THE TRANSFORMERS: COMICS, BOOKS AND MANGA

Cover Date: 13/10/90

Script: Simon Furman
Art: Geoff Senior
Letters: Jim Massara
Colours: Nel Yomtov

Originally Printed In: Pages 6-10 of US Transformers #65, dated April 1990.

NB: For the other Transformers strip, "Legacy of Unicron" was reprinted. It was split into twelve parts and ran from #290 to #301. #291 contained the second half of #146.

Synopsis: The Autobot team are pondering their next move when Thunderwing charges into the base, demanding the Matrix. A scuffle breaks out between the Autobots and Thunderwing and his team.

Notes: Thunderwing captured Nightbeat, Siren and Hosehead in #264.

Transformers featured [in rough order of appearance]: Bumblebee, Jazz, Grimlock, Thunderwing, Ruckus, Hosehead, Nightbeat, Siren, Spinister, Needlenose, Windsweeper.

Back-Up Strips:
GI Joe: The Action Force - "Bailout" Part 2
Combat Colin

Review: A fine continuation. The Matrix Quest finally finds some sort of higher gear, with a decent fight scene and some excellent characterisation for the Autobot trio.

Cover Date: 20/10/90

Script: Simon Furman
Art: Geoff Senior
Letters: Jim Massara
Colours: Nel Yomtov

Originally Printed In: Pages 11-15 of US Transformers #65, dated April 1990.

NB: For the other Transformers strip, "Legacy of Unicron" was reprinted. It was split into twelve parts and ran from #290 to #301. #292 contained the first half of #147.

Synopsis: Thunderwing knocks out Grimlock and Bumblebee, and the battle is nearly over when an alien creature attacks Windsweeper. Meanwhile, on Earth, Shockwave emerges from the sea, killing a human who observes him. Back on VsQs, Thunderwing prevents Needlenose from killing the creature, as it has the Matrix. Sensing Thunderwing, the creature flees, with the Decepticon giving chase.

Notes: Thunderwing destroys Bumblebee's Pretender shell, which causes severe feedback to Bumblebee.

Transformers featured [in rough order of appearance]: Grimlock, Thunderwing, Bumblebee, Windsweeper, Shockwave, Jazz, Needlenose.

Back-Up Strips:
GI Joe: The Action Force - "Bailout" Part 3
Combat Colin

Review: Blessed with startling visuals and an excellent pace, "Dark Creation" continues to impress. The dissent in Thunderwing's troops, and their leader's obsession, are finally beginning to be portrayed believably.

Cover Date: 27/10/90

Script: Simon Furman
Art: Geoff Senior
Letters: Jim Massara
Colours: Nel Yomtov

Originally Printed In: Pages 16-20 of US Transformers #65, dated April 1990.

NB: For the other Transformers strip, "Legacy of Unicron" was reprinted. It was split into twelve parts and ran from #290 to #301. #293 contained the second half of #147.

Synopsis: Jazz, Bumblebee and Grimlock set out after Thunderwing, and managed to stumble over the Matrix. Thunderwing promptly arrives, but the creature attacks him, protecting the Matrix. In the confusion, Bumblebee grabs the Matrix and the Autobots prepare to leave. Later, their shuttle lands. Optimus Prime and Hot Rod move forward to greet the team, only to find Thunderwing on board, with the Matrix.

Notes: Optimus Prime can sense the Matrix within a certain proximity. Thunderwing uses it to fire bolts of energy.

Transformers featured [in rough order of appearance]: Grimlock, Jazz, Bumblebee, Needlenose, Windsweeper, Spinister, Thunderwing, Optimus Prime, Hot Rod.

Back-Up Strips:
GI Joe: The Action Force - "Bailout" Part 4
Combat Colin

Review: A fine conclusion, with a well-pitched ending. Furman has rediscovered his ability to build epic storylines at long last. It's his best script for some time - possibly as far back as the Flame stories, and the best US story up to this point. Splendid stuff.

Cover Date: 03/11/90

Script: Simon Furman
Art: Geoff Senior
Letters: Jim Massara
Colours: Nel Yomtov

Originally Printed In: Pages 1-5 of US Transformers #66, dated May 1990.

NB: For the other Transformers strip, "Legacy of Unicron" was reprinted. It was split into twelve parts and ran from #290 to #301. #294 contained the first half of #148.

Synopsis: Unicron destroys the planet of Ghennix. Three criminals attempt to flee the dying planet in a shuttle, but Unicron captures them, recreates them as Hook, Line and Sinker, and sends them to find an agent of his. Back on the Ark, Thunderwing is using the Matrix to decimate the Autobots, but Prime will not allow force to endanger the Matrix.

Notes: Unicron can teleport, but only small distances due to his size. The population of Ghennix [which numbered sixty billion before the arrival of Unicron] are mechanoids.

Transformers featured [in rough order of appearance]: Thunderwing, Optimus Prime, Hot Rod, Joyride, Crosshairs, Landmine [killed by Thunderwing].

Notable Others: Unicron, Hook [first appearance], Line [first appearance], Sinker [first appearance].

