The Art of War issue 5

In the concluding chapter of G.I.Joe vs Transformers: Art Of War, Autobots and G.I.Joes fight on Cybertron against the reunited Decepticons, while Serpent O.R. makes contact with The Matrix.

Writer: Tim Seely Pencils: Alex Milne, Joe Ng, James Raiz Inks: Rob Ross Colors: Rob Ruffolo & Kevin Yan Letters: Brian Crowley Editor: Michael O'Sullivan Udon Chief: Erik Ko


 * Major characters (in order of appearance):

Optimus Prime, Serpent O.R., Motormaster, Razorclaw, Hun-Grrr, Onslaught, Octane, Hot Rod, Ultra Magnus, Kup, Cliffjumper, Ironhide, Jetfire, Flint, Beachhead, Duke, Stalker, Lady Jaye, Perceptor, Rippersnapper, Overkill, Snake-Eyes, Scarlett, Hawk, Roadblock, Grimlock, Runamuck, Arcee, Scourge, Trypticon, Blast Off, Brawl, Vortex, Barrage, Venom, Shrapnel, Breakdown, Thrust, Sideswipe, Cover Girl, Storm Shadow, Tracks, Snarl, Cobra Commander, Dr Knox, Unicron, Nemesis Enforcer, Dr. Mindbender, Sgt. Slaughter, Iron Klaw,


 * Release date: August 30th, 2006

Synopsis
Having escaped from his chains, Optimus attacks Serpent O.R. Prime has a strong advantage being several hundreds times larger than Serpentor. But several Decepticons, including Motormaster and Razorclaw, rush to aid their leader. While Prime dividually fights off his attackers, a recovering Serpent O.R. notices a wound in the back of his neck.

Outmatched by his opponent's combined might, Prime with Hot Rod, telling him that the hostages are free (As Prime overheard last issue) and the Autobots are clear to attack, alongside the G.I. Joe reinforcements from Earth.

Insider, Perceptor and Hawk's group defend themselves. Overkill attempts to consume Hawk, but is disabled when Snake-Eyes lodges a piece of metal into one of Overkill's eyes. Grimlock proceeds to interrogate Prime's location out of Runamuck.

With Prime almost beaten to death, Serpent O.R. calls off the Decepticons and uses his tendrils to pry open Prime's chest and steal the power of The Matrix, which he feels will grant himself the spark of life, and power.

Outside, the Decepticons continue to fight the Autobots and G.I. Joes. Over the battle, Duke and Hot Shot witness the energy beam from The Matrix shine into the sky from the core of the Decepticon base.

Serpent O.R., having accessed The Matrix, stands as the much larger Serpentor Prime. But with this comes a deeper understanding of the material of life, and so he regrets the military actions he has taken to bring himself to this point. He takes Motormaster's gun so that he can end himself. But before he can fire upon himself, his body is appropriated by Cobra Commander, using the device placed on Serpent O.R's neck (in issue #1) to gain remote control of Serpentor Prime.

Hawk and Perceptor's party of soldiers arrives to aid Optimus and engage in combat against the Cobra-controlled Serpentor Prime. Grimlock and Roadblock are knocked aside, but Arcee is able to remove a piece from Serpentor Prime's chest. With an opening presented, Optimus literally tosses Hawk towards Serpentor. Hawk hopes for the best as he reaches to steal The Matrix away from Serpentor Prime's possession. His eyes opened to the universe, both Serpentor Prime and Hawk fall inert. Just then, Lady Jaye and Hot Rod arrive to announce that the Decepticons have fallen.

Cobra Commander, his mind strapped into the machine that let him control Serpentor Prime, has fallen into a kind of paralyzed shock. Back on Cybertron, the Autobots rebuild. Scarlett and Snake-Eyes flirt, and Grimlock concedes that G.I. Joes are valiant warriors. A mourning Hot Rod, Arcee, and Ultra Magnus attend a memorial for Bumblebee. Optimus Prime, having reclaimed the Matrix and been repaired, makes an entry into his log. He anticipates that the G.I.Joes and Autobots will continue to defend their respective civilizations, and that Hawk, now connected to The Matrix, will lead humanity to a new golden age.

Items of note
Cover A, by Joe Ng, Espen Grundetjern & Tom Liu. Combines with the Cover A variants covers for issues 2-5 to form a single image. Cover B, by Steven Cummings & Rob Ruffolo Udon Exclusive Cover, by Joe Ng: Available at Conventions and on the Club Udon website. Combines with Club Udon variant covers for issues 1-4 to form a single image.
 * The image of a human soldier on the final page of an issue is a picture of Sgt. Slaughter fighting Iron Klaw. The two were the central characters on the series G.I.Joe Extreme. A mid-nineties attempt to reinvigorate the G.I.Joe license.
 * This issue was availible with three different cover variants: