The Transformers: Escalation

The Transformers: Escalation is a six-issue comic book mini-series, published by IDW Publishing, based on the Transformers and following on from The Transformers: Infiltration. The series launched in November 2006 and ended in April 2007. The series is available in The Transformers: Volume 2.

In relation to The Transformers: Spotlight

 * The Dinobots and Shockwave, dug up here by Skywatch, were buried in Spotlight: Shockwave after a battle between the two ended in both being buried in lava.
 * Laserbeak and Ravage were also discovered by Skywatch in Spotlight: Soundwave after a battle between Soundwave and Bludgeon caused the volcano they were in to explode (though only Laserbeak was shown at the time).
 * The story of Sixshot and the Reapers was first explored in Spotlight: Sixshot.
 * The mysterious face that Prime sees in the limbo realm of "infraspace" is Nova Prime, which is expanded on in the Spotlight: Optimus Prime and referred to in Spotlight: Galvatron.
 * Hot Rod and Nightbeat both join Optimus' crew after their perspective Spotlights. Indeed, Hot Rod still retains the alt-mode from his issue.

In relation to The Transformers: Stormbringer

 * Prime's method of defeating Megatron — by causing him to wear out his Ore-13 by exerting himself more — was the same method which led to Thunderwing's defeat in that story, explaining how Prime knows of this weakness.
 * Hardhead was part of Optimus' crew, first seen in Stormbringer.

Easter eggs

 * In issue 4, the name of the garage that the Machination is using is "Ideas and Design Works" — the full name of Transformers publisher IDW Publishing.
 * There are a host of items in the garage referencing various other Transformer lore. These include a poster bearing the words "Kiss Players", leaflets on "Seibertron cars" and the sale of "Binaltech air filters"

Autobots
Bumblebee Hardhead Hot Rod Ironhide Jazz Nightbeat Optimus Prime Prowl Ratchet Sunstreaker Wheeljack

Decepticons
Astrotrain Blitzwing Megatron Runabout Runamuck Skywarp Starscream Thundercracker