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[[quoteright:350:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/dark_cybertron_5299.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:350:The final cataclysm is at hand... at ''my'' hand.]]
''Dark Cybertron'' is the [[Creator/IDWPublishing IDW]] 12-Issue CrisisCrossover event of 2013-2014 for their Franchise/{{Transformers}} Series, ''[[ComicBook/TheTransformersMoreThanMeetsTheEye More than Meets the Eye]]'' and ''[[ComicBook/TransformersRobotsInDisguise Robots in Disguise]]''.
On Cybertron, the political turmoil that has become commonplace in the lives of its inhabitants is put aside as emotionless mastermind Shockwave summons a massive, undead Metrotitan from the bowels of Crystal City. Starscream, now ruler of New Iacon, sends a desperate plea for help to those he hopes may yet survive beyond the stars...
In the depths of space, the ''Lost Light'' rescues Orion Pax and his team from the collapsing Gorlam Prime. After a brief concurrence, the crews split up to deal with two unfolding crises. Orion and Rodimus lead a team into the Dead Universe through the portal created by the planet's destruction to thwart ancient despot Nova Prime's plans for conquest, while Ultra Magnus and the ''Lost Light''ers heed a cry of help from the mighty Metroplex. Little do any of them know that Shockwave's influence runs deep... and none of them suspect the terrifying scale of his true plan.
The 12-issue series is co-written by John Barber, of [[ComicBook/TransformersRobotsInDisguise RID]], and James Roberts, of [[ComicBook/TheTransformersMoreThanMeetsTheEye MTMTE]], with art by several artists, including Phil Jimenez. The relevant characters can be found [[Characters/TransformersRobotsInDisguise here]] and [[Characters/TheTransformersMoreThanMeetsTheEye here]].
It is followed by the ''ComicBook/TransformersWindblade'' mini-series which deals with the aftermath of the events in Cybertron.
!!This crossover event provides example of:
----
* [[ActionFilmQuietDramaScene Action Comic, Quiet Drama Scene]]: Starscream talking to Metalhawk's body as it lays in state.
** Issue 10 is almost completely comprised of such moments (overlapping with BreatherEpisode).
* ActionGirl: This crossover marks the formal introduction of the second, third, and fourth known female transformers in this universe, and all of them are capable of kicking your ass.
* AdaptationalHeroism: [[WesternAnimation/BeastMachines Tankor]] has gone from TheBrute and later DiabolicalMastermind to a HeroicNeutral.
* AGodAmI: Nova Prime still has this mindset.
** [[spoiler:Shockwave, while superpowered.]]
* AlasPoorVillain: [[spoiler:Shockwave, who regains his former personality too late and has Optimus and Megatron kill him to stop the time drive from destroying the galaxy.]]
* AlwaysABiggerFish: The 'bots are fighting the smaller Ammonites, which then combine into a huge mecha bigger than the "Rod Pod". Lampshaded by Skids himself.
* UsefulNotes/AmericanAccents: Rattrap sports a Bronx accent, fitting for being a rat.
* AMillionIsAStatistic: Invoked. Shockwave berates Megatron for caring more for [[spoiler:Bumblebee]]'s death than all the others that died by his hands or his orders. Then Shockwave proclaims he truly considers all life equal, and even assigned it a quantifiable value-- zero.
** Once again invoked by Starscream, [[spoiler:after Metalhawk [[HeroicSacrifice sacrifices his life]] to destroy the 70 billion Ammonites in one fell swoop.]] It should be noted that Starscream's only trying to paint him in a negative light.
-->'''Starscream:''' Are you '''kidding?''' [[spoiler:Metalhawk ''murdered'' 70 billion sentient beings. They had ''names'', they had ''friends'', they had ''dreams''. But to Metalhawk - they were just '''numbers'''. When you think about it, he was just another genocidal despot vying for control.]]
* AnArmAndALeg: Several 'bots and 'cons end up losing one or more limbs once the Necrotitan fires its first salvo.
** Skids loses his arms in the fight against the Ammonites.
** [[spoiler:Nova Prime]] loses an arm right before being killed.
* AnyoneCanDie: Not so present in the beginning, but it really comes into effect in the final act.
* ApocalypseHow: [[spoiler: Shockwave could've caused a metaphysical level apocalypse on the rest of the galaxy if he hadn't been stopped in time. Metalhawk ends up indirectly causing a minor societal apocalypse on the Stentarians, as his sacrifice ends up taking all of the Ammonites with him.]]
* AntiVillain: Soundwave is shaping up to be one.
* AscendedExtra: Dreadwing was just a minor Decepticon, now he's on the cover of the series. Barber and Roberts addressed this in an interview, stating that, in addition to having a new toy, they made him more important because they chose him at random from a wealth of obscure characters.
* AttackOfThe50FootWhatever: The Necrotitan.
* BackFromTheDead: Metalhawk and Nightbeat.
* BackToBackBadasses: Arcee and Whirl during the battle against [[spoiler: the second Ammonite horde.]]
* BadassInDistress: Megatron until he was rescued, [[spoiler:Metroplex]] until he was repaired and re-energized, Galvatron until he was discarded.
* BadassGrandpa: Kup.
* BadGuysDoTheDirtyWork: Inverted. [[spoiler:Shockwave wanted Nova Prime dead, but it's Orion who ultimately kills him... after being lured to the Dead Universe portal on Gorlam Prime by Jhiaxus, himself acting on Shockwave's orders.]]
* BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor: Starscream realizing that being the leader is not what it seems to be.
* TheBechdelTest: Passes with flying colors. Nautica and Chromia's very first conversation has little to nothing to do with men, instead being immature bickering.
* BerserkButton: For Prowl, anything to do with the Decepticons, and Bumblebee's style of leadership.
* BigBad: Seems to be Shockwave at first, then [[BigBadDuumvirate Nova Prime and Galvatron]] get involved. [[spoiler:It actually ''is'' Shockwave, though-- he was merely cooperating with them to further his own ends.]]
* BigDamnHeroes: The Lost Light crew arrives in the nick of time to save Orion Pax and his crew from being dragged into Gorlam Prime's gravity well.
** The ''Lost Light'' and Metroplex bridging to Cybertron is another example.
** Prowl and the Constructicons [[spoiler:forming Devastator]] to stop Monstructor.
** [[spoiler:Optimus Prime, Kup, Nightbeat, Rodimus and Cyclonus break into the main universe through the Dead Universe portal in Brainstorm's chest and take care of Bludgeon in short order.]]
* BigGood: Orion Pax.
* BondVillainStupidity: Subverted. Shockwave's assumption that [[spoiler:Galvatron]] is no longer a threat doesn't come back to bite him at all.
* BreatherEpisode: Issue 10, for the most part.
* BrokenPedestal: The Primes to the population, including Optimus himself, for the most part -- still, most realize that [[RebuiltPedestal Optimus embodies what Primes SHOULD be]], rather than what they actually were.
** [[spoiler:Megatron to Soundwave after the former's HeelRealization, which Soundwave sees as Megatron betraying his own ideals.]]
* TheBusCameBack: Galvatron, Nova Prime, [[spoiler:Nightbeat]], Metroplex, and [[spoiler:Kup.]]
** Chromia disappeared after her cameo in Megatron Origin, and finally returns here.
* CallBack:
** Whirl says Cyclonus should totally promise to kill Hardhead when he least expects it for calling him a coward, referencing to the promise Cyclonus once did to kill him back in MTMTE #2.
** Rodimus offers Ultra Magnus a Weak Energon Spritzer, a drink referenced by Tailgate as something Ultra Magnus would drink in MTMTE#6, and also referencing the fact that Magnus CantHoldHisLiquor, as seen in MTMTE #13.
** [[spoiler:Metroplex's Thumb]], first seen in ''Spotlight: Trailcutter''.
** Ultra Magnus references his travels with [[ComicBook/TheTransformersLastStandOfTheWreckers Verity Carlo]].
** Prowl confuses Ravage for a dog, similar to what Andy did back in ''ComicBook/TheTransformersAllHailMegatron''.
* CasualDangerDialogue: During the battle in Shockwave's HQ, Arcee and Blitzwing trade barbs with one another.
* ChekhovsGun:
** [[spoiler:Metroplex's thumb.]]
** [[spoiler:Turmoil's time machine.]]
** Skywarp's teleportation. He was stabbed by Arcee back in ComicBook/TransformersRobotsInDisguise and mentioned having problems keeping himself together. When they engage Shockwave, he loses control of his Teleportation and vanishes altogether in Issue 5. [[spoiler: He comes back in Issue 10, having regained control of his power, and rescues Metalhawk and Waspinator, taking them (as well as the information on Shockwave's plan) back to the city.]]
* ChekhovsGunman: Tailpipe makes his debut, although he was mentioned as early as Issue 12 in [[ComicBook/TheTransformersMoreThanMeetsTheEye MTMTE]].
** The Ammonites show up again to battle the ''Lost Light'' crew. [[spoiler:Twice.]]
** [[spoiler:[[SpannerInTheWorks Skywarp]].]]
* TheChessmaster: Shockwave has been putting the pieces in place since before the events of ComicBook/TheTransformersIDW.
* TheChosenOne: Starscream, apparently, given that the Titan reacted to him and TheProphecy.
* CombiningMecha: The Ammonites.
* ContinuityNod: Garnak and Rodimus have a happy reunion after the time they spent as crewmates back in ComicBook/TheTransformersIDW.
** In part 5, mention is made of Tailgate recovering after the end of "Remain In Light".
** [[http://sonicaseekermercenaria.tumblr.com/post/79452700734 As confirmed]] by James Roberts, the cliff that Prowl and Chromedome meet on is the same one that Whirl and Cyclonus fought on in the first issue of MTMTE.
* CoolVsAwesome:
** Megatron vs. Galvatron. The former missing his legs at the time.
** [[spoiler:The Necrotitan vs Metroplex.]]
** [[spoiler:Nova vs. Orion-- no, wait, OPTIMUS.]]
** [[spoiler:Megatron vs. God!Shockwave.]]
* CrisisCrossover: For the storylines in the two IDW ''Transformers'' ongoings.
* DarkMessiah: Starscream, unwillingly. [[spoiler:Shockwave, willingly.]]
* DeadAllAlong: [[spoiler:Brainstorm, as revealed by part 11. In fact, he's apparently been undead since right before issue 1 of ''More Than Meets The Eye''.]]
* DidYouJustScamCthulhu: [[spoiler:Turns out Galvatron and Nova Prime aren't actually behind everything-- that's just what Shockwave wanted them to believe. In reality, he wanted Nova eliminated to make it easier to harness the Dead Universe's energies, and he intends to use Galvatron as a conduit for them…]]
* DependingOnTheArtist: Starscream's new design changes a lot depending on who's drawing him.
* {{Determinator}}: Arcee, who has spent most of Dark Cybertron without one of her legs and still kicking more ass than other fully-limbed 'bots.
** And Megatron, who hasn't let being legless slow him down.
* DiscOneFinalBoss: [[spoiler:Nova Prime and the Necrotitan.]]
* DragonAscendant: [[spoiler:Shockwave to Nova and Galvatron.]] Granted, he only made them believe he was their [[TheDragon Dragon]].
* [[invoked]]DudeNotFunny: Prowl smirking [[spoiler:at the news of Rewind's death]].
* [[spoiler:DyingAsYourself: Whether he is truly killed or not, Shockwave (after breaking free from the [[MindRape Shadowplay]]) asks Optimus and Megatron to gun him down to stop the collapse of time.]]
* DynamicEntry: Chromia and Nautica at the end of chapter 7. Doesn't get much more dynamic than hitting the Duly Appointed Enforcer Of The Tyrest Accord over the head on your way in.
** [[spoiler:Metroplex finally arriving to Cybertron, after getting jumpstarted by the ''Lost Light''.]]
* EldritchLocation: The Dead Universe.
* EldritchAbomination: The Necrotitan, though it wasn't always that way.
** Nova Prime, too (see HumanoidAbomination).
* EndOfAnEra: [[spoiler:For Nova Prime's attempted empire.]] However, there's a subversion with [[spoiler:the Age of Primes]], once [[spoiler:Orion reclaims his title as Optimus Prime.]]
* EnemyMine: The Autobots and Decepticons end up having to work together to stop Shockwave's scheme. Lampshaded by Shockwave, who notes how utterly predictable it was. Also lampshaded by Starscream.
-->'''Starscream:''' Well, that's a start. The enemy of my --
-->'''Soundwave:''' Silence, Starscream.
* [[BloodFromTheMouth Energon From The Mouth]]: Cyclonus, upon being infected by the Dead Universe.
* EtTuBrute: A revived Metalhawk pretty much lets Starscream have it for killing him in the first place.
* EvilPlan: Shockwave plans to [[spoiler:use all the functioning Regenesis Ores, in conjunction with the energies of the Dead Universe (using Galvatron), to essentially harness the rest of the galaxy to recharge Cybertron for eternity.]]
* EvilVsEvil: Megatron vs. Galvatron. Doubles as CoolVsAwesome.
* EvilVersusOblivion: Downplayed, The Decepticons are against Shockwave because he turned on them [[spoiler: they don't have knowledge of him wanting to end all creation outside of their planet]], though when Megatron finds out he's still against Shockwave.
* EyeScream: The "Rodpod" is taken into a trench in the foreign planet's sea, there they find a severed optic cable and [[spoiler:realize that the trench is really Metroplex's eye socket, now a gaping wound on his face.]]
* {{Expy}}:
** Nightbeat is very much one of [[Franchise/SherlockHolmes a certain fictional detective]]. Doubles as a SherlockHomage.
** Taken to their logical conclusion, and following Shockwave's description of the ore functions, Shockwave just created the Transformers version of [[spoiler:the [[ComicBook/TheInfinityGauntlet Infinity Gems]].]] And thus Shockwave himself becomes one of [[spoiler:{{ComicBook/Thanos}}.]]
* FamilyUnfriendlyDeath: [[spoiler:Hardhead]] is consumed by the Dead Universe when Nova Prime crushes his forcefield generator, disintegrating and blowing away on the wind.
** [[spoiler:Nova Prime himself]] gets an arm ripped off before having a huge hole punched in his chest in short order.
** Metroplex's defense systems utterly incinerate the Ammonite forces. [[spoiler:Well, the first ones.]]
** Shockwave kills [[spoiler:Bumblebee]] by blowing his chest apart from behind.
* FemmeFatalons: Arcee, after her upgrade.
* FinishingEachOthersSentences: Perceptor and Brainstorm start doing this.
* FlatEarthAtheist: Downplayed: Jhiaxus makes a point that the age of legend and myth is over and this is the era of Science, to contrast Cyclonus's more superstitious beliefs, but at this point most religious events could very well be chalked up to science.
* {{Foil}}: Whirl lampshades this about Cyclonus and himself in Dark Cybertron #1, when defending Cyclonus from Hardhead's criticism.
* FromACertainPointOfView: [[spoiler:Starscream labels himself as the savior of Cybertron towards the end of ''Dark Cybertron''. He is technically correct as it was his decision to call ''The Lost Light'' at the beginning what triggered a series of events which ends in Cybertron being saved. His ability to delegate jobs to the proper people is what made him a competent bureaucrat, and is the reason why he's still in power by the time ''ComicBook/TransformersWindblade'' rolls in.]]
** He's also [[JerkassHasAPoint right]] when he discusses [[spoiler:Metalhawk role in exterminating 70 billion Stentarians, easily half of their population, and how to Metalhawk they were just [[AMillionIsAStatistic numbers]], but each one of those had friends and families, as seen in ''ComicBook/TheTransformersMoreThanMeetsTheEye'' when Skids and Whirl meet several of them in Hedonia and share drinks with.]]
* GallowsHumor: Starscream, after being backstabbed by a revived Metalhawk.
-->'''Metalhawk''': "I '''trusted''' you. I '''befriended''' you. And you '''killed''' me the moment it '''suited''' you."
-->'''Starscream''':"Hey, if it's any '''consolation'''... I clearly '''didn't''' do a '''good job''' of it."
* GeniusLoci: The Dead Universe.
* GoshDangItToHeck: Ultra Magnus is trying to soften his image by using slang. Unfortunately his idea of slang is outdated terms that sound like they would be said by a 50's sitcom dad, like "What in blue blazes?".
* HalfTheManHeUsedToBe: Megatron gets ripped in half by Galvatron. [[MajorInjuryUnderreaction It slows him down a bit]].
* HandicappedBadass: [[AnArmAndALeg Arcee]], [[HalfTheManHeUsedToBe Megatron]], [[spoiler:[[IncurableCoughOfDeath Cyclonus]], Kup, and [[SyntheticPlague Metroplex]].]]
* HannibalLecture: Nova Prime towards Orion, during their duel. [[spoiler:It nearly overcomes Pax, but Rodimus manages to give him a second wind, resulting in an ''epic'' ShutUpHannibal.]]
* HeelRealization: [[spoiler: Megatron]] in issue 10.
-->[[spoiler:'''Megatron''':"I lost the war the moment I gave the order to fight."]]
