IDW - More Than Meets The Eye #36

Title: Elegant Chaos Part 1: All Our Parlous Yesterdays

Written by: James Roberts

Art by: Alex Milne

Colours by: Joana LaFuente

Letters by: Tom B. Long

Editor: John Barber

Plot

Four Million years ago, in the Alyon Region of Cybertron, Orion Pax and his team of Outliers and Roller are on the run from the Senate following the raid they took part in at the Primal Basilica. They have stopped to protect a new Hot Spot that has opened up from the Senate, whom they believe wants to destroy it (due to it seemingly being in the shape of a hand print). During the fight, the Senate's Elite Guard tries to run away when suddenly a group of strange robots teleport in, unknowingly to Orion and the others, from the distant fuure.

In the future, on the Lost Light Rodimus has finished explaining what Brainstorm is up to in the past, and has gathered a team of Lost Lighters with similar spark types to travel back to stop him. They equip themselves with several new weapons from the weapons store, and a "Time Phone" to keep in contact with the present, and work out where Orion Pax will be in this time period from Rewind's database.

Back in the past, Rodimus introduces himself and the others to Orion Pax, and after a small confrontation they join forces. Orion explains what they're doing there, and admits that he doesn't know what the strange platform hovering above the Hot Spot is either. During the introductions, the Trailbreaker of the past appears, causing a major shock to Rodimus, who has just seen Trailcutter's corpse back on the Lost Light.

The two groups start to interact with eachother where Rodimus takes Trailbreaker to one side to talk with him, and Rung learns that Roller spikes his drinks with circuit speeders to increase his power to keep up with the Outliers.

Orion Pax finds the Time Phone, and answers it when it rings, where Megatron speaks to him, and tells him in veiled terms about the future (under the disguise of his present self) but ends the call by saying that he's sure he'll join Orion's side eventually.

Rodimus finishes telling Trailbreaker to avoid going to Ofsted XVII, and is glad that he's saved his friend when Orion comes in and hands over the phone to Rodimus to talk to Megatron. Whilst talking, Rodimus finds out that the time machine is starting to fail due to too many uses, and also that some radiation is leaking into the present from the past, revealing to Rodimus that the platform is irradiating the Hot Spot.

Rodimus tells the group about this, and Rewind "theorizes" (actually accessing his modified database) that the Senate are trying to irradiate the new sparks so they can create Outliers artificially.

The group head outside, and set up Trailbreaker's forcefield around the Hot Spot, and they start harvesting the sparks, and teleport them to Nyon for maturation, whilst the platform has grown guns and starts attacking the forcefield.

During the battle, Roller is injured in an explosion, and goes missing, whilst Orion uses himself as a bullet whilst combined with Windcharger and Trailbreaker's powers to destroy the platform. Rodimus also receives a call from the future saying that Brainstorm has time jumped again.

Afterwards, Rodimus tells a lie that they have to leave for another mission, and has all of Orion Pax's team shake Chromedome's hand (which has been rigged to erase their recent memories to protect the timeline some more) but has ordered him not to touch Trailbreaker (so his memories of their conversation will be spared). It all goes to plan, until Trailbreaker insists on shaking Chromedome's hand, causing him to forget as well, just as the team are transported to another point in time.

In the aftermath, Orion's team are a bit confused as to what happened, and also appear to have forgotten about Roller as well, and decide to leave the area for a drink without him....

Characters

Autobot

Rodimus - Car

Ultra Magnus - Vehicle Transport

Megatron - Tank

Perceptor

Riptide - Boat

Rung

Chromedome/Tumbler - Car

Rewind - Data Slug

Tailgate - Car

Whirl - Osprey Helicopter 

Elite Guardsmen (Past Only)

Nightbeat - Car (Mentioned)

Sentinel Prime - Truck (Mentioned)

Prowl - Emergency Car (Mentioned)

Wreckers (Mentioned)

Decepticon

Brainstorm - Jet (Mentioned)

Orion's Outlaws

Orion Pax - Truck (Past Only)

Roller - Police Lock Up Truck (Past Only) Caught in explosion, gone missing

Trailbreaker - Truck (Past Only)

Skids - Van (Past Only)

Windcharger - Car (Past Only)

Glitch/Damus (Past Only)

Zeta of Sistex (Mentioned)

Cybertronian

Cyclonus - Jet

Senator Shockwave (Mentioned)

Senator Decimus (Mentioned)

Nova Prime (Mentioned)

Functionist Council (Mentioned)

Senate (Mentioned)

Primus (Mentioned)

Notes

• The stuff set in the past is set just after Shadowplay, and seems to be just before the start of Megatron: Origin.
• Amongst the characters able to use Brainstorm's time machine are those with 2 spark types Vitreus Positive and Ferrum Negative. This implies that Brainstorm may have 2 spark types somehow.
• We learn that the reason why Prowl and Chromedome broke up was because of him joining Sentinel Prime's forces.
• Trailbreaker was hinted as being amongst the Outliers in Shadowplay, here it is confirmed
• Several of Roller's characteristics and features are shown to hint that he is Tarn in the present day (which has been a popular theory since his introduction). Some of these similar traits are his addictive personality, interest in reading Megatron's work, desire to be more powerful to keep up with the others and his injuries at the end of the issue (having a facial injury).
• It' heavily implied here that Rodimus' spark is amongst the ones protected in this issue, meaning that all of this was MEANT to happen, otherwise he wouldn't have existed.
• It seems a bit weird that none of the present-day characters would accidentally call Trailbreaker by his modern day name "Trailcutter"

IDW - Drift: Empire of Stone #2

Written by: Shane McCarthy

Breakdowns by: Guido Guidi

Finishes by: Stephen Baskerville

Colours by: John-Paul Bove

Letters by: Tom B. Long

Editor: John Barber

Plot

Centuries ago, Deadlock and Turmoil crash land onto a rocky planet, where they find a large stone palace with an army of stone creatures inside. When they report this back to Megatron he is uninterested.

