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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

Transformers: Foundation

| #1 | #2 |#3 |#4 |

Transformers Foundation #1

February 2011
Written By: John Barber
Art By: Andrew Griffith
Colours By: Priscilla Tramontano
Letters By: Chris Mowry
Edits By: Andy Schmidt & Carlos Guzman

Synopsis: Megatron stands in the corrosive rains of Cybertron, laughing that Optimus Prime is coming for him and won’t stop until he is dead. Megatron wonders what Optimus Prime feels, and notes that there is a ‘purity’ in Optimus’ zeal to destroy him. Optimus Prime, meanwhile, heads into battle. Despite Ironhide’s concerns, Optimus is resolute in taking action, something that Elita says she had never seen before. Optimus leads the team right into a trap, resulting in the deaths of two Autobots with him. Optimus slices and dices through the Decepticon forces waiting for them. Megatron reflects that once before, Optimus wouldn’t even have dreamed of anything like that.

Before… a long, long time before the Civil War occurred, Optimus and Megatron both followed their mentor, Sentinel Prime, in defending the AllSpark from a rogue faction called the Thetacons. While Wheeljack tries to warp space-time, Sentinel Prime dispatches Optimus, Megatron, Elita-One and Shockwave to quell the rebellion. Optimus battles against the Thetacon Ironhide, while Megatron reflects on how Sentinel used to tell them about the Primes and the AllSpark, and the Fallen Prime that had led to the AllSpark withering and dying. Afterwards the Transformers had split into tribes battling over Energon, the Thetacons among them. Sentinel’s group had finally found the AllSpark prior, in hopes that Primus, the first Transformer, would be reborn and unite them. However, with the AllSpark lost, Cybertron tumbles aimlessly through space with the secret of interstellar travel lost with the Primes. However, Sentinel had gathered Cybertron’s greatest minds and achieved the impossible… bringing a star to Cybertron to feed the AllSpark.

And feed the AllSpark the star did, reactivating it. The AllSpark’s reactivation likewise causes all the combatants to feel alive as well. Ironhide apologizes and surrenders to Optimus and his ‘Master’, but Optimus tells them that no Transformer will be forced to bow down to another. However, Megatron is less than forgiving, angry at the deaths due to the separatist factions. Megatron and Ironhide nearly come to blows, but Optimus calms both of them down, telling them that it’s a brand new world, and the two forgive each other. Sentinel tells all present that it is the time for a new era, an era of ‘freedom’.

A short while after, Optimus and Elita witness the birth of a new generation of hatchlings, and Elita mentions to Optimus about two ‘little sisters’ in Metrotitan, something Optimus didn’t know about. However, Megatron isn’t sure if he likes their new age, while Shockwave wonders to Megatron what he would do in an age of peace. Sentinel summons Optimus and prepares him to travel to Trypticon to establish a government. Despite Optimus’ protests that he had promised to go to Metrotitan with Elita-One, Sentinel tells Optimus that is isn’t going to be Sentinel that leads the Autobots, but rather Optimus, calling him Optimus Prime. This is heard by Megatron from the shadows…

In the present, Optimus savagely tears his way through the Decepticons, while Elita tells him to stop, because this isn’t who Optimus really is. Optimus bluntly remarks that Megatron’s death is all that matters. Megatron reflects that regardless of consequences, he was right and Optimus could never handle responsibility.

Featured Transformers: Megatron, Starscream, Shockwave, Optimus Prime, Generic Autobots (killed), Ironhide, Elita-One, Generic Decepticon (killed, see notes), Thetacons, Wheeljack, Sentinel Prime, Hatchlings, Flatline

Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Blackjack

Transformers Foundation #2

March 2011
Written By: John Barber
Art By: Andrew Griffith
Colours By: Priscilla Tramontano
Letters By: Chris Mowry
Edits By: Andy Schmidt & Carlos Guzman

Synopsis: Now: Optimus Prime continues his trek towards Megatron’s headquarters. Ironhide tries to call him back, but Elita-One tells Ironhide to let Optimus go, since there is no more going back for the Autobot leader. Ironhide, unable to let Optimus go alone, follows Optimus as they hack through some metallic tentacles. Elita stays behind, watching mournfully as Optimus flashes back to his not believing…

Before: The AllSpark creates Primus, which then creates the Dynasty of Primes. The Primes sought out stars to feed the AllSpark, but only those that didn’t sustain life. One of the Primes betrayed them, and the Dynasty was ended. The Transformers on Cybertron were left leaderless and sank into war. Afterwards, Sentinel Prime had found Optimus and restored Cybertron. Optimus Prime turns down Sentinel Prime’s offer to make him the leader of the new, unified Cybertron, not willing to believe that he is a descendant of the Dynasty of Primes. Optimus refuses to view himself as someone better than his friends, and Sentinel notes that Optimus requires tangible proof in order to believe in something. Optimus decides to dedicate himself to archaeology hoping to learn more about the Dynasty. Megatron watches from the shadows, unseen by Sentinel and Optimus… The next morning, Megatron confides the events in Shockwave, telling him that if he were given the same offer he would’ve reacted differently. Just then a tentacled monster attacks a group of hatchlings on a field trip. The two warriors tear the creature apart, much to the chagrin of the group’s guard, Starscream. Megatron likes Starscream’s attitude and tells him that he sees a place for him in Cybertron’s future.

