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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: Regeneration One

Notes: Regeneration One is a sequel to the Marvel US comics in a continuity that ignores the UK and G2 stories..

#80.5 | #81 | #82 | #83 | #84 | #85 | #86 | #87 | #88 |#89 | #90 |

Transformers Regeneration One #80.5: Counterpoint

5 May 2012
Written By: Simon Furman
Art By: Andrew Wildman
Inks By: Stephen Baskerville
Colours By: John-Paul Bove
Letters By: Chris Mowry
Edits By: John Barber

Synopsis: In Zero Space, a singularity in the universe, the history of Transformers is narrated, and significant scenes are shown and alternate. Twenty one years have passed after Optimus Prime and the Last Autobot have brought Cybertron back into life, and the citizens live in harmony. The Last Autobot stands watch over Iacon. In Fort Scyk, however, the remnants of the Decepticon army are gathered by Soundwave, and he rallies them to once more re-establish the Decepticon cause and Megatron’s vision.

Ultra Magnus and Kup travel to the remote point of Nova Point, where Optimus Prime has secluded himself to mentor Hot Rod. Magnus and Kup point out the activities of the recruitment of former Decepticons, asking permission to send in the Wreckers to stop the uprising before it happens. However, Optimus Prime forbids it for fear of galvanizing the Neo-Decepticons, and rudely dismisses the two of them.

However, a strike team led by Soundwave and Spinister attack the Baird Beaming Transmitter in Kalis, killing the Autobots within, hijacking control of the ‘Asteroid-Smasher’ orbital satellite, and fires upon Iacon, destroying the Last Autobot.

Featured Characters: [in rough order of appearance] Skydive (flashback), Slingshot (flashback), Jhiaxus (flashback), Galvatron II (flashback), Spike Witwicky (flashback), Grimlock (flashback), Demons (flashback), Ratbat (flashback), Buster Witwicky (flashback), Optimus Prime (flashback and present), Megatron (flashback), Ratchet (flashback), Unicron (flashback), Primus (flashback), First Transformers (flashback), Soundwave (flashback and present), Megatron (flashback), Hound (flashback), Skids (flashback), Last Autobot (killed), Battletrap, Ruckus, Crankcase, Cindersaur, Spinister, Needlenose, Pounce/Wingspan, Vanquish, Half-Track, Direct-Hit, Power Punch, Meltdown, Fireshot, Rumble (flashback), Starscream (flashback), Skywarp/Thundercracker (flashback), Buzzsaw (flashback), Ultra Magnus, Kup, Hot Rod, Huffer (flashback), Bumblebee (flashback), Prowl (flashback), Shockwave (flashback), Swoop (flashback), Slag (flashback), Defensor (flashback), Bruticus (flashback), Scorponok (flashback), Fortress Maximus (flashback), Cliffjumper (flashback), Blaster (flashback), Bluestreak (flashback), Flywheels, Sparkstalker, Thunderwing (flashback), Wheeljack (flashback), Thunderpunch (flashback), Rhapsody (flashback), Bludgeon (flashback)
(Characters marked with * appear in flashbacks)

Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Blackjack

Transformers Regeneration One #81: Loose Ends, Part 1

11 July 2012
Written By: Simon Furman
Pencils By: Andrew Wildman
Inks By: Stephen Baskerville
Colours By: John-Paul Bove
Letters By: Chris Mowry
Edits By: John Barber

Synopsis: Kup runs through a holographic training session in Debris where he kills Bludgeon and Galvatron – both loose ends after the war. Springer interrupts the session just before holo-Megatron defeats Kup, telling him that a group of Neo-Decepticons are threatening to detonate a clutch of warheads in a depot in Kalis. Both Kup and Springer round up the rest of the Wreckers, but when they arrive on the scene, Ultra Magnus inform them that Optimus Prime’s declaration of no hostile actions are still in effect, despite the death of the Last Autobot recently. Magnus also claims that the Neo-Decepticons within don’t seem to be all that sure of themselves, and that the risk that the Decepticons will detonate the warheads is too large. Observing from the nearby crowd, Soundwave slips away and dispatches Ransack, Chop Shop and Venom to ensure the success of the martyrdom of the Decepticons in the depot.

Meanwhile, holed up inside the depot, the four Skyscorchers are, uneasy about their situation. Afterburner and Terradive are arguing, Eagle Eye predicts that they can create a small explosion that can cover their escape (contrary to Soundwave’s wishes) while Windrazor pretends to contact Magnus for their surrender. However, as they attempt to put their plan in motion, Chop Shop and Venom enter and take out the Skyscorchers. The Insecticons put a bug that will detonate the warheads after they get out, but the Wreckers charge in. Springer restrains the Insecticons in a detention sphere, and after a call to Perceptor, Kup manages to disarm the activated warhead.

