IDW - Optimus Prime #15

Title: The Falling Part 1: Surfeit of Primes

Written by: John Barber

Art by: Kei Zama

Colours by: Josh Burcham

Letters by: Tom B. Long

Assistant Editor: David Mariotte

Editor: Carlos Guzman

Publisher: Ted Adams

Plot

The Mistress of Flame, having come to speak with Alpha Trion, recounts her mission to Antilla, and reveals that when there, she saw Onyx Prime, and a giant mountain-sized eyeball. One of her crew, Magrada was killed there. and recounts how Praesida was killed by Onyx years later when on Caminus, telling her that Onyx was after her and her friends.

Scoop, now dismissive of believing in "gods" after his experience with Starscream being the "Chosen One" scoffs at the Mistress' story, having been invited there by Alpha Trion as he was the one who unearthed the Dark Cybertron prophecy. Trion suggests that the two of them could learn something from each other, but Mistress has to leave, however she does suggest to Scoop that perhaps his anger is better aimed towards the one who actually betrayed him, rather than the Primes.

The Mistress leaves and heads towards the space bridge where she meets with Windblade, in preparation for a visit from Optimus.

On Earth, Optimus officially opens up an Ore-13 mine along with Marissa and the President with human and Cybertronian workers to help with the rebuilding of Cybertron, whilst also providing jobs for the people of Earth. Some humans are protesting the event as they still hate Cybertronians, and even feel that Joe Colton and his crew (which includes several known terrorists mind you) should be freed.

On Autobot City, above the mine, Arcee hangs out with Aileron, and discusses the new Protoforms on Cybertron, with Arcee looking forward to seeing them develop and hopefully living in peace. The two are interrupted when they notice Slide screaming about Optimus again, and almost spills the cover-up of Frenzy and Rumble smuggling weapons in front of Arcee.

Optimus returns to the city with the first shipment of Ore-13, where Optimus is a bit annoyed with the protestors and is flippant with Pyra when she asks how it went, with him even joking about Pyra being happy they "got the humans to do their bidding", just as Marissa berates him for the poor joke.

Optimus is about to head back to Cybertron, when Aileron arrives dragging Slide with her to explain her attitude to Optimus. She begins to explain things, but Optimus has to leave, but reminds her that they have lost a lot of innocent life in the war, and they should celebrate their lives instead of having them stagnate their own lives. Pyra suggests that Slide and the other Colonists go to the Ore-13 mines to learn what they are trying to do on Earth.

Optimus soon on Cybertron and presents the Ore-13 to the Council of Worlds to use as they please amongst Cybertron and the colonies. The Mistress approaches Optimus to ask him about his past vision on Earth, just after the annexation, but before they can talk the sky suddenly goes dark...

Scoop visits Starscream in his cell, but before they can really do anything Bumblebee's "ghost" tells Starscream that there's a giant eye in the sky!!

Onyx Prime addresses the Council, presenting Liege Maximo as his prisoner to be judged for his crimes, along with anyone else who works against Cybertron. Optimus addressed himself as the defender of Cybertron and it's allies and demands Onyx to speak with him. Onyx agrees, especially since he holds Optimus, as the "Arisen", responsible for Cybertron's fall!

Characters

Autobot

Optimus Prime/"The Arisen" - Truck Cab

Alpha Trion - Shuttle

Windblade - VTOL Fighter Jet

Arcee - Sports Car

Aileron - Space Shuttle

Thundercracker - Fighter Jet

Pyra Magna - Fire Truck

Rust Dust - Motorcycle

Dust Up - Sports Car

Jumpstream - Sports Car

Skyburst - Helicopter

Stormclash - Helicopter

"Getout" - Dragster Car

Bumblebee - Car ("Ghost" Only)

Autobot Colonist Recruits

Slide - Rear of Oil Tanker

Roulette - Muscle Car

Midnight Express - Bullet Train

Bump - Armadillo

Gimlet - Lobster

Oiler - Front of Oil Tanker (Mentioned) Dead

Decepticon

Soundwave - Cassette Player

Megatron - Tank (Mentioned)

United Cybertron

Starscream - Fighter Jet In Jail

Scoop - Front End Loader

Iaconian Civilians

Beast Horde

Onyx Prime

"Optimus Primal" (Flashback Only)

"Beast Megatron" (Flashback Only)

Other Beasts (Flashback Only)

Other Cybertronian/Colonist

Mistress of Flame/Former Matriarch of Incaendium

Liege Maximo Captured by Onyx Prime

Rum-Maj

Wreck-Gar Still Just a Head

Airazor - Eagle

Moonracer - Sports Car

Knock Out - Sports Car

Elita One

Strika - Battle Tank

Fireshot - Part of Jet

Vanquish - Part of Jet

Cybertronian Miners

Sharkticons - Sharks

Praesidia (Flashback Only) Seemingly Killed by Onyx Prime

Magrada (Flashback Only) Seemingly Decapitated by Onyx Prime

Former Mistress of Flame (Mentioned) Dead

The Thirteen Primes (Mentioned)

Primus (Mentioned) 

New Protoforms (Mentioned)

Protoform Sideswipe (Mentioned)

Sterling - Car (Mentioned) Dead

Nova Prime - Truck (Mentioned) Dead

Metalhawk - Jet (Mentioned) Dead

The Old Senate (Mentioned) Defunct

Human

Marissa Faireborn

Madame President

Flint

Chameleon 

Human Miners

Human Protestors 

Joe Colton (Mentioned) Jailed on Cybertron

The Iron Ring (Mentioned) Jailed on Cybertron 

Other

The Solstar Order (Mentioned)

