IDW - Transformers Escape #2

Written by: Brian Ruckley

Art by: Beth McGuire-Smith

Colours by: Priscilla Tramontano

Letters & Design by: Jake M. Wood

Editor: David Mariotte

Assistant Editor: Riley Farmer

Supervising Editor: Tom Waltz

Plot

Ever since the War of the Threefold Spark, the Insecticons have periodically returned to Shockwave's secret base, to see if the cloning experiments have progressed, but Shockwave keeps dismissing them. After the most recent visit, SoundBlaster asks Shockwave if he's told them that he doesn't need them for the cloning experiments, since he already has the materials to create an army without their further assistance, but Shockwave simply states that the Insecticons are too powerful to risk upsetting, so he's keeping them in check, but he is starting to fear that Bombshell might know something...

As is to prove Shockwave correct, the Insecticons ambush one of the only other figures in the base, Skystalker, and implant him with a Cerebro-Shell to use him as a spy against Shockwave.

Meanwhile, at the Academy of Research in Crystal City, Highbrow contacts Straxxus about the Arks, but during their conversation, Straxxus and Geomotus discuss the recent ground tremors, and the very real risk they have in destroying the planet itself, prompting Straxxus to reveal that he has started renovating one of the Arks for the civilians of Darkmount, but will allow the other three to be used for the rest of Cybertron's evacuations.

A convoy of aliens, injured Cybertronians and Autobot guards are leaving Iacon to reach Darkmount to try and get access to Straxxus' store of Arks, led by Hound, Wheeljack and Nautica.

Along their journey to Darkmount, the convoy is attacked by a group of Decepticons, who, whilst they don't care about the organics leaving Iacon, they want the Cybertronians, who are now "Decepticon Civilians" to them, to remain. A very short fight ensues, which is abrupted ended when Dai Atlas arrives, scaring away the Decepticons.

Hound and the others are shocked by Dai Atlas' return, and he explains that it was in response to the distress call from the A'ovans, but also reveals that his time Immersant has rendered him a pacifist, since that was the entire reason that he went Immersant in the first place, much to the disappointment of the others. 

At that moment, the back of thje convoy is attacked by the Insecticons, taking down most of the guards, forcing Hound and Road Rage to try and take them out alone, but Road Rage is quickly knocked down by Skrapnel, leaving just Hound to defend them all...

Characters

Autobot/Security Forces/Senate Guard

Hound - Jeep

Wheeljack - Car

Nautica - Submarine

Road Rage - Flying Car

Highjump - Van

Tote - Van

Mudslinger - Monster Pick-Up Truck

Evacuation Convoy Guards

Cromar - Jet (Mentioned)

Decepticon

Shockwave - Flying Artillery

Soundblaster - Hovercraft

Bombshell - Boll Weevil

Kickback - Locust

Skrapnel - Stag Beetle

Skystalker - Car Placed under Cerebro-Shell Control

Skytread - Tank and Jet

Roadtrap - Vam

Gutcruncher

Airwave - Battle Platform

Megatron - Tank (Mentioned)

Insecticon Clones (Mentioned)

Other Cybertronian

Dai Atlas - Drill Tank-Jet

Highbrow - Helicopter

Mianframe

Geomotus - Buggy

Azimuth

Straxxus

Cybertronian Evacuees

Meteorfire - Space Shuttle (Flashback Only)

Crosscut - Van (Flashback Only)

Vigilem - Titan Warship (Mentioned) Missing

The Threefold Spark (Mentioned)

Darkmount Civilians (Mentioned)

Other

Pra'jak

A'ovans Species Almost Extinct

Other Alien Evacuees

Slaargs (Mentioned)

