IDW - Transformers: Escape #3

Written by: Brian Ruckley

Art by: Beth McGuire-Smith 

Colours by: Priscilla Tramontano

Letters & Design by: Jake M. Wood

Editor: David Mariotte

Assistant Editor: Riley Farmer

Supervising Editor: Tom Waltz

Plot

Hound fights off the Insecticons, and is soon joined by Highjump and Powerflash to chase off the monsters, but not before they abduct two organics and a Cybertronian called Scrambler.

Elsewhere, at one of Shockwaves labs, Skystalker, under the mind control of the Insecticons steals a load of equipment for them, as well as the Thunder Arrow shuttle, Onslaught tries to stop him, but is stunned away instead, and the enthralled Decepticon leaves...

Back at the convoy, Hound asks Dai Atlas why he refuses to fight, considering he is a famous war hero. The old Cybertronian suggests that he only thought because he couldn't see any better option in the past, but following his Immersion he has come to respectball sparks, even those of his enemies, and cannot see a reason to kill one any more

The Insecticons make their way to their new base, inside the head of a long dead Titan, where Skystalker has set up the stolen cloning technology. Bombshell proceeds to monologue that they can use this equipment to recreate the cloning experiments of Exarchon and Shockwave during the past war and create an army of their own to devour all Energon on the planet and beyond.

At the Convoy again, Wheeljack notices the Titans still falling to the planet's surface, and wonders what is even happening to his planet now.

Soon however Highbrow and Gears arrive to join the crew on their way to Darkmount, where Straxxus orders them to stop outside the city, saying that he will still give them the Ark that he promised and some supplies, but they cannot enter the city as they don't not have the ability to accommodate them all. Hound isn't sure about this, but agrees...

Back at Shockwave's lab, Rage is brought to the boss, who informs him of Skystalker's betrayal, and orders him to go capture him, but forces him to team with Hydradread for the job, despite Rage hating him, he agrees however, and is pleased to see all of Hydradread's new experimental weapons that they can test out on their mission....

Characters

Autobot

Hound - Jeep

Nautica - Submarine

Road Rage - Flying Car

Hoist - Tow Truck

Wheeljack - Car

Tote - Van

Highjump - Van

Mudslinger - Pick up Truck

Powerflash

Cromar - Jet

Scrambler Killed by Insecticons

Optimus Prime - Truck (Mentioned)

Decepticon

Shockwave - Flying Artillery

Soundblaster - Hovercraft

Bombshell - Boll Weevil

Skrapnel - Stag Beetle

Kickback - Locust

Skystalker - Car

Onslaught - Anti-aircraft Truck

Rage - Car

Hydradread - Car

Frenzy - Cassette

Rumble - Cassette

Megatron - Tank (Mentioned)

Roughstuff - Truck (Mentioned) Captured

Fangry - Winged Wolf (Mentioned) Missing

Triggerhappy - Jet (Mentioned) Missing 

Team Stream (Mentioned)

The Combaticons (Mentioned)

Three-fold Spark

Exarchon (Flashback Only)

Skywarp - Jet (Flashback Only)

Clone-Drone Swarm (Mentioned)

Other Cybertronian

Dai Atlas - Flying Tank

Straxxus

Highbrow - Helicopter

Gears - Van

Leviathan - Metal Harvester Injured

Cybertronian Evacuees

Crashing Titan

Immersant Titan Long Dead

Kup - Pick up Truck (Flashback Only)

Blitzwing - Tank/Jet (Flashback Only)

Speeder - Car (Flashback Only)

Quake - Tank (Flashback Only)

Hardhead - Tank (Flashback Only)

Leozack - Jet (Flashback Only)

The Seekers - Jets (Flashback Only)

Abominus - Terrorcon Combiner (Flashback Only)

Anti-Three-fold Spark Forces (Flashback Only)

Nominus (Mentioned)

Darkmount's Inhabitants (Mentioned)

Other

A'ovan Evacuees

Other Alien Evacuees

The Thraal (Mentioned)

