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THE TRANSFORMERS: COMICS, BOOKS AND MANGA

Marvel Comics
(1984-1994)
Japanese
Manga
Other Books
and Titles
Titan Books
(2001-2010)
Club/Con
(2001-2016)
Dreamwave
(2002-2004)
Devil's Due
(2003-2007)
IDW Publishing
(2005-now)

CURRENT TRANSFORMERS COMICS FROM IDW PUBLISHING

Transformers: An Ongoing Series #1-10

| Continuum | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 | #6 | #7 | #8 | #9 | #10 |

Transformers: Continuum

November 2009.

Written by Andy Schmidt, art by Ken Christensen.


Publisher solicitation: Brush up on current Transformers events with the Continuum, a special 32-page, ad-free book that runs through all the key players and important events in the Transformers universe so far! From their debut story in Infiltration all the way up through the end of All Hail Megatron -- the Continuum is an essential guide for every Transformers fan!

Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Blackjack

Transformers #1: ...For All Mankind

November 2009
Written By: Mike Costa
Art By: Don Figueroa
Colours By: James Brown
Letters By: Chris Mowry
Edits By: Andy Schmidt, Carlos Guzman & Denton J Tipton

Synopsis: After Megatron's reign on Earth, the Autobots have been in hiding among the humans for the last two years. Ratchet and Prowl, in their alternate modes, drive around the city, watching for any signs of trouble. Nearby, a desperate Breakdown destroys a power station in search for energon.

Skywatch monitors this attack, and Spike Witwicky orders his forces to capture Breakdown. Skywatch's team, armed with robotic suits reverse-engineered from Transformer technology, attack the Decepticon. Prowl and Streetwise are among the emergency vehicles on the scene. Breakdown is immobilized, and Skywatch's weapons forces the Stunticon into his alternate mode. However, Skywatch brings out their lethal particle cannons, apparently to destroy the Decepticon. Prowl, unable to watch as a fellow Cybertronian is terminated after taken prisoner, transforms.

However, Spike had been intending to draw him out, and his men takes down Prowl. As the immobilized Prowl and Breakdown are taken away, Streetwise contacts the Autobots. In the Autobot base, Wheeljack has engineered a counter to the inhibitors, and Prime orders him to apply it to their remaining forces. Hot Rod questions Prime's leadership, as well as the losses of Prowl, Gears and Windcharger, who have all been captured by Skywatch. Hot Rod also doesn't know why they were on Earth. Optimus Prime says that they need to protect Earth in case of Decepticon attack, but gives Hot Rod clearance to rescue Prowl anyway. Ironhide is assigned to go with Hot Rod to watch him.

The rescue attempt goes awry almost immediately, and it is revealed that Prowl was merely bait in a Skywatch trap. Skywatch's inhibitors do not function due to Wheeljack's counter, so they resort to lethal measures. While Hot Rod's team rescues Prowl, Ironhide intercepts a lethal blast meant for Hot Rod, and subsequently dies. Hot Rod goes into a fit, opening fire on humans.

Optimus Prime grieves for his friend, and after giving speech to his fellow Autobots, removes himself as active commander. Prime monologues about the end of the war and the new era, and drives into a Skywatch facility, and transform, raising his hands in surrender...

Featured Transformers: Ratchet, Prowl, Breakdown, Streetwise, Wheeljack, Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Drift, Hot Rod, Mirage, Ironhide (killed by Skywatch weapons), Sideswipe, Hound.
Slag, Devastator, Snarl, Grimlock, Sludge, Thundercracker, Sunstreaker, Blitzwing, Jazz, Megatron, Hardhead, Skywarp, Astrotrain, Starscream, Ravage, Rumble, Laserbeak, Soundwave, Scorponok, Kup, Swoop are all seen in the splash page.
Notable Others: Spike Witwicky, Skywatch Agents

Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Blackjack

Transformers #2: New Arrivals, Old Encounters

December 2009
Written By: Mike Costa
Art By: Don Figueroa
Colours By: James Brown
Letters By: Chris Mowry
Edits By: Andy Schmidt, Carlos Guzman & Denton J Tipton

Synopsis: Leaving a scantily-clad woman's house in Albuquerque, Spike Witwicky is informed by Skywatch agents informing him of Hot Rod's team's attack on their holding facility, as well as the subsequent surrender of Optimus Prime. They tell Spike to get to Skywatch base immediately.