Nova Point: Ultra Magnus visits Optimus Prime, who refrains from punishing the Wreckers despite breaking orders. Ultra Magnus presses the point, asking for discipline so as not to set bad examples, but Optimus is distracted by a vision of Unicron. Outside the room, Kup and Hot Rod argue over Optimus’ actions. Hot Rod defends Optimus, saying that despite his own brash outlook, sometimes they need to look at the big picture, whereas Kup says that the big picture – giving the Decepticons time to regroup – is exactly what they’re missing. Kup also mentions that what Grimlock did, despite his failure, is admirable. Kup concludes that Prime and Hot Rod has both turned into blinkered, unrealistic optimists. Spurred by the conversation, Kup gathers the Wreckers and announces that he’s going leave Cybertron to go to Earth, Nebulos and other worlds touched by the war to make a difference. The entire team joins him.

Fort Scyk: Soundwave is contacted by Bludgeon, in the depths of space, telling Soundwave that he needs his help in order for enough firepower to retake Cybertron.

The Solar System: Hitching a ride with Berko’s Cosmic Carnival, the Wreckers’ ship arrive and release surveillance drones, only to find that Earth’s cities – including San Francisco, Paris and Tokyo – have been all laid to waste, and not recently. One of the probes find Megatron sitting on a throne, and the Decepticon leader laughs, mocking how long it takes for his actions to be noticed, before launching a nuclear missiles at the Wreckers’ ship and blowing it up.

Featured Characters: Bludgeon, Kup, Galvatron (hologram), Megatron, Springer, Topspin, Whirl, Sandstorm, Rack'n'Ruin, Leadfoot, Broadside, Roadbuster, Ultra Magnus, Soundwave, Venom, Ransack, Chop Shop, Windrazor, Afterburner, Terradive, Eagle Eye, Perceptor, Optimus Prime, Unicron, Hot Rod, Grimlock (flashback), Thunderwing's Body, Berko

Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Blackjack

Transformers Regeneration One #82: Loose Ends, Part 2

1 August 2012
Written By: Simon Furman
Penciled By: Andrew Wildman
Inked By: Stephen Baskerville
Coloured By: John-Paul Bove
Lettered By: Chris Mowry
Edited By: John Barber

Synopsis: Formerly California: Upon finding the escape pods that had crash-landed from the Wrecker ship, Megatron urges his army of walking, mindless corpses of fallen Decepticons onwards to hunt down the Autobots. Megatron relishes the simple obedience of his unquestioning troops, although he notes that he allowed two people to retain consciousness – Starscream, who’s similarly lobotomized but left with a semblance of awareness as punishment for treachery, and Ratchet, who’s reduced to a still-living head embedded in Megatron’s sled.

Nearby, the Wreckers regroup, although not in the best shape. Topspin’s arm is injured, and Broadside’s neural circuits are scrambled. Kup blames the Autobots as a whole for causing Earth’s destruction due to turning their backs, and Whirl returns from a recon mission, reporting the arrival of the zombie Decepticons.

Nebulos: a ship piloted by Grimlock arrives, reviewing a science log on ‘Project Lazarus’, which is an attempt by the scientist Borx to reconnect the Autobot Headmasters’ original heads to reconstructed bodies following the deaths of their Nebulan partners and their original bodies during the battle against Unicron. However, their attempts were met with failures as the Autobots merely experienced pain and eventual rejection, and the project was eventually only continued after obtaining data from Lord Zarak’s old facility. Grimlock figures that he could transplant his head (and those of the other Nucleon victims) into new bodies. Despite the quarantine over Nebulos, Grimlock lands anyway. After landing, Grimlock finds the city deserted, only to be attacked by Nebulans with glazed eyes. Grimlock is about to return fire, but eventually stops himself, noting that there are some lines he will not cross. He is eventually taken down, and what appears to be Scorponok approaches him.

Iacon: Trailbreaker informs Ultra Magnus that the Wreckers have stolen a shuttle. After Trailbreaker departs to find whoever had assisted the Wreckers’ departure, Ultra Magnus lashes out in fury, roaring that he wants to join Kup, but he has to obey the rules that has been set, or nothing will work.

Earth: the Wreckers target the Deep Space Network, intending to use it to contact Cybertron. However, they end up having to engage the Decepticons, with others buying Springer and Whirl time to reach the dishes. Kup is taken down by Skywarp’s teleportation, and is brought before Megatron. Megatron monologues about Ratchet’s fate, relishing the chance to expound on his plans, and informs Kup that razing the Earth is merely an attempt to get attention… that of Optimus Prime’s. In the desert, Rack’n’Ruin and the injured Wreckers see a group of humans running away, and an attempt to explain is met with an energy blast coming from a cyborg who introduces himself as Circuit Smasher.

