IDW - Transformers #38

Title: Darkness, Once Gazed Upon, Part Two

Written by: Brian Ruckley

Art by: Anna Malkova

Colours by: David Garcia Cruz

Letters & Design by: Jake M. Wood

Editor: David Mariotte

Assistant Editor: Riley Farmer

Supervising Editor: Tom Waltz

Plot

Megatron meets with Mindwipe in secret, to entrust a Titanspark to him, intending for him to use it to create a new Titan, and eventually restore the Forge to create a new Decepticon army for Megatron's cause.

Soundwave calls Megatron away to deal with the newly imprisoned Ultra Magnus. The war general tries to make Megatron see sense, and warns him that Ruckus is somehow connected to a returning Exarchon.

The Decepticons don't believe him, and Megatron has him imprisoned with the captured Senators. Strika however, knowing that Magnus wouldn't lie, suggests that they do look into Ruckus, in case there's any validity to Magnus' claims.

Elsewhere, Cyclonus goes to see "Provoke" again, but finds her researching Cybertron's history some more, and not seeming to have regained her own memories any further.

After leaving, the ghosts of his former teammates/his inner thoughts further suspect Provoke isn't actually herself due to her strange behaviour and even speak patterns...

The Autobots send a small strike team into Iacon to recover Ultra Magnus, with Smokescreen getting them inside using a hidden tunnel through Swindle's bar, calling in a favour with the bartender to give them free passage to leave the city later.

Magnus is taken to the Senate prison, where he finds the Senators dying, but refusing to give in to Megatron's demands.

The Autobot team break into the prison, and manage to free Magnus, but can't manage to save the Senators as well, due to their limited numbers and time, with the rest of the Autobots reinforcing Crystal City for an expected attack from Megatron.

Magnus joins the other Autobots in escaping, reluctantly leaving the Senators behind, potentially to die, and manage to get to a closed Swindle's.

Swindle tries to protest having the Autobots there, due to the Decepticon's rules, but he's ignored by the Autobots, who also want him to allow Bumblebee and Elita-1 to escape with them, and to arm the two of them, as well as Magnus, so they can defend themselves when the Decepticons give chase.

Unknown to any of them, Trickdiamond disapproved of Swindle's deal with Smokescreen, so she informed Starscream, who passed it on to Sixshot, who is now outside the bar, ready to kill everyone inside....

Characters

Autobot

Ultra Magnus - Vehicle Transport

Chromia - Car

Windblade - VTOL Jet

Smokescreen - Car

Arcee - Car

Greenlight - Car

Gauge - Energon Detector Vehicle

Optimus Prime - Truck (Mentioned)

Decepticon

Megatron - Tank

Soundwave - Hovercraft

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

Strika - Battle Tank

Starscream - Jet

Slipstream - Jet

Flamewar - Motorcycle

Blackjack - Car

Mindwipe - Bat

Twirl - Jet

Tentakil - Squid

Nautilator - Lobster

Cy-Kill - Motorcycle Crushed Under Senator Prison Door

Offroad - Van

Triton

Scatterspike - Van

Cindersaur - Lizard Monster

Flamefeather - Bird Monster

Jolt - Car

Ravage - Cassette

Gutcruncher

Treadshot

Catgut

"Green Horns" Killed by Smokescreen

"Green Antennae" Kicked into Senate Prison by Chromia 

Rest of Sixshot's Team

Ruckus/Exarchon - Buggy (Mentioned)

Other Cybertronian

Cyclonus - Jet

Provoke/Exarchon - Big Wheeled Vehicle

Crisscross Dying from lack of Energon

Swindle - Van

Trickdiamond - Car

Roughstuff - Truck

Kaskade Comatose

The Imprisoned Senators Dying from lack of Energon

Highfire (Ghost)

Paragon (Ghost)

Gridlock (Ghost)

Grudge (Ghost)

Flatline - Van (Mentioned) Missing

Termagax - Van (Mentioned)

Streetwise - Car (Mentioned)

Motormaster - Truck (Mentioned)

Headlock - Forklift (Mentioned)

Bumblebee - Winged Hovercraft (Mentioned)

Elita-1 - Car (Mentioned)

Primus (Mentioned)

Insecticons Swarm (Mentioned)

Other

The "last" Titanspark

Rust Worms (Mentioned)

