While Megatron is often treated as Transformers' ultimate big bad, Beast Wars set up another Predacon as an even more terrifying threat to the Autobots - enter Magmatron!
In the original TV show upon which every Beast Wars comic is based, Megatron was understandably portrayed as the future of the Predacon movement. The entire series transpired on ancient Earth, completely isolating the marooned Transformers in such a way that they formed their own little world. And in that world, Megatron was the big bad and Optimus Primal was the true hero. But spin-offs of the Beast Wars have pulled the focus back to include other factions outside of the happenings on ancient Earth, and one series did that in a truly unique way.
In Transformers: Beastwars – The Gathering #1, Cybertron sends the Predacon known as Magmatron to keep an eye on Megatron, who has been creating havoc on ancient Earth. But Magmatron has his own ambitions, which are fueled by his frustrations over the Maximals' rule and how placated the Predacons have become with their station in life. One Maximal is wary of Magmatron and enlists a Transformer named Razorbeast on Magmatron's team to stop him. As explained to Razorbeast, Megatron is just a loose cannon, while Magmatron is a true, organized enemy.Transformers: Beastwars – The Gathering comes from writer Simon Furman, artist Don Figuroa, colorist Josh Burcham and letterer Tom B. Long.
Although Beast Wars has always portrayed Megatron as the big bad, it makes sense that others not marooned on ancient Earth would view him as nothing more than a loose canon. His ludicrous scheme of using transwarp technology to travel to ancient Earth is constantly beset by surprises and complications, with a team of allies who are often less than loyal. Without the narrow focus on Earth, Megatron is clearly a fringe presence striving for greatness by trying to do the impossible. As someone more connected to Cybertron, Magmatron is seen as far more dangerous to the Transformers as a whole.
While Megatron sees himself as the be-all and end-all of his plans, Magmatron takes a more militaristic approach to his own forces, treating his followers respectfully to ensure loyalty and obedience. He also has multiple forms, able to transform into three different beings or one combined form called Magmasaurus. However, despite boasting huge amounts of firepower, Magmatron's real strength is the respect the rest of the Predacon movement has for him. This is his big advantage over Megatron, who will always have to seize power, while Magmatron is handed it.
Interestingly, even the most recent Beast Wars comic series portrays Megatron as an uncontrollable force. It's exciting to see another Predacon other than Megatron in the Beast Wars universe who others fear more than him, especially as Transformers as a franchise is often seen as crying out for a more diverse range of antagonists.