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)

IDW - Transformers #21

Title: Rise of the Decepticons, Part 3: Tremors

Written by: Brian Ruckley

Art by: Billie Montfort & Blacky Shepherd

Colours by: Joana LaFuente & John-Paul Bove

Letters & Design by: Jake M. Wood

Editors: David Mariotte & Tom Waltz

Assistant Editor: Riley Farmer

Plot

Following another tremor, a geological team consisting of Azimuth, Geomotus, Landmine and Beachcomber find the giant Cybertronian Leviathan tracked down a crevice, who says that she won't transform and wants them to help her out.

Elsewhere, Bumblebee has been placed into a safe house under Stakeout's guard, but is visited by Windblade when they see a giant hologram of Megatron in the sky over Cybertron, claiming that the Autobots are trying to use the Tether's collapse to turn the people against the Ascenticons, who he points out are now being called "Decepticons" by the Autobots.

Orion Pax and Chromia see the hologram too, and Pax regrets that his old friend has gone this far, and is sure now that HE is the one responsible for the recent troubles on the planet, and not just rogue members of his faction.

Several high-risk Risers are being transported to their new base by Roughstuff when another tremor causes them to fall down another crevice. Being nearby, the geological team head out to see if they can help the injured, not knowing whose there. Once they reach the ledge, they recognize Quake, and report him to SecOps, knowing that he's one of Cybertron's most wanted right now. On hearing this, Geomotus decides to head back to Leviathan for safety.

Down the crevice, Triggerhappy shoots Roughstuff for crashing, and Rage reports the accident to Sixshot for help, though he's not very interested. Frenzy notices the geological team over the ledge and Triggerhappy transforms to go after them.

Triggerhappy quickly shoots Beachcomber and evades Landmine's attempt to ram into him when Windblade and the rest of Novastar's team arrive to take on the Risers. Fangry is quickly shot and taken out of the fight, and Quake gets caught in an electrified net by Novastar, seeing the state of the fight, Triggerhappy flies away, being chased by Windblade, and Rage drives away too.

Sixshot arrives and quickly knocks Blades out of the fight and joins Rumble and Frenzy to fight the remainder of the Security team.

Whilst the battle goes on, the Voin Asserter is being taken around Iacon by Nautica, who is just trying to keep the violent alien from levelling the city with it's firepower.

At the Titan Control Hub, Blaster okays Lightbright and Lodestar to leave Cybertron, whilst he continues to try and get the other Titans back online, now joined by Glyph, due to her data-wrangling expertise, and Tap-out and Steeljaw for guards.

Near to the battle site, Leviathan hears the noises and asks what's happening, to which Geomotus explains that his friends are fighting the Rise, which is all the motivation the giant Cybertronian needs. She transforms for the first time in ages and prepares to join the fight too....

Characters

Autobot/Security Operations

Orion Pax - Truck

Chromia - Car

Novastar - Car

Windblade - VTOL Jet

Blades - Helicopter Injured by Sixshot

Springer - Helicopter/Car

Sureshot - Buggy

Smokescreen - Car

Stakeout - Police Vehicle

Sentinel Prime - Space Shuttle (Mentioned)

Prowl - Police Vehicle (Mentioned)

Ascenticon/The Rise

Megatron - Mining Vehicle

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

Rage - Car

Quake - Tank Ensnared in Electric Net by Novastar

Triggerhappy - Gun Mounted Jet

Fangry Shot by Springer

Rumble - Cassette

Frenzy - Cassette

Roughstuff - Truck Badly Shot by Triggerhappy

Termagax - Truck (Mentioned)

Soundwave - Hovercraft (Mentioned)

Shockwave - Battle Platform (Mentioned)

Storm Cloud - Jet (Mentioned)

Astrotrain - Trackless Train/Space Shuttle (Mentioned)

