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Grimlock (G1)/toys

2009-05-01T00:29:09Z

117.120.16.131: /* Mighty Muggs */

Me [[Grimlock (G1)|'''Grimlock''']] have lots of toys and merchandise!

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:G1Grimlock toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|And the debate goes on: "Me Grimlock am greatest warrior!" "No! Me Grimlock am greatest warrior!"]]
* '''Grimlock''' (Dinobot, 1985/1986/1991/1992)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-26'''
**''Accessories:'' 'Energo' sword, twin 'stunner' laser rifle, galaxial rocket launcher, 3 rockets,
**''Period of activity:'' [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Cartoon]], [[The Transformers (Marvel Comics)|Marvel Comics (US)]] #[[Repeat Performance!|8]]–[[Dark Star (comic issue)|50]]
: Grimlock's toy was originally part of [[TakaraTomy|Takara]]'s ''[[Diaclone]]'' [[Dinosaur Robo]] series. When [[Hasbro]] imported the toy in 1985 for the ''Transformers'' line, its blue pelvis was changed to red and the Diaclone driver mini-figure was dropped.

:The original Grimlock changes from robot into a robotic T-Rex and comes with a red [[energo weapon|energo-sword]], a black double-barreled rifle, and a rocket launcher with three silver rockets.

: Grimlock was later reissued in the European/Australian-exclusive "[[Classics (Europe)|Classics]]" series. In Japan, he and the other four Dinobots were offered as mail-away items during [[Operation Combination (franchise)|Operation Combination]]; Grimlock cost 2300 yen (his original retail price) and 2 [[Robot Point]]s.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1985/Autobot/Grimlock/grimlock.htm More information on Generation 1 Grimlock at TFU.info]''

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[[Image:Pretender Grimlock toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Me Grimlock have fleshy bits!]]
* '''Grimlock''' ([[Classic Pretender]], 1989)
**''Accessories:'' Pretender shell, rifle, helmet, tail/gun
**''Period of activity:'' [[The Transformers (Marvel Comics)|Marvel Comics (US)]] [[All the Familiar Faces!|58]]–[[Dark Creation|65]]
: A simplified and slightly modified version of Grimlock, he transforms into a robotic T-Rex whose tail becomes a handgun. He came with a large human [[Pretender]] shell with a rather knight-like armor theme, with a helmet and large cannon.

: His human shell looks a lot like [[wikipedia:Ed_Asner|Ed Asner]].

{{note|Pretender Classic Grimlock's function was "Lieutenant Commander" instead of "Dinobot Commander".}}

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1989/Autobot/Grimlock/grimlock.htm More information on Pretender Grimlock at TFU.info]''

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[[Image:GrimlockLegends toy.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Me Grimlock say cut it out.]]
* '''Grimlock''' ([[Legends (G1)|Legends]], 1989)
**''Accessories:'' Tail/gun
**''Period of activity:'' [[The Transformers (Marvel Comics)|Marvel Comics (US)]] [[Dark Creation|65]]–[[Still Life!|76]]
: A K-Mart [[exclusive]] in its Hasbro release, this version of Grimlock is simply the inner robot of his Classic Pretender form without the shell or its accessories, leaving him only his tail/gun. In Japan, he was only available in a boxed "Hero Set" with the other three Legends toys, but with a silver face rather than the Hasbro version's orange.

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[[Image:G1Grimlock ActionMaster.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Me Grimlock no longer able to transform, so me Grimlock over-compensate with really big gun.]]
* '''Grimlock''' (Action Master, 1990)
**''Accessories:'' Anti-tank cannon partner, particle beam cannon
**''Period of activity:'' [[The Transformers (Marvel Comics)|Marvel Comics (US)]] [[Still Life!|76]]–[[End of the Road! (US)|80]]
: Part of the initial assortment of non-transforming [[Action Master]] figures, Grimlock's design combines his cartoon model with extra toy-based detailing. He came with the [[Anti-tank cannon]] "partner" machine which could be ridden by Grimlock (or any other Action Master) or unfolded via spring-loaded [[gimmick]] to form a really ''big'' hand-held "long-range mortar launcher". He is compatible with any other Action Master vehicle or weapon.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1990/Autobot/Grimlock/grimlock.htm More information on Action Master Grimlock at TFU.info]''
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===Generation 2===
* '''Grimlock''' (Dinobot, 1992)
**''Accessories:'' 'Energo' sword, twin 'stunner' laser rifle,
**''Period of activity:'' [[Generation 2 (Marvel Comics)|Generation 2]]
: Grimlock's original toy was [[Redeco|redecoed]] for release in ''[[Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'', this time lacking the missile launcher accessory. He was available in three different colors; the first—and rarest—in his original silver (the easiest way to spot if this is a ''Generation 2'' or original is by the "Autobot" [[tampograph]] on his leg), then in a medium turquoise-blue, and finally (and most commonly) in a dark blue.

{{note|Grimlock outranked Optimus Prime in the Generation 2 toyline! Prime had a rank of 9.}}

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1993/Autobot/Grimlock/grimlcok.htm More information on ''Generation 2'' Grimlock at TFU.info]''
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===Beast Wars===
[[Image:BeastWarsgrimlock toy.jpg|right|200px|thumb|[[Ben Yee]] think me Grimlock look like dalmatian... :(]]
* '''Grimlock''' (Deluxe, 1997)
**''Accessories:'' Spinning slasher sword, sword
**''Notable appearances:'' {{storylink|The Gathering issue 4}} {{storylink|The Ascending}}
: ''[[Beast Wars (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'' Grimlock is a [[redeco]] of [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] in gray and gold with black spots, transforming into a "raptor" of some variety. His tail becomes a sword and a rotate-blade. He was slightly [[Retool|retooled]] to have have ratcheting shoulders and space for an "energon chip" [[rubsign]]. Unfortunately, Grimlock suffers from [[Gold Plastic Syndrome]].

: This mold is also used by ''[[Dinobots (toyline)|Dinobots]]'' [[Grimlock (Dinobots)|Grimlock]], and was retooled to make [[Dinotron]], ''[[Beast Wars Neo (franchise)|Beast Wars Neo]]'' [[Hardhead (BWN)|Hardhead]], and [[Thrust (BWII)|Thrustor]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1997/Maximal/Grimlock/grimlock.htm More information on ''Beast Wars'' Grimlock at TFU.info]''
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===Beast Machines===
:[[T-Wrecks]] may have been intended to be a new form for Grimlock, based on the references in his tech spec bio to his ''Beast Wars'' "Attack Specialist" function and other hints. However, T-Wrecks' appearances in the [[3H Productions]] ''[[Universe (2003 comic)|Universe: The Wreckers]]'' comics suggests he is a new, unrelated character.

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===Alternators===
[[Image:AlternatorsGrimlock toy.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Me can't munch metal, but can burn rubber!]]
* '''Grimlock''' (2005)
**''Alternator ID number:'' '''9'''
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''BT-10'''
**''Accessories:'' Engine/gun, sword

: ''[[Alternators (toyline)|Alternators]]'' Grimlock transforms into a silver 1:24 scale Ford Mustang with opening doors, hood, and trunk. His engine transforms into a double-barreled gun, and he also carries an orange sword which can attach to the underside of his vehicle mode. The toy is one of the most-complained-about ''Alternators'' toys, due to its notoriously finicky transformation (with many small steps that must be performed in exactly the right order) and to several pieces which have a tendency to pop off with relatively small amounts of force.

:This mold was retooled into ''Alternators'' [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2005/Autobot/AltGrimlock/grimlock.htm More information on ''Alternators'' Grimlock at TFU.info]''

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===Universe===
[[Image:Energon-toy_Grimlock.JPG|right|250px|thumb|]]
:The [[Grimlock (Energon)|Grimlock]] toy released in ''[[Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'' was originally created by [[Hasbro]] for release as a special new-mold addition for the [[Universe (2003 toyline)|2003 ''Universe'' toyline]], and was intended to represent Generation 1 Grimlock. However, it wasn't and it didn't for the combination of budgetary concerns and keeping the combination gimmick (since he combines with the packed-in [[Swoop (Energon)|Swoop]] to form "[[Mega-Dinobot]]") only in the ''Energon'' toyline, which had combination as a central theme.

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===Classics===
[[Image:Grimlockclassicstoy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Me Grimlock just come from ''Jurassic Park 4'' audition. Me ate other actors!]]
*'''Grimlock''' (Deluxe, 2006)
**''Accessories:'' Missile launcher, missile, removable tail

: ''[[Classics (2006)|Classics]]'' Grimlock, a gray and gold ''Tyrannosaurus rex'', is a re-imagined form of his original toy, and is notably designed to run rather than drag (theories on the T-Rex having changed from "caveman adversary" to "Carl Lewis in lizard skin" since the Generation 1 incarnation).

:His bayonet blaster can be deployed in either mode and fires a clear red projectile. Both weapons can be stored on his back when not used. As with most ''Classics'' toys, Grimlock features a heat-sensitive [[rubsign]], placed on the left side of the tyrannosaurus torso/his left leg.

:A common complaint about the figure is the size of the peg being too small in relation to the peg-hole, making it impossible to lock the arms into place. In addition, the bayonet blaster has a hair-trigger and for no apparent reason, his fist holes are a few fractions of a millimeter too small to accommodate standard 5mm peg accessories that most modern ''Transformers'' toys use.

:An unpainted ''Classics'' Grimlock was used at the [[BotCon 2007]] customization classes to create ''[[Timelines]]'' [[Overkill (G1)|Overkill]]. The mold was also [[Redeco|redecoed]] to make [[Grimlock (Shattered Glass)|"Shattered Glass" Grimlock]] and [[Universe (2008 franchise)|2008's ''Universe'']] Overkill.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2006/Autobot/ClassicsGrimlock/grimlock.htm More information on ''Classics'' Grimlock at TFU.info]''



*'''Jetfire''' and '''Grimlock''' (2-pack, 2007)
**''Accessories:'' Missile launcher, missile, removable tail

:''Classics'' Grimlock was available in Asian markets in a two-pack with [[Jetfire (G1)|''Classics'' Jetfire]]. Both toys are identical to their normal individual releases.

{{-}}

===Titanium Series===
[[Image:Titanium RM Grimlock.jpg|right|125px|thumb|Me Grimlock say boogie down!!]]
*'''Grimlock''' (3" Robot Masters, 2006)
**''Accessories:'' Gun, sword, Autobot stand

: ''[[Titanium Series]]'' Grimlock is a non-transforming, three inch die-cast metal figurine based on his toy and comic/cartoon model. He has very limited articulation, in his neck, waist and shoulders. Grimlock is posed squatting and/or dancing.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2006/Autobot/TitGrimlock/grimlock.htm More information on ''Titanium'' Robot Masters Grimlock at TFU.info]''


*'''Grimlock''' (6" Cybertron Heroes, 2008)
**''Accessories:'' Gun, Energo-sword

:Based upon his appearance from ''[[The War Within]]'', this version of Grimlock transforms into a Cybertronic heavy tank. This transforming partly die-cast and plastic Grimlock was initially unreleased due to the cancellation of the ''Transformers'' series of ''Titanium'' toys at retail (the line would continue on for ''[[Star Wars]]'' at the three-inch scale). Hasbro provided a sample to the toy/character concept's designer, [[Don Figueroa]]. However, Hasbro has decided to release this figure after all as a Toys-R-Us exclusive in the fall of 2008 in a two-pack, with the also-almost-unreleased War Within [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/TitGrimlock/grimlock.htm More information on ''Titanium'' Cybertron Heroes Grimlock at TFU.info]''

===Attacktix===
*'''Grimlock''' (Booster, 2007)

[[Image:Attacktix Grimlock.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Me Grimlock can't move. [[The Last Stand|Seem]] [[Blast from the Past|to]] [[Spotlight: Shockwave|happen]] [[Still Life!|a lot]].]]
:Attacktix Grimlock is depicted in his ''Tyrannosarus'' mode, and has a sculpt based heavily upon his original G1 toy. Pressing down on his back will cause his head to extend and presumably hit whatever he's facing.

{{canceledtoy}}
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===Henkei! Henkei!===
*'''Grimlock''' (Deluxe, 2008)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-03'''
**''Accessories:'' Missile launcher, missile, removable tail

: ''[[Henkei! Henkei! (toyline)|Henkei! Henkei!]]'' Grimlock is an extensive redeco of ''Classics'' Grimlock, with generally more intricate paint detailing to make him more closely resemble the ''Generation 1'' toy. As with all ''Henkei'' toys, he lacks the heat sensitive rubsign seen on the ''Classics'' release, and instead features vacuum-metalized "chromed" plastic (in a similar [[gimmick]] to the ''Beast Wars'' [[Transmetal|Transmetals]] toys). The vac-metal is used on his beast mode feet, as well as the tyrannosaurus torso, which was, oddly enough, in Hasbro's original deco plan for ''Classics'' Grimlock.

{{-}}
===Masterpiece===
*'''Grimlock''' (2009)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''MP-8'''
**''Accessories:'' Energo sword, twin 'stunner' lasers rifle, waiter apron, waiter bow tie, waiter tray, 7 unique waiter glasses, intelligence transfer helmet

[[Image:Grimlock Masterpiece.jpg|‎250px|thumb|right|Me Grimlock be smaller then Prime, but me Grimlock more expensive!]]

: Released in March of 2009, ''[[Masterpiece]]'' Grimlock is based upon his original toy and cartoon model, transforming into an outdated view of the Tyrannosaurus rather than the more accurate depiction seen on ''Classics'' Grimlock. Besides his weapons, he also comes with a drinks serving tray and apron he carried in "[[Madman's Paradise]]" and the device he used to transfer his super-intelligence into [[Computron]] in "[[Grimlock's New Brain]]".

: ''Masterpiece'' Grimlock features the usage of [[die-cast]] metal for his dinosaur mode's toes and a LED mounted within his right fist which illuminates both his gun's barrels and his sword. As a result of said mechanism that only articulated part of his right hand is the thumb. Similarly his left hand is modeled much like [[Optimus Prime (G1) toys#20th Anniversary/Masterpiece|Masterpiece Optimus Prime's]] hands with the thumb and index finger fully articulate with the remaining fingers joined together. Possibly as a show of good faith sacrificed articulation, [[TakaraTomy]] designed his alternate mode's arms to be highly poseable featuring full articulation of the claws with the arms themselves attatched to the body with ball joints. He features many gimmicks including the ability to change his eye color in either mode from red to blue with the flip of a switch found at the back of his head in robot mode, and by opening the top of his head in dino mode and switching the eyes around. This allows the owner the choice of representing the use of blue in the cartoon (and his IDW alternate mode) or the use of red in most other media including his original toy. His tail is connected to his head meaning that by wiggling and moving it, the head rotates at the basis of the neck. Pushing down on his torso in dinosaur mode, makes his legs move up higher into his torso and as a result his head will look up. His alt-mode's head also has a tiny sculpted flame thrower in its mouth, but for your safety, it does not actually breath fire.(boo)

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===Device Label===
*'''Grimlock''' (Device Label, 2009)
: Takara's ''[[Device Label]]'' Grimlock will transform from a working USB laser mouse into a mechanoid raptor. He shares this mold with ''Device Label'' [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]].

