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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)

MARVEL TRANSFORMERS COMICS GUIDE

Marvel US nav: US Intro | Story List | US #1-10 | US #11-20 | US #21-30 | US #31-40 | US #41-50 | US #51-60
US #61-70 | US #71-80 | Comics Magazine | Transformers Universe | Transformers the Movie | Headmasters
G.I. Joe and the TFs | US G2 Intro | G.I. Joe #138-142 | G2 Special | US G2 #1-6 | US G2 #7-12 | Cover Images

GI Joe and the Transformers

| #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | Collected Edition |

#1 - "Blood on the Tracks"

[cover]
Cover: Herb Trimpe
Cover Date: January 1987

Script: Michael Higgins
Pencils: Herb Trimpe
Inks: Vince Colletta
Letters: Joe Rosen
Colours: Nel Yomtov

Later Reprinted In: Transformers #265 -268 [UK], GI Joe and the Transformers [Worldwide].

Synopsis: At Fort Lewis Airbase, Power Station Alpha, the world's first mobile nuclear power station, is being guarded by GI Joe. Optimus Prime also sends Bumblebee to observe, should the Decepticons intervene. The Dreadnoks then attack the base. They're driven off by GI Joe however. The fracas is observed by Cobra Commander, and by Megatron. The latter dispatches Bombshell and Dirge. The next day, the station is ready for a test. Bombshell uses his cerebro-shells to take over a young boy, but is spotted by Bumblebee. He reports back to Optimus, who dispatches the Aerialbots to help. However, Bumblebee is forced to reveal himself to save the boy from being crushed under the station, which Snake-Eyes then stops. GI Joe think he's a threat, and open fire, destroying the Autobot. This all allows Bombshell to sneak on to the station. The test is postponed, but then Superion arrives to retrieve Bumblebee.

Notes: This issue takes place after #23. Blackrock is involved with Power Station Alpha.

Errors: Optimus' faceplate is blue on pages 4 & 5. Bumblebee appears to have eyes on his windscreen on page 19. The frame where he leaps out of the way of Ripper looks idiotic. Prime is inside the Ark as he orders the Aerialbots to Fort Lewis, but outside two frames later as he thinks about Silverbolt. Snake-Eyes apparently kicks down a metal door "without a sound".

Transformers featured [in rough order of appearance]: Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Silverbolt, Air Raid, Slingshot, Skydive, Megatron, Dirge, Bombshell, Ratchet, Fireflight, Superion.

Notable Others: Anthony [first appearance], Hawk, Barbara [first appearance], Mutt, Scarlett, Torch, Buzzer, Ripper, Beachhead, Roadblock, Snake-Eyes, Zartan, Cobra Commander, The Baroness, Dr. Mindbender, Serpentor, Zarana.

Production Notes: Each issue of this four-part limited series was priced at 75¢.

Review: Very dull. All the characters are wooden, with infodump substituted for personality across the board. The plot's vague and uninteresting, while Trimpe's art is adequate, but flat.

[*][*][0][0][0][0][0][0][0][0]

#2 - "Power Struggle"

[cover]
Cover: Herb Trimpe
Cover Date: February 1987

Script: Michael Higgins
Pencils: Herb Trimpe
Inks: Vince Colletta
Letters: Joe Rosen
Colours: Nel Yomtov

Later Reprinted In: Transformers #269 -272 [UK], GI Joe and the Transformers [Worldwide].

Synopsis: The Joes attack Superion. He tries to disperse them, but is recalled to the Ark by Blaster, who reports Optimus Prime has been killed. Intrigued, the Joes examine what's left of Bumblebee. Meanwhile, Hawk spends the evening with Senator Barbara Larkin, who is one of the committee evaluating Power Station Alpha. Back at the Decepticons HQ, Megatron is morbid despite his victory over Prime. On Cobra Island, Dr. Mindbender is observing the Power Station, which is hijacked by Bombshell. Mindbender has a special electronic helmet which he uses to bring the station under his control, and take towards Cobra Island. GI Joe are tracking the station too, and take off to follow it. Back at home, Anthony is still affected from the Cerebro-Shell, and gets taken to hospital. Cobra send out an airborne escort, but they run into the Joes' pursuit team. The battle comes over Blackrock's cruise ship. Serpentor decides to use the cruise ship passengers as hostages. Hawk agrees, but Cobra attack the ship anyway to further delay them. However, Dirge is still tracking the station. The Joes save the ship, and meet up with Blackrock, who tells them about the Transformers. Meanwhile, Alpha has arrived on Cobra Island, where Dirge and Bombshell transform and talk to Serpentor and Mindbender. Cobra propose an alliance, but also plants a bug on Dirge. The Decepticons return to base, where Shockwave tells of his plan to use Alpha to drain the planet, overheard by Mindbender.

