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THE TRANSFORMERS: COMICS, BOOKS AND MANGA
| Marvel Comics (1984-1994) |
Japanese Manga | Other Books and Titles |
Titan Books (2001-2010) |
Club/Con (2001-2016) |
Dreamwave (2002-2004) |
Devil's Due (2003-2007) |
IDW Publishing (2005-now) |
CURRENT TRANSFORMERS COMICS FROM IDW PUBLISHING
The Transformers: Autocracy
Notes: Autocracy was initially released as a twelve-part digital comic.
Digital: | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 | #6 | #7 | #8 | #9 |#10 | #11 |#12 |
Autocracy #1: Law and Disorder
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Published Date: January 2012 |
Synopsis:
Arriving in the desolated city of Nyon, the newly rebuilt Orion Pax leads a squad of his most loyal Autobots on the hunt for the Decepticon, Swindle. While en-route, the squad discuss how things have changed and how the innocent are now considered guilty until proven otherwise.
Using a locator device attached to the Phase-chargers Swindle is trying to sell, the Autobots locate him as he is in discussion with a dissident cell leader. The Autobots storm the scene but encounter resistance from the dissidents. Swindle makes a break for it, but is cornered by the Autobots air support, Silverbolt. Orion Pax takes Swindle down before his laser blasts can hurt any innocent civilians, but his aggressive manner in dealing with the Decepticon causes panic in the watching civilians. Bumblebee intervenes in time to stop Pax from executing his prisoner, alerting Pax to the civilian presence. Before Pax can respond, an explosion erupts around the Autobots.
Luckily there are no causalities. Hound identifies the source of the explosion as being one of the stolen plasma chargers and Prowl spots a fleeing bot that he identifies as the bomber. Not looking to risk any further incident, Pax allows the bomber to escape. They load up Swindle and head back to the citadel – unaware that everything has been overseen by Laserbeak.
Characters Featured [in rough order of appearance]: Orion Pax, Hound, Ironhide, Bumblebee, Prowl, Swindle, Silverbolt, Laserbeak.
Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Red Dave Prime
Autocracy #2: Parasites
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Published Date: February 1st 2012 |
Synopsis:
At a meeting of Senators and Delegates at the Autobot Citadel, Zeta Prime unveils his latest solution to the disgruntled masses and dissidents running amuck in cities like Nyon. Displaying disdain for the general populace and even the Senate that he supposedly answers too, Zeta presents the Vamparc Ribbon, a weapon with links back to Jhiaxus. Despite the presence of troublemaking delegate Starscream, Zeta prepares to deploy the Vamparc Ribbon on the captured Decepticon, Swindle.
Meanwhile in the Citadels training quarters, an overly aggressive Orion Pax spars with Ultra Magnus. Confessing his fears of failure to Magnus, he asks his junior officer if he has ever questioned they side they fight for.
Zeta displays the Vamparc Ribbons mechanics – it drains the energy from its target before unleashing that energy as a blast of destructive force. Showing no regard for the Senate, he leeches energy from Swindle and releases it into the ceiling of the Senate's Chamber. When he reveals his grand plan to arm a range of Omega Destructors with Vamparc Ribbons as a means to pacify the populace, the Senate explodes in outrage. Worse is to follow, as Zeta announces that his plan is already in effect and the citizens of Nyon have already been subjected to slow, measured version of the Vamparc Ribbons energy drain.
Surprisingly, it is Starscream who defends Zeta Prime's proposal to the other Senators. However Zeta appears to catch Starscream admitting to performing underhand acts. To distract the unwanted attention, Starscream points at a Spying Soundwave. Worried that his master plan might be revealed, Zeta orders Orion Pax and his squad after Soundwave.
Characters Featured [in rough order of appearance]: Zeta Prime, Starscream, Swindle, Orion Pax, Ultra Magnus, Bumblebee, Ironhide, Soundwave
Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Red Dave Prime
Autocracy #3: The Hunt for Soundwave
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Published Date: February 15th 2012 |
Synopsis: Orion Pax briefs his troops on their target – the Decepticon Spy Soundwave. Pax informs them that not only is Soundwave carrying vital intel on Zeta Prime's plans, but that he is also considered responsible for the massacre of the old Senate. Pursuing him through the streets of Iacon, they split up into small groups.
