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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, Part 2

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

| #91 | #92 | #93 | #94 | #0 | #95 | #96 | #97 | #98 |#99 | #100 | #King of Shadows |

Transformers Regeneration One #91: Destiny, Part 1

15 May 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: Warworld: Bludgeon and Soundwave observe as the Blitz Engines are unleashed upon the planet Cresta Superior, demonstrating their self-regenerating ability (thanks to them having the Creation Matrix) and their impressive firepower by annihilating the local species. Satisfied with their army, the Warworld charts a course towards Cybertron.

Cybertron: as the planet recovers from the damage done by Scorponok’s Gene Key, the Autobot leaders convene and discuss the aftermath, how there has been a lot of emotional damage and guilt caused to those affected by the Gene Key, having partaken in evil actions and enjoyed it. Meanwhile, Ultra Magnus organizes what is left of the Civil Defense Force, and is informed by Trailbreaker about a message from Optimus Prime. They discuss current events, including sending the Micromaster Rescue Patrol to Nebulos to help heal the damage Scorponok did there. Magnus informs Optimus about Hot Rod’s unpopular decision to reunify their race with the Demons, and deems him an ineffective leader. Optimus merely claims that Hot Rod stepping out of popular opinion is the first step of being a real leader, and that his biggest concern is Galvatron…

The Ark: Galvatron remembers how, in his home universe, Unicron had devoured Cybertron despite his promises, leaving him with only Earth to rule. But Galvatron is determined to rule Cybertron in this universe.

Cybertron: Kup tries to get Hot Rod to delay the announcement about reunifying with the Demons, but Hot Rod instead tells the older Autobot about his visions; Hot Rod believes the imagery of the prehistoric, lava-filled Cybertron is not showing him the past, but rather a possible future that will come to pass if they do not reunify with the Demons. He tries to give a speech to the assembled masses of Iacon, but the crowd is angry at him. Spinister and Needlenose riles the crowd up by whispering into some of them and providing one of the civilians with a grenade, which is quickly lobbed a Hot Rod. As the crowd erupts in violence, the Wreckers and other Autobots present has to cover Hot Rod as he is ushered away to safety. Kup tells Hot Rod that the crowd’s reaction is partly due to the lingering effects of the Gene Key, but mostly due to fear. He then tells Hot Rod that he thinks his leadership is a mistake, telling him to yield command to Ultra Magnus. Shaken, Hot Rod tries to call up Ultra Magnus, but is interrupted by the Dinobots, who want to join Hot Rod if he ventures back into Cybertron’s underground because they believe Grimlock has survived. Spurred by the Dinobots’ “blind, intuitive faith”, he tells Ultra Magnus to prepare Iacon for when they return from the underworld to reunify their race with the Demons.

Cresta Superior: A mysterious transformer, Rook, lands on the remains of the planet, and reports to his commander, Jhiaxus, that other Transformers have beaten them to the planet. Jhiaxus, sitting on his throne within a web of Cybertron-like planets, notes that the old and new race has intersected, and that they will clash in the near future.

Zero Space: The crack widens, and the ‘future is cancelled.’

Characters Featured [in rough order of appearance]: Blitz Engines, Bludgeon, Soundwave, Thunderwing’s body, Maccadam, Sky High, Kup, Grapple, Prowl, First Aid, Perceptor, Jetfire, Hot Rod, Overdrive (flashback), Override (flashback), Slapdash (flashback) Scorponok (flashback), Brainstorm, Highbrow, Hardhead, Trailbreaker, Optimus Prime, Red Hot, Seawatch, Fixit, Stakeout, Galvatron, Unicron (flashback), Sweeps (flashback), Demons (flashback), Blades, Streetwise, Inferno, Roadbuster, Blurr, Red Alert, Spinister, Needlenose, Whirl, Sandstorm, Rack’n’Ruin, Swoop, Sludge, Snarl, Slag, Grimlock (flashback), Rook, Jhiaxus

Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Blackjack

Transformers Regeneration One #92: Destiny, Part 2

12 June 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: Wyoming: Optimus Prime is attacked by Circuit Smasher while trying to negotiate a solution to renew earth with the human. Circuit Smasher brutally assaults Optimus, nearly killing the Autobot leader, though he is stopped by the other humans, led by Spike’s wife Linda Chang. Circuit Smasher stands down, and Optimus is taken into custody. Optimus is brought before all the surviving humans, and makes a case of uniting the humans with the Nebulans to help each other rebuild – the Nebulans giving them technology, while the humans helping them to recover from the mental trauma inflicted on them by Scorponok. Circuit Smasher shoots Optimus down because he thinks it’s a ploy to make them reliant on the Transformers’ Space Bridge, but everyone else is far more receptive, taking it into consideration.

Cybertron: Huffer, Inferno, Silverbolt and Blaster, despite being rebuilt into new bodies are placed in the facility known as the Garage to confirm that their bodies are truly free of Nucleon’s effects. Blaster, having access to the communications chatter of the Autobots, begs for them to be allowed to help, with the feeling that there is something more going on than the effects of the Gene Key. Prowl shuts the suggestion down by recounting how unstable their individual side effects were, though Blaster is adamant to try and find out the truth.

Cybertron’s bowels: Hot Rod and the Dinobots, following a mental map given to Hot Rod by the Covenant, search for the bottom of the Sonic Canyons. When Hot Rod is asked about the Demons, he says he’s sure that the Demons will find them eventually, and unseen by the group, they are indeed being trailed by the Demons.

In the streets, Kup and the Wreckers confront a group blockading a street in protest of the Wreckers. Roadbuster tries to say something and is shot down by Kup, who has the opinion that they need to stamp out little fires like this before they get bigger. Roadbuster tells Kup that he might be worsening the problem, and the two argue about how Kup is being compared to Springer all the time. As the Wreckers argue, the protesters get into a fight with those trying to pass. Spinister, hovering above, communicates to Soundwave to update the interim Decepticon leader about the chaos they’ve sowed. Soundwave reveals that he’s using a subsonic irritant to increase the aggression of everyone, which will be blamed on the lingering effects of the Gene Key, while the Decepticons use the riots as cover to destroy key structures in Cybertron. Soundwave suddenly cuts Spinister off, realizing that Blaster has hacked into his commline, and dispatches the Mayhem Attack Squad.