Two Organics (Mentioned) Killed by Insecticons

Notes

• The Thunder Arrow shuttle that Skystalker steals this issue was the main vessel used by the Decepticons in the Victory cartoon, the toy version of it was a repaint of the shuttle that came with Skystalker's original toy.
• Though it was heavily hinted at during the first storyline of Galaxies, we get confirmation that it was Abominus who went on a rampage in the past. We learn here that DaibAtlas was also present for that conflict too.
• It's mentioned here that the Seekers were created by Nominus Prime to counter Exarchon's clone army. What isn't clear is if they were created from new sparks or recruited and rebuilt from volunteers etc?
• Leviathan is revealed to still be injured from when she collapsed into Quake, defeating the dangerous Riser, and is amongst those being evacuated from Jacob, though she does say that she doesn't want to leave Cybertron, no matter the risk.
• Most of the Rise group, who were being relocated from the old Rise base when Quake was captured are revealed to still be missing, with only RUmble, Frenzy and Rage returning. We know Roughstuff has been released from prison by Swindle and has now joined his crew, but the rest are currently MIA.
• Shockwave mentions that he doesn't want it known that the Combaticons are under his command. It's unclear if that is just to keep them a secret to the general population, or to the rest of the Decepticons too...regardless this explains why Cosmos doesn't know he is a Decepticon and invited him to the Winged Moon.

IDW - Transformers '84 - Secrets and Lies #4

Writer: Simon Furman

Artist: Guido Guidi

Colourist: John-Paul Bove

Letterer: Jake M. Wood

Editors: David Mariotte & Tom Waltz

Assistant Editor: Riley Farmer

Plot

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Characters

Autobot

Ultra Magnus - Vehicle Transport

Star Saber - Jet

Fortress Maximus - Battle Platform

Punch/Counterpunch - Car

Impactor - Tank

Whirl - Helicopter

Roadbuster - Jeep

Rack'n'Ruin 

Twin Twist - Drill Tank

Topspin - Jet

Grimlock - Tyrannosaurus Rex Sets self to Stasis Lock

Grapple Construct 

Tracks Construct 

Other Dinobots (Mentioned)

Ratchet (Mentioned)

Decepticon

Megatron Returned to Stasis

Ramjet - Jet

Dirge - Jet

Thrust - Jet

Straxus - Flying Tank

Shrapnel - Insect Jet

Hun-Gurr - Two Headed Beast

Sinnertwin - Two Headed Dragon

Cutthroat - Winged Beast

Blot - Bi-Pedal Monster

Rippersnapper - Bi-Pedal Shark

Abominus - Terrorcon Gestalt

Project Dreadnaught Staff Killed by Wreckers

Other

AUNTIE Badly damaged by Grimlock

Guardian Drones Bodies on Floor of Ark

Notes

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

IDW - Transformers '84 Secrets & Lies #3

Writer: Simon Furman

Artist: Guido Guidi

Colourist: John-Paul Bove

Letterer: Jake M. Wood

Editors: David Mariotte & Tom Waltz

Assistant Editor: Riley Farmer

Plot

On Cybertron, Counterpunch's plans aren't going well, Shockwave is out of the picture, and Straxus is more power-hungry than he ever expected, and even worse, Thunderwing and Scorponok have joined forces with him to conquer the entire planet as a trio.

Later, whilst watching a smelting pool session, Straxus explains to Counterpunch that after he conquers Cybertron, he plans to conquer the cosmos too, so he wants to revive Shockwave's Project Dreadnaught.

Knowing he cannot allow this to happen, Counterpunch goes back to the Autobots as Punch, and tells Ultra Magnus about this, and how he needs to destroy the engines, however they just don't have enough bodies to spare for this mission, luckily though, Impactor arrives and has a suggestion, and offers his team, the Wreckers, as his crew.

Magnus contacts Fortress Maximus and Star Saber to try and get them to help him to counter the growing Decepticon attacks a Ross the planet, even though it seems like a list cause now...

On Earth, Grimlock, in his over-energized state is driven to head back to the Ark, where the ships computer AUNTIE, damaged in the crash, sees him as a threat and creates constructs of the Reserve Warriors from its mind bank, but doesn't give them sparks, so they are pure fighting machines.

In orbit, the Coneheads recover from Shockwave's attack and head towards the earth to try and get revenge, but wind up at the Ark first, and are attacked by the sparkless Autobots, distracting them from stopping Grimlock from entering the crashed ship. Still in a panic, AUNTIE creates Guardian Drones to counter him.

Grimlock manages to smash through the drones, and in the process but s through most of the super Energon from his system, but AUNTIE has gone overboard now, and gas revived Megatron to counter the intruder!