Slipstream - Jet

Other Cybertronian

Azimuth

Beachcomber - Buggy Shot by Triggerhappy

Geomotus -  Satellite-Mounted Buggy

Landmine - Treaded Plough 

Leviathan - Metal Harvester

Bumblebee - Winged Hovercraft

Pointblank - Car

Nautica - Submarine

Road Rage - Flying Car

Blaster 

Wavelength

Playback

Steeljaw

Glyph - Car

Tap-Out - Car

Lodestar - Senate Shuttle

Lightbright (Voice Only)

Highbrow (Mentioned)

Hoist (Mentioned)

Halonix Maximus (Mentioned)

Preditron (Mentioned)

Vigilem - Titan Warship (Mentioned) Missing

Disabled Titans (Mentioned) "Gone Dark, and on Slow Fall"

Other

Voin Asserter 

Enslaved Organics

Flyt Swarm

Murdered Voin (Mentioned) Dead

Notes

• We have two new artists for this issue, but I have no idea who did what pages, however whichever one did the artwork using Windblade's Thrilling 30 toy character model is no friend to anyone! GUH!
• Azimuth is based on the Kronoform toy from the pre-G1 Micro Change toy line, though I'm pretty sure she doesn't turn into a wristwatch here...
• Cybertron's Earthquake problem seems to be increasing...maybe Primus is angry about the recent events, or maybe someone is doing something dodgy under the planet's surface?
• Bumblebee is officially out of the Ascenticons now, but still needs his insignia removed.
• Megatron is outright shown lying this issue when he says he didn't cause the Tether to fall, when he was the one to order it. Before now he's only really stretched the truth, but now he's outright lying to everyone.
• Triggerhappy is shown to use his most recent toy, the Titans Return figure, for his character model
• Though he's still groaning the last time we see him, I'm going to assume that Roughstuff died from his wounds, considering the battle that started shortly after the wounding.
• Despite his robot mode being based on his Titans Return figure, his alternate mode looks totally different.
• We don't see Rumble transform in this issue, but since he shares a character model with Frenzy, we can assume he shares his alternate mode. 
• Enough time has passed since the last issue that Lodestar has been repaired enough to head to get her refits to take on Vigilem in the future.
• Blaster mentions that the Titans are dark and on a slow fall, implying that they are going to fall down to Cybertron's surface if they aren't fixed soon.

IDW - Transformers '84: Secrets & Lies #1

Writer: Simon Furman

Artist: Guido Guidi

Colourist: John-Paul Bove

Letterer: Jake M. Wood

Editors: David Mariotte & Tom Waltz

Assistant Editor: Riley Farmer

Plot

Punch continues his confessions, and tells a story regarding Shockwave, a scientist who, with his team, wants to concentrate on Project: Dreadnaut, a project designed to turn Cybertron into a space-faring war world, but Megatron is becoming obsessed with defeating Optimus Prime instead. Counterpunch arrives and orders Shockwave to Megatron's throne room for a meeting, where he orders and attack, which leads to a massive explosion, knocking Cybertron out of it's already precarious orbit, and towards an asteroid belt. Shockwave suggests that they be allowed to continue with Project: Dreadnaut to navigate the planet through the asteroids, but Megatron orders they wait to see what the Autobots do first.

Later, Shockwave heads to his tower, where Ratbat confronts him that he believes he caused the explosion, but cannot prove it. But he will be watching him very closely from now on...

Some time later, the Decepticons learn of the Ark being constructed, and construct their own vessel to go after it, the Nemesis. Shockwave asks Skyfire to remain on Cybertron, so he can continue their work, should anything go wrong with the Nemesis.

Punch, despite knowing that Ratbat wants to information to get to the Autobots, delivers the suspicions of Shockwave causing the explosion to Prowl, who orders the team of Perceptor and the Dynobots to investigate the Dreadnaut turbines to see if anything was triggered there.

Skyfire and Shockwave detect the Autobot presence at the turbines, and both head out to investigate it. Megatron is furious that Shockwave isn't at the launch site on time and has the Coneheads hunt him down, with Counterpunch suggesting that he could be at Project: Dreadnaut.