Notes

• This issue is set after the Till All Are One Annual, as it features Starscream in jail and Windblade as the leader of the planet. This also means that this issue is set about a month after issue 14 as that was the period of time spent in the Annual
• Okay I know it looks bad, but we don't actually see Onyx kill Magrada here, maybe he was trying to save her from a ninja or something? I just think he may be a secret "good guy".
• So....Caminus' star started to die as Mistress of Flame returned to the colony following the mission to Antilla, and the previous Mistress died as well...does anyone else think she was involved with these "events" too?
• Also...are we going to learn Mistress' real name soon?
• Amongst the Beast Horde are Optimus Primal and Beast Megatron, considering the formers role in the new Power of the Primes toy line, I think they'll get properly introduced in this storyline.
• So...a giant mountain sized eye? I wonder if that is related in some way to Unicron? Well it's either that, or the Triptych Mask is much bigger than expected...
• So the Mistress and Windblade are on better terms now, following their last meeting where the former slapped the latter for heresy.
• In the Ore-13 mine on Earth, one of the workers appears to be Skram, but he died by Sandstorm's hands in Punishment. So I am renaming him Getout here, which was a member of the Maximal Command Security Force that was seemingly based on him.
• Awwww...Arcee looks actually happy when talking to Aileron about the new Protoforms and the new Sideswipe.
• Why is Elita on Cybertron with the Council of Worlds representatives? She's not one of them, and at least Strika is there to represent Carcer.
• Hey...Starscream's cell sure looks quite nice...almost like a hotel room (in fact most hotel rooms I stay in are comparatively smaller than his cell!)
• The hologram of Starscream's "true self" appears to be able to move, as it's in a totally different pose to what it was in the Annual.
• Oh cool! Onyx Prime has captured Liege Maximo...guess someone should call Chromia and her crew and let them know they can come home now huh?
• Onyx appears to confirm that Optimus is the thirteenth Prime "The Arisen", unless he just refers to him as that because he knows that others believe him to be it.
• It's mentioned in this issue about "the last time Liege Maximo attacked Cybertron"....when did this happen? The only thing Maximo has done really is escape from jail, and evade further capture since the end of the Titan Swarm attack.
• Windblade off-handedly jokes that Optimus has annexed the Solstar Order...considering the apparent events of the upcoming Darkest Hour storyline including Unicron attacking Elonia, the HQ of the Solstar Order...maybe he should?

IDW - Transformers: Windblade #1

Title: Combiner Wars Part 1: The Sum and its Parts

Written by: Mairghread Scott

Story by: Mairghread Scott & John Barber

Art by: Sarah Stone

Letters by: Tom B. Long

Editor: Carlos Guzman

Plot

The Camiens react to the sudden appearance of Swindle and Menasor, but are easily overwhelmed by the massive combiner. Swindle starts to panic, as he only planned to rob the Camiens as Starscream suggested to him, when suddenly he realises that Starscream has played him, and that he's manipulated things to make Menasor an unstable combiner and make them a target on the planet.

On Cybertron, Optimus calls Starscream to tell him that the Space Bridge has been activated, and Starscream pretends to be shocked before heading down. Once there he orders his police force to go through the portal and attack the combiner.

Back on Caminus, Swindle tries to sneak off, whilst Menasor is being dealt with by the Camiens, when he sees the police force head through the portal, along with Ironhide and Chromia, blocking his exit.

The Autobots and police force join the fight against Menasor. Optimus tries to head through too, but Windblade tells him to stay on Cybertron until she can explain some things to him first. Chromai gets grabbed by Menasor, but Windblade manages to save her before she falls to her death. Windblade calls back to Cybertron to get the Aerialbots to come in.

At first, Starscream refuses to allow Superion to join the fight, but Optimus threatens him to have Prowl investigate him if he refuses, and so the Aerialbots are sent through the portal and instantly combine to Superion.

Superion easily defeats Menasor using his "superior" skills as a combiner and fighter. Windblade meets with the other Cityspeakers to arrange for Menasor to be separated and taken back to Cybertron for a trial, she sees the Forgefire Parliament to arrange for Starscream to meet with them for first contact, and to speak to the Mistress of Flame to discuss the existence of Optimus Prime. During this, Swindle is captured by one of the police force members, on Starscream's orders.

Windblade returns to Cybertron and has Starscream go to Caminus to make official first contact, however she talks to Optimus alone and reveals that the Camiens are extremely religious, and think of the Primes as gods, thus meaning that Optimus would be seen as a god too, especially with the Matrix in his chest. He's reluctant to head there now, a he doesn't want to mislead or manipulate the Camiens, but Windblade says that Starscream will just do it otherwise, and for all the wrong reasons.

Windblade and Optimus head to Caminus, where he is greeted as a god by thee Camiens after showing the Matrix much to Starscream's hatred, and Optimus' apparent unease..

Characters

Autobot

Optimus Prime - Truck Cab

Windblade - VTOL Jet

Chromia - Speedbike

Ironhide - Van

Superion - Aerialbot Gestalt

Silverbolt - Jet

Skydive - Jet

Fireflight - Jet

Alpha Bravo - Helicopter

Powerglide - A10 Jet

Air Raid - Jet (Part of Superion)

Nautica - Submarine (Mentioned)

Thunderclash (Mentioned)

Metroplex - City/Ship (Mentioned)

Prowl - Police Vehicle (Mentioned)

Wheeljack - Race Car (Mentioned)

Decepticon

Menasor - Stunticon Gestalt Defeated by Superion

Motormaster - Truck (Mentioned)

Stunticons (Mentioned)

Camien

Mistress of Flame

Afterburner - Jet Killed by Menasor

Hot Shot - Car

Lightbright

Alpha Squadron Fliers - Jets

Pink City Speaker

Red Forgefire Parliament Member

Yellow Forgefire Parliament Member

Caminus - City (Interface Shown)

Other Camiens

United Cybertron

Starscream - Jet

Swindle - Off Road Vehicle Arrested by Badgeless

Scoop - Front End Loader

Secret Police/The Badgeless - Jets

Blackjack - Car (Flashback)

Rattrap - Rat (Mentioned)

Cybertron Security Force (Mentioned)

Other Cybertronian

Solus Prime (Flashback)

Prima (Mentioned)

The Thirteen Primes (Mentioned)

Primus (Mentioned)

Notes

• It's shown that Caminus has multiple Cityspeakers talking to it at one time, most likely to help speed up the translations, or have shifts etc
• How did Afterburner and the others not notice Menasor behind Swindle until he pointed him out?
• Blackjack is revealed to be unaligned, a former member of the Cybertronian Security force (the Badgeless?) and to have been planted with the Stunticons by Starscream for the purpose of him making Menasor unstable.
• Starscream has selected his upcoming Generations toy as his new body design (dull surprise....) but he hasn't decided on the colours yet.
• Air Raid isn't shown with the Aerialbots whilst uncombined, possibly due to his toy being unavailable in the same toy wave with the others (like Drag Strip in the previous issue)
• Superion likes to refer to Superion in the third person
• Windblade reveals that Solus Prime is INDEED connected to Caminus, and that her people worship the Thirteen Primes as gods, unlike how the Cybertronians see them.
• I wonder how the Camiens will take it when they learn that the Matrix's energies were drained when Optimus restored Cybertron?
• Windblade claims that the Camiens can all recite the names of the Thirteen Primes, this means that Optimus is likely not one of them as he is in the Aligned universe...unless he used a different name back then, before his "rebirth".

