IDW - Transformers Wreckers: Tread & Circuits #2

Written by: David Mariotte

Art by: Jack Lawrence

Colours by: Brittany Peer

Letters by: Jake M. Wood

Editor: Riley Farmer

Supervising Editor: Tom Waltz

Plot

The Wreckers, sans Circuit arrive at a Race Bar to gather intel on the racers, in order to try and determine who could be affiliated with Mayhem, but come up with no leads. Aileron however learns that there's a bet being held to see who ruins the race first, Mayhem or the Wreckers. Aileron ends up insulting Thunderclash to the Mayhems when comparing how they are using the Speedia 500 to try and cause a spectacle, just like the Wreckers do with their stunt cover missions. Thunderclash shouts, but is quickly calmed down, before security chief Breakdown can ban him from the race.

Elsewhere, Circuit is created by his old crewmate, Axer, who now works for Velocitron's security force. The latter offers his apologies for his actions during the Iron Hope incident, and gives him a ride back to the Wrecker's shuttle. Axer suggests that Circuit and the other Wreckers leave the race, since it's being used to flush out Mayhem, and leaves after receiving a message.

Circuit is suspicious, so follows Axer in his exo-suit, eventually finding him meeting with Octopunch, leader of Mayhem, and opening a channel to the other Wreckers to warn them that security has been breached, however the Autobot is shot in the head by a sniper.

The Wreckers, hearing the incident over the Comms rush out to Circuit's last location, but find him badly injured, next to the burning Mayhem hideout.

Circuit is brought back to the shuttle, where Minerva patches him up as best as possible, but isn't sure if he'll survive, before putting him into a CR Chamber.

The team head out to perform the rest of their mission, with Minerva heading to a medical station, in case of any injuries during the race, and the others joining the participants.

The race is started off, with Breakdown announcing security measures during the race, seemingly unaware of the security force's infiltration.

The racers are counted down, and the race for the next leader of Velocitron has begun!

Characters

Autobot/Wrecker

Thunderclash - Truck

Ricochet - Car

Hot Shot - Jeep

Aileron - Jet

Minerva - Car

Circuit Sniped by Mayhem, in CR Chamber

Mayhem

Octopunch

Other Mayhem Members (Mentioned)

Velocitronian

Road Rocket - Motorcycle

Breakdown - Van

Override - Race Car

Knock Out - Car

Leadfoot - Race Car

Sideways - Motorcycle

Jackpot - Car

Lickety-Split 

Scrounge - Wheel

Signal Lancer - Traffic Light 

Drag Strip - Race Car

Burn-Out - Van

Bar Bouncer

Bar Patrons

Medics

Speedia 500 Racers

Sizzle - Race Car (Image)

Electrons - Car (Mentioned) Dead 

Other

Axer

Xaaron

Iron Hope 100 (Mentioned)

Sec-Ops (Mentioned)

Notes

• This issue features a lot of cameos from older characters (such as Cybertron Brakedown, Crumplezone, Landmine etc) but with new heads and colourschemes. The characters who appear to be exact transplants are just going to be mentioned as characters in the list though.
• While Override and Sideways appear to just be transplants of their Cybertron and Armada toys respectively, Knock Out appears to use a body based on the Studio Series Jazz toy, possibly giving us a look at an upcoming Legacy Knock Out figure. Leadfoot likewise appears to be using Siege Mirage's body, possibly giving us a look at his next too too.
• The characters mention Sec-ops as being on patrol on Velocitron, but it should be Colonial Security here. It is possible though that locally it is just called Sec-ops though.
• The two games shown in the bar are "Mechanic Mania", an allusion to "Operation" and "Virtual Cube", which is based on the sport of "Cube" from the Cyberverse series.
• Circuit's suit is shown to be able to transform between a hover car and an eco suit....why did he leave the ship without it again?
• Minerva mentions that Circuit's injuries are the worst she's seen in a long time, and that she doesn't remember the last time it's looked this bad, further adding to my thoughts that this series is set during the early stages of the main comic series, before the war breaks out.
• Xaaron is shown this issue starting the race, it's possible that he's a denizen of Velocitron, but it's also possible that he's just there as a Senate representative, authenticating the event.
• Knock Out and Breakdown are shown to be a couple in this continuity again, and are even shown kissing on panel, which I don't remember ever happening in IDW version 1
• As I mentioned last issue...why is Aileron allowed to enter the race, when she uses a flying alternate mode?
• Drag Strip makes a brief cameo this issue, showing off his upcoming Legacy figure, which has just been revealed.

