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)

IDW - Regeneration One #95

Title: Destiny Part 5

Writer: Simon Furman

Penciler: Guido Guidi

Inker: Stephen Baskerville

Colorist: John-Paul Bove

Letterer: Shawn Lee

Editor: John Barber

Editor-in-Chief: Chris Ryall

Plot

On the surface of Cybertron, Omega Supreme and Monstructor have a brutal battle, while nearby Blaster and Soundwave have a battle to settle a small score between them, Ultra Magnus races along the surface, having survived the battle with Galvatron, and in the skies the Autobots are assaulting the Warworld.

Inside the Warworld, Bludgeon excuses the other Decepticons to join the battle down below and leaves him alone on the ship. As the others leave, Jetfire causes a distraction, and the Wreckers land on top, and brreak into the ship and go hunting for Bludgeon, unaware that he' hunting them in turn.

Deep inside Cybertron in the Primus Chamber, the Dinobots help Grimlock to recover from his possession, unaware that he was possessed of course, as they were frozen at the time, when suddenly the Demons attack. Grimlock transforms and goes to attack them, however the Demons start bowing towards him. They wonder what's going on, but start to leave, with the Demons following as well, and hey wonder where Hot Rod vanished to.

On the Ark in orbit, Starscream plans to leave orbit, but Shockwave stops him, by taking control of his body as well as the ship.

Inside the Warworld, the Wreckers are looking around, but are soon attacked by Bludgeon, he manages o take out most of them, but Kup gets away and heads towards the source of the Matrix energy to stop it from powering the machines on the planet, however Bludgeon latches himself onto the train car he's travelling on, and starts to attack him too.

On the planet's surface the Autobots are being pushed into a corner and seem too be losing the battle. The Dinobots and Demons arrive on the surface again and join he battle against the Decepticons.

Back on the Warworld, Bludgeon is just about to kill Kup, when suddenly Rodimus Prime arrives through a time portal created by Primus.

On the surface again, Soundwave manages to push Blaster into a corner by essentially disabling his senses, and becomes over-confident, alllowing Blaster to overload Soundwave's own senses with a sudden burst of sound, knocking him out.

On the Warworld Rodimus easily defeats Bludgeon, and grants him his final request of killing him, by throwing him through the front screen and plummets him to the surface, seemingly killing him.

Kup and Rodimus examine the remains of Thunderwing and determine that he's the source of the Matrix energies, but before they can do anything Shocckwave on the Ark shoots at the Warworld and causes massive damage. Rodimus calls for an evacuation of the ship, and steers it to above the atmosphere, so when it explodes it won't cause much damage.

On the planet, the Decepticons are now being defeated, Monstructor has been killed, and the Wreckers and Rodimus escape the Warworld on the Wrecker's shuttle just before it explodes.

The Autobots cheer on at their victory, but Rodimus worries about the other unfinished pieces of business that Primus showed him on his journey through time. Meanwhile, in the Primus Chamber, Primus' eyes start to light up.

Characters

Autobot

Rodimus Prime - Caravan

Ultra Magnus - Car Carrier

Omega Supreme - Rocket and Base

Grimlock - Tyrannosaurus Rex

Snarl - Stegosaurus

Sludge - Apatosaurus

Slag - Triceratops

Swoop - Pteranodon

Blaster - Boom Box

Jetfire - Jet

Kup - Pick-Up Truck

Roadbuster - Jeep

Sandstorm - Helicopter/Buggy

Topspin - Jet Maybe killed by Bludgeon

Rack 'N' Ruin Maybe killed by Bludgeon

Rollbar - Jeep

Groove - Police Motorcycle

Guzzle - Tank

Jackpot

Tailgate - Sports Car Shot by Needlenose

Blurr - Race Car

Prowl - Police Car

Jazz - Sports Car

Ironhide - Van

Sunstreaker - Sports Car

Crosshairs - Off-Road Van-Buggy

Blades - Rescue Helicopter

Doubleheader - Twin Nosed Jet

Skyhammer - VTOL Jet Shell

Crossblades - Helicopter Shell

Cloudraker - Jet

Dogfight - Jet

Silverbolt - Concorde Jet

Skydive - Jet

Air Raid - Jet

Fireflight - Jet

Slingshot - Jet

"Red-Blue Guy"

