Category Archives: Optimus Prime

News Roundup – 27 December 2011

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Okay, so lets see what we have here in the news…

*Opens the cyber newspaper*

Transformers Dark of the Moon named movie with most errors, that just sucks doesn’t it? Wonder why they didn’t reshoot to get rid of the errors…

The Death of Optimus Prime

The Transformers Mosaic team have posted a new comic, Christmas themed, not bad, blends Joss Whedon’s Serenity with Michael Bay’s Transformers ‘verse…

TFormers.com reviews IDW’s Transformers #125 “The Death Of Optimus Prime” and it certainly does sound like a game changing issue… A must read even.

Siebertron compares the Takara TF Prime toys to the Hasbro ones, and I do think I prefer the Hasbro ones…

MTV wonders if Michael Bay will return to direct TF4, and from my POV, I think it may be time to hand the reigns over, don’t get me wrong, I love the first three, but new blood is always good…

IGN looks at the changes ahead for the Transformers comic line as it splits into two, I’m looking forward to seeing the two series and seeing where they go with the big war done, it’ll be interesting.

ASUS plans to continue production of it’s Transformer Prime tablet despite Hasbro’s trademark lawsuit, to me it seems to be a good co-promotional opportunity, pit they can’t see that.

Seems to be it in the way of new, and now for some art…

The 20 Days of Transformers #18-20

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Yeah, so yesterday and Christmas Eve fell to bits, I should have seen that coming when I said I’d post the reviews on those days ;-)

So, here we go with numbers 3, 2, and 1, plus a bonus!

For #3 we have an intro to space, and Cybertron

#3: IDW Transformers Stormbringer Issue 1

Transformers: Stormbringer #1

Open on the maelstrom of hell on Cybertron before cutting to Jetfire and the Technobots who are investigating a power reading on the dead planet Cybertron, a trace of Super Energon. Deciding they need to investigate they head down, making sure they have as much protection against the elements as they can. As they follow the trace to it’s source they discover they’re back to where it all went wrong… Thunderhead Pass!

In a flashback we find Megatron and Optimus Prime working together to stop an unnamed adversary. In the present Optimus Prime can’t shake the feeling that it isn’t over yet. Shaken out of his memories Prime is handed a report from Prowl on Earth, he orders Searchlight to keep him informed before slipping back into his memories of the maelstrom.

Harsh Environment

Back on Cybertron Jetfire and the Technobots are setting up a scanner as Jetfire relates what happened many years earlier, Thunderwing approached the leading Cybertronian scientists regardless of their affiliation his figures point to an inescapable fact… Cybertron is dying. And they need to do something.

In the here and now Jetfire and the Technobots are ambushed by cloaked figures. They attempt to fight back but being unable to see their adversaries they lose and are taken down. Meanwhile their ship is blown out of the sky with missiles.

The Maelstrom

Prime is still lost in his memories of fighting against an apocalyptic creature, he knows that they only contained it, they didn’t destroy it, and that sooner or later everywhere will hear it’s name. On Cybertron Jetfire awakens to see a cult chanting the name of it’s deity… Thunderwing!

As the second arc in the new IDWverse, Stormbringer was our first real intro to the space bound Transformers, and it works so well, but then the story comes from Simon Furman, and that man had a plan all the way back then, couple that with Don Fig’s art and Josh Burcham’s colors, what else could one expect by perfection?

Hail Thunderwing

At #2 we have the end…

#2: Marvel Generation One Issue 80: Ed of the Road

Transformers #80

We open, this the final issue of Marvel’s G1 run, with the death of Getaway at the hands of Dreadwing before we pull back and see that Bludgeon’s ‘Cons have killed a lot of the Autobots, but not all, he has sent out a part to find the remaining ‘Bots and exterminate them for good.

The team in question, Octopunch, Weirdwolf, Fangry and Quake, have gone passed the place where Grimlock hid with the remainder of his troops, as they emerge from hiding Prowl tells Grimlock off for the way he has led them to this point, jumping in as soon as he spotted a ‘Con and leading them right into a text book ambush. As they’re attempting to decide what to do next, Blaster is shot and presumably killed by Quake, it seems Fangry ha led the ‘Cons to double back and ambush the ‘Bots.

Me, Grimlock, Hide Well

Back with Bludgeon and co, they were just wiping out the few remaining living ‘Bots when out of nowhere the human superhero team of The Neo Knights (well, the remaining sane ones), but they’re just the opening act, the main event is above them all… The New Optimus Prime!

Prime explains what happened, how after the last Optimus Prime died, Hi-Q and the Neo Knights sought out the Last Autobot, who, upon seeing the truth behind Hi-Q, that he was a small body, cybernetics wrapped in flesh, with a soul buried deep down, a wise, and noble leader. Taking from their memories The Last Autobot created a new body to house the two souls, making them, finally, one.

We Can Go Home

As The Last Autobot is telling them that the Civil War must end, Bludgeon interrupts, ordering his troops to kill Optimus Prime. As they do so The Last Autobot gets to work, resurrecting the fallen Autobots. Prime is fighting off the ‘Cons when Grimlock’s team returns and wades into the fight, turning the tide with the help of the resurrected ‘Bots.

As the ‘Cons call a retreat they vow that this isn’t the end. Prime then tells the ‘Bots that Cybertron has been reborn, and that it is time for them to return home, that the war is over.

For a finale, this is certainly a good one, it feels almost like the story is too short, that Simon was almost building up to something new and exciting (and maybe now we’ll find out with IDW’s announcement of Transformers Regeneration One). As always with Simon Furman’s writing, this is top notch, Andrew Wildman’s art is, maybe not as good as Don FIg’s, but it’s still way up there with the greats. If that had been the end, it would have been a fitting end, but as we all know, it never ends there…

Well, That's Just Prime

And at #1 we have The Beginning of it all!