Providing air coverage, Silverbolt alerts Hound and Bumblebee that Soundwave is near their location and the chase is on. Soundwave unleashes Ravage to slow down the two Autobots and though they incapacitate the jaguar robot, they are too damaged to continue pursuit.
Soundwave heads to the Neurospan Bridge where he confronts Prowl and Ironhide. He ejects Rumble, who destroys the bridge with Ironhide and Prowl on it. Soundwave heads to a local market place but is confronted by Pax. This time its Frenzy who helps Soundwave's continued escape, turning the local civilians insane with his disruptor weapons. They converge on Pax, allowing Soundwave to move on. Looking to avoid being spotted by Silverbolt again, Soundwave sends Ratbat after him, causing the aerialbot to crash land.
Near the Kaon border Pax finally catches up to Soundwave, blasting Frenzy from behind and damaging Soundwave's eject mechanism to stop any further minions being unleashed. The two battle before Pax gets the upper hand, just as the other Autobots catch up. Before they can take Soundwave into custody, they are confronted by a squad of Seekers led by Skywarp who proposes a sit-down conference between Orion Pax and the leader of the Decepticons – Megatron.
Characters Featured [in rough order of appearance]: Orion Pax, Hound, Ironhide, Bumblebee, Prowl, Silverbolt, Soundwave, Ravage, Rumble, Frenzy, Ratbat, Skywarp, Dirge, Thrust, Ramjet, Astrotrain, Blitzwing
Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Red Dave Prime
Autocracy #4: Cause and Effect
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Published Date: February 29th 2012 |
Synopsis: Face to face again, Megatron and Orion continue their discussion from Megaton’s’ time in Pax’s custody. He indicates how impressed he was with Orion standing up to the senate. Orion doesn't care for Megaton’s praise, particularly as Bumblebee is being kept at gunpoint for the duration of the conversation but keeps him talking while secretly getting word from Ironhide that reinforcements are enroute.. Megatron suggests that it was an inside tip that allowed the ambush of the Autobots in Nyon and that Zeta Prime was looking for Autobot Casualties to justify his policies. Using Laserbeak, Megatron replays the conversation between Starscream and Zeta to Pax, but doesn’t get the reaction he wants.
Aware that his back-up has arrived, Pax lashes out at Megatron. Before the Decepticons can react the rest of Pax’s squad attack and rescue Bumblebee before escaping on board Sky Lynx under a hail of gunfire. Megatron orders his troops to let the Autobots go, hoping that the idealistic Pax will confront Zeta Prime with what he has learnt from the Decepticon leader.
Orion does indeed question Zeta Prime about his plans to attack Nyon, only dressed down by his superior and accused of incompetence. Giving him a chance to redeem himself, Zeta orders Pax and his crew to hunt down the bomber from Nyon: a Cybertronian named Hot Rod.
Characters Featured [in rough order of appearance]: Black Wall, Megatron, Orion Pax, Astrotrain, Blitzwing, Bumblebee, Laserbeak, Zeta Prime, Starscream, Hound, Prowl, Ironhide, Skylynk, Skywarp, Hot Rod
Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Red Dave Prime
Autocracy #5: Ruins
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Published Date: March 14th 2012 |
Synopsis: Orion Pax leads the hunt for the dissident bomber, Hot Rod, to the ancient Acroplex building in the city of Nyon. Unaware that Hot Rod is deliberately leading them to a specific destination they follow his path into the building, discovering a massive hall lined with statues of the Knights of Cybertron and a shrine to the Matrix. Unknown to them, they are also being watched by Megatrons spies as the decepticon commander is eager to see which side Orion will pledge to.
Finally the Autobots come to a room containing massive tanks of Energon and many of the inhabitants of Nyon, bleed dry of their energon and barely living.