"Green Guy" Killed by a Blitz Engine

Other Autobots

Hot Rod - Sports Car (Mentioned) Became Rodimus Prime

Star Saber (Statue Only)

Decepticon

Bludgeon - Tank Seemingly killed by Rodimus

Soundwave - Cassette Player Defeated by Blaster

Monstructor - Gestalt Killed by Omega Supreme

Starscream - Jet

Shockwave Hooked to Ark

Cindersaur - Lizard Monster

Needlenose - Jet

Weirdwolf - Wolf

Fangry - Winged Wolf

Stranglehold -Rhino

Krok

Occtopunch - Crab

Skullcruncher - Alligator

Horri-Bull - Bull

Blitz Engines

Thunderwing (Matrix drenched Corpse)

Galvatron - Laser Cannon (Flashback) Maybe Dead

Other

Primus

Demons

Jhiaxus - Jet (Flashback)

Spike Witwicky (Flashback)

Matrix Demon (Flashback)

Notes

• The battles between Omega Supreme and Monstructor, as well as Blaster and Soundwave seem to be leftovers from Simon Furman's shortened run on the mainline IDW series.
• We can see some of Thunderwing's inner robot here, implying that perhaps he's being repaired by the Warworld in some way.
• Grimlock appears to have some residual Primus powers following his possession by him, as the Demons seem to idolize him here. Also their reaction to him here is similar to the Sharkticons from the animated Transformers Movie.
• It appears here as though Shockwave has some control over Starscream's body.
• Rodimus' appearance from nowhere on the Warworld was previously spoiled in issue #0.

IDW - Beast Hunters #6

Plot

Snarl and his unnamed buddy are looking at the now ruined underground city, but are confused as to why the planet started shaking, and even more confused that those who survived the assault are actually stronger than before. Meanwhile on the way to Last Spark Slug and Sludge drag the injured Decepticon, now revealed to be Blackout along with them as an act of mercy. Along the way they realize that his leg injury is quite bad, so thye need to operate on it before they can go much further.

At New Kalis, Grimlock, Chromia and Swoop have managed to drive the people away, so they don't drown in the new Energon pools being formed. They head through the caverns and try to go higher to safety. At his city, Snarl orders the surviving people to evacuate as well.

On their way to Last Spark, Sludge and Slug run into some problems when Blackout starts to fall off a bridge into the abyss, however using teamwork they manage to catch him an dget across to (relative) safety.

On their way to the surface, but behind the stragglers of their group (to ensure they make it) Grimlock and Swoop are attacked by a giant Razor Snake, however they manage to defeat it after a short battle.

Sludge and Slug make their way towards Last Spark when they run into Firestar and Zoom, whom were looking for them in turn, as the city was destroyed in the quake, and all the other denizens were killed.

Swoop and Grimlock make it to the surface, but Grimlock tells Swoop to keep his actions in the caves, ie defeating the Razor Snake, a secret, as he feels that everything deserves a fresh start (meaning that he's giving up his leadership too). On the surface they find the planet filled with life again and Autobots frolicking in the Energon pools up there, and that Snarl and his group have joined them as well.

Characters

Autobot

Grimlock - Tyrannosaurus Rex

Swoop - Pteranodon 

Sludge - Apatosaurus Trapped Underground

Slug - Triceratops Trapped Underground

Snarl - Stegosaurus

Snarl's Aide

Chromia - Sports Car

Firestar - Hover Pick-Up Truck Trapped Underground

Zoom Trapped Underground

Optimus Prime (Mentioned)

Other Autobots

Last Sparkers (Mentioned) Killed in the quake

Decepticon

Blackout Injured in the quake, Trapped Underground

The Forged (Mentioned)

Insecticons (Mentioned)

Other

Giant Razor Snake Killed by Grimlock

Prima (Mentioned)

Primus (Mentioned)

