IDW - Transformers #48

Title: Conquerors Part 3: Helden

Written by: John Barber

Art by: Andrew Griffith

Colours by: Josh Perez

Letters by: Tom B. Long

Editor: Carlos Guzman

Plot

D.O.C. encounters Buster, the resident dog of the EDC and Thundercracker's belovedpet, however due to her apparent lack of use, D.O.C. dismisses her as unhelpful. Thundercracker appears from the corridor and mistakes D.O.C. for one of the EDC's drones. D.O.C. uses some holograms to try and tell Thudnercracker what's been happening, but he fails to understand it's meaning. D.O.C. wanders off to try and find his friends, and Buster follows, and leads him into the kitchen area, where she uses a machine to dispense some dog food for herself. D.O.C. hacks into the dispenser and brings up a map of the facility, but finds a power source leading to nothing, so he decides to investigate it.

Buster alerts the drone that some humans are coming, and creates a distracting by peeing on the floor, allowing D.O.C. to hover away unseen.

Before he can get too far away however, D.O.C. is mistaken for one of the resident drones and is captured by a truck, who takes him away for some reason. Buster watches this, but decides that D.O.C. is her friend now, and wants to rescue him.

Buster heads through the base, and locates the truck, biting at the clamps keeping D.O.C. in place,a nd freeing her new friend, who now accepts her as useful and a friend too.

The dynamic duo go through some tunnels and find an empty room, off the grid, and notices the roof leaking with some "bad water". D.O.C. ignores Buster's barks and cuts a hole in the oof, and causes it to flood the lower floor too. D.O.C. and Buster swim up to the top of the "water" they find the captured Autobots restrained, being slowly dissolved, however D.O.C. manages to break their restraints and begins cutting open the ceiling again.

Thundercracker, Faireborn and Jones are running down the corridor to locate Buster and the "runaway drone" and find the floor being burned open, just before the Autobots escape. Before a fight can break out though, Buster and D.O.C. explain, with Jetfire and Thundercracker translating for the others, that they were found in a hidden room. Marissa had no idea about any of this, and figures that it must be all Blackrock's doing.

In Spike's cell, Blackrock keeps trying to get him to explain who he really is, and reveals that he wants Spike to do this because he knows Cybertronians better than anyone else. Spike suddenly twigs on and deduces that Blackrock is a Cybertronian in some way, which is why he has no past, or soul etc. Blackrock dismisses this, but the cell is suddenly broken into by the Autobots and EDC. Spike restrains Blackrock and Marissa takes his data-pad from him, revealing to her what he's been up to, including capturing the Ark in orbit, and spying on the world. She prepares to release the ship when suddenly Galvatron teleports in (with a now freed Skywarp) and confirms that Blackrock was planted on Earth by Onyx Prime to capture the Enigma of Combination for him, but now Galvatron wants him so he can continue his war against the Primes, before grabbing Blackrock, welcoming him as his Cybertronian brother....

Characters

Autobot

Jetfire - Fighter Jet

Jazz - Sports Car

Sky Lynx - Space Shuttle

Kup - Pick-Up Truck

Cosmos - Orbiter (Hologram)

Prowl - Police Vehicle (Mentioned)

Decepticon

Galvatron - Tank

Skywarp - Cybertronian Jet

Soundwave - Personnel Carrier (Hologram)

Human

Marissa Faireborn

Ayana Jones

Sanjay Bharwanay

Spike Witwicky

EDC Troops

Cybertronian

Garrison Blackrock Captured by Galvatron

Thundercracker - Fighter Jet

Nexus Prime (Mentioned)

Onyx Prime (Mentioned)

Other

Buster the Dog

D.O.C.

Thrust-Dirge Clone Combiners - Jets (Hologram)

Notes

• Due to both main characters in this issue not being to talk "properly" we get specific panels with their language translated for us...it is quite hilarious.
• Also, when Buster is "in charge" of the story, the colours are somewhat more muted, due to dogs having a more limited colour-range.
• How did D.O.C. get footage of Soundwave and Cosmos on the Jupiter commune?
• Faireborn and Jones are dressed up in clothing similar to Lady Jaye's from GI Joe. In previous series' Jaye was Marissa's mother.
• One of the posters in the EDC rec-room says to "Visit Poverty Flat" that was the town that was caught in the middle of the fight between the Autobots and Decepticons after they returned to Earth following Dark Cybertron.
• It has also been "40 days" with no accidents. The last "accident" was probably when the Autobots attacked the EDC base and General Witwicky was killed.
• Human language to Buster is translated into anagrams of most words, with specific key words being unscrambled, such as "Hi", "Buster" and "Dog".
• We saw Jazz being slowly melted away by Blackrock in an earlier issue, but now we know all the captured Autobots are in that same pool as well
• Thundercracker can apparently accurately translate what Buster says....odd.
• If it is true that Blackrock is one of Onyx Prime's followers in disguise and under deep-cover, then this would explain how Blackrock was able to re-translate "Ark" as "Vanguard" in the previous issue
• Also, even if it turns out to be a trick of some sort, it now seems likely that the "Black Angel" that Blackrock mentioned before is most likely Onyx Prime, since his traditional appearance has wings, which could be seen as angelic, and the word "Onyx" even means black!
• Also, this issue implies that Onyx Prime still lives somewhere, since he more than likely planted Blackrock on Earth in the more recent past.
• Skywarp has been freed from the Nemesis...let's see if he stays that way now?

IDW - Sins of the Wreckers #1

Written and Drawn by: Nick Roche

Colours by: Josh Burcham

Letters by: Tom B. Long

Editor: John Barber

Plot

Arcee detects Prowl's signal on Earth, but suddenly it disappears, at the same time, Kup blacks out whilst riveting the bull of the Ark. Arcee manages to pull the older Autobot inside the ship, and questions why he passed out at the same moment as Prowl turned up. She's determined to find out what happened, so she orders Kup to unseal Prowl's old quarters, which Kup claims to be impossible, due to Prowl's extreme security measures.

Elsewhere in space, Impactor is watching over Guzzle, who has been locked into a crate to try and calm him down whilst at the Wreckers space station, Debris. Roadbuster joins him, taking a break from watching over Springer's still near-death body. The duo discuss how peace has essentially ended the need for the Wreckers, and all they are now is a group of baby-sitters for their leftover members. Impactor gets fed up of wasting his time, and takes Roadbuster elsewhere in the station.