Notes

• The opening panel of this issue implies that, along with Shockwave, the Insecticons were a part of the Threefold Spark's army, or at least were able to infiltrate it.
• Cromar gets a name-drop in this issue, and MIGHT be the bot seen a little behind Wheeljack and Hound in the opening long-shot of the evacuation convoy, based on his body shape, but without details or colour it could be anyone.
• Similarly, in front of Hound and Wheeljack is a red bot with large shoulders and wheels on the tops of his arms, which could be Aragon. If these are them, then along with Zetar's appearance in issue 25 of the main series, all three Powerdashers might have made their appearances in the new series.
• Meteorfire was a explorer and TV show host from the Cyberverse franchise, so his role as a part of the Xenobiology department fits very well! Also, since Hound describes him in the present tense, it's likely that he's still alive and not Immersant or just dead.
• Straxxus is revealed to be a Senator here, and also to have had a past as a theoretician that dabbles in many fields.
• The ground shakes have been shown to occur throughout the earlier parts of this continuity, but here we learn that if they continue, it could result in Cybertron itself being torn apart.
• After a few mentions, Highbrow finally makes his physical debut, and as expected, he is using his Titans Return character model.
• Oddly, Battleslash is not present in  the Decepticon ambush team, but his partner in crime, Roadtrap is...
• We see Dai Atlas' alternate mode this issue, which is shown to be the combined tank-jet mode that his Legends toy can form, rather than a separate tank and get.
• As I theorized in the earlier parts of the series, it seems like Skystalker is an unwilling member of the Rise/Decepticons, and was forced into it to wake up Vigilem
• The Off-Road Patrol, minus Powertrain, are all shown as part of the evacuation escort team. Powertrain's absence is due to him being part of Ultra Magnus' crew, and them being delayed by 70 cycles due to the Black Sphere's time dilation.
• This issue confirms that most Cybertronians are ambidextrous, explaining why they can usually wield weapons in both hands when needed.
• Dai Atlas is confirmed to be the only Cybertronian to return from becoming Immersant, but he does reveal that a part of him is still Immersed, and heading to where they go during that process (most likely the Allspark)

IDW - Transformers Galaxies #4

Title:  Constructicons Rising, Part Four

Written by: Tyler Bleszinski

Art by: Livio Ramondelli

Letters by: Jake M. Wood

Editors: David Mariotte & Tom Waltz

Plot

The Constructicons decide to turn against the others on Mayalx, but are unsure of how best to take them out. The Insecticons watch them, and decide to help out by killing some random guys and use their living sparks to make over energised Energon and present it to the Constructicons the next day.
Now overpowered, the Constructicons combine and firm the newly christened Devastator, and wipes out a facility and all the crew manning it.

Afterwards, the Insecticons metabolize the dead bodies into Energon, ready for them to ship it, and themselves back to Cybertron.
Back on Mayalx, the Constructicons decide to stay on the planet and build whatever they want, and build their own home there.

Characters

The Rise

Kickback - Locust
Skrapnel - Scarab Beetle
Bombshell - Boll Weevil
Shockwave - Flying Artillery
Onslaught - Tank
Brawl - Tank
Blast Off - Space Shuttle
Vortex - Helicopter

Ascenticon

Megatron - Mining Vehicle (Mentioned)
Termagax - Armoured Van (Mentioned)

Other Cybertronian

Scrapper - Earthmover
Scavenger - Excavator
Long Haul - Dump Truck
Mixmaster - Mixing Truck
Bonecrusher - Bulldozer
Hook - Crane
Devastator - Constructicon Gestalt
Mayalx Workers Killed by Insecticons and Devastator
Nominus Prime - Jet (Statue Only)

Notes

• So, this issue came out a couple months late huh? 
• Just as a reminder, last time we saw them, the Constructicons were not ready to kill everyone on the planet...they just decide to do that randomly this issue...
• The statue I could identify in issue one is confirmed as of Nominus Prime
• As I mentioned in the valentine's special, Blast Off and the Combaticons are revealed to be a part of the Rise
• Shockwave's appearance and demeaner this issue implies that it is set just before his beatdown from Megatron
• In case you can't tell, I'm not too impressed by this first storyline from Galaxies...let's hope the next ones are better!

IDW - Transformers: Galaxies #2

Title: Constructicons Rising, Part 2

Written by: Tyler Bleszinski

Art by: Livio Ramondelli

Letters by: Tom B. Long

Editors: David Mariotte & Tom Waltz

Plot

On Mayalx, the Constructicons are sparring in a make-shift gladiatorial arena to improve their fighting skills, since Scrapper believes the changing times on Cybertron will lead to problems, and he wants them to be prepared.

Elsewhereon the planetoid, the Insecticons devour a dead Cybertronian, and metabolise him into Energon between themselves. They get interrupted by a communication from Shockwave however, who orders Bombshell to pick up the pace in getting the Constructicons to join their cause.

Back at the "arena" Scrapper teaches the others a lesson, when he defeats Bonecrusher, without even using a weapon, and knocks him out. Bombshell soon arrives and creeps out the Constructicons, with his temptation to eat the injured Bonecrusher.

The bug-bot proceeds to tell the Constructicons the story of how when he, and the others were forged, they were discovered to have a unique ability to eat raw materials, and create Energon from it, which was quickly put to use by society, however when the war started, the trio were pulled into it and eventually started eating the corpses of the war's victims, gaining their new title as Insecticons.

Following the war, the new bots in charge decided to distance themselves from these new monsters, and eventually sent them out to distant colonies to clean them up, and keep them out of sight.

