''Transformers: Micromasters'' was a four-issue

comic book A comic book, also called comicbook, comic magazine or (in the United Kingdom and Ireland) simply comic, is a publication that consists of comics art in the form of sequential juxtaposed panels that represent individual scenes. Panels are of ...

limited series Limited series may refer to: *Limited series, individual storylines within an anthology series *Limited series, a particular run of collectables, usually individually numbered *Limited series (comics), a comics series with a predetermined number of ...

released in 2004 which takes place in between the '' War Within'' and the '' Generation 1'' series. The main focus of the series is the Micromasters subline of

Transformers ''Transformers'' is a media franchise produced by American toy company Hasbro and Japanese toy company Tomy, Takara Tomy. It primarily follows the Autobots and the Decepticons, two alien robot factions at war that can transform into other forms ...

, though it did have some cameos of notable G1 regulars. The first issue alone sold well over 40 thousand copies in total, exceeding all other single issues of Dreamwave ''Transformers'' titles in that release period, including their best-selling ''Generation One'' series and their lowest-selling regular series ''Transformers: Energon''.http://www.icv2.com/articles/home/5523.html Top 300 Comics July 2004 The series takes place at an undefined point after the third ''War Within'' series.

Optimus Prime Optimus Prime, , is a fictional character in the ''Transformers'' franchise. The Transformers characters were developed for an American market after Hasbro representatives visited the 1983 Tokyo Toy Show. The characters were modified and the ...

and

Megatron Megatron is a fictional character and the main antagonist of the ''Transformers'' media franchise produced by American toy company Hasbro and Japanese toy company Takara Tomy. Megatron is the cruel and tyrannical leader of the Decepticons, ...

have disappeared in the

Ark Ark or ARK may refer to: Biblical narratives and religion Hebrew word ''teva'' * Noah's Ark, a massive vessel said to have been built to save the world's animals from a flood * Ark of bulrushes, the boat of the infant Moses Hebrew ''aron'' * ...

, but the Great Shutdown has not happened yet. Blitzwing and

Astrotrain ''The Transformers'' is an American animated television series that originally aired from September 17, 1984, to November 11, 1987, in syndication based upon Hasbro's ''Transformers'' toy line. The first television series in the '' Transforme ...

are said to be suffering from physical changes, which suggests that the Triple Changer process is, at least in part, a natural one that Shockwave may have been additionally manipulating. The history of the Micromasters is different from that previously indicated. Initially downsized Transformers reduced in size to compensate for lower fuel reserves, both Autobots and Decepticons struck a temporary truce to develop the technology further, creating many completely new Transformers and even building a city for them. However, both sides began to recruit amongst the Micromasters, polarising them into two sides. It is implied that the events of the miniseries are what split the Micromasters for good

Plot

The story revolves around the Autobot Hot Rod Patrol. After one of their number is killed by a rival Decepticon Micromaster team, they desert. They ally with the Decepticon Race Track Patrol (who have also deserted due to mistreatment) and battle the Deluxe Insecticons. However, the Autobot Micromasters Countdown and Groundshaker, as well as the Decepticon Micromasters Skystalker and Skyhopper, have arrived with their own agendas. Countdown tries to recruit support for battling the Decepticons on other worlds, while Skystalker defeats Shockwave and orders an all-out assault on the Autobots. Both are more concerned with a mysterious Golden Disk, which seemingly indicates that the Transformers were created by other hands. The story ends with Skystalker defeated and the Hot Rod Patrol leaving to follow their own destiny.

Notes

Micromasters ''Transformers: Micromasters'' was a four-issue comic book limited series released in 2004 which takes place in between the '' War Within'' and the '' Generation 1'' series. The main focus of the series is the Micromasters subline of Transformers ...

Comic book limited series IDW Publishing titles 2004 comics debuts 2004 comics endings {{Transformers-stub