Skyfire arrives at the turbines just after the Autobots start their investigation, and attacks them. He causes a lot of damage, but is eventually taken down by Grimlock with his flame sword. The Dynobots start to celebrate their victory when they are blasted from the sky by Shockwave, nearly killing them all. He approaches Skyfire's corpse and removes his brain module, intending to revive him at a later date.

Suddenly, he hears a noise from behind some rubble, however, before he can confront the hiding Perceptor the Coneheads arrive and order him to return to the launch site with them, seeing no point in dealing with the lone Autobot, he agrees to leave with them. He returns and takes a scolding for his misbehaviour from Megatron before boarding the Nemesis, knowing that either him or Megatron would have to die on this mission...

Perceptor calls for a rescue team to recover the Dynobots, for them to be repaired on the Ark, as it launches, with most of the crew, bar Optimus Prime, unaware that the Nemesis is waiting for them at the Asteroid belt...

Characters

Autobot

Punch/Counterpunch - Hover Car 

Prowl

Perceptor - Tank

Grimlock Nearly Killed by Shockwave, taken for repairs

Snarl - Amphibious Vehicle Nearly Killed by Shockwave, taken for repairs

Slag - Armoured Jeep Nearly Killed by Shockwave, taken for repairs

Sludge - Bulldozer Nearly Killed by Shockwave, taken for repairs

Swoop/Divebomb - Jet Nearly Killed by Shockwave, taken for repairs

Ratchet 

Cliffjumper

Red Alert

Broadside

Outback

Random Autobots

Optimus Prime - Battle Platform (Mentioned)

Decepticon

Megatron

Shockwave - Flying Ray Gun

Skyfire - Jet Killed by Dynobots, Brain Module taken by Shockwave

Dirge - Jet

Ramjet - Jet

Thrust - Jet

Ratbat

Starscream - Jet

Thundercracker - Jet

Skywarp - Jet

Blitzwing -  Tank

Octane

Runamuck

Runabout

Barrage

Chop Shop

Ransack

Venom

Hook

Deluge

Reflector

Soundwave

Razorclaw

Snaptrap

Frenzy

Random Decepticons

Notes

• It's finally here! The sequel to last year's Transformers '84 special, which in turn is a prequel to the original Marvel comics, the series still continues the narrative of Punch/Counterpunch telling some secrets to an unknown party.
• Speaking of the Punch/Counterpunch narrative, I think this is setting up a trial-type reveal that Punch is giving evidence for in the future, either in a Quintesson style trial, or perhaps a recap like we saw in Aspects of Evil from Marvel UK.
• I won't be talking about a lot of the homages etc in this issue, since the comic comes with a list at the back itself! Go buy the comic guys!
• Just like with other pre-Earth comics set in an existing continuity, I wont mention alternate modes in the character list, unless it's shown in the comic itself, or was shown in the earlier released media that this is a prequel/sequel to.
• Punch confirms that his actions as Counterpunch are all of his own free-will, which he does to maintain his deep-cover.
• This story reveals that the Jetfire from the  Marvel comics was rebuilt by Shockwave from his old friend Skyfire, who is killed in this issue. This Skyfire is also a scientist and a friend of Starscream's, which, like the name Skyfire, originated from the Sunbow G1 cartoon.
• Ratbat is shown even this early in continuity to dislike and distrust Shockwave, a plot point that is pretty major in the Marvel series.
• The "Dynobots" are confirmed to have been a full team pre-Earth here (having just been hinted as a team in the past) In keeping with continuity, Swoop is mistakenly referred to as "Divebomb" a couple times this issue, his original name before losing a fight to the Predacon of the same name.
• Punch references the future fight between Shockwave and the Dinobots on Earth, showing us that this story is being told after that event, and that he must have somehow witnessed it. (Judging from the "next issue" preview the fight may be a part of the story though)

IDW - Transformers Galaxies #7

Title: Gauging the Truth, Part 1

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

Curate Gauge is struggling with her life as a devout member of the Reversionist religion. Not in the sense that she doesn't believe, but she's been getting some odd feelings recently, and has started seeing mysterious messages on screens everywhere.
One time, after approaching Heretech's throne to see a screen message clearer, she gets berated by Heretech and runs off to her quarters in fear, afraid of her "god".