Hot Rod and fellow dissident Slinger make their case that Zeta Prime is leeching energon from so many of Cybertrons less well-off population. They make the case that they needed to show Pax the truth and hope he stands up for them and the citizens of Nyon against the oppression of the Autobot Autocracy. Hot Rod even offers to hand himself over willingly, no matter Pax’s decision.
Before Orion can make his choice, he is confronted by the sight of Zeta’s Omega Destructors storming a devastated Nyon. Seeing that Zeta Prime is declaring open warfare and Cybertrons weaker members of society, He realises that he no longer has a choice.
Characters Featured [in rough order of appearance]: Orion Pax, Silverbolt, Hound, Prowl, Bumblebee, Ironhide, Hot Rod, Laserbeak, Starscream, Megatron, Slinger
Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Red Dave Prime
Autocracy #6: Purge
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Published Date: March 28th 2012 |
Synopsis:
As Zeta Prime and his army of Omega Destructors destroy the City of Nyon, Orion Pax and his troops go to engage the enemy, hoping to provide cover for Hot Rod and his dissidents to evacuate to safety. Watching from afar, Megatron is impressed by the zeal of Zeta Prime with Starscream hinting that maybe the two share a more similar ideology than had been thought previously. However is it Orion Pax and his actions that Megatron is most interested.
The initial engagement doesn’t go well as despite their best efforts, they fail to bring down a single Destructor. Realising the situation is hopeless, Pax orders his men to fall back, hoping that they have given Hot Rod and his people enough time to escape.
Watching the unfolding carnage, Hot Rod and Slinger realise that they can't evacuate everyone and decide to destroy Nyon, using plasma charge that Hot Rod had planted as a last resort – better that his people die by his own hand then become fuel for Zeta’s war machine. As the charges go off, Orion realises that the whole situation has been orchestrated by Zeta and that he forced a situation where he knew Hot Rod would have no choice. Confirming this situation is Zeta himself who attacks the squad of Autobots. Combined with his superior strength and weaponary, he takes down Pax’s troops before defeating his dissenting officer.
Characters Featured [in rough order of appearance]: Zeta Prime, Orion Pax, Hot Rod, Bumblebee, Prowl, Slinger, Megatron, Starscream, Hound, Ironhide
Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Red Dave Prime
Autocracy #7: Choices
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Written by: Chris Metzen & Flint Dille |
Synopsis: Zeta Prime prepares to execute Orion Pax but is stopped by Megatron and his Decepticons. Megatron taunts the Prime and throws a few unlucky Nyon civilians towards Zeta Prime, overloading his Vamparc Ribbon weapon. With his weapon, and advantage, gone, Zeta retreats.
The Decepticons take Pax and his troops back to their base at Kolkular where Shockwave tends to the damaged Pax. Megatron notices the empty space in Orions Chest and offers to fill the void with a new purpose – bringing Zeta Prime and the Autobot Autocracy to Justice. Pax is dubious but confides in Hot Rod that it may be the only way to end the current madness. He likens the difficult decision Hot Rod had to make about destroying Nyon with the decision he must now make and despite the squabbling between his own troops and the Decepticon insurgents, Pax reluctenly agrees to side with Megatron.
Characters Featured [in rough order of appearance]: Zeta Prime, Orion Pax, Megatron, Thrust, Buzzsaw, Laserbeak, Dirge, Ramjet, Thundercracker, Skywarp, Astrotrain, Shockwave, Prowl, Starscream, Ironhide, Hound, Hot Rod, Soundwave
Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Red Dave Prime
Autocracy #8: Overthrown
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Published Date: April 25th 2012 |
Synopsis: The Decepticon / Autobot coalition launches their combined assault on the Citadel in Iacon, just as Zeta Prime gloats to the assembled senators of his victory. Targeting the Omega Destructors fuel source in the hopes of disabling their Vamparc Cannons, the 2 forces combine successfully to destroy much of Primes force. Aiding them in their assault are more Autobots led by Ultra Magnus, who refuses to side with the corrupt Prime anymore.
