G.I.JOE VS THE TRANSFORMERS (1987)

As Marvel had the rights to publish stories starring two of Hasbro's best-selling toy properties of the '80s, then why not throw these guys against each other in one story? It turned out to be a hastily thrown together event, with no one coming out looking too hot. And, for the most part, both titles largely ignored the events of the mini-series, with a few notable exceptions.

G.I.Joe's continuity (in the reality designated Earth-91274) didn't quite match up with the mini, but would eventually be recognised as a part of continuity when the Joes met the Transformers again, years later. The events of the mini was recognised in Transformers' continuity, with the stories being referenced in their own ongoing series. But Bumblebee's revamp was about the only element with lasting impact on the lives of the Autobots.

[PIT-FALL - the fall of Cobra Commander]

• G.I.Joe and the Transformers #1
• Transformers #24
• G.I.Joe and the Transformers #2
• Transformers #25-26
• G.I.Joe and the Transformers #3-4

G.I.Joe and the Transformers #1
Optimus Prime sends Bumblebee to monitor the launch of a new, portable nuclear power station called Alpha. After G.I.Joe defend Alpha from the Dreadnoks, the Decepticons make their move. Under Megatron's orders, Bombshell takes control of a human child with one of his cerebro-shells to lure Bumblebee out. 

Bumblebee rescues the kid, but G.I.Joe believe him to be an attacker and Hawk orders the Joes to open fire. Bombshell sneaks about Alpha while Bumblebee's destruction alerts the Autobots. The Arielbots arrive too late to save their fallen comrade, bit combine into Superion to face the threat of G.I.Joe...

Transformers #24
The Decepticons secondary plan to steal the energy-generating Hydrothermocline from Futures Industries is intercepted by the Autobots. In order to prevent pitched battle, Futures employee Ethan Zachary suggestions Optimus Prime, Megatron and the Protectobots and Combaticons uploads hook themselves up to his video game. If the Decepticons win, they take the device. The loser will be destroyed. It looks like the Autobots are winning, but Optimus allows some of the computer-generated innocents to die in order to defeat Megatron. With that, Ethan Zachary is ordered to blow Optimus up. The Decepticons leave with the Hydrothermocline and the Protectobots leave with Optimus Prime's corpse.

G.I.Joe and the Transformers #2
Superion is ordered to return to the Ark following the death of Optimus Prime. G.I.Joe's Mainframe believes Bumblebee might have been alive. Hawk becomes involved with Senator Larkin who helped make Alpha a reality. Shockwave decides to turn Megatron's state of depression over not being the one who killed Optimus Prime to his advantage. Bombshell flies away with Alpha, while Serpentor orders Cobra to give chase. Cobra shake off G.I.Joe, leading to a Cobra alliance with the Decepticons. But Doctor Mindbender knows they plan to use Alpha to destroy Earth.

Transformers #25
As Megatron begins to lose his mind and leads the Stunticons and Combaticons in search of Optimus Prime, Shockwave orders the Predacons down to Earth. Pretending to be Autobots, the Predacons try to kill Megatron but even combining to form Predaking isn't enough to stop him. Despite learning of Shockwave's betrayal, the unstable Megatron boards the space-bridge to Cybertron and blows it up.

Transformers #26
Ratchet becomes depressed that he can't fix Optimus Prime. He heads to a junkyard to obtain parts for other injured Autobots, missing Prime's funeral. Ratchet is stolen by a car-thief calling himself the Mechanic who uses Ratchet's hi-tech equipment to break into the Ark. Ratchet uses the injured Prowl's police car form to scare the Mechanic away, saving the Ark and reuniting him with his fellow Autobots.

G.I.Joe and the Transformers #3
Shockwave's plan is to use Alpha to turn the Earth into a fireball that will recharge Cybertron, but end all human life on the planet. Mainframe begins rebuilding Bumblebee. The Autobots give Optimus Prime his send-off. Hawk learns Senator Larkin is in league with Cobra. Dirge and Cobra attack the Ark, but Serpentor turns on Dirge and forms a new alliance with the Autobots against the Decepticons.

