Meltdown!
From Transformers Wiki
| The name or term "Meltdown" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, seeMeltdown (disambiguation). |
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 Trypticon's bulimia was harmful to others. | |||||||||||||
| "Meltdown!" | |||||||||||||
| Publisher | Marvel Comics | ||||||||||||
| First published | 28th May–4th June1988 | ||||||||||||
| Cover date | 4th June–11th June1988 | ||||||||||||
| Script | Simon Furman | ||||||||||||
| Art | Robin Smith | ||||||||||||
| Colour | Euan Peters | ||||||||||||
| Letters | Glib(#168) GLOP(#169) | ||||||||||||
| Cover | Jerry ParisandJeff Anderson | ||||||||||||
| Continuity | Marvel Comics continuity | ||||||||||||
Flame prepares for the greatest transformation of all time!
Contents |
Synopsis
Flame's computer delivers an update on the various situations.Springerhas reachedCybertron's surface and joined up withUltra Magnusand theSparkler Mini-Bots.They are now proceeding back underground.Flywheelsis still seeking reinforcements. The otherWreckersare loose in the main complex but contained by the "Legion of the Lost!"EmirateXaaronis seeking Flame and being allowed to proceed to central control. And the repairs to the main reactor are complete. The engines will be fired in 4.86breemsand Flame's plans will be complete! Flame cannot contain his glee.
Ultra Magnus andSizzleare still arguing about whether or not it was wise to send Flywheels for reinforcements. Magnus believes Flywheels has to come through as theDecepticonsare also threatened, but Sizzle isn't convinced. Privately, Springer also wonders if it was the best idea but understands the pressure on Magnus.
Meanwhile, the Wreckers are losing against thezombies.Broadsidetries to reach the armoury, but a zombie attacks and starts to crush his head. Suddenly, it is knocked aside by a spear. Broadside turns to see his saviour isImpactor,still wondering who brought him back to life. Broadside tells him it was Flame and the former leader of the Wreckers heads away. Broadside turns to the now open armoury, stocked full of weapons.
Xaaron has reached the main control room and confronts Flame. They are still arguing about whether the reactor is safe, but Flame claims Xaaron is only concerned that theCouncil of Elderswill find out they discredited the wrong person. Xaaron argues that both the Council and Flame's disgrace are ancient history, but the renegadeAutobotdoesn't agree. Xaaron determines to shut down the reactor but as he heads for the door Flame transforms into his firetank mode and blasts him. Xaaron realises that if he transforms as well the shock to the system might kill him, but it may be the only way to stop Flame.
Ultra Magnus, Springer, and the Sparklers meet up with the other Wreckers but are disappointed to find all the zombies have already been destroyed. The Autobots set off for the central control room but the computer recognises the high threat level and seals the blast doors. Needing heavy artillery to break through, Springer and Broadside head forAutobase.Springer declares that nothing's going to stop him now. But he's not so sure when another set of doors are blasted open to revealTrypticon!
In the control room Xaaron continues to dodge Flame's blast and sees the computer reporting an imminent meltdown by the main reactor. Xaaron uses this to convince Flame that Cybertron is in danger and proposes to lower the reactor core and seal it to save the planet, but Flame believes it will save the plan and Cybertron will still become a battle station.
Outside, the Wreckers, Sparklers, and Ultra Magnus try to laser their way through the blast doors but with no success. Springer and Broadside have not yet returned. Then Sizzle shouts as Trypticon comes down the corridor. The Autobots prepare to fight but Springer stops them. Ultra Magnus's gamble has paid off. Flywheels couldn't get huge numbers of reinforcements so instead brought the largest Decepticon of all. Trypticon smashes open the blast doors and everyone enters, observed from afar by Impactor.
Inside, Xaaron is trying to convince Flame to let him get to the reactor controls, but the paranoid Flame believes it is a scheme to discredit him. Then Ultra Magnus enters, picks up Flame and throws him aside. The other Autobots and Decepticons arrive and Xaaron explains that the only way is to isolate the reactor from the blast—but this will involve going through the chamber and the radiation will destroy whoever is in there. Xaaron proposes to go, despite protests from Springer and Ultra Magnus.
