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...