Meanwhile, at the Autobot base, the Autobots discuss Prime's actions. Cliffjumper thinks that it is a test of some kind, but Hot Rod insists that it is a testament to Prime's inability to handle the situation. While the others call for a vote, Hot Rod decides to simply leave the planet. Brawn is ready to go to blows with Hot Rod, but the others tell him to stand down. Hot Rod asks if anyone else wants to join him in his desertion, and many Autobots—Jetfire, Red Alert, Mirage, Prowl, Sandstorm and Silverstreak—do so.

Meanwhile, Spike calls his father (his superior) about Prime's capture. However, Sparkplug is disappointed with Spike for abandoning his duties during the Autobot attack, and says that he'll discuss it with the other chiefs. The Autobots at the base begin their leadership election, and Cliffjumper immediately nominates himself.

In a nearby desert, Hot Rod, Mirage, Red Alert and Prowl try to recruit Omega Supreme into their band of deserters and try to find another world, which could be done by pooling their resources. However, Omega refuses to leave without Optimus Prime. However, from a cliff nearby, several Decepticons abandoned on Earth, led by Swindle and a vengeful Scrapper, observe them. They had been planning an assault on Omega Supreme, but now they see a better alternative.

The Decepticons attack, and a skirmish ensues. Omega Supreme suggests that Hot Rod's party hide within his armoured fortress, but Hot Rod rallies them into battle. Swindle is held at gunpoint by Hot Rod, but the Decepticon suddenly calls for a ceasefire, and gives a little speech about how the war is over and that factions no longer matter. Swindle proposes an alliance, a pooling of resources to leave Earth. Prowl is against the idea, but Hot Rod replies by saying Prowl got captured saving Breakdown's life. Prowl responds that saving a fellow Cybertronian is different with trusting Decepticons, to which Swindle responds that they all simply want to go home. Hot Rod puts it to a vote.

At Skywatch, Spike removes the inhibitor from Prime, allowing him to transform into robot mode.

In the Autobot base, Wheeljack brings in the results of the election and reveals the winner: Bumblebee. Bumblebee is surprised since he never nominated himself, while Cliffjumper jokes that it is only a popularity contest. Ratchet, however, assures 'Bee that he's the most trustworthy and dependable of them all. They are interrupted by the arrival of a Cybertronian ship. Ultra Magnus emerges and demands to know who is in charge. Bumblebee says that he is.

Featured Transformers: Breakdown, Optimus Prime, Ratchet, Cliffjumper, Brawn, Bumblebee, Hot Rod, Trailbreaker, Blurr, Mirage, Sideswipe, Hound, Jetfire, Red Alert, Jazz, Hot Spot, Prowl, Wheeljack, Omega Supreme, Swindle, Scrapper, Thundercracker, Drag Strip, Tankor, Reflector, Ultra Magnus
Notable Others: Spike Witwicky, Skywatch Agents, Sparkplug Witwicky

Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Blackjack

Transformers #3: A Rude Awakening

January 2010
Written By: Mike Costa
Art By: Don Figueroa
Colours By: James Brown
Letters By: Chris Mowry
Edits By: Denton J Tipton & Andy Schmidt

Synopsis: In an old army hangar, Jetfire complains to Hot Rod that the flow of information is so slow on Earth. Hot Rod tells Jetfire that he wants all the Autobots in human custody to be out as well, and shows Jetfire several new comrades, all of them Decepticons. Jetfire is reluctant, but Hot Rod tells him that there are no sides anymore. Meanwhile, Ultra Magnus, who is not on anybody's side, explains to the assembled Autobots that he’s there to investigate Ironhide’s death and Optimus Prime’s apparent defection. Under Cliffjumper's urging, Bumblebee tries to tell Magnus that Prime didn’t actually defect, but a glare from Magnus shuts him up.

