The Energon Pub

i_amtrunks wrote:Hopefully IDW will release some kind of Timeline in an upcoming Trade, or some other easy to access medium...

It should clear up all these minor niggles.

Personally Im waiting to see what part Dealer/DoubleDealer will have to play. And I am sure that Omega and Jetfire still have large parts to play in upcoming arcs, after a few more readings I really feel as if the re-introduction of Jetfire was done for a reason.

Anyone want to place bets that Computron is not all that far away?

I was just thinking about that last night. The only Spotlight that hasn't begun to tie in yet is Hot Rods', everyone else has been at least mentioned in some other story arc.
As for Monstructor, maybe the Dead Universe is tied into his energy drain abilities, pardon me if someone else has already brought this up. From the Galvatron spotlight we learn that Galvatron is a herald for someone, or something, and that that entity is tied to Thunderwing in some way. Perhaps Galvatron, Thunderwing, and Monstructor and some yet undisclosed being are a four horsemen style group of heralds a la the last issuses of Armada and the timeline crossovers. Bludgeon and the Pretenders are sort of religious-cultish in nature and so the 4 horsemen comparison would fit.
As far as Monstructor, does this mean he was the first combiner? So Devastator would have been the second.....the two physically at least are similar in that they are comprised of 6 bots instead of the later day standard of 5. Maybe, if Monstructor is from the Dead Universe or is thusly affected, Devastator is a reverse engineering job, which might be used to explain why the combiners tend to be so dumb. The Cons tried to harness the power at the expense of intellect. Plus, Monstructor is made up of the Monster Pretenders, thus drawing a line to Thunderwing. I know the Pretender process is dangerous and largely untested, but could it be somehow also related to the Dead Universe like Bludgeon and co. are trying to revive Thunderwing to retrieve a piece of 'home'?

Leonardo wrote:Remember in the Nightbeat spotlight Nightbeat mentions "[t]he inhabitants clearly upgrading from organic to biomechanical [...]"? Does anyone else suspect that perhaps Gorlam Prime is an early victim of Nova Prime's expansion, of his idea that "the universe should be molded somewhat in our image"?

Also, did the general idea of molding civilisations in the Cybertronian image remind anyone else of the virus from Dreamwave's G1 volume #1?

Not necessarily. Nightbeat mentions that the evolution of the people of Gorlam Prime was relatively recent while the advanced technology of the planet seemed much older.

If anything, the expansion ideals of Nova Prime appear to be evident with the other older technology of Gorlam Prime which may be the reason why there is a Dead Universe portal on the planet.

Lastly, expansion seems to be a reoccuring theme. Galvatron mentions it. Nova Prime believed in it and it may be safe to say that Nova Prime still exists and has something to do with the Dead Universe maybe even be behind things.

Dagon wrote:

i_amtrunks wrote:Hopefully IDW will release some kind of Timeline in an upcoming Trade, or some other easy to access medium...

It should clear up all these minor niggles.

Personally Im waiting to see what part Dealer/DoubleDealer will have to play. And I am sure that Omega and Jetfire still have large parts to play in upcoming arcs, after a few more readings I really feel as if the re-introduction of Jetfire was done for a reason.

Anyone want to place bets that Computron is not all that far away?

I was just thinking about that last night. The only Spotlight that hasn't begun to tie in yet is Hot Rods', everyone else has been at least mentioned in some other story arc.
As for Monstructor, maybe the Dead Universe is tied into his energy drain abilities, pardon me if someone else has already brought this up. From the Galvatron spotlight we learn that Galvatron is a herald for someone, or something, and that that entity is tied to Thunderwing in some way. Perhaps Galvatron, Thunderwing, and Monstructor and some yet undisclosed being are a four horsemen style group of heralds a la the last issuses of Armada and the timeline crossovers. Bludgeon and the Pretenders are sort of religious-cultish in nature and so the 4 horsemen comparison would fit.
As far as Monstructor, does this mean he was the first combiner? So Devastator would have been the second.....the two physically at least are similar in that they are comprised of 6 bots instead of the later day standard of 5. Maybe, if Monstructor is from the Dead Universe or is thusly affected, Devastator is a reverse engineering job, which might be used to explain why the combiners tend to be so dumb. The Cons tried to harness the power at the expense of intellect. Plus, Monstructor is made up of the Monster Pretenders, thus drawing a line to Thunderwing. I know the Pretender process is dangerous and largely untested, but could it be somehow also related to the Dead Universe like Bludgeon and co. are trying to revive Thunderwing to retrieve a piece of 'home'?