In the Garage, Blaster, realizing he has been discovered, tells the others that they need to leave. As he explains the situation to his surprised comrades (who feel ill-equipped), Blaster says they have no choice to make a last stand as the Mayhems have already breached the facility. Snarler, Carnivac and Roadblock burst into the Garage, finding Huffer alone. An unimpressed Snarler charges him, but Huffer takes Snarler out with a single punch. Carnivac attempts to attack Huffer, but is taken out from an energy siphon wielded by Silverbolt and Inferno. Blaster uses his abilities to disorient Roadblock, allowing the other three to take him out. Carnivac’s inner robot leap out of his shell, managing to damage Silverbolt, but is taken out by Blaster. Later on, the Mayhems are arrested and Prowl tells Blaster that he had taken down the intracomm ‘for maintenance’ to prevent Soundwave’s machinations. However, all the long-range communications have been successfully taken out by the Decepticons, so they’ll have no way of knowing if an attack is coming until it’s too late…

Deep in space, the Ark and the Warworld continue to head towards Cybertron, their respective occupants hungry for battle…

Characters Featured [in rough order of appearance]: Optimus Prime, Circuit Smasher, Linda Chang, Huffer, Inferno, Silverbolt, Blaster, Trailbreaker, Prowl, Sky Lynx, Kup, Fang, Whirl, Sandstorm, Roadbuster, Rack’n’Ruin, Spinister, Soundwave, Needlenose, Crankcase, Ruckus, Windsweeper, Snarler, Roadblock, Carnivac, Gordon Kent, G.B. Blackrock, Sludge, Swoop, Slag, Snarl, Hot Rod, Demons, Red Alert, First Aid, Galvatron, Bludgeon

Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Blackjack

Transformers Regeneration One #93: Destiny, Part 3

17 July 2013
Written by: Simon Furman
Pencils by: Guido Guidi
Inks by: Stephen Baskerville
Colours by: John-Paul Bove
Letters by: Chris Mowry
Edited by: John Barber

Synopsis: Warworld: Bludgeon has a vision to his glorious, brutal death, and reflects on his true motives. While he had told Soundwave that they are working to usher in a new Decepticon era, Bludgeon in fact is returning to Cybertron so that hereby die a glorious death, making up for his lapse of judgment for his retreat of Klo.

Ark: Galvatron plans to have the Ark auto-pilot to Cybertron as a distraction, while he picks out Ultra Magnus first among the Autobot leaders to die at his hands, noting that he had killed one before. Later on, Galvatron is alerted by Shockwave to an intruder, and heads off to investigate. As soon as he leaves the bridge, Shockwave transfers authority of the ship to Starscream. Galvatron discovers that the intruder is a Guardian droid, and while he destroys it easily, Starscream flushes him out of the ship, using the ship’s weapons to cause Galvatron to fall down into the planet before flying away before Cybertron’s defense grid could detect them.

Cybertron: As part of an operation to root out the Neo-Decepticons, Ultra Magnus coordinates the Wreckers on a raid on Fort Scyk. The Wreckers detect multiple life-signs within the fort and launch their attack only to find it empty, moments before the fortress explodes. While the Wreckers all manage to survive, Magnus speculates that Soundwave is already furthering his plans. Prowl, arresting Runamuck, confirms that all key Decepticons have gone off-radar. Magnus aborts the Aerialbots’ mission, which is fortunate for a short distance away Soundwave and Monstructor are waiting in ambush. Soundwave dispatches Wingthing to alert the other Decepticons to begin the next phase.

Primus Chamber: Hot Rod and the Dinobtos arrive there, where they are awed by the effigy of their creator. Hot Rod briefly sees a vision of many other versions of himself in the multiverse, but is quickly distracted by an attacking swarm of Demons. They take refuge behind Primus’ face, where the Demons will not follow, but they also find a pile of corpses there. The group is then approached by the glowing figure of Primus, speaking from within Grimlock’s body.

Cybertron: Cosmos heads into space to investigate something that brushed the Autobots’ early-warning system, only to find the Warworld. The Warworld kills Cosmos with a single blast. While Magnus tries to put the planet on alert, Galvatron suddenly attacks him.

Characters Featured [in rough order of appearance]: Bludgeon, Optimus Prime (flashback), Galvatron, Starscream, Prowl, Ultra Magnus, Grimlock, Jetfire (hologram), Rack’n’Ruin, Sandstorm, Topspin, Roadbuster, Kup, Skydive, Silverbolt, Fireflight, Slingshot, Air Raid, Whirl, Streetwise, Runamuck, Red Alert, Wingthing, Soundwave, Monstructor, Shockwave, Mark V Guardian, Swoop, Slag, Hot Rod, Snarl, Sludge, Primus, alternate universe Hot Rods, Demons, Runabout’s body, Cosmos (killed)

Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Blackjack

Transformers Regeneration One #94: Destiny, Part 4

28 August 2013
Written by: Simon Furman
Art by: Guido Guidi
Inks by: Stephen Baskerville
Colours by: John-Paul Bove
Letters by: Shawn Lee
Edited by: John Barber

Synopsis: Galvatron flies in towards Ultra Magnus, and the surprised Autobot is knocked down into the traffic below. Magnus reflects how he loathes the ‘Cybertron’s Greatest Warrior’ moniker painted on him which makes him a target. Galvatron boasts of having killed Magnus before, even though all Ultra Magnus knows is the other combatant’s name, and makes good on the threat by beating Magnus up.

Primus Chamber: Primus, speaking through Grimlock’s body, explains how he did not perish on the hands of Unicron, being able to exist through time and space. Primus tells Hot Rod that he is the chosen ‘Prime’. Telling Hot Rod to understand a disease that eats at the reality, Primus launches Hot Rod into Zero Space, before leaving Grimlock’s body and apparently wiping the Dinobots’ memory of the encounter.