* HeroicSacrifice: [[spoiler:Metalhawk and, ironically enough, Shockwave himself.]]
* HeroicSecondWind:
** [[spoiler:Orion against Nova Prime.]]
** [[spoiler:Metroplex lays the smacketh down once he gets his thumb back.]] ItMakesSenseInContext.
* HesBack: [[spoiler:Thanks to Rodimus' words, Orion Pax goes back to calling himself Optimus Prime after kicking Nova Prime's ass in Dark Cybertron #9.]]
* HumanoidAbomination: Nova Prime.
* IKnowYoureInThereSomewhereFight: Rodimus poses a riddle to Nightbeat as an attempt to break Nova Prime's control. It works.
** Later attempted against [[spoiler:Shockwave by Optimus. It doesn't work at first, but Megatron donning Bumblebee's Autobot symbol and declaring himself one causes him so much confusion that he loses control of the chronal drive, and his original personality reemerges.]]
* ImpaledWithExtremePrejudice: Happens twice. Waspinator is lucky and survives, [[spoiler:Jhiaxus]] isn't and doesn't.
* IncurableCoughOfDeath: Cyclonus seems to be heading that way for a bit, but ultimately he survives it.
* InfoDump: Orion Pax' monologue near the beginning of Dark Cybertron #1.
* InsistentTerminology: When Nova Prime call him Optimus, Orion corrects him by pointing out that he gave up the title of Prime. Nova doesn't care and keeps calling him Optimus anyway. [[spoiler:Orion only goes back to being Optimus Prime after kicking Nova Prime's ass.]]
* IntergenerationalFriendship: [[spoiler: Megatron and Bumblebee]] form one. In a twist, it's the younger person who ends up teaching the older one a lesson; [[spoiler: Bumblebee ends up showing Megatron the error of his ways]].
* InTheBack: How Shockwave kills [[spoiler:Bumblebee.]]
* ItsAllAboutMe: Starscream, Rodimus and Prowl. [[WhatTheHellHero All get called out for it.]]
* ItMayHelpYouOnYourQuest: Brainstorm handing over two items to Orion Pax and claiming it will help him stop the Dead Universe.
* JerkassHasAPoint: Yeah, Starscream was just trying to make [[spoiler:Metalhawk a HeroWithBadPublicity]], but he was right about [[spoiler:Metalhawk killing 70 billion sentient beings, easily far more than 4 million year great war the Transformers were involved with.]]
** Starscream again when Megatron admits that for all his years of being...well, TheStarscream, he was right to realize that ruling Cybertron would require winning the hearts and minds of its populace, not mere military conquest.
* KarmaHoudini: Though he endures quite a bit of punishment throughout, [[spoiler:Dreadwing is the probably the only surviving member of Shockwave's team once the dust settles (the jury's still out on Bludgeon, and Waspinator's off the team by that point).]]
* KickTheDog: As if Prowl wasn't big enough of a {{Jerkass}}, he has the gall to '''smirk''' when he hears that [[spoiler:he indirectly got Rewind killed.]] This causes Chromedome to snap and [[TheDogBitesBack try to pound Prowl's smug face in]].
* KilledOffForReal: [[spoiler:Hardhead, Nova Prime(for real this time), Bumblebee, Metalhawk (for real this time), Jhiaxus, and Shockwave himself.]]
* LampshadeHanging: Shortly before [[spoiler:Bumblebee's death]], Megatron mentions how hard it is to kill Transformers. It works as both foreshadowing and humor (since Megatron is probably the most killed and resurrected/retconned Transformer after Optimus).
* LetsGetDangerous: Prowl's reaction to the Necrotitan storming into New Iacon.
* LetsYouAndHimFight: Played Straight. The Autobots under Bumblebee and the Decepticons under Soundwave meet, then fight each other before teaming up.
** When Nautica and Chromia are introduced this is used to set up a cliff hanger in issue 7. In the next Issue Getaway diffuses the situation by pointing out that they're all on the same side.
* LighterAndSofter: While not a "light and soft" crossover, keep in mind that each issue was to be packaged with a figure from the ''Generations'' line which, while more collector-oriented, could still be bought by young kids.
* LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters: Each issue has a "Roll Call" section featuring headshots and names of the issue's most prominent characters. The lineup averages over a dozen characters and is constantly changing.
* MajorInjuryUnderreaction: Megatron apparently doesn't consider getting torn in half to be a serious issue.
* ManBehindTheMan: Seemingly Nova Prime and Galvatron for Shockwave. [[spoiler:Subverted; they're merely a means to Shockwave's ends.]]
* ManchurianAgent: Nightbeat [[ContinuityNod is still one]]. Doesn't last, though.
* MarkOfTheBeast: Starscream gets an expanding black mark on his chest after the Necrotitan's attack, which Scoop insists is this.
* MassOhCrap: ''All'' of the heroes when [[spoiler: a ''seventy billion'' strong army of Ammonites]] bear down on New Iacon on Shockwave's command.
* MeaningfulEcho: [[spoiler:Right before he and Megatron kill Shockwave, Orion echoes the line the scientist made all the way back in MTMTE issue 12, promising to remember him as he was.]]
* MerchandiseDriven: Given that the comics are pack-ins with toys, there are rather forced cameos of the toys themselves throughout. [[TakeThat The writers wasted no time in making fun of this fact.]]
* MidseasonUpgrade: Both Starscream and Bumblebee get new bodies just in time for the crossover, and Arcee gets a new body courtesy of Ratchet in chapter 10.
* MilkingTheGiantCow: Galvatron in part 7.
* MillionMookMarch: The Ammonites.
* MirrorMatch: Jhiaxus' [[AdaptiveArmor reactive armour]] changes his body to be a copy of Starscream's while fighting him.
** HoistByHisOwnPetard: Starscream didn't even ''realize'' [[HowDoIShotWeb his new body came equipped with swords]] until Jhiaxus had them while imitating him. [[spoiler:Leads to Jhiaxus getting ImpaledWithExtremePrejudice]].
* MoralityPet: Bumblebee inadvertently becomes one for Megatron.
* MuggingTheMonster: Yeah, Prowl, go ahead and push Chromedome's buttons... again.
* MyFriendsAndZoidberg: The following exchange.
-->'''Orion Pax''': "Don't worry, Autobots —"\\
'''Cyclonus''': (on his knees, in obvious pain) ''*kaff*''\\
'''Orion Pax''': "Sorry, Autobots and Cyclonus..."
* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: [[spoiler:Galvatron when he realizes how Shockwave used him and sees what Shockwave is going to do to the rest of the galaxy to save Cybertron.]]
** [[spoiler:Shockwave after Megatron manages to restore his emotions and true personality.]]
* MythologyGag: [[TransformersBeastWars "Why univerzze hate Waspinator?"]], this time said after [[spoiler:Bludgeon impales him.]]
* OhCrap: The Dead Universe team has two in a row when they realize that the Dead Universe is infecting [[spoiler:Cyclonus]], and Nova Prime is still in control of [[spoiler:Nightbeat.]]
* OneSteveLimit: Averted, there's two Tankors: one a CanonImmigrant from ''WesternAnimation/BeastMachines'' and the other Octane, whose toy was renamed Tankor for trademark reasons, which was carried over into the IDW comics. Unlike other characters, like say the Prowls, they both kept their names and Starscream lampshades it.
* OOCIsSeriousBusiness: Bumblebee remarks to Prowl that he's been anything but logical since they were exiled from New Iacon.
* OrwellianRetcon: The existence of female cybertronians. Prior, Arcee was the only "female", but Arcee's origin story was chockfull of UnfortunateImplications.
* OurZombiesAreDifferent: The Necrotitan and Nova Prime's Sweeps.
* PhysicalGod: [[spoiler:Shockwave in the final act.]]
* PleaseWakeUp: Rumble to Frenzy After the death wave.
-->"Speak to me buddy. Come on! '''Speak! BE OKAY!'''"
* PlotDetour: A meta example; the events of this comic are essentially a plot detour for ''More Than Meets The Eye'', with the crew of the Lost Light temporarily abandoning their quest for the Knights Of Cybertron to help out Orion Pax and his team.
* TheProphecy: The events of Dark Cybertron were apparently foretold from the days before Nova Prime, including Shockwave being the one behind most of the events. [[spoiler:Makes sense, as the prophecy is his.]]
-->''"He shall arrive with a '''Titan'''; and adorned the Titan will be in '''Metal Black.'''"''
-->''"And He shall '''arrive''' and stand '''alone''' while '''not alone'''; and time will rust and '''stars''' shall '''scream'''."''
-->''"And the symbol of the '''uncreator''' shall be clear, and his '''gaze''' shall unravel the Legacy of '''Primus'''."''
* RealityWarper: Nova Prime has become one, having gained a significant amount of control over the fabric the Dead Universe. [[spoiler:This is precisely why Shockwave wants him out of the way.]]
** [[spoiler:Shockwave himself graduates to one after stealing the Dead Universe's energies and mastering the Regenesis Ores.]]
* TheReasonYouSuckSpeech: Prowl gives one to Bumblebee, pretty much calling him a [[PinballProtagonist door]][[ExtremeDoormat mat]]. Never mind that Prowl is being a {{Hypocrite}} since he himself took advantage of Bumblebee and was undermining him at every little turn, even before being mind-controlled by Bombshell.
** Bumblebee gives one to Megatron.
-->'''Megatron''':'''I've led an army battling for freedom for millions of years --''
-->'''Bumblebee''':''No, that's not what you led at all. You were a gang of destroyers ravaging the galaxy in the name of a cause you'd forgotten, except when you needed an excuse.''
** Orion also gives one to Rodimus after Rodimus confesses to the [[spoiler:Overlord]] affair, telling him he should have resigned rather than ask for a vote, and that the reason why he asked for a vote of confidence was because Rodimus thought he was going to win.
* ReluctantRuler: Magnus taking leadership of the Lost Light crew after Rodimus, Orion Pax, Hardhead and Cyclonus jump into the Dead Universe.
* RestoredMyFaithInHumanity: [[spoiler:Bumblebee ultimately does this for Megatron.]]
* SciFiWritersHaveNoSenseOfScale: Ultra Magnus' description of the Lost Light makes its surface area as big as Brooklyn and the Bronx combined.
* SecretStabWound: Cyclonus. His forcefield generator broke upon landing in the Dead Universe, as thus he's infected, and throwing up black Energon.
* SeenItAll: [[spoiler: Kup]], [[MythologyGag as is tradition.]]
-->[[spoiler:'''Kup''']]: ''I've been spiked by Squadron X, dipped in the smeltin' pool, framed for treason, shot into the sun - and I was the only 'bot still trapped inside the Nightmare Engine when everyone else woke up. I've seen off every rinky-dink, two-bit, catchpenny decepticon rust-picker, and I got the tends in my knuckles to prove it. End of the day? I'm ready for anything you can throw at me.''
** Which becomes hilarious after Nova literally throws Cyclonus into him.
* SherlockScan: [[spoiler:Nightbeat]]'s signature trait.
* ShootTheShaggyDog: [[spoiler: Bumblebee]]'s character arc through all of the new ongoing ends here. [[spoiler:Starts as a doormat, begins to get some serious CharacterDevelopment, including winning over Megatron and making him realize his [[HeelRealization errors]], only to die when shot in the back by Shockwave.]]
* SpannerInTheWorks: Ultimately subverted with Ironhide. Knocking Nova Prime back into the Dead Universe had little to no effect on the ultimate outcome.
** Three for the price of one with [[spoiler:Metalhawk, Waspinator, and Skywarp]], who bring word of Shockwave's plans back to the city.
* StableTimeLoop: [[spoiler:Shockwave uses the time ore to drain energy from the universe that will eventually become the Dead Universe, essentially creating the Dead Universe.]]
** There's another one in the ''Prelude to Dark Cybertron'', involving LV-117, The Reflector Trio and Turmoil's time-side-stepping ship, it's [[{{Understatement}} quite]] the MindScrew.
* TheStarscream: The trope namer is a main character. Unfortunately for him, he didn't anticipate Rattrap being as skilled of a Starscream as Starscream himself.
** [[spoiler:Then Shockwave is this for Nova and Galvatron]], although it is kinda relative as [[spoiler:he only led them believe he was their [[TheDragon Dragon]] in the first place.]]Finally, there's a more positive example in[[spoiler:Metalhawk]], who is struggling against Shockwave's control all the while.
* StupidStatementDanceMix: Swerve made Orion's distress call into his ringtone.
-->'''Orion Pax:''' ''(cheesy jingle plays)'' AUTOBOTS IN DANGER! EXPLODING PLANET!
* SuddenNameChange: Slag gets his named changed to Slug. The [[ExecutiveMeddling reason behind it]] is even lampshaded by [[LeaningOnTheFourthWall Slug's conversation with Arcee]].
* SurpassedTheTeacher: Shockwave to Jhiaxus, specially given his last line in [=RID=] #22.
-->'''Shockwave''': I did not '''ask''', Jhiaxus... I '''commanded.'''
* TakeThat: The writers poke at [[ExecutiveMeddling Hasbro's meddling]] to include certain characters in order to [[MerchandiseDriven sell toys]] by giving them some ridiculous dialogue, and then quickly forgetting about them.
* TakeThatAudience: Ratchet's finger-wagging and criticism of Ultra Magnus seems a preemptive move on MTMTE fans that have suggested taking a 5 month break from the comic for the duration of "Dark Cybertron".
* TalkingToTheDead: Starscream is still talking to Metalhawk's corpse for reassurance. This time, Rattrap overheard him...
* ThatsAnOrder: The Dinobots are initially not too keen on following Bumblebee, until he berates them.
* ThirdLineSomeWaiting: You got the Cybertron thread, the Lost Light thread, and the Dead Universe thread, with each story being drawn by a different artist. It is expected to go into FourLinesAllWaiting based on the fact that a future issue will feature [=FOUR=] artists.
* TitleDrop: "Dark Cybertron" is the name of the prophecy, as mentioned by Rattrap.
* TimeSkip: Both ''ComicBook/TransformersRobotsInDisguise'' and ''ComicBook/TheTransformersMoreThanMeetsTheEye'' are set to resume six months after the events of ''[[ComicBook/TransformersDarkCybertron Dark Cybertron]]''.
* TimeStandsStill: [[spoilerShockwave's ultimate plan would have frozen all of reality at a single point in time.]]
* TonightSomeoneDies: The solicitation for chapter 11 promises the death of a high ranking Autobot. [[spoiler:It's Bumblebee.]]
* TrailersAlwaysSpoil: Suffered terribly from this. Solicitations for future issues gave away the [[EnemyMine Autobot[=/=]Decepticon alliance]] ''and'' the plot threads for the resuming ongoings and the ''[[ComicBook/TransformersWindblade Windblade'' miniseries]]''. Most infamously, after all the build-up and mystery about which main character would die in part 11, iTunes went ahead and thoughtlessly spoiled it through a preview. [[SarcasmMode Thanks, we really wanted to know]] that [[spoiler:Bumblebee dies]] before we picked up the comic.
* UnsoundEffect: "[[CrowningMomentOfFunny Incoherent babbling]]"
* UnwittingPawn: [[TragicMonster Metrotitan]] turned Necrotitan. Oh, and [[spoiler:Galvatron and Nova were duped by Shockwave.]]
* VerbalTic: Wazzpinator hazz one.
* TheWatson: Shockwave has to explain his plans to someone, and Jhiaxus already knows them, so Dreadwing takes this role.
* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: [[spoiler:Bludgeon]]'s final fate is never touched upon, though he wasn't looking great when last seen.
** Wheelie and Garnak are not seen or mentioned again after the Lost Light pursues Jhiaxus and it is revealed that the Dead Universe portal only works one-way.
* VillainousFriendship: The Decepticons get more set-up as this, with Blitzwing and Astrotrain seeming to have a type 1. Galvatron and Nova have a type 1 as well, saying they've fought together for many years and turning on each other was a fault of the Heart of Darkness messing with them. [[spoiler:Indeed, Galvatron seems very saddened when Nova is killed.]]
* WarpThatAesop: Subverted. Megatron accuses Shockwave of doing this to his ideals but, as Shockwave notes, he's basically just taking Megatron's bigoted philosophy and applying it to ''all'' life. [[invoked]]
* WaveMotionGun: The Necrotitan.
* WellIntentionedExtremist: [[spoiler:Shockwave's evil plan might cause the death of nearly every sentient being in the galaxy, make him a [[AGodAmI God-like being]], and the destruction of two universes, but all he wants is the eternal survival of Cybertron.]]
* WhamEpisode: For both MTMTE and RID. Shockwave's EvilPlan finally kicks in, Orion Pax's team and the Lost Lighters battle the Dead Universe, [[spoiler:Nightbeat and Kup]] are alive, [[spoiler:Brainstorm]] isn't, Nova Prime and Galvatron are [[spoiler:not actually]] behind everything, New Iacon is in ruins, [[spoiler:Bumblebee and Shockwave]] die, and [[spoiler:Megatron joins the Autobots.]] And after it's all over [[spoiler:Orion and the Autobots are heading back to Earth, Windblade is causing trouble on Cybertron, Bluestreak is joining up with the Lost Lighters, and Megatron is taking over the Lost Light's quest.]]