#1: Marvel Transformers Generation One Issue 1

Transformers #1

We open this, the first ever Transformers comic with the requisite backstory that tells how the Decepticons came to be and their launching of the first strike in the Civil War that rages to this day. We learn that the war has knocked the planet out of it’s orbit and into deep space. Soon it’s realized that the planet will soon pass through a giant asteroid belt, to clear a path the Autobots build and launch a giant spacecraft, The Ark.

Unbeknown to them Ravage has been spying on them and sees the launch, reporting back to Megatron they decide to go after the ‘Bots. As the Autobots finish clearing a path for Cybertron the ‘Cons attack, taking them by surprise, and quickly gain the upper hand over the weakened ‘Bots, knowing that the only way to stop the secrets of The Ark falling into the Decepticon’s hands Prime sends the ship on a collision course for the nearest planet.

Arise Optimus Prime

The Ark crashes into a volcanic mountain where it lies dormant for four million years until an eruption manages to reactivate the main computers. Knowing it needs to repair the Transformers it launches a probe to scan for life forms to use as templates. The world it encounters is full of vehicles, flying and rolling, and some unidentified organic creatures that seem to work with the lifeforms.

Using the templates from the probe The Ark sets to repairing the Transformers, both Autobot and Decepticon alike. With some of it’s memory banks damaged however The Ark knew nothing of the Great War, but still kept the basic nature of the Transformers the same, so the ‘Bots became vehicles while the ‘Cons become weapons and communications devices.

With the rebuilding complete, the obligatory roll call happens with the Decepticons sounding off before transforming and leaving The Ark, and the Autobots staying behind to observe this new world and it’s inhabitants, and the organic beings that The Ark had dismissed..

We now go to meet one of these beings, Buster Witwicky and his father Sparkplug, after they discuss Buster’s plans for the future, Buster takes a car and heads off to meet his friends. Meanwhile Prime has sent a recon team out into the world, as Prowl, Bumblebee, Hound, Brawn and Cliffjumper come across a drive-in cinema they don’t notice Laserbeak following them, and reporting back to Megatron.

Humans Run The Planet

At the drive-in, the Autobots enter, and Bumblebee decides to go say hi, by crashing into Buster’s car! As Buster finds that no-one’s driving the car the Decepticons attack, damaging Bumblebee in the process. The other Autobots leap into action and fight back, and while they fight the humans run in panic.

As Soundwave and Ravage join the fight Prowl comes to realize that the vehicles are not the inhabitants of the world, the humans are, and that they need to take the fight elsewhere to protect them. As they transform and roll out they draw the ‘Cons with them. Buster meanwhile has come across Bumblebee and manages to jump start him, damaged though he is Buster gets Bumblebee back to his father’s garage where he pleads with him to help fix Bumblebee.

Well, as a start to what would become a major legacy, this was a good story, if a little crude in places, it works, think of the first 4 issues of the series as the pilot story, which it is really. The art is crude too, although I guess it is on par with the art of the times, remember we are talking like 1984, and some of the character colors are off, but then we are talking the very first issue they were still feeling their way.

The Beginning

And lastly as a bonus we got a smoking hot Prima…

Bonus: Optimus Prima: Reformatted

Optimus Prima: Reformatted

Yes, it’s not official, but what can I say, it’s based upon Transformers and it’s just plain awesome.

We open on Optimus Prime, Bumblebee and Carly looking out over the Grand Canyon, as they discuss their next destination, Starscream, Thundercracker and Skywarp ambush them, as Prime and ‘Bee fight back Carly gets away to safety, at least until she gets involved and throws a rock at Starscream.

In anger ‘Screamer orders the destruction of the ledge the ‘Bots are standing on. After falling Prime finds his gun destroyed, so borrowing from Carly, Prime throws boulders at the ‘Cons, damaging Thundercracker and Skywarp. As the ‘Cons retreat Prime calls it in but is interrupted by Bumblebeen who has found Carly, badly injured by the fall.

Reformatted!

As the other Autobots scramble to the rescue Prime resorts to desperate measures and uses The Matrix to heal her. With it’s power The Matrix transforms Carly, granting to her power and the resolve to protect life, oh and some really nifty armor, arise now Optimus Prima! The effort however has drained Prime, as he collapses Megatron arrives with the Seekers.

Without Prime ‘Bee and Carly are sitting ducks until Carly comes up with an idea… She gets Bumblebee to throw her at the ‘Cons. Using her new found power Carly hacks off Skywarp’s arm and Thundercracher’s leg, using the leg as a battering ram she flies it right into Starscream before using her gun to blow off part of his face.

Leg Riding

With no way to stay in the air Carly falls and is caught by Megatron, who promptly fires on her, sending her back into the cliff wall. But not to worry, Carly’s back for round two in no time, as Megatron is about to destroy Prime the other ‘Bots arrive, with his troops badly damaged Megatron calls a retreat.

As the ‘Bots repair their fallen comrades Carly is applauded for her actions, including a decent fist bump from Ironhide, and some innocent flirting between Skyrifre and Carly.

Heavy Armor

Right, this is just plain cool, this comic was done by a fan, an awesomely talented fan, Silas Zee, and I tell you, if you haven’t read this comic, go read it I was lucky enough to get one of the limited run of printed ones, and that is just awesome. The story is as one would expect, different to the standard Transformers story, as is the art, but I feel it benefits from that, amazingly so.

And so, there we have it our top 20 Transformers comics ever, at least as far as I am concerned :) I hope you enjoyed my reviews, I’ll be bringing you more as they come, but from now on no particular order. Also some news on Transformers as it comes to me.

The 20 Days of Transformers #17

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First up, due to a family thing I won’t be able to post the next two days reviews, but fear not, you’ll get them on Saturday and the last one on Christmas Day itself, yes, I’m that dedicated!

Anywho, on with the countdown, we’re at #4, prepare to meet Optimus Prime, for the very first time!

