Reinforcements, Part 4
From Transformers Wiki
| |||||||||||||
 You'd think G.I. Joe would have learned to abandon standard rifles by now but you'd be wrong. | |||||||||||||
| "Reinforcements, Part 4" | |||||||||||||
| Publisher | IDW Publishing,Ted Adams | ||||||||||||
| First published | March 29,2017 | ||||||||||||
| Cover date | February 2017 | ||||||||||||
| Written by | Chris RyallandChristos Gage | ||||||||||||
| Art by | Paolo Villanelli | ||||||||||||
| Colors by | Alessandra Alexakis | ||||||||||||
| Letters by | Shawn Lee | ||||||||||||
| Editorial assistant | David Mariotte | ||||||||||||
Orphion attempts to annihilate the Wraith threat on Earth once and for all by destroying the planet.
Contents |
Synopsis
Flying at supersonic speeds towards an oil platform,Orphionreflects that, though he has nothing againstEarthand its people, it must die to protect the larger galaxy. The nearby oil platform, will be how he accomplishes his task. LeavingBlind-Eye Cave,RomandLiviahave a debate about humanity and Earth with Rom insisting they must not destroy the planet so that they may learn more about theDire Wraiths' unusual behaviour. Watching the two fly off,Beach HeadandGruntreflect on how outmatched they were and while Beach Head is eager to steal Cybertronian technology, Grunt says that will alertScarlettto their activities opting to thinksmaller.
Though the Wraith stench is overpowering, Orphion scans the complex with hisAnalyzer(mainly to not be a hypocrite after scolding Rom for breaking protocol), the red light altering theWraith Soldiersto his presence. Though the foreman stands his ground, the others flee from theSpace Knight.Unable to access hisNeutralizer,Orphion simply smashes through the complex sowing mass panic. Just as the Soldiers find their courage, Orphion's weapon reboots and he slays all save the foreman, crushing the last Wraith in his tail as he reaches his objective: the platform's drill, through which he will destroy Earth. Rom arrives just then intending to fight his commander for Earth's life well aware of the treason he commits.
InProvidence,Rhode Island,DarbyandRuantalk at a cafe about her recent adventures and the alien activity on Earth. As Darby wishes for a way to know who's human and who's Wraith, Ruan's eyes glow red. Recognizing him as a Dire Wraith, Darby bolts but he pursues saying he wants to talk. Darby tackles him but notes that he's not shapeshifting and gives him a minute to talk. Ruan explains how he has always been a Dire Wraith but he was born on Earth and as such considers it his home, not caring for his species' desire for conquest. Though he has tried to live a quiet life, his superiors sent him after Darby and knowing the time has come to choose a side, Ruan asks for Darby's help in saving Earth.
At the oil platform Rom again attempts to reason with Orphion only to be attacked, with Livia opening fire on her former lover at Orphion's order. Ordering Livia below, Orphion resolves to finish Rom being done with holding back. Rom is also content to stop holding back and absorbs Orphion's Neutralizer from his armor and uses it as fuel to blast his commander unconscious. Rudderless, Orphion falls to the lower levels as Livia is beset by a small army of Wraith Soldiers and calls for backup. Seeing her commander's prone form, Livia reflects on the bad turn the day has taken.
Below, severalWraith Sorcerersare delivering their bounty toher.AfterKagan Knightdelivers his, he hears the sounds of battle and, after being briefed, insists on summoning theAbsence.No sooner has Orphion recovered does Rom ram into him again but the commander proves able to wrap Rom in his tail and shock him with Neutralizer energy. As Rom falls into unconsciousness, Orphion advances towards the drill. Below, Kagan Knight sacrifices himself so that The Absence may take form. While the Wraith Sorcerers are eager for The Absence to slay the Space Knights, the spectral being reveals he won't be doing anything. He's going to sit back and let the three tear themselves apart.
Featured characters
Characters initalic textappear only in flashbacks.
(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)
| Space Knights | Dire Wraiths | Humans |
|---|---|---|
|
|
Quotes
"I amROM Space Knight!It was I who first absorbed weaponry into my armor...as I now do withyours!"
- —Romreminds us who the main character is before opening a can of whoop ass on Orphion.
Notes
Continuity notes
- The Kagan Knight Wraith refers to their leader as "the Absence". Inissue #3,D'rgecited the Dire Wraith principle of living by an absence of fear.
- Rom claims to be the first Space Knight who absorbed a weapon into hisarmor,something that would be explored in the2017ROMAnnual.
- Ruan claims to have witnessedgiant robotsinCalifornia.Which event he's referring to isn't very clear since California has had a minor presence in IDW'sTransformersbooks but he's likely alluding to the events ofAll Hail Megatron#3in which theDecepticonsdestroyedSan DiegoandSan Francisco...off-panel.
- Grunt encourages Beach Head to "think smaller", likely foreshadowing the upcomingRom & the Micronauts.
- Last issue,Kagan Knight feared whether or not he'd brought enough of a bounty for "her". He did.
Other notes
- Solicited for release in February, this issue arrives a month late in the last week of March.
Covers (5)
- Regular cover:Rom surrounded by Grunt and Beach Head byNelson Daniel,originally intended forROM#7.
- Subscription cover A:Rom contemplates his navel as the Dire Wraiths loom byEJ Su.
- Subscription cover B:Rom and Orphion stand over defeated Wraiths byJohnny Desjardins.
- Subscription cover C:Rom goes throughAbstract ThoughtbyAntonio Fuso.
- Retailer incentive cover:Rom lands on Saturn's rings byJeff Zornow.
Advertisements
- "The Hasbro Tribune" editorial page promoting February'sHasbro Universetitles, includingG.I. Joe#3,M.A.S.K.#4,Lost Light#3,Optimus Prime#4,Till All Are One#8,TransformersAnnual 2017,M.A.S.K.Annual 2017,Revolutionaries#3,Micronauts#10,and this issue.
