Marvel Comics USA Series

Writer: Jim Salicrup
Pencils: Frank Springer
Inks: Kim DeMulder
Colours: Nelson Yomtov
Letters: Janice Chiang
Editor: Bob Budiansky

Originally published: September 1984

Summary
The Decepticons are plotting to take over a power plant, and Megatron sends Ravage to spy on the complex. Bizarrely, a man recording a progress report on cassette reaches the end of the tape, and Ravage is luckily on hand to transform and stick himself in the recorder! What are the chances of THAT happening, eh?

After Ravage reports back to Megatron, the penny finally drops to the Decep that the “humans” are in control. And with that bombshell, they decide to blow stuff up. Rumble then causes the whole complex to fall apart with his good vibrations, and the other Deceps carry it all away.

Meanwhile, in the Garage, Sparkplug is convinced that Buster’s fat friend “O” is making strange voices from the car. But Buster pleads with him to fix it, and eventually he does. Bumblebee transforms, responding to a barrage of Sparkplug’s queries with the classic reply of “do all small pink things ask so many questions?” Sparkplug then indirectly offers to convert petrol into a fuel source that the Transformers can use, and Buster goes off in Bumblebee to see the Ark.

Buster’s girlfriend, Jesse, is talking with “O” (complete with ghetto blaster on his shoulder – get hip with the 80’s lingo, youngsters!) when Ravage recognises them and transforms into a cassette to hide in the tape machine – see, kids, transforming into a cassette tape really IS useful!!!!! They run into Buster & Bumblebee, and tell him about the attack on the power plant, and Buster reveals that Sparkplug is going to come up with a fuel conversion process. Bumblebee goes off to warn the Autobots about the Deceps’ plan, while Ravage goes off to warn the Decepticons about the Autobots’ fuel process…

The Autobots decide to try and trade technology for fuel (and in an intriguing sub-plot, Mirage wonders if he’s on the wrong side…). Bumblebee contacts the Ark, and the Autobots roll out to meet him…

Meanwhile, Megatron discovers from Ravage that Sparkplug is going to help the Autobots. He puts his feelings across with “we must have that human! Either he converts fuel for the Decepticon cause or he dies!”

The Autobots, witlessly, decide to visit Sparkplug just as the Decepticons attack [are you spotting a pattern here yet?] but their main mission is to capture Sparkplug. In the ensuing battle, Mirage comes up against Ravage, and tries to convince him that all Transformers should stick together. This conversation is cut short when Brawn smacks Ravage in the doggy jaw.

Megatron, satisfyingly, then smacks Bumblebee across the head and takes Sparkplug hostage. Prime responds, causing Megs to drop Sparkplug, but Starscream conveniently turns up to snatch him away. With their mission accomplished, Megatron orders the Decepticons to retreat. Buster pleads with Prime to chase them, but the Autobots are so low on fuel that they can barely stand…

Synopsis by Acid Pellets