The original Marvel Comics Transformers series played a huge role in creating the mythology of the Cybertronians. But it wasn’t the only version of the saga of the Robots in Disguise from the 1980s. Marvel UK ran reprints of the US series in the 1980s, but the weekly title required additional stories to fill the schedule, and so the UK version of the mythology began to diverge from its US counterpart, creating Earth-120185.
For new readers wondering how the UK stories fit in – the UK title would run reprints of the US Transformers series, then fill the gaps in the schedule with new tales.
Under the pen of Simon Furman, the UK continuity shifted its focus towards 1986’s ‘Transformers: The Movie’ and made that a core part of the ‘filler’ stories while waiting for tales from the US series to fill the book. This, in turn, generated new arcs for Megatron, Galvatron and others and led to the introduction of brand new characters like the freelance peace-keeping agent Death’s Head. Furman’s version of the Transformers focused more heavily on the mechanoids themselves and made the robots far more relatable, with UK readers looking forward to the UK stories more than the US ones. Theese tales would be so influential that we’d see echoes of them from future creators in the IDW Publishing version of the Transformers Universe, many years later.
Stories from the Marvel US title Transformers: Generation 2 were reprinted under the Fleetway title of the same name and weren’t part of the Marel UK era – you can see more on Generation 2 in our Transformers: The Marvel US Years Reading Order!
Return to our CHARACTER READING ORDER INDEX for more chronological guides!
Must Reads: Story arcs marked with a ✔ are must-read stories from this time period, along with any key related stories and often-forgotten tales that are worth a read.
Chronology: Every appearance of the Transformers from this period is included in chronological order, laying out their timeline rather than just the order the issues were released; rather than list the US stories as they appeared when reprinted in the UK, I’ve listed the US issues as ‘Transformers’ while the UK issues are listed as ‘Transformers (UK)’ to help differentiate; hopefully this will help those who own collected editions that contain the US and UK stories separately to see how to jump between the books.
Anthology Issues: Marvel UK’s Transformers series also ran other Marvel reprints (such as Hercules: Prince of Power, Inhumanoids, Machine Man, Planet Terry, Robotix, Rocket Raccoon and Spitfire and the Troubleshooters) as back-up features – sometimes with multiple back-ups in a given issue; rto save from confusion, stories from the Marvel UK series will include the story titles.
Generation 2: Marvel UK did not run the Marvel US ‘Transformers: Generation 2’ series; part of this was reprinted by Fleetway who ran brand new stories in issues 1-2, then reprinted issues 3-5 of the US series in the final three issues.
Spoilers: The issue/story overviews may include spoilers, so be warned!
Did we miss something? Let us know!
Want to keep it simple? Here’s the core reading order without story descriptions, page-by-page breakdowns – just the stories:
- Transformers Annual 1986 (UK) [State Games]
- Transformers #1
- Transformers Annual 1985 (UK) [And There Shall Come… a Leader!]
- Transformers (UK) #132
- Transformers #2-3
- Transformers (UK) #9-21
- Transformers #4-8
- Transformers (UK) #29-32
- Transformers #9-12
- Headmasters #1
- Transformers (UK) #41
- Transformers (UK) #42-50
- Transformers #13-16
- Transformers (UK) #59-60
- Transformers Annual 1986 (UK) [Victory]
- Transformers (UK) #61-65
- Transformers Annual 1986 (UK) [The Mission]
- Transformers #17-20
- Transformers (UK) #74-77
- Headmasters #2
- Transformers: The Movie #1–2
- Transformers (UK) #78-88
- Transformers: The Movie #3
- Transformers #21-22
- Transformers (UK) #93
- Transformers #23
- Transformers (UK) #94-104
- Transformers #24
- Transformers #25 [edited]
- Transformers #26-27
- Transformers (UK) #113-120
- Transformers Annual 1987 (UK) [Fire on High]
- Transformers #27-28
- Transformers (UK) #125
- Action Force #24-27
- Transformers #29-31
- Transformers (UK) #133-134
- Transformers Annual 1987 (UK) [What’s in a Name?]
- Transformers (UK) #135-138
- Transformers #32, 35-36
- Transformers (UK) #145-153
- Transformers #37
- Headmasters #3-4
- Transformers (UK) #130-131
- Transformers #38-39
- Transformers (UK) #160-161
- Transformers #40
- Transformers (UK) #164-173
- Transformers #41-42, 44
- Transformers (UK) #182-189
- Transformers Annual 1987 (UK) [Altered Image!]
- Transformers #45-48
- Transformers (UK) #198
- Transformers Annual 1987 (UK) [All in the Minds!]
- Transformers (UK) #199-205
- Transformers Annual 1990 (UK) [Dreadwing Down!]
- Transformers #49-51
- Transformers (UK) #213-214
- Transformers Annual 1990 (UK) [The Chain Gang!]
- Transformers (UK) #215-218
- Transformers #52-53
- Transformers (UK) #219-227
- Transformers #54-57
- Transformers (UK) #243-244
- Transformers #58-59
- Transformers (UK) #240
- Transformers (UK) #228-233
- Transformers (UK) #234
- Transformers (UK) #235-239
- Transformers (UK) #241-242
- Transformers (UK) #245-247
- Transformers (UK) #248
- Transformers (UK) #249-254
- Transformers #60-80
| Must Reads | Title, Issue & Synopsis |
| ✔ | Transformers Annual 1986 (1986) ‘State Games’ – Tarn citizen Megatron is forced to fight in an arena for entertainment; Megatron comes into conflict with rival Optimus Prime; Megatron decides to start a rebellion! 1st appearance: Nightstalker, Overlords, Tarn, Vos |
| ✔ | Transformers #1 (pp.1-3) (1984) Megatron and his Decepticons begin a rebellion on their home planet Cybertron… Reprinted: Transformers (UK) #1 1st appearance: Decepticons (Megatron, Ravage, Soundwave), Cybertron, Earth-91274 |
| Transformers Annual 1985 (1985) ‘And There Shall Come…a Leader!’ – Iacon‘s ruling council selects Optimus Prime to lead the fight against the Deccepticons. 1st appearance: Fusion, Tomaandi, Traachon, Xaaron, Iacon | |
| Transformers #1 (pp.4-9) (1984) The war between the Transformers spreads when their world is loosed from its orbit and heads into an asteroid field; a band of Autobots led by Optimus Prime destroy the field, but are attacked by Decepticons and crash their ship, the Ark, on planet Earth… Reprinted: Transformers (UK) #1-5 1st appearance: Autobots (Optimus Prime, Prowl), Frenzy, Laserbeak, Starscream | |