Bombshell concludes his story by explaining that they wanted to get rid of them, because they were scared of them, and their powers, just like what happened to the Constructicons. The builders point out that the Insecticons ARE monsters though, and all the Constructicons want to do is build. But Bombshell reiterates that they are being kept underpowered and far away, never to return, due to everyone fearing their combined form, and hints towards them that he has allies that can allow them to live their lives, unchained and free from that fear... 

Characters

The Rise

Bombshell - Boll Weevil

Kickback - Locust

Skrapnel - Scarab Beetle

Shockwave - Hovercraft (On Communicator Only)

Other Cybertronian

Scrapper - Earthmover

Bonecrusher - Bulldozer

Mixmaster - Mixing Truck

Long Haul - Dump Truck

Scavenger - Excavator

Hook - Crane

Building Site "Accident" Victim Killed and Eaten by Insecticons

Devastator - Constructicon Gestalt (Statue/Mentioned Only)

Brainstorm - Jet (Flashback Only)

Brainstorm's Cos-Researchers (Flashback Only)

Notes

• Sorry I haven't uploaded this thing before now, I've just been busy recently, and this series hasn't been too motivating to get it done earlier. (Assuming it's out on time, the next issue will also be a little late, due to a trip I'm taking next weekend)
• It's implied in this issue that the Constructicons are being kept underpowered to make them slower and cause them to have a reason for not being able to return to Cybertron sooner. It's also very likely that it is to stop them from combining into Devastator and causing another ruckus!
• The Insecticon's victim this issue is mentioned as having an "accident" leading to his death...me thinks they killed him for his juices!
• Bombshell knowing who Shockwave is, and seemingly working for him implies that he is a member of the Rise.
• Its mentioned that Shockwave has plans for Bombshell's Cerebro-shells, considering the title of the story-arc in the main comic is currently "The change in your nature" could this be a hint towards an upcoming plot point?
• The last panel of the penultimate page of Devastator's head in a closeup is unclear, it might be a statue, like I think, or it could be a flashback to when they combined. If it is a statue though...then why was it made, when it's been made clear than people are afraid of Devastator?
• Apparently the crater made when Devastator punched the ground outside Iacon was never filled in...is it just a bro-fist pool when the acid rains come then?

IDW - Transformers Galaxies #1

Title: Constructicons Rising, Part 1

Written by: Tyler Bleszinski

Art by: Livio Ramondelli

Letters by: Tom B. Long

Editors: David Mariotte & Tom Waltz

Plot

On Mayalx, the Constructicons are finishing off the Energon processing complex, and reminisce over the past, and long to return home to Cybertron, they hope that after this project they can return, but are also well aware that the people of Cybertron are afraid of them...

Long ago, following the war against the Threefold Spark, Iacon has been mostly destroyed, so Termagax and Wheeljack lead the reconstruction project, and are soon accompanied by the Constructicons , a team of prodigy builders.

During their work at Rivet's Field, the Constructicons have an unexpected discovery, the Enigma of Combination. Termagax explains to them that this artefact allows Cybertronians to combine and pool their abilities together, and asks them if they would be willing to attempt a combination to make the reconstruction process go past quicker, which they agree to.

The Constructicons soon embrace the Enigma , but struggle to even move with the new form, however they do manage to use their powers to smash a hole in the ground, saving them ten cycles worth of work in the process. The team decombine, and are drained. Scrapper is unsure if he wants to combine again, but Termagax says they should, and reiterates that they make a great team, unlike the previous combiner, whose members did not have a shared goal, and it went on a rampage, before being separated.

Termagax and Wheeljack leave, with Wheeljack worried about the Constructicon's new ability, but Termagax states that so long as they concentrate on building, then the combiner should have the same desires, and wont go on the rampage too.

Soon, with the help of the Constructicon's new form, Iacon is rebuilt, and it is considered a masterpiece.

Back in the present, the Constructicons continue with work on the processing complex, unaware that Bombshell is watching them...planning to use them for his plan....

