IDW - King Grimlock #5

Title: Grimlock the Triumphant

Written by: Steve Orlando

Art by: Agustin Padilla

Colours by: Jeremy Colwell

Letters by: Jake M. Wood

Editor: David Mariotte

Assistant Editor: Riley Farmer

Supervising Editor: Tom Waltz

Plot

Grimlock engages with Soltron, inside the body of Arko, and the two seem evenly matched, however Grimlock, not wanting to hurt his friend, offers his body to Soltron, stating that he can show him the universe, so long as he leaves Menonia alone. Soltron agrees, and enters Grimlock's Spark.

Inside his Spark, Grimlock battles with the manifestation of Soltron, but due to this being his world, he easily destroys the sun god.

Back on Menonia, Grimlock is awoken by the newly freed Arko, who is sorry that she allowed Soltron to control her, which Grimlock accepts. 

Grimlock suggests that he didn't kill Soltron alone, since it was because her father used his magic to cover the sun, weakening the god, which allowed him to defeat him so easily.

Arko soon reunites with her father, but learns that he injured himself by expending so much energy covering the sun.

Knowing that without Soltron, magic is now gone from Menonia, Arnak wants Grimlock to rule over them, as their king and protector, however the Dinobot declines the offer, but suggests that Arko would make a good ruler instead (despite her betrayal earlier).

Later, Arko uses a portion of Grimlock's Energon to open up a one-way portal back to Cybertron. Grimlock bids her farewell, and wishes her luck in ruling the world, and is quickly pulled through the portal...

On the other side, Optimus is shocked to see Grimlock so badly beaten, since he's only been gone for mere moments, but as soon as Grimlock mentions Menonia, Optimus seems to understand, more concerned that he may have messed with them due to their superstitious nature.

Grimlock assures him that he didn't take advantage of them, and only helped them, though also admitting to punching a dragon, but also says that he's learned to respect Optimus' different methods, and won't fight him anymore, resolving their previous arguments over the Dinobot's actions...

Characters

Autobot

Optimus Prime - Truck

Grimlock - Tyrannosaurus Rex

Swoop - Pteranodon

Slug - Triceratops

Sludge - Apatosaurus

Menonian

Arko

Arnak Lessened Lifespan due to Spell

Nerea

Valedrift and Anglorian Civilians

The Golden One (Mentioned) Dead

Other

Soltron Killed by Grimlock

"The Anti-Sun" (Mentioned)

"The Great Smelter" (Mentioned)

Notes

• So despite being hinted at having a larger role, and being more important than he seemed...Clatta makes no appearance this issue, meaning he probably did just die last issue.
• Soltron using the Autobot insignia as his symbol is revealed to just be him using it because he wanted to....right...
• Soltron's form inside Grimlock's spark somewhat resembles the form used by Primus in his astral form in the Marvel comics, which is quite appropriate, since Primus is also referred to as the "Lord of Light".
• The characters make it very clear that Arnak just lessened his lifespan by expensing his magic during the battle against Soltron, but that he will survive. However his last panel has him looking dead-like...I wonder if this is a GI Joe movie type "coma" situation again?
• So, unless time travel has been used with the portal, we can assume that Menonia is somehow in a dilated timeline compared to the rest of the universe, since this entire storyline has been occurring over the span of a few moments on Cybertron.
• Grimlock states that he initially refused saving Menonia from the Golden One because he wanted the Menonians to be able to fend for themselves, but would have fought alongside them if they allowed him to train them first...he didn't explain that too well when they asked him in the first place...
• Snarl is missing from the Dinobot lineup on Cybertron...is this story set during his holiday around the time of the 1986 Transformers movie? 

IDW - Beast Wars #12

Title: Maximals Strike Back, Part 3

Written by: Erik Burnham

Art by: Josh Burcham

Letters by: Jake M. Wood

Assistant Editor: Riley Farmer

Editor: Jazmine Joyner

Supervising Editor: David Mariotte

Plot

The Maximals and Predacons continue their fights inside and out of the Darksyde.