| Transformers #132 (UK, 1987) ‘Kup’s Story‘ – The reclusive Autobot Kup is drawn back to the war when his friends Blurr and Hot Rod and taken captive by the violent alien Tyroxians. 1st appearance: Red Alert, Tornado | |
| ✔ | Transformers #1 (pp.9-25) (1984) Transformers #2 (1984) Transformers #3 (pp.1-10) (1985) Four million yearsafter the Ark crashed on Earth, it awakens and rebuilds and revives both groups, enabling them to transform into Earth vehicles in order to remain in disguise; the Autobots befriend Buster Witwicky; the Decepticons steal a nuclear power plant and turn it into a headquarters… Reprinted: Transformers (UK) #1-5 1st appearance: Autobots (Brawn, Bumblebee, Cliffjumper, Hound, Ironhide, Jazz, Mirage, Ratchet, Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, Trailbreaker, Wheeljack, Windcharger), Buzzsaw, Rumble, Skywarp, Thundercracker, Buster Witwicky, Sparkplug Witwicky, Jessie, O, the Ark |
| Must Reads | Title, Issue & Synopsis |
| Transformers #9-12 (UK, 1985) ‘Man of Iron’ – The Autobots investigate a Cybertronian signal coming from England and discover an Autobot who was searching for the missing Ark. 1st appearance: Navigator/Cloudraker (true identity unrevealed) | |
| Transformers #13-17 (UK, 1985) ‘The Enemy Within’ – Brawn falls out with the Autobots, while Starscream does the same with the Decepticons; the lives of the two opposing, rogue Cybertronians converge. 1st appearance: Red Alert, Tornado | |
| Transformers #18-21 (UK, 1985) ‘Raiders of the Last Ark’ – The Decepticons attack the Autobots’ Ark, but both groups fall foul of the Ark’s malfunctioning AI, Aunty; Windcharger and Ravage join forces to free their respective teammates. 1st appearance: Aunty/AUNTIE, Guardian | |
| ✔ | Transformers #3 (pp.11-23) (1984-1985) Transformers #4 (1985) The war between the Transformers spreads when their world, Cybertron, is loosed from its orbit and heads into an asteroid field; a band of Autobots destroy the field, but are attacked by Decepticons and crash their ship, the Ark, on planet Earth; four million years later, the Ark awakens and rebuilds and revives both groups, enabling them to transform into Earth vehicles in order to remain in disguise; the Autobots befriend Buster Witwicky; the Decepticons steal a nuclear power plant and turn it into a headquarters; the Autobots receive help from Spider-Man in rescuing Buster’s father from the Decepticons; the Autobots final victory is reversed by the arrival of the revived Decepticon Shockwave! Reprinted: Transformers (UK) #6-8 1st appearance: Bluestreak, Dinobots (cameo – Grimlock, Slag, Sludge, Snarl, Swoop), Dum Dum Dugan, Nick Fury, Reflector (Spectro, Spyglass & Viewfinder), Joe Robertson, SHIELD/Supreme Headquarters International Espionage Law-enforcement Division, Shockwave, Spider-Man/Peter Parker, Symbiote/Black Suit, Daily Bugle, Savage Land |
| ✔ | Transformers #5-8 (1985) The Decepticons commandeer GB Blackrock‘s hi-tech oil platform, crippling his employee, Josie Beller; Shockwave takes over leadership of the Decepticons by defeating Megatron; Shockwave uses the separated head of Optimus Prime which contains the power of the Matrix to give life to the Constructicons; Josie Beller transforms herself into Circuit Breaker in her quest for revenge against the Transformers; the only surviving Autobot, Ratchet, makes a deal with Megatron and frees the Dinobots from the Savage Land; Optimus Prime passes the power of the Matrix to Buster, leaving Shockwave’s newest creation Jetfire as just a mindless drone; Optimus Prime returns and reunites with the revived. Reprinted: Transformers (UK) #22-28 1st appearance: GB Blackrock, Josie Beller, Dinobots (full – Grimlock, Slag, Sludge, Snarl, Swoop) |
| ✔ | Transformers #29-32 (UK, 1985) ‘Decepticons Dam-Busters’ / ‘The Wrath of Guardian’ / The Wrath of Grimlock’ – Ratchet catches the Dinobots on the war between the Autobots and Decepticons; Guardian returns and clashes with the Dinobots. 1st appearance: Inferno |
| ✔ | Transformers #9-12 (1985-1986) The Decepticons commandeer GB Blackrock‘s hi-tech oil platform, crippling his employee, Josie Beller; Shockwave takes over leadership of the Decepticons by defeating Megatron; Shockwave uses the separated head of Optimus Prime which contains the power of the Matrix to give life to the Constructicons; Josie Beller transforms herself into Circuit Breaker in her quest for revenge against the Transformers; the only surviving Autobot, Ratchet, makes a deal with Megatron and frees the Dinobots from the Savage Land; Optimus Prime passes the power of the Matrix to Buster, leaving Shockwave’s newest creation Jetfire as just a mindless drone; Optimus Prime returns and reunites with the revived. Reprinted: Transformers (UK) #33-40 1st appearance: Bomber Bill, Jetfire, the Constructicons (Bonecrusher, Hook, Long Haul, Mixmaster, Scavenger & Scrapper combine to form Devastator), Creation Matrix New identity: Josie Beller as Circuit Breaker |
| ✔ | Headmasters #1 (1987) Fortress Maximus leads a band of Autobots away from warring Cybertron to the peaceful planet Nebulos; the Nebulans are divided as to the robots’ intentions; the Autobots offer their heads and guns as a sign of peace. Reprinted: Transformers (UK) #130-133 1st appearance: Fortress Maximus, Blurr, Brainstorm, Chromedome, Cross-Hairs, Hardhead, Highbrow, Hot Rod, Kup, Pointblank, Sureshot, the Monsterbots (Doublecross, Grotesque & Repugnus), the Technobots (Nosecone, Scattershot & Strafe), Skorponok, Skullcrusher, Slugslinger, Triggerhappy, the Nebulans (Duros, Galan, Gort, Krunk & Lord Zarak), Steelheaven, Nebulos |
| Transformers #41 (UK, 1985) ‘Christmas Breaker’ – Circuit Breaker confronts the Autobots at Christmas time, giving Jazz the chance to understand the meaning of Christmas. | |
| ✔ | Transformers #42-50 (UK, 1986) ‘Crisis of Command’ / ‘The Icarus Theory’ – Bumblebee is taken prisoner by the Decepticons; the Autobots try to convince Optimus Prime to create an army of Ultimate Autobots.; convinced the Transformers are automatons under GB Blackrock’s control, Professor Peter Morris creates a device that allows him to take charge of Swoop‘s body; the Dinots go on a rampage, giving the Decepticons a chance to end the Autobots. 1st appearance: Joy Meadows, Professor Peter Anthony Morris, Ultimate Autobots |
