THE TRANSFORMERS: COMICS, BOOKS AND MANGA

CURRENT TRANSFORMERS COMICS FROM IDW PUBLISHING

Megatron: Origin

| #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | TPB |

Megatron: Origin #1

Released 20th June 2007. Written by Eric Holmes. Art by Alex Milne. Colours by Josh Perez. Colour Assist by: Zac Atkinson. Edited by Chris Ryall.

Synopsis: Long ago, during a time of peace, Megatron was a worker at an orbiting mining outpost within the Cybertron system, but when Senator Decimus arrived at the excavation site to announce, during a work-site assembly, that the mine would become fully automated and that all the workers were to loose their jobs, Megatron's life would irrevocably change thereafter. During the Senator's announcement, a worker vocalized his anger at the Senator in an attempt to encourage the other workers to protest, but was viciously put down by an Autobot guard. Outraged, Megatron attacked and wounded Senator Decimus before killing the Autobot guard, which resulted in a brief riot. Additional Autobot guards arrived to quickly quell the protesting workers, killing many while the rest, including Megatron, were shipped off to a penal facility.

While on board the repatriation shuttle, Longshot, en route to the penal facility H-3 (or “The Rig”), Rumble, with the help of his pile-drivers, attacks a guard, freeing Megatron and the others. After quickly taking control of the Longshot, Megatron and the surviving members of the mine revolt managed to escape after firing upon the Senator’s ship, with the intent of keeping potential Autobot pursuers preoccupied, who Megatron inferred would be more concerned with rescuing the Senator rather than chasing them. Following their escape, Megatron and company then fled to Kaon, the worst place on Cybertron, to lie low. Meanwhile, at the nearby Security Services Headquarters in Kaon, a bored Sentinel Prime is alerted to the situation by Prowl. Dismissing its level of priority, Sentinel tells his subordinate to deal with it, certain that the problem couldn’t be as bad as what has already to be found in Kaon.

Characters Featured [in rough order of appearance]: Senator Decimus, Megatron, Rumble, Frenzy, Prowl, Sentinel Prime. Kremzeek can be seen on one of the advertising boards in Kaon.

Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Inflatable Dalek

Megatron: Origin #2

Released 25th July 2007. Written by Eric Holmes. Art by Alex Milne [Pages 1-11, 20-220] and Marcelo Matere [Pages 12-19]. Colours by Josh Perez. Letters by Chris Moway and Robbie Robbins. Edited by Chris Ryall.

Synopsis: Following his escape Megatron and the other miners join a highly illegal underground Gladiator team. Quickly rising up through the ranks to team Captain he comes to revel in the carnage. The Autobots become aware of both the contests and the equally illicit trade in recordings of the contests being sold afterwards. Sentinel Prime sets up a massive operation to find the combatants and shut the sport down. Corrupt Senator Ratbat has also become aware of the contests and sees an opportunity for profit.

At the site of the next fight Megatron has the Constructicons start on building an arena. They are interrupted by the arrival of Soundwave, who offers Megatron access to advanced weapons in exchange for them being used well. Soundwave then detects the presence of two Autobots- Fasttrack and Bumper, who are soon captured. Using his mind reading abilities he learns that the High Command has no firm leads, and Megatron kills the Autobots.

Characters Featured [in rough order of appearance]: Megatron, Cy-Kill [Killed by Megatron], Clench, Spinster, Sunstreaker, Overlord, Slugslinger, Skyquake, Rumble, Frenzy, Crasher, Ratbat, Huffer, Hook, Scrapper, Mixmaster, Scavenger, Long Haul, Bluestreak, Red Alert, Hun Grrr, Tantrum, Prowl, Blades, Hound, Roadbuster, Whirl, Jazz, Bumper [Killed by Megatron], Fasttrack [Killed by Megatron], Sentinel Prime, Blaster, Scrounge, Soundwave, Ravage, Laserbeak.

Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Inflatable Dalek

Megatron: Origin #3

Released 6th September 2007. Written by Eric Holmes. Art by Alex Milne. Colours by Josh Perez. Colour assist by Mark Bristow. Letters by Niel Uyetake. Edited by Chris Ryall.