Ultra Magnus launches his shoulder rockets at Galvatron, dropping him off the highway. Blades arrives, and informs Ultra Magnus of the massive Warworld above Cybertron’s skies. The Warworld launches a swarm of Blitz Engines and while all the Autobots scramble (including those that were prisoners) to combat them, their firepower and regenerative capabilities overwhelm the Autobots and kill several. The airborne Autobots prove ineffective against the Warworld itself. As Ultra Magnus attempts to join the fight, Galvatron leaps at him and hangs on to his vehicle mode.

The Presidium: Kup insists that the Wreckers be deployed, but Prowl refuses, wanting to use the team to strike surgically so as not to be just be another team in the battlefield, except they have no idea where. Perceptor notes that the scans indicate the Blitz Engines are mere drones, powered by Matrix energy from a remote source. The Wreckers are deployed to the Warworld, while Prowl goes off to wake Omega Supreme up. Omega Supreme incinerates several Blitz Engines, but having anticipated the large Autobot, Soundwave dispatches Monstructor. Soundwave himself is confronted by a vengeful Blaster.

Ultra Magnus and Galvatron continue their battle as they charge down the highway, and as they exchange some taunts, Ultra Magnus blows up the bridge ahead of them and brakes, sending Galvatron hurling forwards. However, as Galvatron falls, he drags Magnus down with him. In the Warworld, Krok suggests they use the Warworld’s weapons instead of just relying on the Blitz Engines, and while Bludgeon doesn’t want to destroy a planet he wants to rule, he singles out Magnus as a symbolic target and opens fire on both Galvatron and Magnus. The resulting explosion takes out a huge chunk of the city. As the flames rage on, a figure walks out of it… and it is Ultra Magnus, victorious, dragging behind the fallen Galvatron.

Characters Featured [in rough order of appearance]: Galvatron, Ultra Magnus, Primus-Grimlock, Hot Rod, Swoop, Sludge, Slag, Blades, Air Raid, Slingshot, Fireflight, Silverbolt, Skydive, Jetfire, Doubleheader, Dogfight, Skyhammer, Blitz Engines, Huffer, Hound, Siren, Chromedome, Mirage, Kup, Prowl, Perceptor, Jazz, Brainstorm, Hardhead, Highbrow, Chainclaw, Catilla (killed), Windbreaker (killed), Meanstreak, Turbofire, Horri-Bull, Octopunch, Bludgeon, Krok, Stranglehold, Fangry, Omega Supreme, Soundwave, Wingthing, Monstructor, Blaster

Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Blackjack

Transformers Regeneration One #0: Less than Zero

18 September 2013
Written by: Simon Furman
Art by: Casey Coller (pg 1 & 22), Geoff Senior (pg 2-6), Jeff Anderson (pg 7-11), Jose Delbo (pg 12-16), Nick Roche (pg 17-21)
Pencils by: Stephen Baskerville (Anderson and Delbo pages)
Colours by: John-Paul Bove
Pencils by: Chris Mowry
Edited by: John Barber

Synopsis: Thrust into Zero Space by Primus, Hot Rod is sent tumbling through time. He first arrives in Denver, twenty years in the past, witnessing the Autobots’ battle with the Matrix-infused Deathbringer. Hot Rod recalls the creature’s history, and watches as the battle happens and concludes with Optimus Prime convincing the creature to self-destruct. While the Autobots depart, Hot Rod waits, and witnesses that after some time, the fragment of the Matrix energy within the Deathbringer is not destroyed and emerges as a familiar, green-black creature Hot Rod dubs the ‘Anti-Matrix’. Hot Rod theorizes this Anti-Matrix is still out there, before he is transported elsewhen.

Hot Rod finds himself in Cybertron, before the war, and observes the arrival of an unfamiliar transformer, Jhiaxus, in a meeting with High Circuitmaster Boltax and three other members of a ‘Brain Trust’. Hot Rod notes that the name Jhiaxus is not recorded anywhere in Cybertron history, and soon finds out why: the five members of the Brain Trust are pooling their combined knowledge into a database they call the Underbase, but Jhiaxus murders the other four members of the Brain Trust through their mental connection and erases himself from all of Cybertron’s history. Jhiaxus claims he is tired of Cybertron’s isolation, and tells them that he’s going to go and expand the Cybertronian empire with the knowledge from the Underbase.

Whisked again, Hot Rod finds himself on Earth, during Megatron’s more recent conquest of the planet while the Autobots were rebuilding in Cybertron. He witnesses the zombie Decepticons slaughter civilians in a highway while Autobot allies Buster and Jessie Witwicky tries to escape while being pursued. They try to contact Spike to ask for Fortress Maximus’ help, but Spike a conflicted ignores the call. Buster and Jessie are ultimately trapped in a car wash by Ratbat and killed.

Hot Rod then lands the planet of Junk, which is unfamiliar to him. Noting that this landing felt different, he finds the remains of a crashed Autobot shuttle filled with corpses, and theorizes that it’s either the future, an alternate reality or both. He then finds a battle between Galvatron and a ‘Rodimus Prime’. Realizing that Rodimus Prime is him, transformed with the Matrix, Hot Rod recalls Primus’ words from before. As Rodimus defeats Galvatron and prepares to take him prisoner, Cyclonus and Scourge attack Rodimus Prime. Hot Rod calls out to his alternate self, although it’s too late. While the Decepticons slaughter Rodimus Prime, the Matrix falls next to Hot Rod, and he reaches out to touch it…

Warworld: Bludgeon stands, poised over the fallen Kup, when Hot Rod, transformed by the Matrix into Rodimus Prime, stands before him.