| ✔ | Transformers #13-16 (1986) Wheeljack introduces five more Autobots into the team’s ranks; Jetfire is given an Autobot insignia; the US Government employ a Marvel Comics writer to masquerade as the mastermind behind the Transformers to prevent the public from panicking about invading aliens; ‘Robot Master’ becomes a pawn of Megatron; Shockwave attempts to kidnap Bumblebee. Reprinted: Transformers (UK) #33-40 1st appearance: Walter Barnett, Forrest Forsythe, Grapple, Hoist, Robot Master/Donny Finkleberg, Skids, Smokescreen, Tracks, Intelligence and Information Institute/Triple I, Energon Cubes |
| ✔ | Transformers #59-60 (UK, 1986) ‘Robot Buster’ / ‘The Icarus Theory’ – Wheeljack builds a formidable exo-suit for Buster Witwicky, though he uses it to confront Frenzy and Shockwave himself. 1st appearance: Buster’s Battlesuit, Superion (vision) |
| Must Reads | Title, Issue & Synopsis | Event/ Crossover |
| ✔ | Transformers Annual 1986 (1986) ‘Victory’ – While in stasis, the Dinobots imagine having their revenge against their foes. | IN THE NATIONAL INTEREST |
| ✔ | Transformers #61-65 (UK, 1986) ‘Devastation Derby’ / ‘Second Generation’ – Buster Witwicky’s previous exposure to the Creation Matrix causes him to have intense dreams about gestalt Cybertronians; Robot-Mater returns and televises the battle between the combined gestalt robots, Bruticus, Defensor, Menasor and Superion; Megatron initiates his plan to resume control of the Decepticons! 1st appearance: Aerialbots (Air Raid, Fireflight, Silverbolt, Skydive & Slingshot who combine to form Superion), Combaticons (Blast Off, Brawl, Onslaught, Swindle & Vortex combine to form Bruticus), Protectobots (Blades, First Aid, Groove, Hotspot & Street Wise combine to form Defensor), Stunticons (Breakdown, Dead End, Drag Strip, Motormater and Wild Rider who combine to form Menasor), Buster’s Battlesuit | |
| Transformers Annual 1986 (1986) ‘The Mission’ – Hoist needs to be rescued when he becomes trapped in ice on a mission to track the Constructicons. | ||
| ✔ | Transformers #17-20 (1986) Back on Cybertron, Blaster ignores Perceptor‘s orders and goes on a solo mission to rescue Scout from Lord Straxus; Blaster learns Straxus is building a Space Bridge to Earth to take over the planet; Blaster’s band of Autobots cross the Space Bridge to Earth; Grapple builds Omega Supreme to defend the Ark; Megatron threatens Skids’ new life. Reprinted: Transformers (UK) #66-73 1st appearance: Beachcomber, Blaster, Cosmos, Dirge, Omega Supreme, Perceptor, Powerglide, Ramjet, Scrounge, Seaspray, Straxus, Thrust, Warpath, the , the Insecticons (Bombshell, Kickback, Shrapnel) Jake Dalrymple, RAAT/Rapid Anti-Robot Assault Team, Polyhex | |
| ✔ | Transformers #74-77 (UK, 1986) ‘In The National Interest’ – Reporter Joy Meadows‘ efforts to expose Robot-Master makes her a target for Forrest Forsythe and Professor Peter Morris; Joy gets help from the Dinobots when Morris sicks his Centurion robot on her. 1st appearance: Centurion | IN THE NATIONAL INTEREST |
| ✔ | Headmasters #2 (1987) The Nebulan Lord Zarak summons Skorponok‘s Decepticons to Nebulos; the good Nebulans become partners for the Autobots, going through a process that allows them to transform into their heads; the evil Nebulans do the same for the Decepticons. Reprinted: Transformers (UK) #134-137 Also see our HEADMASTERS entry 1st appearance: Apeface, Arcana, Blot, Graz, Headmasters, Llyra, Mindwipe, Misfire, Snapdragon, Spasma, Stylor, Vorath | |
| ✔ | Transformers: The Movie #1 (1986) Transformers: The Movie #2 (pp.1-5) (1987) In the future, a Decepticon attack on Autobot City leaves Optimus Prime dead; in space, a planet-sized being called Unicron rebuilds the dying Megatron as Galvatron… Reprinted: Transformers: The Movie – The Official Comics Adaptation (UK) 1st appearance: Arblus, Kranix, Scourge, Springer, Sweeps, Ultra Magnus, Unicron, Daniel Witwicky | TARGET: 2006 |
| ✔ | Transformers #78-88 (UK, 1986) ‘Target: 2006′ – Galvatron flees from his timeline to the present day, seeking a means of destroying Unicron in the future; present day Ultra Magnus and the Wreckers clash with Galvatron; Blurr, Hot Rod and Kup travel back in time to assist the Autobots against Galvatron; on Cybertron. 1st appearance: Blurr, Hot Rod, Kup, Sweeps, Ultra Magnus, Unicron, Whirl, Wreckers (Impactor, Rack’n’Ruin, Roadbuster, Sandstorm, Springer, Topspin, Twin Twist), Earth-88945 New identity: Bombshell (or Skywarp) as Cyclonus, Megatron as Galvatron, Thundercracker as Scourge | TARGET: 2006 |
| ✔ | Transformers: The Movie #2 (pp.5-23) (1987) Transformers: The Movie #3 (1987) In the future, two small bands of Autobots flee Earth with the Matrix, encountering the Quintessons and Junkions; Hot Rod is transformed into Rodimus Prime in the final conflict with Galvatron and Unicron. Reprinted: Transformers: The Movie – The Official Comics Adaptation (UK) 1st appearance: Junkions, Junkyard, Quintessons, Scrapheap, Sharkticons, Wheelie, Wreck-Gar New identity: Hot Rod as Rodimus Prime | TARGET: 2006 |
| ✔ | Transformers #21-22 (1986) Shockwave concedes leadership to Megatron; Robot Master escapes the Decepticons; Circuit Breaker leads RAAT against the Transformers; the Autobots and Decepticons fully unleash their new combiner teams. Reprinted: Transformers (UK) #89-92 1st appearance: Jake Dalrymple, RAAT/Rapid Anti-Robot Assault Team | |
| Transformers #93 (UK, 1986) ‘The Gift’ – Jetfire questions his membership among the Autobots. | ||
| ✔ | Transformers #23 (1986) The Battlechargers run riot across America; Circuit Breaker builds a gigantic ‘suit’ from parts of the Cybertronians taken by RAAT. Reprinted: Transformers (UK) #94-95 1st appearance: Battlechargers (Runabout, Runamuck) | |
| ✔ | Transformers #94-104 (UK, 1986) ‘Prey’ / ‘The Harder They Die!’ / ‘Under Fire!’ / ‘Fallen Angel’ / ‘Resurrection’ – Megatron assigns the Predacons to kill Optimus Prime for him; Optimus finds himself back on Cybertron, though the Wreckers believe him to be an impostor; Prime’s time in Limbo is revealed; an insane Galvatron returns to the present day and immediately finds himself at odds with the Dinobots and Centurion; Megatron’s efforts to end Straxus’ control of Cybertron take a strange turn. 1st appearance: Astrotrain, Bitzwing, Octane, Outback, Pipes, Predacons (Dive Bomb, Headstrong, Rampage, Razorclaw & Tantrum combine to form Predaking), Ratbat, Tailgate, Limbo | |