Notes: This issue takes place after #24. Cobra Commander disappeared in GI Joe #54.

Errors: How does Superion know GI Joe are responsible for Bumblebee's death? Blaster is coloured like Optimus Prime. Ravage is around despite falling down a mineshaft in #20. What the Hell is that helmet? Isn't it lucky that it's GB Blackrock's cruiser there? Isn't it lucky that two Joes are babbling about transforming robots for no apparent reason as GB disembarks? How the Hell has Anthony got a Bumblebee figure? As Dirge observes the battle, his nose is coloured orange. As he transforms, Bombshell's arms aren't attached to his shoulders.

Transformers featured [in rough order of appearance]: Superion, Blaster, Megatron, Ravage, Shockwave, Dirge, Bombshell.

Notable Others: Mutt, Scarlett, Beachhead, Roadblock, Snake-Eyes, Hawk, Sgt. Slaughter, Dial-Tone, Hawk, Barbara, Lady Jaye, Ace, Crankcase, The Baroness, Serpentor, Destro, Dr. Mindbender, Anthony, Slipstream, Wild Bill, Lift Ticket, GB Blackrock.

Review: A tedious collection of idiotic devices, ridiculous coincidences, dull talky scenes and not many Transformers. Even if you're a GI Joe fan, they're not very interesting either. Also, setting the crossover alongside such a changeable time for both titles was a really bad editorial decision - though you have to ask why the whole thing wasn't set between, say, #23 and #24.

[0][0][0][0][0][0][0][0][0][0]

#3 - "Ashes. Ashes... "

[cover]
Cover: Allen Milgrom
Cover Date: March 1987

Script: Michael Higgins
Pencils: Herb Trimpe
Inks: Vince Colletta
Letters: Joe Rosen
Colours: Nel Yomtov

Later Reprinted In: Transformers #273 -276 [UK], GI Joe and the Transformers [Worldwide].

Synopsis: Cobra take the Power Station to the Decepticons' base, where Serpentor and Shockwave greet each other. Cobra set off to attack the Ark, and recover a solar generator from the Autobot base. Dr. Mindbender stays with the Decepticons as a liaison, with Dirge joining Cobra in return, while the Baroness sets off on a mission of her own. Back at Fort Lewis, Main Frame isn't sure Bumblebee's actually dead. Barbara meets up with the Baroness, who had made a deal to destroy Alpha, unaware she's being watched by a journalist. The Autobots easily repel the Cobra air assault. Back at the Pentagon, Hawk is shown pictures of Barbara meeting the Baroness. In hospital, Anthony has had the Cerebro-Shell removed, and the doctor's examination causes involuntary transformations in Bombshell. Elsewhere, Main Frame and Crank Case manage to reboot Bumblebee's brain, while Hawk confronts Barbara. Back at the Ark, Serpentor causes Dirge's destruction, and then calls a truce with the Autobots. Back at the Decepticon base, Alpha takes off, while the Autobots, GI Joe and Cobra decide to fight the Decepticons together.

Notes: This issue takes during #26.

Errors: As the doctor hands the Cerebro-Shell over to the messenger, their dialogue is all in thought bubbles. Dirge's jet mode colour scheme leaps all over the place. Why does the Baroness need to visit Barbara?

Transformers featured [in rough order of appearance]: Shockwave, Bombshell, Dirge [blown up by Serpentor], Ravage, Laserbeak, Jetfire, Omega Supreme, Blaster, Sideswipe, Perceptor, Cliffjumper.

