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.