Featured Characters: Buzzsaw, Ratbat, Megatron, Skywarp, Hun-Grrr, Razorclaw, Astrotrain, Tentakil, Octane, Blitzwing, Starscream, Ratchet, Springer, Roadbuster, Leadfoot, Kup, Sandstorm, Topspin, Rack'n'Ruin, Broadside, Whirl, Grimlock, Borx, Hardhead, Brainstorm, Ultra Magnus, Trailbreaker, Scorponok, Refugees, Spike Witwicky/Circuit Smasher

Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Blackjack

Transformers Regeneration One #83: Loose Ends, Part 3

Written By: Simon Furman
Penciled By: Andrew Wildman
Inked By: Stephen Baskerville
Coloured By: John-Paul Dove
Lettered By: Chris Mowry
Edited By: John Barber

Synopsis: The angry Circuit Smasher begins to rant and blame the Transformers for everything that has been done to Cybertron, and blasts Rack’n’Ruin. As he is about to attack Topspin, however, the Wrecker recognizes him as Fortress Maximus’ Headmaster partner, Spike Witwicky. Circuit Smasher declares that both Fortress Maximus and Spike Witwicky are dead, but the conversation buys time for the other Wreckers to surround him. Topspin and the other humans propose an alliance, and Circuit Smasher grudgingly allows them to come to their base at the Argus Mountains, telling them brusquely to forget the captured Kup, and filling them in about what happened to Earth:

After the Transformers left Earth years ago, the Ark was left under the ice undisturbed for a year or two, and while Spike – as Fortress Maximus – guarded the Ark for a couple of years, he eventually returned to civilian life. However, in 1994 a group of humans were able to reactivate Megatron, who let loose without any restraint. An attempt to utilize nuclear bombs was met with resistance as Megatron was able to hack the nukes and destroy military bases and population centers. Megatron then unleashed an army of dead Decepticons, and what resistance remained – Fortress Maximus, Circuit Breaker and others – were felled.

Leadfoot points out the oddities, mainly Megatron’s sudden know-how in hacking and technical skills, something that Spike doesn’t particularly care about. They arrive at the surprisingly well-stocked base previously belonging to a government combat group, and Spike introduces the Wreckers to their leader: the Autobots’ former ally, G.B. Blackrock.

Iacon: Optimus Prime gives Hot Rod a talk about making decisions and consequences, and confides that he is as fragile as anyone out there, and confides that Kup’s words have caused him to rethink his recent decisions, for clinging too hard to the idea of peace. Ultra Magnus and Trailbreaker arrive with evidence of Kup’s flight off Cybertron previously and deduce that the Wreckers are headed to Earth. Magnus’ efforts have managed to pick up two transmissions: Springer’s garbled distress call, and a repeated message: a demand for Prime to come, by Megatron. Optimus Prime orders the Autobots to head to Earth.

Argus Base: Springer, Sandstorm, Spike and Blackrock discuss a strike against the Ark in order to take out Megatron’s power base, something the humans have failed to do time and again. They explain Spike’s transformation into Circuit Smasher: after the death of Fortress Maximus, Spike was left alive but paralyzed, and Blackrock had used the same technology that Circuit Breaker had used to bring his unique modified body back into action. Blackrock also reveals that Megatron has been sending a message for decades, which meant that Kup had been captured for nothing. Megatron chose that moment to gloat and send a broadcast of Kup, infected by Scraplets, to taunt the Wreckers. Despite knowing that it’s a trap, Springer formulates a plan while Megatron’s attention is away from the Ark…

Cybertron: Autobots board a shuttle bound for Earth, and Optimus instructs Hot Rod to stay behind, sensing him a greatness that must be protected. Hot Rod has a feeling that Optimus is not planning to return. The Decepticon Dirtbag radios Soundwave that the Autobots have left, who in turn inform Bludgeon. Bludgeon, in the process of destroying Torkulon for resources with his own forces and the Warworld, tells Soundwave that the opportunity to obtain the remains of Thunderwing from the Autobots is within reach.

Featured Characters: Circuit Smasher, Topspin, Rack'n'Ruin, Sandstorm, Roadbuster, Springer, Whirl, Gordon Kent, Refugees, Leadfoot, Hot Rod, Optimus Prime, Ultra Magnus, Broadside, Megatron (flashback and present), Hun-Grrr (flashback), Skywarp (flashback), Blitzwing (flashback), Circuit Breaker (flashback), Fortress Maximus (flashback), G.B. Blackrock, Trailbreaker, Kup, Prowl, Sunstreaker, Perceptor, Red Alert, Dirtbag, Torkulons, Octopunch, Weirdwolf, Stranglehold, Skullcruncher, Bludgeon, Squeezeplay, Soundwave, Thunderwing's body

Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Blackjack

Transformers Regeneration One #84: Loose Ends, Part 4

10 October 2012
Written by: Simon Furman
Pencils by: Andrew Wildman
Inks by: Stephen Baskerville
Colours by: John-Paul Bove
Letters by: Chris Mowry
Edited by: John Barber

Synopsis: Earth: Starscream, despite his lobotomization under the hands of Megatron, still has enough awareness to understand the current situation. As Megatron gloats over the inhibitor blocks he had placed within Starscream’s mind, Starscream agonizes within his own mind, trying to say something of crucial importance, but can only manage ‘kllrtch’.