Dreamwave The War Within Volume One Issue One

The War Within Volume 1 Issue 1

The opening shot is a scene of carnage, and the voice over saying “Sentinel Prime is dead…”, we move to Iacon and the Vaults where we find Bluestreak telling Optronix about Sentinel’s death and that Megatron himself killed him. Optronix has already read this and cataloged it however, Bluestreak launches into a little rant about the Civil War and how they weren’t ready for it. he ends by accusing Optronix of being comfortable hidden away cataloging things.

Move to Altihex and Grimlock’s battalion, which includes Ironhide, Kup and Wheeljack, they’re holding the line against the ‘Cons but only just. Meanwhile Bumblebee and Trailbreaker are trying to evac civilians, but there’s a holdout, a bunch who the ‘Cons think don’t even know there’s a fence to sit on. At least there was, Thundercracker and Skywarp take them out in two hits, much to Bumblebee’s dismay. At the battalion races away the entire place goes up in flames.

There's a fence?

Back at Iacon, in the Chamber of the Ancients Optronix has just learned he is to be the next Prime, and, despite his belief that they need to abandon tradition and pick a strong Prime, the Ancients insist that he is the one that was chosen. They send Optronix into the Oracle Tank.

Only the Beginning

Cut to the firestorm that was once the beautiful city of Praxus, former home of Prowl. Where Grimlock has asked to meet Jazz and Prowl, to talk of mutiny if the new Prime isn’t strong enough.

I Am Not Constrained

And back to the Oracle Tanks, and Optronix is being shown visions of the present and future, he asks the one question that’s in his head, if the ‘Cons want Cybertron so much why not let them have it? Later after he has emerged the ceremony begins to pass The Matrix onto the new Prime, unbeknown to the participants an infiltration team of ‘Cons is cutting their way in. As the ceremony concludes and we are introduced to Optimus Prime the ‘Cons attack.

As the ‘Bots leap to action Grimlock holds back, wanting to see what the new Prime is made of. It seems that he’s made of stern stuff as he takes down two of the assassins easily, keeping one to question, but ask he’s demanding to know what’s going on the ‘Con self destructs by melting his brain.

The ‘Bots all congratulate Optimus but he’s not swayed and orders a planet wide evacuation. Deep within Cybertron Megatron awaits the new Prime.

Well, this is an amazing story really, it’s one of those awesome bits of Transformer history that we always wanted to know but never saw, it is, to me, a better explanation of Optimus Prime’s creation than that which we were presented in the original cartoon. Art wise, it’s amazing, as I believe I’ve said is all the Dreamwave era art, as always that’s mostly down to the awesome Don Fig.

The Creative Team

Writer: Simon Furman
Artist: Don Figueroa
Inker: Elaine To
Colorist: Rob Ruffolo
Letterer: Dreamer Designs

Release Date: October 2002
Cover Price: $2.95 (Lenticular incentive cover $5.95 — FYI, I have both covers, yey!)

Trivia: This is the first Dreamwave Productions comic Simon Furman has written.

In The War Within series, most of the characters were given “new” body designs, due to the fact that it takes place long before they arrived on Earth.

One of the buildings in the first establishing two-page panel of Iacon has “Transformers” written in Japanese katakana lettering on the side of it (specifically the main part of the Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers logo).

The term Seeker is used in official canon for the first time.

Meet Optimus Prime

The 20 Days of Transformers #15 & #16

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Well, due to technical difficulties (My scanner wasn’t working and the scheduled text only post didn’t post) yesterday’s review wasn’t posted. So today we’ll give you two reviews, and the scanner is working now (having applied all appropriate brute force (read Hammer) and ignorance…)

At #6 we have a brief introduction…

#14: Dreamwave Generation One Volume 3 Issue 0

Generation One Issue 0

We open on what could be a scene from Transformers The Movie with Unicron devouring Lithone and three voice overs discussing things, including the fact that Unicron, while only at minimal power is still unparallelled and is moving faster than predicted. As we head inside Unicron to the brain chamber where there are cocoons. The voices discuss the ability to take a life form and reshape it to it’s needs. And learning from past errors makes the next wave better. As they note this we see Cyclonus smash his way out of a cocoon.

The focus now shifts to the first wave, Scourge and the Sweeps, we learn that the alpha drone, Scourge, found Cybertron, and reactivated Shockwave. Scourge tailed him for a time before he was forced to save Shockwave from an Extermination Team of Sharkticons. At some point Shockwave turned on Scourge and captured him, and studied him, and learned more about the origins of the Transformers than anyone had previously.

Research Subject

The voices note that a similar figure to Scourge was seen on Earth when Shockwave arrived there, we’re shown Devastator in pieces in a large room somewhere, with Human scientists examining him. Then the voices state that they believe there are still Autobots on Earth, left by Optimus Prime when he left for Cybertron. The voices believe that Prime is still on Cybertron and in a weakened state.

Quick History Lesson

As we’re shown a two page spread of events from the last two years, the voices note that thanks to the chaos their agenda has been kept secret, and they’ve amassed enough data to strike. We switch to the planet Quntessa and as we fly over, showing us the Sharkticons, and the robotic guards before we enter the control room and we learn that the voices were Quntessons! And they want Megatron to stand judgement.

To close we shift to The Planet of Junk and Wreck-Gar singing and dragging a deactivated Transformer behind him. As he reaches another being he dumps the body saying “Lucy, I’m home” The dark voice reminds him eh was asked not to call the other person that. We see now that the body he was dragging was a seeker. The dark voice smiles, and says that the time is near to take revenge on the universe.

Lucy, I'm Home

The last shot shows us the dark voice is in fact a wounded, but fully functional Megatron.

As with all Dreamwave comics this one has awesome art, I always felt that the Dreamwave era art was some of the best, and that’s mostly down to the man Don Figueroa, don’t get me wrong, I love the IDW era stuff, and don’t think I’d go without it no matter what, but some days I wish Dreamwave had kept going, it would have been awesome. The story itself is pretty simple, but then it’s an issue 0 so that’s to be expected. All in all a great comic.