Notes

• This issue confirms the assumption that just about everyon had, that Megatron did recover at least one of the Titansparks from the Pyramid Forge before it was destroyed. He says it was just the one that survived, but I think it's safe to say he's lying again...
• We've known that Arcee was part of the Autobots for a few issues now, but we now learn that Greenlight and Gauge joined her.
• Soundwave appears to be under the impression that Ruckus is still comatose, and no-one seems to deny this. We learned he (really Exarchon) joined the Decepticons last issue, so maybe they're just letting anyone join, without going through Sixshot and the others now?
• Gridlock mentions that his body was taken by Termagax to try and figure out the weapon that killed him. We have seen his head amongst her belongings whenever we've seen inside "House". This also implies that she probably doesn't know the answer still though.
• Roughstuff has lost his Decepticon badge since last issue, so maybe he only has it for when on duty?
• The Senate building being turned into a prison has been referenced since the uprising, but we actually see it here. The main Senate meeting room is holding the shackled Senators, who are being deprived of Energon until they join the Decepticons. The windows and holes in the walls and ceiling are also covered in energy grates that can slice up anything on contact.

IDW - Transformers/My Little Pony: The Magic of Cybertron #1

The Magic of Cybertron

Writer: James Asmus

Artist: Jack Lawrence

Colours: Luis Antonio Delgado

Letterer: Jake M. Wood

A Real Mother

Writer: Sam Maggs

Artist: Casey W. Coller

Colours: Joana LaFuente

Letterer: Neil Uyetake

Editor: Megan Brown

Consulting Editor: David Mariotte

"The Magic of Cybertron" Plot

The Decepticons have used the saved coordinates for Equestrian's location to send a few teams to the magical world to steal as many magical artifacts as they can.

Whilst the portal is open, the pony Wonderbolts find it and travel through to investigate, only to get caged up by the Decepticons. soon however, a team of Seekers run through, chased by the Mane Six, led by Princess Twilight Sparkle, who shoots them with a horn blast, only to miss them, and hit a black crystal the Decepticons captured, causing it to activate, releasing a reconstituted King Sombra, who immediately mind controls Twilight, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie, as well as several Decepticons, including Megatron. 

With his new minions, Sombra leaves, planning to conquer this new world. The Autobots soon arrive at the scene, and are shocked to find the ponies there, and are quickly caught up on the situation. The ponies then tell Shockwave (the defacto Decepticon leader now) and Optimus Prime to team up to save their world...

"A Real Mother" Plot

Holiday and Lofty arrive on Cybertron to try and find Scootaloo, who has gone missing on the planet, and are quickly met by Arcee and Greenlight, who agree to help the two ponies find their niece due to his dangerous Cybertron is right now.

Soon, they are confronted by a Sombra-controlled Killmaster, who uses his wand to cause them problems. However the ponies use Lofty's yarn to tie up the Decepticon, which the Autobots take over, so they can fling him far away

Following the battle, Scootaloo arrived, flanked by several young Cybertronians, who have just been playing safely all along. Following this, the kids continue to play, while the adults have a picnic and relax...

Characters

Autobot

Optimus Prime - Truck

Arcee - Car

Greenlight - Car

Ratchet - Ambulance

Sludge - Apatosaurus

Gauge

Rubble

Sureshock - Scooter

Hot Rod - Car

Flareup - Motorcycle

Hot Shot - Jeep

Decepticon

Megatron - Tank Mind Controlled by Sombra

Shockwave - Flying Artillery

Starscream - Fighter Jet

Slipstream - Fighter Jet

Killmaster Mind Controlled by Sombra, Flung Away by Ponies and Autobots

Thundercracker - Fighter Jet

Skywarp - Fighter Jet

Sunstorm - Fighter Jet

Acid Storm - Fighter Jet Mind Controlled by Sombra

Ion Storm - Fighter Jet Mind Controlled by Sombra

Shadow Striker - Car

Airachnid - Helicopter Mind Controlled by Sombra

Spinster - Helicopter

Skytread - Tank and Jet

Caliburst - Gun

Fracas - Gun

Skullcruncher - Alligator

Mindwipe - Bat

Breakdown - Van Mind Controlled by Sombra

Frenzy - Cassette Mind Controlled by Sombra

Refraktor - Hovercraft Mind Controlled by Sombra

Refraktor Clones - Hovercrafts Mind Controlled by Sombra

Equestrian

King Sombra

Twilight Sparkle Mind Controlled by Sombra

Fluttershy Mind Controlled by Sombra

Pinkie Pie Mind Controlled by Sombra

Applejack

Rarity

Rainbow Dash

Spike, the Dragon

Auntie Holiday

Auntie Lofty

Scootaloo

Spitfire

Fleetfoot

Soarin'

