and blasts Megatron, sending him falling down below. Magnus returns to the other Maximals and they return to the ship. The Predaconsregroup with Megatron down below, who is unusually happy, as he looks out on a stone carving of a Vok head with some mechanical parts behind the now cracked facade, claiming that they've just found power.

Later, Depth Charge explains what happened to the Classicsverse to the Maximals and reveals to them that whilst they are on Earth, it's not THEIR Earth, and the Mtarix he's there to find is not he Matrix that was used on Unicron years ago, but another one....

Characters

Maximal/Autobot

Ultra Magnus - Mammoth

Depth Charge - Frequent Flyer Jet

Grimlock - Raging Raptor

Ironhide - Elephant

Silverbolt - Eagle

Prowl - Lion

Optimus Prime (Mentioned)

Predacon/Decepticon

Megatron - Tank

Dirge - Sky Terror Jet

Autojetter - Winged Warrior Jet

Autolauncher - ATV

Scylla - Beastly Bottom Feeder

Snaptrap - Snapping Turtle

Overbite - Shark

Seawing - Manta Ray

Skalor - Coelacanth 

Other

Unicron (Mentioned)

Notes

• The battle on the bridge is somewhat similar to that from the opening episodes of Beast Wars as well
• Ultra Magnus seems to have booster rockets in his beast mode legs
• This issue has Magnus etc learn that they're not in their home universe any more, though they don't seem to know that it was their universe that was destroyed however
• The Decepticons rename themselves Predacons here when Megatron refers to them as Predators.

Other Features

Botcon 2013 info

A Road Map to the Transformers Fiction Universe - A map that tries to link all Transformers fiction

The Fairborns - Dad, Mom and Daughter - Article on the famous GI Joe/Transformers crossover character

The Transformers Menagerie Part 3: The Insecticons

Scylla Profile

Autojetter Profile

Transformers I.Q. Quiz

Transformers I.Q. Trivia Bonus

Recordicons Mini-Comic

Titan - Prime #15 - Poster Special

Notes

This is a strange issue, it's basically an A1 sized poster with 8 pages of the magazine (including cover) on the back, as such, it has no comic, but still has some very fun things inside, as well as a large (blunt) bladed Frisbee and foam dart gun. Most likely this major change in format and sudden summary of the first 2 series could be because they plan to revamp the comic for Beast Hunters (ie series 3) in August (Hey, I can hope!)

Features

Raf's Notes - Raf does a summary on some of the big events in the series so far (up to end of Season 2)

Front Line! - Faux Newspaper depicting end of Season 2, and worries about fate of Autobots, and other fun pretend things

UK Truck Tour Dates - The Optimus truck tour starts again!

The Trans Files - Megatron's entry (includes his original names from Exodus as well)

Transformers: Primer! - Raf's Computer tells you some things about the Cybertronians

Competitions - Easy question to win some Beast Hunters things

A1 Poster - It's too big to live in my scanner, but I just had to share it still, below

IDW - Robots in Disguise #18

Title: Second Exodus
Written by: John Barber
Art by: Atilio Rojo
Colours by: Priscilla Tramotano
Letters by: Tom B. Long
Editor: Carlos Guzman

Plot

Following the battle of Iacon, Starscream has killed Metalhawk., but uses his death to force the NAIL's to make the Autobots and Decepticons who won't renounce their factions out of the city.

Starscream assures Fixit that when they are healthier, Omega Supreme and the rest of the injured will have the same choice as the others. After the leave Iacon, the Autobots are joined by the Constructicons, who want to be with Prowl, as they feel kindred to him now. The Dinobots attack the Constructicons, but the Constructicons only defend themselves, and don't hurt their enemies. Bumblebee points out to the Decepticons that Prowl wasn't himself for a while, so the guy they came to know isn't the real Prowl, however Arcee reveals that Prowl had Ratbat executed BEFORE he was mind-jacked, Bumblebee takes this to a bit of shock, and gives in to his injuries.

