MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

Scalper

2009-06-12T16:32:55Z

119.224.16.243: Redirecting to Toy scalping

#REDIRECT [[Toy scalping]]

Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)

2009-06-11T11:39:37Z

119.224.16.243: /* Classic Series */

{{factions|autobot|autobotg2}}
{{disambig3|Skydive}}
{{picsneeded}}
:''Skydive is an [[Autobot]] [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbot]] from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Skydive profile.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Bookish flying ace extraordinaire.]]
'''Skydive''', it has been said, would rather read about an aerial battle than take part in one. He's the Aerialbot's resident bookworm and is fascinated by the history and science behind aerial warfare. Within the limits of his design, he's capable of duplicating the flight patterns of anything he sees. His knowledge of aerial warfare and tactics is unmatched. Skydive is probably the most skilled Autobot flier in existence. All of that, and you're more likely to find him secluded in a cozy library than actually in the sky. He's simply too modest and bookish to realize how smart and skilled he really is. Thankfully the rest of the Autobots definitely do.

Skydive combines with his fellow [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] to form [[Superion (G1)|Superion]].

:''Italian name'': '''Log'''
:''French-Canadian name'': '''Parachuto'''

== Fiction ==
===Cartoon continuity===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Laurie Faso]] (English), [[Takurō Kitagawa]] (Japanese)

At one point during the eternal war with the Autobots on Earth, Megatron grew fed up with how his opponents ruled the roads and created a group of Decepticon cars known as the [[Stunticon|Stunticons]]. In order to give his new warriors life, he brought them to Cybertron and tracked down the ancient supercomputer, [[Vector Sigma]], to input cybernetic personalities into the Stunticons. Thanks to a series of traps and drones in their way, the Autobots failed to prevent Megatron from succeeding and returning to Earth. Seeking to even the playing field, Optimus Prime conceived of the idea of retrofitting several broken-down Cybertronian ships into Earthen jets, and bring them to life as a team of Autobot flyers. With the help of his technical savvy soldiers, [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], Wheeljack, [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], and Prime's own creator, [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]], Optimus's plan was enacted and the Aerialbots were born. {{storylink|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 2}}

[[Image:Skydive slingshot.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Skydive tries to explain to Slingshot why his wrist-mounted sundial doesn't work in the shade.]]
Because Optimus Prime specified to Vector Sigma that the Aerialbots be given personalities that required them to learn and grow, and make their own decisions, however, Skydive and his friends were not instantly bound to the Autobot cause. Their sense of pride in their flying ability caused many of them to look down on the other Autobots. Despite their personalities being like night and day, Skydive and Slingshot were frequent flying partners and often on the same side of any argument. Skydive's eye for aerial maneuvering left him just as impressed as the more emotional Slingshot when it came to the [[Seeker|Seekers]]' flight skills, and this innocent zest for knowledge led him and his partners into a Decepticon trap. Turning the [[Kronosphere]] on the hapless Autobots, Megatron sent the Aerialbots back in time nine million years. Their journey led them to the earliest days of the war, and they personally saw Megatron maliciously gun down unarmed Cybertronians in his quest for power. Skydive and the other Aerialbots returned to the present with an unshakeable commitment to seeing the Decepticons threat ended. {{storylink|War Dawn}}

Skydive and [[Slingshot]] were once carved up into pieces and somehow put back together by a street kid who also just happened to be a deposed royal prince of a Middle Eastern nation who is also a mechanical genius. Convenient. {{storylink|Aerial Assault}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Generation 1====
{{noteukonly}}
''Thanks to his previous connection to the [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]], [[Buster Witwicky]] began experiencing dreams and visions of new Transformers, beginning with an etching of Superion he made without even being consciously aware of it. {{storylink|Devastation Derby!}} By sharing his visions with [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], Buster was able to clarify the images and understand the future of the evolution of the Cybertronian race -- amalgam model robots like the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]]' [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], capable of a more-streamlined merging into a more powerful form. It was these visions which allowed Optimus Prime and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] to conceive of and construct the Aerialbots. {{storylink|Second Generation!}}''

Working on a plan to reverse engineer the gestalt technology the Decepticons used to create Devastator, Optimus Prime and the Autobots staged a daring raid on the Decepticon base of operations, giving [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] enough time to digitally record the Constructicon's electrical transformation pattern for study. {{storylink|Command Performances!}} Working off that blueprint, Wheeljack successfully created Skydive and the Aerialbots. During the new warriors' testing phase, however, the Autobots were alerted to a Decepticon operation at Hoover Dam. Only the Aerialbots were fast enough to reach the location in time, and so Prime was forced to send them into battle before their programming was completed.

Arriving to find a giant energy siphoning device being channeled through the [[Space Bridge]], [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]] deferred to Skydive's strategic knowledge on how to deal with the target. Skydive's preliminary attack run failed to even damage the device, however, and before he could make a second pass the Decepticon jet [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] took the offensive, temporarily grounding Skydive with the disruptive power of his engines.

The Aerialbots eventually turned the tide on the Decepticons and drove them off, giving them time to focus on the energy siphon which was the core of the problem. At Silverbolt's command, they merged into Superion and began dismantling the drill device. A problem arose, however, when [[Bombshell]]'s [[cerebro-shell]] controlled pawn [[Ricky Vasquez]] pointed [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (in his gun mode) at the giant Autobot. Because the majority of the Aerialbots were not programmed specifically to protect human life, Superion only saw a potential threat that needed to be eliminated. As the human fought against the Decepticons' control, Silverbolt too fought inside Superion's gestalt mind to protect the human. In the end, Silverbolt was forced to disengage Superion to keep him from destroying the human. Luckily, Ricky was more successful and managed to break the cerebro-shell's hold long enough to point Megatron at the drill and destroy it, ending the threat. {{storylink|Aerialbots over America!}}

After the near disaster at Hoover Dam, Optimus Prime had the Aerialbots shut down and their programming completely erased. Returned to a blank slate, he then inputed fully-programmed personalities for them with the Matrix before their next mission. It, uh... didn't help. In battle with [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] as Superion, the Aerialbots were attacked by [[Circuit Breaker]], deactivated, and captured by [[RAAT]]. It was only a lucky break that they were eventually freed. {{storylink|Heavy Traffic!}}

As [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] took over the Autobots, Skydive and the other Aerialbots took an extended leave of absence from the war, since the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]] commander focused Autobot resources on repairing their fallen comrades and prepping the Ark to become spaceworthy again.

Sometime later, it was Skydive, [[Fireflight (G1)|Fireflight]], and [[Air Raid (G1)|Air Raid]] who were the first to respond to a distress call from Buster Witwicky, the Autobots' old human ally who had been prisoner to the Decepticons for nearly a year. This led the combined Autobot and Decepticon forces into battle with [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], who had acquired the nigh-infinite power of the [[Underbase]] for himself. The Aerialbots were his first victims, wiped out in a single blast of cosmic power in the skies over New York City. {{storylink|Dark Star (issue)|Dark Star}}

Along with the other deactivated Autobots aboard the Ark, Skydive and the Aerialbots were eventually revived by the [[Nucleon]] super-energy Grimlock and the Dinobots recovered from [[Hydrus Four]].

=====Earthforce=====
{{earthforcefiction}}
''Fresh off the RE-assembly line, Skydive screwed up an Autobot mission by broadcasting the location of [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and his hijacked Decepticon ozone rocket over an uncoded frequency. Luckily, Prowl managed to remove the poison gas cannisters before the Decepticons got there, and the two 'Con factions ended up fighting over nothing of value. {{storylink|Life in the Slow Lane}}''

''A few nights later, Skydive was coming to relieve [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] from a late-night guard shift when he found signs of a skirmish. Wheeljack was gone, and some animal tracks he took for signs of [[Predacon (G1)|Predacon]] activity were all over the place! Tracing them to the main base, Skydive found it had been forced open, and a shadowy figure was creeping through the halls. He leapt into action!...right on top of poor Wheeljack. It turned out Ol' Wheels had tripped over his lamp and heating unit at the guard post, run into a polar bear, and scampered away out of sheer fright, forcing the door when he couldn't find his key.''

''This incident was mercifully left off the official duty logs. {{storylink|Mystery!}}''

''Skydive was present with the entire Earthforce team outside Autobot Earthbase when Wheeljack unveiled his brand-new unbreachable defensive system. This was unfortunate, as Wheeljack had forgotten that, once activated, the system could only be turned off from the inside. Prowl elected to run the gauntlet and reach the shutdown console inside, and the Aerialbots provided air support for him. Skydive and his buddies gunned down the [[Acid Bats]] at the entryway, giving Prowl his chance to get through. {{storylink|The House that Wheeljack Built!}}''

{{note|Unlike the rest of Earthforce, the return of the Aerialbots (besides Silverbolt) was never explained on panel. Presumably, Wheeljack rebuilt them in the Bodyshop much like he did for [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]].}}

=====Marvel UK future timelines=====
''In 2008, Skydive was on monitor duty at [[Autobot City]] when he detected a "disappearing blip" on the radar screens. He alerted [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]], but before they could ID the contact, the contact ID'ed itself: [[Quintesson]] [[Trident]] attack craft on bombing runs! Skydive was knocked out by the oncoming blast, but Blaster dragged him to a safe place. {{storylink|Space Pirates!}}''

=====''Another Time and Place''=====
When [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] and the Decepticons took control of the Nucleon supply at Hydrus Four, Skydive joined Air Raid and Silverbolt in bombing the medical center to announce the Autobots' imminent arrival. {{storylink|Another Time and Place}}