Back on the Ark, Kup manages to quickly unlock Prowl's quarters, which Arcee grows a bit suspicious of. Soon the two Autobots locate some files mentioning Garrus-9, and find an image of Verity Carlo holding a copy of the Aequitas files, and threatening Prowl with releasing it. Kup explains to Arcee who Verity is, and correctly guesses that Ironfist made her a copy of the files before his sudden death on the way back from Garrus-9.
After the discussion, Arcee deems Verity a major risk due to her holding Autobot war secrets, and having the ability to send secret messages to the head of Autobot Special ops, but Kup doesn't agree. Soon, a hologram of Prowl appears in the room, having been left in case of his own disappearance, and asks for Springer to be called in to help find him. Arcee is shocked as she can't believe that Prowl trusts Springer more than her, despite them hating each other. Kup prepares to contact Debris, but Arcee knocks him out before he can, and heads out to confront Verity herself....

Somewhere, Prowl wakes up and soon finds himself in a place called the "Noisemaze" where he appears to be suffering from visual and audio disruptions. He's greeted by a shadowy figure, his apparent kidnapper.

In Nome, Alaska, Verity is sick with an unknown illness, and is almost attacked by a bear whilst travelling through the wilderness, however she is rescued by Stakeout, an Autobot assigned to protect her by Ultra Magnus following their separation. Despite his worries about her condition, Verity seems glad to see the Autobot, and allows herself to go into the back-seat of his police car mode. The two drive off, with Stakeout apologizing for not being with her for so long, but also reprimands her for trying to expose Prowl, and shattering their loose peace with the Decepticons. Verity claims that Prowl deserves to be punished for all he did, especially to her Wrecker friends, but STakeout points out that if she does release the information, then they died for nothing. Verity however, still wants to do this, before it's too late for her.
Before long, Stakeout is shot off the road by Arcee, who captures Verity and sword-point, demanding to know where Prowl is, before Verity passes out.

On the Ark, Kup manages to contact Debris, where he confides to the comatose Springer that he hasn't been to see him, because he doesn't know what he'd do, especially knowing that Springer would do anything to save him if their places were reversed. He then orders Springer to wake up, and cuts off communications.

On Debris, Impactor and Roadbuster are walking through the Wrecker monument and Impactor asks Roadbuster about letting Springer die with dignity, which starts an argument again. However this one is cut short when Hubcap, the station's new admin officer interrupts to tell them that Guzzle is over-heating his crate and will cause a fire soon. Suddenly the alarms hooked to Springer's life-signs goes off, alerting the Wreckers that he has no signs of life any more.
Roadbuster rushes to the medical bay, where he refuses to go inside, as he can't handle it, but Impactor forces him inside, where they find Springer...has gone...

Back on Earth, Arcee has taken Verity to an old warehouse where she interrogates her for Prowl's location. Verity admits to having threatened him due to him needing to pay for his evil acts in the past, but she had no part in him going missing, not that she's upset about it. Arcee threatens to destroy Verity's bag, which assumedly contains the Aequitas files (and probably medicine for her illness) unless she gives her Prowl, she gets interrupted however, when the Wreckers, led by a now healthy Springer, appear, ready to fix the problem.

Characters

Autobot

Arcee - Sports Car

Kup - Pick Up Truck

Springer - Rocket Car/Helicopter

Impactor - Tank

Roadbuster - Jeep

Hubcap - Car

Guzzle - Tank

Stakeout - Police Car

Prowl - Police Vehicle Trapped in the Noisemaze

Optimus Prime - Truck Cab (Mentioned)

Ultra Magnus - Vehicle Transport (Mentioned)

Threnody (Mentioned) Dead

Crest (Mentioned) Dead

Hyperion (Mentioned) Dead

Ironfist (Mentioned) Dead

Rotorstorm (Name on Memorial) Dead

Rack (Name on Memorial) Dead

Pyro (Name on Memorial) Dead

Decepticon

Overlord - Jet and Tank (Mentioned)

Human

Verity Carlo

Other

Prowl's Captor

Polar Bear Injured by Stakeout

Sharkticons (Mentioned)

Primus (Mentioned)

Notes

• This is the sequel series to the hit series "Last Stand of the Wreckers" but also includes some lot lines carried over from the comics released since then (Such as Prowl went missing, and Arcee is in command of the Earth forces in The Transformers)
• The art style of this comic has a more muted colour palette than it's predecessor.
• Kup's connection to Prowl is more than likely due to his secret "Pretender" process that allowed Prowl to subliminally control the older Autobot. This was referenced before during Infestation, where Prowl was able to control the zombified Kup.
• Guzzle and Impactor were last seen working alone in space taking down residual Decepticon groups in the LSOTW Hardcover edition. Roadbuster was also noted as taking care of Springer in the same book, as well as Ironfist giving Verity a copy of the Aequitas files.
• Prowl's missing eye is due to the fight he had with Optimus, following his attempted coup.
• Judging from the basic shadow shapes, and the audio-based attack being used on Prowl, I'm going to guess that the kidnapper will be revealed as Hubcap, and is probably as revenge for Pipes' death at Overlord's hands (foot) which was indirectly caused by Prowl as well.
• It's strongly implied that the police car seen at the end of Last Stand of the Wreckers was actually Stakeout beginning his new job as Verity's guard.
• Verity's mystery illness appears to be in relation to Cybertronians, as she is seen suffering with pain whenever one appears. Stakeout also seems worried about touching her or even being near her. More than likely she caught this "disease" whilst with Magnus or the Wreckers, as Jimmy wasn't shown as suffering when he reappeared in recent comics.
• Kup's comments on how Springer would do anything to save Kup if he was ill is a reference to Spotlight: Kup, where Springer authorized the deaths of many Autobots just to rescue the insane Kup.
• Why didn't Debris go down when all the other Autobot outposts were knocked out during All Hail Megatron? We know it was around before those events, since Impactor put up his pre-emptive memorial slab before his arrest.
• Guzzle has grown A LOT since we last saw him, with him now being larger than Roadbuster, last time we saw him be was the shortest of the current Wreckers.
• Judging from the letter to the readers, and small doodle in the corner after the comic, at least three Autobots will die in tis story....eep!
• Due to them being around in "The Transformers" after this, we can assume that Kup and Arcee will survive at least.

