http://a2.mzstatic.com/us/r30/Publi...53c-23e1-6f82114d0acb/IMG_0878.960x960-75.jpg http://a4.mzstatic.com/us/r30/Publi...7f3-812e-d4c04f53a235/IMG_0879.960x960-75.jpg http://a1.mzstatic.com/us/r30/Publi...93f-3753-063d8226b47d/IMG_0880.960x960-75.jpg The story references this issue of the Marvel comics - http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Deathbringer_(issue) . A U.K. story.
Especially considering it was never really visited in US continuity; it's one of the few examples where a UK story is referenced in US fiction. And given Furman's ignoring Marvel UK stuff it's kinda interesting.
It can't really be ignored though given it directly got referenced in Marvel US. Which makes this REALLY interesting that he chose THIS of all moments to go back to.
Regeneration One was about revisiting loose ends from the original U.S. comic - Deathbringer is clearly one such loose end that remains to stand out up until this story. Some loose ends didn't really need to be revisited like the Headmaster's heads but Deathbringer did. The original Marvel U.K. Deathbringer story could be fitted into U.S. continuity without much problem. Galvatron was mentioned briefly but he hadn't appeared in the U.S. continuity by that point.
I don't see how Deathbringer was a loose end at all. The story was mentioned (if not seen), but the effects of it were already complete at that time. And specifically calling out the Headmasters as an antithesis is a bit odd. While I fully admit that I didn't NEED to see it resolved, the question of "whatever became of the original heads?" WAS always left hanging.
It's personal taste. I'm not a fan of the retro-style to indicate "the past". But it is what it is and it does a good job of doing it.
From what has been said it takes place is Zero Space so the issue title could be more of a place than a number. It fits between 94 and 95 in terms of the Hot Rod story but seems to take in events that occur throughout the Marvel run. Maybe even before that from some of the rumours. So part of it could predate issue 1, we don't know yet.
Wow, I actually got a shot of nostalgia from Seniors art, loving how this story is going so far, Hot Rod has been my favourite character in Regen so far so I'll be looking forward to more of this.