Nyx manages to disable the Transwarp engine, and also knock out Tarantulas. Rattrap calls her for help when Megatron's room locks itself up, with him on the inside, having stolen the Golden Disk.

Outside, Cheetor manages to knock out Scorponok and handles Blackarachnia.

Skold, angry that the Maximals brought Razorbeast here, leading to his death, fights with Rhinox, who refuses to fight back, seeing that she is upset.

Dinobot gets attacked by Waspinator, wanting revenge for Terrorsaur's death, but Dinobot blasts him away.

Optimus and Megatron continue their battle, but when Nyx requests assistance in freeing Rattrap, he gives up on the rise, and finishes off Megatron, leaving him beaten down on the ground in shock.

Blackarachnia abandons the battle seeing her leader was defeated, and Skold gives up on her one sided fight with Rhinox...

Inside the ship, Optimus manages to free Rattrap, and they, aloh with Nyx, try leavib this ship, only to encounter a forcefield.

Megatron gloats that he'll keep them there until he can be repaired in a CR Chamber, so he can kill them all.

Unfortunately for him though, Optimus threatens to destroy the disk if he doesn't let them go, and without their Transwarp drive they can't even leave the planet. 

Megatron is forced to let them go, but swears to not rest now until Optimus is dead...

The Maximals head into the shuttle, where Rattrap reveals he made a copy of the contents of the disk, so they can study it too.

Later, Tarantulas has collected Terrorsaur's corpse, and starts experimenting on it...

Characters

Maximal

Optimus Primal - Gorilla

Rhinox - Rhino

Dinobot - Velociraptor

Cheetor - Cheetah

Rattrap - Rat

Nyx - Bat

Razorbeast - Wild Boar (Mentioned) Dead

Maximal Command (Mentioned)

Predacon

Megatron - Tyrannosaurus Rex

Tarantulas - Tarantula

Blackarachnia - Black Widow Spider

Scorponok - Scorpion

Waspinator - Wasp

Skold - Alligator Snapping Turtle

Terrorsaur - Pteranodon Dead, Corpse being Experimented on

Rhinox's Old Friends (Mentioned) Some Dead

Other

"The Ones Before" (Mentioned)

Muhammad Ali (Mentioned)

Notes

• The roll call page this issue has been updated with crosses over the Terrorsaur and Razorbeast, due to their deaths last issue.
• Megatron's beast mode head gets stripped of its artificial skin, revealing a head based on Animated Grimlock's
• Blackarachnia  comments that she may have to switch allegiances after Megatron lost to Optimus. Her switching sides was one of her major plot lines in the original Beast Wars cartoon.
• Rhinox references that he had friends amongst the Predacons back on Cybertron, including some he even loved. We previously have heard from him that not all Predacons are evil, and that the two factions have had working relationships for centuries. It's even possible that he was the one to have that Predacon transmission that was briefly mentioned early in the series.
• Megatron had a forcefield generator set up inside the Darksyde, inspired by the Maximals using theirs to keep them at bay earlier.
• Rattrap is shown to have made a copy of the Golden Disk for them to analyse. This must have happened when he lingered in Megatron's room after retrieving it.
• Tarantulas previously told Terrorsaur that he wanted him to stay in one piece, so he had more parts for his experiments. My guess would be that we'll see something like his Transmetal form come from these experiments.
• Terrorsaur's spark isn't seen with his body during the end scene, implying it either was taken (possibly by the Vok) or just simply extinguished without a body to house it.

IDW - Transformers #39

Title: Darkness, Once Gazed Upon, Part Three

Written by: Brian Ruckley

Art by: Andrew Lee Griffith

Colours by: John-Paul Bove

Letters by: Nathan Widick

Editor: David Mariotte

Assistant Editor: Riley Farmer

Supervising Editor: Tom Waltz

Plot

Smokescreen tries to get Swindle to arm the unarmed members of their team, Magnus, Elita and Bumblebee, but the bar owner insists he doesn't have any weapons in his bar 

Suddenly, the wall blows in, with Sixshot leading a crew of Decepticons inside, and orders them to kill everyone except Magnus, as Megatron wants him alive...

