“Yesterday’s” Comic> The Transformers #14

Let’s see Madonna try THIS at one of her concerts!

The Transformers #14

Marvel Comics (March, 1986)

Jetfire is inducted into the Autobots, and six new Autobots–Grapple, Hoist, Smokescreen, Skids, And Tracks–are restored and sent on a training scout mission with Bumblebee in charge. Meanwhile, Shockwave has built a power siphon that can turn energy into Energon and plans to test it at a rock concert. Bumblebee’s group is sent to keep an eye on things but when the Decepticons make their move so do the Autobots. (Seen in another Friday Night Fight.)

What they got right: One of the things I enjoy most about Budiansky’s run, especially the early run, is watching how the Transformers react to Earth culture. There was no time to learn what a rock concert is (and GB doesn’t seem the type to care about them unless he can make money off of it) so they learn another way. There’s a running gang about their lack of ability to obey signs.

What they got wrong: If Ratchet doesn’t have the resources to repair the other Autobots where did they get the materials to create six NEW full-bodies for the new Autobots? And why bring six robots in through recorded engrams when creating new Autobot characters is what the Creation Matrix is for? Finally, Bob couldn’t seem to keep his name for the Bruce Springsteen stand-in right. At the gas station the Autobots go to fuel up at (and where Skids learsn about rock and roll) they call him Brick Springstern.  At the concert Mr. Caption Box calls him Brick Springhorn. These are the only two times his name comes up, so who know which is right?

Other Notes: This was the first time since the Dinobots that Budiansky had to add new characters and while the copy method brings a bunch of questions (are there other versions of these six back on Cybertron comes to mind) they otherwise fit in well enough. This is also where a number of other things make their first appearance, such as the facsimiles, a mannequin that’s a precursor to the solid light holograms seen in the Movieverse, IDW, and Transformers Prime, and the shielding panels that hide the Autobot symbols. (Not that the panels were really needed as placement of the symbols shifted between modes anyway; just don’t do that anymore.) It’s also where meet Forsythe and Barnett of the top secret government organization III, the Intelligence & Information Institute. They will become important later although they evolve oddly, as you’ll see in later issues.

Recommendation: One of my favorite Transformers stories, it’s a good one shot and worth checking out if you come across it.