Notable Others: Serpentor, The Baroness, Zartan, Dr. Mindbender, Torch, Ripper, Buzzer, Mainframe, Crank Case, GB Blackrock, Hawk, Anthony, Barbara, Ace.

Review: Horribly disjointed and unfocused. The Autobot/Cobra/GI Joe alliance is ludicrously contrived, the plot's wildly incoherent, the characters are dull and it's full of talky padding.

[0][0][0][0][0][0][0][0][0][0]

#4 - "...All Fall Down"

[cover]
Cover: Allen Milgrom
Cover Date: April 1987

Script: Michael Higgins
Pencils: Herb Trimpe
Inks: Vince Colletta
Letters: Joe Rosen
Colours: Nel Yomtov

Later Reprinted In: Transformers #277 -281 [UK], GI Joe and the Transformers [Worldwide].

Synopsis: As Alpha sinks into the Earth, tremors strike the Ark. At the Decepticon base, the Baroness arrives and shrinks Bombshell, taking Mindbender to Fort Lewis. There, Ratchet helps Main Frame and Crank Case repair Bumblebee as Goldbug. Serpentor hatches a plan for a small team to attach explosives to Alpha, but Hawk is reluctant to agree. Goldbug, Scarlett and the Baroness form this team, while the air strength of the Autobots, Joes and Cobra keep the Decepticons busy. Mindbender uses his helmet to shut down Alpha, and send it into orbit. The Baroness has attached explosives regardless of Hawk's decision, and Alpha detonates in space. Cobra pull out, while the Autobots are unsure of whether to trust the Joes, believing them to have made the decision to blow up Alpha. The Baroness ties up one final loose end by having Barbara assassinated.

Notes: This issue takes place between #26 and #27. Bombshell presumably escapes before #31.

Errors: The Baroness gets in and out of the Decepticon base with astonishing ease. Where did she get that gun from? Why do Main Frame and Crank Case change Bumblebee's head when it was shown to survive his destruction in at least two places? Mainframe calls Ratchet "Dr. Ratchett". Goldbug's 'hood' disappears in only his second frame, and has changed design by the next page. Starscream, Skywarp and Thundercracker are all shown, despite being knocked out in #19, and then stored on the Ark until #41. Dirge is seen in the fight over the Decepticon base, despite being blown up by Serpentor last issue. Devastator's formation is pretty messed up - there are two Scrappers in there.

Transformers featured [in rough order of appearance]: Omega Supreme, Blaster, Shockwave, Bombshell, Ratchet, Goldbug [first appearance], Silverbolt, Air Raid, Skydive, Slingshot, Fireflight, Jetfire, Scavenger, Bonecrusher, Long Haul, Hook, Mixmaster, Scrapper, Devastator, Superion.

Notable Others: Ripper, Torch, Buzzer, Zartan, Serpentor, Wild Bill, Wild Bill, Slipstream, Ace, Dr. Mindbender, The Baroness, Main Frame, Snake-Eyes, Scarlett, Beachhead, Roadblock, Hawk, Serpentor, Barbara [killed], Anthony.

Review: One of those issues that is a reviewer's bane - having awarded the preceding chapters zero stars, how do I make out just how much worse this is? The plot is all over the shop, there's no characterisation, Trimpe's art looks horribly rushed, Yomtov's colours are even worse than usual... The whole crossover suffers from poor timing [the main cast of both books was seriously chopping and changing over these four months] and a writer unfamiliar with both properties, and incapable of presenting them in an interesting fashion. The all-purpose plot device of Alpha doesn't help make things less opaque.

[0][0][0][0][0][0][0][0][0][0]

GI Joe and the Transformers

[cover]
Cover: Andy Wildman

Date: February 1993

Contents:
GI Joe and the Transformers #1 - "Blood on the Tracks"
GI Joe and the Transformers #2 - "Power Struggle"
GI Joe and the Transformers #3 - "Ashes. Ashes.."
GI Joe and the Transformers #4 - "...All Fall Down"

Production Notes: Page 1 of #2 was omitted. Priced at $4.95.

 

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