: According to early BigBadToyStore solicitations, the mice were originally supposed to depict Generation 1 [[Overkill (G1)|Overkill]] and ''[[Beast Wars (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'' [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]].
{{comingsoontoy}}

==Merchandise==
===Decoy===
*'''Grimlock''' (Decoy, 1986)
**''Decoy ID number:''

: Coming packaged at random on carded ''Transformers toys'' during 1986, [[Decoy]] Grimlock is a red soft-rubber figure depicting him in his robot mode.

===Hard Hero===
[[Image:HardHero Grimlock bust.JPG|right|140px|thumb|]]
*'''Grimlock''' (2003)

: [[Hard Hero]]'s Grimlock is a 6.5 inches tall cold-cast porcelain bust, sculpted after his cartoon appearance (complete with blue eyes) and holding a white energo-sword in his right hand. The bust was limited to 2500 pieces, with an additional 100 being specially signed by sculptor [[Jason Ray]]. Grimlock was number 9 in Hard Hero's main series of ''Transformers'' busts.

{{-}}
===MyClone===
*'''Grimlock''' (Takara, 2003)

:''ID number:'' '''MTF011'''

: A tiny "[[super deformed]]" Grimlock was created as part of the second wave of [[MyClone]] Transformers in Japan. These toys had a generic base body, meaning their parts could mixed-and-matched as you please.

===Transformers - Mini Bust===
* '''Grimlock''' (Diamond Select, 2007)

[[Image:Grimlock Mini-bust.jpg|right|175px|thumb|When me Grimlock get legs back, you in BIG TROUBLE!]]
: A mini-bust of Grimlock based on his appearance in the cartoon was released by Diamond Select in 2007. The figure includes the upper body of Grimlock, wielding his energo-sword, acting as if rushing into the battlefield. There is the head of his beast mode sculpted into the base of the statue.

{{-}}

* '''War Within Grimlock''' (Diamond Select, 2007)

[[Image:Grimlock sdcc.jpg|right|175px|thumb|Me Grimlock say no fun to be exclusive all of time.]]
: War Within Grimlock was an Action Figure Xpress exclusive at the 2007 San Diego Comic Con. He was sculpted by Chris Lee of Art Asylum and limited to 600 pieces. The sculpt features Grimlock holding his flaming sword. The front of his vehicle mode is sculpted onto the base of the bust.

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===Robot Heroes===
*'''Grimlock Vs Shockwave''' (Two Pack, 2007)

[[Image:G1 RobotHeroes ShockwaveVsGrimlock.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Me Gwimwock no cutie, me king!]]
: Packed with [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], ''[[Robot Heroes]]'' Grimlock is a detailed two-inch tall soft-plastic figurine with exaggerated, cartoonish proportions and an amusing "raised eyebrow" look on his face. He is sculpted holding his sword in his right hand. He has swivel joints at his shoulders and neck. He brings cuddly wuddly death.

{{-}}

===3D Battle-Card Game===
*'''Grimlock''' (2007)

: A 48-point "rare" character in the [[3D Battle-Card Game]]'s "Energon Wars" expansion, Grimlock "transforms" into a gray vague approximation of a ''t. Rex''. He uses the same parts layout as [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] and [[Cruellock]].

===Mighty Muggs===
[[Image:MightyMuggs_Grimlock.jpg|right|thumb|175px]]: Me Grimlock Fat!
*'''Grimlock''' (2009)
**''Accessories:'' Energo-sword

: This [[super-deformed]], non-transformable PVC figure uses the standard [[Mighty Muggs]] body template, with swivel joints in Grimlock's neck and arms. He comes with a similarly super-deformed version of his trademark energo-sword.

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==Trivia==
[[Image:Grimlock Natural History Museum.JPG|right|150px|thumb|Me Grimlock BIG person, so they put Grimlock's statue in Natural History Museum.]]
* In the original Diaclone commercial for Grimlock, it showed him spewing fire from his mouth. Guess why ''that'' was removed, huh?

* There is a Grimlock toy placed in the showcase in the dinosaur section of the [[wikipedia:Natural_History_Museum|Natural History Museum]] in [[London]], [[United Kingdom]].

* Grimlock's function is Lieutenant Commander instead of Dinobot Commander on his Pretender Classic and Alternator toys. Lieutenant Commander is [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]]'s rank. Deal with it, egobot.

* A working name for the [[Alternators]] Ford Mustang mold which ultimately ended up as Grimlock was "[[Freeway]]", according to various early store listings.

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[[Category:Action Masters]]
[[Category:Alternators]]
[[Category:Attacktix]]
[[Category:Combiners]]
[[Category:Dinobots]]
[[Category:Pretenders]]
[[Category:K-Mart exclusives]]
[[Category:Mail order items]]
[[Category:Maximals]]
[[Category:MyClone]]
[[Category:Robot Heroes]]
[[Category:3D Battle-Cards]]
[[Category:Titanium Series]]

Bulkhead (Animated)

2009-04-02T22:43:12Z

117.120.16.131:

{{disambig3|Bulkhead}}
:''Bulkhead is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Transformers Animated]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:AniBulkheadPromoModel.jpg|thumb|right|300px|[[Crumplezone (Cybertron)|Crumplezone]] called; he wants his head back.]]
The biggest and strongest of [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]]'s crew, '''Bulkhead''' appears to be little more than a big, dumb lummox at first glance. The second and third glances don't do much to improve that impression. Raised on a backwater [[Energon (G1)|energon]] farm, he joined the Autobot academy to achieve the lofty goal of becoming a lowly [[space bridge]] technician rather than a warrior. He also has an unfortunate tendency to break stuff by accident due to his sheer strength and natural clumsiness. He's wrecked major thoroughfares and toppled skyscrapers in his zeal to be ''helpful''; when he gets angry, he's capable of berserker charges that even the [[Dinobot (Animated)|Dinobots]] have learned to respect and fear. His penchant for being a little too eager to please others and getting a little too emotional at times further leads him to act without thinking. Add in a seeming lack of skills beyond "destruction", and it does not paint a pretty picture.

But despite all these shortcomings, one is hard-pressed to find a bot with a bigger heart, and he has astounding (if sometimes well-hidden) depths. He hates being thought of as the clumsy brute of the team, which has bred a certain amount of careful forethought and cautiousness. He's endlessly loyal to and protective of his friends, especially his best buddy [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] and the [[human]] girl [[Sari Sumdac|Sari]], even if their impulsive behavior is sometimes annoying. Since coming to [[Earth]], he has discovered a love of art and the urge to express his true feelings through it. He's not very good at it, but he keeps trying anyways. Perhaps most surprising of all is that he is [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s foremost expert in space bridge technology, even though he may not be able to build one himself without accidentally breaking at least half the components.

