IDW - King Grimlock #5

Title: Grimlock the Triumphant

Written by: Steve Orlando

Art by: Agustin Padilla

Colours by: Jeremy Colwell

Letters by: Jake M. Wood

Editor: David Mariotte

Assistant Editor: Riley Farmer

Supervising Editor: Tom Waltz

Plot

Grimlock engages with Soltron, inside the body of Arko, and the two seem evenly matched, however Grimlock, not wanting to hurt his friend, offers his body to Soltron, stating that he can show him the universe, so long as he leaves Menonia alone. Soltron agrees, and enters Grimlock's Spark.

Inside his Spark, Grimlock battles with the manifestation of Soltron, but due to this being his world, he easily destroys the sun god.

Back on Menonia, Grimlock is awoken by the newly freed Arko, who is sorry that she allowed Soltron to control her, which Grimlock accepts. 

Grimlock suggests that he didn't kill Soltron alone, since it was because her father used his magic to cover the sun, weakening the god, which allowed him to defeat him so easily.

Arko soon reunites with her father, but learns that he injured himself by expending so much energy covering the sun.

Knowing that without Soltron, magic is now gone from Menonia, Arnak wants Grimlock to rule over them, as their king and protector, however the Dinobot declines the offer, but suggests that Arko would make a good ruler instead (despite her betrayal earlier).

Later, Arko uses a portion of Grimlock's Energon to open up a one-way portal back to Cybertron. Grimlock bids her farewell, and wishes her luck in ruling the world, and is quickly pulled through the portal...

On the other side, Optimus is shocked to see Grimlock so badly beaten, since he's only been gone for mere moments, but as soon as Grimlock mentions Menonia, Optimus seems to understand, more concerned that he may have messed with them due to their superstitious nature.

Grimlock assures him that he didn't take advantage of them, and only helped them, though also admitting to punching a dragon, but also says that he's learned to respect Optimus' different methods, and won't fight him anymore, resolving their previous arguments over the Dinobot's actions...

Characters

Autobot

Optimus Prime - Truck

Grimlock - Tyrannosaurus Rex

Swoop - Pteranodon

Slug - Triceratops

Sludge - Apatosaurus

Menonian

Arko

Arnak Lessened Lifespan due to Spell

Nerea

Valedrift and Anglorian Civilians

The Golden One (Mentioned) Dead

Other

Soltron Killed by Grimlock

"The Anti-Sun" (Mentioned)

"The Great Smelter" (Mentioned)

Notes

• So despite being hinted at having a larger role, and being more important than he seemed...Clatta makes no appearance this issue, meaning he probably did just die last issue.
• Soltron using the Autobot insignia as his symbol is revealed to just be him using it because he wanted to....right...
• Soltron's form inside Grimlock's spark somewhat resembles the form used by Primus in his astral form in the Marvel comics, which is quite appropriate, since Primus is also referred to as the "Lord of Light".
• The characters make it very clear that Arnak just lessened his lifespan by expensing his magic during the battle against Soltron, but that he will survive. However his last panel has him looking dead-like...I wonder if this is a GI Joe movie type "coma" situation again?
• So, unless time travel has been used with the portal, we can assume that Menonia is somehow in a dilated timeline compared to the rest of the universe, since this entire storyline has been occurring over the span of a few moments on Cybertron.
• Grimlock states that he initially refused saving Menonia from the Golden One because he wanted the Menonians to be able to fend for themselves, but would have fought alongside them if they allowed him to train them first...he didn't explain that too well when they asked him in the first place...
• Snarl is missing from the Dinobot lineup on Cybertron...is this story set during his holiday around the time of the 1986 Transformers movie? 

IDW - Transformers: King Grimlock #4

Written by: Steve Orlando

Art by: Agustin Padilla

Colours by: Jeremy Colwell & Heather Breckel

Letters by: Jake M. Wood

Editor: David Mariotte

Assistant Editor: Riley Farmer

Supervising Editor: Tom Waltz

Plot

Arko, having joined The Golden One's forces, is clad in golden armour, ready for combat with Grimlock and his followers.

Elsewhere, Grimlock confirms that the Red Wizard's blood is actually corrupted Energon, which he also believes is present across Menonia, including The Golden One, he begins plotting, with the village leaders in the group to defeat the powerful figure.