Heading directly to tackle Zeta, Megatron and Orion Pax engage the Matrix Bearer head on. Pax saves Megatron by disabling Zeta’s Vamparc Cannon but despite landing a few solid blows, he is beaten down by Zeta, who tears off his former commanders arm.
Turning his attention to Megatron, Zeta grabs his opponents head in a crushing vice but before he can tear Megatrons head off, the Decepticon leader aims his Fusion cannon under Zeta’s chin and proceeds to blow his head off.
As the dust settles on the battle, Orion requests medical attention for his troops but then realises that Megatron intends to betray him. Before he can do anything, Megatron blasts a hole through his chest and kicks his body to the Iacon underground.
Characters Featured [in rough order of appearance]: Zeta Prime, Bumblebee, Ironhide, Bonecrusher, Soundwave, Blitzwing, Hook, Prowl, Skywarp, Dirge, Starscream, Ramjet, Thrust, Thundercracker, Astrotrain, Orion Pax, Megatron, Springer, Ultra Magnus, Kup, Shockwave
Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Red Dave Prime
Autocracy #9: Transformation
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Published Date: May 9th 2012 |
Synopsis: The Decepticons begin their rule over Iacon, declaring to the populace that they have taken control of the Data Net and Defence Grid of the city and that they are now the law. Megatron issues an amnesty to any autobot who wishes to join his revolution but warns that those who refuse will be dealt in kind.
In an Autobot Safe House, Pax’s troops try to formulate a plan but are having trouble locating Orion. They are joined by Hot Rod but before they can agree on a Strategy they are captured by a Decepticon squad. As they are taken away, Starscream singles out Hot Rod and takes him aside, eager to try and recruit him.
Underneath Iacon, in a location referred to as the Undergrid, the battered body of Orion Pax crawls towards an unknown energy source. Hearing a strange voice urging him forward, he uses the last of his strength to reach out and claim the Matrix of Leadership, which has appeared out of nowhere. As its energy courses through his body, he feels a connection to all the people of Cybertron, and beyond.
The Matrix rebuilds his body, not just repairing him but recreating him. He realises his new calling, to bring freedom to all of Cybertron and create a better tomorrow. He is no longer Orion Pax, he is Optimus Prime.
Characters Featured [in rough order of appearance]: Megatron, Roadblock, Blitzwing, Runamuck, Bumblebee, Ultra Magnus, Ironhide, Orion Pax, Hot Rod, Ramjet, Starscream, Thrust, Optimus Prime
Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Red Dave Prime
Autocracy #10: Rise
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Published Date: May 23rd 2012 |
Synopsis: At the Iacon Citadel, now under Decepticon control, Megatron praises a clearly unimpressed Hot Rod on his actions in destroying his own people and the city of Nyon rather than let it fall into the hands of Zeta Prime. Hot Rod isn’t taken with the Decepticon leaders praise though and becomes even more disenchanted when Megatron callously orders Bumblebee to be executed.
Back at the ruins of Nyon, Optimus Prime is seeking out a buried life source that he can feel near the Acroplex building.
Making a decision on his allegiance, Hot Rod breaks out Bumblebee, Ultra Magnus and Ironhide. They reunite with other Autobot troops led by Kup and Springer and head out to find Orion Pax.
They track his life source to Nyon. There, the new Prime reveals his rebirth and how he acquired the Matrix. He pledges to free Cybertron from the Decepticon rule and bring a more fair justice to the people of Cybertron. He also reveals their new ally in their war against the Decepticons – the metrotitan Metroplex, arisen from beneath the ground and reader to turn the tide in the Autobots favour.