====Generation 2====
After the Autobots split into smaller combat units throughout the universe, Skydive was sent to Earth with a group of Autobots under [[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]]'s command to deal with the re-emergence of Megatron. The Decepticon's new abilities and [[Cobra]] allies proved a considerable challenge, though. After half their number were killed and their transport destroyed, Skydive volunteered for a strategic play to get inside the enemy-controlled Ark. Shutting off his systems on a time-delay to appear as lifeless machinery to the sensors Megatron had set up in the ship, he was smuggled aboard the Ark by some disguised [[G.I.Joe]] soldiers. {{storylink|Final Transformations}} Once inside, he received some surprise help from [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]], who had returned just in time to reconnect with his [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] partner, [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]. With Fort Max sacrificing his life to distract Megatron and destroy the Ark, Skydive got to safety with [[Sidney Biggles-Jones|Dr. Sidney Biggles-Jones]], the human scientist Megatron had taken prisoner. {{storylink|All or Nothing!}}

Once Megatron resurfaced with Starscream and reassumed command of the Decepticon army from [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]], Skydive sent a transmission to Optimus Prime and soon left Earth duty to reunite with his fellow Aerialbots in the stars. {{storylink|The Gathering Darkness}} He was later involved in the ill-fated defense of the planet [[Ethos]], {{storylink|Escalation!}} and the battle for Earth against [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]]'s [[Cybertronian]] armada. {{storylink|Total War!}}

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
Skydive and his fellow Aerialbots became one of the first Autobot "[[Special Teams]]" several million years ago, adopting the process used to create [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] in order to become Superion. The unchecked destructive power of these super-robots was eventually recognized by the Autobot and Decepticon factions, however. By the time of the Dark Ages, the [[Crisis Intervention Accords]] had been ratified, strictly forbidding Special Teams from operating together on any given faction, in order to prevent these titans from tearing the planet apart. {{storylink|The War Within: The Dark Ages}}

In the 1980's, Skydive and the Aerialbots were active on Earth with Optimus Prime and the crew of the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]''. They did not arrive on that ship, however, and the actual manner of their arrival was never explained. After the destruction of the ''[[Ark II]]'', the Aerialbots were some of the few Transformers who were not recovered by Lazarus for his reprogramming venture. Instead, they were reactivated as Superion in 2002 by Optimus Prime, using the power of the [[Matrix]]. During the battle of [[San Francisco]], Superion was broken down into his individual components while battling Devastator and the [[Seeker|Seekers]]. Skydive and his team eventually reunified in order to intercept a nuclear missile headed for the California coastline. Superion, and by extension the Aerialbots, were destroyed in stopping the missile. {{storylink|Prime Directive}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
* '''Skydive''' (Aerialbot, 1986)
**''Team ID number'': '''A2'''
**''Japanese ID number'': '''C-51'''
**''Accessories'': "[[Nega-gun]]"

: Skydive transforms into an [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes|F-16 Falcon fighter jet]]. As a "[[Scramble City]]" style combiner, he can form the arm or leg to any super robot of compatible construction, though his nominal placement is as the right leg to [[Superion (G1)|Superion]].

:All five Aerialbots were made available as mail-away offers in Japan during ''[[Return of Convoy (toyline)|Return of Convoy]]''. Skydive (like all the other limb-jets) cost 1000 yen and two [[Robot Point|robot points]].

*'''Superion''' (Multi-pack, 1986)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''C-55'''

: All five Aerialbots were made available in a gift set, released in most markets. The toys are identical to their individually-packaged versions.

===Generation 2===
* '''Skydive''' (Aerialbot, 1994)
**''Team ID number:'' '''A1'''
**''Accessories'': "Mega Gun"

: Skydive was [[Redeco|redecoed]] for his ''[[Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' release, gaining a fetching gray and blue scheme.

===Universe (2008)===
====Classic Series====
*'''Aerial Rivals''' (multi-pack, 2008)

: A redeco of the ''[[Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' [[Soundwave (Cybertron)|Soundwave's]] ''Legends of Cybertron'' figure, Skydive's colorscheme is based upon his ''Generation 2'' incarnation. He was only available in a set with [[Blades]], [[Air Raid (G1)|Air Raid]], [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]], and [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]]. His jet-mode cockpit does not attach to his left arm, but rather just kind of hangs awkwardly off his left hip.

{{-}}

====G1 Series====
[[Image:Universe2008 Skydive.jpg|right|300px|thumb|]]
*'''Superion''' (Multi-pack, 2008)
**''Accessories:'' Shield/double-cannon, Autobot-type [[energon star]]

:Available only as a component of ''Universe'' Superion, this version of Skydive is a lavender and grey redeco of the ''[[Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' [[Sky Shadow (Energon)|Sky Shadow]]/[[Terradive (Energon)|Terradive]] mold, transforming into an A-10 "Thunderbolt" plane. He can also form a leg or arm to any ''Energon''-series "[[Powerlinx]] [[Combiner]]" super robot, though his nominal placement is as the right leg to Superion. He comes with a shield/double cannon that can become a footplate or "hand" for his combined mode, plus a blue "super energon" Autobot-style energon star that fits over his [[spark crystal]].

:He shares his mold with fellow Superion pack-mate [[Fireflight (G1)|Fireflight]].

:Skydive was released, along with the others in this box set, in ''[[Universe (2008 franchise)|Universe]]'' (2008) packaging in Australia and Singapore, but it is unknown if this version will be released anywhere else. This set has recently been announced as a Target-[[exclusive]] set in ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen]]'' [[Superion (ROTF)|Superion]] packaging for North America. Thus, this toy doubles as [[Movie (toyline)|Movie]] [[Skydive (Movie)|Skydive]].

:This mold was also used to make [[Fun Publications]] [[Transformers Collectors Club]]-[[exclusive]] ''[[Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' [[Skyfall (Cybertron)|Skyfall]].

==External links==
*[http://www.tfu.info/1986/Autobot/Skydive/skydive.htm Skydive at TFU.info]
*[http://www.ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Skydive Skydive's ''Universe'' profile at NFTA.net]

[[Category:Aerialbots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 characters]]
[[Category:Generation 2 characters]]
[[Category:Headmasters characters]]
[[Category:Mail order items]]

Air Raid (G1)

2009-06-11T11:39:11Z

119.224.16.243: /* Classic Series */ The packaging clearly identifies the Jetfire redeco as Air Raid and the Soundwave redeco as Skydive.

{{factions|autobot|autobotg2}}
{{disambig3|Air Raid}}
{{picsneeded|Everything, really}}

:''Air Raid is an [[Autobot]] [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbot]] from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:G1AirRaid TFU.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Danger? HA! I laugh at danger! LAUGH, I TELL YOU!!!]]
Some might call '''Air Raid''' reckless, the way he dives out of nowhere, charging enemy units head on. Air Raid would laugh at that. A rash and fearless young warrior who loves surprises (especially those that leave his foes too stunned to fight back), he has only one real goal in life: to have fun. Needless to say his attitude puts him in a lot of danger, but you can be sure he's enjoying himself the whole time.

Air Raid combines with his fellow [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] to form [[Superion (G1)|Superion]].

:''Japanese name'': '''Air Rider'''
:''French-Canadian name'': '''Bombardo'''
:''Italian name'': '''Tornado'''
:''Russian name'': '''Naletchik''' (Налетчик, Raider)

== Fiction ==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Generation 1====
{{noteukonly}}
''Thanks to his previous connection to the [[Creation Matrix]], [[Buster Witwicky]] began experiencing dreams and visions of new Transformers, beginning with an etching of Superion he made without even being consciously aware of it. {{storylink|Devastation Derby!}} By sharing his visions with [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], Buster was able to clarify the images and understand the future of the evolution of the Cybertronian race — amalgam model robots like the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]]' [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], capable of a more-streamlined merging into a more powerful form. It was these visions which allowed Optimus Prime and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] to conceive of and construct the Aerialbots. {{storylink|Second Generation!}}''

Working on a plan to reverse engineer the gestalt technology the Decepticons used to create Devastator, Optimus Prime and the Autobots staged a daring raid on the Decepticon base of operations, giving [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] enough time to digitally record the Constructicons' electrical transformation pattern for study. {{storylink|Command Performances!}} Working off that blueprint, Wheeljack successfully created Air Raid and the Aerialbots. During the new warriors' testing phase, however, the Autobots were alerted to a Decepticon operation at Hoover Dam. Only the Aerialbots were fast enough to reach the location in time, and so Prime was forced to send them into battle before their programming was completed.

Air Raid proved to be the most effective of the new Aerialbots in battle. After his fellow jets took a few hits in battle with the Cybertronian [[Seeker]]s, Air Raid singlehandedly shook their formation and tore up [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]]'s nosecone with his torque rifle, giving the other Aerialbots time to regroup.

The Aerialbots eventually turned the tide on the Decepticons and drove them off, giving them time to focus on the energy siphon which was the core of the problem. At Silverbolt's command, they merged into Superion and began dismantling the drill device. A problem arose, however, when [[Bombshell]]'s [[cerebro-shell]] controlled pawn [[Ricky Vasquez]] pointed [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (in his gun mode) at the giant Autobot. Because the majority of the Aerialbots were not programmed specifically to protect human life, Superion only saw a potential threat that needed to be eliminated. As the human fought against the Decepticons' control, Silverbolt too fought inside Superion's gestalt mind to protect the human. In the end, Silverbolt was forced to disengage Superion to keep him from destroying the human. Luckily, Ricky was more successful and managed to break the cerebro-shell's hold long enough to point Megatron at the drill and destroy it, ending the threat. {{storylink|Aerialbots over America!}}

After the near disaster at Hoover Dam, Optimus Prime had the Aerialbots shut down and their programming completely erased. Returned to a blank slate, he then inputted fully-programmed personalities for them with the Matrix before their next mission. It, uh...didn't help. In battle with [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] as Superion, the Aerialbots were attacked by [[Circuit Breaker]], deactivated, and captured by [[RAAT]]. It was only a lucky break that they were eventually freed. {{storylink|Heavy Traffic!}}

As [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] took over the Autobots, Air Raid and the other Aerialbots took an extended leave of absence from the war, since the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]] commander focused Autobot resources on repairing their fallen comrades and prepping the Ark to become spaceworthy again.