IDW - Transformers Wreckers: Tread and Circuits #1

Written by: David Mariotte

Art by: Jack Lawrence

Colours by: Candice Han

Letters by: Jake M. Wood & Nathan Widick

Editor: Riley Farmer

Supervising Editor: Tom Waltz

Plot

The Wreckers perform a death-defying stunt, a sub-orbital jump from their ship to a planet's surface, without any safety devices, which is broadcasted to their loyal viewbase across the universe, when it is interrupted by Mayhem, a terrorist cell, who demand that Velocitron cancel it's upcoming Speedia 500, and not decide their leadership that way. To prove their seriousness, they kill a former competitor, Electrons, on screen. The Wreckers manage to get control of their signal, and close off the broadcast properly.

Once the cameras are shut down, the Wreckers are back to their real business, guns out and ready to fight if Mayhem are nearby. The team, really an elite covert squad that works outside of Colonial Security, and are now on the mission to take down Mayhem.

Later, the Wreckers arrive on Velocitron, where Thunderclash announces to the gathered crowd that they are going to enter the Speedia 500 to prove that they aren't afraid of Mayhem, much to Aileron's annoyance, since she's planned a covert mission for them to investigate them secretly.

Circuit sneaks away from the ship, to avoid the cameras and crowd, since he feels like a outcast since losing his alternate mode during the Iron Hope incident. He decides to try and scout out the planet to find a potential hideout for Mayhem, but finds himself abused by the Velocitronians, who are all about speed, so a mode-locked bot like him isn't welcome...

After Aileron and Thunderclash argue about the latter's decision to make their mission public, and he agrees that he might have made a mistake in that, they rejoin the rest of the team in a communal area in the ship, when Aileron realizes that Circuit isn't back from his exploration yet!

Back on the streets, Circuit is chased by someone down a tight alleyway, and is shocked when he realizes that his pursuer is Acer, another of the Iron Hope 100 on his Turbo Cycle, who asks what he's doing there...

Characters

Autobot/Wrecker

Thunderclash - Truck

Hot Shot - Jeep

Ricochet - Car

Minerva - Car

Aileron - Jet

Circuit 

Mayhem

Octopunch

Skullgrin

Submarauder 

Velocitronian

Road Pig - Motorcycle

Electrons - Car Killed by Octopunch 

Velocitronian Crowd

Road Rocket - Motorcycle (Hologram)

Blurr - Race Car (Hologram)

Other Cybertronian

Axer 

Primus (Mentioned)

Mortilus (Mentioned)

Exarchon (Mentioned)

The Three-fold Spark (Mentioned)

The Iron Hope 100 (Mentioned)

Colonial Security (Mentioned)

Rust Worms (Mentioned)

Turbofoxes (Mentioned)

Notes

• We don't know when in the continuity this story is set. We don't see any Decepticons in the story (unless Mayhem reveal badges later on) and the Wreckers openly wear Autobot insignias, which would mark them as being part of Optimus' army rather than travelling performers in the current storyline's setting. My guess is that this is set just before the war broke out.
• The only two members of the Wreckers based on recent toys are Hot Shot and Ricochet, who were both in the Selects toyline, and are also shown this issue to be rivals.
• Aileron appears this issue, having had a cameo in the Valentine's Day special, though in that story she was shown as a larger robot, rather than standard sized, like she is here.
• The Speedia 500 and other such races have been a focal point of Velocitron's lore since it was introduced in the Cyberton cartoon, in luding it being used to decide on the leadership of the planet. I am surprised that Override isn't the planet's leader in this continuity, like she usually is though...
• Circuit mentions that he used to focus everything of his life into "being a camera" before losing his alternate mode in the Iron Hope incident. This could mean that Circuit used to have a camera alternate mode, but due to the leftover kibble.on his body lookig more like car parts, I'm assuming he is just refering to his chronicler job, and not his alternate mode.
• Thunderclash mentions that Aileron is entering the Speedia 500...but she has a flying alternate mode...unless she also has a car mode too, like Road Rage, but there's no evidence of that yet.