Characters Featured [in rough order of appearance]: Heavy Load, Roadblock, Thundercracker, Skywarp, Lugnut, Hailstorm, Hot Rod, Soundwave, Megatron, Optimus Prime, Starscream, Bumblebee, Dirge, Ultra Magnus, Ironhide, Runamuck, Spectro, Runabout, Spyglass, Viewfinder, Prowl, Hound, Springer, Kup, Metroplex
Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Red Dave Prime
Autocracy #11: Broadcast
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Published Date: June 6th 2012 |
Synopsis: The newly risen Metroplex pledges to fight by the new Primes side, but first must attend to the few survivors of Nyon. He promises to answer the call when asked.
Prime heads to the pirate radio broadcaster Blaster and arrives just in time to see of a decepticon assassination attempt on the truth broadcaster. He agrees to help Prime send a message to all of Cybertron. Optimus uses this opportunity to pledge to serve all the citizens of Cybertron and that “True Freedom exists when all are One”.
Many hear the battle cry and answer the call. They join Primes army and they march en mass on the Decepticon-held Citadel. Megatron is amazed by the show of support for Prime but pledges to destroy every Autobot that stands against him. The seekers launch an initial bombing run but are seen off by the Aerialbots. Optimus raises the Autobot Banner once again and rallies his troops for a final offensive.
Characters Featured [in rough order of appearance]: Metroplex, Hot Rod, Bumblebee, Optimus Prime, Blaster, Breakdown, Wildrider, Sky Lynk, Prowl, Jetfire, Wheeljack, Ratchet, Aplha Trion, Long Haul, Scrapper, Bonecursher, Hook, Mixmaster, Scavenger, Blurr, Slag, Swoop, Sludge, Snarl, Grimlock, Windcharger, Brawn, Huffer, Starscream, Megatron, Hound, Ultra Magnus, Ironhide, Soundwave, Thundercracker, Skywarp, Ramjet, Silverbolt, Air Raid, Fireflight, Skydive, Slingshot, Barrel Roll.
Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Red Dave Prime
Autocracy #12: Endgame
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Published Date: June 20th 2012 |
Synopsis: Megatron orders his troops to keep the Autobot force contained, indicating that he has a surprise in store. The Decepticons pin down their opponents until the Dynobots lead a counter attack, cutting through the Decepticons heavy armour.
Megatron reveals his surprise – a giant Vamparc ribbon called the Vamparc Annihilator that rises out of the top of the Citadel. Zeta Primes last great weapon, it cuts through the Autobot front line with ease. Optimus then reveals a surprise of his own – the flying fortress form of Metroplex. The giant metrotitan is immune to the effects of the Vamparc annihilator, and splits the citadel in half. Megatron falls to the ground from the summit of the citadel where he faces Optimus in head to head combat.
Powered by the Matrix, Prime is too strong for Megatron but just as it appears he will yield to his foe, Megatron spies a laser pistol on the ground. Distracting Prime with pleas for mercy, he maneuvers to get the pistol. A nearby Hot Rod sees Megatrons deception and attacks him, but this allows Megatron to grab the young autobot and gain a hostage. The quick-thinking Hot Rod, transforms out of Megatrons clutches, allowing Prime to blast Megatron at near point-blank range. A severely damaged Megatron escapes thanks to Soundwave and Astrotrain and vows to continue the war against the Autobots.
But on this day the Autobots are victorious as their enemies retreat. In the aftermath, Metroplex becomes Iacons new capitol and replaces Zeta Primes Citadel. Within the remains of the Citadel, more nefarious weapons are found but Prime vows never to use them, wishing his Autobots to be different from the oppressive force they were under previous Primes.
As they look out on the war-torn skyline of Iacon, Hot Rod confesses to Optimus that he does not feel like a hero. Prime reassures him, telling him that he was right to stand up for what he believed in.
Characters Featured [in rough order of appearance]: Megatron, Blitzwing, Brawl, Onslaught, Skullgrin, Ironhide, Bumblebee, Optimus Prime, Swoop, Grimlock, Slag, Sludge, Snarl, Windcharger, Huffer, Blurr, Trailbreaker, Metroplex, Hot Rod, Astrotrain, Soundwave, Shockwave, Ultra Magnus, Kup, Springer, Hound, Prowl, Slinger
Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Red Dave Prime