Production Notes: The price goes up to 50p.

Extras: A funky Autobot logo sew-on patch.

Back-Up Strips:
GI Joe: The Action Force - "Stiletto" Part 1
Combat Colin [back in black and white]

Review: The instalment suffers a little from the UK format, meaning three pages detail Unicron's recruitment of his heralds, and there's thus not much meat to the main plot by the time the reader gets there. Still, a fair set-up.

Cover Date: 10/11/90

Script: Simon Furman
Art: Geoff Senior
Letters: Jim Massara
Colours: Nel Yomtov

Originally Printed In: Pages 6-10 of US Transformers #66, dated May 1990.

NB: For the other Transformers strip, "Legacy of Unicron" was reprinted. It was split into twelve parts and ran from #290 to #301. #295 contained the second half of #148.

Synopsis: Optimus Prime manages to get into position to kill Thunderwing, but hesitates, allowing the Decepticon to recover and blast him. Thunderwing's troops watch on, bemused by their leader's behaviour. Optimus asks of the fate of Grimlock, Jazz and Bumblebee to buy some time. Thunderwing tells him that the low gravity on VsQs slowed the Autobots down, giving him the time to destroy the creature, catch up with them and regain the Matrix. His recollection allows reinforcements to jump Thunderwing. His blundering causes the Matrix to take control.

Notes: Optimus Prime had carried the Matrix for "four million years" [an approximation].

Transformers featured [in rough order of appearance]: Optimus Prime, Thunderwing [possessed by the Matrix], Ruckus, Spinister, Windsweeper, Needlenose, Bumblebee [flashback], Jazz [flashback], Grimlock [flashback], Kup, Blurr, Waverider, Highbrow, Brainstorm.

Back-Up Strips:
GI Joe: The Action Force - "Stiletto" Part 2
Combat Colin

Review: The action continues to move along nicely, and Prime's dilemma and the characterisation of Thunderwing adds meat to the bones. That said, it does tickle me that after less than a dozen pages, the Matrix decides Thunderwing's useless and starts doing things itself.

Cover Date: 17/11/90

Script: Simon Furman
Art: Geoff Senior
Letters: Jim Massara
Colours: Nel Yomtov

Originally Printed In: Pages 11-15 of US Transformers #66, dated May 1990.

NB: For the other Transformers strip, "Legacy of Unicron" was reprinted. It was split into twelve parts and ran from #290 to #301. #296 contained the first half of #149.

Synopsis: Onboard the Autobot shuttle, Nightbeat, Siren and Hosehead are back online, and try to work out how best to help their comrades. Back on Earth, Shockwave observes Starscream sneaking out of the Decepticon base, and decides he's just the ally he needs. Inside the Ark, the Matrix is easily defeating the Autobots. Prime tries to bring Thunderwing back into control of his own body. However, the Matrix guns him down, and moves in for the kill.

Notes: Nightbeat and co. were accidentally released in #291.

Transformers featured [in rough order of appearance]: Ruckus, Needlenose, Spinister, Windsweeper, Nightbeat, Hosehead, Siren, Shockwave, Starscream, Chromedome, Thunderwing [possessed by the Matrix], Getaway, Blurr, Waverider, Optimus Prime, Kup.

Back-Up Strips:
GI Joe: The Action Force - "Stiletto" Part 3
Combat Colin

Review: A decent action instalment. Having Nightbeat back in the mix does no harm, while something's building in the atmospheric Shockwave interlude. Some interesting visuals from Senior help too.

Cover Date: 24/11/90

Script: Simon Furman
Art: Geoff Senior
Letters: Jim Massara
Colours: Nel Yomtov

Originally Printed In: Pages 16-20 of US Transformers #66, dated May 1990.

NB: For the other Transformers strip, "Legacy of Unicron" was reprinted. It was split into twelve parts and ran from #290 to #301. #297 contained the second half of #149.

Synopsis: Nightbeat has concocted a plan. Outside, Spinister manages to briefly reason with Thunderwing, but the Matrix retakes control. Just then, Nightbeat fires the shuttle's harpoon into the possessed Decepticon's back. Hosehead shuts off the gravity, and the shuttle is sucked out into space, taking Thunderwing and the Matrix with it. With the gravity restored, Thunderwing's troops surrender. Despite the loss of the Matrix, Optimus is upbeat - the Transformers have faced the dark side of themselves, and won.

Notes: Hot Rod claims three Autobots were deactivated in the battle. This makes Landmine, and two others who aren't made clear - Crosshairs was hit by Thunderwing in #294 and won't be seen again, so he's possibly one of them.

Transformers featured [in rough order of appearance]: Siren, Hosehead, Nightbeat, Thunderwing [possessed by the Matrix], Optimus Prime, Spinister, Ruckus, Windsweeper, Needlenose, Hot Rod, Blurr, Waverider.

Back-Up Strips:
GI Joe: The Action Force - "Stiletto" Part 4
Combat Colin

Review: The unexpected ending makes this a fine conclusion. There are several other wonderful moments - Spinister's speech, the Decepticon surrender, Nightbeat's characterisation, Prime's speech... Splendid. The Matrix Quest suffers from a loose format [the first four segments may have worked better with all four teams being followed simultaneously], but the last two stories make it worthy.

