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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: An Ongoing Series, #11-20

| #11 | #12 | #13 | #14 |#15 |#16 |#17 | #18 | #19 |#20 |

Transformers #11: International Incident Part 3: Hawk Among the Sparrows

September 2010
Written By: Mike Costa
Art By: Guido Guidi
Colours By: James Brown
Letters By: Neil Uyetake
Edits By: Andy Schmidt & Carlos Guzman

Synopsis: Thundercracker tells Bumblebee that he doesn’t want to fight alongside the Autobots, wanting to be left in isolation to watch television, so he wouldn’t have to hurt anyone else. Bumblebee offers friendship, but Thundercracker doesn’t buy it. Bumblebee then appeals to Thundercracker’s nature as a Seeker, and tells him that he would be bored sooner or later. Thundercracker smiles, telling Bumblebee that he is a good saboteur.

Meanwhile, in Skywatch base, Brawn is complaining for being left behind by Optimus Prime’s group. Silverstreak (or Bluestreak) tells Brawn that it’s because he complains too much, and the two has a friendly verbal battle about being left behind, until a Skywatch agent tells them that they’re immature. A non-plussed Brawn expresses his anger at being forced to work with humans that had killed Ironhide, and tells the Skywatch guy that he’s there only because Bumblebee and Optimus had ordered him so. Sandra arrives and debates with the Skywatch agent about the legality of Spike’s mission.

Back in Korea, the Combaticons are celebrating their victory over the Autobots when Optimus Prime suddenly charges through the stadium wall, knocking Vortex away to the tender mercies of the Skywatch robot-suits and Ratchet. Brawl is engaged by Jazz and Prowl, while Optimus Prime heads off to battle Onslaught. Onslaught mocks Optimus Prime, but unbeknownst to the Combaticons, Cosmos has hacked every satellite over Korea, looping their video broadcasts. Optimus Prime and the rest of the Autobots transform to engage the Combaticons on their own terms. The arrival of Thundercracker knocks Vortex to the ground, and turns the tide of the battle in the Autobots’ favour. Just when Optimus is about to fire on Onslaught, the Predacons, representing the Republic of China, arrives, warning Optimus to stay away from China’s borders.

Transformers Featured: Thundercracker, Bumblebee, Brawn, Red Alert, Silverstreak/Bluestreak, Vortex, Onslaught, Brawl, Optimus Prime, Ratchet, Jazz, Prowl, Cosmos, Headstrong, Rampage, Divebomb, Tantrum
Notable Others: Skywatch Agents

Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Blackjack

Transformers #12: International Incident Part 4: All My Sins Remembered

October 2010
Written By: Mike Costa
Art By: Guido Guidi
Colours By: James Brown
Letters By: Shawn Lee
Edits By: Andy Schmidt & Carlos Guzman

Synopsis: Optimus Prime attempts convince the Predacons to stand down, telling them that they have no quarrel with them. Prowl silently reports to Bumblebee (who can't see what's happening from the satellites) via radio.

After several tense words are exchanged, the Predacons prepare to depart since the Autobots have not exactly entered the borders of China, but a damaged Onslaught opens fire at Rampage's back, provoking the Predacons into a full-out battle with the Autobots.

Bumblebee and the Skywatch guys order Cosmos to hack the satellite network, regardless of the high risk of being discovered. What they saw was absolute chaos, with the Predacons exchanging blows with the Autobots and Thundercracker.

Skywatch agent Sandra watches the battle, and in anger and confusion, breaks the encryption of the video feed, broadcasting the battle on the North Korean/Chinese border.

The White House, thankfully, denies any Skywatch involvement, but before Silverstreak and other Skywatch agents could apprehend Sandra, they are greeted with the news that the Russian Prime Minister had announced a nuclear strike on the battlefield, citing the US President's policy of WMD classification.

Pennington radios Spike, who tries to get both sides to stop. Rampage is prepared to kill Spike, but Onslaught confirms the information with radio from Pyongyang.

The Predacons take their leave, while Thundercracker had already gone off on his own. Cosmos, already in orbit, is dispatched to disable the nuclear missile... by riding it and tearing out wires.

Optimus tells the combatants that Cosmos had directed the nuclear missile into the Arctic circle, while Thundercracker has been employed to destroy the Energon plants in China and North Korea, causing the Combaticons and Predacons to have nothing to gain by working with either nation. However, they don't have the resources to take prisoners and leave the Combaticons. The problem is what would happen to the Autobots.