Characters

Autobot

Punch/Counterpunch - Car

Ultra Magnus - Vehicle Transport

Star Saber - Jet

Fortress Maximus - Battle Platform

Grimlock - Tyrannosaurus Rex

Hoist Construct Blasted by Thrust

Grapple Construct

Skids Construct

Smokescreen Construct - Car

Tracks Construct - Winged Car Blasted by Thrust

Impactor

Roadbuster - Jeep

Whirl - Helicopter

Topspin - Jet

Twin Twist - Drill Tank

Rack'n'Ruin

Chromedome - Car

Hardhead - Tank

Kup - Pick Up Truck

Sureshot - Buggy

Crosshairs - Van

Pointblank - Car

Autobot Smelting Pool Victims Smelted

Optimus Prime (Mentioned) Inert

Ark Crew (Mentioned) Inert

The Other Dinobots (Mentioned) Inert

Decepticon

Straxus- Flying Tank

Thunderwing - Jet

Scorponok - Battle Platform

Deathsaurus

Megatron

Dirge - Jet Made to crash by Smokescreen Construct

Ramjet - Jet

Thrust - Jet

Kickback - Insect Jet

Bombshell - Insect Jet

Shrapnel - Insect Jet

Slugslinger - Jet

Mindwipe - Bat

Misfire - Jet

Cyclonus - Jet

Scourge - Space Shuttle

Bludgeon

Octopunch

Blot

Sinnertwin

Rippersnapper

Hun-Gurr

Sparks talker

Afterburner

Other Decepticon Warriors

Shockwave - Ray Gun (Mentioned) Inert

Nemesis Crew (Mentioned) Inert

Other Cybertronian

AUNTIE

Three Guardian Drones Destroyed by Grimlock

Neutral Smelting Pool Victims Smelted

Scraplets (Mentioned)

Notes

• Fortress Maximus' team is made up of his troops from the Headmasters mini-series.
• The Nemesis apparently has the ability to cure Shockwave's Scraplet virus, I guess the computer managed to collect some water from somewhere!
• Star Saber makes his Marvel continuity debut, along with his Decepticon counterpart Deathsaurus. This marks the first time that Star Saber has been portrayed in his traditionally heroic persona in modern comics as well! YAY!
• It's unclear yet if the Megatron summoned at the end of the issue is a properly restored bot like the Dinobots, or an sparkless husk like the reserve warriors. I would guess, from AUNTIE's current state, that he's probably sparkless.

IDW - Transformers '84 Secrets and Lies #2

Writer: Simon Furman

Artist: Guido Guidi

Colourist: John-Paul Bove

Letterer: Jake M. Wood

Editors: David Mariotte & Tom Waltz

Assistant Editor: Riley Farmer

Plot

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Characters

Autobot

Punch/Counterpunch - Car

Grimlock - Tyrannosaurus Rex

Slag - Triceratops Trapped in Tar Pit

Snarl - Stegosaurus Buried under Land Slide

Sludge - Apatosaurus Buried under Land Slide

Swoop - Pteranodon Crashed into Mountain

Ultra Magnus - Truck

Perceptor

Nosecone - Drill Tank

Lightspeed - Car

Impactor - Tank

Springer

Sandstorm

Broadside

Optimus Prime Rendered Inert in Ark Crash

Gears Rendered Inert in Ark Crash

Huffer Rendered Inert in Ark Crash

Bumblebee Rendered Inert in Ark Crash

Windcharger Rendered Inert in Ark Crash

Ironhide Rendered Inert in Ark Crash

Wheeljack Rendered Inert in Ark Crash

Ratchet Rendered Inert in Ark Crash

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

The Reserve Warriors (Mentioned) Stored in Mind Bank

Decepticon

Straxus - Flying Tank

Shockwave - Ray Gun Buried into Mountain by Grimlock

Thrust - Jet Hit by Shockwave's Scraplet Virus

Ramjet - Jet Hit by Shockwave's Scraplet Virus

Dirge - Jet Hit by Shockwave's Scraplet Virus

Megatron Rendered Inert in Ark Crash

Starscream - Jet Rendered Inert in Ark Crash

Thundercracker - Jet Rendered Inert in Ark Crash

Skywarp - Jet Rendered Inert in Ark Crash

Soundwave Rendered Inert in Ark Crash

Laserbeak Rendered Inert in Ark Crash

Frenzy Rendered Inert in Ark Crash

Chop Shop - Insect Jet

Bombshell - Insect Jet

Kickback - Insect Jet

Shrapnel - Insect Jet

Scowl

Birdbrain

Bristleback

Wildfly

Slog

Ratbat (Mentioned)

