King Con!
From Transformers Wiki
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 A big ape is rolling in his grave... | |||||||||||||
| "King Con!" | |||||||||||||
| Publisher | Marvel Comics | ||||||||||||
| First published | March1989 | ||||||||||||
| Cover date | July 1989 | ||||||||||||
| Writer | Bob Budiansky | ||||||||||||
| Pencil breakdowns | José Delbo | ||||||||||||
| Ink finishes | Danny Bulanadi | ||||||||||||
| Colorist | Nel Yomtov | ||||||||||||
| Letterer | Jim Massara | ||||||||||||
| Editor | Don Daley | ||||||||||||
| Continuity | Marvel Comics continuity | ||||||||||||
It's the latest craze—young, crass heroes with no time for the adults' rules!
Contents |
Synopsis
Three men head into theNew Jerseyswamps in the dead of night, in order to deal with alleged "creature sightings" that have been plaguing their community. They thought it would be a bear—they were wrong. TheDecepticonPretenderknown asIguanussteps out of the marsh, and blows the would-be hunters away with hishurricane air blaster.They take off on foot as fast as their puny human legs can carry them.
A few days later,Optimus PrimeandHi-Qpull into an abandoned gas station. Because of the recent losses they suffered at the hands ofStarscream,theAutobotsofEarthhave requested reinforcements be sent fromCybertronbyTrans-Dimensional Warp.Those reinforcements arrive in the form of eightMicromasterTransformers—theOff Road PatrolandRace Car Patrol,commanded byPowertrainandRoadhandlerrespectively. After the Micromasters and Hi-Q toss several clichés back and forth about size, discipline, and the overconfidence of youth, Optimus proceeds with the mission briefing the Micromasters have been selected for.
Two seemingly unrelated stories have caught Optimus Prime's attention. One, the creature sightings now being substantiated by interviews with the erstwhile hunters, and second, a bizarre weather phenomena causing massive storm fronts to gather and hold steady overManhattan,New York,and the surroundingNew Jerseyswamplands where the three men supposedly saw their "creature". Fearing Decepticon activity, Prime sends the Micromasters to investigate the situation.
At the same time,Cecilia Santiago—the reporter who interviewed the hunters—has entered the swamp in the hopes of finding the creature for herself.
In the newDecepticon underground basein New Jersey,Scorponokis outlining their latest energy-gathering plan for thePretenders.They have constructed a massive energy conversion device within their base, and theStormmaker Stationin the nearby swamps has been responsible for the growing weather problems. Scorponok plans to gather the full electrical power of the storm he has created. WhileSkullgringuards the Stormmaker Station,FinbackandSubmarauderlay an extended cable underwater from the base to Manhattan, in order to absorb and conduct the electricity back to the base. Iguanus is to place theirelectrostatordevice at the proper place as a high-tech lightning rod, gathering the total electrical potential of the storm and channeling it down through the ground and the conductor cables.BuglyandBomb-Burstare charged with retrieving Iguanus before the electrical surge strikes the electrostator and overwhelms him. As the Pretenders disperse to carry out their duties, Iguanus has a little fun at Skullgrin's expense, taunting him as a "fleshling lover" thanks to hisrecent movie career.
Back in the swamp, Cecilia has wandered into sight of the Stormmaker Station. After overhearing the Decepticons' plans, she tries to escape but makes too much noise and is captured by Iguanus. The reptilian Pretender is prepared to exterminate her right there, but Skullgrin tries to convince him to give the woman over to him. As they grapple with one another,Mudslingerarrives on the scene. As he and the rest of the Off Road Patrol jump into battle with the two Pretenders, Cecilia runs off to safety. Powertrain radios the Race Car Patrol to intercept the human as she emerges from the swamp, in case she has any information.
Roadhandler succeeds in picking her up on the side of the road, but Cecilia quickly sees through his "mannequin driver" disguise. After a brief conversation to convince her of his good intentions, Cecilia tells Roadhandler what she overheard about the threat to New York City. Roadhandler tries to get rid of her after that, but she proves tough to shake.