Characters Featured [in rough order of appearance]: Deathbringer, Getaway, Optimus Prime, Hot Rod/Rodimus Prime, Galvatron, Boltax, Jhiaxus, Ratbat, Jessie (killed), Buster Witwicky (killed), Siren, Nightbeat, Hosehead, Anti-Matrix, Rokan (killed), Decanus (killed), Tallus (killed), Octane, Razorclaw, Skalor, a Conehead, Skywarp, Bugly, Spike Witwicky, Thundercracker, Ultra Magnus, Kup, Springer, Arcee, Grimlock/Primus (flashback), Scourge, Cyclonus, Bludgeon

Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Blackjack

Transformers Regeneration One #95: Destiny, Part 5

23 October 2013
Written by: Simon Furman
Pencils by: Guido Guidi
Inks by: Stephen Baskerville
Colours by: John-Paul Bove
Letters by: Shawn Lee
Edited by: John Barber

Synopsis: Omega Supreme and Monstructor clash with each other, the latter seeming to take the upper hand, Soundwave and Blaster engages in a battle using their sonic abilities, Ultra Magnus rejoins the battle against the Blitz Engines while all the flight-capable Autobots attempt futilely to damage the Warworld. Bludgeon allows his restless Decepticons to join the battle and bolster the Blitz Engines below, but he himself remains of the Warworld, knowing that the battle will come to him.

Primus chamber: Grimlock awakens. The Demons charge into the chamber, and Grimlock, eyes glowing with the power of Primus, transforms into dinosaur mode and unleashes a roar that causes the Demons to bow down to him. Slag speculates that it’s all part of some grand plan, recalling Hot Rod’s original attempt to reunify with the Demons. They head to the surface, where the battle goes extremely poorly for the Autobots. The Dinobots and Demons arrive, however, and begin tearing into the Decepticon forces.

The Ark: the Ark remains hovering over Cybertron, thanks to Starscream not giving it a command yet. Shockwave admits to guilt-tripping Starscream, not wanting to allow Cybertron to fall to ‘enemy alien hands’.

Warworld: Using a diversion courtesy of Jetfire, the Wreckers’ ship lands on the Warworld’s surface and they cut their way in, tracking the Matrix energy within Thunderwing’s corpse. Bludgeon ambushes the Wreckers, taking out nearly the entire team by affecting their perceptions using his Metallikato skills. Urged by the others, Kup tries to run on ahead and complete their mission, but Bludgeon easily catches up and is about to deliver the killing blow when Rodimus Prime arrives, having returned from Zero Space. Bludgeon, initially unimpressed, is stunned as Rodimus proves to be able to snatch Bludgeon’s blade in mid-swing, and realizes that Rodimus is the opponent fated to destroy him, and charges at the Prime, demanding he give him the glorious death. Rodimus grants his request, easily grabbing Bludgeon and throwing him through the Warworld’s windshield, the Decepticon leader burning upon reentry as he plummets and crashes down on Cybertron’s surface. The Ark, piloted by Starscream, attacks the Warworld, the resulting damage enough to cause the Warworld to explode. The Wreckers and Rodimus escape in time before the Warworld explodes.

Meanwhile, Soundwave’s attempt to disorient Blaster by obfuscating his senses backfires as Blaster unleashes a really loud noise, overloading Soundwave’s sensors and taking him out of the equation. Omega Supreme kills Monstructor, while the Autobots, Dinobots and Demons easily destroy the Blitz Engines, no longer able to regenerate. As the Autobots start to cheer for their victory, Rodimus flashes to the four visions shown to him in Zero Space, unsure of their meaning. Within Cybertron, Primus’ face glows green…

Characters Featured [in rough order of appearance]: Omega Supreme, Monstructor (killed), Soundwave, Blaster, Ultra Magnus, Blitz Engines (destroyed), Jetfire, Blades, Doubleheader, Skydive, Slingshot, Skyhammer, Cloudraker, Dogfight, Fireflight, Air Raid, Crossblades, Weirdwolf, Fangry, Stranglehold, Krok, Bludgeon, Octopunch, Skullcruncher, Horri-Bull, Thunderwing’s Body, Roadbuster, Kup, Topspin, Rack’n’Ruin, Sandstorm, Grimlock, Swoop, Sludge, Snarl, Slag, Demons, Primus’ Head, Starscream, Shockwave, Rollbar, Searchlight, Guzzle, Jackpot, Cindersaur, Tailgate, Needlenose, Blurr, Crosshairs, Prowl, Jazz, Rodimus Prime, Hot Spot, Ironhide, Sunstreaker, Jhiaxus (flashback), Spike Witwicky (flashback), Anti-Matrix (flashback), Galvatron (flashback)

Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Blackjack

Transformers Regeneration One #96: The War to End All Wars, Part 1

27 November 2013
Written by: Simon Furman
Pencils by: Guido Guidi
Inks by: Stephen Baskerville
Colours by: John-Paul Bove
Letters by: Chris Mowry
Edits by: John Barber

Synopsis: Future: an old Rodimus Prime reflects how it all has ended, and thinks back to the decisions he’s made in the past…

Present-day Cybertron: The Autobots begin cleanup of Cybetron after the disastrous Decepticon attack, with the few surviving Decepticons being arrested. Rodimus Prime is concerned about the four visions Primus shows him in Zero Space. Powerglide finds Bludgeon, having survived the crash if horribly mutilated by the impact. Bludgeon asks Rodimus Prime to finish what he started, but Rodimus refuses, wanting to punish Bludgeon by denying him the warrior’s death he craves, telling Powerglide to summon a medic when one becomes available. Rodimus dispatches Ultra Magnus to find Galvatron, who has seemingly disappeared from where Ultra Magnus had left him after using him as a shield against the Warworld’s weapons. Magnus and a team of Autobots head off to locate Galvatron, while Rodimus goes off to meet his advisors. Grimlock, the Dinobots and the Demons, who are standing around and are basically ignored by Rodimus grumble among themselves for being unappreciated.

Earth: Optimus constructs the Space Bridge linking Nebulos and Earth, while Circuit Smasher hovers around, dropping none-too-subtle hints how easily the location could ‘damage’ the Space Bridge. Optimus tries to reason with Spike, trying to appeal to his loyalty to the humans and family – and brings up Buster, causing Circuit Smasher to flip out. As he floats around just throwing barely-hidden threats, Optimus receives a communication from Rodimus Prime.