* WhatMeasureIsAMook: Lampshaded by Starscream in a discussion with Rattrap, regarding how [[spoiler:Metalhawk's sacrifice also pretty much wiped out half of the Stentarian race; at ''least'' 70 billion sentient beings.]]
-->'''Starscream''':"They had names, they had friends, they had dreams, but to [[spoiler:Metalhawk]] -- they were just numbers."
** Though ironically enough, [[spoiler:this also indirectly ends the ridiculous ForeverWar between the Terradores and Ammonites. So by wiping out half of the Stentarian race, Metalhawk kind of brought peace to them after over 17 million years of war.]]
* WhatTheHellHero: Orion doesn't react well to Rodimus's confession regarding [[spoiler:Overlord.]] Or, more specifically, that he didn't resign afterwards, as Orion feels that if Rodimus were ''really'' ashamed of his actions than he would've taken responsibility rather than have the crew decide.
** Both Ultra Magnus and Chromedome call out Prowl on his development into a {{Jerkass}} KnightTemplar.
* XanatosGambit: Shockwave performs two concurrent ones. The first? [[spoiler:Finish gathering samples of all his functioning ores on Cybertron by having Metroplex teleported there to take on the Necrotitan.]] The second? [[spoiler:Have Nova Prime end up in the line of fire so that Shockwave can better harness the Dead Universe's energies once he dies and his control over the realm is negated.]] This one ''seems'' to fail thanks to Ironhide, but [[spoiler:Shockwave had already had Jhiaxus lure Orion to Gorlam Prime in case Nova wasn't able to emerge from the Dead Universe, thereby increasing the chances that Orion would kill him.]] {{Badass}}.
* XanatosSpeedChess: Orion Pax, in the Prelude to Dark Cybertron issues.
* YankTheDogsChain: In part 10 Swerve gets really excited when his hero Blurr walks into the Lost Light bar. Barely a page later it's revealed that Blurr not only doesn't remember Swerve, he thinks that Swerve is annoying.
* YouAreWhatYouHate: The reason why Optimus Prime hated his name and cast it off, because of all the bad connotations the previous Primes gave it. [[spoiler:Rodimus convinces him otherwise.]]
* YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness: Shockwave orders Metalhawk get rid of Waspinator once he has served his purpose. [[spoiler:Metalhawk only pretends to follow such order.]]
* YourApprovalFillsMeWithShame: Ratchet takes Megatron's attempts at compliments as intimidation.
----
[[caption-width-right:350:The final cataclysm is at hand... at ''my'' hand.]]
''Dark Cybertron'' is the [[Creator/IDWPublishing IDW]] 12-Issue CrisisCrossover event of 2013-2014 for their Franchise/{{Transformers}} Series, ''[[ComicBook/TheTransformersMoreThanMeetsTheEye More than Meets the Eye]]'' and ''[[ComicBook/TransformersRobotsInDisguise Robots in Disguise]]''.
On Cybertron, the political turmoil that has become commonplace in the lives of its inhabitants is put aside as emotionless mastermind Shockwave summons a massive, undead Metrotitan from the bowels of Crystal City. Starscream, now ruler of New Iacon, sends a desperate plea for help to those he hopes may yet survive beyond the stars...
In the depths of space, the ''Lost Light'' rescues Orion Pax and his team from the collapsing Gorlam Prime. After a brief concurrence, the crews split up to deal with two unfolding crises. Orion and Rodimus lead a team into the Dead Universe through the portal created by the planet's destruction to thwart ancient despot Nova Prime's plans for conquest, while Ultra Magnus and the ''Lost Light''ers heed a cry of help from the mighty Metroplex. Little do any of them know that Shockwave's influence runs deep... and none of them suspect the terrifying scale of his true plan.
The 12-issue series is co-written by John Barber, of [[ComicBook/TransformersRobotsInDisguise RID]], and James Roberts, of [[ComicBook/TheTransformersMoreThanMeetsTheEye MTMTE]], with art by several artists, including Phil Jimenez. The relevant characters can be found [[Characters/TransformersRobotsInDisguise here]] and [[Characters/TheTransformersMoreThanMeetsTheEye here]].
It is followed by the ''ComicBook/TransformersWindblade'' mini-series which deals with the aftermath of the events in Cybertron.
!!This crossover event provides example of:
----
* [[ActionFilmQuietDramaScene Action Comic, Quiet Drama Scene]]: Starscream talking to Metalhawk's body as it lays in state.
** Issue 10 is almost completely comprised of such moments (overlapping with BreatherEpisode).
* ActionGirl: This crossover marks the formal introduction of the second, third, and fourth known female transformers in this universe, and all of them are capable of kicking your ass.
* AdaptationalHeroism: [[WesternAnimation/BeastMachines Tankor]] has gone from TheBrute and later DiabolicalMastermind to a HeroicNeutral.
* AGodAmI: Nova Prime still has this mindset.
** [[spoiler:Shockwave, while superpowered.]]
* AlasPoorVillain: [[spoiler:Shockwave, who regains his former personality too late and has Optimus and Megatron kill him to stop the time drive from destroying the galaxy.]]
* AlwaysABiggerFish: The 'bots are fighting the smaller Ammonites, which then combine into a huge mecha bigger than the "Rod Pod". Lampshaded by Skids himself.
* UsefulNotes/AmericanAccents: Rattrap sports a Bronx accent, fitting for being a rat.
* AMillionIsAStatistic: Invoked. Shockwave berates Megatron for caring more for [[spoiler:Bumblebee]]'s death than all the others that died by his hands or his orders. Then Shockwave proclaims he truly considers all life equal, and even assigned it a quantifiable value-- zero.
** Once again invoked by Starscream, [[spoiler:after Metalhawk [[HeroicSacrifice sacrifices his life]] to destroy the 70 billion Ammonites in one fell swoop.]] It should be noted that Starscream's only trying to paint him in a negative light.
-->'''Starscream:''' Are you '''kidding?''' [[spoiler:Metalhawk ''murdered'' 70 billion sentient beings. They had ''names'', they had ''friends'', they had ''dreams''. But to Metalhawk - they were just '''numbers'''. When you think about it, he was just another genocidal despot vying for control.]]
* AnArmAndALeg: Several 'bots and 'cons end up losing one or more limbs once the Necrotitan fires its first salvo.
** Skids loses his arms in the fight against the Ammonites.
** [[spoiler:Nova Prime]] loses an arm right before being killed.
* AnyoneCanDie: Not so present in the beginning, but it really comes into effect in the final act.
* ApocalypseHow: [[spoiler: Shockwave could've caused a metaphysical level apocalypse on the rest of the galaxy if he hadn't been stopped in time. Metalhawk ends up indirectly causing a minor societal apocalypse on the Stentarians, as his sacrifice ends up taking all of the Ammonites with him.]]
* AntiVillain: Soundwave is shaping up to be one.
* AscendedExtra: Dreadwing was just a minor Decepticon, now he's on the cover of the series. Barber and Roberts addressed this in an interview, stating that, in addition to having a new toy, they made him more important because they chose him at random from a wealth of obscure characters.
* AttackOfThe50FootWhatever: The Necrotitan.
* BackFromTheDead: Metalhawk and Nightbeat.
* BackToBackBadasses: Arcee and Whirl during the battle against [[spoiler: the second Ammonite horde.]]
* BadassInDistress: Megatron until he was rescued, [[spoiler:Metroplex]] until he was repaired and re-energized, Galvatron until he was discarded.
* BadassGrandpa: Kup.
* BadGuysDoTheDirtyWork: Inverted. [[spoiler:Shockwave wanted Nova Prime dead, but it's Orion who ultimately kills him... after being lured to the Dead Universe portal on Gorlam Prime by Jhiaxus, himself acting on Shockwave's orders.]]
* BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor: Starscream realizing that being the leader is not what it seems to be.
* TheBechdelTest: Passes with flying colors. Nautica and Chromia's very first conversation has little to nothing to do with men, instead being immature bickering.
* BerserkButton: For Prowl, anything to do with the Decepticons, and Bumblebee's style of leadership.
* BigBad: Seems to be Shockwave at first, then [[BigBadDuumvirate Nova Prime and Galvatron]] get involved. [[spoiler:It actually ''is'' Shockwave, though-- he was merely cooperating with them to further his own ends.]]
* BigDamnHeroes: The Lost Light crew arrives in the nick of time to save Orion Pax and his crew from being dragged into Gorlam Prime's gravity well.
** The ''Lost Light'' and Metroplex bridging to Cybertron is another example.
** Prowl and the Constructicons [[spoiler:forming Devastator]] to stop Monstructor.
** [[spoiler:Optimus Prime, Kup, Nightbeat, Rodimus and Cyclonus break into the main universe through the Dead Universe portal in Brainstorm's chest and take care of Bludgeon in short order.]]
* BigGood: Orion Pax.
* BondVillainStupidity: Subverted. Shockwave's assumption that [[spoiler:Galvatron]] is no longer a threat doesn't come back to bite him at all.
* BreatherEpisode: Issue 10, for the most part.
* BrokenPedestal: The Primes to the population, including Optimus himself, for the most part -- still, most realize that [[RebuiltPedestal Optimus embodies what Primes SHOULD be]], rather than what they actually were.
** [[spoiler:Megatron to Soundwave after the former's HeelRealization, which Soundwave sees as Megatron betraying his own ideals.]]
* TheBusCameBack: Galvatron, Nova Prime, [[spoiler:Nightbeat]], Metroplex, and [[spoiler:Kup.]]
** Chromia disappeared after her cameo in Megatron Origin, and finally returns here.
* CallBack:
** Whirl says Cyclonus should totally promise to kill Hardhead when he least expects it for calling him a coward, referencing to the promise Cyclonus once did to kill him back in MTMTE #2.
** Rodimus offers Ultra Magnus a Weak Energon Spritzer, a drink referenced by Tailgate as something Ultra Magnus would drink in MTMTE#6, and also referencing the fact that Magnus CantHoldHisLiquor, as seen in MTMTE #13.
** [[spoiler:Metroplex's Thumb]], first seen in ''Spotlight: Trailcutter''.
** Ultra Magnus references his travels with [[ComicBook/TheTransformersLastStandOfTheWreckers Verity Carlo]].
** Prowl confuses Ravage for a dog, similar to what Andy did back in ''ComicBook/TheTransformersAllHailMegatron''.
* CasualDangerDialogue: During the battle in Shockwave's HQ, Arcee and Blitzwing trade barbs with one another.
* ChekhovsGun:
** [[spoiler:Metroplex's thumb.]]
** [[spoiler:Turmoil's time machine.]]
** Skywarp's teleportation. He was stabbed by Arcee back in ComicBook/TransformersRobotsInDisguise and mentioned having problems keeping himself together. When they engage Shockwave, he loses control of his Teleportation and vanishes altogether in Issue 5. [[spoiler: He comes back in Issue 10, having regained control of his power, and rescues Metalhawk and Waspinator, taking them (as well as the information on Shockwave's plan) back to the city.]]
* ChekhovsGunman: Tailpipe makes his debut, although he was mentioned as early as Issue 12 in [[ComicBook/TheTransformersMoreThanMeetsTheEye MTMTE]].
** The Ammonites show up again to battle the ''Lost Light'' crew. [[spoiler:Twice.]]
** [[spoiler:[[SpannerInTheWorks Skywarp]].]]
* TheChessmaster: Shockwave has been putting the pieces in place since before the events of ComicBook/TheTransformersIDW.
* TheChosenOne: Starscream, apparently, given that the Titan reacted to him and TheProphecy.
* CombiningMecha: The Ammonites.
* ContinuityNod: Garnak and Rodimus have a happy reunion after the time they spent as crewmates back in ComicBook/TheTransformersIDW.
** In part 5, mention is made of Tailgate recovering after the end of "Remain In Light".
** [[http://sonicaseekermercenaria.tumblr.com/post/79452700734 As confirmed]] by James Roberts, the cliff that Prowl and Chromedome meet on is the same one that Whirl and Cyclonus fought on in the first issue of MTMTE.
* CoolVsAwesome:
** Megatron vs. Galvatron. The former missing his legs at the time.
** [[spoiler:The Necrotitan vs Metroplex.]]
** [[spoiler:Nova vs. Orion-- no, wait, OPTIMUS.]]
** [[spoiler:Megatron vs. God!Shockwave.]]
* CrisisCrossover: For the storylines in the two IDW ''Transformers'' ongoings.
* DarkMessiah: Starscream, unwillingly. [[spoiler:Shockwave, willingly.]]
* DeadAllAlong: [[spoiler:Brainstorm, as revealed by part 11. In fact, he's apparently been undead since right before issue 1 of ''More Than Meets The Eye''.]]
* DidYouJustScamCthulhu: [[spoiler:Turns out Galvatron and Nova Prime aren't actually behind everything-- that's just what Shockwave wanted them to believe. In reality, he wanted Nova eliminated to make it easier to harness the Dead Universe's energies, and he intends to use Galvatron as a conduit for them…]]
* DependingOnTheArtist: Starscream's new design changes a lot depending on who's drawing him.
* {{Determinator}}: Arcee, who has spent most of Dark Cybertron without one of her legs and still kicking more ass than other fully-limbed 'bots.
** And Megatron, who hasn't let being legless slow him down.
* DiscOneFinalBoss: [[spoiler:Nova Prime and the Necrotitan.]]
* DragonAscendant: [[spoiler:Shockwave to Nova and Galvatron.]] Granted, he only made them believe he was their [[TheDragon Dragon]].
* [[invoked]]DudeNotFunny: Prowl smirking [[spoiler:at the news of Rewind's death]].
* [[spoiler:DyingAsYourself: Whether he is truly killed or not, Shockwave (after breaking free from the [[MindRape Shadowplay]]) asks Optimus and Megatron to gun him down to stop the collapse of time.]]
* DynamicEntry: Chromia and Nautica at the end of chapter 7. Doesn't get much more dynamic than hitting the Duly Appointed Enforcer Of The Tyrest Accord over the head on your way in.
** [[spoiler:Metroplex finally arriving to Cybertron, after getting jumpstarted by the ''Lost Light''.]]
* EldritchLocation: The Dead Universe.
* EldritchAbomination: The Necrotitan, though it wasn't always that way.
** Nova Prime, too (see HumanoidAbomination).
* EndOfAnEra: [[spoiler:For Nova Prime's attempted empire.]] However, there's a subversion with [[spoiler:the Age of Primes]], once [[spoiler:Orion reclaims his title as Optimus Prime.]]
* EnemyMine: The Autobots and Decepticons end up having to work together to stop Shockwave's scheme. Lampshaded by Shockwave, who notes how utterly predictable it was. Also lampshaded by Starscream.
-->'''Starscream:''' Well, that's a start. The enemy of my --
-->'''Soundwave:''' Silence, Starscream.
* [[BloodFromTheMouth Energon From The Mouth]]: Cyclonus, upon being infected by the Dead Universe.
* EtTuBrute: A revived Metalhawk pretty much lets Starscream have it for killing him in the first place.
* EvilPlan: Shockwave plans to [[spoiler:use all the functioning Regenesis Ores, in conjunction with the energies of the Dead Universe (using Galvatron), to essentially harness the rest of the galaxy to recharge Cybertron for eternity.]]
* EvilVsEvil: Megatron vs. Galvatron. Doubles as CoolVsAwesome.
* EvilVersusOblivion: Downplayed, The Decepticons are against Shockwave because he turned on them [[spoiler: they don't have knowledge of him wanting to end all creation outside of their planet]], though when Megatron finds out he's still against Shockwave.
* EyeScream: The "Rodpod" is taken into a trench in the foreign planet's sea, there they find a severed optic cable and [[spoiler:realize that the trench is really Metroplex's eye socket, now a gaping wound on his face.]]
* {{Expy}}:
** Nightbeat is very much one of [[Franchise/SherlockHolmes a certain fictional detective]]. Doubles as a SherlockHomage.
** Taken to their logical conclusion, and following Shockwave's description of the ore functions, Shockwave just created the Transformers version of [[spoiler:the [[ComicBook/TheInfinityGauntlet Infinity Gems]].]] And thus Shockwave himself becomes one of [[spoiler:{{ComicBook/Thanos}}.]]
* FamilyUnfriendlyDeath: [[spoiler:Hardhead]] is consumed by the Dead Universe when Nova Prime crushes his forcefield generator, disintegrating and blowing away on the wind.
** [[spoiler:Nova Prime himself]] gets an arm ripped off before having a huge hole punched in his chest in short order.
** Metroplex's defense systems utterly incinerate the Ammonite forces. [[spoiler:Well, the first ones.]]
** Shockwave kills [[spoiler:Bumblebee]] by blowing his chest apart from behind.
* FemmeFatalons: Arcee, after her upgrade.
* FinishingEachOthersSentences: Perceptor and Brainstorm start doing this.
* FlatEarthAtheist: Downplayed: Jhiaxus makes a point that the age of legend and myth is over and this is the era of Science, to contrast Cyclonus's more superstitious beliefs, but at this point most religious events could very well be chalked up to science.
