New Dawn

Megatron gets his diodes kicked by the Jhiaxus and the Cybertronian Empire.

Generation 2 #7
Originally published: May, 1994

This issue contains a main story, "New Dawn", and a backup story, "Tales of Earth Part Four".

The Gathering Darkness
Writer: Simon Furman Penciler: Manny Galan Inker: Jim Amash Letterbots: Starkings with O'Neil Colorbot: Sarra Mossoff Editor: Rob Tokar


 * Major characters (in order of appearance): Ransack, Powerdive, Jolt, Sizzle, Darkwing, Megatron, Fangry, Starscream, Thundercracker, Soundwave, Skullgrin, Jhiaxus, an Imperial flunky, Frenzy, Octopunch, Runamuck, Stranglehold, Dropshot?, Quake, Mindwipe, Drag Strip.

Synopsis
On planet Tykos, Megatron and the Decepticons are staging a raid for the wonder chemical rheanimum. This is the first field test for the new Rotor Force and Laser Rod Decepticons, as well as the rebuilt Darkwing, and they acquit themselves admirably. Megatron gloats over his success, then orders Starscream and Thundercracker to begin loading the rheanimum for transport to the Warworld. Starscream muses over how it's approaching the day when he'll have to start looking out for number one.

Megatron is contemplating his victory and his plans for conquest, when Soundwave informs him of an incoming message from Skullgrin. Megatron had dispatched him and five other Decepticons to investigate the alleged threat of the Cybertronian Empire. Skullgrin is the only survivor, and he's so badly damaged that he doesn't survive the crash of his shuttle. Megatron is enraged, and whips the Decepticons into a killing frenzy. The Warworld sets out to conquer the Empire.

This goes really badly. The Empire is vicious beyond any foes the Decepticons are used to, and they kill Runamuck and Quake, among others. Megatron confronts Jhiaxus personally, and is thoroughly trounced. Jhiaxus only breaks off the beating when Megatron undergoes orbital reentry, at which point the Decepticons retreat to look for their fallen (literally) leader. Eventually they find a black smoking crater, and most of Megatron. . . who is nevertheless still alive, and if you thought he was angry before. ..

Quotes
"Death to the pretenders!"
 * An unspecified Decepticon, referring to the Empire, not his many Pretender teammates

"Bludg er . . . beat them into the ground!"
 * Another unspecified Decepticon avoids mentioning the former Decepticon leader in front of Megatron

Errors

 * Ransack's name is spelled "Ransak".
 * Powerdive's name is spelled "Powerdrive".
 * Drag Strip's name is parsed as "Dragstrip".

Tales of Earth Part Three
Writer: Simon Furman Artist: Derek Yaniger "Letterbots": Starkings with O'Neil "Colorbot": Sarra Mossoff Editor: Rob Tokar


 * Major characters (in order of appearance): Optimus Prime, Hound, Megatron. (Also, in flashback, Starscream, Grimlock, Ratchet.)

Synopsis
Optimus Prime, having been beaten by Megatron last issue, is recovering from his injuries, and mourning the loss of the Creation Matrix. He quietly thinks back over Megatron's many defeats and resurrections, and wonders if the war will ever end. His reverie is interrupted by the arrival of the hideously damaged Megatron, who ominously declares, "I'm not happy!"