Swoop of the Dinobots reveals a long-standing rivalry with the Predacon known as Divebomb. Turns out that name used to belong to Swoop and he’s looking to take it back…
This story is set on Earth-120185 of the Marvel Multiverse, better-known as Marvel UK‘s Transformers continuity!
Crossover: One of the few Marvel UK crossovers, with the arc beginning in 1987’s Transformers Annual.
Must-Reads: In the Fallout section, issues/story arcs marked with a ✔ are essential reading.
Spoilers: The issue descriptions and fallout section contain spoilers, so be warned!
Want to keep it simple? Here’s the chronological reading order without story descriptions, or spoilers:
- Transformers Annual 1987 [1/6]
- Transformers #135 [1/2]
- Transformers #136 [1/2]
| Title, Issue & Synopsis |
| Transformers Annual 1987 [1/6] Millions of years ago on Cybertron, the Autobot called Divebomb lost a fight with a Decepticon flyer who then laid claim to his name. The Autobot went looking for rematch, only to lose again and only survived thanks to Optimus Prime stepping in to save his life, though he lied about Prime’s involvement to hide his shame. Now the Autobot continues the war on Earth as Swoop, a member of the Dinobots. But he’s still eager to someday have his revenge… Identity revealed: Swoop used to be known as Divebomb |
| Title, Issue & Synopsis |
| Transformers #135 [1/2] The Dinobots Sludge and Swoop are monitoring human news channels when they learn of the Predacons‘ attack on a circus. Swoop recognises Divebomb and flies off to confront him alone, only to find himself outnumbered by the five Predacons. |
| Transformers #136 [1/2] The Dinobots show up to save their friend and overpower the Predacons, though Swoop realises he’s losing the fight with Divebomb and lures him into Grimlock‘s path. Divebomb tells Grimock the truth about Optimus Prime saving Swoop all those years ago, but Grimlock doesn’t care. The Dinobots look after their own and allow the Predacons to walk away in defeat. |
| Must Read | Issue & Fallout |
| Transformers #42 (1988, Marvel US) Optimus Prime is rebuilt using Powermaster technology on Nebulos and returns as leader of the Autobots. | |
| ✔ | Transformers #50 (1988, Marvel US) The Underbase-powered Starscream kills the Predacons before Divebomb can have his rematch with Swoop. |
See how this story fits into the wider Transformers chronology:
- TRANSFORMERS, 1984-1992 – The Marvel UK Years
| Collected Edition Title | Collects… |
| Transformers: Best of UK – Prey (IDW) | Transformers #96-100, 103-104, 135-136 Transformers Annual 1987 [part] |
| Transformers Classics UK vol.4 (IDW) | Action Force #24-27 Transformers #113-120, 125, 130-138, 145 Transformers Annual 1987 [part] |
| Transformers: Prey (Titan) | Transformers #96-100, 103-104, 135-136 Transformers Annual 1987 [part] Transformers Annual 1990 [part] |
| Collected Edition Title | Includes… |
| Transformers UK Compendium vol.1 (Image) | Transformers #135-136 Transformers Annual 1987 |
Reading Order © Omniverse Comics Guide 2026
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