* {{Foil}}: Whirl lampshades this about Cyclonus and himself in Dark Cybertron #1, when defending Cyclonus from Hardhead's criticism.
* FromACertainPointOfView: [[spoiler:Starscream labels himself as the savior of Cybertron towards the end of ''Dark Cybertron''. He is technically correct as it was his decision to call ''The Lost Light'' at the beginning what triggered a series of events which ends in Cybertron being saved. His ability to delegate jobs to the proper people is what made him a competent bureaucrat, and is the reason why he's still in power by the time ''ComicBook/TransformersWindblade'' rolls in.]]
** He's also [[JerkassHasAPoint right]] when he discusses [[spoiler:Metalhawk role in exterminating 70 billion Stentarians, easily half of their population, and how to Metalhawk they were just [[AMillionIsAStatistic numbers]], but each one of those had friends and families, as seen in ''ComicBook/TheTransformersMoreThanMeetsTheEye'' when Skids and Whirl meet several of them in Hedonia and share drinks with.]]
* GallowsHumor: Starscream, after being backstabbed by a revived Metalhawk.
-->'''Metalhawk''': "I '''trusted''' you. I '''befriended''' you. And you '''killed''' me the moment it '''suited''' you."
-->'''Starscream''':"Hey, if it's any '''consolation'''... I clearly '''didn't''' do a '''good job''' of it."
* GeniusLoci: The Dead Universe.
* GoshDangItToHeck: Ultra Magnus is trying to soften his image by using slang. Unfortunately his idea of slang is outdated terms that sound like they would be said by a 50's sitcom dad, like "What in blue blazes?".
* HalfTheManHeUsedToBe: Megatron gets ripped in half by Galvatron. [[MajorInjuryUnderreaction It slows him down a bit]].
* HandicappedBadass: [[AnArmAndALeg Arcee]], [[HalfTheManHeUsedToBe Megatron]], [[spoiler:[[IncurableCoughOfDeath Cyclonus]], Kup, and [[SyntheticPlague Metroplex]].]]
* HannibalLecture: Nova Prime towards Orion, during their duel. [[spoiler:It nearly overcomes Pax, but Rodimus manages to give him a second wind, resulting in an ''epic'' ShutUpHannibal.]]
* HeelRealization: [[spoiler: Megatron]] in issue 10.
-->[[spoiler:'''Megatron''':"I lost the war the moment I gave the order to fight."]]
* HeroicSacrifice: [[spoiler:Metalhawk and, ironically enough, Shockwave himself.]]
* HeroicSecondWind:
** [[spoiler:Orion against Nova Prime.]]
** [[spoiler:Metroplex lays the smacketh down once he gets his thumb back.]] ItMakesSenseInContext.
* HesBack: [[spoiler:Thanks to Rodimus' words, Orion Pax goes back to calling himself Optimus Prime after kicking Nova Prime's ass in Dark Cybertron #9.]]
* HumanoidAbomination: Nova Prime.
* IKnowYoureInThereSomewhereFight: Rodimus poses a riddle to Nightbeat as an attempt to break Nova Prime's control. It works.
** Later attempted against [[spoiler:Shockwave by Optimus. It doesn't work at first, but Megatron donning Bumblebee's Autobot symbol and declaring himself one causes him so much confusion that he loses control of the chronal drive, and his original personality reemerges.]]
* ImpaledWithExtremePrejudice: Happens twice. Waspinator is lucky and survives, [[spoiler:Jhiaxus]] isn't and doesn't.
* IncurableCoughOfDeath: Cyclonus seems to be heading that way for a bit, but ultimately he survives it.
* InfoDump: Orion Pax' monologue near the beginning of Dark Cybertron #1.
* InsistentTerminology: When Nova Prime call him Optimus, Orion corrects him by pointing out that he gave up the title of Prime. Nova doesn't care and keeps calling him Optimus anyway. [[spoiler:Orion only goes back to being Optimus Prime after kicking Nova Prime's ass.]]
* IntergenerationalFriendship: [[spoiler: Megatron and Bumblebee]] form one. In a twist, it's the younger person who ends up teaching the older one a lesson; [[spoiler: Bumblebee ends up showing Megatron the error of his ways]].
* InTheBack: How Shockwave kills [[spoiler:Bumblebee.]]
* ItsAllAboutMe: Starscream, Rodimus and Prowl. [[WhatTheHellHero All get called out for it.]]
* ItMayHelpYouOnYourQuest: Brainstorm handing over two items to Orion Pax and claiming it will help him stop the Dead Universe.
* JerkassHasAPoint: Yeah, Starscream was just trying to make [[spoiler:Metalhawk a HeroWithBadPublicity]], but he was right about [[spoiler:Metalhawk killing 70 billion sentient beings, easily far more than 4 million year great war the Transformers were involved with.]]
** Starscream again when Megatron admits that for all his years of being...well, TheStarscream, he was right to realize that ruling Cybertron would require winning the hearts and minds of its populace, not mere military conquest.
* KarmaHoudini: Though he endures quite a bit of punishment throughout, [[spoiler:Dreadwing is the probably the only surviving member of Shockwave's team once the dust settles (the jury's still out on Bludgeon, and Waspinator's off the team by that point).]]
* KickTheDog: As if Prowl wasn't big enough of a {{Jerkass}}, he has the gall to '''smirk''' when he hears that [[spoiler:he indirectly got Rewind killed.]] This causes Chromedome to snap and [[TheDogBitesBack try to pound Prowl's smug face in]].
* KilledOffForReal: [[spoiler:Hardhead, Nova Prime(for real this time), Bumblebee, Metalhawk (for real this time), Jhiaxus, and Shockwave himself.]]
* LampshadeHanging: Shortly before [[spoiler:Bumblebee's death]], Megatron mentions how hard it is to kill Transformers. It works as both foreshadowing and humor (since Megatron is probably the most killed and resurrected/retconned Transformer after Optimus).
* LetsGetDangerous: Prowl's reaction to the Necrotitan storming into New Iacon.
* LetsYouAndHimFight: Played Straight. The Autobots under Bumblebee and the Decepticons under Soundwave meet, then fight each other before teaming up.
** When Nautica and Chromia are introduced this is used to set up a cliff hanger in issue 7. In the next Issue Getaway diffuses the situation by pointing out that they're all on the same side.
* LighterAndSofter: While not a "light and soft" crossover, keep in mind that each issue was to be packaged with a figure from the ''Generations'' line which, while more collector-oriented, could still be bought by young kids.
* LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters: Each issue has a "Roll Call" section featuring headshots and names of the issue's most prominent characters. The lineup averages over a dozen characters and is constantly changing.
* MajorInjuryUnderreaction: Megatron apparently doesn't consider getting torn in half to be a serious issue.
* ManBehindTheMan: Seemingly Nova Prime and Galvatron for Shockwave. [[spoiler:Subverted; they're merely a means to Shockwave's ends.]]
* ManchurianAgent: Nightbeat [[ContinuityNod is still one]]. Doesn't last, though.
* MarkOfTheBeast: Starscream gets an expanding black mark on his chest after the Necrotitan's attack, which Scoop insists is this.
* MassOhCrap: ''All'' of the heroes when [[spoiler: a ''seventy billion'' strong army of Ammonites]] bear down on New Iacon on Shockwave's command.
* MeaningfulEcho: [[spoiler:Right before he and Megatron kill Shockwave, Orion echoes the line the scientist made all the way back in MTMTE issue 12, promising to remember him as he was.]]
* MerchandiseDriven: Given that the comics are pack-ins with toys, there are rather forced cameos of the toys themselves throughout. [[TakeThat The writers wasted no time in making fun of this fact.]]
* MidseasonUpgrade: Both Starscream and Bumblebee get new bodies just in time for the crossover, and Arcee gets a new body courtesy of Ratchet in chapter 10.
* MilkingTheGiantCow: Galvatron in part 7.
* MillionMookMarch: The Ammonites.
* MirrorMatch: Jhiaxus' [[AdaptiveArmor reactive armour]] changes his body to be a copy of Starscream's while fighting him.
** HoistByHisOwnPetard: Starscream didn't even ''realize'' [[HowDoIShotWeb his new body came equipped with swords]] until Jhiaxus had them while imitating him. [[spoiler:Leads to Jhiaxus getting ImpaledWithExtremePrejudice]].
* MoralityPet: Bumblebee inadvertently becomes one for Megatron.
* MuggingTheMonster: Yeah, Prowl, go ahead and push Chromedome's buttons... again.
* MyFriendsAndZoidberg: The following exchange.
-->'''Orion Pax''': "Don't worry, Autobots —"\\
'''Cyclonus''': (on his knees, in obvious pain) ''*kaff*''\\
'''Orion Pax''': "Sorry, Autobots and Cyclonus..."
* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: [[spoiler:Galvatron when he realizes how Shockwave used him and sees what Shockwave is going to do to the rest of the galaxy to save Cybertron.]]
** [[spoiler:Shockwave after Megatron manages to restore his emotions and true personality.]]
* MythologyGag: [[TransformersBeastWars "Why univerzze hate Waspinator?"]], this time said after [[spoiler:Bludgeon impales him.]]
* OhCrap: The Dead Universe team has two in a row when they realize that the Dead Universe is infecting [[spoiler:Cyclonus]], and Nova Prime is still in control of [[spoiler:Nightbeat.]]
* OneSteveLimit: Averted, there's two Tankors: one a CanonImmigrant from ''WesternAnimation/BeastMachines'' and the other Octane, whose toy was renamed Tankor for trademark reasons, which was carried over into the IDW comics. Unlike other characters, like say the Prowls, they both kept their names and Starscream lampshades it.
* OOCIsSeriousBusiness: Bumblebee remarks to Prowl that he's been anything but logical since they were exiled from New Iacon.
* OrwellianRetcon: The existence of female cybertronians. Prior, Arcee was the only "female", but Arcee's origin story was chockfull of UnfortunateImplications.
* OurZombiesAreDifferent: The Necrotitan and Nova Prime's Sweeps.
* PhysicalGod: [[spoiler:Shockwave in the final act.]]
* PleaseWakeUp: Rumble to Frenzy After the death wave.
-->"Speak to me buddy. Come on! '''Speak! BE OKAY!'''"
* PlotDetour: A meta example; the events of this comic are essentially a plot detour for ''More Than Meets The Eye'', with the crew of the Lost Light temporarily abandoning their quest for the Knights Of Cybertron to help out Orion Pax and his team.
* TheProphecy: The events of Dark Cybertron were apparently foretold from the days before Nova Prime, including Shockwave being the one behind most of the events. [[spoiler:Makes sense, as the prophecy is his.]]
-->''"He shall arrive with a '''Titan'''; and adorned the Titan will be in '''Metal Black.'''"''
-->''"And He shall '''arrive''' and stand '''alone''' while '''not alone'''; and time will rust and '''stars''' shall '''scream'''."''
-->''"And the symbol of the '''uncreator''' shall be clear, and his '''gaze''' shall unravel the Legacy of '''Primus'''."''
* RealityWarper: Nova Prime has become one, having gained a significant amount of control over the fabric the Dead Universe. [[spoiler:This is precisely why Shockwave wants him out of the way.]]
** [[spoiler:Shockwave himself graduates to one after stealing the Dead Universe's energies and mastering the Regenesis Ores.]]
* TheReasonYouSuckSpeech: Prowl gives one to Bumblebee, pretty much calling him a [[PinballProtagonist door]][[ExtremeDoormat mat]]. Never mind that Prowl is being a {{Hypocrite}} since he himself took advantage of Bumblebee and was undermining him at every little turn, even before being mind-controlled by Bombshell.
** Bumblebee gives one to Megatron.
-->'''Megatron''':'''I've led an army battling for freedom for millions of years --''
-->'''Bumblebee''':''No, that's not what you led at all. You were a gang of destroyers ravaging the galaxy in the name of a cause you'd forgotten, except when you needed an excuse.''
** Orion also gives one to Rodimus after Rodimus confesses to the [[spoiler:Overlord]] affair, telling him he should have resigned rather than ask for a vote, and that the reason why he asked for a vote of confidence was because Rodimus thought he was going to win.
* ReluctantRuler: Magnus taking leadership of the Lost Light crew after Rodimus, Orion Pax, Hardhead and Cyclonus jump into the Dead Universe.
* RestoredMyFaithInHumanity: [[spoiler:Bumblebee ultimately does this for Megatron.]]
* SciFiWritersHaveNoSenseOfScale: Ultra Magnus' description of the Lost Light makes its surface area as big as Brooklyn and the Bronx combined.
* SecretStabWound: Cyclonus. His forcefield generator broke upon landing in the Dead Universe, as thus he's infected, and throwing up black Energon.
* SeenItAll: [[spoiler: Kup]], [[MythologyGag as is tradition.]]
-->[[spoiler:'''Kup''']]: ''I've been spiked by Squadron X, dipped in the smeltin' pool, framed for treason, shot into the sun - and I was the only 'bot still trapped inside the Nightmare Engine when everyone else woke up. I've seen off every rinky-dink, two-bit, catchpenny decepticon rust-picker, and I got the tends in my knuckles to prove it. End of the day? I'm ready for anything you can throw at me.''
** Which becomes hilarious after Nova literally throws Cyclonus into him.
* SherlockScan: [[spoiler:Nightbeat]]'s signature trait.
* ShootTheShaggyDog: [[spoiler: Bumblebee]]'s character arc through all of the new ongoing ends here. [[spoiler:Starts as a doormat, begins to get some serious CharacterDevelopment, including winning over Megatron and making him realize his [[HeelRealization errors]], only to die when shot in the back by Shockwave.]]
* SpannerInTheWorks: Ultimately subverted with Ironhide. Knocking Nova Prime back into the Dead Universe had little to no effect on the ultimate outcome.
** Three for the price of one with [[spoiler:Metalhawk, Waspinator, and Skywarp]], who bring word of Shockwave's plans back to the city.
* StableTimeLoop: [[spoiler:Shockwave uses the time ore to drain energy from the universe that will eventually become the Dead Universe, essentially creating the Dead Universe.]]
** There's another one in the ''Prelude to Dark Cybertron'', involving LV-117, The Reflector Trio and Turmoil's time-side-stepping ship, it's [[{{Understatement}} quite]] the MindScrew.
* TheStarscream: The trope namer is a main character. Unfortunately for him, he didn't anticipate Rattrap being as skilled of a Starscream as Starscream himself.
** [[spoiler:Then Shockwave is this for Nova and Galvatron]], although it is kinda relative as [[spoiler:he only led them believe he was their [[TheDragon Dragon]] in the first place.]]Finally, there's a more positive example in[[spoiler:Metalhawk]], who is struggling against Shockwave's control all the while.
* StupidStatementDanceMix: Swerve made Orion's distress call into his ringtone.
-->'''Orion Pax:''' ''(cheesy jingle plays)'' AUTOBOTS IN DANGER! EXPLODING PLANET!
* SuddenNameChange: Slag gets his named changed to Slug. The [[ExecutiveMeddling reason behind it]] is even lampshaded by [[LeaningOnTheFourthWall Slug's conversation with Arcee]].
* SurpassedTheTeacher: Shockwave to Jhiaxus, specially given his last line in [=RID=] #22.
-->'''Shockwave''': I did not '''ask''', Jhiaxus... I '''commanded.'''
* TakeThat: The writers poke at [[ExecutiveMeddling Hasbro's meddling]] to include certain characters in order to [[MerchandiseDriven sell toys]] by giving them some ridiculous dialogue, and then quickly forgetting about them.
* TakeThatAudience: Ratchet's finger-wagging and criticism of Ultra Magnus seems a preemptive move on MTMTE fans that have suggested taking a 5 month break from the comic for the duration of "Dark Cybertron".
* TalkingToTheDead: Starscream is still talking to Metalhawk's corpse for reassurance. This time, Rattrap overheard him...
* ThatsAnOrder: The Dinobots are initially not too keen on following Bumblebee, until he berates them.
* ThirdLineSomeWaiting: You got the Cybertron thread, the Lost Light thread, and the Dead Universe thread, with each story being drawn by a different artist. It is expected to go into FourLinesAllWaiting based on the fact that a future issue will feature [=FOUR=] artists.
* TitleDrop: "Dark Cybertron" is the name of the prophecy, as mentioned by Rattrap.
* TimeSkip: Both ''ComicBook/TransformersRobotsInDisguise'' and ''ComicBook/TheTransformersMoreThanMeetsTheEye'' are set to resume six months after the events of ''[[ComicBook/TransformersDarkCybertron Dark Cybertron]]''.
* TimeStandsStill: [[spoilerShockwave's ultimate plan would have frozen all of reality at a single point in time.]]
* TonightSomeoneDies: The solicitation for chapter 11 promises the death of a high ranking Autobot. [[spoiler:It's Bumblebee.]]
