TFtember: Attack of the Autobots

"Attack of the Autobots" the Transformers, October 4, 1985

The Autobots repel a Decepticon attack on the Ark, but it was actually a diversion. Megatron and Starscream, both coated in invisible paint, sneak into the base and sabotage the Autobot's recharging pods. 

The next day, things start out normal, at least until Optimus Prime smashes their computer. The only Autobots who didn't rechage were Jazz and Bumblebee, who were out in the woods playing with Jazz's new sound system. When Bluestreak tries to force Bumblebee into a pod, Jazz stops it. Sparkplug manages to fix the computer, which tells them the Autobots are now evil.

Optimus leads the Autobots to attack a nearby Air Foce base while Sparkplug and Jazz try to cure them. Sparkplug invents a device that "drain evil then recharge good". Not sure how that works, but ok.  

From there the Autobots continue their assault while the Decepticons try to steal a satellite. Can the uninfected cure the infected in time?

Not terrible, although questions keep getting raised. Invisible paint? Something that drains evil? Plus the Autobots don't get called out for their actions here, but eh, at least Toei is back to doing the animation. 

TFtember: The Transformers#20

"Showdown!" the Transformers#20 (September 1986) with credits to Bob Budiansky (script), Herb Trimpe (pencils), Ian Aiken/Brian Garvey (inks), Nel Yomtov (colors), Janice Chiang (letters), and Mike Carlin (editor) 

And thus we end the comic reviews, at least for a while. 

We open with a chase scene. Donny has finally managed to escape the Decepticons but Ravage is in hot pursuit. He ditches his old Robot Master costume, which buys him some time, but can he find the Autobots in time?

Meanwhile, Charlene is in a spot. Her car has broken down but thankfully Wendell is giving her a ride as she talks about wanting more adventure in her life. Pulling over to stretch their legs, they find Skids. Figuring, "hey, free car!", they give a call to Wendell's cousin Bob to tow Skids into town. Skids, for his part, figures it might be safer to stay as a car.

Charlene drives out of Bob's garage, but Jake (the jerk from last issue) recognizes the van and road rages ensures, at least until Skids takes over and leaves him in the dust. Of course, Charlene is now freaking out a bit as her van seems to be alive. Skids takes her to the outskirts of town and confesses. He's sorry, but he's tired of fighting and wishes to go back to his pre-war job as an anthropologist. Charlene calms a bit and takes Skids home. They chat and start to bond over her love of the Wild West. 

Before things get too cozy though, Donny finds them. He overheard Jake ranting about a living van and tracked Charlene down. Both her and Skids try to ignore him, but when Ravage shows up all three hightail it out of there. They get to old mining town, but while the humans hide Jake runs up and knocks out Skids with a tire iron. 

Yeah, seems a Transformer's windshield is like their skull?

Skids has a dream sequence in which he stares down Megatron in the Old West but Jake manages to redeem himself somewhat by hitting Ravage with his car. Skids manages to come to and knock Ravage down a mineshaft. Skids leaves with Donny, telling Charlene that as much as he enjoyed himself he can't avoid his responsibility to the Autobots. 

Pretty darn good, even if the car wash sequence seems brings to mind far too many questions. Skids really takes the lead here (more than he ever did in the cartoon) and we carry on the story from the previous issues. 

TFtember: Kaltor

Kaltor 

And now we end out look back at the figures, at least until September. Kaltor was a Time Warrior, except instead of being a straight watch, Kaltor was a calculator watch. Very 80's.

He started out as a Takara Kronoform watch and that's about it for his characterization. No file card, comic, or cartoon. Not even any ads or even cameos in later media. 

TFtember: City of Steel

"City of Steel" the Transformers, October 17, 1985

Nearing the end, and oh boy. AKOM.

The Decepticons are in New York City. Are they seeing a Broadway show? Nope, they just stole the Empire State Building. Which doesn't seem to be that big a deal.

The Autobots arrive in Central Park and attack, but Prime gets captured as Megatron reveals his plan-turn New York into New Cybertron! They even rebuilt the Empire State Building into a Cybertronian fortress. 