IDW - Robots in Disguise #20

Title: Three Monologues

Written by: John Barber

Art by: Andrew Griffith

Colours by: Priscilla Tramontano

Letters by: Shawn Lee

Editor: Carlos Guzman

Plot

In the aftermath of the battle in Iacon, Starscream visits the corpse of Metalhawk, and apologizes to him for killing him, but says he did it, as it was the only way to save Cybertron in the end, and by martyring Metalhawk he made it possible for the Autobots and Decepticons to be forced out of the city, so they could rebuild, and reveals that he truly liked him as a friend.

Starscream meets with Blurr, who is rebuilding his bar, and wants him to help him reach the "Common Cybertronian" in his bar, which leads Blurr to laughing in his face. Just as he's showing him the way out, the power goes out. Blurr tells Starscream that if he wants the people to like him, then he needs to fix the city, and earn some respect, as the only reason he's in charge is because he was the lesser evil at that moment.

Elsewhere, Circuit interviews Scoop, who vows to, with his team, rebuild Iacon and repair all the injured battlers, like Superion. Starscream goes to speak with Dirge, as he's the last Seeker left in the city, and wants him to help him out as he was one of the heroes in the battle, but Dirge refuses by just punching his former commander. Starscream threatens to kill him, but is reminded that the eyes of Iacon are always on him now, as he's their leader. Just as Starscream is making his excuses for "assaulting a hero" the power in the city is turned back on, with Scoop being responsible, and gets more popular with the people, which just annoys Starscream.

Soon, Rattrap appears to him, and reveals that the power system Wheeljack made couldn't have failed so easily, and shows a power coupling that's been burned with Phosphex, suggesting it was sabotaged. Rattrap also reveals that Scoop's always been jealous of other engineers etc who got flashier jobs and always wants attention.

Starscream goes and meets with the disabled Megatron, and mocks him, that he's finally in charge, and Megatron's loyal followers have been cast into the wilds of Cybertron. Later again, Starscream goes to the communications array, that was damaged in the battle, and sees SCoop about to climb it to repair the thing. Scoop sees Starscream, and bows to him, and reveals to him that he and his team are religious, and believe that Starscream is some sort of messiah after what the Metrotitan said to him.

After this, he meets with Rattrap, who starts pestering Starscream about his "theory" that Scoop is causing incidents just so he can fix them, before long Scoop has finished fixing the array and climbs down to a cheering crowd. Rattrap however trips him up, and forces his tool box to fall open, and a used can of Phospex to be revealed to the crowd.

Starscream reveals that an investigation into the blackout revealed Phosphex damage, and accuses Scoop of sabotage, and has him taken away and arrested until a trial can be set up. Scoop is dragged away screaming his innocence. Starscream then promises into the cameras that he'll fix everything.

Later, Rattrap returns to his home in the sewers and finds Starscream waiting for him. Screamer reveals that he knows Rattrap framed Scoop for this whole thing, as Scoop was truly just trying to help, and he can tell a liar when he sees one, as he's one himself. Rattrap asks what he wants, and Starscream offers him a "government job"

Later again, Starscream is looking out to the early-rising sun and talks about how he's going to need a lot of good help in the rebuilding of Cybertron, and reveals (to the reader) that he's placed Wheeljack into a CR tube, and he's in fact still alive and being repaired!