Soon, the Autobots have set up a make-shift settlement around Fixit's medical trailer, where Bumblebee is being repaired, using his old Earth-body parts. Nearby, Arcee talks with Prowl and apologizes for revealing his secret, then says how she doesn't know what to do now, as during her time on Gorlam Prime killing Jhiaxus, things made sense, but now she doesn't have anything. She walks off saying that she hopes Bumblebee doesn't die, to which Prowl quietly thanks her.

Arcee heads over to the Trailer to check on Bumblebee, but Sideswipe won't let her in, despite their great teamwork during the battle, he doesn't want her, a mindless killing machine near him right now, and tells her to go away.

As she leaves, the Constructicons throw some rubble at her, to which she retaliates by drawing her sword and fighting them, which the other Autobots just watch for entertainment. Ironhide and the Dinobots soon break up the fight and he makes them stay together, the Dinobots offer to take the others drinking, but Arcee refuses

Arcee chats with Ironhide, who is worried about the signal that altered him and the others before being still active, after which, Arcee disappears and sits outside the Trailer, craving something into her shoulder. Bumblebee wakes up and leaves the trailer in his new body and Arcee explains that she decided to take over from Sideswipe (by knocking him out) because she assumes that she'd be immune from the signal, as she's already sort of mad, then shows Bumblebee the Autobot insignia she's carved into herself.

Bumblebee comments on the sun rising, but Arcee says it can't be, as it's only just set, more Autobots crowd around and look towards the ball of light in the distance, and Arcee says that it's Jhiaxus, despite him being far away. They all look, and see Shockwave standing in front of the ball of light, and Arcee comments about him not being alone...

Characters

Autobot

Bumblebee - Muscle Car (Formerly Cybertronian Car)

Arcee - Car

Ironhide - Van

Prowl - Car

Fixit - Ambulance

Sideswipe - Car Knocked Out by Arcee

Slag - Triceratops

Snarl - Stegosaurus

Sludge - Apatosaurus

Swoop - Pteranodon

Streetwise - Car

Tracks - Car

Ciffjumper - Car

Quickslinger - Motorcycle

Omega Supreme Badly Injured

Superion Badly Injured

Other Exiled Autobots

Wheeljack - Car (Mentioned) Dead

Hardhead (Mentioned)

Decepticon

Shockwave - Flying Cannon

Mixmaster - Mixing Truck

Hook - Crane

Long Haul - Dump Truck

Scavenger - Excavator

Bonecrusher - Bulldozer

Dirge - Jet Injured

Devastator - Gestalt (Flashback)

Megatron (Mentioned)

Bombshell (Mentioned)

Ratbat (Mentioned) Dead

NAIL

Starscream - Jet

Metalhawk - Jet Dead

Squawkbox

Swindle - Van

Jazz - Car

Flatline (Mentioned)

Quickmix (Mentioned)

Animated Shockwave

NAIL Crowds

Other

Jhiaxus - Jet (Mentioned)

Giant Turbofoxes (Mentioned)

Notes

• Basically this story is a new Spotlight for Arcee
• This issue marks Arcee's "official" joining of the Autobots
• Omega Supreme and Superion are confirmed as still alive here, albeit just very badly injured
• The Autobots have set up a shanty-town in the wilds, could be the start of an Autobot City type situation maybe?
• For some reason they kept Bumblebee's left-over parts from his old Earth mode, did someone predict he'd be half killed again? (Like he was in the Ongoing)
• Bumblebee's new body seems to be a hint towards a new toy of "Goldbug" from the upcoming Generations Bumblebee toy. However Goldbug in IDW is a separate character from Bumblebee, so it'll likely be called "Gold Bumblebee" or "Goldfire Bumblebee" or something.
• Shockwave's silhouette on the last page is shown with 2 regular hands and not his giant cannon, which is completely possible on the toy he's based on! 
• Flatline is mentioned here, marking his debut in G1, as he's a Movie characters nominally
• It's revealed here that the Aerialbots spontaneously combined into Superion rather than being operated on, it's also said that the reason the Dinobots calmed down after trying to kill everyone because of the number of people in the area increasing with the Aerialbots joining them.