Synopsis: Soundwave brings Megatron some air support in the shape of Starscream, Thundercracker and Skywarp. Despite their eagerness to fight in the arena Megatron instead has them kidnap Senator Decimus. Meanwhile (at the funeral of Bumper and Fastback) Sentinel Prime vows to catch those responsible.

At the new Arena, Megatron assembles the largest ever gathering of gladiators and makes an impassioned speech summoning them to his cause, before bringing Decimus out for execution. But before he can carry out the act the Autobot forces arrive and subdue everyone with a great deal of effort.

In prison, Ratbat orders Soundwave be released, whilst Starscream seemingly offers to confess to the authorities. A dejected Megatron reveals the Seeker knows everything...

Characters Featured [in rough order of appearance]: Soundwave, Swindle, Scrapper, Scavenger, Mixmaster, Thundercracker, Starscream, Skywarp, Airraid, Sentinel Prime, Ratchet, Warpath, Mirage, Irohide, Gears, Bluestreak, Orion Pax,Ultra Magnus, Elita One, Alpha Trion, Wheeljack,Bumblebee, Hubcap, Cliffjumper, Bumper [Hologram], Fastback [Hologram], Senator Decimus, Ravage, Ratbat, Sunstreaker, Sideswipe, Motormaster, Wildrider, Dead End, Razorclaw, Tantrum, Rampage, Grimlock, Rumble Frenzy, Sixshot, Slag, Divebomb, Hun Grrr, Runabout, Runamuck, Prowl, Blades, Crasher, Onslaught.

Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Inflatable Dalek

Megatron: Origin #4

Released 24th October 2007. Written by Eric Holmes. Art by Alex Milne. Colours by Josh Perez and Mark Bristow. Colour Assist by Gabe Eltaeb. Letters by Neil Uyetake. Edited by Andrew Stephen Harris.

Synopsis: Pleading for an audience (see previous issue), Starscream is brought before Kaon's council for an emergency hearing, during which the Seeker is read a list of his charges. However, Starscream pulls out his guns and kills the entire council whilst Soundwave blocks their calls to security. Following through with the plan that he and Megatron had earlier discussed, Starscream then blasted his way down to the cells releasing not only Megatron and the others, but all other inmates at the prison facility. Afterwards, Soundwave and company hand out weapons from the armoury. Megatron is very pleased with his new fusion cannon.

As the battle spreads to the streets, Sentinel Prime and the Autobots take arms and wade in. Meanwhile, Ratbat, who revealed that he played a part in instigating the events that lead up to this point, plans to make a hasty exit to Iacon, but is betrayed by Soundwave who removes his spark and places it within a cassette.

Megatron and Prime finally come face to face on the battlefield, and after a long fight Megatron defeats and kills him. Shocked, and perhaps demoralised, the Autobots retreat, surrendering Kaon to Megatron, who now commands an army. But he doesn't plan to stay there long...

Characters Featured [in rough order of appearance]: Starscream, Megatron, Soundwave, Laserbeak, Buzzsaw, Beastbox, Ravage, Motormaster, Skywarp, Thundercracker, Rumble Frenzy, Megatron's Fusion Cannon, Runabout, Kickback, Mixmaster, Longhaul, Grapple, Inferno, Sentinel Prime [Killed by Megatron], Trailbreaker, Bluestreak, Ratbat [Humanoid form destroyed, moved into smaller body], Hound, Prowl, Ironhide, Mirage.

Reviews & Commentary: Reviewed by Inflatable Dalek

Megatron: Origin TPB

Due in December 2007. $17.99 list price. Reprints Megatron: Origin #1-4. Publisher solicitation: Before allegiance, rank and function—before war—a civilian will become a warrior, and warrior will become a leader. As a leader he will learn of the most powerful weapon on the planet—a weapon powerful enough to bind legions to his will—a faction named DECEPTICON. This landmark collection brings the would-be major players of that faction together for the first time in a seminal story for MEGATRON, the DECEPTICONS, and THE GREAT WAR. Also includes a cover gallery by artist Alex Milne and variant cover artist Marcelo Matere. Browse at Amazon.com | Browse at Amazon.co.uk

 

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