In Skywatch HQ, Spike wants to make things easier for Optimus, but after a long, unproductive conversation, Optimus simply accepts his fate and broods in a corner. When questioned about this by his second-in-command, Spike says that he wants something to show the General (his father) when he arrives. At Autobase Ultra Magnus investigates Ironhide’s body, as if it were a scene of crime. Magnus frowns upon Bumblebee’s allowing of Hot Rod to desert, and questions Bumblebee’s leadership abilities. Magnus blatantly refuses to help out Bumblebee, though. Matters are made worse when Hoist, Tracks, Blurr and Beachcomber leave their base. At the Autobot/Decepticon camp, Jetfire refuses to cooperate with Hot Rod, saying that he’s a scientist, not an engineer. Meanwhile, Red Alert and Mirage aren’t happy at all with their new Decepticon friends. Swindle tries to be friendly, though.

Back at Skywatch’s HQ, Spike Witwicky sends a group to intercept Blurr’s party (who’s heading off to track down Hot Rod), to prove a point to Optimus. Beachcomber, Hoist and Tracks are brought down in quick succession, this time by unarmoured Skywatch agents. Tracks manages to tell Blurr to escape, which the speedy Autobot does. Spike asks Prime again if he wants to talk, displaying the three captured Autobots in front of him…

Featured Transformers: Jetfire, Hot Rod, Dead End, Motormaster, Mixmaster, Wildrider, Hook, Onslaught, Ratchet, Hound, Wheeljack, Seaspray, Cliffjumper, Bumblebee, Ultra Magnus, Sideswipe, Huffer, Optimus Prime, Breakdown, Ironhide's Body, Hoist, Tracks, Beachcomber, Blurr, Red Alert, Mirage, Swindle
Notable Others: Spike Witwicky, Skywatch Agents, Joe Henderson, Campologno

Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Blackjack

Transformers #4: Seasons in Flight

February 2010
Written By: Mike Costa
Art By: Don Figueroa
Colours By: James Brown
Letters By: Robbie Robbins
Edits By: Denton J Tipton & Andy Schmidt

Synopsis: Thundercracker flies through the air, musing about his past. In the past, as an elite Decepticon Seeker, his name could tear apart the day. But he was left for dead on Earth for three years. At first, Thundercracker was disgusted at the amount of organic life on Earth. As he seeked refuge in the ruins of New York (even as plants and whatnot grew on his body) Thundercracker found himself intrigued by how life adapted and changed, even without plans or schematics. Two weeks after that, he was able to construct a distress beacon and waited for rescue for more than a year, watching TV in the meantime, finding that the humans keep reminding themselves of their culture. Finally, a bunch of other Decepticons stranded on Earth—Scrapper, Drag Strip, Tankor and a lone Reflector—found him and repaired him. The other Decepticons looked up to the Seeker for leadership, not knowing his act of betrayal, but Thundercracker found that he had no desire to lead. There was no longer honour, especially not when you have to surrender to humans to be executed. So leadership was eventually passed to Swindle.

In the present, Swindle and Hot Rod discuss the construction of their spaceship, which had been slow. Swindle suggests that they free several other Constructicons from Skywatch’s captivity, but Hot Rod, not being that naïve, rejects the plan. Swindle praises Hot Rod for his revolutionary actions with the group, saying that the others have started calling him 'Rodimus Prime'. Swindle tells Hot Rod that all the things that he did is a step over what Optimus had done, and finally manages to persuade Rodimus to allow them to free another Stunticon.

