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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) |
TRANSFORMERS TITLES FROM TITAN BOOKS / MAGAZINES
Transformers [UK] from Titan Magazines, Year Four
| #14 | #15 | #16 | #17 |#18 | #19 | #20 | #21 | Dark of the Moon: #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 |
Transformers #14 [UK]: Head in the Clouds
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Written by: Simon Furman. |
Synopsis: British Columbia, Canada: Stratosphere is flying a routine reconnaissance mission over the mountains when he runs into some low laying cloud that contains two sorts of interference, radio jamming and Devastator, who Stratosphere promptly crashes into.
At the local NEST base Jolt, Rollbar and Dune Runner set out to try and rescue their downed colleague. Meanwhile Stratosphere wakes up to find Devastator is being repaired by a construction crew overseen by Skywarp. They fight, and though Stratosphere can't fly he still wins and promptly hacks the Decepticons communications system to summon a NEST air strike. Skywarp recovers enough to mount another attack but is bested once more.
Jolt's team arrive just in time to be told to run for it as Devastator is bombed by NEST. They decide not to risk making sure he's finished just in case he isn't, whilst Stratosphere is just glad to have walked away from this landing.
Characters Featured [in rough order of appearance]: Stratosphere, Devastator, Jolt, Dune Runner, Rollbar, Skywarp, Construction Drones.
Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Inflatable Dalek
Transformers #15 [UK]: Making Waves
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Written by: Robin Etherington. |
Synopsis: The Bahamas: Following attacks on several merchant ships by a spaceship NEST have set up a lure under the command of Lennox. The spaceship, Soundwave, takes the bait and suffers severe damage and is forced to retreat into the Bermuda Triangle.
As he flees he ponders how he'll explain to Megatron why his mission to cause chaos amongst the humans has gone wrong. But there is little time for him to contemplate this as he comes across another merchant ship that he thinks will make a good target.
However, it turns out the ship is the Proteus class USS Cyclops, which vanished in 1918. With his defences already damaged the antiquated weapons on board actually do Soundwave damage. Something that isn't helped when the USS Nerus, lost in 1941.
Having had enough of this Soundwave breaks off and heads above cloud level, where he runs into Flight 19, lost in 1945. Mighty annoyed now Soundwave leaves Earth's atmosphere and goes to the moon, where, amongst the radiation and meteors he feels much safer than on Earth.
Characters Featured: Lennox, Epps, Soundwave.
Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Inflatable Dalek
Transformers #16 [UK]: Turn and Burn
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Script: Robin Etherington. |
Synopsis: Cairo: Since Bludgeon's prison break Reverb, having on interest in working with a team, has gone solo, planning to cause chaos of his own. A NEST team led by Blazemaster attacks him and, with much chaos and destruction, he's captured.
NEST aren't happy however, the plan had been for a carefully contained mission to minimise the damage. With public opinion turned against the Autobots since the World Cup this was the last thing they needed.
Sometime later over the coast of Spain, Blazemaster is flying and ranting to himself over the injustice of it all. He is so involved in his ranting he misses the arrival of Skywarp. However, after a brief tussle the Decepticon reveals he's not there to fight. Bludgeon had been impressed with Blazemaster's attitude in taking down the runaway Reverb, and as his group aren't laid out along traditional Decepticon lines he'd like to offer the Autobot a place.
Blazemaster refuses, but doesn't sound very convincing. Skywarp leaves, pointing out this is who Blazemaster really is, and he needs to get used to it...
Characters Featured: Reverb, Blazemaster, Skywarp.
Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Inflatable Dalek
Transformers #17 [UK]: The Kingdom of Starscream
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Script: Robin Etherington. |
Synopsis: Peru: Starscream has been scouring the planet for an Energon substitute, with complete failure. As he begins to feel increasingly frustrated he's discovered by some members of a local tribe...
Twelve weeks later: Lennox, Ironhide and Ratchet have joined an ecological expedition to investigate the highly suspicious disappearance of a huge chunk of the Peruvian rainforest. Though the head of the expedition is sceptical about NEST coming along they quickly find a giant statue of Starscream, the first of several totems seemingly built by the isolated indigenous population.
Coming upon an ancient Incan temple the group are attacked by Starscream, who gloats about his plan to raise a new army and how the stupid apes are now worshipping him. But, as he's both outnumbered and bored of his followers he starts a massive forest fire to cover his own retreat. Ironhide and Ratchet soon bring the flames under control, but they are left wondering about the loss of innocence suffered by the Peruvians.
Characters Featured: Starscream, Lennox, Ironhide, Ratchet.
Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Inflatable Dalek
Transformers #18 [UK]: Shadow War
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Written by: Simon Furman. |
Synopsis: Salt Lake City: Three Decepticons, Crankstart, Brimstone and Trenchmouth are having great fun causing chaos and running riot through the city. Unbeknownst to them though, they're being observed by a team of Autobots led by Bumblebee, part of a new covert unit set up by Prime to deal with the Decepticons quietly without anyone, even NEST, knowing about it.
As the Decepticons create more mayhem, Hubcap becomes worried that by waiting for the right moment some humans will be hurt. But once the Decepticons get onto the open road to Nevada, the Autobots are able to act, quickly taking all three out before calling for extraction.
Back at Autobase, Optimus watches the prisoners being brought in with grave concern; the new “short sharp solution” might have worked, but does it make them any better than the Decepticons? Meanwhile, Bludgeon prepares for war.
Characters Featured: Crankstart, Brimstone, Trenchmouth, Bumblebee, Hubcap, Slapdash*, Optimus Prime, Springer, Ironhide, Bludgeon.
*Going with the comic spelling on this, see Goofs.
Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Inflatable Dalek
Transformers #19 [UK]: The Nightmare Bee-4 Christmas
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Written by: Simon Furman. |
Synopsis: December 24th: Sam is home for Christmas, and having to put up with his Dad's over enthusiastic way of throwing himself into the celebrations, even still leaving milk and cookies out for Santa. This year Sam has let Bumblebee watch the festivities from outside, as long as his parents don't find out as Judy still has issues over the last time Bumblebee stayed with them and destroyed half the house. Sam is however worried Bumblebee's going to get a slightly skewered view of the holiday from Ron.
This turns out to be the least of his problems though, as Dead End is once again on the prowl and out for spare parts, coming upon Bumblebee a violent fight ensues, with Sam desperate for it not to wake up his parents. Bumblebee does manage to win with a minimum of fuss, and the next day Judy is surprised to find a Christmas present from “B” of car wax. Meanwhile, Sam gives Bumblebee his present, a car part suggested by Ratchet.
Characters Featured: Judy Witwicky, Ron Witwicky, Sam Witwicky, Bumblebee, Mojo, Dead End.
Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Inflatable Dalek
Transformers #20 [UK]: Divided Loyalties*
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Written by: Simon Furman. |
Synopsis: Arkhangelskava Oblast, Russia: Thanks to the work of Springer and Bumblebee the Autobots have tracked down Bludgeon's Command Hub. Optimus, a select crew of Autobots and a NEST team led by Captain Klammer are now preparing a surprise attack.
However, the group has a stowaway, Wheelie. Tired of not being trusted by the Autobots and barely being tolerated by them he's decided to return to his old friends, and sneaks to Bludgeon's base and betrays the Autobots presence.
As the Autobots attack they're instantly deflected, with Springer shot down and Bludgeon kills Slapdash personally before attacking Hubcap. Just when things can't get any worse, Wheelie becomes excited at the return of “The Master”, as Megatron arrives...
Characters Featured: Slapdash [killed by Bludgeon], Ironhide, Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Hubcap, Klammer, Wheelie, Lockdown, Bludgeon, Dead End [Shot through chest by Bumblebee, final fate unclear] Springer [Shot down, final fate unclear], Skywarp, Thrust, Tankor [Shot through chest by Bumblebee, final fate unclear]., Megatron.
Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Inflatable Dalek
Transformers #21 [UK]:
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Script: Simon Furman. |
Synopsis: Arkhangelskaya: Bludgeon orders his troops to attack Megatron, but instead they decide to turn and flee. Resigned to a one on one duel, Bludgeon begins his attack on his former leader. Optimus orders the Autobots to stand down and watch, they'll simply deal with whoever the winner is.
An excited Wheelie rushes towards Megatron, thrilled at the thought of being back in from the cold. His joy is short lived though when he runs into a ravenous Dead End, still searching for spare parts.
Megatron easily beats and kills Bludgeon, and tells Prime that though he's eager for revenge on his nemesis, it will have to wait for another time. As the remaining un-captured Decepticons depart, Bumblebee finds what's left of Wheelie, and, unaware of his treachery, Optimus sends him for repair.
As everyone leaves, Dead End is left wandering the Arctic landscape, still looking for spare parts...
The End.
Characters Featured: Megatron, Bludgeon [Killed by Megatron], Tankor, Lockdown, Bumblebee, Ironhide, Wheelie [Badly Damaged by Dead End].
Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Inflatable Dalek
Transformers #1 [UK] Dark of the Moon: Fight For Fiesole
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Script: Robin Etherington. |
Synopsis: Fiesole, Italy: In the vaults of the cathedral an archaeologist has dug up a mysterious piece of alien metal after being led to it by a journal from 1662 that talked of mysterious sacred object that fell from the sky and was buried next to St. Romulus. Scared of his discovery he reburied it and called in NEST, who have now arrived with the Autobots.
However, the Decepticons have also learnt of the metal, and know it's a piece of debris from the long lost Ark. As they can't risk the Autobots finding either the ship or Sentinel Prime Starscream arrives to take the artefact before the Autobots can see it.
A fight ensues, and Starscream successfully knocks out Sideswipe and buries Optimus and Bumblebee under the cathedral bells. After Starscream has left with the metal and Optimus is dug out, he realises the Decepticons have a major new secret, and the Autobots must remain vigilant even if they are IN THE DARK [Groan...]
Characters Featured [in rough order of appearance]: Starscream, Soundwave [Voiceover], Sideswipe, Optimus Prime, Bumblebee.
Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Inflatable Dalek
Transformers #2 [UK] Dark of the Moon: Gold And Blood
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Script: Robin Etherington. |
Synopsis: Columbia: The criminal Tanto gang have, under contract from a Mr. Wave, used explosives to dig up El Dorado, the lost city of gold, from the sea bed. However, Mr Wave turns out to be Soundwave, hiding in a crate. With the gangs use at an end, he emerges and proceeds to attack his former allies.
Watching all this is Lennox, an advanced scout following up a lead from Bumblebee. Whilst waiting for back up he begins to attack Soundwave. Luckily he doesn't have to hold his own for long before Optimus Prime and Ratchet parachute in, followed by more NEST troopers.
Prime and Soundwave fight, whilst Soundwave reveals his plan to destabilise the world's economies by flooding the market with gold. Their fight ends up leaving them next to the lost city. However, Tanto leader Kubikiri, angry at the betrayal, uses another explosive to destroy the whole thing before departing.
This leaves Ratchet annoyed, Soundwave has escaped, the Tanto's could be big trouble in the future and they've destroyed a priceless historical artifact. Optimus is more upbeat though, as even a little victory can be “Worth it's wait in gold!” [Groan...].
Characters Featured: Mr. Kubikiri, Soundwave, Lennox, Ratchet, Optimus Prime. [There's a bald black NEST trooper who may well be Epps but with the variable actor likenesses it's hard to tell. It's a shame he isn't named as it would help solve the issues placement, see notes].
Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Inflatable Dalek
Transformers #3 [UK] Dark of the Moon: Dealing With the Devil
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Script: Robin Etherington. |
Synopsis:
Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, Spain: Epps, feeling the full stress of being an active NEST member, is taking point alone against Soundwave. Things go wrong when Soundwave's weapons, which were supposedly deactivated, are in fact still fully functional allowing him to take pot shots at Epps, with the human only being saved by Bumblebee arriving and taking the hit.
Both are left badly hurt, with Bumblebee being especially in need of urgent medical treatment. Soundwave only leaves them alive as a bargaining chip for when Optimus Prime arrives. Soundwave gives the Autobot leader a choice, remove his troops from Earth or the hostages die. Prime makes a counter offer of himself in exchange for Epps and Bumblebee, which Soundwave accepts as long as they have an unarmed fight. That is to say, Optimus is the one who is unarmed of course.
However, Prime is able to trick Soundwave into firing at exactly the wrong spot, bringing the mountain down on top of him. Despite surviving Epps feels worse than useless, being both unable to deal with Soundwave nor help Bumblebee. He decides that those stronger than him might be able to win this war, but it'll have to be done without the help of Robert Epps, and removes his NEST insignia from his jacket before despondently walking away.
Characters Featured: Epps, Soundwave, Bumblebee, Optimus Prime.
Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Inflatable Dalek
Transformers #4 [UK] Dark of the Moon: Automatic For The People
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Script:Robin Etherington. |
Synopsis:
San Jose California: Ironhide and Ratchet are attempting a public relations exercise at an anti-Autobot rally, but their attempts to reassure the angry humans don't go very well.
Things are made worse when Starscream and Barricade attack. Starscream throws a petrol truck at the humans, but Ironhide risks his own life to safe them, being injured in the explosion. This so inspires the protesters they start to attack the Decepticons with whatever comes to hand, something that would have ended badly for them if not for the arrival of Optimus Prime.
Marcus Castor, the lead protester, is now so impressed he produces an anti-Decepticon T-shirt, which Ironhide would like if they make one in his size.
THE END.
Characters Featured: Ironhide, Ratchet, Starscream, Barricade, Optimus Prime.
Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Inflatable Dalek