Surprise

Blaze

Octavia

Vinyl Scratch

Berry Punch

Random Ponies

Equestrian Critters

Sprinkleflowershine (Fictional)

Mr. Goblin (Fictional)

Other

Primus (Mentioned)

Unicron (Mentioned)

Notes

• This comic is a sequel series to the previous Transformers/MLP crossover, and several characters make reference to the previous adventure.
• The story is most likely set during the time skip between the Villains being defeated and Twilight's coronation in the MLP finale, however Spike has no wings in his brief appearances, which he definitely should by now.
• Frenzy mentions being given his book by someone on Equestria between fights, this is most likely Fluttershy, whom he fought and made friends with in the previous story.
• Oh they actually made the Unicron/Unicorn joke this time...AHAHAAHHHAA so original and not overdone at all...
• A lot of the Decepticons seen in this issue use their character models from the main Transformers comic.
• So at the end of the first story, we see that the Spacebridge has been destroyed, most likely to stop any reinforcements from Equestria to stop Sombra...so how did Scootaloo and her Aunties arrive on the planet? I'm pretty sure they weren't amongst those who came through the portal (The Mane Six, the Wonderbolts, Vinyl Scratch and Octavia). I guess Shockwave could have repaired the portal, but then why show the first one destroyed in the first place?
• Killmaster/Murderking was a character created as Whirl's arch nemesis in MTMTE. He uses a wand that projects energy at his enemies...so he's kind of a perfect fit for this crossover with a magic themed series!
• The "kid" Cybertronians are mostly based on the "kid-appeal" or younger  characters from past Transformers fiction. Hot Rod was introduced as Daniels friend, and young, before ascending to the new Prime on the G1 movie, Hot Shot was a younger bot from the Unicron Trilogy, Sureshock was a Mini-Con from Armada who was partnered with the human Alexis and Flareup was the young character created as a rookie warrior in Descent into Evil. The other two are the youngest Cybertronians from the current IDW continuity, Gauge and Rubble, the latter of whom met a deadly fate early into the series...
• Hot Shot is using his Generations Selects Jeep alternate mode, in case you couldn't tell who he is.
• Wow Lofty's yarn is strong isn't it??
• Just as some speculation. I'm going to guess that the solution to defeating Sombra will be some sort of Cybertronian Elements of Harmony, like Shockwave for logic, Optimus for bravery etc

IDW - Transformers vs The Terminator #4

Title: Enemy of my Enemy, Part 4

Story by: David Mariotte, Tom Waltz & John Barber

Written by: David Mariotte & John Barber

Art by: Alex Milne

Colours by: David Garcia Cruz

Letters & Design by: Jake M. Wood

Editor: Tom Waltz

Assistant Editor: Riley Farmer

Plot

Starscream continues his gambit to force the Terminator to team up with him to take out the Autobots and Megatron by holding the Cyberdyne employees hostage, however the smaller robot has scanned the humans and determined that they aren't needed for Skynet to be formed, but he still agrees to an alliance for his own needs.

Sarah tries to contact the Ark from a guard house, but is stalked by Ravage, and is unable to reach the Autobot shuttle.

Whilst Optimus and Megatron fight it out, Arcee, Velocity and Bumblebee battle the other Decepticons, when Soundwave notices Sarah's attempts to contact the Ark failing, and realizes that something has happened to it, he tries to inform Megatron, but gets shot from behind by the treacherous Starscream, who then launches the Terminator at Megatron to try and kill him immediately, but Megatron catches him and flings him back at Starscream, downing him in his jet mode.

Seeing Soundwave getting attacked, Ravage gets distracted, so Sarah makes her move, she tussles with Ravage, and manages to get her gun into his mouth, shooting him through the brain module, killing him.

The Autobots finish the other Decepticons off, seemingly leaving just Megatron around. Sarah calls for help, as she's found the Terminator crushed under Starscream. The Decepticon jet transforms and prepares to attack the Autobots, when the badly injured Soundwave arrives, firing on him in revenge, leading to him flying away. Soundwave turns on Sarah and the Terminator, but they shoot him, finishing him off.

After the bulk of the battle, the Terminator asks the Autobots to throw him into Megatron again, seeing he has a small hole on his chest now from the battle, he's thrown through, and starts shooting at Megatron's spark, causing it to explode, killing the smaller robot along with Megatron.

In the aftermath, the surviving Decepticons are captured, but the dead are left behind as the human authorities arrive. Sarah stats behind to cover for the Autobots, but promises Bumblebee to keep an eye on them...

