Appearing in "I, Robot Master"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- G.B. Blackrock
- III
- Donny Finkleberg/Robot Master (First appearance)
Antagonists:
Other Characters:
- Hulk (Bruce Banner) (First appearance) (Picture only)
- Captain America (Steve Rogers) (First appearance) (Picture only)
Locations:
Items:
- Captain America's Shield (Picture only)
Vehicles:
Synopsis for "I, Robot Master"
Megatron has come to an Easter Wyoming coal mile in a desperate search for fuel, however, he runs out of power before he can get any and freezes in place. While in Oregon, Walter Barnett meets with his superiors at III, where they ask him to do something to create a smoke screen to give the public an "enemy" associated with the frequent robot rampages so that the public doesn't go into a hysteria. After going over the most recent incidents, including Megatron's attack on the coal mine, they invited G.B. Blackrock to talk to them about his experience with the robots. When Blackrock attempts to explain a distinction between the Autobots and Decepticons, director Forest Forsythe interrupts him and thanks him for his time and sees him out. Forsythe tells his men that while there is evidence to support this he wants them to treat all robots as potential threats and gives his men 48 hours to come up with a cover story on who controls the robots to prevent public panic.
Barnett returns home to his wife and son, he scolds the boy for leaving a mess, however stops when he notices the boy has a Marvel Comic book called Robot Master, which features a villain who controls robots. Intrigued he decides to take a trip to New York City and pay a visit to the writer of the series, Donny Finkleberg. At the offices of Marvel Comics the next day, Donny is fired due to inability to write stories that sell. He ends up running into Barnett in the lobby who offers him a proposition. The two come up with the idea to create a real life Robot Master to give a more plausible reason for the robot attacks to the general public, who would find the notion of alien robots from another world to impossible to believe. Barnett then offers him 40 thousand dollars to not only help create the role of the real life Robot Master but to also play the part.
While aboard the Ark, Bumblebee, Skids, and Tracks return from a fruitless patrol and report to Optimus Prime. They are then all called into the communications room by Wheeljack who shows them a televised news report of a self-proclaimed "Robot Master" who is claiming responsibility for the robot attacks. Unaware of the government's hoax, the Autobots are puzzled by this story. While at the headquarters of Blackrock Enterprises, G.B. Blackrock knows exactly what's going on and is furious. With the phony broadcast over, Finkleberg is thanked by Barnett for his work. The next day reporters swam G.B. Blackrock's home to have him confirm the news. He denies ever seeing the Robot Master before the broadcast the previous night but declines to comment. Spotting Bumblebee parked in the driveway he decides to take this vehicle instead. As Bumblebee drives Blackrock to work, Blackrock explains the situation and the government's attempt to cover things up and tells the small Autobot that he will try to convince them to work with the Autobots.
At the headquarters of III, Forsythe is angered when the media has gotten footage of the deactivated Megatron out in the Wyoming coal pit. However, Barnett realizes that they can still capitalize on this and offers Finkleberg more money to reprise his role of Robot Master once more. The news also gets to the Autobots who rush off to the site to prevent Megatron from being reactivated. While on an information gathering mission Soundwave, Laserbeak, Buzzsaw and Ravage hear the news about Megatron's body and also rush to the site in order to revive their former leader.
III arrives there first and begins setting up camera crews to do another Robot Master broadcast when they are interrupted by G.B. Blackrock who begs them to consider the idea that there are two robot faction and that they should be telling the public the truth. Barnett tells Blackrock to butt out of their affairs, Blackrock warns them that they are playing with fire and that if the Decepticons figure out he's posing as their controller they'll surely kill him.
When the Autobots arrive the military attache that has accompanied III attacks them head on, but despite Blackrock's demands and the Autobots lack of aggressive action, the military continues to keep them at bay. While they are busy with the Autobots, Soundwave, and his cassettes arrive and revive Megatron with fuel. Megatron then simply blasts away all the tanks sending the military and the Autobots fleeing from the scene. When Laserbeak recognizes Donny Finkleberg, it brings him to Megatron and Soundwave explains who he is. Megatron is furious and is about to kill Finkleberg when Donny appeals to him by saying that they can use the Robot Master persona to turn the public against the Autobots and convince them that all Transformers are the same.
Sure enough, Megatron agrees and a broadcast promoting the idea that the Robot Master is real and that he controls every Transformer is broadcast across the country. With the broadcast over, Finkleberg relaxes by lighting a cigarette by striking a match on Megatron's foot while gloating about how sweet a deal he has. Megatron is not amused at being used as a strike pad and threatens Donny that if he smokes another cigarette he will kill him.Appearing in "Plight of the Bumblebee"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
Other Characters:
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
Synopsis for "Plight of the Bumblebee"
Shockwave has decided to take out what he thinks is the weakest link in the Autobots decides to track him down and install an electro-calculator module to make Bumblebee his slave and use him to destroy the Autobots.
At the Ark, Optimus Prime reviews news reports about the "Robot Master" while the other Autobots undergo repairs. Prime tells his fellow Autobots that any one of them can be exploited by the enemy and that they should stick tighter and appear in public less. Overhearing this, Bumblebee believes that Optimus Prime is referring specifically to him and decides he's better off alone. Envying the humans, he wishes he could be one and spends time lamenting outside of a town. He is tracked down by Buzzsaw and Shockwave, Starscream, Thundercracker and Laserbeak catch up and the Decepticons attack him, causing him significant damage. Bumblebee transforms into vehicle and speeds away. Fleeing through the city, Bumblebee is dogged by the Decepticons and manages to lose them by hiding out in a parking lot.
That night, two joyriding teenagers named Waldo and Ernest enter the parking lot looking for a car to joy ride in. They pick Bumblebee, and in hot wiring him they disconnect his independent motor functions leaving him at their mercy. With Bumblebee rolling again, Shockwave and the other Decepticons detect him and resume their chase. When news reports reach the Ark, Optimus Prime orders the Autobots to roll out and save Bumblebee.
Waldo and Ernest are driving around causing trouble and then street race with another youth in a fast car. While they gain the upper hand until Bumblebee's engine dies. Trying to figure out what's happened, the two boys fix Bumblebee, reconnecting all his motor relays. Deciding he's enjoying the free-spirited lifestyle Bumblebee decides to continue joy riding with the kids. The Decepticons catch up and attack him, and Bumblebee is forced to take control and drive the boys from danger.
Speeding on the roads they blaze through a toll booth bringing the police chasing after them. The Decepticons activity in the air force forcing the Decepticons to detract from chasing Bumblebee to blast them out of the sky. Catching up with Bumblebee, the small Autobot decides that he has to face his responsibilities and fight. Transforming into robot mode and is about to face the Decepticons when Jetfire arrives to rescue him. However, this rescue is stopped when the Decepticons out gun him.
However, before they can capture Bumblebee the police, air force, and the Autobots arrive forcing them to retreat. As Waldo and Ernest have to deal with explaining things to the authorities, Bumblebee slinks away in robot mode realizing that his place will always be with the Autobots.