IDW - Transformers '84 Secrets and Lies #2

Writer: Simon Furman

Artist: Guido Guidi

Colourist: John-Paul Bove

Letterer: Jake M. Wood

Editors: David Mariotte & Tom Waltz

Assistant Editor: Riley Farmer

Plot

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Characters

Autobot

Punch/Counterpunch - Car

Grimlock - Tyrannosaurus Rex

Slag - Triceratops Trapped in Tar Pit

Snarl - Stegosaurus Buried under Land Slide

Sludge - Apatosaurus Buried under Land Slide

Swoop - Pteranodon Crashed into Mountain

Ultra Magnus - Truck

Perceptor

Nosecone - Drill Tank

Lightspeed - Car

Impactor - Tank

Springer

Sandstorm

Broadside

Optimus Prime Rendered Inert in Ark Crash

Gears Rendered Inert in Ark Crash

Huffer Rendered Inert in Ark Crash

Bumblebee Rendered Inert in Ark Crash

Windcharger Rendered Inert in Ark Crash

Ironhide Rendered Inert in Ark Crash

Wheeljack Rendered Inert in Ark Crash

Ratchet Rendered Inert in Ark Crash

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

The Reserve Warriors (Mentioned) Stored in Mind Bank

Decepticon

Straxus - Flying Tank

Shockwave - Ray Gun Buried into Mountain by Grimlock

Thrust - Jet Hit by Shockwave's Scraplet Virus

Ramjet - Jet Hit by Shockwave's Scraplet Virus

Dirge - Jet Hit by Shockwave's Scraplet Virus

Megatron Rendered Inert in Ark Crash

Starscream - Jet Rendered Inert in Ark Crash

Thundercracker - Jet Rendered Inert in Ark Crash

Skywarp - Jet Rendered Inert in Ark Crash

Soundwave Rendered Inert in Ark Crash

Laserbeak Rendered Inert in Ark Crash

Frenzy Rendered Inert in Ark Crash

Chop Shop - Insect Jet

Bombshell - Insect Jet

Kickback - Insect Jet

Shrapnel - Insect Jet

Scowl

Birdbrain

Bristleback

Wildfly

Slog

Ratbat (Mentioned)

Skyfire - Jet (Mentioned) Brain Chip taken by Shockwave

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

Other

AUNTIE

Scraplets (Mentioned)

Notes

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

IDW - Transformers Galaxies #9

Title: Gauging the Truth,  Part 3: Moment of Truth

Written by: Sam Maggs

Art by: Beth McGuire-Smith

Colours by: Josh Burcham

Letters & Design by: Jake M. Wood

Editors: David Mariotte & Tom Waltz

Assistant Editor: Riley Farmer

Plot

The Exodus flies above a Cybertronian city, and begins it's attack on the planet. Arcee and Greenlight escape the ship so they can warn the Cybertronians and form a resistance against the invading force, whilst Gauge stays behind to try and stop the attack from the inside.

Unaware to her though, Heretech plans to use her as an integral part of his master plan, he'll have her, a Cybertronian newborn, who has been raised by the Reversionists to encourage everyone to join them, or he'll use the Exodus' engines to ignite an Energon vein on Cybertron, killing all those who remain "sacrilegious".

The Reversionists, including Gauge jump towards Cybertron, with Gauge taking on her mobile digger alternate mode, so she can "find the Energon vein" for Heretech. Gauge makes her way to a communications tower, and sends out a message to everyone, but not the one Heretech wanted, as she says that everyone should make their own choices in life, if they want to join the Reversionists they should, but they shouldn't be forced to.

Heretech, angry about this betrayal breaks his way into the communications tower and intends to kill the traitor, but Arcee and Greenlight arrive to defend their mentee. During the fight, Gauge locates some raw Energon under the tower's flooring and throws it at Heretech, who is in his giant drill mode, hitting the drillbit and causing the Energon to explode, badly injuring the Reversionist leader.

In the aftermath, the Reversionists give up their fight, and mostly disband, joining other factions, or returning to space under Accelerator's command. Gauge decides that she wants to stay with Arcee and Greenlight for a while, whilst she looks for her own life, and the trio walk off together, to begin their lives again on Cybertron. 