The Wreckers, meanwhile, split into two groups. The airborne Springer, Sandstorm and Whirl head towards Megatron’s location despite knowing that it’s a suicidal trap, if only to buy time for Roadbuster’s team. They are quickly ambushed by Megatron’s army of zombie Decepticons, and despite their attempt to be unexpected, all end up being ineffective against the zombies and are taken down one by one. Megatron berates Starscream for nearly killing Springer, wanting to do the job himself.

Roadbuster, meanwhile leads the other Wreckers (some of whom are still wounded), Circuit Smasher and the exosuit-wearing humans in Canada trying to retake the Ark while the Decepticons are kept busy. Roadbuster formulates a plan, and Circuit Smasher quickly threatens the Wrecker that they are going to destroy the Ark, not salvage it. After Springer gives the signal that Megatron is indeed preoccupied with them, they charge in and battle the Ark’s Autoguns and mines. In the process Leadfoot is injured, but Circuit Smasher tells the other humans not to help, viewing them as dispensable. However as they approach the Ark, an army of Guardian Units comes out to engage them.

Cybertron: Hot Rod has a vision, in which he kills a Demon while wandering a lava-streaked Cybertron, somehow able to summon a glowing sword to do so. As he recovers from the vision, he tries to brush it off as a product of Optimus Prime departing for Earth, leaving him in command, before thinking of it as a premonition. That is proven quickly true as Blurr rushes in to report that the Decepticons, led by Soundwave, have attacked the Hall of Silence, seemingly intent on going after Thunderwing’s remains.

Earth: Having Springer at his mercy, Megatron gloats over him about how keeping enemies alive to torture them has recently been more interesting to him than outright killing them, something that has kept him entertained for the time being. However, he knows that he needs to use it to make an example, as a deterrent. As he prepares to kill Springer, who defiantly tells him to go to hell, he is interrupted by Optimus Prime. Megatron is delighted that his eternal foe has come. Through all this, Starscream manages to regain some autonomy to approach the Scraplet-inflicted Kup, struggling to give the all-important words he keeps repeating: Kup must ‘kllrtch’… kill Ratchet.

And as the battle of ancient enemies begins, Starscream kneels beside Kup, and struggles to give voice to that important thought pounding in his brain, letting Kup know what must be done to end Megatron's evil. He must "kllrtch"... kill Ratchet!

Characters Featured [in rough order of appearance]: Starscream, Blot, Ratchet, Megatron, Kup, Blitzwing, Tantrum, Sandstorm, Springer, Whirl, Broadside, Rack’n’Ruin, Topspin, Roadbuster, Circuit Smasher, Leadfoot, Gordon Kent, Skywarp, Thundercracker, Ratbat, Laserbeak, Buzzsaw, Guardian Units, Hot Rod, Demon (vision), Blurr, Soundwave, Cosmos, Wheeljack, Prowl, Optimus Prime, Ultra Magnus, Hound

Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Blackjack

Transformers Regeneration One #85: Loose Ends, Part 5

7 November 2012
Written by: Simon Furman
Pencils by: Andrew Wildman
Inks by: Stephen Baskerville
Colours by: John-Paul Bove
Letters by: Chris Mowry
Edited by: John Barber

Synopsis: In Zero Space, a crack appears. On Washington, a guilt-ridden Optimus Prime leads the Autobots there to confront Megatron. As he calmly gives orders to the Autobots while trying to keep his own rage and anguish in check, they confront Megatron… who happily executes Springer with a single blast to the head. This causes Optimus Prime to snap, and engage Megatron in a brutal melee, vowing to end the rabid dog that was Megatron. Megatron gleefully proclaims that however the battle ends, the missiles will fly. As the two battle Megatron explains that no matter how many times they have danced before, they keep getting interrupted. Thus this time, whatever the result of their duel, Megatron has reprogrammed Auntie to launch nuclear missiles and kill everyone on the planet. Meanwhile, Megatron’s zombie army engage the other Autobots, while Kup struggles to reach Ratchet.

Canada: The Wreckers and humans struggle against the Guardians, but the battle goes badly for them. Circuit Smasher finds that he can’t damage the Guardians, but they can’t detect him either, and under Roadbuster’s suggestion he heads inside the Ark. Circuit Smasher, however, ends up getting detected and trapped by Auntie’s defense systems.

Cybertron: The Autobots are kept out of the Hall of Silence by a null field, and while they can confirm Soundwave having infiltrated the facility, they are puzzled by how he’s going out. Grapple advocates destroying it entirely to prevent Matrix energy from falling into Decepticon hands, but Hot Rod keeps thinking what Optimus Prime would do.