Characters

Cybertronian

Scrapper - Earth Mover

Hook - Crane

Scavenger - Excavator

Mixmaster - Mixing Truck

Bonecrusher - Bulldozer

Long Haul - Dump Truck

Bombshell

Mayalx Energon Processing Complex Staff

"Unnamed Devastator" - Constructicon Gestalt (Flashback Only)

Termagax - Truck (Flashback Only)

Wheeljack - Car (Flashback Only)

Abominus - Terrorcon Gestalt (Flashback Only) Defeated and Parts Scattered

Primus (Mentioned)

Megatron - Armoured Vehicle (Mentioned)

"The Threefold Spark" (Mentioned) Defeated

Notes

• The present day segments of this story appear to be set along with the present day of the main title. The flashback scenes however seem to tale place before the events shown in issue six of the main title, due to the future Senators discussing the Constructicons as established builders there.
• The flashbacks of this story appear to be the earliest set story in this new continuity so far, showing just after the war against the Threefold Spark
• The Constructicons are mentioned to have left their Mentors earlier than usual.
• Termagax is revealed to have been Megatron's Mentor in the past.
• Termagax mentions the need to "Ascend", likely showing us the birth of her future Ascenticon movement.
• The Constructicons blame Wheeljack for them finding the Enigma of Combination, and causing them to combine and be "exiled"...but Termagax was literally the one who suggested that they should combine...why isn't she to blame?
• The Enigma is located in Rivet's Field, which in the old IDW was one of the Hot Spots and later the launch site of the Lost Light.
• The Enigma was an artefact first seen in the old IDW, as the signature item of Nexus Prime, which, like here, allows Cybertronians to combine.
• Devastator is shown to have normal optics, with a retractable visor to go over them, referencing the different head models of Devastator from the G1 cartoon.
• The previous user of the Enigma isn't named here, but from the words "Terror" and "Abomination" as well as his recognizable silhouette, we can easily see it's the Terrorcons and Abominus 
• The last two pages are seemingly in the "present", even though the comic itself neglects to show that, with another "Now." caption, like with every other time skip.
• The statue that Bombshell is shown standing on at the end appears to be of Megatronus/The Fallen of the Thirteen.

IDW - Robots in Disguise #14

Title: Before the Dawn

Written by: John Barber

Pencils by: Andrew Griffith

Inks by: Brian Shearer

Colors by: Josh Perez

Letters by: Shawn Lee

Editor: Carlos Guzman

Plot

Circuit continues his interview with Metalhawk outside the ruined bar as the riots have stopped, when they both hear about the Decepticon breakout at the jail. Metalhawk contacts Bumblebee, who is joined by Blurr, Swindle and Dirge who reveal that Prowl is behind everything. Broadside can't get ahold of Prowl on his communicator, and his quarters aren't on the grid, so everyone starts to get worried, and decide to go look for him.

At the Black Room, Arcee has arrived, and Wheeljack and Starscream are Prowl's prisoners, both confused, Turmoil and Skywarp are sent out to set up the Decepticons in the city, whilst Megatron has Bombshell whip him up a new body, as his current one is too badly damaged.

Bumblebee, Blurr, Swindle, Sideswipe, Dirge and Metalhawk are out looking for Prowl for answers when the supposedly dead Astrotrain, Blitzwing and the Cassettes attack the group, taking down Swindle and Blurr, and badly injuring Metalhawk, everyone else (including Metalhawk) are lured into the Black Room where they find Prowl with the Decepticons, holding Screamer and Wheeljack prisoner.

Wheeljack starts talking to keep Bumblebee calm, but Prowl coldly executes him, blowing his head off tothe shock of everyone, especially with all the supposedly dead Decepticons being present too. Megatron reenters the room, in his new body, carrying his old one in his arms, and explains that he used the Ore-13 in his old body to create the strange effect on Cybertron, creating the wilderness. Then the Decepticons explain how Megatron gained the insight on how to create a perfect combiner whilst fighting the Deceptigod during the Chaos event, and that he was the one who captured, experimented on and combined the Aerialbots, and explains that he left them to kill the Dinobots and Ironhide, as well as themselves in the wilderness.

Bombshell explains that the reason the gestalt process always failed was because of the component's individuality, and so he came up with a plan to remove that. However their plans were a bit halted when the Titan arrived and announced Screamer was the chosen one, which could have harmed Megatron's ultimate plans, so Prowl took down Omega Supreme to allow the Decepticons to be blamed and halt Starscream's own plans.

It's revealed by Bombshell, that he's been controlling Prowl since they fought in the sewers and had the Constructicon's "killed" to take them out of sight so they can be worked on for the big plan.

Bombshell briefly frees Prowl's mind, so he can "say goodbye", Prowl asks how Bumblebee couldn't have known he wasn't in control of his mind, just as Megatron orders the Constructicons AND PROWL to combine into Devastator, with Prowl forming the head.

Devastator starts his attack on the city, smashing into Autobot HQ, seemingly killing Sky High and Broadside, as the Decepticons begin their ground assault. Soundwave reports that the highest number of Autobots is at the Med-Center, so Megatron orders Devastator to start there. Bumblebee starts to question why Megatron has told him everything if he's just going to kill him, in response Megatron crushed his head and orders his troops to kill the rest, with Arcee stabbing Sideswipe with her sword. Megatron turns on a projector which pits the Decepticon insignia on the moon as Devastator smashes through the city.