Characters

Reversionist

Heretech - Drill Tank Badly Injured by Gauge's Energon Explosion

Accelerator

Reversionist Congregation 

Other Cybertronian

Gauge - Mobile Digger

Arcee - Car

Greenlight - Car

Random Cybertronians

Primus (Mentioned)

Notes

• It's not clear when this issue is set in continuity, but since it was originally set to be released around the same time as issue 21 of the main comic, we can assume it's around about that time too here.
• When referring to Arcee and Greenlight, Gauge seems to refer to them as Autobots, we've had no indication that either are Autobots (yet) in this continuity.
• In the time since they left Cybertron, Gauge has taken on her own alternate mode, which should be a major deal to her mentors, but Arcee and Greenlight don't even mention it...
• Apparently directly under the ground in the communications tower is readily mineable Energon veins...you'd think they would have mined those considering the Energon crisis, before building a tower above it....
• Following the reveal of Heretech's lies and attack on Cybertron, the Reversionists are now no longer a political party, with most of the members joining the other factions, and some, under Accelerator, plan to return to space.

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

Inspiring

Writer: Ian  Flynn

Artist: Sara Pitre-Durocher

Colours: Joana LaFuente

Letterer: Jake M. Wood

They Eat Ponies, Don't They?

Writer: Sam Maggs

Artist: Casey W. Coller

Colours: Joana LaFuente

Letterer: Neil Uyetake

Editor: Megan Brown

Consulting Editor: David Mariotte

Group Editor: Bobby Curnow

First Story Plot

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

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

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

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

Second Story Plot

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

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

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

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

Characters

Autobot

Grimlock - Tyrannosaurus Rex

Gauge

Other Autobots (Mentioned, On Other Missions)

Decepticon

Shockwave - Ray Gun

Hook - Crane

Long Haul - Dump Truck

Mixmaster - Mixing Truck

Scrapper - Front End Loader

Bonecrusher - Bulldozer

Scavenger - Excavator

Devastator - Constructicon Gestalt

Equestrian

Pinkie Pie

Spike, the Dragon

Derpy

Bon Bon

Lyra Heartstrings

Vinyl Scratch

Octavia

Cheerilee

Doctor Hooves

Roseluck

Thunderlane

Flitter

Minuette

Lily Valley

Apple Split

Diamond Rose

Cherry Berry

Lemon Hearts

Cloudkicker

Other Ponies in Audience

Princess Twilight Sparkle (Mentioned)

Notes

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

IDW - Transformers #22

Title: Rise of the Decepticons, Part 4: Prisoners

Written by: Brian Ruckley

Art by: Anna Malkova

Colours by: Joana LaFuente

Letters & Design by: Jake M. Wood

Editors: David Mariotte & Tom Waltz

Assistant Editor: Riley Farmer

Plot

Novastar's team battles it out with Sixshot, but the six-changer is far too powerful for them to handle, and it gets worse when Rumble and Frenzy free Quake from the electro net. Luckily for security though, Leviathan arrives and smashes Quake into the ground like a discarded toy. The Riser does manage to shoot the giant Cybertronian in the leg, causing her to fall directly on top of him. Knowing they're unable to win this now, Sixshot has Frenzy and Rumble retreat with hm.

Happy with having one of their top targets in custody, Novastar decides to let the other Risers escape for now, so they can also get aid for their injured team members.

News of Quake's capture spreads to Iacon quickly, and crowds begin to gather to witness the "parade" that Sentinel is having the prisoner go through before going into the prison itself, so as to show his dominance over the Rise and Ascenticons. Orion isn't happy with this idea as he thinks it'll go horribly wrong, but Sentinel is uninterested. Behind his back, Orion has Security line the streets along with some of Ironhide's Senate Guards to try and keep the likely attacks on the prisoner at bay. Whilst making these plans, Nautica contacts Orion to warn him that the dangerous Voin Asserter she and Road Rage had been escorting around Iacon has gone missing..

Elsewhere at his safe house, Bumblebee goes to a hole in the wall (caused when the Tether fell) to watch the prison parade, where he notices a lot of Ascenticons in the crowd, making him nervous.

During the "parade" Flatline works on Roughstuff's heavily damaged form, while Skytread has been working up the Ascenticons in the crowd, so they start to rush the parade platform carrying Quake, allowing the dangerous bot to escape, albeit still shackled and trapped in robot mode.

Quake manages to slip through the crowd, and down an alleyway, where he encounters the Voin Asserter, who sets his enslaved organics on the Riser causing him heavy damage, before Quake kills another Voin.

Bumblebee arrives in the aftermath, seeing Quake having been unshackled during the battle and jumps him from behind with a sword dropped by one of the dead organics, skewering his throat, causing a reaction that decapitates him and ejects his spark casing in the process.

