King of the Hill!



As the Autobots attempt to choose a new leader, the Decepticons send an assassin to capture the Ark.

=Marvel US issue #27= (Story also appears in: Marvel UK issues #111-112)

Script: Bob Budiansky Pencils: Don Perlin Inks: Ian Akin and Brian Garvey Lettering: Janice Chiang Colors: Nelson Yomtov Editor: Don Daley


 * Major characters (in order of appearance): Rachel Becker, Swoop, Sludge, Slag, Snarl, Grimlock, Ratbat, Trypticon
 * Originally published: April, 1987

Synopsis
Rachel Becker, a student on search for fossils, finds a strange footprint. Her professor quickly dismisses the footprint as a hoax, since the edges are clearly mechanically carved. However, none of them can deny the shadowy Pterodactyl-like figure that flies past. They decide to set up camp. The Dinobots have learned of Optimus Prime's death, and prepare to return to the Ark. Grimlock intends to forcibly seize leadership of the Autobots. The Autobots argue that they need a leader who demonstrates wisdom, compassion, and courage, in addition to being a strong warrior. But Grimlock doesn't care. He and the Dinobots prepare to attack their fellow Autobots. Meanwhile, Shockwave, now leader of the Decepticons, persuades Cybertronian fuel auditor Ratbat to use the space bridge to send the Decepticon's deadliest soldier, Trypticon, to launch a surprise attack on the Ark, in hopes to seizing control of its vast resources. Ratbat agrees, but warns that the use of the space bridge is too costly to allow such uses in the future. When Trypticon arrives in the middle of the night, Rachel is awakened and goes out to investigate. She manages to avoid being seen, but loses her flashlight while running from the enormous Decepticon, and is unable to find her way back to camp. The Dinobots arrive back at the Ark to find that the Autobots are already under attack. As Trypticon is easily defeating the Autobots, most of the Dinobots think that the Decepticon is doing their job for them, but Grimlock has misgivings. As he steps back to consider his options, he is confronted by Rachel, and is impressed when the human fails to flee from him in terror. He leaves her in peace. Unfortunately for Rachel, she is soon discovered by Trypticon's foot soldier Wipe-Out, who takes her captive and brings her to Trypticon. Grimlock, recognizing the human who had previously impressed him, single-handedly attacks Trypticon. The other Dinobots soon join in, and Trypticon is distracted from his attack upon the Ark. Eventually, Ratbat determines that Trypticon has exceeded his energy budget, and recalls Trypticon back to Cybertron. The Dinobots return to the Ark, leaving Rachel Becker as the sole witness to what has just transpired. The Autobots, believing that Grimlock has displayed all the qualities one would desire in an Autobot leader by Grimlock's selfless actions against Trypticon, proclaim him their leader.

Errors
TBA

Items of note

 * This is the last Marvel US issue to be sold for 75 cents.