Characters

Cybertronians

Starscream - Jet

Scoop

Rattrap - Z'Verein Mole-Rat

Circuit

Longtooth

Dirge - Jet

Flatline - Van

Cloudraker

Fastlane

Blurr - Race Car

Sky Byte - Flying Shark

Tappet - Car

Swindle - Van

Landfill

Boomer

Ricochet

Quickmix

Takedown

Groundpounder

Metalhawl - Jet Corpse

The Injured Being Repaired

Metrotitan (Mentioned) Dead

Cybertronian Civilians

Autobot

Wheeljack - Car In CR Chamber

Superion - Aerilabot Gestalt Being Repaired

Aerialbots (Mentioned) Being Repaired

Optimus Prime (Mentioned)

Metroplex (Mentioned)

Bumblebee - Car (Mentioned)

Prowl - Car (Mentioned)

Autobot Forces Exiled

Decepticon

Megatron Paralyzed by Fore Field Bubble

Seekers (Mentioned) Disbanded

Devastator - Constructicon Gestalt (Mentioned)

Decepticon Forces Exiled

Other

Primus (Mentioned)

Notes

• This story is taking place at the same time as the story that follow's Arcee (as shown by the early sunrise), and is still set the night/morning after the battle of Iacon
• Metalhawk's body is being kept in a light-cage with a photo of him and Starscream on display.
• Blurr's the only character shown to still have his Autobot insignia here, but this is probably because it'd be too difficult for him to safely remove it (and considering it's been just hours since the battle, he might not have had a chance yet)
• Flatline seems to use the new Generations Skids toy as a basis, apparently just as an artistic nod to the toy, but you know, I can hope!
• Flatline mentions that Starscream has a new body being made (likely because of him having to tear off his canopy to get rid of his insignia). It's probably just a coincidence, but there's a new Generations toy based on Armada Starscream coming soon....
• Circuit seems to know that Starscream's full of crap, as he points out when he starts making a speech that the microphone's not on, making him stop
• Rattrap's body is based on his original Beast Wars body (even with a beast mode).
• Megatron is still in his forcefield bubble prison
• The communications array being damaged could be an explanation for the Lost Light's messages not reaching Cybertron from MTMTE
• Scoop and his team apparently only joined the Autobots because Optimus raised Metroplex, and left when the Titan told Starscream he was the chosen one.
• VERY confusingly one of the guards to take away Scoop at the end looks like a blue version of Circuit, who is also in the scene too!!
• Wheeljack's alive!! (Well in a CR tank, being repaired anyway)

IDW - Robots in Disguise #11

Written by: John Barber

Art by: Guido Guidi

Inks by: John Wycough (Pages 19-22)

Colours by: Priscilla Tramontano

Letters by: Shawn Lee

Editor: Carlos Guzman

Plot

Omega Supreme has been asked by Starscream to come see him to elaborate further on what the Metrotitan told Starscream before, but he declines and says he needs to think about some things. At the Kimia base the Autobots worry that Starscream is becoming popular and might win the upcoming elections, but Prowl insists that he WON'T win. A little later Starscream is in his home with Metalhawk trying on crowns to wear after his "coronation" when suddenly outside Omega Supreme is caught in a massive explosion, which Starscream believes to be because of Shockwave and his loyal group.

Rescue teams begin work on Omega and Starscream arrives to try and help, but the crowd turn on him, because he's a Decepticon. Metalhawk points out that thye don't know the Decepticons are involved and that everyone KNOWS that Prowl was responisble for Ratbat and several other deaths, but everyone's afraid to say so. At the Decepticon base Swindle and Dirge watch this happening on the ICS and worry about what's going to happen next.

Starscream returns to the Decepticon base and confronts Shockwave about what happened to Omega, which Shockwave doesn't deny, and tells him to leave, as he's leaving though Dirge and Swindle appear and ask for him to protect them if they give them some very dangerous information that they already gave to Shockwave about the Autobots.

At Kimia Bumblebee is starting to question Prowl's motives as well, and decides to not use the Omega situation for political reasons, and to start working harder, including hunting down Ironhide and the other's who are missing in the wilds. Prowl leaves the room and runs into Starscream on the balcony. Starscream reveals that Dirge told him about how he watched him kill Bombshell and the others and all about Arcee as well. The two of them then agree to work together to get rid of Shockwave and the others.