* TrailersAlwaysSpoil: Suffered terribly from this. Solicitations for future issues gave away the [[EnemyMine Autobot[=/=]Decepticon alliance]] ''and'' the plot threads for the resuming ongoings and the ''[[ComicBook/TransformersWindblade Windblade'' miniseries]]''. Most infamously, after all the build-up and mystery about which main character would die in part 11, iTunes went ahead and thoughtlessly spoiled it through a preview. [[SarcasmMode Thanks, we really wanted to know]] that [[spoiler:Bumblebee dies]] before we picked up the comic.
* UnsoundEffect: "[[CrowningMomentOfFunny Incoherent babbling]]"
* UnwittingPawn: [[TragicMonster Metrotitan]] turned Necrotitan. Oh, and [[spoiler:Galvatron and Nova were duped by Shockwave.]]
* VerbalTic: Wazzpinator hazz one.
* TheWatson: Shockwave has to explain his plans to someone, and Jhiaxus already knows them, so Dreadwing takes this role.
* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: [[spoiler:Bludgeon]]'s final fate is never touched upon, though he wasn't looking great when last seen.
** Wheelie and Garnak are not seen or mentioned again after the Lost Light pursues Jhiaxus and it is revealed that the Dead Universe portal only works one-way.
* VillainousFriendship: The Decepticons get more set-up as this, with Blitzwing and Astrotrain seeming to have a type 1. Galvatron and Nova have a type 1 as well, saying they've fought together for many years and turning on each other was a fault of the Heart of Darkness messing with them. [[spoiler:Indeed, Galvatron seems very saddened when Nova is killed.]]
* WarpThatAesop: Subverted. Megatron accuses Shockwave of doing this to his ideals but, as Shockwave notes, he's basically just taking Megatron's bigoted philosophy and applying it to ''all'' life. [[invoked]]
* WaveMotionGun: The Necrotitan.
* WellIntentionedExtremist: [[spoiler:Shockwave's evil plan might cause the death of nearly every sentient being in the galaxy, make him a [[AGodAmI God-like being]], and the destruction of two universes, but all he wants is the eternal survival of Cybertron.]]
* WhamEpisode: For both MTMTE and RID. Shockwave's EvilPlan finally kicks in, Orion Pax's team and the Lost Lighters battle the Dead Universe, [[spoiler:Nightbeat and Kup]] are alive, [[spoiler:Brainstorm]] isn't, Nova Prime and Galvatron are [[spoiler:not actually]] behind everything, New Iacon is in ruins, [[spoiler:Bumblebee and Shockwave]] die, and [[spoiler:Megatron joins the Autobots.]] And after it's all over [[spoiler:Orion and the Autobots are heading back to Earth, Windblade is causing trouble on Cybertron, Bluestreak is joining up with the Lost Lighters, and Megatron is taking over the Lost Light's quest.]]
* WhatMeasureIsAMook: Lampshaded by Starscream in a discussion with Rattrap, regarding how [[spoiler:Metalhawk's sacrifice also pretty much wiped out half of the Stentarian race; at ''least'' 70 billion sentient beings.]]
-->'''Starscream''':"They had names, they had friends, they had dreams, but to [[spoiler:Metalhawk]] -- they were just numbers."
** Though ironically enough, [[spoiler:this also indirectly ends the ridiculous ForeverWar between the Terradores and Ammonites. So by wiping out half of the Stentarian race, Metalhawk kind of brought peace to them after over 17 million years of war.]]
* WhatTheHellHero: Orion doesn't react well to Rodimus's confession regarding [[spoiler:Overlord.]] Or, more specifically, that he didn't resign afterwards, as Orion feels that if Rodimus were ''really'' ashamed of his actions than he would've taken responsibility rather than have the crew decide.
** Both Ultra Magnus and Chromedome call out Prowl on his development into a {{Jerkass}} KnightTemplar.
* XanatosGambit: Shockwave performs two concurrent ones. The first? [[spoiler:Finish gathering samples of all his functioning ores on Cybertron by having Metroplex teleported there to take on the Necrotitan.]] The second? [[spoiler:Have Nova Prime end up in the line of fire so that Shockwave can better harness the Dead Universe's energies once he dies and his control over the realm is negated.]] This one ''seems'' to fail thanks to Ironhide, but [[spoiler:Shockwave had already had Jhiaxus lure Orion to Gorlam Prime in case Nova wasn't able to emerge from the Dead Universe, thereby increasing the chances that Orion would kill him.]] {{Badass}}.
* XanatosSpeedChess: Orion Pax, in the Prelude to Dark Cybertron issues.
* YankTheDogsChain: In part 10 Swerve gets really excited when his hero Blurr walks into the Lost Light bar. Barely a page later it's revealed that Blurr not only doesn't remember Swerve, he thinks that Swerve is annoying.
* YouAreWhatYouHate: The reason why Optimus Prime hated his name and cast it off, because of all the bad connotations the previous Primes gave it. [[spoiler:Rodimus convinces him otherwise.]]
* YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness: Shockwave orders Metalhawk get rid of Waspinator once he has served his purpose. [[spoiler:Metalhawk only pretends to follow such order.]]
* YourApprovalFillsMeWithShame: Ratchet takes Megatron's attempts at compliments as intimidation.
----
to:
[[caption-width-right:350:The final cataclysm is at hand... at ''my'' hand.]]
''Dark Cybertron'' is the [[Creator/IDWPublishing IDW]] 12-Issue CrisisCrossover event of 2013-2014 for their Franchise/{{Transformers}} Series, ''[[ComicBook/TheTransformersMoreThanMeetsTheEye More than Meets the Eye]]'' and ''[[ComicBook/TransformersRobotsInDisguise Robots in Disguise]]''.
On Cybertron, the political turmoil that has become commonplace in the lives of its inhabitants is put aside as emotionless mastermind Shockwave summons a massive, undead Metrotitan from the bowels of Crystal City. Starscream, now ruler of New Iacon, sends a desperate plea for help to those he hopes may yet survive beyond the stars...
In the depths of space, the ''Lost Light'' rescues Orion Pax and his team from the collapsing Gorlam Prime. After a brief concurrence, the crews split up to deal with two unfolding crises. Orion and Rodimus lead a team into the Dead Universe through the portal created by the planet's destruction to thwart ancient despot Nova Prime's plans for conquest, while Ultra Magnus and the ''Lost Light''ers heed a cry of help from the mighty Metroplex. Little do any of them know that Shockwave's influence runs deep... and none of them suspect the terrifying scale of his true plan.
The 12-issue series is co-written by John Barber, of [[ComicBook/TransformersRobotsInDisguise RID]], and James Roberts, of [[ComicBook/TheTransformersMoreThanMeetsTheEye MTMTE]], with art by several artists, including Phil Jimenez. The relevant characters can be found [[Characters/TransformersRobotsInDisguise here]] and [[Characters/TheTransformersMoreThanMeetsTheEye here]].
It is followed by the ''ComicBook/TransformersWindblade'' mini-series which deals with the aftermath of the events in Cybertron.
!!This crossover event provides example of:
----
* [[ActionFilmQuietDramaScene Action Comic, Quiet Drama Scene]]: Starscream talking to Metalhawk's body as it lays in state.
** Issue 10 is almost completely comprised of such moments (overlapping with BreatherEpisode).
* ActionGirl: This crossover marks the formal introduction of the second, third, and fourth known female transformers in this universe, and all of them are capable of kicking your ass.
* AdaptationalHeroism: [[WesternAnimation/BeastMachines Tankor]] has gone from TheBrute and later DiabolicalMastermind to a HeroicNeutral.
* AGodAmI: Nova Prime still has this mindset.
** [[spoiler:Shockwave, while superpowered.]]
* AlasPoorVillain: [[spoiler:Shockwave, who regains his former personality too late and has Optimus and Megatron kill him to stop the time drive from destroying the galaxy.]]
* AlwaysABiggerFish: The 'bots are fighting the smaller Ammonites, which then combine into a huge mecha bigger than the "Rod Pod". Lampshaded by Skids himself.
* UsefulNotes/AmericanAccents: Rattrap sports a Bronx accent, fitting for being a rat.
* AMillionIsAStatistic: Invoked. Shockwave berates Megatron for caring more for [[spoiler:Bumblebee]]'s death than all the others that died by his hands or his orders. Then Shockwave proclaims he truly considers all life equal, and even assigned it a quantifiable value-- zero.
** Once again invoked by Starscream, [[spoiler:after Metalhawk [[HeroicSacrifice sacrifices his life]] to destroy the 70 billion Ammonites in one fell swoop.]] It should be noted that Starscream's only trying to paint him in a negative light.
-->'''Starscream:''' Are you '''kidding?''' [[spoiler:Metalhawk ''murdered'' 70 billion sentient beings. They had ''names'', they had ''friends'', they had ''dreams''. But to Metalhawk - they were just '''numbers'''. When you think about it, he was just another genocidal despot vying for control.]]
* AnArmAndALeg: Several 'bots and 'cons end up losing one or more limbs once the Necrotitan fires its first salvo.
** Skids loses his arms in the fight against the Ammonites.
** [[spoiler:Nova Prime]] loses an arm right before being killed.
* AnyoneCanDie: Not so present in the beginning, but it really comes into effect in the final act.
* ApocalypseHow: [[spoiler: Shockwave could've caused a metaphysical level apocalypse on the rest of the galaxy if he hadn't been stopped in time. Metalhawk ends up indirectly causing a minor societal apocalypse on the Stentarians, as his sacrifice ends up taking all of the Ammonites with him.]]
* AntiVillain: Soundwave is shaping up to be one.
* AscendedExtra: Dreadwing was just a minor Decepticon, now he's on the cover of the series. Barber and Roberts addressed this in an interview, stating that, in addition to having a new toy, they made him more important because they chose him at random from a wealth of obscure characters.
* AttackOfThe50FootWhatever: The Necrotitan.
* BackFromTheDead: Metalhawk and Nightbeat.
* BackToBackBadasses: Arcee and Whirl during the battle against [[spoiler: the second Ammonite horde.]]
* BadassInDistress: Megatron until he was rescued, [[spoiler:Metroplex]] until he was repaired and re-energized, Galvatron until he was discarded.
* BadassGrandpa: Kup.
* BadGuysDoTheDirtyWork: Inverted. [[spoiler:Shockwave wanted Nova Prime dead, but it's Orion who ultimately kills him... after being lured to the Dead Universe portal on Gorlam Prime by Jhiaxus, himself acting on Shockwave's orders.]]
* BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor: Starscream realizing that being the leader is not what it seems to be.
* TheBechdelTest: Passes with flying colors. Nautica and Chromia's very first conversation has little to nothing to do with men, instead being immature bickering.
* BerserkButton: For Prowl, anything to do with the Decepticons, and Bumblebee's style of leadership.
* BigBad: Seems to be Shockwave at first, then [[BigBadDuumvirate Nova Prime and Galvatron]] get involved. [[spoiler:It actually ''is'' Shockwave, though-- he was merely cooperating with them to further his own ends.]]
* BigDamnHeroes: The Lost Light crew arrives in the nick of time to save Orion Pax and his crew from being dragged into Gorlam Prime's gravity well.
** The ''Lost Light'' and Metroplex bridging to Cybertron is another example.
** Prowl and the Constructicons [[spoiler:forming Devastator]] to stop Monstructor.
** [[spoiler:Optimus Prime, Kup, Nightbeat, Rodimus and Cyclonus break into the main universe through the Dead Universe portal in Brainstorm's chest and take care of Bludgeon in short order.]]
* BigGood: Orion Pax.
* BondVillainStupidity: Subverted. Shockwave's assumption that [[spoiler:Galvatron]] is no longer a threat doesn't come back to bite him at all.
* BreatherEpisode: Issue 10, for the most part.
* BrokenPedestal: The Primes to the population, including Optimus himself, for the most part -- still, most realize that [[RebuiltPedestal Optimus embodies what Primes SHOULD be]], rather than what they actually were.
** [[spoiler:Megatron to Soundwave after the former's HeelRealization, which Soundwave sees as Megatron betraying his own ideals.]]
* TheBusCameBack: Galvatron, Nova Prime, [[spoiler:Nightbeat]], Metroplex, and [[spoiler:Kup.]]
** Chromia disappeared after her cameo in Megatron Origin, and finally returns here.
* CallBack:
** Whirl says Cyclonus should totally promise to kill Hardhead when he least expects it for calling him a coward, referencing to the promise Cyclonus once did to kill him back in MTMTE #2.
** Rodimus offers Ultra Magnus a Weak Energon Spritzer, a drink referenced by Tailgate as something Ultra Magnus would drink in MTMTE#6, and also referencing the fact that Magnus CantHoldHisLiquor, as seen in MTMTE #13.
** [[spoiler:Metroplex's Thumb]], first seen in ''Spotlight: Trailcutter''.
** Ultra Magnus references his travels with [[ComicBook/TheTransformersLastStandOfTheWreckers Verity Carlo]].
** Prowl confuses Ravage for a dog, similar to what Andy did back in ''ComicBook/TheTransformersAllHailMegatron''.
* CasualDangerDialogue: During the battle in Shockwave's HQ, Arcee and Blitzwing trade barbs with one another.
* ChekhovsGun:
** [[spoiler:Metroplex's thumb.]]
** [[spoiler:Turmoil's time machine.]]
** Skywarp's teleportation. He was stabbed by Arcee back in ComicBook/TransformersRobotsInDisguise and mentioned having problems keeping himself together. When they engage Shockwave, he loses control of his Teleportation and vanishes altogether in Issue 5. [[spoiler: He comes back in Issue 10, having regained control of his power, and rescues Metalhawk and Waspinator, taking them (as well as the information on Shockwave's plan) back to the city.]]
* ChekhovsGunman: Tailpipe makes his debut, although he was mentioned as early as Issue 12 in [[ComicBook/TheTransformersMoreThanMeetsTheEye MTMTE]].
** The Ammonites show up again to battle the ''Lost Light'' crew. [[spoiler:Twice.]]
** [[spoiler:[[SpannerInTheWorks Skywarp]].]]
* TheChessmaster: Shockwave has been putting the pieces in place since before the events of ComicBook/TheTransformersIDW.
* TheChosenOne: Starscream, apparently, given that the Titan reacted to him and TheProphecy.
* CombiningMecha: The Ammonites.
* ContinuityNod: Garnak and Rodimus have a happy reunion after the time they spent as crewmates back in ComicBook/TheTransformersIDW.
** In part 5, mention is made of Tailgate recovering after the end of "Remain In Light".
** [[http://sonicaseekermercenaria.tumblr.com/post/79452700734 As confirmed]] by James Roberts, the cliff that Prowl and Chromedome meet on is the same one that Whirl and Cyclonus fought on in the first issue of MTMTE.
* CoolVsAwesome:
** Megatron vs. Galvatron. The former missing his legs at the time.
** [[spoiler:The Necrotitan vs Metroplex.]]
** [[spoiler:Nova vs. Orion-- no, wait, OPTIMUS.]]
** [[spoiler:Megatron vs. God!Shockwave.]]
* CrisisCrossover: For the storylines in the two IDW ''Transformers'' ongoings.
* DarkMessiah: Starscream, unwillingly. [[spoiler:Shockwave, willingly.]]
* DeadAllAlong: [[spoiler:Brainstorm, as revealed by part 11. In fact, he's apparently been undead since right before issue 1 of ''More Than Meets The Eye''.]]
* DidYouJustScamCthulhu: [[spoiler:Turns out Galvatron and Nova Prime aren't actually behind everything-- that's just what Shockwave wanted them to believe. In reality, he wanted Nova eliminated to make it easier to harness the Dead Universe's energies, and he intends to use Galvatron as a conduit for them…]]
* DependingOnTheArtist: Starscream's new design changes a lot depending on who's drawing him.
* {{Determinator}}: Arcee, who has spent most of Dark Cybertron without one of her legs and still kicking more ass than other fully-limbed 'bots.
** And Megatron, who hasn't let being legless slow him down.
* DiscOneFinalBoss: [[spoiler:Nova Prime and the Necrotitan.]]
* DragonAscendant: [[spoiler:Shockwave to Nova and Galvatron.]] Granted, he only made them believe he was their [[TheDragon Dragon]].
* [[invoked]]DudeNotFunny: Prowl smirking [[spoiler:at the news of Rewind's death]].
* [[spoiler:DyingAsYourself: Whether he is truly killed or not, Shockwave (after breaking free from the [[MindRape Shadowplay]]) asks Optimus and Megatron to gun him down to stop the collapse of time.]]
* DynamicEntry: Chromia and Nautica at the end of chapter 7. Doesn't get much more dynamic than hitting the Duly Appointed Enforcer Of The Tyrest Accord over the head on your way in.
** [[spoiler:Metroplex finally arriving to Cybertron, after getting jumpstarted by the ''Lost Light''.]]
* EldritchLocation: The Dead Universe.
* EldritchAbomination: The Necrotitan, though it wasn't always that way.
** Nova Prime, too (see HumanoidAbomination).
* EndOfAnEra: [[spoiler:For Nova Prime's attempted empire.]] However, there's a subversion with [[spoiler:the Age of Primes]], once [[spoiler:Orion reclaims his title as Optimus Prime.]]