| ✔ | Transformers #24 (1986) Optimus Prime and Megatron face each other in battle in a computer game; Optimus Prime wins, but admits defeat for allowing the computer-generated innocents to die in order to achieve his victory. Reprinted: Transformers (UK) #105-106 1st appearance: Ethan Zachary |
| Must Reads | Event/ Crossover | |
| ✔ | Transformers #25 (1986) – [heavily edited] Without Optimus Prime to challenge him, Megatron goes mad; he’s hunted by the Predacons before he destroys the Space Bridge and himself. Reprinted: Transformers (UK) #107-108 – edited | |
| ✔ | Transformers #26-27 (1986) Optimus Prime’s body is launched into space; the Mechanic uses Ratchet’s tools to break into the Ark; the Dinobots defeat Trypticon, inspiring the Autobots to accept Grimlock as their new leader. Reprinted: Transformers (UK) #109-112 1st appearance: Mechanic/Nestor Forbes, Trypticon, Wipe-Out | |
| ✔ | Transformers #113-120 (UK, 1987) Transformers Annual 1987 (UK, 1987) ‘Wanted: Galvatron – Dead or Alive!’ / ‘Burning Sky!’ / ‘Hunters’ / ‘Fire on High’ / ‘Vicious Circle’ – In the year 2007, Rodimus Prime puts a price on the head of Galvatron; time-travelling bounty hunter Death’s Head arrives in 1987 to claim the reward; Death’s Head destroys Bumblebee; the future Autobots travel to 1987 to get to Galvatron first; Wreck-Gar rebuilds Bumblebee as Goldbug. 1st appearance: Death’s Head, Nautilus, Cindy Newell New identity: Bumblebee as Goldbug | WANTED: GALVATRON, DEAD OR ALIVE! |
| ✔ | Transformers #27-28 (1987) Blaster and Goldbug become friends, clashing with the Mechanic and the machine-devouring Scraplets. Reprinted: Transformers (UK) #121-124 1st appearance: Charlie Fong, Scraplets, Throttlebots (Chase, Freeway, Rollbar, Searchlight & Wide Load) | |
| ✔ | Transformers #125 (1987) Action Force #24-27 (1987) Megatron shows up in London, leading to a response from the specialist military unit Action Force; Blades, Grimlock and Wheeljack join the fight, along with the sentient Centurion who’s finally put to the test. 1st appearance: Susan Hoffman | ANCIENT RELICS |
| ✔ | Transformers #29-31 (1987) Goldbug joins the Throttlebots wo also fall prey to the Scraplets and face Decepticon Triple Changers; the Decepticons take control of GB Blackrock. Reprinted: Transformers (UK) #126-129 1st appearance: Charlie Fong, Scraplets, Throttlebots (Chase, Freeway, Rollbar, Searchlight & Wide Load), Decepticon Island | |
| ✔ | Transformers #133-134 (UK, 1987) ‘Headhunt’ – In 2007, Shockwave hires Death’s head to kill Cyclonus, Scourge and Rodimus Prime; Rodimus recalls the loss of his Targetmaster friend Firebolt. | |
| ✔ | Transformers Annual 1987 (1987) Transformers #135-136 (UK, 1987) ‘What’s in a Name?’ / ‘Grudge Match‘ – Swoop reveals his original name when he gets a chance to reclaim it from one of the Predacons. | GRUDGE MATCH |
| ✔ | Transformers #137-138 (UK, 1987) ‘Ladies’ Night’ – Susan Hoffman, Joy Meadows and Cindy Newell join forces to combat the Combaticons, with help from Blaster and the Throttlebots; the entombed bodies of Ultra Magnus and Galvatron are discovered in Mount Verona. | |
| ✔ | Transformers #32, 35-36 (1987-1988) Grimlock sends the Protectobots to apprehend Blaster and Goldbug, labelling them as traitors for opposing his leadership; Blaster saves a group of kids and convinces the Protectobots to let him go free; the Ark is repaired and Grimlock launches it into space in pursuit of Blaster; Wheeljack summons Sky Lynx to Earth to help the Autobots overthrow Grimlock. Reprinted: Transformers (UK) #139-144 1st appearance: Sandstorm (artist’s error), Sky Lynx, Twin Twist (artist’s error) and the Spacehikers (Jed Lindley, Robin Lindley, Allan Silver, Sammy Wainwright & Daisy) | |
| ✔ | Transformers #145 (UK, 1987) ‘Stargazing’ – Starscream learns the meaning of Christmas from a human boy. | |
| ✔ | Transformers #146-151 (UK, 1988) ‘The Legacy of Unicron’ – Unicron has enslaved the Junkions and forced them to rebuild him; Death’s Head allies with the Autobots against the colossal head; the fallout sends Cyclonus and Scourge through time (explaining their presence on Nebulos in the past). | THE LEGACY OF UNICRON |
| ✔ | Transformers #152-153 (UK, 1988) ‘Enemy Action!’ – Galvatron causes chaos for both sides in the present day, clashing with the Firecons, Seacons and Sparkabots in the hope of turning the Decepticons against Shockwave. 1st appearance: Firecons (Cindersaur, Flamefeather, Sparkstalker), Seasons (Jawbreaker, Nautilator, Seawing, Skalor, Snap Trap, Tentakil who combine to form Piranacon), Sparkabots (Fizzle, Guzzle, Sizzle) | |
| ✔ | Transformers #37 (1988) The Intelligence & Information Institute capture the Throttlebots and destroy their bodies; their minds are transferred to toy cars; Goldbug sends a distress signal into space. Reprinted: Transformers (UK) #154-155 Also see our HEADMASTERS entry |
| Must Reads | Title, Issue & Synopsis |
| ✔ | Headmasters #3 (1987) Headmasters #4 (pp.1-20) (1988) More Nebulans volunteer to ally with the Autobots, becoming transforming guns, while the Decepticons do the same with the evil Nebulans; the Autobot/Decepticon war on Nebulos escalates. Reprinted: Transformers (UK) #138-145 Also see our HEADMASTERS entry 1st appearance: Aimless, Blowpipe, Caliburst, Cerebros, Fracas, Haywire, Monzo, Nightstick, Peacemaker, Pinpointer, Recoil, Sparks, Spoilsport, Targetmasters, Technobots (Afterburner & Lightspeed who combine with the other Technobots to become Computron), Terrorcons (Cutthroat, Hun-Grr, Rippersnapper & Sinner-Twin who combine the other Terrorcons to become Abominus), Weirdwolf, Spike Witwicky |
| Transformers #130-131 (UK, 1987) ‘Worlds Apart!’ – The Autobot Targetmasters are captured by the Decepticons, giving the Autobot Headmasters a chance to return the favour and rescue them. | |
| ✔ | Headmasters #4 (pp.21-22) (1988) Fortress Maximus picks up Goldbug’s distress signal from Earth and leave Nebulos. Reprinted: Transformers (UK) #145 Also see our HEADMASTERS entry |
