Worlds Apart!



The Autobot Headmasters attempt to rescue the captured Autobot Targetmasters, but who are the Decepticons really interested in?

=Marvel UK issues #130-131=

Writer: Simon Furman Pencils: Will Simpson Inks: Tim Perkins Lettering: Annie Halfacree Colors: Steve White (130) & Abadzis (131)


 * Characters: Highbrow, Gort, Chromedome, Stylor, Scorponok, Brainstorm, Hardhead,, Apeface, Snapdragon, Weirdwolf, Skullcruncher, Mindwipe, Sureshot, Pointblank, Crosshairs, Galen (in flashback), Slugslinger, Triggerhappy, Scourge, Misfire, Cyclonus.


 * Originally published: 12th September 1987 – 19th September 1987

Synopsis
The Autobot Headmasters find out that what Highbrow termed a "nice little rescue mission" is anything but when their Decepticon counterparts attack, but the Autobots turn the tide, rather to easily in fact. As the group debates the significance of this, Brainstorm reminds them of their goal, the rescue of the captured Autobot Targetmasters and to prevent the Decepticons from learning the secrets of the process to perfect their own Targetmasters.

But as Highbrow begins to debates cution, Gort detaches to voice his more pro-active opinion, Chromedome's partner Stylor also agreeing with the need for immediate action. After re-bonding, Highbrow recounts the stated agreement and goal that lead creation of the Headmasters, and his opinion that the himself and Gort are just too far apart mentally to work as effective team. But when the Autobots arrive at the Decepticon's notorious Fortress of Dispair, all agree that open door and lifeless nature of the base is a real concern.

When the Headmasters finally reach the strung-up bodies of the Targetmasters, Sureshot stirs to shout a warning, that the Decepticons real goal was to lure and capture the Autobot Headmasters to perfect their own Headmaster process. Before they can flee, Scorponok and the Decepticon Targetmasters burst through the wall.

Outnumbered and overpowered by the Decepticon leader, Scorponok batters the others aside as he grabs Highbrow in his claws. Only needing one specimen to examine, he orders the Decepticon Targetmasters to dispose of the rest. Hardhead decides to even the odds by freeing their captured friends, who in turn rescue their Nebulan partners.

Meanwhile Scorponok is disappointed that Highbrow borders on the catatonic, as the Autobot his partner violently argue over their best course of action. Scorponok laughs as he realizes that far from being the perfect example he'd hoped for that Highbrow is just the thing wanted to learn how to avoid. Back at the Decepticon's based, the combined might of the Autobot Targetmasters and Headmasters turn the tide, allowing Chromedome to race after his captured companion.

Scorponok calmly talks through the facts he knows about Highbrow and Gort, and realizes that the Autobot and Decepticon Headmaster processes are both technically sound and always have been, it's the compatability between the partners that is the issue. Having sorted out his problem, Scorponok's need for Highbrow and Gort evaporates and only the timely arrival of Chromedome saves the pair. But Chromedome is greatly outmatched by the Decepticon Headmaster and pleads for Gort to recombine, pointing out that no matter how different that they both have common ground of wanting to protect peace and liberty.

Convinced, the combined Highbrow fights with renewed vigor, forcing a confused Scorponok to flee as the Autotbot realizes the true power of the Headmaster process.

Errors

 * Crosshairs and Sureshot's color schemes are swapped, but otherwise the pair are drawn to their animation/Marvel model sheets.

Items of note

 * Where this story can even fit into the continuity of the Headmasters limited series is a problem. The Autobot Targetmasters were introduced after the Autobot Headmasters had been captured by the Decepticons, the Decepticon Targetmasters were created just before the Autobot Headmasters escaped where both sides very quickly flee Nebulos for Earth, and all that occurs in the space of a single issue.


 * While the Decepticon Targetmasters include their full roster, the Autobot Targetmasters seem to consist of only the trio of new characters, with the Movie trio absent.


 * Having learned nothing from the events of this issue, Scorponok's next plan involving the capture of a Autobot Headmaster will also target Highbrow with even worse end results in the Transformers Annual 1988 story All in the Minds!