The next day, Grimlock approaches The Golden One's stronghold, where he is greeted by Clatta and the Golden Army, but Clatta is easily swatted away, and Grimlock tears through the army.

Nearby, the villager leaders use the last of their powers to create an eclipse, weakening The Golden One's power in the process.

The corrupted ruler turns into his dragonoid form and attacks the Dinobot, but Grimlock easily subdues him, and tries to force him to turn against Soltron, due to his corruptive Energon, however the ruler reveals that he is actually the host of Soltron, but is tired of all the suffering his is causing to himself and others.

Suddenly, Soltron tries to take full control of his body, but The Golden One does indeed rebel, and ejects him from his body, causing his own death in the process.

Needing a new host, Soltron offers his power to Arko, who has become disillusioned with how "weak" everyone is around her, and she agrees, gladding her in New armour, and granting her new powers, to Grimlock's horror... 

Characters

Autobot

Grimlock - Tyrannosaurus Rex

Soltron

Menonian Human

Arko Possessed by Soltron

Arnak

Berea

Anglorian and Valerift Survivors

Other

The Golden One Dies upon Soltron Leaving Body

Clatta

The Golden Army

The Red Wizard Dead

The Anti-Sun (Mentioned)

Notes

• The Menonian Energon making Grimlock more feral and unstable makes it seem more like Dark Energon than the normal variant.
• The Golden One acts like his connection to Soltron is weakened during an eclipse...but we learn later this issue that Soltron is inside The Golden One...which he also seems aware of....

IDW - Transformers: King Grimlock #3

Title: Grimlock the Avenger

Written by: Steve Orlando

Art by: Agustin Padilla

Colours by: Jeremy Colwell

Letters by: Jake M. Wood

Editor: David Mariotte

Assistant Editor: Riley Farmer

Supervising Editor: Tom Waltz

Plot

Grimlock has been training the Anglorian villagers to fight the Red Wizard's army, and leads them towards his base in the Rotlands.

Elsewhere, The Golden One attacks the village of Valedrift, Arko's family's home, seemingly unaware that he is being watched by Clatta from afar.

Grimlock's army arrive at the Rotlands, where they are attacked by the Red Army of Wood-bots and Clay Golems, given life by the Wizard.

Grimlock's forces take on the undead army, allowing Grimlock to break into the Wizard's castle, where he quickly realises he's a Quintesson in disguise, and fatally wounds tears him apart, with the Quintesson stating that only he can defeat The Golden One, as he dies. Grimlock realizes now that Menonia has a deeper connection to Cybertron than he originally believed, and wonders if The Golden One could be in some way Cybertronian, and should go after him next...

Grimlock shows off the corpse of the Wizard to his army, who have taken out the rest of his Army, when he is encountered by Arnak, Arko's father, who he left after he summoned him to Menonia, and the Autobot explains that he doesn't know where his daughter is, as they parted ways.

Elsewhere again, Arko arrives at The Golden One's castle, and is greeted by him, welcoming her inside...

Characters

Autobot

Grimlock - Tyrannosaurus Rex

Optimus Prime - Truck (Mentioned)

Menonian

The Golden One

Arko

Arnak

Anglorian Villagers

Valedrift Villagers

Other

The Red Wizard Killed by Grimlock

Clatta

Red Clay Army Destroyed by Grimlock and Anglorians

Wood-bots Destroyed by Grimlock and Anglorians

Soltron (Mentioned)

The Anti-Sun (Mentioned)

Sharkticons - Sharks (Mentioned)

Notes

• This issue confirms that the Red Wizard/Quintesson connection from the G1 cartoon is still the same in this universe.
• The Quintesson in this issue isn't given a real name, and also looks different to most other Quintessons in the franchise.
• Clatta is shown to have a secret, he is watching over the Golden One when he does out in his dragon form...I'm starting to think that Clatta is a Titan Master and Soltron could be a Titan who ended up on Menonia.
• Arko's armour that she builds this issue is seemingly made from the remains of one of the Wood-bots...ewww...

IDW - Transformers: King Grimlock #2

Title: Grimlock the Defender

Written by: Steve Orlando

Art by: Augustin Padilla

Colours by: Jeremy Colwell

Letters by: Jake M. Wood

Editor: David Mariotte

Assistant Editor: Riley Farmer

Supervising Editor: Tom Waltz

Plot

Grimlock continues to fight his way through the fantasy setting of Menonia, until he becomes ensnared into a Ridge Worm. Arko appears and helps him get free, and leads him out of the giant creature.

