Megatron gets his diodes kicked by Jhiaxus and the Cybertronian Empire.

This issue contains a main story, "New Dawn", and a backup story, "Tales of Earth Part Four".

"New Dawn"[]

Synopsis[]

On planet Tykos, Megatron and the Decepticons are staging a raid for the wonder chemical, rheanimum. This is the first field test for the new Rotor Force and Laser Rod Decepticons, as well as the rebuilt Darkwing, and they acquit themselves admirably. Megatron gloats over his success, then orders Starscream and Thundercracker to begin loading the rheanimum for transport to the Warworld. Starscream muses over how it's approaching the day when he'll have to start looking out for number one.

Megatron is contemplating his victory and his plans for conquest, when Soundwave informs him of an incoming message from Skullgrin. Megatron had dispatched him and five other Decepticons to investigate the alleged threat of the Cybertronian Empire. Skullgrin is the only survivor, and he's so badly damaged that he doesn't survive the crash of his shuttle. Megatron is enraged, and whips the Decepticons into a killing frenzy. The Warworld sets out to conquer the Empire.

This goes really badly. The Empire is vicious beyond any foes the Decepticons are used to, and they kill Runamuck and Quake, among others. Megatron confronts Jhiaxus personally, and is thoroughly trounced. Jhiaxus only breaks off the beating when Megatron undergoes orbital reentry, at which point the Decepticons retreat to look for their fallen (literally) leader. Eventually they find a black smoking crater, and most of Megatron... who is nevertheless still alive, and if you thought he was angry before...

Credits[]

Writer: Simon Furman
Penciler: Manny Galan
Inker: Jim Amash
Colorbot: Sarra Mossoff
Letterbots: Starkings with O'Neil
Editor: Rob Tokar

• Originally published: May, 1994

Featured characters[]

(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)

Quotes[]

"Death to the pretenders!"

—An unspecified Decepticon, referring to the Empire, not his many Pretender teammates

"Bludg — er . . . beat them into the ground!"

—Another unspecified Decepticon avoids mentioning the former Decepticon leader in front of Megatron

Errors[]

• Ransack's name is spelled "Ransak".
• Powerdive's name is spelled "Powerdrive".
• Drag Strip's name is parsed as "Dragstrip".
• In group shot, what appears to be Bonecrusher is miscolored red and silver.
• When Octopunch is killed, he suddenly is colored partially brown.

Items of note[]

• Darkwing's new body is pretty obviously the Dreadwing toy. His arrival on the battlefield is announced by Smokescreen, who should rightly be on board Darkwing at the time.
• As Megatron is musing over past events, immediately before receiving the message from Skullgrin, there's a flashback panel showing some mountains surrounded by forest. It's unclear what the purpose of this panel is.
• Cameos: Astrotrain, Breakdown, Blast Off, Dead End, Blitzwing, Hook, Scavenger, Bonecrusher?, Brawl, Slugslinger?
• Megatron's order, "Return fire! All weapons!" may be an homage to the 1980 film, "Flash Gordon".
• Among Megatron's crew are Runamuck, Quake, & Crankcase back from the dead. They are also among those killed off. Again.
• So Megatron can fight Fortress Maximus and win with little effort, but gets defeated by Jhiaxus?

"Tales of Earth Part Four"[]

Synopsis[]

Optimus Prime, having been beaten by Megatron last issue, is recovering from his injuries, and mourning the loss of the Creation Matrix. He quietly thinks back over Megatron's many defeats and resurrections, and wonders if the war will ever end. His reverie is interrupted by the arrival of the hideously damaged Megatron, who ominously declares, "I'm not happy!"

Credits[]

Writer: Simon Furman
Artist: Derek Yaniger
"Colorbot": Sarra Mossoff
"Letterbots": Starkings with O'Neil
Editor: Rob Tokar

Featured characters[]

(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)

Items of note[]

• Optimus Prime flashes back to "Gone But Not Forgotten!", "Skin Deep", and "The Price of Life!", among others.
• Cameos: All in flashback: Starscream, Grimlock, Ratchet

Covers (1)[]

• Jhiaxus smashing Megatron by Derek Yaniger

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• None yet identified.