Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 8

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Optimus Prime regrets taking that LSD.
Publisher	Condor Verlag
Cover date	April 1990
Continuity	Marvel Comics continuity
Price	3.50 DM

Contents

Transformers in Action: Megatron's Ultimatum

The Decepticons have stolen three nuclear missiles from the United States. Megatron sends an ultimatum to Earth—send him one million tons of oil or New York City, Berlin, and Moscow will be destroyed! His demands are met, but he then changes his demands—that the entire weapons arsenal of Earth be delivered to the Decepticons.

With this huge threat looming, Optimus Prime sends out the Small Targetmasters to investigate. Scoop and his two mini-robot guns Tracer and Holepunch report back to reveal that they found the Decepticon base, but it is guarded by Firecons!

To tackle this crisis, Optimus Prime volunteers Bumblebee, Jazz, and Grimlock to become Classic Pretenders. The three Autobots are given their armor and proceed to the Decepticon base, where they are attacked by Pretender Starscream! The Autobots dispatch Starscream and the Firecons, but are then fought by the other Decepticon Pretenders. Bumblebee is left alone to tackle Megatron! Bumblebee is able to stop the nuclear countdown, and the Autobots steal back the nuclear missiles, saving the day. (source)

Featured characters

(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)

Transformers in Action: "Save Nevada Alpha"

Nevada Alpha is the codename of the most modern nuclear arms cache of the United States. As such, the Decepticons decide to steal it. A squad lead by Darkwing, with Carnivac, Snarler, Spinister, and Horri-Bull sneaks through the desert in the darkness. Carnivac cuts a hole in the fence and the Decepticon attack begins.

The station manages to get a distress call to the Autobots, and a squad is dispatched including Powermaster Optimus Prime, Siren, the Sparkabots, Cloudburst, Nightbeat, Horsehead, Catilla, Chainclaw, Getaway, Joyride, Slapdash, and the small Targetmaster Autobots.

Despite the Decepticons being outnumbered, the battle is even. Powermaster Optimus Prime is the only one able to fight Horri-Bull. The Autobots eventually beat the Decepticons, but Darkwing steals three of the nuclear missiles! (source)

Featured characters

(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)

Articles and features

Superion flies by flapping his stick-like arms!

• A number puzzle introduced by Hot Spot coloured as Powermaster Optimus Prime.
• Jazz presents some information on armadillos(?!)
• A puzzle where the reader must complete and colour the image of a generic technician from "The Smelting Pool!".
• Optimus Prime and Ravage's floating head present some drawings for the reader to copy.
• A picture of Superion for a spot-the-difference, traced from "Aerialbots over America!".

Reprints

• The Transformers (Marvel UK) #98 - "...The Harder They Die!"
• The Transformers (Marvel UK) #99 - "Under Fire!"

Notes

• Not only does the Guardian speak on the cover—grammatically, his dialogue essentially refers to Cybertron with a definite article ("your return to the Cybertron").
• Translated titles for Marvel UK #98 and #99 are "The Cybertron Mission" and "Stop the Spy!"
• "Megatron's Ultimatum" is a new origin for the Classic Pretenders.
• Scoop's guns are described as "mini-robots".
• The Classic Pretender shells are shown as being akin to armor—they are able to leap out of a plane and crash into a crater in the ground, with absolutely no damage.
• Starscream was made into a Pretender by Megatron to get rid of his rival, Shockwave (the Condor Verlag continuity is seemingly still in early Marvel US mode).
• Optimus' exposition for the Classic Pretenders makes it sound like they're being given the shells for this mission only.
• Carnivac's back-laser can weld open fences.
• Plan C is an Autobot plan where the Sparkabots spray sparks to separate the enemy, allowing the Autobots to attack their foes individually.

Errors

• The events of the text story "Megatron's Ultimatum" seem to take place after "Save Nevada Alpha" but it is printed beforehand. Either that or the Autobots are having a really, really bad day. Given that the Small Targetmaster Autobots are heavily damaged in "Save Nevada Alpha", Optimus Prime comes across as a bit of a jerk in making them do all the dangerous scouting work in "Megatron's Ultimatum".
• "Save Nevada Alpha" features the triumphant return of "Horsehead".

Advertisements

• One-page advertisement for Thunderwing, Skyhopper and Roadblock.
• One-page advertisement for M.A.S.K. Comic-Magazin.
• One-page advertisement for the Classics reissues.

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  1990 Decepticons Thunderwing likes to think he is Superman