Arko tries to persuade Grimlock to help her defeat the Golden One, but he doesn't see the fight as his. Arko attempts to fight Grimlock to force him to help her, or just to take him out as a new threat, but the Dinobot just ignores her attacks.

Grimlock simply says that she is weak, but agrees to teach her how to be stronger, so long as she doesn't question him, which she agrees to.

Soon the duo come across a fishing village called Angloria, which is under attack by Wood-bots sent by the Red Wizard. Arko initially doesn't want to help them, seeing the villagers as weak, but Grimlock intervenes, after seeing the attacking creatures.

After a quick fight, Grimlock looks over one of the dead Wood-bots, and recognises it as similar to a Cybertronian, so he decides to go after the Red Wizard to get revenge for him creating these spark-less monstrosities.

Arko thinks this is suicide, since the Red Wizard is so powerful, even the Golden One avoids him, but Grimlock intends to head off regardless, leaving Arko to now consider Grimlock weak himself...

Elsewhere, at his castle, the Golden One comments to his assistant Clatta, that everything is going to plan, he knew that given Grimlocks personality he would want to go after the Red Wizard, and could potentially remove the one real threat to his reign...

Characters

Autobot

Grimlock - Tyrannosaurus Rex

Other Dinobots (Mentioned)

Other Cybertronian

The Necrobot (Mentioned)

Menonian

The Golden One

Clatta

Arko

Anglorian Villagers

Ridge Worm

Cyclops Leader Killed by The Golden One

Cyclopes Some Killed by Grimlock

Wood-bots Destroyed by Grimlock

The Red Wizard (Mentioned)

Arnak (Mentioned)

Other

Soltron (Mentioned)

Notes

• This issue reveals that "Soltron" is a figure who represents the "First Face", aka the Autobot insignia, which is why it appears on the weapons on the cyclopes. So it's very likely that Soltron is actually a Cybertronian that somehow influenced Menonia in the past.
• The Wood-bots are shown to be primitive versions of Cybertonians, created by the "Red Wizard", who in the cartoon counterpart to this story was an exiled Quintesson, who in turn were (in the cartoon anyway) created the Transformers, likely meaning this wizard will be a Quintesson too.
• Grimlock mentions that Dinobots worship the Necrobot, who chronicles the dead,and keep fighting to try to force the god to run out of data storage. 

IDW - Transformers: King Grimlock

Title: Grimlock the Rebel

Written by: Steve Orlando

Art by: Agustin Padilla

Colours by: Jeremy Colwell

Letters by: Jake M. Wood

Editor: David Mariotte

Assistant Editor: Riley Farmer

Supervising Editor: Tom Waltz

Plot

The Dinobots fight the Meccanibals currently attacking Harmonex on Cybertron, but are ordered to stop by Optimus, who says these were just rebels, and not working on behalf of their own leader, Master Mouth.

Grimlock starts to argue with Optimus over his orders, but ends up being hit by a green light, seemingly aimed towards Optimus.

Soon Grimlock lands on another world, where he is soon attacked by various alien creatures, but he manages to fight them all off.

After a few battles, Grimlock comes across a group of local Human-looking beings who identify the planet as Menonia, and asks for his help in saving it from The Golden One, who once saved the world himself with Optimus Prime, but changed after some of the population started following an "Anti-Sun".

Grimlock refuses to help them, but does offer to teach them to help themselves, but they say they can't do it themselves, much to Grimlocks annoyance, so he storms off.

One of the Humans, Arko, sees what Grimlock was trying to teach them in self sufficiency, and chases after him, against her father's wishes...

Characters

Autobot

Optimus Prime - Truck

Grimlock - Tyrannosaurus Rex

Slug - Triceratops

Swoop - Pteranodon

Sludge - Apatosaurus

Snarl - Stegosaurus

Menonian

Arnak

Arko

The Golden One

Clatta

Other Menonian Humans

Bird Lizard Killed by Grimlock

Elephant Mouse

Leodons/Big Horse Cats Killed by Grimlock

Cyclopes 

Soltron (Mentioned)

The Anti-Sun (Mentioned)

Mandragoran (Mentioned)

Other

Meccanibals Many Killed by Dinobots

Master Mouth (Mentioned)

Notes

• The setting of this issue is based on the G1 episode Madman's Paradise. Though in this case a version of that episode's events happened in the back story, and Optimus was the one to save Menonia.
• The Meccanibals are from the Marvel G1 comics, including their leader Master Mouth, who is mentioned in this issue.
• Grimlock refers to the Menonians as "Human" here, implying that this is set following their arrival on Earth.
• The "Soltron" mentioned in this issue is most likely a sun god on Menonia.
• The Golden One's assistant, Clatta, appears to be a robot, possibly even a Cybertronian.
• The end of this issue features a character sheet for Grimlock, based on one used for Dungeons and Dragons.