Iacon: Rodimus, gathered with other high-ranking Autobots, seeks Optimus Prime’s formal authority to take charge as Prime, which was immediately granted by Optimus. After a quick ceremony, Rodimus then recaps the four visions he’s shown which they have to fix: Galvatrno, Jhiaxus, the Anti-Matrix and Spike. Optimus wonders what Spike has to do with anything, and Rodimus notes it could happen at a later time. Nightbeat and Bumblebee are charged with investigating and responding to all four of the issues.

Kalis: Ultra Magnus, Rapido, Skram, Gunrunner and Blurr track Galvatron down, and the reckless Skram’s charge ends up with him taken out by a single blast from Galvatron. Gunrunner’s artillery strike manages to collapse a structure around Galvatron, but as Magnus and Gunrunner inspects the rubble, Gunrunner gets sniped. Magnus’ team is then suddenly attacked by a swarm of robots wearing Unicron masks, who use the confusion to take Galvatron with them. Magnus manages to apprehend one of them, who believe that Unicron’s “angel of death” has come to them to bring chaos to them all.

Nebulos: Quickmix supervises the construction of Nebulos’ space bridge alongside several Micromasters. A Nebulan scientist briefs him about how Chromedome has been successfully separated from his Headmaster partner, whereas a new body for the original Fortress Maximus is underway. Unseen by anyone, a black goo enters the unconscious head of Fortress Maximus…

Iacon: Nightbeat and Bumblebee dig into Cybertronian history, focusing on Jhiaxus since the other three are too ill-defined to research. They manage to dig up enough civilian logs to locate an unidentifiable Transformer in a crowd shot Nightbeat deduces is Jhiaxus. Bumblebee and Nightbeat request other alien worlds for information for Jhiaxus, thinking that as a Senator he would have dealings with them, but their search proves fruitless so they launch a probe. Meanwhile, in the Ark, hovering near Cybertron, Shockwave tries to convince an unresponsive Starscream to relocate the ship when he suddenly shouts “he’s here!” At the same time, Rodimus Prime is informed of the arrival of a massive armada of ships outside Cybertron. Jhiaxus announces himself and states he comes in peace…

Characters Featured [in rough order of appearance]: Rodimus Prime, Hot Spot, Hosehead, Blades, Drench, Fixit, Streetwise, Krok, Siren, Kup, Hoist, Grapple, Powerglide, Wheeljack, First Aid, Bludgeon, Demons, Swoop, Sludge, Grimlock, Slag, Snarl, Ultra Magnus, Galvatron, Optimus Prime, Circuit Smasher, Prowl, Perceptor, Jetfire, Nightbeat, Bumblebee, Jhiaxus (flashback and present), Boltax (flashback), Anti-Matrix (flashback and present), Gunrunner (killed), Blurr, Rapido, Skram (possibly killed), Unicron Acolytes, Deathbringer (screen), Megatron (screen), Unicron (screen), Fortress Maximus (screen and present), Groundpounder, Takedown, Neutro, Crumble, Quickmix, Erector, Borx, Chromedome, Stylor, Starscream, Shockwave, Mirage

Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Blackjack

Transformers Regeneration One #97: The War to End All Wars, Part 2

18 December 2013
Written by: Simon Furman
Pencils by: Guido Guidi
Inks by: Stephen Baskerville
Colours by: John-Paul Bove
Letters by: Chris Mowry
Edited by: John Barber

Synopsis: Grimlock watches the newly-constructed ‘ghetto’ that the Demons are rounded up in, and reacts in disgust at the treatment of the Demons. Grimlock feels responsible for bringing them up into the surface. The Demons gather around a crude drawing of Primus’ face on a wall. Swoop observes that the Demons have suddenly turned timid, and wonders if they are biding their time.

The Presidium: Rodimus Prime talks with his ranking officers over the appearance of Jhiaxus’ massive fleet. Perceptor is unable to scan the ships, so Nightbeat and Bumblebee propose inviting Jhiaxus to Cybertron. They do so, though Rodimus takes precautions in the form of snipers and security guards. Jhiaxus and his personal guard of ‘Primum Fugae’ arrive on an advanced version of the space bridge. Rodimus asks to talk in somewhere private with Jhiaxus, and Jhiaxus makes it clear he’s aware of the snipers and notes the difference of Rodimus’ leadership with Optimus’. While the two leaders head off, the Primum Fugae transform and fly off.

Nebulos: Having finishing their end of the Space Bridge on Earth, Optimus Prime’s team contacts Quickmix on Nebulos, ready to synchronize the two halves of the bridges with each other. Meanwhile, the Nebulan scientist reintegrate Fortress Maximus’ original head to a reconstructed body, and the Autobot screams in pain for a moment before seemingly returning normal, though with a dark glint in his eyes.

Nova Point: Rodimus asks Jhiaxus what he has been doing while away from Cybertron, and why Primus considers him a problem. Jhiaxus brushes off Primus, having long since dismissed their creator and considering him as flawed as they are. Jhiaxus had chosen to sculpt the universe into order with his own power, and displays a hologram of a Hub Network, a massive network of mechanical planets interconnected together. Jhiaxus asks Rodimus to add Cybertron into the Hub, while Rodimus realizes that the worlds are made from pre-existing ones. Rodimus demands how many of them has life, and Jhiaxus replies that it depends on how one would classify life. An angered Rodimus slams Jhiaxus into a wall. Jhiaxus easily overpowers Rodimus, telling the Prime that he makes this offer only once. Easily overpowering Rodimus, Bumblebee and Jetfire, Jhiaxus blows Nova Point apart and flies off.

While the meeting is happening, the Primum Fugae lands outside the Demons’ settlement. Deciding that while they are told not to attack Cybertron’s ‘dominant strain’, no such restriction is placed on the chaotic Demons and they begin purging them. The Dinobots come to their defense, but three of the Primum Fugae easily prove more than a match for the Dinobots, as even Grimlock is knocked down. Sludge is stabbed through the chest by Firecrest. An army of Autobots led by Ultra Magnus arrive to back the Dinobots up, but just as the Primum Fugae prepare to battle, they are summoned by Jhiaxus to depart the planet.

