G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers 3: The Art of War #3

Credits

Script - Tim Seeley / Pencils - Joe Ng and James Raiz / Inks - Rob Ross and M3th / Letters - Brian Crowley / Colors - Kevin Yan and Rob Ruffolo

Story

In a childhood flashback, Clayton Abernathy (Hawk) is playing war between toy soldiers and a toy robot. In the present day, he's arguing with Perceptor, insisting that he and his team of Joes -- Roadblock, Scarlett, and Snake-Eyes -- must go to Cybertron to help stop Serpentor. While Hawk is winning the argument, Mainframe is talking to Dr. Li, head technician of the Serpent O.R. project. When Li confesses admiring Serpentor's ruthless efficiency, Mainframe abruptly coldcocks him.

As the Joes and Autobots prepare to leave for Cybertron, they're briefed by Mainframe on the formerly-secret Serpent O.R. project. The Serpent Organic Robot is a biomechanical android designed for espionage and warfare. Equipped with redundant organs and the ability to tap into computer systems, Serpentor also has a personality program that was derived from Megatron's, which apparently allowed him to escape his programmed obedience. Although the jury-rigged gate is good for one jump, Mainframe vows to try and repair the mechanism and send more Joes for reinforcements.

Stepping through the gate, Hawk, Roadblock, Snake-Eyes, Scarlett, Arcee, Perceptor, Grimlock, and Bumblebee find themselves in the desolate Gladiator Zone on Cybertron. As the team gets their bearings, Grimlock is shot by a giant piecemeal robot formed from mismatched wrecks! Outnumbered by cannibalizers, the Joes and Autobots retreat, but are cut off by the sudden arrival of Piranacon, Predaking, and Serpentor's Decepticons! Ensnaring the wounded Bumblebee, Serpentor coldly electrocutes him, then takes the others away...

At the Autobots' peace celebration, Optimus Prime grows concerned over losing contact with Perceptor's team. Hot Rod urges Optimus to attend the celebration anyway, to boost the Autobots' morale, and volunteers to lead a team to search for the others.

In Serpentor's bunker, the Autobots are held immobile while the humans are locked in empty ammo crates. While Roadblock reassures Hawk that going to Cybertron was the right decision, Scarlett and Snake-Eyes share a quiet kiss. Meanwhile, Serpentor attempts to recruit the Terrorcons; they're skeptical at first, but Serpentor downloads to them evidence identifying himself as Megatron's progeny and wins their allegiance.

As the Autobot peace celebration is about to begin, the Decepticons attack! Omega Supreme transforms for battle, and is quickly surrounded by Menasor, Predaking, and Abominus...