Transformers #7

On my previous blog, I was in the process of reviewing the original Transformers comic book series starting with issue #56 when Simon Furman took over the book and improved it tremendously. Before I jump back in to where I left off, I want to take a look at one of the most beloved stories of the original series. That story was called Warrior School , which took place in issue #7.

This events of this issue occured after the initial story arc which placed the Autobots and Decepticons on Earth. Shockwave has defeated Megatron, and is now the Decepticon commander. Also, all of the Autobots have been captured, deactivated, and imprisoned inside the Autobot base, the Ark. Also, Optimus Prime’s head was detached from his body and is held captive as Shockwave is attempting to extract the Creation Matrix, a program inside Optimus which can create new Cybertronian life.

The story picks up with Ratchet traveling back to the Ark with Buster Witwicky. In issue #4, Buster’s father was critically injured, and Ratchet transported him to a hospital. Once Sparkplug was stable, Buster and Ratchet decided to return to the Ark. However, upon arriving, Ratchet discovers the Autobots were captured and deactivated. To his horror, he learns that while he was away, Shockwave had returned and defeated the energy depleted Autobots. Ratchet then discovers the head Optimus Prime. Ratchet deals with feelings of defeat, and Prime tells Ratchet that he must be strong and be a warrior in order to combat the Decepticons. Ratchet begins to despair as he feels that he is unable to fight the Decepticons alone as he is only a medic. At this moment, Megatron appears and confronts Ratchet. Ratchet attempts to fight Megatron, but is unable to even scratch him. Megatron threatens to end the Autobot’s life, when Ratchet proposes a bargain. Ratchet will locate the lost Dinobots who had once defeated Shockwave millions of years ago, and after Shockwave is defeated, Megatron will release the Autobots. Megatron agrees to the terms, although he is not confident of Ratchet’s success.

This issue demonstrated the excellent writing of Bob Budinsky. This story really dove deep into the character of Ratchet, showing the readers his fears and shortcomings. This issue was also the start of the long conflict between Ratchet and Megatron. This story was revisited in issue #56 when Simon Furman took over the series, and their relationship would carry on to the end of the original comic’s run. Awesome issue, if you can find the original comic, the Generations reprint, or any other trade paperbacks with the issue, get it. This issue is a great read.