IDW - Transformers/My Little Pony: The Magic of Cybertron #4

The Mightiest Dinobot

Writer: Ian Flynn

Artist: Casey W. Coller

Colours: Joana LaFuente

Letterer: Jake M. Wood

Finale

Writer: James Asmus

Artist: Jack Lawrence

Colours: Luis Antonio Delgado

Letterer: Neil Uyetake

Editor: Megan Brown

Consulting Editor: David Mariotte

"The Mightiest Dinobot" Plot

Spike brings his friend Smolder to visit his Cybertronian friend Grimlock and the other Dinobot's. While Grimlock is still impressed with Spike due to their previous experiences, the other Dinobot's don't see him as impressive, especially compared to the other dragon.

Suddenly, the mind controlled Superion appears and attacks the Dinobot's on Sombra's orders, and easily subdues them.

spike realizes however that Combiners are usually unstable, but Superion isn't, meaning Sombra's mind control is what is keeping them together.

Spike and Smolder fly around the combiner, with Spike using his knowledge of Cybertronians to tap into all the components personalities, and causes them to fall apart.

The spell not strong enough to control all five of them parts when separated, the Aerialbots are freed of their mind control and everyone celebrates Spike as the hero, and as an honorary Dinobot.

"Finale" Plot

Optimus and his team have tracked the mind controlled Cybertronians and Equestrians to a desolate area of Cybertron, where they find them trying to excavate something. Optimus calls in for reinforcements and attacks the group early, it's soon revealed why Optimus was in such a rush, when Sombra merges himself with a long hidden underground Titan, Scorponok!

Just after the combination, the reinforcements arrive, which includes s new set of exosuits for the Equestrians which can be used to attack the mind controlled with Equestrian-powered weapons to break the mind control, as discovered by Ratchet and his team earlier.

Soon all the bots and horses who were mind controlled are freed and turn against "Sombranok", causing the controlled Titan to explode, and dazing the king.

Soon a truce is upheld, and Megatron agrees not to try and abuse Equestrian magic again, as it doesn't meld well with Cybertron, but does agree that if anyone else wants to interact with Equestria, he won't get in their way, leading to the ponies to hug him as their new friend.

Elsewhere, the scene is being watched by a Quintesson, who judges the ponies as 'innocent'.....