Iguanus has moved on from the swamp, and approaches his destination at theEmpire State Building.He plans to place the electrostator at the very top of the antenna, channeling the electrical energy down through the building and out through the conduit cables which Finback and Submarauder have placed by the river. This will feed the Decepticons massive amounts of power, but destroy half the city in the process.
Back at the swamps, the Off Road Patrol manages to delay Skullgrin long enough for Mudslinger to destroy the Stormmaker, but it is too late—the storm has grown too strong on its own, and can no longer be dissipated so easily.
As the Race Car Patrol and Cecilia make their way to the top of the building, King 'Con Iguanus grabs the woman with his tail and dangles her high above the streets below. Iguanus drops her into Roadhandler's waiting arms, and triggers the electrostator on top of the building. Roadhandler uses his projectile fist to knock the device loose, however, forcing Iguanus to leap out into space in a vain attempt to retrieve it. Instead, the lightning strikes down on the device, channeling the full electrical force through Iguanus alone. The electricity disperses, the Decepticons receive no energy, and Iguanus is crispy-fried in the process. As the Pretender crashes to earth, the Micromasters decide to set up residence in the Big Apple...
Featured characters
(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)
| Autobots | Decepticons | Humans | Nebulans | Others |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Quotes
"Wefightdifferently. And we play by ourownrules. "
"Optimus, they answer tono one!How can we trust them? "
- —Roadhandleris one outrageous dude! He's totally inHi-Q's face!
"They wield their independence like aclub."
- —Hi-Qon the Micromasters
"We don't need your help!"
"Everyoneneeds some help some time -- even you. Would you rather still be driving in circles around that swamp? "
"..."
"No, I didn't think so."
- —Roadhandlergets a little comeuppance fromCecelia
"Those humans were very agreeable... especially after we suspended them from the lamp pole."
- —Swindlerseems to be fitting in just fine on Earth.
"Can you operate it, Tailspin?"
"I think it's a binary code..."
"Trytalkingto it. "
- —FreewheelerandTailspinface their greatest foe yet: an elevator.
Notes
Artwork and technical errors
- José Delbo redrew the packaging art of the Off Road Patrol (particularly Powertrain and Tote) and Race Car Patrol as they introduce themselves and transform. The Race Car Patrol box art was redrawntwice.
- On the second-to-last page, Roadhandler is called "Roadmaster".
Continuity errors
- Optimus Prime transforms intorobot modewithout his Powermaster engine installed. While not necessarily an error in this continuity, it goes against thetoygimmick.Prime's fellow Powermaster,Slapdashexplicitly cannot transform without his engine according to his toybio,hisUniverseprofile, and the UK story "Prime Bomb!".
Continuity notes
- This issue is the first appearance of the Race Car Patrol, Off Road Patrol, and of the Micromaster concept in general.
- The Decepticon base underneath the New Jersey garbage dump makes its first appearance here. A new base was necessary after Starscream destroyed bothRatbat's island ship and Scorponok's starcruiser in US issue#50.Also, this was foreshadowed by Scorponok's scouting mission for Skullgrin in issue#45.
- This is the third of the four times that Powermaster Optimus Prime is seen in his smaller robot form, and the first time that his forearms are correctly coloured as all blue.
- Optimus Prime mentions the Autobots' recent staggering losses, from US #50, and their failed attempt to repair those warriors from issues#52–#53.
- Iguanus and Skullgrin argue over how Skullgrin's time as a movie star in issue #45 may have made him too friendly towards humans.
- Iguanus seems to be destroyed at the end of the issue - hit by the city-destroying mega-lighting bolt and then plunging from the top of the Empire State Building - but he's back with the Decepticons just three issues later.
- At least twice, Roadhandler displays the ability to fire his fist off like a rocket.
Real-life references
- This story is the second appearance of an overtKing Konghomage ofKing Kongclimbing the empire state building in the official Generation 1 fiction, the first being thecartoonepisode "City of Steel".
- The action is set in the north New Jersey swamps, and in Manhattan just over the river. Therearea couple of landfills in New Jersey within direct sight of the Midtown Manhattan skyline, along the New Jersey Turnpike.
