G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 3

G.I. Joe's first battle.

Writer: Josh Blaylock Penciler: Mike S. Miller Inker: Cory Hamscher Colorist: Lynx Studio Letterer: Dreamer Design Graphic Design: Mike Norton


 * Release date: September 10th, 2003 (cover date is August)
 * Followed by: G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers, Part 2
 * Followed by: G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers, Part 4

Synopsis
International arms dealer Destro is satisfied with the S.N.A.K.E.S. developed by Cobra from Transformer technology, along with Soundwave, modified to host a human pilot. As a test of the hardware. Destro announced he will personally pilot Soundwave in the planned assault on the SPS Center. Megatron, trapped at Cobra Commander's side, whispers a degree of approval over Destro's assertiveness.

At the G.I. Joe base, Stalker brieefs the team on the USSPS, an energy collection satallite that, according to Mercer, Cobra plans on stealing by attacking it;s ground control at the SPS Research Facility.

Within Soundwave, Destro leads the attack. Firefly and Zartan also come along, but hidden from sight using stealth technology. Rumble and Frenzy are ejected from Soundwave to begin the takeover, but are injure by fired from G.I.Joes who arrived earlier to fortify the facility. Laserbeak passes through the gunfire, but inside, Snake-Eyes decapitates the bird.

On the ground, Cobra-controlled Sunstreaker and Sideswipe attack the facility on the ground, but Wheeljack intercepts the two. Bumblebee transforms to protect Flash from Rumble. A US Military tank mistakes Bumblebee for one of the hostiles, and fires a rocket at the Transformer. Luckily, Bumblebee catches the rocket (damn) and throws it at Rumble. Watching Wheeljack fight Soundwave, the humans question which robots are on which side.

Inside, Zartan's invisibility allows him to easily disable Mutt, Junkyard, and Quick Kick. Elsewhere, Firefly plants several explosives. When the Joes wake up, they figure out Zartan's trick and chase, but come to fight Ravage.

One Zartn and Firefly get clear with the materials they were able to steal, Ravage is commanded remote instructed to withdrawl - luckily saving the lives of Quick Kick and Mutt. But the two have more trouble as the building their in explodes.

Later, Mutt and Quick Kick are reported to be alive, but just barely. Wheeljack and Bumblebee make peace with G.I. Joe. Under heavy guard, Wheeljack looks at the image of Soundwave broadcast to the world when Optimus Prime reverse-hacked Cobra's computer systems. Wheeljack decodes the text accompanying the image to find Cobra's whereabouts. Wheeljack interfaces with the Joe's computer and sends a computer message back to Cobra.

In Cobra Islands, the Constructicons are, under Cobra Control, assembling machinery, when they suddenly change their focus: Cobra's reprogramming has been undone, freeing the captive Transformers. Worse for Cobra, Optimus Prime has also been freed of his mental restraints.

Quotes
Cobra Commander: *sigh* Megatron: I like him. '''Cobra Commander: Shut up, Megatron.

General Information

 * This issue was available in 2 different covers.
 * Cover A, by Mike S. Miller / Lynx
 * Cover B, by Mark Brooks /Udon
 * Official Transformers Collectors' Convention edition, limited to 1000 copies.


 * At the 2006 UK Toy Fair, First4Figures revealed a statue of The Baroness and Ravage based on the art from the Covention Edition. As of Fall 2007, this statue has not been released. Which is sad since it's awesome.


 * Quick Kick and Mutt being, in all probability, killed in the explosion, but then reported to have survived off-screen later is vaguely reminiscent of Duke's survival in the G.I. Joe movie.
 * The USSPS sends Microwave energy from space, which is sort-of the opposite of the Broadcast Energy Transmitter from the G.I.Joe movie.
 * Mutt's dog, Junkyard, presumably died in the explosion.


 * This issue contains advertisements for:
 * Palisades Crimson Guard Mini Statue
 * Palisades Flint Mini Statue
 * Palisades Zartan Mini Statue
 * Transformers: Genesis: The Art of Transformers
 * Voltron #5
 * G.I. Joe: Front Line #15
 * G.I. Joe: Real American Hero #22
 * G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers, Part 4 (back cover)