A week later, with the Autobot/US alliance on a shaky ground. Cover-ups have failed, while Spike and others have been hidden elsewhere.

Bumblebee, Brawn and Silverstreak exit a bunker (where a mob of protesters have gathered outside) and began to give a speech to the media, calling on Autobot and human alike to have the courage to work together. The humans seem to be almost convinced...when suddenly, a protester pulls out a handgun and shoots Bumblebee in the chest, leaving the dying Autobot on the ground, a hole in his chest...

Featured Transformers: Optimus Prime, Rampage, Prowl, Bumblebee, Thundercracker, Divebomb, Tantrum, Headstrong, Onslaught, Cosmos, Jazz, Cliffjumper, Silverstreak, Wheeljack, Brawl, Smokescreen, Vortex, Ratchet, Brawn
Notable others: Pennington Skywatch Agents, Sandra, Spike Witwicky, Henderson, Human Shooter

Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Blackjack

Transformers #13: Heart Like A Wheel

November 2010
Written By: Mike Costa
Art By: Nick Roche
Colours By: James Brown
Letters By: Chris Mowry
Edits By: Andy Schmidt & Carlos Guzman

Synopsis: Rodimus, seated in the shuttle he stole from Ultra Magnus, flies through space, readying himself to single-handedly attack the Decepticon's asteroid base. As he tracks his target, Rodimus notes the safe of weaponry that Magnus had left opened.

On the Decepticon base, Acid Storm and Shrapnel are alerted to the incoming Autobot shuttle. Acid Storm panics, but Shrapnel uses the perimeter defenses to attack the shuttle. The debris from the shuttle crashes onto the base and disables it.

Bombshell reports this to a disinterested Starscream, who still wears the Matrix around his neck. The Insecticon tries to reach for it, but Starscream angrily swipes his hand away and orders Bombshell to leave.

In the wreckage of the shuttle, Rodimus kicks open the weapon safe's door and climbs out fully armed. As Acid Storm, Shrapnel and Bombshell scrounge the Autobot wreckage, Rodimus opens fire, knocking two of the Decepticons out in quick succession. Bombshell shoots a cerebro-shell, but Rodimus protects himself with the safe's door as a makeshift shield and shoots the Insecticon.

Rodimus is then ambushed by Razorclaw. But before the Predacon can tear the Autobot's head off, Rodimus shoves Bombshell's cerebro-shell into Razorclaw's mouth. Swallowing the cerebro shell, Rodimus is pleased to learn that the cerebro shell allows mind control.

Razorclaw is sent to attack Starscream, but the Predacon fights the mind control, allowing Starscream to easily take him out. Rodimus then strides in, weapons ready. Starscream is confident that the armour he had acquired after becoming leader would protect him, but Rodimus shoots the Matrix, causing a discharge of energy that overloads Starscream.

Claiming the Matrix - which he promptly hangs around his neck - Rodimus makes his escape, looking for transport and confident that it's his destiny to return with the Matrix... when he runs into a fully rebuilt Megatron, in a new body with black armour. Rodimus lifts the Matrix, but Megatron simply blasts Rodimus, the impact strong enough to cause him to fly into space.

Since Starscream has lost the Matrix, Megatron orders Soundwave to gather the rest of the Decepticons, citing that they have work to do. Rodimus floats lifelessly in space - a now-darkened Matrix still dangling from his neck - with a gigantic hole where his chest and stomach should be...

Featured Transformers: Rodimus/Hot Rod (blasted and left for dead), Acid Storm (shot in the back), Shrapnel (shot in the back), Bombshell (shot in the chest), Starscream, Razorclaw (shot through the chest), Astrotrain, Megatron, Soundwave

Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Blackjack

Transformers #14: Revenge of the Decepticons Part 1: The Demolished Man

December 2010
Written By: Mike Costa
Art By: Don Figueroa
Colours By: Andrew Dalhouse
Letters By: Dave Sharpe
Edits By: Andy Schmidt & Carlos Guzman

Synopsis: Before: Joe Gladki is a normal man, albeit rendered paranoid by the recent Transformer attacks several years ago. He has installed perimeter lights, burglar alarms and bought a gun to defend his family. After tucking his daughter into bed, Joe watches some BNN news as well as some rather seedy websites about the aliens, from which he had bought the gun. He seems to start losing his mind when his radio talks to him...