In the present day, Gigatron tells Drift to help him locate the Stone Army, so he can add them to his forces to aid the Decepticon's military efforts, ignoring Ratchet's claims that the war is over now. Drift manages to arrange for himself and his friends to go free, but it all goes to hell when Hellbat calls Grit a traitor, for being able to get himself captured by the Autobots, resulting in a fight that leads to the trio being put into a cell after a quick battle with Gigatron and his forces.

In their cell, Ratchet begins a plan by having Drift pretend to be dead, and has a fake argument with Grit for killing him, however the Decepticon guard doesn't believe the story, but frees them regardless due to his friendship with Grit, giving them back their confiscated weapons as well.

Grit tells his friend, Knockout to get off the planet as soon as he can, and Grit goes to hunt down Hellbat, to kill him for insulting him earlier.

Drift and Ratchet head off to find the Stone Army before Gigatron and his troops can, but they find that the Army has already been found, and has been hooked up to machinery. Suddenly Hellbat appears with some of his troops saying that he'll explain everything, especially since he's about to kill them both for uncovering his secret.

Characters

Autobot

Ratchet - Ambulance

Decepticon

Gigatron

Hellbat - Jet

Vanquish - Jet

Grit - Truck

Knockout - Excavator Truck

Decepticon Troops

Turmoil - Tank(Flashback)

Megatron (Mentioned)

Cybertronian

Drift/Deadlock - Car

Other

Stone Army

Notes

• It appears that in the past both Turmoil and Deadlock (future Drift) worked for Gigatron
• If Hellbat has already located the Stone Army, then why did he convince Gigatron to keep Drift and the others alive?
• Grit and Knockout's friendship is a reference to their toyline's past as Micromaster combiner partners

IDW - Transformers #36

Title: Onyx Interface Part Two: Vs.

Written by: John Barber

Art by: Andrew Griffith & Brendan Cahill

Colours by: Josh Perez & Joana LaFuente

Letters by: Tom B. Long

Editor:Carlos Guzman

Plot

Thundercracker, having left his EDC funded home is hiding out in the forest with Buster, is resting and reading his beloved pet some excerpts from his new screenplay when Soundwave arrives. The two discuss things, and Soundwave offers Thudnercracker a place on their future Jupiter colony, but only if he doesn't ally himself with a Prime before then. Thudnercrackers says he'll think about it, and gives Soundwave a copy of his screenplay to read.

Meanwhile, Spike and Jimmy are in Tokyo meeting with Spike's contact Maki, who has agreed to give them access to Onyx Interface's Wanmu facility, where something important is being kept. On the way out of the cafe they met in, Spike notices the Constructicons and Prowl hiding out nearby, and forces them out of hiding, before rushing away himself.

It's revealed to the audience that Spike has been being sent messages from his father for some time, which is how he managed to track him down.

Spike and Jimmy outrun the Constructicons and Prowl, but are saved when Arcee flies in, having "borrowed" Sideswipe's jet pack, and berates him for going after humans. The two humans run into an alley and find a pair of idling motorcycles waiting for them, which they steal. Prowl manages to escape from Arcee and chases after them, with Arcee chasing Prowl in turn as well.

Before long, Jimmy and Spike realize that there's something wrong with their motorcycles when they start driving by themselves, and take them through a parking structure to Galvatron and his Decepticons, revealing themselves to be Rumble and Frenzy in disguise.

Galvatron starts interrogating Spike, and tells the others to kill Jimmy, however Arcee, having teamed up with Prowl and his team briefly save the humans by damaging the building, and Prowl takes off with Spike, leaving Arcee and Jimmy in between the Constructicons and Decepticons, with her vowing to get revenge on Prowl for leaving her in this state.

Elsewhere, Marissa and her team are leaving Tokyo with Blackrock, who reveals to them that the thing in Wanmu is the Enigma of Combination, and they should retrieve it before the Cybertronians can themselves.

Prowl stops running in a forest with Spike, Prowl gets ready to do what he's about to do with Spike, but before he does he decides to tell Spike that he forgives him......

Characters

Autobot

Prowl - Police SUV

Arcee - Sports Car

Sideswipe - Sports Car

Sky Lynx - Space Shuttle

Megatron (Mentioned)

Dynobots (Mentioned)

Decepticon

Galvatron - Tank

Soundwave - Personnel Carrier

Rumble - Motorcycle

Frenzy - Motorcycle

Blitzwing - Tank/Jet

Laserbeak - Cassette

Buzzsaw - Cassette

Shockwave (Mentioned)

Scrapper (Mentioned) Dead

Cybertronian

Thundercracker - Fighter Jet

Hook - Crane

Long Haul - Dump Truck

Mixmaster - Mixing Truck

Scavenger - Excavator

Bonecrusher - Bulldozer

Scoop - Front End Loader

Ancient Headmasters (Mentioned) Killed by Galvatron

Human

Spike Witwicky

Jimmy Pink

Garisson Blackrock

Marissa Faireborn

Jones

Maki

Verity Carlo (Picture)

Hunter O'Nion (Picture)

General Daniel Witwicky (Mentioned) Dead

Japanese President Jinping (Mentioned)

EDC (Mentioned)