| ✔ | Transformers #38 (1988) The Headmasters and Targetmasters arrive on Earth; Galen sacrifices himself to save Spike Witwicky; Spike is chosen to become Fortress Maximus’ head. Reprinted: Transformers (UK) #156-157 Also see our HEADMASTERS entry 1st appearance: Aimless, Blowpipe, Caliburst, Cerebros, Fracas, Haywire, Monzo, Nightstick, Peacemaker, Pinpointer, Recoil, Sparks, Spoilsport, Targetmasters, Technobots (Afterburner & Lightspeed who combine with the other Technobots to become Computron), Terrorcons (Cutthroat, Hun-Grr, Rippersnapper & Sinner-Twin who combine the other Terrorcons to become Abominus), Weirdwolf, Spike Witwicky |
| ✔ | Transformers #39 (1987) Fortress Maximus locates Decepticon Island which launches into space; Ratbat takes full control of the Decepticons. Reprinted: Transformers (UK) #158-159 |
| ✔ | Transformers #160-161 (UK, 1988) ‘Salvage!’ – Shockwave locates what’s left of Megatron from London and restores him, preparing to use him as a weapon against his own future self, Galvatron. |
| ✔ | Transformers #40 (1988) Ethan Zachary reveals how he saved Optimus Prime’s mind on a floppy disc; Skorponok disguises some of his warriors by giving them an organic outer shell, creating the Pretenders; the Autobots create their own. Reprinted: Transformers (UK) #162-163 1st appearance: Bomb-Burst, Bugly, Cloudburst, Finback, Groundbreaker, Iguanus, Pretenders, Skullgrin, Sky High, Splashdown, Submarauder, Waverider |
| ✔ | Transformers #164-169 (UK, 1988) ‘City of Fear!’ / ‘Legion of the Lost!’ / ‘Meltdown!’ – Ultra Magnus and the Sparkabots venture into the Cybertronian city Kalis when the ‘dead’ rise – including Impactor – Megatron and the Duocons; the truth about the ‘undead’ shocks even the Wreckers. 1st appearance: Duocons (Battletrap, Flywheels), Flame, Kalis |
| ✔ | Transformers #170-173 (UK, 1988) ‘Deadly Games!’ / ‘Wrecking Havoc’ – Ultra Magnus battles alien foes in the new State Games; thee Wreckers prepare to take on Galvatron, but start with Cyclonus and Scourge. |
| ✔ | Transformers #41-42, 44 (1988) The Autobots create their own; Goldbug and Fortress Maximus locate the Ark and butt heads with Grimlock over Autobot leadership; Blaster faces Grimlock in a showdown; Goldbug leads a team of Autobots Nebulos where Optimus Prime is reborn as a Powermaster; on their way back to Earth, the Autobots find Skylynx in the Cosmic Carnival. Reprinted: Transformers (UK) #174-179 1st appearance: Darkwing & Dreadwind (who combine to form Dreadwing), Getaway, HiQ, Hi-Test, Hotwire, Joyride, Landmine, Lube, Powermasters, Rev, Skullgrin, Slapdash, Throttle |
| ✔ | Transformers #182-187 (UK, 1988) ‘Space Pirates!’ – In 2008, a rift in time destroys the Quintessons‘ homeworld, so they set their sights on taking Cybertron as their new world; the Autobots and Decepticons join forces to oppose them. 1st appearance: Ghyrik, Metroplex |
| ✔ | Transformers #188-189 (UK, 1988) ‘Firebug!’ / ‘Dry Run!’ – Inferno, Broadside and Sandstorm face a Furnacian Firebug; Shockwave tests the rebuilt Megatron against facsimiles of Cyclonus and Scourge. |
| Must Reads | Title, Issue & Synopsis | Event/ Crossover |
| Transformers Annual 1989 (UK, 1988) ‘Altered Image!’ – Megatron comes face-to-face with Galvatron. | TIME WARS | |
| ✔ | Transformers #45-48 (1988-1989) Circuit Breaker returns to hunt the Transformers; the Z Foundation hire mercenaries to hunt the Autobots; the Decepticons turn their island headquarters into a holiday destination for humans; Ratbat and Starscream watch holographic projections of the outbreak of the Cybertronian Civil Wars from four million years ago. Reprinted: Transformers (UK) #190-197 1st appearance: Brisko, Fangry, Horri-Bull, Kreb, Lokos, Mini-Cassette Combiners (Grand Slam & Raindance combine to form Slamdance), Squeezeplay, Triggerbots (Backstreet, Dogfight & Override), Triggercons (Crankcase, Ruckus & Windsweeper) | |
| ✔ | Transformers #198 (UK, 1988) ‘Cold Comfort and Joy!’ – The Autobot Powermasters experience snow. | |
| ✔ | Transformers Annual 1989 (UK, 1988) Transformers #199-205 (UK, 1989) ‘Altered Image!’ / ‘All in the Minds!’ / ‘Time War’ – Megatron unexpectedly joins forces with Galvatron against both the Autobots and Decepticons, causing time itself to tear apart; Transformers from two timelines oppose the ‘Trons. 1st appearance: Catilla, Mayhem Attack Squad | TIME WARS |
| Transformers Annual 1990 (1989) ‘Dreadwing Down!’ – Dreadwing escapes with a power cell stolen from the Autobots; the Aerialbots shoot Dreadwing down, but need to reach the cell before the Seacons can. | ||
| ✔ | Transformers #49-51 (1988-1989) Starscream returns and obtains the immensely powerful Underbase, leading to an alliance between the Autobots and Decepticons to oppose him; the Underbase ultimately overwhelms, Starscream; Spike Witwicky quits his role as the head of Fortress Maximus;. Reprinted: Transformers (UK) #206-212 1st appearance: Carnivac, Mechannibals, Pretender Beasts, Snarler, Underbase | |
| Transformers #213-214 (UK, 1989) ‘The Fall and Rise of the Decepticon Empire’ – In a possible future, the cloned ‘Megatron’ controlled by Straxus now knows he’ll become Galvatron and returns to Cybertron to rebuild his army. 1st appearance: Legonis, Quake, Seizer | ||
| Transformers Annual 1990 (1989) ‘The Chain Gang!’ – The Autobot and Decepticon Pretenders face off on an oil rig. | ||
| ✔ | Transformers #215-218 (UK, 1989) ‘Race With The Devil’ – The Triggerbots try to locate Starscream’s corpse before Dreadwing can. | |
| ✔ | Transformers #52-53 (1989) The Autobot Pretenders clash with Dreadwing, the metal-eating Mechannibals and the female warrior Shandikar; the Micromasters battle it out in the wrestling ring in order to save New York City. Reprinted: Transformers (UK) #213-220 | |
| ✔ | Transformers #219-222 (UK, 1989) ‘Survivors!’ – The remaining members of the Wreckers and Mayhem Attack Squad rename themselves the Survivors. 1st appearance: Survivors | |
| ✔ | Transformers #223-227 (UK, 1989) ‘Aspects of Evil!’ – In the year 2356, the aged Rodimus Prime’s student Trachis learns about evil from Rodimus’ stories about Galvatron, Megatron, Shockwave, Skorponok and Unicron. | |