Lol...I had the same thought about Computron too.

As for Monstructor, it sounds like he was created before Nova and Jhiaxus disappeared into the Dead Universe. Since there's been no indication of his components having Pretender technology (unless I REALLY missed something in the issue), though, I'm not sure if there's any connection to T-wing.

Since Prime gave Monstructor to Jetfire and his team, I'm wondering if he's hoping to develop another weapon...especially if Combiner technology is something that's been a hidden secret. Since, in other G1 continuities, combiners have usually been a Decepticon invention, it's kind of nice to see the Autobots taking a proactive hand in it.

Doctor Reggae wrote:
As for Monstructor, it sounds like he was created before Nova and Jhiaxus disappeared into the Dead Universe. Since there's been no indication of his components having Pretender technology (unless I REALLY missed something in the issue), though, I'm not sure if there's any connection to T-wing.

Since Prime gave Monstructor to Jetfire and his team, I'm wondering if he's hoping to develop another weapon...especially if Combiner technology is something that's been a hidden secret. Since, in other G1 continuities, combiners have usually been a Decepticon invention, it's kind of nice to see the Autobots taking a proactive hand in it.

Ok, see, I haven't gotten my copy of this yet, but it should be in today. All of my 'knowledge' is coming from all of the spoilers that get posted on here. I knew beforehand about the spoilers, but I read these posts anyway.
Anyhow, I don't really care about Optimus, so if it weren't for reading these spoilers I would have passed on this issue. As far as Monstructor and the PRetenders go, I was just using information I previously had, and assumed that it would still apply here. Like I said I haven't gotten this comic yet, so I was just kind of drawing straws to tie together what all of you have been saying. That's why I made the Monstructor/Thunderwing link.
By the way, I'm just speaking offhandedly, I'm not trying to sound like a cock. Looking back over what I'm typing I can see that people might see me as being standoffish, but I am not. Sorry, probably don't need to say that, but i've been hanging out in the toys forum, and you know how that neighborhood is going to hell....

Anyways, yes, good to see the Autobots being proactive in seeking combiner tech. In most G1 stories the development is Decepticon in origin, but we know obviously the Autobots get it at some time.

Lol...no worries, Dagon. I'm hoping I didn't spoil too much more of the issue for you now.

Doctor Reggae wrote:Lol...no worries, Dagon. I'm hoping I didn't spoil too much more of the issue for you now.

Hell no dude. I got home after work yesterday and was pissed when my copy wasn't delivered yet.....you guys are making me more hellbent on reading this issue. Like I said, I'm not a fan of Optimus, so if it weren't for you guys in here I wouldn't have even bothered with it. Thank you guys for that!

Ah, now you've got me thinking, Jetfire and the other bots get Monstructor/Monsterbots for some study and technology borrowing, but we just need a group of folks, who are badly damaged who might benefit from this. Oh and we also want to work on the intelligence aspect, and get rid of that chest weakness.

Thus, is born Technobots, and Computron...

It's almost as if Furman has decided to give more comic time to the combiner groups that received the least in the G1 comics.
So the Seacons should be next.

I sure hope it does go that way, Superion, Devastator, Bruticus and Defensor all could do with a break.

While the Seacons I would like to see (as I have only ever seen them in Masterforce), I was hoping to see Devastator. It doesn't look too likely, despite him being on limited covers for Infiltration, but I would like to see him. Ah well, can't complain really. Galvatron is running around killing everyone, that will have to keep my appitite for 'Devastation' satisfied.

Bad pun, I know, but I couldn't resist.

You're not alone. I was hoping to see Devastator, too.

Leonardo wrote:You're not alone. I was hoping to see Devastator, too.

I'd like to see him, and perhaps some of his combiner "buddies" in a Stormbringer type story set on Cybertron some time later down the IDW Furmanverse tack.

Cybertronian mode Stunticons and Constructicons could be rather nice.

