Burning Sky!

Ultra Magnus finds his peace shattered - twice over!

=Marvel UK issues #115 - 116=

Writer: Simon Furman Art: Dan Reed (115), Geoff Senior (116) Lettering: Starkings Colors: Steve White


 * Major Characters (in order of appearance:) Ultra Magnus (1987 incarnation), Judy, Cindy Newell, Corrine, Ultra Magnus (2007 incarnation), Rodimus Prime, Galvatron, Sheriff and Ranger.


 * Minor Characters: Impactor, Kup, Blurr and Wreck-Gar.


 * Originally published: 23rd - 30th May 1987; Cover date ("off sale") 30th May - 6th June 1987

Synopsis
Since arriving on Earth once more, Ultra Magnus has been enjoying the beauty of Earth and a peaceful lifestyle. But this is interrupted when he is caught in an earth tremor. Investigating he finds a camper van has been knocked over and caught fire. Two of the passengers, Cindy Newell and Judy, have escaped but Corrine is trapped inside. Ultra Magnus picks up the van and pulls Corrine out safely just as it explodes. He then transforms and transports all three ladies, learning from them that they have come to see a volcano. This triggers a bad memory as Ultra Magnus recalls his failure to save Impactor. Cindy tells Magnus that they're going to have a great time, but Magnus isn't so sure of what the future holds for him...

Twenty years later Ultra Magnus is in Autobase on Cybertron, arguing with Rodimus Prime about the wisdom of travelling back in time. Magnus believes that Rodimus's departure will make it easier for the Decepticons to overwhelm them and that the Autobots of 1987 can handle Galvatron, but Rodimus is determined to rectify his mistakes that have sent both Galvatron and Death's Head into Earth's past. He, Kup and Blurr stand on the time travel device and trigger it. Suddenly as they dematerialise Wreck-Gar touches Blurr and disappears with them.

Back in 1987 Magnus and the three ladies have come across a forest fire, which Corrine believes is the result of an eruption. Cindy urges Magnuis to stop the fire before it engulfs a nearby town. Magnus agrees and tells the ladies to hide. He proceeds to knock down many trees to prevent the fire spreading. However as he does so he notes he can't see any evidence of volcanic activity and that the fire encircles the volcano - almost as though it was a deliberate barrier.

But Magnus is distracted as a tearful Cindy runs up, begging forgiveness. She met what she thought was a friend of his, not noticing the different badge, and told this being about Magnus. This cause the being to seethe with rage. Magnus asks who the being is, but hears the reply from its own circuits: "Me! Galvatron!"

At a ranger station at the base of Mount Verona a Sheriff is radioing control that the fire is now out. He sees a ranger running towards him, screaming about big trouble. But suddenly both the ranger station and the Sheriff's car are crushed as Galvatron knocks over Ultra Magnus. Galvatron viciously attacks Magnus, whose only concern is for Cindy, feeling something for her.

Galvatron screams at Magnus that "all followers of Rodimus Prime will die!" but Magnus responds with a declaration of loyalty to Optimus Prime and assumes Galvatron is confused. Magnus tries to fight back but Galvatron is as unstoppable as ever. Only concern for Cindy prevents Magnus from giving up and he fights back, eventually knocking Galvarton out.

Leaving his unconcious foe behind him, Magnus looks for Cindy, realising she is in danger, but also wondering if he should finish off Galvatron for good. Whilst he agonises Galvatron rises and transforms into his cannon mode, blasting down Magnus.

Meanwhile Cindy has become trapped by the fire and screams for help. Suddenly there is a blinding light and then metal feet appear in front of her.

Galvatron drags Ultra Magnus to the top of the volcano to show his latest scheme - he has built a power siphon to tap the energy of the Earth's core, in the hope of powering himself up to god-like status.

Cindy has encountered Rodimus Prime, Kup and Blurr, newly arrived in 1987. Rodimus has heard Cindy calling out for Ultra Magnus, and states that he is a friend. But Cindy doesn't want to make the same mistake twice. Rodimus responds that only the three Autobots can stop Galvatron and Death's Head!

Errors

 * Ultra Magnus's shoulder rockets appear and disappear across different panels in both parts.

Items of note

 * This is one of very few Marvel Comics stories involving time travel that feature the same unaltered character in more than one time zone.
 * The Ultra Magnus of 2007 does not appear to have any awareness of the events we see in 1987, suggesting that the parralel universe theory of time travel may be at hand.
 * The location of Mount Verona in Oregon is not stated until the start of the second part.
 * Ultra Magnus declares loyalty to Optimus Prime, not being aware that Prime has recently died.
 * The fate of Wreck-Gar is dealt with in a later issue.
 * Death's Head does not appear at all in this story - the next reveals what he's been up to.

Reprints

 * This issue was reprinted in the Titan Books trade paperback "Fallen Angel".