Washington: Megatron and Optimus continue their duel, Megatron claiming that he’s done everything for the sake of unshackling Optimus Prime for this one final duel. As this goes on, Kup continues to reach Ratchet to kill the mutilated Autobot, hoping to kill Megatron via the psychic link they share, noting that Megatron managed to reanimate the Decepticons and reprogram Auntie thanks to information from Ratchet. First Aid attempts to cure his Scraplet infection, but Kup demands his gun and executes Ratchet.

Optimus Prime pins Megatron down, preparing to crush Megatron with a massive boulder, but Megatron notes that by doing so, Optimus would’ve sunk to his level. Optimus refuses, and Megatron uses the opening to gain the upper hand. However, just as he was about to deliver the killing blow simultaneously Kup pulls the trigger and kills Ratchet. The sudden surge of pain causes Optimus Prime to punch into Megatron’s chest and crush his spark, killing the Decepticon leader at last. In Canada, Circuit Smasher overloads Auntie’s system, deactivating the zombies, missiles and Guardians.

Elsewhere in Canada, Galvatron rises out of his icy grave.

In Nebulos, Grimlock is tied up by Scorponok, the original head having managed to create a new, functional body after Lord Zarak’s death. He offers Grimlock a new transforming body in exchange for his services.

Characters Featured [in rough order of appearance]: Optimus Prime, Megatron (killed), Cosmos, Ironhide, Red Alert, Prowl, Ultra Magnus, Tracks, Springer (killed), Kup, Starscream, Blitzwing, Astrotrain, Wheeljack, Skids, Hound, Dragstrip, Tantrum, First Aid, Mirage, Cosmos, Blot, Ratchet (killed), Auntie, Topspin, Guardian Robots, Broadside, Roadbuster, Rack’n’Ruin, Circuit Smasher, Gordon Kent, Hot Rod, Scattershot?, Grapple, Blurr, Soundwave, Galvatron, Warpath, Grimlock, Scorponok

Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Blackjack

Transformers Regeneration One #86: Natural Selection, Part 1

5 December 2012
Written by: Simon Furman
Pencils by: Andrew Wildman
Inks by: Stephen Baskerville
Colours by: John-Paul Bove
Letters by: Chris Mowry
Edited by: John Barber

Synopsis: Five years ago, Cybertron: the Dinobtos meet in the Nursery, a facility to contain the Autobots who have been afflicted by Nucleon’s side effects. The other Dinobots blame Grimlock for causing the madness that had gripped one of their own, Slag, and Grimlock sets off to find a cure.

Present day Nebulos: Grimlock is held captive by Scorponok, who studies the effects of Nucleon on his system, noting that it had reassembled Grimlock’s genetic structure. Grimlock queries about Scorponok’s change from a warlord to a scientist, and he explains that he had obtained the new skills necessary through his bond with Lord Zarak. He further explains that Zarak left a protocol to awaken Scorponok’s original head on Nebulos if it was ever be tampered with, and he ended up taking control of the facility and reconstructed a body for himself.

Cybertron: Hot Rod and Grapple debate whether to destroy the Hall of Silence, and after wrestling about what Optimus Prime would do regarding the last remnants of the Creation Matrix, ends up ordering the destruction of the hall. Soundwave, with his mastery of sound, easily navigates through it and teleport away with Thunderwing’s body before it was destroyed, having banked on Hot Rod being indecisive.

Earth: the Autobots are hurling the corpses of Megatron’s zombie army to be incarcerated from orbit, expressing pity that they had to do the same on the Autobot corpses as well. Optimus watches as Cosmos piles Megatron’s corpse with the others, and turns down First Aid’s offer of treatment and wear his scars to honour the fallen allies and enemies. Optimus apologizes to Kup about not listening to him, but Kup confronts Optimus with everyone who had died because of him ignoring Earth. Circuit Smasher and the humans show up, ordering them to leave immediately, not wanting any of their help in rebuilding. As the bodies are vaporized from orbit, unseen by the Autobots, Starscream transforms and flies away. He manages to make way to Canada, slipping through the patrolling Autobots, not knowing that Galvatron is doing just the same.

Nebulos: Grimlock breaks out of his chains but is assaulted by the Dinobots, and brutally beaten by them. Grimlock wakes up, and Scorponok informs him that it was a mental image conjured by him, knowing that Grimlock is shackled by his conscience. Grimlock ends up agreeing to help Scorponok in exchange for new bodies for his Dinobots. Scorponok reveals that he has developed a ‘Gene Key’, a program that can activate or deactivate the ‘warrior gene’ that distinguishes Autobot from Decepticon, intending to turn all of Cybertron’s population into Decepticons.