I'm tired of Devastator. I vote for other combiners. I'm one of those wild Predaking backers, but I'd rather see the Seacons or Terrorcons over PRedaking. IDW thus far has shown some very underused characters, and I think they should continue that. The Terrorcons were in Sixshots' issue, so Abominus could be just as likely a candidate as Computron.


You know, I fully recognize Devastators' icon status in the TFverse, I really do. I don't fault anyone for loving Devastator. But really, there are more combiners to choose from and most of them are better as characters. Predaking too....Predaking is basically the pinnacle of combining robot toy technology, and looks super cool in the bargain, but every gestalt appearance doesn't need to be Devastator and/or PRedaking. Seeing the Predacons in Stormbringer was nice, not seeing Predaking was great. Gestalt groups seem to always be focused on the combined form, since that's kinda their main function in the universe, but we rarely get face time with the component parts. Really, the Constructicons aren't that interesting. How 'bouts some lunatic Stunticon action? I can't get tired of Bruticus/the Combaticons becuase I'm so worn out on Devastator that anyone, ANYONE else would be a welcome relief.
Whew. I feel better. Sorry about that. If Devastator shows up, cool. But better someone else.

i_amtrunks wrote:

Leonardo wrote:You're not alone. I was hoping to see Devastator, too.

I'd like to see him, and perhaps some of his combiner "buddies" in a Stormbringer type story set on Cybertron some time later down the IDW Furmanverse tack.

Cybertronian mode Stunticons and Constructicons could be rather nice.

Ok, wait. I still haven't gotten my copy of the Prime Spotlight in the mail yet (damn it!), but aren't the Spotlights more or less taking place at the same time as Infiltration and so on? Wouldn't that mean that Combiner technology is already in use, and then Monstructor would be some kind of anomoly?

Oh, wait a second, I just read this help bit of information. LEt me quote it for you all:

i_amtrunks wrote:

Leonardo wrote:You're not alone. I was hoping to see Devastator, too.

I'd like to see him, and perhaps some of his combiner "buddies" in a Stormbringer type story set on Cybertron some time later down the IDW Furmanverse tack.

Cybertronian mode Stunticons and Constructicons could be rather nice.

Ok, I got a wire crossed someplace. Apologies. I cheapen this forum with my ignorance and wasted post.

i_amtrunks wrote:Cybertronian mode Stunticons and Constructicons could be rather nice.

Go read Megatron: Origin. The Constructicons are there.

Dagon wrote:Ok, I got a wire crossed someplace. Apologies. I cheapen this forum with my ignorance and wasted post.

I think that sentence alone made it worthwhile!

since we're talking about combiners now rather than the OP Spotlight, I have to say I'd love to see the Predacons (not necessarily Predaking though) get some more exposure. They're really the Decepticon's versions of the Dinobots, just pure bad-asses who can be pretty much guaranteed to kill everyone they fight.
That said I do have a soft spot for the Terrorcons as they were the first (and only? I can't recall) team that I completed. That and Hun-grr was a cool toy, with a nice massive gun. Oh and the whole Abominus head reveal from Call of the Primitives. So yeah, more Terrorcons.
The Combaticons are another group with potential, but I can only think of Swindle in terms of personality. The rest just seem like generic Decepticon cannon-fodder IMO. Likewise the Stunticons don't appeal terribly in terms of character, except maybe for Motor Master being rubbish, and the rest hating him, but I can't see that working for more than a few pages at a time. Still, their evil cars gimmick could be entertaining.
Seacons? No idea. All I remember about them is a Ladybird book where Tentakil captured Hosehead.
As for the Autobot combiner teams, there's none I'd like to see as much as I would other specialists like the Targetmasters and Headmasters (with or without their partners) or even the Throttlebots.

To say a little something about the Prime comic, I was playing about with my Energon Rodimus toy earlier and realised that there are a lot of similarities in the designs of that and this issue's "Arcee/Alpha Trion/character without a toy". Anyone thinking about a Nova Prime custom might want to look there as a starting point.

Darth Bombshell wrote:

i_amtrunks wrote:Cybertronian mode Stunticons and Constructicons could be rather nice.

Go read Megatron: Origin. The Constructicons are there.

