IDW - Transformers: Last Bot Standing #4

Written by: Nick Roche

Art by: E.J. Su & Nick Roche

Colours by: Rebecca Nalty & Brittany Peer

Letters & Design by: Johanna Nattalie

Assistant Editor: Riley Farmer

Editor: David Mariotte

Plot

Steeljaw plays the recording that Rodimus gave to Shib's ancestors, revealing that Donnokt is loaded with raw Energon, which Rodimus decided to hide, rather than use it to revive their species.

Rodimus reveals that he killed the team left at the camp, and that it was all because of the key he used on himself, and that the last two, which Steeljaw is holding, can make the user as strong as him. His plan works, and the other Cybertronians, starved for real Energon fight over the keys, destroying one by accident.

Taking advantage of the fight, Rodimus and Shib free the people of Fembrance and Shib gets the last Energon key. Rodimus and Shib race away, and Rodimus causes an explosion to try and slow down their pursuers, knocking out Rodimus in the process.

Shib makes.her way to the mines, where she intends to hide for a while, but Steeljaw and Sharpclaw follow, and locate the Energon mine in the mountain. They capture Shib, but an errant shot causes a small earthquake due to the Energon.

The siblings fight over who gets to use the Energon key, but Steeljaw ultimately wins out, and uses it.

Rodimus wakes up following the rumble, but is soon confronted by the other Cybertronians, who have combined into a crude gestalt robot, Unstoppimus.

Despite his great size, Unstoppimus is Energon depleted and Rodimus easily defeats him, but tearing off his head, knocking out all the components. Rodimus prepares to kill the fallen Cybertronians, but he senses that Shib needs help.

Rodimus arrives at the mine, but he is attacked by the injured Sharpclaw, and meets the restored Steeljaw. Rodimus reveals that they can't even use the Energon, due to them converting themselves to using Biofuel, and since he destroyed their base's equipment, they can't even use that now.

Steeljaw, in rage, stand Rodimus through his abdomen and chucks him into the raw Energon put.

Steeljaw, now seeing that they're doomed, decides to be petty and shoot the Energon, to cause Donnokt to blow up, Sharpclaw tries to convince him to spare the world, as they have a chance to still live, Steeljaw however still fires, but Sharpclaw jumps in the way, taking her out.

Steeljaw, now furious at having killed his own sister, intends to kill Shib, but Rodimus, who has been supercharged by the Energon, returns to life, and finishes off the former Decepticon.

With no enemies left, Rodimus tears off his arm blasters.

Rodimus spends some time afterwards helping the Donnokt People to work out how to use the Energon safely, and enables them to improve their technology in a short timeframe. 

Rodimus constructs a small spacecraft, and stores the remaining Cybertronians, who were rendered harmless and near dead, in it, before sitting in it too, and allows himself to power down forever on the shuttle, as it drifts aimlessly in space.

Later, Shib looks out at the stars, and is happy that she added a new one to the sky, with Rodimus' shuttle...

Characters

Autobot

Rodimus - Car Goes into stasis

Strongarm - Van (Flashback and Footage) Dead

Gripper - Buggy (Flashback and Footage) Dead

Kup (Mentioned)

Decepticon

Talon - Jet (Flashback) Killed by Rodimus

Fangry - Winged Wolf (Flashback) Killed by Rodimus

Talon's Crew (Mentioned) Killed by Rodimus and crew

The Last Cybertronians

Steeljaw - Van Killed by Rodimus

Sharpclaw - Car Shot by Steeljaw, in Stasis

Wedge - Bulldozer Badly Injured in Unstoppimus Destruction, in Stasis 

Lunaclub - Helicopter Badly Injured in Unstoppimus Destruction, in Stasis 

Scylla - Squid Badly Injured in Unstoppimus Destruction, in Stasis 

Cyberwarp - Jet Badly Injured in Unstoppimus Destruction, in Stasis 

Override - Car Likely Killed in Unstoppimus Destruction

Riotgear - Tank Likely Killed in Unstoppimus Destruction 

Unstoppimus - Last Cybertronian Gestalt Destroyed by Rodimus 

Wheelie Stuck in Orbit, Likely Dead

Nitro (Mentioned) Dead

Base Camp Team (Mentioned) Dead

Donnokt Denizens

Shib Wallkis

Beets Wallkis

Trayvon Wallkis

Alderman Errold

Firebolt, the Steed

Sparks, the Steed

Fembrance Townsfolk

Stambo (Mentioned)

Brennet (Mentioned)

Shib's Ancestors (Mentioned)

Other

Primus (Mentioned)

Notes

• The Energon keys are confirmed to having been created for use by the three Autobots, if they were needed by the Wallkis family, but Strongarm and Gripper died before they could be used on them (still not convinced that Rodimus didn't kill them though)
• The planet is also confirmed to be filled with raw Energon, which Rodimus teaches the Donnokt People to process safely for themselves.
• Sharpclaw exclaims "Primus' Ball Bearings!' I just wanted to mention that :) 
• Most of the surviving (at the start of the issue) members of the Last Cybertronians have been members of a combiner team in past fiction, explaining how they can combine (poorly) this issue.
• Rodimus' "god" form is based on the Super Saiyans from the Dragon Ball franchise (yeah, it looks a bit weird, why did they give him a gold wig, rather than the fiery design, like he has on the cover?)
• The ending is a bit bittersweet, Donnokt is safe, but the stars are still burning out, so they are on borrowed time right now, maybe they can develop interdimensional travel to escape to the next license holder?
• This marks the last G2 series for IDW, with only Shattered Glass to follow it (and, yes, the first two issues have been released already, but I've been procrastinating). There hasn't been any announcements on who the next license holder will be yet.