For our #5 we bring you a landmark issue… A half century anyone?

#15: Marvel Generation One Issue 50

Transformers Issue 50

As we open on the Underbase, a construct of unimaginable power and knowledge, a construct that was set free of it’s worldly bounds by Optimus Prime many eons ago. We see it’s power to take life and give power as it destroys a world then powers a sun until it too is destroyed.

Switch to Earth, and in the Arctic where we find Buster Witwicky in bad shape with an Autobot homing beacon. The Aerialbots have been sent to investigate and seeing Buster radio for Fortress Maximus. Not far away we find the Decepticons licking their wounds from their brief civil war when Soundwave alerts them to an incoming Autobot invasion force.

It's A Trap

The Autobots arrive, and Fortress Maximus’ head transforms into Cerebros and then into Spike as he rushes to his brother’s side. Buster is suffering hypothermia and seeing this Spike uses Fortress Maximus to start to slowly raise his temperature. As Optimus Prime arrives they begin to wonder why Buster had a beacon that summoned a full Autobot response team. They don’t have long to wonder as the Decepticons arrive and begin to lay into the Autobots. The Decepticons execute the attack with extreme precision and Autobots fall before them.

Starscream, Tyant of the Universe

Meanwhile we find Scorponok’s ship heading towards The Underbase, it’s sole occupant, Starscream, eager to meet his destiny and to become the most powerful being in existance.

Back on Earth Ratbat has gotten the drop on Fort Max and shakes Buster out of the heating area. Buster lets slip Starscream’s plan to Ratbat who convinces Fort Max to call a cease fire. Soon once all the Transformers are caught up, a plan is devised. The ‘Bots help get the ‘Con ship ready for space and launch headed for Starscream.

Starscream meanwhile has positioned himself in place to receive the “blessings” of The Underbase. As he begins to absorb the power a shot knocks him out of the way, a shot fired by Optimus Prime aboard the ‘Con ship. The combined Transformers believe that Starscream is now history, but unknown to them he still functions, and has more than enough power to pick up Scorponok’s ship and throw it at the ‘Con’s ship, smashing it. As the combined Transformers are thrown out of the smashed ship Starscream transforms and heads towards Earth.

Fortunately Optimus Prime had planned for such a possibility and had the Ark standing by. Soon once all the Transformers are onboard they devise another plan to attack Starscream on Earth. As teams are deployed around the globe, Prime stays behind on The Ark with Buster. As Starscream arrives in New York Ratbat gets his attention long enough for Jetfire and the Aerialbots to get the drop on him, however Starscream is too powerful and knocks the Aerialbots out with one blast. Jetfire knocks Starscream out of the sky onto a bridge where a team of Autobots await, Starscream takes them out too, but is knocked intot eh sea in the process where the Seacons are waiting, they don’t last long, and neither does Blaster when he steps in. Having taken out all the opposition Starscream heads for Tokyo.

On The Ark we see that Prime has built a rocket with reflective panels and with Hi-Q’s help they’re refining it further. As tehy do so a report comes in from Grimlock that Starscream has arrived in Tokyo and he’s taken out the Throttlebots.. As the Dinobots and Scorponok get ready a team of Seekers take on Starscream, and are soon dispatched, As are the Dinobots shortly thereafter, Grimlock however manages to blast Starscream in the direction of the ‘Con Pretenders and the Predacons, who, like all the previous teams don’t last long. As Scorponok prepares to fire Starscream uses Grimlock as a shield.

Growing tired of that Starscream heads for Buenos Aires where the remaining plane ‘Cons are waiting, again they don’t last long, Starscream is becoming more powerful as time passes. The Technobots and Terrorcons are no match, nor is Fortress Maximus. As Starscream pulls a monument up to use as a javelin, Omega Supreme steps in and takes his shot, but ultimately even he falls. As Starscream turns his attention back to Fort Max, Buster radios in from The Ark, causing Starscream to abandon the fight to head off to meet The Underbase.

The Underbase Is Mine

Back on The Ark, Prime launches the missile towards The Underbase just as Ratbat and Scorponok arrive back and accuse Prime of going after The Underbase for himself. As the missile intersects with The Underbase and deflects it Scorponok makes hims move, incapacitating Ratbat and Prime and heading out to get The Underbase for himself. With Buster’s help Prime and Hi-Q are back together and head out to stop Scorponok, getting him out of the way of The Underbase just in time for it fly past and encounter Starscream.

Starscream absorbs the entire power of The Underbase, as he does it mutates him, increasing his size, turning him into a super Transformer. But before he can gloat too much the power overwhelms him, and causes him to explode. Prime notes that Starscream has learned what Prime had learned long ago, that The Underbase is too powerful for any one being to posses.

We end back onboard The Ark where Prime explains the full plan to Scorponok. They make plans to help the wounded Transformers, with Scorponok noting that once that task is ended the truce will be over and their battles will begin anew.

Whew, an awesomely long story this one, but then what would one expect for a 50th issue, similar I expect for IDW’s upcoming 125th issue. The story in fact wraps up a four issue arc called The Underbase Saga. We get to see that combined the Transformers could accomplish almost anything, but sadly the Civil War means that is almost never going to happen. Art wise the art is on par with issues of that era, given the printing limitations, it is better than earlier issues with less coloring mistakes and seemingly smoother lines. All in all a must have for Transformers fans.

The 20 Days of Transformers #8 & #9

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Well, since circumstances beyond my control (see also Minecraft ;) ) meant that you didn’t get a review yesterday, we’ll give you two today! At #13 we have the end of an era, and at #12 we have the start of a new one!

#13: Marvel Generation Two Issue 12

The End Of The Road!