Now: Bumblebee is shot by none other than Joe Gladki. Skywatch agents apprehend Bumblebee's would-be assassin, who seemed deraged. Pennington tells them not to hurt Gladki, something Brawn isn't happy about. The weapon is recovered, which shocks all present. Namely, a gun identical to Megatron's gun mode, complete with a Decepticon insignia. Meanwhile Optimus Prime's team returns from Korea, and Optimus is not really happy, arguing with Spike on how a human civilian could get hold of a weapon that could harm Transformers. Smokescreen all but accuses Skywatch of spreading the weapons, and that they have failed several times as well. Optimus tells Spike that they will have to discuss how things are run once the Bumblebee situation is handled. Campologno and Jazz something unnatural is moving in at too fast a speed. The jet is hit by something and explodes.

At the Skywatch base, Brawn and Pennington argues against keeping the weapon (whom Brawn believes to be Megatron) on the site. The repair guy isn't sure, since Megatron tends to kill. This gets Brawn riled up, but Ultra Magnus calms Brawn down, by telling the smaller Autobot that while both of them are unhappy at being stuck on Earth, Magnus will restrain Brawn if needed be. The Skywatch guys aren't sure how to repair Bumblebee, but can keep him online until Ratchet arrives. Silverstreak runs in, telling them about Prime's group. Recovery teams would take 5 hours to reach the crash site. Pennington was then asked to see a broadcast of someone called Ben Simpson, a spokesman for an anti-Cybertronian group known as 'Earth's Children', and it is clear that Joe Gladki has ties to the group. Ben was quick to disavow any link between the assassination, and even questions if it truly counts as assassination if it's on an alien. The conversation gets downhill, with Ben basically spreading propaganda against the Transformers.

Outside the base, a bunch of protesters arrive to demand Gladki's release. An explosion heralds the arrival of Soundwave, Frenzy and Rumble. Frenzy's sonic scream takes down the unprepared skeleton crew Magnus, Brawn and Silverstreak, and all the Decepticon captives were soon freed in the outbreak. Pennington was run down by Dead End in the escape.

Quetzaltenango, four months ago: a young boy has discovered something falling out of the sky. It was a 'silver god' with weapons. Said weapons are the Megatron guns that Joe Gladki had used, and the 'silver god' is the mutilated head of Megatron's original body...

Featured Transformers: Bumblebee, Silverstreak/Bluestreak, Brawn, Optimus Prime, Smokescreen, Cliffjumper, Jazz, Ultra Magnus, Soundwave, Frenzy, Rumble, Dead End, Scrapper's Body, Blitzwing, Breakdown, Motormaster, Wildrider, silhouetted Decepticons, Megatron's Head
Notable Others: Joe Gladki, Pennington (possibly killed), Skywatch Agents, Spike Witwicky, Henderson, Campologno, Schwalbe, Ben Simpson

Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Blackjack

Transformers #15: Revenge of the Decepticons Part 2: Altered Carbon

January 2011
Written By: Mike Costa
Art By: Don Figueroa
Colours By: Andrew Dalhouse
Letters By: Chris Mowry
Edits By: Andy Schmidt and Carlos Guzman

Synopsis: Ben Simpson is interviewed again, and he argues with the newscaster about selling weapons. Ben bashes the US government for colluding with the Transformers without explanation. In the process he insists that his weapons, which number hundreds and distributed across the country, is safe. In the Decepticon asteroid, Megatron glances at the stars and flashes back to his defeat three years earlier, carried away and repaired in triage. The Decepticon army began to collapse while he was in repairs, and he could only watch helplessly as a disembodied head until Soundwave decided that salvaging Megatron’s body is impossible, almost a year later. Soundwave disconnected Megatron’s body from life support, and with Shockwave, began reconstructing Megatron.

Some time later, Starscream, carrying the Matrix like a necklace, demands Shockwave to show him the results of his construction of a space bridge. Starscream is then confronted with Soundwave, Frenzy and Rumble, each of them holding a gun identical to Megatron’s alternate mode, made from the Decepticon leader’s corpse. Trying to finesse his way into permanent leadership, he orders Soundwave to put the weapons down, ready to avenge Megatron… only for the rebuilt Megatron to appear. Starscream tells Megatron that this wasn’t unexpected. Starscream says that they are still prisoner on the asteroid, only for Shockwave to reveal that, yes, he has been working on the space bridge and that it is functional, ready to teleport to Earth. Megatron made no move for leadership, partly due to fear of the Matrix until Rodimus’ attack on Starscream gave Megatron the opportunity he needed. Shockwave and Megatron sent a package containing the Megatron guns and Megatron’s old head (symbolizing his weakness) through the Space Bridge onto Earth, where it crashed in a remote area where the culture would spread the weapons around.

