Star Trek vs. Transformers #2 Review

Welcome back to Star Trek vs. Transformers. We open with Spock, McCoy and Scotty tending to the previously wounded Optimus Prime on the planet’s surface. Bones is incredulous about waking up this giant robot being a good idea but Spock is certain that Optimus poses no threat, based on the fact that his symbol does not match that of the others. Bit of a leap in logic there Mr. Vulcan. I mean, we the readers know that the Autobots are the good guys, but for all Spock knows, these could two equally malevolent forces that happen to be in conflict with one another. In any case, Scotty’s hit a dead end with his repairs as Optimus’s tech is far more complex than anything he’s ever seen. Spock, realizing that this is obviously a sentient being capable of emotion and complex thought, suggest that a mind meld may be possible. Spock is successful in his attempt to mind meld with the big robot but finds Optimus mind to be so powerful and so unlike anything he’s ever felt that it nearly overwhelms him. However, Spock does manage to see Prime’s backstory and learn that he means no harm towards organic life. Spock’s mind meld seems to have done the trick as Optimus wakes up shortly after he and Spock are separated. Optimus expresses his gratitude as well as surprise at the fact that Spock is apparently not fully human. Optimus then informs the Starfleet Officers that he has a team of his fellow Autobots in an underground cave not too far away.

Speaking of, said Autobots, specifically Jazz, Bumblebee, Arcee, Ratchet and Windblade, are currently attacking Kirk and the rest of the away team. Jazz, thinking that the officers attacked Optimus Prime, which technically they did, is particularly relentless. Ratchet, the sole voice of reason amongst the Autobots suggests A. These Humans may not be their enemies and B. Being that they’re in an underground cave, blasting everything in sight like a lunatic probably won’t end well for anyone. However, Kirk manages to convince the Transformers that he and his crew come in peace and will likely need their help in fighting off the Decepticons.

Speaking of our villains, Starscream feels that The Decepticons do not need help from the Klingons to defeat the Autobots or the Federation and Megatron is inclined to agree, until Kuri suggests that The Klingons’ cloaking technology could give the Decepticons the edge they need.

Back in the cave, Bumblebee explains that The Autobots left Earth sometime during the World War III of Star Trek canon to search for Energon, the Transformer’s primary energy source, elsewhere. They left aboard a Titan, a Transformer that’s large enough to serve as a spaceship for other, smaller Transformers, named Fortress Maximus, were shot down by the Decepticons and their Dinosaur like Titan, Trypticon, the same Decepticon that The Klingons made into a makeshift base, forcing both sides to land on this planet and remain dormant until the miners inadvertently triggered their restoration process. Meanwhile, Aboard the Enterprise, the crew comes under attack by a Klingon Bird of Prey commanded by Megatron and Kuri while on the surface, Starscream leads a squad of Decepticons to attack the colony. The Autobots in the cave realize that The Decepticons have them outnumbered and outgunned, especially if they’ve allied with the Klingons, so if they’re going to have any hope of neutralizing the threat, they’re going to need to bring Fortress Maximus back online.

What Works: I really appreciated Spock’s mind meld with Optimus. Optimus has been alive longer than the human race has even existed so it makes sense that such a mind would overwhelm Spock. The mention of World War III was a nice nod to Star Trek continuity and I appreciated the brief cameo by Zephram Cochran from First Contact (even if he was drawn with far more detail that any of the other human characters in the book). I also have to give bonus points for that variant cover up there. Optimus giving the Vulcan salute is kind of adorable.

What Doesn’t: Jazz’s open hostility towards Kirk and automatic assumption that he killed Optimus got on my nerves. You don’t trust humans that’s fine, but maybe ask a couple questions before you start shooting everyone.

Overall: 4/5

We’re still in the setup phase of this story, but what we got was really good and promises more good stuff to come.