Title: The Enemy Within – Shock Developments! (Part 2 of this 5-part story)

Original Release Date: March 23, 1985

When did I first read it: Some years ago while catching up on the old comics

Cover

Instead of one panel from the issue being chosen as the cover image, this time we have 3, one of them with a speech bubble. I much prefer cover images that are specifically made, but this cover at least does offer a preview of what to expect without spoiling too much (as it only covers one side of the story arc, the Autobots’/Brawn’s).

Content & Thoughts

The 2 story threads continue going side by side. On the Decepticons’ side, after being informed by a badly damaged Ravage, Megatron and the other Decepticons go after Starscream and confront him. Meanwhile, the Autobots set out to bring Brawn, who is on a rampage in a human town, back to their base. Both parties find their respective targets at the end of the issue.

The pace of the story is pretty quick, the art is dynamic and well-drawn, the main issue being the models used for some of the bots, as they are very (too) close to their toy designs. Brawn and his arms/hands being the worst example of this, in my opinion. In terms of characterization, there isn’t much besides Starscream and Brawn, as they are the main focus of this story, though Optimus seems harsher in tone than what I’m used to from later comics. Given how early in the comics this was, some deviation isn’t surprising. Brawn’s insanity caused by the accident is portrayed nicely and it even seemed to be getting worse during the issue.

Next Up

UK Issue #15 – Part 3 of “The Enemy Within!”