Throughout the four months, the guns found themselves transported around the globe, but small parts Megatron’s consciousness are in each of the Megatron-esque weapons. Megatron reached out to influence Joe Gladki, a weak-minded individual. Spurred by the sight of Transformers battling in the news, Gladki mindlessly obeyed and walked up to shoot Bumblebee.
Present Day: Ultra Magnus and Brawn are confused on why the Decepticons did not liberate what they thought to be Megatron, and why they did not finish them off. Bumblebee is still inactive. Ultra Magnus orders an evacuation of Skywatch and Autobots to Omega Supreme’s position, despite Silverstreak’s reservations. However, Magnus pulls Brawn aside and tells him that he is being sent on a solo mission in which he is the Autobot most suitable for, and sends Brawn to look for somebody. Elsewhere, Thundercracker returns to his hideout to find that the television screens inside have been ransacked, and a visitor waiting for him… Starscream, seemingly ready to recruit Thundercracker back.

Featured Transformers: Megatron, Starscream (flashback and present), Frenzy (flashback and present), Soundwave (flashback and present), Laserbeak (flashback), Shockwave (flashback and present), Rumble, Rodimus Prime (flashback), Onslaught (computer screen), Optimus Prime (computer screen), Ultra Magnus, Brawn, Silverstreak, Bumblebee, Blurr, Thundercracker
Notable Others: Ben Simpson, Joe Gladki, Schwalbe

Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Blackjack

Transformers #16: Revenge of the Decepticons Part 3: Woken Furies

February 2011
Written By: Mike Costa
Art By: Alex Milne
Colours By: Andrew Dalhouse
Letters By: Chris Mowry
Edits By: Andy Schmidt and Carlos Guzman

Synopsis: Ultra Magnus leads a convoy of Autobots and Skywatch troops away from the Skywatch bunker. Schwalbe tends to the mortally wounded Bumblebee inside Ultra Magnus’ trailer. Suddenly they came under attack by a group of anti-Transformer humans, carrying the Megatron replica guns. Gears is knocked out, and the Autobots and Skywatch prepare to defend themselves, but Pennington stops them from firing, since by killing these civilians, the Autobots would lose any chance of peace with the human public. Ultra Magnus orders a retreat back to Omega Supreme, despite Huffer’s complaints. Under fire from the anti-Transformers, they go into full retreat.

In Thundercracker’s lair, Starscream tells Thundercracker that he should have been ruling by his side. Thundercracker cites that they had left him for dead during their retreat years ago. Starscream, however, justifies himself, telling Thundercracker that Skywarp wasn’t acting under orders and had been punished. Thundercracker tells Starscream that he doesn’t care any longer, that he doesn’t need the Decepticons. Starscream laughs at Thundercracker, telling him that he needs action, that he isn’t the kind to just sit there and rust. Thundercracker compares Starscream’s offer to Bumblebee’s. Starscream tells Thundercracker that Megatron, consumed and obsessed by revenge, has lost all long-term goals for the Decepticons. Starscream asks Thundercracker to join him to overthrow Megatron, and give the Decepticons a new order to finally conquer the universe. Thundercracker’s response? ‘The Autobot’s pitch was better.’ Starscream guns Thundercracker, telling him that he would’ve taken a ‘no’ for an answer but not arrogance. Before he could deliver the killing blow, Brawn arrives and beats Starscream savagely. However, Starscream begs for mercy and tells the Autobot that he wasn’t responsible for shooting down Optimus’ plane.

Two miles away from Omega Supreme, a jeep of the anti-Transformer civilians is vaporized by a laser blast. Ultra Magnus is furious that someone fired on the humans, but the attacker is a stealth bomber, who reveals himself to be Megatron. All the Autobots fire at Megatron, but he shrugs off all their attacks. A single blast from Megatron, however, knocks the Autobots down. Megatron mocks the downed Ultra Magnus, but is interrupted by a group of Skywatch soldiers firing suppressors at him. Megatron kills them. Ultra Magnus tries to get Megatron’s focus away from the ‘gnats’, but Megatron assures Magnus that he isn’t here for the Autobots… but for the humans. In the Panama Canal, Spike and Optimus’ team rise out from the water, eager for payback.

