Skybound - Transformers #2

Writer, Artist: Daniel Warren Johnson 

Colourist: Mike Spicer

Letterer: Rus Wooton

Editors: Sean Mackiewicz & Jonathan Manning

Publication Design: Andres Juarez

Plot

Optimus explores the woods near the Autobot's current Quarry base, when he accidentally crushes a deer, a apologizes to it. Spike approaches him, and tells him it was just an accident, but Optimus is still distraught, forgetting how fragile life on Earth is compared to his home world.

Optimus and Spike tell each other a little about their homes, with Spike talking about his parents, and Optimus talks about Cybertron, including it's war, and how his actions led to the Ark's crash on Earth, and the war being brought here now...

Soon, a newly recovered Cliffjumper arrives, who gets scared by Spike, and a newly arrived Carly, before returning to the Quarry with Optimus.

Wheeljack is being repaired using Optimus' trailer, but Ratchet admits that they don't have enough to rebuild everyone quick enough to counter the Decepticons, or to keep them active without Energon.

Rescue workers have arrived at the power plant, where the workers try to explain about the giant robot attacks, but no-one believes them...until Skywarp and the others arrive, and start a new rampage, with Soundwave even using an Energon converter from the Ark to steal the energy from the plant for their use.

A military jet is called to the plant, but they are attacked by Starscream, who knocks the jet out of the air, and kills the pilot with his bare hands, the co-pilot, Duke, manages to escape after shooting Starscream in the eye.

Spike amanges to steal a police car, whilst the military jet falls on Skywarp and Soundwave, causing a noticeable explosion.

The Autobots hear the noise, and the humans get worried about their parents nearby. Optimus heads off to investigate, knowing the Decepticons are involved, and he feels immense guilt for bringing them to Earth in the first place.

Ratchet remains at the base to continue fixing their allies, with Cliffjumper to protect him. Spike convinces Prime to let him come with him, so he can protect his family, along with Optimus.

Carly drives back home, unaware than Laserbeak is following her, noticing the Optimus Prime added to her van's mural.

Upon returning home, she finds Sparkplug, who has gathered her father's weapons, and explains that the robots have killed her father, Davey.

Characters

Autobot

Optimus Prime - Truck

Ratchet - Ambulance

Cliffjumper - Car

Wheeljack Under Repairs 

Roller - Buggy Drone 

Brawn Stasis Locked

Jazz Stasis Locked 

Ironhide Stasis Locked 

Other Autobots Stasis Locked 

Beachcomber (Flashback) Shot by Decepticons

Beachcomber's Teammate (Flashback) Shot by Decepticons 

Bumblebee (Mentioned) Dead 

Previous Autobot Leader (Mentioned) Dead

Decepticon

Starscream - Fighter Jet

Skywarp - Fighter Jet

Soundwave - Cassette Player

Rumble - Cassette

Laserbeak - Cassette

Megatron (Flashback) Missing

Human

Spike

Carly

Sparkplug

Duke

Jordie

Frosting Killed by Starscream 

Plant Workers

Rescue Workers

Davey (Picture) Dead

Air Force Central Command Operator (Voice)

Spike's Mother (Mentioned) Dead

Jimmy (Mentioned) Dead

Other Cybertronian

Jetfire - Jet (Mentioned) Dead

Turborats (Mentioned)

Other

Cute Deer Accidentally Crushes by Optimus

Cute Wild Animals

Notes

• I can't help but think that the opening pages of Optimus accidentally killing a deer is a parody of the image of Optimus from the "Meet the Autobots" book for the 2007 Movie, where he is shown delicately interacting with butterflies and birds. See Here.
• Spike implies that his name is just a nickname given to him by his mother, before she died.
• Optimus states he and the Autobots left Cybertron after two centuries of war, meaning this incarnation of the Great War is a lot shorter than most others. (Though they also crashed on Earth a long time ago, since that war date)
• Megatron is shown to have been on the Ark before it crashed, fighting Optimus, and even causing his eye injury that he spotted before he was reformatted.
• Optimus' trailer is confirmed be include his combat deck, and even Roller! Yay! 
• The police cars seen this issue are designed like G1 Prowl, most likely to give his future alternate mode a basis, but this is a bit odd, since they are based on Japanese police cars...
• Duke makes his debut this issue, but seemingly pre-G.I. Joe, though he still seems to have some special tools.
• The two where the human characters are based is named as "Farmingham" here.
• Davey, from last issue is revealed to have been Carly's father.
• Just saying, we don't see Jetfire's body this issue...did Ratchet use him for spare parts for the Autobots?