Just outside the city Ironhide, Swoop, Slag, Sludge, Snarl and Superion show up and watch the carnage, with Ironhide guessing they need to save the world.

Characters

Autobot

Bumblebee - Car Head crushed by Megatron

Prowl - Car Under Bombshell's Control, Part of Devastator now

Arcee - Car

Sideswipe - Car Stabbed by Arcee

Blurr - Race Car Run Down by Astrotrain

Wheeljack - Car Killed by Prowl

Sky High - Helicopter Crushed by Devastator

Broadside  Maybe Killed by Devastator

Ironhide - Van

Slag - Triceratops

Snarl - Stegosaurus

Sludge - Apatosaurus

Swoop - Pteranodon

Superion - Aerialbot Gestalt

Circuit

Longtooth

Jazz - Car

Fixit (Mentioned)

Omega Supreme (Flashback) Blown up by Prowl

Silverbolt - Jet (Flashback/Part of Superion)

Slingshot - Jet (Flashback/Part of Superion)

Skydive - Jet (Flashback/Part of Superion)

Air Raid - Jet (Flashback/Part of Superion)

Fireflight - Jet (Flashback/Part of Superion)

Decepticon

Megatron - Tank (Previously Stealth Bomber)

Starscream - Jet

Soundwave - Van

Shockwave - Flying Cannon

Devastator - Prowl and Constructicon Gestalt

Long Haul - Dump Truck

Scavenger - Excavator

Bonecrusher - Bulldozer

Mixmaster - Mixing Truck

Hook - Crane

Astrotain - Train/Space Shuttle

Blitzwing - Tank/Jet

Bombshell

Laserbeak - Data Disk

Buzzsaw - Cassette

Ravage - Cassette

Dirge - Jet

Swindle - Car Run Down by Astrotrain

Turmoil - Tank

Skywarp - Jet

Dreadwing - Stealth Bomber

Needlenose - Jet

Apeface

Sunstorm - Jet (Flashback)

Menasor - Stunticon Gestalt (Flashback)

Scrapper (Mentioned) Dead

Ratbat (Mentioned) Dead

Other Decepticons

NAIL

Metalhawk - Jet Badly injured by Blitzwing

Sky-Byte - Flying Shark

Tappet - Car

Zetca

Other

Metrotitan - City/Space Ship (Flashback) Dead

Deceptigod (Flashback)

Monstructor - Gestalt (Flashback)

The Titans - Cities/Space Ships (Mentioned)

Primus (Mentioned)

Galvatron (Mentioned)

Jhiaxus (Mentioned)

Notes

• It seems that Prowl's been under Bombshell's control since they met in the sewers...Time to re-read the series!
• Arcee's role in this whole thing seems a bit more confusing though, as she was on Prowl's side BEFORE he was altered
• Megatron's new body seems to be based on his pre-Earth mode (though is different still)
• It's a bit ironic that just as Hasbro announce a toy based on his stealth bomber body, that he's be given a completely new charactrer model....
• As I'm sure is noted everywhere else, Broadside is shown talking to Fixit, however the guy who is on screen is Circuit, this is either an art mistake, script error, or Fixit's voice is coming from another unseen panel, and Broadside is just watching the news at the same point
• I do hope Bumblebee's face being smashed in isn't a lead up to him being mute like in most other continuities...lets just hope he stays dead please!
• It's mentioned here that Prowl's mind already had damaged memories...possibly hinting that Chromedome did things to him in the past?
• Remember, as seen a lot in MTMTE, and even with the Constructicons in this series, headshots aren't always fatal...don't count Jackie out yet!

DW - Generation One V3 #7-10

Plot

In San Desto the US Military are investigating the sudden disappearance of the townspeople in a theater when suddenly one of them is hit by a device and begins to act odd, when his friend goes to check on him, he's killed by Bombshell.

At the EDC base at Area 51 Marissa plays the dying scream of the murdered army guy to the Autobots and says that the situation seems to be because of something Cybertronian and asks Jazz, Bumper, Sideswipe and Sunstreaker for help in investigating. They agree and are debriefed.

Starscream returns to his base after the incident with Sunstorm, Frenzy warns Soundwave, who quickly stops his communication with someone. The Autobots and EDC are taken to San Desto and find it deserted, unknown to them though they are being watched. The group splits up to investigate. Bumper and most of one group of EDC operatives are captured by something. Sunstreaker and Sideswipe head into the theater to investigate, after which the ground starts opening up and a swarm of Insecticons pour out and begin encroaching on Jazz, Marissa and the remaining EDC guys.