Soon, the Autobots return to where the Ark should be, but instead find the molten remains from the Terminator's explosives, and realises that they are the only Cybertronians on Earth now, so until they can make contact with Cybertron again, they should stay low and form a truce for now, which the Decepticons agree to.

Some time later, Sarah has joined Skywatch as a high ranking member, so she can watch over the Autobots, fulfilling her promise to Bumblebee...

However, under ground of the facility, scientists have examined Megatron's body, and created an army of T-800 and T-8000 Terminator's, which seem to be infected with Megatron's still working mind....

Characters

Autobot

Optimus Prime - Truck

Arcee - Ford Mustang

Velocity - Pontiac Firebird

Bumblebee - VW Beetle

Ratchet - Ambulance (Mentioned) Killed in Ark Explosion

Wheeljack - Race Car (Mentioned) Killed in Ark Explosion

Ark Autobots (Mentioned) Killed in Ark Explosion

Decepticon

Megatron - Gun Killed by the Terminator, Rebuilt into Skynet

Starscream - Fighter Jet

Soundwave - Cassette Player Killed by Starscream, Sarah Connor and the Terminator

Ravage - Cassette Killed by Sarah Connor

Skywarp - Fighter Jet

Thundercracker - Fighter Jet

Kickback - Locust Killed by Arcee

Skrapnel - Stag Beetle

Bombshell - Bill Weevil

Future Starscream - Hunter-Killer Aerial (Memory)

Skywatch

The Terminator Killed when Megatron's Spark exploded

New T-800's

New T-8000's

Human

Sarah Connor

Chet

Cyberdyne Employees

Skywatch Employees

Emergency Responders

Notes

• Even though it doesn't seem likely, Kickback seems to have been killed from his kick from Arcee, since we never see him again after this.
• With Starscream and the other Seekers still alive, and Megatron being used as the basis of a new Skynet, it seems possible that the future seen at the start of this series could STILL happen, just with, and given the series, most likely will happen again 
• The Terminator killing Megatron by attacking his Spark directly seems to be in reference to Megatron's temporary death at the end of the 2007 Movie, with the Terminator in place of the Allspark.
• The United Transformers at the end of the story stand around in a circle chanting "Till all are One" in a reference to the G1 movie
• The Skynet Alpha Base seen here is the same one referred to as "Omega Base" in issue one, just altered due to the time travel.
• Why would Skywatch create the T-800s in the likeness of the kill-robot that came from nowhere?
• As is traditional for these recent Crossover comics, the end leads it open for a sequel of some sort.

IDW - Transformers Galaxies #9

Title: Gauging the Truth,  Part 3: Moment of Truth

Written by: Sam Maggs

Art by: Beth McGuire-Smith

Colours by: Josh Burcham

Letters & Design by: Jake M. Wood

Editors: David Mariotte & Tom Waltz

Assistant Editor: Riley Farmer

Plot

The Exodus flies above a Cybertronian city, and begins it's attack on the planet. Arcee and Greenlight escape the ship so they can warn the Cybertronians and form a resistance against the invading force, whilst Gauge stays behind to try and stop the attack from the inside.

Unaware to her though, Heretech plans to use her as an integral part of his master plan, he'll have her, a Cybertronian newborn, who has been raised by the Reversionists to encourage everyone to join them, or he'll use the Exodus' engines to ignite an Energon vein on Cybertron, killing all those who remain "sacrilegious".

The Reversionists, including Gauge jump towards Cybertron, with Gauge taking on her mobile digger alternate mode, so she can "find the Energon vein" for Heretech. Gauge makes her way to a communications tower, and sends out a message to everyone, but not the one Heretech wanted, as she says that everyone should make their own choices in life, if they want to join the Reversionists they should, but they shouldn't be forced to.

Heretech, angry about this betrayal breaks his way into the communications tower and intends to kill the traitor, but Arcee and Greenlight arrive to defend their mentee. During the fight, Gauge locates some raw Energon under the tower's flooring and throws it at Heretech, who is in his giant drill mode, hitting the drillbit and causing the Energon to explode, badly injuring the Reversionist leader.

In the aftermath, the Reversionists give up their fight, and mostly disband, joining other factions, or returning to space under Accelerator's command. Gauge decides that she wants to stay with Arcee and Greenlight for a while, whilst she looks for her own life, and the trio walk off together, to begin their lives again on Cybertron. 