Megatron, figuring he'd better get rid of Prime, has the Autobot leader cut apart. He keeps the head though. Got to have to something to gloat over, you know. He lets the Constructicons have the rest. 

The Autobots decide to find Prime first. Thankfully he has a homing beacon in all his parts, but what happens when his body has been rebuilt into a giant robot alligator? Gator wrestling, that's what happens. 

They manage to find most of Prime easily enough, save for his arm and his cannon, which has been placed on top of the fortress. 

Can Prime pull himself together? Will Megatron's actions have an impact on the city's rent?

Pretty nuts but AKOM manages to make it memorable but not for the reasons you think. Errors abound, dialogue is messed up and everthing feels more like a knock off.  

TFtember: The Transformers#19

"Command Performance!" the Transformers#19 (August 1986) with credits to Bob Budiansky (script), Don Perlin (pencils), Ian Aiken/Brian Garvey (inks), Nel Yomtov (colors), Janice Chiang (letters), and Mike Carlin (editor) 

At the Ark, Optimus Prime is showing off the Autobot's latest member-Omega Supreme! Built by Grapple and the Creation Maxtrix, Omega brings some much needed muscle. 

Which is good, as the Dinobots have opted to leave. Seems they have some issue with management. 

Speaking of management, the Decepticons are having issues of their own. Publicly, Shockwave and Megatron are sharing the power of leadership. Privately, Shockwave is making it clear he wants to be a solo act, plus he doesn't think too highly of Donny and his whole 'Robot Master' shtick. 

The Autobots launch an assault on the 'cons base, but Skids clips the sportscar of a local d-bag. Obeying orders not to reveal themselves, Skids rushes off, with the dude and his gal in pursuit. They get stopped by troops. 

Megatron awaits at the Space Bridge, but is quite annoyed when Blaster and his Autobot rebels show up instead. When the rest of the Autobots attack, Megatron figures that the Ark must be undefended. Attacking, they run headlong into Omega Supreme. 

Megatron and Laserbeak are the only 'cons to escape in once piece. 

Donny tries to escape, meanwhile, but Ravage stops that real quick. The Autobots opt to retreat, as their real mission was to scan Devastator to figure out the whole combiner thing. Everything would be great, except Skids gets blown up when the jerk from earlier rushes out and distracts him. 

Megatron arrives as the Autobots leave. Shockwave argues that this proves that Megatron is a poor leader, but Megatron counters that while he walked into a trap, Shockwave did nothing as the trap was set and sprung. Seeing the logic in that, Shockwave steps down as leader. 

The Autobots celebrate their victory, unaware of the music that is still playing from Skids' radio...

Good issue, although slight retcon with Blaster and co. arriving, but that's small quibble. Good introduction for Omega Supreme, although Mirage and Bluestreak have seemingly vanished. Which does make sense since their toys were discontinued, although you'd think they at least write them off. 

TFtember: Jet Powerdasher-Cromar

Jet Powerdasher 

Apparently the most common powerdasher that was sent out. The toy was a kind of jet, formerly a Diaclone Sky Dasher, and like the other two the main selling point was the pull motor. Just pull back and let her go.

The character wouldn't be called Cromar until 2019 at least the action figure version. 

No file card for this version, nor comic (Generation One anyway; like his fellows his did show up as a background character in Dreamwave and IDW comics); likewise the cartoon was absent of this fellow. 

Still, for a mail-in, not bad and the motor was neat. 

TFtember: Changing Gears

"Changing Gears" the Transformers, Oct. 1, 1985

We open with the Decepticons attacking a group of miners. Megatron isn't angry about them trying to call for help though, for some reason.

The Autobots arrive, with Gears complaining the whole way. During the fight, Megatron manages to get the drop of Gears and drag the Autobot truck away. Why?

Seems there is a component inside Gears' chest which is vital to the Megatron's latest scheme. With it he can finish his Solar Needle and drain energy from space. Removing it also messes with Gears...in that it turns him nice!

The Autobots race to the rescue though but will they want to fix their friend?

Not terrible but man not that much happens. Gears gets some good moments though and his fnal twist and the end makes it worthwhile. 