IDW - Transformers #39

Title: Combiner Wars Opening Salvo: First Contact

Written by: John Barber

Story By: Mairghread Scott & John Barber

Art by: Livio Ramondelli

Letters by: Tom B. Long

Editor: Carlos Guzman

Plot

Scoop returns from Earth and delivers the Enigma of Combination to Starscream.

Optimus and Windblade walk through the Decepticon ghetto on their way back to Metroplex when they are attacked by a load of Decepticons, but the two Autobots manage to handle the Decepticons, especially when Chromia and Ironhide intervene as well, and they force the Decepticons to leave them be.

Windblade reveals to Optimus that when she was looking for him earlier, it was for a reason, and the four Autobots should all head off to discuss things privately.

Once they've gone, the observing Swindle decides to leave as well, in part out of boredom, and part to avoid the Stunticons who still hate him for his actions on Earth.

Inside Metroplex, Windblade reveals that along with Wheeljack and the others, the Spacebridge is working now, but they are worried to tell Starscream, and they are worried that he'll use it to conquer the lost colony worlds, and plans to use Superion to act as an enforcer of sorts.

He suggests that Wheeljack should continue to repair the Aerialbots, as they are still living Autobots, Ironhide and Chromia are assigned to guard the Spacebridge in case Starscream comes after it. He and Windblade head off to meet with Starscream themselves as well.

Starscream is looking through new bodies for him to take on, in anticipation of his future successes when Optimus and Windblade arrive, and tell him that the Spacebridge is completed, but then warns him not to use it for expanding his "empire". An argument begins between the three of them, with Starscream claiming that Caminus may be planning to invade Cybertron itself, so they need Superion to defend the planet.

Optimus and Windblade leave, but insist on making Starscream agree that upon contact with the Colony Worlds they need to assign a representative and work together on a constitution for the united worlds. They leave Starscream to plot away....

Starscream visits Wheeljack in Superion's hanger where he presents the Enigma of Combination to him. Later on, Starscream also visits Swindle at his home, with the Enigma in tow, and asks him if he wants a way to get rich.

Swindle soon heads out to the Stunticon's base, where he tells them he's getting the old gang back together, an shows them the Enigma.

Optimus contacts the Lost Light to invite them back home for contact with the Colonies, but Rodimus refuses to return home, but agrees to send a ship of representatives back 

Windblade begins to warn Optimus about something to do with Caminus, but is interrupted when Metroplex informs her that something is wrong in the Spacebridge room. They look on the security feed and see Ironhide and Chromia knocked out, and the Spacebridge is active behind them.

Far away, Caminus is orbiting it's dying star when suddenly a Spacebridge opens up in the sky, and Menasor, with Swindle riding his shoulder, comes through, with the plan of robbing the entire planet!

Characters

Autobot

Optimus Prime - Truck Cab

Windblade - VTOL Jet

Ironhide - Van

Chromia - Speed Bike

Wheeljack - Race Car

Metroplex - City/Space Ship

Alpha Bravo - Helicopter

Powerglide - Jet

Rodimus - Car (On Communicator)

Ultra Magnus - Vehicle Transport (On Communicator)

Megatron - Tank (On Communicator)

Superion - Aerialbot Gestalt Under Repairs

Aerialbots (Mentioned)

Prowl - Police Vehicle (Mentioned)

Bumblebee - Muscle Car (Mentioned) Dead

Decepticon

Menasor - Stunticon Gestalt

Motormaster - Truck

Breakdown - Car

Offroad - Off Road Vehicle

Dead End - Car

Drag Strip - F1 Race Car (When combined into Menasor)

Blackjack - Car

Mindwipe

Sinnertwin - Two Headed Dragon

Battletrap

Acidstorm - Jet

Weirdwolf 

Wildrider - Car (Mentioned)

United Cybertron

Starscream - Jet

Rattrap - Rat

Scoop - Front End Loader

Swindle - Off Road Vehicle

Cybertronian

Devastator - Gestalt (Hologram)

Caminus - City/Space Ship (Hologram)

Other 12 Colony Ships - Cities/Space Ships (Holograms)

Constructicons (Mentioned)

Primus (Mentioned)

Crystal City Titan - City/Space Ship (Mentioned) Dead

Camien

Hot Shot

Lightbright

Lickety-Split

Other Camiens

Notes

• Scoop has placed the Enigma of Combination into a briefcase since he left Earth
• This story is set right after the end of Punishment, as Optimus and Windblade are on the way back from Optimus' private anniversary ceremony.
• Despite the previously mentioned views on ranged weaponry on Caminus, Chromia seems to be happy using a gun here...
• Optimus still has the Matrix's shell halves in his chest, despite it being empty now.
• The Stunticons still hate Swindle for turning them into Menasor a few years ago...despite them seemingly being a voluntary team for the process
• It's revealed that there were 13 colony ships/Titans sent out in the past, another reference likely to the Original Thirteen Transformers.
• Amongst the bodies Starscream looks into for his new form as his counterparts from the Movies, Beast Wars II, Animated, Prime and the upcoming Combiner Wars toy....wonder which one he'll choose?
• Blackjack claims to have been with the Stunticons all along (though he may have been drawn in place of Drag Strip for his appearances here).
• Offroad is mentioned to have joined the team after Wildrider left them, following their humiliating defeat from Bumblebee back on Earth.
• Rodimus and the Losst Light crew refuse to return to Cybertron for First Contact with Caminus and the others, but do say they will send a ship of representatives home for the event...what's the betting this ship will contain the Preotectobots and some other announced Combiner Wars toys like Magnus and Cyclonus?
• Magnus briefly mentions that the Lost Light has learned a thing or two about something to do with engines...most likely this is something to do with their time travelling adventure and their creation of Quantum Engines.
• Hot Shot is shown to be on Caminus, his previous 2 appearances are a cameo of his death in the Drift Miniseries (must have been some other guy) and a cameo on Cybertron in the Functionist Universe. Since the latter also included female Transformers, it seems likely that contact was made with the colonies before it was done in the main universe.
• What are Alpha Bravo andd Powerglide doing exactly? All we've seen them do is talk to Wheeljack whilst he tries to repair the OTHER Aerialbots...you'd think they were just there because of upcoming toys or something like that huh?