IDW - More Than Meets The Eye #17

Title: Remain in Light Part 1 of 5: The Fecund Moon
Written by: James Roberts
Art by: Alex Milne
Colours by: Josh Burcham
Letters by: Tom B. Long
Editorial Assistants: Toni Korde and Mariel Romero
Editor: John Barber

Plot

Tailgate, after finding out he has only 3 days or so to live after being diagnosed with Cybercrosis, panics and runs back to his quarters to tell Cyclonus. Elsewhere, Rodimus, Ambulon and Blaster are monitoring the security footage of Magnus waking up and seemingly levitating to Shuttle Bay 3, where he steals a shuttle. The group track the shuttle and go after it.

Tailgate tells Cyclonus what Ratchet told him, and Cyclonus leaves, then scars himself in anger for what is happening. Later the ship appraoches a portal in space, where Magnus seemingly went through, and everyone is excited/nervous. Rodimus takes the ship into the portal for more adventure. On the other side, they find the long lost Luna-1.

Later, after some scans Perceptor reports that the thing they've found does indeed appear to be Luna-1, but oddly, despite seemingly being deserted, they've detected a billion people on it.

Rodimus soon puts together an away team for an excursion to Luna-1, made of himself, Rung, Brainstorm, Whirl, Chromedome, Ratchet, Cyclonus and Tailgate (who Cyclonus wanted to bring, so he can have an experience before his death). Rodimus explains to his team that the mission is to look for Magnus, but anything else they find is a bonus. Cyclonus tells Tailgate not to get his hopes up about finding a cure on the moon, and that this is just for the experience.

The shuttle lands on the moon and the team go either by alt mode, or MARB across the deserted planetoid, with Fort Max and Blaster keeping in contact with them from the ship above. The team come across Magnus' shuttle and find it smashed apart, Rodimus jumps off his MARB to examine it closer, when suddenly the entire moon lights up with sparks, still in the ground, with everyone thinking it has something to do with the Matrix in Rodimus, or just Rodimus himself.

The team discuss what this means, and how important this is now when they lose contact with the Lost Light. In the Oil Reservoir, Skids is sitting alone when suddenly he hears "nineteen eighty-four" from the darkness.

On Luna-1, the team have found a green spark, and Brainstorm immediately starts extracting it, despite others, like Cyclonus and Rung complaining about the land not being consecrated or that this is technically stealing, when suddenly the team is attacked from the air by Lockdown and his crew.

On the Lost Light again, Skids starts a fight with the Legislators, who explode from the oil, meanwhile more Legislators start appearing across the ship, inside Swerve's bar, the bridge, and everywhere else. On Luna-1, the team are trying to escape when Ratchet's MARB is blasted away, and he's taunted by Pharma!

Later on, Rodimus relates these events to someone calling himself Ambus

Characters

Autobot

Rodimus - Car

Whirl - Osprey Helicopter

Perceptor

Ratchet - Ambulance

Chromedome - Car

Rung - Maintenance Buggy

Brainstorm - Jet

Skids - Van

Fortress Maximus - Tank

Blaster

Ambulon - Leg

Swerve - Van

Pharma - Jet

Dominus Ambus (Flash Forward)

Inferno

Grapple

First Aid - Ambulance

Huffer

Gears

Ultra Magnus (Footage) Gone Missing

Optimus Prime (Mentioned)

Spoke (Mentioned)

Lockstock (Mentioned)

Mainframe (Mentioned)

Drift (Mentioned)

Bumblebee (Mentioned)

Prowl (Mentioned)

Trailbreaker (Mentioned)

Rewind (Mentioned) Dead

Polaris (Mentioned) Dead

Animus (Mentioned) Dead

Shock (Mentioned) Dead

Decepticon

Lockdown

Chop Shop

Venom

Ransack

Barrage

Rest of Lockdown's Crew

Overlord (Mentioned)