Sometime later, it was Air Raid, [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]], and [[Fireflight (G1)|Fireflight]] who were the first to respond to a distress call from Buster Witwicky, the Autobots' old human ally who had been prisoner to the Decepticons for nearly a year. This led the combined Autobot and Decepticon forces into battle with [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], who had acquired the nigh-infinite power of the [[Underbase]] for himself. The Aerialbots were his first victims, wiped out in a single blast of cosmic power in the skies over New York City. {{storylink|Dark Star (issue)|Dark Star}}

Along with the other deactivated Autobots aboard the Ark, Air Raid and the Aerialbots were eventually revived by the [[Nucleon]] super-energy Grimlock and the Dinobots recovered from [[Hydrus Four]].

=====Earthforce=====
{{earthforcefiction}}
''One dark and stormy night, Air Raid heard a commotion in the halls of Earthforce's makeshift shuttle base, and turned on the lights to fight [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]] and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] struggling with each other in the dark. The story was, Skydive had come by to relieve Wheeljack from guard duty, only to find the post abandoned and signs of a serious struggle in place of his comrade. There was a smoldering patch of ground, a hastily discarded blaster, and animal tracks all over. Thinking quickly, Skydive concluded that one of the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]] had entered the base and ambushed Wheeljack where he sat. He rushed back to the shuttle and found the door had been forced. Seeing a shadowy figure carrying a heavy burden in the dark, Skydive figured it for the Predacon carrying Wheeljack's remains and LEAPT into action!''

''As it turned out, Wheeljack had just overheated the makeshift heating unit he had brought out to keep warm. Getting tangled in the smoking heater, Wheeljack knocked over his own table and broke the lamp. The noise brought an angry polar bear over, and a frantic Wheeljack tore out of there carrying the still smoldering heater, forcing the door to the shuttle when he reached it. Then some NUT jumped him from out of nowhere!''

''Air Raid suggested everyone go to bed and forget the incident ever happened. The motion carried. {{storylink|Mystery!}}''

''Air Raid was present with the entire Earthforce team outside Autobot Earthbase when Wheeljack unveiled his brand-new unbreachable defensive system. This was unfortunate, as Wheeljack had forgotten that, once activated, the system could only be turned off from the inside. [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] elected to run the gauntlet and reach the shutdown console inside, and the Aerialbots provided air support for him. Air Raid and his buddies gunned down the [[Acid Bats]] at the entryway, giving Prowl his chance to get through. {{storylink|The House that Wheeljack Built!}}''

{{note|Unlike the rest of Earthforce, the return of the Aerialbots (besides Silverbolt) was never explained on panel. Presumably, Wheeljack rebuilt them in the Bodyshop much like he did for [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]].}}

=====Marvel UK future timelines=====
''In 2008, Air Raid and [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] rushed to defend [[Autobot City]] from [[Quintesson]] invaders. Their crew was quickly overwhelmed, however, and so were the duo when they ran to get some more help. {{storylink|Space Pirates!}}''

=====''Another Time and Place''=====
Air Raid joined Silverbolt and Skydive in an assault on Hydrus Four, blasting open a medical center occupied by the Decepticons in order to rescue the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] and prevent the resurrection of Megatron. {{storylink|Another Time and Place}}

====Generation 2====
After the defeat of [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] and his Decepticons on [[Klo]], the Autobots split into smaller combat units throughout the universe. Once Optimus Prime and Grimlock learned of the threat posed by the second generation [[Cybertronian]] army, though, the Autobot forces reconsolidated under their command. Air Raid and the other Aerialbots were first seen after the Autobots had retreated to an asteroid sanctuary for retraining. They were, um, outsmarted by [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]. {{storylink|The Power and the Glory}} Later, he was rescued by the Decepticon [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] in the skies over [[Ethos]] while battling G2 Cybertronians. {{storylink|Escalation!}} Still, he managed to do a little better against the Cybertronian Empire the second time around, popping jets out of the sky so that the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] could, ah...greet them on the ground below. {{storylink|Total War!}}

===Cartoon continuity===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Rob Paulsen]] (English), [[Kenyū Horiuchi]] (Japanese)

At one point during the eternal war with the Autobots on Earth, Megatron grew fed up with how his opponents ruled the roads and created a group of Decepticon cars known as the [[Stunticon|Stunticons]]. In order to give his new warriors life, he brought them to Cybertron and tracked down the ancient supercomputer, [[Vector Sigma]], to input cybernetic personalities into the Stunticons. Thanks to a series of traps and drones in their way, the Autobots failed to prevent Megatron from succeeding and returning to Earth. Seeking to even the playing field, Optimus Prime conceived of the idea of retrofitting several broken-down Cybertronian ships into Earthen jets, and bringing them to life as a team of Autobot flyers. With the help of his technical savvy soldiers, [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], Wheeljack, [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], and Prime's own creator, [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]], Optimus' plan was enacted and the Aerialbots were born. {{storylink|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 2}}

{{storylink|Aerial Assault}}
{{storylink|War Dawn}}
{{storylink|Cosmic Rust (episode)|Cosmic Rust}}
{{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2}}
{{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 3}}
{{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}}
{{storylink|Forever Is a Long Time Coming}}
{{storylink|Thief in the Night}}
{{storylink|Carnage in C-Minor}}

On one occasion, Air Raid was buzzing too close to [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] during a battle on Earth, and the dinosaur city unleashed his full plasma breath. Air Raid's tail-fins were scorched and he had to set down in a small lake, but his sacrifice gave Silverbolt a chance to fly down Trypticon's throat now that his flame was temporarily used up. The Aerialbot leader was then able to cause serious internal damage to the giant Decepticon before flying back out again. {{storylink|The Ultimate Weapon}}

{{storylink|The Big Broadcast of 2006}}

He once willingly served as living bait, drawing [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] and [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] into chasing him with lasers blazing until he isolated them in an asteroid field, where the rest of the Aerialbots were waiting to ambush the Decepticons. {{storylink|Fight or Flee}}

{{storylink|The Burden Hardest to Bear}}
{{storylink|The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 1}}
{{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 1}}
{{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 2}}

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
Air Raid spent time as Superion's leg, then died. Oh, in-between that, he punched Starscream. {{storylink|Prime Directive}}

{{charstubfiction}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
* '''Air Raid''' (Aerialbot, 1986/1991)
**''Team ID number'': '''A5'''
**''Japanese ID number'': '''C-54'''
**''Accessories'': "[[Torque rifle]]"

: Air Raid transforms from a black [[wikipedia:F-15 Eagle|F-15 Eagle]]. He can combine with his fellow Aerialbots to form Superion, and as a [[Combiner|Scramble City]]-style limb toy, he can also combine with any Scramble City team leader, though his nominal position is as Superion's left leg.

: In Japan, the Aerialbots were all made available again as mail-away items during ''[[Return of Convoy (toyline)|Return of Convoy]]''. The smaller toys cost 1000 yen (120 more than their original retail price!) and 2 [[robot points]].

*'''Superion''' (Gift set, 1986)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''C-55'''

: All five Aerialbots were also available in many markets as a gift set.

{{-}}

===Generation 2===
* '''Air Raid''' (Aerialbot, 1994)
**''Team ID number'': '''A2'''
**''Accessories'': "Torque Rifle"

: The first Generation 2 Air Raid was a [[redeco]] of the original. His plane mode was primarily blue and featured stickers with a pattern reminiscent of the costume of a [[human]] [[Spider-Man|superhero]]. His robot mode was mostly white and silver .

{{-}}<span id="Cyberjet"></span>
[[Image:AirRaidCybJet-AeroRaid-toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|]]
* '''Air Raid''' (Cyberjet, 1995)
**''Accessories'': 3 missiles

: Air Raid's second ''Generation 2'' appearance was a redeco of the [[Cyberjet]] [[Skyjack]], transforming into an [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes|F-117A Nighthawk]]. He features a pressure-launch missile launcher that becomes his right arm in robot mode. His non-loaded missiles can be stored in clips on the undersides of his wings.

: This toy was sold in Japan without changes (though it did come with an extra decal sheet) as [[Aero Raid]]. This mold was also used to make the 2004 ''[[Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[#Universe (2003)|version of Air Raid]], and ''[[Robot Masters]]'' [[Delta Seeker]].

===Universe===
* '''Air Raid & Wind Sheer''' (Deluxe, 2004)
**''Accessories'': Missile

: For the ''[[Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' line, the Cyberjet Air Raid was redecoed again and released in a two-pack with the [[Decepticon]] [[Wind Sheer (Universe)|Wind Sheer]] at the Deluxe price point. The lack of [[Bio|bios]] for ''Universe'' characters leaves open the possibility that this is not the original Air Raid. Then again, there's nothing that says it ''isn't'', either.

===Universe (2008)===
====Classic Series====
*'''Aerial Rivals''' (multi-pack, 2008)

: A redeco of the ''[[Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire's]] ''Legends of Cybertron'' figure, Air Raid's colorscheme is based upon his Cyberjet incarnation and was only available in a set with [[Blades]], [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]], [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]], and [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]].

