Shooting Star!



When Megatron is found (in gun form) by a man desperate to escape from gangsters, the man's life is turned upside-down.

=Marvel US issue #13= (Story also appears in: Marvel UK issues #51-52)

Script: Bob Budiansky Pencils: Don Perlin Inks: Al Gordon Lettering: Janice Chiang Colors: Nelson Yomtov Editor: Michael Carlin


 * Major characters (in order of appearance): Joey Slick, Megatron, Jake Lomax
 * Originally published: February, 1986

Synopsis
While attempting to escape from thugs trying to kill him, Joey Slick discovers Megatron in his gun form. When Megatron blasts the thugs without Joey pulling the trigger, Joey soon discovers that Megatron is a Transformer unable to think for himself. Megatron can only respond to what he is told or asked. Joey takes advantage of this knowledge to use Megatron to strike a one-man crime wave, but finds that he loses the respect of his friends in the process. Joey attempts to make things right by confronting crime lord Jake Lomax, who has been responsible for much of Joey's prior misfortunes. When Joey attempts to prove his worth to Jake by tossing Megatron away in order to punch Jake in the face, Megatron's brain functions are reconnected by the impact. Although Megatron is furious at Joey for attempting to command Megatron, he does not kill Joey when Joey refuses to cower in fear before him. Megatron leaves to rejoin the Decepticons, and Joey is arrested by the civil authorities.

Errors
TBA

Items of note

 * References to other Transformers continuities/issues: Megatron was defeated by Ratchet in US issue #8.
 * Although this story is largely criticized by fans, it should be noted that it is one of few stories in any continuity to make full use of the fact that Megatron's alternate form is a realistic-looking handgun.