Rossum (Mentioned)

Scorponok (Mentioned)

Shockwave (Mentioned)

Other

Tailgate - Car Dying of Cybercrosis

Cyclonus - Jet

Legislators

Nova Prime (Mentioned)

Medibot (Mentioned)

Knights of Cybertron (Mentioned)

Notes

• Rodimus considered himself, Magnus and Drift to be like Rossum's Trinity, as they all complimented each other as a team
• Last time we saw Ambus (in flashback form) he was looking for a cure to Cybercrosis...coincidence?
• Tailgate's green innermost Energon is explained here as it being curdled...why didn't anyone mention this to him when they saw it!??!
• Remember when last time Tailgate transformed he was trapped half-way through? We all thought it was funny back then didn't we? Turns out, it's a sign of him dying!
• Gee, Rodimus sure sounds a bit like a Functionalist here doesn't he? When he screams at Swerve about him being a Bartender, not a Metallurgist now.
• Wow, Cyclonus should give speeches to more people with terminal illnesses "NEVER HOPE. HOPE IS A LIE."
• Rodimus leaves Fort Max in charge of the Lost Light in his absence....yeah, the gun totting PTSD sufferer, good idea!
• Rodimus reveals that he keeps his half of the Matrix inside his chest, wonder if Bumblebee does the same?
• Brainstorm has experience in harvesting Point One Percenters...wonder if that means he helped "create" one of the Phase Sixers?
• The new Legislators chant Seventeen Twenty-One. Whilst we don't know what that means in this universe, in real life it's the start and end issue numbers for this story-arc
• Pharma's appearance in the last panel confirms that he survived the Red Rust on Messatine. His new saw-hand is most likely a gift from Lockdown, who is know to have one in at least one continuity (Animated), but it also invokes a feel of Ash from the Evil Dead series. His pose even sort of resembles the pose shown on the Army of Darkness DVD covers.
• Chromedome points out that they seem to never transform any more, and ask why they even have alt modes!
• Swerve calls Trailcutter "Trailbreaker" here, either this is a mistake, or Trail-guy decided to go back to his old name again some point in the last day.

My Crazy Theories

• It's been mentioned in solicitations for July's comics that Star Saber will be appearing, now with this issue's revelation of the powerful green sparks being on Luna-1, it's possible that that is in fact Star Saber, just waiting to be born in the next couple of issues. Perhaps even using Magnus' body as raw materials (I always did think his inner robot looked a bit like Magnus).
• On a similar note, it was noted in earlier issues that Ununtrium (the thing used to make Phase Sixers indestructible) is basically non-existent now on Cybertron (at least when that part of the story was set). It's likely therefore that this compound is actually native to Luna-1, which could be how the Decepticons keep finding some of it for more Phase Sixers, as Lockdown's crew could have been mining the planet.
• The explosive energies from Cybertron early in the RID series were meant to be sent into Luna-1, but it wasn't there, it's likely that those energies could have reignited the sparks on the moon to help revive the Cybertronian race that way
• Also, Lockdown never mentioned who his "boss" was in Spotlight: Trailbreaker...maybe they were the Quintessons, hence linking it to my theory that the Legislators are made by them too

IDW - Robots in Disguise #17

Title: Shockwaves
Written by: John Barber
Art by: Livio Ramondelli
Letters by: Tom B. Long
Editor: Carlos Guzman

Plot

Shockwave and Dreadwing fly away from Iacon into the Wilds, to the crater where the Metrotitan was found, and exploded, inside, expecting ruins, Dreadwing is shocked to find the Crystal City still intact, despite being ground zero for the explosion. The two of them wonder why this is, when Shockwave blasts a hole in his chest, killing him. Shockwave then waits...

In the distant past, Shockwave is planting something in the Crystal City when Jhiaxus appears and points out that there's a massive battle going on, between Omega Supreme, and his greatest creation Monstructor. They watch as Monstructor is defeated and before long Jhiaxus is on the Ark, before he can be disgraced, leaving Shockwave in his stead. The Crystal City is buried under ground, and life continues. After a while, Shockwave is made a Senator and sets up the J.A.A.T. to much applause from his fellow Senators.