| ✔ | Transformers #54-57 (1989) The Micromasters head to Earth to join the fight, taking down the rampaging Iguanus to prove their worth; the Micromasters battle it out in the wrestling ring in order to save New York City; Megatron returns and manipulates Ratchet into resurrecting Starscream as a Pretender. Reprinted: Transformers (UK) #232-245 1st appearance: James Campbell |
| Must Reads | Title, Issue & Synopsis |
| Transformers #243-244 (UK, 1989) ‘Mind Games’ / ‘Two Megatrons’! – It’s revealed that there are two Megatrons as the one acting on Shockwave’s behalf wasn’t really Megatron, at all! | |
| ✔ | Transformers #58-59 (1989) Ratchet brings Bumblebee, Grimlock and Jazz back to life as Pretenders; Megatron’s fortress is destroyed, taking Megatron and Ratchet with it. Reprinted: Transformers (UK) #246-251 1st appearance: |
| ✔ | Transformers #240 (UK, 1989) ‘Out to Lunch!’ – Darkwing and Dreadwind drown their sorrows after the death of Metatron, but run headlong into Quickswitch and the Mechannibals. 1st appearance: Quickswitch |
| ✔ | Transformers #228-233 (UK, 1989) ‘Double-Deal of the Century’ / ‘The Hunting Party’ / ‘The Big Shutdown!’ / ‘A Small War!’ – Doubledealer plays off the Autobots and Decepticon for profit; the new Mayhem Attack Squad line-up hone their team work against solid light simulations; Nightbeat solves a mystery on Earth that sets him on Thunderwing‘s path; the Autobot Micromaster Off Road Patrol infiltrate Thunderwing’s base to rescue the Battle Patrol, only to fall into a trap. 1st appearance: Air Strike Patrol (Nightflight, Storm Cloud, Tailwind & Whisper), Battle Patrol (Big Shot, Flak, Sidetrack, Sunrunner), Bludgeon, Chainclaw, Doubledealer/Dealer/Double, Hosehead, Lug, Micromasters, Muzzle, Nightbeat, Octopunch, Off Road Patrol (Highjump, Mudslinger, Powertrain & Tote), Playback, Race Car Patrol (Free Wheeler, Roadhandler, Swindler & Tailspin), Rescue Patrol (Fixit, Red Hot, Seawatch & Stakeout), Siren, Sports Car Patrol (Blackjack, Detour, Hyperdrive & Road Hugger), Stranglehold, Thunderwing |
| Transformers #234 (UK, 1989) In 1995, Optimus Prime arranges for Arcee to be constructed to help human/Cybertronian relations. | |
| ✔ | Transformers #235-239 (UK, 1989) ‘Deathbringer’ / ‘Way of the Warrior’ / ‘Survival Run’ / ‘A Savage Place!’ – A mechanoid known as a Deathbringer comes to Earth, seeking to judge the world’s sickness and wipe the planet out of needs be – Optimus Prime uses it to help locate the missing Matrix; Carnivac questions his role in the Survivors, but soon fall foul of the new Mayhem Attack Squad. |
| ✔ | Transformers #241-242 (UK, 1989) ‘Rage!’ / ‘Assault on the Ark!’ – Thunderwing finally resurfaces; his assault on the Autobots’ Ark convinces the Decepticon High Council to make him Decepticon leader. 1st appearance: Decepticon High Council |
| Transformers #245-247 (UK, 1989) ‘Underworld!’ / ‘Demons!’ / ‘Dawn of Darkness’ – Three Autobot Military Academy cadets find mutant Cybertronians beneath the planet’s surface, though their clash with them unleashes something far worse! 1st appearance: Demons/Primordials, Flattop, Subsea, Tailgate | |
| ✔ | Transformers #248 (UK, 1989) ‘Fallen Star!‘ – Starscream adjusts to being alive again. 1st appearance: Demons/Primordials, Flattop, Subsea, Tailgate |
| Transformers #249-250 (UK, 1989) ‘Whose Lifeforce is it Anyway?’ / ‘The Greatest Gift of All!’ – Longtooth‘s bravado on the battlefield proves to be false; Optimus Prime is given the chance to reactivate one offline Autobot. |
| Must Reads | Title, Issue & Synopsis |
| Transformers #251-254 (UK, 1989-1990) ‘The Void!’ / ‘Edge of Impact’ / Shadow of Evil’ / ‘White Fire’ – In the year 2010, the diminished Autobot forces flee Cybertron; returning from the ‘Time Wars’ to a very different future, Rodimus Prime falls under the influence of Unicron who’s trapped in the Matrix. | |
| ✔ | Transformers #60-61 (1989) Optimus Prime and Skorponok to go war; the Transformers meet their god, Primus, and learn of his opposite, Unicron. Reprinted: Transformers (UK) #252-254, 259-261 1st appearance: Boomer, Flintlock, Holepunch, Keeper, Landfill, Primus, Quickmix, Scoop, Ricochet, Silencer, Tracer, Unicron II First full appearance: Creation Matrix |
| ✔ | Transformers #62-66 (1990) The Transformers begin the search across space for the Creation Matrix; Thunderwing makes his move against Optimus Prime to become the ultimate power in the universe. Reprinted: Transformers (UK) #262-264, 282-297 1st appearance: Deathbringer, Doubleheader, Hairsplitter, Hook, Line, Matrixspawn, Pincher, Quig, Singe, Sinker, Spinister, Sunbeam, Zigzag, Dark Matrix |
| ✔ | Transformers #67-72 (1990) Unicron locates Galvatron (a rebuilt and reformatted Megatron from a future timeline) to act as his agent in the present; the Autobots join forces with Circuit Breaker and her NeoKnights; Megatron and Ratchet make a disturbing return. Reprinted: Transformers (UK) #298-314 1st appearance: Crossblades, Galvatron II, NeoKnights (Dynamo/Hector Dialonzo, Rapture/Katrina Vestosky, Thunderpunch/Lee Gruber), Pretender Monsters (Birdbrain, Bristleback, Icepick, Scowl & Wildfly), Rodimus Prime II |
| ✔ | Transformers #73-80 (1990-1991) Civil war breaks out among the Decepticons with Skorponok and Shockwave vying for control; the Autobots and Decepticons join forces to defend Cybertron from Unicron; Megatron faces his future self; Spike Witwicky learns of the Last Autobot; the fate of Cybertron is revealed. Reprinted: Transformers (UK) #315-332 1st appearance: Heater, Last Autobot, Tiptop, Treadshot |
| Transformers Annual 1992 (1991) ‘Another Time & Place’ – Optimus Prime looks back at the war and considers who to help the Cybertronians who’ve lost the ability to transform. |
See the original Earth-91274 timeline from the Marvel US series:
- TRANSFORMERS, 1984-1994 – The Marvel US Years
The future of the Transformers is shown in three timelines – one taking place before the TIME WARS changed the timeline:
| Must Reads | ORIGINAL FUTURE TIMELINE – Title, Issue & Synopsis |
| ✔ | Transformers #226 (UK, 1989) ‘Aspects of Evil’ – 1990: Megatron‘s army grows to massive proportions and takes drastic measures when he finds a traitor in his ranks. |
| ✔ | Transformers #223 (UK, 1989) ‘Aspects of Evil’ – 1991: Hot Rod uses the Decepticon Civil War to his advantage in the hopes of capturing Skorponok. |