{{quote|You guys got it easy. All people want me to do is break stuff. I've got a sensitive side too, you know... but breaking stuff '''is''' kinda fun.|—Bulkhead meditates on his lot in life|"[[Home Is Where the Spark Is]]"}}

==Fiction==
===''Animated'' cartoon===
{{ongoing}}
:''Voice actor:'' [[Bill Fagerbakke]] (English), [[Tilo Schmitz]] (German), [[Ireneusz Załóg]] (Polish)

[[Image:Autobot Cadets.jpg|thumb|left|250px-Autobot Cadets.jpg|Auditions for the new Transformers series are now closed...]]
Bulkhead was originally an energon farmer and attended [[Autobot boot camp]] in order to qualify as a space bridge engineer. It was there that he first met Bumblebee and their trainer, [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Minor]]. To begin with, Bumblebee had no interest in being friends with the gentle giant, insulting him with the nickname "mudflap". A friendship blossomed after Bulkhead saved Bumblebee from some "malfunctioning" turrets, dropping a building on Sentinel in the process. In order to prevent Bulkhead from being expelled, 'Bee took the blame, and they both ended up on space bridge detail. {{storylink|Autoboot Camp}}

[[Image:Ani crew.JPG|250px|thumb|right|ROAD TRIP!!!]]
Eventually, they were placed under [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]]'s command. While repairing a space bridge, the team discovered the long-lost [[AllSpark (Animated)|AllSpark]]. However, the [[Decepticon|Decepticons]] soon arrived, prompting Bulkhead to mention that he had never seen a Decepticon ship up close. (No one had and lived, as [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] pointed out.) Bulkhead did his best to hang on while the Autobots drove their ship through the space bridge. Coming out of warp, they went headlong toward [[Earth]], and he joined his fellow 'bots in heading into stasis to avoid the impact shock of an unpleasant landing.

After emerging from stasis and his [[reformatting]] into a terrestrial six-wheeled APC, Bulkhead accompanied the other Autobots to investigate a large, cybernetic creature that was menacing the local lifeforms (which they assumed were robots like themselves). Bulkhead requested help from a group of local drones, then noticed [[Sari Sumdac]] trying to take her keycard away from her robot dog, [[Sparkplug (Animated)|Sparkplug]]. Assuming Sari was the pet, Bulkhead greeted her—which promptly sent her running and screaming. Way to make first contact there, big guy.

[[Image:Bulkh alt.JPG|200px|thumb|left|Let's see [[wikipedia:Grave Digger (truck)|Grave Digger]] beat this!]]
After [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] arrived to take the AllSpark, the Autobots engaged him in a fierce game of "Keep-away". At one point, Bulkhead tried to catch the AllSpark, shouting "I got it." Starscream snagged the AllSpark instead, but Bulkhead knocked the [[Seeker|Decepticon flier]] out of the air with his wrecking ball, causing him to drop the AllSpark. It's not nice to contradict Bulkhead. {{storylink|Transform and Roll Out}}

Later, in Autobot HQ, he said he had some problems, because all humans want from him is to break stuff. After all, he had his sensitive side as well (even if breaking stuff was fun). When [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] attacked the Autobots' base, Bulkhead got in touch with his inner breaker, confirming that smashing stuff IS fun! Megatron had different plans for him, though, and Bulkhead discovered it's not as much fun to BE smashed. After Bulkhead was saved, he tried to catch a [[Pocketbot|tiny machine]] that looked like it might be the culprit. Prime hoped to study it and find out where it came from, but Bulkhead smashed the little critter to pieces when he grabbed it. {{storylink|Home Is Where the Spark Is}}

[[Image:TFA Blast Past Bulkhead Tutor Bot.JPG|250px|thumb|right|The Pizza's ready!]]
After that [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] tried to train Bulkhead to be more subtle in his actions, to assess a situation, choose the right move, then execute it with grace and precision. This didn't meet with any real success, as Bulkhead's antics damaged the base and caused him to fall on Prowl. Moving to an island in Lake Erie, Bulkhead tried again. He knocked down some trees which fell on Prowl. Things actually got worse when Bulkhead tried to use Prowl's methods against the [[Dinobot (Animated)|Dinobots]], a trio of animatronics run amok. Prowl wisely advised Bulkhead to stop doing what Prowl would do and instead do what Bulkhead himself would do. Bulkhead quickly discovered that his blunt, powerhouse approach had its place and time for proper use, charging and knocking down [[Snarl (Animated)|Snarl]], hitting [[Swoop (Animated)|Swoop]] out of the air, and throwing [[Grimlock (Animated)|Grimlock]] into a pit of molten tar. Afterward, the Dinobots were due to be melted down. However, Prowl suspected the Dinobots were actually alive, not mere machines, so he enlisted Bulkhead's help in secretly transporting them from their prison to the deserted island on Lake Erie. There they could live undisturbed and perhaps get themselves under control. Prowl had realized that just because something was big and lumbering and destructive was no reason to give up on it, and Bulkhead knew just what he meant. {{storylink|Blast from the Past}}

When Bumblebee had his bout with [[Colossus Rhodes]] that escalated into a parking lot brawl, Bulkhead arrived with the others to stop the mad giant and tease Bumblebee about his size. Bulkhead's size proved a liability when he got caught in an opening in [[Sumdac Tower]]'s defense shield, making him a sitting (but not defenseless) duck for an upgraded Rhodes, using his wrecking ball to send the brute flying. When the shield was deactivated he was the first into the tower, scooping up [[Meltdown (Animated)|Meltdown]] in his fist... a very bad mistake, since the villain was made of acid. His action gave the other Autobots time to defeat Meltdown, so it turned out okay. {{storylink|Total Meltdown}}

On a shopping trip for Sari's birthday present, Bulkhead worked with Sari to rein in the pesky [[Professor Princess]]. The next day, Sari's birthday party began poorly, as the guests were all children of Sumdac Industries employees, who found Sari too weird for their tastes. The Autobots' arrival made things a little more interesting, but klutzy Bulkhead soon found himself ignored, alongside Sari, as the kids went for rides with the other Autobots (even Ratchet). Bulkhead wanted to give Sari her gift, a xylophone, but was too embarrassed to do so when he saw Dr. Sumdac's gift, a musical robot named [[Soundwave (Animated)|Soundwave]]. For the next several days, Sari's attention was drawn away from her friend as she spent her free time plugging her key into the toy to upgrade it. Bulkhead realized that there was something off about Soundwave, but his attempts to prove it just forced a wedge between Sari and himself. Megatron's machinations to increase the split between them didn't help. It turned out the big guy was right on the money, however, as Soundwave was a creation of Megatron's that gained sentience through the key. Soundwave took control of the machines of Detroit and captured Sari. When Bulkhead came to her rescue, Soundwave attempted to convince Bulkhead of the inferiority of humans. For a few minutes, it seemed Bulkhead was on his side, but with a wink to Sari, he punched Soundwave so hard that the Decepticon shattered into his component parts. Sari apologized, and the pair played with Bulkhead's gift, albeit after Sari nearly broke her hand punching Bulkhead's fist. {{storylink|Sound and Fury}}

Soon afterwards, trouble arrived in the form of [[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]] and [[Lugnut]]. Answering their challenge, the Autobots confronted the pair in a construction yard. Bulkhead charged Lugnut and the two engaged in a grapple, but even Bulkhead's power wasn't enough against the massive Decepticon, who threw him aside. The second round didn't go too well either, as Lugnut never had a chance to fight before the Decepticons were defeated by the Autobot ship's main cannon. {{storylink|Lost and Found}}

After Sari was abducted by the Dinobots, Prowl and Bulkhead went to [[Dinobot Island (Animated)|Dinobot Island]] to investigate. What they found was Meltdown, who damaged Bulkhead to the point of unconsciousness and trapped Prowl and Fanzone (who had been tailing them) underground. Bulkhead spent the rest of the episode out cold until Sari was able to restore him. On the boat ride home, Sari showed she could take care of herself by kicking Bulkhead, who pretended to be hurt and accidentally fell into the ship's hold. {{storylink|Survival of the Fittest}}