Shortly afterwards, Stakeout and Smokescreen arrive, and although the recognise why he had to kill him, they need to arrest him for murder now. Bumblebee calmly accepts this fate, having gotten revenge on the bot who killed Rubble, but also knows his work isn't complete yet...Barricade is still alive, and his intel was what led to Quake murdering Rubble in the first place.... 

Characters

Autobot/Security Forces/Senate Guard

Sentinel Prime - Space Shuttle

Orion  Pax - Truck

Ironhide - Van

Stakeout - Police Vehicle

Novastar - Car

Springer - Car/Helicopter

Smokescreen - Car

Sureshot - Buggy
Windblade - VTOL Jet

Vibes

Bumper - Car

Roulette - Car

Pipes - Truck

Brawn - Van

Grotusque

Other Guards

Blades - Helicopter (Mentioned) Injured

Ascenticon/The Rise

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

Quake - Tank Killed by Bumblebee

Skytread - Tank and Jet

Rumble - Cassette

Frenzy - Cassette

Roughstuff - Truck Badly Injured, Under Repairs

Ascenticons in the Crowd

Soundwave - Hovercraft (Voice Only)

Megatron - Mining Vehicle (Mentioned)

Barricade - Police Vehicle (Mentioned)

Other Cybertronian

Bumblebee - Winged Hovercraft Arrested by Stakeout

Starscream - Jet

Nautica - Submarine

Flatline -  Van

Leviathan - Metal Harvester Injured by Quake

Andromeda

Voxpop

Iacon Crowds

Rubble (Mentioned) Dead

Road Rage - Flying Car (Mentioned)

Beachcomber - Buggy (Mentioned) Injured

Hoist - Tow Truck (Mentioned)

Ratchet - Ambulance (Mentioned)

Other

Voin Asserter Killed by Quake

Enslaved Organics Killed by Quake

Notes

• I know this is a common comment in this series now, but the main cover with the main female Risers really has nothing to do with this issue's plot, in the slightest.
• Despite being depicted as a friendly character, Leviathan is shown with red eyes and a mostly purple colourscheme, which is more evocative of a Decepticon design...wonder if that's a story-beat for the future?
• The two headed NAIL from early in the Robots In Disguise era of Transformers comics is finally named here as Voxpop. His gimmick is that one of his heads just says "pop".
• Ironhide's team is confirmed here to be separate to the main Security Forces, as they are specifically Senate Guards
• Despite how it seemed last issue, Roughstuff is still alive (but in a VERY bad condition)
• In Bumblebee's defence, I don't think Quake was going to survive long after his wounds fighting the Voin Asserter

IDW - Transformers vs The Terminator #3

Title: Enemy of my Enemy, Part 3

Story by: David Mariotte, Tom Waltz & John Barber

Written by: David Mariotte & John Barber

Art by: Alex Milne

Colours by: David Garcia Cruz

Letters & Design by: Jake M. Wood

Editor: Tom Waltz

Assistant Editor: Riley Farmer

Plot

Aboard the Ark, The Autobots are busy fixing up their shipmates, and the vessel itself, though Wheeljack says it'll never fly again, but the systems are online. Whilst they are rebuilding, the Terminator watches on, analysing his current allies, waiting for his future opportunities to take them down.
Optimus gives out orders to the actice Autobots, Wheeljack and Ratchet are to stay on the Ark to continue reviving their friends, and monitor the situation on Earth using the local transmissions, Optimus and Velocity are going to investigate possible energy source to help power the Ark for the repairs, Arcee and the Terminator are to search the perimeter for any Decepticon traps in the area, whilst Bumblebee is to escort Sarah home, per her request. Before they leave, the Terminator mentions that he has no weapons, prompting Arcee to take him to the armory.

Elsewhere, the Decepticons have ransacked the Cyberdyne Systems facility, where Starscream interrogates the scientists about their "Hunter" robot, which they know nothing about, meanwhile the others are using the machinery to fill Energon Cubes for their own usage.
Meanwhile, on the Oregon coast, Optimus and Velocity have found the remains of the dune buggy and humans that Starscream destroyed, and Velocity finds a used optic casing, showing them that the Decepticons were definitely here...
On her way home, Sarah stopped by a clothing retail store to change out of her battered waitress outfit, before carrying on with their journey. On the radio they hear about the Decepticon attack on the Cyberdyne facility, and decide to look into it.