For the final issue of Generation Two we begin with Prime giving us a quick history lesson as to the true nature of Transformer reproduction, and the side effect of rediscovering it. Aboard the War World that is Starscream, Prime tells ‘Screamer that The Swarm is after the Transformers and then the universe, and Starscream (who currently possesses the Matrix) is feeling the urge to save lives, despite his finely tuned self preservation subroutines. Prime and Starscream come to an agreement, as yet unknown to the readers.

Aboard the Second Gen Decepticon flagship Twilight Jihaxus believes The Swarm is a trick, one that has mass and can be destroyed. As they prepare aboard Twilight, on the War World Megatron and Optimus arrive at the room that holds the physical form of Starscream and The Matrix, just as Starscream tells them that one of the 2nd Gen ‘Con ships is opening fire on The Swarm, aggravating it into destroying the ship and all lifeforms on it. Taking the opportunity of the distraction Prime tells Starscream to hand over The Matrix, finally restoring Optimus to the Full Prime so to speak.

The Full Prime

Ending Chapter One aboard Twilight and Jihaxus starting to loose control while Optimus heads towards them on a Sky Sled.

Chapter Two finds Megatron and Starscream aboard the War World loading a shuttle with a gas that will protect against The Swarm and Optimus aboard Twilight heading to the bridge where he’s ambushed by Jihaxus, who, with one hit, destroys Prime’s vocal components. We see that Jihaxus has pretty much lost it, a savage beast. As he’s about to deliver the final blow The Swarm breaks through the hull. Angered even further Jihaxus challenges The Swarm, that responds by starting to mimic Jihaxus’ look before consuming him.

The second chapter ends with Twilight’s main reactor rupturing and throwing Prime out of the way, although not far enough and Megatron aboard the shuttle testing the protective gas first hand.

The Imitation Is the Most Sincere Form of Flattery

As Chapter 3 starts we find the Earth bound Transformers preparing for the coming of The Swarm. When one of Megatron’s new recruits, Manta Ray, ignores Razorclaw’s order in favor of Grimlock’s, Razorclaw goes to take him out. Manta Ray is saved by another Rotor Force member as they both switch sides to the Autobots. Back with Prime we find he’s been rescued by Starscream, which seems to have aggravated The Swarm. Prime comes to the conclusion that it is an empty vessel, and that maybe he has the answer.

Planet-fall Minus the Ship

Meanwhile back on Earth the ‘Bots and ‘Cons are fighting The Swarm, and loosing. Ramjet being consumed, Rumble channeling so much sound he disintegrates, Dirge and Nightbeat self destructing. As Grimlock looks around he spots Megatron walking through The Swarm unharmed, he starts to hand out the protective gas, declaring “It’s payback time!”

Meanwhile on the War World Prime decides not to use the gas left by Starscream and lets himself be consumed, releasing the life and wisdom and power of The Matrix into The Swarm, changing it, giving it purpose. In return The Swarm rebuilds Optimus and leaves the planet. Optimus has finally united the Decepticons and Autobots, but he still has a doubt. As an epilogue we go to The Hub, we meet Liege Maximo, the wellspring of all Decepticons, and he has plans for the Transformers.

The New Prime

Whew, a long issue this, but lets get to it, the story is a little disjointed in places, and it doesn’t really feel like a final of the series, but then we know Simon Furman had plans, one only has to seek out Alignment, Furman’s text based conclusion to know this. Art is a little harder to review as there are two distinct styles in this issue, the first is a smoother, but slightly distorted form, that does represent the characters in a good fashion, the second is rougher, more gritty, and yet more solid in some ways. All in all, a good story and great comic.

The Creative Team

Writer: Simon Furman
Artist: Geoff Senior
Penciller: Manny Galan
Inker: Jim Amash
Editor: Rob Tokar

Release Date: October 1994
Cover Price: $2.25

Trivia: This is the third time Optimus Prime has died in the Marvel US continuity, and the second time he has sacrificed himself specifically by unleashing the light of the Matrix into a devouring evil.

Prime’s new form is based on his Combat Hero toy, which was then his most recent toy incarnation.

During Prime’s victory speech, Megatron is visible standing at his feet. One would normally expect him to be standing beside Prime as co-leader of the Alliance… but he did seem really impressed by Prime’s resurrection…

#12: IDW Transformers Prime Issue 1

That's Just Prime

For the first issue of TFP, we follow Cliffjumper as he meets up with Arcee… Cybertron is an abandoned husk, at least is should be, Cliffjumper is investigating ‘Con activity when he is captured. Interrogated by a Decepticon, he is forced to decode a message from none other than Optimus Prime who says where the battleground has been moved to… Earth. However as the ‘Cons can’t read the message Cliff tells them that it says “Megatron smells like Unicron’s Armpit”

As they are about to execute him, Arcee swoops to the rescue, taking out the ‘Cons and freeing Cliff. It turns out she’s looking for the location of the ‘Con’s top secret weapons lab, a lab that’s located in Kaon City!

Can you hear The Rock?

As Arcee sets off, Cliff starts to tag along, they discuss their respective tactics, Arcee needing this to be a stealth mission, while Cliff is more… Trigger happy… Deciding that it would be better to work together they they set off, Arcee teasing Cliff to “try to keep up”

A shorter review this one, but the story is one that to me is a great intro to the new world of Transformers Prime, and a good start to a good prequel to the cartoon. Story wise, it’s not bad, definitely a smaller part of a larger story, but on it’s own it works. Art wise, this is actually awesome, the detail is great, although I found the colors to be a little dark, but again, it works. My only grumble is the Autobot eyes, there’s something a little off-putting about them, but maybe that’s just me…

Arcee to the Rescue

The Creative Team

Writer: Mike Johnson
Artist: E.J. Su
Colors: Andrew Dalhouse
Letters: Chris Mowry and Robbie Robbins
Assistant Edits: Carlos Guzman
Edits: Andy Schmidt

Release Date: January 2011
Cover Price: $3.99

A Deal is Struck

The 20 Days of Transformers #7: Fun Publications Timelines Vol 2 #3

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Now, for some fun, lets go to the other side of the shattered looking glass with our #14…

Fun Publications Transformers Timelines Volume 2 Issue 3

Shattered Glass

For those that don’t know, the Fun Pub Timelines comics are the ones that are available at BotCon, this issue I believe was for the 2008 BotCon.