[[Image:Caged bulkhead.jpg|200px|thumb|left|And now we know how the caged Bulkhead sings...]]
After destroying a good portion of a city block trying to stop a missile impact, Sari suggested to Bulkhead that he explore his more creative talents to show the citizens of Detroit that he wasn't [[Sixshot|an engine of destruction]]. Bulkhead had difficulty making his creations (his paint brushes kept snapping between his fingers) and panicked when he learned that Sari had arranged an art show for him. (Girl has connections.) While lamenting his lot in life, he was knocked out cold by a sudden electrical surge. When he came back online, he found that his body had been stolen. As Bumblebee attempted to help him finish his art pieces in time for the show, the [[Headmaster (Animated)|Headmaster]] used Bulkhead's body to take control of a solar fusion plant, intending to detonate it unless he was paid a hefty ransom. Optimus used the ransom delivery to sneak the Autobots into the plant, where they defeated the Headmaster and reattached Bulkhead to his body...backwards. As the reactor reached critical, Bulkhead came up with a drone that would set the rods back, but the drone melted in the process. Not to be daunted, Bulkhead added it to his art collection, showing the citizens of Detroit his [[Slog|warzone art]] without them even knowing it. {{storylink|Headmaster}}

When Decepticon energy signals were detected, the Autobots quickly realized that they were outnumbered. Bulkhead mentioned that the Dinobots might be able to help, not aware that Prowl hadn't told Optimus they had moved them to Dinobot Island. Prime was furious and ordered the two to take him there at once. After searching the island, the Autobots found the Dinobots. They were unwilling to help, so the Autobots left, unsure of their next move. When Bumblebee contacted Prime, saying that Starscream was at Sumdac Tower, he ordered him to stand down. When they arrived at the tower, they saw Bumblebee fighting Starscream. Prime dryly noted that disobeying orders was becoming a habit, but Bulkhead wasn't too insulted.
He was too busy being shocked by [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] bursting through Sumdac Tower. {{storylink|Megatron Rising - Part 1}}

Quickly regain their composure, Bulkhead charged Megatron, only to have his wrecking ball severed and be thrown into a building. After the short battle, Sumdac told them how he had rebuilt Megatron. Bulkhead sounded as if he was about to crush the professor, but Prime told him that it was unimportant. Using excess key energy in Sumdac's equipment, the Autobots repaired themselves, and Prime apologized for his harsh words. Ratchet and Sari came by in the ship, picking up the Autobots, but they were shot down over Dinobot Island. During the subsequent battle, Bulkhead brought down [[Lugnut]]. The zealous Decepticon was stronger than Bulkhead, but as he activated [[Punch of Kill Everything|his punch]], Bulkhead used his wrecking ball to detonate it, sending Lugnut flying. {{storylink|Megatron Rising - Part 2}}

While repairing a damaged overpass, Bulkhead became stuck in some cement, but hid it to avoid being embarrassed. He was nearly destroyed when he used outdated, unstable fixative, but was saved by two newly sentient machines named [[Scrapper (Animated)|Scrapper]] and [[Mixmaster (Animated)|Mixmaster]]. Once they helped him finish the repair work he'd been doing, Bulkhead reluctantly went with them for an oil break, though he wasn't sure it was okay to take it straight from a tanker ship. He WAS sure the rest of the Autobots would like his new friends. The crass construction workers did not impress the other Autobots, however, and things only got worse when a game of flattened-oil-can frisbee severed Sari's pigtails, leading Prime to evict the two. The next day, Bulkhead went looking for his friends, discovering that they had stolen parts for something Megatron was building. When Bulkhead told them that the Decepticons were [[wikipedia:Men in Black (film)|the scum of the universe]], the two went to challenge the Decepticons, without telling Bulkhead where to find them. The other Autobots were concerned that Scrapper and Mixmaster would sell them out, but Bulkhead still defended them. Unfortunately, the newly dubbed [[Constructicon (Animated)|Constructicons]] ''did'' side with the Decepticons, taking Bumblebee hostage and demanding the AllSpark fragments the Autobots had. Bulkhead gave them the fragments and a cup of oil for the road, but he had spiked the oil with the outdated fixative from the other day. The subsequent explosion scrambled their memory circuits, and Bulkhead drove the amnesiac Transformers away, admitting that he had been wrong to trust them. {{storylink|Rise of the Constructicons}}

After [[Wasp]] escaped, Bulkhead tagged along with Bumblebee in an attempt to track a leaked signal, but 'Bee's attitude became unbearable, and Bulkhead stormed off. The kindhearted bot couldn't stay away, however, and helped Bumblebee out of a minor scrape. Bumblebee apologised, but Bulkhead shook it off; their friendship had rock-solid foundations. Reconciled, the two headed back to base, having missed a rather conspicuous mine shaft entrance. {{storylink|Autoboot Camp}}

Bulkhead later made an abstract painting of Sari in the style of Picasso, but the other Autobots' suggestions ended up ruining the painting. He and Sari took a walk to clear his head, and Bumblebee came and genuinely tried to apologize. This went rather poorly, and got even worse when Megatron arrived. He kidnapped Bulkhead and took him to his base. Megatron revealed that [[Shockwave (Animated)|his double agent]] had learned that Bulkhead was Cybertron's top space bridge technician, and forced Bulkhead to help the Decepticons repair a space bridge they had reverse engineered. If Bulkhead refused, Megatron would use a Headmaster unit to steal his body and kill all of Bulkhead's friends, starting with Professor Sumdac. Bulkhead agreed to help, but Professor Sumdac believed that Bulkhead was trying to sabotage the device, and told Bulkhead to let him give the instructions to avoid sounding preposterous. Furious at everyone doubting his skill, Bulkhead actually ''fixed'' the space bridge, allowing Megatron to teleport the Decepticons to an underdefended Cybertron. See Bulkhead, this is why people don't take you seriously. {{storylink|A Bridge Too Close, Part I}}

During a three-way battle between the Autobots, the Decepticons, and Starscream's [[Starscream clone|clones]], Bulkhead tried to shut down the space bridge, but was locked with [[stasis cuffs]] by a [[Female Starscream|female clone]]. After Megatron explained his plans and how Bulkhead had helped. the other Autobots expressed confusion at his skills, and Bulkhead explained that he had read all the space bridge schematics on the energon farm. Unfortunately, power problems arose, which Megatron tried to fix with by adding Starscream's AllSpark powered head into the power core. Unfortunately, this caused an overload which Bulkhead theorized would suck up all of Michigan. Fortunately, [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]] arrived and allowed himself to be sucked into the portal. When the Autobots escaped, Bulkhead theorized that Omega was merely transported to another section of space, and had hope that he was still alive.
Unfortunately, any effort to locate Omega was put on hold when Sari noticed that the skin of her arm had been torn...revealing robotic circuitry underneath! {{storylink|A Bridge Too Close, Part II}}

===Titan Magazines===
The Dinobots saved him and the others from [[Starscream Clones]], which was good. They then didn't leave and Bulkhead's sleeping space was taken up by Grimlock, which was not good. {{storylink|Dino-MIGHT!}}

Later, the Autobots were buried by the villain [[Quake-Maker]]. Bulkhead's great strength freed them from the ground, and then he ''vanished completely'' from the battle. {{storylink|Burnout}}

On his day off, Bulkhead was dragged to a basketball game by Sari, Prowl and [[Afterburn]]. Bulkhead didn't see the point of the game and was being mistaken for a litter bin by the humans. Luckily a demented supervillain attacked Detroit and they had to leave the game - but as a diversionary tactic, the evil [[Crossroads]] blackmailed Detroit into trying to destroy the Autobots! The Autobots saw through this and intercepted the villain at [[Sumdac Tower]], with Bulkhead taking down reprogrammed security drones. After beating the villain, Bulkhead now enjoyed basketball and happily watched the game ''for no reason''.
[[Hasbro|Toy companies]] have made an action figure of him! {{storylink|Crossroads!}}

==Toys==
===Animated===
[[Image:TFAnimated Voyager Bulkhead toy.jpg|300px|thumb|right|And the world wants his kibble to turn into a chair.]]
* '''Bulkhead''' (Voyager, 2008)

:Bulkhead transforms from an armored, six-wheeled military-type van into a robot mode that is a bit on the short side for a Voyager, due to the stout, stocky nature of the character. The toy features two "[[automorph]]"-style gimmicks in its transformation: after flipping down the back doors, pulling down on them retracts a pair of black tabs holding his arms into pace, allowing them to spring forward into position; and moving his chest into place automatically causes a panel to flip over, exposing his head.