IDW - Punishment

Written by: John Barber

Art by: Livio Ramondelli

Letters by: Tom B. Long

Editor: Carlos Guzman

Plot

Treadshot, Brisko and Wilder are plotting a heist on Starscream's quarters to take some of his "hoarded treasures" to sell on to help them survive on this new Cybertron, unfortunately during their plotting, there are attacked by a mysterious Cybertronian, who slaughters all three of them. They are later found by Barricade and the others, who investigate their murder, but only briefly as Starscream needs to greet Optimus at the spaceport.

Optimus returns to Cybertron for a personal errand and is quickly brought into the murder investigation, and learns that some Decepticons are living outside of Metroplex in a ghetto made from the ruins of the old city. Optimus goes to visit the ghetto, but is soon ambushed by a bunch of Decepticons, led by the Firecons. Luckily however Starscream rescues him by pulling him from the crowd and into the air.

During their escape, Optimus notices one of the Decepticons acting suspicious, so he lets go of Starscream and gives him chase. The Decepticon, Heavy Barrel, runs inside his hideout to find his two bootlegging cohorts dead. He starts to panic, and flies off when Optimus arrives too, but the Autobot manages to disable him and causes him to crash. Starscream arrives a few minutes later, having broken up the mob outside, and both are shocked to find Heavy Barrel murdered as well.

Later, Windblade finds out that one of the dead Decepticons was Stratotronic, and was friends with Gutcruncher who was now running a bar in the Ghetto. She determines that there is a link between the bar, and the bootlegging, so she heads there with Optimus.

At the bar, they find Sandstorm, who has started frequenting there, as he's fell out of the Autobot way. Gutcruncher takes the news of Stratotronic's death badly, and tells Optimus and the others to leave the revenge to him.

Sandstorm decides to help Optimus with the investigation, and goes to investigate the first murder site with him, there he finds something unusual in a shell casing, but before he can explain what, Windblade calls in and reports that Gutccruncher's bar is on fire!

By the time Optimus and Sandstorm return to the bar, the whole place has burned down, with no survivors left. Sandstorm at first blames Optimus as he was helping him, but quickly calms down, and reveals that the bullet casing he found was from an Infernus Bullet. These weapons were locked down by the Autobots due to them being a very painful and horrible way to die, and Sandstorm reminds them that the Decepticons made them from reverse-engineering them from the Firecon's abilities, which could also explain who started the fire here.

The security team inside Metroplex locate the Firecons and attack their home brutally disabling them all in the process. Sandstorm is about to execute Sparkstalker, when Optimus turns up and forces him to stop.

Windblade and Starscream break into the building as well, and tell everyone to drop their weapons, and get medics for the Firecons.

By the next morning, the Firecons are in a holding cell, and Sandstorm still can't believe he almost executed someone. Windblade is feeling a bit disenchanted as well, as all she's seen so far is war on this planet that she was hoping to find help on.

Optimus determines that the Firecons are being framed, as they'd have no use for Infernus Bullets, and the fire at the bar was far too controlled for their abilities. He believes he knows who the killer is now though, and heads to the Dinobot's park, where he confronts Slug as the killer due to his hated of Decepticons and flame abilities. After a short fight between the two, Starscream calls in to report another set of murders, this time of Autobots.

At the crime scene, Optimus continues to accuse the Dinobots for the murders, and gets them angry leading to Optimus declaring that he should have had Slug and the others killed after the war, just to stop them from causing trouble during their peace, he then leaves with Windblade.

Slug returns to the park, to find the other Dinobots, and angrily says that he'll kill Optimus for what he said to him, when suddenly the park starts to blow up. Thankfully due to a series of fail safes set in place by Optimus the Dinobots are saved, and Optimus confronts the REAL killer, Sandstorm.

Sandstorm admits to everything, and reveals that he's punishing all the Cybertronians who have committed horrible crimes during the war, but were never dealt with before now. He tries to escape again, but Optimus catches him, and knocks him out, putting him under arrest.

In the aftermath, Optimus and Windblade return to the scene of the first crime, where Optimus was planning to go all along, and Optimus explains that this is the place where he because Prime (during Autocracy), but admits to her that he is truly worried about their people with loose cannons like the Dinobots still around, eager for battle, but he still needs to hold out hope for a better tomorrow...

Characters

Autobot

Optimus Prime - Truck Cab

Windblade - VTOL Jet

Slug - Triceratops

Swoop - Pteranodon

Snarl - Stegosaurus

Sludge - Apatosaurus

Chromia - Speedbike

Warpath - Tank

"Hot Spot" - Fire Truck

"Streetwise" - Police Car

Metroplex - City/Space Ship

Skram - Car Killed by Sandstorm

Fireball - Dragster Killed by Sandstorm

Diver - Submarine Killed by Sandstorm

Lander - ATV Killed by Sandstorm

Megatron - Tank (Mentioned)

Blurr - Race Car (Mentioned)

Wreckers (Mentioned)

Decepticon

Barricade - Car

Sparkstalker - Mandibled Dragon

Cindersaur - Horned Dragon

Flamefeather - Beaked Dragon

Sinnertwin - Two Headed Dragon

Acid Storm - Jet

Treadshot - Car Killed by Sandstorm

Brisko Killed by Sandstorm

Wilder - Wolf Monster Killed by Sandstorm

Heavy Barrel - Jet Killed by Sandstorm

Ransack - Jet Killed by Sandstorm

Stratotronic - Jet Killed by Sandstorm

Gutcruncher - Tank Killed by Sandstorm

Morsa Killed by Sandstorm

Blood - VTOL Jet Killed by Sandstorm

Skidmark - Motorcycle Killed by Sandstorm

Ghetto Dwellers

United Cybertron

Starscream - Jet

Sandstorm - Helicopter/Buggy Jailed by Optimus Prime

Metroplex Civilians

Other

Primus (Mentioned)

Traujorans (Flashback) Killed by Treadshot's Group

Notes

• This story explains where Optimus went to following him recent exit from Robots in Disguise (or rather the series formerly named that)
• Several of the victims in this story are made from lesser known repaint characters, or characters repurposed from other toy lines.
• Slug has been shown to have taken Grimlock's place as Dinobot leader in his absence.
• Barricade's role as a cop in this series may be a reference to his later incarnations rather than his G1 persona (such as Prime or the Movies)
• Windblade notes the irony on Warpath's (one of the "good guys") name
• There's been a statue of Optimus and a park built within Metroplex. This is clearly a recent addition since if it was there the last time Metroplex acted as the Autobot's city, then it would be in his pre-Earth body.
• Barricade explains why he still wears his Decepticon sigil. despite officially being of the United Cybertron. This could also explain why other characters, like Blurr still do the same.
• Optimus doesn't confirm or deny Sandstorm's theory that High Command knew about some of the Autobot faction's war crimes. Honestly I can believe that Prowl would know and sanction some of the exterminations taken place, and shown here.
• It's quite handy that all of Sadstorm's victims were all still hanging out in their same groups huh?
• Hot Spot and Streetwise are both seen on Cybertron here, despite being on the Lost Light, either these are just similar looking guys, or a mistake.