Skyfire - Jet (Mentioned) Brain Chip taken by Shockwave

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

Other

AUNTIE

Scraplets (Mentioned)

Notes

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

TFCC - Issue 61 Another Light: Falling into Place

Plot

Classics Blaster and SG Straxus are walking through the streets discussing Straxus' evil counterpart when suddenly a light suddenly shines and some strange Transformers with beast modes come through. The group recognizes Blaster as being from the Classics Universe too, and they regroup, and are introduced to the SG Universe.

The new arrivals are debriefed by Galvatron and Aquarius, saying that the Origin Matrix that Ultra Mammoth now holds is the ORIGINAL Matrix that Prima wielded, and forms the hilt of the Star Saber. Mammoth says he'll hold onto the Matrix until Nexus Prime returns, as he promised to it guardian, which Galvatron agrees to.

Cliffjumper gives the new arrivals to cliff notes to this new universe, and learns that Treadshot has a lead on the native Ultra Magnus on Earth. Galvatron says they can use the Stellar Spanner to go to Earth and help in the search.

The group leave the Decepticon's HQ where they find SG Spinister and Needlenose, who offer them new bodies, allowing them to not scare the native Humans with their giant beast modes.

Suddenly Cyclonus arrives and passes on a message from Soundwave to Galvatron, saying that the Autobots are attacking Decepticon City on Earth (SG Earth). Galvatron has Blast Off set up a shuttle to take them there for the battle....

Characters

SG Decepticon

Galvatron - Rescue Helicopter

Cyclonus - Jet

Spinister - Helicopter

Needlenose - Jet

Straxus - Tank

Soundwave - Cassette Player (Voice)

Megatron - Jet (Mentioned) Killed, turned into Galvatron

Starscream - Jet (Mentioned)

Treadshot - Sports Car (Mentioned)

Blast Off - Space Shuttle (Mentioned)

Stonecruncher - Crane (Mentioned)

Excavator - Crane (Mentioned)

SG Autobot

Optimus Prime - Truck Cab (Mentioned)

Ultra Magnus - Truck Cab (Mentioned)

Ironhide - Van (Mentioned) Dead

Scrounges - Battle Wheels (Mentioned)

Autobot

Ultra Mammoth - Mammoth

Grimlock - Velociraptor

Ironhide - Elephant

Prowl - Lion

Silverbolt - Eagle

Cliffjumper - Sports Car

Blaster - Boom Box

Nexus Prime - Gestalt (Mentioned)

Scrounge - Wheel (Mentioned) Dead

Decepticon

Straxus - Flying Cannon (Mentioned)

Other

Aquarius

Beta Maxx - Jet

Depth Charge - Fighter Jet (Mentioned)

Origin Matrix's Guardian (Mentioned)

Side Burn - Muscle Car (Mentioned)

Demolishor - Battle Tank (Mentioned)

Unicron (Mentioned)

Primus (Mentioned)

The Thirteen (Mentioned)

Prima (Mentioned)

Notes

• Ultra Mammoth and the other "Maximals" are sent to the Shattered Glass universe now, after their adventures on the prehistoric SG Earth.....where are the "Predacons" exactly though?
• Grimlock attacked Blaster, despite knowing he was the "real" one, most likely due to their rivalry during the Marvel run.
• Aquarius has returned to the SG universe after his time on Axiom Nexus
• Grimlock is absent from the debriefing of the new arrivals, and the measurements scene..wonder where he went to?
• Out of Silverbolt, Prowl and Ironhide, only Silverbolt has a new toy out, so we can probably guess that he'll have his Combiner Wars character model, but what about Prowl and Ironhide? Will they take on their Prime counterpart's forms?
• Also, Ultra "Mammoth" is keeping his prehistoric body...strange that the only TFCC exclusive of the bunch would do that huh?
• The end of this story shows that a counterpart to the Battle of Autobot City (Decepticon City here) from the 80's Movie is about to happen. This was hinted at last issue with the prologue showing the Autobots defeated and returning to space.
• I'm assuming that Soundwave is still in his Cassette Player body from Solar Requiem since he's still on Earth.
• The Recordicons comic was most likely written when Rewind was still "dead" in MTMTE. I know it's most likely going to be explained away as being because this ISN'T set in the IDW universe, but it's still most likely the reason.
• Side Burn and Demolishor are mentioned in reference to the Underbase storyline...which has yet to be resolved for us in the real world as it's story keeps getting delayed/cancelled.

