Infiltration #2
Something is very wrong! For over two years, the Decepticon infiltration unit has been patiently building and fortifying its power base on Earth, maintaining an entirely covert presence. But now*open warfare rages on the roads and in the skies, and exposure seems a certainty. It’s all falling apart, and Autobot medic Ratchet wants to know why. It seems Verity Carlo’s stolen computer is the key, but the real trick is staying alive long enough to unlock its secrets.
Infiltration #2 Covers and Images
Infiltration #2 Release Info
Publisher | IDW |
Type | Comic Book |
Series | Transformers Infiltration Comics |
Release Status | Released |
Year | 2006 |
Release Date | February 2006 |
Infiltration #2 Print Data
Incentive Description | Infiltration #2 featured three incentive covers. One copy of the RI-A cover was provided for every twenty-five copies ordered through Diamond Comic Distributors, a copy of Cover RI-B for every 50 copies ordered, and a copy of Cover RI-C for every 100 copies ordered. |
Total # of Covers | 7 |
Infiltration #2 Artists, Writers and More
Cover A | (Artist: E.J. Su) |
Cover B | (Artist: Guido Guidi) |
Cover C | (Artist: Andrew Wildman) |
Cover D | (Artist: James Raiz) |
Cover RI-A (Retailer Incentive) | (Artist: Guido Guidi) |
Cover RI-B (Retailer Incentive) | (Artist: E.J. Su) |
Cover RI-C (Retailer Incentive) | (Artist: Guido Guidi) |
Artist | E.J. Su |
Colorist | John Rauch |
Letters | Tom B. Young |
Writer | Simon Furman |
Editor | Chris Ryall, Dan Taylor |
Infiltration #2 Synopsis
Synopsis Submitted By: Tim Formas
At Jimmy Pink’s garage in Riverside, California, the Decepticon Runabout demands that the humans turn over the palm computer. As the paramedic reaches out to hand over the palm computer, a paramedic turns into a burst of energy that attacks Runabout. The paramedic driver disappears and the ambulance transforms into the Autobot Ratchet. Runamuck tries to shoot Ratchet in revenge for the shock delivered to Runabout, but Ratchet shoots him before he gets a chance. Ratchet transforms back into vehicle mode and tells Verity, Hunter, and Jimmy to get in. Ratchet then heads off onto an interstate, speeding and weaving through traffic.
In Arizona, area police are examining a dead body found in the desert. The local medical examiner suggests that the dead man’s whole body went into shock. As they turn the body over, it is revealed to be that of the man that Verity stole the palm computer from and the man originally targeted by the Decepticons. One of the police men calls a group of men seated in a conference room setting to inform them that the man they are looking for has been located.
Back on the interstate, Hunter asks Ratchet is the fight is over the palm computer that Verity stole. Ratchet does confirm that the few images he saw on the palm computer was enough to get them killed. He adds that his group (the Autobots) intercepted a coded Decepticon message that demanded the murder of a human male target. Ratchet continues, stating that he now understands why the man was targeted and that the man was able to do something that his entire group was unable to do. Before Ratchet can tell the humans was that “something” was, Thundercracker attacks from above and Runabout and Runamuck have recovered and are tailing Ratchet. He adds that this situation is really bad. Sarcastically, Jimmy asks Ratchet if he is serious. Ratchet, however, states that Decepticons typically work under stealth so as not to blow their cover. Therefore, the information on the palm computer must be more valuable that he realized.
At the Decepticon base in Oregon, Starscream holds a sphere that seems to be emitting energy. Blitzwing informs Starscream that the ore is pure and contains no contaminants and that their project can begin. Starscream replies that they can expect a response now that they have broken protocol. He then states that destiny is within his grasp.
Ratchet, meanwhile, is speeding towards a direct collision with a semi-truck. As they get closer to the semi, Verity asks if Ratchet is some sort of “death war machine”. Ratchet replies that he’s actually a medic. Ratchet swerves out of the way of the semi at the last minute, causing Runabout to run into the side of the semi and get run off of the road.
Having at least lost the Decepticons temporarily, Verity orders Ratchet to stop. She gets out of Ratchet’s vehicle mode and heads off into the desert with her bag while acknowledging that she did a bad thing. Hunter prepares to go and talk to her, but Jimmy stops him and says that he’s better suited to talk to her. Off of the road, Jimmy tells Verity that they are similar in that it is the ordinary stuff that scares them and not unusual events like that which just happened.
Back on the side of the road, Hunter asks and learns Ratchet’s name. Ratchet then informs him that they should be putting as much distance as possible between themselves and the Decepticons. Before they can continue their conversation, Verity and Jimmy return to the vehicle and state that they need to go. As they look back, Thundercracker is seen firing a missile at Ratchet. The missile gets closer and closer without Ratchet moving, making the three humans very nervous. Right before the missile is to hit, Ratchet turns on his boosters and zooms out into the desert. As Ratchet moves along at high speed, three cars are seen heading towards them. As they get close to Ratchet, they are identified as the Autobots Ironhide, Prowl, and Sunstreaker. All three deploy guns and shoot at Thundercracker, severely damaging him. Thundercracker is able to fly off and avoid critical damage and capture.
After the attack is over, Ratchet informs the humans that these are his friends there were summoned back while they were still in Jimmy’s garage. However, the other three Autobots transform and draw their guns on Ratchet. Prowl informs Ratchet that he faces seven counts of misconduct, gross dereliction of duty, and disobeying a direct order from a senior officer in addition to four violations of Autobot code of interplanetary conflict. When Prowl asks him if he has anything to say, Ratchet exclaims “Siege Mode”.
Infiltration #2 Review
Review Submitted By: Tim Formas
Transformers: Infiltration #2 continues IDW Publishing’s first story arc since taking over the Transformers license. Unlike the preview issue (#0) and Issue #1, Infiltration #2 starts to tell IDW’s rebooted version of the Generation 1 story for the robots. The focus of the story shifts from those of the three main humans introduced through #0 and #1 to a small cast of Autobots and Decepticons.
Simon Furman, as the writer for the story, has provided a suitable transition towards the beginning of the issue that shifts the focus from Verity, Hunter, and Jimmy to Ratchet, the Autobots, and Decepticons. The brief coverage of the Decepticons provides a glimpse at their evil intentions at Earth. Simon also features a small tease regarding a human group with nefarious intentions that seems to be a future antagonist for the Transformers. However, no huge revelations are made in this issue. After the preview issue and two regular issues, there is yet to be an “Oh my gosh!” moment in the story. Simon has played it safe thus far, so it will be interesting to see if he stays on that course or makes an unusually move in terms of plot.
EJ Su again is not heavily challenged in the way of drawing robots in this issue, as the Transformers present in the issue are stuck in vehicle mode for the majority of it. The few new Autobots introduced and featured in robot modes are very faithful to their old incarnations. As the story proceeds, EJ should have ample opportunities to show off his robot-drawing skills.
While the structure of the 6-issue story is probably intended to increase the story intensity as the arc proceeds, the story thus far does not really provide any clues that there is anything major happening ahead. The cliffhanger at the end of the issue gives some hope of that changing but Issue #3 will have to deliver on that hope.
Overall Rating: 2.5