Sunstorm and Omega Supreme battle. In space, Wreck-Gar's house guest starts some big plans.
The Omega Effect
Writer: Brad Mick
Pencils: Don Figueroa
Inks: Elaine To
Colors: Espen Grundetjern
Letters: Ben Lee
- Preceded by: Skyfire (comic issue)
- Followed by: Original Sin
- Characters (In order of appearance): Starscream, Megatron, Soundwave, Omega Supreme, Sunstorm, Prowl, Ultra Magnus, Warpath, Bumper, Jazz*, Sideswipe*, Windcharger*, Wheeljack*, Sunstreaker*, Marissa Fairborne, Jetfire, Bumblebee, Cliffjumper, Brawn, Ratchet, Beachcomber*, Powerglide*, Seaspray*, Cosmos* (* Deactivated)
Summary
Starscream stops to moan how since long before the Autobots and Decepticons had come to Earth, other, bigger Transformers had a way f interfering with his plans. Starscream 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.
In the present, Starscream attempts to escape oppression from the behemoth Omega Supreme, who has already grabbed the weakened Sunstorm. Scarscream decides that he has better chances with his brother on the loose than being hunted don by the titan Autobot, so he turns and uses a shot from his null ray to destroy the apparatuc that was keeping Sunstorm's power down to manageable levels. Sunstorm quickly eawakens and 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 tomorrow's meeting with some other Autobots, and Ultra Magnus advises that Prowl get some rest.
Under rainfall in Oregon, Warpath and Bumper hoist some deacivated Autobots out of the lake where Starscream hid the bodies after they were damaged in the Combaticon's attack. The two Autobots are ambushed by a large number of humans from the Earth Defense Command lead by Marissa Fairborne. 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.
Notes of interest
- The name of the issue is borrowed from the name of 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 Dark Ages when Starscream killed the remaining elders during his attack on the peace talks and Megatron returned from deep space.
- Bumper makes a reference to Bumblebee's underwater skills, mentioned on G1 Bumblebee's tech spec.
- How did The Orion get to Alaska from Oregon? Well pressumably 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
- Preceded by: Generation 1, Issue Zero
- Followed by: Welcome to the Jungle.
- Characters (In order of appearance): Lucy, Wreck-Gar
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 Revelation from his free-float, Megatron violently awakens while receiving repair from the 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 to not only conquer the universe, but also take revenge for his defeat and abandonment. Wreck-Gar arrives, happily mislead into thinking Megatron is a good guy. Megatron shows his appreciation for Wreck-Gar's efforts by stabbing through the Junkion, and the canon blast to finish Wreck-Gar signals the start of Megatron's retribution.
Notes of interest
- This issue takes it's name from a song by human music group Van Halen.
- Wreck-Gar's repair has allowed Megatron to recovery 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 over exposed Mastercard advertisements.
- Wreck-Gar continues to refer to Megatron as Lucy.
Publication Notes
- Release date: April 28th, 2004.
- This issue was availible with in two covers, one for each story.
- The regular cover featuring Sunstorm reflected in Omega Supreme's vision.
- An incentive cover featuring Lucy.
- This issue contains advertisements for:
- Transformers Armada MTMTE Guide Book #3
- Transformers: Armada Playstation 2 videogame. (back cover)
- Wavelengths features an article form the desk of Lucy.
- On the "Prime Transmissions" page, reader mail is answered by Decepticon Commander Lucy. There's also a fanart of Scorponok submitted by James Trang.