TFtember: Transformers#18

 "The Bridge to Nowhere!" the Transformers#18 (July 1986) with credits to Bob Budiansky (script), Don Perlin (pencils), Keith Williams/Vince Colletta (inks), Nel Yomtov (colors), Janice Chiang (letters), and Mike Carlin (editor) 

A young couple are out on a drive when they find a new bridge, which seemingly ends right over a gorge. They get near the end when a giant robot appears at the end of it and explodes. They get the hell out of there as the bridge vanishes. 

Where does it go? Cybertron. Decepticon leader Straxus is a bit peeved as his space bridge failed to work. Blaster is spying on this. His wants to get the Autobot scientist Spanner out, as he was kidnapped and forced to build it, but his orders are to destroy the thing, no matter the cost. He's running out of time though, as Shrapnel is about to fix the whole 'make things explode' problem. 

Back on Earth, Donny is still acting as the Robot Master but things are growing tense. Mostly because the only food the Decepticons want to give him are vending machines filled with candy. Thankfully bigger fish arrive, namely Shockwave. A transmission from Straxus arrives, forcing Megatron and Shockwave to team up. 

Back on Cybertron, the bridge is ready to go. Blaster and the Autobots attack. Much to his horror, Blaster finds Spanner. The scientist wasn't just forced to work on the bridge-he IS the bridge. With the Decepticons rapidly approaching, Blaster makes a choice, a choice that ends with the surviving Autobots looking around the new planet they find themselves on...

Darn good. We finally see the Space Bridge, which was used pretty well on the cartoon, and the character Straxus is a different type of leader. More thuggish than Megatron, yet the latter and Shockwave put aside their issues to deal with him. Good characterization. 

TFtember: Jazz

Jazz 

Another character that actually did things and had more than one toy in Generation One. 

The toy was a pretty basic but fun. A Porsche 935 Turbo, he came with several sponser stickers. The second version, often dubbed the Cookie Crisp version came out in 1986 with the stickers naming the particular brands removed. 

In 1989 Hasbro introduced the Pretenders. Much like Bumblebee, there was a simplified version of Jazz that could be put into an oversized plastic shell that looked like a human. That same year there was also the Legend series, which was the Pretender toy just sold on its own. 

1990 saw the release of the Action Masters and Jazz was included. He cetainly looked like the aniamted version, albeit with a sonic skateboard. Always thought that one was a bit goofy. 

There was also a three pack including Jazz released in Japan and a reissue of the first one, stickers included, for the European market. 

As far as a Marvel comic goes, Jazz was one of the better treated characters. He had more to do in the UK stories, but as far as the American comics go he was probably the closest to his animated counterpart, often taking lead. He was the one to get Blackrock to side with them, after all. He also proved to be luckier than most. He made it to #77 before fading off into the background. 

The cartoon was probably the biggst portrayal of the character. Voiced by Scatman Crothers (and briefly by Wally Burr), Jazz was the Autobot that loved Earth culture the most. He was in most episodes and even survivied the movie. By season 3 he was little more than a background character though. 

But for seasons one and two? He was there and he was out of sight. Crothers did a wonderful job, giving Jazz just the right amount of optimism for his lines. 

TFtember: Autobot Spike

"Autobot Spike" the Transformers, Sept. 23, 1985

So, season 2 kicks off with an episode from Frankenstein research guru Donald F. Glut. I wonder what it could be about?

TFtember: Transformers#17

 "The Smelting Pool!" the Transformers#17 (June 1986) with credits to Bob Budiansky (script), Don Perlin (pencils), Keith Williams (inks), Nel Yomtov (colors), Janice Chiang (letters), and Mike Carlin (editor)

Say, how have things been on Cybertron?

TFtember: Ironhide

Ironhide  

Now we're getting into one of the bigger characters. Quite a bit to say about this dude.

First, for the toy. Always had a problem with how the toy looked nothing like the character on the show. Ironhide started life as a Diaclone van, explaining how his head looks like that as better to seat the tiny pilot that came with the toy. The van would also break into two, with the back part forming a kind of mini-base. 

That would be largely it, although the figure was reissued in 1990 under the Europe only Classic line. The 2008 version came with a small sticker you could stick in the window to try and make him more show accurate but honestly that just brings more attention to the whole issue.  

