#65 - "Dark Creation"

Matrix Quest, part 4 of 5

Credits

Writer - Simon Furman / Artist - Geoff Senior / Lettering - Jim Massara / Colors - Nel Yomtov

Story

Flashback: the casket containing Optimus Prime's dead body (launched in issue #26) crashes on the moon VsQs. Over time, it is found by various beings, including a dying alien robot and an insect-like predator. The Creation Matrix, curious to learn about sensations other than goodness and purity, rejuvenates and mutates these beings for study. It discovers pain, death, and evil, and is eager to learn more...

In the present, Bumblebee and Jazz are exploring an abandoned science base on VsQs. The last entry in the log mentions that Optimus Prime's body was found, along with a creature that attached itself to a scientist's face. Grimlock arrives and reports that he's found the scientists -- but they're all dead. While Bumblebee frets about the Matrix, Grimlock insists that Unicron can be stopped by simply reviving the Dinobots.

Thunderwing suddenly smashes into the room, demanding the Matrix. He ignores the Autobots' claims of ignorance, and with Needlenose, Spinister, and Windsweeper, quickly subdue the Autobots. But then, from the shadowy ceiling, a prehensile tail reaches down and grabs Windsweeper...

In the nearby Decepticon ship, Ruckus grouses about being assigned guard duty, but fails to notice that the mind-tap that's immobilizing Nightbeat, Siren, and Hosehead is starting to fail. On Earth, Shockwave rises out of the ocean at Blackpool, England. He is seen by a late-night pedestrian, who is quickly killed.

Back on VsQs, the other Transformers see that Windsweeper is caught by a gigantic monster. Thunderwing stops Needlenose from firing at it, saying that it is in touch with the Matrix. Thus discovered, the Matrix-possessed creature runs away, and Thunderwing chases it. The other Decepticons, disgusted with Thunderwing's obsessive behavior and callous treatment, decide to stay behind.

The Autobots follow Thunderwing, but they're getting exhausted; they're low on energon due to the moon's higher gravity. Jazz falls through a weak spot in the floor, and is caught by the creature. Thunderwing arrives, throws Jazz aside, and goes for the Matrix. The creature attacks Thunderwing, giving the Autobots a chance to grab the Matrix and run away...

Later at the Ark, Optimus Prime and Hot Rod go to meet the returning Autobot shuttle. As the hatch opens, Optimus sees the Matrix, reaches for it -- and is blasted by its new keeper, Thunderwing!

Notes and Comments

• The cover was drawn by Bill Sienkiewicz, an expressionist comic-book artist best known for his work on The New Mutants.
• Shockwave was last seen in issue #39.
• The Matrix-revived alien robot who went on a destructive rampage (page 2, second panel) was Deathbringer, from the Marvel UK Transformers comic book series (issues #235 and #236). In that story, the Matrix turns a robot into a killing machine. The Autobots cannot stop Deathbringer, but it is destroyed when Optimus Prime tells it that the Matrix is slowly killing it. I am not certain if it's possible to reconcile the UK story with the events shown in this issue.
• More references to the Alien movies appear in this issue:
  • The opening flashback with the VsQs science party is reminescent of the scene in Alien where Captain Dallas, Lambert, and Kane finds the wrecked spaceship with the dead alien pilot.
  • The abandoned science base is similar to Hadley's Hope, the terraforming colony from Aliens.
  • The Matrix-corrupted monster is clearly inspired by the "face-hugger" aliens from the movies.