Afterwards, Dai Atlas approaches the newcomer, and tells him his concerns, as he wasn't fond of Jhiaxus, but Shockwave assures him that he's not Jhiaxus. Proteus then comes up for a chat, but first physically assaults the Cybertronian who was working as Shockwave's projector, this disgusts Shockwave, and denounces Proteus' Functionalist beliefs, to which Proteus comments that such emotion is unbecoming of a senator.

Later, Shockwave watches some miners being transported to Luna-2, which Shockwave hates that they need, and he comments that he planted a seed before Jhiaxus left on the Ark, and says that he plans to create artificial Energon to replace their needs on the real stuff (beginning the plans of his Regenesis Project). Dai Atlas warns Shockwave not to do anything too outrageous, especially with the Senate seeming to be becoming corrupt.

Over time, the Senate starts to split, with Proteus running things behind his puppet Primes, so Shockwave starts finding new potential Primes of his own, including Orion Pax. After a while, Shockwave is taken captive and is placed under Shadowplay and Empurata, turning him into his more familiar form.

After his Empurata, Shockwave remains a Senator, but rather than being weakened by the effects of the processes he is made more determined, and without emotions, he can work without limits etc. After a Senate meeting, Shockwave is greeted by Starscream who takes him to meet the leader of the Decepticons, Megatron. Who wants to use Shockwave's knowledge on Gestalts (via Jhiaxus' research) to build his own one. Shockwave says it'll be a long process, which Megatron doesn't mind, as he has a long-term plan.

Soon, Shockwave has a lab of his own, where he's experimenting on random Cybertronians, and over time, he starts to figure some things out.

One day Orion Pax approaches him in the street, worried about him, but Shockwave doesn't care about his friend's concerns, as he's not really the same person anymore. Later, Megatron begins his plans for destroying the Senate in Kaon, and tells Shockwave of this, who in order to help in some way, replaces his claw hands with a blaster and a normal hand.

Soon, Shcokwave goes to visit Dai Atlas, and shoots him at point blank range, sparing him from dying with the rest of the Senate.

Over the years, Shockwave has seeded 13 worlds with his Ores, which created various effects, but then remarks that his most powerful Ore is still on Cybertron. Dreadwing wakes up, and his wound is healed,a nd he's alive, thanks to the power of Ore-14, resurrection! With this, he'll be able to bring about his final cataclysm.

Characters

Autobot/Future Autobot

Orion Pax - Truck (Flashback)

Nominus Prime (Flashback) Dead

Sentinel Prime (Flashback)

Omega Supreme (Flashback)

Impactor (Flashback)

Bumblebee - Car (Mentioned)

Decepticon/Future Decepticon

Senator Shockwave - Flying Gun

Dreadwing - Stealth Bomber

Megatron - Armoured Truck (Flashback)

Starscream - Tetra Jet (Flashback)

Soundwave - Acoustic Van (Flashback)

Senator Ratbat (Flashback)

Monstructor - Gestalt (Flashback) Defeated by Omega Supreme

Bristleback (Mentioned)

Scowl (Mentioned)

Slog (Mentioned)

Icepick (Mentioned)

Wildfly (Mentioned)

Birdbrain (Mentioned)

Devastator - Gestalt (Mentioned)

Other

Senator Proteus (Flashback) Dead

Senator Dai Atlas (Flashback) Injured by Shockwave

Jhiaxus (Flashback)

Nova Prime (Flashback)

Cyclonus (Flashback)

Galvatron (Flashback)

Projector-Bot - Holo-Projector (Flashback)

The Senate (Flashback) Dead

Shockwave's Victims (Flashback) Dead

Shielded Guards (Flashback)

Miners (Flashback)

Metrotitan - City/Space Ship (Mentioned) Dead

NAILS (Mentioned)

Civilians (Flashback)

