“Yesterday’s” Comic> The Transformers #29

“How did they escape the vending machine?”

The Transformers #29

Marvel Comics (June, 1987)

Blaster and Goldbug go to GB Blackrock to find the Decepticons. His information leads to a crater made by a Decepticon-hired transport. However, the transport picked up some unwanted cargo, a semi-sentient robotic plague called Scraplets. Ratbat sends the Triple Changers to investigate, and events lead to Blaster and the Triple Changers being infected, but before Goldbug is infected their new human ally, Charlie Fong, race to find a cure.

What they got right: Hey, Autobots hunting Decepticons. There’s something you won’t see Grimlock doing when that was exactly what I expected from his leadership, taking the fight to the Decepticons. Also, the debut of the Triple Changers and they make use of both vehicle modes.

What they got wrong: Why is Blaster on Goldbug’s case? He recalls the events with Scrounge in issue #17, and then goes off on Goldbug being worried that he’ll leave him behind. The exposition is also a bit clunky. I kind of understand Blaster bringing up his days with Scrounge but the dialog between Ratbat and the Triple Changers about wanting to find a rich human with ties to the auto industry, which will be important for the next two issues, felt forced. Also, Charlie’s an idiot. read the story, you’ll understand what I mean.

Other notes: The little Scraplets are interesting because I’m curious where Budiansky came up with the idea. However, this note is about the name. All the way back in issue #3 Rumble calls Sparkplug a “scraplet” as an insult. Did Budiansky remember that since he was editing the comic at the time or is that a coincidence?

Recommendation: It’s a decent story but works better when teamed with the next two issues. Next issue will debut the Throttlebots, and the cargo is the focus of the issue afterwards. By itself it’s okay but not all that great.

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