IDW - Transformers #35

Title: Onyx Interface Part One: Signals, Calls, and Marches

Written by: John Barber

Art by: Andrew Griffith

Colours by: Josh Perez

Letters by: Tom B. Long

Editor: Carlos Guzman

Plot

Garrison Blackrock is unveiling his new "Onyx Interface" in Japan, whilst Spike Witwicky and Jimmy Pink track down and disable a Mini-Constructicon, and hack into the presentation, trying to reveal that Blackrock and the EDC are involved with Cybertronians on Earth again, leading to Blackrock to call for Faireborn's help.

Elsewhere, Cosmos is observing the EDC's situation at Bikini Atoll, but is now under attack by the EDC's missiles (his stealth paint has failed for him). He is saved fairly quickly though by Sky Lynx and Sideswipe. Cosmos receives a message from Prowl, saying he's had a "Google alert" (regarding Spike), and the Autobots head off back to the Moon.

Inside the EDC base, Sanjay reports the incident with Cosmos to Marrissa, who is heading out to Japan with Jones to deal with Blackrock, and is a bit anxious to deal with Spike as well

Optimus speaks with Alpha Trion on Ark-7, before heading out to Cybertron to look for more clues about the Enigma of Combination (and for his anniversary of becoming Prime). Optimus leaves Prowl in charge, but tells him not to do anything too rash, despite his recent actions.

As he leaves on the Skyroller, Optimus calls Arcee and asks her to keep an eye on Prowl. Meanwhile, Prowl is having a table-flipping tantrum and suffers from another one of his strange "nose-bleeds" until the Constructicons interrupt him. Prowl then informs them that Spike has resurfaced, and they're going to go after him (as he's the one Human they all hate)

In Japan, Spike and Jimmy change out of their military clothes and into civilian outfits to blend in with the tourists, and Spike gets a text saying someone will see him later....

The EDC team arrive at the Onyx Interface presentation, where Blackrock has claimed that Spike's video was just leaked footage from a new game he's releasing. Blackrock then threatens that if Spike isn't dealt with, and if his company is harmed by this, then he's taking the EDC down with him.

At the Nemesis, Galvatron is thinking out loud about how Spike may know something about the Enigma of Combination, he's interrupted by Scoop, who says Soundwave wants to speak to him. Soundwave tells him that he's going on a personal errand, which Galvatron doesn't care about, and allows him to go.

Once he is out of the way however, he approaches the other Decepticons about joining him on a hunt for Spike, which they agree to...

Characters

Autobot

Optimus Prime - Truck

Prowl - Police Car

Arcee - Sports Car

Sideswipe - Sports Car

Kup - Pick Up Truck

Cosmos - Orbiter

Sky Lynx - Space Shuttle

Jetfire - Jet

Alpha Trion Being Repaired

Decepticon

Galvatron - Tank

Soundwave - Personnel Carrier

Laserbeak - Cassette

Buzzsaw - Cassette

Rumble - Cassette

Frenzy - Cassette

Blitzwing - Tank/Jet

Mini-Constructicon Killed by Spike

Skywarp - Cybertronian Jet Hooked up to Nemesis

Scrapper - Front End Loader (Mentioned) Dead

Cybertronian

Scoop - Front End Loader

Hook - Crane

Bonecrusher - Bulldozer

Long Haul - Dump Truck

Mixmaster - Mixing Truck

Scavenger - Excavator

D.O.C.

Starscream (Mentioned)

Alchemist Prime (Mentioned)

Sharkticons (Mentioned)

Human

Marissa Fairborne

Garrison B. Blackrock

Jones

Sanjay Bharwanay

Spike Witwicky

Jimmy Pink

Yasawy Maki

EDC Troops

Onyx Interface Party Attendees

Daniel Witwicky (Mentioned) Dead

Hunter O'Nion (Mentioned) Dead

Other

Onyx Interface Droid

EDC Transformer Army (Mentioned)

Notes

• This is the Robots in Disguise comic with the new simplified "Transformers" title. Most likely due to the upcoming Robots in Disguise TV series.
• G.B. Blackrock is finally given a first name!
• The Mini-Constructicon was last seen in Spotlight: Ramjet...looks like he's been kept on Earth and studied since then!
• Jimmy Pink has returned! Looks like he's not happy with being forgotten about by everyone either.
• Speaking of Jimmy, he's certainly changed his appearance a fair bit since we last saw him briefly in Maximum Dinobots, hasn't he?
• Sideswipe now has a jet pack built into his new robot mode (apparently it's new)
• Optimus' trip to Cybertron is shown in the Punishment comic.
• WHY ARE YOU GIVING PROWL COMMAND OF THE AUTOBOTS PRIME?!?!
• Oh OK, Arcee's gunna watch him? Yeah she'll just murder him if he gets out of hand!
• Galvatron seems to think that Spike knows something about the Enigma of Combination...why?
• Scoop was revealed to be on Earth earlier from Starscream's point of view, as a spy for him.
• Soundwave claims to be heading to Jupiter to check up on the Human's progress on the Decepticon's new home...wonder if he'll turn up in MTMTE with Ravage instead some point soon?
• So Spike is being chased now by Prowl and his Constructicons, Galvatron and his Decepticons, and Marissa and her EDC troops? Wonder how long he'll survive?
• Blackrock is revealed to have built the army of Thrusts and Ramjets in the EDC basement.
• Prowl's unprompted comment of "get out of my head" when a Constructicon knocks on his door implies that he's having issues with their Gestalt form still.
• The Decepticon warship is named as the Nemesis here, after the Decepticon's original ship in the G1 cartoon.
• Galvatron implies that Alchemist Prime was drunk when he made up the prophecy of the Chosen One, showcased in Dark Cybertron.
• Optimus hasn't told his crew about the Enigma of Combination or Alpha Trion's other revelations, despite him hinting that he would last issue.
• Scoop not knowing who Alchemist Prime is, despite having studied his prophecy so intently is a bit worrying huh?