Characters

Reversionist

Heretech - Drill Tank Badly Injured by Gauge's Energon Explosion

Accelerator

Reversionist Congregation 

Other Cybertronian

Gauge - Mobile Digger

Arcee - Car

Greenlight - Car

Random Cybertronians

Primus (Mentioned)

Notes

• It's not clear when this issue is set in continuity, but since it was originally set to be released around the same time as issue 21 of the main comic, we can assume it's around about that time too here.
• When referring to Arcee and Greenlight, Gauge seems to refer to them as Autobots, we've had no indication that either are Autobots (yet) in this continuity.
• In the time since they left Cybertron, Gauge has taken on her own alternate mode, which should be a major deal to her mentors, but Arcee and Greenlight don't even mention it...
• Apparently directly under the ground in the communications tower is readily mineable Energon veins...you'd think they would have mined those considering the Energon crisis, before building a tower above it....
• Following the reveal of Heretech's lies and attack on Cybertron, the Reversionists are now no longer a political party, with most of the members joining the other factions, and some, under Accelerator, plan to return to space.

IDW - Transformers vs The Terminator #3

Title: Enemy of my Enemy, Part 3

Story by: David Mariotte, Tom Waltz & John Barber

Written by: David Mariotte & John Barber

Art by: Alex Milne

Colours by: David Garcia Cruz

Letters & Design by: Jake M. Wood

Editor: Tom Waltz

Assistant Editor: Riley Farmer

Plot

Aboard the Ark, The Autobots are busy fixing up their shipmates, and the vessel itself, though Wheeljack says it'll never fly again, but the systems are online. Whilst they are rebuilding, the Terminator watches on, analysing his current allies, waiting for his future opportunities to take them down.
Optimus gives out orders to the actice Autobots, Wheeljack and Ratchet are to stay on the Ark to continue reviving their friends, and monitor the situation on Earth using the local transmissions, Optimus and Velocity are going to investigate possible energy source to help power the Ark for the repairs, Arcee and the Terminator are to search the perimeter for any Decepticon traps in the area, whilst Bumblebee is to escort Sarah home, per her request. Before they leave, the Terminator mentions that he has no weapons, prompting Arcee to take him to the armory.

Elsewhere, the Decepticons have ransacked the Cyberdyne Systems facility, where Starscream interrogates the scientists about their "Hunter" robot, which they know nothing about, meanwhile the others are using the machinery to fill Energon Cubes for their own usage.
Meanwhile, on the Oregon coast, Optimus and Velocity have found the remains of the dune buggy and humans that Starscream destroyed, and Velocity finds a used optic casing, showing them that the Decepticons were definitely here...
On her way home, Sarah stopped by a clothing retail store to change out of her battered waitress outfit, before carrying on with their journey. On the radio they hear about the Decepticon attack on the Cyberdyne facility, and decide to look into it.

Back at the Ark, the Terminator finds a blaster that he likes, and Arcee has Teletraan-1 resize it for him to use, but Arcee also mentions that, even if Optimus trusts him for some reason, she's going to keep an eye on him, and if he tries to fire upon any Autobot, she WILL kill him on the spot.
The two head out for their perimeter check, but along the way, the Terminator secretly plants explosives around the Ark and the perimeter.
They duo reaches where the downed Sky Spy crashed, where the Terminator states that he shot it down when it scanned him. Before they can continue though, Bbumblebee calls in about the Decepticon attack.

At the Cyberdyne facility, Bumblebee prepares to stall the Decepticons, to prevent further damage and wait for the others to arrive, but before he can get Sarah to safety first, Skywarp attacks them, forcing Bee to grab Sarah and drive her straight to the facility.
Just before Skywarp can attack them again though, he is shot down by the Autobots and Terminator. An all out battle begins, and Sarah is tasked with getting through to Ratchet and Wheeljack for reinforcements. During the battle, the Terminator plants one of his explosives on one of the Refraktor trio's face and pushes down the plunger.

On the Ark, Ratchet and Wheeljack are working on their next batch of repairs, and they just need a little more energy from the Ark to revive them so they can bring real reinforcements to the battle. However, before they can find an energy source, they start hearing beeping, as the Terminator's explosives all set off, engulfing the Ark, Mt St Hilary and the surrounding area with destructive fire!

Back at the battle, Refraktor's head blows up in a controlled explosion, just as Vvelocity shoots off the head of another Refraktor, signalling a "nice job" thumbs up to the Terminator. However, just as he is reciprocating it, Starscream shoots around him to get his attention, and declares that he knows his secret, that if he kills the Cyberdyne workers, then he'll cease to exist, so he wants to make a deal....

