The Headmasters issue 2

« Transformers: The Headmasters #2 »
Publisher	Kodansha
Published in	TV Magazine
First published	September 1987
Writer	Masumi Kaneda
Penciler	Ban Magami
Continuity	TV Magazine continuity

You don't need a Transtector to kick butt, as the Headmasters quickly illustrate.

Synopsis

From headquarters, Commander Fortress orders the Autobot Headmasters to protect an Alaskan energy plant that's under attack. Operating their Transtectors from the cockpits, Chrome, Gorter, Cana and Ros arrive on the scene. Once there, they encounter the Decepticon Headmasters, Monzo, Vorath and Grax, riding atop their animal Transtectors.

The Autobots attempt to perform a "Head On", but before they can link with their Transtectors, the Decepticons attack and swat them away. The Decepticon Headmasters then give chase in their animal Transtectors, enjoying the thrill of hunting their helpless foes.

Not content to be hunted, Chrome orders the other Headmasters into a huddle and lays out a plan. When the Decepticons make their pounce, the Autobots perform the "Southern Cross Jump" and leap over the gaping jaws of their foes. The Decepticon Headmasters peek out of their cockpits to see where their enemies have fled, only to find that they've connected with their Transtectors. Before the Decepticons can return to their animals, the Autobots blast and jump kick them simultaneously, damaging them badly. The Decepticon Headmasters weep at their predicament.

Featured characters

(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)

Notes

• This issue highlights one of the extremely rare occasions in the Japanese Headmasters series where the Headmaster units go by their individual names when separated from their Transtectors. These names were hardly ever used in the Headmasters cartoon.
• Each Headmaster is given a unique designation when operating their Transtector. When operating his land assault vehicle, Chrome is referred to as a "driver"; when operating his tank, Ros is referred to as a "commander"; and, when operating their jet and helicopter, Gorter and Cana are referred to as "pilots". Additionally, when riding atop their animal transtectors, Monzo, Vorath and Grax are referred to as "trainers".
• The character identifying captions on Page 3 mistakenly confuse Weirdwolf/Monzo and Mindwipe/Vorath. Not again!
• The "Southern Cross Jump" may or may not be a reference to the then-contemporary Japanese cartoon series Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross.

Reprints

• 2002 — Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: The Comics
• 2020 — Transformers: The Manga Volume 2