Recipe for Hate

.

=Micromasters #3=

Writers: James McDonough, Adam Patyk Pencils: Rob Ruffolo Inks: Erik Sander Colors: Sig Torre, Eric Burns, Josh Perez, Josh Burcham Letters: Benjamin Lee V/P Editor in Chief: Roger Lee President: Pat Lee


 * Major characters (in order of appearance): Shockwave, Skystalker, Skyhopper, Hubs, Big Daddy, Trip-Up, Greaser, Road Hugger, Venom, Chop Shop, Ground Hog, Motorhead, Countdown, Groundshaker, Barricade, Roller Force, Blaze Master, Sidetrack, Sunrunner, Stakeout, Blitzwing
 * Cover date: August, 2004

Synopsis
As the issue begins, the returning Skystalker and Skyhopper meet with Shockwave. Skystalker's viciousness is evident, as he details destroying an entire planet simply to generate energy for a radio transmission. Shockwave reveals that he intentionally let the Race Track Patrol go, in hopes that Countdown would attempt to contact them and lead Shockwave to his base. While that attempt failed, it did lead him to the Hot Rod Patrol, and we learn that Shockwave is now following the Hot Rod Patrol in hopes of catching up to Countdown.

Meanwhile, back in Little Iacon, Road Hugger attempts to confront Big Daddy, only to be captured by Chop Shop. The combined Micromaster force attempts to repel the Deluxe Insecticons, but the Hot Rod Patrol leave, convinced that the Race Track Patrol led the Decepticons to their location. Conversely, the Race Track Patrol decide that it's time to look out for themselves, and leave their fellow Micromasters to their fate.

Back at Countdown's base, Countdown is interrupted from his thoughts by Groundshaker, who wants to intervene in the battle at Little Iacon. Countdown orders him to stand down, which infuriates the impetuous Groundshaker. Groundshaker accuses Countdown of not being an equal partner in their efforts, and reveals that he is aware of Countdown's attempts to have him transferred off of the mission. Countdown apologizes, and reveals that he has a reason for not interfering yet; he recovered a Golden Disk during their mission to Paradron. The Golden Disk is full of bizarre information about Cybertron, explaining such mysteries as why Cybertronians have passenger compartments designed for smaller beings, and that the ultimate role of Cybertronians is to establish peace in the universe. Such knowledge could be deadly if it passed into the wrong hands, and Countdown has appointed himself guardian of the disk for that reason. Groundshaker then suggests that choosing when to fight and who to help goes against the entire point of the disk's teachings.

Meanwhile, Venom and the Deluxe Insecticons are looking for the Hot Rod Patrol. Venom attempts to turn the Decepticon Micromasters against their bretheren. Roller Force accepts on behalf of the entire Race Track Patrol, a move which upsets Motorhead. Blaze Master is killed when he tells Venom where to stick it, and his body is left to be tended to by Freewheeler and Fixit.

Back at Decepticon Headquarters, Skystalker and Skyhopper plot against Shockwave, who they feel is just as blind and ignorant as Megatron and Starscream before him. They unload a crate full of explosives, suggesting they have a sinister plot in mind.

While all this is going on, the Hot Rod Patrol rush back to Autobase, hoping to warn Autobot command of the goings-on in Little Iacon. Unfortunately, the Battle Patrol are on watch duty, and send the Hot Rod Patrol packing, humilating them in the process. However, Stakeout manages to slip them a cache of weapons, and mentions that the Battle Patrol destroyed the Hot Rod Patrol's reputation with command. Big Daddy then decides to go find the only other Autobot that might be able to fix the situation in Little Iacon.

The Deluxe Insecticons continue their search for the Hot Rod Patrol, with a group of Decepticon Micromasters in tow. Roller Force reveals to Motorhead that he has no intention of sticking with the Decepticons for long, but for now it is the only way to stay under the radar and out of harm's way.

Meanwhile, Shockwave is running diagnostics on Blitzwing, and reveals that his form is mutating, growing extra parts, almost as if he was evolving. Shockwave then orders Blitzwing to guard him while he recharges. The process is disturbed, however, by Skyhopper and Skystalker, who quickly best the larger Decepticons due to their extreme lack of fuel.

As the issue ends, the Race Track Patrol return to Decepticon HQ to find the entire Decepticon army preparing for war. They are summoned to Shockwave's chambers for a private conference, where it is revealed that Skystalker has overthrown Shockwave, and has assumed leadership of the Decepticons!

Items of note

 * This issue takes its title from the seventh 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. This is especially obvious in the sequence where Skyhopper is unloading the crate of explosives.
 * The password to get into Iacon is "V-Sigma-19-84." Very clever.
 * It is implied here that Blitzwing is currently evolving into a Triple Changer, but he was depicted as such in stories set prior to Micromasters.