IDW - Transformers: Last Bot Standing #3

Written by: Nick Roche

Art by: E.J. Su & Nick Roche

Colours by: Rebecca Nalty

Letters & Design by: Johanna Nattalie

Assistant Editor: Riley Farmer

Editor: David Mariotte

Plot

The Last Cybertronians work on preparing Shib to be converted into biofuel, while Rodimus meets a badly damaged Wheelie, who is part of the group, but still refuses to join Steeljaw's crew, but the other Cybertronians are determined to convert him to using biofuel too. Steeljaw and most of the team leave to gather up the nearby townsfolk for farming and harvesting...

Moon is convinced by Shib, whom he has become fascinated by, and Wheelie to allow her to say goodbye to Rodimus before she is killed. She rusn over, and jabs the key her family has been protecting for centuries into Rodimus' chest, fully restoring him to his prime.

Rodimus quickly destroys the biofuel converter, and takes out most of the left behind Cybertronians, with Moon sacrificing himself when Shib is in danger of dying too. Wheelie sends two of the Cybertronians to warn the others, but Rodimus just kicks the smaller robot into orbit to die.

Rodimus chases the last two members, and kills them, with Shib wondering if Rodimus is actually the good guy...

Steeljaw and his crew reach Fembrance and start gathering up the townsfolk, but also start detecting Cybertronian technology in the area. Steeljaw makes his way to Shib's home, and destroys it, locating the box with the last two Energon keys and a data pad that Rodimus left for Shib's ancestors.

Rodimus and Shib soon return to Fembrance to find the town in ruins, and the townsfolk in caged trailers.

Rodimus is about to do something about it, when Steeljaw returns with Shib's family captive and reveals that he knows Rodimus' secret now....

Characters

Autobot

Rodimus - Car

Gripper - Buggy (Flashback) Died from Accidental Fall

Strongarm - Van (Flashback) Died in Ship Crash

Last Cybertronians

Steeljaw - Van

Sharpclaw - Car

Wheelie Launched into Orbit by Rodimus

Wildwheel - Car Killed by Rodimus

Moon - Rabbit Accidentally Killed by Wildwheel 

Vex - Car Killed by Rodimus

Treadshock - Tank Killed by Rodimus

Riotgear - Tank

Override - Car

Cyberwarp - Jet

Wedge - Front End Loader

Lunaclub - Helicopter

Scylla - Squid

Nitro Dead 

Donnokt Denizens

Shib Wallkis

Beets Wallkis Captured by Steeljaw 

Trayvon Wallkis Captured by Steeljaw 

Errold 

Fembrance Rangers

Fembrance Townsfolk Captured

Shib's Mother (Flashback)

Shib's Father (Flashback)

Wallkis Family Ancestors (Flashback)

Primitive Donnokt People (Flashback)

Fembrance Miners (Mentioned)

Notes

• As predicted before, the keys are filled with liquid Emerging that is designed to be used on the 3 Autobots who landed on Donnokt.
• The keys being able to open up a hidden hatch on a Transformer, and empower them, repairing injuries etc, resembles the Allspark Key from Animated.
• Wheelie being the "Veteran" here is treated like a big reveal, but the preview last issue revealed it to us...
• I mentioned last issue that it looked like Rodimus altered his robot mode when he became the wagon, but this issue reveals that it's the same design, but worn down from a lack of Emerging.
• Rodimus implies that there is something else hidden on Donnokt, and seemed very interested in if the Miners in town had found out about him. I'm guessing that Donnokt has a natural surplus of Energon, which Rodimus is trying to hide.
• The deaths of Gripper and Strongarm seem a bit suspicious to me. I think, based on the previous note, that they tried to leave the planet with the new source of Energon to save their species, but Rodimus stopped them by killing them.
• The secret discovered by Steeljaw is likely not about the Energon, since Steeljaw and the others already said they couldn't really convert back to using Energon now, so it most likely is something more than that.
• The art on Cover B shows Rodimus seeing past Cybertronians, most based on past designs, but Blaster appears to be a fully new design...and now I am desperate to know what he turns into...

IDW - Transformers: Fate of Cybertron

Written by: Brian Ruckley

Art by: Andrew Griffith, Winston Chan, Alex Milne, Ed Pirrie, Angel Hernandez

Colours by: Josh Burcham, Josh Perez, David Garcia Cruz

Letters by: Jake M. Wood

Editor: David Mariotte

Assistant Editor: Riley Farmer

Supervising Editor: Tom Waltz

Plot

Confronted with an Imploder and the Decepticon army, Optimus tries to convince Megatron to keep his word, and let the Autobots leave Cybertron, but Megatron now wants Optimus to remain on Cybertron, so he can see the world that he refused to help Megatron create. He demands that Optimus give him the matrix, but the Prime refuses, leading the two into a fistfight.

Ironhide and some others try to intervene, but Skywarp has his finger on the Imploder's trigger and has it set to detonate, killing everyone nearby, the moment he lets go.

Soon, Sky Lynx and Computron arrive, causing a massive distraction, allowing Jumpstream to grab Skywarp and drag him, along with the Imploder into Unspace, leaving Megatron without his fail-safe and allowing the Autobots to return to Darkmount.

The Decepticons soldiers from across the planet converge upon Darkmount, where the Autobots have managed to complete work on the Ark, and continue to repair Lodestar, at least enough to get out of orbit. 