IDW - Robots in Disguise #33

Title: The World of Tomorrow

Written by: John Barber

Art by: Sarah Stone

Letters by: Tom B. Long

Editor: Carlos Guzman

Plot

Wheeljack is woken up from his CR Chamber to find a room full of a bunch of unfamiliar characters (and Ironhide). After a bit of shock about the current affairs on the planet (long lost Cybertronian colonies, Starscream as leader, female Transformers, Megatron's an Autobot etc) he starts to adapt.

Starscream takes Wheeljack out with him to show him what he needs him for now. Outside of Metroplex, they arrive at a warehouse where Wheeljack sees Superion for the first time, and is told that they need to repair him, and Omega Supreme so they can be Cybertron's defences against Prowl and Devastator, which Starscream is convinced are the biggest threats out there now. Starscream introduces Wheeljack to Powerglide and Alpha Bravo, who have volunteered to act as replacement componants for Slingshot, who is very close to death.

After a bit of soul searching at the bar, Wheeljack decides to speak to Starscream again, and goes to visit him, however when he arrives at his office he finds the former Decepticon shouting with someone who isn't there...

Windblade appears and greets Wheeljack properly, telling him that Starscream's been acting like this for a few weeks and gives him a reason to leave with her. The two of them go deeper into Metroplex to his Spacebridge chamber. Windblade explains that the Spacebridge is damaged, but they're working to fix it, to help bridge Cybertron to it's lost colonies. Then segues to how she thinks that Starscream is acting in the best interested of Cybertron, but they might need someone they can all trust to help them out in case it goes wrong.

Wheeljack heads out to where the Crystal City once stood, and finds Ironhide looing at the collapsed Singularity created by Shockwave during Dark Cybertron,and he manages to talk Ironhide out of hs slump over his faith in the future being destroyed, thanks to Shockwave destroying Gorlam Prime.

Wheeljack heads back to Starscream's office again, but this time he sees that Starscream has been arguing with Scoop over a small communicator on his desk all this time! He reveals that Scoop is spying for him on Earth, and has sent some footage of Prowl, as part of Devastator causing trouble on Earth, and destroying things, which even Optimus doesn't seem to be able to control.

Starscream manages to convince Wheeljack to help him by reparing Superion, thanks to Devastator and Monstructor being on the loose, and the Stunticons having the ability to combine thanks to Swindle too. Wheeljack agrees to help, and begins work on repairing Superion...for Cybertron....

Characters

Autobot

Wheeljack - Car

Ironhide - Van

Windblade - VTOL Jet

Chromia - Speedbike

Alpha Bravo - Jet

Powerglide - Jet

Metroplex - City/Space Ship

Omega Supreme - Rocket and Base Badly Injured

Superion - Gestalt Badly Injured

Optimus Prime - Truck Cab (Hologram)

Kup - Pick Up Truck (Hologram)

Prowl - Police Vehicle (Hologram)

Megatron - Tank (Flashback)

Bumblebee - Muscle Car (Flashback) Dead

Rodimus - Car (Flashback)

Aerialbots (Mentioned) Badly Injured

Slingshot - Jet (Mentioned) Near Death

Decepticon

Dirge - Jet

Monstructor - Gestalt (Hologram)

Menasor - Gestalt (Hologram)

Shockwave - Flying Artillery (Flashback) Dead

Ferak (Mentioned)

Stunticons (Mentioned)

Cybertronian

Starscream - Jet

Rattrap - Mole-Rat

Flatline - Van

Waspinator - Wasp

Sky-Byte - Flying Shark

Swindle - Van

Blurr - Race Car

Scoop - Front End Loader

Out of Metroplex Settlers

Superion's Repair Team

Devastator - Gestalt (Hologram)

Constructicons (Mentioned)

Notes

• This story FINALLY brings Wheeljack back following his near death experience during the Decepticon riots (and of course it features the comedy of introducing him to what's happened over the last 6 in-continuity months). A similar thing happened with Rewind in MTMTE #33 as well.
• This story also acts as a follow-up to the "Windblade" series (even having the same artist), and a prequel to the upcoming "Combiner Wars" series
• Despite being shown on the cover, Blurr i not present during Wheeljack's return (he does appear in a bar scene quickly though!)
• Windblade is shown without Chromia a fair few times here, maybe she's angry with her over the events of "Windblade" still?
• Superion and Omega Supreme have been revealed to of been moved to a hidden warehouse outside of Metroplex for their repairs.
• Alpha Bravo is introduced here (he is the replacement for Slingshot in the new Superion toy) and Powerglide is here because his upcoming toy can interact with Superion too!
• The "party" in Blurr's bar really makes me reminisce over the parties at Auto Assembly! (pointy party hats, funny coloured drinks, karaoke and all!)
• So....everyone is more willing to believe that Starscream has gone mad than he's just talking to someone over a small communicator?
• Everyone glosses over what happened during the Windblade series. From an external sense that could be to try and make new readers go read that series themselves. From an in-continuity sense though, Starscream and Windblade agreed to keep it between them to keep everyone happy.
• It's shown here that the singularity caused during Dark Cybertron IS still there, just tiny now (I'm betting that will be a ajor thing in the future)
• Scoop is revealed to be with the Decepticons on Earth, but seemingly as a spy for Starscream.
• The report Scoop is giving to Starscream at the end about Devastator seems to imply this issue is happening concurrently with what is happening on Earth the previous issue.
• Starscream ACTUALLY seems to consider Wheeljack a friend! (Then again that was true of Metalhawk too, and look what he did to him!)

