Writer: Simon Furman
Artist: Guido Guidi
Colourist: John-Paul Bove
Letterer: Jake M. Wood
Editors: David Mariotte & Tom Waltz
Assistant Editor: Riley Farmer
Plot
Punch continues his confessions, and tells a story regarding Shockwave, a scientist who, with his team, wants to concentrate on Project: Dreadnaut, a project designed to turn Cybertron into a space-faring war world, but Megatron is becoming obsessed with defeating Optimus Prime instead. Counterpunch arrives and orders Shockwave to Megatron's throne room for a meeting, where he orders and attack, which leads to a massive explosion, knocking Cybertron out of it's already precarious orbit, and towards an asteroid belt. Shockwave suggests that they be allowed to continue with Project: Dreadnaut to navigate the planet through the asteroids, but Megatron orders they wait to see what the Autobots do first.
Later, Shockwave heads to his tower, where Ratbat confronts him that he believes he caused the explosion, but cannot prove it. But he will be watching him very closely from now on...
Some time later, the Decepticons learn of the Ark being constructed, and construct their own vessel to go after it, the Nemesis. Shockwave asks Skyfire to remain on Cybertron, so he can continue their work, should anything go wrong with the Nemesis.
Punch, despite knowing that Ratbat wants to information to get to the Autobots, delivers the suspicions of Shockwave causing the explosion to Prowl, who orders the team of Perceptor and the Dynobots to investigate the Dreadnaut turbines to see if anything was triggered there.
Skyfire and Shockwave detect the Autobot presence at the turbines, and both head out to investigate it. Megatron is furious that Shockwave isn't at the launch site on time and has the Coneheads hunt him down, with Counterpunch suggesting that he could be at Project: Dreadnaut.
Skyfire arrives at the turbines just after the Autobots start their investigation, and attacks them. He causes a lot of damage, but is eventually taken down by Grimlock with his flame sword. The Dynobots start to celebrate their victory when they are blasted from the sky by Shockwave, nearly killing them all. He approaches Skyfire's corpse and removes his brain module, intending to revive him at a later date.
Suddenly, he hears a noise from behind some rubble, however, before he can confront the hiding Perceptor the Coneheads arrive and order him to return to the launch site with them, seeing no point in dealing with the lone Autobot, he agrees to leave with them. He returns and takes a scolding for his misbehaviour from Megatron before boarding the Nemesis, knowing that either him or Megatron would have to die on this mission...
Perceptor calls for a rescue team to recover the Dynobots, for them to be repaired on the Ark, as it launches, with most of the crew, bar Optimus Prime, unaware that the Nemesis is waiting for them at the Asteroid belt...
Characters
Autobot
Punch/Counterpunch - Hover Car
Prowl
Perceptor - Tank
Grimlock Nearly Killed by Shockwave, taken for repairs
Snarl - Amphibious Vehicle Nearly Killed by Shockwave, taken for repairs
Slag - Armoured Jeep Nearly Killed by Shockwave, taken for repairs
Sludge - Bulldozer Nearly Killed by Shockwave, taken for repairs
Swoop/Divebomb - Jet Nearly Killed by Shockwave, taken for repairs
Ratchet
Cliffjumper
Red Alert
Broadside
Outback
Random Autobots
Optimus Prime - Battle Platform (Mentioned)
Decepticon
Megatron
Shockwave - Flying Ray Gun
Skyfire - Jet Killed by Dynobots, Brain Module taken by Shockwave
Dirge - Jet
Ramjet - Jet
Thrust - Jet
Ratbat
Starscream - Jet
Thundercracker - Jet
Skywarp - Jet
Blitzwing - Tank
Octane
Runamuck
Runabout
Barrage
Chop Shop
Ransack
Venom
Hook
Deluge
Reflector
Soundwave
Razorclaw
Snaptrap
Frenzy
Random Decepticons
Notes
- It's finally here! The sequel to last year's Transformers '84 special, which in turn is a prequel to the original Marvel comics, the series still continues the narrative of Punch/Counterpunch telling some secrets to an unknown party.
- Speaking of the Punch/Counterpunch narrative, I think this is setting up a trial-type reveal that Punch is giving evidence for in the future, either in a Quintesson style trial, or perhaps a recap like we saw in Aspects of Evil from Marvel UK.
- I won't be talking about a lot of the homages etc in this issue, since the comic comes with a list at the back itself! Go buy the comic guys!
- Just like with other pre-Earth comics set in an existing continuity, I wont mention alternate modes in the character list, unless it's shown in the comic itself, or was shown in the earlier released media that this is a prequel/sequel to.
- Punch confirms that his actions as Counterpunch are all of his own free-will, which he does to maintain his deep-cover.
- This story reveals that the Jetfire from the Marvel comics was rebuilt by Shockwave from his old friend Skyfire, who is killed in this issue. This Skyfire is also a scientist and a friend of Starscream's, which, like the name Skyfire, originated from the Sunbow G1 cartoon.
- Ratbat is shown even this early in continuity to dislike and distrust Shockwave, a plot point that is pretty major in the Marvel series.
- The "Dynobots" are confirmed to have been a full team pre-Earth here (having just been hinted as a team in the past) In keeping with continuity, Swoop is mistakenly referred to as "Divebomb" a couple times this issue, his original name before losing a fight to the Predacon of the same name.
- Punch references the future fight between Shockwave and the Dinobots on Earth, showing us that this story is being told after that event, and that he must have somehow witnessed it. (Judging from the "next issue" preview the fight may be a part of the story though)
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