Beast Wars: The Gathering
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Beast Wars: The Gathering | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
Beast Wars: The Gathering is a four-issue comic book miniseries, published by IDW Publishing. The series was launched with #1 in February 2006 and ended with #4 in May. It has since been republished as a trade paperback. It is set in the established CG animated series Beast Wars continuity and according to long-time Transformers writer Simon Furman wraps itself around events circa the season three episode, "Changing of the Guard". The four-issue series is written by Simon Furman with art by Don Figueroa.
Contents |
[edit] Background
Since Beast Machines finished airing in 2000 there has been no official revisiting of the Transformers continuity established by the Beast Wars animated series. Although the Transformers convention Botcon created several storylines external to the Beast Wars continuity such as The Wreckers and a continuation of Beast Machines entitled Transformers: Universe as various comic book miniseries the canonicity of such stories is disputable. Dreamwave Productions acquired the Transformers license from Hasbro in 2002, however it would not be until the Transformers Summer Special in 2004 that Dreamwave touched upon the Beast Wars, in which stories from the Beast Wars and the Robots in Disguise coninuities were put to a vote as to which should be made into a comic series for 2005 with Beast Wars the victor. However, despite several pieces of artwork being released (and according to those involved with the project some impressive pieces remaining unreleased) Dreamwave's bankruptcy caused the end of the series before it began. While the story Dreamwave tried to produce will most likely remain lost it was only in 2006, when IDW began publishing Beast Wars: The Gathering, that the Beast Wars continuity was officially revisited.
[edit] Story
[edit] Characters
The plot centers around Predacon General Magmatron and his troops Drill Bit, Transquito, Iguanus, Spittor and Manterror as well as Razorbeast and his small band of Maximals (though others make appearances to be expanded upon in the future). Featured characters not unique to The Gathering are Grimlock, Ravage and Megatron. Most of the characters come from Beast Wars toys produced by Hasbro but not used in the animated series. The remaining characters are the main cast from the animated show. Simon Furman has collaborated with Transformers consultant Benson Yee to ensure that the various Transformers continuities Beast Wars: The Gathering is based on do not conflict as much as possible. It is currently unknown as to how the situation involving the Generation 1 Transformer Grimlock will be resolved (as he would otherwise presently be in stasis), though the presence of Ravage seems easily reconcilable.
[edit] Plot summary
The story ties into the established animated series continuity without causing dramatic differences that cannot be reconciled between continuities. For this reason the role of the main cast from the animated series is only a minor one for the most part.
[edit] Issue 1
The plot centers around Magmatron, whose mission granted to him by the Tripredacus Council is to take off where Ravage failed by travelling to prehistoric Earth to subdue and retrieve Megatron. However, much like Megatron, Magmatron acts as a renegade by defying orders to activate the dormant Maximal stasis pods left behind by the crew of the Axalon and in doing so reprogram the protoforms as Predacons to form his own army. Magmatron and his crew act while chronally displaced so as not to upset the timeline, meaning while still being able to interact with the environment the animated series cast are kept unaware to their presence. Flashbacks to Cybertron reveal Magmatron explaining his plan of conquest and Razorbeast's role as a Maximal spy with secret orders to send word back to the Maximals on Cybertron or do what he can to sabotage Magmatron's plan. While many of the protoforms emerge as reprogrammed Predacons, Razorbeast is able to safely awaken many as Maximals. Razorbeast flees the Predacon camp while sending a signal summoning the new Maximals.
[edit] Issue 2
Magmatron, aware of Razorbeast's plan to contact Cybertron and the place where he might obtain the means to do so, explains his own plan for conquest to the new Predacons. Iguanus divides the Predacons into groups, each with a different direction. The focus shifts to Razorbeast and a small group of Maximals en route to Ravage's semi-destroyed Transwarp Cruiser. As Razorbeast explains that he was unaware of Magmatron's true plans until moments before the departure to Earth and the group express their concerns, Razorbeast particularly puzzled by the absence of more allies, it is revealed the Maximals are making their way by land, sea and air to Razorbeast's position. Magmatron (seen transforming into his three separate beast modes), Drill Bit and Spittor are seen searching the same area as Razorbeast's crew. Soon after Razorbeast explains to the suspicious Maximals he has been modified in every respect, including spark resonance, to appear as a Predacon the two groups meet and enter hostilities. Optimus Minor finds the parts the Maximals require inside the remains of Ravage's Cruiser, and after Snarl disposes of a menacing Drill Bit the two return to the rest of the Maximals who have successfully escaped from the Predacons. Two epilogues follow in which the Maximals set course for the Ark to repair the part obtained from Ravage's Cruiser and Magmatron finds despite the damage to Ravage's body he is still able to salvage the spark core.