The card does mention that he's Optimus's bodyguard and also the oldest and toughest 'bot. A sort of proto-Kup, if you were. 

For the comics, we have a mixed bag. He started out looking exactly like his toy before switching over to his cartoon likeness. He was in a few issues but he didn't do a whole lot (the UK had more solo stories for him) plus he was either reduced to a background character (main Marvel comics) or outright killed (movie comic). He did show up in Generation 2, but we'll get to that series later. 

Speaking of the movie, the cartoon was where he really shined. Voiced by Peter Cullen, he acted more as Optimus Prime's sidekick. He also had a lot of liquids that he shot out of his hands. While he was in quite a few episodes, he never really had the spotlight. He did seem briefly take charge during the Movie, where Megatron shot him dead. And thus ends the story of Ironhide. 

Not terrible, but his death seemed to be the biggest thing about him. The fact that Kup would easily fit into the whole 'grizzled vet' just as easily kind of proved how replaceable he was. 

TFtember: Heavy Metal War

"Heavy Metal War" the Transformers, Dec. 15, 1984

And thus we end the first season of the cartoon. How are we going to end it?

A bunch of green construction vehicles attack a work site and make off with some components. They return to Megatron and we learn they are the newest Decepticon recruits-the Constructicons! And what do they intend to do with the stuff they stole? 

That would be telling.

Megatron then arrives at the Ark and issues a challenge to Optimus Prime. One on one, winner take all, with the loser being banished forever to deep space. Prime agrees. 

Megatron, being the bad guy, is already planning to cheat. How? Remember the stuff that the Constructicons stole? Yeah, with that they build a machine that gives Megatron access to all the Decepticons' powers. 

The fight goes poorly for Prime, but a deal is a deal, so the Autobots are preparing to leave Earth. The Constructions, meanwhile, have been tunneling to the Autobot's computer. Why? Because the Decepticons know the computer would prove they cheated. 

Pity their tunneling wakes up the Dinobts. Pity for the Dinobots that the Constructicons can combine into Devastator, a giant robot. 

Can the Autobots save the Dinobots?

Pretty good, and even could serve as a series finale had things gone that way. We met the Constructicons and get origin#1 (built by Decepticons) of three. Good introduction and great way to establish them as a threat. 

TFtember: Transformers#16

 "Plight of the Bumblebee!" the Transformers#16 (May 1986) with credits to Len Kaminski (script), Graham Nolan (pencils), Tom Morgan (inks), Nel Yomtov (colors), Bill Oakly (letters), and Mike Carlin (editor)

Our first fill-in issue. Supposedly Peter David was meant to handle this but issues with the art held things up. 

Shockwave is calling a meeting of the Decepticons. Their focus is on the weakest Autobot, according to Shockwave, so the jets are ordered to take out none other than Bumblebee!

Bumblebee is sulking as his contributions to the fighting in the past few issues wasn't a whole lot. Deciding it would be better if he just left, he gets attacked by Laserbeak. He manages to ditch him by hiding in a car lot and powering down.

Which is fine, except for that night when two teens are looking to do some joyriding and they figure a yellow VW Bug would be the perfect ride. They wake him up but to keep the illusion he goes along with it. At least until the Decepticons resume their attack. 

Not a bad issue and good use of Bumblebee. 

Tftember: Huffer

Huffer 

Now we take a look at the most depressed Autobot ever made.

Huffer was a big ball of laughs. Based on the Knickerbocker toy, Huffer was a kind of generic truck. His main specialty was construction and being cynical. Kind of surprised how few Transformer character matched their file card info in other media, but Huffer was a depressed fellow right from his first lines in the cartoon. The other main variation was the Venezulan release, which was red and yellow instead of orange and blue. As a mini-vehicle his transformation was pretty basic. 

He was also described as homesick, which came up more in the comics than the cartoon, but kudos for that being expanded on. 

As far as the comic goes, an odd case here. He was there from the beginning and even got a large focus in #10. He then gets shot in #12 and isn't seen again until his last appearance in #41. He had a lot more to do in the UK issues, but his characterization matched his file card perfectly. 