:The figure's left arm contains the character's signature gimmick, his wrecking ball. A concealed lever activates a pressure-launch system that fires the ball, which is attached to Bulkhead's arm by a sturdy string. Bulkhead's right arm, meanwhile, features a rather strange gimmick: after straightening the arm at the elbow, pressing the black lever on the upper arm causes Bulkhead's forearm to flip upwards. It ''might'' be an uppercut or some other sort of punch attack, but whatever this feature is supposed to be, it is not mentioned in either the toy's instructions, or on its packaging.

:No, his kibble can't transform into a chair. ''Aww''.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/Bulkhead/bulkhead.htm More information on Voyager Bulkhead at TFU.info]

{{-}}{{anchor|Activator}}
[[Image:TFAnimated Activators Bulkhead.jpg|300px|thumb|right|"Whoa, I thought I was super-deformed ''before''..."]]
* '''Bulkhead''' (Activator, 2008)

: [[Activators]] Bulkhead can autotransform from a compressed version of a SWAT military van into his robot form when the middle siren bar is pressed. The vehicle mode lacks the back section's doors and bumper to better accommodate the gimmick, which leaves his robot mode's hands sticking out.

: His kibble is unable to become a chair as well. '''''Awww'''''. Unless you take the back-piece and switch it round and have him sit on it in a kind of... warped way.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/ActBulkhead/bulkhead.htm More information on Activators Bulkhead at TFU.info]

{{-}}{{anchor|Leader}}
[[Image:TFAnimated Leader Bulkhead toy.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Tired of being known as "the big guy with a gentle heart", Bulkhead became more trigger happy than [[Triggerhappy]].]]
* '''Bulkhead''' (Leader, 2008)
**''Accessories'': 4 "air torpedoes"

: This version of Bulkhead is decidedly more heavily armed than others, with the most distinctive additions to his arsenal coming in the form of a double-barreled turret for his vehicle mode, two missile racks (one per arm, each holding two removable "air torpedoes"), and a buzzsaw in his right hand, which spins when a black tab on his forearm is pressed. He ''doesn't'' have a wrecking ball, but his other hand goes feature a "grabby" action, allowing you to clench and open his fingers by sliding a tab in his arm.

:Bulkhead is outfitted with a significant array of electronic light and sound gimmicks. Pressing the Autobot insignia on his chest in robot mode causes his head to turn, his mouth to open , as he speaks one of three sound clips—"Sorry, my bad," "You can do it, buddy!", and "Time for the big guns!"—accompanied by flashing yellow lights in his chest, shoulders and eyes. During transformation, when the vehicle mode turret is snapped into or out of place, the classic transformation sound effect plays as his lights flash. In vehicle mode, pressing the Autobot insignia activates a siren noise, which lasts as long as the button is held down and is accompanied by flashing red LEDs that illuminate his vehicle's light bar. Bulkhead also comes packaged with the [[Headmaster (Animated)|Headmaster]] unit, which can fit over the figure's head, altering his sound and changing his yellow lights to red. Once in place, the Headmaster will scream "Ownage! Total ownage!", and all of Bulkhead's lights flash, illuminating the villain's translucent horns. This is the Headmaster's only phrase; pressing Bulkhead's insignia repeats the effects. The Headmaster accessory fits over all other Leader class figures.

: The packaging photography and lineart indicate that Bulkhead's electronic lights shine a more [[Show-accuracy|show-accurate]] blue (well, accurate for his eyes, anyway). The final produced toy has yellow lights instead, because blue LEDs are apparently really expensive.

: ''This'' version of Bulkhead ''can'' [http://kyq.kuiki.net/randompics/tfa/chairhead.jpg transform his kibble into a chair]! Hooray!

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/LeaderBulkhead/bulkhead.htm More information on Leader Bulkhead at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|BumperBattler}}
[[Image:BumperBattlers Bulkhead toy.JPG|250px|thumb|right|Bulkhead now knows how [[Han Solo]] feels.]]

* '''Bulkhead''' (Bumper Battler, 2008)

: Bulkhead is part of the second wave of [[Bumper Battlers]]. Pressing on the vehicle mode's front bumper activates electronic noises and pops up the roof, revealing a relief of Bulkhead's robot form. Pressing on the Autobot [[faction symbol]] on the hood activates a randomly-assembled collection of sound effects and voice samples.

==Trivia==
* Out of the five main Autobot characters, Bulkhead is the only one who doesn't have a G1 counterpart. However, his color and star symbols make him visually somewhat reminiscent of [[Hound (G1)|Hound]].
[[Image:RedBulkhead.jpg|thumb|right|Bulkred. Redhead? [[Big Red]]! Wyatt totally got paid for this.]]
* Bulkhead's design and demeanor likely owe themselves to Crunch from ''[[wikipedia:Mighty Orbots|Mighty Orbots]]'', a series [[Derrick J. Wyatt]] has admitted as being an inspiration.
* [[wikipedia:Patrick Star|another]] big lug with a [[Bill Fagerbakke|similar]] voice, Bulkhead is best friends with a [[wikipedia:SpongeBob SquarePants (character)|little]] [[Bumblebee (Animated)|yellow guy]]. Obviously this analogy [[Tom Kenny|only goes]] [[Starscream (Animated)|so far]].
* Upon seeing a red [[Prototype|test shot]] of Bulkhead's ''Voyager''-class toy, Derrick J. Wyatt recolored a Bulkhead character model in the test shot's colors—on company time! [http://derrickjwyatt.blogspot.com/2007/09/bulkhead-toy.html]
* According to Wyatt, the additional weaponry the Leader-class toy possesses is supposed to represent the alterations the Headmaster would have made if he had possessed the body longer.
* While Bulkhead's Earth form features no continuous tracks, he still has them on his feet, like in his Cybertron form. This is probably an animation error that stayed in the show. The toy's legs are more developed, as the front wheels form the backs of the feet. The leader class toy, though, is show accurate in the sense that flipping out his feet will reveal the tracks.
* After his reformatting into his APC mode, Bulkhead's robot mode [[kibble]] changes from the ''front'' of his vehicle mode (where it forms the scoop of the bulldozer) to the ''back'', where it forms the doors of the truck.
[[Image:Bulkheadchair.jpg|250px|thumb|right|The next step in Transformers evolution is here!]]
* Bulkhead can form his [[kibble]] into a chair. This is awesome.
* Bulkhead has a storage place in his chest which opens in at least two ways, like a drawer and/or like a door.
* Bulkhead's eyes can extend from his face and act as a microscope, as shown in "[[Rise of the Constructicons]]". This is slightly strange, but also awesome.
* For a clumsy "repair bot" with little or no fighting experience, Bulkhead is surprisingly effective on the battlefield. He was almost singlehandedly responsible for defeating the Dinobots in "[[Blast from the Past]]", he proved highly effective against them once again in a rematch in "[[Survival of the Fittest]]", and he defeated the more powerful Lugnut in a one-on-one confrontation in "[[Megatron Rising - Part 2]]". He was also the only character to suspect Soundwave of being evil until it was too late, at which point Bulkhead once again saved the day by defeating him in "[[Sound and Fury]]".
* In spite of the visual differences, it would appear that rather than simply swapping out his hands for his signature wrecking balls, Bulkhead's hands actually transform to ''become'' the wrecking balls. Although most episodes show his hand simply retract and then be replaced by the ball, a few instances show it actually stay in place, blur and change into the ball. Furthermore, in cases where Bulkhead has had the tether-line of his wrecking ball severed, he remains conspicuously handless until the ball is re-attached, such as in "[[Transform and Roll Out]]" and "[[Megatron Rising - Part 2]]".
* Bulkhead's vehicle mode design was used as the basis for [[Blurr (G1)|Generation 1 Blurr]]'s personal transport in [[Spotlight: Blurr]].
* Bulkhead comes from an [[Energon (franchise)|Energon]] farm? [[Bulkhead (Energon)|Hmmm...]]