Back at the Ark, the Terminator finds a blaster that he likes, and Arcee has Teletraan-1 resize it for him to use, but Arcee also mentions that, even if Optimus trusts him for some reason, she's going to keep an eye on him, and if he tries to fire upon any Autobot, she WILL kill him on the spot.
The two head out for their perimeter check, but along the way, the Terminator secretly plants explosives around the Ark and the perimeter.
They duo reaches where the downed Sky Spy crashed, where the Terminator states that he shot it down when it scanned him. Before they can continue though, Bbumblebee calls in about the Decepticon attack.

At the Cyberdyne facility, Bumblebee prepares to stall the Decepticons, to prevent further damage and wait for the others to arrive, but before he can get Sarah to safety first, Skywarp attacks them, forcing Bee to grab Sarah and drive her straight to the facility.
Just before Skywarp can attack them again though, he is shot down by the Autobots and Terminator. An all out battle begins, and Sarah is tasked with getting through to Ratchet and Wheeljack for reinforcements. During the battle, the Terminator plants one of his explosives on one of the Refraktor trio's face and pushes down the plunger.

On the Ark, Ratchet and Wheeljack are working on their next batch of repairs, and they just need a little more energy from the Ark to revive them so they can bring real reinforcements to the battle. However, before they can find an energy source, they start hearing beeping, as the Terminator's explosives all set off, engulfing the Ark, Mt St Hilary and the surrounding area with destructive fire!

Back at the battle, Refraktor's head blows up in a controlled explosion, just as Vvelocity shoots off the head of another Refraktor, signalling a "nice job" thumbs up to the Terminator. However, just as he is reciprocating it, Starscream shoots around him to get his attention, and declares that he knows his secret, that if he kills the Cyberdyne workers, then he'll cease to exist, so he wants to make a deal....

Characters

Autobot

Optimus Prime - Semi-Truck
Bumblebee - VW Beetle
Arcee - Ford Mustang
Velocity - Pontiac Firebird
Ratchet - Ambulance Caught n Ark Explosion
Wheeljack - Race Car Caught n Ark Explosion
Grimlock Inactive, Caught n Ark Explosion
Jazz Inactive, Caught n Ark Explosion
Sideswipe Inactive, Caught n Ark Explosion
Windblade Inactive, Caught n Ark Explosion
Other Ark Autobots Inactive/Dead, Caught n Ark Explosion (Mentioned)

Decepticon

Megatron - Gun
Soundwave - Cassette Player
Ravage - Cassette
Starscream - Fighter Jet
Skywarp - Fighter Jet Blasted by Optimus and the Terminator
Thundercracker - Fighter Jet Skewered with Sword by Arcee
Kickback - Locust
Skrapnel - Scarab Beetle
Bombshell - Boll Weevil
Refraktor Trio - Camera Two killed by the Terminator and Velocity

Skynet

The Terminator

Human

Sarah Connor
Cyberdyne Systems Workers Some killed by Decepticons
Random Human Pedestrians
Radio Presenter (Voice Only)

Notes

• Arcee being a warrior and being "Threat Level: Maximum" is a reference to her depiction mainly in the IDW continuities, despite this continuity being based on the G1 cartoon, where, whilst she was a gunner, wasn't really a hardened warrior
• Arcee and Velocity get completely new alternate modes here! Arcee now has a mode based on a Ford Mustang, and Velocity is a Pontiac Firebird. Whilst Arcee HAS had a few Earth-modes before in comics and toylines, this marks the first time Velocity has an Earth-mode! Congrats to her!
• The Terminator mentions that the Sky Spy scanned him...could this be how the grandfather paradox comes to play of Cyberdyne creating Skynet from the Terminator's design?
• Grimlock is shown to have existed pre-Earth in this version of the story, despite being built on Earth in the G1 cartoon.
• Whilst blasting holes into, and skewering Cybertronians isn't normally enough to kill them, considering this is the penultimate issue of this crossover, I think we can assume that the badly injured here are most likely dead.
• Among the Autobots being repaired is Windblade, a character that is usually pretty major in these crossovers, so having her just being "dead" here is a bit of a jarring move.
• I'll be quite surprised if Ratchet, Wheeljack and the inactive Autobots were able to survive the Ark and Mt St Hilary exploding, though then again, the Decepticons all survived being dropped in a lava stream at the end of season one of the cartoon... (And NO, them saying they need a little energy to revive the others will not be a good excuse, a giant explosion is not a "little energy")
• How did Starscream learn about the Terminator's true nature? If he heard him call himself a "Cyberdyne Systems" robot, then that would make sense, but I'm pretty sure he's only referred to himself as that to Sarah and the Autobots.
• Starscream's threat also doesn't really work in canon though, since we've seen that even when Skynet is wiped out in Dark Fate's backstory, the Terminator they sent back, who killed John, was still around decades later, so it's not a Back to the Future style time travel paradox like he seems to be implying here.