Skywatch (Mentioned) Defunct

Other

Buster

Notes

• That opening panel with Thundercracker by the waterfall is just pure love isn't it?
• Thundercracker realizes here that Soundwave and the others don't know about the EDC's seret Transformer army. Immediately afterwards he gives Soundwave a copy of his script, which we know has included some veiled references to that discovery...SNEAKY!
• Maki was seen in the previous issue as Blackrock's assistant, explaining her clearance here.
• Jimmy still has some photos of his time with the Autobots...odd that those wouldn't have been found and confiscated by now huh?
• Spike identifies the Constructicons and Prowl on sight here, most likely due to the Constructicons being bright green, and Prowl being a heavily armed American police car in Japan...
• Sideswipe thinks that Arcee is still mad at him after their VERY quick fight back on Cybertron (where she knocks him out with her sword to guard Bumblebee)
• Rumble being hurt by the humans in the past is mentioned here, what ISN'T mentioned is that Spike was the one to hurt him with his weapon.
• Arcee reveals that she no longer trusts or follows Prowl any more, most likely due to his recent attitudes etc
• Blackrock is revealed to have the Enigma of Combination in his possession. It's unclear still why Galvatron thought Spike would have it.
• Soundwave says that anyone who has ever allied themselves with a Prime will not be welcome on their new colony...wonder if that includes Galvatron?

IDW - Angry Birds Transformers #2

Title: Age of Eggstinction!

Written by: John Barber

Art by: Marcelo Ferreira

Colours by: Nikos Koutsis

Flats by: Mike Toris

Letters by: Shawn Lee

Edits by: David Hedgecock

Plot

The rest of the Angry Birds arrive at the Eggspark's location where they learn about it's ability to change them into Autobirds, and about the Deceptihog's existence, so they decide, despite the obvious mind-altering side effects, to also expose themselves to the egg, so they can fight back, and head off to the Deceptihog's location.

The Deceptihogs find themselves on top of a tower, when Galvatron Pig gets into a strop and smashes a hole at the top, causing them all to fall to the bottom (although Starscream Pig flies off to his own safety). Grimlock Bird finds himself at the tower as well, and decides to investigate it.

Very soon, Grimlock Bird smashes his way into the tower and starts fighting the Deceptihogs, but is taken down by their sheer force, luckily however, the rest of the Autobirds arrive to rescue their friend,a nd two factions fight it out.

After a short while though, the eggs start to transform themselves, and begin to run off with newly grown legs and weapons, which they soon find out is bad, as they have gained the ability to multiply and have overtaken Piggie Island (as reported by Starscream Pig).

Characters

Autobirds/The Flock

Optimus Prime Bird/Red - Truck Cab

Bumblebee Pig/Chuck - Car Vocal Processor Damaged by Megatron Pig

Grimlock Bird/Hal - Motorcycle/Wheel Barrel

Arcee Bird/Stella - Car

Heatwave Bird/Terence - Fire Truck

Jazz Bird/Bubbles - Car

Bluestreak Bird/Blues - Car

Drift Bird/Bomb - Car

Matilda (Mentioned)

Deceptihogs/Piggies

Megatron Pig - Tank

Galvatron Pig - Truck Cab

Soundwave Pig - Van

Starscream Pig - Jet

Lockdown Pig - Toilet/Car

Minion Pigs

Other

Eggbots

Notes

• The title of this issue is of course based on "Age of Extinction"
• Matilda, the only Angry Bird who isn't in Transformers/Angry Birds is mentioned today as being back home, somewhat explaining her absence
• It's implied here that the Angry Birds lose their previous personalities etc upon being turned into Autobirds (though the Deceptihogs seem to still have the same personalities etc)
• Bumblebee Bird's vocal processor is damaged here, much like his Movie and Aligned counterparts.
• The Eggbots have the ability to multiply
• Megatron Pig has a phone in his chest...he doesn't even need to yell out "Go Go Gadgetphone!", how privileged!

TFCC #60 - Alone Together #5

Title: Alone Together Chapter 5: Clarity

Writers: S. Trent Troop and Greg Sepelak

Pencils and Inks: Naoto Tsushima

Colours: Evan Gauntt

Letters: Jesse Wittenrich

Managing Editor: Pete Sinclair

Coordination: Phases

Plot

Rampage is having a great time killing scientists in a fiery landscape, until he is magically teleported to a restrained table and is killed (again), Rampage then wakes up in a waiting room, where he learns that he's just being worn down, and that his friend is being dealt with too, in her own mind as well.

In her own prison, Transmutate is being torn apart mentally, until Rampage manages to reach her, and they help each other out, and manage to smash out of Delirious' traps. Bruton and Medusa attack the duo, but are no match for them since they've been fully re-energized, unlike last time.

The Destructons leaave the planet, irritated by the Cybertronian's stubbornness, and leave them a distress call to call either friends or enemies, whilst the Destructons experiment with the Navicomp they stole earlier, and manage to unlock the secrets of Transforming with it.

Characters

Cybertronian

Transmutate - Motorcycle

Rampage - Space Shuttle

Navicomp

Guys in Illusions

Destructon

Lord Imperious Delirious

Medusa Injured by Transmutate

Bruton Injured by Rampage

Psychokhan

Notes

• I would assume the guys at the start of the issue are based on the guys who experimented on Rampage in real life, but considering Rampage's..."mental issues"....it's possible they're just complete fabrications.
• Judging by them using the Navicomp at the end, and the dialogue, it seems that the Destructons can Trans-scan etc, just like Cybertronians (possibly indicating future toys)

Title: Another Light Prologue: Familiar Reflections
Writers: Jesse Wittenrich and Pete Sinclair
Pencils and Inks: Guido Guidi
Colours: Evan Guantt
Letters: Jessse Wittenrich
Managing Editor: Pete Sinclair

Plot

In 2015, following another failed attack on the Decepticons, the evil Autobots are returning back to Cybertron defeated, but Sky Lynx cannot continue the trip without them jettisoning some weight. Rodimus volunteers for the badly injured Autobots from the battle to be launched into space, which includes Optimus, which the rest of the crew are fine with.