[[Category:Artists]]
[[Category:Autobots]]
[[Category:Animated characters]]
[[Category:Engineers]]

Where Is Thy Sting?

2009-03-30T22:53:19Z

117.120.16.131: /* Miscellaneous trivia */

{{episode|
|series=Anitoon
|image=WhereIsThySting-reflectingface.jpg
|caption=Get out of my head!
|ep=34
|title="Where Is Thy Sting?"
|airdate=[[March 28]], 2009
|written by=[[Todd Casey]]
|directed by=[[Kalvin Lee]], [[Shigeharu Takahashi]]
|animation studio=[[Mook]]
}}

'''A crazed Wasp finds his way to Earth to exact his revenge on Bumblebee... but he doesn't count on the Elite Guard following him.'''

==Synopsis==
Drawing closer to [[Earth]] in their pursuit of the presumed traitor [[Wasp]], [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] and [[Jazz (Animated)|Jazz]] are at their stations on the bridge of the [[Elite Guard]]'s ship when [[Shockwave (Animated)|Longarm Prime]] contacts them and demands to know what they are doing in Earth Sector. [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]] joins the conference call to apologize for not letting Longarm know of the situation, pointing out that they couldn't risk tipping off Wasp when he stands poised to lead them to his Decepticon contact on the planet. Except, as Jazz points out, Wasp isn't headed for the [[Decepticon]]s... he's making a <s>bee</s>waspline for the [[Autobot]]s' base!

In the Autobots' headquarters, [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] is immersed in a game of ''[[Ninja Gladiator]]'' when [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] shuts the television off and reprimands Bumblebee for neglecting his monitor duty. In mid-argument, the base computers detect a [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertronian]] signal nearby, but no other information can be obtained due to interference caused by recent torrential rain. Prime and the other Autobots thus have to depart to investigate firsthand. Bumblebee, of course, returns to playing his video game.

The Elite Guard ship touches down in Detroit, and Sentinel and Jazz disembark. Sentinel is immediately disgusted by the notion of liquid falling from the sky, and he finds himself all but incapable of driving on the slick roads, but Jazz just rolls with it.

[[Image:WhereIsThySting-Bumblebeecreepilydefeated.jpg|left|thumb|200px|We enjoyed that together.]]
Back at the base, Bumblebee continues playing games until the base is suddenly plunged into darkness. As the red emergency lights come on, Bumblebee finds himself staring into the all-too-familiar face of Wasp, now sporting an Earth-mode body styled after Bumblebee's own. Bumblebee tries to explain that they had both been set up by Longarm, but the insane Wasp doesn't care. He downs Bumblebee with a blast of his stingers and takes off his own helmet, revealing a wound on the top of his head. Just before passing out, Bumblebee sees Wasp standing over him, holding a strange gun fitted with a glowing green canister and vowing to make Bumblebee lose everything, just like he did...

A little later, Bumblebee awakens to find the other Autobots all staring down at him, including...himself? Looking down at himself, Bumblebee is horrified to discover that Wasp has repainted his armor, swapped their helmets, and exchanged their vocal synthesizers, making each a dead ringer for the other. As Wasp stands there, with Bumblebee's [[battle mask]] "stuck" up, Bumblebee attempts to convince the other Autobots that he is himself, but they aren't sold. When [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] attempts to [[stasis cuffs|stasis cuff]] him, Bumblebee is forced to shoot out the lights and make a break for it. He zooms out of the plant, right past Sentinel Prime and Jazz, who intercept Prime and the other Autobots when they try to pursue him. Sentinel demands to know why Optimus's Autobots haven't checked in in so long, but when Optimus tries to explain, Sentinel refuses to listen, informing them he is here to bring in Wasp...who, Optimus points out, just drove right past him. Sentinel ignores Optimus when he tries to tell him that Longarm is the real traitor, and departs immediately to hunt down "Wasp". Optimus instructs his Autobots to locate Wasp first, and they head out to search, while the true Wasp tells them he will stay behind in case Bumblebee comes back.

On Cybertron, Shockwave desperately makes another attempt to contact the missing [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]]. He transmits a message to him alerting him to the direness of the situation, adding that Shockwave is about to take matters into his own hands...

[[Image:WhereIsThySting-obligatorymisunderstanding.jpg|right|thumb|200px|I has logos-Autobot on my shoulders, da?]]
Back on Earth, Optimus and Ratchet are discussing how odd "Bumblebee" has been behaving when two jets suddenly come roaring by overhead. Knowing that no organic could pilot a plane the way these two crafts fly, the two Autobots assume they are dealing with Decepticons and zoom after them in hot pursuit. The two jets soon track down "Wasp", who is desperately attempting to rub his green paint off with a discarded couch cushion, and transform to robot mode to attack him with blasts of flame and roaring hurricane winds. Ratchet and Optimus arrive to hold off these apparent Decepticons, who reveal a remarkable power to combine into [[Safeguard (Animated)|one mighty robot]], but before the fighting can get too intense, Sentinel and Jazz arrive to reveal that these two are, in fact, Autobots! Sentinel introduces [[Jetfire (Animated)|Jetfire]] and [[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]], Elite Guard warriors created using specs from [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]], and orders the duo to resume their mission.

In the Autobots' base, Wasp is playing (and losing) ''Ninja Gladiator'', and he decides that he could get used to being Bumblebee. In order to complete the illusion, Wasp scans the Autobots' computer files, so that he can learn everything about Bumblebee and better pass himself off as his old rival.

[[Image:WhereIsThySting-hotdogbot.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Bumblebee needs a lesson in kitbashing.]]
Racing through the city streets, Bumblebee discovers a hot dog cart and desperate tries slathering his armor in mustard to make him look more like himself. He is caught in the act by [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] and [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]], but he is finally able to convince Bulkhead of his true identity when he tells him something only he could know: namely, that he took the blame for Bulkhead knocking a tower over on Sentinel Prime at [[Autobot boot camp|boot camp]]. Jetfire and Jetstorm arrive just in time to witness this happy scene, but get the wrong end of the stick and assume that Bulkhead and Prowl are traitors as well! The twins report this to Sentinel, and he, Optimus, Jazz and Ratchet head for their position, with Sentinel obstinately refusing to listen to Optimus's attempts to explain the numerous misunderstandings that have happened. When everyone reunites, Bulkhead explains that Bumblebee is definitely Bumblebee, and Optimus orders everyone back to the plant to straighten everything out.