====G1 Series====
[[Image:Universe2008 AirRaid.jpg|right|300px|thumb|]]
*'''Superion''' (Multi-pack, 2008)
**''Accessories:'' 2 dual-barrel cannons, connector piece, Autobot-type [[energon star]]

:Available only as a component of Superion, this version of Air Raid is a dark grey and black [[redeco]] of [[Energon (toyline)|''Energon'']] [[Windrazor (Energon)|Windrazor]]/[[Treadshot (Energon)|Treadshot]], transforming into a small, futuristic fighter resembling an F-22 Raptor. He can also form a leg or arm to any ''Energon''-series "[[Powerlinx]] [[Combiner]]" super robot, though his nominal placement is as the left leg to Superion. He comes with two double-barreled guns and a connector piece, which can form hand-held weapons as well as become a footplate or "hand" for his combined mode, plus a blue "super energon" Autobot-style energon star that fits over his [[spark crystal]].

:Air Raid was released, along with the others in this box set, in ''[[Universe (2008 franchise)|Universe]]'' (2008) packaging in Australia and Singapore, but it is unknown if this version will be released anywhere else. This set has recently been announced as a Target-[[exclusive]] set in ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen]]'' [[Superion (ROTF)|Superion]] packaging for North America. Thus, this toy doubles as [[Movie (toyline)|Movie]] [[Air Raid (Movie)|Air Raid]].

:This mold was also used to make [[Fun Publications]] [[Transformers Collectors Club]]-[[exclusive]] [[Breakaway (Classics)|Breakaway]].

==External links==
*[http://www.tfu.info/1986/Autobot/AirRaid/airraid.htm Air Raid at TFU.info]
*[http://www.ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Air_Raid Air Raid's Universe profile at NTFA.net]

[[Category:Aerialbots]]
[[Category:Autobots]]
[[Category:Cyberjets]]
[[Category:Generation 1 characters]]
[[Category:Generation 2 characters]]
[[Category:Headmasters characters]]
[[Category:Mail order items]]
[[Category:Universe characters]]

Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)

2009-06-11T11:37:09Z

119.224.16.243: /* Classic Series */ The box clearly identifies his figure as Skydive, and the Jetfire redeco as Air Raid.

{{factions|autobot|autobotg2}}
{{disambig3|Skydive}}
{{picsneeded}}
:''Skydive is an [[Autobot]] [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbot]] from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Skydive profile.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Bookish flying ace extraordinaire.]]
'''Skydive''', it has been said, would rather read about an aerial battle than take part in one. He's the Aerialbot's resident bookworm and is fascinated by the history and science behind aerial warfare. Within the limits of his design, he's capable of duplicating the flight patterns of anything he sees. His knowledge of aerial warfare and tactics is unmatched. Skydive is probably the most skilled Autobot flier in existence. All of that, and you're more likely to find him secluded in a cozy library than actually in the sky. He's simply too modest and bookish to realize how smart and skilled he really is. Thankfully the rest of the Autobots definitely do.

Skydive combines with his fellow [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] to form [[Superion (G1)|Superion]].

:''Italian name'': '''Log'''
:''French-Canadian name'': '''Parachuto'''

== Fiction ==
===Cartoon continuity===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Laurie Faso]] (English), [[Takurō Kitagawa]] (Japanese)

At one point during the eternal war with the Autobots on Earth, Megatron grew fed up with how his opponents ruled the roads and created a group of Decepticon cars known as the [[Stunticon|Stunticons]]. In order to give his new warriors life, he brought them to Cybertron and tracked down the ancient supercomputer, [[Vector Sigma]], to input cybernetic personalities into the Stunticons. Thanks to a series of traps and drones in their way, the Autobots failed to prevent Megatron from succeeding and returning to Earth. Seeking to even the playing field, Optimus Prime conceived of the idea of retrofitting several broken-down Cybertronian ships into Earthen jets, and bring them to life as a team of Autobot flyers. With the help of his technical savvy soldiers, [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], Wheeljack, [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], and Prime's own creator, [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]], Optimus's plan was enacted and the Aerialbots were born. {{storylink|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 2}}

[[Image:Skydive slingshot.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Skydive tries to explain to Slingshot why his wrist-mounted sundial doesn't work in the shade.]]
Because Optimus Prime specified to Vector Sigma that the Aerialbots be given personalities that required them to learn and grow, and make their own decisions, however, Skydive and his friends were not instantly bound to the Autobot cause. Their sense of pride in their flying ability caused many of them to look down on the other Autobots. Despite their personalities being like night and day, Skydive and Slingshot were frequent flying partners and often on the same side of any argument. Skydive's eye for aerial maneuvering left him just as impressed as the more emotional Slingshot when it came to the [[Seeker|Seekers]]' flight skills, and this innocent zest for knowledge led him and his partners into a Decepticon trap. Turning the [[Kronosphere]] on the hapless Autobots, Megatron sent the Aerialbots back in time nine million years. Their journey led them to the earliest days of the war, and they personally saw Megatron maliciously gun down unarmed Cybertronians in his quest for power. Skydive and the other Aerialbots returned to the present with an unshakeable commitment to seeing the Decepticons threat ended. {{storylink|War Dawn}}

Skydive and [[Slingshot]] were once carved up into pieces and somehow put back together by a street kid who also just happened to be a deposed royal prince of a Middle Eastern nation who is also a mechanical genius. Convenient. {{storylink|Aerial Assault}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Generation 1====
{{noteukonly}}
''Thanks to his previous connection to the [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]], [[Buster Witwicky]] began experiencing dreams and visions of new Transformers, beginning with an etching of Superion he made without even being consciously aware of it. {{storylink|Devastation Derby!}} By sharing his visions with [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], Buster was able to clarify the images and understand the future of the evolution of the Cybertronian race -- amalgam model robots like the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]]' [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], capable of a more-streamlined merging into a more powerful form. It was these visions which allowed Optimus Prime and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] to conceive of and construct the Aerialbots. {{storylink|Second Generation!}}''

Working on a plan to reverse engineer the gestalt technology the Decepticons used to create Devastator, Optimus Prime and the Autobots staged a daring raid on the Decepticon base of operations, giving [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] enough time to digitally record the Constructicon's electrical transformation pattern for study. {{storylink|Command Performances!}} Working off that blueprint, Wheeljack successfully created Skydive and the Aerialbots. During the new warriors' testing phase, however, the Autobots were alerted to a Decepticon operation at Hoover Dam. Only the Aerialbots were fast enough to reach the location in time, and so Prime was forced to send them into battle before their programming was completed.

Arriving to find a giant energy siphoning device being channeled through the [[Space Bridge]], [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]] deferred to Skydive's strategic knowledge on how to deal with the target. Skydive's preliminary attack run failed to even damage the device, however, and before he could make a second pass the Decepticon jet [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] took the offensive, temporarily grounding Skydive with the disruptive power of his engines.

The Aerialbots eventually turned the tide on the Decepticons and drove them off, giving them time to focus on the energy siphon which was the core of the problem. At Silverbolt's command, they merged into Superion and began dismantling the drill device. A problem arose, however, when [[Bombshell]]'s [[cerebro-shell]] controlled pawn [[Ricky Vasquez]] pointed [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (in his gun mode) at the giant Autobot. Because the majority of the Aerialbots were not programmed specifically to protect human life, Superion only saw a potential threat that needed to be eliminated. As the human fought against the Decepticons' control, Silverbolt too fought inside Superion's gestalt mind to protect the human. In the end, Silverbolt was forced to disengage Superion to keep him from destroying the human. Luckily, Ricky was more successful and managed to break the cerebro-shell's hold long enough to point Megatron at the drill and destroy it, ending the threat. {{storylink|Aerialbots over America!}}

After the near disaster at Hoover Dam, Optimus Prime had the Aerialbots shut down and their programming completely erased. Returned to a blank slate, he then inputed fully-programmed personalities for them with the Matrix before their next mission. It, uh... didn't help. In battle with [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] as Superion, the Aerialbots were attacked by [[Circuit Breaker]], deactivated, and captured by [[RAAT]]. It was only a lucky break that they were eventually freed. {{storylink|Heavy Traffic!}}

As [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] took over the Autobots, Skydive and the other Aerialbots took an extended leave of absence from the war, since the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]] commander focused Autobot resources on repairing their fallen comrades and prepping the Ark to become spaceworthy again.

Sometime later, it was Skydive, [[Fireflight (G1)|Fireflight]], and [[Air Raid (G1)|Air Raid]] who were the first to respond to a distress call from Buster Witwicky, the Autobots' old human ally who had been prisoner to the Decepticons for nearly a year. This led the combined Autobot and Decepticon forces into battle with [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], who had acquired the nigh-infinite power of the [[Underbase]] for himself. The Aerialbots were his first victims, wiped out in a single blast of cosmic power in the skies over New York City. {{storylink|Dark Star (issue)|Dark Star}}

Along with the other deactivated Autobots aboard the Ark, Skydive and the Aerialbots were eventually revived by the [[Nucleon]] super-energy Grimlock and the Dinobots recovered from [[Hydrus Four]].

=====Earthforce=====
{{earthforcefiction}}
''Fresh off the RE-assembly line, Skydive screwed up an Autobot mission by broadcasting the location of [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and his hijacked Decepticon ozone rocket over an uncoded frequency. Luckily, Prowl managed to remove the poison gas cannisters before the Decepticons got there, and the two 'Con factions ended up fighting over nothing of value. {{storylink|Life in the Slow Lane}}''

''A few nights later, Skydive was coming to relieve [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] from a late-night guard shift when he found signs of a skirmish. Wheeljack was gone, and some animal tracks he took for signs of [[Predacon (G1)|Predacon]] activity were all over the place! Tracing them to the main base, Skydive found it had been forced open, and a shadowy figure was creeping through the halls. He leapt into action!...right on top of poor Wheeljack. It turned out Ol' Wheels had tripped over his lamp and heating unit at the guard post, run into a polar bear, and scampered away out of sheer fright, forcing the door when he couldn't find his key.''