At Skywatch HQ, Spike Witwicky apparently still cannot get Optimus Prime to cooperate or reveal anything about the other Autobots, and the fact that his father is coming the next day doesn’t help either.

At Hot Rod’s camp, Ultra Magnus arrives and plays his investigator card, trying to find out the details of Ironhide’s death from Hot Rod (who now calls himself Rodimus Prime), and when he learns of the spacecraft, nearly forces them to disassemble it. Magnus recognizes Swindle among the group, and attempts to arrest him. Rodimus doesn't allow it, and the two nearly come to blows. Prowl arrives, playing peacemaker, revealing that he was the one who originally summoned Magnus after Ironhide’s death as per protocol, and explains his actions to Magnus. Outnumbered, Magnus drives away, promising a comeback. Swindle thanks Rodimus for standing up for him, to which Rodimus responds that they’re all on the same side.

Thundercracker suspects that Swindle is planning something. He notices the confusion on the part of the Autobots, and anticipation from his Decepticon brethren. He feels remorse on how lost the Autobots are, and reminisces on the fact that all the Transformers are so old. He ponders that their race should be able to adapt to situations, and he notes how life keeps finding a way to survive. He understands the meaning of the word ‘beautiful’ now, and marvels at how, in three years, the humans have got them on the run. Thundercracker laments that although they have so much to learn on Earth, all they want to do is fly away.

Featured Transformers: Thundercracker, Starscream (flashback), Skywarp (flashback), Scrapper (flashback), Tankor (flashback), Drag Strip (flashback), Seaspray (flashback), Dead End (flashback and present), Swindle (flashback and present), Hot Rod/Rodimus Prime, Motormaster, Ultra Magnus, Prowl, Sandstorm, Silverstreak, Red Alert, Mirage, Hook, Mixmaster, Megatron (flashback)
Notable Others: Skywatch Agents (flashback and present), Joe Henderson, Spike Witwicky

Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Blackjack

Transformers #5: Enemies of the System

March 2010
Written By: Mike Costa
Art By: Don Figueroa
Colours By: James Brown
Letters By: Chris Mowry
Edits By: Denton J Tipton & Andy Schmidt

Synopsis: Spike and Optimus continue their chat, with Optimus Prime telling the human that he feels that he is an ineffective leader, and tells Spike how he admires the humans and stuff. In the Autobots’ base, Cliffjumper and Bumblebee (who has a new body) greet Ultra Magnus, who recruits their help to apprehend Rodimus Prime. Bumblebee question Magnus’ orders, and does not appreciate of Magnus choosing the traumatized Blurr among the fighters, but Magnus acts like a prick and supersedes Bumblebee’s authority.

Spike takes a ride with the inactive Breakdown to clear his head. As he jokes around, talking to the inactive Decepticon, Drag Strip and Wildrider attack. Spike tries to fight back with a big gun, but they didn’t do much than anger the Stunticons. Spike tries to lead the two Decepticons back to Skywatch, but Motormaster arrives, running Spike off the road. The human manages to dive into a river, and requests a pick-up.

At Rodimus’ base camp, Swindle and the Stunticons immediately repair Breakdown. Silverstreak is suspicious but Rodimus dismisses it as the Stunticons wanting to repair their own. Ultra Magnus and the Autobots arrive to arrest Rodimus. Rodimus argues that he isn’t committing treason since the war is over, and that he is striving for peace. Rodimus tries to talk to Bumblebee, appealing to them being betrayed by humans, but Magnus interrupts. Swindle walks up to the Autobots, dropping his act and saying that he plans to take the ship off the planet and kill as many Autobots before that. Magnus scoffs, saying that the Autobots outnumber the Decepticons. The Stunticons jump into the air and form Menasor, ready to kill.