| Transformers #234 (UK, 1989) ‘Prime’s Rib’ – 1995: As Cybertronians are without gender, Optimus Prime arranges for Arcee to be constructed. | |
| Transformers Annual 1986 (UK, 1986) ‘Ark Duty’ – 2003: Blurr and Hot Rod are on monitor duty while Autobot City is being built; Ravage and the Stunticons take advantage of the Autobots‘ lack of defences. | |
| ✔ | Transformers #225 (UK, 1989) ‘Aspects of Evil’ – 2004: Shockwave attacks Autobot City during the opening ceremony. |
| ✔ | Transformers: The Movie #1 (1986) Transformers: The Movie #2 (pp.1-5) (1987) Transformers #78-88 (UK, 1986) Transformers: The Movie #2 (pp.5-23) (1987) Transformers: The Movie #3 (1987) ‘Transformers: The Movie’ / ‘Target: 2006’ – 2006: Both the Autobots and Decepticons lose their leaders; new Decepticon leader Galvatron heads back in time to destroy his new master, pursued by Autobots Blurr, Hot Rod and Kup. Also see TARGET: 2006 |
| ✔ | Transformers #101-104 (UK, 1986) ‘Fallen Angel’ / ‘Resurrection’ – 1986: An insane Galvatron returns to the present day and immediately finds himself at odds with the Dinobots and Centurion; Megatron’s efforts to end Straxus’ control of Cybertron take a strange turn. |
| ✔ | Transformers #113-120 (UK, 1987) Transformers Annual 1987 (UK, 1987) ‘Wanted: Galvatron – Dead or Alive!’ / ‘Burning Sky!’ / ‘Hunters’ / ‘Fire on High’ / ‘Vicious Circle’ – 2007: Death’s Head attempts to claim Rodimus Prime’s bounty by going locating Galvatron from the past. Also see WANTED: GALVATRON, DEAD OR ALIVE! |
| ✔ | Transformers #133-134 (UK, 1987) ‘Headhunt’ – 2007: Shockwave manipulates Death’s Head into trying to kill Cyclonus, Scourge and Rodimus Prime in order to gain control of the Decepticons. |
| Transformers #137-138 (UK, 1987) ‘Ladies’ Night’ – 1987: Susan Hoffman, Joy Meadows and Cindy Newell join forces to combat the Combaticons, with help from Blaster and the Throttlebots; the entombed bodies of Ultra Magnus and Galvatron are discovered in Mount Verona. | |
| ✔ | Transformers #146-151 (UK, 1988) ‘The Legacy of Unicron’ – 2008: The Junkions find and rebuild the head of Unicron; Death’s Head joins the Autobots and Junkions in destroying the head, though some combatants are cast through time. Also see THE LEGACY OF UNICRON |
| ✔ | Transformers #152-153 (UK, 1988) ‘Enemy Action!’ – 1988: Galvatron causes chaos for both sides in the present day, clashing with the Firecons, Seacons and Sparkabots in the hope of turning the Decepticons against Shockwave. |
| ✔ | Transformers #160-161 (UK, 1988) ‘Salvage!’ – 1988: Shockwave locates what’s left of Megatron from London and restores him, preparing to use him as a weapon against his own future self, Galvatron. |
| ✔ | Transformers #172-173 (UK, 1988) ‘Wrecking Havoc’ – 1988: Thee Wreckers prepare to take on Galvatron, but start with Cyclonus and Scourge. |
| ✔ | Transformers #182-187 (UK, 1988) ‘Space Pirates!’ – 2008: A rift in time destroys the Quintessons‘ homeworld, so they set their sights on taking Cybertron as their new world; the Autobots and Decepticons join forces to oppose them. |
| ✔ | Transformers Annual 1989 (UK, 1988) Transformers #199-205 (UK, 1988-1989) ‘Altered Image!’ / ‘Time Wars’ – 2008-2009: The Autobots learn the source of the recent time rifts is the year 1989 and travel back to end Galvatron’s rampage in the past. Also see TIME WARS |
The second timeline is created due to the events of the TIME WARS:
| Must Reads | POST-TIME WARS TIMELINE – Title, Issue & Synopsis |
| Transformers #213-214 (UK, 1989) ‘The Fall and Rise of the Decepticon Empire’ – 1989: The cloned ‘Megatron’ controlled by Straxus now knows he’ll become Galvatron and returns to Cybertron to rebuild his army. | |
| Transformers Annual 1989 (1990) ‘Trigger-Happy’ – 1989: The Decepticon Civil War begins with factions led by Megatron, Shockwave and Skorponok colliding. | |
| Transformers Annual 1989 (1990) ‘Destiny of the Dinobots!’ – 1992: to save Snarl‘s life, the Dinobots return to the Savage Land to transfer his consciousness into the body of a real stegosaurus. | |
| ✔ | Transformers: The Movie #1-3 (1986-1987) 2006: Both the Autobots and Decepticons lose their leaders; new Decepticon leader Galvatron prsues the Autobots through space to retrieve the Matrix for his master, Unicron. |
| ✔ | Transformers #199-205 (UK, 1988-1989) ‘Time Wars’ – 2009: Rodimus Prime and his crew return from the year 1989, only to find their timeline has completely changed. Also see TIME WARS |
| ✔ | Transformers #224 (UK, 1989) ‘Aspects of Evil’ – 2009: Galvatron survived the final battle and Unicron’s destruction but, rather than travelling back in time, he remains on Cybertron to rebuild his Decepticon forces. |
| ✔ | Transformers #251-254 (UK, 1989-1990) ‘The Void!’ / ‘Edge of Impact’ / Shadow of Evil’ / ‘White Fire’ – 2010: The diminished Autobot forces flee Cybertron; Rodimus Prime falls under the influence of Unicron who’s trapped in the Matrix. |
| ✔ | Transformers #227 (UK, 1989) ‘Aspects of Evil’ – 2356: The war between the Autobots and Decepticons is long over; Unicron is still trapped in the Matrix, but tries to sway Rodimus Prime’s student Trachis towards evil. |
The Earthforce timeline diverges again from the mainstream continuity due to Simon Furman struggling to write so many titles per month:
| EARTHFORCE TIMELINE – Title, Issue & Synopsis |
| Transformers #255-260 (UK, 1990) ‘Perchance to Dream’ – A version of Galvatron from another timeline sows nightmares in the minds of Ironhide, Prowl, Silverbolt, Sunstreaker and Wheeljack aboard the Autobot‘s Ark. |
| Transformers #61 (1986) The Primal Scream alerts Unicron to Cybertron‘s location. Reprinted: Transformers (UK) #259-261 |
| Transformers #261-265 (UK, 1990) ‘Starting Over!’ / ‘Two Steps Back!’ / ‘Break-Away!’ / ‘Desert Island Risks!’ / ‘Once Upon a Time’ – Megatron creates a splinter faction of Decepticons; a disagreement with Optimus Prime causes Grimlock to walk away from the Autobots; Ironhide and Bumblebee discover a Decepticon plot to restore Devastator. |
| Transformers #266-269 (UK, 1990) ‘Life in the Slow Lane’ / ‘Snow Fun!’ / ‘Flashback!’ / ‘Mystery!’ – Grimlock’s new team are pursued by Megatron and Shockwave‘s Decepticon factions; Grimlock learns about Christmas; Prowl recalls his own death; Skydive joins the Earthforce crew. |