Soon she gets an epiphany and decides to head to the engine room, a forbidden room on the ship, that the mysterious messages are leading her to.
She finds the room much darker than expected, and is chased by a shadowy figure, who she manages to knock out, and continue following her path...until she finds Arcee and Greenlight in a cell, who want to tell her the REAL truth...

Characters

Reversionist

Plenary Heretech
Curate Accelerator
Curate Gauge
Reversionist Guard
Friendly Reversionist
Other Reversionists 

Other Cybertronian

Arcee - Car
Greenlight - Car
Fantasy Cybertronians (Fantasy Only)
Primus (Mentioned)

Notes

• So it shouldn't need to be said, but we're clearly missing a bit of story here following the last time we saw this ship, I'm going to guess that next issue will have a flashback or something.
• The funeral speaker from Brainstorm's funeral is named here as Accelerator, and has taken on the role as Gauge's mentor here.
• My guess with what happened with Gauge here is that either she was brainwashed with mnemosurgery or something similar, or she is trapped inside a loop-like program, like in the Mutineers Trilogy from Lost Light or the Quintesson invasion from Cyberverse
• All of the crowd scenes this issue feature the non major characters in block colouring, it's possible this this on purpose if this is indeed a simulation or similar
• Heretech and Accelerator seem a bit angrier in this issue than they did in their brief appearances in previous stories, possibly adding to the simulation theory again.

IDW - Transformers #20

Title: Rise of the Decepticons, Part 3: Swindle's

Written by: Brian Ruckley

Art by: Anna Malkova

Colours by: Joana LaFuente

Letters & Design by: Jake M. Wood

Editors: David Mariotte

Assistant Editor: Riley Farmer

Plot

Prowl is watching Andromeda's stream on the recent events, when he's interrupted by Nightbeat, who has a prisoner who needs to be interrogated.
He man-handles Singe, the prisoner, to get some information out of him, about who he was scavenging Energon for following the Tether's collapse.
Elsewhere, at an A'ovan sanctuary, Hound is mourning over the many animals killed when the Tether fell on the building, but is interrupted by Sideswipe, who wants to join Hound's team of Heavies to go after the Rise, but is denied as he lacks experience.

Later, as they're preparing for their next raid, Strongarm starts to believe that she's cursed, since every mission she's been on since she recently graduated has resulted in more problems, and the whole world is falling apart around them, with riots and protests from all factions, the Ascenticons blocking entry to their base from the Security Forces, and Lodestar needing heavy repairs before she can be refitted with weapons to go after Vigilem, and on top of that, the now loose Moon is heading to the Sun, with Wheeljack believed to be still onboard!
Prowl however, suggests that she not worry about the rest of the world's problems and deal with their mission. They're joined by Sideswipe and head towards Swindle's joint, where Bumper will go inside, since no one will likely know who he is.

Inside, a Skitter race is being held, but despite the attendance, Swindle and his crew realize that not much is being better on, most likely due to the recent events, so Trickdiamond offers a drink deal if people start spending more.
Mindwipe arrives, and tries to get Swindle to give him the Energon he promised to supply to him for his experiments, but Swindle renages, insisting that he would never of knowingly helped  a Rise member, Mindwipe starts to protest this, but then notices Bumper watching them from the crowd.
Bumper reports Mindwipe being there, and Prowl warns him not to look in his eyes, but Mindwipe appears behind him.