Featured Transformers: Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Cliffjumper, Ultra Magnus, Brawn, Blurr, Breakdown, Wildrider, Drag Strip, Motormaster, Silverstreak, Rodimus Prime, Swindle, Cliffjumper, Jazz, Ratchet, Thundercracker, Dead End, Menasor
Notable Others: Spike Witwicky, Skywatch Agents

Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Blackjack

Transformers #6: Earthworks

April 2010
Written By: Mike Costa
Art By: Don Figueroa
Colours By: James Brown & Andrew Dalhouse
Letters By: Chris Mowry
Edits By: Denton J Tipton & Andy Schmidt

Synopsis: Spike Witwicky and his Skywatch agents fly in a plane and witness the Autobots fighting off against Menasor in the desert. They recognize Menasor as one of those ‘gestalts’. Spike orders them to get back to base immediately. Back at the base, Spike confronts Optimus Prime, telling the former Autobot that Ironhide’s death was actually his (Spike’s) fault because he wasn’t present at the day of the raid. Spike then offers Prime a chance to redeem himself. Although reluctant at first, Optimus Prime and the Skywatch agents finally agree to Spike’s suggestion.

Meanwhile, Menasor has Ultra Magnus in his hands, and his component parts argue on how to kill him. Swindle monologues that Magnus had not expected him to use the combiner technology himself, only to be flattened by a truck-mode Optimus Prime, dropped from the sky by Skywatch. Prime transforms, much to the joy of the Autobots, and takes on Menasor, shooting the gestalt square in the face.

Scrapper throttles Bumblebee but Thundercracker blasts the Constructicon away. The Seeker doesn’t know why they are fighting anymore. Before he departs to help Rodimus, he tells Bumblebee that Menasor was hastily cobbled. Menasor, in his bloodlust, tears the spaceship apart to use as a makeshift sword. While Prime distracts the gestalt, Bumblebee orders the Autobots to target Dead End, and then Motormaster.

As Menasor breaks apart, Optimus tells Spike to come in. Red Alert asks Prime what to do with Skywatch, to which Optimus Prime says that he isn’t in charge anymore, and turns himself back into Skywatch custody. Red Alert turns to Bumblebee for guidance, and the Autobot leader says that they stay, since that they can’t keep living like fugitives. Spike approaches Bumblebee, and exchanges words, saying that they could help eliminate common enemies. After having been duped by Horiuchi before, Bumblebee isn’t too excited about the proposal but reluctantly agrees.

Ultra Magnus emerges from the Autobot cave, demanding to know where Swindle is. After Spike tells Magnus that Swindle got away, Magnus notices Rodimus and attempts to arrest him. Rodimus tries to defend himself, but Silverstreak backs Magnus up. Bumblebee tries to break up the conflict. As usual, Magnus tries to supplant his authority but this time Bumblebee stands up for himself, saying that Magnus and all other Autobots on the planet answer to him now. Until someone else gets chosen by the Matrix, anyway. Rodimus sneaks off and steals Ultra Magnus’ shuttle. Silverstreak sighs at how cowardly Rodimus is, and tells Bumblebee that he’s the only leader they have left.

Featured Transformers: Ultra Magnus, Menasor, Rodimus Prime, Optimus Prime, Swindle, Blurr, Bumblebee, Scrapper, Thundercracker, Mixmaster, Cliffjumper, Mirage, Dragstrip, Breakdown, Motormaster, Wildrider, Dead End, Hook, Red Alert, Ratchet, Silverstreak, Jetfire
Notable others: Spike Witwicky, Skywatch Agents, Joe Henderson, Campologno

Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Blackjack

Transformers #7: All His Engines*

May 2010
Written By: Mike Costa
Art By: E.J. Su
Colours By: James Brown
Letters By: Neil Uyetake
Edits By: Andy Schmidt, Denton J Tipton & Carlos Guzman

Synopsis: Megatron ponders how he promised his troops peace through tyranny. However, after their defeat, his soldiers patrol without missions, and are constantly on each other’s throats. They are stranded on a barren planet.