* EnemyMine: The Autobots and Decepticons end up having to work together to stop Shockwave's scheme. Lampshaded by Shockwave, who notes how utterly predictable it was. Also lampshaded by Starscream.
-->'''Starscream:''' Well, that's a start. The enemy of my --
-->'''Soundwave:''' Silence, Starscream.
* [[BloodFromTheMouth Energon From The Mouth]]: Cyclonus, upon being infected by the Dead Universe.
* EtTuBrute: A revived Metalhawk pretty much lets Starscream have it for killing him in the first place.
* EvilPlan: Shockwave plans to [[spoiler:use all the functioning Regenesis Ores, in conjunction with the energies of the Dead Universe (using Galvatron), to essentially harness the rest of the galaxy to recharge Cybertron for eternity.]]
* EvilVsEvil: Megatron vs. Galvatron. Doubles as CoolVsAwesome.
* EvilVersusOblivion: Downplayed, The Decepticons are against Shockwave because he turned on them [[spoiler: they don't have knowledge of him wanting to end all creation outside of their planet]], though when Megatron finds out he's still against Shockwave.
* EyeScream: The "Rodpod" is taken into a trench in the foreign planet's sea, there they find a severed optic cable and [[spoiler:realize that the trench is really Metroplex's eye socket, now a gaping wound on his face.]]
* {{Expy}}:
** Nightbeat is very much one of [[Franchise/SherlockHolmes a certain fictional detective]]. Doubles as a SherlockHomage.
** Taken to their logical conclusion, and following Shockwave's description of the ore functions, Shockwave just created the Transformers version of [[spoiler:the [[ComicBook/TheInfinityGauntlet Infinity Gems]].]] And thus Shockwave himself becomes one of [[spoiler:{{ComicBook/Thanos}}.]]
* FamilyUnfriendlyDeath: [[spoiler:Hardhead]] is consumed by the Dead Universe when Nova Prime crushes his forcefield generator, disintegrating and blowing away on the wind.
** [[spoiler:Nova Prime himself]] gets an arm ripped off before having a huge hole punched in his chest in short order.
** Metroplex's defense systems utterly incinerate the Ammonite forces. [[spoiler:Well, the first ones.]]
** Shockwave kills [[spoiler:Bumblebee]] by blowing his chest apart from behind.
* FemmeFatalons: Arcee, after her upgrade.
* FinishingEachOthersSentences: Perceptor and Brainstorm start doing this.
* FlatEarthAtheist: Downplayed: Jhiaxus makes a point that the age of legend and myth is over and this is the era of Science, to contrast Cyclonus's more superstitious beliefs, but at this point most religious events could very well be chalked up to science.
* {{Foil}}: Whirl lampshades this about Cyclonus and himself in Dark Cybertron #1, when defending Cyclonus from Hardhead's criticism.
* FromACertainPointOfView: [[spoiler:Starscream labels himself as the savior of Cybertron towards the end of ''Dark Cybertron''. He is technically correct as it was his decision to call ''The Lost Light'' at the beginning what triggered a series of events which ends in Cybertron being saved. His ability to delegate jobs to the proper people is what made him a competent bureaucrat, and is the reason why he's still in power by the time ''ComicBook/TransformersWindblade'' rolls in.]]
** He's also [[JerkassHasAPoint right]] when he discusses [[spoiler:Metalhawk role in exterminating 70 billion Stentarians, easily half of their population, and how to Metalhawk they were just [[AMillionIsAStatistic numbers]], but each one of those had friends and families, as seen in ''ComicBook/TheTransformersMoreThanMeetsTheEye'' when Skids and Whirl meet several of them in Hedonia and share drinks with.]]
* GallowsHumor: Starscream, after being backstabbed by a revived Metalhawk.
-->'''Metalhawk''': "I '''trusted''' you. I '''befriended''' you. And you '''killed''' me the moment it '''suited''' you."
-->'''Starscream''':"Hey, if it's any '''consolation'''... I clearly '''didn't''' do a '''good job''' of it."
* GeniusLoci: The Dead Universe.
* GoshDangItToHeck: Ultra Magnus is trying to soften his image by using slang. Unfortunately his idea of slang is outdated terms that sound like they would be said by a 50's sitcom dad, like "What in blue blazes?".
* HalfTheManHeUsedToBe: Megatron gets ripped in half by Galvatron. [[MajorInjuryUnderreaction It slows him down a bit]].
* HandicappedBadass: [[AnArmAndALeg Arcee]], [[HalfTheManHeUsedToBe Megatron]], [[spoiler:[[IncurableCoughOfDeath Cyclonus]], Kup, and [[SyntheticPlague Metroplex]].]]
* HannibalLecture: Nova Prime towards Orion, during their duel. [[spoiler:It nearly overcomes Pax, but Rodimus manages to give him a second wind, resulting in an ''epic'' ShutUpHannibal.]]
* HeelRealization: [[spoiler: Megatron]] in issue 10.
-->[[spoiler:'''Megatron''':"I lost the war the moment I gave the order to fight."]]
* HeroicSacrifice: [[spoiler:Metalhawk and, ironically enough, Shockwave himself.]]
* HeroicSecondWind:
** [[spoiler:Orion against Nova Prime.]]
** [[spoiler:Metroplex lays the smacketh down once he gets his thumb back.]] ItMakesSenseInContext.
* HesBack: [[spoiler:Thanks to Rodimus' words, Orion Pax goes back to calling himself Optimus Prime after kicking Nova Prime's ass in Dark Cybertron #9.]]
* HumanoidAbomination: Nova Prime.
* IKnowYoureInThereSomewhereFight: Rodimus poses a riddle to Nightbeat as an attempt to break Nova Prime's control. It works.
** Later attempted against [[spoiler:Shockwave by Optimus. It doesn't work at first, but Megatron donning Bumblebee's Autobot symbol and declaring himself one causes him so much confusion that he loses control of the chronal drive, and his original personality reemerges.]]
* ImpaledWithExtremePrejudice: Happens twice. Waspinator is lucky and survives, [[spoiler:Jhiaxus]] isn't and doesn't.
* IncurableCoughOfDeath: Cyclonus seems to be heading that way for a bit, but ultimately he survives it.
* InfoDump: Orion Pax' monologue near the beginning of Dark Cybertron #1.
* InsistentTerminology: When Nova Prime call him Optimus, Orion corrects him by pointing out that he gave up the title of Prime. Nova doesn't care and keeps calling him Optimus anyway. [[spoiler:Orion only goes back to being Optimus Prime after kicking Nova Prime's ass.]]
* IntergenerationalFriendship: [[spoiler: Megatron and Bumblebee]] form one. In a twist, it's the younger person who ends up teaching the older one a lesson; [[spoiler: Bumblebee ends up showing Megatron the error of his ways]].
* InTheBack: How Shockwave kills [[spoiler:Bumblebee.]]
* ItsAllAboutMe: Starscream, Rodimus and Prowl. [[WhatTheHellHero All get called out for it.]]
* ItMayHelpYouOnYourQuest: Brainstorm handing over two items to Orion Pax and claiming it will help him stop the Dead Universe.
* JerkassHasAPoint: Yeah, Starscream was just trying to make [[spoiler:Metalhawk a HeroWithBadPublicity]], but he was right about [[spoiler:Metalhawk killing 70 billion sentient beings, easily far more than 4 million year great war the Transformers were involved with.]]
** Starscream again when Megatron admits that for all his years of being...well, TheStarscream, he was right to realize that ruling Cybertron would require winning the hearts and minds of its populace, not mere military conquest.
* KarmaHoudini: Though he endures quite a bit of punishment throughout, [[spoiler:Dreadwing is the probably the only surviving member of Shockwave's team once the dust settles (the jury's still out on Bludgeon, and Waspinator's off the team by that point).]]
* KickTheDog: As if Prowl wasn't big enough of a {{Jerkass}}, he has the gall to '''smirk''' when he hears that [[spoiler:he indirectly got Rewind killed.]] This causes Chromedome to snap and [[TheDogBitesBack try to pound Prowl's smug face in]].
* KilledOffForReal: [[spoiler:Hardhead, Nova Prime(for real this time), Bumblebee, Metalhawk (for real this time), Jhiaxus, and Shockwave himself.]]
* LampshadeHanging: Shortly before [[spoiler:Bumblebee's death]], Megatron mentions how hard it is to kill Transformers. It works as both foreshadowing and humor (since Megatron is probably the most killed and resurrected/retconned Transformer after Optimus).
* LetsGetDangerous: Prowl's reaction to the Necrotitan storming into New Iacon.
* LetsYouAndHimFight: Played Straight. The Autobots under Bumblebee and the Decepticons under Soundwave meet, then fight each other before teaming up.
** When Nautica and Chromia are introduced this is used to set up a cliff hanger in issue 7. In the next Issue Getaway diffuses the situation by pointing out that they're all on the same side.
* LighterAndSofter: While not a "light and soft" crossover, keep in mind that each issue was to be packaged with a figure from the ''Generations'' line which, while more collector-oriented, could still be bought by young kids.
* LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters: Each issue has a "Roll Call" section featuring headshots and names of the issue's most prominent characters. The lineup averages over a dozen characters and is constantly changing.
* MajorInjuryUnderreaction: Megatron apparently doesn't consider getting torn in half to be a serious issue.
* ManBehindTheMan: Seemingly Nova Prime and Galvatron for Shockwave. [[spoiler:Subverted; they're merely a means to Shockwave's ends.]]
* ManchurianAgent: Nightbeat [[ContinuityNod is still one]]. Doesn't last, though.
* MarkOfTheBeast: Starscream gets an expanding black mark on his chest after the Necrotitan's attack, which Scoop insists is this.
* MassOhCrap: ''All'' of the heroes when [[spoiler: a ''seventy billion'' strong army of Ammonites]] bear down on New Iacon on Shockwave's command.
* MeaningfulEcho: [[spoiler:Right before he and Megatron kill Shockwave, Orion echoes the line the scientist made all the way back in MTMTE issue 12, promising to remember him as he was.]]
* MerchandiseDriven: Given that the comics are pack-ins with toys, there are rather forced cameos of the toys themselves throughout. [[TakeThat The writers wasted no time in making fun of this fact.]]
* MidseasonUpgrade: Both Starscream and Bumblebee get new bodies just in time for the crossover, and Arcee gets a new body courtesy of Ratchet in chapter 10.
* MilkingTheGiantCow: Galvatron in part 7.
* MillionMookMarch: The Ammonites.
* MirrorMatch: Jhiaxus' [[AdaptiveArmor reactive armour]] changes his body to be a copy of Starscream's while fighting him.
** HoistByHisOwnPetard: Starscream didn't even ''realize'' [[HowDoIShotWeb his new body came equipped with swords]] until Jhiaxus had them while imitating him. [[spoiler:Leads to Jhiaxus getting ImpaledWithExtremePrejudice]].
* MoralityPet: Bumblebee inadvertently becomes one for Megatron.
* MuggingTheMonster: Yeah, Prowl, go ahead and push Chromedome's buttons... again.
* MyFriendsAndZoidberg: The following exchange.
-->'''Orion Pax''': "Don't worry, Autobots —"\\
'''Cyclonus''': (on his knees, in obvious pain) ''*kaff*''\\
'''Orion Pax''': "Sorry, Autobots and Cyclonus..."
* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: [[spoiler:Galvatron when he realizes how Shockwave used him and sees what Shockwave is going to do to the rest of the galaxy to save Cybertron.]]
** [[spoiler:Shockwave after Megatron manages to restore his emotions and true personality.]]
* MythologyGag: [[TransformersBeastWars "Why univerzze hate Waspinator?"]], this time said after [[spoiler:Bludgeon impales him.]]
* OhCrap: The Dead Universe team has two in a row when they realize that the Dead Universe is infecting [[spoiler:Cyclonus]], and Nova Prime is still in control of [[spoiler:Nightbeat.]]
* OneSteveLimit: Averted, there's two Tankors: one a CanonImmigrant from ''WesternAnimation/BeastMachines'' and the other Octane, whose toy was renamed Tankor for trademark reasons, which was carried over into the IDW comics. Unlike other characters, like say the Prowls, they both kept their names and Starscream lampshades it.
* OOCIsSeriousBusiness: Bumblebee remarks to Prowl that he's been anything but logical since they were exiled from New Iacon.
* OrwellianRetcon: The existence of female cybertronians. Prior, Arcee was the only "female", but Arcee's origin story was chockfull of UnfortunateImplications.
* OurZombiesAreDifferent: The Necrotitan and Nova Prime's Sweeps.
* PhysicalGod: [[spoiler:Shockwave in the final act.]]
* PleaseWakeUp: Rumble to Frenzy After the death wave.
-->"Speak to me buddy. Come on! '''Speak! BE OKAY!'''"
* PlotDetour: A meta example; the events of this comic are essentially a plot detour for ''More Than Meets The Eye'', with the crew of the Lost Light temporarily abandoning their quest for the Knights Of Cybertron to help out Orion Pax and his team.
* TheProphecy: The events of Dark Cybertron were apparently foretold from the days before Nova Prime, including Shockwave being the one behind most of the events. [[spoiler:Makes sense, as the prophecy is his.]]
-->''"He shall arrive with a '''Titan'''; and adorned the Titan will be in '''Metal Black.'''"''
-->''"And He shall '''arrive''' and stand '''alone''' while '''not alone'''; and time will rust and '''stars''' shall '''scream'''."''
-->''"And the symbol of the '''uncreator''' shall be clear, and his '''gaze''' shall unravel the Legacy of '''Primus'''."''
* RealityWarper: Nova Prime has become one, having gained a significant amount of control over the fabric the Dead Universe. [[spoiler:This is precisely why Shockwave wants him out of the way.]]
** [[spoiler:Shockwave himself graduates to one after stealing the Dead Universe's energies and mastering the Regenesis Ores.]]
* TheReasonYouSuckSpeech: Prowl gives one to Bumblebee, pretty much calling him a [[PinballProtagonist door]][[ExtremeDoormat mat]]. Never mind that Prowl is being a {{Hypocrite}} since he himself took advantage of Bumblebee and was undermining him at every little turn, even before being mind-controlled by Bombshell.
** Bumblebee gives one to Megatron.
-->'''Megatron''':'''I've led an army battling for freedom for millions of years --''
-->'''Bumblebee''':''No, that's not what you led at all. You were a gang of destroyers ravaging the galaxy in the name of a cause you'd forgotten, except when you needed an excuse.''
** Orion also gives one to Rodimus after Rodimus confesses to the [[spoiler:Overlord]] affair, telling him he should have resigned rather than ask for a vote, and that the reason why he asked for a vote of confidence was because Rodimus thought he was going to win.
* ReluctantRuler: Magnus taking leadership of the Lost Light crew after Rodimus, Orion Pax, Hardhead and Cyclonus jump into the Dead Universe.
* RestoredMyFaithInHumanity: [[spoiler:Bumblebee ultimately does this for Megatron.]]
* SciFiWritersHaveNoSenseOfScale: Ultra Magnus' description of the Lost Light makes its surface area as big as Brooklyn and the Bronx combined.
* SecretStabWound: Cyclonus. His forcefield generator broke upon landing in the Dead Universe, as thus he's infected, and throwing up black Energon.
* SeenItAll: [[spoiler: Kup]], [[MythologyGag as is tradition.]]
-->[[spoiler:'''Kup''']]: ''I've been spiked by Squadron X, dipped in the smeltin' pool, framed for treason, shot into the sun - and I was the only 'bot still trapped inside the Nightmare Engine when everyone else woke up. I've seen off every rinky-dink, two-bit, catchpenny decepticon rust-picker, and I got the tends in my knuckles to prove it. End of the day? I'm ready for anything you can throw at me.''
** Which becomes hilarious after Nova literally throws Cyclonus into him.
* SherlockScan: [[spoiler:Nightbeat]]'s signature trait.
* ShootTheShaggyDog: [[spoiler: Bumblebee]]'s character arc through all of the new ongoing ends here. [[spoiler:Starts as a doormat, begins to get some serious CharacterDevelopment, including winning over Megatron and making him realize his [[HeelRealization errors]], only to die when shot in the back by Shockwave.]]
* SpannerInTheWorks: Ultimately subverted with Ironhide. Knocking Nova Prime back into the Dead Universe had little to no effect on the ultimate outcome.
** Three for the price of one with [[spoiler:Metalhawk, Waspinator, and Skywarp]], who bring word of Shockwave's plans back to the city.
* StableTimeLoop: [[spoiler:Shockwave uses the time ore to drain energy from the universe that will eventually become the Dead Universe, essentially creating the Dead Universe.]]
** There's another one in the ''Prelude to Dark Cybertron'', involving LV-117, The Reflector Trio and Turmoil's time-side-stepping ship, it's [[{{Understatement}} quite]] the MindScrew.
* TheStarscream: The trope namer is a main character. Unfortunately for him, he didn't anticipate Rattrap being as skilled of a Starscream as Starscream himself.
** [[spoiler:Then Shockwave is this for Nova and Galvatron]], although it is kinda relative as [[spoiler:he only led them believe he was their [[TheDragon Dragon]] in the first place.]]Finally, there's a more positive example in[[spoiler:Metalhawk]], who is struggling against Shockwave's control all the while.
