Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)
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Transformers: Generation 2 is a series published by Marvel Comics from 1993 to 1994, in support of the Generation 2 toyline re-launch. Set in the same continuity as the original G1 book, it directly continues that book's story, introducing a new generation of Cybertronians that threaten the Autobots and Decepticons alike.
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Overview
When Hasbro brought back the Transformers toy line in 1993, they turned to Marvel Comics to once again produce a comic tie-in. This time, Marvel chose to build interest in the book by introducing the new storyline as part of its existing G.I. Joe comic. Over the course of 5 issues, Megatron, last seen crashing into Earth in issue #78 of the original U.S. series, returned, and was upgraded into his "G2" form, a tank, by Cobra. Several Autobots were sent to deal with the returned Decepticon leader, which led into the ongoing Transformers: Generation 2 series.
Elsewhere, an entirely separate race of Transformers, descended from the Decepticons, who prefer to think of themselves as Cybertronians, are discovered in the far reaches of known space. The Autobots find themselves attempting to deal with this new threat, while also struggling to protect the Earth from the danger posed by the "original" Decepticons.
Amidst these threats, Optimus Prime has troubling premonitions that hint at the coming of yet another menace. Autobots and Decepticons must unite against the Cybertronians and their deadly off-shoot, the Swarm.
Notes
- The series made a very deliberate change of direction for the franchise, bringing it into the 1990s (known as the Dark Age of comics) with extreme violence and carnage, huge guns, gritty plot lines, and a fair amount of gratuitous character death.
- This series came about at the time of great volatility in the comics industry, and was only guaranteed a 12-issue run. It was canceled after the series did not sell as well as expected, but was allowed to finish out the promised 12 issues. Amusingly enough, those low numbers that Generation 2 sold back then would constitute a mega-blockbuster hit nowadays.
- Furman named the character Jhiaxus (as in "Gee, axe us!") in "anticipation" of Marvel's unrealistic goals for the book leading to an almost assured cancellation.
- As with many Transformers stories, humans were targeted during the course of the G2 comic — first by the Decepticons, then the Cybertronian Empire, then the Swarm — culminating in the bombardment of San Francisco. Beast Wars co-story-editor Larry DiTillio would later prefer to envision the end of this series as actually having caused the total extinction of the human species. DiTillio in turn developed his own background for the Vok as being descendants of the Swarm, now attempting to make amends for wiping out humankind.
Creative team
The series was written by Simon Furman, picking up where he'd left off at the end of the G1 book. Derek Yaniger initially did the pencils, but as he reportedly missed deadlines, Manny Galan picked up much of his slack. Yaniger did do most of the covers, however.