IDW - More Than Meets The Eye #47

Title: The Lopsided Triangle

Written by: James Roberts

Art by: Brendan Cahill

Colours by: Joana LaFuente

Letters by: Tom B. Long

Editor: John Barber

Plot

In "Visages", Getaway tells Tailgate the story of his own birth and the reason he was named Getaway (since he ran away during his first battle). After a brief conversation about how Getaway reminds Tailgate of how Cyclonus told him stories and tried to teach him Old Cybertronian songs in the past, before Getaway uses Nautica's wrench to reveal Ravage in the bar too. Ravage claims to be just drinking, and wasn't even hiding, but Getaway decides to leave with Tailgate regardless.

Cyclonus wakes up in his hab-suite to find Tailgate gone, he heads to Swerve's bar to try and find him, but Swerve just tells him that Tailgate was at Getaways hab-suite. He then gives Cyclonus a free drink to say thanks for his help when he was depressed on "Swearth". Cyclonus leaves.

At Getaway's hab-suite, the creepy Autobot gives Tailgate some mnemo-surgery needles as a gift, claiming that Tailgate always talks about how he loves Chromedome's set. Getaway then reveals to Tailgate that he's been trying to perform the act of becoming Tailgate's Conjunx Endura, but the final thing they need, is for Tailgate to prove his love for him too...which he agrees to....

Cyclonus heads to Whirl's hab-suite, where the duo talk about Cyclonus having strong feelings for Tailgate, and how he's worried that his little friend is being messed around with by Getaway. Whirl laughs this off, since Cyclonus doesn't have feelings normally. Whirl tells Cyclonus that Tailgate might just like Getaway more than him, and he has to accept that. Cyclonus goes to leave, and thanks Whirl for being brutally honest with him, as he knows Whirl doesn't care about his feelings, and isn't afraid of him, so he would just tell the truth on this matter, leaving Whirl a bit shocked.

Soon, Whirl has called his cohorts, Getaway and Atomizer to his hab-suite where he asks them to call off the plan of using Tailgate to get Megatron thrown off the ship or killed, as he's having second thoughts now. Getaway flat-out refuses as he's spent too much time "grooming" the small Autobot, and has convinced him to use his mnemo-surgery needles to use Shadowplay on Megatron to administer an "Anti-Villain Virus" into their co-captain, and make him nice. However, both the virus and needles are fakes, and he plans for Megatron to flip out the moment he sees the needles, due to his phobia, and kill Tailgate, forcing the crew to either kill Megatron in anger, or have him sent back to Cybertron in disgrace. Whirl repeats his dislike of the plan and starts fiddling with his home-made clocks, when Atomizer points Getaway's Nudge Gun at his head, and shoots him point blank.

Whirl's mind is slowly being erased of information of the plan, but as he's losing his mind, he sends out his holo-avatar across the ship to get help from Cyclonus, who sees he avatar out his window, and sees it seemingly choking on something, leading him to rush off.

Soon, Cyclonus arrives at Whirl's hab-suite, passing the leaving Atomzer and Getaway, only to find Whirl with a head-ache, and no recollection of anything from the last day. Cyclonusbegins to leave when he notices that Whirl has set all of his clocks to 1:13, telling Cyclonus to go to suite 113, Megatron's hab-suite.

At suite 113, Tailgate sneaks in, ready to "cure" Megatron, when suddenly Ravage finds him and calls for Megatron to wake up, upon seeing the needles, Megatron does indeed flip out, and grabs Tailgate by the head. Luckily however, Cyclonus suddenly appears, stabs Megatron with the Great Sword, knocks out Ravage, and smacks down Megatron with his own recharge slab, before running off with Tailgate.

The two friends run towards the shuttlebay, where Tailgate realizes that Getaway lied to him, and tried to get him killed. Along the way Tailgate begins to ask Cyclonus about the "Four Acts" of becoming Conjunx Endurae, but decides to wait before revealing that the two of them, had accidentally done all four acts when Tailgate was dying from Cybercrosis. Cyclonus held his hand whilst singing in Old Cybertronian, Tailgate admitted he was afraid of death, he gave Cyclonus his replacement horn, and finally, Cyclonus shared his spark energy to give Tailgate enough power for the treatment process, meaning that the two are in fact already a couple.

The duo reach the shuttle bay, but find the doors locked, and security waiting for them. Cyclonus reaches for his sword again, but Security opens fire on him, Cyclonus shields his friend from the fire, and bids him a sweet goodbye before collapsing.

Tailgate leans across Cyclonus' body and starts to panic, begins tearing again, then lets out a bright light that fills the entire ship, before suddenly stopping, and the ship seemingly begins to drift away....

Characters

Autobot

Megatron - Tank Pummelled by Cyclonus

Tailgate - Car

Whirl - Osprey Helicopter Shot by Atomizer with Nudge Gun

Getaway - Car

Atomizer - Race Car

Rewind - Data Slug

Chromedome - Car

Swerve - Van

Crosscut - Van

Velocity - Race Car

Rollout - Bulldozer

Jackpot - Car

Grotusque - Winged-Cat Monster

Powerflash - Jet

Strafe - Jet

Dogfight - Jet

Boss - Race Car

Aquafend - Baja Buggy

Ultra Magnus - Vehicle Transport (Mentioned)

Decepticon

Ravage - Cassette Beaten by Cyclonus

Cycbertronian

Cyclonus - Jet Shot, maybe killed by Security

Ten

Scalp - Head (Mentioned)

Tyrest (Mentioned)

Notes

• This issue reveals the truth behind Getaway's interest in Tailgate, which, as assumed before, is not a good thing! He even calls it grooming...that's creepier still!
• It's revealed here that Sparks that were stored during the war were in fact kept frozen, until they were needed
• The process of becoming a Conjunx Endura with someone is revealed in this issue, which is done via intimacy, disclosing a secret, giving a gift, and the recipient making a gesture to show their love in return.
• Whirl's cohorts who tried to help him with getting Megatron "exposed" at the start of season two are revealed to be Getaway and Atomizer. Atomizer was also previously shown trying to upset the captains of the ship with a fake list of people who voted him off the ship himself.
• Getaway's "Nudge Gun", the twin of Skids' which was a plot point from season one, is back in Getaway's possession now, since it was confiscated by Tyrest when he captured him.
• Atomizer's body is shown in some detail here which shows that he most likely has a race car alternate mode.
• Tailgate's old friend Scalp, who turned into a head, is revealed to have been a Mnemo-surgeon, like Chromedome.
• Whirl was previously shown to be able to transmit his holo-avatar across the ship when he was detained in his room by Ultra Magnus, and still left via it to go to the bar.
• Cyclonus similarly shielded Rewind from an explosion in season one, but seemed to fair a bit better afterwards there...
• Tailgate's panicked eye effect appears to actually be a manifestation of some Outlier power he's unknowingly had all along.
• Tailgate's "power" giving off a rainbow coloured light in the aftermath is possibly a reference to the rainbow being the "flag" of homosexual culture, which is arguably what Tailgate and Cyclonus could be classed as part of.