Characters

Autobot

Optimus Prime - Truck

Elita-1 - Car

Mirage - Race Car

Cliffjumper - Car

Bumblebee - Car

Trailbreaker - Van

Arcee - Car

Ratchet - Ambulance

Wheeljack - Race Car

Blades - Rescue Helicopter

Cosmos - Orbiter 

Greenlight - Car 

Grimlock - Tyrannosaurus Rex

Swoop - Pteranodon

Sludge - Apatosaurus 

Slug - Triceratops

Snarl - Stegosaurus

Silverbolt - Passenger Jet Mind Controlled by Sombra, later Freed 

Slingshot - Fighter Jet Mind Controlled by Sombra, later Freed 

Air Raid - Fighter Jet Mind Controlled by Sombra, later Freed 

Skydive - Fighter Jet Mind Controlled by Sombra, later Freed 

Fireflight - Fighter Jet Mind Controlled by Sombra, later Freed 

Superion - Aerialbot Combiner Mind Controlled by Sombra, later Freed 

Ultra Magnus - Vehicle Transport Mind Controlled by Sombra, later Freed 

Jetfire - Jet Mind Controlled by Sombra, later Freed 

Clampdown - Emergency Vehicle Mind Controlled by Sombra, later Freed 

Afterburner - Speedbike Mind Controlled by Sombra, later Freed 

Huffer - Truck Mind Controlled by Sombra, later Freed 

Warpath - Tank Mind Controlled by Sombra, later Freed 

Doublecross - Two Headed Dragon Mind Controlled by Sombra, later Freed 

Decepticon

Megatron - Tank Mind Controlled by Sombra, later Freed 

Shockwave - Flying Artillery

Starscream - Fighter Jet

Soundwave - Cassette Player

Snapdragon - Jet/Dragon

Breakdown - Armoured Van

Skytread - Tank and Jet

Slipstream - Fighter Jet

Shadow Striker - Car 

Ravage - Cassette

Frenzy - Cassette

Rumble - Cassette Mind Controlled by Sombra, later Freed 

Bombshell - Boll Weevil Mind Controlled by Sombra, later Freed 

Ruckus - Buggy Mind Controlled by Sombra, later Freed 

Squeezeplay - Crab Monster Mind Controlled by Sombra, later Freed 

Caliburst - Gun Mind Controlled by Sombra, later Freed 

Refraktor - Hovercraft Mind Controlled by Sombra, later Freed 

Other Cybertronian

Scorponok - Scorpion Destroyed

Equestrian

Princess Twilight Sparkle Mind Controlled by Sombra, later Freed 

Pinkie Pie Mind Controlled by Sombra, later Freed 

Fluttershy Mind Controlled by Sombra, later Freed 

Rarity

Applejack

Rainbow Dash

Spike

Smolder 

King Sombra Defeated and Captured

Octavia Melody

Blaze

Wave Chill

Soarin

Fleetfoot

Surprise

Queen Chrysalis (Mentioned)

Yona (Mentioned)

Sandbar (Mentioned)

Other Young Sixers (Mentioned)

Other

Quintesson Judge

Scorponok's Controller (Mentioned)

Notes

• Despite being correct in the comic itself, the main cover features the enslaved characters with purple glowing eyes instead of green...very odd.
• Following his adventure in the original crossover, Spike decided to research all of the Transformers...he's a nerd!
• It's kind of shocking to me that in a comic that features all the Dinobot's and a combiner, we didn't see Volcanicus being formed!
• It's implied here that Optimus and the other main Autobots weren't seen in this series to this point because they were following the possessed bots to keep track of them.
• The exosuits used by the ponies are designed to be able to transform into weapons, unlike the design shown briefly in the previous crossover, making them a similar technology to the Western version of the G1 Targetmasters.
• The weaponry that the Equestrians transform into are a hammer for Applejack, an axe for Rainbow Dash, a sword for Twilight Sparkle, a party cannon for Pinkie Pie, a flamethrower for Spike and a shield for both Rarity and Fluttershy. Fluttershy's shield is only seen briefly being weilded by Ratchet in a background shot.
• Rarity jokes that it's been about 20 minutes since Twilight was mind controlled. This is a reference to how an MLP episode usually takes place over 20 minutes. It's POSSIBLE that these events could have taken place over that short time frame, but it would be very tight...
• The Refraktor shown being freed by Arcee has blue eyes, but later he has red eyes...maybe she accidentally turned one of them into an Autobot?
• Scorponok exploding at the climax of this story is the first confirmed, named character to be killed off in the MLP crossover continuity.
• Most of the Cybertronians shown in this issue are based on recent toys or prominent characters...so why is Clampdown there? Is this an early look at a future Selects toy?
• The end of this issue shows a Quintesson Judge taking an interest in the Equestrians, hinting at a future crossover plot, however, due to Generation 5 starting soon for MLP it's possible that Friendship is Magic will be abandoned for the new continuity. Time will tell I guess!

IDW - Transformers '84 - Secrets and Lies #4

Writer: Simon Furman

Artist: Guido Guidi

Colourist: John-Paul Bove

Letterer: Jake M. Wood

Editors: David Mariotte & Tom Waltz

Assistant Editor: Riley Farmer

Plot

At the Ark crash site, Grimlock is attacked by Megatron, under AUNTIE'S control, and the battle is brought outside, where the Coneheads are still fighting the Reserve Warriors. Seeing Megatron, seemingly unable to control his anti-matter powers, the Decepticon trio take off, but they suggest that Megatron might not be in control of his body, so if he destroys what is controlling him it should stop him.

Grimlock quickly realized it must be AUNTIE, so he runs in and tears into the computer, damaging it, instantly causing Megatron to fall back to stasis mode.

Back on Cybertron, Punch leads the newly formed Wreckers to Project Dreadnaught to destroy it, but are attacked by Abominus, the Terrorcon combiner, along the way.