Featured Transformers: Ultra Magnus, Gears, Windcharger, Silverstreak, Hoist, Huffer, Tracks, Blurr, Bumblebee, Starscream, Thundercracker, Brawn, Megatron, Optimus Prime, Ratchet, Jazz, Prowl
Notable Others: Schwalbe, Skywatch Agents, Anti-Transformer Fighters, Pennington, Spike Witwicky

Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Blackjack

Transformers #17: Revenge of the Decepticons Part 4: Burning Chrome

March 2011
Written By: Mike Costa
Art By: Alex Milne
Colours By: Andrew Dalhouse and Romula Fajardo
Letters By: Shawn Lee
Edits By: Andy Schmidt and Carlos Guzman

Synopsis: Spike Witwicky flashes back to being trapped in Optimus Prime’s trailer underwater for forty-plus hours, before waking up to reality in Optimus’ cab. Spike’s team checks communications from their New Mexico Skywatch base, and discovers that there is a message encoded underneath the expected distress call. The message plays, and a projection of Megatron appears, holding Ultra Magnus hostage. Megatron tells Optimus that he knows Optimus will survive to receive the message, and that he will not kill Optimus, but rather destroy him. They confirm that the message came from Albuquerque, and despite exhaustion, the Autobots roll out. Meanwhile, Thundercracker begs Brawn to help him get to medical help, forcing Brawn to let Starscream escape to rescue Thundercracker.

The Autobots rendezvous, meeting up with Megatron and Soundwave (who is holding Magnus at gunpoint). Megatron tells Optimus that none of the Autobots’ weapons could harm his new body, and gloats that there are 46 humans armed with the Megatron guns in the nearby city alone, and hundreds more scattered across the planet. Megatron gloats that Optimus will never be able to find all the weapons, but Optimus Prime defends the humans. Megatron laughs at this, and reveals that he had dumped the rest of the wounded Autobots in the city, forcing Optimus to choose between saving his troops and severing human relations by firing on civilian humans, or to let the Autobots die. Optimus sends Spike and Campologno with Jazz to the city. Optimus admits that he doesn’t trust all humans, but he trusts Spike. Jazz’s team race to the school playground that Megatron had dumped the wounded Autobots in. Two men armed with the Megatron guns are aiming at the Autobots, who try to talk the humans down. Spike tells the surrounding police cordon that he’s taking operational command, and orders them to evacuate everyone in the area. However, Spike’s words (and Schwalbe’s protests) go unheard.

Megatron tells Optimus that he can feel that the anti-Transformer humans are getting ready to fire at the Autobots. Optimus concludes that the Decepticons must have been communicating through the Megatron guns to those humans. Thus Optimus raises his weapon. Megatron reminds Optimus that his weapons couldn’t hurt him, but Optimus fires anyway, and blasts Soundwave through the head. Megatron, enraged but not willing to kill Optimus yet, cradles the dying Soundwave and flies off, promising that Optimus will lose everything. With Soundwave out, the anti-Transformer humans can’t hear the ‘voices’ and are easily subdued by the police. However, Spike and Campologno are unable to get through the cordon, and Jazz considers going in with minimum casualties, despite Optimus’ and Prowl’s orders to the contrary. One of the police officers gets hold of the Megatron guns, and points them at Bumblebee, saying that the anti-Transformer humans aren’t wrong, and points the gun at Bumblebee. Bumblebee tells the police officers that the Autobots could’ve easily killed the police officers without any effort, and tells the police officer that both their duties are to protect. Jazz transforms, and just as the police officer apparently is about to pull the trigger, Jazz leaps into action and burns the police officer into ashes. Bumblebee screams at the shaken Jazz what he just did…

Featured Transformers: Optimus Prime, Megatron, Ultra Magnus, Jetfire, Broadside, Prowl, Cliffjumper, Ratchet, Red Alert, Jazz, Brawn, Starscream, Thundercracker, Smokescreen, Soundwave (shot through the head), Gears, Bumblebee, Hoist, Silverstreak, Huffer,
Notable Others: Joe Henderson, Campologno, Spike Witwicky, Anti-Transformer Humans, Officer with a mustache (killed), Schwalbe

Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Blackjack

Transformers #18: Revenge of the Decepticons Part 5: The Demolished Man

April 2011
Written By: Mike Costa
Art By: Alex Milne
Colours By: Andrew Dalhouse
Letters By: Shawn Lee
Edits By: Andy Schmidt & Carlos Guzman