Voiced by John Stephanson, Huffer was also much the same in the cartoon. He didn't do a whole lot but he was there. Even pulled Optimus' trailer, so that was cool. Sadly, he was part of the deck clearing operation in the movie and was bumped off. Off camera too, to further rub salt in the wound. His very last appearance in the show was his remains being blasted into a red sun. Typical. 

TFtember: A Plague of Insecticons

"A Plague of Insecticons" the Transformers, Dec. 29, 1984

A new challenger approaches!

On the small island of Bali, there are reports of metal insects rampaging across the country. Spike overhears the reports and soon a team is dispatched. 

Pity Spike wasn't the only one listening to reports. Laserbeak is also checking out the channel and soon a team of Decepticons is checking out the hive, only to discover it isn't a hive but rather an escape pod from the Decepticon's own ship. Seems the 'cons that were inside scanned the local insect population instead of vehicles for their forms, thus making them Insecticons. 

When the Autobots arrive for a fight, can they handle the newest Decepticons?

Pretty good. The three Insecticons don't have the most distinct personalities, but they are established as a credible threat even if their size seems to vary between scenes. 

TFtember: Transformers#15

"I, Robot-Master!" the Transformers#15 (April 1986) with credits to Bob Budiansky (script), Don Perlin (pencils), Keith Williams (inks), Nel Yomtov (colors), Janice Chiang (letters), and Mike Carlin (editor)

Megatron isn't doing so well. He's about to starve. Breaking into a coal mine, he attempts to eat the coal but alass, he needs energon. He passes out admist the rubble. 

Meanwhile, Uncle Sam is getting antsy about the whole giant robots running amuck thing. Agents at the I.I.I. have been tasked to at least come up with an explanation and fast. Blackrock makes the argument that the Autobots can at least be allies but the bigwigs don't want to hear it.

One agent, Barnett, is trying to come up with a plan when he notices his son reading the latest issue of Robot-Master. Inspired, he hopes on the first flight to New York City. He tracks down the issue's writer, Donny, and offers him a job.

Donny, having just been canned and the series cancelled, accepts. The job? To becomes the Robot-Master for real and claim that both the Autobots and Decepticons work for him. Donny not only accepts he ends up the playing the character for real. Seriously, coast to coast TV, special broadcast signal, the whole works.

Which is all fine and dandy, except for the people who find the inert Megatron. The I.I.I. are on the case though and fly Donny out to the mines to make another broadcast. A shame that the Autobots pick up the signal and decide to investigate. As does Soundwave, which is an even bigger pity.

For Donny, at any rate. 

The Autobots try to arrive but the miltary stops them. The Decepticons are able to get to Megatron first and give him some energy. When he comes to, he easily captures the rather small Donny. When he learns what Donny is claiming, he is about to turn Donny into the first human in orbit without a rocket, but the erstwhile Robot-Master has a plan; namely, he continues the charade. Why? With him on the TV screaming about giant evil robots, the public and authorities will attack the Autobots just as much as the Decepticons, maybe even more so. 

Megatron spares his life, but he makes it clear the reprieve is temporary at best. 

Darn good, new human characters and new plots twists. Although why the gov decides to paint the Transformers as giant rampaging yet Earth robots as opposed to just telling the truth is a bit odd. 

TFtember: Hound

Hound 

The one character who was designed to be the kid appeal one, yet wasn't. 

First the toy. Hound began life as a Diaclone J59 Jeep and came with pilots. As Hound, the firing missiles were removed. As a jeep it was a pretty cool figure, but as a robot it was largely a brick. Of course many of the early Transformers have this problem, with almost zero articulation. 

From the file card, Hound's main role was a scout. He's in love with the Earth and even desires to be human. An interesting character trait, especially when compared to some of the other Autobots.  

As far as the comic goes, this is becoming a reoccurring trend. Hound showed up in #1, where his love of Earth is established. He would then more or less stick to the background for the rest of the series. Showing up certainly, and for some reason usually fighting Ravage. Like many of his comrades from the '84 series, he met his end in #50, although his decapitated head was seen in #56. There were more stories in the UK series and he was brought back in Generation 2, and we'll get to those issues later.  

