“Yesterday’s Comic> The Transformers #46

Well there’s an angle I didn’t need.

The Transformers #46

Marvel Comics (November, 1988)

Four tough violent bounty hunters end up in the employ of the mysterious Z Foundation, who has been hosting events to find those worthy of their mission…to hunt Transformers. Meanwhile, three Autobots prisoners–Backstreet, Sizzle, and Fizzle, are forced to go to Earth by Decepticons on Cybertron, but how could the bosses of these “Roadjammers” know about the Autobots? Because they’re actually Decepticon Headmasters connected to Fangry, Horri-Bull, and Squeezeplay. The Roadjammers are able to escape with the help of the Autobots, but they hope to work for others who hate Transformers with the help of a new version of the “jammers” Zarak used.

What they got right: The idea of an organization that wants to hunt Transformers? Believable. Zarak faking such an organization to trick people into going after Autobots? Also believable. I like how the story is presented. You don’t know the secret of the Z Foundation until the end.

What they got wrong: That would be in part because these are three Headmasters we never saw before. Did other humans leave with Zarak? Are they Earthlings who saw a chance for power? There’s a story here that wasn’t told. Also, we have the Sparkabots, which feel forced in. I think this may be the point where the fatigue was starting to set in for Budiansky with Hasbro demanding more of their toys be spotlighted.

Recommendation: It’s a fair enough story to complete your collection, but since we’ll never see the Roadjammers again and no lasting revelations come from this I’d hardly call it a must-have issue.

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