| Transformers: Generation One vol. 3 > Issue #4 | |
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- Original release date: April 28, 2004
- Cover date: April 2004
Synopsis
This issue contains two stories:
The Omega Effect
Writer: Brad Mick
Pencils: Don Figueroa
Inks: Elaine To
Colors: Espen Grundetjern
Letters: Ben Lee
- Original release date: April 28, 2004
- Characters (In order of appearance): Starscream, Megatron, Soundwave, Omega Supreme, Sunstorm, Prowl, Ultra Magnus, Warpath, Bumper, Jazz*, Sideswipe*, Windcharger*, Wheeljack*, Sunstreaker*, Marissa Faireborn, Jetfire, Bumblebee, Cliffjumper, Brawn, Ratchet, Beachcomber*, Powerglide*, Seaspray*, Cosmos*
*Deactivated - Chronology: Ascension
Summary
Starscream stops to moan about the fact that, long before the Autobots and Decepticons had come to Earth, more powerful Transformers had a way of interfering with his plans. He thinks back to one time when, after executing some of the Council of Ancients, Megatron chose to assert his authority as the unquestioned leader of the Decepticons. The War Within: The Age of Wrath
In the present, Starscream attempts to escape oppression from the behemoth Omega Supreme, who has already grabbed the weakened Sunstorm. Starscream decides that he has better chances with his clone brother on the loose than being hunted down by the titan Autobot, so he uses his null-ray to destroy the apparatus that was keeping Sunstorm's power down to manageable levels. Sunstorm quickly reawakens and escapes Omega's grasp.
On Cybertron, Prowl becomes frustrated by his casual study of the energy aberration in Shockwave's abandoned laboratory in Quadrant Epsilon, found two issues ago by the Protectobots. The study leads to an analysis on the theoretical engineering of Vector Sigma. Ultra Magnus communicates with Prowl over a video screen regarding arrangements for the next day's meeting with some other Autobots and advises that Prowl get some rest.
Under rainfall in Oregon, Warpath and Bumper hoist some deactivated Autobots out of the lake where Starscream hid the bodies after they were damaged in the Combaticons' attack. The two Autobots are ambushed by a large number of humans from the Earth Defense Command led by Marissa Faireborn. Bumper, being the more level-headed of the two active Autobots, decides that surrender is the best idea.
After the battle against Sunstorm, Jetfire drops off Brawn, Cliffjumper, and Bumblebee back at the Orion. Inside, only Ratchet is still standing to explain that Starscream vandalized the ship as he was escaping.
Also Starscream's responsibility is the epic showdown outside between Sunstorm and Omega Supreme. The two toss massive amounts of energy at each other, with Omega Supreme winning the standoff, causing the self-righteous psychopath to fall to the ground. Omega Supreme takes a closer look at his (relatively) tiny foe, who now has a clear shot right into Omega Supreme's unprotected face.
Items of note
- Marissa introduces herself as Marissa Faireborne, with an e on the end, but later issues give her last name as Faireborn with the e in the middle.
- The title of the story is borrowed from the name of DC Comics villain Darkseid's trademark eye-lasers.
- It's ambiguous if the flashback on the opening pages takes place after Starscream hijacked Megatron's plans in The War Within and destroyed Iacon while Megatron was fighting Optimus, or if it occurs sometime during The War Within: The Age of Wrath when Starscream killed the remaining elders during his attack on the peace talks and Megatron returned from deep space.
- Bumper makes reference to Bumblebee's underwater skills. That trait is virtually unmentioned outside of his original on-package bio.
- How did the Orion get to Alaska from Oregon? Well presumably, it flew. Shuttles can do that, you know.
Runnin' with the Devil
Writer: Brad Mick
Pencils: James Raiz
Inks: Erik Sander
Colors: Elliot Kravchik
Letters: Ben Lee
Summary
After being blasted into space by Starscream, Megatron floats in a state of near-death through the coldness of the void. He tries to remain alert to retain his dignity, but eventually blacks out.
Some time later, after he has been recovered from his free-float, Megatron violently awakens while receiving repair from a Junkion who introduces himself as Wreck-Gar.
Megatron recounts what he's learned since his defeat at the hands (err, hand) of Shockwave. His new combat ideology will dispose of needless emotions. A trio of emotionless clones will assist him in his new quest not only to conquer the universe, but also to take revenge for his defeat and abandonment. Wreck-Gar arrives, happily misled into thinking Megatron is a good guy. Megatron shows his appreciation for Wreck-Gar's efforts by stabbing him, and blasting him with his cannon, signaling the start of Megatron's retribution.
Notes of interest
- Chronologically, this story follows up on the epilogue from issue #0 and is followed by "Welcome to the Jungle" in the Dreamwave Summer Special.
- This issue takes its name from a song by human music group Van Halen.
- Wreck-Gar's repair has allowed Megatron to recover from the lobotomy he received from Optimus Prime during the early days of the war.
- It's unlikely that Wreck-Gar was fatally injured, considering the resilient nature of the Junkions.
- Wreck-Gar's recap of events is done in the style of overexposed Mastercard advertisements.
- Wreck-Gar continues to refer to Megatron as "Lucy".
Items of note
- The "Wavelengths" page features an article from the desk of Lucy.
- On the "Prime Transmissions" page, reader mail is answered by Decepticon Commander "Lucy" and includes fan art of Scorponok submitted by James Trang.
- This was the final issue of the series to be published with two covers.
Covers (2)
- The regular cover reflecting "The Omega Effect" by Don Figueroa
- An incentive cover featuring Lucy, reflecting "Runnin' with the Devil" by Pat Lee
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