As for the cartoon, Hound was featured in the first two seasons, voiced by Ken Samson. He didn't do much scouting. Honestly, he acted more as a scientist, inventing various gadgets. He did have a holographic projector which was used to decent effect through the series. He didn't do much else more than that. He survived the movie, so that has to count for something. 

Going from the file card, it seemed natural that he would be the one to interact with the human characters the most, yet Bumblebee was given that. I'm a puzzled as to why, although Bumblebee being available on card while Hound came in a box (and this more expensive) might be a factor. 

TFtember: Countdown to Extinction

 "Countdown to Extinction" the Transformers, December 1, 1984

Picking up from the last episode, Earth is still recovering from Cybertron nearly crashing into it. The Decepticons, without Megatron or Starscream, have pretty broken down into massive infighting. Megatron isn't dead, however, but he is annoyed. Storming back into the base, he finds out that Starscream and Dr. Arkeville haven't been seen in a while. 

Speaking of the Air Commander, he's currently chilling at Arkeville's lab. He is largely unimpressed although he notes a potential item that could bring about the destruction of the entire planet. Always a good idea to keep one of those about. 

He decides to show the doctor some proper science so he takes him to Cybertron. He even sweet-talks Shockwave into helping him. For the greater good, of course. 

While the Autobots and Decepticons fight, Arkeville figures getting the Earth blown up would be bad, so attempts to sabotage the machines. Pity Decepticon anti-theft tech is a bit more high-tech than he is used to. Starscream has the med bots work on him, although it seems they are a bit unfamiliar with human tissue. Arkeville ends with most of his body turned to metal, save for some of his arm and most of his head. 

And that's pretty much it for him. Seriously, as best as I can tell he's still there on Cybertron. 

Shockwave, unpon learning Megatron is alive, switches sides and tells him about Starscream's plot to blow up the Earth. The prompts the Decepticons to make peace with the Autobots, albeit briefly so that they all don't die. 

Not bad, although Dr. Arkeville was a great character (or at least could be) and see him wasted like this is rather annoying. The idea of the Autobots and Decepticons teaming up is interesting, and one that would occasionaly be revisited. 

TFtember: Transformers#14

 "Rock and Roll-Out!" the Transformers#14 (March 1986) with credits to Bob Budiansky (script), Don Perlin (pencils), Al Gordon (inks), Nel Yomtov (colors), Janice Chiang (letters), and Mike Carlin (editor)

Adds for the upcoming toys and the single greatest cameo ever. 

TFtember: Gears

Gears 

If I had the skill, I'd include a photoshoped image of the Game Grumps, with Gears being the Not So Grump. 

Yeah, Gears is the grumpy Autobot, but he does this to mostly cheer up his fellows. His file card actually mentions he can launch himself in the air thanks to compressed air in his feet. I don't think I ever saw this on the show. 

The toy is a vague pickup. Like Brawn, Gears began life as a Mysterian before being bought out by Hasbro. There were a few international variants, with an orange version being released in Brazil and multiple color versions in Peru. As a mini-vehicle his transformation was pretty basic but a solid toy. 

Like many of the 84 series, Gears was there from the beginning in #1. He teamed up with Spider-Man but that would be it for a while until Buzzsaw shot him the face in #12. That would be his main characteristic, namely getting repairs then getting shot up (especially the UK comics) until #50 when he finally got blown up real good. His final appearance was in #52, when we see his head and most of his torso. 

Now the cartoon was where he really shined. Voiced by Don Messick, Gears tended to be a side character, but he was in most episodes and even had dialogue, plus one episode devoted entirely to him, which we'll get to. His last official appearance was in the episode B.O.T. but he was supposedly scheduled to die in the Movie.  

TFtember: The Ultimate Doom, Part 3

  "The Ultimate Doom, Part 3", the Transformers, November 17, 1984

And now we end. 

On Cybertron, Sparkplug sounds the alarm. On Earth, Megatron is having a dam built to harness some of the energy. Dr. Arkeville isn't happy and starts sweet talking Starscream. Which is good as when Megatron abandons the lab to flooding, Starscream is the only one who thinks to take Dr. Arkeville with them.

