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.

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 #39

Title: Darkness, Once Gazed Upon, Part Three

Written by: Brian Ruckley

Art by: Andrew Lee Griffith

Colours by: John-Paul Bove

Letters by: Nathan Widick

Editor: David Mariotte

Assistant Editor: Riley Farmer

Supervising Editor: Tom Waltz

Plot

Smokescreen tries to get Swindle to arm the unarmed members of their team, Magnus, Elita and Bumblebee, but the bar owner insists he doesn't have any weapons in his bar 

Suddenly, the wall blows in, with Sixshot leading a crew of Decepticons inside, and orders them to kill everyone except Magnus, as Megatron wants him alive...

In the basement, Headlock is trying to make it to the hidden tunnels before the fight can start, when he finds "Ruckus" exploring, interested in what is inside one of the Immersion Chambers.

During the battle, Smokescreen finds Swindle's secret weapons cache, and arms himself with as much as he can carry, rejoining the battle in full force.

Elsewhere in Iacon, Cyclonus finds "Provoke" leaving the medical center, and confronts her, pointing out her recent contradictions and odd behaviour, forcing her to reveal her true identity as Exarchon, intending to take his body as a replacement. After a short battle, Cyclonus tears out her spark, and destroys it, realising that Ruckus is likely to also be an Exarchon host, he knows what needs to be done...

Meanwhile, "Flatline" has made his way to Shockwave's secret base, where he is repairing Skywarp from his recent injuries caused by Sky Lynx, and reveals his identity as Exarchon to his former follower...intending to finish their old mission.

After a hard battle, the Autobots manage to escape from Swindle's bar, but Swindle as his staff are left behind. In the underground tunnels, the Autobots, plus Bumblebee and Elita, regroup, but they know they're unlikely to get back to Crystal City before the Decepticons attack the city to try and take down the Autobot army.

In the aftermath of the battle, the bar is destroyed, and Sixshot warns the owner to stay in line from now on, or this will be the least of his troubles.

Swindle starts to complain about his lot on life now, when he notices Ruckus' corpse in the basement. Suddenly Deathsaurus, now infested by Exarchon, bursts through the remains of the roof, and heads into the skies, intending to crush Cybertron under his feet again, and to keep it crushed this time....

Characters

Autobot

Ultra Magnus - Vehicle Transport

Chromia - Car

Windblade - VTOL Jet

Arcee - Car

Smokescreen - Car

Decepticon

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

Shockwave - Flying Artillery

Ravage - Cassette

Catgut

Treadshot

Gutcruncher

Cindersaur - Lizard Monster

Flamefeather - Bird Monster

Jolt - Car

Scatterspike - Van

Green/Orange Security Guard Killed by "Provoke"

Megatron - Tank (Mentioned)

Three-fold Spark

Flatline/Exarchon - Van

Provoke/Exarchon - Big Wheeled Vehicle Killed by Cyclonus

Ruckus/Exarchon - Buggy Killed Self to Infest Deathsaurus

Deathsaurus/Exarchon - Dragon

Other Cybertronian

Swindle - Van

Trickdiamond - Car

Roughstuff - Truck Joins Decepticons

Headlock - Forklift

Bumblebee - Winged Hovercraft

Elita-1 - Car

Cyclonus - Jet

Skywarp - Jet Under Repairs from Shockwave

Gridlock (Ghost)

Highfire (Ghost)

Grudge (Ghost)

Paragon (Ghost)

Provoke (Ghost)

Notes

• Roughstuff is shown switching sides to the Decepticons here, confirming that the Devepticon badge he had a couple issues ago was just a mistake.
• Flatline is confirmed to have been taken over by Exarchon this issue, after being attacked by the ancient evil in issue 36 
• Following her physical death, Provoke returns to being one of Cyclonus' ghosts again
• Deathsaurus was shown to be in the immersion chambers previously in the series, having decided to live out his days killing Cliffjumper in there...wonder if Exarchon will have an urge to kill Cliffjumper now too?

IDW - Transformers #37

Title: Darkness, Once Gazed Upon, Part One

Written by: Brian Ruckley

Art by: Winston Chan & Guido Guidi

Colours by: John-Paul Bove

Colour Assist by: Ed Pirrie

Letters & Design by: Jake M. Wood

Editor: David Mariotte

Assistant Editor: Riley Farmer

Supervising Editor: Tom Waltz

Plot

Ultra Magnus and Optimus Prime meet with the Immersant Codexa, who relates how they learned of Exarchon's altered state during the original war, but by that time it had cost them many lives, including those of Cyclonus' team. Optimus asks his mentor if she thinks Exarchon is back, and she, connected to the many sparks of the planet, agrees that it is likely, even conjuring the name Ruckus as a potential victim of his...