[edit] Issue 3
After a brief appearance by Optimus Primal, Cheetor and Rhinox the Maximals make their way towards the Ark. Meanwhile, a squad of Predacons encounter mutant transformers in a swamp and Magmatron awakens Ravage using a blank stasis pod to assist him in delivering Megatron to the Tri-Predacus Council. While working within the Ark the Maximals notice the Predacons heading toward the Darkside. Rampage and Inferno are seen returning to base with Megatron when Magmatron, Drill Bit and Iguanus apprehend him using a chronal displacement unit, causing much confusion for Inferno and Quickstrike. Razorbeast and Optimus Minor set out to prevent Magmatron’s plans, again signalling the remaining Maximals to appear, while Snarl and Bonecrusher begin their own journey to the Maximal lair with the parts required to contact Cybertron. Ramulus, Wolfang and B'Boom wait in the Maximal lair while Ravage and a group of Predacons begin seeking them out. Elsewhere, Magmatron prepares a Transwarp Gate to send Megatron back to Cybertron in 10 cycles and then self destruct preventing unwanted interference from Cybertron. Hiding in the shadows with Optimus Minor, Razorbeast formulates a plan that will require a distraction. Grimlock arrives in a state of some aggravation, expressing a desire to fight Magmatron.
[edit] Issue 4
Sky Shadow discovers the location of the Maximal lair and reports back to Ravage. While Grimlock disables Drill Bit and Iguanus, Razorbeast is able to secure a chronal displacement unit. Magmatron disposes of Grimlock using his beast modes before Razorbeast reveals himself to the vengeful tyrant. Snarl is able to activate the communicator and Wolfang attempts to record a suitable message for the limited transmission time. The Predacons begin their attack on the lair and the Maximals leave to engage them while Snarl is left to attend to the communicator. By phasing in and out of displacement Razorbeast is able to defeat Magmatron while Optimus Minor removes a displacement unit from Megatron ensuring he remains on earth. A furious Magmatron is transported back to Cybertron. Back at the lair the Maximals are surrounded before the remaining summoned Maximals arrive, turning the tables on the retreating Predacons. Snarl assures Razorbeast that the message was sent to Cybertron from the now destroyed communicator however he cannot confirm it was received. The Maximals establish a permanent base in preparation for a new series of Beast Wars.
[edit] Resolutions
Beast Wars: The Gathering very much takes advantage of the established continuity through using accurate portrayals of well known characters, establishing links between the American and Japanese Beast Wars series and leaving room for the storylines delivered through Botcon to exist within the continuity, however, if there is one thing that stands out it is tying up of loose ends from the animated series. The following is a list of plot points resolved during the series:
- One of the most pertinent unknowns after Beast Wars concluded was the fate of the remaining stasis pods and Maximal protoforms that were left on earth when the cast of Beast Wars returned to Cybertron. The Gathering provides an uncontroversial, reconcilable and interesting way of dealing with the issue as it uses a previously unresolved plot point as the basis for the story.
- During Primeval Dawn, a comic produced for Botcon, Ravage reappeared as the form he takes during The Gathering, however no backstory was given as to how he took that form. The Gathering provides this explanation. However, Ravage's robot mode is slightly more accurate to the 'Tripredacus Agent' toy in Primeval Dawn, while The Gathering incorporates design aspects of Ravage from the animated series. The reason for this is the 'Tripredacus Agent' toy was a repaint of Transmetal 2 Cheetor.
- A flashback scene in a Predacon chamber reveals symbols in the background resembling the original Predacons, indicating a link between the new Decepticon descendants and their namesakes (previously related only by name). There is also a statue of what looks like Divebomb next to the symbols.
- The Pax Cybertronia and the related Council are expanded upon, after being only referred to in the animated series.
- It is revealed through a flashback of Leo Prime (Japanese Lio Convoy) & Razorbeast that the Maximals are aware of the Predacons preparations to restart the Cybertronian Civil War.
- The presence of characters from the Japanese series Beast Wars II and Beast Wars Neo confirms that the characters (if not the stories they originate from) exist within the same continuity as the American Beast Wars series.
[edit] The Future
IDW Publishing has stated that they feel Beast Wars is best suited to a miniseries format rather than an on-going title, but do intend to follow on from the events of The Gathering in the future with a series of More Than Meets the Eye-style character profile comics to begin being released in January 2007 as well as more Beast Wars miniseries to come. However it has recently been confirmed that the profile comics will not be available in January due to work on the Transformers movie tie-ins [1].
IDW editor-in-chief Chris Ryall recently confirmed the second Beast Wars series, titled The Ascending, as well as the profile books, will be due in August [2],[3]. Writer Simon Furman has hinted that Unicron may be involved.[4]
[edit] References
Writer Simon Furman's website with several references to The Gathering
[edit] See also
List of Transformers comic book series