''This incident was mercifully left off the official duty logs. {{storylink|Mystery!}}''

''Skydive was present with the entire Earthforce team outside Autobot Earthbase when Wheeljack unveiled his brand-new unbreachable defensive system. This was unfortunate, as Wheeljack had forgotten that, once activated, the system could only be turned off from the inside. Prowl elected to run the gauntlet and reach the shutdown console inside, and the Aerialbots provided air support for him. Skydive and his buddies gunned down the [[Acid Bats]] at the entryway, giving Prowl his chance to get through. {{storylink|The House that Wheeljack Built!}}''

{{note|Unlike the rest of Earthforce, the return of the Aerialbots (besides Silverbolt) was never explained on panel. Presumably, Wheeljack rebuilt them in the Bodyshop much like he did for [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]].}}

=====Marvel UK future timelines=====
''In 2008, Skydive was on monitor duty at [[Autobot City]] when he detected a "disappearing blip" on the radar screens. He alerted [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]], but before they could ID the contact, the contact ID'ed itself: [[Quintesson]] [[Trident]] attack craft on bombing runs! Skydive was knocked out by the oncoming blast, but Blaster dragged him to a safe place. {{storylink|Space Pirates!}}''

=====''Another Time and Place''=====
When [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] and the Decepticons took control of the Nucleon supply at Hydrus Four, Skydive joined Air Raid and Silverbolt in bombing the medical center to announce the Autobots' imminent arrival. {{storylink|Another Time and Place}}

====Generation 2====
After the Autobots split into smaller combat units throughout the universe, Skydive was sent to Earth with a group of Autobots under [[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]]'s command to deal with the re-emergence of Megatron. The Decepticon's new abilities and [[Cobra]] allies proved a considerable challenge, though. After half their number were killed and their transport destroyed, Skydive volunteered for a strategic play to get inside the enemy-controlled Ark. Shutting off his systems on a time-delay to appear as lifeless machinery to the sensors Megatron had set up in the ship, he was smuggled aboard the Ark by some disguised [[G.I.Joe]] soldiers. {{storylink|Final Transformations}} Once inside, he received some surprise help from [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]], who had returned just in time to reconnect with his [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] partner, [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]. With Fort Max sacrificing his life to distract Megatron and destroy the Ark, Skydive got to safety with [[Sidney Biggles-Jones|Dr. Sidney Biggles-Jones]], the human scientist Megatron had taken prisoner. {{storylink|All or Nothing!}}

Once Megatron resurfaced with Starscream and reassumed command of the Decepticon army from [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]], Skydive sent a transmission to Optimus Prime and soon left Earth duty to reunite with his fellow Aerialbots in the stars. {{storylink|The Gathering Darkness}} He was later involved in the ill-fated defense of the planet [[Ethos]], {{storylink|Escalation!}} and the battle for Earth against [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]]'s [[Cybertronian]] armada. {{storylink|Total War!}}

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
Skydive and his fellow Aerialbots became one of the first Autobot "[[Special Teams]]" several million years ago, adopting the process used to create [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] in order to become Superion. The unchecked destructive power of these super-robots was eventually recognized by the Autobot and Decepticon factions, however. By the time of the Dark Ages, the [[Crisis Intervention Accords]] had been ratified, strictly forbidding Special Teams from operating together on any given faction, in order to prevent these titans from tearing the planet apart. {{storylink|The War Within: The Dark Ages}}

In the 1980's, Skydive and the Aerialbots were active on Earth with Optimus Prime and the crew of the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]''. They did not arrive on that ship, however, and the actual manner of their arrival was never explained. After the destruction of the ''[[Ark II]]'', the Aerialbots were some of the few Transformers who were not recovered by Lazarus for his reprogramming venture. Instead, they were reactivated as Superion in 2002 by Optimus Prime, using the power of the [[Matrix]]. During the battle of [[San Francisco]], Superion was broken down into his individual components while battling Devastator and the [[Seeker|Seekers]]. Skydive and his team eventually reunified in order to intercept a nuclear missile headed for the California coastline. Superion, and by extension the Aerialbots, were destroyed in stopping the missile. {{storylink|Prime Directive}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
* '''Skydive''' (Aerialbot, 1986)
**''Team ID number'': '''A2'''
**''Japanese ID number'': '''C-51'''
**''Accessories'': "[[Nega-gun]]"

: Skydive transforms into an [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes|F-16 Falcon fighter jet]]. As a "[[Scramble City]]" style combiner, he can form the arm or leg to any super robot of compatible construction, though his nominal placement is as the right leg to [[Superion (G1)|Superion]].

:All five Aerialbots were made available as mail-away offers in Japan during ''[[Return of Convoy (toyline)|Return of Convoy]]''. Skydive (like all the other limb-jets) cost 1000 yen and two [[Robot Point|robot points]].

*'''Superion''' (Multi-pack, 1986)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''C-55'''

: All five Aerialbots were made available in a gift set, released in most markets. The toys are identical to their individually-packaged versions.

===Generation 2===
* '''Skydive''' (Aerialbot, 1994)
**''Team ID number:'' '''A1'''
**''Accessories'': "Mega Gun"

: Skydive was [[Redeco|redecoed]] for his ''[[Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' release, gaining a fetching gray and blue scheme.

===Universe (2008)===
====Classic Series====
*'''Aerial Rivals''' (multi-pack, 2008)

: A redeco of the ''[[Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' [[Soundwave (Cybertron)|Soundwave's]] ''Legends of Cybertron'' figure, Skydive's colorscheme is based upon his ''Generation 2'' incarnation. He was only available in a set with [[Blades]], [[Air Raid (G1)|Air Raid]], [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]], and [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]].

{{-}}

====G1 Series====
[[Image:Universe2008 Skydive.jpg|right|300px|thumb|]]
*'''Superion''' (Multi-pack, 2008)
**''Accessories:'' Shield/double-cannon, Autobot-type [[energon star]]

:Available only as a component of ''Universe'' Superion, this version of Skydive is a lavender and grey redeco of the ''[[Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' [[Sky Shadow (Energon)|Sky Shadow]]/[[Terradive (Energon)|Terradive]] mold, transforming into an A-10 "Thunderbolt" plane. He can also form a leg or arm to any ''Energon''-series "[[Powerlinx]] [[Combiner]]" super robot, though his nominal placement is as the right leg to Superion. He comes with a shield/double cannon that can become a footplate or "hand" for his combined mode, plus a blue "super energon" Autobot-style energon star that fits over his [[spark crystal]].

:He shares his mold with fellow Superion pack-mate [[Fireflight (G1)|Fireflight]].

:Skydive was released, along with the others in this box set, in ''[[Universe (2008 franchise)|Universe]]'' (2008) packaging in Australia and Singapore, but it is unknown if this version will be released anywhere else. This set has recently been announced as a Target-[[exclusive]] set in ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen]]'' [[Superion (ROTF)|Superion]] packaging for North America. Thus, this toy doubles as [[Movie (toyline)|Movie]] [[Skydive (Movie)|Skydive]].

:This mold was also used to make [[Fun Publications]] [[Transformers Collectors Club]]-[[exclusive]] ''[[Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' [[Skyfall (Cybertron)|Skyfall]].

==External links==
*[http://www.tfu.info/1986/Autobot/Skydive/skydive.htm Skydive at TFU.info]
*[http://www.ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Skydive Skydive's ''Universe'' profile at NFTA.net]

[[Category:Aerialbots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 characters]]
[[Category:Generation 2 characters]]
[[Category:Headmasters characters]]
[[Category:Mail order items]]

To sell toys

2009-06-11T10:54:24Z

119.224.16.243: /* Huge casts */

[[Image:MarvelUS-19.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Hasbro wasn't quite sure whether to advertise this expensive toy until the fans forced their hand.]]To understand Transformers fiction, it is important to understand that it exists '''to sell toys.''' [[Hasbro]] and [[TakaraTomy]] are toy companies, and they are primarily interested in continuing to sell [[Toy|toys]] to children and adults. The cartoons, comic books, etc., mostly exist to make this happen. To be sure, they normally make a profit in their own right, but this is regarded as mere gravy.
The "to sell toys" effect often distorts the fiction in interesting ways. Primarily, since you can't usually sell someone the same toy twice<ref>Except for repaints of [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]].</ref>, [[Hasbro]] and [[Takara]] constantly introduce new toys, and often require the creators of the fiction to introduce the new characters into ongoing storylines. Older characters (whose toys are no longer being sold) are shoved aside to make room.

Another effect of "to sell toys" is when the toys have gimmicks which must be explained in the fiction. Sometimes ([[Mini-Cons]]) this is relatively easy, while other times it requires a lot of imagination on the part of the writers (the in-comic explanations for the [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] and [[Targetmasters]] are kinda wonky).

The UK [[Transformers (Titan Magazine)|movie-based Transformers comic]] takes this to more blatant heights. Not only do the movie toys like [[Clocker (Movie)|Clocker]] and [[Skyblast (Movie)|Skyblast]] appear in strips, not only has the editor told readers in Mech Mail that all the toys are great and should be bought... but there is a specific 4-page feature every week called ''Top Gear'', which exists solely to promote the newest Transformers merchandise. This has led to readers being told how great [[Optimash Prime]] was.