Rodimus volunteers himself as the new leader, and the rest of the crew are totally fine with that too (no big battles inside the tiny ship this time!).

Optimus and the other "dead guys" float through space, when they are beckoned towards a strange voice, and a bright light, where they are greeted kindly by Unicron!

TO BE CONTINUED!!

Characters

Autobot

Rodimus Prime - Sports Car

Optimus Prime - Truck Cab Launched into Space

Sky Lynx - Space Shuttle

Drift - Race Car

Tailgate - Sports Car

Blaster - Boom Box

Trailbreaker - Van

Swerve - Pick Up Truck

Rewind - Cassette

Chromedome's Head

Ratchet - Ambulance Launched into Space

Prowl - Police Car Launched into Space

Inferno - Fire Engine Launched into Space

Brawn - Jeep Launched into Space

Other

Unicron - Ringed Planet

Notes

• This story of course parallels the events of the 1986 Animated movie
• Amongst the changes are Astrotrain being replaced with Sky Lynx, Rodimus and Optimus taking Starscream and Megatron's places, however Unicron is still the one who the evil leader encounters (though sounding nicer still)
• The crew aboard Sky Lynx is based on the crew of the Lost Light in IDW's G1 comics, bar Prowl and Optimus anyway.
• Chromedome has been reduced to just a head following his apparent demise much earlier, when he was mentioned as being a part of Optimus' trophy wall in Dungeons and Dinobots.

Other Features

Unreleased G2: The Lost Spectrum - Article on unreleased G2 figures

Transformers 30th Anniversary: Transformers Aligned: Putting the House in Order - Article on the Aligned continuity

Titan - Age of Extinction #5

Title: Creature of Chaos

Writer: Martin Fisher

Pencils: Horacio Domingues 

Colours: Perayer Nestor

Lettering: Comicraft

Cover Date: January/February 2015

Cover Price: £4.99

Poster: Optimus standing proud! 

Plot

Optimus and Crosshairs are hiding out in a town, when they hear about a strange metallic beast attacking residents of a local town, so they decide to investigate it.

Upon reaching their location they find a Turbofox, who they assume came from Lockdown's ship, and Crosshairs starts to freak out, due to a past experience with Turbofoxes. The Autobots ride off, until they can figure out what to do with the monster.

Lockdown has a flashback to an encounter with Turbofoxes, who killed his entire team whilst he was out scouting, but before long he and Optimus are attacked some more, and Optimus is pinned down. Crosshairs gets over his issues and kills the Turofox, and the two Autobots leave.

Back in the hiding spot, the Autobots learn that the Turbofox's remains were found by authorities and the town is safe again, allowing the Autobots to move on, but not without Crosshairs making a bunch of bad dog-puns along the way.

Characters

Autobot

Optimus Prime - Truck Cab

Crosshairs - Stock Car

Past Autobots (Flashback) Killed by Turbofoxes

Cybertronian

Turbofox Killed by Crosshairs

Past Turbofoxes (Flashback)

Lockdown - Car (Mentioned)

Other

Orange Truck Driver

Mercenaries (Mentioned)

Notes

• This issue seems to be implied to be the final issue of the series (with the soppy message at the front, and the "Roll Out" image on the inside back cover) We'll have to wait and see though to see what happens.
• From Optimus recognizing the Turbofox as being amongst the Mercenaries, this comic appears to be set AFTER Age of Extinction, however...didn't Optimus rocket off into space at the end of that film?
• All of Crosshairs' team in the flashback pretty much share his colourscheme...maybe it's a uniform?
• Are Optimus and Crosshairs stalking the guy in the orange van? They're hanging out with him at the start and the end of the comic
• 
  

Other Features

Competition

Adverts

Primed for Action! - Article on Optimus' new weapons

The Lowdown on...Bumblebee - Data on Bumblebee

Double Turbo - Spot the Difference on the Turbofox from this issue

The Trans Files - Data on Transformium

The Ultimate Smacck Down! - Slog vs Slug datafile

Crosshairs' Conundrums - Puzzles

Lockdown'ss Letterbox - Lockdown and Crosshairs read the mail

Stinger's Wordsearch

IDW - More Than Meets The Eye #35

Title: The Custom-Made Now - An Elegant Chaos Prologue

Written by: James Roberts

Pencils by: Alex Milne

Inks by: Alex Milne & Brian Shearer

Colours by: Joana LaFuente

Letters by: Tom B. Long

Editor: John Barber

Plot

Minimus Ambus has returned to Cybertron following the disbanding of the Primal Vanguard and meets with Rewind, hoping to meet with his brother Dominus. The duo are stopped and examined by a Functionary, when suddenly a Lunabot, who have all apparently been "recalled" runs past and knocks the Functionary over. However before long, the Lunabot is executed, as part of the recall, all whilst everyone continues with their day, ignoring the murder.

As is to be expected, on PRESENT DAY CYBERTRON!

On the Lost Light, Rewind wakes up from a memory of the Laser Pointer disposables, but Chromedome, who breaks into the room, having taken a split from rewind due to them both being unsure how to act together following their rebirths, and points out that that never happened, confusing both of them, since Rewind's database has it on record, despite neither remembering it.

