Target: 2006
| Target: 2006 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel UK |
| Schedule | Weekly |
| Genre |
|
| Publication date | 1986 |
| Number of issues | 78-88 |
| Creative team | |
| Writer(s) | Simon Furman |
| Penciller(s) | Jeff Anderson, Geoff Senior, Will Simpson and Ron Smith |
| Inker(s) | Tim Perkins and Geoff Senior |
| Colorist(s) | Gina Hart |
| Creator(s) | Hasbro |
Target: 2006 is the title of an 11-issue story arc from the Transformers Marvel UK comic book series, running in issues #78-88. It was written by Simon Furman and drawn by Geoff Senior, Jeff Anderson, Will Simpson and Ron Smith.
The story arc marked the beginning of Furman's stories featuring characters from The Transformers: The Movie. The US comic book, as written by Bob Budiansky was reprinted in the UK, with UK exclusive stories filling in the gaps created by the titles' differing publishing schedules. This created some difficulties with continuity, as Furman had to write stories that would not contradict upcoming reprints from the US. The use of the movie characters, who would not be appearing in the US comics, allowed Furman to begin to write with greater and greater freedom and Target: 2006 would prove to be the beginning of an elaborate and detailed UK exclusive continuity. As such, the story remains a firm fan favourite.
Key characters introduced in this storyline would go on to feature in most of Furman's later epics, including the Wreckers, Ultra Magnus, Galvatron, Impactor and the Autobot Triple Changers.
The story was later collected together and reprinted by Titan Publishing in a Trade Paperback with a new cover by Geoff Senior, with an alternative cover illustrated by Lee Sullivan produced as an exclusive for the UK convention Transforce in 2002.
Plot
Galvatron, Scourge and Cyclonus travel back in time from 2006 to 1986 and due to the complications of the time jump, Optimus Prime, Prowl and Ratchet disappear.[1] The Autobots go to spy on the Decepticons believing they are responsible. Due to Megatron's refusal to hand over the Constructicons, Galvatron buries him and Soundwave. The Constructicons proceed to build Galvatron's weapon of mass destruction.
Meanwhile on Cybertron, Emirate Xaaron and Impactor, leader of the Wreckers are planning Operation: Volcano as an uprising against the dominant Decepticons led by Lord Straxus. But as they learn that Optimus Prime and the Creation Matrix have vanished, Ultra Magnus leaves to find Optimus on Earth, leaving the Operation in jeopardy as Magnus has only 119 hours to find him before it is carried out. Magnus protects Hound from Cyclonus, but is too late to save Jazz from being captured by Galvatron. Galvatron sends a video link of Jazz being tortured to the Autobots. Jetfire leads a failed attack on the future Decepticons; in desperation Ironhide then digs up Megatron and Soundwave.[2] On Cybertron the Wreckers take part in a training simulation but are disenchanted with Operation: Volcano. A principled stand against a Decepticon bully at Maccadam's Oil Bar reinvogrates their fighting spirit. Impactor is also violently introduced to the three Triple Changers; Springer, Broadside and Sandstorm; who will join him in battle.
On Earth, Starscream awakes within the Ark to find Megatron allied with the Autobots against Galvatron. Impressed with tales of the future Decepticon leader, he runs off to join him. Megatron and the Autobots proceed to capture Scourge and organise a trade for Jazz. Galvatron tests his new weapon on the Nemesis and gives the Autobots a remote controlled Jazz who proceeds to defeat them. Starscream surprises and incapacitates Megatron and Soundwave, who are investigating Galvatron's weapon. Unicron subliminally influences Hot Rod, Kup and Blurr to go from 2006 to 1986, displacing Shockwave, Thundercracker and Frenzy. They explain to Ultra Magnus the cause of everything, and Magnus distracts Galvatron away from his weapon whilst the future Autobots proceed to sabotage it.[3]
Magnus is defeated, but the Autobots manage to destroy Galvatron's weapon. Galvatron is duped into blaming and killing Skywarp, who has been planted to impersonate Starscream. He realises that in killing the Decepticon responsible for his eventual rise, his actions here will have no effect in his altered future and so he returns to 2006. The future Autobots return as well, whilst Unicron gives a subliminal hint to the Earth-based Autobots of that era to build an Autobot City on Earth. Optimus Prime also returns. On Cybertron, Megatron orders the Decepticons to retreat from the battle, although a rogue Decepticon named Macabre manages to assassinate Impactor.
IDW Publishing
As part of their The Transformers: Generations line, reprinting older Marvel Transformers tales, IDW Publishing will be reprinting the storyline. The first issue was released on April 18, 2007.[4]
References and Notes
- ↑ Prologue. When writing the story Simon Furman only had access to a treatment of The Transformers: The Movie and so it is dated to 2006, rather than the 2005 date given onscreen. Subsequent stories in the UK comic would maintain the 2006 setting for the movie, as did introduction and letters pages.
- ↑ The entire episode of Jetfire's attack is told in flashback by Ironhide in Part 3. Part 5 shows that Megatron didn't give him a warm welcome.
- ↑ Epilogue: Aftermath (Part 10)
- ↑ "IDW Publishing for April". Comics Continuum. 2007-01-03. Retrieved 2007-02-08.