==Casting==
===Huge casts===
[[Image:CosmicRust-BigGroup.jpg|right|300px|thumb|[[Pokeformers|Gotta catch 'em all!]]]]
Hasbro makes a lot of toys at once, and they generally want all of them to appear in their fiction. This can force writers to bring in vast numbers of characters all at once, sometimes with awkward results. Examples include:

* The first issue of the [[The Transformers (Marvel Comics)|Generation 1 comics]], "[[The Transformers (issue)|The Transformers]]", in which 28 different robots appeared and introduced themselves, even though only a handful are important to the plot.
* The 1987 ''[[Headmasters (comic)|Headmasters]]'' Limited Series, which introduced over 60 characters in the course of four issues, including all the first waves of [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] and [[Targetmaster|Targetmasters]], all their [[Nebulos|Nebulan]] partners, the [[Technobot|Technobots]], [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]], and [[Monsterbot|Monsterbots]].
* The cartoon episode "[[The Rebirth]]" likewise abruptly introduced a deluge of 1987 characters, mostly the same ones seen in ''Headmasters''.
* In the first four episodes of ''[[Robots in Disguise (cartoon)|Robots in Disguise]]'', eighteen characters are introduced in quick succession.
* From #9 onwards, [[Transformers (Titan Magazine)|Titan's movie-based ''Transformers'']] has heavily bumped up the cast with new toys. In one example, #17 brought in nine new toys in eleven pages; only one of the five Decepticons got any real focus or dialogue.

===Random casting===
The Hasbro-induced need to show all the toys can also cause stories to suddenly focus on a new character, sometimes dropping ongoing plot threads about older ones. Examples include:

* Season 2 of the cartoon introduced many new characters/buyable toys with no explanation; despite never having been seen before, the story treats them as though they have [[Beachcomber (G1)|been there]] [[Perceptor (G1)|the whole]] [[Tracks (G1)|time]].

[[Image:Decepticonpretenders-behold.jpg|right|200px|thumb|After seven issues, it's finally time for these six dudes to do something!]]
[[Image:Optimusprimeg1preearthmarvel2.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Apparently, the Triggerbots didn't make much of an impression on Prime.]]
* The comic issue "[[Pretender to the Throne!]]" suddenly introduces a dozen Autobots and Decepticons that we've never met before, and follows their adventures. The story adds nothing to the long-range plot that couldn't have been accomplished by using existing characters; these teams were added to the mix to promote their new toys.
* Many issues of the [[The Transformers (Marvel Comics)|Marvel comic]] had cover blurbs in the form "Introducing the _______!", where the blank was whatever the latest line of toys was. The following issues specifically introduce new toys on the cover: [[Repeat Performance!|#8]], [[The Next Best Thing to Being There!|#10]], [[Brainstorm!|#11]], [[Command Performances!|#19]], [[Aerialbots over America!|#21]], [[Crater Critters|#29]], [[The Cure!|#30]], [[Pretender to the Throne!|#40]], [[People Power!|#42]], [[Ca$h and Car-nage!|#46]], [[Club Con!|#47]], and [[Yesterday's Heroes!|#60]]. Throw in a few covers where new characters were pictured but not named, and that's 1/5th of the series.
* In [[Spacehikers!|issue #36]] of the Marvel comics, when [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] decides that he needs help in dealing with [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]'s inept leadership, he doesn't turn to any of the ''dozens'' of Autobots aboard the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'', which include two combiner teams and Omega Supreme. No, he has to call in his "old buddy"/new toy, [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]].
* In the prelude to the [[Underbase Saga]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] were the lead characters in a story set before the Transformers came to [[Earth]]. But rather than palling around with the likes of Jazz or Prowl, they are instead shown alongside the newest "gimmick" characters, the [[Triggercon|Triggercons]] and the [[Triggerbot|Triggerbots]].
* [[Mainframe Entertainment]] planned to use [[Wolfang]] in ''Beast Wars'', but [[Tigatron]] appeared instead because he had an upcoming toy, and to save money as his cgi model was only a slight tweak of [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]]'s.
* Rather than revealing stuff about the [[Vok]] and [[Tarantulas]], a long-running subplot, "[[Other Victories]]" spends much of its time telling us how great [[Tigerhawk]] is and how we should buy his toy.
* The [[Rise of Safeguard|sixth issue]] of ''[[The Arrival]]'' stops following the regular cast so it can flag the awesome cool out-now-in-shops [[Safeguard (Animated)|Safeguard]] toy.
* Prominent generals in [[Transformers (Titan Magazine)|Titan's movieverse]] Decepticon army change frequently and without any acknowledgement as new toys jostle for (and gain) space.

===Limited casting===
On the opposite side of things, Hasbro doesn't want to pay to depict characters that aren't selling toys. This can force a story, particularly an animated cartoon, to have a smaller cast than it otherwise might.

* The early episodes of [[Armada (cartoon)|''Armada'']] featured only the toys available on the shelves. This resulted in two ridiculously small teams going to Earth for the all-important mission of gathering Mini-Cons, rather inexplicable in story terms.
* [[Armada (Dreamwave comic)|Both the Dreamwave]] and [[Armada (Panini comic)|Panini comics]] suffered exactly the same problem, but it gets worse: [[First Encounter|the first Armada episode]] reused models of older Transformers as generic background guys to bump numbers up. The comics ''didn't''. So Megatron apparently conquers all of planet Cybertron with an army of three guys, whereas the city/planet defending Autobots are just five blokes.
* Dreamwave would also [[Dreamwave Armada issue 10|feature a scene on Cybertron]], where the ''only'' Autobot who seemed to exist was [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]].

==Plot==
===Forced explication===
{{main|Introdump}}

Rather than simply showing up in the background, new toy/characters often overtly introduce themselves, often with a ridiculous description of their special abilities. The Marvel comic is rife with examples, but it shows up across numerous fictions.

* Again, [[The Transformers (issue)|''Transformers'' #1]] has two huge splash pages in which 28 characters do nothing but stand around and tell each other who they are and what they can do.
* The two-part Generation 1 cartoon episode "[[Dinobot Island, Part 1|Dinobot Island]]" features many new 1985 characters getting their own short little introductory scene, often with a characteristic bit of self-description ([[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]]: "I'd rather stay in my stunning auto mode!" [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]]: "I'm ''always'' ready for action!" [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]]: "Wow, like, I hope we don't destroy this place before we can study it!")
* "[[The Rebirth]]" has ''three different sequences'' in which large new groups of characters form a lineup and introduce themselves to viewers one after another. Strangely enough, much of this screen- and dialogue-time is given over to Nebulan partners; the "main" Transformer characters get no such introductions, even though they are the items kids would have to purchase to acquire the Nebulan accessories. For instance, [[Spasma]], [[Monzo]], and [[Peacemaker]] (all speaking characters) are introduced by name as part of various lineups, but their in-store hosts [[Apeface]], [[Weirdwolf]], and [[Pointblank]] are never named (and Weirdwolf never even speaks).
* "[[Beast Wars (Part 1)]]" has the Maximals walk on one-by-one admiring their beast modes, loudly explaining their names and showing character traits. This also gives the impression they deliberately changed their names to fit these new beast modes for no apparent reason (and, more oddly, Dinobot was ''already called that'').

===Gimmicks===
When the toys can do something special, fiction writers must often go out of their way to show the gimmick in action.

* The Headmaster gimmick got [[Headmasters (comic)|an entire Limited Series comic book]] devoted to it.
* The comic issue "[[Pretender to the Throne!]]" features [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] proudly creating the [[Pretender|Pretenders]], gloating that they will hide the Decepticons' identities from the Autobots "until it is too late". Not only does the plan not actually work, it's also a plot point with absolutely zero lead-in or build-up -- at no point has Scorponok ever expressed concern about his troops being detected by the Autobots, and we've never even met the Pretender characters before. It was brought about solely because the new toys had to be jammed into the story. (The, uh, story of returning Optimus Prime's character to the comic book because he had a new toy.)
* [[Rotor Force]] made their debut in [[New Dawn]], and both here and in subsequent ''Generation 2'' issues would primarily fight enemies not with guns like everyone else, but by firing their giant rotors at them. Page 3 of ''New Dawn'' actually shows them having to ''stop and reattach their rotors'' before they can carry on fighting.
* [[Megatron (RID)|RID Megatron]] had six alternate modes and the cartoon really wanted you to see them, which is why [[Battle Protocol|his first appearance]] is as ''a giant hand for no reason''. It gets sillier when he turns into Galvatron and gains four more modes. In [[Mistaken Identity]], he turns into his "Iron Mammoth" form when facing off against [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|a hostile Fortress Maximus]] even though he doesn't ''do'' anything in his form except stand there ''as he was already doing''.
* [[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]] and [[Jetfire (Animated)|Jetfire]] are the only Autobot jets in the ''Animated'' line. (Not counting the toyless [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]].) To fully big this up, their origin story has it that there have ''never been'' any flying Autobots before, despite them having been in (and won) a long and bitter war with enemies who ''often fly''.

The [[Unicron Trilogy]], noted for its gimmicks in all three toylines, was particularly notorious in this regard:

* The quest for power-enhancing [[Mini-Cons]] practically defined the plot of the ''[[Armada (cartoon)|Armada]]'' cartoon, with both factions out to recruit or capture all the Mini-Cons.
* [[Powerlinx|Powerlinxing]] is shown again and again and again in ''[[Energon (cartoon)|Energon]]'', despite having comparatively little relevance to most episode plotlines.
* Cyber key powerups are likewise shown repeatedly in ''[[Cybertron (cartoon)|Cybertron]].''
* All three series were also marked by lengthy transformation sequences which highlighted the gimmicks in very toy-accurate animation (and also made production cheaper, thanks to [[Stock footage|recycled footage]]).