Jazz fights off the Insecticon swarm, but all the EDC guys, except Marissa are captured, so her and Jazz drive off to safety. The Twins, whilst investigating the theater find a cavern filled with eggs (containing presumably the swarm). Elsewhere, Bombshell is operating on Bumper, but leaves him when he and the others go to "welcome their guests" above, and he breaks free.

In Ohio, Bumblebee goes to visit Spike at his home and tells him he's quit the Autobots. Below the theater the Insecticons attack the two Autobots and manage to defeat them in battle, knocking them out. Elsewhere, Jazz and Marissa hide out in a warehouse where they find a pile of dead cattle, Jazz remembers that when Grimlock and the others arrived on Earth they were attacked by the Insecticons and Marissa remembers reports of dead cattle elsewhere and large insect monsters too. They work out that the two are connected, but are found by the swarm, so they run underground, where they end up at the cavern nest. Jazz worries about what's inside the eggs so he scorches them with his flamethrower.

The Autobot brothers are taken to Bombshell's lab, but are rescued by Bumper before Bombshell can operate on them. All the Autobots make their way up top into the town where they battle the Insecticons (though Bumper takes a detour and kills a couple of EDC guys offscreen). The Insecticons order the mind-controlled townspeople to act as a human shield, but Bumper stops them by turning one of their cerebro shells to overload Bombshell and defeat him and saves the day...all too easily......

On Cybertron someone steps into Shockwave's territory and he sends out Blitzwing and Astrotrain to investigate, outside they find out its one of the Air Warriors from the Age of Internment (Age of Wrath) and are confused as they were all thrown away ages ago. They manage to destroy it, but then Razorclaw appears and attacks them. Inside his base Shockwave loses all contact with his troops and wonders what happened, when Megatron appears and blasts him.

Elsewhere Hot Rod trains in an Earth simulator with Kup whilst Arcee and Springer watch as Prowl and the others load a ship and head off back to Earth. On Quintessa the Quintessons are gloating as their sleeper is doing her job well.

On Earth Jazz and the others leave the EDC base and rejoin the other Autobots on the Orion. In Cincinnati Bumblebee and Spike are hanging out by driving around and stop an attempted car jacking. On Cybertron Megatron has spared Shockwave's life, but has disabled him and introduces him to his troops, including Astrotrain who switched sides (but not Blitzwing as he wouldn't turn, so he was killed). Megatron reveals that he plans to head to Earth next, rather than bothering with Cybertron anymore.

On Earth Starscream is having the Combaticons train against the captive Sky Lynx, but the Autobot is too strong, so he binds him up again, suddenly Predaking rises out of the water, ready to fight the Combaticons and Starscream. Starscream calls Soundwave for help, but he ignores him, as his true leader Megatron has just returned.

At the Pentagon Buster Witwicky orders Marissa to restart the EXO-Suit program, whilst the Autobots begin construction of Autobot City in the Alaskan Wilderness. The Combaticons battle with Predaking, but ultimately are defeated by the more powerful gestalt, Starscream flies away to safety, however upon returning to base is attacked by Soundwave and Megatron (in gun mode).

Megatron questions both of the traitors about all that has happened and learns about Sunstorm's existence and questions Shockwave about it further. On Cybertron Sixshot is wandering around when he finds the remains of Blitzwing and examines them. Elsewhere on Cybertron Magnus is holding a meeting about reinforcing the defense of Cybertron, whilst the Quintessons watch through their sleeper agent and prepare to send another team through to the planet....NEVER!!!!

Characters

Autobot

Optimus Prime - Truck Badly Injured

Ultra Magnus - Car Carrier

Prowl - Police Car

Jazz - Porsche

Sunstreaker - Sports Car

Sideswipe - Sports Car

Bumper - Sports Car

Bumblebee - VW Beetle

Hot Rod - Sports Car

Kup - Pick Up Truck

Springer - Helicopter/Rocket Car

Arcee - Sports Car

Wheelie - Car

Gnaw - Sharkticon

Twin Twist - Drill Tank

Topspin - Jet

Grimlock - Tyrannosaurus Rex

Slag - Triceratops

Swoop - Pteranodon

Snarl - Stegosaurus

Sludge - Apatosaurus

Warpath - Tank

Wheeljack - Race Car

Windcharger - Sports Car

Ratchet - Ambulance

Brawn - SUV

Cosmos - Orbiter

Hound - Jeep

Grapple - Crane

Hoist - Tow Truck

Omega Supreme - Rocket and Base

Gears - Pick Up Truck

Huffer - Truck Cab

Ironhide - Van

Bluestreak - Sports Car

Mirage - F1 Race Car

Sky Lynx - Space Shuttle In Starscream's Captivity

Galazy Shuttle - Space Shuttle Orion

Other Autobots at City Site

Metroplex - City (On Autobot City Plans)

