comics: The Transformers UK guide:

issue nr: 013 series: The Transformers UK cover date: 1985-03-09 writer: Simon Furman penciler: John Ridgway inker: John Ridgway colorist: Gina Hart Autobots/Maximals featured: Brawn, Mirage, Bumblebee, Jazz, Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, Prowl Decepticons/Predacons featured: Megatron, Starscream, Rumble, Skywarp, Ravage Neutralists/Aliens/Humans featured: Major Gordon Locations featured: Oregon, USA First appearance of: Major Gordon

Story synopsis
Megatron is outraged with Starscream after having his judgement questioned by the conniving Decepticon yet again. Starscream wants an immediate strike on the Autobots whilst Megatron wants to wait and observe. When Starscream insists the Decepticons vote on it Megatron loses his patience and fires at Starscream. But Starscream begins to grovel so Megatron lets him go but his treacherous display has instilled doubt amongst the onlooking Decepticons in Megatron’s methods. Not Ravage though, who Megatron sends to spy on Starscream.

At the Ark a team of Autobots are hard at work when suddenly Brawn is shocked by a huge electrical surge. He is rendered unconscious, but when he wakes up, he’s not quite feeling himself…

Meanwhile, Starscream plans to attack a human air force base, in the hope that the Autobots will come running only to fall victim to the Decepticons who will have to come to his aid. Then he notices Ravage watching him from the shadows, who then makes a run for it. Starscream transforms into his jet mode and gives chase. He pursues him through the desert and Ravage fights back but Starscream fires his missiles which cause a huge explosion and a massive landslide. Ravage falls to the bottom of a valley under tons of rock.

Back at the Ark Sideswipe tries to get through to the silent Brawn, but Brawn completely snaps and sets about beating Sideswipe to a pulp. The Autobots attempt to wrestle him back before he can crush Sideswipe’s head. As they try to reason with him he announces that they are all his enemies and then rips through the Ark’s hull and strides off outside on his own.

At the nearby US air force base the control personnel notice an oncoming ‘UFO’ approaching the base at spectacular speed. Before they know it the place erupts in flames as Starscream soars overhead, raining bombs down on them…

Remarks
This issue is significant as it marks the debut of writer Simon Furman to the series. Few people could have guessed that from these very humble beginnings Furman would become the master of epic-storytelling, the undisputed fan favourite and would go on to write more Transformers stories than any other writer and still be adding to the legacy with new stories twenty years on. However, its fair to say that Furman took a little time to hone his talents, and The Enemy Within stands testament to that.

On the plus side the story is fast paced and uses clever juxtapositions when telling the tale of the two opposing turncoats Brawn and Starscream. Also Furman uses Starscream’s character to his proper potential, something the US writers would not do until the Underbase saga some 4 years later. Unfortunately the whole thing is let down by some prose that Furman would no doubt cringe at today, and the story is basic kiddie fare. Its not a patch on Steve Parkhouse’s Man of Iron which was mysterious and touching, whereas this isn’t as layered or subtle.

In conclusion, this issue is notable as Furman’s first stint, but doesn’t hold up so well today.

Ridgway would go on to be a great Transformers cover artist, but here his work is not as good as his Man of Iron efforts, probably due to the greater array of Transformers he has to draw and the smaller human-bias. His depiction of Sideswipe looks totally wrong.

The Enemy Within was printed partly in black and white, though later would be reprinted in full colour in Collected Comics 4.

Character development
Here we see several of Starscream’s typical characteristics. His insolence: “There comes a time when even the mightiest rulers must be challenged, Megatron.” His arrogance: “Now you shall see why I am the most sophisticated of the Decepticons…for not only am I a master tactician…but in this form I am the fastest and deadliest of them all!” And finally his cowardice: “No, no! Great Megatron, I beg you!” His Universe profile reiterates his knack for immodesty: “He has a vain side that clearly distinguishes him. He considers himself the most sophisticated and handsome of the Decepticons.” Starscream's actual plan is cunning and well thought out.

Ravage says: “I know where my loyalties lie… I must report to Megatron.” Ravage is one of Megatron’s most loyal subjects and whilst after Starscream’s outburst “his fellow Decepticons look on” with “treacherous thoughts” Ravage, unlike the others, is quick to point out: “Was it wise to let Starscream off like that?”

Brawn is depicted as fairly grumpy and a bit of a complainer: “I’ve been ready for the past few hours! Sometimes I think you’re just using me!” He must’ve been having a bad day, as his profile insists: “He won't be discouraged and that helps the morale of the rest.” But whatever negative feelings he’d been having about being taken for granted in this issue are multiplied a thousand times after he accidentally gets zapped by electrical feedback. He becomes an unstoppable powerhouse, smashing his way through his fellow Autobots yelling: “I’m through being used… you’ll all find that out soon enough!” His profile also states: “His main fault is that he tends to be contemptuous of those not as tough as he.” If the electrical shock turned up all his bad karma up to the max, this characteristic could be another reason why he goes out on the rampage so vehemently.

Mirage says: “He doesn’t even want to know his old friend Mirage anymore!” The fact that Brawn and Mirage are good friends is also displayed in issue 4 when Mirage’s “powerful friend” saves him from Ravage.

Trivia
Megatron mentions the Decepticons’ run in with Spider-Man. This must place The Enemy Within somewhere amongst the action of issue 7.

Transformers can be rendered unconscious, and then slowly come round, much like humans, as evidenced by Brawn’s recovery.

The radar controllers at the US air base note: “The UFO has picked up speed to a phenomenal degree…its ETA just dropped from five minutes to five seconds!” Starscream’s Universe entry expands on his considerable speed: “Starscream is one of the fastest flyers of the Decepticons, reaching speeds up to Mach 2.8.”

Ravage is shown firing his proton missiles at Starscream, who evades them. The Universe describes his weapons as: “two low-radiation 1-megaton proton bombs, which he can fire over 3 miles.” It becomes clear that when he uses these up he is left vulnerable and easy prey for Starscream, who promptly finishes him off.

Transformers are vulnerable to large power surges, or at least Brawn is. It would also seem that Transformer personalities are susceptible to strong changes in emotion in such freak occurrences.

Not so memorable quotes
“Surprise, sucker!” Ravage.

Mistakes
When Ravage retreats into the desert with Starscream in pursuit, there is no sign of the army and media cordon that has surrounded the Decepticon base since issue 5.

reviewed by: spiderfrommars