* StupidStatementDanceMix: Swerve made Orion's distress call into his ringtone.
-->'''Orion Pax:''' ''(cheesy jingle plays)'' AUTOBOTS IN DANGER! EXPLODING PLANET!
* SuddenNameChange: Slag gets his named changed to Slug. The [[ExecutiveMeddling reason behind it]] is even lampshaded by [[LeaningOnTheFourthWall Slug's conversation with Arcee]].
* SurpassedTheTeacher: Shockwave to Jhiaxus, specially given his last line in [=RID=] #22.
-->'''Shockwave''': I did not '''ask''', Jhiaxus... I '''commanded.'''
* TakeThat: The writers poke at [[ExecutiveMeddling Hasbro's meddling]] to include certain characters in order to [[MerchandiseDriven sell toys]] by giving them some ridiculous dialogue, and then quickly forgetting about them.
* TakeThatAudience: Ratchet's finger-wagging and criticism of Ultra Magnus seems a preemptive move on MTMTE fans that have suggested taking a 5 month break from the comic for the duration of "Dark Cybertron".
* TalkingToTheDead: Starscream is still talking to Metalhawk's corpse for reassurance. This time, Rattrap overheard him...
* ThatsAnOrder: The Dinobots are initially not too keen on following Bumblebee, until he berates them.
* ThirdLineSomeWaiting: You got the Cybertron thread, the Lost Light thread, and the Dead Universe thread, with each story being drawn by a different artist. It is expected to go into FourLinesAllWaiting based on the fact that a future issue will feature [=FOUR=] artists.
* TitleDrop: "Dark Cybertron" is the name of the prophecy, as mentioned by Rattrap.
* TimeSkip: Both ''ComicBook/TransformersRobotsInDisguise'' and ''ComicBook/TheTransformersMoreThanMeetsTheEye'' are set to resume six months after the events of ''[[ComicBook/TransformersDarkCybertron Dark Cybertron]]''.
* TimeStandsStill: [[spoilerShockwave's ultimate plan would have frozen all of reality at a single point in time.]]
* TonightSomeoneDies: The solicitation for chapter 11 promises the death of a high ranking Autobot. [[spoiler:It's Bumblebee.]]
* TrailersAlwaysSpoil: Suffered terribly from this. Solicitations for future issues gave away the [[EnemyMine Autobot[=/=]Decepticon alliance]] ''and'' the plot threads for the resuming ongoings and the ''[[ComicBook/TransformersWindblade Windblade'' miniseries]]''. Most infamously, after all the build-up and mystery about which main character would die in part 11, iTunes went ahead and thoughtlessly spoiled it through a preview. [[SarcasmMode Thanks, we really wanted to know]] that [[spoiler:Bumblebee dies]] before we picked up the comic.
* UnsoundEffect: "[[CrowningMomentOfFunny Incoherent babbling]]"
* UnwittingPawn: [[TragicMonster Metrotitan]] turned Necrotitan. Oh, and [[spoiler:Galvatron and Nova were duped by Shockwave.]]
* VerbalTic: Wazzpinator hazz one.
* TheWatson: Shockwave has to explain his plans to someone, and Jhiaxus already knows them, so Dreadwing takes this role.
* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: [[spoiler:Bludgeon]]'s final fate is never touched upon, though he wasn't looking great when last seen.
** Wheelie and Garnak are not seen or mentioned again after the Lost Light pursues Jhiaxus and it is revealed that the Dead Universe portal only works one-way.
* VillainousFriendship: The Decepticons get more set-up as this, with Blitzwing and Astrotrain seeming to have a type 1. Galvatron and Nova have a type 1 as well, saying they've fought together for many years and turning on each other was a fault of the Heart of Darkness messing with them. [[spoiler:Indeed, Galvatron seems very saddened when Nova is killed.]]
* WarpThatAesop: Subverted. Megatron accuses Shockwave of doing this to his ideals but, as Shockwave notes, he's basically just taking Megatron's bigoted philosophy and applying it to ''all'' life. [[invoked]]
* WaveMotionGun: The Necrotitan.
* WellIntentionedExtremist: [[spoiler:Shockwave's evil plan might cause the death of nearly every sentient being in the galaxy, make him a [[AGodAmI God-like being]], and the destruction of two universes, but all he wants is the eternal survival of Cybertron.]]
* WhamEpisode: For both MTMTE and RID. Shockwave's EvilPlan finally kicks in, Orion Pax's team and the Lost Lighters battle the Dead Universe, [[spoiler:Nightbeat and Kup]] are alive, [[spoiler:Brainstorm]] isn't, Nova Prime and Galvatron are [[spoiler:not actually]] behind everything, New Iacon is in ruins, [[spoiler:Bumblebee and Shockwave]] die, and [[spoiler:Megatron joins the Autobots.]] And after it's all over [[spoiler:Orion and the Autobots are heading back to Earth, Windblade is causing trouble on Cybertron, Bluestreak is joining up with the Lost Lighters, and Megatron is taking over the Lost Light's quest.]]
* WhatMeasureIsAMook: Lampshaded by Starscream in a discussion with Rattrap, regarding how [[spoiler:Metalhawk's sacrifice also pretty much wiped out half of the Stentarian race; at ''least'' 70 billion sentient beings.]]
-->'''Starscream''':"They had names, they had friends, they had dreams, but to [[spoiler:Metalhawk]] -- they were just numbers."
** Though ironically enough, [[spoiler:this also indirectly ends the ridiculous ForeverWar between the Terradores and Ammonites. So by wiping out half of the Stentarian race, Metalhawk kind of brought peace to them after over 17 million years of war.]]
* WhatTheHellHero: Orion doesn't react well to Rodimus's confession regarding [[spoiler:Overlord.]] Or, more specifically, that he didn't resign afterwards, as Orion feels that if Rodimus were ''really'' ashamed of his actions than he would've taken responsibility rather than have the crew decide.
** Both Ultra Magnus and Chromedome call out Prowl on his development into a {{Jerkass}} KnightTemplar.
* XanatosGambit: Shockwave performs two concurrent ones. The first? [[spoiler:Finish gathering samples of all his functioning ores on Cybertron by having Metroplex teleported there to take on the Necrotitan.]] The second? [[spoiler:Have Nova Prime end up in the line of fire so that Shockwave can better harness the Dead Universe's energies once he dies and his control over the realm is negated.]] This one ''seems'' to fail thanks to Ironhide, but [[spoiler:Shockwave had already had Jhiaxus lure Orion to Gorlam Prime in case Nova wasn't able to emerge from the Dead Universe, thereby increasing the chances that Orion would kill him.]] {{Badass}}.
* XanatosSpeedChess: Orion Pax, in the Prelude to Dark Cybertron issues.
* YankTheDogsChain: In part 10 Swerve gets really excited when his hero Blurr walks into the Lost Light bar. Barely a page later it's revealed that Blurr not only doesn't remember Swerve, he thinks that Swerve is annoying.
* YouAreWhatYouHate: The reason why Optimus Prime hated his name and cast it off, because of all the bad connotations the previous Primes gave it. [[spoiler:Rodimus convinces him otherwise.]]
* YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness: Shockwave orders Metalhawk get rid of Waspinator once he has served his purpose. [[spoiler:Metalhawk only pretends to follow such order.]]
* YourApprovalFillsMeWithShame: Ratchet takes Megatron's attempts at compliments as intimidation.
----
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''Dark Cybertron'' is the [[Creator/IDWPublishing IDW]] 12-Issue CrisisCrossover event of 2013-2014 for their Franchise/{{Transformers}} Series, ''[[ComicBook/TransformersMoreThanMeetsTheEye More than Meets the Eye]]'' and ''[[ComicBook/TransformersRobotsInDisguise Robots in Disguise]]''.
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''Dark Cybertron'' is the [[Creator/IDWPublishing IDW]] 12-Issue CrisisCrossover event of 2013-2014 for their Franchise/{{Transformers}} Series, ''[[ComicBook/TransformersMoreThanMeetsTheEye ''[[ComicBook/TheTransformersMoreThanMeetsTheEye More than Meets the Eye]]'' and ''[[ComicBook/TransformersRobotsInDisguise Robots in Disguise]]''.
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The 12-issue series is co-written by John Barber, of [[ComicBook/TransformersRobotsInDisguise RID]], and James Roberts, of [[ComicBook/TransformersMoreThanMeetsTheEye MTMTE]], with art by several artists, including Phil Jimenez. The relevant characters can be found [[Characters/TransformersRobotsInDisguise here]] and [[Characters/TransformersMoreThanMeetsTheEye here]].
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The 12-issue series is co-written by John Barber, of [[ComicBook/TransformersRobotsInDisguise RID]], and James Roberts, of [[ComicBook/TransformersMoreThanMeetsTheEye [[ComicBook/TheTransformersMoreThanMeetsTheEye MTMTE]], with art by several artists, including Phil Jimenez. The relevant characters can be found [[Characters/TransformersRobotsInDisguise here]] and [[Characters/TransformersMoreThanMeetsTheEye [[Characters/TheTransformersMoreThanMeetsTheEye here]].
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* ChekhovsGunman: Tailpipe makes his debut, although he was mentioned as early as Issue 12 in [[ComicBook/TransformersMoreThanMeetsTheEye MTMTE]].
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* ChekhovsGunman: Tailpipe makes his debut, although he was mentioned as early as Issue 12 in [[ComicBook/TransformersMoreThanMeetsTheEye [[ComicBook/TheTransformersMoreThanMeetsTheEye MTMTE]].
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** He's also [[JerkassHasAPoint right]] when he discusses [[spoiler:Metalhawk role in exterminating 70 billion Stentarians, easily half of their population, and how to Metalhawk they were just [[AMillionIsAStatistic numbers]], but each one of those had friends and families, as seen in ''ComicBook/TransformersMoreThanMeetsTheEye'' when Skids and Whirl meet several of them in Hedonia and share drinks with.]]
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** He's also [[JerkassHasAPoint right]] when he discusses [[spoiler:Metalhawk role in exterminating 70 billion Stentarians, easily half of their population, and how to Metalhawk they were just [[AMillionIsAStatistic numbers]], but each one of those had friends and families, as seen in ''ComicBook/TransformersMoreThanMeetsTheEye'' ''ComicBook/TheTransformersMoreThanMeetsTheEye'' when Skids and Whirl meet several of them in Hedonia and share drinks with.]]
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* TimeSkip: Both ''ComicBook/TransformersRobotsInDisguise'' and ''ComicBook/TransformersMoreThanMeetsTheEye'' are set to resume six months after the events of ''[[ComicBook/TransformersDarkCybertron Dark Cybertron]]''.
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* TimeSkip: Both ''ComicBook/TransformersRobotsInDisguise'' and ''ComicBook/TransformersMoreThanMeetsTheEye'' ''ComicBook/TheTransformersMoreThanMeetsTheEye'' are set to resume six months after the events of ''[[ComicBook/TransformersDarkCybertron Dark Cybertron]]''.
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** Ultra Magnus references his travels with [[ComicBook/TransformersLastStandOfTheWreckers Verity Carlo]].
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** Ultra Magnus references his travels with [[ComicBook/TransformersLastStandOfTheWreckers [[ComicBook/TheTransformersLastStandOfTheWreckers Verity Carlo]].
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** Prowl confuses Ravage for a dog, similar to what Andy did back in ComicBook/TransformersAllHailMegatron.
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** Prowl confuses Ravage for a dog, similar to what Andy did back in ComicBook/TransformersAllHailMegatron.''ComicBook/TheTransformersAllHailMegatron''.
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* [[invoked]]DudeNotFunny: Prowl smirking [[spoiler:at the news of Rewind's death]].
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* AmericanAccents: Rattrap sports a Bronx accent, fitting for being a rat.
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* AmericanAccents: UsefulNotes/AmericanAccents: Rattrap sports a Bronx accent, fitting for being a rat.
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** HoistByHisOwnPetard: Starscream didn't even ''realize'' [[HowDoIShotWeb his new body came equipped with swords]] until Jhiaxus had them while imitating him. [[spoiler:Leads to Jhiaxus getting ImpaledWithExtremePredjudice]].
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** HoistByHisOwnPetard: Starscream didn't even ''realize'' [[HowDoIShotWeb his new body came equipped with swords]] until Jhiaxus had them while imitating him. [[spoiler:Leads to Jhiaxus getting ImpaledWithExtremePredjudice]].getting ImpaledWithExtremePrejudice]].
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** HoistByHisOwnPetard: Starscream didn't even ''realize'' [[HowDoIShotWeb his new body came equipped with swords]] until Jhiaxus had them while imitating him. [[spoiler:Leads to Jhiaxus getting ImpaledWithExtremePredjudice]].
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** Starscream again when Megatron admits that for all his years of being...well, TheStarscream, he was right to realize that ruling Cybertron would require winning the hearts and minds of its populace, not mere military conquest.
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* KarmaHoudini: Though he endures quite a bit of punishment throughout, [[spoiler:Dreadwing is the probably the only surviving member of Shockwave's team once the dust settles (the jury's still out on Bludgeon, and Waspinator's off the team by that point).]]
* KickTheDog: As if Prowl wasn't big enough of a {{Jerkass}}, he has the gall to '''smirk''' when he hears that [[spoiler:he indirectly got Rewind killed.]] This causes Chromedome to snap and [[TheDogBitesBack try to pound Prowl's smug face in]].
* KilledOffForReal: [[spoiler:Hardhead, Nova Prime(for real this time), Bumblebee, Metalhawk (for real this time), Jhiaxus, and Shockwave himself.]]
* KickTheDog: As if Prowl wasn't big enough of a {{Jerkass}}, he has the gall to '''smirk''' when he hears that [[spoiler:he indirectly got Rewind killed.]] This causes Chromedome to snap and [[TheDogBitesBack try to pound Prowl's smug face in]].
* KilledOffForReal: [[spoiler:Hardhead, Nova Prime(for real this time), Bumblebee, Metalhawk (for real this time), Jhiaxus, and Shockwave himself.]]
* LetsYouAndHimFight: Played Straight. The Autobots under Bumblebee and the Decepticons under Soundwave meet, then fight each other before teaming up.
** When Nautica and Chromia are introduced this is used to set up a cliff hanger in issue 7. In the next Issue Getaway diffuses the situation by pointing out that they're all on the same side.
* LighterAndSofter: While not a "light and soft" crossover, keep in mind that each issue was to be packaged with a figure from the ''Generations'' line which, while more collector-oriented, could still be bought by young kids.
** When Nautica and Chromia are introduced this is used to set up a cliff hanger in issue 7. In the next Issue Getaway diffuses the situation by pointing out that they're all on the same side.
* LighterAndSofter: While not a "light and soft" crossover, keep in mind that each issue was to be packaged with a figure from the ''Generations'' line which, while more collector-oriented, could still be bought by young kids.
Deleted line(s) 149,153 (click to see context) :
* KarmaHoudini: Though he endures quite a bit of punishment throughout, [[spoiler:Dreadwing is the probably the only surviving member of Shockwave's team once the dust settles (the jury's still out on Bludgeon, and Waspinator's off the team by that point).]]
* KickTheDog: As if Prowl wasn't big enough of a {{Jerkass}}, he has the gall to '''smirk''' when he hears that [[spoiler:he indirectly got Rewind killed.]] This causes Chromedome to snap and [[TheDogBitesBack try to pound Prowl's smug face in]].
* KilledOffForReal: [[spoiler:Hardhead, Nova Prime(for real this time), Bumblebee, Metalhawk (for real this time), Jhiaxus, and Shockwave himself.]]
* LetsYouAndHimFight: Played Straight. The Autobots under Bumblebee and the Decepticons under Soundwave meet, then fight each other before teaming up.
** When Nautica and Chromia are introduced this is used to set up a cliff hanger in issue 7. In the next Issue Getaway diffuses the situation by pointing out that they're all on the same side.
* KickTheDog: As if Prowl wasn't big enough of a {{Jerkass}}, he has the gall to '''smirk''' when he hears that [[spoiler:he indirectly got Rewind killed.]] This causes Chromedome to snap and [[TheDogBitesBack try to pound Prowl's smug face in]].
* KilledOffForReal: [[spoiler:Hardhead, Nova Prime(for real this time), Bumblebee, Metalhawk (for real this time), Jhiaxus, and Shockwave himself.]]
* LetsYouAndHimFight: Played Straight. The Autobots under Bumblebee and the Decepticons under Soundwave meet, then fight each other before teaming up.
** When Nautica and Chromia are introduced this is used to set up a cliff hanger in issue 7. In the next Issue Getaway diffuses the situation by pointing out that they're all on the same side.
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* LampshadeHanging: Shortly before [[spoiler:Bumblebee's death]], Megatron mentions how hard it is to kill Transformers. It works as both foreshadowing and humor (since Megatron is probably the most killed and resurrected/retconned Transformer after Optimus).
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* MyFriendsAndZoidberg: The following exchange.
