Transformers UK #8
The Facts
Dated: 29th December 1984 - 11th January 1985
Cover: Unknown Artist
Story: "The Last Stand" (10 pages; part 2)
This reprints the final 10 pages of US #4 with half the pages in black and white rather than full colour.
Credits: Jim Salicrup (writer); Frank Springer (penciller); Akin (co-inker); Garvey (co-inker); John Workman (letterer); Nelson Yomtov (colourer); Bob Budiansky (editor); Jim Shooter (editor in chief)
Reprints: Reprinted in full colour in Collected Comics 2, in hardcover format, in The Complete Works Volume 2 (which has an altered ending), and currently available in the Titan graphic novel Beginnings.
Features: There's a Transformers word search, a January calendar featuring Optimus Prime, and Robot Round-up featuring robot-related news items.
Back-Up Strips: Machine Man
Funnies: Matt and the Cat
In Brief
Which one is this?
The Autobots have no fuel and the Decepticons have been poisoned, so Shockwave waltzes in and kills everyone.
Firsts and Lasts
- First and last appearance of the Tubes of Transference, which the caption makes out to be far more impressive than they actually are.
- Last issue where Bob Budiansky is editor. From now on he'll be writing the stories.
Memorable Moments / Dialogue Triumphs
The probe has a speech bubble with the words "Beep! Beep!"
Miserable Moments / Dialogue Disasters
Megatron on Optimus Prime: "He's had this coming for centuries."
Most of the dialogue is pretty awful, really.
The Characters
Autobots
Autobots (behind the scenes)
Decepticons
The fallen Decepticons include the Reflector-like Decepticons seen in the previous issue.
Humans
Humans (in flashback)
The Story
Synopsis
The Autobots decide to transfer their remaining fuel into a select group of five for a last stand against the Decepticons. Optimus Prime, Bluestreak, Huffer, Ironhide, and Mirage fight the Decepticons, and are on the verge of defeat when the Decepticons collapse because Sparkplug had provided them with corrosive fuel. However, the probe despatched to investigate the disappearance of Shockwave and the Dinobots accidentally reactivated Shockwave, who arrives on the scene just as the weakened Autobots have won and takes them all out. Meanwhile, at the hosptial, two paramedics take Ratchet out on an emergency call - believing him to be a real ambulance - and Sparkplug regains consciousness.
Goofs
- The five warriors Prime chooses to face the Decepticons are an odd choice. He picks Mirage and Bluestreak - who both have motivation issues - over the likes of superior warriors like Prowl, Brawn, Sideswipe, or Sunstreaker.
- The caption says that all but the injured Autobots are in the tubes of transference. However, Cliffjumper, Hound, Jazz, Prowl, Trailbreaker and Wheeljack have not been injured at all, but are absent from the scene, whilst Sideswipe, and Brawn were listed amongst the casualties last issue, yet are clearly seen standing in the tubes of transference.
- Prime's hand grows to be larger than Starscream's leg.
- There are at least seven Autobots in some panels of the fight scene, and not just the five indicated in the captions. Identifiable Autobots who shouldn't be there include Bumblebee, Cliffjumper, Sideswipe, and Sunstreaker.
Analysis
'Victory is within my grasp!' Most of this issue is taken up with the big battle. But even so, the plot's the best yet - the plot twist about the corrosive fuel and the double reversal at the end are really well thought through. Unfortunately the delivery remains rather poor. The dialogue continues to be clunky but at least it's improving, and the artwork is now starting to get quite good.
Copyright
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