Megatron is in the Morgue, and examines Trailcutter's body, having been returned to thee ship, and Rodimus tells him about how Brainstorm poisoned the crew to stop them from stopping him from his mission, and managed to escape into what Perceptor believes to be a time machine, which he plans to change the future so the Decepticons win the war (which as we know by now, didn't happen).

Back on Cybertron, Rewind brings Minimus back to his and Dominus' home, and shows him some footage of protesters being killed for disobeying the Council's wishes, and Minimus suddenly realizes that Rewind and Dominjus are rebels against the Council, and soon realizes why, Dominus appears, having undergone Empurata with his head replaced with a computer screen and his words replaced by text on a screen.

Rewind asks Minimus to join them in taking down the Council, but he needs to think about it, and leaves to go to a meeting with the rest of the Primal Vanguard for their re-employment.

Elsewhere, at the Cog, the Funstionist Council's HQ, the Council discuss the next occupation to be "recalled" which they decide to be the Data Slugs.

Back on the Lost Light, Perceptor shows Rodimus, Magnus and Megatron Brainstorm's time machine, made of his multiple briefcases and explains that the way it's designed means that to by-pass the Grandfather Paradox, it slowly replaced the current history with a new one. He also reveals that Nightbeat found one of Brainstorm's briefcases on the other Lost Light, which has the control device inside it, meaning they can send someone back to solve whatever he is doing 4 million years in the past.

Megatron theorizes that Brainstorm plans to kill Orion Pax before he can become Optimus Prime.

On Cybertron, Minimus is racing back to Rewind's home, whilst witnessing the deaths of the Data Slugs, but finds Rewind still alive and well back at his home, since Dominus removed his Obsolescence Chip earlier, which would have killed him too. Rewind then reveals that Dominus has had his mind altered now, so that his words have been taken away, when suddenly the Council starts communicating with the two of them through Dominus, where they reveal that they've been watching them, through minimus, whom they have upgraded secretly on his way back to Cybertron with cameras in his eyes, along with the rest of the Vanguard, and now plan to do the same to everyone.

Rewind tells the Council that he will reveal everything to the population, but they reveal to him that he has a backup chip in his head too, and activates it, killing the last of the Data Slugs to Minimus' horror.

Characters

Autobot

Rodimus - Car

Megatron - Tank

Ultra Magnus/Minimus Ambus - Vehicle Transport

Perceptor

Chromedome - Car

Rewind - Data Slug

Nightbeat - Car

Trailcutter - Van Dead

Bluestreak - Car (Flashback)

Mainframe (Flashback)

First Aid - Ambulance (Flashback)

Rung (Flashback)

Repugnus (Flashback)

Doublecross (Flashback)

Shimmerstick - Laser Pointed (Mentioned)

Swerve - Van (Mentioned)

Optimus Prime/Orion Pax - Truck (Mentioned)

Decepticon

Brainstorm - Jet (Flashback)

Decepticon Justice Division (Mentioned)

Cybertronian

Adaptus (Mentioned)

The Guiding Hand (Mentioned)

Knights of Cybertron (Mentioned)

Alternate Cybertronian

Rewind - Data Slug Killed by Functionist Council

Minimus Ambus - Minesweeper

Dominus Ambus

One-of-Twelve

Two-of-Twelve

Three-of-Twelve

Four-of-Twelve

Five-of-Twelve

Six-of-Twelve

Seven-of-Twelve

Eight-of-Twelve

Nine-of-Twelve

Ten-of-Twelve

Eleven-of-Twelve

Twelve-of-Twelve

Hot  Shot - Car

Bulkhead - Van

Ratchet - Ambulance

Pharma - Jet

Functionary Officers

The Data Slugs Killed by Functionist Council

Last Lunabot - Space Shuttle Killed by Functionaries

Present Day Cybertronians

Female Protester (Footage) Killed by Functionaries

The Primal Vanguard (Mentioned) Disbanded

The Senate (Mentioned) Disbanded

The Cold Constructed (Mentioned) Deported

Other

Black Box Consortia (Mentioned)

Notes

• Brainstorm's actions in the past (whatever they are) have resulted in Functionism never becoming defunct, the Cybertronian population expanding, and even female Transformers existing on Cybertron.
• One has to wonder whether Nova Prime and the Expansion still happened to some extent in this new timeline?
• Most of the cameos seen on Cybertron are from the Unicron Trilogy (there's TOO MANY to name in the character list, especially since most are reuses of established character names in this continuity).
• Something of note: Rung has avoided being cloned for the new timeline again, maybe another clue to his uniqueness.
• We actually see Minimus Ambus' alternate mode for the first time!
• Chromedome and Rewind are having problems adjusting to having eachother back, especially since they had different experiences for a while before their respective deaths.
• Trailcuttter is confirmed to have died at Kaon's hands last issue, it's also shown that the DJD rigged the shuttle his group arrived on to explode, attempting to kill them too.
• Brainstorm has been spiking the Lost Light's Engex for a few months (most likely since the relaunch) and his briefcase simply activated the poison to knock out the crew who were present at the time.
• In the new timeline Empurata (and presumably Shadowplay) has evolved significantly.
• The Council member with the designation Three of Twelve looks different to the one we saw in the past, implying that it is simply a rank, and this is a different guy to the original. (Like what we have with the DJD)
• We also find out that all twelve members of the council have a specific role to perform.
• Brainstorm is revealed to have dozens of identical briefcases, which he had stashed across the Lost Light, which create a time machine when connected (the components are built into the walls). The time machine features an anti-paradox device, which could explain why the briefcase and Rewind from the alternate Lost Light were able to survive the rest of the ship's deletion.
• Perceptor claims that parallel universes were dismissed as a fact some time ago. However, by simply following the Transformers franchise, you know there are MANY parallel universes in play (with the Mirage Spotlight being the perfect example of one active in the IDW-verse, and even Rodimus having his mini-adventure in Regeneration One)
• Considering that the concurrent Robots in Disguise has no indications of edits to history showing, and the knowledge of the upcoming Combiner Wars and Windblade series' in this continuity, I feel safe to assume that Brainstorm's new future will be deleted before long...

