THE TRANSFORMERS: COMICS, BOOKS AND MANGA

Synopsis: Spike has left the Autobots, and is now taking a skiing holiday with his college friend Cliff. He chucks his Headmaster control helmet into a junkyard on the way. However, Carnivac and Snarler find it on a mission for Scorponok to kill Spike, and set off in pursuit. They lay in wait at the Ski resort to attack.

Notes: Carnivac has been on Earth since #201.

Errors: Why does Spike want to go on a skiing holiday with Cliff when he's so obviously not too fond of being with him...?

Transformers featured [in rough order of appearance]: Fortress Maximus [flashback], Optimus Prime [flashback], Seaspray [flashback], Carnivac, Snarler [first appearance]. Blaster's body is also seen in flashback.

Notable Others: Spike, Buster, Sparkplug.

Extras: A-Z covers Metroplex.

Back-Up Strips:
Action Force - "Desperate Moves" Part 4
Combat Colin

Review: A none-too-interesting rerun of the Witwicky family's entanglement with the Transformers, with Cliff [surely the bastard son of Donny 'Robot Master' Finkelberg?] being a totally risible character. Only the moderately sensible, if sparse, Decepticon behaviour makes it halfway readable.

Synopsis: Snarler and Carnivac pursue Spike and Cliff, but they give them the slip and hide out for the night. Spike then realises he can summon Fortress Maximus even without his helmet, and does so. Maximus then fights off the Decepticons, after recombining with Spike.

Notes: Fortress Maximus' body has compartments for Cerebros and Spike's armour.

Errors: Security on the Ark is a little bit lax if no-one wonders why Maximus' body just walks out of the door. How do they recover the damn thing? The hole for Max' head to attach changes size, design and disappears altogether on page 5. On page 11, Max' eyes are uncoloured.

Transformers featured [in rough order of appearance]: Carnivac, Snarler, Cerebros, Fortress Maximus.

Notable Others: Spike.

Extras: April's Classic Covers Calendar features #152.

Back-Up Strips:
Action Force - "Desperate Moves" Part 5

Review: Aside from some interesting information on the power of binary bonding [the ultimate evolution of what's mentioned here will be very important come the end of the series], it's a bit of a dull 'facing up to your responsibilities' and 'finding the power within yourself' story, not helped by Cliff.

"Guess Who the Mecannibals are Having for Dinner?" Part 1

Synopsis: At the Grand Central Space Station, Cloudburst and Landmine are trying to find microchips to repair the Underbase casualties, but get side-tracked when they see a robot thrown to space in a bar, and it then disappears.

Notes: Robots are unwelcome at the Station, which has a huge black market and is only a few light-years from Earth. Most of the Underbase casualties suffered from massive microchip overload.

Errors: Bits of Landmine's orange/grey shell keeps on going yellow or purple. In the background on page 3, one of the aliens appears to be clutching his crotch.

Transformers featured [in rough order of appearance]: Cloudburst, Landmine, Optimus Prime [flashback]. Blaster, Gears, Grimlock and Goldbug's bodies are also seen in flashback.

Notable Others: Hi-Test, Throttle.

Review: Not terribly engaging, with a desperate stab at a Star Wars cantina scene and a pretty dull storyline.

"The Fall and Rise of the Decepticon Empire" Part 1

Synopsis: Arriving back on Cybertron, Megatron and Ravage are shocked to find Autobots wandering around the Decepticon capital of Helex unmolested. They head to the main citadel, where they find the ruling Triumvirate indulging themselves watching gladiatorial games. When they notice Megatron, they begin to deride him.

Notes: Megatron and Ravage left Earth at some point after #205.

Transformers featured [in rough order of appearance]: Megatron, Ravage, Legonis [first appearance], Octus [first appearance], Seizer [first appearance], Quake [first appearance], Ruckus, Crankcase, Windsweeper.

Production Notes: This issue was the first to be split into a new three-story format - one a reprint, generally of US material; one a new UK strip; and one a non-Transformer back-up story. This format would remain until #289. "The Fall and Rise of the Decepticon Empire" was originally intended as a single 11-page story, but was split in half to fit the new format. Dread Tidings gets a new look too, which makes the letters barely readable. The price also goes up to 38p.

Extras: A-Z covers Mirage and Mixmaster.

Back-Up Strips:
Visionaries - "The End" Part 1
Combat Colin

Review: The reduced page count makes it feel slightly insubstantial, but there's splashes of characterisation for Megatron, and the Triumvirate are great OTT villains. It's an interesting study of why the Decepticons never quite work, as in they're greedy, self-interested and too focused on personal power.