Synopsis: In the Skywatch base, Optimus Prime watches a news broadcast about the recent doings, especially Jazz killing the human police. Wheeljack repairs Thundercracker nearby, who asks for Ratchet. Wheeljack replies that they have lots of wounded following recent events. Optimus Prime tries to talk to Thundercracker about repaying their hospitality, and when Thundercracker tells Optimus that he’s already heard a ‘sales pitch’, Optimus gets angry and threatens Thundercracker to reveal everything he knows about where Megatron might’ve hidden, or he will be treated like a Decepticon prisoner. Later Spike remarks that Optimus was being a little too harsh. The wounded Ultra Magnus calls for Optimus’ attention, and tells Optimus that he placed a tracking chip on Soundwave. As Optimus Prime prepares to go, he sees some R&D theories about a Kinetic Harpoon, a superweapon. He goes off to gather the newly-repaired Jetfire from the medbay. Jetfire, eager for another shot against Megatron, is ordered to go into orbit alongside Cosmos because Optimus Prime needs a scientist for what he’s planning. Jazz wants to come with Optimus, but Optimus puts him out of active duty until Bumblebee decides what to do with him.

In a random hangar, Shockwave tells Megatron that the damage to Soundwave is extensive. While Soundwave can be repaired, it will take time and it will be a delicate process, since they have used up most of their resources reviving Megatron. Just then Optimus Prime jumps out of a Skywatch plane and comes crashing through the roof. Optimus threatens to shoot another one of Megatron’s soldiers, causing Megatron to bring the fight outside. Megatron wants a one-on-one fight, and the Decepticon troops come out to watch. Megatron tells Optimus that he won’t kill him, but rather incapacitate him and leave him for the humans to kill. Optimus remarks that Megatron’s deadly rail-gun is the first upgrade he has seen on Megatron for millennia, and then says that humans have faster advancements in technology than Cybertronians. Optimus Prime shoots Megatron in the chest, before driving away. He tells Megatron it is targeting and range information, and Megatron watches in dumb confusion as a Skywatch satellite is dropped from orbit at mach 10, thanks to Jetfire’s tinkering, in the way that the theoretical kinetic harpoon works.

However, Megatron steps out of the flames, and Optimus Prime whacks Megatron with his gun so hard it breaks, before screaming at Megatron ‘Why can’t you ever die?’ A short while later, at Omega Supreme, Spike and Prowl watch as Megatron arrives, deposits the wounded Optimus Prime and surrenders himself to Skywatch custody. Some time later Megatron is bound with metallic clamps and energy fields, and Optimus Prime asks Megatron why he is doing it. Megatron then proceeds to give a speech that Optimus Prime is colluding with the executioners of their race, citing Scrapper’s death at Spike’s hands as an example, and it causes Optimus Prime to doubt his philosophy. Megatron tells Optimus that he doesn’t need to escape, since Optimus will now know that he has always been right, and that he will see the Autobot break. Optimus tells Prowl to investigate something behind Spike’s back. Human tensions arise. Optimus looks at the chaos around him, goes into a dark room and ponders.

Featured Transformers: Thundercracker, Wheeljack, Optimus Prime, Ratchet, Bumblebee, Jazz, Ultra Magnus, Jetfire, Prowl, Shockwave, Soundwave, Megatron, Hook, Mixmaster, Ravage, Blitzwing, Frenzy, Rumble, Astrotrain, Drag Strip, Octane, Motormaster, Skywarp, Starscream (might be a goof), Omega Supreme,
Notable Others: Spike Witwicky, Joe Henderson, Pennington, Campologno, Ben Simpson

Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Blackjack

Transformers #19: Space Opera Part 1: The Stars My Destination

May 2011
Written By: Mike Costa
Art By: Guido Guidi
Colours By: Joana Lafuente
Letters By: Chris Mowry
Edits By: Andy Schmidt & Carlos Guzman

Synopsis: The seemingly dead body of Rodimus Prime drifts through space, and the Matrix glows. He drifts into the atmosphere of the planet, and crashes onto the surface. Two aliens, Codder and Garnak, notice this and examine the crash-site. Upon seeing Rodimus they remark that he reminds them of the ‘Jangle Man’. They see the glowing Matrix now lodged in Rodimus’ chest, and when they try to remove it, it sends Rodimus into spasms. The aliens drag the unconscious Rodimus to the ‘Admiral’. Rodimus wakes up, bound in metallic clamps in the Admiral’s ship. The Admiral, an Ilxian whose ship had crash-landed in the planet, requires a power core so they could get free. While the Admiral does not bode Rodimus any harm, he wants to use the Matrix as a power source to get off planet before its orbit decays… without asking Rodimus or knowing what the side effects will be. Rodimus uses his arm blasters to escape, and transforms to escape, which surprises the aliens.