The team manages to fight through them and set off explosives in the planetary thrusters, detonating them.

In the aftermath of all this, Star Saber, Fortress Maximus and Ultra Magnus team up to lead the Autobots, and allow groups like the Wreckers to do the dirty work, off the books.

The Coneheads report back to Straxus about the Ark crash, but Straxus simply tells them to forget all about the Ark and Megatron's location, in exchange for a high position in his new Decepticon heirachy, which they accept.

On Earth, Grimlock has returned to the previous battle site against Shockwave, and believing his friends are all dead, he deactivated himself too...waiting there in stasis until his eventual awakening in the future....

Characters

Autobot

Ultra Magnus - Vehicle Transport

Star Saber - Jet

Fortress Maximus - Battle Platform

Punch/Counterpunch - Car

Impactor - Tank

Whirl - Helicopter

Roadbuster - Jeep

Rack'n'Ruin 

Twin Twist - Drill Tank

Topspin - Jet

Grimlock - Tyrannosaurus Rex Sets self to Stasis Lock

Grapple Construct 

Tracks Construct 

Other Dinobots (Mentioned)

Ratchet (Mentioned)

Decepticon

Megatron Returned to Stasis

Ramjet - Jet

Dirge - Jet

Thrust - Jet

Straxus - Flying Tank

Shrapnel - Insect Jet

Hun-Gurr - Two Headed Beast

Sinnertwin - Two Headed Dragon

Cutthroat - Winged Beast

Blot - Bi-Pedal Monster

Rippersnapper - Bi-Pedal Shark

Abominus - Terrorcon Gestalt

Project Dreadnaught Staff Killed by Wreckers

Other

AUNTIE Badly damaged by Grimlock

Guardian Drones Bodies on Floor of Ark

Notes

• The Megatron set upon Grimlock is confirmed to be Megatron's body, but with AUNTIE controlling it (so basically a hybrid of the Dinobots and Reserve Warriors situations)
• It's revealed that Impactor lost his hand fighting Sinnertwin.
• Grimlock smashing the Arks computer is used to explain why it cannot identify organics as the dominant life on Earth in the 1980s, but can in the prehistoric era.
• Ultra Magnus, Fort Max and Star Saber are shown to be a triumvirate of Autobot leaders here. In the 80s we only ever see Max and Magnus, so it's likely that Star Saber doesn't survive the war :(
• Grimlock is shown returning to the site where the Dinobots and Shockwave were trapped, but we never see Megatron being returned to the Ark or the Reserve Warriors being decommissioned. It's possible Grimlock just brought them back inside the Ark before leaving, but we didn't see it.
• We never learn who Punch is talking to for the framing device of this series, but we do know that it is after the Ark's crew is reawakened in 1984

IDW - Transformers '84 Secrets and Lies #2

Writer: Simon Furman

Artist: Guido Guidi

Colourist: John-Paul Bove

Letterer: Jake M. Wood

Editors: David Mariotte & Tom Waltz

Assistant Editor: Riley Farmer

Plot

After boarding the Ark, the Dynobot's bodies are deemed to be unsalvageable right now, but their sparks and memory engrams are placed into the ship's mind bank, though Optimus wants them to be saved, he also knows that this effort will soon be completely wasted...

At the Autobot's base, Perceptor reports his beliefs that Shockwave used the Dreadnaut thrusters to try and move the planet's course, however before they can do anything about it, the new Decepticon leader, Straxus, launches an attack on the Autobots (on Counterpunch's advice) that distracts them from the thruster discovery.

Soon, the Ark completes it's fake mission to clear a path for Cybertron, and is boarded by the Decepticons, prompting Optimus to purposefully crash the Ark into the side of a mountain on the surface of a planet...

Following his victory, still aboard the Nemesis, Shockwave contacts Counterpunch to inform him of his imminent return to Cybertron, once he confirms the deaths of Megatron and the others. To his shock, the Coneheads appear behind him, having been ordered to stay in aerial mode outside the Ark during the attack, and wonder why Shockwave isn't trying to help the injured Decepticons below. Shockwave's response is to shoot them with a modified Scraplet virus, designed to incapacitate rather than kill, and heads off to the planet below.   