Some time later, a huge crowd gathers at Cybertron’s capital city of Trypticon, where Sentinel Prime gives an unification speech where he announces the two governing bodies that will rule Cybertron: Optimus’ science division and Megatron’s defense forces. Megatron basks in the glory of the crowd, while Optimus meets Elita-One and her sisters. Chromia joins the defense force, while Arcee joins Optimus’ science division. Much, much later a bunch of malcontents challenge the current government. A defense force team led by Megatron, Ironhide, Shockwave and others arrive, and brutally massacre the dissenters, despite them giving up. Only Ironhide and Chromia even thought of telling them to surrender, but the others don’t share their views of mercy. Prompted by this attack, Megatron sends Ironhide to speak with Optimus at his dig site. Ironhide is shocked to see that they have unearthed some ruins that may be connected to the Primes. Though he is distracted at seeing myths he had forced not to believe, Ironhide delivers his message. Optimus appears before Megatron, who all but forces supremacy over the rule of the planet. Optimus tries to oppose it, but Megatron simply tells Optimus to stop him. Optimus relents… and Megatron tells him to call him ‘Lord’.

Now: Optimus reflects on those events of the past, and wonders if power corrupted Megatron, or that Megatron’s way is the true way to the future. Optimus has come to believe Megatron is right. As rain pours on, Optimus and Ironhide arrive at the foot of the Decepticons’ tower, Optimus vowing that he will kill Megatron no matter what.

Featured Transformers: Elita-One, Ironhide, Optimus Prime, Primus (flashback), Dynasty of Primes (flashback), The Fallen (flashback), Sentinel Prime, Megatron, Shockwave, Starscream, Hatchlings, Ratchet, Wheeljack, Soundwave, Prowl, Arcee, Chromia, Malcontent Transformers (killed), Fracture, Brawl, Barricade, Astrotrain

Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Blackjack

Transformers Foundation #3

April 2011
Written By: John Barber
Art By: Andrew Friggith
Colours By: Priscilla Tramontano
Letters By: Shawn Lee
Edits By: Andy Schmidt & Carlos Guzman

Synopsis: At the foot of Megatron's tower, Optimus Prime tries one last time to convince Ironhide to go back, telling Ironhide not to be blinded by their friendship to what he must do. Ironhide refuses, vowing to stay by Prime's side. Megatron activates a stream of molten metal poured from a Smelting Pool towards the Autobots, and Ironhide pushes Optimus out of the way. Both Starscream and Shockwave are both eager to ensure the Autobots' deaths, but Megatron chides them for their lack of vision... as he flashes back to ages ago when the war broke out.

Years ago, Optimus' group are ambushed by a Decepticon strikeforce on their way to Trypticon, and Starscream attacks Optimus Prime, only to be beaten down. Megatron reflects that at that time, it was not personal yet, since Cybretron needed his vision to survive. Megatron, meanwhile, rallies the Defense Forces into the Decepticons in front of a tower with the gigantic Decepticon insignia. While Megatron believes in Sentinel Prime, he was gave the masses Sentinel Prime as a target so they have a common enemy as a target. Soon a group of Decepticons attack Sentinel's archaeological dig. Optimus Prime drives and shoots down Dreadwing and Ravage to rescue Sentinel, Elita-One and Wheeljack. Wheeljack is terrified and confused, while Elita joins Optimus in battle, although she is worried about her sisters. Chromia has defected, and after killing two Decepticons follows the group as they hid in a large pipeline. Optimus explains that Sentinel Prime was right, and tells the Autobots about the symbol on his helmet matching that of the artifact, proving that he is indeed a Prime.

Time passes, and Megatron reflects that he is grateful to Optimus Prime's research and unearthing of the artifact that was the Fallen, the greatest Prime. The Fallen aims to find the Star Harvester in the starship Nemesis, and Megatron places the starship under the command of Soundwave and watches as it lifts off, disgusted at Optimus' declaration that he is a Prime. Megatron reflects that freedom is immaterial, while power is real, and power would give Cybertron the resiliency against danger. At Tyger Pax, Optimus and Sentinel watch the Nemesis depart. Optimus, racked with guilt for not accepting Sentinel's offer earlier, is unsure about doing what needs to be done, but Sentinel assures him that he is the only one that could lead the Autobots.