IDW - The Transformers #47

Title: Conquerors Part 2: Lagrange 

Written by: John Barber

Art by: Sara Pitre-Durocher

Colours by: Josh Perez

Letters by: Tom B. Long

Editor: Carlos Guzman

Plot

Cosmos arrives at the Jupiter commune, where he asks Soundwave to help him find the other Autobots, but Soundwave cannot hear them, even with his enhanced hearing. Cosmos begins to panic, and Soundwave offers him to come inside the commune, where he can calm down and decide what to do next.

On Earth, Thundercracker is complaining to Buster about how Blackrock is allowed to speak to Spike, and he isn't, and he muses on how he thinks Blackrock's lost it.

Inside Spike's cell, Blackrock starts waxing lyrical about the destructive powers of the Ark-7, and claims that a Black Angel told him how to do everything he's done. Spike also thinks Blackrock's gone mad, which he also agrees is probably true, but it doesn't matter.

In the Sea of Rust on Cybertron, Optimus and Aileron visit the singularity that houses the Crystal City, and the bodies of Shockwave and Bumblebee whilst also looking for the Torchbearers on Aileron's suggestion (last issue) when suddenly the six Camiens appear before them.

In Iacon, the Decepticons led by Needlenose march through the Spaceport towards the Spacebridge terminal. Tracks begins by dismissing it, until Zetca points out that his brother Needlnose is amongst them Tracks informs Starscream about it, but he dismisses it as just them going for a walk. Tracks decides to confront Needlenose once and for all about his choices, and leaves his station.

Back at the Jupiter Commune, Soundwave informs Galvatron that he's in contact with the Autobot's space bridge on the Ark, and Galvatron tells him to take it from them. Cosmos assumes this means the Decepticons were responsible for the attack on the Ark, but Soundwave simply points out that  ignoring the potential to take the space bridge now would be a waste, but they didn't cause the attack.

Back on Cybertron, Optimus tries to introduce himself to the Torchbearers, but they aren't interested, as they don't see him as a true Prime, since he simply inherited the role, and wasn't one of the originals. Pyra Magna points out that they left Caminus to look into Cybertron's history and to reshape their futures, and leads to the Torchbearers attacking Optimus as a group, in order to help "light his way".

At Iacon, Tracks catches up to Needlenose and tries to stop him from making anotehr mistake, which Needlenose interprets as him loving Horri-Bull being a mistake. Needlenose offers Tracks a place with them in their trip to Earth, but Tracks is horrified, and threatens to inform Optimus. However before he can do anything, Brawl shoots him in the chest and leaves him off-line and smouldering from his wound. Needlenose looks shocked at first, but then kicks his downed brother, and leads the Decepticons forward.

Elsewhere, Starscream is having a conversation with the Bumblebee "hallucination" and is convinced by him to inform the others about what Needlenose and the others are doing. Starscream contacts Windblade and tells her to call in everyone for the situation.

Optimus fights with the Torchbearers as Aileron watches on in awe, but Optimus realizes that the Torchbearers aren't trying to kill him, which they respond that they can't as he's a precious relic that they must portect, before combining into Victorion, and using her gravitational powers to pin down Prime.

Victorion has Optimus recite the history of the Matrix for her, and during which she learns that Optimus believes the Matrix is just a piece of old technology and isn't mystical, like she thinks. After a discussion, she states that she believes the Matrix belongs to her, as she is a direct follower of Solus Prime, but agrees to build up Optimus into the Prime he is supposed to be.

On Ark-7, Arcee and the others have fought their way to the space bridge room, where Arcee plans to go to Cybertron, destroy the ship and bridge, and come back with reinforcements to take care of their Human attackers, however upon entering the room, the Decepticon forces, led by Needlenose march through, having already made the trip and begin attacking the Autobots.

On the Jupiter Commune, Cosmos learns that the Decepticons are coming to the Commune on mass, and will steal the space bridge for their uses. Cosmos is ashamed for having trusted Soudnwave, despite his consistent claims for peace, and wonders what happened to his friend D.O.C.

On Earth, D.O.C. has entered the EDC base, and encounters Buster the Dog.....

Characters

Autobot

Optimus Prime - Truck Cab

Arcee - Sports Car

Sideswipe - Sports Car

Alpha Trion - Tumbler

Tracks - Car Blasted by Brawl

Cosmos - Orbiter

Windblade - VTOL Fighter Jet

Sizzle - Car

Omega Supreme - Base and Rocket Being Repaired

Bumblebee - Cybertronian Car (Hallucination/Ghost)

Sentinel Prime (Mentioned)

Wheeljack - Race Car (Mentioned)

Prowl - Police Vehicle (Mentioned)

Megatron - Tank (Mentioned)

Decepticon

Galvatron - Tank

Soundwave - Personnel Carrier

Sky-Byte - Flying Shark

Laserbeak - Cassette Player

Buzzsaw - Cassette Player

Needlenose - Fighter Jet

Dreadwing - Stealth Bomber

Brawl - Tank

Sparkstalker - Insect Monster

Cindersaur - Lizard Monster

Flamefeather - Bird Monster

Acidstorm - Fighter Jet

Onslaught - Anti-Aircraft Tank

Dauros - Tank

Submarauder - Submarine

Squeezeplay - Crab Monster

Slugslinger - Twin Nosed Jet

Other Decepticon Rebels

Horri-Bull - Bull (Mentioned) Dead

Shockwave - Flying Artillery (Mentioned) Dead

Bombshell - Boll Weevil (Mentioned)

United Cybertron

Starscream - Fighter Jet

Zetca

Camien

Pyra Magna - Emergency Vehicle

Jumpstream - Sports Car

Dustup - Sports Car

Skyburst - Helicopter

Stormclash - Helicopter

Rust Dust - Motorcycle

Victorion - Torchbearer Gestalt

Aileron - Aerial Vehicle

Mistress of Flame (Mentioned)

Other Cybetrtronian

Thundercracker - Fighter Jet

Crystal City Titan - SpaceShip/City (Mentioned) Dead

Knights of Cybertron (Mentioned)

Primus (Mentioned)

Mortilus (Mentioned)

Solomus (Mentioned)

Prima (Mentioned)

Solus Prime (Mentioned)

Vector Prime (Mentioned)

Nexus Prime (Mentioned)

Onyx Prime (Mentioned)

Micronus Prime (Mentioned)

Alchemist Prime (Mentioned)

Amalgamous Prime (Mentioned)

Quintus Prime (Mentioned)

Liege Maximo (Mentioned)

"The Fallen" (Mentioned)

"The Arisen" (Mentioned)

Human

Garrison Blackrock

Spike Witwicky

EDC Troops

Other

Buster the Dog

D.O.C.