Notes

• Seriously IDW, what was the point of this issue and the previous one? Basically nothing happened, except it showed what happened underground during the last episode of Transformers Prime! You could have at least done this as just a one issue story, or something.
• The Decepticon I predicted as being Blackout last issue is confirmed here to be Blackout...HOORAY!
• However Snarl's little helper guy is still unnamed....
• It's shown here that Grimlock's confusing rage actions last issue were just him trying to force the people in the city to abandon it....okay?
• GAH! The page order here is just as messed up as in the previous issue. For example, on one page we have Blackout falling off a bridge, then they cut to Grimlock doing stuff for a page, then we cut to Blackout being almost saved by Slug, then switching to Grimlock for 2 pages, then switching BACK to Sludge saving both of them for a page! WHAT THE HELL IDW!??!?!
• What a coincidence it is, that the only 2 named currently living Last Sparker's were the only 2 survivors too!!

TFCC #53 - BWSG Chapter 5: Shattered Balance

Sorry about the lack of pictures etc in my upcoming blogs, I had to get a new computer and it doesn't seem to like my scanner

 

Writers: Benson Yee & Pete Sinclair

Pencils & Inks: Evan Gauntt

Colours: Thomas Deer

Letters: Jesse Wittenrich

Managing Editor: Pete Sinclair

Plot

Depth Charge has located the Matrix using the ship's computer, and informs the computer to tell Magnus and the rest of the crew where he's going later. He flies off alone and finds a hatch, goes down into the ground through it and winds up in a room with several wall-mounted guns aiming at him.

Later, the Maximals are back at the ship, eating some food they''ve found, which is able to re-energize them. They find out where Depth Charge has taken off to and decide to go find him. However Seawing overhears this conversation in the air, and about the Matrix as well, and reports back to Megatron, who is working on something back at their base.

Depth Charge is struggling against the guns, but is rescued when the other Maximals arrive. The group investigate the chamber, but are attacked by some random bats. Depth Charge tells Magnus to go on his own to find the Matrix, as they need a leader to take it.

Magnus finds the Matrix, but is greeted by the Vok using the image of Primus as an authority figure to warn him that Chaos is the very nature of this universe, so his mission to bring back order is fruitless.

Outside, the Maximals are struggling against the bats, until Magnus returns, now wielding the Matrix and scares off the bats. Before the group can properly celebrate their mission however, the Predacons, led by Megatron inside a big dinosaur machine attack, and demand they hand over the Matrix to them.

Characters

Maximal

Ultra Magnus - Big Blue Beast

Depth Charge - Frequent Flyer Jet

Grimlock - Raging Raptor

Prowl - Lion

Ironhide - Elephant

Silverbolt - Eagle

Predacon

Megatron - Terrible Tank

Gigastorm - Battle Platform

Dirge - Sky Terror Jet

Autojetter - Winged Warrior Jet

Autolauncher - Terrible Tank

Seawing - Manta Ray

Scylla - Beastly Bottom Feeder

Snaptrap - Snapping Turtle

Skalor - Coelacanth

Overbite - Shark

Other

The Vok

Matrix Chamber Bats

Primus (Hologram Only)

Notes

• The "Maximals" are happily eating normal food here...wonder what Cheetor would make on that?
• Megatron being the pilot for the Gigastorm is appropriate given that his Beast Era toy Counterpart, Megastorm, actually turned into Gigastorm!
• The bat inside the Matrix chamber are designed to look like a pre-Transmetal Sonar it seems.
• Primus being used as the visual representation of the Vok here is a counter to them using Unicron's image in the Beast Era.
• Even though this issue ends in a cliffhanger of whether Magnus and the others will escape with the Matrix or not, it's kind of obvious that at least Magnus escapes, since he appears in the later set scene amongst other Magnuses WITH the Matrix in the TFSS 2.0 advert comic.

Other Features

The Seekers - Article about the currently available Seekers in the toyline

TFSS 2.0 - Article showing the main 6 figures in the upcoming TFSS set

The Multiverse Roadmap Spotlight: Thrill of the Hunt - Article talking about the TFA episode

The Transformers Menagerie: Part 4: The Terrorcons

Magnaboss Profile

Autolauncher Profile

Transformers I.Q. - Quiz about Beast Wars 2

Transformers I.Q. Trivia Bonus - Article about Gaea

Recodicons Comic - Ravage gets visits from his future selfs.