"Guess Who the Mecannibals are Having for Dinner?" Part 2

Synopsis: Landmine and Cloudburst strike a deal with two mysterious figures for the chips they need, but also stumble on a drunken Berko, who tells them of Sky Lynx' disappearance after dealing with the pair. The pair are in fact Hi-Test and Throttle, working on the station from the incognito Dreadwing. However, the Autobots insist on meeting their boss personally to continue the deal, and find him to be Master Mouth, a Mecannibal.

Errors: Dreadwing is incorrectly named "Darkwind". Throttle and Hi-Test were exiled from Nebulos in #177. Sky Lynx and Berko headed to Grand Central for some "r 'n' r" at some point since #190.

Transformers featured [in rough order of appearance]: Cloudburst, Landmine, Sky Lynx [flashback], Dreadwing.

Notable Others: Hi-Test, Throttle, Berko.

Review: A bit tedious, with too many ker-azy aliens and nods to the cantina scene in Star Wars to be especially enjoyable. Landmine and Cloudburst are both a bit bland and interchangeable, while Berko and Sky Lynx lose some sympathy because of their ongoing ability to leap into totally ridiculous situations. That said, it's not too bad until it hits you that those killer tomatoes rejects are going to be the villains...

"The Fall and Rise of the Decepticon Empire" Part 2

Synopsis: Megatron flies into a rage and attacks the Triumvirate's warriors, before realising that this will pave the route for Galvatron. Instead he talks to the Decepticons, and his words ring true with the Triggercons, who kill the Triumvirate. He plans to head to Earth with the loyal Decepticons, and do things right this time.

Transformers featured [in rough order of appearance]: Megatron, Ravage, Legonis [killed by Ruckus], Octus [killed by Crankcase], Seizer [killed by Windsweeper], Quake, Ruckus, Crankcase, Windsweeper.

Production Notes: "The Fall and Rise of the Decepticon Empire" was originally intended as a single 11-page story, but was split in half to fit the new format. This change led to the first page of the second part being hurriedly remounted, with a summary, the story title "Decepticon Empire (Part 2)" and the credits for the US strip being added instead. Not one of the editorial team's more shining moments, all in all.

Back-Up Strips:
Visionaries - "The End" Part 1
Combat Colin

Review: It's a great Megatron story, although the tight plotting means the ending, and the sudden changing of winds, feels a little pat. The latter, at least, can however be read as summing up the fickle nature that runs though the comic's Decepticons. Sullivan's art is good, with only the death of the Triumvirate letting it down.

"Guess Who the Mecannibals are Having for Dinner?" Part 3

Synopsis: The Autobots talk with the Mecannibals, who eat robots, when Sky Lynx is brought out for them to devour. Landmine's inner robot then appears, and frees Sky Lynx. He escapes, while Landmine uses a flash of Energon to cover his robot's return to his Pretender shell. He and Cloudburst then take the chips and leave.

Transformers featured [in rough order of appearance]: Cloudburst, Landmine, Sky Lynx.

Review: Once again, no great shakes, with the Mecannibals impossible to take seriously, which is a shame as they're basically the story. Even the most indefatigable Budiansky fan wouldn't argue with the assertion that his heart's long gone by this stage.

"Race with the Devil" Part 1

Synopsis: The Triggerbots are trying to find out what Dreadwing is up to on a mission, but the Decepticon ship jumps them. The Autobots fake the destruction of their ship, and follow the Decepticons down.

Notes: Override and Dogfight have been freed from the Decepticon prison since #192, and Backstreet has returned to Cybertron since #193.

Transformers featured [in rough order of appearance]: Dreadwing, Backstreet, Override, Dogfight.

Notable Others: Throttle, Hi-Test.

Production Notes: "Race with the Devil" was originally intended as a 22-page story across two issues, but was split into four rather than two parts to fit the new format.

Extras: A-Z profiles Motormaster and Octane.

Back-Up Strips:
Visionaries - "The End" Part 3
Combat Colin

Review: Just a chase scene, really. The Triggerbots are one of the few groups that Furman just won't be able to breath any life into, they're just three totally average identikit Heroic Autobots™, capable of Noble Sacrifices™ etc... Dreadwind and Darkwing's fun characterisations are also absent, the end's silly, and Wildman's art is quite bland.

"Guess Who the Mecannibals are Having for Dinner?" Part 4

Synopsis: Landmine and Cloudburst hook up with Berko, but Throttle and Hi-Test realise they're Transformers, and have them thrown out into space, where Dreadwing captures them, and takes them back to the Mecannibals

Transformers featured [in rough order of appearance]: Cloudburst, Landmine, Dreadwing.

Review: Not especially bad, just a bit silly. It's a real pain that the last page shows we have another issue of Mecannibals fun, as this story has probably been one of Budiansky's least enjoyable, not being as amiably bizarre as some of his other less, erm, conventional works.