The Black Angel (Mentioned)

Notes

• I have a feeling that the "Black Angel" mentioned by Blackrock has something to do with Cybertron and/or the Mystery Gear Faction from More Than Meets the Eye
• The alternate translation for "Ark" in Cybertronian being "Vanguard" is a reference to the class of ship that the original version of the ship from the G1 comic and cartoon.
• The alternative "Vanguard" name, interpreted by Blackrock as being for a leading division of an invading army is also quite apt for Nova Prime's intentions for the ships.
• The remains of the black hole created in Dark Cybertron are revealed to be still present in the Sea of Rust, but isn't a threat due to an electromagnetic field coming from it.
• Optimus reveals that the area now known as the Sea of Rust used to be called the Rust Spot.
• Since Swift has joined the Decepticon exodus, it's not too much of a stretch to assume that Lightbright may have joined them too, due to her closeness with Sparkstalker, who is also amongst the group.
• Zetca is revealed to have survived Dark Cybertron, and has started working at the spaceport, under Tracks.
• Oh look! Omega Supreme's still being repaired! Honestly, I assumed he was dead by now...wonder why they didn't try using the Enigma of Combination on him to repair him, like they did Superion?
• Bumblebee uses a word that Starscream doesn't understand, and since he uses it in context and properly, it seems likely that he knows what it means. This points to the possibility that this "hallucination" of Bumblebee is actually him in some way, either as a ghost, or some sort of remnant of his existence.
• For the first time so far, we actually see the Motorcycle component of Victorion/Defensor's torso mold in a comic!
• Victorion names the members of the Thirteen, which match up with the list given for the Aligned continuity, and not the more recently given Multiverse list. The two unnamed members are "The Fallen" (Megatronus) and "The Arisen", in the Aligned list this would be Optimus Prime, but the phrase "Arisen" is also used when Hot Rod became Rodimus Prime in the 80's movie. (I know we've been shown his birth-site etc, but I feel I need to mention this due to his Matrix-affinity)
• Swift being amongst the Decepticons is likely due to her recent romance with Barricade, where she was told the Decepticons were freedom fighters.

Sig-Pub - Transformers Robots in Disguise #2 (ish)

Features

• So yeah...this magazine is missing something....aka a UNIQUE COMIC STRIP! So this will be a very short entry here.
• The reprinted comic here is issue 1 of the IDW Robots in Disguise comic
• The exclusive scan shield inside this magazine gives you 240 Energon Cubes...I guess that COULD make up for the lack of actual content!
• The magazine tempts you to mutilate the covers to give you some cheap Bumblebee and Optimus masks.
• The Fact File this month is for Grimlock
• There are other features in this issue, but it's just slight variations from the previous issue, so there's no point in mentioning them again here, especially due to the lack of other content.
• The next issue is out December 18th...let's hope it's better than this one!
• To be fair though, I guess this is a substitute for people who don't haver comic stores to buy the IDW RID comics...but that's bound to be a small audience!

IDW - Robots in Disguise Animated #4

Written by: Georgia Ball

Art by: Priscilla Tramontano

Colours by: Josh Burcham

Letters by: Tom B. Long

Edits by: John Barber

Plot

Bumblebee and Magnus' teams of Autobots return to the Scrapyard, where Bee has Magnus explain everything that's been going on. Magnus says that they've been looking for the leader of the Cybercomrade Sect, Overhead, and he couldn't be sure if he could trust Bee's new team, since about half of them are criminals, however Bee responds by pointing out that his hiding the information has endangered the entire population of the Earth. Magnuis agrees, and joins forces with Bee.

The teams start to plan out how to stop Overhead, and her crew, from building a Spacebridge to escape Earth. However unknown to the Autobots, Overhead actually plans to stay on Earth, strip it of it's resources and conquer it, but she needs the bridge to bring the rest of the Sect to Earth!

At the Scrapyard, Clipshade tries to train Sideswipe to act like a Decepticon to get him inside the Sect for their last attack on them since they haven't seen him before, but Sideswipe is a terrible actor, so it's not going well. Fixit manages to locate Skullcruncher and Razorgrille's signals, so they know where Overhead would likely be, as they are known members of the Sect.

The team locate the two lackies, and Skullcruncher instantly accepts Sideswipe as a Decepticon (he's kinda dumb) but Razorgrille is suspicious that he could be working for another crime boss (even though he has an Autobot insignia). Razorgrille lets it slip that there's only the three Decepticons in the squad, which Magnus reports to Bee, saying that Overhead is alone in the base this means, whilst Magnus and the others take on the lackies.

The Bee Team enter Overheads's base, but are soon ambushed by here, thanks to a silent alarm she set up for intruders. The Autobots battle with the single Decepticon, but it appears to be an even fight. Razorgrille and Skullcruncher manage to run to the base, but are caught in the door with Magnus and the others. Despite this, the Autobots now have the upper hand and Overhead is stuck in a corner.

Overhead decides to take drastic actions, and overloads the spacebridge, causing it to cause a black hole, however Bee manages to close it by smashing the Decepticon into the console and making the bridge explode.

In the aftermath the Decepticons are captured and placed into Stasis Cells back at the space bridge.

Magnus and his team load the captured members of the Sect into his ship as they prepare to leave the planet for Cybertron. Bee says he'll return to Cybertron once his mission on Earth is over, and the two teams part on good terms.