Characters

Autobot

Optimus Prime - Semi-Truck
Bumblebee - VW Beetle
Arcee - Ford Mustang
Velocity - Pontiac Firebird
Ratchet - Ambulance Caught n Ark Explosion
Wheeljack - Race Car Caught n Ark Explosion
Grimlock Inactive, Caught n Ark Explosion
Jazz Inactive, Caught n Ark Explosion
Sideswipe Inactive, Caught n Ark Explosion
Windblade Inactive, Caught n Ark Explosion
Other Ark Autobots Inactive/Dead, Caught n Ark Explosion (Mentioned)

Decepticon

Megatron - Gun
Soundwave - Cassette Player
Ravage - Cassette
Starscream - Fighter Jet
Skywarp - Fighter Jet Blasted by Optimus and the Terminator
Thundercracker - Fighter Jet Skewered with Sword by Arcee
Kickback - Locust
Skrapnel - Scarab Beetle
Bombshell - Boll Weevil
Refraktor Trio - Camera Two killed by the Terminator and Velocity

Skynet

The Terminator

Human

Sarah Connor
Cyberdyne Systems Workers Some killed by Decepticons
Random Human Pedestrians
Radio Presenter (Voice Only)

Notes

• Arcee being a warrior and being "Threat Level: Maximum" is a reference to her depiction mainly in the IDW continuities, despite this continuity being based on the G1 cartoon, where, whilst she was a gunner, wasn't really a hardened warrior
• Arcee and Velocity get completely new alternate modes here! Arcee now has a mode based on a Ford Mustang, and Velocity is a Pontiac Firebird. Whilst Arcee HAS had a few Earth-modes before in comics and toylines, this marks the first time Velocity has an Earth-mode! Congrats to her!
• The Terminator mentions that the Sky Spy scanned him...could this be how the grandfather paradox comes to play of Cyberdyne creating Skynet from the Terminator's design?
• Grimlock is shown to have existed pre-Earth in this version of the story, despite being built on Earth in the G1 cartoon.
• Whilst blasting holes into, and skewering Cybertronians isn't normally enough to kill them, considering this is the penultimate issue of this crossover, I think we can assume that the badly injured here are most likely dead.
• Among the Autobots being repaired is Windblade, a character that is usually pretty major in these crossovers, so having her just being "dead" here is a bit of a jarring move.
• I'll be quite surprised if Ratchet, Wheeljack and the inactive Autobots were able to survive the Ark and Mt St Hilary exploding, though then again, the Decepticons all survived being dropped in a lava stream at the end of season one of the cartoon... (And NO, them saying they need a little energy to revive the others will not be a good excuse, a giant explosion is not a "little energy")
• How did Starscream learn about the Terminator's true nature? If he heard him call himself a "Cyberdyne Systems" robot, then that would make sense, but I'm pretty sure he's only referred to himself as that to Sarah and the Autobots.
• Starscream's threat also doesn't really work in canon though, since we've seen that even when Skynet is wiped out in Dark Fate's backstory, the Terminator they sent back, who killed John, was still around decades later, so it's not a Back to the Future style time travel paradox like he seems to be implying here.

IDW - Transformers Galaxies #8

Title: Gauging the Truth, Part 2: A Truth for a Truth

Written by: Sam Maggs

Art by: Beth McGuire-Smith & Umi Miyao

Colours by: Josh Burcham

Letters & Design by: Jake M. Wood

Editors: David Mariotte & Tom Waltz

Assistant Editor: Riley Farmer

Plot

A confused Gauge wonders who Arcee and Greenlight are and they explain that she was not born a Reversionist, like she has been made to believe, but was born on Cybertron not too long ago, and shows her this using Arcee's Psychic Patch, also showing that when they reached the Reversionist ship the older bots were imprisoned for being non-believers, and mind-wiped Gauge due to her being young and easier to manipulate.

Following her exposition history lesson, Gauge believes the two Cybertronians, but says that she doesn't know how to unlock their cell, as she believes the bars are connected to the mainframe, but also says that the Reversionists are planning something bad and they need to do something about it soon.

Gauge leaves, and pretends to still be mind-wiped, she tries to get access to Heretech's quarters, where the mainframe is housed, but is barred by Accelerator. Soon however, Heretech addresses the Reversionists saying that they are nearly ready to "ascend". Knowing that she's nearly out of time to save the Cybertronians, so she breaks into Heretech's quarters and hacks into the mainframe, just as Accelerator arrives and calls for the guards.