IDW - More Than Meets The Eye #24

Title: Dark Cybertron Chapter 4: Into the Abyss

Written by: James Roberts and John Barber

Art by: Atilio Rojo, James Raiz, Nick Roche, Livio Ramondelli and Robert Gill

Colours by: Romulo Fajardo, JR. and Livio Ramondelli

Letters by: Gilberto Lazcano

Editor: Carlos Guzman

Plot

The Lost Light is surrounded on the floor of the Red Ocean by an army of smaller robots, who the bridge crew determine to have alternate modes, and also seem to be combiners. Perceptor believes that the small robots aren't native to the planet as they don't seem to be outfitted for aquatic performance, but seemed to piggy-back to the ocean with the Lost Light's Quantum Jump. Magnus tries communicating with the robots, but doesn't get a response...at first! Then they attack the ship and blow a hole in the bridge!

Back on Cybertron, the city of Iacon is in ruins following the Necrotitan's energy wave, Scoop and his team are working to save people, whilst Starscream and Rattrap are wandering around trying to work out what exactly happened. Before long however Scoop approaches Starscream, and points out to the population that the black mark on Starscream's chest marks him as the one chosen to destroy the planet, not to save it as initially thought, which starts to turn the crowd against him further!.

Back at the Red Ocean, Magnus has managed to get the bridge crew into the hallway and sealed it shut due to flooding when he comes across Skids and Getaway. Skids identifies the attackers as Ammonites. Magnus orders the crew to engage the Ammonites and protect the ship. Doing so, Magnus and a few others go into Rodimus' personal craft, the Rodpod (being careful not to damage it, or Rodimus will kill them). The battle goes well for the Lost Lighters, as they seem to be capable of dealing with even the Ammonite's larger combinations.

Meanwhile, in the Dead Universe, the team are traveling towards the point of the gravitational pull when the topics of Rodimus potentially taking over full control of the Autobots, Rodimus saving all the cold constructed from death and the progress of his quest are brought up, as well as how Cyebrtron's new status as Starscream's domain is similar to how things were before the Decepticon uprising.

During the conversations, Rodimus notices that Cyclonus' face is leaking black Energon still, but at an alarming rate now. Orion tries to administer some medical aide, but Nightbeat, revealing himself and shocking the others, tells him that would be a bad idea to even touch him right now.

Back on Cybertron, the Transformers at the foot of the Necrotitan are dealing with their injured and wonder what to do next. Bumblebee asks Soundwave if he can pick up any transmissions from the city, but he cannot, however he does hear something unusual...Megatron screaming!

At the Crystal City, Shockwave is operating on the operational Megatron as he's trying to activate the Space Bridge technology he implanted within him. Shockwave reveals that he doesn't care about the goals of Nova Prime, and that he's using them, as well as others. Megatron is offered a chance to work with them for his ultimate goal of equality, but he refuses. Shockwave then actiavtes the Bridge and Nova Prime starts to climb out of a screaming Megatron's chest.

Back on the Red Ocean, the Rodpod is running from a group of Ammonites (in the shape of an actual ammonite) and hides in a cavern they find. However upon inspection, they find some strange compounds in the cavern, and realise what it is....they're inside the eye socket of Metroplex himself!

Characters

Autobot

Ultra Magnus - Vehicle Transport

Ratchet - Ambulance

Mainframe

Blaster

Brainstorm - Jet

Perceptor

Skids - Van

Getaway

Whirl - Osprey Helicopter

Waverider - Aquatic Vehicle

Chromedome - Car

Trailcutter - Van

Cosmos - Orbiter

Sunstreaker - Car

Swerve - Van

Rung

Atomizer

Metroplex - Space Ship Injured in Red Ocean

Rodimus - Car

Orion Pax - Truck Cab

Hardhead - Personnel Carrrier

Nightbeat - Car

Bumblebee - Muscle Car

Ironhide - Van

Prowl - Emergency Car

Arcee - Car Injured

Swoop - Pteranodon

Sludge - Apatosaurus

Slag - Triceratops

Lost Light Crew

Dominus Ambus (Mentioned)

Sentinel Prime (Mentioned)

Zeta Prime (Mentioned)

Thunderclash (Mentioned)

Aquastar - Aquatic Vehicle (Mentioned)

Hydrobots - Aquatic Vehicles (Mentioned)

Decepticon

Megatron Used as Space Bridge by Shockwave

Shockwave - Flying Artillery 

Soundwave - Van

Rumble - Tank

Frenzy - Tank Maybe Dead

Ravage - Cassette

Skywarp - Jet

Cybertronian

Cyclonus - Jet Leaking Black Energon

Nova Prime - Truck

Galvatron - Laser Tank

Metalhawk - Jet

Necrotitan - Space Shuttle

Starscream - Jet

Rattrap - Mole Rat

Scoop - Front End Loader

Holepunch - Gun

Tracer - Gun

Sky Byte - Flying Shark

Iaconians Injured in Necrootitan's energy wave

Construction Patrol (Mentioned)

Primus (Mentioned)

The Senate (Mentioned)

Functionists (Mentioned)

Nominus Prime (Mentioned)

Other

Ammonites (2026 of them)

Paddox (Mentioned)

Galactic Council (Mentioned)

Black Block Consortia (Mentioned)

Notes

• The Ammonites are referred to here as Mini-Cons at times (as in Miniature Decepticons) before their species name was actuallly identified by Skids (though Magnus does still call them Mini-Cons once afterwards). This could be because the toy set of the Mini-Con Assault Team is supposed to be released with this issue in the future, so it just makes sense from a marketing point of view too.
• The Lost Light is 15 miles long and 10 miles wide, and was not designed to be a submarine.
• It does have spotlights on the outside though!
• Magnus makes reference to his no longer being the Duly Appointed Officer of the Tyrest Accord.
• Rung is shown using a staff weapon for the first time (though he did have one on the cover to the fifth TPB of MTMTE)
• Nightbeat reveals himself to Orion's group! (Look, I'm a Nightbeat fanboy, so every time he so much as has a cameo I'll mention it, 'kay?)
• Frenzy looks a bit dead here....
• Speaking about Frenzy, he and Rumble appear to have been drawn in their cassette bodies originally, but with tank treads added to the arms to try and correct the mistake.
• It' revealed here that Shockwave is also just using Nova Prime and Galvatron as well...wonder what his true aims are?
• The Necrotitan's attack hit the population totally at random, and not to do with being cold constructed etc (like Tyrest's attack was)

IDW - Robots In Disguise #23

Title: Dark Cybertron Chapter 3: Winners & Losers

Written by: John Barber and James Roberts

Art by: Atilio Rojo and James Raiz

Colours by: Josh Perez

Letters by: Tom B. Long

Editor: Carlos Guzman

Plot

Starscream visits Metalhawk's corpse again, and talks too him about the Titan returning, and asks for his silent advice again, unknown to him though, Rattrap is spying on him and overhears him apologizing for killing him once again.

