The Art of War issue 1

Writer: Tim Seely Pencils: Joe Ng Inks: Rob Ross with M3th Colors: Kevin Yau & Rob Ruffolo, with Tom Liu Letters: Brian Crowley Editor: Michael O'Sullivan Udon Chief: Erik Ko


 * Major characters (in order of appearance): Megatron, Soundwave, Martin, Dr. Li, Zarana Serpent O.R., Hawk, Mainframe, Firewall, Bumblebee, Grimlock, Arcee, Perceptor, Optimus Prime, Scarlett, Roadblock, Snake-Eyes, Cobra Commander, Zartan, Quintessons, Alpha Trion, Optimus Primal


 * Release date: March 8, 2006

Synopsis
The tyrannical Megatron, scourge of Cybertron and leader of the Decepticons, currently is deactivated and has his head removed and is being mocked by professor Martin. Martin's boss, Dr. Li, reprimands Martin for his antics. A scientific project to harvest Cybertronian technology and utilize it to develop a sentient earth-based peace keeping weapon shouldn't be taken lightly.

Twelve stories above this secret development facility, the G.I. Joes Hawk, Mainframe, and Firewall prepare for their latest guests: Perceptor, Bumblebee, Grimlock, and Arcee. When the Autobots arrive, Perceptor relays a message to Hawk from Optimus Prime, Prime explains that after Shockwave's downfall, Cybertron is enjoying a moment of peace, and as a precautionary measure, the four Autobots have been sent to Earth to prevent Cybertronian technology from falling into the wrong hands.

Roadblock, Snake-Eyes, and Scarlett prepare to have one last game of tag in their giant mechs before the Autobots decommission them. However they're exercise becomes genuine combat when a giant robot army lad by Cobra Commander and Zartan attacks G.I.Joe's base. The three G.I.Joes fight vigilantly, but are outclassed when Zartan gives the order for the automated Cobra troopers to combine into the gigantic Cobratron. Luckily, Hawk and the Autobots enter the battle. Grimlock removes one of Cobratron's legs, while Scarlett and Arcee are forced back against back.

Back underground, scientist Dr. Wise communicates with Cobra Commander and reveals the location of the underground bunker by installing a signal beacon, as she's actually the Dreadnok Zarana.

Bumblebee notices the Commander sneak away from the battle using some form of giant saw blade-like tunneling vehicle and he chases Cobra Commander and Zartan through the ground into the secret development facility. But before Bumblebee can stop the Cobra agents, Zartan places a machine onto Bumblebee's foot, electrocutrocuting the small Transformer. With the yellow bug no longer a concern, Cobra Commander proceeds to free the scientist's masterpiece: Serpent O.R.

Serpentor awakens and promptly tries to kill the Commander, but again, Zartan is quick to place a device on the machine that electrocutes Serpent O.R., saving the Commander's life. Waking up quickly, Serpent O.R. unleashes his tendrils and tosses the three Cobra agents aside.

Above ground, G.I. Joe and the Autobots take care of the rest of Cobra's mechanical army, but then Mainframe contacts them with news of Cobra's entry into the underground facility. While Perceptor notices Bumblebee's absence.

After putting on some fashionable yellow body armor, Serpent O.R. plugs into Soundwave's nearby head and downloads information on the history of Cybertron. After evaluating his objectives, he determines what his goal must be: Obtain the Matrix of Leadership.

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 Tim Seeley & Rob Ruffolo Incentive Cover C: Don Figueroa & Sunder Raj. Dealers were only able to order one copy of this cover for every 20 copies of covers A&B ordered. Udon Exclusive Cover, by Joe Ng: Availible at Conventions and on the Club Udon website. Combines with Club Udon variant covers for issues 2-5 to form a single image.
 * This issue was availible with four different cover variants:
 * Firewall has an Optimus Prime mug.
 * The images in Soundwave's memory are very fascinating. Normally readers wouldn't expect Soundwave to have memory of Unicron or Primal, however since the G.I.Joe vs Transformers crossovers take place in their own continuity. The pressence of these figures in Soundwave's memory isn't an error, since it's possible that in this continuity, Soundwave -has- met Primal and Unicron.