| Transformers #270-274 (UK, 1990) ‘The Bad Guy’s Ball’ / ‘The Living Nightlights’ / ‘Cry Wolf!’ / ‘Wolf in the Fold!’ / ‘Where Wolf?’ – The Decepticons have a party; Wheeljack tries not to fall asleep, while Mindwipe prepares to pounce; Needlenose is caught testing his fellow Decepticons; Carnivac faces his former Decepticon allies. |
| Transformers #275-279 (UK, 1990) ‘Secrets’ / ‘Bugged’ / ‘Internal Affairs!’ / ‘The House That Wheeljack Built!’ / ‘Divide and Conquer’ – Megatron assigns Soundwave to finding the traitor in his ranks; Starscream discovers Insecticon spies; a clash between Megatron and Shockwave decides the end of the Decepticon Civil War; Wheeljack builds Earthforce a new base; Starscream and Soundwave avoid getting in each other’s way. |
| Transformers #280-284 (UK, 1989) ‘The 4,000,000 Year Itch!’ / Makin’ Tracks!’ / ‘Shut Up!’ / ‘Manoeuvres!’ / ‘Assassins’ – Slag goes on a rampage; Tracks upsets is friends; Bludgeon tries to break out of Earthforce’s prison; Octane takes a wrong turn; a team of alien bounty hunters target Starscream. |
| Transformers #286-289 (UK, 1989) ‘External Forces!’ / ‘The Lesser Evil!’ / ‘Inside Story!’ / ‘Front Line!’ / ‘End of the Road!’ – There’s further dissension in the Decepticon ranks; Grimlock has to save Starscream’s life; a desperate journalist investigates the Autobots. |
| Transformers Annual 1991 (1990) ‘The Magnificent Six!’ – The Decepticon Megadeath forces the Autobots to face up to their pasts. |
| Transformers Annual 1989 (1990) ‘Destiny of the Dinobots!’ – To save Snarl‘s life, the Dinobots return to the Savage Land to transfer his consciousness into the body of a real stegosaurus. |
| Title, Issue & Synopsis |
| Transformers Annual 1985 (1985) ‘Plague of Insecticons’ – The Insecticons are unleashed on America, forcing the American government to join forces with the Autobots to stop them. |
| Transformers Annual 1985 (1985) Transformers Annual 1986 (1986) ‘Missing in Action’ / ‘The Return of the Transformers’ – Tracks is beaten and left for dead by Rumble, prompting Optimus Prime to send out a rescue party; a boy Inferno rescues becomes obsessed with him. |
| Transformers Annual 1985 (1985) ‘Hunted’ – Ravage pursues Dr John Butler through the jungles of South America when he stumbles across a Decepticon mining operation. |
| Transformers Special Edition (1986) ‘The Special Teams Have Arrived’ – The gestalt Defensor battles Menasor, while Bruticus is opposed by Superion. |
| Transformers Annual 1986 (1986) ‘To a Power Unknown’ – A mysterious force causes the Autobots and Decepticons to switch motivations. |
| Transformers Annual 1987 (1987) ‘Doomsday for Nebulos’ / ‘Stylor’s Story’ / The Final Conflict’ – An altered retelling of the origin of the Headmasters. |
| Transformers #43 (1988) Adaptation of the ‘Big Broadcast of 2006’ episode of the Transformers animated series, featuring Galvatron and Rodimus Prime. Reprinted: Transformers (UK) #180-181 |
| Transformers Annual 1989 (1988) ‘Prime Bomb!’ – Dreadwind and Darkwing attempt to steal the disc with the copy of Optimus Prime‘s personality on it; meanwhile, Skorponok creates a bomb to kill the real Prime. |
| Transformers Annual 1989 (1988) ‘Peace’ – In the year 2510, the last Decepticon falls in battle and Rodimus Prime looks back on the war. |
| Transformers Annual 1990 (1989) ‘The Quest!’ – In the future, Theturian time-traveller Dicet Alpha-Zero studies the history of the Cybertronians. |
| Collected Edition Title | Includes… |
| Transformers Compendium vol.1 (Image) | Transformers #1-44 Headmasters #1-4 |
| Transformers Compendium vol.2 (Image) | G.I.Joe and the Transformers #1-4 G.I.Joe: A Real American Hero #139-142 Transformers #45-80 Transformers: Generation 2 #1-12 Transformers: Generation 2 Halloween Special Edition Transformers: The Movie #1-3 Transformers Universe #1-4 |
| Transformers UK Compendium vol.1 (Image) | Action Force #24-27 Transformers (UK) #9-21, 29-32, 41-50, 59-65, 74-88, 93, 96-104, 113-120, 125, 130-138, 145 Transformers Annual 1985 Transformers Annual 1986 Transformers Annual 1987 |
| Transformers UK Compendium vol.2 (Image) | Transformers (UK) #146-153, 160-161, 164-173, 180-189, 198-205, 213-289 Transformers Annual 1989 Transformers Annual 1990 Transformers Annual 1991 |
| Transformers: Til All Are One Compendium Box Set (Image) | Action Force #24-27 G.I.Joe and the Transformers #1-4 G.I.Joe: A Real American Hero #139-142 Headmasters #1-4 Transformers #1-32, 35-80 Transformers (UK) #9-21, 29-32, 41-50, 59-65, 74-88, 93, 96-104, 113-120, 125, 130-138, 146-153, 160-161, 164-173, 180-189, 198-205, 213-289 Transformers Annual 1985 Transformers Annual 1986 Transformers Annual 1987 Transformers Annual 1989 Transformers Annual 1990 Transformers Annual 1991 Transformers Annual 1992 Transformers: Generation 2 #1-12 Transformers: Generation 2 #1-2 (Fleetway) Transformers: Generation 2 Halloween Special Edition Transformers: The Movie #1-3 Women’s Day (Dec, 1985) |
| Classic Transformers vol.1-6 (IDW) | Transformers #1-80 Transformers: Headmasters #1-4 Transformers: The Movie #1-3 |
| Transformers Classics vol.1-8 (IDW) | G.I.Joe and the Transformers #1-4 Transformers #1-80 Transformers: Headmasters #1-4 Transformers: The Movie #1-3 Transformers Universe #1-4 |
| Transformers Classics UK vol.1-5 (IDW) | Action Force #24-27 Transformers (UK) #9-21, 29-32, 41-50, 59-65, 74-88, 93, 96-104, 113-120, 125, 130-138, 145-153, 160-161, 164-173 Transformers Annual 1985 Transformers Annual 1986 Transformers Annual 1987 Transformers Annual 1989 Transformers: Free Special Edition |
| Collected Edition Title | Includes… |
| Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection vol.1-20 (Hachette) | Transformers #1-80 Action Force #24-27 Transformers (UK) #9-21, 29-32, 41-50, 59-65, 74-88, 93, 96-104, 113-120, 125, 130-138, 145-153, 160-161, 164-173, , 180-189, 198-205, 213-273 Transformers Annual 1985 Transformers Annual 1986 Transformers Annual 1987 Transformers Annual 1989 Transformers: Free Special Edition Transformers: Headmasters #1-4 |
| Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection vol.89-92 (Hachette) | G.I.Joe #138-142 G.I.Joe and the Transformers #1-4 Transformers: Generation 2 #0-12 Transformers: The Movie #1-3 |
Reading Order ©OmniverseComicsGuide 2023
Leave a Reply