Gauge runs for the engine room, where Arcee and Greenlight are being held, where she finds them freed now, and the trio fight off the guards, and Gauge explains that she was conflicted on who she was, and whether the Cybertronians were just using her to free them, but she realised that they never asked her to free them, but let her decide for herself (but heavily implied that they need to stop the Reversionists, and cannot do it from the cell).

Before they can head off to stop Heretech however, he makes an announcement over the ship's communicators saying they have arrived at their new world, ready for them to take for themselves. Arcee and the others look through the porthole and see the planet in question is Cybertron itself!

Characters

Reversionist

Heretech

Accelerator

RoadHauler - Crane

Reversionist Guards

Reversionist Congregation

Other Cybertronian

Gauge

Arcee - Car

Greenlight - Car

Red/Black Tailgate - Car (Memory Only)

Spaceport Guards (Memory Only)

Other Memory Cybertronians (Memory Only)

Primus (Mentioned)

Notes

• So, Gauge just had her mind wiped, this isn't a simulation or anything, at least that's the case, unless they change their mind in issue 9.
• Arcee is shown to have a Psychic Patch on her at all times....for...some reason?
• So, if I'm remembering correctly, Greenlight said that she was told there was space on the Reversionist ship for them to fly off the planet on...yet here we learn that the Reversionists didn't want non-believers on their ship...then why did they offer a place to them?
• The Exodus apparently went in a circle away from Cybertron, just to return so they can try and "cleanse" the planet.
• Does Heretech really expect his crew of maybe a few hundred/thousand religious folk to be able to take out everyone on Cybertron, and rebuild the planet in their image? This really is a cult isn't it?

IDW - Transformers/My Little Pony: Friendship In Disguise #1

Transformation is Magic

Writer: James Asmus

Artist: Tony Fleecs

Colours: Tony Fleecs

Colour Flats by: Lauren Perry

Letterer: Jake M. Wood

Shine Like a Diamond

Writer: Ian Flynn

Artist: Jack Lawrence

Colours: Luis Antonio Delgado

Letterer: Neil Uyetake

Editor: Megan Brown

Consulting Editor: David Mariotte

Group Editor: Bobby Curnow

Main Story Plot

It's a normal colourful day in Equestria when the sky suddenly darkens and a strange bolt of lightning is seen lingering over a mountain peak, where Queen Chrysalis and some loyal Changelings are performing a ritual to open a portal to another world to try and bring forth more "Changelings" to help her conquer Equestria...

Elsewhere, on the planet Cybertron, the Autobots have become aware that the Decepticons are interested in a malfunctioning spacebridge, making them worried about what it can be used for. Shockwave manages to hack into the spacebridge and sends everyone somewhere else...just as Grimlock arrives at the battle, annoyed that everyone has "ditched" him again...

Back at the mountain peak, the gateway starts to emerge in the sky, when Princess Twilight Sparkle arrives to try and stop the Changeling's plan, but is too late, the portal opens and several giant figures shoot out of it, going across the world. Realizing that these newcomers are alive, and also falling at great speeds, Twilight goes to help them, leaving Chrysalis to speak to Megatron alone...

Before Bumblebee and Optimus can hit the ground, with Optimus offering to take the brunt of the fall, Twilight arrives and uses her magic to slow their fall, setting them safely on the ground.

Twilight, having overheard the two Autobot's friendship is relieved that Chrysalis had made a mistake by summoning friendly beings to Equestria, however Optimus corrects her that some of the other robots to arrive are indeed evil, and could be a major problem for Equestria.

Elsewhere, Chrysalis has indeed allied with the Decepticons, and marches with them off the mountain...

Side Story Plot

Starscream has attacked Manehatten, and forces Rarity and her staff to create a new outfit for him to wear whilst conquering Eequestria, hwoever he is soon interrupted by the Autobot Arcee, who quickly scares him away with a couple of kicks and punches.

Afterwards, Arcee assesses the damage and makes quick friends with Rarity, who admires her battle prowess, but also her demeanour, whilst  Arcee comments on Rarity's talents and business prowess, and both compliment the other's loyalty to their friends and allies.

Soon however, Starscream returns with Skywarp and Thundercracker to get revenge for Screamer's earlier defeat, only for the trio of fliers to get easily taken down by the two new friends.