The badly damaged Rodimus gets his bearings and hides in a cave to get away from the corrosive rain… before he comes face to face with a gigantic Chaosteros. The Chaosteros is driven off by music, coupled with a catapult attack to its eye. Rodimus thanks his cloaked saviour, which turns out to be a rhyming Wheelie who had disappeared a long time ago. Wheelie tows Rodimus to his own ship for repairs, but it appears that Wheelie had forgotten that he was ever an Autobot. It is very obvious that Wheelie’s mental health is not well, since he keeps rhyming for no reason and has memory gaps. The alien Garnak tracks the two down but they easily subdue him. Garnak tells everything to Rodimus, about how the aliens had crash-landed. Having no loyalty to the Admiral, Rodimus convinces him to help. Garnak tricks the Admiral and Codder into going out into the open with Rodimus as bait. Rodimus transforms and with Garnak, bowl over the two aliens and escape into their ship. Wheelie uses his music to call the Chaosteros to keep the two aliens busy. Trusting Wheelie to revive him once the ship has leeched the power it needes from the Matrix, Rodimus activates the ship, and goes offline due to it. Wheelie, meanwhile, pilots the ship to Cybertron…

Featured Transformers: Rodimus Prime, Wheelie
Notable Others: Codder, Garnak, the Admiral, Chaosteros

Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Blackjack

Transformers #20: Space Opera Act 2: Out of the Silent Planet

June 2011
Written By: Mike Costa
Art By: Guido Guidi
Colours By: Joana Lafuente
Letters By: Shawn Lee
Edits By: Andy Schmidt & Carlos Guzman

Synopsis: Rodimus wakes up to Garnak telling him that Wheelie has, in the time that he's asleep, removed the Matrix from his chest as a power source for the ship, and patched him up. Rodimus soon learns that Wheelie had taken the ship towards Cybertron. However, knowing that Cybertron is a deserted wasteland infested by the Swarm, Rodimus tries to convince an uncomprehending Wheelie to turn back. Rodimus finds, to his dismay, that the Matrix has stopped providing power to their ship. Something tries to break into their ship, and Rodimus orders Garnak to grab rifles. However, the intruder turns out just to be Ironhide, followed by the hoverchair-bound Sunstreaker. Rodimus is baffled by seeing his supposedly-dead allies, while Ironhide is jubilant at seeing Rodimus, not having any memory of their past confrontations. Rodimus thinks that he's dead, to which Sunstreaker and Ironhdie ascertains he is not. Sunstreaker is surprised to see Wheelie, and Rodimus is surprised to see Sunstreaker's domesticated Insecticon, who he calls 'Bob'. A confused Garnak arrives with his rifle and opens fire at Ironhide, who doesn't even flinch. Rodimus tries to apologize for leading to Ironhide's death, but Ironhide thinks Rodimus is apologizing for Garnak attacking him.

Leaving Ironhide with Wheelie, Sunstreaker brings Rodimus outside and explains things to him, including Ironhide's ressurection. Sunstreaker reflects that all of them are dead in some way and are gathered together. After being baffled by Wheelie's new rhyming accent, Sunstreaker then explains to Rodimus about Bob. However, a flying Transformer swoops in and opens fire. Rodimus and Wheelie drive off in pursuit, and Wheelie shoots down the Sweep with his slingshot. Rodimus and Wheelie look at where the Sweep has crash-landed and find Galvatron, who uses the Darkness to repair the Sweep. Rendezvousing with their allies on their ship, the Autobots use the experimental fuel cell that Alpha Trion had left them as a power source, and flies off. Rodimus sets a course for Earth, to get reinforcements.

Featured Transformers: Rodimus, Wheelie, Ironhide, Sunstreaker, Bob, Sweeps (one may be Scourge), Galvatron
Notable Others: Garnak

Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Blackjack

 

| Transformers #1-10 | IDW Comics Guide | Bumblebee | #20-32 |

 
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