On the Ark, AUNTIE, the Ark's computer detects Shockwave's presence and deems him a threat to the crew, so it rebuilds the Dynobots (now the Dinobots) using scans of fossils in the area as a basis. The Dinobots head out alone, intending to get revenge on the one-eyed Decepticon for his recent victory over them.

Later, Counterpunch contacts Shockwave to ask where he is, since he missed their planned rendezvous, and Cybertron has passed the planet, however Shockwave has had a change of plan, as he's discovered that the planet is packed full of raw Energon sources, and he intends to drain the planet dry and power his Project Dreadnaut forever.

Unfortunately for him, the Dinobots arrive and tear into the lone Decepticon. Seeing the battle isn't going well, Grimlock has Snarl bash the nearby mountain, causing a landslide, hitting everyone. Sludge and Snarl get buried and Slag is caught in a tar pit, but Shockwave is able to still stand. Swoop grabs a vial of Shockwave's new super Energon he's been collecting from Earth, and throws it to Grimlock before crashing. Grimlock injects the Energon into his system and gets super-powered, immediately punching Shockwave into the mountain, burying him too, winning the battle....

Characters

Autobot

Punch/Counterpunch - Car

Grimlock - Tyrannosaurus Rex

Slag - Triceratops Trapped in Tar Pit

Snarl - Stegosaurus Buried under Land Slide

Sludge - Apatosaurus Buried under Land Slide

Swoop - Pteranodon Crashed into Mountain

Ultra Magnus - Truck

Perceptor

Nosecone - Drill Tank

Lightspeed - Car

Impactor - Tank

Springer

Sandstorm

Broadside

Optimus Prime Rendered Inert in Ark Crash

Gears Rendered Inert in Ark Crash

Huffer Rendered Inert in Ark Crash

Bumblebee Rendered Inert in Ark Crash

Windcharger Rendered Inert in Ark Crash

Ironhide Rendered Inert in Ark Crash

Wheeljack Rendered Inert in Ark Crash

Ratchet Rendered Inert in Ark Crash

Other Autobots on Ark (Mentioned) Rendered Inert in Ark Crash

The Reserve Warriors (Mentioned) Stored in Mind Bank

Decepticon

Straxus - Flying Tank

Shockwave - Ray Gun Buried into Mountain by Grimlock

Thrust - Jet Hit by Shockwave's Scraplet Virus

Ramjet - Jet Hit by Shockwave's Scraplet Virus

Dirge - Jet Hit by Shockwave's Scraplet Virus

Megatron Rendered Inert in Ark Crash

Starscream - Jet Rendered Inert in Ark Crash

Thundercracker - Jet Rendered Inert in Ark Crash

Skywarp - Jet Rendered Inert in Ark Crash

Soundwave Rendered Inert in Ark Crash

Laserbeak Rendered Inert in Ark Crash

Frenzy Rendered Inert in Ark Crash

Chop Shop - Insect Jet

Bombshell - Insect Jet

Kickback - Insect Jet

Shrapnel - Insect Jet

Scowl

Birdbrain

Bristleback

Wildfly

Slog

Ratbat (Mentioned)

Skyfire - Jet (Mentioned) Brain Chip taken by Shockwave

Other Decepticons on Ark (Mentioned) Rendered Inert in Ark Crash

Other

AUNTIE

Scraplets (Mentioned)

Notes

• I'm very sorry about this review being EXTREMELY late, but my original copy got lost in rthe mail, then it's replacement got lost, so I had to get another one from another seller just to get this done relatively on time. (To put it into perspective, I've had issue 3 for longer than I've had issue 2)
• As with last time, I wont mention most things that were brought up in the creator commentary at the end of the issue, unless it seems particularly important to note.
• The Dynobot's sparks and memory engrams are placed into the same mind bank that the reserve Autobots are stored in, as we'll see more of next issue....
• Straxus is introduced here, and it's revealed that he was placed in his command position by  Counterpunch, on Shockwave's orders, with the intent of him being removed from power by Shockwave, which of course doesn't happen...
• The Autobots defending the border regions from Straxus during the Ark's launch is mostly made of future Wreckers, again, more on them next issue!
• Its confirmed here that Shockwave did figure out Optimus' plan, and used it to take out Megatron and his forces for his own gain, and intentionally stayed on the Nemesis as "back-up" to take advantage of this.
• The second half of this issue is basically a retelling of the Dinobot's origins from the original Marvel series, but more realistic and to be safe from legal stuff (such as the lack of living dinosaurs on the Savage Land)
• The Ark's computer, AUNTIE, is given the acronym of Artificial Utility Nexus/Tactical Intelligence Entity

IDW - Transformers/My Little Pony: Friendship in Disguise #2

Inspiring

Writer: Ian  Flynn

Artist: Sara Pitre-Durocher

Colours: Joana LaFuente

Letterer: Jake M. Wood

They Eat Ponies, Don't They?