IDW - Transformers Galaxies #8

Title: Gauging the Truth, Part 2: A Truth for a Truth

Written by: Sam Maggs

Art by: Beth McGuire-Smith & Umi Miyao

Colours by: Josh Burcham

Letters & Design by: Jake M. Wood

Editors: David Mariotte & Tom Waltz

Assistant Editor: Riley Farmer

Plot

A confused Gauge wonders who Arcee and Greenlight are and they explain that she was not born a Reversionist, like she has been made to believe, but was born on Cybertron not too long ago, and shows her this using Arcee's Psychic Patch, also showing that when they reached the Reversionist ship the older bots were imprisoned for being non-believers, and mind-wiped Gauge due to her being young and easier to manipulate.

Following her exposition history lesson, Gauge believes the two Cybertronians, but says that she doesn't know how to unlock their cell, as she believes the bars are connected to the mainframe, but also says that the Reversionists are planning something bad and they need to do something about it soon.

Gauge leaves, and pretends to still be mind-wiped, she tries to get access to Heretech's quarters, where the mainframe is housed, but is barred by Accelerator. Soon however, Heretech addresses the Reversionists saying that they are nearly ready to "ascend". Knowing that she's nearly out of time to save the Cybertronians, so she breaks into Heretech's quarters and hacks into the mainframe, just as Accelerator arrives and calls for the guards.

Gauge runs for the engine room, where Arcee and Greenlight are being held, where she finds them freed now, and the trio fight off the guards, and Gauge explains that she was conflicted on who she was, and whether the Cybertronians were just using her to free them, but she realised that they never asked her to free them, but let her decide for herself (but heavily implied that they need to stop the Reversionists, and cannot do it from the cell).

Before they can head off to stop Heretech however, he makes an announcement over the ship's communicators saying they have arrived at their new world, ready for them to take for themselves. Arcee and the others look through the porthole and see the planet in question is Cybertron itself!

Characters

Reversionist

Heretech

Accelerator

RoadHauler - Crane

Reversionist Guards

Reversionist Congregation

Other Cybertronian

Gauge

Arcee - Car

Greenlight - Car

Red/Black Tailgate - Car (Memory Only)

Spaceport Guards (Memory Only)

Other Memory Cybertronians (Memory Only)

Primus (Mentioned)

Notes

• So, Gauge just had her mind wiped, this isn't a simulation or anything, at least that's the case, unless they change their mind in issue 9.
• Arcee is shown to have a Psychic Patch on her at all times....for...some reason?
• So, if I'm remembering correctly, Greenlight said that she was told there was space on the Reversionist ship for them to fly off the planet on...yet here we learn that the Reversionists didn't want non-believers on their ship...then why did they offer a place to them?
• The Exodus apparently went in a circle away from Cybertron, just to return so they can try and "cleanse" the planet.
• Does Heretech really expect his crew of maybe a few hundred/thousand religious folk to be able to take out everyone on Cybertron, and rebuild the planet in their image? This really is a cult isn't it?

IDW - Transformers/My Little Pony: Friendship In Disguise #1

Transformation is Magic

Writer: James Asmus

Artist: Tony Fleecs

Colours: Tony Fleecs

Colour Flats by: Lauren Perry

Letterer: Jake M. Wood

Shine Like a Diamond

Writer: Ian Flynn

Artist: Jack Lawrence

Colours: Luis Antonio Delgado

Letterer: Neil Uyetake

Editor: Megan Brown

Consulting Editor: David Mariotte

Group Editor: Bobby Curnow

Main Story Plot

It's a normal colourful day in Equestria when the sky suddenly darkens and a strange bolt of lightning is seen lingering over a mountain peak, where Queen Chrysalis and some loyal Changelings are performing a ritual to open a portal to another world to try and bring forth more "Changelings" to help her conquer Equestria...

Elsewhere, on the planet Cybertron, the Autobots have become aware that the Decepticons are interested in a malfunctioning spacebridge, making them worried about what it can be used for. Shockwave manages to hack into the spacebridge and sends everyone somewhere else...just as Grimlock arrives at the battle, annoyed that everyone has "ditched" him again...