===Strange developments===
Shoehorning loads of new characters with new powers can compel the writers to do things with the plot that, in all probability, they otherwise wouldn't.

* Marvel UK had to promote the [[Special Teams]] toys ''before'' they knew how they'd be appearing in the US reprints. To get around this, [[Simon Furman]] wrote a story arc titled ''[[Second Generation!]]'', where [[Buster Witwicky]], Optimus and Shockwave <strike>watched an advert</strike> saw a Matrix-induced vision of the Special Teams.
* In the US Marvel comics, the simultaneous introduction of the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] and [[Stunticon|Stunticons]] and the introduction of the Pretenders both saw a lot of rigamarole involved in explaining why both the Autobots and the Decepticons had new members with identical numbers/gimmicks at the same time.
* Season 3 of the [[Generation 1 (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]] almost completely ignored the characters of the previous two seasons that were no longer on toy shelves. The 1985 Autobot cars, for example, are not seen at all. [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] and the 1985 Mini-Vehicles, by contrast, show up now and again, as their toys were still shipping. Even Starscream, who was ''dead'', managed to get a couple of Season 3 episodes all to himself; again, his toy sold through 1986.
* The first thirteen issues of the ''[[Armada (Dreamwave comic)|Armada]]'' comic were focused around the Mini-Cons, with plots often revolving around their desire to be seen as equals and not be enslaved. Then without ''any'' prior set-up, the last five issues turn into a dimension-spanning battle against [[Unicron]] - who had just had a new and expensive toy.
* "[[A Fistful of Energon]]" has [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] learn not to use upgrades, and gives up using powerful samurai armour. But whoops, Hasbro thought "hey, we could make a toy out of that armour"! And so in [[Five Servos of Doom|a later episode]], Prowl ''regains'' it and the show hurriedly claims that the upgrade is fine ''now'' cos Prowl realises now that it's the Autobot, not the upgrade.

===Power levels===
In order to make new characters seem more ''totally awesome'', they're often depicted as ultra-powerful in their initial appearances. Once they become old news, they frequently seem to lose their super-charged abilities.

* The Generation 1 cartoon introduced Devastator as the ultimate threat. Once newer combiner teams came along, however, he was less of a threat, easily defeated at various times by Menasor, Broadside and even Perceptor.

[[Image:Buzzsawyikes4.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Buzzsaw reminds Omega Supreme he's not a new toy any more.]]
* The Marvel comics feature [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] as nigh-invulnerable and ultimately powerful in [[Command Performances!|his début issue]]. Just [[Dark Star (issue)|two years later]], he's getting his butt handed to him by the likes of [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]].
* In her first appearance on the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon, [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] effortlessly blasts [[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]] to pieces. She never displays such a level of power again.
* Similarly, [[Rampage (BW)|Rampage]] was presented as a huge threat when he first appeared, but just a few episodes later, he seems just slightly tougher than the average Predacon (save for a few notable occasions).
* [[Sky-Byte]] was actually a credible threat for his first couple of episodes.
* The [[Commandos]] were far more powerful and competent than the Predacons, who were made even ''less'' powerful and competent as episodes went on. Remarkably, this was actually used in the plot, with Megatron focusing on the new toys while the Predacons became underdogs trying to get their old status back and one-up the new guys.
* ''Any'' new toy character in the Unicron Trilogy cartoons is almost guaranteed to win the day's battle.
* [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]] was a staggering behemoth as big as the sky in his introduction. By the time of the ''Energon'' cartoon, he's just this slightly tall guy (despite the fact he had a new toy at the beginning of the series).
* When the newly redecoed Jetfire and Optimus combine in Dreamwave's Armada comic, they are so powerful ''they can hurt Unicron himself''.
* [[Scourge (Cybertron)|Scourge]] was incredibly powerful when he was first introduced, but later on, he's getting slaps on the wrist by Lori and Thunderblast, and became more of a comedic bumbler than a credible threat.
* The Decepticons in ''Animated'' started off as being so horrifically powerful that the entire Autobot team had to take on a ''single'' one. By Season 3, this no longer happens. Uniquely, this was ''deliberate'' by the writers: they wanted to show the Decepticons as supreme threats, and have the Autobots gradually being better at dealing with them.

===New bodies===
There's rarely a compelling reason for a Transformer to get an a brand-new body in fiction; it's simply to promote a new toy. It has become a default way to keep a popular character on shelves, rather than having to kill them off and introduce a new character to keep moving toys. Sometimes fiction writers are able to work these alterations in elegantly... sometimes not.

[[Image:Bumblebeeskindeep.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Ratchet pulls a Kitty Pryde on Bumblebee.]]
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] was rebuilt and upgraded into Goldbug following his near-destruction... and is later rebuilt back into Bumblebee to sell the new Classic Pretender toy. The reason given is that [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] deliberately downgraded Goldbug against his will because he liked his old form better, something Bumblebee is strangely fine with.

* Season 2 of ''[[Beast Wars (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' introduced the new [[Transmetal]] toys in short order, requiring some strange sci-fi waffling to explain why members of both teams suddenly got special new bodies. The writers had originally planned to introduce these changes gradually, across the length of Season 2, but Hasbro ordered them to be brought in immediately. (The slow-and-gradual notion would eventually appear during Season 3.)

* The [[Unicron Trilogy]] cartoons feature [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]] getting recolored and renamed "Galvatron" ''three times''; at the start of each subsequent series, he's turned back into Megatron but with a different body. This is due to Hasbro's wanting to keep the [[Trademark|trademarks]] "Megatron" and "Galvatron" as well as to sell more toys.

* Several times during the Unicron Trilogy, characters get new paint jobs as part of some magical power-up enhancement. These new color schemes exist solely to promote redecorated toys like "[[Ironhide (Energon)|Energon Ironhide]]" or "[[Hot Shot (Armada) toys|Powerlinx Hot Shot]]". Even the comics got in on the action, introducing the redecorated versions of [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] and [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus]] during the Unicron arc.

* The three future members of the [[Cybertron Defense Team]] get shot up by Megatron, then transmogrify through the power of [[Burning Justice|BLAZING HEART OF JUSTICE]] into new forms. These new forms, of course, were just hitting shelves at a toy store near you.

* In the course of the [[Transformers (2007)|live-action movie]], [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] gets irritated at a slight against his alternate mode, and scans a new form. Voila, suddenly he's got ''two'' toys on the shelf!

* When [[IDW Publishing|IDW]]'s ''Transformers'' comic originally came out, there were no Generation 1-themed toys to flog, and many characters were given altered designs for the series. Then along came ''[[Universe (2008 franchise)|Universe]]'', featuring new toys of Generation 1 characters, and suddenly multiple characters get new, toy-accurate bodies in ''[[All Hail Megatron]]'', for no apparent in-story reason.

* [[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave]] was originally grey, but when he was reunited with the ''Animated'' Decepticons, he changed his colours to purple while referring to it as his proper look. Why he changed colouration to go undercover was not explained, but it may have something to do with a purple-coloured Shockwave toy being out when that episode aired.

[[Image:MarvelUSG2-12.jpg|right|150px|thumb|It's the end of the road for Transformers Generation 2! That can't bode well for the toyline.]]

===Abrupt conclusions===
Just as Transformers fiction lives at Hasbro's pleasure, so too does it die. Falling sales, a change of plans, and standard [[rebranding]] can all cause a storyline to come to a sudden end when Hasbro decides to pull the plug.

* The American Generation 1 cartoon got a somewhat rushed conclusion in the form of "[[The Rebirth]]", rather than a full fourth season.
* The Generation 1 comics were nearly canceled at [[On the Edge of Extinction!|issue #75]], but granted a reprieve. The stay of execution was only temporary, however; with the Generation 1 toyline ending, the comic was terminated a mere five issues later, resulting in a rather hasty concluding plotline.
* Hasbro was only willing to support the [[Generation 2 (Marvel Comics)|''Generation 2'' comic]] for twelve issues, unless it proved an unqualified (perhaps phenomenal) success. Aware of this from the start, writer Simon Furman was able to plot a story arc that reached its finale as the series ended (and poked fun at it with a character whose name is a pun on "[[Jhiaxus (G2)|Gee, axe us]]".)
* The writers of the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon reportedly never had any idea if they'd be back for another season. When the axe fell with Season 3, they had only three episodes left to wrap up the whole series.
* Hasbro nearly killed off the just-begun comic series ''The Wreckers'' in 2001, wishing instead for [[3H Productions|3H]] to focus on a ''[[Universe (2003 comic)|Universe]]'' comic advertising its current toyline.
* With ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' coming out in June, Titan had to end their alternate universe storyline in May so they could tie in early—an issue earlier than planned. The main strip handled this, with the notable exception of [[Jazz (Movie)#Titan Magazines Transformers movie comics|the Jazz plot arc]] going completely unresolved, but it played havoc with working out the reprints!
* Even though ''[[Cybertron (cartoon)|Cybertron]]'' wasn't abruptly cancelled, Kids WB ended the series on the cliffhanger of the episode "[[Revelation (episode)|Revelation]]", leaving millions of kids tuning in next time only to get a re-run of Xaolin Showdown. The reason? The Cybertron Defense Team toys hadn't hit stores yet.

