Quick Switch: The Transformers # 38!

After spinning its wheels for so long, “The Transformers” # 38 amounts to an intense conclusion where all the loose ends writer John Barber has laid out need to be definitively tied up because the next issue, # 39, is the first chapter of the much anticipated Combiner Wars storyarc. Thus everything that happens in “TF” # 38 has a purpose, and the issue marches along grimly going about its business. Over Bikini Atoll, Thundercracker sees that the humans’ secret weapon—an armada of automatons based on the corpses of Ramjet and Thurst—is heading towards civilian territory. Thundercracker wants to stop this at all costs, so he strikes a deal with Soundwave, who is busy setting up the Decepticon sanctuary in Tanzania. Soundwave can shut the clones down, but can’t find a reason to do so, considering the humans built the drones without informing the Decepticons, their so-called allies. Whether he is convinced by Thundercracker’s plea or because he is just sick of listening, Soundwave effectively turns the clones off. “Please Thundercracker, I care not for screenplays or Earthlings. Do not contact me again. Our relationship ends here,” Soundwave warns.

Busy Bodies: The Transformers # 36!

The comic book series formerly known as “Transformers: Robots in Disguise” has apparently leapt at the opportunity to rebrand itself by adopting a far busier approach. From the story lines begun last issue, “Transformers” # 36 furiously moves its set pieces forward. Writer John Barber has obviously embraced the idea that more is indeed merrier, as he also brings into play bits and pieces he’d been putting in place for a while now.

            This is officially called “Onyx Interface: Part Two.” At the issue’s beginning, we find out what exactly Soundwave’s “personal errand” was. He has teleported to where Thundercracker has been holed up with his dog Buster and rewriting his screenplay in his head. Soundwave is trying to recruit Thundercracker to his new, feel-good Decepticon cause. Thundercracker isn’t buying in just yet, and there is a limit to Soundwave’s group dynamic: “I said all will be welcome… but those who align themselves with a Prime… they shall always be enemies.”

            We get a better understanding of the two-man army that’s vexing both the humans and the Decepticons. It’s Spike Witwicky and his spec ops buddy Jimmy Pink, and we get an earful from Spike about why he’s fighting this fight. Unfortunately, he exits the café and recognize Prowl and the Constructicons waiting outside and a chase ensues. The Constructicons know that Spike executed their former leader Scrapper, after all. Arcee winds up holding Prowl back because she’s worried Prowl is endangering humans. It’s kind of dumb of Spike and Jimmy to coincidentally find high-tech motorcycles and try to use them to escape his pursuers.