It begins with darkness… Doesn’t it always? But then we find Classics Cliffjumper falling through a portal of some sort. Encountering a Decepticon he is saved by a rather darkly colored Rodimus (or Hot Rod for those of you who want the original names). Cliff is understandably confused and annoyed, not the least by Rodimus’ almost cheesy mustache…

Brought back to Autobot HQ he is met by Optimus Prime (painted in appropriate dark colors) and given the obligatory tour of the deactivated wrecks that adorn the entrance way as they head to the Smelting Pool! When Cliff objects to the execution of Rumble, Prime gives him the chance to do it personally, when he still objects Prime, to use a Earth term, fills him full of lead and has his damaged body dumped.

To be an evil double one needs a mo

Cliff’s damaged body is found by the Constructicons (painted as medics), who revive him. When he wakes he tries to get away, running head-long into Megatron (painted in appropriately heroic colors) and Sideswipe. From the way Megatron talks we can see that he’s not evil. Sideswipe talks with Cliff privately and tells him that he’s crossed into a different universe, and then proceeds to fill him in on the history of the Shattered Glass universe.

We switch to the Autobot combat training room and Optimus Prime as he hears a report from Blurr that the Decepticons are planning to attack The Ark. Meanwhile in the Decepticon war room the plans are being laid for the attack on The Ark, Starscream (clearly not an incompetent coward in this universe) comes up with the answer, don’t attack the shop, attack the launch pad instead!

The attack is launched with the planes making the first strike with some sort of acid bombs. As Megatron and Prime face off, Prime lets loose Grimlock, a savage animalistic creature (so not much difference there then) and Cliff finds himself confused as his former friends are shooting at him and the ‘Cons are protecting him. As he deliberates Prime takes a shot at him, and he’s saved by Megatron jumping in-front of the shot.

Parting Shots

Taking the cover Cliff decides to make the difference and fires the shot that brings down The Ark. Calling a retreat Megatron and his army head out, in the confusion Prime is shot by Megatron, possibly fatally. And Cliffjumper tells Megatron that he can count on him.

This comic is a shining example of the awesomeness that can come of giving writers and artists a small idea and then letting them go for it. The story is amazing, the art just as amazing. The colors, while dark are very appropriate, and work so well with the storyline.

As a bonus we have some More Than Meets the Eye profiles of Rodimus and Starscream, and a 3 page fake leak of the story that is very reminiscent of the G2 style of art.

The Creative Team

Writer: Pete Sinclair, Ben Yee
Penciller: Don Figueroa
Artist: Alex Milne
Inker: Don Figueroa
Colorist: Espen Grundetjern
Letterer: Jesse Wittenrich
Editor: Pete Sinclair
Editor In Chief: Brian Savage

Release Date: 2008
Cover Price: $4.95

Trivia: Sideswipe’s history of “Shattered” Cybertron closely mirrors (so to speak) the version told in the very first Transformers story, and even Optimus Prime’s initial rallying cry to his troops is an homage to Generation 1 Megatron’s in that issue. However, Optimus Prime’s early name, Optronix, and his profession as a archivist, are references to Dreamwave’s The War Within.

Jazz blurts out “I ain’t gettin’ bombed by no plane!”, a reference to the oft-repeated mantra of B.A. Baracus (played by Mr. T) from The A-Team; “I ain’t gettin’ on no plane!”.

Heroic Megatron

The 20 Days of Transformers #6: Marvel G1 #41

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Okay, I have a confession, our #15 is actually my most favorite Marvel Transformers G1 ever (and yet it didn’t make #1, the mind boggles ;) )

Marvel Generation One Issue 41

Transformers 41: Totaled

Some back story might go well here, we’re at the point in the story where we have two groups of Decepticons and two groups of Autobots. That’s 4 commanders, Ratbat, Scorponok, Grimlock and Fortress Maximus. The ‘Bots under Fort Max (Autobots #2) are attempting to rebuild the greatest Autobot who ever lived, Optimus Prime. The ‘Bots under Grimlock (Autobots #1) are… Doing not much.

We start the story seeing the latest results of the resurrection attempt (an explosive failure, for a modern coloring of this see http://fav.me/d4ikxhl), then the news that they’ve found Goldbug’s former comrades (Autobots #1) onboard The Ark. Cut to Grimlock’s Throne Room and Snarl informs him of Fort Max’s imminent arrival. After the meet and greet Fort Max gets down to business, they want Grimlock’s Autobot’s help to rebuild Optimus. Grimlock on the other hand is disinclined to help, calling him a “no-good peace loving coward” who wasted time protecting worthless humans.

The Human Behind Fort Max

As one could expect, Fort Max is slightly irritated by this as, unbeknown to Grimlock, the core consciousness of Fort Max rests in the head of the binary bonded human Spike Witwicky. After seeing this and learning how they tracked him down Grimlock calls for Fort Max to had over Goldbug as he’s considered a traitor. To save Fort Max from fighting Grimlock, Goldbug surrenders himself. Sadly Grimlock declares that they will fight for supremacy of the Autobots, calling Fort Max “Fruitloop Multipuck” in the process.

Goldbug is thrown into a cell with his former partner Blaster, who recounts how he ended up there. Goldbug manages to talk him into taking Fort Max’s place in order to settle the score between him and Grimlock.

We now cut to Ratbat and his Decepticons aboard their spaceship as they learn of the meeting between the two Autobot groups, Ratbat, ever the analyst, decides that this would be a perfect way to take out the Autobots for minimal fuel expenditure.