Characters Featured [in rough order of appearance]: Slag, Grimlock, Sludge, Swoop, Snarl, Blaster, Silverbolt, Huffer, Inferno, Scorponok, Lord Zarak (flashback), Hot Rod, Blurr, Grapple, Soundwave, Thunderwing’s body, Snap Trap’s body, Cosmos, Octane’s body, Wheeljack, Red Alert, Grotusque’s body, Smokescreen, Megatron’s body, Optimus Prime, First Aid, Skids, Kup, Prowl, G.B. Blackrock, Circuit Smasher, Starscream, Sunstreaker, Roadbuster, Galvatron

Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Blackjack

Transformers Regeneration One #87 Natural Selection, Part 2

9 January 2013
Written by: Simon Furman
Pencils by: Andrew Wildman
Inks by: Stephen Baskerville
Colours by: John-Paul Bove
Letters by: Chris Mowry
Edited by: John Barber

Synopsis: Nebulos: Scorponok uses the Gene Key to rewrite Brainstorm, Highbrow and Hardhead, altering their morality but keeping their personality intact. The three immediately pick a fight with Grimlock, but having been placed into a new, transforming body, Grimlcok easily takes down all three of them. Scorponok stops them, and orders them to leave for Cybertron.

Cybertron: Lightspeed reports that an excavation project has successfully located the tunnels once used by Grimlock, Jazz and Bumblebee to access the chamber of Primus. Hot Rod, optimistic that they might find another link to the Matrix, is interrupted by Crosshairs’ report that Grimlock has returned. While Grimlock initially surprises the present Autobots with his ability to transform, he ends up getting taken out by the Autobot forces present and is locked up in the prison.

Earth: Optimus Prime informs Ultra Magnus that he will be staying on Earth to help humanity rebuild despite their wishes. He believes his resurrection under the Last Autobot was a mistake, and asks Magnus to guide Hot Rod to take leadership.

Cybertron: Hot Rod leaves overseeing Grimlock to Siren, Hosehead, Grapple and Perceptor while he heads out to help find the Primus chamber, feeling guilt over his role in destroying the Matrix energy within Thunderwing’s body. Hot Rod arrives at the excavation point, not knowing that the excavation party has seemingly been slaughtered by Demons.

Meanwhile, Highbrow, Hardhead and Brainstorm land in the Badlands and make their way to Iacon’s Civil Defense Hub, murdering all the Autobots in their path, including Slapdash, and opens the way for Scorponok to arrive. Meanwhile, Perceptor examines Grimlock and easily deduces that his new body comes from Nebulos, but while his guard is down, Grimlock hits Perceptor with the Gene Key. None of this is noticed by the inattentive guard Kick-Off, who is then called by Perceptor to open the gate and let him out of the cell.

Earth: Starscream manages to sneak into the Ark, but is confronted by Galvatron who demands to know what he’s doing. Unable to speak, Starscream shows Galvatron the reason why he returned there. As they reach the deactivate core of Auntie, Galvatron blasts it open to see what’s left of Shockwave wired into the ship’s systems.

Characters Featured [in rough order of appearance]: Highbrow, Brainstorm, Hardhead, Scorponok, Grimlock, Hot Rod, Lightspeed, Nosecone, Primus’ Face, Crosshairs, Sureshot, Override, Dogfight, Backstreet, Skyscorchers?, Starscream, Galvatron, Optimus Prime, Ultra Magnus, Siren, Grapple, Perceptor, Hosehead, Kick-Off, Slapdash (killed), Demons, Shockwave

Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Blackjack

Transformers Regeneration One #88 Natural Selection, Part 3

13 February 2013
Written by: Simon Furman
Pencils by: Andrew Wildman
Inks by: Stephen Baskerville
Colours by: John-Paul Bove
Letters by: Chris Mowry
Edited by: John Barber

Synopsis: Scorponok bursts into the Decepticon base at Fort Scyk, trying to recruit them. While most of the Decepticons there are confused at Scorponok’s verbose speech, Misfire speaks up and says that Soundwave already has a plan going on. Scorponok executes Misfire on the spot, and after another speech the Decepticons fall in line – though Spinister sends a message to Soundwave. Soundwave himself is in space abroad Bludgeon’s Warworld, where the two Decepticons are discussing an assault on Cybertron. Soundwave doubts the Warworld alone is enough, but Bludgeon introduces Soundwave to an army of ultimate warrior drones that the Warworld has been creating, and only require the Creation Matrix to be brought to life. Convinced, Soundwave provides Bludgeon coordinates to Thunderwing’s hidden remains.

In Iacon, various Autobots affected by Scorponok’s Gene Key tear the city apart. Grimlock, meanwhile, wanders the city looking for his Dinobots. Overdrive tries to recruit Grimlock’s help, but is approached by Brainstorm. After a short conversation Brainstorm uses the Gene Key on Overdrive. Brainstorm then orders Grimlock to return to Scorponok.

