The Arrival issue 2

« Transformers Animated: The Arrival #2 »
I will break you!
Publisher	IDW Publishing
First published	September 10, 2008
Cover date	September 2008
Written by	Marty Isenberg
Art by	Marcelo Matere (on "Whatever Happened To Whatisname?")
Pencils by	Dario Brizuela (on "Attention Surplus Disorder")
Inks by	Leandro Corral (on "Attention Surplus Disorder")
Colors by	Liam Shalloo (on "Attention Surplus Disorder")
Letters by	Chris Mowry
Edits by	Denton J. Tipton
Continuity	Animated cartoon continuity

Bumblebee finds out there's someone who craves attention more than him, while Starscream meets Professor Princess.

"Attention Surplus Disorder"

Synopsis

A used car salesman is broadcasting a commercial and slams his hand on the hood of a yellow car—which happens to be Bumblebee. Realizing he's on camera, Bee shows off while Prowl insists he stop bringing attention to himself. As they drive off, Angry Archer attempts to rob the lot but is scared into submission by a superhero named The Wraith. However, Bumblebee and Prowl return, steal The Wraith's thunder, and unwittingly expose him as a hack by revealing his mysterious secrets as technology broadcast from a van. The Wraith is humiliated on camera, and the Autobots comically discuss the situation.

Later, The Wraith tries to stop an attack by Colossus Rhodes, but Rhodes has seen the broadcast and dumps The Wraith out of the van. Before The Wraith can be crushed, he is saved by Bumblebee, who adds insult to injury and proceeds to defeat Rhodes. The Wraith silently wishes to see Bumblebee boiled alive. The other Autobots arrive, and the crowds ignore The Wraith to get the Autobots' autographs.

The Autobots quickly replace The Wraith as Detroit's new heroes, and the final straw is reached when The Wraith's Alma Mater, the University of Michigan, snub him to feature a halftime show with Bumblebee (who's now sporting U of M's logo). The Wraith seeks revenge, first tricking Bumblebee with a phony emergency and applying wheel boots, which keep him from transforming. Next, The Wraith stages an attack by Bumblebee at the halftime show using holograms broadcast from the hover-billboard blimps. The Autobots see the fracas and contact Bumblebee, who eventually breaks free and disables The Wraith's projectors. The Wraith attempts to crash the blimp into Bumblebee, but the other Autobots arrive, saving the day and catching The Wraith. As The Wraith is hauled away, Bumblebee feels bad, since all The Wraith wanted was attention, which he later receives through monitors at an insane asylum.

Featured characters

(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)

Quotes

• None yet identified.

Errors

• Considering where Bumblebee's wheels are in robot mode, the wheel boots shouldn't hinder his transformation, much less prevent it, nor should they break off when he goes to robot mode. On the other hand, this issue would have about a half-dozen blank pages had the boots not done what the Wraith planned them to.

Items of note

• Despite the main focus of Cover B, Sentinel Prime does not appear inside this issue.
• The text "Midnight Madness Blowout Sale" on the opening page uses the same font as the Beast Wars logo.
• Among the used cars there is a van resembling G1 Ironhide's alt-mode.
• The truck Colossus Rhodes throws at the cops resembles G1 Optimus Prime.
• The Wraith mentions "The Ghost in the Machine".
• Colossus Rhodes threatens to break the Wraith in two. Sound familiar?

"Whatever Happened To Whatisname?"

Synopsis

Starscream awakens, only to find himself in a forest and trapped in stasis lock. He flashes back to his fight with Optimus and wonders how things could possibly get any worse. He finds out when Professor Princess pops up in front of him. Starscream orders her to power him up, but she promptly blasts him in the face. He tries a new tactic and attempts to sweet-talk her. The Professor agrees to fix him up... and a few seconds later, Starscream is wearing a wig and covered in makeup. To add insult to injury, she shoots him again. Fortunately, the blast is enough to reactivate some of his systems, and Starscream is freed from stasis lock. He grabs the Professor and prepares to incinerate her... until she threatens to transmit the image of Starscream in his wig across at least the world, if not the galaxy. Having had enough trouble for one day, Starscream lets her go and flies away... not realizing she's also decorated his wings.

Featured characters

(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)

Quotes

• None yet identified.

Errors

• None yet identified.

Items of note

• None yet identified.

Covers (3)

• Cover A: Colossus Rhodes battles Bumblebee and the police; art by Irineo Maramba & colors by Kersti Myrberg.
• Cover B: Sentinel Prime looks over holograms of the Earthbound Autobots; art by Marcelo Matere.
• Incentive Cover RI: Bulkhead stock art

• 

  To all my little Hulkamaniacs, say your prayers, take your vitamins and you will never go wrong.

• 

  Whoa-oh! Surprise hug from Mr. Freaky-Big!

• 

  Get ready to have a ball!

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