Characters

Autobot

Bumblebee - Sports Car

Sideswipe - Sports Car

Strongarm - Police SUV

Grimlock - Tyrannosaurus Rex

Fixit

Ultra Magnus - Truck Cab

Bulkhead - Off Road Vehicle

Arcee - Motorcycle

Clipshade - Sports Car

Elite Guard (Mentioned)

Decepticon

Overhead - Security Transport Captured by Team Bee and Team Prime

Skullcruncher - Tank Captured by Team Bee and Team Prime

Razorgrille - Sports Car Captured by Team Bee and Team Prime

Megatron - Jet (Image only)

Thunderhoof (Mentioned)

Slipstream (Mentioned)

Human

Denny Clay

Russell Clay

Other

Unicron (Mentioned)

Notes

• I wonder if  Skullcruncher's inclusion in this comic is due to his upcoming Titans Return toy?
• In their first panel Razorgrille has Skulcruncher's forearm wheels, but never any other time
• This is the second time that Sideswipe has pretended to be a Decepticon so he can trick one (though this time he doesn't even hide his Autobot insignia!)
• Slipstream is name-dropped as a crime boss. This is most likely in reference to the female Seeker, and not the Autobot Mini-Con.
• Razorgrille looks like he uses the same basic body-type as Knock Out.
• The High Council being unhappy with Bumblebee is mentioned by Jazz and Drift as being why they came to Earth on their separate missions

Sig-Pub - Transformers Robots in Disguise #1

Comic Title: Look Before You Leap!

Writer: Richard Mead

Artists: Dan Khanna and Evan Guantt 

Letterer: Terry Sambridge

Price: £3.49

Plot

Bumblebee and Strongarm wonder how they're going to get Springload into a Stasis Cell from the make-shift cage they made for him, so they decide to call the Scrapyard to send Sideswipe with a Stasis Cell before he can escape.

Before long, Sideswipe, along with the Humans arrive at the temple where the Autobots attempt to put him in the cell, but Springload manages to escape by clinging onto the lid of the casket, attacks Sideswipe with his acid-tongue and runs off. The Autobots give chase, but Springload manages to evade him.

Not long afterwards, the Autobots locate Springload inside a film studio, where they find Springload mistaking some prop-treasure for real treasure from the city of Doradus. The Autobots go in for an attack, but Bumblebee and Strongarm get trapped by some of the studio's gadgets (trapdoors etc) but Sideswipe manages to trick Springload into running from him, right into a backdrop-wall painted to look like an open field, knocking out the Decepticon.

Bumblebee congratulates Sideswipe on his success, and has him get the Stasis Cell from the temple again, before Springload can escape once more.

Characters

Autobot

Bumblebee - Sports Car

Sideswipe - Sports Car

Strongarm - Police SUV

Grimlock - Tyrannosaurus Rex

Fixit 

Decepticon

Springload - Hooded Jeep

Human

Denny Clay

Russell Clay

Notes

• This series from Signature Publishing replaces Titan as the UK Transformers comic exclusive provider.
• This story is set just after "Rumble in the Jungle" and explains just how Strongarm and Bumblebee got Springload into a Stasis Cell.
• The comic is actually reasonably good, compared to the magazine itself anyway.
• The way he was defeated in this issue, I guess Springload has no spacial awareness....

Other Features

Transformers RID App Advert - Comes with a scan shield!

Transformers RID ID Form - Just fill in your info for your own use....yeah....

Meet the Autobots - Meet the Autobots! (well 6 of them anyway)

Grimlock Route Puzzle - Guide Grimlock to Underbite

Fire When Ready! - Reprint of IDW Robots in Disguise #0

Odd One Out Puzzle - Find the odd one out from the Decepticon pictures

"Posters" - I can't really call them posters, but saying "pictures" sounds stupid

Spot the Difference Puzzle - Guess what you do here...

Draw Optimus Prime - Do a grid copy image of Optimus in vehicle mode

Colouring - Colour in some pictures of Steeljaw and Bumblebee

Fact File - Information on Bumblebee!

Transformers Post - Fixit asks for mail and pictures for future issue

Competition Time! Win a Mega Optimus Prime toy!

Make a Door Hanger - Destroy the back cover to make a crappy door hanger!

Back Page - Pretty picture of Bumblebee running at you, next issue is November 20th

IDW - More Than Meets the Eye #46

Title: Animals

Written by: James Roberts

Pencils by: Alex Milne

Inks by: Brian Shearer, John Livesay, John Wycough, and Alex Milne

Colours by: Joana LaFuente

Letters by: Tom B. Long & Chris Mowry

Editor: John Barber

Plot

Fort Max flies his shuttle, the Concordat, towards Tebris VII, where he plans to confront the criminal Demus. On the way he detects the Scavengers' ship on the planet's surface, and Red Alert gives him some information on the team, unfortunately for Red though, the Scavengers had previously modified their own articles on Autopedia, meaning that Red gives Fort Max a lot of wrong information, making the Scavengers sound like great terrors, prompting him to arm himself to the teeth for the confrontation.

A short time later, Fort Max has executed Demus for his crimes, and turns his attention to the Scavengers, who deny having done anything wrong (to be fair, they haven't, they were just looking for a job with Demus). Seeing that he wont change his position on the matter, the Scavengers distract Max and go off hiding within the Scrapyard.

Amongst the aisles Misfire starts arguing with Krok about him playing with his "clicker" again, when he pulls it from his grasp and points out that it's just a finger from one of his old team-mates' hands. Krok reveals that he knows it's a finger, but it's also a communictor and scanner due to it once belonging to a friend who turned into a telecom system. Suddenly he notices that there's actually hundreds of signals around him, when normally it doesn't detect anyone.

Fort Max reveals to them (from another aisle) that Demus had been capturing beastformers for years, and had been gutting, lobotomising, and packaging them to be sold to organic parties to use as "torture dolls". The Scavengers point out that they didn't know anything about this, but Max doesn't listen.

Crankcase takes the moment to communicate to the team about how he hopes Max doesn't learn about Grimlock being on their ship, which Red intercepts and reports to Max, he quickly races off towards the ship, to recapture a lost prisoner.

Afterwards, Krok explains to Misfire that he wanted the money offered by Demus to open up a clinic for Cyebrtronians with mental issues, like himself, to help them recover from the toils of the war. Fulcrum however dismisses this, as Fulcrum was willing to sell Grimlock, a mentally disabled Transformer, just to fund his benevolent dream, which Krok cannot deny.