Other Features

Rubber Soul - Article on Decoy figures and their follow ups
Toy Fair 2015 - Advert (though it arrived AFTER the event for me....
Lio Convoy Advert - Recruitment drive for the Club!
Cliffjumper's Cliff Notes! - Cliffjumper summarizes what's happened to him in this universe
Fun Pub Creative Team bios - Meet the creative team for the magazine this year.
Lio Convoy Profile
Broken Windshields Preview
Hot Shot's Thoughts - Armada Hot Shot interviews other Transformers
Bot on the Street - Random characters are asked what they would change their alt mode to
Recordicons - Mini-comic with Brainstorm setting Chromedome up with Eject.

TFCC - Invasion

Invasion Prologue

Staff

Writers: Jesse Wittenrich and Pete Sinclair

Pencils: Will Mangin

Inks: Jake Isenberg

Colours: Josh Burcham

Letters: Jesse Wittenrich

Plot

In Axiom Nexus Rhinox detects multiple phenomena occuring from everywhere and even the resurrection of a previously dead universe. He and the otehr Transtechs determine that the situation began in the Classicsverse, where they look back over it's recent history and watch a raid by Gigatron's Decepticons against the Autobots at Ironworks. The Transtechs speed forward past the battle and see some unidentified figures arriving through a hole in the sky.

Optimus Prime walks into the room and tells everyone that the "visitors" to the Classicsverse are from the Negative Polarity Universe (Shattered Glass) and tells them that the balance of everything is in danger now, as these two universes are mirrors of eachother, and introduces the Transtechs to his team, made of various Optimus Primes and other similar characters from across the Multiverse

Characters

Autobot

Optimus Prime - Truck (Transtech)

Rhinox (Transtech)

Prowl (Transtech)

Ursa Magnus (Transtech)

Metalhawk - Fighter Jet (Classics)

Rad (Classics)

Mainframe (Classics)

Ironworks (Classics)

Ultra Magnus - Truck Cab (Shattered Glass)

Tracks - Sports Car (Shattered Glass)

Wheeljack - Race Car (Shattered Glass)

Sentinel Maximus - Truck (Universe)

Optimus Prime - Fire Truck (Robots in Disguise)

Optimus Prime - Truck (G2 Hero)

Leo Prime - Lion (Beast Wars???)

Optimus Prime - Ape (Jungle Planet - Cybertron)

Decepticon

Megatron - Tank (Transtech)

Gigatron, the Overlord - Tank (Classics)

Thrust - Fighter Jet (Classics)

Skullgrin - Tank (Classics)

Octopunch - Crab (Classics)

Stranglehold - Rhino (Classics)

Snarler - Drill-Boar (Classics)

Carnivac - Wolf (Classics)

Horri-Bull - Bull (Classics)

Other

RUNT Mech and Pilot

Various Multiversal Cameos

Notes

• The universe of "Another Time and Place" was noted to be destroyed in "Withered Hope", it has been restored here (I wonder what this means for the Gobots Universe)
• The Transtechs note that the Classics Overlord/Gigatron is shorter than usual, which is very true!
• This story ends during the beginning of of Invasion
• The collection of Optimus' and similar is sort of reminiscent of the Captain Britain Corps from Marvel comics
• The images on the screens in Axiom Nexus are all from existing comics and TV series.
• Foreign Optimus Prime's aren't usually allowed in Axiom Nexus, however you can see they have a small device on them, which much protect them from being removed.

Invasion

Staff

Writers: Benson Yee and Pete Sinclair
Pencils: Dan Khanna
Inks: Jake Isenberg
Colours: Josh Perez, Thomas Deer and Jesse Wittenrich
Letters: Jesse Wittenrich

Plot

In the Shattered Glass Universe, Ultra Magnus is broken out of his jail on the prison world, Paradron thanks to help by Wheeljack, Tracks and the Junkions. Magnus contacts Optimus and taunts him regarding his upcoming victory, as he kills the jailers, including Ironhide. Magnus leaves the prison through a portable Stellar Spanner Wheeljack possesses, and travels to another Universe. Optimus acivate's the prisons distress beacon, knowing that even though hecan't follow his brother, he knows a Decepticon who can.