Rodimus, having survived the explosion of Nova Point, is given a status update – no Autobot lives are lost. Nightbeat deduces that there may be a way to hurt them, and Rodimus vows to take the fight to them.

Space: Shockwave inquires Starscream about the identity of Jhiaxus, and as Starscream starts to be overtaken by the Underbase, says that Jhiaxus is ‘one of the five’, and that there will be a reckoning.

Characters Featured [in rough order of appearance]: Grimlock, Demons, Swoop, Sludge, Slag, Snarl, Jetfire, Rodimus Prime, Perceptor, Nightbeat, Bumblebee, Tracks, Sideswipe, Sureshot, Crosshairs, Firecrest, Hawk, Hook, Nightjar, Wryneck, Jhiaxus, Optimus Prime, Landfill, Scoop, Quickmix, Borx, Fortress Maximus, Ultra Magnus, Skids, Hardhead, Blurr, Huffer, First Aid, Underbase-Starscream, Shockwave’s Voice

Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Blackjack

Transformers Regeneration One #98: The War to End All Wars, Part 3

Written by: Simon Furman
Pencils by: Guido Guidi
Inks by: Stephen Baskerville
Colours by: John-Paul Bove
Letters by: Chris Mowry
Edited by: John Barber

Synopsis: The Hub: A massive Autobot fleet emerges and mounts an attack on one of the outer fringes of the Hub Network. A ground team led by Ultra Magnus finds the planet deserted. Jetfire speculates that Jhiaxus has been exaggerating the scale of the Hub Network, with each world being sparsely manned. Directed by Nightbeat, who devised a plan based on the probe they launched earlier, two teams on shuttles attempt to sever a weak point to set off a chain reaction to shut the Hub down.

Earth: Optimus Prime and the human leaders gather to meet the delegates from Nebulos, with Circuit Smasher showing up late. However, instead of a Nebulan delegation, Fortress Maximus appears through the Space Bridge, and beats Optimus Prime down. Circuit Smasher, frozen with shock, is abducted by Fortress Maximus, stating that ‘one will become all’, before vanishing through the Space Bridge while the other humans watch helplessly.

The Hub: As the strike teams move into position, Kup expresses concern over the operation being too easy, fearing that Jhiaxus may have anticipated their move. This proves true – as the weak point is severed, no effect is observed. Jhiaxus then has the entire forces of his Cybertronian Empire launch an attack on the Autobot fleet, too fast for them to counterattack. The Autobot ships, including the one Rodimus is in, are all taken down. Ultra Magnus’ group attempts to make a run for a rail transit system connecting the various Hub worlds and disappear. Kup contacts someone with orders to ‘initiate meltdown scenario’. As Magnus’ group races through the surface of the planet, Hound is killed by the forces. They attempt to split up to draw attention, but the Cybertronians’ numbers are so overwhelming that the group cannot progress any further. Jhiaxus directly contacts Rodimus Prime and offers him to surrender, or have all his troops be killed. Watching scenes of Autobots dying all around him, Rodimus reluctantly surrenders.

The Ark: The Underbase-possessed Starscream arrives on another Hub world, using his power to manipulate the minds of onlookers. When inquired by Shockwave, the Underbase identifies itself as ‘the fourth seeking the fifth’. Wanting Shockwave’s assistance, the Underbase separates Shockwave from the Ark and repairs his body.

Primus Chamber: as the Unicron cultists deliver Galvatron’s unconscious form to their master, their lives are drained by their master… who appear to be Primus himself, crackling with green energy, proclaiming that soon the distinctions between order, chaos, good and evil will soon be moot.

Characters Featured [in rough order of appearance]: Cybertronian Soldiers (killed), Jetfire, Rodimus Prime, Blurr, Blaster, Bumblebee, Kup, Hound (killed), Ultra Magnus, Nightbeat, Scattershot, Blades, Groove, Wheeljack, Powerglide, Jazz, Sky High, Skids, Getaway, Beachcomber, Jhiaxus, G.B. Blackrock, Gordon Kent, Linda Chang, Optimus Prime, Circuit Smasher, Fortress Maximus, Fastlane, Chromedome, Underbase-Starscream, Shockwave, Unicron Cultists (killed), Galvatron, Primus Head

Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Blackjack

Transformers Regeneration One #99: The War to End All Wars, Part 4

26 February 2014
Written by: Simon Furman
Pencils by: Guido Guidi
Inks by: Stephen Baskerville
Colours by: John-Paul Bove
Letters by: Chris Mowry
Edited by: John Barber

Synopsis: Zero Space: Circuit Smasher finds himself suspended by energy bonds. A disembodied voice tells him that he embodies ‘the trinity’ of human, Nebulan and Cybertronian, which can be used to cross over the multiverse. The mysterious speaker materializes as Spike’s dead brother, Buster, who blames Circuit Smasher over his role in Buster’s death.

Hub Network: Rodimus Prime is brought before Jhiaxus on the Throneworld, and Jhiaxus once more asks the Prime to join his empire, even offering to spare the captive Autobots that are not tainted by external species. Elsewhere, however, under the orders of Kup, the Wreckers are zipping through the various Hub worlds through a rail system. Rook informs Jhiaxus about this, and Jhiaxus threatens Rodimus to stop the Wreckers, killing four Autobots to try and get the Autobot to stop them. Rodimus, not having any means to contact the Wreckers, tells Jhiaxus that only death can stop the Autobot squad.

Earth: G.B. Blackrock tries to repair Optimus Prime to try and reactivate the Space Bridge, while Linda Chang organizes an army and readies a missile launch to close the Space Bridge for good.

Cybertron: The Demons all seal themselves in protective cocoons. The Dinobots are baffled, but Grimlock suddenly realizes that he has recently been controlled by something, and then had memories of it erased, claiming that the thing that did so was ‘the Dark from VsQs’, further confusing the other Dinobots.