IDW - Drift: Empire of Stone #1

Written by: Shane McCarthy

Pencils by: Guido Guidi

Inks by: Stephen Baskerville

Colours by: John-Paul Bove

Letters by: Tom B. Long

Editor: John Barber

Plot

Drift, now exiled and a Neutral Cybetronian again is fighting with some Decepticons on a planet they have enslaved, and manages to defeat them, taking them prisoner on board his shuttle. The Decepticons expect him to take them back to Cybertron for a trial, but instead he says he's handing them over to the Galactic Council, who detest Cybertronians.

Drift arrives on a Galactic Council Outpost, where he finds Ratchet waiting for him, planning to bring him back to the Lost Light with him. Drift refuses, and Ratchet is shocked that Drift plans to hand over some Cybertronians to the Council, with Drift saying that he plans to catch all the remnants of the Decepticons at the Galactic Rim, to which Grit, one of the Decepticons, laughs and says he's badly misinformed if h thinks there's just remnants out there. He refuses to say anything else, but his cohorts tell Drift about a Decepticon outpost, in exchange for them being taken back to Cybertron instead.

They head out to the outpost world, but are quickly shot down by weapons-fire, and crash, with only Ratchet, Drift and Grit surviving the fall, upon leaving the wreckage of their shuttle, the group are attacked by a large group of Decepticons, with Grit about to be killed by the Decepticons for travelling with some Autobots, but Drift and Ratchet save him, much to his shock.

Unfortunately the duo are soon forced to stop when more Decepticons arrive, and are placed into cuffs. The group are taken  to a stone castle that Drift recognizes, and are taken inside, to a Decepticon leader, who greets Drift as Deadlock, and wants his help to take the system they are in apart....

Characters

Autobot

Ratchet - Ambulance

Decepticon

Gigatron

Hellscream - Jet

Vanquish - Jet

Grit - Truck

Desperados Killed in Shuttle Crash

Gigatron's Troops

Overlord (Mentioned)

Cybertronian

Drift - Car

Other

Blue Aliens

Galactic Council Outpost Denizens

Galactic Council (Mentioned)

Notes

• This series follows what Drift has been up to since his self-imposed exile from the Lost Light
• There are a lot of generic characters from the Victory anime appearing in this issue (and Hellscream from the Victory comic too!)
• The unnamed leader of the Decepticons in this story is based on Robots in Disguise Megatron. Since it is unlikely that he'd be called Megatron as well, I'm assuming that he'll be using his Japanese name, Gigatron.
• Drift appears to recognize the castle on the planet, but doesn't appear to recognize the planet itself implying that this is just a mass-produced castle used by "Gigatron", or it's a mobile base of some sort.

IDW - Angry Birds Transformers #1

Written by: John Barber

Art by: Livio Ramondelli (Pages 01-05) and Marcelo Ferreira (Pages 05-20)

Colours by: Livio Ramondelli (Pages 01-05) and Nikos Koutsis (Pages 05-20)

Letters by: Chris Mowry

Edits by: David Hedgecock

Plot

The Autobots, leaded by Optimus Prime are travelling through space, intending to hide the Allspark, the source of their war with the Decepticons, but before they are able to, the ship is under attack by the Decepticons. Optimus gives the Allspark to Bumblebee to take care of, whilst the rest of the crew handle the Decepticon invaders.

Starscream, taking advantage of the chaos of the battle, hunts down Bumblebee and tries to get the Allspark from him, but during their encounter, the Quantum Engines are damaged, and the Allspark is hurled away.

Meanwhile, on Piggy Island the Angry Birds are getting ready to rescue their stolen eggs from the Pigs, barely even noticing the Allspark, now in an egg shape, land nearby.

The Birds attack the Pig's fortress and cause massive damage, forcing the Pigs to run. The Birds regroup and prepare to go after the Pigs and their stolen eggs again.

Elsewhere, the Pigs have set up camp, ready to build a new base, when they find the Allspark egg, unsure of what it is, they send one of the Minion Pigs to investigate the egg (they threw him at it) and he is mutated into Starscream Pig, with knowledge of the Allspark embedded in his mind, and with the ability to transform into a jet!

Hal and the Blues are in the area, and see the Starscream jet, but before long they also encounter all of the Pigs turned into Deceptihogs, thanks to the Allspark. The Blues head out to seek help from the rest of the Angry Birds, and they send Chuck out ahead, thanks to his speed. Unfortunately though, Chuck is TOO fast and smacks right into Hal, sending both hurtling into the Allspark egg, mutating them into Bumblebee Bird and Grimlock Bird, allowing them to overwhelm the Deceptihogs, and force them to run away, with the eggs.

Unknown, seemingly by all, the stolen eggs are also affected by the Allspark too, and start to hatch into Eggbots....