The security team bust through the doors and start their raid, Mindwipe hypnotises Bumper ordering him to kill Prowl, whilst Visper and Storm Cloud fight the Security team. Bumper tries attacking Prowl, but is subdued. Mindwipe and Visper manage to escape, but Storm Cloud is captured for interrogation. Swindle gets arrested for his illegal dealings (again) and Bumper to restrained until the hypnosis wears off.

Mindwipe reports Storm Cloud's capture to Shockwave, who is furious, and orders for the Rise base to be evacuated, in case it's location is compromised.
Suxshot goes to the lower quarters and tells Rumble and Quake to get moving, and to not get any further on his bad side for their murderous actions...

Characters

Security Operations/Autobot

Sentinel Prime - Space Shuttle
Orion Pax - Truck
Chromia - Car
Prowl - Police Vehicle
Nightbeat - Car
Sideswipe - Car
Strongarm - Police Vehicle
Bumper - Car
Hound - Jeep
Ironhide - Van
Pointblank - Car
Vibes
Novastar - Car (Mentioned)
Springer - Helicopter/Car (Mentioned)
Streetwise - Police Vehicle (Mentioned)

Ascenticon/The Rise

Mindwipe - Bat

Visper - Jet

Storm Cloud - Jet Arrested by Security
Sixshot - Car/Jet/Gun/Wolf/Tank
Frenzy
Quake - Tank
Runamuck - Car
Runabout - Car
Skytread - Tank and Jet
OtherAscenticon Guards
Shockwave - Flying Artillery (Voice Only)
Barricade - Police Vehicle (Mentioned)
Skystalker - Car (Mentioned)

Other Cybertronian

Swindle - Van Arrested by Security
Trickdiamond - Car
Headlock - Forklift
Gutcruncher

Andromeda

Lightbright 

Lodestar - Senate Titan Ship Under Repairs
Singe In Custody

Vanquish - Jet

Seaspray - Hovercraft

Hubcap - Car

Machine Wars Starscream - Jet

Two Headed NAIL

Megaplex - Jet

Photon - Race Car

Anode - Bi-plane

Nucleon

Tentakil - Squid

Nautilator - Lobster

Trip-Up - Car

Big Daddy - Car

Hubs - Car

Riptide - Boat

Misfire - Jet

Sledge - Truck

Pipes - Truck

Sharpclaw - Car

Twirl - Jet

Third Plaza Patrons

Senate Protesters

Tagan Heights Rioters

Swindle's Patrons

Apeface (Poster Only)

Lugnut - Jet (Poster Only)

Strika - Battle Tank (Poster Only)

Primus (Mentioned)

The Thirteen (Mentioned)

Wheeljack - Car (Mentioned) Believed to be on the Winged Moon

Leviathan - Harvester (Mentioned)

Vigilem - Titan War Ship (Mentioned)

The Other Titans (Mentioned) Inert and Failing

Other Species

Green, the Flyt

A'ovan Pra'tyne

A'ovan Creatures One Tenth Killed in Tether Collapse

Racing Skitters

Voin Scavengers (Mentioned)

Notes

• There's quite a few new characters introduced this issue, including Andromeda from the Fun Publications lines, Twirl from the Linkage comics, Trick Diamond from the Japanese United lineeline, and even Nick Roche's daughters OC Sharpclaw to name a few notable ones.
• Prowls pet alien is revealed to be a Flyt named Green, because she is green!
• Singe was arrested following his scavenging mission and attack during issue 18.
• In an update to the aftermath of Vigilem's attack, the Winged Moon has floated off into space, and is approaching the Sun, and Vigilem himself has headed off into space.
• Trickdiamond's profile mentions her connection to Swindle, but it was never elaborated on in her comic appearances until now.
• Bumper getting mind controlled to attack Prowl is likely a reference to the similar plot line introduced at the end of Dreamwave's run, bit never went anywhere.
• The end of this issue all but confirms that Frenzy was the one who killed Brainstorm at the start of the series