In the basement, Headlock is trying to make it to the hidden tunnels before the fight can start, when he finds "Ruckus" exploring, interested in what is inside one of the Immersion Chambers.

During the battle, Smokescreen finds Swindle's secret weapons cache, and arms himself with as much as he can carry, rejoining the battle in full force.

Elsewhere in Iacon, Cyclonus finds "Provoke" leaving the medical center, and confronts her, pointing out her recent contradictions and odd behaviour, forcing her to reveal her true identity as Exarchon, intending to take his body as a replacement. After a short battle, Cyclonus tears out her spark, and destroys it, realising that Ruckus is likely to also be an Exarchon host, he knows what needs to be done...

Meanwhile, "Flatline" has made his way to Shockwave's secret base, where he is repairing Skywarp from his recent injuries caused by Sky Lynx, and reveals his identity as Exarchon to his former follower...intending to finish their old mission.

After a hard battle, the Autobots manage to escape from Swindle's bar, but Swindle as his staff are left behind. In the underground tunnels, the Autobots, plus Bumblebee and Elita, regroup, but they know they're unlikely to get back to Crystal City before the Decepticons attack the city to try and take down the Autobot army.

In the aftermath of the battle, the bar is destroyed, and Sixshot warns the owner to stay in line from now on, or this will be the least of his troubles.

Swindle starts to complain about his lot on life now, when he notices Ruckus' corpse in the basement. Suddenly Deathsaurus, now infested by Exarchon, bursts through the remains of the roof, and heads into the skies, intending to crush Cybertron under his feet again, and to keep it crushed this time....

Characters

Autobot

Ultra Magnus - Vehicle Transport

Chromia - Car

Windblade - VTOL Jet

Arcee - Car

Smokescreen - Car

Decepticon

Sixshot - Car/Jet/Tank/Gun/Winged Beast 

Shockwave - Flying Artillery

Ravage - Cassette

Catgut

Treadshot

Gutcruncher

Cindersaur - Lizard Monster

Flamefeather - Bird Monster

Jolt - Car

Scatterspike - Van

Green/Orange Security Guard Killed by "Provoke"

Megatron - Tank (Mentioned)

Three-fold Spark

Flatline/Exarchon - Van

Provoke/Exarchon - Big Wheeled Vehicle Killed by Cyclonus

Ruckus/Exarchon - Buggy Killed Self to Infest Deathsaurus

Deathsaurus/Exarchon - Dragon

Other Cybertronian

Swindle - Van

Trickdiamond - Car

Roughstuff - Truck Joins Decepticons

Headlock - Forklift

Bumblebee - Winged Hovercraft

Elita-1 - Car

Cyclonus - Jet

Skywarp - Jet Under Repairs from Shockwave

Gridlock (Ghost)

Highfire (Ghost)

Grudge (Ghost)

Paragon (Ghost)

Provoke (Ghost)

Notes

• Roughstuff is shown switching sides to the Decepticons here, confirming that the Devepticon badge he had a couple issues ago was just a mistake.
• Flatline is confirmed to have been taken over by Exarchon this issue, after being attacked by the ancient evil in issue 36 
• Following her physical death, Provoke returns to being one of Cyclonus' ghosts again
• Deathsaurus was shown to be in the immersion chambers previously in the series, having decided to live out his days killing Cliffjumper in there...wonder if Exarchon will have an urge to kill Cliffjumper now too?

IDW - Transformers Wreckers: Tread & Circuits #4

Written by: David Mariotte

Art by: Jack Lawrence

Colours by: Heather Breckel

Letters by: Jake M. Wood

Editor: Riley Farmer

Supervising Editor: Tom Waltz

Plot

Following the Speedia 500, Knock Out has been decided to be the new First Senator of Velocitron, and everyone has gathered for the ceremony.

The Wreckers, still looking for Mayhem, are amongst the crowd, but mostly split up to cover more ground.

Knoc Out begins his first speech, declaring that Velocitron's dedication to spectacle has caused them too much trouble recently, and believes that his political party, the Ascenticons, can help the world get back on track.