Back on Cybertron, the Autobots manage to free Sparkplug and head back to Earth. They arrive just as the Decepticons flee with their Energon cubes and Cybertron looms high overhead. If only they had a great source of energy to detonate!

Overall, I'd say ok. Honestly this could have been a 2-parter without that much effort and the whole 'Decepticons endanger Earth to get more energon' was starting to be old hat at this point.  

TFtember: Transformers#13

 "Shooting Star!" the Transformers#13 (February 1986) with credits to Bob Budiansky (script), Don Perlin (pencils), Al Gordon (inks), Nel Yomtov (colors), Janice Chiang (letters), and Mike Carlin (editor)

Say, remember Megatron? He hasn't been seen since issue eight. I'm sure he's around somewhere...

TFtember: Frenzy

Frenzy 

To get this out of the way, is Frenzy red or blue? At this point, even I don't know

TFtember: The Ultimate Doom, Part 2

 "The Ultimate Doom, Part 2", the Transformers, November 10, 1984

Picking up from the last episode, Cybertron is now in Earth's orbit. The Decepticons have the upper hand and actually drive the Autobots off, Sparkplug going with them. 

Things are getting worse. Dr. Arkeville needs more slaves, which Megatron promises. Spike and Bumblebee get attacked by Laserbeak but the other Autobots manage to drive the Decepticon off. 

Dr. Arkeville is getting annoyed with the Decepticons using his slaves as human shields, but Megatron reminds the doctor of their deal, namely he'll get Earth when Megatron gets his energy. Of course, there won't be much of Earth left after that, but there's no need to let him know that. 

Things really get worse, with the volcano surrounding the Ark going active. A small strike team is assembled, with Spike going on to try and figure out how to free his dad. Lucky he can ask him directly, as Sparkplug finds them as soon as they land and sounds the alarm...

Not bad, but honestly it feels less like a chapter and more cut scenes from Part 1. Sparkplug is still hypnotized and Cybertron's being in orbit doesn't seem to be causing that much destruction except when it does. 

TFtember: Transformers#12

 "Prime Time!" the Transformers#12 (January 1986) with credits to Bob Budiansky (script), Herb Trimpe (pencils), Al Gordon (inks), Nel Yomtov (colors), Janice Chiang (letters), and Mike Carlin (editor)

So, with Jetfire now loyal to the Autobots and Buster having a good sense of his powers, what's to stop them from rescuing Optimus Prime?

TFtember: F-1 Powerdasher-Aragon

Still on the Powerdasher kick, this time we look at the F-1. Like the drill, this was a randomly sent to lucky kids who sent in money and robot points. The Powerdashers weren't explicitly said to be Cybertronion vehicles but there was some implication. 

And like the drill, the F-1 didn't have a file card. The flyer mentioned they were evolving, so they may not look like they did in the flyer. We know he's an Autobot and that's about it. 

Like the drill, the F-1 didn't earn a name until 2015, where we learn his handle is Aragon and his main function is as a scout.   

If you want comics, you'd have to wait until Dreamwave's Generation One series, where he showed up in a silent cameo. 

And that would be Aragon's main function, just to show up a largely silent cameo. Who know, maybe one day he'll get some dialogue. 

TFtember: The Ulltimate Doom, Part 1

"The Ultimate Doom part 1", the Transformers, November 3, 1984

And back with the cartoon section.

The Decepticons Seekers attack a solar power station off the Indian coast. While the Autobots fend them off, Megatron and Dr. Arkeville watch from a monitor. Part 2 of Operation: Guinea Pig is about to be put into motion.

Rumble and Ravage attack the Ark and while the defending Autobots drive them off, Laserbeak swoops in and kidnaps Sparkplug. Over in India, the Seekers suddenly retreat. 

Sparkplug is dragged back to the Decepticon HQ and inserted with Dr. Arkeville's latest invention-the hypno-chip. Which doesn't sound like a pleasant thing, does it? While Megatron plots to have a human army of slaves at his beck and call, he also calls Shockwave and tells him another space bridge is ready.

The Autobots attack the base and rescue Sparkplug but everyone seems to notice how odd he's acting. They don't have time to wonder about that, as the Decepticons attack! And Sparkplug has sabotaged all their weapons! When the Decepticons retreat, Sparkplug goes with them.