Iacon is soon filled with hysteria as the people have heard about the Dark Cybertron prophecy from someone (Scoop's partners Holepunch and Tracer most likely) and Starscream vows to go speak with the Titan, Rattrap goes to him seemingly out of respect, but Starscream points out that he was in Rattrap's position of being the traitor-to-be for a long time, and advises him to not make his first move unless he's sure about his last, pointing out Megatron's disabled body in the process. Starscream then flies off to meet the Titan.

At the Necrotitan's location, Soundwave's Decepticcons and Bumblebee's Autobots are battling, but stop when they notice Starscream approaching the Titan's shoulder.

Back in Iacon, Rattrap has gone to meet with Scoop, who shows him that Starscream's meeting with the Titan is also part of the prophecy, and that he believes that Starscream is destined to destroy Cybertron, rather than save it. Rattrap seems to agree and begins plotting with Scoop to dethrone their leader.

On the Lost Light, Ultra Magnus is commanding the ship, when he notices that the ship is subtly changing course without being piloted to do so, Brainstorm contacts him and asks him to come to Shuttle Bay 3 with Getaway, as he knows the most about Titans from his time with Tyrest. When they arrive in the Shuttle Bay, they find Trailcutter and Brainstorm with what is believed to be Metroplex's thumb levitating. Brainstorm believes that this may be Metroplex, or another Titan trying to call for help, and that they can use the thumb to locate the source of the activity.

At the Necrotitan's location, Arcee is ready to kill Starscream, but Bumblebee isn't sure what to do, the two factions consider joining forces to stop what is happening, but Prowl is throwing a fit about working with the Decepticons (especially after what happened to him with Soundwave and Bombshell). Meanwhile, Starscream lands on the Necrotitan's shoulder and begins to talk to him, and asks what he's there for, and if he's the same Titan he spoke to before, when suddenly the Titan's eyes light up, and he sends out a massive wave of energy.

Starscream quickly transforms and heads off the shockwave of energy before it reaches Iacon, whilst at ground zero the Autobots and Decepticons are injured in varying ways, Bumblebee orders for them to deal with repairs before going in to attack the Titan, which Prowl hates the idea of.

Starscream just beats the wave back to Cybertron, and warns everyone to get away, but too late as the wave hits and damages the city. In another side-effect though, Metalhawk is revived and attacks Starscream, announcing out loud that he was the one who killed him, but he'll wait for his revenge as he goes into the room Megatron's being held in, de-activates his force-field bubble and abducts him.

A newly escaped Scoop and Rattrap see Metalhawk flying away with Megatron, but decide to help the injured before worrying about that or dethroning Starscream, especially since it seems that the public have turned against Starscream now anyway.

On the Lost Light, Ultra Magnus is deliberating on whether to follow Orion Pax's orders to hunt down Jhiaxus, or go after Metroplex, Perceptor and Brainstorm point out that Meroplex is extremely important, and he wouldn't be calling for help if he didn't need it, and point out that Orion Pax isn't their leader anymore. Magnus agrees and sets course for the signal. The ship Quanttum Jumps into a red ocean, and is surrounded by an army of small robots.

Back on Cybertron, in the Crystal City, Metalhawk has delivered Megatron to Shockwave, who needed him to create a new Space Bridge to the Dead Universe, now that the one created by the Titan is gone.

Characters

Autobot

Bumblebee - Car

Ultra Magnus - Vehicle Transport

Ironhide - Van

Prowl - Emergency Car

Arcee - Car Badly Injured by Dark Energy

Slag - Triceratops Badly Injured by Dark Energy

Swoop - Pteranodon

Sludge - Apatosaurus

Snarl - Stegosaurus

Perceptor

Trailcutter - Van

Ratchet - Ambulance

Mainframe 

Blaster

Highbrow - Helicopter

Brainstorm - Jet

Getaway

Metroplex (Mentioned)

Optimus Prime/Orion Pax - Truck Cab (Mentioned)

Xaaron (Mentioned)

Swerve - Van (Mentioned)

Rung (Mentioned)

Decepticon

Megatron Abducted by Shockwave and Metalhawk

Shockwave - Flying Artillery

Soundwave - Van

Ravage - Cassette

Skywarp - Jet

Needlenose - Jet

Astrotrain - Space Shuttle/Train Badly Injured by Dark Energy

Blitzwing - Jet/Tank

Other Decepticons

Constructicons (Mentioned)

Cybertronian

Starscream - Jet

Metalhawk - Jet Reanimated by Dark Energy

Necrotitan - Battleship

Rattrap - Mole Rat

Scoop - Front End Loader

Holepunch

Tracer

Skybyte - Flying Shark

Blurr - Race Car

Other Cybertronians

Prophecy Titan (Mentioned) Dead

Titans (Mentioned)

Knights of Cyebrtron (Mentioned)

Chief Justice Tyrest (Mentioned)

Jhiaxus (Mentioned)

Other

Small Robots in Red Ocean

Verity Carlo (Mentioned)

Notes

• Rattrap is shown to be very sneaky here, as he begins spying on Starscream when he's alone (ie when he visits Metalhawk's corpse)
• The crowd of NAIL's shown here includes a few cameos from other continuities, like the Mini-Con Skyblast, and even what looks like Live Action Movie Salvage as well.
• Scoop reveals that he believes Starscream is the Chosen One, but that he is chosen to destroy Cybertron rather than save it.
• Metroplex's thumb was brought on board the Lost Light in Spotlight: Trailcutter.
• It's also pointed out here that it's not clear if the thumb IS Metroplex's or another Titan's.
• The wave of energy from the Necrotitan seems to have affected the Transformers hit by it to differing extents (Prowl was barely injured, but Astrotrain looks dead for instance)
• The re-animated Metalhawk seems to be in contact with Shockwave in some way, as he takes in Megatron as he wished.
• It seems likely that the small robots in the red ocean are the Ammonites and Terrordores, first shown in MTMTE#22.
• Shockwave must have implanted the Space Bridge technology from Megatron's old body into his new one as well (seems a bit odd though, why didn't he just put it inside Dreadwing or someone he could easily control?)
• Ultra Magnus being a small guy in a suit is a conspiracy theory on Cybertron, this is actually true!