Survivors
From Transformers Wiki
| The name or term "Survivor" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see Survivor (disambiguation). |
The Survivors are the disgruntled remains of the Wreckers and Mayhem Attack Squad (plus Skids) following the Time Wars. All feeling abandoned and ignored by their comrades, Carnivac proposed they form their own breakaway faction and do their own thing.
The team's line-up is:
Springer appears to have been in charge as far as the Autobots were concerned, but Carnivac did not recognise his authority.
Contents |
Fiction
Marvel The Transformers comics
After Megatron stole the ship that had transported them to Earth the survivors set up base in a cave in California. Though able to communicate with Cybertron Springer had been unable to secure means to return to their home planet. Meanwhile, Carnivac and Catilla had teamed up with Snarler to do a little job for Scorponok, but returned to the cave with their new Pretender shells. Snarler was non too pleased to discover that his fellow Decepticons were pooling resources with Autobots. Despite this Carnivac suggested continuing to work together, on the grounds that their leaders on Cybertron had abandoned them. Springer agreed with these sentiments but when Inferno noticed a convoy of emergency vehicles heading to something 'big', the former leader of the Wreckers jumped at the chance for some action, whilst the Decepticons remained to discuss their situation. The Autobots discovered an emergency at a nuclear power plant caused by Skids, who was been chased by monsters, made reality from his own nightmares whilst in limbo. Believing himself linked to the creatures Skids was preparing to destroy the reactor figuring no one was safe while he lived. Springer and the others convinced Skids not to go through with his plan and helped fight the demonic creatures. Meanwhile, Snarler gave Carnivac an ultimatum; either kill Springer and his fellow Autobots or be branded a traitor and hunted down by the Decepticons. Springer chose this inopportune moment to call for help, initially Carnivac declined, to appease Snarler, but soon changed his mind and went with Catilla to help against the monsters. The Decepticon Pretenders turned the tide of the battle and, upon discovering that Skids would not be harmed in the process, the group were able to destroy the nightmare horde. Later at the base Carnivac was set to leave due to the threat posed by Snarler and the Decepticons. Springer stopped him however and offered both Catilla and Carnivac honorary Autobot status. While Catilla accepted, Carnivac declined but agreed to stay with the group on his own terms. Survivors!
The Survivors apparently travelled around helping out the human populace where they could. Ever the warrior, Carnivac did not enjoy this new role and things came to a head in Dallas, Texas when he took his frustrations out on Springer. Carnivac left the Autobots and soon found the action he was craving. A local human told him of a mechanical Hellhound that was attacking his town. Though Carnivac didn't relish the saving of the town, he was bruising for a fight and so went to help. He soon demolished the mindless mech only to discover it was pawn of the new Mayhem Attack Squad, hoping to flush out the Survivors. Way of the Warrior Carnivac briefly skirmished with Bludgeon but was saved by the intervention of the US Army who had come to deal with the Hellhound. Carnivac took his chance and fled to the Mexican desert while the Mayhems dealt with humans in typical brutal fashion. Nearby the local man ran into the rest of the Survivors and told them of Carnivac's plight. Catilla went to help but, still angry at Carnivac's earlier departure, Springer refused to help. The Mayhems soon caught up with Carnivac who briefly got the better of Needlenose, unfortunately Octopunch threatened to kill some locals if Carnivac did not give himself up. Ashamed at having left the US soldiers to their fate Carnivac decided to give up, much to Octopunch's shock. Survival Run Before Octopunch could deliver the final death blow a local man drove his truck into him, in thanks for Carnivac's earlier selflessness. However the explosion attracted the rest of the Mayhems and Carnivac decided to stay and make his last stand. Elsewhere Springer had had a change of heart but was unable to find Carnivac or Catilla. Carnivc fought bravely but Spinister had realized Carnivac's weakness and shot at the fleeing townsfolk. Carnivac managed to leap in front of the blast to protect the humans leaving him injured and at the mercy of the Mayhems new leader. At the last moment Catilla was able to leap to his friends rescue and attacked Spinister. Bludgeon flung his sword at the new arrival, piercing his pretender shell and mortally wounding him. Incensed, Carnivac attacked his comrade's assassin savagely. As the rest of the Survivors arrived the Mayhems retreated. As Catilla died Carnivac swore vengeance. A Savage Place!
Earthforce
Carnivac soon put his plan of vengeance into effect. He was easily able to breach the Mayhem's island base and its defences killing Needlenose in his quarters. Cry Wolf! Carnivac stalked the other Mayhems hoping to pick them off one by one. With only Bludgeon alone he chose him as his next target. However the Master of Metallikato was able to avoid the initial attack and reach his sword. With the other Mayhems made aware of Carnivac's presence he quickly retreated. The Mayhems soon found him and Spinister blasted the wolf to pieces. Back at the Survivors base, Springer was frustrated that Carnivac had once again gone off on his own, ignoring the Autobot's more patient strategy. Broadside and the others convinced their leader that they must help by asking the Earthforce for assistance. Wolf in the Fold! Despite misgivings, Grimlock was convinced to help the Survivors and provided warriors and transport for the mission. At the Mayhem's base Snarler gloated over Carnivac's remains but was himself killed by some falling debris. On the beach Bludgeon bemoaned the manner of Carnivac's death but was soon distracted by the arrival of the Survivors and Earthforce who quickly attacked the Decepticons. While Bludgeon, Octopunch and Stranglehold fought the invaders Spinister decided to retreat, considering his mission on Earth complete. His plan was soon thwarted as he was shot in the chest. Back at the beach the Autobots were victorious, as Springer was about to execute Bludgeon he was stopped by Carnivac who had survived by fooling the Mayhem's by sacrificing his pretender shell. Prowl praised Carnivac's mercy but the Decepticon denied any such sentiment and preferred to think of his act as denying the remaining Mayhems their warrior deaths. Their fallen comrade avenged the Survivors joined the Earthforce under Grimlock's command. Where Wolf?
Though working within the Earthforce whole, the group often worked together as a unit and even still referred to themselves as Survivors. Together they were able to foil Starscream's attack on an oil tanker in the Gulf of Mexico. Divide and Conquer!
Notes
- The assumption that their respective factions have abandoned the Survivors is a bit paranoid. Carnivac and Catilla worked for Scorponok with no problems so it is unclear why they could not have just joined the Earth bound Decepticons. As for the Autobots, the Ark-based contingent had to deal with the Underbase powered Starscream which decimated their ranks while the Cybertronian Autobots couldn't even muster a ship to get them to Galvatron in the first place, let alone send one to pick up the Survivors.
- Having said that, with Prime's ranks depleted, it is odd that he wouldn't accept Springer et al. into the fold, especially when the Matrix Quest stretched his forces even further.
- The shuttle that Broadside, Inferno and Sandstorm arrived in was never seen again. There is no explanation given for its absence but presumably this could have returned them to Cybertron if it was still around. Perhaps Inferno forgot where they parked it.
- The Survivors storyline eventually merges with Earthforce which poses continuity headaches to anyone trying to reconcile events. See the Earthforce page for more details.
- Though Carnivac constantly refuses to become an Autobot by "Divide and Conquer!" he is calling himself an ex-Decepticon.
- Skids is the only Survivor to subsequently appear, albeit briefly, in the main Marvel Comics continuity.
- It is unknown if the group are fans of Gloria Gaynor.
Foreign names
- Japanese: Survivors (サバイバーズ Sabaibāzu)