Before he can continue however, Submarauder harpoons him, with Minerva attacking him to try and stop the attack. Skullgrin abandons his shell, and detonates it, leaving Minerva holding the harpoon gun.

In the chaos, Mayhem attack the crowds, but the Wreckers and the racers team up to subdue them.

Eventually, Breakdown returns with his security force, only to find the situation settled, however he also reveals that they've captured Minerva, since she was holding the weapon that almost killed the Senator...

Later, the Wreckers, minus Minerva, who has been left behind for a trial (Knock Out promised to put in a good word, due to her trying to save him) leave orbit, and broadcast a final message to their fans, saying that following the drama on Velocitron they're taking a short break, but hope to be back soon.

After sending out the message, Circuit is happy that he was able to do one last episode, as he dies from his previous wounds. The team grieve his death, and launch his body into space in a coffin.

Following this, Thunderclash says they need to return to Cybertron, as they learned during their stay on Velocitron that the Tether on Cybertron has fallen, and things aren't going too well there in general. 

In order to help them, however, Thunderclash suggests that they get in contact with civilians and allies to find out what is happening on Cybertron, and the other Colonies, essentially extending their roster...

Meanwhile, on Velocitron, Minerva is placed into indefinite stasis for trying to murder the First Senator, with Knock Out and his crew all bearing their Decepticon Insignias...

Characters

Autobot/Wrecker

Thunderclash - Truck

Aileron - Jet

Hot Shot - Jeep

Ricochet - Car

Minerva - Car Imprisoned on Velocitron

Circuit Died from Previous Wounds

Decepticon/Mayhem

Knock Out - Car

Breakdown - Armoured Van

Skyquake - Jet

Octopunch

Skullgrin

Submarauder Shell Destroyed

Roadgrabber

Bugly

Slugslinger - Twin Nosed Jet

Thunderblast - Boat

Ruckus - Buggy (Image Only)

Other Velocitronian

Road Rocket - Motorcycle

Override - Race Car

Scrounge - Wheel

Leadfoot - F1 Race Car

RoadHauler - Crane

Clampdown - Police Car

Lickety-Split - Tricycle

"Frogbot"

Velocitronian Crowds and Racers

Security Force Members

Sizzle - Car (Statue Only)

Other Cybertronian

Emirate Xaaron 

Carnivac - Wolf (Image Only)

Topspin - Jet (Image Only)

Bulkhead - Truck (Image Only)

Springer - Helicopter/Car (Image Only)

Smashdown - Hammer (Image Only)

Stardrive - Car/Jet (Image Only)

Lockdown - Car (Image Only)

Whirl - Helicopter (Image Only)

Impactor - Tank (Image Only)

Ironfist - Van (Image Only)

Moonracer - Car (Image Only)

Star Saber - Jet (Image Only)

Rack 'n' Ruin (Image Only)

GoShooter - Police Car (Image Only)

Notes

• This story's place in the timeline is a little confusing this issue. Knock Out is referred to as an Ascenticon throughout the issue, up til the end, where he name-drops the Decepticons, and the insignia is on display, implying it is set following the Senate takeover in the main series. However Thunderclash seemed to be unaware that the Tether has fallen, which happened quite a long time ago now! Maybe they're just out of the loop on some news from Cybertron?
• Overrid and Road Rocket are shown Mongst the signatories behind Knock Out this issue, showing they survived the race's events...Sideways is nowhere to be seen though...maybe he died, and Unicron abducted him to be his new Herald?
• Before Knock Out redecorated it with the Decepticon insignia, the symbols across the Senator's podium is the Speed Planet Key symbol from the Cybertron series.
• As is traditional for a Wreckers series, some one in the main cast has to be killed off. Here, we see Circuit die from the wounds he suffered in issue two.
• Most of the bots in the lineup of prospective new Wreckers are character who have had past fictional connections to the group, or similar teams. However some choices like GoShooter or Moonracer seem to be very random.
• Among the prospective Wreckers is Ruckus, who we know in the main series has been replaced by Exarchon in the present day...so I don't think he'll be much help to them...