Back to the ‘Bots as both crews land on the Moon and assemble to watch the fight (think WWE with Transformers on the Moon with Omega Supreme playing the roll of Michael Buffer.)  As Blaster and Grimlock struggle and eventually move out of optic range of the ‘Bots, Ratbat’s Decepticons launch a sneak attack on the combined Autobots.

The attack we learn is a distraction while the Constructicons break into The Ark and recover the remains of several deactivated and damaged Decepticons. Fort Max, during the fight, sees this and gives Goldbug some orders that for now aren’t known to the reader. Meanwhile Blaster and Grimlock manage to take their focus off each other long enough to notice the commotion back at the ring, and decide to investigate (with Grimlock admitting that if it was his idea even he wouldn’t trust himself.)

Back at Fort Max’s ship Goldbug arrives and passes on the order from Fort Max to the skeleton crew to depart in the ship immediately. Cut to Grimlock and Blaster getting back to the assault, and agreeing that the duel ended in a draw, and they head into the fray to help turn the tide against the Decepticons, eventually co-operating to severely damage the Decepticon ship, in response to which Ratbat calls a retreat.

Only One Fit To Lead

After the ‘Cons have fled, we discover that during the fight Fort Max came to the realization that neither he, nor Grimlock, nor Blaster, nor any Autobot there is fit to lead, only one Autobot has the qualities needed… Optimus Prime.

Okay, I realize that some would think that I can’t really be objective with this being my favorite comic of the Marvel G1 era, but believe me, I can, the story, while awesome, is a little wordy in places, and does jump a little, but it works really, and the art, while great, is let down a little by some of the coloring, but when one takes into account the coloring techniques of the day and the printing technologies available, it’s about standard.

The Creative Team

Writer: Bob Budiansky
Penciller: Jose Delbo
Inker: Danny Bulanadi
Colorist: Nel Yomtov
Letterer: Bill Oakley
Editor: Don Daley
Editor In Chief: Tom DeFalco

Release Date: June 1988
Cover Price: $1.00

Trivia: Artist José Delbo had to draw over 120 different Transformers for this issue’s 3-way battle — many of them in multiple modes. Unlike in the cartoon, writer Bob Budiansky always made sure sound didn’t travel in space sequences in the Transformers comic. To this end there’s no ‘sound effects’ during the entire 13-page moon battle sequence. The Transformers used radio to communicate over these pages. This even plays a part in the plot—Grimlock and Blaster don’t notice the Decepticon attack on their fellows immediately because they can’t hear the battle.

All Out Smack Down

The 20 Days of Transformers #5: Dreamwave Armada #1

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Scoring at #16 on the top 20 we have an introduction to war with the first issue of Dreamwave’s Transformers Armada!

Dreamwave Transformers Armada Issue 1

Transformers Armada #1

First impressions while re-reading this comic, are that it would fit well for some US TV networks… Drops you right in the middle of some action and sets you running ;)

We get some good views of Cyber City as we follow Hot Shot while he races to report a potential disaster to none other than Optimus Prime. It seems the Decepticons are attacking and capturing the Mini Cons.

The story then changes place slightly to the Mini Con Sector Village C52 and Mini Cons Sparkplug and Rollbar as they discuss their chances of survival. We learn that the Mini Cons have a plan to erect a force field around the city to stop the Decepticons. We catch up with several groups as they work before focusing on Longarm and Jolt, Longarm recounts a story he heard from a friend about what the Decepticons are doing to the captured Mini Cons.

Can you spot the cameos?

We cut back to Rollbar just in time to see the battered body of Sparkplug flying through the air to report that the Decepticons were there. The Mini Cons turn on the force field… With nothing happening… Until one of them applies a tried and true method of getting things going… He kicked it.

Out for the Count...

As the assorted Mini Cons watch the force field, awaiting the Decepticons arrival, unbeknown to them, Cyclonus sneaking in through, what I’d call, a sewer to come up right behind them.

The focus now moves to Cyclonus and Demolisher attacking and capturing the Mini Cons. Once done, they report back to Megatron, who tells them that “Next we declare war.”

As an introduction to the Armada story and the comic itself, this comic works perfectly/ It shows the main players well, and gives you a look at how they act and think, I think this would probably be a better introduction to the storyline than the actual cartoon, a testament to Dreamwave’s hard work to get some of the best Transformers storytellers around.

James Raiz’s art is, as always, fantastically on the mark. Although one has to wonder why the Transformers look like normal Earth based cars even on Cybertron, but one could forgive that easily enough since we are trying to make it easily identifiable for some of the younger audiences.

This Means War!

The Creative Team

Writer: Chris Sarracini
Pencills: James Raiz
Inks: Rob Armstrong, Erik Sander
Backgrounds: Edwin Garcia
Colors: Alan Wang, Ramil Sunga, Gary Yeung
Graphic Design: Paul Villafuerte
Flats: Henry Li
Letters: Dreamer Designs
Pre-Press: Hell-O-Graphics

Release Date: July 2002
Cover Price: $2.95

Trivia: Bots somewhat resembling Generation 1 Hound, Jazz, Wheeljack, and Cliffjumper appear as extras in Cyber City. In Prime’s first appearance, there’s a screen behind him with tiny, but legible, text. The text reads “All your base are belong to us” over and over, and “if you can read this you are obsessed”. It makes a fair point.

My Score: 9/10 Matrixes

The 20 Days of Transformers #4: IDW Spotlight Optimus Prime

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At #17 we bring you a look inside the mind of arguably the greatest Autobot ever.

IDW Spotlight Issue 9: Optimus Prime

Spotlight: Optimus Prime

As we all know (well, I’d hope you do anyway) Optimus Prime is the leader of the Autobots, their supreme commander if you will. However in the events of Transformers: Escalation he was badly damaged, brought to the brink of death, and there he felt a presence, a presence that belonged to a Matrix bearer, another Prime. The experience seems to be haunting Optimus, leading him to seek out the one Transformer who might be able to shed some light on the issue… Omega Supreme.