Back at the mountain peak, the gateway starts to emerge in the sky, when Princess Twilight Sparkle arrives to try and stop the Changeling's plan, but is too late, the portal opens and several giant figures shoot out of it, going across the world. Realizing that these newcomers are alive, and also falling at great speeds, Twilight goes to help them, leaving Chrysalis to speak to Megatron alone...

Before Bumblebee and Optimus can hit the ground, with Optimus offering to take the brunt of the fall, Twilight arrives and uses her magic to slow their fall, setting them safely on the ground.

Twilight, having overheard the two Autobot's friendship is relieved that Chrysalis had made a mistake by summoning friendly beings to Equestria, however Optimus corrects her that some of the other robots to arrive are indeed evil, and could be a major problem for Equestria.

Elsewhere, Chrysalis has indeed allied with the Decepticons, and marches with them off the mountain...

Side Story Plot

Starscream has attacked Manehatten, and forces Rarity and her staff to create a new outfit for him to wear whilst conquering Eequestria, hwoever he is soon interrupted by the Autobot Arcee, who quickly scares him away with a couple of kicks and punches.

Afterwards, Arcee assesses the damage and makes quick friends with Rarity, who admires her battle prowess, but also her demeanour, whilst  Arcee comments on Rarity's talents and business prowess, and both compliment the other's loyalty to their friends and allies.

Soon however, Starscream returns with Skywarp and Thundercracker to get revenge for Screamer's earlier defeat, only for the trio of fliers to get easily taken down by the two new friends.

Characters

Autobot

Optimus Prime - Truck

Bumblebee - Hatchback

Arcee - Sports Car

Windblade - VTOL Fighter Jet

Grimlock - Tyrannosaurus Rex

Gauge

Decepticon

Megatron - Tank

Shockwave - Ray Gun

Soundwave

Starscream - Fighter Jet

Skywarp - Fighter Jet

Thundercracker - Fighter Jet

Bombshell - Boll Weevil

Skrapnel - Stag Beetle

Equestrian

Princess Twilight Sparkle

Rarity

Rainbow Dash

Quibble Pants

Golden Harvest

Minuette

Lyra Heartstrings

Daisy

Rose

Spitfire

Soarin

Surprise

Firestreak

News Stand Vendor

Coco Pommel

Plaid Stripes

Blue Bobbin

"Betsey Trotson"

"Starke Kragen"

Queen Chrysalis

Evil Changelings

Royal Guards

Bunnies

Random Ponies

The Other Mane Six (Mentioned)

Daring Do (Mentioned)

Dr Cabelleron (Mentioned)

Diamond Dogs (Mentioned)

Hydras (Mentioned)

Conquerors and Demi-Gods (Mentioned)

Notes

• This series was originally due to be fully released in May 2020, but was delayed to be a monthly comic, starting in August due to the current global pandemic.
• Just for clarity, I have a passing knowledge on My Little Pony, but I'm by no means an expert on the subject, so if I miss some things on that side of the crossover, sorry!
• The Transformers side of the crossover appears to be based on a version of the G1 cartoon continuity (based on the spacebridge design, and Arcee existing to begin with!). The pony side is a bit more complicated, since we clearly see the evil Changelings still around (or at least a few of them anyway) but the preview for the next issue shows Spike with wings, implying this is after their conversion to good. (I know the first page says not to worry about continuity, but I don't care!)
• The location cards for Equestria and Cybertron are written based on the opposite series' title fonts.
• Unlike in the G1 cartoon,  Mmegatron has a tank mode, rather than pistol form, this is very commonplace in current comics, but is usually not the case in these crossover comics with existing products
• Arcee asks if Rarity is a seamstress, implying she knows about the practise, something that isn't normally seen on Cybertron. This, along with the Earth-looking alternate modes could suggest that this is set following the Transformers already existing on Earth, or another organic world.
• Rarity produces a diamond-shaped shield, something that this version of the character doesn't normally do, but is commonplace for her Equestria Girls counterpart (though she does make a shield by the end of the final series). She is shown sweating a lot after doing this magic though, a nod towards her not being used to using magic this way.
• Its mentioned a couple of times that Equestria is in an alternate dimension to Cybertron. Though its unclear if this is referring to an alternate universe (ala how Transformers Prime and Animated as alternate universes) or if Equestria is in a sort of pocket dimension within the same universe (Like how Gigantion is shown in the Cybertron cartoon)