In the senate forum, the unaffected Autobots – Crosshairs, Grapple, Hosehead and Blurr – take stock of the situation and after confirming that they are all unaffected, go through a secret passage below the building. Grapple wonders where their acting leader Hot Rod is. Hot Rod himself, meanwhile, is being pursued by the Demons through Cybertron’s deep catacombs, and the young Autobot struggles against them as they chant about the ‘Creator’. Hot Rod reflects that the Demons initially bowed down to Hot Rod, thinking that he is the ‘Creator’, before attacking him. Hot Rod drives over a chasm, before falling through a fake wall and finding two objects suspended in pillars of light – the sword he saw in his vision, and a golden disc.

As Grimlock returns, he comes into a disagreement with Scorponok, demanding that the Decepticon honour their deal and provide new bodies for the Dinobots. However, Scorponok demands a show of loyalty and tells Grimlock to execute the Autobot Punch, who is immune to the Gene Key. As Scorponok goads him on, Grimlock turns the gun on the Decepticon himself, but he has anticipated this and has protected himself with a forcefield, and disables the Dinobot with a crystal he had prepared. Scorponok then turns to Perceptor, who is overseeing the construction a pan-global Gene Key in the Sonic Canyons.

Earth: Galvatron discovers that Megatron has been using his old foe Shockwave’s brain to maintain both the zombie army and hack into Earth’s infrastructure. Galvatron, being Megatron’s future self, is able to bypass the security measures and sets a course to Cybertron.

Characters Featured [in rough order of appearance]: Scorponok, Pounce, Ruckus, Crankcase, Needlenose, Windsweeper, Misfire (killed), a Constructicon, Dreadwind, Darkwing, Spinister, Soundwave, Bludgeon, Blitz Engines, Gunrunner, Guzzle, a Pretender, Landfill, Rapido, Override, Skyhammer, Grimlock, Overdrive, Brainstorm, Grapple, Crosshairs, Hosehead, Blurr, Hot Rod, Demons, Highbrow, Hardhead, Punch, Perceptor, Starscream, Galvatron, Shockwave

Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Blackjack

Transformers Regeneration One #89 Natural Selection, Part 4

13 March 2013
Written by: Simon Furman
Pencils by: Andrew Wildman
Inks by: Stephen Baskerville
Colours by: John-Paul Bove
Letters by: Chris Mowry
Edited by: John Barber

Synopsis: As everyone on Cybertron goes on a planet-wide manhunt for the Dinobots, Swoop, Sludge and Snarl evade their pursuers, and decide to put their own house in order and draw Grimlock out for a confrontation. The three orchestrate an attack on the Nursery, which alerts the attention of the on-duty officer Treadshot. Grimlock overhears and recognizes it as a summon from the other Dinobots, and smashes Treadshot’s head into his computer.

Sonic Canyons: Scorponok and Perceptor discuss the situation as the massive Gene Key’s construction goes on. Scorponok gives a speech about how his plan will unify the Transformer race, healing the flaw in Primus’ grand plan. Perceptor makes an argument that since chaos is the natural state of things, maybe war is part of Primus’ plan, causing Scorponok to crush a piece of metal in rage, before insisting that he has evolved into a creature beyond mere aggression.

Below: Hot Rod is confused as he realizes he’s supposed to choose between the Sword of Primus and the Covenant of Primus. He decides he needs answers, and is shown a vision of primordial Cybertron, as the Demons, Primus’ first creations, rise up from the planet, and while they initially worship Primus peacefully, as time goes by they go to war and Primus ends up wiping the slate clean by destroying the planet’s surface. Realizing that Primus intends for him to finish the ‘purge’ of these Demons, Hot Rod takes up the sword and engages the Demons that had caught up to him.

Earth: Optimus Prime drives towards the crashed Ark, struggling with his motivations, unsure if it is really out of a desire to help or to clear his conscience. Meanwhile, on the Ark itself, the inactive Shockwave remembers how he had wired his damaged body to the ship’s system after the crash, and starts to come to…

Cybertron: Grimlock arrives at the Nursery and tries to explain that he’s found a way to cure Nucleon, but the Dinobots do not want to hear any of it, saying that he’s gone too far in betraying all of Cybertron, and they attack him. Scorponok, meanwhile, is alerted of Grimlock’s escape and orders his troops to hunt Grimlock down by the help of a homing device, ordering the Dinobot leader’s execution. Scorponok’s forces arrive as Grimlock starts to fight back against his comrades. Grimlock opens fire at Inferno’s containment case, causing the Autobot’s uncontrollable combustion ability to cause an explosion that takes Scorponok’s forces out. Grapple’s team arrives on the site, having attracted by the comm-line chatter, and meet the Dinobots. While Hosehead deals with Inferno’s problems, Crosshairs and Grimlock decide to work together to stop Scorponok.

Meanwhile, Ultra Magnus and the Autobot ship Valiant arrive from Earth, unaware of the happenings of the planet. Pounce and Wingspan, under Scorponok’s orders, provides them with a landing plan with the intention of blowing them out of the sky as soon as they get close enough.