Bot Roster
- Autobots: 21 active; 8 rogue Micromasters; 1 in storage, 31 offline, 27 presumed offline. (88 total)
- Decepticons: 20 active (even after Iguanus's misadventure); 26 offline, 25 presumed offline, 4 offline/missing. (79 total)
Courtesy of my...
- Iguanus literallyblows the would-be hunters away.
UK Printing
Issue #232
- AdditionalTransformersstory:"A Small War!"
- ReprintTransformersstory:"Resurrection!"
- Other strips:Combat Colin
- Free gift:magnifying glass
Issue #233
- AdditionalTransformersstory:"A Small War!"
- Other strips:Action Force- "Airshow" andCombat Colin
- AtoZ:RampageandRatbat
- Free gift:temporary tattoo
Issue #234
- AdditionalTransformersstory:"Prime's Rib!"
- Other strips:Action Force- "Airshow" andCombat Colin
- Classic Covers Calendar:The ninth in a series of monthly calendars that showcased inks from covers of yesteryear with new colours. This September edition usedGeoff Senior's inks fromissue 130.
- Free gift:temporary tattoo (Autobot and Decepticonsymbols)
Issue #235
- AdditionalTransformersstory:"Deathbringer"
- Other strips:Action Force- "Airshow" andCombat Colin
Covers (5)
- US issue #54 cover:Iguanus, Micromasters and Cecilia, byJosé DelboandDanny Bulanadi.
- UK issue #232 cover:Thunderwingand Micromasters, byLee Sullivan.
- UK issue #233 cover:Bomb-Burst, Iguanus and a friendly chap, byJeff Anderson.
- UK issue #234 cover:ArceevsHorri-Bull,byGeoff Senior.
- UK issue #235 cover:Deathbringerand a defeated Prime, by Geoff Senior.
US issue #54- They're great! Buy them! Now!
UK issue #232- Luckily the issue came with a free magnifying glass! (It was rubbish)
UK issue #233-Thebest free gift ever!
UK issue #234- Not so gentle, really.
UK issue #235- If only the actualDeathbringer storywasthis great...
Advertisements
US
- Metal Gear Ultravideo game - inside front cover
- Nintendo games:Bubble Bobble,Renegade,Sky Shark,Operation Wolf- between pages 4 & 5
- AD&D Handbook- between pages 5 & 6
- Nintendo games:Operation Wolf,Renegade,Bubble Bobble,Renegade,Sky Shark- between pages 9 & 10
- Tales of theSpinjas- between pages 12 & 13 (2 pages)
- F.I.S.T.fantasy telephone game - between pages 15 & 16
- Bullpen Bulletins and checklist - between pages 19 & 20
- American Comics / Comic Book conventions - between pages 20 & 21
- Marvel Annuals 1989: Atlantis Attacks
- Marvel subscription service
- Nintendo games:Gauntlet,Pac-Man,R.B.I. BaseballandTetris- inside back cover
- Schwinn bikes (back cover)
UK
????
Reprints
- Transformers: Last StandTPB cover:Swindler,Rippersnapper,Snarler,Astrotrainand half a Mecannibal, byAndrew Wildman.
- Transformers: Last StandHardback cover:A damagedFortress Maximusbattling Snarler andCarnivac,byFrank Quitely.
- Classic TransformersVolume 4cover:Panels from US issues#59and#60,pencils by José Delbo, inks by Dave Hunt and colours by Nel Yomtov.
- The Transformers Classics,Vol. 5cover:ProwlbyGuido Guidi.
- Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection:Volume 15: Time Wars:Highbrowprofile pic overGalvatronblasting theWreckersfrom issue #204; art byLee Sullivan(pencils #204),Stephen Baskerville(inks, #204) andDon Figueroa?(Highbrow).
Transformers: Last StandTPB(Titan Books, 2005)
Transformers: Last StandHC(Titan Books, 2005)
Classic TransformersVolume 4(IDW Publishing, 2009)
The Transformers Classics,Vol. 5(IDW Publishing, 2012)
The Definitive G1 Collection: Volume 15: Time Wars
(Hachette Partworks, 2019)