As Optimus and his crew arrive at the city, the civilians and alien refugees are boarded upon the Ark and the Titan, including a now retired Cyclonus, Glyph, Greenlight and Gauge, while the rest of the Autobots prepare to defend the city long enough for their launches, as they know the Decepticons won't let them leave.

In Unspace, Jumpstream leaves Skywarp inside the between worlds, and has fused the Imploder into his arm. She explains that since Unspace works outside of normal time, the Imploder won't detonate, but if he tries to leave, he will be destroyed immediately.

Back at Darkmount, the Decepticons attack on all fronts, with Computron even falling to Devastator.

The Autobots start heading to the Ark and Lodestar to escape, but the Decepticons are pressing on them. Shattershot reveals that his Enigma powers can add more bots to their combined form to make him stronger, so five members of the Prime Guard volunteer and form armour around the combiner, allowing him to defeat Devastator, before being broken apart from the Decepticon barrage.

Fortunately, Computron's distraction gave the Autobots enough time, as the Ark, Lodestar and Sky Lynx all launch, and head out of orbit.

Strika stops Megatron from executing Scattershot, and has the ten combiner members imprisoned.

The Decepticons praise Megatron for his victory, but he doesn't see it as one...

Later, the Autobot ships head towards the Winged Moon, which has been under repairs from Cosmos and Blast-Off, which they are going to use as a temporary staging ground and repair base, before eventually returning to Cybertron to reclaim it another day... 

Characters

Autobot

Optimus Prime - Truck 

Ultra Magnus - Vehicle Transport

Pyra Magna - Truck

Chromia - Car

Ironhide - Van

Hoist - Tow Truck

Hound - Jeep 

Wheeljack - Car

Nautica - Submarine

Road Rage - Flying Car 

Highbrow - Helicopter

Prowl - Police Car

Streetwise - Police Car

Kup - Pick-up Truck

Perceptor

Ratchet - Ambulance

Windblade - VTOL Jet 

Computron - Technobot and Volunteer Gestalt

Scattershot - Jet Captured by Decepticons

Strafe - Jet Captured by Decepticons

Nosecone - Drill Tank Captured by Decepticons

Lightspeed - Car Captured by Decepticons

Afterburner - Speedbike Captured by Decepticons

Javelin - Car Captured by Decepticons

Groove - Motorcycle Captured by Decepticons

Flareup - Motorcycle Captured by Decepticons

Pipes - Truck Captured by Decepticons

Backstreet - Car Captured by Decepticons

Geomotus - Radar Buggy

Landmine - Plough Buggy 

Jumpstream - Car

Sky Lynx - Shuttle 

Grotusque - Winged Beast

Tap-Out - Winged Hovercraft 

Bumblebee - Winged Hovercraft

Arcee - Car

Greenlight - Car

Gauge - Energy Detection Machine

Sureshot - Buggy

Bumper - Car

Sideswipe - Car

Strongarm - Van 

Vibes

Sunstreaker - Car

Brawn - Van

Subsea - Submarine

Slapdash - Car

Gears - Van

Blades - Helicopter

Huffer - Truck

Other Autobot Soldiers

Glyph - Car (Mentioned)

Decepticon

Megatron - Tank 

Strika - Battle Tank

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

Shockwave - Flying Artillery

Soundwave - Hovercraft

Soundblaster - Hovercraft

Starscream - Jet

Jhiaxus - Jet

Obsidian - Helicopter 

Slipstream - Jet

Shadow Striker - Car

Devastator - Constructicon Gestalt

Hook - Crane

Scrapper - Front End Loader

Bonecrusher - Bulldozer

Scavenger - Excavator

Mixmaster - Mixing Truck

Long Haul - Dump Truck 

Nova Storm - Jet

Acid Storm - Jet

Ion Storm - Jet

Hotlink - Jet

Red Wing - Jet

Leozack - Jet

Bitstream - Jet

Runamuck - Car

Runabout - Car

Apeface - Jet/Ape

Heavywait - Van

Blitzwing - Jet/Tank

Flamewar - Motorcycle

Visper - Jet

Gutcruncher

Barricade - Police Car

Laserbeak - Cassette

Buzzsaw - Cassette

Snaptrap - Turtle

Nautilator - Lobster

Tentakil - Squid

Crasher - Car

Roadtrap - Van

Battleslash - Helicopter

Octus Killed by Pyra Magna 

Weirdwolf - Wolf

Flamefeather - Bird Monster

Lugnut - Jet

Jolt - Car

Airwave - Battle Platform

Blackjack - Car

Hyperdrive - Car

Rage - Car

Twirl - Jet

Swift - Helicopter 

Other Decepticon Soldiers 

Other Cybertronian

Termagax - Van 

Skywarp - Jet Trapped in Unspace with an Imploder

Lodestar - Titan Ship

Lightbright 

Leviathan - Metal Harvester 

Cyclonus - Jet

Cosmos - Orbiter

Blast-Off - Shuttle 

An Insecticlone Dead 

Darkmount Refugees

Gridlock (Ghost) Put to Rest

Provoke (Ghost) Put to Rest

Highfire (Ghost) Put to Rest 

Grudge (Ghost) Put to Rest

Paragon (Ghost)

Exarchon (Mentioned) Dead

Straxxus (Mentioned)

Rubble (Mentioned) Dead

Turmoil - Tank (Mentioned) Dead

Other

Darkmount Alien Refugees 

A Skitter 

Rust Worms (Mentioned) 

