Victory!

The Dinobots dream about dying in battle while in a coma-like state.

=Marvel UK Annual 1986=

Writer: Simon Furman Art: Geoff Senior Lettering: Annie Halfacree Colors: Gina Hart Editor: Sheila Cranna


 * Characters Grimlock, Megatron, Starscream, Soundwave, Swoop, Optimus Prime, Sludge, Joy Meadows, Snarl, Guardian, Shockwave, Slag, Ratchet


 * Originally published: December 1985

Synopsis
Grimlock engages Megatron in battle and quickly despatches him by slicing him in half with his sword. He then goes on to attack the other Decepticons, defeating all who stand before him. His victory celebration is cut short however as Starscream picks up Megatron’s fusion cannon and uses it to fatally wound Grimlock.

Swoop attacks and carries off Soundwave in the middle of a battle. Ignoring a direct order from Optimus Prime to release him, Swoop flies off to display Soundwave in front of the other Decepticons. Unwilling to allow himself to be humiliated Soundwave self destructs and destroys Swoop in the process.

Sludge is running free through a swamp when he comes upon his human friend, Joy Meadows. Pleased to see her, Sludge stops, only for Joy to rip the flesh of her head away to reveal a robotic head that fatally blasts Sludge with eye beams. As he dies he sees Megatron striding towards him with a remote control device for the robotic Joy.

Snarl battles a Guardian droid and manages to decapitate it with his tail. Satisfied that he has defeated it he turns away, unaware that the headless droid is still active and is surprised when he is attacked from behind and destroyed.

Slag is charging towards Shockwave, who is stood on a cliff edge. He hits him and they both go flying over the edge. Shockwave crashes to the ground but Slag lands in a tar pit and sinks out of sight.

Ratchet reveals to Optimus Prime that the Dinobots have fully recovered physically from the damage they have sustained but for some reason they are not mentally active. They seem to be in a coma and are dreaming but just as their mental activity is about to reach the point that will wake them, it drops back down to a minimal state.

Prime tells Ratchet that he has to save the Dinobots, but Ratchet is unconvinced that he will be able to do anything. He thinks that a character flaw is preventing them from waking.

Items of note

 * The Dinobots entered their comas following the events of Dinobot Hunt! They recover in Second Generation!
 * This is the first UK Annual story that links into the main UK comic continuity. Up to this point the annual stories were standalone tales.
 * The Dinobot’s character flaws that Ratchet feels are preventing them from waking would seem to be:
 * Grimlock – Arrogance.
 * Swoop – Insubordination.
 * Sludge – Stupidity
 * Snarl – Carelessness
 * Slag - Aggression
 * Swoops lack of respect for Optimus Prime's orders is shown again in What's in a Name?