Crankcase reappears and reveals that he planned for Max to intercept the message, so he'd go and recover Grimlock and give them a chance to leave, but Misfire points out that Grimlock is an escaped prisoner, so Max will more than likely kill Grimlock rather than help him.

Due to Demus having the team take a transformation-suppressor before, they can't transform to save Grimlock in time, but Crankcase notices something they can use to travel with...

Fort Max arrives on the Weak Anthropic Principle and calls out to Grimlock, who is busy writing something in his quarters. Max calls out that Grimlock ran away when Overlord attacked Garus-9, which causes the Dinobot to smash through the door and attack his old warden.

Fort Max gets into the fight, and decides that Grimlock has rejoined the Decepticons, and isn't an Autobot any more.

The Scavengers return to the ship, using some of the Roboids (some Equinoids in this case) and stop Max from continuing the fight with Grimlock.

In the calm after the fight, Misfire and the others reveal that they found Grimlock in a brain-damaged state some time ago, and have been trying to help him recover ever since. Max decides that it's best if Grimlock comes back to Luna-1 with him to be worked on by some of their staff there, but Grimlock says he wants to stay with Misfire.

Max doesn't care though, since he's still determined to arrest the Scavengers anyway, so they will be with him anyway. The Scavengers however trick Max into thinking there's a bomb inside Demus' office, which they'll set off if they are arrested, and that will kill all the Roboids.

Max heads off with the Equinoids and goes to diffuse the bomb. The Scavengers take off in their ship to avoid encountering Max again, and decide to make something of their lives now, and plan to travel to several worlds where Decepticons have been stranded, and help them out, however not before another game of "Shoot Shoot, Bang Bang".

Later, Misfire escorts Grimlock back to his quarters and promises to have his door fixed soon, but without an exterior lock this time, prompting Grimlock to thank him, as he appreciates it, confusing Misfire and making him wonder what Grimlock's going to do next to surprise him...ignoring the white board in the quarters with the Mystery Gear symbol and the phrase "Prepare, Confront, Repel" underneath.

Later still, Fort Max leaves the planet in his shuttle and contacts Rung about his world-view, and Rung suggests that the Scavengers, just trying to live their lives now, may be how all Decepticons are since the end of the war, and maybe Max simply has to change his views of the faction. Max then reveals that Spinister left him instructions on how to simply reverse the lobotomies of the Roboids, allowing Max to turn them back to normal, and escort them back to Luna-1 with him for safety.

Later on still, a Decepticon Worldsweeper arrives at the scrapyard, and two robots with the Mystery Gear symbol on their chests decide to abort their mission on this planet and decide to start again elsewhere, since this location has been compromised....

Characters

Autobot
Grimlock - Tyrannosaurus Rex
Fortress Maximus - Tank
Red Alert - Car
Rung (On Communicator)
Topspin - Jet (Flashback)
Springer - Rocket Car/Helicopter (Flashback)
Roadbuster - Jeep (Flashback)
Ironfist - Van (Mentioned)
Ultra Magnus - Vehicle Transport (Mentioned)
Brainstorm - Jet (Mentioned)

Decepticon
Misfire - Jet
Spinister - Helicopter
Crankcase - Van
Fulcrum - Bomb
Krok
Demus Killed by Fortress Maximus
Radar - Portable Telecoms System (Flashback) Killed by Roadbuster
Krok's Old Squad (Flashback) Dead
Overlord - Tank and Jet (Mentioned)
Killmaster (Mentioned)
Thunderwing (Mentioned)

Other
Mystery Gear Guys
Roboids
5 Equinoids
"Nook"
Galactic Council (Mentioned)
Cerebros (Mentioned)
The Grand Architect (Mentioned)

Notes

• It's referenced that Ironfist left hidden messages in the Wreckers: Declassified articles he created...wonder if this will be important later in the series?
• The Weak Anthropic Principle's design looking like the G1 cartoon's incarnation of the Ark is referenced here, as it is revealed to be an actual Autobot ship, simply taken by the Scavengers.
• The "Roadbuster Affair" mentioned as being why Roadbuster wasn't involved in the Garrus-9 mission in Last Srand of the Wreckers is revealed here to be when he was using Syk, and made a Decepticon eat his own spine during battle....seems reasonable!
• Grimlock is mentioned as having "ran" from Garrus-9 during Overlord's occupation of the prison, but that is impossible due to the defences on the planet. It is more than likely he was abducted  (more than likely by the Mystery Gear Guys)
• Fort Max references that Grimlock used to be a Decepticon, which has been hinted at for a while now in the series.
• It's implied at the end of the issue that Grimlock COULD be acting up his brain-damage, as he manages a perfectly normal sentence, much to Misfire's surprise.
• I love Spinister's handwriting :3
• Whoever the Mystery Gear Guys are, they have some Worldsweepers at their disposal, which most likely means that the one that Grimlock was found on belonged to them too
• It is revealed in this issue that Demus wanted Grimlock in order to return him to his allies within the Mystery Gear faction, as he appeared to escape from them at some point in the last few years.
• Red Alert refers to someone on Luna-1 named Cerebros, this is a reference to Fort Max's traditional Headmaster partner, here though he sounds like a neuroscientist based on the context he is mentioned in
• It's revealed here that Luna-1 has kept in contact with the Lost Light since they parted ways, possibly meaning they know about Tyrest going missing.

IDW - Transformers: Redemption

Written by: John Barber

Art by: Livio Ramondelli

Letters by: Tom B. Long

Editor: Carlos Guzman

Plot

Slug argues with Aileron and Sterling from Caminus on the streets of Metroplex about the role of the Prime, and it almost comes to violence until Swoop distracts Slug and they wander off towards the bar.

At the bar, Slug quickly gets drunk and begins a brawl with himself and some of the former Decepticons in the establishment. Before long Barricade arrives with some Badgeless officers and arrests Slug for disturbing the peace.

Later, Slug wakes up in a cell after having a dream/memory about his days as a gladiator before the war. He is met by Barricade, who asks for Slug's help in escorting him and two Camiens, the politician Strafe, and his new girlfriend Swift to Alyon with a mystery cargo, without Optimus and the others finding out. Initially he refuses, but then Barricade brings out a case of Shanix, which quickly changes his mind.

Slug is soon released, where he meets with the other Dinobots and tells them his plan to rat out the Camiens and Barricade to the Badgeless so they can keep the money, not have to go to Alyon, and get rid of a corrupt cop and some aliens at the same time.