Notes

• This special issue marks the end of the main IDW Transformers ongoing, whilst it does wrap up most of the plot lines, it does leave it open enough for a sequel, just like with the Beast Wars comic. So here's hoping for a continuation next year! 
• Jumpstream has mentioned a few times since her time jump that she thinks her powers have been altered, here we can see that she is now able to freely access Unspace, and most likely time travel again.
• Even though the Constructicons aren't shown with Decepticon insignias, I'll still class them as being allied with them due to their dialogue and actions. Skywarp however still just seems to be an agent of chaos.
• Cyclonus finally frees most of his "ghost" friends, who are really just figments of his imagination following the trauma of the old war.
• Scattershot's Enigma ability is very similar to the Earth Enigma from IDW version one, but rather than creating another combiner, he uses the five volunteers to form extra armour for Computron.
• Cyclonus reveals that Neutronia, a planet previously mentioned as having been destroyed by Turmoil, managed to barely survive.
• The group shot on the Ark near the end of this issue has several characters that I just can't identify due to the art being somewhat off-model or block coloured.
• Bumblebee comments that the Winged Moon is the most amazing thing he's ever seen, mirroring what his mentee Rubble said about the facility very early on in the series.
• Blast-Off is confirmed as having joined Cosmos on the Winged Moon, and has been helping him fix it for the Autobot refugees.
• The Autobots leaving Cybertron to be controlled by the Decepticons, with the intent to return later and take it back, is a plot point in many Transformers franchises in the past (G1 cartoon, Beast Machines technically, Armada, Prime amongst others)
• Just adding from my thoughts at the end of War's End, we don't see Zetar this issue, making he think he could very well be another Exarchon body still.
• Pipes is seen amongst the Autobots on the Ark, but he was supposed to be on Cybertron, as part of the Computron distraction. I guess he could have been Puffer though?

IDW - Transformers: Last Bot Standing #2

Written by: Nick Roche

Art by: E.J. Su & Nick Roche

Colours by: Rebecca Nalty

Letters & Design by: Johanna Nattalie

Assistant Editor: Riley Farmer

Editor: David Mariotte

Plot

Rodimus investigates the pod used by the Visitor, but keeps being interrupted by Shib, who followed him, and explains that she, and her family, have been hiding him for generations.

Rodimus tries to use the stars to determine exactly how long it's been since he went into hiding, but is shocked to see the stars  linking out of existence, which Shib says has been happening since at least her grandfather's time.

The elderly Autobot laments that his species is to blame for the stars dying, and for so many world's dying, all because of their war.

Soon, a mob from the town arrives, and they intend to take Rodimus away for a town meeting to determine his fate, and also intend to imprison Shib and her family for hiding an alien robot. Rodimus agrees to be captured, but on the condition that Shib and her brothers not be blamed at all.

Elsewhere, Moon, formerly Spine-Shucker, guards the new base of his crew of eclectic Cybertronians, who have landed on the planet to look for a new home, and for more biofuel to power them.

Override and Riotgear are sent out to find Nitro, their scout, and locate his pod, which is being guarded by two of the townsfolk, whom Riotgear quickly grabs and learns that another Cybertronian was taken to town. Riotgear proceeds to devour the townsfolk to use as fuel...

At her homestead, Shib speaks with her brother Beets, before silently sneaking out of the house, slipping past the sleeping guard.

The next morning, Rodimus has been strapped to the ground, and is being guarded by some townsfolk, but they are soon distracted when Override and Riotgear arrive, and completely ignore them when they notice Rodimus.

Shib tries to free Rodimus, but he's afraid for her safety due to more of his kind appearing. Shib hides, at Rodimus' request, but the two other Cybertronians "rescue" him, and drive back towards their base.

The town's Alderman is told about the "rescue" and he's furious, despite their weapons having no effect on the giant robots regardless. He is further angered when he learns that Shib escaped from her house, and now considers her a conspirator with the aliens.

Rodimus is soon brought to the Cybertronian camp, where everyone is shocked to see another member of their species. Rodimus intends to fight them all, but his energy depletion gets to him, and he passes out.

While offline, Rodimus recalls how he, Gripper and Strongarm landed on the planet, with Rodimus intending to have them all just die out here, and not cause any further problems for the universe, hoping they're the last of their species.

Rodimus soon wakes up, and is shocked when no-one recognises his name, and learns that the Last Cybertronians have been overwriting their old memories to help themselves survive, and also now power themselves on Biofuel, and reveals that they already have a new subject to be converted into fuel...Shib, who was hiding in Rodimus' cape!

Characters

Autobot

Rodimus - Wagon Base (Previously Car)

Strongarm - Van (Flashback)

Gripper - Buggy (Flashback)

Powermaster Optimus Prime - Truck (Flashback)

Grandus - Battle Platform (Flashback)

Grimlock - Tyrannosaurus Rex (Flashback)

Thunderclash - Truck (Flashback)

Windblade - VTOL Jet (Flashback)

Tigerhawk - Winged Tiger (Flashback)

Bulkhead - Van (Flashback)

Armada Red Alert - Van (Flashback)

Arcee - Car (Flashback)

Decepticon

Galvatron - Cannon (Flashback)

Gigatron - Jet/Bat/Car/Dragon/Hand (Flashback)

Predaking - Predacon Gestalt (Flashback)

Starscream - Tetrajet (Flashback)

Sixshot - Car/Jet/Tank/Gun/Winged Beast (Flashback)

Strika - Battle Tank (Flashback)