If my eyes dost not deceive me, then the Predacons are also there in issue #3. Then again I have never been great with identifying characters in comics.

nah, it is them. change colours depending on the panel mind you, but they are there.

craggy wrote:To say a little something about the Prime comic, I was playing about with my Energon Rodimus toy earlier and realised that there are a lot of similarities in the designs of that and this issue's "Arcee/Alpha Trion/character without a toy". Anyone thinking about a Nova Prime custom might want to look there as a starting point.

Everyone seems to focus on Energon rodimus but my money is on a G2 hero prime for being a better kitbash...just something about the legs that really make it seem similar...dunno maybe thats where the character design came from.

Only one man can answer that????

Ever since I saw that movie on video back in the day (which was the first time I had ever seen tf's BTW) I loved Dev. Such pure destructivness and unstoppable force. And that combination sequance. That is why I have such a soft spot for him, even though, yes, I acknoledge he is overused.

Stunticons and Combaticons are also ones I have a soft spot for and would like to see, though my fondness is not as strong as Dev.

We have already seen Swindle appear in IDW though, and he is off hiding from Magnus in return for telling him where Scorpinok is hiding *coughearthcough* so I don't think we will see Bruticus, though the others may yet appear.

The Stunticons (in the toon) had clear personalities. Well, Motormaster, Dead End and Dragstrip did. But I'm sure Furman can expand on them. Menasor I would like to see.

As he seems to be using the lesser known ones though, I would say the Seacons are the best bet to appear. They are popular, yet have a very limited exposure. Other than Masterforce, what else did they appear in?

Whoever said combiner tech is in existance already, yes it is, but Monstructor is the only combiner in existance as he was a failed experiment. I can't see Prime conducting combiner experiments himself, so the tech somehow needs to get into a con's hands.


I am also interested in people's theories concerning Thunderwing having a connection to Galvatron's master. Yes, he was ordered to retrieve him, but this does not mean there is a connection. There could be any number of reasons for it. Part of an experiment, a scheme to create chaos to destract those in the Live Universe perhaps?

Insurgent wrote:
Whoever said combiner tech is in existance already, yes it is, but Monstructor is the only combiner in existance as he was a failed experiment. I can't see Prime conducting combiner experiments himself, so the tech somehow needs to get into a con's hands.

I'm thinking that in Devastation, Prime may decide to do just that. I'd say with the Technobots, but who knows...

i_amtrunks wrote:

Insurgent wrote:
Whoever said combiner tech is in existance already, yes it is, but Monstructor is the only combiner in existance as he was a failed experiment. I can't see Prime conducting combiner experiments himself, so the tech somehow needs to get into a con's hands.

I'm thinking that in Devastation, Prime may decide to do just that. I'd say with the Technobots, but who knows...

But considering he saw first hand how the combiner process screwed up Monstructor, would he really be willing to put his own Autobots through that? If the cons got it, then perhaps as it would be the only way to fight them off, but I can't see him escalating the battle on Earth without prompting from Megs.

Insurgent wrote:

i_amtrunks wrote:

Insurgent wrote:
Whoever said combiner tech is in existance already, yes it is, but Monstructor is the only combiner in existance as he was a failed experiment. I can't see Prime conducting combiner experiments himself, so the tech somehow needs to get into a con's hands.

I'm thinking that in Devastation, Prime may decide to do just that. I'd say with the Technobots, but who knows...

But considering he saw first hand how the combiner process screwed up Monstructor, would he really be willing to put his own Autobots through that? If the cons got it, then perhaps as it would be the only way to fight them off, but I can't see him escalating the battle on Earth without prompting from Megs.

I was thinking more along the lines that it would be up to Jetfire (or a super intelligent Grimlock, either way I don't mind!) would figure out a correction/improvement of the combiner tech used on Monstructor. It's going to have to be figured out sooner or later if the other combiner teams are to appear down the track.

Maybe the there will be other combiners later on when the bots and cons need to fight the threat from the Dead Universe

craggy wrote:
As for the Autobot combiner teams, there's none I'd like to see as much as I would other specialists like the Targetmasters and Headmasters (with or without their partners) or even the Throttlebots.

Yeah man, that kicked ass in 'call of the primatives' when the terrocons formed abominus.
I can name one Autobot combiner team that bad-azz to me and that Computron. We're talkin' about a guy who can look you up and down and less than 30 secs analyze numerous ways to take you out.