Characters

Autobot

Optimus Prime - Truck

Bumblebee - Hatchback

Arcee - Sports Car

Windblade - VTOL Fighter Jet

Grimlock - Tyrannosaurus Rex

Gauge

Decepticon

Megatron - Tank

Shockwave - Ray Gun

Soundwave

Starscream - Fighter Jet

Skywarp - Fighter Jet

Thundercracker - Fighter Jet

Bombshell - Boll Weevil

Skrapnel - Stag Beetle

Equestrian

Princess Twilight Sparkle

Rarity

Rainbow Dash

Quibble Pants

Golden Harvest

Minuette

Lyra Heartstrings

Daisy

Rose

Spitfire

Soarin

Surprise

Firestreak

News Stand Vendor

Coco Pommel

Plaid Stripes

Blue Bobbin

"Betsey Trotson"

"Starke Kragen"

Queen Chrysalis

Evil Changelings

Royal Guards

Bunnies

Random Ponies

The Other Mane Six (Mentioned)

Daring Do (Mentioned)

Dr Cabelleron (Mentioned)

Diamond Dogs (Mentioned)

Hydras (Mentioned)

Conquerors and Demi-Gods (Mentioned)

Notes

• This series was originally due to be fully released in May 2020, but was delayed to be a monthly comic, starting in August due to the current global pandemic.
• Just for clarity, I have a passing knowledge on My Little Pony, but I'm by no means an expert on the subject, so if I miss some things on that side of the crossover, sorry!
• The Transformers side of the crossover appears to be based on a version of the G1 cartoon continuity (based on the spacebridge design, and Arcee existing to begin with!). The pony side is a bit more complicated, since we clearly see the evil Changelings still around (or at least a few of them anyway) but the preview for the next issue shows Spike with wings, implying this is after their conversion to good. (I know the first page says not to worry about continuity, but I don't care!)
• The location cards for Equestria and Cybertron are written based on the opposite series' title fonts.
• Unlike in the G1 cartoon,  Mmegatron has a tank mode, rather than pistol form, this is very commonplace in current comics, but is usually not the case in these crossover comics with existing products
• Arcee asks if Rarity is a seamstress, implying she knows about the practise, something that isn't normally seen on Cybertron. This, along with the Earth-looking alternate modes could suggest that this is set following the Transformers already existing on Earth, or another organic world.
• Rarity produces a diamond-shaped shield, something that this version of the character doesn't normally do, but is commonplace for her Equestria Girls counterpart (though she does make a shield by the end of the final series). She is shown sweating a lot after doing this magic though, a nod towards her not being used to using magic this way.
• Its mentioned a couple of times that Equestria is in an alternate dimension to Cybertron. Though its unclear if this is referring to an alternate universe (ala how Transformers Prime and Animated as alternate universes) or if Equestria is in a sort of pocket dimension within the same universe (Like how Gigantion is shown in the Cybertron cartoon)

IDW - Transformers Galaxies #7

Title: Gauging the Truth, Part 1

Written by: Sam Maggs

Art by: Beth McGuire-Smith 

Colours by: Josh Burcham

Letters & Design by: Jake M. Wood

Editors: David Mariotte & Tom Waltz

Assistant Editor: Riley Farmer

Plot

Curate Gauge is struggling with her life as a devout member of the Reversionist religion. Not in the sense that she doesn't believe, but she's been getting some odd feelings recently, and has started seeing mysterious messages on screens everywhere.
One time, after approaching Heretech's throne to see a screen message clearer, she gets berated by Heretech and runs off to her quarters in fear, afraid of her "god".

Soon she gets an epiphany and decides to head to the engine room, a forbidden room on the ship, that the mysterious messages are leading her to.
She finds the room much darker than expected, and is chased by a shadowy figure, who she manages to knock out, and continue following her path...until she finds Arcee and Greenlight in a cell, who want to tell her the REAL truth...

Characters

Reversionist

Plenary Heretech
Curate Accelerator
Curate Gauge
Reversionist Guard
Friendly Reversionist
Other Reversionists 

Other Cybertronian

Arcee - Car
Greenlight - Car
Fantasy Cybertronians (Fantasy Only)
Primus (Mentioned)

Notes

• So it shouldn't need to be said, but we're clearly missing a bit of story here following the last time we saw this ship, I'm going to guess that next issue will have a flashback or something.
• The funeral speaker from Brainstorm's funeral is named here as Accelerator, and has taken on the role as Gauge's mentor here.
• My guess with what happened with Gauge here is that either she was brainwashed with mnemosurgery or something similar, or she is trapped inside a loop-like program, like in the Mutineers Trilogy from Lost Light or the Quintesson invasion from Cyberverse
• All of the crowd scenes this issue feature the non major characters in block colouring, it's possible this this on purpose if this is indeed a simulation or similar
• Heretech and Accelerator seem a bit angrier in this issue than they did in their brief appearances in previous stories, possibly adding to the simulation theory again.