On the Star Chamber, a group of Autobots report about the lack of communication from Earth and Nebulos, but suddenly a possessed Galvatron charges in and slaughters everyone.

The Hub: The Wreckers take out the massive group of Cybertronian warriors that caught up with them with an atmos-field and a bomb. Shockwave and the Underbase-Starscream decide to join in the battle, the former using his mental command over the Ark to help take out Cybertronian troops. Jhiaxus grows furious at his lack of control over the situation, and orders Rodimus Prime to be escorted away. As Jhiaxus prepares to enter the battle himself, he is confronted by the Underbase. Jhiaxus recognizes the Underbase, surprised that it still exists, but the Underbase absorbs Jhiaxus. Rook runs away, leaving his master to die.

Rodimus breaks free of the bonds and takes out his jailers, then heads to the prison and frees the Autobots. The separate assaults by Shockwave and the Wreckers have caused the Hub to suffer enough damage to be irreparable. Shockwave stops to recover the unconscious Starscream, seemingly free of the Underbase, rather confused why he is doing it himself. All those aboard the Hub abandon it as it collapses upon itself. As they leave, Rodimus considers the victory a pyrrhic one, because Jhiaxus was merely following the genetic imperative Primus placed to spread order. Rodimus starts to think that with all that’s going on revolving around Primus, there may be an enemy within. And it’s true, as on Cybertron the Anti-Matrix creature bursts out from within a lake near a population center…

Characters Featured [in rough order of appearance]: Circuit Smasher, Buster Witwicky (vision), Primus Head, Jhiaxus (killed), Rodimus Prime, Cybertronian Soldiers (killed), Ultra Magnus, Bumblebee, Chromedome, Prowl, Kup, Roadbuster, Whirl, Rack’n’Ruin, Topspin, Broadside, Sandstorm, Rook, Joyride (killed), Sky High (killed), Crosshairs (killed), Brainstorm (killed), Shockwave, Underbase-Starscream, Linda Chang, Optimus Prime, G.B. Blackrock, Sludge, Swoop, Grimlock, Snarl, Slag, Demons, Galvatron, Boltax, Decanus, Tallus, Rokan, Jetfire, Hardhead, Blaster, Blurr, Gutcruncher, Kick-Off, Axer, Anti-Matrix

Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Blackjack

Transformers Regeneration One #100: The War to End All Wars, Part 5

19 March 2014
Written by: Simon Furman
Pencils by: Andrew Wildman (pg 1-10), Geoff Senior (11-20), Guido Guidi (21-32)
Inks by: Stephen Baskerville (Wildman and Guidi pages), Geoff Senior
Colours by: John-Paul Bove
Letters by: Chris Mowry
Edited by: John Barber

Synopsis: Rodimus Prime’s forces return to Cybertron, finding that the planet unresponsive. Upon landing they find that the planet seems to have been aged and transformed, with no one around. Rodimus, in his horror, realizes that the absence of the Autobot forces has been orchestrated, and concludes that a dark entity has been posing as Primus, dangling half-truths and goading them into confronting Jhiaxus. Suddenly, what appears to be living shadows attack and suck the life out of Hosehead and Slingshot. The Autobots prepare to battle, and Blaster manages to trap one of them in a sonic bubble. Perceptor finds out that the creature was once Iguanus, and that all these ‘Shadow-leeches’ are former Transformers, transfigured into undeath alongside their world. Jetfire is dispatched to retrieve the Sword of Primus. The Dinobots, having survived the transfiguration arrive and back up the Autobots. Grimlock reveals that his brief possession by the Anti-Matrix has somehow given him immunity against the Shadow-leeches, and the other Dinobots have been saved by their proximity to Grimlock during the transfiguration. Jetfire returns with the sword, and Rodimus is able to use it to drive off the creatures and create a safe zone for the Autobots.

The Dinobots bring Rodimus up to speed, how everyone on the planet except for them were transformed by a wave, as well as Galvatron’s attack on the space bridge nexus, taking the entire network down other than the portals linking Cybertron, Earth and Nebulos. Rodimus is reminded of something from the Covenant of Primus about a ‘trinity’ of planets that holds the gateway to the other realities of the ‘multiverse’. Rodimus tells Magnus to lead the others to deal with Galvatron and retake the Star Chamber, while he prepares to deal with the creature in Zero Space.

Zero Space: Circuit Smasher is continued to be mentally tortured by the Anti-Matrix, this time materializing as his father and continue to guilt-tripping him. The Anti-Matrix creature notes how the crack in Zero Space is widening, how he can glimpse other universes, instigated by the mental torture on Spike, as well as the chaos of Galvatron razing Nebulos, the last of the three planets to remain intact.

Rodimus realizes that the Anti-Matrix has been pulling his strings, stroking his ego, and the only time it failed to do so was when it dangled the Sword and the Covenant before him in an attempt to drive him to commit genocide upon the Demons. Rodimus uses the Covenant to open a portal to Zero Space, which Rodimus notes to be the void that Primus left when he left this particular plane of existence. Rodimus confronts the Anti-Matrix, the corrupted Creation Matrix that once possessed the Deathbringer, who claims everything is progressing as he wants to.

Star Chamber: As the Autobots arrive on the locked-out Space Bridge nexus, Kup and the Dinobots elect to tear their way through the doors instead of waiting for Nightbeat hacking the system. The Shadow-leeches arrive, however, claiming Streetwise’s life. Grimlock holds the creatures off, while Magnus divides the present Autobot into two teams to Earth and Nebulos, expecting to find Galvatron.