"Race with the Devil" Part 2

Synopsis: The Triggerbots head to Earth. Meanwhile, in South Peru Darkwing and Dreadwind land, but are attacked. Throttle and Hi-Test escape, and bump into some archaeologists, lead by Susan Hoffman. They continue but find the Triggerbots, who discover the attacker to be the remains of Starscream.

Notes: Starscream was seemingly destroyed after absorbing the Underbase in #210.

Transformers featured [in rough order of appearance]: Backstreet, Override, Dogfight, Darkwing, Dreadwind, Starscream [zombie].

Notable Others: Throttle, Hi-Test, Susan.

Production Notes: "Race with the Devil" was originally intended as a 22-page story across two issues, but was split into four rather than two parts to fit the new format.

Extras: The Classic Covers Calendar for June [see #220...] features #133.

Back-Up Strips:
Visionaries - "The End" Part 4
Combat Colin

Review: Again, fairly dull, though the last page gives a bit of interest. At this stage Susan really seems like a superfluous addition, having not really been a very impressive character in either of her previous appearances. The elements are here for a great story, but no-one seems to be trying that hard.

"Recipe for Disaster!" Part 1

Synopsis: Captured by the Mecannibals, Cloudburst and Landmine try to use their shells to escape, but are soon surrounded by their captors.

Notes: Presumably Transformers have some sort of protection against magnets damaging their circuits, even if they do contain some ferrous elements.

Errors: Surely the magnets would tear the inner robot through the Pretender shell, instead of popping the things open? Or just attract the whole thing, shell as well

Transformers featured [in rough order of appearance]: Cloudburst, Landmine.

Review: Paralysingly dull, boring and tedious. Cloudburst and Landmine are two of the least interesting characters to fill a frame, let alone deserve a second storyline to themselves.

"Race with the Devil" Part 3

Synopsis: Starscream damages Backstreet, and the Triggerbots have to debate their next move, as they try to tackle the reanimated Decepticon. Meanwhile, Throttle and Hi-Test recharge their Decepticon partners, though Susan's party are captured by natives.

Transformers featured [in rough order of appearance]: Starscream [reanimated], Backstreet, Override, Dogfight, Darkwing, Dreadwind.

Notable Others: Throttle, Hi-Test, Susan.

Production Notes: "Race with the Devil" was originally intended as a 22-page story across two issues, but was split into four rather than two parts to fit the new format.

Back-Up Strips:
Visionaries - "The End" Part 5
Combat Colin

Review: More dull platitudes. It's amazing that there are about three plotlines in here, and it's still like watching paint dry. The lowest part is the Autobot Responsibility Debate™, Furman's old standby when he can't be bothered to write anything new.

"Recipe for Disaster!" Part 2

Synopsis: The Autobots talk their way out, agreeing to find garnishing for the Mecannibals' meal, though Berko is held hostage. Both Sky Lynx and Dreadwing follow them. They land on the planet Femax, and are met by a tribe of giant women.

Transformers featured [in rough order of appearance]: Cloudburst, Landmine, Dreadwing, Sky Lynx.

Notable Others: Hi-Test, Throttle, Berko.

Review: It's moving, but sadly in a pretty unpromising direction. Femax, planet of the females. Oh, joy. I won't even mention the idea that the Mecannibals let the Autobots go for those reasons...

"Race with the Devil" Part 4

Synopsis: Override sets off to find Susan's company. Backstreet realises that Starscream's body is being powered with the remnants of the Underbase, and tries to reason with him. Just then, Hi-Test and Throttle leap out and drain Starscream's body of the energy. The Decepticons gather up Starscream's remains and leave. Meanwhile, Override frees Susan and her colleagues.

Errors: In the penultimate frame, Susan is built like Guido Carosella.

Transformers featured [in rough order of appearance]: Dogfight, Starscream [reanimated, energy absorbed by Hi-Test and Throttle], Override, Backstreet, Darkwing, Dreadwind.

Notable Others: Throttle, Hi-Test, Susan.

Production Notes: "Race with the Devil" was originally intended as a 22-page story across two issues, but was split into four rather than two parts to fit the new format.

Back-Up Strips:
Visionaries - "The End" Part 6
Combat Colin

Review: The Susan subplot is dire, as is the denouement. Furman's blandest storyline since, well, probably the last one Susan was in.

"Recipe for Disaster!" Part 3

Synopsis: The Decepticons arrive on Femax, closely followed by Sky Lynx. The Autobots are taken before the ruler of the planet, known as the High. Cloudburst has to face several ordeals of combat to appease her for their transgression. She then takes quite a shine to him, until she shows him he's a robot.

Notes: Cloudburst confirms there are no genders amongst Transformers. No, they'll explain Arcee later. His Pretender shell can remove its' armour.

Transformers featured [in rough order of appearance]: Dreadwing, Darkwing, Dreadwind, Sky Lynx, Cloudburst, Landmine.

