The Planet Eater

• Script - Ralph Macchio
• Lettering - Janice Chiang
• Colorist - Nelson Yomtov
• Editor - Bob Budiansky
• Editor in Chief - Jim Shooter
• Finisher - Ian Akin
• Finisher - Brian Garvey
• Breakdowns - Don Perlin

Summary

  In the year 2005, the planet of Lithone is blanketed by a corrosive gas that quickly attacks everything on it. The only survivor is a robot named Kranix, who transforms into a spaceship and flies away. After consuming the remains of Lithone, the monster planet Unicron proceeds for Cybertron...

  On Cybertron's two moons, the Autobots continue their battle to free the planet from the Decepticons. Optimus Prime sends Ironhide and a team of Autobots to Earth for some much-needed energon. Unfortunately, Laserbeak learns about the launch and reports it to Megatron. The Decepticons then hijack the shuttle in mid-flight; they kill all of the Autobots on board, then commandeer the shuttle for their own attack on Autobot City on Earth.

  On Earth, Hot Rod and Daniel Witwicky interrupt their fishing trip to watch the shuttle land. They see the Decepticons stepping out of the shuttle, but it's too late -- after destroying the observation platforms, Megatron leads the Decepticon attack on Autobot City. Their offense is slowed, however, when Springer and Arcee transform the city into the armored form of Fortress Maximus. In response, the Constructicons merge to form Devastator, and begin to tear down the fortified walls.

  As his shuttle reaches Earth orbit, Optimus Prime sends the Dinobots to attack Devastator. He then lands the shuttle and charges through the Decepticons' flanks, quickly catching up to Megatron. The two leaders battle; though Megatron mortally wounds Optimus with a hidden laser pistol, Optimus counters with a final blow that critically wounds Megatron. Led by Starscream, the Decepticons retreat, using Astrotrain as transportation.

  Later in the infirmary, Perceptor grimly reports that Optimus Prime's injuries are fatal. After selecting Ultra Magnus as the new Autobot leader, Optimus passes the Autobot Leadership Matrix to him. After urging the others to follow Magnus, Optimus dies quietly.

  En route to Cybertron, Astrotrain tells his passengers that they must lighten the load. In response, the Decepticons jettison those wounded in the attack, including Megatron. After drifting in space for a while, the ejected Decepticons are drawn to Unicron by a tractor beam. Unicron makes Megatron an offer: he will give Megatron a new body and new troops, if they will destroy the Autobot Matrix. Though Megatron refuses at first, he quickly changes his mind when threatened with the corrosive mist.

  Unicron then heals the Decepticons, and rebuilds the others into Megatron's new soldiers: Cyclonus, his ship, and Scourge and the Sweeps. Finally, Megatron himself is remade into a stronger, deadlier form -- Galvatron!