Autobots' Lightning Strike
From Transformers Wiki
| |||||||||||||
 It's alive! IT'S ALIVE! | |||||||||||||
| Autobots' Lightning Strike | |||||||||||||
| Publisher | Ladybird Books | ||||||||||||
| First published | 1985 | ||||||||||||
| Written by | John Grant | ||||||||||||
| Art by | Mike Collins,Mark Farmer | ||||||||||||
| Continuity | Ladybird Books continuity | ||||||||||||
| ISBN | ISBN 9780721408958 ISBN 0-721-40895-8 | ||||||||||||
| Page count | 48pp | ||||||||||||
When the Autobots attempt to harness the power of a lightning storm, the Decepticons are in for ashockingexperience!
Contents |
Summary
When theAutobotswitness the incredible power of a lightning storm,Optimus PrimeputsHufferto work on finding a way to harness its energy, in hopes that they can use it in the rebuilding of their spaceship. After a week of work, with a little help and lots of complaining fromGears,Huffer succeeds in erecting a massive lightning rod in some nearby mountains, connected to an energy converter in a cavern beneath.
Unfortunately for the Autobots,Laserbeakhas been observing the construction and reports back toMegatron,only forSoundwaveto believe mistakenly that the Autobots have built a radio mast. The lack of a detectable signal from the tower only convinces Megatron that the Autobots have developed a highly advanced communications technology, butStarscreambelieves that it should be destroyed, and he conspires withRumbleto go against Megatron's orders and do just that. Further observations by Laserbeak allow theDecepticonsto learn of the existence of the cavern, and Starscream and Rumble sneak off to carry out their plan, with Megatron and the other Decepticons on their tails.
Meanwhile, with a thunderstorm having been forecast for that evening, the Autobots converge on the lightning rod to test the equipment. Keeping their distance for safety's sake, the Autobots conduct the test from afar and fail to notice Starscream and Rumble make their way into the cavern. Upon discovering the inactive machinery, however, Starscream believes that it doesn't work, and he pauses to mock Megatron–just long enough for Megatron himself to enter the scene with the other Decepticons. Suddenly, a bolt of lightning strikes the tower, and the machinery in the cavern surges to life, scattering the Decepticons and overloading their mechanisms.Skywarpis caught between modes,Ravageautomatically ejects and attacks Megatron, and Starscream'snull-rayprojectors are mangled when he attempts to turn them on the converter. Battling through the arcs of electricity surrounding them, the badly damaged Decepticons manage to escape into the night sky as the amazed Autobots watch them go, unaware there had ever been a threat.
Featured characters
(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)
| Autobots | Decepticons | Humans |
|---|---|---|
|
|
Notes
Errors
- The illustrations for pages 10 and 11 are misprinted, transposing the cyan and yellow inks. This results in Huffer going from orange and purple to blue and orange, and Gears changing from red and blue to purple and purple and cream.
- Ravage is described as a "mechanical hound", when he's actually a feline.
Transformers references
- The Ladybird series takes its cue from the end of the original TV pilot, "More Than Meets The Eye",with the Autobots' continuing repairs on their crashed spacecraft. The pilot also inspires a few other aspects of the books –Spike keeping a journalis lifted right out of the miniseries, as is the Decepticon battle cry of "Scramble!" Additionally, Starscream and Rumble conspiring against Megatron would seem to be inspired by their discussion on treachery from the first episode.
Trivia
- This story was also released as aTalk and Readaudiobook which included music and sound effects.
- Spike's father is not named.
External links
- Autobots' Lightning Strike scans at green-ranger.com
- Audio fileat Steve-o's Transformers Site