Notable Others: Hi-Test, Throttle.

Review: At least there's a general dearth of Mecannibals, though the whole thing is drowning horribly in Star Trek clichés. The High's fervent attempts to bed Cloudburst does provide some amusement, however.

"Survivors!" Part 1

Synopsis: On returning to reality from Limbo, Skids is pursued around Earth by limbo creatures constructed from his dreams that have followed him. He dives into a nuclear plant, intent on ending it all. Meanwhile, the remnants of the Wreckers are stuck on Earth, when Carnivac, Catilla and Snarler turn up.

Notes: Skids was in limbo from #101 to #205, returning after Galvatron's consumption by the timestorm, presumably. Megatron [Mega-clone] and Ravage stole the Decepticon shuttle the Wreckers arrived on Earth in [despite Springer's claim that the shuttle was "ours"]. Inferno's leg was damaged by Mega-clone in #201. Snarler, Carnivac and Catilla were given Pretender shells by Scorponok prior to their mission in #211, during which Catilla only provided some observation.

Errors: Skids' head design suddenly changes for no reason whatsoever. It looks exactly like the version on the original Diaclone mould for the Honda City E car, as reused on the Takara Premium Crosscut. Why don't the Autobots use the shuttle Inferno, Broadside and Sandstorm arrived in during #188 ?

Transformers featured [in rough order of appearance]: Skids, Springer, Broadside, Inferno, Catilla, Carnivac, Snarler.

Production Notes: "Survivors!" was originally intended as a 22-page story across two issues, but was split into four rather than two parts to fit the new format.

Back-Up Strips:
Visionaries - "The End" Part 7
Combat Colin

Review: An intriguing start, even if the format change means there's not much substance to it. It's great to see Skids again, and it's nice that the Wreckers are back in the mix, and that Furman hasn't just plumped for heroic sentimentality - Springer's cynicism is wonderful development.

"Recipe for Disaster!" Part 4

Synopsis: The High promptly decapitates Cloudburst. Landmine is able to talk sense into her, and Cloudburst is repaired, the Autobots leaving with their crystals. They are jumped by the Decepticons, but saved by Sky Lynx. They visit the Mecannibals, and force them to release Berko and repair all those they've destroyed, while also telling them of the Decepticons' nature as robots.

Notes: Despite what a disturbing number of people think, Hi-Test and Throttle are not at any point explicitly referred to as robots. True, some of the dialogue isn't crystal clear, but if someone who'd never met Fortress Maximus and knew nothing of his nature pointed at him and Spike and said "Get those robots!", it hardly makes Spike a robot, does it? I personally find reading comics when writing a comic guide is fantastically helpful... Landmine knows of the Sharkticons - presuming he's being truthful, he's fought them.

Errors: After losing everything saving Dreadwing, why do the Mecannibals then start chasing them around?

Transformers featured [in rough order of appearance]: Cloudburst, Landmine, Darkwing, Dreadwind, Sky Lynx, Dreadwing.

Notable Others: Hi-Test, Throttle, Berko.

Review: Well, it's over, and the last part is [relatively] good, what with the sheer comedy of the High beheading Cloudburst [with a comedy 'klonk' to boot] after a bout of sexual frustration - a definitive Delbo moment. Some of it's a bit muddy, especially the conclusion which makes the Mecannibals look impossibly dim. Still, Budiansky clearly doesn't want the job anymore.

"Survivors!" Part 2

Synopsis: The argument is interrupted when Inferno spots the emergency vehicles heading for the Hudden nuclear plant. The Autobots set off, leaving the trio of Decepticons behind. They head inside, and manage to talk Skids out of destroying the reactor, but then the creatures catch up with them.

Notes: Springer recognises Skids, which would suggest that Springer was alive before Arklaunch, or has read up on his files.

Errors: Skids still has the revised head.

Transformers featured [in rough order of appearance]: Carnivac, Springer, Inferno, Snarler, Broadside, Skids.

Production Notes: "Survivors!" was originally intended as a 22-page story across two issues, but was split into four rather than two parts to fit the new format.

Extras: A-Z covers Omega Supreme. The May Classic Covers Calendar [the dates were accidentally switched] features #136.

Back-Up Strips:
Action Force - "Divergent Paths" Part 1
Combat Colin [which reveals that the switched Classic Covers Calendars were down to Professor Madprof. See, Dreamwave was never this much fun...]

Review: Again, rather good, with the story picking up, and Carnivac finally moving somewhere after the jolting characterisation he got during "Time Wars". However, Dan Reed's wildly indistinct art really doesn't fit in black and white, with characters blending into the background, and the trio of Decepticons indistinguishable from each other. Still, it's a sign the new format could work, at least for the UK stories.