Primus (Mentioned)

Vector Sigma (Mentioned)

Notes

• You have to wonder...if everything down in the Crystal City can be revived like this...then where is the Metrotitan?
• Shockwave and Dreadwing went missing from the battle in Iacon, this is where they ended up.
• The pre-empurata Shockwave is shown to be kind of sly as well, as he plants the Ore-14 in Crystal City years before he begins his mass-plan to seed other worlds
• Shockwave was witness to the battle between Monstructor and Omega Supreme, shown in the RID Annual 2012, and was also witness to Megatron being shipped off to the mines
• Dai Atlas appearing in this flashback, and throughout Monstrosity as well somewhat builds up to Dai Atlas maybe returning in the present
• Shockwave originally had claw hands, rather than his now common blaster, it's shown that he can change his hands over by simply removing and replacing them
• Shockwave DOES seem to have some emotion left, as he makes sure that Dai Atlas is kept away from the Senate-Cull (from Megatron Origin) by injuring him in his lab, thus allowing him to survive
• The planet where Kup crashed in his Spotlight is confirmed here to be a world seeded by Shockwave

IDW - Beast Hunters #1

Story by: Mairghread Scott & Mike Johnson
Written by: Mairghread Scott
Art by: Agustin Padilla
Colours by: Priscilla Tramontano
Letters by: Tom B. Long
Editor: Carlos Guzman

Plot

On Cybertron, the war is long over, and the Autobots, under Grimlock's command, are wholed up in a city to protect them from the Forged and Insecticons left on the planet.

Sludge returns from a hunting mission with a large dead beast in tow to be drained for power. He soon joins Snarl and Grimlock in the throne room to go about their daily business of mediating problems in the city etc, after a while, Slug appears with some dead bodies that Grimlock wanted to see, but Sludge insists that they call it quits for today (as Girmlock's getting tired, and his beast is getting ready to release itself) which would be bad for the city.

Sludge goes off hunting when he encounters Firestar being chased by some Insecticons, the two take down the Decepticons, and Firestar says she needs help. She is taken to see Grimlock, but when she reveals she's from Last Spark, Grimlock goes mad and refuses to help her due to them not wanting his help in the past.

Firestar leaves, but Snarl and Sludge accompany her back to Last Spark to help them out from their attackers. Inside the city, the two Dinobots aren't well received as the people there believe they are tainted with Shockwave's madness after seeing their actions in the Forged prison (back in Rage of the Dinobots), however their leader Airwave is convinced to let them at least try to help.

The two Dinobots are taken to see some of the body, and find them fully drained of Energon and torn apart, and some were even taken from INSIDE the city. The Dinobots decide to check out Shockwave's lab to see if there's any sign of the Insecticons, like Kickback, or something else that could do this. They're given some Energon pumps and head out

The duo make it to the tunnel leading to the lab, but find it blocked by some Insecticons, including Kickback.

Characters

Autobot

Grimlock - Tyrannosaurus Rex

Sludge - Apatosaurus

Snarl - Stegosaurus

Firestar - Hover Pic-Up Truck

Airwave

Slug - Triceratops

Last Spark Civilians

Grimlock-ville Civilians

Swoop - Pteranodon (Mentioned)

Optimus Prime (Mentioned)

Decepticon

Kickback - Insect

Insecticons - Insects

Backbite - Dragon (Flashback)

Shockwave (Mentioned)

The Forged (Mentioned)

Constructicons (Mentioned)

Other

Dead Guys

Primus (Mentioned)

Prisoners (Flashback)

Mini-Cons (Mentioned)

Notes

• This is set to accompany the events of the Beast Hunters TV series, so it may reveal some spoilers from the series after a few issues
• This is set a while after the conclusion of Rage of the Dinobots
• Firestar's appearance in both modes are mostly references to her G1 counterpart, but she also has some cues from Prime Ironhide too, and even a bit from Movie Salvage as well
• Airwave is shown to be an Autobot here, but in G1, which is where the character he's based on is from, is a Decepticon