At the Decepticon base the Decepticons are continuing their plans, including a plan to kill Dirge and Swindle, when suddenly Arcee attacks and kills several of them before setting off a bomb that disables the rest, including Shockwave and Soundwave. Prowl tells Arcee to take the Decepticons to "the Black Room" with the others and to set up the explosives.

A short time later Prowl leads a small team to investigate the Decepticon's base when it explodes in his face (explained away as being because of a faulty Decepticon booby-trap) And thus the main Decepticons are made to be thought of as dead, but are actually being held prisoner somewhere, just as Starscream and Prowl have planned.

Starscream watches the explosion and is happy that his plans are coming together, however Arcee appears behind him and reveals that she knows where Dirge and Swindle are and that she knows EVERYTHING. She leaves, but after she's gone Starscream looks into the wilds and sees the worst thing possible...Megatron's back.

Characters

Autobot

Bumblebee - Car

Prowl - Speeder

Arcee - Car

Omega Supreme - Rocket and Base Heavily Damaged in Explosion

Circuit

Longtooth

Wheeljack - Car

Broadside

Sizzle

Streetwise - Car

Sideswipe - Car

Fixit - Ambulance

Warpath - Tank

Omega Spreem

Optimus Prime - Truck (Mentioned)

Metroplex - City/Ship (Mentioned)

Groove (Mentioned)

Hot Spot (Mentioned)

Ironhide - Van (Mentioned) Missing

Dinobots (Mentioned) Missing

Zeta Prime (Mentioned) Dead

Decepticon

Megatron - Stealth Jet Heavily Damaged by D-Void, but Mobile

Starscream - Jet

Shockwave Disabled by Arcee, Taken to the Black Room

Soundwave Disabled by Arcee, Taken to the Black Room

Astrotrain Killed or Disabled by Arcee, Taken to the Black Room

Blitzwing Killed or Disabled by Arcee, Taken to the Black Room

Ravage Killed or Disabled by Arcee, Taken to the Black Room

Rumble Killed or Disabled by Arcee, Taken to the Black Room

Frenzy Killed or Disabled by Arcee, Taken to the Black Room

Laserbeak Killed or Disabled by Arcee, Taken to the Black Room

Dirge - Jet

Swindle - Van

Triggerhappy Killed by Arcee

Blot Killed by Arcee

Bombshell (Mentioned) Dead

Constructicons (Mentioned) Dead

Ratbat (Mentioned) Dead

Turmoil (Mentioned)

DJD (Mentioned)

NAIL

Metalhawk - Jet

Tappet - Car

Hipotank - Tank

Sky-Byte - Shark (Mentioned)

NAIL Crowds

Other

Metrotitan - City/Ship (Mentioned) Dead

Crowds on Cybertron

A Sweep Head Dead

Notes

• Screamer's really an egomaniac, he has a model of his F15 Earth mode, and added wings from his Earth body to basically everything (his mirror, the tower he's in etc)
• After his explosion there seems to be a Cybertronian Candle-light vigil happening around him, most likely because he's so old and respected, despite being an Autobot
• Starscream really does actually seem to be trying to be a good leader now...pity his past record shows he'll probably be terrible at it!
• The Iacon Communication Service is back up, and is being used as a news feed of sorts
• Megatron still sports the heavy damage he received during the battle with D-Void
• It's mentioned here that most NAIL's are ex-Autobots, especially since most ex-Decepticons are killed by the DJD
• I guess Longtooth was released from Garrus-9 at some point before AHM then?

Conspiracy Theories

• Pretty sure Prowl and/or Arcee had something to do with the explosions from Omega Supreme
• Really..it's odd that Prowl just happened to be near the scene within seconds of him exploding huh?
• Since it's been a while since the Chaos event and Megatron is still heavily damaged,a nd was unheard of until now, it's likely that he was flung through time like Optimus was, albeit he was thrown much further than Optimus, but still!