Back in Iacon, Cyclonus barges into Swindle's bar, to see a fully revived Ruckus, claiming to have recovered from his near-death state, and is now learning what he's missed. He tries to question him about what happened, but the new Decepticon seems uninterested in talking to him.

Swindle ushers Cyclonus out, since he's not a Decepticon, and might get his place shut down by Megatron. Cyclonus leaves, but is getting suspicious by these recent miraculous recoveries...

Magnus and Prime start to leave Codexa's chamber, when Magnus notices that the entrance has been shut, despite him leaving it open, leading to him leaving, ready to fight, immediately finding a Decepticon crew led by Soundblaster holding the rest of the guards at gunpoint.

The Autobot general smashes through them, freeing the other Autobots, allowing them to defeat the Decepticons, and distracting them enough to allow Optimus to escape with the rest of his guards 

Ultimately, Magnus is forced to be left behind, leading to him being knocked out, and taken towards Iacon, for Megatron to deal with him later. Shockwave then orders Soundblaster, over the communicators, to seal Codexa's chamber, so Optimus cannot consult with her again...

Characters

Autobot

Optimus Prime - Truck

Ultra Magnus - Vehicle Transport Captured by Decepticons

Ironhide - Van

Groove - Motorcycle

Grotesque - Winged Beast

Backstreet - Car

Pyra Magna - Fire Truck (Mentioned)

Decepticon

Soundblaster - Hovercraft

Slipstream - Jet

Shadow Striker - Car

Ruckus/Exarchon - Buggy 

Roughstuff - Truck

Astrotrain - Trackless Train/Space Shuttle

Flamewar - Motorcycle

Hyperdrive - Car

Blackjack - Car

Tracer - Helicopter

Rumble - Cassette

Frenzy - Cassette

Swindle's Bar Patrons

Shockwave - Flying Artillery (Voice Only)

Megatron - Tank (Mentioned)

Starscream - Jet (Mentioned)

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

The Threefold Spark

Exarchon - Jet (Image)

Clone-Drone Soldiers - Jets (Flashback) Dead

Turmoil - Tank (Mentioned)

Other Cybertronian

Cyclonus - Jet 

Swindle - Van

Codexa Immersant, Sealed into Chamber

Other Immersants 

Paragon - Treaded Vehicle (Flashback) Captured by Turmoil

Provoke - Motorcycle (Flashback) Shot in Chest, Infected by Exarchon off-panel 

Gridlock - Gun-Mounted Vehicle (Flashback) Kill by Headshot, by Unknown Weapon

Highfire - Jet (Flashback) Killed off-panel

Grudge - Truck (Flashback) Killed off-panel

Nominus Prime - Jet (Flashback)

Highbrow - Helicopter (Flashback)

Dai Atlas - Drill Tank (Flashback)

Quake - Tank (Flashback)

Brawn - Van (Flashback)

Seekers - Jets (Flashback)

Other War Cybertronian's (Flashback)

Flatline - Van (Mentioned)

Strika - Battle Tank (Mentioned)

Croaton - Titan Ship (Mentioned) Dead

The Titans - Titan Ships (Mentioned)

Strika's Heavies (Mentioned)

Turmoil's Prisoners (Mentioned)

Other

Exarchon's "Re-Makers" (Mentioned)

Neutronians (Mentioned) Mostly Extinct, due to Turmoil

Rust Worms (Mentioned)

Notes

• With Cyclonus' team being shown in colour for the first time properly here, it makes it a lot easier to figuring out what their alternate modes are. So I have made my guesses based on these in the character list above.
• Provoke's eyes are shown to be yellow in the flashback scenes, while the version of her seen in the present day has red eyes, making it quite clear those are a side effect of Exarchon's body snatching. Interestingly though, when we see an image of Exarchon later this issue, we see his eyes were blue...
• Optimus theories here that the person he speaks to when he meets with the Immersant Codexa is not actually her, but the collective consciousness of Cybertron's sparks, possibly the afterlife.
• There's a mostly grey scale jet transformer hanging around in the command room when Nominus was being briefed on Exarchon's abilities, he never speaks or makes much notice of himself, but he seems too detailed for just a background character...I think that may be one of Exarchon's bodies...
• We learn here what has been predicted already, Exarchon is able to take over another Cybertronian's spark, overwriting it, and can possess multiple bodies at once, we do learn here though that once possessed, the process seems to be irreversible, and he is limited to controlling three bodies at any one time.
• Cyclonus previously claimed that he lost track of Provoke's body after her apparent death, but we learn here that he was dragged away before he could recover her body, before Strika's Heavies could arrive to finish the battle.
• Roughstuff is shown to be Decepti-branded now, he was a part of the Rise originally, but was arrested before being branded, and allied with Swindle's crew. The latter is shown here, but I can't see a Decepticon badge on him, meaning he's probably still unaligned, despite his bar being Decepticon-only now.
• Ruckus, really Exarchon, is shown to have joined the Decepticons, most likely to try and spread his influence again, and either recruit new soldiers or just cause trouble.
• Soundblaster is shown to be able to hold Cassettes in his chest, an ability that his mould-mate Soundwave hasn't been shown to have yet in this continuity.
• Ultra Magnus, in his Siege body, is being captured by the Decepticons and brought to Megatron? I sure hope this goes better than it did in the War for Cybertron cartoon...

