The Gray Race

'''Big Daddy and the Hot Rod Patrol have a falling-out with their Autobot comrades. Meanwhile, a long-lost hero returns to Cybertron, with his arch-nemesis in hot pursuit.'''

=Micromasters #2=

Writers: James McDonough, Adam Patyk Pencils: Rob Ruffolo Inks: Erik Sander, Rob Armstrong Colors: David Cheung, Josh Perez Letters: Benjamin Lee V/P Editor in Chief: Roger Lee President: Pat Lee


 * Major characters (in order of appearance): Motorhead, Hubs, Barricade, Ground Hog, Venom, Chop Shop, Ransack (G1), Barrage (G1), Big Daddy, Trip-Up, Greaser, Roller Force, Groundshaker, Shockwave, Countdown, Roadhandler, Skystalker, Skyhopper
 * Cover date: July, 2004

Synopsis
As the issue begins, the Hot Rod Patrol and the Race Track Patrol are in grave danger, under assault from the Deluxe Insecticons. Falcon is killed by Venom and drained of his Energon. The situation looks dire, until Groundshaker shows up in his ATV and rescues the Hot Rod Patrol. Groundshaker offers the Race Track Patrol a ride as well, but they choose to travel to Little Iacon on their own, despite the rampaging Insecticons hovering right over their heads. However, as soon as Groundshaker pulls away, Shockwave arrives. He explains that he may have been rash in judgement, and the Race Track Patrol are free to do as they wish. They speed off towards Little Iacon, while Flanker stays behind, ready to return to Decepticon headquarters with Shockwave. However, Shockwave promptly feeds him to the Insecticons, who have "new orders."

Meanwhile, the Hot Rod Patrol interrogate Groundshaker; it is revealed that he is one of the first Micromasters, full-sized Transformers that willingly downgraded to smaller, more efficient bodies, as opposed to the second generation of Micromasters, who were created in those forms. Groundshaker soon takes the patrol to meet Countdown, who not only claims to have seen the future, but insists that the Hot Rod Patrol will play a part in "making things right." They are suitably unnerved by this, and depart for Little Iacon, with Countdown's blessing.

In Little Iacon, the Hot Rod Patrol enter a secret nightclub where Autobot and Decepticon Micromasters mingle, drink, and throw globs of ooze at likenesses of Optimus Prime and Megatron. Inside the club, Greaser informs Motorhead that Crunch is dead, which shakes the Decepticon further. Meanwhile, Ground Hog suggests that Greaser and his teammates join up with them, after all there is strength in numbers. Trip-Up and Roller Force get into a scuffle over seating arrangements, while Roadhandler confronts Big Daddy about his loyalties, which results in the two racing. The race attracts the attention of all the Micromasters in the area, as Roadhandler is the current champion. Big Daddy puts up a valiant effort, but is beaten in the final stretch by Roadhandler. The Hot Rod Patrol rally around their leader, even though he lost, and it is revealed that someone mysterious is watching them with great interest.

Meanwhile, a shuttle carrying Skystalker and Skyhopper returns to Cybertron!

Items of note

 * This issue takes its name from the ninth album by Bad Religion.
 * It is patently obvious that Rob Ruffolo was drawing the Micromasters from model sheets that did not include their backs, as the back detail on most characters is generic, at best.