Flamewar - Motorcycle (Flashback)

Snarler - Drill-Beast (Flashback)

Noisemaze - Space Jet (Flashback)

Calcar - Car (Flashback)

The Last Cybertronians

Steeljaw - Van

Sharpclaw - Car

Moon/Spine-Shucker - Rabbit

Override - Car

Riotgear - Tank

Cyberwarp - Jet

Vex

Wedge - Bulldozer

Treadshock - Tank

Nitro - Car (Mentioned) Dead

Scylla (Mentioned) In Stasis

Lunaclub (Mentioned In Stasis

"The Veteran" (Mentioned) In Stasis 

Donnokt Denizens

Shib Wallkis Captured by the Last Cybertronians

Alderman Errold 

Beets Wallkis

Wallkis Homestead Guard

Tunp

Spletsil

Rodimus' Third Guard

Buck Eaten by Riotgear

Buck's Co-Guard Eaten by Riotgear 

Fembrance Townsfolk/Mob

Donnokt Steeds

Trayvon Wallkis (Mentioned)

Grandpappy Wallkis (Mentioned)

Mr Wallkis (Mentioned)

Shib's Ancestors (Mentioned)

Fembrance Town Council (Mentioned)

Other

Primus (Mentioned)

Humans (Mentioned)

Nebulans (Mentioned)

Klovians (Mentioned)

Notes

• Despite a couple of IDW #1 nods this issue, I don't believe this can fit in that continuity, since the Optimus Prime shown was in his Powermaster body, which that version of Prime never took on. (Though I guess he could be Ginrai...)
• The "Last Cybertronians" we meet this issue are an eclectic group from most Transformers generations. Quite fitting for a series designed to end an era, and celebrate the brand.
• The "Visitor" from last issue, who Rodimus killed, is revealed to be named Nitro.
• Rodimus' design changes between the flashbacks and the modern day scenes, most likely due to scanning the wagon he's been using for decades, but it could also be from spare parts from the Wallkis family.
• Rodimus believes that the Cybertronians are the reason that the stars are dying in the sky, most likely because of the war (we have seen Star Harvesters in some past continuities etc).
• Strongarm is confirmed to be one of Rodimus' comrades, but the other is Gripper, not Prowl as I guessed last issue. oh well.
• We can assume from Rodimus' behaviour that Strongarm and Gripper are most likely dead.
• The Last Cybertronians have overwritten their older memories, in luding many famous names from the past, a nod to Information Creep from IDW #1, an explanation on why beings able to live for billions of years, can forget their distant past.
• The Last Cybertronians are revealed to use "biofuel", where they process organic life into fuel for them to use. This process was referred to as Pink Alchemy in IDW #1, and was hinted at with the Insecticons in IDW #2.
• The "Veteran" mentioned here is heavily implied to be Wheelie, based on the next issue promo. However, the name originates from an alias used by Swoop in the 3H comics Beast Era comics and prose.
• Rodimus seems to have an attachment for his cape/tarp, potentially meaning it was a gift from Strongarm or Gripper, or perhaps the original Wallkis ally. Though it is also possible that he just realised that Shib was in the cloth, and was worried for her.
• The energy keys that Shib owns are still not explained, but I still believe they are to be used to jumpstart Rodimus' spark, and would have been given to her ancestors when Rodimus first went into hiding.

IDW - Transformers: War's End #4

Written by: Brian Ruckley

Art by: Jack Lawrence

Inks by: Matt Froese, Rik Mack & Maria Keane

Colours by: John-Paul Bove

Colour Assists by: Ed Pirrie & Ben Pirrie

Letters by: Jake M. Wood & Nathan Widick

Editor: Riley Farmer

Supervising Editors: David Mariotte & Tom Waltz

Plot

Exarchon attempts to infest the body of Devastator, but due to his gestalt spark, he can resist, much to Exarchon's shock. The stress of the defiance causes Devastator to fall apart into his component parts.

Exarchon turns to the other bots assembles around him to usurp one of them instead, leading to most of them to run away in fear.

Flamewar is left behind by accident, as she was asking the Constructicons what it was like to be combined, when Exarchon attacks her, intending to take her body, but is interrupted by Soundblaster, who informs him that there are enemies nearby, taking him down below again. Flamewar runs away too, before she can be attacked again.

Elsewhere, the assembles Autobots and Decepticons work on their plans, when the Decepticon scientists arrive, revealing their plan to use the last Titanspark, whose casing has been rigged to trap Exarchon if he tries to usurp it. They are also going to have Mindwipe hypnotize Exarchon to make him attempt it. The assembled forces agree with this plan, despite it sacrificing a future Titan...

Down below, Exarchon infestsbgis spark into the giant drill and launches it towards the Allspark, where he intends to fuse with the planet itself, and conquer the world.

The Autobot team inside the base hear all of this, and start tunneling to intercept the drill with Zetar.

Exarchon ends up returning to the surface with the Clone-Drones, whist Soundblaster and his Infiltration Troopers go after the Autobots, to allow the plan to succeed.

On the surface, the combined forces meet with Exarchon's troops, and a full battle erupts, leading to Mindwipe managing to hypnotize Exarchon, and Cyclonus opens the Titanspark casing for him to usurp.

With Exarchon seemingly defeated, Onslaught and the others are forced to surrender, and Sixshot collects the spark to bring to Megatron, however Pyra Magna shatters the spark, not allowing Megatron to have an Exarchon-infused Titanspark.