In the Classicsverse, the Autobots are repairing the Ironworks base after the battle with Gigatron when the sky opens up and some strange snake-like devices exit it and attach to three Autobots, who quickly mutate into more Junkions and start attacking their former friends. Magnus and his team also exit the Space Bridge/Stellar Spanner and join the battle too, whilst the Junkions turn three more Autobots into Junkions as well. Rad and Kick-Off run back towards the base, but Rad is attacked by a Junkion, however he's able to blast the door controls as Kick-Off enters the base, saving his friend.

Inside the base, Kick-Off heads to the weapons store whilst Metalhawk and a small team of surviving Autobots prepare to take on these evil Autobots. Magnus tears through the doors with his Terminus Blade, a sacred artifact from his Universe and proceeds to take down Wheeljack, Warpath, Tracks and Jazz before another Space Bridge opens and Treadshot and group of SG Decepticons come through and attack the evil Autobots on sight. Magnus uses the Terminus Blade to transport himself and his team elsewhere.

Metalhawk demands an explanation as to what's happening, so Soundwave and Treadshot give them a brief history of their universe and who Magnus is. Kick-Off returns from the armory with more weapons and says he doesn't care who they are, they need to be stopped. Treadshot and Metalhawk's forces join forces to take on the evil Autobots, but Treadshot goes after Magnus, whilst Octopunch and Scoop go to find Wheeljack, as they know those 2 are the main problem.

Spinister spies on the battle outside Ironworks and reports it to Gigatron, saying that the Autobots seem to be teamed up with some Decepticons. Gigatron sends Octopunch and Skullgrin ahead to see what's going on.

Under Ironworks Wheeljack has set up a device that taps into the Rarifed Energon of this Earth and sets up a forcefield around the device so no-one can stop his plans. Octopunch, Skullgrin, Scoop and SG Octopunch all arrive under Ironworks about the same time (Scoop having assumed something would happen there as there's nothing else of any worth nearby) and the two groups start fighting underground. Scoop quickly defeats Skullgrin, and has his two Nubulon partners take a look at the forcefield to see if they can turn it off.

Treadshot finds Magnus inside the Ironworks base, but the Autobot plants his Terminus Blade into another device set up there, which reacts with the Rarified Energon sending a blast of energy into the atmosphere, causing disruptions across the planet, with the other Autobots worldwide dealing with the troubles.

Under the Ironworks base SG Octopunch realizes that he's been fighting his evil counterpart and decides to not even try and think about it and swiftly defeats his counterpart. Magnus and Treadshot leave the building fighting, with Kick-Off joining the battle as well. Magnus reveals that he doesn't expect Earth to survive his plans in one piece, so Soundwave goes to try and save the day, when he's attacked by the Junkions and almost turned as well, just as the Classics Decepticons arrive and join the battle, fighting to protect the Earth as well (as Gigatron wants to conquer it himself) and Soundwave is free to continue on his way.

Soundwave reaches the control panel and finds it's too late to turn off the device as the planet sized portal's been created already, and turning it off will tear the planet up. Wheeljack appears behind him, but he's knocked out by Octopunch. Soundwave tries to figure out what to do.

Magnus leaves the battle by smashing through the collected Cybertronians and tries to stop Soundwave from potentially stopping him when he's blasted by Metalhawk and Gigatron, who stop him from stopping Soundwave from overpowering the forcefield generator below to maximize it around the planet, protecting it from being torn apart from the portal.

Magnus, upon hearing this is glad, as he never cared about Earth, his intention was for it to just be transported to his Universe, he doesn't care if it's in one piece or not, so he and his team ride off. The planet passes the portal and the energy discharge spreads out and destroys everything else in the Classicsverse that remains, one by one. The Classics Transformers on Earth look up in horror as their universe is gone, and they arrive in orbit around the Cybertron of the Shattered Glass Universe, and Straxus recites a comforting poem for them (it's probably not THAT comforting considering their universe just blew up though!)