Gravitas (Flashback)

Kudori (Flashback)

Vraz (Flashback)

Jetfire - Jet (Mentioned) Dead

Decepticon

Megatron - Gun (Tank in Flashback)

Shockwave - Ray Gun Injured by Megatron

Starscream - Fighter Jet Injured by Megatron and Soundwave

Soundwave - Cassette Player

Frenzy - Cassette

Rumble - Cassette 

Onslaught - Anti Aircraft Truck Killed as part of Bruticus

Brawl - Tank Killed as part of Bruticus

Swindle - Jeep Killed as part of Bruticus

Blast Off - Space Shuttle Killed as part of Bruticus

Vortex - Helicopter Killed as part of Bruticus

Bruticus - Combaticon Gestalt Killed by Predaking

Razorclaw - Lion

Tantrum - Bull

Divebomb - Falcon

Headstrong - Rhino

Rampage - Tiger

Predaking - Predacon Gestalt

Bombshell - Boll Weevil

Kick Back - Locust

Shrapnel - Stag Beetle

Astrotrain - Train/Space Shuttle

Blitzwing - Tank/Jet Killed by Razorclaw

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

Dirge - Fighter Jet

Thrust - Fighter Jet

Ramjet - Fighter Jet

Insecticon Swarm Defeated by Bumper

Air Warriors - Jets

Skywarp - Cybertronian Jet (Flashback)

Thundercracker - Cybertronian Jet (Flashback)

Cy-Kill - Motorcycle (Flashback)

Scourge - Space Shuttle (On Monitor) Dead

Quintesson

Judges

Elita One

Human

Marissa Fairborne

Spike Witwicky

Carly Witwicky

Daniel Witwicky

Colonel Buster Witwicky

Cruz Killed by Bumper

Dorry Killed by Bumper

Colligan Killed by Bombshell

"Lady Driver"

"Muggers"

EDC Team in San Desto Killed by Insecticons

EDC Members

US Military

Citizens of San Desto

Sparkplug Witwicky (Photo) Dead

Nathaniel Fairborne (Mentioned)

Other

Sunstorm - Fighter Jet (Mentioned) Dead

Dai Atlas (Statue in Flashback)

Deszarus (Statue in Flashback)

Nightbird (Film Character)

Primus (Mentioned)

Notes

• These are the last four present day G1 issues made by Dreamwave, and it ended just as it was finally starting to get interesting!
• The movie shown in the first story features the Nightbird robot from the G1 cartoon.
• The toy shown at the start of the story is the Tako-Tank from Beast Wars II (and not a Go-Bot like the army guy thinks)
• The Autobots rescued by the EDC in the previous story line are now helping the EDC on missions as repayment for being repaired
• Soundwave's been in contact with Megatron for a short while before this story
• The Autobots haven't been told about the EDC holding some dead Transformers
• The Insecticons seem to be unknown of by the Autobots...despite being around during the War Within stories....
• For some reason the Insecticons needed to use cattle to make their swarm....I don't get it either
• Bumper is implied to be under Insecticon control by the end of the story, and he kills 2 of the EDC members as well as other things.
• The Predacons were shwon being recruited by Megatron in the Summer Special
• The Earth simulation used by Hot Rod seems to be based on the location we first see him in in the 80's G1 Movie
• Arcee is shown to be a Quintesson sleeper agent here, who seems to be working to cause trouble by pitting Springer and Hot Rod against each other
• Starscream has Sky Lynx in binds since he took them back to Earth, he now uses him as a training partner for the Combaticons
• Buster Witwicky has joined the army and now hates the Transformers for what happened to his father
• Marissa is shown to be related to Flint from GI Joe here
• The Exo-Suit is a military project here, it's not known what it would have meant, but most likely would have been used by the army to battle Transformers on mass.
• Autobot City is shown being built here (of course we never see it being completed)
• It's shown here that Shockwave knew about all that happened on Earth and wanted Sunstorm to come to the planet to unlock that seal with Starscream (but again, we never know why)
• Sixshot is mentioned as having been completed by Shockwave, and was an improvement on Blitzwing and Astrotrain, most likely due to him being a 6-changer rather than just a triple changer.
• The Dinobots are suddenly shown to be GIGANTIC in the meeting (see characters picture)
• The Female Autobots are being deployed at the end of this story for an adventure that'll never be seen!!