The underground team manage to reach the drill, but are attacked by Soundblaster and his crew, Zetar does manage to core through the drill, destroying it, but hurting himself, and causing a large explosion in the process.

The Autobots escape the drill tunnel before it collapses in on itself, and Landmine deliberately leaves Frenzy there, recognising him as the one who killed Brainstorm, and starting this whole situation.

On the surface, Sixshot and Pyra Magna split up their forces, due to their differing ideologies, and Cyclonus decides to remain in the Canyons, now that his war is finally over. Sixshot returns towards Iacon with the Constructicons, and Pyra is intending to extract the Autobots still down below.

Landmine and the others down below make their ways out of the tunnel, and into the lab, where they hear a "worp" sound, and notice that the Imploder that was on display in the lab is now missing...

Characters

Autobot

Pyra Magna - Truck

Sunstreaker - Car

Jumpstream - Car

Windcharger - Car

Landmine - Plough Buggy

Geomotus - Radar Buggy

Sureshot - Buggy

Pointblank - Car

Zetar - Drill Tank

Decepticon

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

Slipstream - Jet

Shadow Striker - Car

Flamewar - Motorcycle

Hyperdrive - Car

Blackjack - Car

Bitstream - Jet

Mindwipe - Bat

Sparkstalker - Insect Monster

Flamefeather - Bird Monster

Cindersaur - Lizard Monster

Swift - Helicopter

Tracer - Helicopter

Roughstuff - Truck

Megatron - Tank (Mentioned)

Shockwave - Flying Artillery (Mentioned)

Threefold Spark

Exarchon/Deathsaurus - Dragon Body Abandoned for Titanspark

Exarchon - Drill Cores by Zetar

Soundblaster - Hovercraft Likely Trapped in Tunnel Rubble

Rumble - Cassette Likely Trapped in Tunnel Rubble

Frenzy - Cassette Trapped in Alternate Mode, Trapped in Tunnel Rubble 

Onslaught - Tank Captured by Sixshot

Brawl - Tank Captured by Sixshot

Vortex - Helicopter Likely Captured by Sixshot

Clone-Drone Army - Jets

Other Cybertronian

Last Titanspark Rigged to trap Exarchon, destroyed by Pyra Magna when Infested

Cyclonus - Jet

Skywarp - Jet 

Scrapper - Front End Loader

Bonecrusher - Bulldozer

Scavenger - Excavator

Long Haul - Dump Truck

Hook - Crane

Mixmaster - Mixing Truck

Devastator - Constructicon Gestalt 

Grudge (Ghost)

Highfire (Ghost)

Paragon (Ghost)

Provoke (Ghost)

Gridlock (Ghost)

Primus (Mentioned)

Brainstorm - Jet (Mentioned) Dead

Notes

• This issue marks the finale of the Wars End series, and is concurrently the end of the Transformers main comic series, to be followed up by Fate of Cybertron at the end of June.
• Exarchon refers to the Clone-Drone Army as "Seekers" this issue, this is a bit of an error, since the Seekers were formed to counter the Clone-Drones.
• Strangely, we don't see the Deathsaurus body, post-Exarchon's extraction. While previous issues clarify that he would be dead, we never see it here 
• We don't see what happens to Vortex, Soundblaster, Rumble or Frenzy at this issue's climax. It can be assumed that Vortex was captured along with the other Combaticons, but the latter three appear to be trapped underground. I wonder if Fate of Cybertron will show us anything about them?
• Zetar cores through the drill that was infused with Exarchon's spark, which was designed to infect the Allspark, and never speaks, or shows his eyes after the attack...so is there a chance that Exarchon somehow infested inside Zetar when he destroyed the drill?
• Skywarp steals the Imploder that he appeared with at the end of Transformers #43 from Exarchon's Sonic Canyon base, and we know that he goes to intercept Optimus and his crew on their way to Darkmount with it.
• Cyclonus seems to retire this issue from fighting, now that Exarchon is finally (hopefully) dead.
• So it seems like, if the original timeline would have been maintained, then Exarchon's drill would have hit the Allspark, and infested the planet, making it inhospitable for Cybertronians, leading to their deaths or enslavement.

IDW - Transformers #43

Title: End of Time

Written by: Brian Ruckley

Art by: Anna Malkova, Juan Samu, Ed Pirrie & Blacky Shepherd

Colours by: David Garcia Cruz & Heather Breckel

Letters by: Jake M. Wood & Nathan Widick

Editor: David Mariotte

Assistant Editor: Riley Farmer

Supervising Editor: Tom Waltz

Plot

The battle for survival I'd in full swing

Outside Darkmount, the Autobots are fighting off the Insecticlones, with the scientists trying to get one live sample, to plant a spike with a data bomb in it for their big plan.

Seeing the Hugh swarm of Insecticlones approaching the city, forcing Termagax to sacrifice her mobile "House" by sending it into the swarm, and overloading the power core, taking out a large chunk of the swarm.

At the Insecticon hideout, in a dead Titan, Novastar's team infiltrate the facility, fighting off the remaining Insecticlones in the facility, and make their way to the Insecticons themselves.

In the hub of the Titan, the Insecticons are gorging themselves on their clones, and overenergizing themselves, allowing the Autobots to easily ambush them, and Novastar implants a receiver for the data bomb into Bombshell's head.

Whilst they are waiting for the data bomb to work, they fight off the remaining Insecticlones.

Meanwhile, in the wilderness, Optimus and his team fight back the Rust Worms, who are still encroaching upon them, with Jhiaxus' forces still boxing them in.

