The War Within issue 3

Decepticons attack Iacon, Optimus hallucinates, Megatron explains his plan to Starscream who does what you can expect.

Writer: Simon Furman Pencils: Don Figueroa Inks: Elaine To Lettering: Dreamer Design Colors: Rob Ruffolo


 * Preceded by: DW Preview Special 2002
 * Followed by: The War Within, Part 4
 * Release date: December 11, 2002
 * Characters (in order of appearance): Starscream, Thundercracker, Skywarp, Megatron, Soundwave, Ravage, Shockwave, Prowl, Bumblebee, Jazz, Skids, Grimlock, Bombshell, Kickback, Shrapnel

Synopsis
After being defeated at Sector Zero-Six (Prothiex) due to information Starscream thought it was a good idea to leak to Grimlock, Starscream questions the sadism of Megatron's opperation. Skywarp and Thundercracker leave, blaming the incident on Starscream.

On Megatron's orders, Soundwave, Ravage, three Insecticons hunt Optimus Prime through caves deep beneath the surface of Cybertron.

Alone, wandering the tunnels, a translucent image of himself emerges from a yellow pool. The mysterious mirror Optimus tells the real Optimus that there is something greater going on, greater forces at play. Before vanishing, the image points out that Prime is about to be attacked by Ravage. Optimus quickly overpowers Ravage into a retreat - but now his location is known to his enemies.

Shockwave continues to lead the Decepticon army against Iacon. From the High Council Pavillons, the Jazz and other Autobots manage the defensive efforts - questioning why the Decepticons are attacking the Autobots where they're strongest. Prowl suspects it's part of a greater strategy.

Starscream approached Megatron, asking for an explanation. Megatron answered by revealing his vision of a mobile Cybertron. The war to disguise Megatron's plan to re-start the engines. The attack on Iacon made to disguise the effort to capture Prime. While Megatron explains the plan to the skeptical Starscream, Prime fights off the Decepticons sent to capture him. When Starscream points out how Prime evades containment, Megatron departs, leaving Starscream with a warning to remember his place.

Grimlock receives a radio message from Prowl with a new mission. While the Autobot army regroups away from Iacon, Grimlock is to assemble his regular team and recover Optimus.

Optimus, having escaped Soundwave, comes face to face with Megatron for the first time. The two meet on a bridge across a hole deep into Cybertron. By before they can begin combat with each other, Starscream blasts the bridge, sending Optimus and Megatron falling even deeper within.

Items of note

 * During the pages showing Shockwave's attack on Iacon, "Are All Dead" is burned into the wall in a similar manner to the way Shockwave carved it onto a wall in The New Order.


 * During the final confrontation in the issue, Megatron holds a sword like the one the Japanese release of his toy came with.


 * This issue contained advertisements for:
 * The War Within, Part 4
 * Transformers posters
 * Dreamwave Armada issue 8
 * Titan Books collections.
 * Transformers Profile Book Two (back cover)