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The Transformers: Infiltration is a six-issue comic book miniseries, published by IDW Publishing, based on the Transformers. The series was previewed with a #0 in October, 2005, formally launched with #1 in January 2006 and ended with #6 in July. Written by long-time Transformers writer Simon Furman, it is a new origin for the Generation 1 Transformers. The element of disguise is a major focus, as the Transformers have been living unnoticed amongst humans for several years. Their first contact with humans on Earth is chronicled in this series. Most of the Transformers have updated alternate modes of current vehicles, although recognizable due to paint schemes similar to their original incarnations.
Contents |
Story
Characters
Being a new series and continuity, the Transformers featured in Infiltration are based upon their original characters however with updated modern bodies. Any difference in their personalities is negligible. Autobots
Decepticons
Humans
- Verity Carlo
- Hunter O'Nion
- Jimmy Pink
Plot summary
Issue 0 introduced two humans, Verity Carlo and Hunter O'Nion. Verity steals a businessman's palm top computer and meets Hunter, who tells her he runs a website gathering evidence of alien robots infiltrating Earth. They are soon attacked by a unpiloted F-22 Raptor (Thundercracker), but are saved by an ambulance with a cannon. The driver asks Verity and Hunter to come with him "if they want to live" (likely a homage to Terminator 2: Judgment Day: indeed, Verity notes it as such later on). The full six-issue limited series revealed the driver was a hologram to cover up that the ambulance was sentient: it is, in fact the Autobot Ratchet. Ratchet takes the humans to see Jimmy Pink, where he confirms that the computer contained top secret imagery of a Decepticon transforming in flight. Ratchet faces off against the Decepticon Battlechargers, Runamuck and Runabout and meets Prowl, Ironhide and Sunstreaker, who realizes that because of the imagery, the Decepticons have come out of hiding in their Nebraska base. The humans are held in the Ark-19's detention center, where Prowl informs Ratchet he must get rid of the humans or their secrecy is doomed. In the meantime, authorities are trying to track down the dead businessman and his computer, who is revealed to be an agent of the Machination, a government organization tracking down "the visitors". Verity and her friends convince Ratchet they have to search the Nebraska base and will be useful due to their small size. The Autobots take them there, but Starscream, leader of the Decepticons on Earth, sends Skywarp and Blitzwing to destroy the evidence. They fight Ratchet and Bumblebee, who shoots down Skywarp but Ratchet fares less well against Blitzwing's triple changing ability. In the bunker, Verity discovers a human skeleton wearing a military uniform. As the bunker begins to cave in due to the bombing, they attempt escape and Verity bumps into Decepticon commander Megatron, who has come to Earth personally from the planet Cybertron. He ignores her, allowing her to get to safety as the base collapses. Megatron emerges from the crater and seriously injures Skywarp and Blitzwing topside, believing Starscream is attempting to make a bid for power. The Autobots and the humans escape, whilst Megatron proceeds to find Starscream at the Oregon Decepticon base. When he finds him, they duel, with Starscream powered by the newly discovered Energon Ore-13. Megatron wins though, blasting through his torso. The Autobots are now aware that Earth is about to become a front line, and are joined by Optimus Prime. They are unaware that Agent Dante of the Machination has seen them entering their underwater Lake Michigan base.
Analysis
The biggest difference in this new G1 continuity is that the Autobots and Decepticons only recently arrived on Earth, rather than having been buried here for four million years. They have communications with Cybertron, and Optimus Prime and Megatron are seen in Cybertronian modes. While Optimus upgrades into an Earth based alternate-mode, Megatron retains his unique tank mode, although he is still familiar looking with his helmet, black arm cannon and silver paint. This storyline explores more elements of the Transformers hiding on Earth. The Decepticons have multiple bases, with the Autobots discreetly hiding themselves amongst traffic with holographic drivers. Ratchet is also seen deploying a smoke screen. In addition, the Decepticons place more stock in stealth in this continuity, preferring to destabilize a planet's society covertly before striking rather than attacking directly with the arrogant belief that their larger size and technological superiority will triumph over the "puny fleshlings". Also exploring elements of the Transformers' presence is that there are indeed conspiracy theorists like Hunter looking at evidence of their existence, and indeed the whole plot revolves around the Decepticons attempting to cover up a massive piece of evidence. In particular, focus is given to the mysterious Machination, who represent the potential government interest and exploitation. Strikingly, the Autobots and Decepticons bases are the reverse of what they are in other incarnations: The Autobots have an underwater base while the Decepticons are based out of a mountain.
Followed by
Infiltration heralded the start of IDW's new continuity based on the Generation One characters, described by Simon Furman to finally write his version of the Transformers without any continuity baggage whatsoever.[1] The story overlaps with The Transformers: Stormbringer and continues directly with The Transformers: Escalation. There are also prequel stories in The Transformers: Spotlight issues on Shockwave and Soundwave.