[[Image:WhereIsThySting-UltraMagnusDamaged.jpg|thumb|right|200px|If anyone inserts a "He's been dealt with" caption here, so help us...]]
A little later, back at the plant, Wasp cheerily denies Bumblebee's accusations, using the information he has gleaned from the Autobots' files to "prove" he is who he claims. When interrogation yields no results, Bulkhead comes up with the best way to figure out who's who: a versus match on ''Ninja Gladiator''! Before the game even starts, Wasp chokes and grabs Bumblebee, holding his stinger to 'Bee's neck. Wasp insists that he was always a good bot, but Bulkhead says that isn't true; he might not be a traitor, but he was always mean to Bulkhead and Bumblebee and was hardly good. Wasp blasts out the lights to cover his escape, and when the emergency lights kick in, both Wasp and Bumblebee are gone. The Autobots head outside, where they spot what looks like Bumblebee lying on the ground. Bulkhead assumes it is Wasp and leaps upon the prone figure, pummeling him and ripping off his helmet...only to find out that it really is Bumblebee underneath. Prowl examines Bumblebee's helmet and discovers that their colors were switched so quickly because Wasp had hit him with an electronic paintjob that he could turn off with the press of a button. As things begin to calm down, the truth of the whole matter hits Jazz—if Wasp really was innocent, that means that Longarm Prime really is a Decepticon spy!

Sometime later, on Cybertron, [[Ironhide (Animated)|Ironhide]] is searching for Longarm in order to apprehend him. Entering the council chamber, Ironhide is horrified to discover the mangled, barely-alive body of Ultra Magnus. He asks the Supreme Commander where his [[Magnus Hammer|hammer]] is and who was responsible. Before collapsing, Ultra Magnus manages to choke out, "Shock...wave..."

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters

|c1=
*[[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] (1)
*[[Jazz (Animated)|Jazz]] (2)
*[[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]] (4)
*[[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] (5)
*[[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] (6)
*[[Wasp]] (7)
*[[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] (8)
*[[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] (9)
*[[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] (10)
*[[Jetfire (Animated)|Jetfire]] (11)
*[[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]] (12)
*[[Safeguard (Animated)|Safeguard]] (13)
*[[Ironhide (Animated)|Ironhide]] (14)

|c2=
*[[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave/Longarm Prime]] (3)
|}}

==Quotes==
"Besides, if I'm playing ''Ninja Gladiator'', I'm at least getting valuable combat training." 
:—'''Bumblebee''' gives justification for slacking off.

"Liquid falling from the sky? What is ''wrong'' with this planet?!" 
"Crazy! It's like a planet ''and'' a car wash! You diggin' this or what?"
:—'''Sentinel Prime''' and '''Jazz''' share their thoughts on the rain.

"I hate this planet."
:—'''Sentinel Prime''' shares his thoughts on Earth.

"Wasp—I mean, Bumblebot—I mean, ''I'' will stay here in case Bumblebot—I mean, Wasp comes back." 
:—'''Wasp''' blows his cover several times, but the Autobots still don't pick it up.

'''Ratchet''': Come on! You're doing it wrong! Turn ''into'' the skid! 
'''Sentinel''': Into the skid? That's stupid! 
'''Jazz''': Just gotta go with the flow, S.P.! 
'''Optimus''': How do you put up with him? 
'''Jazz''': I just tune out half of everything he spits out. 
'''Optimus''': Only half?
:—The Autobots attempt to put up with the jerk, with no such luck.

"I don't care! Arrest 'em all and let Ultra Magnus sort 'em out!"
:—'''Sentinel Prime''', jerk.

"You're not arresting ''anyone'', Sentinel." 
"So you ''are'' in on it, Optimus." 
"No, Sentinel. I just have something you never will: respect for my teammates." 
:—'''Optimus Prime''' defines exactly ''how'' '''Sentinel Prime''' is a jerk.

"So hit me with that one more time. A robot in disguise swaps metal with a double agent, who is really on the level?" 
"Makes even less sense when you say it."
:—'''Jazz''' and '''Bulkhead''' try their best to fathom what's been going on.

==Notes==

===Animation or technical errors===
*When Bulkhead knocks Jetfire back, Jazz (who isn't even ''there'' yet), instead of Jetstorm, is standing next to Bumblebee.
*When Wasp is playing Bumblebee's video game (and liking it), the characters on screen switch sides as he loses.
*It seems that the animators can't decide which parts of the city are raining.
*Oddly, for a cartoon that tries to stay close to the transformation of the actual toys, Safeguard's transformation is nothing like the toy.

===Continuity errors===
*This isn't an ''error'' as such, but just when did Wasp get an identical Earth form to Bumblebee's? And perhaps more to the point, ''how'' did he change form - both Optimus' crew and the Elite Guard reformatted on their well-equipped ships. Wasp was last seen beside a space bridge with no ship of any kind.
*The episode explains that Wasp was able to affect the switch by means of an electronic paintjob. While this is an acceptable (and actually pretty awesome) concept, accounting for why they retained their eyes and why Wasp kept 'Bee's mask up, it doesn't explain why the two bots switched voices.

===Transformers references===
[[Image:WhereIsThySting-Bumblebeesvideogame.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Referenciality!]]

*We last saw Wasp in "[[Autoboot Camp]]", to which this episode is essentially a sequel. A brief flashback from the episode is shown after Bumblebee says he "took the rap" for Bulkhead for what happened to Sentinel Prime. In an attempt to maintain his ruse, Wasp also mentions all the things that Bumblebee had done then which accidentally embarrassed Sentinel Prime.

* Optimus's Autobots discovered that Wasp wasn't guilty in "[[A Bridge Too Close, Part II]]".

*The background of the ''Ninja Gladiator'' video game prominently features [[TORQ III]].

* In the scene before he switches places with "Bumble-Bot", Wasp is wearing a [[rubsign]] in place of a conventional Autobot insignia.

* Sentinel Prime discusses the modifications made to Jetfire and Jetstorm, which took place in the "[[Rise of Safeguard]]" comic book.

* Sentinel Prime still doesn't remember his time with Bumblebee and Bulkhead, as he did (didn't?) in "[[The Elite Guard]]".

* Wasp mentions the events in "[[SUV: Society of Ultimate Villainy]]" in an attempt to "prove" his fake identity.

* Tigatron Stadium, which will be seen in the next episode, can be seen in the background.

===Real-world references===
* Sentinel Prime's cry of "Arrest 'em all and let Ultra Magnus sort 'em out!" is a reference to a supposed statement by Abbot Arnold Amaury before the massacre of Béziers during the Albigensian Crusade, the original statement being "Kill them all, let God sort them out."
**According to [[David Kaye]], [[Jeff Bennett]] once used this line in a recording session during the first season, causing the cast to burst into laughter and forcing them to take five.{{fact}}
*The four-armed insect from ''Ninja Gladiator'' is [http://www.micro-outpost.com/pictures/aliens/antron/antron.html Antron from the Micronauts]. According to Derrick Wyatt, the black figure the insect fights is [[Snake-Eyes]].[http://twitter.com/SentinelPrime/status/1418651506][http://twitter.com/DerrickJWyatt/status/1418656175]

===Miscellaneous trivia===
*This episode received an impromptu online debut on [[March 25]], [[2009]], when a copy loaded onto the Cartoon Network website's server, intended to go live after the episode aired a few days later, was pilfered and leaked by some ne'er-do-wells. The next episode, [[Five Servos of Doom]], was leaked a few days later. Something similar happened with much of the third season of ''The Venture Brothers''.
*Wasp has purple eyes, which were visible even with Bumblebee's battle mask up, and retained the striped design on his thighs. And Bumblebee still had his blue eyes and other reetaining properties. The Autobots didn't notice this because...?
*You can also ask the same question with the Jet twins. Although their Elite Guard insignias are on their hips, Optimus and Ratchet should have seen the insignia on their shoulders when they merged into Safeguard.
*Bulkhead crashs on a bus, ending up covering his head. Total Ownage!
*When realizing "Wasp" is really Bumblebee, and later when attempting to explain this to the others, Bulkhead's jumping makes him sound like a squeaking toy.

[[Category:Animated episodes]]