{{-}}

==Death==
[[Image:Tftm1986a.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Guess who's no longer in the Mini Vehicles case assortment?]]
[[Image:Newyorkunderbase.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Publisher's clearing house.]]
[[Image:BW Scorponok Terrorsaur deaths.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Scorponok, Terrorsaur, we're condemning you to a fiery death 'cause Waspinator has a bigger fan club.]]
===Killing off old product===
The most obvious To Sell Toys effect comes from the temporary nature of retail sales. Even in the 1980s, toys rarely stayed on the shelves past two years; today that timespan is much smaller. Once a toy is no longer selling, Hasbro has no interest in supporting fiction about that character -- especially when there's newer toys to promote. Therefore, writers are often compelled to remove characters from the story by killing them off. Sometimes this happens through carefully developed story arcs, but it's easier to do it with huge, apocalyptic battles with massive numbers of casualties.

This has become less common in recent years, as Hasbro has come to realize that their target audiences can actually get attached to certain characters, and might not enjoy seeing them die random, brutal, meaningless deaths.

* In ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', numerous main characters are killed or changed in the movie's first 30 minutes, including [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], and [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]]. They are replaced by a slew of new characters; in fact, the poster for the movie shows ''only'' new characters.

* Numerous characters are killed in the Marvel UK comics saga "[[Time Wars]]". The Grim Reaper seemed to spare either popular characters (Megatron and [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]) or newer characters ([[Carnivac (G1)|Carnivac]], [[Catilla]], [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] and [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], for example.)

* The [[Underbase Saga]] features a super-powerful [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] killing literally ''dozens'' of characters; some place the count over fifty. The survivors were mostly from the [[Pretender]], [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]], and [[Targetmaster]] ranks, those being the then-current toy lines. However, the explanation (Underbase power didn't affect those TFs with organic components) caused that even the [[Seacon (G1)|Seacons]], new toys at the time, met their end.

* The climactic [[On the Edge of Extinction!|battle with Unicron]] 25 issues later killed off many of the Underbase survivors, whose shelf run had ended.

* With its enormously expensive CGI animation, ''Beast Wars'' was particularly vulnerable to toy-based interference. The expense of creating and animating a CGI body model meant that the character roster had to remain fairly constant; the introduction of all-new characters usually required the removal of an equal number of pre-existing characters. And so, [[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]] and [[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]] die just in time for the arrival of [[Quickstrike (BW)|Quickstrike]] and [[Silverbolt (BW)|Silverbolt]]. (Frustrated with the situation, the writers [http://www.builtstlouis.net/tf/manic/m-botcon.html carefully planned out] the demise of [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]], anticipating that someone would have to be removed to make way for [[Rampage (BW)|newer characters]].) [[Tigerhawk]] was introduced and then killed off within three episodes, due to corporate uncertainty about whether the toy would actually be produced.

* [[Nemesis Part 2]], the finale of ''Beast Wars'', kills off most of the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]] and several [[Maximal]]s, making even G2 seem restrained by comparison.

* ''[[The Reign of Starscream]]'' would end up killing a large number of Autobots in one issue, after their toys had been around for a while; as they'd not made an appearance in the comics until this mini, this is both an example of Huge Cast ''and'' Product Clearing. {{storylink|The Reign of Starscream issue 3|The Reign of Starscream issue 3}} It would then go on to bump off some Decepticons, while its sequel ''Alliance'' slaughtered ''hordes'' of Decepticons with old toys. Mowry is the new Furman... {{storylink|Alliance}}

===Hi-and-die===
[[Image:Chuffer cof.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Likely dialog: "SHEEEAAGH!!"]]
Kids don't want to buy a toy of a character who's dead. So if the plot calls for someone to die, smart money bets on the character who has a toy as the survivor. The guy without a toy, who you've never heard of before? Toast. This is the Transformers version of ''Star Trek's'' infamous [[wikipedia:redshirt_syndrome|redshirt syndrome]].

* This approach was particularly common in the [[The Transformers (Marvel Comics)|UK comics]]. Characters created specifically so they could be killed off include Wrecker leader [[Impactor]], Autobot/zombie food [[Chuffer]], Tailgate's Autobot trainee buddies/mutant fodder [[Subsea]] and [[Flattop (Autobot)|Flattop]], and the 6th member of the "Magnificent Six", [[Stampede]].
* The US comics also used this approach on occasion, as with [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]]'s poignantly adorable buddy [[Scrounge]].
* The ''Energon'' cartoon introduced [[Padlock]], whose purpose was to die at [[Shockblast]]'s hands, proving motivation for toy-character [[Wing Saber]].
* ''Animated'' chucked in [[Arcee (Animated)|Arcee]] so Ratchet could have a tragic past where he failed to save someone. (And ''then'' she got a toy!)
* The [[Transformers Animated (Titan)|Animated comic]] wants to do a story arc about an Autobot who's really a spy and then have him killed. Quick, [[Afterburn|make someone up]]!

===Resurrection===
Killing off a character isn't always toy-motivated; sometimes it's a dramatic plot development. But it can also be a problem if Hasbro decides to make a new toy of that character.

[[Image:Inferno dies agenda2.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Only a flesh wound!]]
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] has been resurrected [[The many deaths of Optimus Prime|so many times]] that it's practically a defining character trait. His original revival in the cartoon didn't correspond to any actual toy release, but the Marvel comic brought him back specifically to advertise his Powermaster form. A second death-and-revival introduced his [[Action Master]] body. And a ''third'' death-and-revival brought him into his Combat Hero toy form.
* Numerous "dead" characters were brought back into the Marvel comic series when their Classics and/or Action Master versions were released. Many were "deactivated" rather than outright dead; however, very few ''non'' Action Master characters showed up alongside them.
* The series writers for ''Beast Wars'' considered [[Optimus Primal]] dead and gone at the end of Season 1. Hasbro, however, had a [[Transmetal]] Optimus Primal toy to promote, and so he was returned to life in Season 2.
* At the end of Season 2 of ''Beast Wars'', [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] was pretty clearly shown being killed--being ''disintegrated''--but in the next season appeared to have just been bruised and cracked, because Hasbro was not ready to have a Mega-scaled toy removed from the series.
* Pretty much ''nobody'' could successfully die in the [[Energon (cartoon)|''Energon'' cartoon]]. [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]], [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]], [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]], [[Tidal Wave]], [[Wing Saber|Wing Dagger]], and [[Inferno (Energon)|Inferno]] all die and/or are resurrected from the dead during the course of the show.
* [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]] still had toys out in 2008. The bio for All Spark-Enhanced Autobot Jazz states he was brought back from near-death by the All Spark and is "more powerful than ever". Voila, Jazz comes back from the dead thanks to the All Spark in Titan's tie-in comic! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 16|Dark Spark}} Optimus even uses the ''term'' "Autobot Jazz" in a later issue... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 21|Hard Target}}

==Notable exceptions==
There are, however, a few notable exception to the To Sell Toys effect:

===Toys not released in the relevant market===
Occasionally the ''Transformers'' fiction released in a particular country features characters whose toys were not released in that country. The Marvel UK comic featured two variants of this phenomenon:

* Characters inherited from the US strips. Some, such as [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] and the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]], were given fairly prominent roles in the US stories reprinted in the UK comic and so it was hard to ignore them completely in the UK originated material despite their toys not being around to need advertising. However the decision to develop the Predacons (even before their US appearances were reprinted), to have entire storylines focusing on Swoop, and also to keep Shockwave in continuity even after he'd been (supposedly) killed off in the US comic goes beyond this.
* Characters not featured in the US strips. Bizarrely the UK comic also made use of some characters such as [[Roadbuster]], [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]], [[Chop Shop]] and [[Venom (G1)|Venom]], despite their toys not being available on UK toy shelves. None of these characters were inherited from the US material.

Writer [[Simon Furman]] has since stated that when writing the stories he was generally unaware of which toys were unavailable in the UK: "We largely took our cue from what characters were being introduced into the US storyline. If there was a release schedule for the toys in the UK, we rarely saw it... But in the case of Swoop and the Predacons, I don't think I was consciously aware (at the time) that we were dealing with toys not generally available in the UK. They were just extant characters, and therefore fair game." <ref>[http://transfans.net/interviews_furman.php TransFans.net - Interviews: Simon Furman - Part 1 'The Past'].</ref>

===Post-Marvel comics===
[[Image:Infiltration 1b.jpg|right|200px|thumb|"Hey, Runamuck, it's our first appearance on a comic book cover in twenty years!""Heh heh, now if only we could appear on toy store shelves..."]]
Both [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] and [[IDW]] comics, the two recent holders of the license to publish Transformers comic books, sometimes produce comics using whichever toy line is current (e.g., Dreamwave's ''[[Armada (Dreamwave comic)|Armada]]'' comic or IDW's [[Transformers (2007)|2007 movie]] tie-ins), and sometimes publish comics using whatever characters they please (e.g., ''[[The War Within]]'' and ''[[Escalation (IDW)|Escalation]]''). The characters in their "discretionary" comics are often not currently available in toy form ([[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]], a current character in IDW's G1 continuity, has not had a toy in 20 years), sometimes are drawn with bodies that have ''never'' been toys (most of the ''War Within'' characters), and sometimes are toys that were never available outside of specific countries ([[Lio Convoy]] in IDW's ''Beast Wars'').

[[Chris Ryall]], IDW Editor-in-Chief and writer of the miniseries adapting the 2007 movie to comics [http://idwpublishing.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=69377#69377 had stated on IDW's forums] that Hasbro does not dictate what comics IDW must make ("Nope, no dictates at all from Hasbro. We put the plan together, send to them for approval."). Presumably that changed somewhat between the time of his statement and the launch of ''All Hail Megatron''.

==Footnotes==
<references/>

[[Category:Toys]]