The next day, the Dinobots meet with Barricade and the others in the Decepticon District where Slug sneaks a look into the cargo they're transporting, and learns that it has some new Camien sparks inside it, and realises that the group are planning to re-seed Alyon with new sparks to help with the re-population, and it's obviously against Camien law.

On the road out of the city, Slug gets a pang of conscience and turns on the Badgeless, killing them along with the Dinobots, turning them into outlaws, but keeping Barricade and the Camiens out of sight, keeping them safe. One of the Badgeless reports the Dinobot's betrayal to command, before they are all gone, and the Dinobots leave, knowing they can never return again.

In the Sea of Rust, group are attacked by some half-dead Sweeps left over from the Chaos war, as Slug and Strafe begin to get to know each other. After a while, the Sweeps run off scared, due to the sudden arrival of the Victorion Torchbearers, who allow Slug and the others to go on their way in peace, however unknown to everyone, Bludgeon watches the scene from a nearby cliff with some more Sweeps in tow.

Later, the group arrive in the Preatorus Wharf, and are now attacked by some Turbofoxes with new weapons attached to their backs, during the short-lived battle however, Slug notices that the Tuirbooxes appear to be showing emotions, despite them being physically and mentally unable to do so naturally. After the battle, the small group continue on, unaware that the Badgeless are still following them.

Continuing on the way to Alyon, Slug reveals to Strafe that during the war he and his team took out a group of Decepticons, and discovered a trailer full of sparks inside that were planned to become new Decepticons, so Slug destroyed them all, not even giving them a chance to make the choice between good and evil themselves, something he has always regretted since.

The group reach Tyger Pax, which is now raining in the tainted Energon that once turned the Dinobots into monsters in the early days of the war. They're attacked by more Sweeps, and see some of them are quite intelligent and have feelings still, despite essentially being zombies. The Badgeless soon arrive and fight the Dinobots too. Slug has Barricade escape with the Spark trailer, but Barricade is cut down and killed by Bludgeon, who also destroys the Camien sparks.

Bludgeon injures Strafe, causing a wound that is soon infected with the tainted Energon, causing her to mutate into a two-headed dragon monster, as she declares herself a Dinobot and rejoins the battle, taking out more Sweeps and Badgeless.

Swift attacks Bludgeon, and knocks him off a cliff into a river of the tainted Energon, as payback for him killing Barricade. The Dinobots finish off the rest of their opponents

In the afetrmath, the group mourn the loss of the Camien sparks, but suddenly Swoop notices a glow from Alyon...the former hot spot has ignited itself again on it's own, showing that there is potential for new Cybertronians to be born after all. The group theorize that the intelligent Turbofoxes and Sweeps must have been given new sparks by Bludgeon from the Alyon hot spot. Swift wonders whether Bludgeon has tainted the new Sparks with his evil, but Slug tells her to give them a chance.

Afterwards, Slug lets Swift keep the Shanix that Barricade promised them for the job, and tells her to return alone, tell the people about the new sparks, and say that Barricade died protecting them. The Dinobots now vow to remain in the wilds of Cybertron, along with Strafe, who still thinks Bludgeon is alive somewhere, so she wants to finish him off for what he's done.

The five Dinobots all head off, and leave Swift alone with the money and her journey back to the city...

Characters

Autobot

Slug - Triceratops

Swoop - Pteranodon

Sludge - Apatosaurus

Snarl - Stegoaurus

Tracks - Muscle Car

Sunstreaker - Sports Car

Blurr - Race Car

Optimus Prime - Truck Cab (Mentioned)

Windblade - VTOL Fighter Jet (Mentioned)

Decepticon

Bludgeon - Tank Knocked into Tainted Energon by Swift

Barricade - Car Killed by Bludgeon

Fat Tankor - Tank

Tall Tankor - Cargo Plane/Truck

Waspinator - Wasp

Trypticon - Battle Platform Possibly dead

Blackwall (Flashback)

United Cybertron

Badgeless Officers Killed by Dinobots

Starscream - Fighter Jet (Mentioned)

Camien

Strafe - Two Headed Land Dragon (previously Flying Car)

Swift - Helicopter

Aileron - Jet

Sterling - Car

Pyra Magna - Emergency Truck

Jumpstream - Sports Car

Dustup - Sports Car

Skyburst - Helicopter

Stormclash - Helicopter

Rust Dust - Motorcycle

Other

Bob

Maccadam's Patrons

Turbofoxes Killed by Dinobots

Sweeps Killed by Dinobots

Gladiator Pit Crowd (Flashback)

Primus (Mentioned)

Notes

• This story is set as a sequel to Punishment, and shws the impact that that story had on the Dinobots
• The first pages are also recreated from Transformers issue 45, setting the location in the time line very clearly! (A rare instance in a side-story comic!)
• The yellow leader from Caminus is named here as Strafe...I wonder if the red leader is Scorn in that case?
• The "loser" that Swift ran off with is revealed to be Barricade here.
• The Sea of Rust is explained here to be the remains of the area that the Crystal City was destroyed, and was most likely ruined to such an extreme by the black hole created by Shockwave.
• More of the Sweeps are found to have survived the reformatting of Cybertron....how did so many survive the Chaos war?!?
• Bludgeon's cloak appears to be similar to Megatron's one he used on Planet Junkion in Monstrosity, and Alpha Trion's during the Ironhide mini-series, so it is likely designed to protect him against the Sea of Rust's harsh conditions.
• Trypticon is revealed to have fallen in the Preatorus Wharf, and either went into stasis or died there. He was last seen fighting in the last stand on Cybertron, as shown in Spotlight: Blaster.
• Despite having the tainted Energon removed from their bodies, at least Slug retained the ability to turn into his monstrous form in the past.
• Strafe's Dinobot form is a reference to the new Dinobot introduced in Age of Extinction, but only in name and her having two heads. The AOE version was mostly blue, male, used a crossbow (on the toy) and was a flying dragon, rather than a land-based one here.
• Despite now having her "Dino-mode" Strafe appears to have her vehicle mode kibble as well...does this make her a triple changer maybe?
• Also, where did Strafe get her flamethrowers from? I doubt an energon-conserving Camien would have flamethrowers built into her body....
• And...how is Swift going to get back to Metroplex safely? She had issues flying in the Sea of Rust, and was injured during the fights with the Badgeless, Sweeps and Bludgeon....yeah...she may die along the way....