Japanese Generation 1 continuity « Transformers: G-2 » Toyline Story pages Manga Manga special

With the release of the Transformers: G-2 franchise in Japan in 1995 came a series of minicomics. These minicomics were packaged along with the instruction manuals of the toys and were all written and drawn by Hidetsugu Yoshioka (though several comics misspell his name as Toshioka).

Despite being written in Japanese and released exclusively in that country, these minicomics read from left to right like an American comic book. Additionally, Yoshioka's art style is heavily derived from that of Derek Yaniger, who was the initial artist on Marvel's Generation 2 comic book.

So far as continuity is concerned, these minicomics are actually a part of a much larger storyline told through a series of story pages. The story pages actually summarize several of the battles expanded on in these minicomics, most notably Optimus Prime's rebirth as Battle Convoy.

It should be stressed, however, that neither the G-2 story pages nor these minicomics are in-continuity with the manga special, "The New Battle!!", released simultaneously in the pages of Comic Bom Bom.

Issues

The sixteen issues were numbered and packaged with the following toys:

#1 Missile Trailer Convoy

As Megatron closes in on Electro and Volt, Optimus Prime shows up and unleashes his "Matrix Saturn" attack. The attack incapacitates Megatron, leaving Optimus to recommend all the Decepticons in the area retreat for their own health.

#2 Missile Tank Megatron

Optimus Prime, Volt and Electro combine their firepower to take down Megatron. As the smoke clears, Electro prepares to make the finishing blow. Unfortunately for him, Megatron arises from the mist unscathed and grabs his noggin. Megatron then gloats that not only is his armor superior, but that his shoulder cannon is powerful enough to destroy them all.

#3 Electro

Jolt and Sizzle gang up on Electro, bantering along the way. Electro is unconcerned, taking them out with his "Knee-Flash Kick" and delivering some banter of his own.

#4 Volt

Megatron has Electro held hostage, threatening to pop his head off. Optimus recommends they wait for an opening, but Volt chooses to make one, instead. With speed on his side, he buries his Needle Saber into Megatron's back, injuring the Decepticon and freeing Electro.

#5 Jolt

As Electro and Volt beat a hasty retreat, Megatron orders Jolt to follow them and locate Optimus Prime. Jolt catches up with them quickly and knocks his foes out with a powered-up jump kick.

#6 Sizzle

On the battlefield, Sizzle is on the run from Volt. Volt chases him into a cave, thinking he has his enemy cornered. Using his Stealth Shield, Sizzle materializes out of the darkness behind Volt and takes him by surprise.

#7 Skyjack

Optimus fears that Volt may have been followed, despite radar showing no signs of Decepticons. His fears prove true, as Skyjack appears in the sky and bombs them. As Skyjack reports their location back to Megatron, Optimus cannot believe his sensors have been fooled.

#8 Space Case

Volt chases a low-flying Space Case toward a cliffside, certain that the Decepticon will slam into it. Instead, Space Case pulls up at the last second, looping behind Volt and shooting him in the back.

#9 Hooligan

With Megatron low on energy, Prime takes the upper hand in battle and offers Megatron the chance to surrender. Hooligan suddenly arrives, however, and rains his "Multi Shower Missiles" down upon Prime, destroying his back-mounted weapons unit.

#10 Dreadwing & Smokescreen

With Prime disoriented, Megatron orders Dreadwing and Smokescreen to finish him off. The pair hit Optimus with a storm of missiles, crippling the Autobot. They then offer the finishing blow to Megatron.

#11 Road Rocket

Electro, Volt and Road Rocket have been cornered by the Decepticon Laser Rods and Cyberjets. Road Rocket breaks ranks and transforms to motorcycle mode, kicking up a smokescreen of dirt. He then bursts out of the smoke in robot mode, taking the Decepticons by surprise. Witnessing this, Electro and Volt think he's a little nuts.

#12 Road Pig

With a busted wing, Hooligan is forced to run for his life on two feet from Volt and Electro. He happens upon Road Pig, who gets a good laugh out of the sight of a walking jet. Road Pig then transforms to motorcycle mode and tells Hooligan to hop on. He then chides the jet for his poor driving skills.

#13 Battle Convoy (2-pages)

With his foe thoroughly trounced, Megatron delivers the killing blow to Prime. With his ancient nemesis at last defeated, a solemn Megatron offers him a final prayer. His prayer is cut short, though, as Optimus Prime comes back from the dead and reformats himself into a newer, more powerful body.

#14 Aero Raid

Within Decepticon headquarters, the lone ninja, Road Rocket, is on the run from Road Pig, Jolt and Sizzle. He eventually finds himself cornered and facing certain doom. To his luck, Aero Raid suddenly bursts through an air vent and offers a hand. Road Rocket doesn't seem to care.

#15 Strafe

After a massive attack, Volt is the only Autobot left standing. Megatron offers him the chance to give up, but he refuses. Then, Strafe appears just in the knick of time to punch Megatron in the face.

#16 Jetfire

At Decepticon Headquarters, Electro has been captured. Megatron offers him a chance to join their ranks, but Electro won't be swayed. He isn't captured for long, though, as Jetfire storms the base and breaks him loose.

Featured characters

(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)

Notes

• Although numbered 1 through 16, that does not reflect the order they should be read in. While many of the comics are self-contained, several others do interconnect.
  • For example: Electro has his face grabbed by Megatron at the end of issue #2. In issue #3, he's fighting the Decepticon Laser Rods. Then in issue #4, he has his face in Megatron's palm again. Either issue #2 should be immediately followed by issue #4, or Electro has some serious problems.

External links

• G-2 mini-comics in English
• Colored G-2 mini-comics in English at TF Pulp (part 1 of 2) (archived, images defunct)
• Colored G-2 mini-comics in English at TF Pulp (part 2 of 2) (archived, images defunct)