IDW - Robots in Disguise #4

Comic Staff

Title: Devisive

Written by: John Barber

Art by: Andrew Griffith

Colour by: Josh Perez

Letters by: Shawn Lee

Editor: Carlos Guzman

Storyline

Whilst at work, Dirge discovers the dead body of a Decepticon, Skydive and is attacked himself by Bombshell with one of his Cerebral Shells. Elsewhere Prowl is watching Starscream on stage trying to manipulate the situation when Arcee appears near him and calls him out on his involvement in Rodimus' supposed death, and points out that everyone believes he was the reason the ship blew up when Wheeljack arrives and reports about Skydive's death.

At the murder scene Prowl tries to interrogate Dirge, but he's being forced to just say he saw nothing thanks to Bombshell's shell. Wheeljack works out a system to trace the source of the signals in the shells and Prowl locates Bombshell, who has just taken Sunstorm for a slave too. Arcee and Prowl prepare to take him in when Bombshell has Dirge and Sunstorm attack the Autobots whilst he escapes. Prowl orders Blurr to chase Bombshell from outside, but doesn't give him back up.

Back at the battle Prowl gets angry and starts thinking about Spike Witwicky, and how he did bad things because he thought it was right, just like how Prowl was now acting. Arcee kills Sunstorm, despite him being incapacitated already, but allows Dirge to live.

Blurr locates Bombshell, but winds up ambushed by the Five remaining Constructicons. Arcee and Prowl go to hunt Bombshell and Prowl orders Arcee to deal with the Constructicons whilst he chases the bug. Bombshell is trapped in a corridor by Prowl, he tries interrogating him to find out who his boss is, but then just gets annoyed and executes the Decepticon.

With Bombshell's death his Cerebral Shells fall off and Dirge is free again. Prowl goes to kill Dirge as he's a witness, but Dirge is saved when he runs away and Prowl's aim is knocked by some falling waste. Prowl orders Arcee to go after Dirge, whilst he deals with the Constructicons. Prowl reactivates the Constructicon's I/D Chips that were disabled before and detonates all five, killing them all.

Arcee catches Dirge, but allows him to go free when he says he just wants to go about his normal life.

Later Blurr is screaming at Prowl about how he got him hurt, Prowl declares that the Decepticons are up to something and cannot be trusted, Blurr and the others think he's being paranoid. Bumblebee tries to calm Prowl down, but he doesn't listen to his leader and talks about this being a new era, and they need to take control before it's too late.

Characters

Autobot
Bumblebee - Car
Prowl - Car
Arcee - Car
Blurr - Race Car
Wheeljack - Car
Bluestreak - Car
Sideswipe - Car
Streetwise
Warpath - Tank
Broadside
Sizzle
Rodimus - Speedy Car (Mentioned)
Skydive - Jet (Mentioned)
Drift - Car (Mentioned)

Decepticon
Starscream - Jet
Dirge - Jet
Sunstorm - Jet Killed by Arcee
Acid Storm - Jet
Bombshell - Robotic Beetle Killed by Prowl
Skydive - Jet Killed by Bombshell
Swindle - Van
Scavenger - Excavator Killed by Prowl
Long Haul - Dump Truck Killed by Prowl
Mixmaster - Mixing Truck Killed by Prowl
Hook - Crane Killed by Prowl
Bonecrusher - Bulldozer/Front End Loader Killed by Prowl
Ratbat - Cassette (Mentioned) Dead
Megatron (Mentioned)

NAIL
Metalhawk - Jet
Tappet - Car
Nuggit
Brimstone
Boulder
Granite
Spearhead
Other
Spike Witwicky

Comic Notes

• Dirge doesn't seem to care much for the Decepticons still (explained why last issue) and just wants to live out his life
• Starscream's plan with the coalition seems to be that new members will be voted in after their terms are over, much to Bumblebee's shock.
• Arcee likes to play "poke the copper with a big stick" with Prowl by taunting him randomly
• It seems like the Rock Lords came to Cybertron after Chaos too! (Maybe we'll get more Gobots!!)
• Arcee seems to let Dirge go at the end because she knows what it's like to not like the hand your dealt (thanks to Jhiaxus)
• Okay...you thought Arcee was a murderer for killing Ratbat and Sunstorm?...Prowl just killed SIX MAIN DECEPTICONS!!! And even tried killing Dirge too.
• Prowl seems to hate Decepticons even more now, even declaring that Cybertron is the Autobot's world (also sort of alienating the NAIL's too)
• One of Starscream's first moves as a Coalition member was to get Decepticons jobs, and to allow them to transform again.
• It's not clear why Bombshell killed Skydive...maybe he was resistant to his cerebral shells?