As Omega tells Optimus of Nova Prime’s plans for “Expansion.” Plans that culminated in The Ark. Plans that, as I read it, weren’t made public to the Transformers in general. We learn that Omega disagreed with the plans, opting for a more inward approach. The trip down memory lane is interrupted by the combined form of the Pretender Monsters, Monstructor, seeking revenge upon Omega Supreme.

Wanna Panic Now?

As Prime and Omega take on Monstructor, we go inside Optimus’s mind as he works through all he’s just learned. As a small side note, we see Monstructor open a can of whoop ass on Omega using Prime’s ship like a club, now that’s awesome… Optimus uses his brains and blasts the air lock, essentially blowing them all out into space, where Omega, wounded, rockets them to brief safety.

There we learn that Monstructor was a creation of Jihaxus, a veritable Transformer Mad Scientist, a Dr Frankenstein of sorts. And after the disappearance of The Ark Omega locked Monstructor away. In learning this Prime has a revelation… He’s disgusted by the actions of Nova and Omega, believing they were “playing god”

Playing God

As Monstructor lunged to attack again Omega tells Optimus how to defeat them, and using that information Optimus takes down Monstructor, swearing that they will be helped, against Omega Supreme’s warnings that the gestalt technology is too dangerous to have around.

From the readers point of view, the story is fairly simple, and yet deep at the same time. We get to see that the shining beacon of Autobot perfection actually has some insecurities and fears… Almost a flawed hero, but not if you know what I mean.

The story is a jewel that can come from the mind of only one man, Simon Furman, someone who every Transformers fan should know of. And the art matches that with Don Figueria providing the art and the awesome Josh Burcham providing the colors, rounding it off is Chris Mowry on letters… This team is like the crème de la crème!

The Prime Legacy

The Creative Team

Writer: Simon Furman
Artist: Don Figueroa
Colorist: Josh Burcham
Letterer: Chris Mowry
Cover Colorist: Josh Burcham
Cover Artist: Don Figueroa

Release Dates: August 2007
Cover Price: $3.99

Trivia: The issue includes 2 pages of sketches by Don Figueroa—one of Optimus Prime in several stages of transformation (though it’s the transformation design of Masterpiece/Dreamwave Optimus, not the IDW one), and the other of the various alternate modes of Sentinel Prime and Nova Prime.

My Score: 9/10 Matrixes

The 20 Days of Transformers #3: Marvel G1 #33/34

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Coming in at #18, a two part story from the other side…

Marvel Generation One Issues 33 and 34

Man of Iron

Marvel takes us to England for a special presentation of a story from the UK version of the comic. “Man of Iron” It’s a classic story that stands alone on it’s own feet and rightly so.

Reading it through in preparation for writing this I was struck by how much it feels like the first live action movie, the focus wasn’t on the Transformers, it was the humans affected by their encounters with the Autobots and Decepticons. In this case Sammy and the people at the castle.

The Man of Iron?

The back story is a simple one really, legend tells of a giant man of iron who appeared in the year 1017, he was convinced to leave and never return by a priest. In the present Sammy encounters a giant robot, in the form of Jazz, freaked out Sammy runs home. Meanwhile we have Decepticons bombing a castle where Sammy’s dad is curator. Sammy’s dad puts two and two together and concludes that Sammy may have seen the Man of Iron. At this point one might want to note that being a reprint of a UK serial, what for the US version is two comics is for the UK version 4, so US Issue 33 is parts 1 and 2 and Issue 34 is 3 and 4…

Does look a bit like Jazz...

In part two the basic bit is focused on Sammy and the Man of Iron, and the Autobots gathering information on it through covert means, and ends with Jazz essentially kidnapping Sammy. Part 3 finds Jazz and his team consisting of Mirage and Trailbreaker escorting Sammy to meet their leader Optimus Prime, in the process fending off an attack by some Seekers, with a little help from Bluestreak. Optimus and the Autobots believe that the Man of Iron is part of a rescue party sent to find the Autobots and The Ark, and that it’s buried under the castle. In the conclusion the Man of Iron appears and tries to take on Starsream, with deadly results. Soon we have the Autobots and the Decepticons facing off over the now partly uncovered Autobot shuttle. As one would expect, the Autobots win and ultimately decide to destroy the shuttle… Not realizing that in stasis inside it is the ship’s navigator, an Autobot who has the co-ordinates of their homeworld Cybertron!

Story wise, this is a relatively good story, as I said, as far as I can see it focuses more on the humans than the Transformers, and that wasn’t entirely seen back in the 80s Transformers comics. As far as the art goes, it’s got it’s good points and bad points, the Transformers shown are closer to their toy appearances than the US version of the same time, sometimes however the art falls too short of the mark and fails to deliver the quality that the US version did, that said, there are some amazing panels throughout the two comics.

Overall impression of the two comics, awesome work.

The Navigator waits patiently.

The Creative Team

Writer: Steve ‘S.J.’ Parkhouse
Pencills and Inks: John Ridgway & Michael Collins
Colorist: Nel Yomtov
Cover Penciller: Charles Vess & Tom Morgan
Editor: Don Daley

Release Dates: October / November 1987
Cover Price: $1.00

Meet the leader of the Autobots...

Trivia: The staggered colouring history makes the Man of Iron’s killer difficult to identify. While the original art is black-and-white, the issue’s cover is in colour, and it shows the Seeker in question to be Skywarp. This is supported by the in-story dialogue (‘There’s another one! It just seemed to appear from nowhere!’), suggesting use of his teleporting ability. When the story was reprinted in Collected Comics, however, the killer was coloured as Thundercracker, which resulted in a quiz question in a later UK annual that named him as the do’er of the deed (although the previous issue’s cover showed that Thundercracker was the jet shot down by Bluestreak in the third installment). And as if things weren’t confused enough already, when the US reprint of the story was recoloured, the killer was depicted as Starscream!

My Score: 9/10 Matrixes