Comics Bon-Bon Manga Summary for May, 1999 - Beast Wars Neo As usual, the manga seems to be in a parallel universe from the anime, much like the US comic wasn't in the same world as the cartoon. This issue, we skip right to the first mission of the new crew, with little or no explanation of how we got there from the events of last issue. No translator help again this time, but there's not much plot here, just a lot of fight scenes. Page 1: The story opens with the crew of the Gung Ho trapped in some kind of strange hyperspace by the machinations of Magmatron. They float about in null-gee wondering what's up. Page 2: Lioconvoy's voice comes to Big Convoy from beyond. He's apparently trapped in combat with Galvatron outside of reality, and Galvatron is using Magmatron as his agent. Page 3: Lioconvoy explains how to control the warpspace effect and generally lays out the plot devices for the series. If Magmatron collects enough Angolmois energy, Something Bad will happen. Page 4: The warp object turns off and they drop into normal space. The ship's artificial gravity reasserts itself, and everyone goes splat. They're in space near a strange pyramidal planetoid. Page 5: They get their bearings and start to take readings on the pyramid planet. Big Convoy's little lackey provides some information and suggestions. Page 6: Big Convoy makes a command decision that EVERYONE else thinks is moronic or at least suicidal. They desperately try to convince him to change his mind, but are interrupted by the lackey, who points out the arrival of something else. Page 7: That something else is Dynasoar (spelling variable, I like my version), the Destron carrier. It has dropped out of nowhere and interposed itself between the Gung Ho and the pyramid. Page 8: Everyone panicks. The Dynasoar's guns pop out. Big Convoy takes the controls. Heinrad says something prophetic and generally not helpful at all. Page 9: Evasive maneuvers! All unsecured Cybertrons bounce and roll around the cabin. Page 10: The Dynasoar's guns are starting to get the hang of Big Convoy's evasive tactics, and the ship shudders under multiple hits. Stampy cowers in a corner. Break eventually loses it and asks Big Convoy what he plans to do about it. Nothing. Break REALLY loses it now. Page 11: Big Convoy orders everyone to the escape pods. He's taking the ship on a ramming course. After a moment of stunned silence, the others all race to the pods, which are shot out of a gun barrel and look like flying jetskis. Page 12: As his pod races towards the pyramid, Break watches as the Gung Ho is destroyed (apparently, anyway). Page 13: Aboard the Dynasoar, Sling reports the Gung Ho has been destroyed, and indulges in some evil laughter. Magmatron doesn't believe it has been so simple, slamming his fist on the arm of his throne and ordering "D" to report. Page 14: D, apparently the ship computer, replies that escape pods were launched at the planet below. Magmatron decides to send someone down to deal with this, and Dead End volunteers. Page 15: Inside the pyramid is a desert world with two suns. The Cybertrons swelter in the minimal shade offered by an old fortress and discuss just how bad their situation is. Page 16: Heinrad speaks up, and whatever it was he says, it gets Longrack thinking. If the Destrons want this place enough to defend it, it stands to reason there might be either a ship there, or at least something better than this old fort. He whacks Stampy on the back of the head to activate his scanners, and they start to study the map that projects from Stampy's right eye. Meanwhile, Heinrad remembers something from his future and wanders off. Page 17: Outside, the Gung Ho rests on one of the asteroids floating around the pyramid planet. Big Convoy discusses options with his lackey. Page 18: More discussion, Big Convoy decides to go in after his troops. Page 19: The Cybertrons trudge towards their destination, and suddenly Break spots an oasis between them and a structure that seems to be their goal. Huzzah! They all race for the water and dive in. Then, in Warner Brothers fashion, Heinrad points out that it's only a mirage. Page 20: Ffff! They're in sand. Break has a beak full of sand, and is generally having a very bad time of it. He decides to just lie down and wait for death, rescue or whatever. Then he realizes Corahda's gone. Page 21: Everyone spreads out to look for their teammate. Longrack jumps back and transforms just in time to avoid being nailed by Dead End's landmine mode. Page 22: Dead End flies through the air and slams into Longrack anyway, then hits Heinrad, Break and Stampy before turning into ammonite mode. Page 23: Corahda bursts out of his hiding place in the sand and transforms. Turns out he knew it was sand all along, and was enjoying a quick burrow himself...good thing, too, since it leaves him the only unhurt Cybertron. Page 24: An Angolmois energy capsule rises out of the sand (as does some more scenery...what continuity editor?) or something, and he transforms to robot mode, squaring off against Corahda. Page 25: Outside in the asteroids, Big jumps from rock to rock in mammoth mode, then transforms and launches himself against the walls of the pyramid planet. Page 26: Big dramatic leap for Big, then cut back to the battle inside. Pages 26-31: Corahda and Dead End fight in a very hyperkinetic "Street Fighter" style, but Dead End gets the upper hand when he launches his shell bomb just as Corahda's kicking it to pieces. This opening lets Dead End get in some devastating strikes that leave Corahda out cold. Page 31: Dead End bows to his fallen foe, then Sling comes out from behind the Angolmois capsule and gloats. Page 32: They're all to be killed. Dead End objects to this, apparently having a bit more honor than Sling. Before the two Destrons can resolve this ideological conflict, it starts raining whupass. Page 33: Big Convoy drops out of the "sky" firing his cannon but being careful not to hit the capsule. Dead End and Sling manage to teleport away with the capsule, although Sling seems to be taken a bit by surprise in this. Page 34: Big helps Corahda up, then reveals the ship is okay, and they should be getting back to it. Break's not exactly happy that he didn't tell them about the fake explosion play...it's a breach of trust. But before he can squawk further, Longrack falls into a sinkhole! To be continued.... Dave Van Domelen, got Moon today but doesn't feel there's really anything to review...pretty weak toy with a moderately interesting gimmick (one-eyed Viewmaster-like display).