Writer: Sam Maggs

Artist: Casey W. Coller

Colours: Joana LaFuente

Letterer: Neil Uyetake

Editor: Megan Brown

Consulting Editor: David Mariotte

Group Editor: Bobby Curnow

First Story Plot

Spike, now in the Ark on Earth, spends time with Grimlock, who he idolizes due to his giant size and strength, when the ship's proximity alarms go off, alerting them to the Constructicons arrival, planning to destroy the Ark whilst it's undermanned.

Grimlock goes out to fight the Decepticons, but gets overwhelmed when they combine into Devastator. Spike, wanting to help, and noticing the engines of the downed Autobot ship, rushes back inside, quickly learns basic Cybertronian and starts up the ship's engines, using them to blast the combiner, who de-combines and the Constructicons retreat.

Afterwards, Grimlock thanks Spike, and tells him that he's inspired by his quick mind and skills, despite his small size, and says that he knows he'll get stronger as time goes on.

All this flattery causes Spike to pass out in joy however...

Second Story Plot

On Equestria, Pinkie Pie is hosting her cooking show, and introduces her very special guest, the newest Autobot, Gauge. The two show their favourite recipes as part of a cultural exchange of sorts, with Pinkie showing off her cupcakes, and Gauge showing an iron filling casserole, much to the horror of the pony audience, and Pinkie herself.

Before the two can start their cooking however, Shockwave arrives via another Spacebridge, and he declares his intent to test if ponies can be used to fuel Decepticons.

Pinkie and Gauge work together to defeat Shockwave using a bunch of kitchen utensils and manage to knock him back into the Spacebridge, sending it away again. Following his expulsion, the audience cheer, likely assuming it was just part of the show.

A while later, the duo finish preparing their meals, and both try the other's creations, and both immediately dislike the other's work, but at least try to be courteous about it...

Characters

Autobot

Grimlock - Tyrannosaurus Rex

Gauge

Other Autobots (Mentioned, On Other Missions)

Decepticon

Shockwave - Ray Gun

Hook - Crane

Long Haul - Dump Truck

Mixmaster - Mixing Truck

Scrapper - Front End Loader

Bonecrusher - Bulldozer

Scavenger - Excavator

Devastator - Constructicon Gestalt

Equestrian

Pinkie Pie

Spike, the Dragon

Derpy

Bon Bon

Lyra Heartstrings

Vinyl Scratch

Octavia

Cheerilee

Doctor Hooves

Roseluck

Thunderlane

Flitter

Minuette

Lily Valley

Apple Split

Diamond Rose

Cherry Berry

Lemon Hearts

Cloudkicker

Other Ponies in Audience

Princess Twilight Sparkle (Mentioned)

Notes

• We learn that at least one Equestrian was transported to the Transformers universe here, since Spike is on the Earth of their universe (and not the Equestria Girls one)
• Since the Transformers-side of the portal, as well as Grimlock, was on Cybertron last issue it's logical to assume that Spike ended up on Cybertron initially, and went back to Earth via Spacebridge afterwards. (the cartoon did show that Cybertron had a breathable atmosphere in this continuity)
• Spike's ability to quickly learn a new language and operational systems that are beyond that of Equestria is likely due to Twilight's book-worm influence.
• The Ark's engines can be converted easily into cannons it seems....that would be handy if Trypticon attacks the volcano and ship in a couple decades....
• Gauge is introduced as the newest Autobot, likely a reference to her status as the newest forged Cybertronian in the concurrent G1 comic series from IDW, though she isn't an Autobot in that continuity (yet)
• Shockwave shows the ability to convert his hands into new weapons etc
• Shockwave's plan to see if he can convert ponies into fuel could be a reference to pink alchemy from the previous IDW continuity, where organics are drained of life to create Energon
• Pinkie Pie's dislike of Gauge's food is quite funny when you look at a load of crap she's eaten over the franchise's run.