Way of the Warrior

Carnivac learns that followng the Autobots' ways has its ups and downs...

=Marvel UK issue #237=

Writer: Simon Furman Art: Simon Coleby Lettering: Glib


 * Major characters (in order of appearance): Carnivac, Springer, Catilla, Texan man, Snarler and Bludgeon.


 * Minor characters (in order of appearance): Skids, Broadside, Inferno, Spinister, Needlenose, Octopunch and Stranglehold.


 * Originally published: 16th September 1989. Cover date ("off sale") 23rd September 1989.

Synopsis
In Dallas, Texas Carnivac is angry with Springer and strikes out. When he agreed to join the Survivors, he hoped for some fights and is unhappy with working as a disaster relief service handling train crashes, burning oil rigs, hijacks and the like. Springer declares that if Carnivac walks off the group won't look out for him, even though Catilla makes a plea to understand Carnivac has been going through private tensions since leaving the Decepticons.

Carnivac runs off alone, thinking how the high profile role in saving humans that the Survivors have taken on is likely to attract the Decepticons who will want their renegades dead. Suddenly a human car crashes into Carnivac and the driver, recognising the ex Decepticon from television, pleads for help in dealing with a giant mechanical dog that is terrorising the area. Carnivac is initially dismissive but then realises he has to make a stand sometime and charges the dog, rapidly dispatching it.

However the dog is not alone. The new Mayhem Attack Squad declare their presence and Snarler is surprised that the dog lured out Carnivac alone rather than the Autobots with him. They offer Carnivac a clean death but he declares he is a warrior who will fight to the death if need be. Bludgeon responds that he is only too happy to oblige and charges...

Note: this story is continued in Survival Run.

Items of note

 * The Survivors storyline would eventually tie into the alternate continuity of the Earthforce storyline. It's not clear where one draws the line between the main storyline and this portion of the Earthforce branch.

Reprints

 * This story was reprinted in the Transformers Annual 1992 with additional colours by Steve White. This version was subsequently reprinted in the Winter Special 1994.


 * The original black and white version was reprinted in the Titan Books trade paperback "Way of the Warrior".