G.I.Joe and the Transformers #4
G.I.Joe ally themselves with the Autobots and Cobra as they all hatch a plan to stop the Decepticons. Ratchet helps Mainframe resurrect Bumblebee as Goldbug. The cerebro-shell removed from the protestor is used by Doctor Mindbender to take control of Alpha. While the coalition attack the Decepticon base, Mindbender sends Alpha into space and detonates it against the Autobots wishes as they believe it could be sentient. Cobra quickly depart and, feeling betrayed, the Autobots end their alliance with G.I.Joe. Baroness assassinates Sentaor Larkin, leaving Hawk to mourn her.

Transformers #114-118 (Marvel UK, 1987)
On Earth-120185, Bumblebee's transformation into Goldbug happens differently; Bumblebee is killed by the bounty-hunter Death's Head and rebuilt by Wreck-Gar as Goldbug during WANTED: GALVATRON, DEAD OR ALIVE.

Transformers #27 (1987)
Impressed with Grimlock's victory over Trypticon, the Autobots name him the new leader of the Autobots.

Transformers #28 (1987)
Grimlock orders Blaster and Goldbug to apprehend the Mechanic, but he manages to escape; Blaster and Goldbug decide to abandon the Autobots while Grimlock's in charge.

Transformers #125 (Marvel UK, 1987)
In Earth-120185 continuity, 'Megatron' emerges alive in the sewers of London during TRANSFORMERS VS ACTION FORCE.

Transformers #135-136 (Marvel UK, 1987)
Divebomb's arrival on Earth (alongside the other Predacons) reignites an old feud with Swoop of the Dinobots (on Earth-120185) during GRUDGE MATCH.

Transformers #137 (Marvel UK, 1987)
Brawl is revealed to have survived Megatron crushing his head in Earth-120185 continuity.

Transformers #36 (1988)
Prowl is fully rebuilt.

Transformers #40-42 (1988)
Ethan Zachary returns, giving the disc that holds Optimus Prime's personality to Goldbug; Optimus Prime is rebuilt with a new Powermaster body.

Transformers #47 (1988)
Optimus Prime assumes leadership of the Autobots again.

Transformers #189 (Marvel UK, 1988)
Shockwave reprograms 'Megatron' to use as a weapon against Galvatron, testing him against facsimile versions of him; 'Megatron' kills Cyclonus while Scourge escapes to avoid altering the timeline where Megatron is transformed into Galvatron by Unicron and Scourge and Cyclonus are (re)created as his lieutenants.

Transformers #199-205 (UK, 1989)
'Megatron' teams up with his future self, Galvatron, increasing the time rift; the Autobots and Decepticons join forces to combat the two Decepticon leaders during TIME WARS.

Transformers #57 (1989)
Megatron is revealed to be alive, wandering Cybertron with no memory of who he is.

Transformers #58 (1989)
Ratchet restores Goldbug to his Bumblebee form when he turns him into a Pretender.

Transformers #243-244 (Marvel UK, 1989)
The 'Megatron' double is revealed to be a clone created by Lord Straxus to house his own personality when the real Megatron returns; Straxus tries to claim the clone Megatron's mind, but it's own 'Megatron' persona commits suicide to kill Lord Straxus by blowing its own head off.

G.I.Joe #138-142 (1993)
G.I.Joe and Cobra face the Transformers again during WAR WITHOUT END.

Transformers: Generation 2 #12 (1994)
Dirge is only resurrected long enough to die again when he sacrifices himself against the Swarm.

G.I.Joe and the Transformers (Marvel)
G.I.Joe/The Transformers vol.1 (IDW)
Transformers Classics vol.8
Include G.I.Joe and the transformers #1-4

Classic Transformers vol.2 (IDW)
Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection vol.7 (Hachette)
Includes Transformers #24-26

Transformers Classics vol.2 (IDW)
Includes Transformers #24-25

Transformers: Breakdown (Titan)
Includes Transformers #25-26

Transformers: Best of Megatron (IDW)
Transformers: Greatest Battles of Optimus Prime and Megatron (IDW)
Transformers: Showdown (Titan)
Includes Transformers #24

Transformers Classic vol.3 (IDW)
Includes Transformers #26