Cover Date: 01/12/90

Script: Simon Furman
Pencils: José Delbo
Inks: Danny Bulandi
Letters: Jim Massara
Colours: Nel Yomtov

Originally Printed In: Pages 1-5 of US Transformers #67, dated June 1990.

NB: For the other Transformers strip, "Legacy of Unicron" was reprinted. It was split into twelve parts and ran from #290 to #301. #298 contained the first half of #150.

Synopsis: 2009, and New York is a destroyed city. Galvatron's Decepticons hold sway over North America, and he and the Pretender Monsters are sweeping the city for the last remnants of the Autobots.

Notes: Rodimus Prime is dead in this future. It's a different alternate reality to any of the others we've seen yet.

Transformers featured [in rough order of appearance]: Galvatron, Wildfly [first appearance], Bristleback [first appearance], Scowl [first appearance], Birdbrain [first appearance], Icepick [first appearance], Slog [first appearance]. Rodimus Prime's body is also seen.

Back-Up Strips:
GI Joe: The Action Force - "Stiletto" Part 4
Combat Colin

Review: José Delbo's finest work. An effective scene-setter which re-establishes Galvatron's character and power, with an excellent funereal atmosphere.

Cover Date: 08/12/90

Script: Simon Furman
Pencils: José Delbo
Inks: Danny Bulandi
Letters: Jim Massara
Colours: Nel Yomtov

Originally Printed In: Pages 6-10 of US Transformers #67, dated June 1990.

NB: For the other Transformers strip, "Legacy of Unicron" was reprinted. It was split into twelve parts and ran from #290 to #301. #299 contained the second half of #150.

Synopsis: Icepick is crushed by a human booby trap left in New York. This sends Galvatron into a brief rage, blasting Rodimus Prime's carcass and raging about North America becoming radioactive dust by midnight. Over in New Jersey, the seven remaining Autobots and their human allies gather for one last desperate stand before the rest of the world launches nuclear missiles to take out the Decepticons. The Autobots need rallying from Spike, just in time for the narrow window for their plan to open.

Notes: Galvatron's forces hold sway over North America. The timeline diverges from the regular one when Unicron is able to destroy Cybertron [most likely in an alternate version of the forthcoming Unicron battle]. He killed Rodimus Prime [presumably created after Optimus Prime's death battling Unicron]. The Autobots formed an alliance with the humans [while not stated explicitly, later events in this story would suggest just the US military], but to no avail. The surviving seven Autobots are Prowl, Jazz, Inferno, Guzzle, Getaway, Chainclaw and Crossblades.

Transformers featured [in rough order of appearance]: Icepick [crushed by a booby trap], Slog, Wildfly, Galvatron, Rodimus Prime [corpse and flashback, destroyed by Galvatron], Chainclaw, Jazz, Guzzle, Inferno, Prowl, Bumblebee [flashback, killed by Scourge], Blurr [flashback, killed by Cyclonus], Scourge [flashback], Cyclonus [flashback], Crossblades [first appearance].

Notable Others: Spike, Lisa [first appearance].

Back-Up Strips:
GI Joe: The Action Force - "Divided We Fall" Part 2
Combat Colin

Review: The atmosphere is maintained through effective scripting for the doom-laden Autobots and decent use of flashbacks.

Cover Date: 15/12/90

Script: Simon Furman
Pencils: José Delbo
Inks: Danny Bulandi
Letters: Jim Massara
Colours: Nel Yomtov

Originally Printed In: Pages 11-15 of US Transformers #67, dated June 1990.

NB: For the other Transformers strip, "Legacy of Unicron" was reprinted. It was split into twelve parts and ran from #290 to #301. #300 contained the first half of #151.

Synopsis: The Autobots head to the Decepticons' base, and stumble over Scourge and Cyclonus, causing them to launch their attack prematurely. Crossblades sacrifices himself to take out the Decepticons' shield generator, allowing the rest of the Autobots to attack.

Notes: Unicron gave Galvatron Earth as a reward before "he departed" [this could be a reference to the theory borne out by later events - that one Unicron exists across myriad parallel realities, and Unicron has departed to the 'regular' timeline to destroy its' Cybertron].

Transformers featured [in rough order of appearance]: Cyclonus, Scourge, Getaway, Prowl, Chainclaw, Guzzle, Inferno, Jazz, Crossblades [destroyed crashing into the shield generator], Laserbeak, Astrotrain, Octane, Runabout [killed by Inferno].

Notable Others: Spike, Lisa.

Extras: The cover is a wraparound.

Letters Page: Blaster takes over the letters' page, now titled Darn 'n' Blast.

Back-Up Strips:
GI Joe: The Action Force - "Divided We Fall" Part 3
Combat Colin

Review: Delbo's art goes a bit wobbly for the action scenes, which is a shame as there are quite a few. It's nothing extra-special script-wise, a melding of Furman staples.