Zero Space: Rodimus watches Spike being tortured, unable to reach the human. The Anti-Matrix entity reveals that he had been teleported to Cybertron alongside the other Transformers by Primus before the Unicron battle. Seeking refuge in one of the Unicron cultists, the Anti-Matrix discovers a graveyard of Transformers in Primus’ chamber, and started draining the remaining spark energy. It also took command of the Demons and ordered them to abduct living victims. Integrating itself into Cybertron in place of Primus, the Anti-Matrix creature thrived as Cybertron was plunged into chaos, and when peace came, it instigated the lingering flames of war by influencing Soundwave to take out the ever-watchful Last Autobot, and manipulated Scorponok to sow even more chaos. Growing as much as it can within the universe, the Anti-Matrix wishes to ascend into the multiverse but requires a Matrix to do so. The creature somehow summons three Optimus Primes and has them attack Rodimus. As the rift grows bigger, Rodimus recalls his past vision of the multiverse, and launches the Covenant to send ripples through it. As he is overwhelmed by the three Optimus Primes and the Anti-Matrix, an army of alternate universe Hot Rods and Rodimus Primes arrive to answer his call for help.

On Nebulos, Ultra Magnus’ team arrives to find the destruction wrought by Galvatron. On Earth, the Autobot team sent there is briefly assaulted by Linda Chang’s forces, but Roadbuster, knowing the humans, is able to broker a peace to help them find Spike. Magnus’ team launches an assault on Galvatron. Ultra Magnus personally charges in and kills Galvatron by crushing his head, but before he could be blindsided by the mind-controlled Fortress Maximus, the humans and the Earth team arrive, and Kup is forced to put down the turned Autobot.

Earth: The team led by Kup and Prowl is met with fire from the distraught Linda Chang, but Roadbuster, recognizing them, is quickly able to calm her down and they team up to rescue both Optimus and Spike.

Zero Space: As the Rodimus army assaults the Anti-Matrix entity, Rodimus manages to snap the real Optimus Prime out of the Anti-Matrix’s control. Optimus tells Rodimus that the entity cannot be truly destroyed. Rodimus understands that Primus’ grand plan spans multiple realities to create an optimum universe, and to prevent it from being contaminated by the Anti-Matrix, their reality must be severed from the multiverse. Optimus tells Rodimus to make his choice as he struggles against the Anti-Matrix’s influence, who knocks back all the other Rodimi.

Rodimus talks to the imprisoned Spike, getting him to deal with his guilt. And as Rodimus denies the Anti-Matrix, Spike finally breaks free of his bonds. The Anti-Matrix makes a run for the rift, which is closing thanks to Spike and Galvatron being taken out of the picture, but Rodimus stabs it with the Sword of Primus. In a flash of light, Zero Space, the Anti-Matrix and the alternate-universe Primes vanish, depositing Rodimus Prime, Spike and the dying Optimus Prime in Primus’ chamber. Optimus thanks Rodimus for saving Primus’ dream, before passing away.

Eons later, an aged Rodimus Prime walks the molten surface of a dead Cybertron, reflecting on the events that had transpired before. Having been cut off from the multiverse and Primus himself, the Transformers have slowly become mortal. After the Anti-Matrix creature’s demise, Cybertron has been so corrupted that the remaining Transformers (even former Decepticons like Starscream, Shockwave and Ravage) had spread out across the galaxy, bringing peace to other races. Earth and Nebulos join together in harmony to rebuild both their ruined worlds. However, now, Rodimus is the last remaining Cybertronian and had returned to their ruined homeworld to die. As the elderly Autobot finally dies alone on the planet, the remaining traces of his energy touch the cocoons created by the Demons, and like a blooming flower it cracks open to reveal the first of a new generation…

For after all... it never ends.

Characters Featured [in rough order of appearance]: Jhiaxus’ Body, Rodimus Prime, Blaster, Blurr, Jetfire, Primus Head, Ultra Magnus, Prowl, Kup, Wheeljack, Nightbeat, Bumblebee, Shadow-Leeches, Hosehead (killed), Slingshot (killed), Mirage, Highbrow, Perceptor, Iguanus, Tailgate (killed), Swoop, Slag, Grimlock, Snarl, Galvatron (killed), Scattershot (killed), Circuit Smasher, Sparkplug Witwicky (vision), Alternate-Universe Transformers, Anti-Matrix (killed), Demons (flashback), Jazz, Red Alert, Hardhead, Streetwise (killed), Topspin, Unicron Cultists (flashback), Runabout (flashback), Dreadwind (flashback), Darkwing (flashback), Soundwave (flashback), Last Autobot (flashback), Optimus Prime (killed), two other Optimus Primes, Backstreet, Linda Chang, Alternate Rodimus Army, Fortress Maximus (killed), Gordon Kent, G.B. Blackrock, Borx, Starscream, Ravage, Shockwave, Botanica?

Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Blackjack

King of Shadows

Written by: Simon Furman
Illustration by: John-Paul Bove
Bonus text story included with #100

Synopsis: As the Shadow-leeches and the Anti-Matrix take over Cybertron, Ravage manages to move through ‘clean’ shadows to avoid the Shadow-leeches taking over. He finds his fangs ineffective against them, and Ravage finds himself being the prey, the only living thing left on Cybertron after everyone was turned into shadows. Ravage reflects how the dark Anti-Matrix creature has been whispering in Soundwave’s ears to restart the great war, and when Ravage had seen the Anti-Matrix through Soundwave’s eyes, he had stopped trusting his friend. Now, Ravage can sense that his once-friend has been transformed into a shadow-leech thanks to their once symbiotic relationship.

A flash of light distracts the creatures, and Ravage drops his guard for a moment, causing the Soundwave-shadow to attack him. Ravage could sense the other cassettes within the Soundwave-creature, and it wants to re-absorb all its former minions, including Ravage. As Ravage prepares himself for his demise, the Ark suddenly appears and Starscream distracts the Soundwave-shadow long enough to rescue Ravage.

However, in the following millennia, Ravage, Shockwave and Starscream travel the stars as the last Decepticons – however, having lost their lust of war, Shockwave and Starscream preach tolerance and unity. Ravage, on the other hand, will continue to ensure that the shadows and the Decepticon ideal live on.

Characters Featured [in rough order of appearance]: Ravage, Shadow-leeches, Soundwave (killed), Beastbox (killed), Squawktalk (killed), Howlback (killed), Wingthing (killed), Slugfest (killed), Overkill (killed), Starscream, Shockwave

Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Blackjack

 

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