Characters Featured [in rough order of appearance]: Highbrow, Needlenose, Windsweeper, Slapdash?, Landmine, Sludge, Swoop, Snarl, Brainstorm, Treadshot (killed?), Grimlock, Perceptor, Scorponok, Erector?, Groundpounder, Hot Rod, Demons, Optimus Prime, Shockwave, Galvatron, Blaster, Slag, Brainstorm, Hardhead, Dreadwind, Darkwing, Inferno, Grapple, Crosshairs, Hosehead, Blurr, Hound, Ultra Magnus, Smokescreen, Red Alert, Sideswipe, Kup, Cosmos, Pounce, Wingspan

Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Blackjack

Transformers Regeneration One #90 Natural Selection, Part 5

10 April 2013
Written by: Simon Furman
Pencils by: Andrew Wildman
Inks by: Stephen Baskerville
Colours by: John-Paul Bove & James Stayte
Letters by: Chris Mowry
Edited by: John Barber

Synopsis: As Hot Rod announces that the will of Primus was for him to purge all the Demons to make way for a better evolution, the Demons cower in fear. But Hot Rod quickly stops himself, noting that he is not Primus and decides that he will somehow put it right. Taking both the Covenant and the Sword, Hot Rod exits the secret chamber, his wounds healing as he does so. Hot Rod heads off to the surface, promising the Demons, who bow down to him, that he will return to finally unify both races.

Iacon: Grimlock leads the uninfected Autobots to the Civil Defense Hub, taking down all the guards – Autobot and Decepticons alike – that guard the facility. Crosshairs urges them to restrain themselves, and Blurr’s speed allows them to get through the sealing blast doors. They burst into the control room, where Pounce and Wingspan surrender immediately. They find that Scorponok’s data is thankfully not deleted yet, allowing Nucleon sufferers to be cured.

Earth: As Galvatron prepares to take off, Shockwave, connected to the Ark, speaks to Starscream and lifts the mental blocks Megatron had placed on him. Shockwave reveals he was the one behind Starscream being able to overcome them earlier. In his damaged state, Shockwave does not have complete control of the Ark, but has enough freedom to do so. Starscream decides that if there needs to be a pilot on the Ark, he could replace Galvatron in doing so.

Sonic Canyons: Scorponok rages at Perceptor as the Autobot announces yet another delay thanks to a minor technical difficulty, and in his rage kills Roadblock. Scorponok’s ranting is interrupted by Grimlock, arriving on a Sky-sled and lecturing how fear does not equal respect – a lesson he learnt the hard way. Scorponok manages to shoot Grimlock out of the sky and restrain him with his crystal, ordering Perceptor to activate the Gene Key.

Iacon: The orbital defenses open fire, targeting the approaching Valiant. While Blurr tries futilely to use his speed to race through all the possible passcodes for the computer, Crosshairs holds Pounce at gunpoint and demands the code. Pounce calls Crosshairs’ bluff, only for the Autobot to kill Wingspan on the spot. Pounce tells them the code, allowing the missiles to be detonated before they strike the Valiant. The surprised Ultra Magnus orders the Autobots and Wreckers inside to get ready.

Sonic Canyons: As Scorponok gloats while the Pan-global Gene Key is activated, the result ends up returning all the Autobots to normal – though they retain all the memories of their acts. Perceptor reveals that Grimlock never used the Gene Key on him, merely demonstrated it, and Perceptor has been acting as a mole all along. Grimlock charges Scorponok as he is distracted by Perceptor, while the other Dinobots arrive and open fire. Spinister orders the remaining Decepticons to flee, and Perceptor does the same for the Autobots. Swoop destroys the supports of the platform they are on, and while Snarl tries to rescue Grimlock from falling, the Dinobot leader refuses his aid, citing that he has went too far over the line. Still locked in battle, both Scorponok and Grimlock tumble into the canyons.

Earth: Optimus Prime arrives at the Ark too late as it takes off with Galvatron on the bridge, and recognizes the unfamiliar Decepticon as his old foe Megatron.

Characters Featured [in rough order of appearance]: Hot Rod, Demons, Roadblock the Pretender, Guzzle, Grimlock, Snarl, Sludge, Swoop, Crosshairs, Grapple, Blurr, Hosehead, Landfill, Crankcase, Runamuck, Sparkstalker, Pounce, Wingspan (killed), Ultra Magnus, Smokescreen, Hound, Galvatron, Starscream, Shockwave, Scorponok, Perceptor, Highbrow, Brainstorm, Spinister, Roadblock the Autoroller (killed), Skyquake, Needlenose, Red Alert, Sideswipe, Cosmos, Skids, Kup, Override, Slapdash, Dogfight, Skram, Landmine, Kick-Off (flashback), Optimus Prime

Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Blackjack

 

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