Retreating to the new space bridge, Megatron reveals his master plan. He's not sending things back to Cybertron or going himself. No, he intends to bring Cybertron itself to Earth. This will generate energy they can use. How? That's for Dr. Arkeville to figure out. 

The Autobots track them down and attack, but they are held back by chip controlled humans and Sparkplug. Just when it seems Sparkplug is about to break free, Dr. Arkeville increases the power, driving Sparkplug to help turn on the bridge. 

Optimus Prime and Megaton face off over the last control panel. Optimus could destory it, but if he does, Megatron intones, he'll be responsible for Cybertron's destruction. With two control panels turned on, Cybertron is now on a collusion course with Earth. Turn it off and their home world will be torn apart across the cosmos. 

Agonized, Optimus flips the switch...

Pretty darn good. A few issues, namely the Decepticons retreating when they sprayed with foam, plus Sparkplug doesn't bothered by being at the bottom of the ocean but a nice build to the next episode. 

TFtember: Transformers#11

 "Brainstorm!" the Transformers#11 (December 1985) with credits to Bob Budiansky (script), Herb Trimpe (pencils), Tom Palmer (inks), Nel Yomtov (colors), Diana Albers (letters), and Mike Carlin (editor)

Kicking off the comic reviews, we take a look at look at Jetfire's first real foray into action. 

When we last left Buster he was freaking out about his sudden mechanical skills. He can't tell his dad and decides to go for a long bike ride with Jessie. He also discovers his powers are becoming a bit more refined, as evidenced by his making Jesse's bike chain break, forcing them to stop by a waterfall.

Back at Blackrock's plant, Optimus Prime hasn't used the Matrix to bring Jetfire to life yet. Shockwave, no dummy he, figures Prime must have passed the power onto someone else, but who? Checking Rumble's memory banks shows him footage of Buster sneaking into the Autobot base.

The Autobots figure Buster is in trouble, thanks to a bug left in the plant. Prowl figures they'd better get to Buster first, so he dispatches Bluestreak and Bumblebee. They get to Sparkplug's shop, but he makes it clear he isn't interested in helping them. Figuring he'd better get to his son first, Sparkplug rushes out, unaware that the Autobots are following him.

Pity that's not the only tail Sparkplug has, as Laserbeak has been following them too. Bluestreak spies the Decepticon spy and manages to beat the bird back, but not before Laserbeak sends Buster's location to Shockwave. 

With the info, Shockwave activates Jetfire properly. He's only a shell and little more than a remote drone, but he's big and works so that's good enough. He gets there super fast but Bumblebee figures that since Jetfire isn't alive, Buster should be able to control him and overwrite his programing.

Buster does just that and give Jetfire the motivation to help them rescue Optimus. Shockwave, however, figures that since Optimus clearly doesn't have the Matrix his usefulness is now officially over. 

Pretty good, although Jetfire does bring up some uncomfortable questions. Like, if Buster can rewrite his personality and tear his body apart, why couldn't Optimus do that? Is it because Jetfire didn't have any programing?

TFtember: Drill Powerdasher-Zetar

 Although I suppose TFpril might be more appropriate. Yeah, back again and we'll be taking a look back at that 80's favorite, the Transformers. 

Yeah, the Powerdashers! Another mail-in exclusive, the Powerdashers featured a pull back motor. You know, pull it back on the table and let it fly. Usually off the table and crashing into the wall. 

The drill (later named Zetar in 2015) was a randomly selected model that you would get if you sent in some money and robot points. Yeah the robot was a sort of mobile drill. Pretty basic, even if the American release blunted the drill bit. 

Since it was a mail-in no cartoon tie ins, but it did manage to appear in the comics a few times. It did show up in the mail-in flyer, although only the jet powerdasher was featured. Seriously, I didn't even know this character existed until a couple of years ago. 

As for the comics proper, don't bother looking until the Dreamwave, which only featured Zetar in a cameo role, which would set the standard for the rest of the character's work. IDW and Kre-O were next, but unless you were especially looking for the character you probably wouldn't even see them. 

The Powerdashers were pretty neat but the getting one by random rather annoyed me. A rant for another day.