IDW - Transformers Halloween

Written by: Dan Watters

Art by: Beth McGuire-Smith

Colours by: Nahuel Ruiz

Letters by: Jake M. Wood

Editor: Riley Farmer

Supervising Editors: David Mariotte & Tom Waltz

Plot

Word has been spread that the Autobots are roaming in the area outside of Iacon, plotting to retake it from the Decepticons, so Megatron is planning a hunting party.

Initially, he plans to have Starscream lead the team, but after Sixshot questions his loyalty, he relents and appoints Soundwave instead.

Starscream, having overheard this conversation storms outside, where he encounters the Battlechargers, who say they have heard a strange howl in the wastelands.

Determined to prove his skills, he decides to investigate himself, having explored the area when he was newly forged with his mentor, Cryak.

Eventually, Starscream finds the source of the sound, an enslaved-organic that has been separated from his Voin master, but is trapped by a cable. 

Starscream intends to put the creature out of its misery, but as soon as he stabs the cable with his blade, he is electrocuted, and knocked out.

Starscream wakes up inside the organic, trapped, but soon encounters another spark inside the organic, Cryak, who was trapped in there when her spark was accidentally caught in the organic's cable and trapped her inside it.

Cryak soon shows Starscream how to manifest a "physical" form inside the organic, to make it easier to communicate, but she reveals that her time inside the organic has warped her mind, and driven her to hate the concept of Cybertronians emulating organics in several ways, and intends to use Starscream's body to "liberate" every Cybertronian she can, and reduce them to their true spark forms.

Starscream draws a line at genocide however, and fights off his former mentor, resulting in him escaping the organic, and returning to his body.

As punishment for her actions, he leaves the organic alive, thus condemning Cryak to his body as a prison...

Characters

Decepticon

Megatron - Tank

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

Starscream - Jet

Runabout - Car

Runamuck - Car

Soundwave - Hovercraft (Mentioned)

Other Cybertronian

Cryak - Buggy Spark Trapped Inside "Ook"

The Autobots (Mentioned)

The Unaligned (Mentioned)

Primus (Mentioned)

Other

"Ook" Ensnared by Control Wire

Voin

Other Enslaved-Organics

Notes

• This issue shows us that the organic aliens are still in Iacon...I wonder how long it'll take for the Decepticons to start using them for target practice.
• Starscream is revealed to have joined the Decepticons this issue, but it's not clear if he is truly loyal to Megatron yet. He is still mentioned as being the head of intelligence though, so I guess Megatron trusts him at least a little bit.
• This issue shows us at least part of the process of a character going Immersant, with Cryak laying down, allowing cables to enter Cybertron and pass her spark into the planet and her body to be recycled into it too.
• Cryak's beliefs that Cybertron is Primus' body are reminiscent of Reversionist beliefs, implying that she was probably one before she died.

IDW - Transformers #35

Title: Lord of Misrule: Sea of Rust II

Written by: Brian Ruckley

Art by: Anna Malkova

Colours by: David Garcia Cruz & Evan Gauntt

Letters & Design by: Jake M. Wood

Editor: David Mariotte

Assistant Editor: Riley Farmer

Supervising Editor: Tom Waltz

Plot

The Autobot team, led by Pyra Magna arrive to fight off the Insecticon Swarm, and manage to kill many of them, forcing the rest to retreat. Pyra and Wheeljack head inside "House" to meet with the reclusive scientist.

Skywarp arrives outside Shockwave's lab, and tries to reunite with his former teammate, but the former Exarchon follower simply arms up, prepared to fire on the teleporter. Skywarp asks what the deal with the clones swarming to the Sea of Rust is about, with Shockwave explaining it briefly as being due to the Enigma of Combination, leading to Skywarp to teleport away, saying he'll be back soon....