When all hope seems lost, the Insecticlones fly past the Autobots, who are now devouring the Rust Worms, as the data bomb reprogrammed them to do, mostly solving both world-eating problems.

Soon, Optimus and his crew head through the desert towards Darkmount, when they are encountered by Skywarp, who teleports in, riding an Imploder, the most dangerous Cybertronian weapon ever, and tells them to wait there, until Megatron comes to speak to them.... 

Characters

Autobot

Optimus Prime/Orion Pax - Truck 

Ultra Magnus - Vehicle Transport

Kup - Pickup Truck

Ironhide - Van

Chromia - Car

Bumblebee - Winged Hovercraft

Subsea - Submarine

Pipes - Truck

Backstreet - Race Car

Sideswipe - Car

Bumper - Car

Strongarm - Police Van 

Vibes

Stakeout - Police Car

Wheeljack - Race Car

Highbrow - Helicopter

Perceptor

Blaster

Hound - Jeep

Road Rage - Flying Car

Tap-Out - Winged Hovercraft

Novastar - Car

Smokescreen - Car

Windblade - VTOL Jet

Springer - Car/Helicopter

Blades - Helicopter

Cromar - Jet/Weapons Embankment

Javelin - Car

Other Autobot Soldiers

Glyph - Car (Mentioned)

Jumpstream - Car (Mentioned)

Scattershot - Jet (Mentioned)

Other Technobots (Mentioned)

Autobot Fliers (Mentioned)

Decepticon

Megatron - Tank

Shockwave - Flying Artillery

Strika - Battle Tank

Obsidian - Dual Propeller Plane

Blitzwing - Tank/Jet

Nova Storm - Jet

Ion Storm - Jet

Acid Storm - Jet

Bombshell - Boll Weevil

Skrapnel - Stag Beetle

Kickback - Locust

Red Wing - Jet

Windsweeper - Jet

Thundercracker - Jet

Other Seekers - Jets

Other Cybertronian

Termagax - Van 

Skywarp - Jet 

"House" Self-Destructed

Mountain Titan Long Dead

Insecticlone Swarm Reprogrammed to Devour Rust Worms, Many Destroyed

Prima (Flashback Only)

Liege Maximo (Flashback Only)

Solus Prime (Flashback Only)

Megatronus (Flashback Only)

The Firstforged (Flashback Only)

Nominus Prime - Jet (Flashback Only)

Sentinel Prime - Shuttle (Flashback Only)

Codexa (Flashback Only)

Big Bang (Flashback Only)

Halonix Maximus (Flashback Only)

Gaidora - Dragon (Flashback Only)

Turbofoxes (Flashback Only)

Primus (Mentioned)

The Other Primes (Mentioned)

Proxima (Mentioned)

Froid - Jet (Mentioned)

Lodestar - Titan Ship (Mentioned) Undergoing Repairs

Titan Sparks (Mentioned)

The Senate (Mentioned)

Other

Rust Worms Being Devoured by Insecticlones

Notes

• This is the finale issue of the main Transformers series, with Wars End #4 and The Fate of Cybertron to wrap up the series afterwards.
• Among the feral Turbofoxes in the flashback is Gaidora, a Predacon from the Aligned continuity, implying that the prehistoric dragon-like Predacons may have existed in Cybertron's past like in that continuity.
• Cromar combines with Javelin as a weapons embankment, much like how his Siege toy is able to (though since Javelin hasn't had a recent toy, she technically can't weild him :p) 
• We see "House" destroyed this issue, but we never learned what exactly it was. I still believe it was a hidden Titan Spark or some very advanced A.I. that was an artificial Cybertronian (like Springer in IDW1)
• We don't see the mind controlled Skystalker in the Insecticon hideout, possible meaning, in their feeding frenzy, they may have devoured him.
• Even though Skywarp appears to be holding the Autobots hostage at the end for the Decepticons. I believe he's just fueling the chaos more, rather than trying to help Megatron here.
• Skywarp steals the Imploder he is seen riding this issue in Wars End #4, which was released shortly after this issue was released.
• Smokescreen admits that he doesn't remember who he works for anymore, as he's been moved around, behind the scenes so much, he just does what he feels is right in the situation.

IDW - Transformers: Last Bot Standing #1

Written by: Nick Roche

Art by: E.J. Su & Nick Roche

Colours by: Rebecca Nalty

Letters & Design by: Johanna Nattalie

Assistant Editor: Riley Farmer

Editor: David Mariotte

Plot

A vessel crashes on the planet Donnokt, and a Cybertronian figure emerges from it.

In a town nearby, life is normal, and Shib Wallkis is running a delivery company with her brothers, but is starting to lose customers due to recent technological developments, making her steed-drawn wagon obsolete.

Later, Shib is reminiscing on her deceased parents, when the townsfolk arrive, and ask for her help rescuing some miners, due to the new vehicles being unable to reach them due to the terrain, but her wagon can.

Later again, Shib returns with the injured Miners, and they are taken away for healing. Suddenly the crowd grow scared when the alien robot arrives and starts scanning the area.

Very quickly, Shib's wagon moves by itself and transforms, revealing the Autobot Rodimus, who fights the newcomer, and quickly kills him, after the newcomer suggests this world could be a new home world for them.

Rodimus leaves, telling no-one to follow him, despite Shib seeming to want to follow him.

Soon, a second vessel crashes on the planet, revealing another Cybertronian has arrived on the remote planet....