Flame has now recovered and summons more zombies. Trypticon and Flywheels lead the Autobots into battle to the surface against them. Meanwhile, Xaaron prepares to meet his destiny. Just as he is about to open the door, Flame charges at him to kill him. Then Flame drops dead, a spear in his head. Xaaron turns to see Impactor, who now fully remembers. Impactor tells Xaaron that he is already dead and has no place amongst the living, so is the natural person to shut down the reactor. Xaaron doesn't know what to say and leaves his old friend for the last time. Impactor enters the chamber and reaches the control.
Xaaron reaches the surface to the others' surprise, just as the engines around them explode. Xaaron explains that Impactor has succeeded in containing the blast.
"Give thanks, Autobots, Decepticons — our world is safe. The plans of an insane Decepticon and the Autobot who carried on his work have been buried forever! Give thanks... to the Autobot who diedtwiceso that others may live! "
Featured characters
(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)
| Autobots | Decepticons | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Quotes
"And then...then our homeworldCybertron,shall begin its controlled journey through space! All will pay homage toFlame,theAutobotwho engineered the most incredible transformation of all -planet to spacecraft!"
- —Flame
"[Thinking] We're off to a flying start here! Not a hundred metres below ground and we're already at each others' throats. I just hope my fellow Wreckers...are faring betterbelowus! "
- —Springer
"Ah...couldn't you have saved a few for us?"
- —No more zombie smashing for poorUltra Magnus
"Gottahurry.They'rerelyingon us. "
"Don't worry...nothing'sgonna stop me now - except maybethat!"
- —BroadsideandSpringerrun straight into Trypticon.
"Right!Now, Trypticon, if you please...get the door!"
- —Flywheels
"Thismaniacgiving you trouble, Xaaron? Not any longer he's not! "
"Put...me...down!"
"Sure."
- —Ultra MagnustossesFlamelike a pancake.
Notes
Artwork and technical errors
- In some panels Flame's Autobot symbol is noticeably blocked from view, mainly when he is at his angriest. It's possible that this is a deliberate self-censorship to avoid showing too evil an Autobot.
- Flame's Autobot symbol vanishes from his chest in some panels.
Continuity errors
- It is never explained how Xaaron and the Wreckers got free from their cell.
Continuity notes
- We learn in this issue that Emirate Xaaron's alternate mode is a "vehicular combat mode" but he hasn't transformed for hundreds of years and the shock to the system could kill him. So in a way he is the firstAction Master.
Real-life references
- TBD
Back-up material
Issue #168
- Back-up strips:Action Force- "Thunder Machine" andCombat Colin
Issue #169
- Back-up strips:Action Force- "Thunder Machine" andCombat Colin
Covers (2)
- Issue #168:Giant hand of Flame crushes the Autobots; art byJerry Paris.
- Issue #169:Trypticon and Flywheels destroy zombies; art byJeff Anderson.
Issue #168- Master Hand
Issue #169- Flywheels and Trypticon, the party animal!
Reprints
- Transformers Comic-Magazin#22:two Trypticons.
- Easter Special1993:recolored version of issue #169.
- Transformers: City of FearTPB:Ultra Magnus and the Wreckers battle the zombie horde; art byGeoff Senior.
- Best of UK: City of Fear#3 Regular cover:Trypticon destroying zombies; art byAndrew Griffith.
Transformers Comic-Magazin#22
(Condor Verlag, 1992)
Easter Special1993(Marvel Comics UK, 1993) Party dude, excellent!
Transformers: City of FearTPB
(Titan Books, 2004)
Game over man, game over!
Best of UK: City of Fear#3 Regular cover
(IDW Publishing, 2009) Finally something that zombies are scared of!
- Best of UK: City of Fear#3 RI cover:"retro" incentive cover: panel from page 11 of #168; art byRobin Smith.
- Best of UK: City of FearTPB:Trypticon V zombies, byAndrew Griffith.
- The Transformers Classics UKVolume 5:the head ofUnicronwatches overTritonswapping his badge,ZombieImpactorattackingSpringer,a fleeingCyclonusandScourgeand an angryFlame,byAndrew Wildman.
- Transformers: The Definitive G1 CollectionVolume 13: City of Fear:Trypticon and a zombie killing Chuffer.
Best of UK: City of Fear#3 RI cover
(IDW Publishing, 2009)
"I believe I just lubricated my pants!"
Best of UK: City of FearTPB
(IDW Publishing, 2009)
The Transformers Classics UKVolume 5(IDW Publishing, 2014)
The Definitive G1 CollectionVolume 13: City of Fear(Hachette Partworks Ltd., 2019)