Characters

Autobot

Optimus Prime - Truck

Bumblebee - Car

Arcee - Car

Heatwave - Fire Engine

Jazz - Car

Drift - Car

Grimlock - Tyrannosaurus Rex

Decepticon

Megatron - Gun

Soundwave - Cassette Player

Starscream - Jet

Thundercracker - Jet

Skywarp - Jet

Ramjet - Jet

Shockwave - Ray Gun

Lockdown - Car

Laserbeak - Cassette

Angry Birds/Autobirds

Red

Chuck/Bumblebee Bird - Car

Hal/Grimlock Bird - Cycle

Blues

Stella

Bomb

Terence

Bubbles

Pigs/Deceptihogs

King Pig/Megatron Pig - Tank

Minion Pig/Starscream Pig - Jack-in-the-Box/Jet

Corporal Pig/Galvatron Pig - Truck Cab

Chef Pig/Soundwave Pig - Van

Foreman Pig/Lockdown Pig - Toilet

Other Minion Pigs

Notes

• The Transformers section of this story uses mostly G1 style character models, but with some outsiders included (like Movie Drift, and a G1 version of Rescue Bots Heatwave)
• The Allspark initially looks like a combination of the Movie and Animated versions, being a shape-shifting cube, but with handles on the sides.
• The Pigs appear to have trouble figuring out transformations, as both Starscream Pig and Lockdown Pig both mis-transform themselves into some other object
• It's a bit of a weird coincidence that the first Pig, and the first Bird who touch the Allspark egg turned into the Starscream and Bumblebee counterparts, considering those two were the reason the Allspark was lost in the first place...

IDW - Transformers vs G.I. Joe #4

Title: Form Follows Function

Written by: Tom Scioli and John Barber

Art, Colours and Lettering by: Tom Scioli

Production by: Chris Mowry

Edits by: Carlos Guzman

Plot

Duke is discovered as a GI Joe spy, but he manages to defeat all the guys who confront him, on his way out of the base he runs into Snake Eyes and they start fighting next to the Space Bridge.

Elsewhere, Dr Venom is doing some voodoo looking stuff with Soundwave's body, a creepy book, some Joe soldiers and the Bumblecycle.

Elsewhere again, a Joe spaceship piloted by the Joe's pets (.....) is heading towards Cybertron with some more of their eco-terrorist weapons when they are stopped by a Cobra ship piloted by the Oktober Guard (no idea who they are). They start fighting, but are soon stopped by Fort Max grabs them and gobbles them up for fuel.

On Cybertron, Psyche-Out is leading a team to explore Cybertron, but are captured by Rodimus for some reason, and drives off with them towards the Decepticons, where he is met by Blaster, who attacks him as a traitor. Rodimus manages to defeat Blaster, and Apeface and Demolishor turn up and say that Megatron has been hoping someone would capture Blaster before long.

In Iacon, the Autobots and Joes get over their deadly illnesses, just in time for Metroplex to turn up, and Grimlock announces peace between the Joes and Autobots (presumably because of the Joes fighting the Sharkticons last issue). During the party that follows the unison, Bazooka decides to eat some of the Technorganic plants that are growing on the planet now and has a vision of Primus, but mis-translates it as "Prime Us", and asks Grimlock who Prime is. (meanwhile, Rodimus betrays the Decepticons and starts driving off with Blaster back to Metroplex) Grimlock explains that Optimus Prime was their leader, but he left because Megatron defeated him in a battle, and left Rodimus in charge, but Grimlock deposed him and took over.

Arcee counters that no one knows why Optimus left, and the others state that until they see otehrwise they believe Optimus is still alive out there somewhere, planning something.

Meanwhile Snake Eyes and Duke are fighting in Space-Time (yup) when they come across Optimus combined with his other modular parts, also stuck in space-time.

Characters

Autobot

Grimlock - Tyrannosaurus Rex

Rodimus - Hauling Truck

Blaster

Arcee

Brawn - Van

Wheeljack - Car

Mirage - Car

Perceptor - Tank

Slag - Triceratops

Swoop - Pteranodon

Fortress Maximus

Metroplex - Slug Thing

Optimus Prime - Truck

Omega Supreme - Rocket and Base (Drawing)

Bumblebee Corpse seen as Bumblecycle

Decepticon

Frenzy (Or Rumble) - Cassette Blown up by Duke

Apeface Dropped in Smelting Pool by Rodimus

Demolishor  Dropped in Smelting Pool by Rodimus

Soundwave Corpse shown with Joes

Megatron (Drawing)

GI Joe

Duke

Scarlett

Dr Venom

Shipwreck

Psyche Out

Frostbite

Barbecue

Chuckles

Mainframe

Lt. Falcon

Bazooka

Tripwire

Cover Girl

Jinx

Dusty

Order

Seasick

Junkyard

Max

Clyde

Sandstorm

Freedom

Too Many Generic Joes

Joe Colton (Mentioned)

Cobra

Snake Eyes

Big Boa Killed by Duke

Cobra Troops

Oktober Guard

S.H.R.I.E.K.

Colonel Breakoff

Horrorshow

Denia

Dragun

Munchnik

Other

Notes

• Ugh
• Why does Frenzy (or Rumble?) just let Duke put a bomb in his mouth?
• And why does Duke have a shirt under his UNDERCOVER disguise saying his name on it?!
• ...there is literally a scene with animal soldiers fighting Halloween reject soldiers....and yet it's still a meh issue...
• Fortress Maximus's "function" as "The Living Prison" may be a reference to his former role in IDW's main comics as the prison warden at Garrus-9...thought he wasn't eating the Joe's pets in that series....
• Blaster's role as a "Freedom Fighter" is likely a nod to his origins in the Marvel comics in the same way.
• One of Rodimus' Decepticon "friends" is Armada Demolishor
• The dialogue in the past has indicted that the Terraformed part of Cybertron is Iacon, but it's shown here to be on the southern side of Cybertron, despite Iacon normally being the very north-point of the planet.
• The whole scene with Grimlock leaving Metroplex and the Autobots and Joes having a random dance party are lifted from the 80's animated movie.
• ...The bit with Bazooka getting high on the Technorganic leaves is new though...
• Its revealed here that Grimlock deposed Rodimus as the Autobot's "King" after Optimus left for some undisclosed reason, and then Rodimus went rogue and started hunting or working with the Decepticons or something.
• So Duke and Snake Eyes somehow end up in the Space/Time void, and run into Optimus in a weird semi-transformed mode.
• Why is Duke now wearing Boa's helmet? That seems a bit strange....
• What am I saying? This whole series is strange!