Dreadwind runs for his life, pursued by Shrapnel, Needlenose and Kickback. Dreadwind tries to hide in higher ground, but is discovered by Pounce. He tries to reason with the other Decepticons, but they accuse him of stealing extra rations of energon, despite there not being enough for everybody. Dreadwind tries to reason that it was his brother who actually stole the energon, managing to snap off a blinding burst of light, but he is eventually gunned down and killed. The Decepticons tear his corpse apart for parts.

Megatron ponders that without him, his troops are lost. Razorclaw views the whole routine as a culling of the weak, while Shockwave had isolated himself doing his own work. Soundwave has holed himself in to protect Megatron, while Starscream appears to be blinded by the Matrix that now hung on his neck.

Starscream speaks with Bombshell, chiding the Insecticon for not working on energon processing. Bombshell retorts that resources are becoming stable due to the cannibalism. Starscream monologues for a while, before Bombshell introduces him to the cerebro-shell, a device that controls minds. Starscream complains, saying that he does not want to control zombies, but before anything further could be said, Quake barges in, all guns blazing, screaming ‘death to tyrants’. In panic, Starscream lobs the cerebro-shell onto Quake’s chest, before shooting him. Starscream tells Bombshell to produce more cerebro-shells.

Spike introduces Optimus Prime to Colonel Sparkplug. Sparkplug privately razzes his son, not pleased that he let the Autobot run around freely in the base. The two argue for a bit, before Sparkplug warns Spike not to let ‘Allenby’ know about this. Spike then talks to one of his people, Sandra, about the situation, before introducing her to the Autobots.

Meanwhile, Megatron continues his thinking, that Starscream and the Autobots alike are doomed to failure, since hunger cannot be extinguished. Suspended in a tank of liquid, Megatron clenches his fist, promising to return.

Transformers Featured: Sunstorm, Acid Storm, Rumble, Kickback, Dreadwind (cannibalized by Needlenose and Insecticons), Shrapnel, Needlenose, Kickback, Pounce, Razorclaw, Shockwave, Soundwave, Starscream, Bombshell, Quake (shot by Starscream), Optimus Prime, Ratchet, Bumblebee, Jetfire, Blurr, Megatron
Notable Others: Spike Witwicky, Sparkplug Witwicky, Sandra

*The issue itself came without a title. The title was revealed afterwards by writer Mike Costa.

Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Blackjack

Transformers #8: Scrapper*

June 2010
Written By: Mike Costa
Art By: Javier Saltares
Colours By: James Brown
Letters By: Chris Mowry
Edits By: Andy Schmidt & Carlos Guzman

Spike works out, thinking about how he hates machines, and that they make you vulnerable. He reminiscices to his childhood, where he learns about responsibility, duty and fighting dirty. In a sparring session, Spike defeats his Skywatch comrade by an underhanded trick. The Skywatch agents muck around, while Spike enters a video-meeting with the higher-ups, including his father and General Allenby. They question him about the circumstances regarding Optimus Prime's 'escape', and warn him about his precarious situation. Sparkplug later warns Spike that Allenby is ready to pounce on any error Spike makes.

Spike leaves Skywatch on the hands of his subordinates as he heads off on an 'errand'. He finds Scrapper in an abandoned construction site, and after mocking the Constructicon, battle him without any weapons bar a bottle of acid. He wants to prove he could kill a Transformer without high-tech weapons. Managing to trap Scrapper under an onslaught of girders, Spike tells Scrapper that he's avenging his friend who was killed by Devastator in New York. Spike blows Scrapper's head in cold blood, and walks off.

Featured Transformers: Scrapper (shot in the head), Devastator (flashback)
Notable Others: Spike Witwicky, Sparkplug Witwicky (flashback and present), Joe Henderson, Skywatch Agents, Campologno, General Allenby

*The issue itself came without a title. The title was supplied by writer Mike Costa afterwards.

Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Blackjack

Transformers #9: International Incident Part 1: The Land Ironclads

July 2010
Written By: Mike Costa
Art By: Guido Guidi
Colours By: James Brown
Letters By: Chris Mowry
Edits By: Carlos Guzman & Andy Schmidt

Synopsis: A television news anchor reports that satellites have revealed that North Korea is manufacturing Energon for unknown purposes. Prior to the Cybertronian conflict on Earth, North Korea had apparently been trying to obtain nuclear weapons. In Korea, Onslaught breaks through the barricade separating North and South Korea, and assaults the Southern soldiers. Brawl and Vortex also arrive, destroying the South Koreans en masse. Onslaught radios his ‘boss’, Kim Jong Du, ruler of North Korea, reporting his success. Kim claims that Seoul will be theirs in hours.

At Skywatch HQ, Spike and his subordinates discuss the North Koreans’ collaborating with the Decepticons. At least for Combaticons are confirmed, but the energon produced by the North Koreans seem to imply that there’s a fifth. Elsewhere in the base, the Autobots hang out. Ratchet shows how Cybertronians work to an engineer while Jetfire and Bumblebee have words about whether the humans are to be trusted.

Spike wants to talk to the Autobot leader, but seeing that the Autobots all point at Bumblebee, he heads off to talk to Optimus Prime instead. After a short discussion Spike requests the Autobots’ help, who accept. The President of United States makes a live address, though, declaring that any nation collaborating with Cybertronians will be considered to be in possession of Weapons of Mass Destruction, and will be dealt with. Spike tells Skywatch and the Autobots that they act as if their base was under communications blackout, and prepares to head out for the mission.

Featured Transformers: Onslaught, Brawl, Vortex, Ratchet, Cliffjumper, Bumblebee, Jetfire, Optimus Prime
Notable Others: Kim Jong Du, Spike Witwicky, Skywatch Agents, Joe Henderson, Campologno, President of USA

Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Blackjack

Transformers #10: International Incident Part 2: Ranks of Bronze

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

Synopsis: After an incident where incompetence on Campologno’s part forces them to dump a customs officer into the sea, Spike and the Skywatch crew unload the Autobots from shipping crates. The Autobots and Skywatch personnel enter a hangar, where they get ready to battle the Combaticons. Spike reminds them that the mission is off-the-book, so the Autobots must stay in vehicular forms since Cybertronians are now classified as WMDs. Wheeljack then proceeds to attach weapons to the Autobots’ alternate modes.

Meanwhile, Onslaught, Vortex and Brawl are lounging around, happy not to have Megatron or Swindle boss them around. Kim Jong Du II marches in and admonishes the Combaticons, ordering them to deal with the US/South Korean military. Onslaught tells Vortex that he has a plan (or at least is trying to make one, anyway). Soon afterwards, the Autobots, armed with gigantic guns, speed past the US/South Korean forces to battle the Decepticons. Vortex blows Smokescreen’s smoke screen back onto himself, before taking to the air and faces off against Jetfire. Brawl and Onslaught face off against the ground-based Autobots and Skywatch battlesuits, who herd the Combaticons towards the sea. A waiting Broadside opens fire on them, pinning both Onslaught and Vortex down. However, Vortex slices off Jetfire’s wing, causing the jet to slam onto Broadside. The Combaticons use this opportunity to escape.

As the Autobots lick their wounds, Spike is displeased with his human team, who were not able to handle Decepticons that are basically tanks. Ratchet tells the team that Jetfire would be out of action for a week. Optimus Prime contacts their leader, Bumblebee, who has a plan. Bumblebee, meanwhile, is trying to convince a new recruit – Thundercracker – to help them out.

Featured Transformers: Smokescreen, Prowl, Ratchet, Wheeljack, Cliffjumper, Optimus Prime, Jazz, Vortex, Brawl, Onslaught, Jetfire, Broadside, Bumblebee, Thundercracker
Notable Others: Spike Witwicky, Campologno, Joe Henderson, Kim Jong II

Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Blackjack

 

| Last Stand of the Wreckers | IDW Comics Guide | #11-20 |

 
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