THE TRANSFORMERS: COMICS, BOOKS AND MANGA

OTHER TRANSFORMERS BOOKS AND SERIES

#9: Autobots Strike Oil
Reviewed by Inflatable Dalek

Though the characters are now referred to as Headmasters, Grant still doesn't seem to know how the concept works; He has Chromedome and Hardhead transform to robot mode whilst their heads are elsewhere and have a look around, complete with headless body illustrations by the artist. To a certain extent this makes sense. The Headmasters can move their vehicle modes about without their heads, so there's no reason they can't do the same with their robot modes (and there are a couple of very brief examples of this in the Marvel comic). However, it does look bloody stupid.

This is possibly the only piece of Transformers fiction to revolve entirely around their desire for lubricant. Perhaps it's a sign of more innocent times, perhaps Grant was taking the piss, but all this talk of lubricant does make even the more innocent lines (such as Kup moaning about his stiff joints) seem filthy.

For a bit of a change the Decepticons are defeated by a stone wall rather than a building falling on them.

The last book to use the Hot Rod/Cyclonus book ends, and the last drawn by Rowell.


Presumably the Autobots on Nebulos are not the only ones in the Universe, why not get on the space phone and ask for some lube to be sent on?

The party of Decepticons chasing Kup and Highbrow are described as not including any fliers even though Scourge is the only named member of the party. Did someone mistake him for a hovercraft? Or is it tit for tat for the "They can fly and you can't" goof from The Rebirth?

Not only do the Autobots let the Decepticons go again at the end, Kup seems genuinely happy they have all the lubricant they'll need from the burst pipe.


The plot here is basically a reworking of the last book; The Transformers need something badly that the native Nebulans are small enough not to need a lot of, one group finds it and the other tries to stop them. It doesn't feel like a rehash though, thanks to the different perspectives. The Autobots are more protective of the environment in their endeavours and the Decepticons get to have some silly oily fun.

It's also nice to have fleshes of characterisation for the lesser lights as well, with moments such as Stylor gets to bemoan the dust and Monzo gets frustrated with Weirdwolf's stupidity. The art is a distinct step down from Rowell's last effort though, with Kup's first appearance especially being a low point. However, overall it continues the high standard set by Decepticons at the Pole.

They'd forget their heads if they weren't screwed on...

Apeface webcam action.