Characters

Cybertronian

Rodimus - Wagon Base

"The Visitor" Killed by Rodimus 

Moon - Rabbit

Strongarm (Flashback Only) Likely Dead

Prowl (Flashback Only) Likely Dead

Donnokt Natives

Shin Wallkis

Trayvon Wallkis

Beets Wallkis

Stambo Flentz

Doc Brel Tonder

Sparks, the Steed

Firebolt, the Steed

Brennet

Mr Flentz

Town Sheriff

Town Rangers

Miners Injured

Townsfolk

Shib's Parents (Photo) Possibly Dead 

The Alderman (Mentioned)

Notes

• This series is designed as a send-off of IDW Transformers, before their license expires at the end of the year. However this series will be followed by Shattered Glass II later in the year.
• This series is designed to fit in any continuity, but aesthetically it does seem to fit better with IDW1, than the current continuity.
• The steeds used by Shiv are named Firebolt and Sparks, the names used for Hot Rod's Target master partner in the past.
• The hidden necklaces with what appears to be Energon inside inside Shib's house appear to be keys. Most likely being gifted to her by Rodimus before he went into hiding as her wagon.
• Shin doesn't seem to be too shocked by Rodimus, implying that she knew he was there all along. My guess will be that he somehow accidentally killed her parents (possibly when his ship crashed) and he opted to protect her this way.
• Rodimus' shuttle in the flashback appears to be based on the front section of the Autobot shuttles, first seen in the G1 Movie, but with large thrusters added to the sides.
• Rodimus' shipmates are only shown in silhouette, but they appear to be Prowl and Strongarm, or at least repaints of them.
• The bot who arrives on the planet in the final pages is Moon, a character from the Beast Wars Second Anime and toyline.

IDW - Transformers: War's End #3

Written by: Brian Ruckley

Art by: Jack Lawrence

Colours by: John-Paul Bove

Colour Assists by: Ed Pirrie

Letters by: Jake M. Wood

Editor: Riley Farmer

Supervising Editors: David Mariotte & Tom Waltz

Plot

In the Sonic Canyons, Pyra Magna's and Sixshot's forces fight against Exarchon and his followers. During the fight, Jumpstream arrives to warn about the return of Devastator, when she sees Onslaught about to kill Cyclonus, but she saves his life, seemingly changing history, and the fight comes to a brief halt.

Elsewhere, Devastator joins up with Exarchon's forces, along with Slipstream's team. Everyone is impressed with the combiner, especially Exarchon.

At Shockwave's hidden base, Exarchon is admiring Sunstorm, and his extreme energy exposure. Exarchon wants to infest him, but Shockwave denies him, explaining how dangerous he is.

Soon Megatron arrives at the base to speak to Shockwave, which interests Exarchon too.

Before Megatron arrives, Exarchon ignores Shockwave, and releases Sunstorm, intent on infesting him, as well as Megatron. The Decepticon leader however denies him too, shooting into his chest, and smashing him into Sunstorm, who proceeds to accidentally smelting him.

Megatron orders Skywarp to head to the Sonic Canyons to find out Exarchon's secrets and to return them to him, whilst he remains behind to discuss what Shockwave's been up to in secret.

Feeling his other body's destruction, and not wanting to risk being left in just one body, he attempts to infest Devastator as his own....

Characters

Autobot

Pyra Magna - Truck

Jumpstream - Car

Groundbreaker - Jet

Sunstreaker - Car

Windcharger - Car

Geomotus - Radar Buggy

Landmine - Plough Buggy

Sureshot - Buggy

Pointblank - Car

Zetar - Drill Tank

Perceptor (Mentioned)

Decepticon

Megatron - Tank

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

Swift - Helicopter

Blackjack - Car

Acid Storm - Jet

Ion Storm - Jet

Nova Storm - Jet

Sunstorm - Jet

Rage - Car

Three-fold Spark/Affiliated Decepticons

Exarchon/Deathsaurus - Dragon

Exarchon/Flatline - Van Blasted by Megatron, Smelted by Sunstorm

Shockwave - Flying Artillery

Soundblaster - Hovercraft

Onslaught - Tank

Brawl - Tank

Vortex - Helicopter

Shadow Striker - Car

Slipstream - Jet

Flamewar - Motorcycle

Hyperdrive - Car

Clone-Drone Army - Jets

Other Cybertronian

Cyclonus - Jet

Skywarp - Jet

Devastator - Constructicon Gestalt

Grudge (Ghost)

Gridlock (Ghost)

Provoke (Ghost)

Paragon (Ghost)

Highfire (Ghost)

Constructicons (Mentioned)

Other

"The Quintessence" (Mentioned)

Notes

• This marks the penultimate issue of the Wars End comic :(
• Jumpstream appears to avert her predicted death by saving Cyclonus' life this issue. She even mentions feeling odd after doing it.
• Slipstream and most of her crew join up with Shockwave's crew under Exarchon.
• Shockwave is revealed to be the one to summon Devastator this issue, most likely initially to be used against Megatron and the Autobots.
• Sunstorm's energy exposure storyline, though most likely planned to be different, has been used for defeating part of Exarchon.
• It doesn't appear that Megatron killing Exarchon was a part of his intentions, he was most likely hedging his bets on who to ally himself with, perhaps intending for Exarchon to infest Megatron.
• Nova Storm appears to have recovered from her apparent death by magnetic crushing from Windcharger.
• I wonder if Exarchon infesting Devastator would affect the six components. Could this be a situation similar to the Aerialbots in the old IDW continuity, who were only the Earth Enigma when combined.