The struggle for control of Power Station Alpha begins...

Synopsis

The G.I. Joe team has been assigned the task of protecting Power Station Alpha, the world's first mobile solar/nuclear power station. In addition to concerns about Cobra attacking, the Joes have to worry about a throng of protestors who object to the project for environmental and political reasons. The Autobots also recognize the potential of the station, and believe that the Decepticons will attempt to steal it. Optimus Prime sends Bumblebee to be on the lookout for any signs of Decepticon activity.

When the Dreadnoks stage an attack on Power Station Alpha, the Joes are able to fight them off, but Cobra Commander is outraged. He has lost the element of surprise, and is already worried about the threat of Serpentor to his command of Cobra. Megatron also witnesses the attack, thanks to news reports, and sends Dirge and Bombshell to the station for a more subtle attack. As the station prepares to launch, Bombshell injects a cerebro-shell into young Anthony Duranti, son of one of the protestors, who Bombshell commands to step in front of the station's treads. Bumblebee, watching covertly in vehicle mode, is forced to break his cover to save the boy, but his actions are misinterpreted as threatening by the Joes, who open fire on Bumblebee, tearing him to shreds.

The situation threatens to grow even worse as Bombshell invades Power Station Alpha, and the gigantic form of Superion arrives to collect the body of his fallen comrade.

Featured characters

(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)





Quotes

Notes

Artwork and technical errors

Continuity errors

An unnamed gentleman on page 3 mentions that Mr. Blackrock will be pleased with Power Station Alpha, as if Blackrock was involved with its creation. Blackrock is featured later on in the series but shows no concern for or knowledge of the power station, even when it is involved in an aerial battle over his cruise ship.

On page 19, when Optimus Prime calls for the Aerialbots, he calls for "Superion" when he apparently means "Silverbolt".

Continuity notes

On page 4, Optimus Prime references Bumblebee's assistance in gaining gestalt technology in "Command Performances!".

On page 5, Optimus Prime reflects on the message from Megatron, sent in "Decepticon Graffiti!", challenging Prime to a duel to the death.

Real-life references

The title may be a reference to Bob Dylan's album of the same name.

UK printing

Issue #265

Issue #266

Additional Transformers story: "Life in the Slow Lane"

"Life in the Slow Lane" Other strips: G.I. Joe the Action Force - "Manoeuvring for Position" and Combat Colin

Issue #267

Additional Transformers story: "Snow Fun!"

"Snow Fun!" Other strips: G.I. Joe the Action Force - "Shuttle Complex" and Combat Colin Combat Kate

- "Shuttle Complex" and AtoZ: Shrapnel and Sideswipe

Issue #268

Additional Transformers story: "Once upon a Time..."

"Once upon a Time..." Other strips: G.I. Joe the Action Force - "Shuttle Complex" and Combat Colin

Other trivia

The cover corner box for this series uses Marvel's convention for many of its team-based comics at the time, by showing heads of prominent characters. For G.I. Joe and the Transformers, Marvel used the head of Snake-Eyes from the cover of G.I. Joe issue 53, slightly altered, and the head from Bumblebee's character model from Transformers Universe #1.

Covers (5)

G.I. Joe and the Transformers #1

UK issue #265

UK issue #266

UK issue #267

UK issue #268

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US

M&M's - inside front cover

Lazer Tag game - between pages 4 & 5

game - between pages 4 & 5 Brach's candy - between pages 5 & 6

The Amazing Spider-Man in the Free the Cap'n (Crunch) Mystery - between pages 7 & 8

Various comic ads - between pages 9 & 10

Comics stores and Sketchy ads - between pages 18 & 19

Comic book conventions and Escape from Tenopia books - between pages 20 & 21

books - between pages 20 & 21 Bullpen Bulletins and checklist - between pages 21 & 22

Marvel subscription service

Yamaha keyboards - inside back cover

TSR Dungeons & Dragons set #5: Immortal Rules (back cover)

UK

????

Reprints

Other than reprints of the full series