-->'''Orion Pax''': "Don't worry, Autobots —"\\
'''Cyclonus''': (on his knees, in obvious pain) ''*kaff*''\\
'''Orion Pax''': "Sorry, Autobots and Cyclonus..."
-->'''Orion Pax''': "Don't worry, Autobots —"\\
'''Cyclonus''': (on his knees, in obvious pain) ''*kaff*''\\
'''Orion Pax''': "Sorry, Autobots and Cyclonus..."
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Changed line(s) 34 (click to see context) from:
* AscendedExtra: Dreadwing was just a minor Decepticon, now he's on the cover of the series. Barber and Roberts addressed this in an interview, stating that, in addition to having a new toy, they made him more important because they choose him at random from a wealth of obscure characters.
to:
* AscendedExtra: Dreadwing was just a minor Decepticon, now he's on the cover of the series. Barber and Roberts addressed this in an interview, stating that, in addition to having a new toy, they made him more important because they choose chose him at random from a wealth of obscure characters.
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** He's also [[JerkassHasAPoint right]] when he discusses [[spoiler:Metalhawk role in exterminating 70 billion Stentarians, easily half of their population, and how to Metalhawk they were just [[AMillionIsAnStatistic numbers]], but each one of those had friends and families, as seen in ''ComicBook/TransformersMoreThanMeetsTheEye'' when Skids and Whirl meet several of them in Hedonia and share drinks with.]]
to:
** He's also [[JerkassHasAPoint right]] when he discusses [[spoiler:Metalhawk role in exterminating 70 billion Stentarians, easily half of their population, and how to Metalhawk they were just [[AMillionIsAnStatistic [[AMillionIsAStatistic numbers]], but each one of those had friends and families, as seen in ''ComicBook/TransformersMoreThanMeetsTheEye'' when Skids and Whirl meet several of them in Hedonia and share drinks with.]]
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Changed line(s) 239 (click to see context) from:
* YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness: Shockwave orders Metalhawk get rid of Waspinator once he has served his purpose. [[spoiler:Metalhawk only pretends to follow such order.]]
to:
* YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness: Shockwave orders Metalhawk get rid of Waspinator once he has served his purpose. [[spoiler:Metalhawk only pretends to follow such order.]]]]
* YourApprovalFillsMeWithShame: Ratchet takes Megatron's attempts at compliments as intimidation.
----
* YourApprovalFillsMeWithShame: Ratchet takes Megatron's attempts at compliments as intimidation.
----
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* IntergenerationalFriendship: [[spoiler: Megatron and Bumblebee]] form one. In a twist, it's the younger person who ends up teaching the older one a lesson; [[spoiler: Bumblebee ends up showing Megatron the error of his ways]].
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* AdaptationalHeroism: Tankor, introduced here, went from fanatic dumb brute to a smarter pacifist.
to:
* AdaptationalHeroism: Tankor, introduced here, went [[WesternAnimation/BeastMachines Tankor]] has gone from fanatic dumb brute TheBrute and later DiabolicalMastermind to a smarter pacifist.HeroicNeutral.
Changed line(s) 215 (click to see context) from:
* [[spoiler: TimeStandsStill: Shockwave's ultimate plan would have frozen all of reality at a single point in time]].
to:
* [[spoiler: TimeStandsStill: Shockwave's [[spoilerShockwave's ultimate plan would have frozen all of reality at a single point in time]].time.]]
Changed line(s) 217,218 (click to see context) from:
* TrailersAlwaysSpoil: The Solicit asks which side the Decepticons will be on, December Solicitations say they team up with the Autobots. Same for some characters that make a return, like Galvatron, or events, like the appearance of the [=NecroTitan=], which you can actually see as the big shadowy figure in the cover of Dark Cybertron #1, as well as this very page. In addition solicits have already been released showing the aftermath of the event. This includes [[spoiler:Optimus Prime and the Autobots returning to Earth, Windblade's debut, and most surprisingly, what appears to be, a HeelFaceTurn Megatron ''assuming command'' of the ''Lost Light.'']]
** After all the build-up and mystery about which main character would die in part 11, iTunes went ahead and thoughtlessly spoiled it through a preview. [[SarcasmMode Thanks, we really wanted to know]] that [[spoiler:Bumblebee dies]] before we picked up the comic.
** After all the build-up and mystery about which main character would die in part 11, iTunes went ahead and thoughtlessly spoiled it through a preview. [[SarcasmMode Thanks, we really wanted to know]] that [[spoiler:Bumblebee dies]] before we picked up the comic.
to:
* TrailersAlwaysSpoil: The Solicit asks which side the Decepticons will be on, December Suffered terribly from this. Solicitations say they team up with for future issues gave away the Autobots. Same [[EnemyMine Autobot[=/=]Decepticon alliance]] ''and'' the plot threads for some characters that make a return, like Galvatron, or events, like the appearance of the [=NecroTitan=], which you can actually see as the big shadowy figure in the cover of Dark Cybertron #1, as well as this very page. In addition solicits have already been released showing the aftermath of the event. This includes [[spoiler:Optimus Prime resuming ongoings and the Autobots returning to Earth, Windblade's debut, and most surprisingly, what appears to be, a HeelFaceTurn Megatron ''assuming command'' of the ''Lost Light.'']]
** After''[[ComicBook/TransformersWindblade Windblade'' miniseries]]''. Most infamously, after all the build-up and mystery about which main character would die in part 11, iTunes went ahead and thoughtlessly spoiled it through a preview. [[SarcasmMode Thanks, we really wanted to know]] that [[spoiler:Bumblebee dies]] before we picked up the comic.
** After
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Changed line(s) 19 (click to see context) from:
* AdaptationalHeroism: Tankor, introduced here, went from fanatic dumb brute to a smarter pacifist.
to:
* AdaptationalHeroism: Tankor, introduced here, went [[WesternAnimation/BeastMachines Tankor]] has gone from fanatic dumb brute TheBrute and later DiabolicalMastermind to a smarter pacifist.HeroicNeutral.
Changed line(s) 215 (click to see context) from:
* [[spoiler: TimeStandsStill: Shockwave's ultimate plan would have frozen all of reality at a single point in time]].
to:
* [[spoiler: TimeStandsStill: Shockwave's [[spoilerShockwave's ultimate plan would have frozen all of reality at a single point in time]].time.]]
Changed line(s) 217,218 (click to see context) from:
* TrailersAlwaysSpoil: The Solicit asks which side the Decepticons will be on, December Solicitations say they team up with the Autobots. Same for some characters that make a return, like Galvatron, or events, like the appearance of the [=NecroTitan=], which you can actually see as the big shadowy figure in the cover of Dark Cybertron #1, as well as this very page. In addition solicits have already been released showing the aftermath of the event. This includes [[spoiler:Optimus Prime and the Autobots returning to Earth, Windblade's debut, and most surprisingly, what appears to be, a HeelFaceTurn Megatron ''assuming command'' of the ''Lost Light.'']]
** After all the build-up and mystery about which main character would die in part 11, iTunes went ahead and thoughtlessly spoiled it through a preview. [[SarcasmMode Thanks, we really wanted to know]] that [[spoiler:Bumblebee dies]] before we picked up the comic.
** After all the build-up and mystery about which main character would die in part 11, iTunes went ahead and thoughtlessly spoiled it through a preview. [[SarcasmMode Thanks, we really wanted to know]] that [[spoiler:Bumblebee dies]] before we picked up the comic.
to:
* TrailersAlwaysSpoil: The Solicit asks which side the Decepticons will be on, December Suffered terribly from this. Solicitations say they team up with for future issues gave away the Autobots. Same [[EnemyMine Autobot[=/=]Decepticon alliance]] ''and'' the plot threads for some characters that make a return, like Galvatron, or events, like the appearance of the [=NecroTitan=], which you can actually see as the big shadowy figure in the cover of Dark Cybertron #1, as well as this very page. In addition solicits have already been released showing the aftermath of the event. This includes [[spoiler:Optimus Prime resuming ongoings and the Autobots returning to Earth, Windblade's debut, and most surprisingly, what appears to be, a HeelFaceTurn Megatron ''assuming command'' of the ''Lost Light.'']]
** After''[[ComicBook/TransformersWindblade Windblade'' miniseries]]''. Most infamously, after all the build-up and mystery about which main character would die in part 11, iTunes went ahead and thoughtlessly spoiled it through a preview. [[SarcasmMode Thanks, we really wanted to know]] that [[spoiler:Bumblebee dies]] before we picked up the comic.
** After
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A pacifist with a large gun on his back, go figure.
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* AdaptationalHeroism: Tankor, introduced here, went from fanatic dumb brute to a smarter pacifist.
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* LetsYouAndHimFight: Played Straight. The Autobots under Bumblebee and the Decepticons under Soundwave meet, then fight each other before teaming up.
** When Nautica and Chromia are introduced this is used to set up a cliff hanger in issue 7. In the next Issue Getaway diffuses the situation by pointing out that they're all on the same side.
** When Nautica and Chromia are introduced this is used to set up a cliff hanger in issue 7. In the next Issue Getaway diffuses the situation by pointing out that they're all on the same side.
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* [[spoiler: TimeStandsStill: Shockwave's ultimate plan would have frozen all of reality at a single point in time]].
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** Wheelie and Garnak are not seen or mentioned again after the Lost Light pursues Jhiaxus and it is revealed that the Dead Universe portal only works one-way.
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* ActionGirl: This crossover marks the formal introduction of the second, third, and fourth known female transformers in this universe, and all of them are capable of kicking your ass.
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** Once again invoked by Starscream, [[spoiler:after Metalhawk [[HeroicSacrifice sacrifices his life]] to destroy the 70 billion Ammonites in one fell swoop.]] Whether he's being sincere or merely painting Metalhawk in a negative light is debatable.
-->'''Starscream:''' Are you '''kidding?''' [[spoiler:Metalhawk '''murdered''' 70 billion sentient beings. They had '''names''', they had '''friends''', they had '''dreams'''. But to Metalhawk - they were just '''numbers'''. When you think about it, he was just another '''genocidal''' despot vying for control.]]
-->'''Starscream:''' Are you '''kidding?''' [[spoiler:Metalhawk '''murdered''' 70 billion sentient beings. They had '''names''', they had '''friends''', they had '''dreams'''. But to Metalhawk - they were just '''numbers'''. When you think about it, he was just another '''genocidal''' despot vying for control.]]
to:
** Once again invoked by Starscream, [[spoiler:after Metalhawk [[HeroicSacrifice sacrifices his life]] to destroy the 70 billion Ammonites in one fell swoop.]] Whether he's being sincere or merely painting Metalhawk It should be noted that Starscream's only trying to paint him in a negative light is debatable.
light.
-->'''Starscream:''' Are you '''kidding?''' [[spoiler:Metalhawk'''murdered''' ''murdered'' 70 billion sentient beings. They had '''names''', ''names'', they had '''friends''', ''friends'', they had '''dreams'''.''dreams''. But to Metalhawk - they were just '''numbers'''. When you think about it, he was just another '''genocidal''' genocidal despot vying for control.]]
-->'''Starscream:''' Are you '''kidding?''' [[spoiler:Metalhawk
Changed line(s) 105,106 (click to see context) from:
** [[spoiler:Nightbeat]] is very much one of [[Franchise/SherlockHolmes a certain fictional detective]].
** Taken to their logical conclusion, and following Shockwave's description of the ore functions, Shockwave just created the Transformers version of [[spoiler:the [[ComicBook/TheInfinityGauntlet Infinity Gems]]]]. And thus Shockwave himself becomes one of [[spoiler:{{ComicBook/Thanos}}.]]
** Taken to their logical conclusion, and following Shockwave's description of the ore functions, Shockwave just created the Transformers version of [[spoiler:the [[ComicBook/TheInfinityGauntlet Infinity Gems]]]]. And thus Shockwave himself becomes one of [[spoiler:{{ComicBook/Thanos}}.]]
to:
** [[spoiler:Nightbeat]] Nightbeat is very much one of [[Franchise/SherlockHolmes a certain fictional detective]].
detective]]. Doubles as a SherlockHomage.
** Taken to their logical conclusion, and following Shockwave's description of the ore functions, Shockwave just created the Transformers version of [[spoiler:the [[ComicBook/TheInfinityGauntlet InfinityGems]]]]. Gems]].]] And thus Shockwave himself becomes one of [[spoiler:{{ComicBook/Thanos}}.]]
** Taken to their logical conclusion, and following Shockwave's description of the ore functions, Shockwave just created the Transformers version of [[spoiler:the [[ComicBook/TheInfinityGauntlet Infinity
Changed line(s) 127 (click to see context) from:
* HeroicSacrifice: [[spoiler: Metalhawk and, ironically enough, Shockwave himself.]]
to:
* HeroicSacrifice: [[spoiler: Metalhawk [[spoiler:Metalhawk and, ironically enough, Shockwave himself.]]
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Changed line(s) 12,14 (click to see context) from:
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Unfortunately, it never materialized due to lack of time on Barber\'s half.
Deleted line(s) 205 (click to see context) :
* SuspiciouslyAproposMusic: Not yet, but [[WordOfGod John Barber and James Roberts]] have said they will release a playlist for Dark Cybertron, to follow up on the spirit of [=MTMTE=].
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** There's another one in the ''Prelude to Dark Cybertron'', involving LV-117, The Reflector Trio and Turmoil's time-side-stepping ship, it's [[{{Understatement}} quite]] the MindScrew.
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** He's also [[JerkassHasAPoint right]] when he discusses [[spoiler:Metalhawk role in exterminating 70 billion Stentarians, easily half of their population, and how to Metalhawk they were just [[AMillionIsAnStatistic numbers]], but each one of those had friends and families, as seen in ''ComicBook/TransformersMoreThanMeetsTheEye'' when Skids and Whirl meet several of them in Hedonia and share drinks with.]]
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* MirrorMatch: Jhiaxus' [[AdaptiveArmor reactive armour]] changes his body to be a copy of Starscream's while fighting him.
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Changed line(s) 145 (click to see context) from:
* KarmaHoudini: Though he endures quite a bit of punishment throughout, [[spoiler:Dreadwing is the probably the only surviving member of Shockwave's team once the dust settles (the jury's still out on Bludgeon).]]
to:
* KarmaHoudini: Though he endures quite a bit of punishment throughout, [[spoiler:Dreadwing is the probably the only surviving member of Shockwave's team once the dust settles (the jury's still out on Bludgeon).Bludgeon, and Waspinator's off the team by that point).]]
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Changed line(s) 8,9 (click to see context) from:
In the depths of space, the ''Lost Light'' rescues Orion Pax and his team from the collapsing Gorlam Prime. After a brief concurrence, the crews split up to deal with two unfolding crises. Orion and Rodimus lead a team into the Dead Universe through the portal created by the planet's destruction to thwart the ancient despot Nova Prime's plans for conquest, while Ultra Magnus and the ''Lost Light''ers heed a cry of help from the mighty Metroplex. Little do any of them know that Shockwave's influence runs deep... and none of them suspect the terrifying scale of his true plan.
to:
In the depths of space, the ''Lost Light'' rescues Orion Pax and his team from the collapsing Gorlam Prime. After a brief concurrence, the crews split up to deal with two unfolding crises. Orion and Rodimus lead a team into the Dead Universe through the portal created by the planet's destruction to thwart the ancient despot Nova Prime's plans for conquest, while Ultra Magnus and the ''Lost Light''ers heed a cry of help from the mighty Metroplex. Little do any of them know that Shockwave's influence runs deep... and none of them suspect the terrifying scale of his true plan.
Changed line(s) 21 (click to see context) from:
* AlasPoorVillain: [[spoiler: Shockwave, who regains his former personality too late and has Optimus and Megatron kill him to stop the time drive from destroying the galaxy.]]
to:
* AlasPoorVillain: [[spoiler: Shockwave, [[spoiler:Shockwave, who regains his former personality too late and has Optimus and Megatron kill him to stop the time drive from destroying the galaxy.]]
* ImpaledWithExtremePrejudice: Happens twice. Waspinator is lucky and survives, [[spoiler:Jhiaxus]] isn't and doesn't.
Changed line(s) 138 (click to see context) from:
* InTheBack: [[spoiler:How Shockwave kills Bumblebee.]]
to:
* InTheBack: [[spoiler:How How Shockwave kills Bumblebee.[[spoiler:Bumblebee.]]
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Changed line(s) 8,9 (click to see context) from:
In the depths of space, the ''Lost Light'' rescues Orion Pax and his team from the collapsing Gorlam Prime. The crews split up to deal with two unfolding
to:
In the depths of space, the ''Lost Light'' rescues Orion Pax and his team from the collapsing Gorlam Prime. The After a brief concurrence, the crews split up to deal with two unfolding
unfolding crises. Orion and Rodimus lead a team into the Dead Universe through the portal created by the planet's destruction to thwart the ancient despot Nova Prime's plans for conquest, while Ultra Magnus and the ''Lost Light''ers heed a cry of help from the mighty Metroplex. Little do any of them know that Shockwave's influence runs deep... and none of them suspect the terrifying scale of his true plan.