Some time later, Cybertron itself suffers from the war. Sentinel tells Optimus of a method to destroy all of the Decepticons in one fell swoop, but Optimus refuses to implement it, saying it is against their way. Sentinel then presents them with an alternate solution, a mysterious 'torch' which he has invented, but it must make contact with the AllSpark to be activated. Ironhide and the sisters lead an Autobot strike team towards the Temple at Simfur, but they find no resistance, only Megatron, alone, waiting for them


In the present day, Optimus has recovered from the Smelting Pool attack, despite it melting good chunks of his armour. Optimus is determined to kill Megatron, while Megatron is determined to destroy Optimus intellectually, emotionally and morally. Ironhide is left behind outside the citadel, and Optimus comes face-to-face with Megatron, who has surrounded himself with defenseless hatchlings. Megatron asks Optimus whether he would rid the innocent young (who would grow into Decepticons anyway) to get to him, or to allow them to survive and have the 'freedom' to choose. Optimus raises his weapons, telling Megatron that after what he has done, the answer is obvious...

Featured Transformers: Ironhide, Optimus Prime, Megatron, Starscream, Shockwave, Arcee, Bumblebee, Chromia, Dreadwing, Overcast, Stockade, Ramjet, Thundercracker, Skywarp, Ravage, Wheeljack, Sentinel Prime, Elita-One, The Fallen (in relic), Soundwave, Smokescreen, Jazz, Cosmos, Prowl, Wingblade, Strongarm, Crosshairs, Cliffjumper, Decepticon Hatchlings

Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Blackjack

Transformers Foundation #4

May 2011
Written By: John Barber
Art By: Andrew Griffith
Colours By: Priscilla Tramontano
Letters By: Shawn Lee & Chris Mowry
Edits By: Andy Schmidt & Carlos Guzman

Synopsis: Optimus Prime faces off against Megatron, while Ironhide, outside, is attacked by Shockwave and Starscream. Despite this Ironhide staunchly holds on. Optimus Prime forces himself to ignore Ironhide, as he convinces himself that Megatron’s death must come first. The Hatchlings, who have been deprived of Energon, shamble towards Optimus.

Optimus flashes back to some time before, when the Autobots assault the Temple at Simfur. As Ironhide leads the Autobots against Megatron, the sisters (by using codes that Chromia, who once served with Megatron, has) try to get Sentinel Prime’s Torch onto contact with the AllSpark. However, apparently Megatron is not alone and the Decepticon army boxes in the Autobot forces. Optimus Prime arrives to hold Megatron back, while Elita-One is able to activate the Torch, and transforms to get the Torch to Sentinel Prime. Elita-One evades Starscream by driving into a tiny recessed conduit, and hightails it to where Sentinel was waiting with two starships called the Arks that have been prepared to carry the Autobots away. Sentinel takes the Torch and pilots the first Ark towards Optimus Prime’s team, while Wheeljack and Elita take the other Ark to collect the rest of the Autobots from Tyger Pax. However as Sentinel and his secret cargo makes his way towards Simfur, Starscream attacks the Ark and it is consumed by a large fireball, with only a few burning spots indicating it ever existed. Optimus Prime and the horrified Autobots retreat. Optimus gives Wheeljack his mission, and takes Elita, Ironhide and two others to finish Megatron off for good…

Which has come to this confrontation. The vengeful Optimus and Megatron began their clash inside the citadel amid the ravenous Hatchlings, but after a couple of hits Optimus Prime counters Megatron’s gambit with one of his own. The Autobots in the second Ark, led by Wheeljack, storm the Simfur temple, overcoming the leaderless and disoriented Decepticons. Arcee and Chromia rip out the AllSpark from its mooring, shorting out the connection with the machine that Wheeljack and Sentinel had built to cause Cybertron to orbit the sun. Without the connection, the Sun was teleported back to where it came from, and Cybertron is plunged into darkness again. In the darkened citadel, Optimus tells Megatron that while he won’t hurt the hatchlings, Megatron is the one that has to feed Cybertron’s next generation. As the hatchlings pounce Megatron, Optimus Prime makes his way out, and shoot the confused Starscream and Shockwave. He carries the wounded Ironhide away. Megatron stumbles out, tossing away the hatchlings that clung to him, and tells his lieutenants that they will find the AllSpark… and kill all of the Autobots.

Optimus and Ironhide arrive back with the other Autobots, to decide what to do with the AllSpark. Elita-One can barely look at Optimus, horrified at what Optimus had nearly do. Optimus reflects that he will never live up to the legacy of the Primes just because it was handed to him, because he must be a great Optimus before he can be a great Prime. He had learnt something from his lust for vengeance that day, and vows to keep the AllSpark away from Megatron, who doesn’t understand freedom. Optimus hopes that he can find a planet of peace and freedom in space, leaving Megatron to choke Cybertron with his reign of fear.

Featured Transformers: Ironhide, Optimus Prime, Shockwave, Starscream, Hatchlings, Megatron, lots of generic Autobots (killed), Elita-One, Chromia, Arcee, Bumblebee, Thundercracker, Cliffjumper, Ratchet, Wheeljack, Sentinel Prime, Skywarp (maybe), Dreadwing, Crosshairs

Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Blackjack

 

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