Characters

Classics Autobot

Metalhawk - Fighter Jet

Kick-Off - Sports Car

Scoop - Front End Loader

Ironworks

Warpath - Tank Slashed by Ultra Magnus

Jazz - Sports Car Slashed by Ultra Magnus

Tracks - Muscle Car Slashed by Ultra Magnus

Wheeljack - Race Car Slashed by Ultra Magnus

Rad Assimilated into a Junkion

Sandstorm - Buggy/Helicopter Assimilated into a Junkion

Broadside - Jet/Aircraft Carrier Assimilated into a Junkion

Slapdash - F1 Race Car Assimilated into a Junkion

Mainframe Assimilated into a Junkion

Rollout Assimilated into a Junkion

Outback - SUV Assimilated into a Junkion

Skyhammer - Car

Crossblades - Jet

Vroom - Dragster

Perceptor - Microscope

Sunstreaker - Sports Car

Sideswipe - Sports Car

Ratchet - Ambulance

Blaster - Boom Box

Cerebros - Fortress Maximus' Head

Fortress Maximus - Base

Rescue Roy - Fire Engine

Cliffjumper - Hatchback (Flashback)

Classics Decepticon

Gigatron - Tank

Spinister - Helicopter

Skullgrin - Tank Defeated by Scoop

Octopunch - Crab Defeated by SG Octopunch

Weirdwolf - Wolf

Snarler - Drill-Boar

Carnivac - Wolf

Stranglehold - Rhino

Horri-Bull - Bull

Thrust - Fighter Jet

Dreadwind - Fighter Jet

SG Autobot

Ultra Magnus - Truck Cab

Tracks - Sports Car

Wheeljack - Race Car Knocked Out by SG Octopunch

Wreck-Gar - Motorcycle

Junkheap - Motorcycle

Scrap Iron - Motorcycle

Junkion Hive - Motorcycles

Optimus Prime - Truck Cab

Ironhide - Van Killed by Ultra Magnus

Sunstreaker - Sports Car Killed by Magnus and crew

Paradron Staff Killed by Magnus and crew

Jetfire - Fighter Jet (Flashback)

Ricochet - Sports Car (Flashback)

Alpha Trion - Space Shuttle (Mentioned)

Rodimus "Prime" - Sports Car (Mentioned)

SG Decepticon

Treadshot - Sports Car

Soundwave - Van

Octopunch - Hovercraft

Straxus - Battle Tank

Galvatron - Rescue Helicopter (Flashback)

Starscream - Tetra Jet (Mentioned)

Ravage - Cassette (Mentioned)

Other

Holepunch - Scoop's Gun

Tracer - Scoop's Gun

Spike Witwicky - Cerebros' Head

Buster Witwicky

Robot Master

Simon Furman

Spider-Man

Power Man

Invisible Woman

Sari Sumdac

Isaac Sumdac

Elektra

Scared Humans

Notes

• There are several nods to the G1 Movie in this comic, including Ironhide's death and Soundwave's reflection in Magnus' grill
• The Junkions are very similar to the Borg from Star Trek
• I wonder...if the Junkions "assimilate" a larger or smaller Transformer will the Junkion created be large or tiny, or the regular size?
• It's not shown, but it's likely Rad was "assimilated" as well
• It can't just be a coincidence that the four guys Ultra Magnus took down just happen to have newish toys in a Classics-type toyline (which most of them happen to have their molds used in this very comic)
• Very oddly for a comic like this...there are no potential future repaints shown in this comic (unless you count Ironhide, which was seen before anyway)
• Ricochet is coloured wrong in this comic, and also has the wrong body type (unless he changed his body between the flashback here and his first actual appearance)
• The Mayan 2012 apocalypse theory is referenced (and sort of comes true) in this comic
• Octopunch gets a bit freaked out when he fights his evil counterpart here
• Weirdwolf, Thrust and Dreadwind have joined with Gigatron's forces on Earth...wonder if Bug Bite is anywhere nearby too? (or the other Gobots who appeared on this Earth at the end of "Withered Hope").
• Wonder if the Decepticons and Autobots from the now destroyed Classicsverse will stay as a unified force in their new Universe.
• The SG Decepticons arrive on Earth by Soundwave mimicking the coordinates the Autobots used to get there before.
• Despite Metalhawk not seeming to actually be a Pretender (he just transforms) the other Pretenders shown are shown to have the ability to separate from their shells (unless this Metalhawk design is just his outer shell's robot and vehicle mode as well)