IDW - Primacy #4

Written by: Chris Metzen & Flint Dille

Art by: Livio Ramondelli 

Letters by: Chris Mowry

Editor: John Barber

Plot

The Decepticons continue their assault on the Autobots, and assume that they have all be killed by the sheer firepower, whilst Megatron is distraught over the revelation from Pentius over his manipulation and plans to destroy Cybertron.

However, much to the Decepticon's shock, the Autobots have survived the attack on them using Trailbreaker's forcefield, and the proceed to counter-attack the Decepticons.

Nearby, Blackwall and Grimlock continue their battle, andd Grimlock manages to win by skewering his head with his sword, causing it to blow up, showing that despite Blackwall being stronger, Grimlock knows how to fight dirtier.

Megatron, realizing that he has to destroy Pentius from his own, and Trypticon's sparks, and orders Soundwave to raze Iacon if he fails.

Elsewhere, Hot Rod is attacked by Onslaught, who plans to kill him to get a place on Megatron's high command (as he's faamous), but he is saved by his old friend Slinger, who betrays the Decepticons, realizing that neither side is right in this war. Unfortunately Razorclaw hears this and immediately kills Slinger, and leads his Predacons to go against Hot Rod as well. However before they can start their attack, the Dynobots appear to assist their younger friend, and win the battle.

Megatron approaches the body of Trypticon, and smashes through the Autobots guarding him. Optimus notices this, and heads off to intercept him, taking down Motormaster on the way, and Omega Supreme defends him from the rest of the Stunticons.

Optimus soon reaches Megatron, and starts to duel with him, to stop him from doing anything stupid, with Megatron revealing that his spark was tainted by Pentius and he plans to use him to destroy all of Cybertron, and he knows no-one can stop him. Optimus however counters that there is always someone willing to save the day, giving his Autobots as examples. He then opens to Matrix to remove Pentius from the two sparks, leaving Megatron the way he was before. However, Optimus notes that Megatron's spark was corrupted long before Pentius came around, and knocks him out.

Moments later, Optimus broadcasts to everyone that Megatron has been defeated and he is imprisoned, and Cybertron returns to some level of peace. Optimus thinks back over what has happened, and finally feels happy with who he is now, as Optimus Prime, but knows that this is just the beginning of his story....

Characters

Autobot

Optimus Prime - Truck

Omega Supreme - Rocket and Base

Hot Rod - Car

Grimlock - Armoured Vehicle

Snarl - Armoured Vehicle

Sludge - Armoured Vehicle

Slag - Armoured Vehicle

Swoop - Jet

Sky Lynx - Space Ship

Trailbreaker - Truck

Ultra Magnus - Truck

Kup - Pick Up Truck

Jazz - Car

Hound - Car

Bumblebee - Car

Prowl - Car

Ironhide - Van

Swerve - Truck

Rung

Springer - Car/Helicopter

Sandstorm - Buggy/Helicopter

Ratchet - Ambulance 

Other Autobots

Decepticon

Megatron - Tank

Soundwave - Acoustic Tank

Shockwave - Ray Gun

Starscream - Jet

Skywarp - Jet

Thundercracker - Jet

Blitzwing - Jet/Tank

Hook - Crane

Hun-Gar - Two Headed Monster

Blackwall Killed by Grimlock

Onslaught - Tank

Slinger Killed by Razorclaw

Razorclaw - Lion

Rampage - Tiger

Tantrum - Bull

Headstrong - Rhino

Divebomb - Falcon

Motormaster - Truck

Dead End - Car

Wildrider - Car

Dragstrip - Car

Breakdown - Car

Tyrpticon - Battle Platform Disabled

Other Decepticons

Other

Pentius Removed from Sparks by Optimus Prime

Notes

• This issue marks the end of Flint Dille and Chris Metzen's early-war trilogy.
• As a way of marking the end of this series, the last page of this issue duplicates the first page in Autocracy, but with the panels reversed and the Matrix light added to Optimus' chest panel, perfectly bookending the series.
• He isn't properly seen, but Trailbreaker MUST be amongst the Autobots in this issue, since his forcefield protects them from the weapons barrage.
• Slinger's storyline here seems a bit pointless, he was barely seen in Autocracy and Monstrosity. He re-appeared in Primacy as a new Decepticon, then betrays them the second he gets the chance, just to be killed by Razorclaw...
• Optimus and Motormaster's head-to head collision is an homage to their similar scene in Masquerade from the G1 cartoon
• Rung and Swerve are seen amongst the Autobots hiding from the fighting...this seems appropriate considering their fighting skills!
• We know from the present day stories that Metroplex survived the events of this comic, but Trypticon isn't so clear. However he was shown in Stormbringer and Spotlight: Blaster as being around, at least until just after the Thunderhead Pass incident, but it's kinda confusing here.
• Megatron is shown arrested and chained up at the end of this story, but we all know he must escape somehow, otherwise the rest of IDW couldn't happen...