Marvel UK’s Carnivac (Part 1)Every so often, comic writers will breathe new life into characte

Marvel UK’s Carnivac (Part 1)

Every so often, comic writers will breathe new life into characters who would otherwise be obscure. Such was the case with Carnivac, the Decepticon Pretender Beast in the Marvel UK G1 comics (which were made as filler for the Marvel US G1 comics due to different distribution schedules). Under Simon Furman’s Pen, he became a solid B-list character, an honorable warrior was was friends with the Autobot Wrecker leader Springer.

Described in his original Tech Spec as a frenzied and sadistic fighter who was nevertheless polite and cheerful, Carnivac first appeared in the UK comics in the Time Wars storyline as the leader of the Mayhem Attack Squad, a group of Decepticon crack commandos. He united his forces with Springer’s Wreckers to fight off a time-travelling Galvatron. As the battle progressed and Springer saved his life, the two gained a certain appreciation for each other. Originally tasked with betraying Springer and killing the Wreckers once Galvatron was defeated, Carnivac’s warrior honor prevented him from doing so. Instead, when both teams were stranded on earth for the time being, Carnivac and his partner Catilla defected from the Decepticons to join Springer.

However, Carnivac stands out from other defectors among the Transformers in that he never stopped being a Decepticon. While honor and friendship were more important to him than factional loyalties, he still retained a Decepticon warrior’s code and held a Decepticon point of view. Paradoxical, but unique.

(To be continued…)

Scans from The Transformers UK #201-222. Writer Simon Furman, artists Robin Smith, Dan Reed, and John Stokes.