At Termagax's "House" she meets with Pyra, who simply wants to have permission to place sentries in the facility too, to prepare for the upcoming battle. Wheeljack tells Landmine and Geomotus that they should leave before the battle begins, as they aren't fighters.

Soon, the Autobots fortify the area around "House" whilst waiting for the rest of the attack force, led by Optimus Prime to arrive.

Optimus meets with Termagax too, with Termagax determined to make it clear that she will NOT choose a side in this war, and will not give him the Enigma either. Optimus however rebutes that Termagax, as both the founder of the Ascenticons and Megatron's mentor, is the one person who cannot be allowed to remain neutral, and she has to choose a side.

Sixshot leads a team of Decepticons to the Sea of Rust, and begins the attack on "House", sending the Rainmakers in first, however Pyra knew this would happen, and has the sentries ready. Arcee and Sureshot use their sniper skills to take down Ion Storm and Acid Storm, an Windcharger internally crushed Nova Storm too, after a bit of trouble with her impenetrable bodyframe.

A full-on battle begins between the Autobots and Decepticons. Inside "House", Termagax has made her choice, as she deploys an army of Spectrosynth Drones onto the battlefield....

Characters

Autobot

Optimus Prime - Truck

Pyra Magna - Fire Truck

Ironhide - Van

Novastar - Car

Sky Lynx - Space Shuttle

Windblade - VTOL Jet

Springer - Helicopter/Car

Blades - Helicopter

Rust Dust - Motorcycle

Groundbreaker - Car

Sunstreaker - Car

Smokescreen - Car

Arcee - Car

Sureshot - Buggy

Windcharger - Car

Wheeljack - Race Car

Flareup - Motorcycle

Groove - Motorcycle

Inferno - Fire Truck

Javelin - Car

Brawn - Van

Subsea - Submarine

Pipes - Truck

Grotesque - Winged Beast

Backstreet - Race Car

Pointblank - Van

Zetar - Drill Tank

Powertrain - Truck

Highjump - Van

Big Daddy - Car

Trip-up - Car

Other Autobots

Nominus Prime - Jet (Mentioned) Dead

Sentinel Prime - Space Shuttle (Mentioned) Dead

Decepticon

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

Shockwave - Flying Artillery

Shadow Striker - Car

Hyperdrive - Car

Flamewar - Motorcycle

Slipstream - Jet

Nova Storm - Jet Internals Crushed by Windcharger

Ion Storm - Jet Shot Out of Sky by Arcee

Acid Storm - Jet Shot Out of Sky by Sureshot

Roadtrap - Van

Battleslash - Helicopter

Runamuck - Car

Runabout - Car

Cindersaur - Lizard Monster

Flamefeather - Bird Monster

Skytread - Tank and Jet

Gutcruncher

Crasher - Race Car

Nautilator - Lobster

Twirl - Jet

Swift - Helicopter

Refraktor - Hovercraft

Direct-Hit - Truck

Power Punch - Truck

Weirdwolf - Wolf

Offroad - Van

Scatterspike - Van

Insecticon Swarm - Insects Some destroyed by Autobots

Other Decepticons

Megatron - Tank (Mentioned)

Other Cybertronian

Termagax - Armoured Van

Geomotus - Buggy

Landmine - Buggy

Skywarp - Jet

Constructicons (Mentioned)

Other

"House"

Spectrosynth Drones

Rust Worms

Termagax's Specimens In Jars

Notes

• Wheeljack is the only major character from the Escape miniseries to join the defense of Termagax. Most likely the others (like Nautica, Hound etc) are busy fortifying Darkmount.
• Shockwave's extra weapons and armour is based on his Siege figure's extra accessories. I believe this is the first time we've seen the extra parts of a figure on panel in this series so far.
• Subsea mentions that the Senate Guard have renamed themselves as the "Prime Guard"
• Termagax reveals that she has possessed the Enigma of Combination since it was used on the Constructicons, with permission by both Nominus and Sentinel Primes. Most likely this was in effort to stop Cybertronian expansionism, like we saw with the population control in earlier issues.
• It's unclear if the Rainmakers survived their attacks in this issue, but after two getting shot through their jet modes, and plummeting to the ground, and Nova Storm getting internally crushed by Windcharger, before also plummeting, I'd expect them to at least have some bad injuries...
• The final panels make it pretty unclear if Termagax is sending her drones to attack the Autobots, Decepticons or both!
• Based on the title of this storyline referencing Skywarp, and him not really appearing much in the story itself in the past couple of issues, I'm going to guess that he will teleport in at the end of the fight, and either abduct Termagax or steal the Enigma (again, possibly both)