This issue opens with Starscream and the Seekers returning to the Decepticons' new base with Sparkplug so he can create for them the process of converting gasoline into energon that he was going to create for the Autobots. In yet more thought-bubbling, Megatron exposits that his fusion cannon is the reason his leadership over the Decepticons is assured. He views Starscream's "services" as necessary for now but anticipates a time when he can rid himself of the would-be "assassin" (his words).
Salicrup cleverly uses Sparkplug as a way to remind us that the Decepticons are like "modern man trying to hack it back in cavemen days." They need fuel, but they stripped the Harrison nuclear plant for parts for their base instead of using its nuclear power capabilities to create energon. We also learn Sparkplug was a POW in Korea! Sparkplug initially refuses to help Megatron, but after Megatron has Laserbeak train his eyebeams on him Sparkplug relents.
Buster leaves behind Jesse and O at his father's garage to accompany the Autobots to the Ark. We need to straighten out Buster again here as Jesse notes that he's sensitive, but he's also "so brave" for going with the Autobots in the hope that they can save his father. Brave equals straight so we're all good.
Because it's 1984, Spider-Man has an obligatory guest appearance, but this one makes more sense than his other ones during this era. (I read a lot of Spider-Man guest appearances at this time, usually on failing or new series.) Joe Roberston sends Peter to join the media phalanx surrounding Decepticon headquarters, hoping his experience taking Spidey photos will mean he can get some great action shots. Peter changes into his Spidey costume to get closer to the action, as the media are behind the U.S. military, which surrounds the headquarters. The Decepticons rebuff the military's offer to talk and then engage them in combat.
As he scouts the location, Spidey encounters Gears, who's grumbling that he doesn't even care about the humans. After Spidey discovers that Gears isn't the enemy, Gears explains that the Decepticons are hoping to strip Earth from resources to fuel their war with the Autobots. (I enjoyed Gears complaining that Spidey, like Bluestreak, likes the sound of his own voice.) Gears and Spidey invade the Decepticons' headquarters to get Sparkplug while the Autobots intervene on the military's behalf, despite the military shooting at every Transformer willy-nilly.
Gears' crankiness is a great foil for Spider-Man, making it feel like one of his Wolverine team-ups. Gears comes to appreciate how Spidey's acrobatics and chatter create enough of a distraction for him to take out Ravage and Soundwave. Megatron is obviously another order of magnitude in terms of difficulty, and Spidey is upset when Gears seemingly sacrifices himself to save Sparkplug after Megatron shoots out the floor beneath them. Interestingly, Gears is resurrectable here, after the Autbots collect all his pieces. I wonder how future issues will address that.
At any rate, we get a great cliffhanger (heh) as Gears awakens with enough energy to inform the Autobots that Megatron got what he wanted from Sparkplug. Say it ain't so, Dad!
The issues contains a lot of narrating the Transformers' abilities that seems clearly connected to selling the toys. On the Decepticon side, Buzzsaw uses his "diamond-hard, micro-serrated edged beak" to take out an Air Force jet, Skywarp teleports to evade a jet, and Thundercracker uses his "defining sonic book" to stun the Army soldiers. (The Seekers are so definitely the coolest Transformers in school). Gears uses "a cushion of compressed air" to land after saving a group of reporters by grabbing a tank that Thundercracker throws at them, and Sunstreaker's "shoulder-mounted, laser-guided, ground-to-air missile" takes out Skywarp. Frenzy - who explicitly calls Rumble his brother here - later knocks out Gears with his "high-pitched grating sound."
All in all, it's a pretty great issue, particularly with Spidey's appearance.
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